During the winter months it can be easy to feel low, it gets dark a lot earlier, it gets colder and that in turn can make us irritable. I know I always feel like it should be time to go to bed by 8pm. We can feel disconnected from our loved ones, we lock ourselves up in our homes and try to wrap up in warm clothes and blankets.
Writing down the things that make us happy can be a useful exercise, especially towards the end of the year when we are reflecting on the past 12 months and thinking about how we will use the coming new year.
Take some time out to write a list of things that make you happy, then reflect, how much time have you spent doing those things in the last year? Is it enough, or do you need to incorporate these things more into your life? Do you spend more time trying to make other people happy and put your own needs on the backburner? You can keep this list somewhere safe and add to it the more you think or things; and as a reminder that there is joy to be found in life, even in the tiniest thing.
Here are some of the things that make me happy to give you an idea: reading new books, re-reading books I enjoy, reading poetry, writing poetry, sculpting with clay, painting, walking in the woods, cooking recipes I know and love, cooking new things, long bubble baths, baking delicious cakes, Guylian seashell chocolates, scented candles, incense, essential oils diffusers, playing video games, knitting, spending time with friends, family and loved ones, spending time alone, re-watching favourite movies, finding a particularly good bargain, hugs, stepping on crunchy leaves, dancing, massages.
Something to ponder: If you were to ask the people around you what they think makes you happy what do you think they would say?