100 Reasons to be Happy

At one of the lower points in my life, I decided to challenge myself to write 100 reasons I loved life. Being where I was at the time, it seemed impossible. But, slowly, I opened a blank document, titled it simply ‘100 Reasons’, and got to work. It took a few days of on and off writing, but eventually I was able to find 100 of my reasons to be happy. I read my list once I was finished, and I got a warm feeling in my chest as I was reminded once again that yes, life is a truly wonderful gift, and I needed to hold on to my life.

Every person’s list is different- every person will have different reasons for opening their eyes every morning and tackling the day ahead of them, so I encourage you- make your own 100 reasons. You never know, it might help more than you think. Anyways, without further ado, here are my 100 Reasons to stay.

1. The Sunrise/sunset

2. Doughnuts in the morning

3. The silence of the dawn

4. The sound of the ocean

5. Childlike wonder

6. A warm bed on a cold day

7. Color-coordination

8. The chaos in the ordinary

9. Road Trips

10. Stuffed animals

11. The color pink

12. Dogs

13. The night sky

14. Disneyland/world

15. Traveling

16. Watching really bad movies

17. Taking pictures of nature

18. Playing video games

19. Listening to music

20. Lavender candles

21. Family

22. Learning something new

23. That feeling after you finish a really good book

24. Competing in pageants

25. Making someone laugh

26. Cosplaying

27. Drawing

28. Great Wolf Lodge

29. Window shopping

30. Running through a field barefoot

31. Glamping (meaning glamorous camping, of course)

32. Getting my face painted at an event or festival

33. Doing makeup

34. Playing in the snow

35. Watching the credits roll

36. Inside jokes

37. Christmas Spirit

38. Sleeping in

39. Making cookies (and eating some of the raw cookie dough)

40. Putting a new poster on my wall

41. Watching musicals

42. Triple fudge ice cream

43. Running to escape the rain

44. Thrift shopping

45. Watching firework shows

46. Thanksgiving Dinner

47. Cute stationary

48. Family game nights

49. Making something new

50. Going to fast food restaurants ridiculously overdressed

51. Watching people on the street who are clearly playing Pokemon Go

52. Children’s dishware with Spider-man and Disney princesses on it

53. 50’s themed diners

54. Re-Watching Star Trek Voyager

55. Getting home after a long day

56. Drag Brunches

57. Hairbows

58. Coloring books

59. Talking with small children

60. Rainbows

61. Candy

62. Remembering friend’s birthdays

63. 2010’s pillow pet ads

64. Strawberry milk

65. Mardi Gras

66. Confetti

67. Edible glitter

68. Grocery shopping late at night

69. Opening a marble soda

70. Medieval Reenactments

71. Writing my name in cursive

72. Meeting new people

73. The feeling of a rocking boat

74. The Aurora Borealis (I want to see it in person one day)

75. Seeing the advancements in technology

76. Receiving flowers

77. Stickers

78. Using photo booths in malls

79. Watching a movie in theaters

80. Roasting marshmallows for s'mores around a campfire

81. Trampoline parks

82. People watching

83. Rolling down a hill

84. The moment right before a plane takes off

85. Laser tag

86. Dancing

87. Bubble baths

88. Ziplines

89. Water balloon fights

90. My Birthday

91. Home cooked meals

92. Clean sheets

93. Historical towns

94. Bad puns

95. Children’s books

96. Yo-yos

97. Organized planners

98. Asking questions

99. Waking up early to go to the airport

100. Experiencing more of what life has to offer

The best part, in my opinion, is that these reasons can be anything, like I’m sure you’ve just read. Some seem so random or silly, but these are some of the reasons I’m able to get out of bed in the morning. In the end, I hope I’m able to add more to this list as I grow older- I want to feel every small, seemingly insignificant thing that makes me smile, because it makes me happy- and really, you don’t need another reason- so be happy, just because you can.