Planning (for Happiness)
Hello lovely,
Do you consider yourself a planner?
In our busy lives, we’re always juggling our careers, relationships, responsibilities, chores, and caring for kids/furkids. When you get a spare minute, it can be too easy to reach for the phone and scroll on autopilot, or to do the dishes, laundry, or some other perpetual task. Sometimes it can feel like you’re just running your life and not really enjoying it.
Did you know that you can plan for happiness?
In a 2014 study for the journal Emotion, researchers coined this approach as “prioritizing positivity”. The results showed that participants were more satisfied with life in general, reported more frequent happy emotions and less depression. The participants who 'prioritized positivity' by planning for it also reported more resilience, mindfulness and harmonious relationships. I want this for you!
This week, I’d like you to plan in some joyful moments for yourself. You can include self-care activities, connecting with loved ones, unbridled fun, or a luxurious hour of ‘nothing’.
I’ll expand. Here are some ideas for things you can plan in advance to make this week much, much happier:
Self-care
Treat yourself to 20 minutes of meditation every morning or before lunch, for absolute clarity and an even mood
Plan to give yourself a hand massage with aromatherapy oil on Friday (great for winter hands)
Buy yourself some beautiful, colourful flowers on Wednesday to brighten up your midweek
Connect
Make a plan to meet a friend for coffee or tea at a gorgeous cafe this weekend, and dress warmly (and cutely) if you’re sitting outdoors
Schedule a phone call with a family member for a catch up at a time that is convenient for you both
Challenge yourself to talk to a stranger three times this week, whether it be an old lady at the bus stop or someone who looks like they could use a boost.
Unbridled fun
My best suggestion for this is always karaoke, in any of its forms. Right now it might feel too risky to sing in a karaoke venue with people you don’t know, so I recommend planning at least one session of Spotify karaoke or Smule, either with loved ones or by yourself. Have you ever sung karaoke in the bath? Self care + fun is a great combo!
Engage a friend or your partner in a game that you find truly fun, whether it be a board game, an online quiz, or some tennis or basketball at your local park.
Watch something funny. Your favourite comedian, or movie, or re-runs of Harry Hill's 'You've Been Framed'. Aim for belly laughs.
Do Nothing
I challenge you to schedule in an hour of ‘nothing’ this week, do you think you can do it? Can you sit there and not pick up your phone? Can you not fold laundry? Can you not turn on the TV? This might take practice, if you’re an overachiever like me, but the long-term happiness benefits are many. The best way to know our true selves is to be able to hang out with ourselves. Enjoy your self.
Mindfully planning these things in advance will turn your week into a memorable adventure, instead of simply time that flew by. It won’t be easy, because mundane tasks will always try to creep in and take precedence, but the dishes can wait.
A great way to make sure you carry out your happy planning is to write your ideas onto a list or add them to your calendar. You can stick the list up on the fridge or in your front hallway, so you’re reminded to enjoy your life!
Please let me know how it goes in our private Facebook Group, and share what wonderful things you’ve got planned for yourself. And if you get stuck, share that too! See you over there.
I hope that this exercise gives you a solid foundation to build on, and that this week is one of your happiest yet!
Love,
Jess xx
