100 Things That Make Me Happy

Here is a simple list of 100 things that make me happy. These small, everyday things never fail to boost my mood and make me appreciate life a little bit more.

You may have heard the phrase “life’s about the little things“. I believe that this is true. There are so many beautiful, simple joys in life that we often look over and underestimate.

However, I’ve found that it’s these little things that keep me going and keep me motivated on days that feel difficult. So, maybe it’s true… that life really is about the little things that make you happy.

100 Things That Make Me Happy

This list is filled with 100 simple reasons to be happy. These are the things that I didn’t use to appreciate enough, but that I have grown to be extremely grateful for.

1. A good night of sleep
2. Sunday brunch
3. When a dog wags their tail when they see me
4. Hugs from my mom
5. A fresh vase of flowers
6. Sunday grocery shopping
7. Waking up to the sun coming through my windows
8. Getting lost in a book
9. Having a package on my doorstep
10. Smiling at a stranger and they smile back
11. Falling asleep to the rain
12. Christmas decorations
13. Pumpkin patches
14. Rewatching a favorite TV show/movie
15. Journaling
16. Microwave popcorn
17. Feeling motivated on a Monday
18. Yoga
19. Outdoor runs when the temperature is just right
20. Candles (specifically fall or winter scents)
21. A warm shower before bed
22. Baking
23. New office supplies
24. Kind social media/blog comments
25. Seeing a little kid happy and carefree
26. Getting good news
27. Cancelled college classes (especially early morning ones!)
28. Listening to a great new song for the first time
29. Driving at night in the summer with the sunroof open
30. Going through the carwash
31. Chick-fil-A
32. Hitting all the green lights when I’m driving
33. Waking up in the middle of the night when I can go back to sleep for hours
34. Any foreign language
35. Setting new goals for a new month
36. The first cup of coffee in the morning
37. When someone says I smell nice
38. Kind strangers
39. Puppy cuddles
40. Fall decor
41. Iced coffee
42. Target’s dollar section
43. Reaching a goal
44. Hearing “I’m proud of you”
45. Soup in the fall/winter
46. Online shopping
47. Poetry books (Rupi Kaur especially!)
48. Good sales/discounts
49. Laughing so hard I cry
50. Sister dates

51. Watching The Bachelor/Bachelorette
52. Babies laughing
53. Fridays
54. Pajamas after a long day
55. Seeing someone I miss after a long time
56. Traveling and exploring a new city
57. Tacos
58. A sandwich from my mom (they always taste better… don’t ask why)
59. Seeing someone love themselves and their body unconditionally
60. Helping people through something
61. Deep conversations
62. When my eyeliner turns out perfect
63. Fresh sheets with freshly shaved legs
64. Matching pajama sets
65. Seasonal grocery store treats
66. Art
67. Givng random gifts for no reason
68. Puzzles
69. Chocolate
70. Getting told I’m appreciated
71. Discovering a new hobby/skill/passion/talent
72. Family traditions
73. Christmas lights
74. Writng stories
75. Playing sudoku
76. Paydays
77. Sunsets
78. Cute AirBNBs
79. Breakfast in bed
80. Having the house to myself
81. Daily affirmations
82. When someone lets me over in traffic
83. Seeing old couples on dates
84. The first bite when you’re really hungry
85. A freshly cleaned room
86. Cancelled plans that I didn’t want to go to (LOL!)
87. Good Podcasts
88. Outdoor walks
89. The smell of my dog’s paws
90. Getting a good grade
91. Planners
92. A freshly unloaded dishwasher
93. A good workout
94. Sunflowers!
95. Ice cream dates
96. Meeting someone new
97. The first sleep in your own bed after vacation
98. Taking photos
99. Phone-free days
100. Giving and recieving love

Why I Made a List of 100 Things That Make Me Happy

Making a list of the 100 things that make me happy was an act of self-care for me. As someone who has struggled with mental health, having a solid, tangible list of reasons to feel happy has helped me in moments of sadness or struggle.

I keep this list of things that make me happy in my desk drawer. That way I know exactly where it is and how I can find it when I need it. Oftentimes, I’ll refer to this list on a hard day as inspiration. When I’m struggling, this is a super simple and quick way to generate ideas of how I can make my day feel a little bit brighter.

Looking at this list is like a quick refresher of small ways I can shift my mood. Sometimes in the middle of a workday, I’ll look at these things that make me happy and go seek one of the items out. Whether it be opening the blinds, lighting a candle, or just listening to a good song, this list helps give me “quick-fix” solutions for a mood boost.

Why You Should Make a List of Things That Make YOU Happy

Much as I was saying above, this list is perfect for cheering you up or giving you a reason to smile.

I think that a “things that make me happy” list is perfect for those who struggle with a bit of mental illness as I do. When we fall into anxious, depressive, or other mental illness episodes, it can be a struggle to find things to pull ourselves out of it. Having a list like this can help.

What is Something That Makes You Happy?

Let’s start your list together. Whether you take inspiration from my list of 100 things that make me happy or generate your own ideas entirely, leave a comment telling me something that makes YOU feel happy.