I'm sure we've all heard the saying, "Happiness is a state of mind" and truly, it is. It's a state of mind that we crave, that we live in the moment for, that we want to experience all the time.

Unfortunately, life isn't always happy. Life has pain and suffering; it has sadness and loss; it has anger and guilt; it has every emotion that we as humans can ever feel. Happiness may be a state of mind, but it's not the one and only state of emotion (as much as we may wish that were the case).

Happiness is easier to achieve for some people than others, and mental health often plays a big role in how much and how often some of us can be happy. But that doesn't mean we can't all experience happiness.

They say it's the little things that make us happy, that make us feel better. And truly, it is. It's the moments where we don't worry about a thing, except for the joy that is being filled within us.

So here are two hundred reasons to be happy, based on the little things that have made me happy in my life, and hopefully, yours too.

1. Basking in the sunshine, feeling its warmth on your skin

2. Wandering to a new place you've always wanted to go to

3. Being told that you are important

4. Being complimented on something other than appearance

5. Being complimented on your achievements

6. Seeing someone you've missed

7. Curling up under warm sheets or a warm blanket when you're cold

8. Eating your favorite food

9. Going to a concert of one of your favorite bands

10. Being told that you are loved

11. Waking up and actually feeling refreshed

12. Recieving a surprise gift

13. Receiving a surprise visit from someone you care about

14. Sipping on a perfect cup of coffee

15. Sipping on a perfect cup of tea

16. Going out somewhere fun with friends

17. Getting a new haircut

18. Making yourself a homemade meal

19. Watching a sunset

20. Watching a sunrise

21. Watching a funny video

22. Looking at a funny picture

23. Trying something new and loving it

24. Going to the mountains

25. Going to the lake

26. Going to the beach

27. Going to the movie theater to see a movie you really want to see

28. Laughing with friends

29. Laughing with family

30. Laughing at yourself for something you did

31. The smell of a storm approaching

32. Falling asleep to the sound of rain

33. Foggy mornings where the world seems so mysterious yet calming

34. Remembering to wear a jacket when it rains

35. Holding a warm cup in your hands when you're cold

36. Watching the first snow of the season

37. Making snowmen or having snowball fights

38. Tickling someone

39. Being tickled

40. Holding someone in a warm, comfortable embrace

41. Seeing someone smile because of something you said or did

42. Kissing someone you love

43. Cuddling up with someone

44. Cuddling up with a pet

45. Seeing how happy your pet is to see you after you've been gone

46. Getting out of your comfort zone and it turning out just fine

47. Hearing your favorite song start playing

48. Listening to music loud and proud

49. Rolling down the windows in the summertime

50. Walking barefoot through the grass

51. Cande-lit baths

52. A warm, refreshing shower after being cold

53. Finishing something you've been working hard on

54. Being told you've made someone proud

55. Looking in the mirror and feeling confident

56. Being confident in yourself in any situation

57. Wearing an outfit you love

58. Showing someone new music and they really enjoy it

59. Cruising down back roads

60. Cruising at night when the rest of the world is asleep

61. Watching the stars

62. Camping

63. Taking in a breath of fresh air

64. The smell of delicious food cooking

65. Holding someone's hand

66. Going shopping and enjoying it

67. The feeling after a good stretch

68. Eating a guilty pleasure food

69. Kisses on the cheek

70. Seeing a shooting star (and making a wish)

71. Being told that you matter

72. Dancing by yourself and loving every moment (no matter how ridiculous your moves may be)

73. Dancing with friends

74. Learning something new (a skill, cool information, etc.)

75. Reading a good book

76. Watching a good movie

77. Going out to a restaurant to eat

78. Late night fast food runs with friends

79. Hearing a perfect song that describes exactly how you feel

80. Compliments from a stranger

81. Jumping into the pool, lake, or ocean

82. Holding someone in your arms

83. Someone holding you in their arms

84. Becoming more fit

85. Noticing your progress on something

86. When your hair grows out

87. Buying someone a gift

88. Being able to let go of something that has bothered you for a long time

89. Gazing at art

90. Visiting museums

91. The feeling of flying in a plane, knowing you're on the way to your destination

92. Knowing you're about to go on an adventure

93. Reconnecting with loved ones

94. Bonfires

95. Fires in a fireplace

96. Homemade meals

97. Waking up to the smell of breakfast cooking

98. A fresh shave

99. Fireworks

100. Falling in love

101. Being okay with your past

102. Someone accepting you for who you are

103. Accepting someone for who they are

104. Eating out at some place new

105. Falling asleep with someone you love

106. Waking up with someone you love

107. Making art

108. Sex with someone you love

109. Having a day off from work or school

110. Getting recognition for something you did

111. Feeling at peace with yourself

112. Feeling at peace with what is around you

113. The sound of calming music

114. Relaxing in silence

115. Going to a coffee shop

116. Smelling fresh flowers

117. The refreshing smell of the forest

118. The refreshing smell of the ocean

119. Discovering something or some place new

120. Meeting new friends

121. Being able to dress up for something

122. Girls night

123. Boys night

124. Singing aloud to a song you love and not caring if your voice isn't great

125. Rapping lyrics to a song perfectly

126. Gazing at the moon

127. Taking a walk by yourself

128. Getting into a warm car when it's cold outside

129. Getting into a warm room when you're cold

130. Going out on a date

131. Late nights with friends

132. Having a good high

133. Having a good (and safe) time drunk

134. Falling asleep early

135. Writing a story

136. Writing poetry

137. When someone does a favor for you

138. When someone goes out of their way to do something for you

139. When someone tells you to text or call when you get home to make sure you're safe

140. Realizing you have more money than you thought

141. Getting a paycheck

142. Getting a good grade

143. Having a class with a friend

144. Having good coworkers/classmates

145. Having a good hair day

146. Feeling safe

147. Feeling secure

148. When someone you wanted to win wins

149. The sound of crickets at night

150. The sound of trees rustling at night

151. The sound of waves at night

152. Sleeping with your window open

153. Cleaning your glasses so your vision isn't dirty/fogged/scratched up

154. Putting on glasses and actually being able to see the world (and how wonderful it is)

155. Putting on nice perfume or cologne

156. Winning at something

157. Putting on lotion when you feel dry

158. Putting on chapstick when your lips are chapped

159. Feeling proud of someone or something that matters a lot to you

160. Telling a joke that people think is funny

161. Surprise hugs

162. Surprise kisses

163. Looking into someone's eyes and seeing how much they love you

164. Morning sex

165. Listening to vinyl records

166. Listening to jazz (especially at night or in the fall and winter)

167. Having sight to see the world around us

168. Being able to hear the world around us

169. Day trips somewhere

170. Seeing family after a long time

171. Doing well on something you thought you wouldn't

172. Achieving a goal of yours

173. Restocking the food in your home

174. Buying new clothes

175. Buying new shoes

176. Buying new underwear (or lingerie or bras for ladies)

177. Wearing comfortable clothes

178. Wearing comfortable shoes

179. Having something of yours fully charged

180. Helping someone understand your point of view

181. Being cold on a warm day

182. Not having acne

183. Not being sick anymore

184. Stuffing your belly on good food but not caring about how full you are

185. Getting accepted into something

186. Standing on top of a mountain and seeing everything around you

187. Finishing everything you needed to in one day and finally being able to relax

188. Treating yourself to something you've wanted for a long time

189. Being able to talk to someone to get something off your chest

190. Spending fun time with family

191. Getting second helpings of food

192. Going to someone for advice and being thankful that you did

193. Getting a handwritten letter

194. Looking back on good memories

195. Looking through nostalgic phtographs

196. Saving money for something important to you

197. The smell after it rains

198. Waking up before your alarm and realizing you still have time to sleep

199. Laughing so hard your belly hurts

200. Knowing how loved and cared for you are

The list could go on and on and on. But the real question is, what are the countless things that make you happy?