With the new year, comes new resolutions. You may want to make major changes in your life, and have drastic plans to accomplish everything you are dreaming of, but here are 17 small things that you can do to bring you more happiness. It's the little things in life that matter the most, after all.
1. Read More.
Read a newspaper. Read an article. Read a book. Expand your vocabulary. Expand your knowledge. Ignite your imagination and escape reality for a little while.
2. Start a journal.
Write about your day and the events taking place in your life. Write down your dreams and aspirations, and write down your accomplishments.
3. Write letters to your loved ones.
Write to your better half, to a dear friend, or to a family member. A handwritten letter is timeless, romantic, and more personal than other forms of communication.
4. Be a tourist in your own city.
Fall in love with where you live. Explore shops and restaurants that you usually skip over. Take advantage of all your town has to offer and do the exciting touristy things that residents don't usually partake in.
5. Take road trips to new cities.
Explore the world outside of your hometown. Get out a map. Pack your bags. Get in your car. There are endless destinations, just pick one and go.
6. Find new coffee shops.
Find a shop to study at or to meet people for business. Find a shop that's cute for a coffee date or where you can go to reunite with friends. Find a shop where you can thrive in the atmosphere. Also, drink more coffee!
7. Try new foods.
Order something on the menu that you can't pronounce. If you think you'll hate it, try it anyway. If you don't like it, don't eat it again. If you love it, then order something else you're not sure of, because you may love that, too.
8. Cook new recipes.
Get in the kitchen. Get out an old fashioned cook book. Put on an apron. Cook. Bake. Create. Make dinner for someone, and make extra dessert.
9. Dress fancy for nights out.
Dress to the nines. Put on heels and a sparkly dress. Put on a suit and a tie. Make reservations somewhere, and use valet parking. Drink expensive wine, go watch a play, and treat yourself every now and then.
10. Stay in your pajamas and relax.
On somedays, just sleep in. Order in pizza, and then sleep more. Stay in your pajamas, and binge watch your favorite show. It's okay to rest and relax sometimes.
11. Wake up for more sunrises.
Set your alarm, wake up, and go outside to watch the sunrise. Watch the world come alive, and notice the changes in the sky as the sun comes up. Be still, take it in, and enjoy the view.
12. Go stargazing.
Lay in the bed of a truck and stare up at the sky. See how many stars you can count, and when you lose count, try again. Find pictures and patterns in the stars. Find the brightest one, and watch for a falling star so you can make a wish.
13. Listen to new music.
Music speaks to the soul. Download an album on your phone, buy a CD, and turn your car radio up. Listen to the lyrics, learn the song, and sing it to the top of your lungs.
14. Dance more.
Dance when you're home alone. Dance with a partner. Be silly. Be graceful. Dance to loud music and to no music at all. Dance in your PJ's. Dance in a red dress, and always dance in the rain.
15. Spend time off of social media.
Turn off your phone, and spend time in nature. Spend less time caring about the media, and more time caring about life. Spend less time trying to gain followers, and more time trying to gain experiences.
16. Start a new hobby.
Go fishing. Go hiking. Start gardening. Go bowling. Try a sport. Exercise. Start a hobby and stick to it.
17. Learn a new skill.
Learn how to play an instrument. Learn how to speak a new language. Learn how to paint. Practice this skill, and perfect it, and then learn a new one.
