Kathy Hamilton Today I thought it would be fun to share a few things that make me happy. It’s funny how these things go when I sat down to write this post I thought I would get to, maybe, number ten. But as you can see from the title, things kind of snowballed a little bit!
If you’re not a fan of lifestyle blogs and YouTubers then they whole concept of ‘gratitude journals’ might have passed you by completely. Basically, in an effort to be more appreciative of all the wonderful things we have and are, many people have started to write weekly, or daily, happiness lists. This is kind of my version of that. Writing this list reminded me of all the things I love about my life, things that make me happy and feel fulfilled. And funnily enough, seeing everything written down was a real happiness booster too. These 40 things cover a wide range, from completely trivial to topics really close to my heart.
So, in no particular order, I present to you, 40 things that make me happy:
1. Loyalty Cards
I really love the feeling when you dig in your purse and discover a full loyalty card. It’s like a little present yourself. There’s something really satisfying about seeing all those little stamps in a row! Sure it means I have spent £30 on coffees in one week but this one is FREE 😁
2. Listening to the rain on my roof
In Belfast, you have to get used to living with the rain! And while it’s no fun to stand in while you wait for the bus, one thing that makes me happy is listening to it pour outside while I am (cosy) inside. This is even better when you can open a window and listen properly. There’s no better way to fall asleep.
3. That first sip of hot tea in the day
This may be the most British thing I have ever written but name a more satisfying moment than that first sip of tea. It’s like a hug in a mug. I suppose I could apply this to any hot drink but there’s something particular about a good, strong cup of breakfast tea that just doesn’t compare to anything else.
4. Finishing an unexpectedly brilliant book
Ah, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of satisfaction when you wrap up an unexpectedly brilliant book. There are books you know you’ll love but when one takes you by surprise it’s always a bit better! Maybe this is a little bittersweet because when I read really brilliant books I always wish I could unread them to get the experience all over again. 
5. Cheese
Cheese. Lovely cheese on crackers. With pickled onions. Melted camembert . Brie. Feta. Cheesy cheese on toast. Life is better with cheese.
6. Squirrels
Look at their little pointy faces and tell me you don’t think they are the cutest animals in creation. Go on, I’ll wait!
7. Spending time with Friends
In person, or not. There’s nothing better than spending time with people who make your heart happy. No matter the distance, or different paths nothing makes me happier than spending time with friends old (like you Paul!) and new who you know will always be there to make life a little more fun.
8. Creating my blog
This had to feature on a list of things that make me happy! I love having a creative outlet for all my interests here at The Female Scriblerian!
9. Creating new outfits that make me feel like different characters
I love clothes and putting together outfits and I particularly enjoy drawing inspiration from people I admire. I suppose it’s a little bit like how actors must feel when they’re playing Cleopatra or Queen Elizabeth I. Whether it’s my Katharine Hepburn trousers or my Amelie inspired dress and flats, being creative with my wardrobe always makes me feel more confident and is one of the things that makes me happy every day.
10. Trying new food for the first time
Will I like it, won’t I like it? What even is bibimbap anyway? I love trying new food, especially when it ends up being delicious. The other day I ended up trying Chinese Hot Pot for the first time. It was ordered on a whim when we realised the restaurant specialised in it, and to be honest even after eating it I’m still not sure what it was.
11. When a song comes on shuffle and suddenly your world feels epic
Shout out to Jenny, who made a playlist with Young Hearts Run Free in it and unexpectedly made it my anthem for the day! Other songs that feature in this category are ‘Ride a White Swan by T-Rex’ ‘Kodachrome’ by Paul Simon, I by Kendrick Lamar and La Gozadera by Gente de Zona (this last one is pretty much my definition of a guilty pleasure but I can’t quit it!)
12. Arranging my bookshelves
So, one thing I do is just throw books onto my bookshelves in any old style until one day I rub my hands together in glee and say ‘It’s time’. What follows the most satisfying afternoon of arranging books. This one speaks to my well-hidden inner Virgo on a deep and spiritual level. One glance at my freshly organised bookshelf and all is right with the world.
11. New Recipes that Work
Like trying new food, I love to cook new food. I’d say I’m quite an adventurous chef and, usually, this goes well. It’s such a satisfying feeling when I try out a new recipe that I have been thinking about for a while and it works perfectly the first time. Especially when I get to eat it the next day for leftovers as well.
12. Old recipes that always work
I also really love having a solid bank of tried and true recipes that always work. The kind of recipes that have been passed on to me by various people and are precious in their own way. Comfort food at it’s finest and a reassuring sense of continuity that always makes me feel happier when I need a little pick-me-up. It’s also really satisfying to have my own ‘speciality dishes’ like chocolate chip cookies, and honey soy chicken!
13. Art that makes the world more beautiful
This one is pretty self-explanatory I think!
14. Views that take my breath away
I’ll just leave this here:
15. The Sea (but not sand)
If I had a happy place, it would definitely feature the sea. Ever since I read the Waves by Virginia Woolf I have had this sense of the sea being a soothing, and sometimes overwhelming presence. Hard to describe really, I guess you should read The Waves to find out what I mean! But it’s safe to say, I love the sea.
16. Family
I realise that this is number 16 on a list of things that make me happy, but honestly, my family are so important to me that it didn’t click that I should include them until now because it was so obvious! They’re the constant in my life, and I love them with all my heart.
17. Stupid jokes that make you laugh until you cry
The cornier the better. I’m a real sucker for terrible dad jokes, especially ones that involve puns. But I just watching comedians who can make you belly laugh, or crying over hilarious vine compilations.
18. My multi-cultural childhood
I am so grateful that I spent my childhood in a multi-cultural environment. Life is better when we can look past our differences and realise that we’re all special in unique ways. I definitely credit going to an Asian after-school centre with kick starting my foodie obsession as well. I still dream about the Indian sweets we ate there.
19. Getting addicted to Curling in the Winter Olympics
I don’t know the rules. You don’t know the rules. Is it basically chasing stones with sweeping brushes? I don’t know but I can’t switch it off!
20. Writing
I mean, we’re 1540 words in at this point. I’m pretty sure you realise that one of the things that makes me happy is writing!
21. Learning new things
I think my personal goal in life is to be the old lady who is still going to classes and learning new things at 95. I love learning about new things and discovering new interests. The world, our history, and everything in between is just so fascinating that it’d be crazy not to keep learning as much as I can!
22. Quizzes
Ok, so I just discovered those little quiz books you can buy in the corner shop and I’m seriously addicted. Crosswords! Wordsearches! Suduko ok, not Suduko. Before my world was limited to Pointless, Only Connect and the odd pub quiz but now…the opportunities are endless! (Okay, do you ever read something and think wow, that’s really me isn’t it #nerdforlife)
23. John Hughes Films
‘Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.’ – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. This is basically my motto. There’s just something about John Hughes’ style of film-making that resonates with me.
24. Planning trips to new places
The only thing that is better than travelling to new places, is planning what new places you should travel to!
25. Watching old favourites with Iain
This one really makes me smile. I could write a list of things that make me happy and not include watching all the old favourite films with my little brother. The Lion King, Uncle Buck, Dodgeball. We can pretty much quote them word for word and I will always love that.
26. Random Family Jokes
The sillier the better, usually.
27. Going for a walk in the woods
Sometimes, when my head feels full of thoughts, I like to go for a walk in the woods or a forest. I find being around so much leafy greenery is very soothing.
28. Little cheeky birds
I’m terrible with bird breeds but I love all those little tiny birds you see hopping about in parks. They always look like they’re so happy and carefree.
29. Skye
My wonderful, little dog Skye. Gone but never forgotten.
30. Dancing Like No One is Watching
Picture the scene. You’ve got the house to yourself. It’s silent, too silent. But wait, what’s this? The Spice World soundtrack? Yes, my friends. Tonight, we dance.
31. My vinyl collection
There’s nothing quite like hearing the crackle of the needle on vinyl. It fills my room with atmosphere and takes listening to music to a whole new level.
32. Red Cans of Coca-Cola
They’re so wrong, they’re so tasty, they’re so right.
34. Finding hidden treasures in second-hand shops
A vintage Scandinavian cardigan? A rare copy of Villette by Charlotte Bronte? You can never sure what you’ll find on a trip to a second-hand shop. That’s why they’re one of the 40 things that make me happy.
35. The idea of snow
You know, like, the glistening white snow that covers the earth like a blanket and makes you want to do things like drink hot chocolate and go wassailing (what?!) Not the real kind of snow which is white for seconds before becoming grey sludge which sticks around for weeks and ruins your favourite shoes. Definitely the first kind. Okay, I’m pretty much just talking about reading books set in snowy places.
36. Long summer evenings
In contrast, this features on my list of 40 things that make me happy because long summer evenings are perfect. Especially when you can sit outside listening to the sounds of the evening, or perhaps eating good food with even better people.
37. Little trinkets that have a sentimental story
I love little things laden with sentimental value. Each one holds a story that far outweighs its monetary value to me.
38. Photography
Like little trinkets, I love photography because I can use it to capture a moment I never want to forget…
39. Looking at Old Photos and reminiscing about good times
…Which means that years later I can look at those photos and be transported back to the moment I took them. There’s a kind of magic in it don’t you think?
40. Coming across poems, quotes or excerpts from books that are unexpectedly moving
The final thing on my list of 40 things that make me happy! I love writing the quotes down in my fancy notebook so I can always remember them. There are so many examples of this that I could share. I feel like my life is made up of little moments where I am continually reminded how wonderful and mesmerising English can be. And I am continually grateful for people who have the skill to put into words the entire human experience.
Phew! That wraps up my list of 40 things that make me happy! What’s on yours?
