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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Plan a Trip
Today is Day 11 of my Happiness Hacks series. Today’s happiness hack was finalizing plans for a trip with two of my best college friends. We’re meeting in early December to celebrate a “significant” birthday milestone we’re all reaching over the next year. We’ve been emailing back and forth for about a month to figure out…
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Finish a Project
Today is Day 10 of my Happiness Hacks series. I don’t know about you, but I tend to have multiple projects going on at once. I’m just not a linear project kind of gal. My computer desktop and open tabs are a dead give-away that I’m not great at sticking with one thing from start…
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Gather Around the Table
Today is Day 9 of my Happiness Hacks series. On most days, one of my favorite times is when we sit down to eat dinner together. Our family dinners include lively conversation, usually spurred on by our discussion of “Highs, Lows, and Buffaloes.” My kids claim that we have the longest dinner of any of their…
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Hug Your People
Today is Day 8 of my Happiness Hacks series. My daughter is home from college for fall break, so we have four precious days with her after not seeing her for two months. I’m keeping it simple (so that I can get back to my people). Give hugs. Yep. Hugs are a simple, easy, and super great-feeling…
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Gift an Experience
Today is Day 7 of my Happiness Hacks series. In my gift giving over the past several years, I’ve focused on experiential gifts more than material ones, because, I think, they’re so much more fun to give AND to receive. Today I’m heading on a road trip to a women’s conference. I gave this trip as…
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Send a Card
Today is Day 6 of my Happiness Hacks series. In yesterday’s mail, I received a hand written card from one of my best friends, Karen. It’s not my birthday or any other special occasion, and she lives nearby. The fact that she didn’t have a reason to write, other than letting me know how she feels…
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Say “YES” to a Spontaneous Event
Today is Day 5 of my Happiness Hacks series. This morning I did something out of character and said “yes” to a fun, spontaneous event. My friend Alison had posted on her Facebook page yesterday about a local coffee shop becoming Luke’s Diner for one morning in honor of the 16th anniversary of The Gilmore…
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Volunteer
Today is Day 4 of my Happiness Hacks series. About a year ago, I toured an amazing women and children’s shelter where they help moms retain (or get back) custody of their children. The program provides training and education in parenting, life, and vocational skills for the participants. I was so impressed with the program and facility…
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