Hello! Apparently March 20 is International Day of Happiness! What a nice day to celebrate :)

I've recently had to make a big life changing decision between something that I knew would make me so happy personally, and something that made so much sense practically. I surprised myself and made the practical decision. I'm still thinking about it and hoping it was right. It was something I stressed over and worried about for a few days. But I think making the practical choice will spill over to other aspects of my life and make me happier overall.

Every year on New Year's Day, I like to do the things that make me happiest. I feel like it sets my path for the year and if I make time for the stuff I love then I am on the right track. So I am going to adapt that mentality today, and reflect on what makes me happy, and how I'm going to make more time for those things in my life.

Here are some things that make me happy :)

1. Friends, family, and Tj - This one is top of my list. We always say that I get my energy from spending time with my friends and family, and Tj gets his energy from his surroundings and being in a big city. Not to say that he doesn't love his friends and family, just that he doesn't need them in the same way that I do. Today I'm going to send lots of snapchats and facetime!
2. Pets - I miss my dogs! They are my moms dogs, but when I was home for the summer I loved having pets around. I LOVED walking my dog. When I was younger we had a crazy dog named Mac, and I definitely didn't walk him enough. But he was so bad, I couldn't control him! So this past summer I made an effort to walk the dogs every day. It made me so happy seeing them so happy. Jack was so cute, he knew every time I grabbed my gym bag and started getting ready that he was going for a walk and he would get super excited! I felt like if I didn't get anything else productive done that day, at least I made the dogs happy. I don't have a pet in Melbourne, but I'll get my brother to sneak the dogs back home lots of treats from me today!
3. Reading and writing - Ok, I'm sure you've gotten the point by now that I love reading. I am just about to finish a book, so it will be easy for me to make sure I squeeze in some reading time today. I also like to write! It's something I like to do just for myself. I didn't even realise how important writing is to me until my grandad passed away a few years ago. I had just moved to London and I was having a hard time processing the news and being so far from everyone. My mom suggested I write about it to help me deal with it. And it did help, being able to remember funny stories about him and get out some of the sadness I was feeling. I mostly try and write fiction stories for myself, but whenever I get in even twenty minutes of writing time I feel so good after. So, this afternoon I'm going to make a big cup of tea and have a cookie and shut off the wifi and just write.
4. Self care - Today I am getting my haircut! Yay. I haven't had my hair done since moving to Australia, which feels like forever. It's nice to be a little pampered once in a while. I should also go to the gym, but I don't want to ruin my hair! I think I'll do a little yoga this afternoon, and meditate and just relax. I've been stressing over that decision I had to make, so now I want to sit back and chill out a bit. I can be super introverted and taking some time for myself always makes me feel super refreshed and happy.
5. Baking - I love baking. Sometimes I hate it because it can be a lot of work and if the recipe doesn't turn out it's annoying. I don't think I'll have time to bake anything today, but I will be picking out a nice Easter recipe! Something with lots of chocolate! And maybe something with raisins for Tj. He randomly really loves raisins LOL.
6. Travel - Traveling makes me really happy. It can be stressful, but it is always awesome exploring somewhere new and seeing something different. Even the bad travel experiences are eventually funny. I'm going to do some research today for an upcoming trip Tj and I are planning!

I don't think International Day of Happiness is just about doing things that make me happy, but I'm also thinking about how I can spread happiness. Which means I just might make Tj some oatmeal raisin cookies after all. Or I'll give a compliment to a stranger. Or make a donation to a charity. Or send someone a gift or a card. Or share an inspirational quote.

I think the lesson I'm taking away from today is to put aside everything that I need to get done and just to remember what it's all for. We work to make money to afford life and the things we want to buy or do, and we need to clean the house to have a nice home to relax in after a long day. I need to do groceries so I can make a nice meal, and laundry so that I have clean clothes. But if those have to wait until tomorrow, that's fine, because today I'm going to play with the dog (I wish) or have a two hour conversation with my girlfriend. It shouldn't take an International Day of Happiness to make us actively think about the things that make us happy or make others happy. This reflection couldn't have come at a better time for me and  this is such a good reminder to myself to not let the bs and the stress of adulting get to me.

I am also get Tj to play some Dutch Blitz today, because it also makes me really happy to win! LOL.

Have a happy happiness day :)