#49 – Find 1 Thing Per Day That Makes You Happy

This may seem like an easy bucket list item. You can say that your family, friends, job make you happy and call it a day. I started this challenge with myself last year and finding the joy in the mundane and taking a minute to recognize it, takes a little bit of effort.

So here is what made me happy in January:

Jan 1 – Rose Bowl Win; watching in Rome; GO BLUE! – We were heading to bed at 3 am when people were getting up for early morning flights. It was such a surreal experience to be thousands of miles from home, with 50 friends cheering on our hometown team! And the creativity to make it happen was next level!

Jan 2 – Good Wi-Fi – This seems like a gimme, but our hotel in Rome did not have great Wi-Fi, so when Sophia and I reached Rimini, we were overjoyed to stay in one evening and stream our favorite shows.

Jan 3 – International Driver’s Licenses – In all my travels, this was the 1st time that I ever have driven in any foreign country (except Canada). We survived, found parking and got to do all the things.

Jan 4 – Water taxis – Getting around Venice with luggage on public boat transportation is awful. The extra expense for a water taxi saved us hours of time, and my sanity.

Jan 5 – Heat Lamps – When you don’t plan ahead, and the restaurant you want to eat at only has outdoor seating available, heat lamps saved the day and prevented two hangry people!

Jan 6 – Steak! – After two weeks in Italy and eating Italian cuisine, you get to Amsterdam and you order the jumbo steak, and don’t feel one bit guilty about it!

Jan 7 – My Own Bed – 17 days away on a vacation is a long time. There is nothing better than your own bed, with all your comforts, to rejuvenate you!

Jan 8 – Michigan National Champions!!! – Unbelievable season for the Wolverines and so proud of all the players, coaches and our city!

Jan 9 – Late Start to School – See January 8th. You know you picked a good school for your daughter when they do this!

Jan 10 – No Thai! – A quick, easy takeout Thai place that is our go to for Pad Thai.

Jan 11 – Shinola Lattes – The best vibe in the most unassuming basement that makes out of this world lattes. I just wish it was open more!

Jan 12 – U of M Gymnastics – Our family has season tickets to watch the girls amaze us every meet! Sophia has grown up watching and interacting with these positive role models.

Jan 13 – La Dolce Vita – This dessert bar is opulent, delicious and the perfect place for a late-night double date!

Jan 14 – Lions win a playoff game! – Detroit knows how to show up! Through the bad years and definitely in this successful year, it was great to see such local support!

Jan 15 – 3-day holiday weekend – Sometimes I just need a stay-at-home weekend (once in a while), to putz around, and do whatever I feel like, with minimal plans.

Jan 16 – Mean Girls – The original. The musical. The remake. Any excuse to wear pink and watch Chris Briney from “The Summer I turned pretty.”

Jan 17 – watching S sled – We had minimal snow and a broken sled, but Sophia was determined to “sled” in our backyard, using a water frisbee and she had a blast!

Jan 18 – Working backstage/theater makeup – I had never done this before and it was so fun to interact with Sophia and her friends and participate in such an amazing experience with them.

Jan 19 – Newsies Jr.! – The best play ever and Sophia and her friends absolutely crushed it! I watched it 3 times and never tired of it!

Jan 20 – Friends who love your kid like theirs – My tribe shows up. They show up big. We have no family that lives in Michigan, but we had 11 of us show up for Sophia’s performance and support her. It was nothing short of incredible!

Jan 21 – Father of the Bride play – Seeing live theater is awesome. After living within commuting distance of NYC for 4 years, having access to quality theater is so important to me. Meadowbrook Theater did not disappoint, per usual.

Jan 22 – Learning to ref volleyball – Because I don’t have enough to do. But seriously, I lived coaching volleyball the past two years, and decided that I’d ref once in a while and I really, really like it.

Jan 23 – When plans get cancelled when you are tired – usually that would make me very sad, but when it is due to bad weather, it’s easier to enjoy some hot chocolate and some Netflix, instead of the terribly plowed Michigan roads.

Jan 24 – Overtime women’s basketball win! When your team is down 19 at half time, and you don’t leave and they end up winning in overtime, SCORE!

Jan 25 – Wicked – Seeing this show 15 – 20 years after seeing it for the 1st time and having a completely different perspective on it. See Bucket List Item #29!

Jan 26 – Hockey – Our family loves hockey. Mostly Michigan Hockey. Being close to the action and cheering loudly. Best of all, no complaints from Sophia on this family outing!

Jan 27 – Checking out a new restaurant – Toria, in Northville, MI. A European-inspired bistro. Great food, amazing drinks and even better company!

Jan 28 – Cheese Fondue – No more sterno. No more open flame. Getting an electric fondue pot for Christmas was a game changer and it made it super easy to have cheese fondue at a football watch party.

Jan 29 – Janet Evanovich – Stephanie Plum books – Just read the 30th book in this series. They make me laugh out loud! They are light, they are fun, they don’t make me fall asleep when I am tired.

Jan 30 – Chocolate Hazelnut Cookie Cold Brew – Had to try Starbucks new creation. A delicious, refreshing drink.

Jan 31 – Finding good coffee shops in strip malls – the Chateau Coffee Co., located in a strip mall on the highway, is very unassuming until I stepped inside. What a welcoming place to find after a long day at the office.

So, ask yourself, what unexpected things made you happy today?