A few weeks ago, I started using the hash tag “#100HappyDays”
on some photos on Instagram. I thought the concept was pretty straightforward
and simple: find something that makes you happy every day, and do it for 100
days in a row. I successfully managed
about 4 or 5 pictures using that hash tag and then stopped, partially because I’m
forgetful and could never remember to use the hash tag. But mostly because I
only post things that make me happy, and that I think might make someone else
happy too. My happy days far exceed 100.
There are so many things in a
given day that make me happy- waking up to my chubby kitty snoring, planning Sanibel vacations, having a good hair day (which is particularly difficult if you have
thick, wavy hair and live in an area with humidity that makes your silken waves
turn to cotton candy), catching my favorite song of the moment on the radio,
kissing my loving husband goodnight, and snuggling into bed, waiting for the aforementioned
fat cat to come and lay on my arm until I fall asleep. (It’s our nightly
routine- he doesn’t know cats are supposed to be active at night.)
A few years ago, I struggled to find the good in anything. I was down and out most of the time, slept most of the day, and had essentially given up. I'm not sure if it was one or a hundred things that changed, but when I decided I didn't want to be miserable anymore, it was like the world opened its arms in a welcoming hug and said "There you are, we've missed you." Feeling happy is one thing, but continued happiness is a whole other ball game.
So where does happiness come from? Do you get your happiness from your surroundings, or does it come from within? I think, at least for me, it's a combination. If the people around me are in a good mood, then I often find myself in a good mood too. Likewise, if I'm feeling like a million bucks, I think it projects onto other people in a contagious sort of way. A good reminder that I like to keep around is "A Precious Human Life" by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama:
So where does happiness come from? Do you get your happiness from your surroundings, or does it come from within? I think, at least for me, it's a combination. If the people around me are in a good mood, then I often find myself in a good mood too. Likewise, if I'm feeling like a million bucks, I think it projects onto other people in a contagious sort of way. A good reminder that I like to keep around is "A Precious Human Life" by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama:
Every day, think as you wake up:
"Today I am fortunate to have woken up.
I am alive, I have a precious human life.
I am not going to waste it.
I am going to use
all my energies to develop myself,
to expand my heart out to others,
to achieve enlightenment for
the benefit of all beings.
I am going to have
kind thoughts towards others.
I am not going to get angry,
or think badly about others.
I am going to benefit others
as much as I can."
"Today I am fortunate to have woken up.
I am alive, I have a precious human life.
I am not going to waste it.
I am going to use
all my energies to develop myself,
to expand my heart out to others,
to achieve enlightenment for
the benefit of all beings.
I am going to have
kind thoughts towards others.
I am not going to get angry,
or think badly about others.
I am going to benefit others
as much as I can."
I like to read that when my emotions get jumbled and I get caught up in the daily words or actions that can bring me down. It's a great motivator and helps to get me back on track to being the happiest me I can be.
One thing that makes me happy is doing a craft project. I have to be creative every day at work, and sometimes that creativity overflows and I have to do something with it off the clock. I will openly admit I am a reformed Pinterest addict- I had to wean myself off constantly wanting to do 15 projects at once, and finishing none of them. My apartment is filled with unopened craft supplies, half finished paintings, 500 colors of ribbon, pinking shears-- you name it. But every now and then it's good to pick one project and see it through start to finish.
Last night was rainy and seemed to have never-ending thunderstorms, so it became arts and crafts night. I was trying to think of a simple and fun project, and one whose supplies were easily accessible to everyone. The result? DIY air fresheners! In my house we recycle everything, and try to give an item 2 or 3 possible purposes, so cardboard was an easy choice for the base material. The best part? The supplies only cost $3!
Do-It-Yourself Beachy Air Freshener
You will need:
One thing that makes me happy is doing a craft project. I have to be creative every day at work, and sometimes that creativity overflows and I have to do something with it off the clock. I will openly admit I am a reformed Pinterest addict- I had to wean myself off constantly wanting to do 15 projects at once, and finishing none of them. My apartment is filled with unopened craft supplies, half finished paintings, 500 colors of ribbon, pinking shears-- you name it. But every now and then it's good to pick one project and see it through start to finish.
Last night was rainy and seemed to have never-ending thunderstorms, so it became arts and crafts night. I was trying to think of a simple and fun project, and one whose supplies were easily accessible to everyone. The result? DIY air fresheners! In my house we recycle everything, and try to give an item 2 or 3 possible purposes, so cardboard was an easy choice for the base material. The best part? The supplies only cost $3!
Do-It-Yourself Beachy Air Freshener
You will need:
- Essential oil or other type of scented oil. I used the vanilla oil they sell at Dollar Tree- can't beat $1!
- Cardboard - I used a piece of a box we had in the house
- Scissors or Xacto knife
- A pattern for the shape you want to make,or if you're artfully inclined, freehand your own!
- Hot glue gun
- String, ribbon, jute- whatever you have on hand
- Glitter, glitter glue, beads, seashells- whatever you wish to embellish your air freshener with.
I started out by drawing 4 shapes- a seahorse, a sea star, a palm tree, and OF COURSE a flamingo. I decided to go with the sea star because the cardboard I had on hand was rather thick, and it would have been difficult to cut out all the details of the other shapes. Just because I'm a nice person, I included the patterns I drew on the image below- feel free to print and use them!
Cut out your pattern and trace it onto your cardboard. Trace it on the back side so your markings will not be visible.
Cut your design out with scissors or an Xacto knife. When I try this on thinner cardboard, I'm going to use the flamingo pattern, and I'll be using the xacto knife to cut out all the details.
Soak your cardboard cutout back side down in the oil. I used enough oil to just cover the bottom of the bowl I was using. (I'm sure if you're using essential oil you'll only need a few drops, but the oil from Dollar Tree is not terribly potent.) You want all the oil to absorb into the cardboard before removing it. This part was my favorite- the vanilla smelled so yummy!
Now comes the hard part- once the oil is absorbed evenly, take your cardboard out of the bowl, place it on a paper towel lined plate or surface and WAIT for it to dry. I have zero patience, so after about 5 minutes I busted out the hair dryer to help push it along. There will still be a small amount of oily residue, but for the most part it should be dry to the touch.
Now it's time to decorate! I used glitter glue and pretty ocean-looking beads from the dollar store to bring some life to my sea star. There are no photos of this process, as I was too busy burning myself with my hot glue gun and shouting colorful words throughout my apartment. I lined the outside of the star with jute to cover the corrugated sides, and added some ribbons bedecked with tiny Sanibel seashells at the bottom. Lastly, I glued a length of light blue ribbon on the back for the hanger. If you plan to hang your air freshener over your rear view mirror, make sure your ribbon hanger is long enough to fit over it, or use elastic. I know where I live it is technically illegal to hang anything from your mirror and you will get fined for it, so take that into consideration as well when thinking about where to hang it. Wait for all your pretty things to dry, and - TADA! You have your very own homemade air freshener and a lovely sense of self-satisfaction.
Enjoy making your spaces smell yummy! Next time, I'll be sharing with you my guide to planning the perfect trip to Sanibel (or the beach of your choice!) including travel tips, packing lists, and how to make the most of your vacation on a budget. Until next time!
Soak your cardboard cutout back side down in the oil. I used enough oil to just cover the bottom of the bowl I was using. (I'm sure if you're using essential oil you'll only need a few drops, but the oil from Dollar Tree is not terribly potent.) You want all the oil to absorb into the cardboard before removing it. This part was my favorite- the vanilla smelled so yummy!
Now comes the hard part- once the oil is absorbed evenly, take your cardboard out of the bowl, place it on a paper towel lined plate or surface and WAIT for it to dry. I have zero patience, so after about 5 minutes I busted out the hair dryer to help push it along. There will still be a small amount of oily residue, but for the most part it should be dry to the touch.
Now it's time to decorate! I used glitter glue and pretty ocean-looking beads from the dollar store to bring some life to my sea star. There are no photos of this process, as I was too busy burning myself with my hot glue gun and shouting colorful words throughout my apartment. I lined the outside of the star with jute to cover the corrugated sides, and added some ribbons bedecked with tiny Sanibel seashells at the bottom. Lastly, I glued a length of light blue ribbon on the back for the hanger. If you plan to hang your air freshener over your rear view mirror, make sure your ribbon hanger is long enough to fit over it, or use elastic. I know where I live it is technically illegal to hang anything from your mirror and you will get fined for it, so take that into consideration as well when thinking about where to hang it. Wait for all your pretty things to dry, and - TADA! You have your very own homemade air freshener and a lovely sense of self-satisfaction.
Enjoy making your spaces smell yummy! Next time, I'll be sharing with you my guide to planning the perfect trip to Sanibel (or the beach of your choice!) including travel tips, packing lists, and how to make the most of your vacation on a budget. Until next time!
