The topic of happiness has always been interesting to me. I’ve always wanted to be a happy person and live a happy life, but I’ve never really thought about what that actually means. In my head being happy is better than being sad, but this term “happy” is so vague. My Senior Studies project will be helpful in defining happiness and understanding what it is and how it can be attained.

As of right now, my own definition of happiness is: feeling a great deal of contentment and positive emotions in one or more areas of your life. I also think that happiness involves fulfilling one’s purpose in life, by doing something or multiple things that they want to be doing and are bringing them joy. In my opinion happiness isn’t an end goal that I am going to get to and then be at forever. I think of happiness as more of a cycle, having to work towards it, being knocked down by the struggles of life, and then having to pick back up and try again. I don’t think that people can be completely happy with every aspect of their life at all times, I think that we go through times of being happy and times of not being so happy.

Recently, I have become fixated on the fact that people have a lot of control over their own happiness. I think that since we have the power to change out mindsets and be happier, why wouldn’t we try to do so? A few weeks ago when I was in a bad mood for god knows what reason, I had an ‘aha’ moment where I realized I can choose to continue sulking, or I can be positive and get over this melodramatic episode. In that moment, I chose happiness. Over the course of this semester I want to continue choosing happiness. For this first post I want to talk about the top 10 things that have always made me happy. These things may change over the course of the semester as I discover new ways to become happier, but this is what I have for now. I think that this is a good place to start. I know that these make me happy and throughout the rest of this semester I will be discovering other ways to become happy.

So here’s my Top 10:

  • 1. Spending time with family and friends
  • 2. Being outside/exploring nature
  • 3. Travelling
  • 4. Cooking/eating
  • 5. Listening to good music
  • 6. Going on spontaneous adventures
  • 7. Doing something creative (ceramics, painting, photography)
  • 8. Reading a captivating book
  • 9. Watching movies
  • 10. Taking baths