You know how people always talk about finding joy or choosing happiness like it’s some magical thing that just happens?
It’s easy to hear that and think, Okay, cool, but what does that actually mean for me?
Life gets busy. Work, responsibilities, endless things to check off the list.
Sometimes you forget what actually makes you happy. Not the big once-in-a-lifetime stuff. The small moments. The everyday things that make you feel light, alive, and at peace.
Joy isn’t just something that shows up when life is perfect. It’s something you create. It’s in the way you move through your day, the tiny things you notice, the little pockets of happiness you make room for.
This list is a reminder. A way to bring more of that into your life. Some of these might already be part of your routine. Others might be things you haven’t thought about in a while.
Either way, I hope they spark something for you.
The Small Stuff
- Waking up naturally without an alarm and stretching in bed
- Waking up early to watch the world slowly come alive
- Experiencing the first sip of a perfectly brewed cup of tea or coffee
- Finding money in my pocket that I forgot about
- Receiving an unexpected compliment and feeling genuinely seen
- Watching a thunderstorm from a safe, cozy spot
- Watching the sunrise with a cup of coffee in hand
- Lying in bed with soft, fresh sheets and feeling completely at peace
- Getting into a freshly made bed with crisp, cool sheets
- Watching my favorite childhood movie and feeling nostalgic joy
Moments that make you feel alive
- Dancing in the kitchen while cooking
- Dancing like no one’s watching at a festival or in my living room
- Throwing a spontaneous dance party in my living room
- Singing my heart out at a concert
- Playing an instrument (even if I’m not great at it) just for fun
- Going to a comedy show and laughing uncontrollably
- Making someone laugh so hard they can’t breathe
- Having a deep belly laugh with someone until tears come
Connection & Love
- Hugging someone I love and holding on just a little longer
- Telling someone I love how much they mean to me
- Staying up late to have a deep, meaningful conversation with someone I love
- Receiving a handwritten letter or postcard from someone special
- Writing a letter to my future self and sealing it for later
- Hosting cozy dinner parties with good food and deep conversations
- Writing down my dreams and allowing myself to believe in them
- Making up silly stories with kids and seeing their imagination run wild
- Giving a surprise gift that feels deeply personal and thoughtful
- Writing in a gratitude journal and smiling at all the good things in my life
Adventure & Spontaneity
- Booking a spontaneous trip just because I can
- Taking a spontaneous day off just to enjoy life
- Going on a spontaneous road trip to nowhere in particular
- Taking a different route home just to see something new
- Trying a bizarre food combination just for fun
- Visiting a historical site and imagining life in another era
- Taking a slow, scenic train ride and enjoying the views
- Skipping stones on a lake and watching the ripples spread
- Finding a little hidden café or bookstore that feels magical
- Going thrift shopping and finding something one-of-a-kind
Nature & Outdoor Moments
- Taking a morning walk in the sunshine, feeling the warmth on my skin
- Watching the stars at night and feeling infinite
- Going to a beach and letting the waves wash over my feet
- Swinging on a swing set and feeling like a kid again
- Running through a sprinkler on a hot summer day
- Jumping into a pile of autumn leaves or fresh snow like a kid
- Walking barefoot in the grass and feeling grounded
- Exploring a botanical garden and being mesmerized by the colors
- Visiting an animal sanctuary and feeling connected to nature
- Sitting by a bonfire and roasting marshmallows
Food, Drinks & Cozy Moments
- Sipping wine on a balcony while watching the sunset
- Staying in a cozy café for hours, sipping coffee and people-watching
- Trying an exotic fruit for the first time
- Visiting a farmer’s market and picking out fresh, colorful produce
- Baking cookies and eating them warm from the oven
- Baking a cake from scratch and licking the batter
- Eating fresh fruit straight from the tree or garden
- Going to a new restaurant just for the adventure of it
Creativity, Self-Care & Self-Expression
- Getting a spontaneous haircut or makeover and feeling refreshed
- Dressing up just because I feel like it
- Trying on a ridiculous outfit just for fun and giggling at myself
- Making a vision board filled with things that inspire me
- Creating a vision board filled with images that inspire me
- Taking a pottery or art class and making something by hand
- Painting or drawing just for the fun of it
- Visiting a flower shop and picking out a bouquet just for myself
Home & Cozy Vibes
- Cuddling up with a great book and a warm drink on a rainy day
- Snuggling up with my pet and feeling their warmth
- Lying on a hammock and feeling completely at ease
- Watching a firework show and feeling childlike wonder
- Letting my phone die and spending the day fully present in the moment
- Spending the entire day doing absolutely nothing and loving it
Entertainment & Social Fun
- Weekly movie nights with loved ones
- Going out once a week with friends
- Playing a board game and getting way too competitive
- Hosting a game night with ridiculous amounts of laughter
- Going to a poetry or open mic night and soaking in creativity
- Playing an old video game from childhood and feeling nostalgic joy
- Watching kids or pets play and feeling their pure joy
- Taking Polaroid pictures of little moments and keeping them in a scrapbook
Movement, Relaxation & Wellness
- Taking a yoga or dance class just for the fun of moving my body
- Jumping into a cold pool on a hot summer day
- Driving to a scenic overlook and just sitting there, soaking it all in
- Taking a long, luxurious bubble bath with candles and music
- Letting go of the need to be “perfect” and just having fun
- Laughing at my own ridiculous mistakes and not taking life too seriously
- Letting go of something that’s been weighing me down and feeling lighter
Giving, Kindness & Connection
- Giving a surprise gift that feels deeply personal and thoughtful
- Complimenting a stranger and making their day
- Volunteering and making someone else’s day brighter
- Hearing a stranger say something kind and feeling hope for humanity
- Paying for the person behind me in line just because
Magic, Wonder & Mystery
- Visiting a psychic or tarot reader just for the experience
- Dressing up in a costume for no reason and having fun with it
- Watching an old song transport me back to a beautiful memory
- Seeing a rainbow after a storm and feeling awe
- Getting completely lost in a hobby I love
- Finding a thrift store gem that feels like a treasure
- Hearing an old song and being transported back to a beautiful memory
- Seeing something that reminds me of childhood and smiling
- Walking through a city at night and feeling its energy
- Just feeling, deep in my soul, that I am alive, and life is beautiful
Make Joy a Daily Practice
This list isn’t just something to read—it’s something to live.
Take a moment and choose 10 things from this list that really speak to you. Write them down somewhere you’ll see them often.
Maybe in a journal, on your phone, or even on a sticky note by your mirror.
Then, try to experience at least one of them every day.
Joy doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s in the little things, the choices you make, and the moments you let yourself fully enjoy.
Let this be your reminder: happiness is something you create, one small moment at a time.