Go to a Party
Today is Day 23 of my Happiness Hacks series. This afternoon is a reunion party for my summer camp, and I’m looking forward to connecting with campers, parents, and staff. We’ll be doing crafts, playing games, eating, remembering last summer through videos and slide shows, and having an assembly, just like we have at camp, complete with…
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Remembering
Today is Day 22 of my Happiness Hacks series. I’m visiting my parents this weekend, and today’s happiness hack was working on my dad’s autobiography with him. About ten years ago, inspired by a friend who had written a book about his life for his kids and grandkids, my dad decided to do the same.…
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A Strong “No”
Today is Day 21 of my Happiness Hacks series. Although today’s happiness hack sounds negative, I’ve found that part of getting my happy mojo back requires shedding tasks that are weighing on me and no longer fit with my priorities. As I look back over my life, I see the continual adding of new responsibilities without the…
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Happiness 9-1-1 Playlist
Today is Day 20 of my Happiness Hacks series. I’ve been really enjoying listening to podcasts lately, and one of my favorites is Happier with Gretchen Rubin. Yesterday I listened to Episode 87, which was a live recording in Seattle featuring people’s “Happiness 9-1-1” songs as well as their “manifestos” about life, work, family or…
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Create a “Refuel” List
Today is Day 19 of my Happiness Hacks series. One of my over-arching reasons for doing this series was to get myself back on track and feeling more positive after a season (decades?) of too much work and not enough rest. I’ve been much more mindful about how I’m feeling. I’ve also been thinking a lot more…
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Celebrate my Daughter
Today is Day 18 of my Happiness Hacks series. October 18 is a special day for me, because 21 years ago, my beautiful daughter was born. Today’s happiness hack is celebrating her! Because she’s away at college, I’m celebrating her from afar today (but visiting tomorrow to take her to dinner!). The celebration started with an…
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Walk my Dog
Today is Day 17 of my Happiness Hacks series. An upside to the flat tire currently being repaired on my car is that I’m at home all day today getting several small projects done. Although I felt like working non-stop, I took a quick 15 minute break to walk my dog Kate. The air was fresh after…
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Two Minute Activities
Today is Day 16 of my Happiness Hacks series. Today’s hack came to me via my Facebook feed. Big Brother Facebook knows the kind of articles I like to read, so tempting links conveniently pop-up as suggestions and side-track me from other more productive things I could be getting done. This one, titled “Do these exercises for…
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Laugh
Today is Day 15 of my Happiness Hacks series. Laughing is today’s hack. On most days, I get at least a chuckle at some point, usually in a conversation with someone. But a hearty belly laugh? That is definitely not a daily occurrence for me. A few years ago, I discovered Pinterest. (Don’t even ask how badly…
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Re-Read a Favorite Book
Today is Day 14 of my Happiness Hacks series. Nope, I didn’t accidentally stutter when writing this happiness hack title. Today I’ve landed on something that’s a new one for me. I’ve always loved to read, but I have never put much thought into my reading habits. I was listening to a podcast today, and Jess Lahey and…
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Coffee with a Friend
Today is Day 13 of my Happiness Hacks series. Doing this Happiness Hacks series has had an excellent side benefit. Because I need to have something to write about every day, I actually need to do something that makes me happy every day. This writing series is helping me learn to say “yes” to the right things. In my…
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Wednesday Date Night
Today is Day 12 of my Happiness Hacks series. Unless you include sitting next to each other at a soccer game as a date, my husband and I have not gone on many in the past few years. Typically, the only time we go out to dinner together is if we’re on a trip somewhere.…
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