Things That Make Me Happy: 120 Greatest Mood Lifters
Everybody feels down in the dumps on occasion. And sometimes, it’s hard to climb out of the pit without some help. So, if you could use some encouragement, I’m offering my list of 120 things that make me happy. And they can lift your mood, as well.
Actually, it doesn’t take intense action to alter a bad mood, just small tweaks in mindsets and thought processes. And a definite change of focus to keep you from feeling sad for too long.
Granted, there are instances where sadness is more profound, such as times of deep loss or with behavioral mood swings. In these cases, professional help is needed to manage symptoms.
However, for the typical in and outs of life, here are the many things that make me happy. 120 of them in fact! And I hope this list makes you happy too.
So, let’s get started!
Things That Make Me Happy I Do For Others
I. Telling another person I love them.
2. Doing nice things for others who truly appreciate it
3. Opening a door for someone who says, “thank you”
4. Smiling at an individual who smiles back at me
5. Buying a gift for a person I love
6. Giving a compliment to others and making their day
7. Helping an older person with a needed task
8. Teaching someone and watching their eyes light up when understanding dawns
9. Volunteering in the community
10. Petting an animal
11. Helping an animal in need
12. Buying ice cream for a child
13. Paying it forward at the drive-through
14. Leaving a big restaurant tip for a good server
15. Seeing my mother-in-law’s face light up when I visit
16. Taking my kids and grandkids on adventures
Doing things for others, whether animal or human, removes the focus from yourself and your problems. Thus, it forces you to take action that makes a difference to others. And you’re likely to feel better as a result.
Things That Lift My Mood In Regards To Others
17. Watching a family movie with my family
18. When a child creates something for me from the heart
19. Sitting down to a family meal
20. Cooking for my family and someone else cleans up afterward
21. A surprise visit from someone I love
22. Girl’s trips
23. Playing with my grandkids, nieces, and nephews who all think I’m a big, fun kid
24. A baby smiling and cooing at me
25. Going shopping with a friend
26. Making a new friend
27. Having a meaningful conversation with someone
28. When my daughter’s boyfriend does my yard, then waits for me to notice.
29. Hanging out with my best friend
30. When one of my brothers calls me
31. When a coworker thanks me for helping them
32. Singing the songs to my kids my dad sang to me, and years later, hearing my kids sing them to my grandkids.
33. Hearing someone who I adore tell me, “I love you”
34. When another person does something thoughtful for me.
35. Whenever someone who knows me well, finishes my sentence and nails it.
36. Receiving a compliment I know is genuine.
37. Getting to see an old friend
38. Sitting around a campfire at night, telling stories with loved ones
Now, it’s obvious one cannot control the actions of other people. But, one can seek out ways to meet others and grow relationships that create circumstances such as these.
Activities That Make Me Happy I Do For Myself
39. Making a bucket list.
40. Crossing an item off my bucket list
41. Spending five minutes a day writing in my inspirational journal
42. Sitting by the fireplace on a cold day reading a book
43. Drinking my favorite cup of coffee every morning
44. Enjoying a glass of good wine while watching a chick flick
45. Going out to eat in a great restaurant
46. Traveling
47. Learning something new and then feeling smart as a result
48. Eating healthy
49. Walking my dog and enjoying the beauty of nature
50. Hiking a beautiful trail
51. Seeing an awesome movie
52. Visiting the place where I grew up
53. Cuddling with my furbaby
54. Breathing fresh air in the mountains
55. Going camping and four-wheeling
56. Working out
57. Visiting a fall festival
58. Going to the county fair
59. Eating a baked-from-scratch goodie
60. Playing in the snow
61. Building a snowman
62. Enjoying a soothing cup of hot chocolate after coming in from the cold
63. Looking at Christmas lights
64. Taking a trip to Walt Disney World
65. Watching a fun parade
66. Sleeping in on a weekend
67. Rising early and sitting outside while listening to the birds sing
68. Jumping on a trampoline
69. Singing along to favorite songs from my teenage years
70. Dancing freestyle
71. Redoing my bedroom
72. Planting flowers
73. Reclining on a white, sandy beach with a gorgeous drink in my hand
74. Negotiating a bargain price on an item I love, or finding a really good deal
75. Getting a new haircut that makes me feel pretty
76. Practicing gratitude for the blessings in my life
Enjoying nature is a natural mood-lifting activity.
Various Things That Make Me Happy
77. Watching vegetables sprout and grow that I planted myself
78. Having fun at the swimming pool on a 100 degree day
79. Realizing I can still run to the end of the block
80. Recalling fond memories from childhood
81. Reminiscing about sweet memories of when my children were young
82. Finding out I can still drive a stick-shift
83. Having a clean house
84. Trying something new and enjoying it
85. When something I created turns out beautifully
86. The freedom of feeling weight lifting from my chest as I read my Bible
87. The warm fuzzies I get from reading a heartwarming story
88. When someone lets me hold their baby
89. Listening to a baby’s laughter
90. Rocking and cuddling a baby to sleep
91. Every time my tiny dog lays his head on my shoulder and looks at me with love in his eyes
92. The feeling I get upon accomplishing a big task
93. Knowing I’ve done a good job and performed it well
94. Watching an excellent community play
95. Waking up and having something to look forward to on that day
96. Playing Wordle and getting it right by the third word
In reality, the majority of the activities that make me happy are ones in which I, myself, play a strong role. And you can also do this by participating in activities that decrease stress and redirect your mind’s focus toward happier subjects.
However, there is still more to come.
Unexpected Sources Of Happiness
97. Winning a contest or award
98. Eating my favorite foods and not getting heartburn
99. Going to see the doctor and he says everything looks good
100. When my online orders show up on my porch
101. Listening to a waterfall or a running river
102. Hearing the patter of a summer rain while I’m in bed at night
103. Seeing my tiny dog “defend me” against perceived threats when I play with our big dogs
104. Coming home to find three furbabies who are ecstatic to see me
105. The rare times my scale shows a five-pound weight loss
106. When clothes fit better than they did the week before
107. Feeling the sun shining on my face
108. When I feel healthy
109. Hearing a funny joke
110. Feeling a kitten rub against my leg wanting pets
111. Listening to good news
112. Watching my football team win a big game
113. Whenever my basketball team wins
114. Anytime something good happens to my child
115. When my child succeeds at something new
116. Watching my children graduate
117. Seeing my children marry people they love
118. Every time I see my child’s partner treat her with love and respect
119. Playing on Pinterest and finding a pin that really speaks to me
120. The joy of taking off work for a mental health day
Final Words On Joyful Activities
So, there you have it! That’s 120 things that make me happy and I hope many of them will make you happy too.
Whenever life pulls you down it is up to you to get back up. And the best way to do that is to change course. Do something else for a while.
Then, you can come back later to examine the issue causing you to feel down in the dumps. Hence, it will be easier to figure things out when the problem is less raw and you are more objective. Thus, you will be much more likely to find a solution that works for you.
Always remember when you are sad, there are still good things in your life. And it is important not to take them for granted. So, enjoy this list of happy thoughts and adopt a few of them for your own well-being. Create blessings for your life instead of waiting for them to come to you.
Then you can write a list of things that make you happy too!
Related Posts About Happiness
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Powerful Quality Time To Carve Out And Enjoy In Just 5 Minutes
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susan@joyamongchaos.com
Such a great list! It’s the little things.
I totally agree! Those are the moments that are also so easy to ignore!
Enjoying my cup of coffee in the morning without doing work or running around. I love slow, peaceful mornings.
Those are the best! While wearing pajamas and simply enjoying the moment.
First of all, I love that this list is over 100 things that make you happy. That alone makes me happy for you! Secondly, this is such a great and uplifting post!
Thank you! I am hoping it makes lots of other people happy too.
So awesome! It’s so easy to forget all the little things that bring us joy! Enjoying my coffee as I type. Thank you! I am saving this on Pinterest too!
Thank you, Cindy! Savor that coffee!
Finding joy can change your everyday life and the quality of your life. This is a keeper and an everyday reminder. Thank you so much! I will be sharing!
I appreciate that, Lindsey. Just reading this list makes me smile!
You have pointed out the many many reasons we have to find happiness! I love this! We all tend to hear so many of the negatives in the world, and I believe if we really pay attention, we can find the good (even in bad times). I love that so many items you listed that make you happy are simple, everyday things! Thanks for pointing those out!
I think it’s simple things that create the most happy moments. I’m so glad you pointed that out!
What a list….really enjoyed reading it and definitely made me smile here and there – thank you!
I love that you loved it! The whole intent is to make you smile. So happy it did!
Plenty to choose from. Thank you so much for all the suggestions.
Thank you, Biljana. I appreciate your comment.
This post is so uplifting and fill will positive. The key is being grateful and appreciate the little things in life.
I totally agree! Thank you for the kind words.
What an uplifting and inspiring post, thank you for sharing the joy!
So happy this post is finding its’ mark! Thank you!