My Favorite Happiness Project Tasks

let me keep it one hunnid. focusing on my happiness hasn’t been easy.  after the first week of my happiness project, i realize how settled i was in a routine. food, media consumption, shopping, and other comforts were my typical choice when searching for a morale boost.

i have a bunch of habits that i use to escape reality versus being present in the moment.

just like junk food leaves you hungry, superficial happiness leaves you emotionally unfulfilled.  now that i’ve challenged myself to focus on what really makes me happy, i can separate my coping mechanisms from genuine self-care.

 

READ: Summertime Fine: 5 Tips for Self-Care

after brainstorming my happiness categories, i created a list of happiness tasks that i could complete without much effort. i understand the importance of being gentle with myself and not creating unreasonable expectations that are counter effective. for example, i love nature, but it wouldn’t make me happy to go on a five-mile hike. nope, that’s just not my jam. i believe it’s much easier to overcome my happiness rut by setting small intentions that have big emotional rewards.

My Favorite Happiness Project Tasks

1. spending time with friends without an agenda
2. going to the library
3. daily meditation
4. date night with my love
5. cooking healthy meals
6. giving myself a manicure and pedicure
7. organizing things
8. writing
9. reading a good book
10. treating myself to ice cream
11. creating consistent content for politics & fashion
12. planning a vacation
13. gardening
14. going on walks
15. taking my dog to the dog park

READ: Black Girl Sabbaticals: Amina’s Story

did you notice my list doesn’t require additional funds and in most cases any money at all? this was a huge observation for me since i’m always thinking about spending or saving money.

despite my continued focus on breaking old habits, digging into each task is the greatest gift that i’ve given myself in a long time. over the past week, i cooked a bomb meal and actually set our table to enjoy it with my partner. i unexpectedly reconnected with a friend who i haven’t seen in years and have generally been in wonderful company completely unplanned.  i finally got a library card, and while my local branch had none of the titles i wanted, it still felt good to complete this simple task. my happiest moment is writing this post in my newly organized office and spare bedroom.

my biggest takeaway this week is that happiness and mindfulness are intertwined. being caught up in the noise of our heads and environments can take us away from what matters most.

follow all the happenings on my happiness project via snapchat: @politicsandfshn.