Posts on how to notice and appreciate what’s around you.
The Great Laundry Trek
When Matt and I were first married, we moved into our first apartment together. We were still in grad school, living on student loans and stipends, so I’m sure you can imagine the quality of our little apartment. Like many of the budget friendly apartments in town, we didn’t …
The Happiness Hack You’ve Got to Try
Have you ever noticed that when there’s a long line, your brain naturally starts to grumble and complain? Yet when there’s no line at all, your brain doesn’t give it a second thought? Or have you noticed that when your food doesn’t come out like you ordered, your brain naturally …
5 Conversation Starters to Boost Gratitude Around Your Thanksgiving Table
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many Americans are preparing to sit down at their tables to enjoy turkey and stuffing. I love the tradition that many tables share, highlighting a point of gratitude as they break bread. For most people, this involves going around the table, with each person …
Doing a November Gratitude Challenge? Read This First.
It’s officially November, which means that you’re about to see a whole lot of gratitude on social media. Whether on Facebook or Instagram, you’re likely to see your friend, college roommate, or great aunt Tessie participating in a November gratitude challenge. This usually means posting one thing a day that …
I Blew It Big Time. But What I Did Next Saved the Day.
Last week, I made one of the biggest, dumbest, most careless mistakes I’ve made in a long time. I reversed my SUV into our side porch. Like straight up crashed into the porch, just an inch away from nearly collapsing the whole thing. Turns out that whole “most accidents happen …
Do This When You’re Complaining. It’ll Turn Things Around.
You know those moments when you’re complaining, and your little internal voice starts to take a nosedive, bringing out your inner two year old? I’ve got a super, simple tip for you that will turn your complaining (and your mood) right around. Let’s do this! Our brains can …
The Moment I Finally Started Believing in the Science of Gratitude
There I was, standing in front of my fridge, looking for breakfast, when all of a sudden, I had a spontaneous thought that would change my outlook forever. And it was in that moment that I thought, “I’ve either lost my marbles or discovered something really powerful.” Check out the …
My Favorite Question to Ask When I’m Having a Bad Day
You know those days where it feels like absolutely everything is going wrong? It starts out with something small, and then before you know it, you’re yelling at the sweet cashier, crying over a paper cut, or plotting your move to a remote island where you don’t have to interact …
The Ridiculously Silly Thing I Do When I Get a Compliment
How many times have you gotten a compliment from someone only to dismiss it? Perhaps you pull the old, “Me? Nooo.” Or maybe you get feedback from a boss or friend, only to focus on the one negative they shared, rather then the ten positives they shared? Is this you? …
Wondering Why You Always Focus on the Negative?
Has anyone ever accused you of being a Negative Nancy? Or has someone told you that you focus on the negative too much? Perhaps you’ve gotten feedback from someone, only to focus on the one piece of negative feedback rather than the ten pieces of positive feedback they gave …