It doesn’t take much for us to be happy in life. And often, it won’t even cost us any money. Here are 10 signs that you’re a truly happy person and if you’re not, here are 10 simple things to start adding to your day:
©2015 Susie Lee
Tag: Fun
Tips for Everyday Exercise
I’ve always been mindful of being proactive through the little things I do; like eating right, sleeping early, being thankful, and moving my body. With the warmer weather here, it’s been a treat to go outside for picnics, walk along the beach, and bike at night. Since I don’t buy a gym pass, I like to exercise through simple and free means like walking to the grocery store, vacuuming the house (which I really dislike), doing the dishes by hand, baking, gardening, or going for a walk after dinner. Although these simple activities will take up a part of our day, it’ll help us to slow down in life and benefit our health in the long run.
©2015 Susie Lee
160 Creative ideas to keep summer affordable. No excuses, get out there & have fun!
My Korean name means ‘summer’ or ‘sunshine’, and fitting for me as summer used to be my favourite season when I was younger. One of my fondest childhood memories was spending the whole day at the beach with my family. We’d either have a Korean BBQ or get a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken with a bag of Okanagan peaches, cherries, or watermelon. I loved being in my bathing suit all day long – feeling the warm air against my skin, swimming in the ocean, and slowly drying off in the hot sun. My summer days were long, relaxed, and carefree – full of freedom and simplicity. At the end of the day, I’d usually fall asleep on the car ride home and climb straight into bed with my swim suit, still feeling the radiant warmth from my sun parched skin.
I’ve learned some of the best experiences in life are free and simple. Here are a few creative ideas to keep your summer affordable. No excuses, get out there and have fun!
©2014 Susie Lee
40 Ways to Stay Creative
Creativity has usually come to me in times of relaxation, collaboration with others, and a change in my routine. Being creative exercises our mental health but it’s, also, beneficial to our overall well being. As our creative juices begin to flow, it helps us to think outside the box and see endless possibilities beyond ourselves. The result of our creativity will ignite our passion, boost our self-confidence, and increase our energy. Here are 40 simple ways to stay creative at work, home, and play.
©2014 Susie Lee
Poster credit: Layerform
Boost Your Happiness This Season
With the fall season underway, it’s inevitable that these darker and colder days will affect some people’s mood and take a toll on their emotional well-being. Here are some simple things I do to boost my level of happiness during the wetter months:
I wear colorful clothing as I go for my walk.
I buy colorful bouquet of cut flowers for my house.
I buy (and eat) colorful fruits and vegetables.
I watch matinee movies in a theater or I rent comedy movies.
I invite friends over to play strategic board games (My favorites are Settler’s of Catan, Cities and Knights, & Resistance).
I host Texas hold ‘em poker tournaments.
I plan a small weekend (or overnight) get away.
I cozy up by the fire with a blanket, tea and a good mystery novel.
I walk in the rustling leaves.
I play indoor badminton.
I have friends over for a potluck.
I go for nature walks.
I escape to the mountains when they receive their first dump of snow.
I listen to my favorite playlists I haven’t listened to in a while.
I play my guitar.
I see live musicians or see a play.
I go shopping or hang out at the bookstore.
I go to the library or to the community pool.
I bake cookies.
I read, write and take photographs.
I take a warm bubble baths.
I go for dim sum or bubble tea.
I go out for a midnight snack.
I meet up with old (and new) friends.
Host a fondue or a raclette party.
My list is no way exhaustive but the main thing to increasing your energy and happiness is to stay active, engage with people, look forward to something, stimulate your senses, get some fresh air and HAVE FUN. I guarantee one (or all) of these things will put you in a better mood. Although the sun may shine less during these winter months, we can still choose to have a sunnier disposition inside of us everyday for our health and well being.
I’d love to hear what makes you happy during this fall season.
©2012 Susie Lee lives in Vancouver (one of the wettest places on earth)
Quotes of the Week | Just for Laughs
”I haven’t failed.
I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
– Thomas Edison
”It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.”
– Howard Ruff
”The quickest way to double your money is to
fold it over and put it back in your pocket.”
– Will Rogers
”When you come to the end of your rope,
tie a knot and hang on.”
– Franklin D. Roosevelt
”Age is an issue of mind over matter.
If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”
– Mark Twain
“If you want to test your memory,
try to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today.”
– E. Joseph Cossman
”Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.”
– Henry Ford
”If you keep saying things are going to be bad,
you have a chance of being a prophet.”
– Isaac B. Singer
”A mind is like a parachute,
it doesn’t work if it isn’t open.”
– Frank Zappa
“If you want to make your dreams come true,
the first thing you have to do is wake up.”
– J.M. Power
“Luck is a dividend of sweat.
The more you sweat, the luckier you get.”
– Ray Kroc
“People often say that motivation doesn’t last.
Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.”
– Zig Ziglar
“The elevator to success is out of order.
You’ll have to use the stairs… one step at a time.”
– Joe Girard
“I don’t know the key to success
but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.”
– Bill Cosby
Susie Lee 