I’m not sure why Mother’s Day triggers me to write about how to be happier…I guess it’s just because it should be a special day, not one filled with tasks and chores and well…laundry and cleaning up. Laundry has been a point of contention for me lately because the pile just keeps getting bigger and my goal is to get it done today and dare anyone to get anything dirty before Sunday. I don’t want dirty laundry there to muddle up any of my good vibes on Mother’s Day. This has been on my mind, but to make things worse, Amos threw up on our bed in the middle of the night last night. It was 2:00 am and not a pleasant thing to deal with in the middle of the night. I got everything cleaned up (Baldy, conveniently, had to have his knee x-rayed yesterday because it’s swollen and hurting from something, so he was no help). Long story short, it’s all in the laundry waiting for me this morning along with all of the other things. It’s not that no one in the family helps, it’s just not important to them like it is to me. Anyone else have a hard time truly relaxing if things aren’t in order?

It’s funny, I didn’t set out to write about laundry this morning, but if the laundry were done and the house were clean, it would certainly make me happy. After that, I would sit down with my new Veranda magazine and my book and relax in a rocking chair on the front porch…now that sounds like the perfect way to spend Mother’s Day to me!

Having said all of that, I’m suggesting a few other (more general) ways to be happier…keep scrolling for happiness and outfit details!

This quarantine may have you feeling down in the dumps for more reasons than one. It’s hard not to worry about what the future holds when things seem upside down, but happiness is more about having a sense of pleasure, purpose and joy in the present moment., which can actually make you feel happier in the future. If you want to be happier, just add pleasure or meaning to your life.

You can feel happier in the blink of an eye by incorporating these simple practices into your life!

Find something in your life that triggers gratitude.

You hear this over and over again, but it’s the easiest and quickest way to make you feel better. Did you enjoy the coffee you had this morning, or does the warm sun make you feel gratitude. Keep it simple and absorb the feeling so you can easily come back to it!

1. Take time to appreciate something that didn’t happen during your day.

   Your car didn’t break down, you didn’t have an argument with your husband, etc. It’s all about perspective.

   Smile. 

   It’s been proven that a simple deliberate smile can activate endorphins.

   Sit up straight. 

   This may sound silly, but just being aware of your posture can make you feel better. When you slouch, you’re most likely in a bad mood or feeling tired. Sitting up straight makes you feel like more confident which is a very happy thing.

   Appreciate the simple things.

   In the end, life is made up of small usually simple moments. Pleasant experiences like a tasty snack, a conversation with a friend, or simply finishing a task are things to appreciate. When you really stop and think about it, life is full of those things. What you focus on grows!

   Appreciate who you are.

   Think of one thing you like about yourself and focus on that. When you pay attention to your strengths, you’ll feel instantly better. For example, when someone asks me what I like about myself, I say…”I’m persistent and for the most part a very positive person.”

   When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

   Think of ways that you’ve turned a setback into a positive experience. Or, if you haven’t moved forward, brainstorm ways that you can solve your problem. Setbacks aren’t failures, they’re challenges.

   Find a picture that brings back positive memories.

   Looking at a picture taken during a fun family vacation, or simply a picture of someone you love can take you back to those positive feelings. Even reading a positive quote can inspire happy feelings and lower your stress levels.

Here are a few other ways to make your day better…

Always make your bed.

Get dressed in something other than PJs before 9 am.

Hold a warm wash cloth to your face first thing in the morning, then put on a little moisturizer and eye cream.

Take a short walk.

Give yourself a spray of your favorite perfume throughout the day.

Take a break from social media if you need to.

Put a vase of fresh flowers on your desk or kitchen counter.

Light a candle while you’re working.

Have a dinner plan…even if it’s takeout.

Snuggle with your dog…it'll make you both feel good.

Call your mother…it’ll make you both feel good.

About this outfit…These jeans have become one of my favorite pairs for several reasons. The flat pockets and button fly make my stomach look flatter, the back pockets make my butt look rounder and I love the high waist because I can wear cute cropped tops. I hate to even say this, but I could not find the exact pairs to link, but I did find several similar pairs.

Baldy gave me the pink Tory Burch bag for my birthday (good job Baldy!) and I found the Michael Stars tee shirt on sale at a local boutique. My shoes are from Zara and I’m linking lots of similar and affordable pairs. The flowers make me feel good!

To all the mothers reading this post…I hope you have a lovely Mother’s Day and get to do all the things that make you happy!