We're constantly adding to our to-do lists in everyday life, we have school work or actual work or the random stresses that life can throw our way. It's important to handle these things that are affecting our future but it's also important to remember our own happiness at the end of the day. Life is all about finding a balance between work and play, hopefully your work can sometimes fall under play and enjoyment but it should also be taken seriously.

Productivity produces happiness but you can't appreciate a day filled with productivity without a little reward or an outlet along with this. At this point in time, everyone around me seems to be stressed about finals, grad school, what's next in life... myself included. These are all real things to be stressed about and focused on, except, we're only given each day of our lives once. So yes, it is important to get things done, I'm not preaching about this so that we drop all responsibilities, that's not what I'm saying at all. What I am saying is that we need to live each day for what it is. It's easy to get caught up in the chores of our day and forget about the things that really bring us joy.

A happy way that I've found a little break or stress relief in every day is to choose something to fit into the day that makes me happy. Whether it's bake cookies for someone (or yourself), go for a run, watch a happy movie, call your best friend, pet a puppy, whatever makes you happy, do it. Make time for the little things in your life that you know will bring a smile to your face. No matter how busy we are with life's responsibilities, I never pass up my Monday/Wednesday phone call from my best friend. Sometimes it's tempting to think about all the things you need to get done and could get done, but you're never going to get these days back. These are the days we're making the memories and the stories we'll remember for the rest of our lives.

So don't cancel plans because of something on your to-do list. Find your balance. Be productive but don't forget to reward yourself at the end of the day. It's your life to live and to find your happiness. Find hobbies that help you in more ways than one, do things that make you feel good, do things to make other people happy too. When you start looking at everything in a different light, the work and play can begin to overlap and come together to create some beautifully happy days.