Finding Joy in the Present

Happiness is an interesting concept to think about. At times it's elusive and at others it's there in full force without a single effort being made. Sometimes I even find myself unsure of whether I'm happy or merely existing. I spend almost everyday indoors – working, eating, sleeping, and doing "nothing." And while I'm not necessarily sad or down on myself, I'm often lacking that spark of joy as I look towards a more exciting future.

In pursuit of that too often fleeting sense of happiness, I work on appreciating what I have in the present – the little things ( also the namesake of this blog)! By focusing on what I don't have or what I'm not doing, I miss out on all the amazingness that surrounds me.

“A way of life that keeps saying 'Around the next corner, above the next step,' works against the natural order of things and makes it so difficult to be happy and good."

– Benjamin Hoff, The Tao of Pooh

I remind myself that life doesn't have to be "larger than life," and I shouldn't be waiting for it to be either. I don't need an impressive resume, an awe-inspiring skill, or to be a constantly going out socialite to be happy. What I have now is perfectly fine. Joy can be found in every thing and every moment if you really slow down and take a look around you. In honor of appreciating the little things, I'm breaking down some of my favorite practices in cultivating happiness!

Liven your space

Green is my favorite color (maybe you can tell). Something about is so comforting and energizing at the same time. Because of my affinity for the color, I try to incorporate it into aspects of my day to day, like my room decor and wardrobe. When I see the plants on my dresser or put on my olive converse, I feel a spark of joy!

Color has a great impact on mood, so surrounding yourself with colors that you love will help bring you happiness. Now I'm not suggesting everything you own be in one color (even I'm not quite at the Green Lady's level), but I am advocating for the importance of incorporating whatever colors make you happy into your life. This small detail can make a big difference in finding joy in the present.

Unplug

Social media is addicting. I waste hours just browsing on my phone everyday, and while it might keep me occupied and entertained, it doesn't make me happy. On top of this, we're all forced to stare at our computer screen for hours in class and to complete assignments.

I do my best to step away from the screens to relax and hit the reset button on my eyes and head. Immersing yourself in nature and the present moment is a great mood booster. Surrounded by plants and fresh air (or just doing an indoor activity) without the distraction of your phone or laptop allows you to focus on your mind, what's around you, and/or the people you're with.

Create something

Something that (almost) always makes me happy is cooking and baking. The only time this doesn't make me happy is when the dish doesn't come out the way I expected. Or when I have to cut onions. But overall, putting together ingredients to create something yummy, and then eating it, is a guaranteed spirit-lifter.

In the past I've even done some painting. When it comes to art, I'm never striving for perfection or even something "good." The mere act of being creative and letting myself have fun is more than enough to make me happy. Sometimes you just have to let yourself create without any expectations or self-criticism.

brown sugar cookie

spinach galette

pesto cauliflower

Smile

This might seem a bit backwards. Being happy makes me smile, not the other way around –right? But just cracking a wide grin makes a big difference in how you feel. I find that smiling to myself is effective in cultivating happiness, whether it's in a mirror or to empty space. "Forcing" this positive energy ushers in real positive energy :)

Pet a pet

The joy of spending time with an animal is no secret. Countless families include at least one furry companion – my own included. Playing with and petting my cats Remy and Milo never fails to make me happy. Unfortunately for me, they're not always in the affectionate mood, but they made the list anyways. The mere presence of an animal brightens any moment.

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Focusing on the details of life and the present moment is so important. Despite being so simple, all of these practices have really helped me be a happier person.

Now I think I'm gonna go find a new recipe to try.

Talk to you next time,

Sara