My happiness non-negotiables

I’ve been nominated by Obliviously Awesome to write about my happiness non-negotiables; the things in life that we need to make us happy.  The things that we must make time for, and make a priority, in order to make life that little bit better and brighter.

So, here is my list:

This is a little thing that’s definitely a big thing for me.  I need a cup of coffee in the morning to feel like I’m ready for the day.  If I ever head out on the school run without having had a cup I feel really strange!Coffee for me is also a real comfort.I associate it with cosy afternoons in the University bar and mornings curled up on the sofa with my best friend watching Gilmore Girls.  I can’t go a day without it.  Unless I’m ill.  Then only tea will do.  I think my tastebuds go funny and coffee loses it’s appeal.  That’s when tea steps in to save the day!

 

A proper, long shower in peace.

I’m sure this is a common thing among parents.  Most of the time I shower in a bit of a hurry, with my daughter watching and my son (more often than not) popping in to use the toilet.

At the weekends though, I always request a shower in peace.

I take my time washing and conditioning my hair, I shave my legs, and generally luxuriate in the moment of peace and quiet.  If I’m feeling really indulgent, I’ll smother myself in moisturiser afterwards, and sit on the bed, browsing Facebook on my phone, while it sinks in.  Such luxury!  And I really do feel more relaxed and happy afterwards.

 

Clear surfaces.

Now, this is one that I need to start making non-negotiable in my life.  At the moment, all the surfaces in my house are covered in ‘stuff’, and honestly, it gets me down.  That visual clutter really clutters up my mind and I find it hard to relax or fully focus on what I’m doing.

I know that we’ll never have a clear, minimalist home, but I would love to have a few clear surfaces around to calm my mind a bit!

 

Taking (and then looking at) photos.

This is maybe pretty obvious seeing as I’m a photographer, but I love taking photos.  Capturing my children as they grow and change makes me very happy.  And sitting down and looking back at old photos every now and then just fills me with good feelings!

 

Being by the sea.

This is a bit of a funny one, as I didn’t grow up by the sea, yet there’s always been something about it for me.  I loved when we went on holiday to the South of France when I was younger and we would be straining in our seats as we neared the coast, to be the first to shout “I can see the sea!”.

And, honestly, I think a big factor in me choosing to go to Swansea Uni was that the campus was literally across the road from the sea.

Now we sometimes go a few weeks without getting to the beach, but when we do go, and I stop and take a deep breath of sea air and just watch the waves for a few minutes it does me the world of good.

 

So that’s my little list of things in life that really do have an impact on my happiness and well-being.  

Nothing too extravagant on there, which goes to show it generally is the little things in life that make us happy!