With all of the death and tragedy in the world, it’s often hard to find a bit of hope and happiness. In my experience, we as humans often dwell on the bad things when we have a bad day and while that may be good for some and help them work through it, for others it may make them feel like they’re stuck with a rain cloud over their head.

The easiest thing for me to do to get out of a funk is to find the best things in a day. I don’t mean finding a $10 bill on the street or winning something in a raffle, I mean the little things. The small, practically microscopic, list of things that happen almost everyday that we overlook. So, below I’ve compiled a list of thirteen little things that can happen on any ordinary day and get overlooked, just to make you smile when you’re feeling down. Appreciate the little things, because many, many little things could make you happier than one big thing as long as you have an open mind.

1. Turning the water on to just the right temperature on the first try.
   
   Something you may not ever think of, as a good thing to smile about might just be something that is so routine you could do it in your sleep. Small victories are still victories. So, if by chance you turn your sink dials to the perfect temperature to wash your hands, or you wing it in the shower and get into the perfect temperature, take a moment to smile. Luck was on your side, even if it was just for a moment.
   
   
2. Getting the perfect combination of ice and liquid.
   
   Small victories, small victories. When was the last time you really appreciated that your drink was perfectly iced? There’s nothing better than a cup that didn’t overflow and isn’t too lukewarm. Also, if you have the perfect amount of ice you’re more than likely to not get that annoying ring of water when the ice melts. Next time your drink looks perfect, take a moment to just say, “Dang, I’m good.”
   
   
   
   
   
3. Microwaving something to the perfect temperature, first try.
   
   There is nothing worse than pulling out a plate of leftovers, sitting down, getting comfortable and when you take the first bite, the middle is cold. I’ve spent too many moments, letting out that soft exhale of annoyance that I didn’t check the middle of the food and then retreating to the kitchen to reheat, again. (Or sometimes being too hungry to bother and eating strangely warm, yet cold food rather than bothering the microwave again.) There is always that one lucky time you pull out your post-thanksgiving mashed potatoes and the whole boat of potatoes is perfectly heated. Don’t just smile about it, take the time to savor those mashed potatoes, you earned it!
   
   
4. Taking ice cream out of the freezer and it’s the perfect scooping temperature.
   
   I remember when I was a kid, I used to run a spoon under warm water before scooping ice cream, but even then, there the ice cream was slightly more melted than desired and it tainted the mood. One time, a carton of ice cream was so frozen that I bent a spoon in half. Little, seven-year-old Heather, bending a spoon and thinking I might’ve been the next super strength superhero. The next time your dairy goodness scoops into your bowl without struggle or melting, add a little extra whipped cream, you’re a scooping master.
   
   
5. Coming home on a hot day and your house is perfectly cool.
   
   Everyone loves summer, no doubt about it. The beach, the heat, the barbeques, what’s not to love right? Sometimes you may even go outside, maybe for a tan, for a run, something to get the body a little more than warm. It’s in those moments when you walk back into the house and let out the soft sigh because, yeah, te house is the perfect temperature. Take a seat, ignore your next task and let out that sigh of happiness. What could make the good day better than getting home and feeling instantly relaxed, right? Alternatively, the same thing, but in the winter. Nothing like walking into a cozy house after a long day in the snow. Plop on that couch, and enjoy the perfect temperature, you thermostat god, you.
   
   
   
   
6. Seeing a clothing item you want and they only have your size left.
   
   We’ve all had that moment when you’re shopping and you just see that one shirt that you know you couldn’t live without. So you run over to it, you go through the rack to find your size and surprise! All they have left is your size, and to make it better? Fits like it was made for you. Buy the shirt, love the shirt and think back to that lovely moment every time you wear that shirt. That shirt was practically made for you, after all.
   
   
7. When your favorite, discontinued item, comes back.
   
   One of the worst feelings is strolling into the store and seeing that your most favorite thing is no longer. That only means that when or if it comes back, you should be that more excited. Imagine this: you’re idling wandering through the grocery store, when you walk down the aisle for your favorite thing (cookies, ice cream, coffee, snack, etc.) by habit. You realize when you get to there that it’s not going to be there, but wait! There it is! Of course you’ll cheer in the moment, but the next time you go to the store for it again, give that cheer again. Every time you buy it, smile and be happy that it came back. You and that item were just meant to be.
   
   
8. Remembering that there are leftovers of your favorite food.
   
   Even in the moment, eating your favorite food can make your day, but when you wake up the next day and open the fridge for breakfast and there it is. You’d totally forgotten you have your favorite was in there and that’s a great feeling. When you’re lying in bed after a bad day, think of that. That feeling when you realized your favorite food was right there waiting for you, like a trusted partner in crime.
   
   
   
   
9. Getting your meal ready at just the right time to watch your favorite TV show on time.
   
   There’s always a rush to hurry and get ready to watch your favorite show without missing anything. Imagine a day your favorite show coming on, and you’ve just sat down with everything you need. Phone, remote, drink, food, everything perfectly aligned with no need to worry about rushing around at a commercial break. Take a second to thank your inner clock for being perfectly on time.
10. Waking up before your alarm clock and feeling refreshed.
    
    The moment of dread when you see that you have ten minutes until your alarm goes off, and needing another hour of sleep can almost ruin any day. Even if you wake up ten minutes before your alarm feeling perfectly rested, you might still feel a second of agony that you didn’t get more sleep. Don’t fret! Don’t regret! If you’re rested that’s an extra ten minutes to mindlessly scroll through your phone, or to take an extra few minutes in the shower. (Bonus points if you didn’t have to adjust the temperature!) Smile! You’re rested, and it’s early, now you’re ten minutes ahead of everyone who woke up on time and wanted ten more minutes. That can only recipe for a fantastic day.
11. Getting the perfect soapy shampoo lather.
    
    I don’t think I’ve ever really appreciated a good shampoo until lately. Lets be honest, there is nothing better than scrubbing shampoo into your scalp and the shampoo foams up perfectly. Not too much that you’re dripping, and not too little that you’re dry scrubbing, but instead, the perfect amount of lather and nourishment for your hair. If later that night you’re down in the dumps, think about how good that lather was, maybe it’ll cheer you up for a second.
    
    
    
12. Having a fully stocked fridge.
    
    Sure, the day you organize and reorganize you feel great, but the next day it’s just a hand reaching for a milk carton. You might not keep thinking about how good it feels to be stocked up, but someone else might if the roles were reversed. Also, it’s nice to think about it over and over that you’re lucky and grateful to have a fully stocked fridge. Instead of thinking about the things you want that you don’t have, take a moment to think about how great bagged kale looks in your veggie drawer and how great all the condiments look on the shelf.
13. Getting back in bed at night.
    
    Life is full of ups and downs, and while some nights you might be overly grateful for your bed, (when you’re tired, have clean sheets, are upset, etc.) you may not think about how great it is to get home and into bed on a good night. If you’re like me and try and think over the good things that happened that day during the night, add on how happy you are to be in your own warm, cozy bed. It’s small, but who doesn’t love their bed?

All in all, life can be a wild ride of ups and downs. One day you might get wonderful news and think about it all day and be grateful and happy. Another, you might get bad news and dread over all the bad things that happen. Positivity is something we can often lack, but trying to find the hidden lights in the cracks of the tunnel can always help.

The next time you feel down, think of these things and, of course, all the others that can make you smile or feel just a bit better. Remember next time that your surplus of small, every day victories are just important as the big ones. So instead of overthinking and over analyzing the bad, make a list of all the good. Go outside, read a book, give your pet a hug. Smile a bit, because I promise, things do get better, and there are always things to be happy about.