Combat Big Election Stress by Savoring Little Moments of Happiness

With all the big, scary stuff going on in the world right now, especially this contentious election, we need to pay extra attention to what’s good and right in our lives. We don’t need to look far—the bright rays of sunshine are nestled in the details of our daily routines. This week I’m going to notice and share the little gratifying jolts of pleasure I experience, and I encourage you to do the same!

Every morning I get up around 5:30 a.m., pour myself a cup of coffee and go back to bed to enjoy it. While I’m waking up I scan the day’s headlines on my phone. The news is invariably terrible. You know it—a brutal round up of bitter politics, devastating wars, violence, injustice and cruelty. By the time I turn to write in my journal, I’m churning with dismay and helplessness. But I realized there’s a powerful antidote to all the negativity in the world—savoring the little joyful moments in my life.

We’ve been led to expect that it’s the big, dramatic events and accomplishments that make us happy. The promotion! The victory! The trip! The ring! (Don’t get me wrong, I am thrilled about my daughter’s engagement. Lots of crazy MOB content coming soon.) But I really believe it’s the slivers of surprise, delight and contentment that make life fulfilling and meaningful. I’m going to celebrate those this week.

People far wiser than me have shared this sentiment:

“Happiness consists more in the small conveniences of pleasures that occur every day, than in great pieces of good fortune that happen but seldom to a person in the course of their life.” -Benjamin Franklin (gender edits mine)

Simple pleasures are the last healthy refuge in a complex world.” —Oscar Wilde

Here are some little things that have lit me up in the last couple weeks. I’ll be posting more every day on my instagram stories if you want to follow along. Share your own happy moments and tag me @marjiekilleen and I’ll repost them.

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If you need inspiration, here are places to look out for little joys :

• Walking in nature or around the city without your phone
• Strangers—overheard conversations, sweet considerate moments, interesting outfits, quick connections
• Your pet!
• Your partner’s considerate acts, goofy jokes or general cuteness
• Coincidences and reoccurring signs
• Planning something to look forward to
• Keeping a promise to yourself
• A taste or sip of something delicious
• Art, music, a passage of a book that gives you tingles
• The electrifying feel of a good workout
• Relaxing rituals—washing your face, watching the sun rise, lighting a candle in the evening
• A meaningful conversation with a good friend
• Kid stuff—a bike ride, lying under a tree, making shapes out of clouds, doodling
• Your home—the feeling of crisp sheets, organizing a messy drawer, decorating a table

Just keep your eyes open. Expect to experience something delightful and I promise, you will be delighted! I’d love to hear about the little things that make YOU happy, so tag me on Instagram if you want me to share them!

Here are a couple of my earlier posts that may lift you up.

Megy’s Karydes’ New Book Helps You Ease Up and Calm Down

Thrill Seeking After 50 Makes Life More Meaningful