I have a bit of confession to make: Being on the Brighter Life Team makes me think about money a lot. It reminds me to think twice while my fingers run through the smooth velvet of the loveseat I’ve been eyeing. Every time I’m about to book a spontaneous beach trip, its logo would be creeping up in my desktop {ah, the wonders of synced files!} and I’m reminded of my long term goals of retiring gracefully in the presence of bone china and afternoon tea parties. For a while, the delicate balance of keeping eye on the {long-term} prize and enjoying the day had become quite the task. She who needs the least, after all, was considered the richest person.
The truth was, I am not a simple person. And I don’t need nothing. When a brighter life means today might be darker day, one can rely on simple, little details to spark joy into one’s life.
Tune into your happy playlist. I have a playlist that makes me want to break out into a dance number. When the day has been uneventful, or lousy, I conduct music marketing on myself by listening to tunes I grew up listening to. That means I get to listen to Spice Girls or N*Sync, and other 90s hits. After all, music has been found to boost one’s mood just by listening to upbeat music, according to scientists at University of Missouri. The next time you’re feeling blah, bring out your favorites, or find new ones through websites like Spotify and 8Tracks.
Eat something sweet. It’s a personal trick against crummy days: I walk a couple of blocks from the office and into my favorite cupcake shop. The walk in itself is a blissful distraction, moreso if you’re a cube dweller. Sinking your teeth into a piece of chocolate, a soft cupcake or vanilla ice cream is another piece of heaven. It’s not expensive, too.
Spritz your favorite scent. It may be a little related to aromatherapy, or the art of treating illnesses through the use of plant oils. At our office, my colleagues and I have a habit of spritzing our favorite scents {mine is Acca Kappa’s Muschio Blanco} in the middle of the day. We always feel instantly better.
Do a happy dance, crack a joke or belt out a huge laugh. A day without laughter is a day wasted, said Charlie Chaplin. Whether it be laughing at myself, making others laugh or benefitting from another’s joke, or belly-laughing as a group, I find that laughing is an instant pick me upper that doesn’t cost anything.
Do something that your heart calls for. It may be in the form of going to a videoke bar with your friends, getting a glass of wine at the end of the day, or reading a new book or playing with your puppy.
At the end of the day, quality {of life} trumps quantity, always. What’s your trick to a brighter day? Do share with us in the comments section.
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