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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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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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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