10 Things That Make Me Really Happy Lately

It’s no secret that I’m going through a rough patch at the moment. Every day is getting better, partly because I keep recognizing the joy in my life. Here are 10 things that have been sparking joy in my heart these days:

Jack the Cat–

If you follow me on Instagram or Snapchat, you've probably seen a slightly chunky orange cat making appearances in the corners (or center stage) of my pictures. That's Jack. My family and I rescued him from a Jack In The Box dumpster after watching Wonder Woman in theaters back in 2017, which is how he got his name. My sister, Juris, nursed him back to health with Pedialyte and fluffy blankets, transforming him from a stinky ball of fur into a sweet boy who never leaves the bed. Although we've had our share of adventures with Jack, including finding dead birds or chipmunks on our doorstep or carried through the dog door, the carnage has decreased since I started trimming his nails. We know he means well.

Last year, when Juris went to college in New York City and I needed an emotional support pet, she graciously offered to let me keep Jack until she could take him with her. Jack and I went to Clemson for my senior year, and it was wonderful. Despite his incessant meowing at my roommate's door, he provided comfort, snuggles, and entertainment during the bittersweet moments that accompanied the end of a season. An added bonus is that he's officially mine now; Juris gave me her blessing in March to fully adopt him. Now, the two of us are back at my parents' house, the same place where he once broke two windows with his head while trying to get into my room. I have my own room, but my friends all live at least 30 minutes away. However, having Jack with me makes me happy.

Reading until 4 am–

I've always loved reading. Since I was young, you would often find me engrossed in a book, with my nose buried in its pages. My grandma used to warn me that I might go cross-eyed, but I didn't care; the stories were like vivid movies playing in my mind. Recently, I re-discovered the treasure trove of books that had shaped my childhood and ordered them on eBay, filling my shelf with the very books I enjoyed back in the day.

Last summer, I turned to reading once again as a means to escape the persistent anxiety attacks, and it worked wonders for me. However, with the demands of school, I could only manage to read three books. But this year, I've already completed twenty books! My choices vary from romance and historical fiction to Christian commentary, and each one has been awesome.

These days, I find myself staying up later and later, losing track of time until my eyes burn and well up with tears, begging for relief. Still, I am reluctant to stop the movie playing inside my mind as I scour the pages. I eventually tear myself away, usually at the end of a chapter. There's something incredibly beautiful about being so engrossed in a book that you never want to put it down, and that makes me happy.

Modern Family

Is an absolute classic and holds a special place in my heart. I first discovered it during my sophomore year of college when I was battling insomnia, and it has since become one of my go-to comfort shows. What initially drew me in was the hilarious character of Phil Dunphy, played by Ty Burrell. I remember seeing him as a guest picker on College Gameday and finding him incredibly funny. So, when I came across the show while scrolling through Hulu (now on Peacock), I decided to give it a shot just for Phil, and I was immediately hooked.

The show's mockumentary style is timeless and leads to a lot of laughter, with perfectly timed glances to the cameras in response to witty remarks or unaware characters. It manages to be progressive in a tongue-in-cheek way, without ever being too in-your-face about it. The love between the characters is palpable, and the chemistry among the cast, including the recurring characters, is undeniable.

If you need any more convincing, just watch it for Phil. He's awkward, hilarious, and tries a bit too hard. His obliviousness to reality makes him the most comical character (with Cam as a close second), and his perpetual need to "fix that" one step on the staircase adds to his charm. And of course, there's always Phil's book of wisdom, "Phil's-osophy." "Modern Family" is the perfect pick-me-up, and that makes me happy.

Journaling + Inky black pens–

The combination here is essential. I’ve been trying to journal regularly instead of using my Notes app. So in June, I bought a lavender journal from Amazon and invested in some Sharpie roller pens, and set to work. I write my thoughts and prayers and grocery lists and my weekly agenda, and everything else that comes to mind. Something about putting thoughts down on paper is very grounding, and that makes me happy.

Enduring Word

This summer, my two best friends and I started a Bible study together. We decided to explore new spots in our hometown, which has grown immensely since we left for college, while also deepening our faith and friendship before they head off to the Disney College Program in late August. In the past, my Bible reading hadn't been as fruitful as I hoped.

Though I had a strong foundational faith, I struggled to grasp the true meaning behind the concepts I read. I felt like I was merely going through the motions because everyone said that the Bible was where you find your deepest, most intimate relationship with God.

Everything changed when I faced a life-threatening mental crisis in 2021. It was during that difficult time that I began to seek answers and go deeper in my understanding of God. The desire to learn about Him and find answers transformed my approach to reading the Bible.

In May, I came across Enduring Word, a biblical commentary that serves as a supplement to Bible reading. This online resource provides valuable context behind popular stories, including the cultural and historical backstories that bring a new depth to understanding Christianity. By using Enduring Word, I've gained a richer perspective on the Bible. It has helped me see the scriptures in a new light and has deepened my relationship with God, and that makes me happy.

Crescent Moons

The other day, I woke up from a nightmare that left me feeling psychologically and emotionally pained. Seeking some solace, I went downstairs to refill my water bottle. On my way back to my room, I happened to glance outside the window and saw the massive crescent moon rising. The moon has always held a special place in my heart. Even though I lived far away from my grandma, she used to tell me to look at the moon whenever I missed her because we were both looking at the same one. Seeing that crescent moon brought me immediate comfort.

I had a necklace that reminded me of my grandma, but it fell off my neck during a graduation ceremony. This week, on my way home from weekly trivia with my friends, I once again caught sight of a crescent moon, this time setting. The moon has been a constant presence in my life, particularly crescents, and that makes me happy.

Tears of Joy

It’s not what you think. "Inside Out" is my favorite Disney Pixar movie. Released in 2016, the film tells the story of Riley and the emotions in her head. The movie is heartbreaking and heartwarming, all wrapped up in a fabulous film score by Michael Giacchino. "Bundle of Joy" and "Free Skating" used to be my favorite songs to listen to while I prayed or studied or walked around campus, but now I find myself listening to "Tears of Joy," from a pivotal moment in the movie. I won’t spoil it, but go watch "Inside Out" and listen to "Tears of Joy" because it makes me happy.

Glossier Sweatshirts

This is my favorite brand of all time. I absolutely adore Glossier for its unique approach to beauty that celebrates natural, effortless beauty in all its forms. From their minimalist, pastel-colored packaging to their carefully curated range of skincare and makeup products, Glossier exudes a sense of simplicity and authenticity that resonates with me. Their emphasis on enhancing one's natural features rather than covering them up aligns perfectly with my personal beauty philosophy. Whether it's their cult-favorite Boy Brow for beautifully groomed brows or their highly underrated Lash Slick mascara, Glossier consistently delivers products that make me feel confident and comfortable in my own skin. It's more than just a beauty brand; it's a lifestyle that empowers me to embrace my unique beauty and feel effortlessly beautiful every day. But my favorite product is their sweatshirts. Periodically, they come out with a new color and style, and I collect them like infinity stones. First, I got the classic pink hoodie. Last summer, I snagged the Lavender edition. This summer, my collection grew with the addition of two more sweatshirts - the Cream colored hoodie and the limited edition Slate Black NYC style. Glossier has not only become my go-to for beauty but also a symbol of comfort and joy in my everyday life, and that makes me happy.

Cormorant Font

Cormorant is a family of fonts designed by Christian Thalmann. It is a typeface that supports multiple styles, such as regular, italic, bold, and bold italic. The font family is intended to be versatile and suitable for various design projects, including print and web use.

One notable aspect of the Cormorant font family is its classical and elegant appearance, which makes it well-suited for typesetting body text in books, magazines, or other editorial contexts. The designer took inspiration from the calligraphy and lettering styles of the Renaissance era, resulting in a typeface that conveys a sense of historical grace and sophistication, and using it makes me happy.

Barbie Pink

I went to see "Barbie" last night, and it’s actually the best movie I've ever seen. Maybe I’m biased because I’m a girl, and Barbie is literally marketed for us. The pink is perfect. Pink has long been associated with the Barbie brand — she even has her own Pantone color. But even though Barbie was first released in 1959, Mattel didn't start featuring predominantly pink packaging until the 1970s, said Kim Culmone, Mattel's senior vice president and global head of Barbie and fashion dolls design. When discussing shades of pink associated with the brand, Culmone noted that there’s something inspiring and joyful about “Barbie Pink.” “Most importantly it’s, for us, it’s really a symbolism of empowerment. Barbie is the original girl empowerment brand,” Culmone said. The Barbie Pink (#e0218a) is perfect, and that makes me happy.

Having a positive perspective on life is critical to finding happiness, especially during challenging times. Embracing these ten things that bring joy into my life has been a source of comfort and motivation to keep pushing through difficult moments. Whether it's the company of my beloved cat Jack, the captivating world of books, the laughter from "Modern Family," the solace of journaling, the enrichment from Bible study with friends, the artistic pursuit of latte art, the comforting presence of crescent moons, the emotional connection with "Inside Out," cozy Glossier sweatshirts, the elegance of Cormorant font, or the empowering Barbie Pink, each element contributes to my well-being and happiness. Focusing on these positive aspects has helped me see the beauty and joy that exists even amidst the challenges, ultimately making me really happy.