BE Happy

A few things that are making me happy right now...

(1) NOSTALGIA: Nostalgia is defined as: "a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations." (www.definitions.com). I know you know the feeling. It occurs when you find an old school photo or drive by your first childhood home; when you make your Grandma's angel food cake recipe or when you run into an old friend. I love the feeling of nostalgia so much and it's one of the reasons I spend a lot of time doing ancestral research because it tends to stir up all those good emotions for me.

Nostalgia feels like a big warm hug and the most beautiful thing about it is that it's always available for us. Anytime you're feeling sad or need a little boost, you can page through your wedding album or school yearbook. In fact, research says, " ...that nostalgia can increase our sense of well-being, boost inspiration and creativity, make us feel more youthful, alert, optimistic, and energetic, and even encourage us to take risks and pursue our goals." (www.heirloom.cloud). 👈 WOW! But, it wasn't until recently that I remembered the easiest and, in my opinion, most effective way to induce that nostalgic feeling.

At the tippy top of the hierarchy of nostalgia generators is music. It hit me the other night while watching the Grammys. I got all the feels and more when Tracy Chapman and Luke Coombs sang Fast Car as a duet. If you missed it, please take a second to watch it HERE. I really enjoyed the song when Tracy first released it in 1988 and I certainly thought she was super cool and an incredibly talented artist, but by no means would I call myself a super fan of either Tracy or Luke. So, why did the performance evoke so much emotion for me? The nostalgia factor.

1988 was a transformative year in my life because it's when I graduated college and began my first full-time job. Clearly, hearing Fast Car for the first time in a long while brought me right back to the 80's triggering not only mental memories, but emotional ones too! Isn't it amazing how the brain works? And isn't it also amazing to know that a happiness boost is always within our reach? Simply listening to music of any kind works. {Read more about that HERE } But, if you want to experience extra powerful happy-evoking associations...start listening to music from all the special years in your life. Music = happiness, but nostalgic music = sheer bliss!

(2) A CLEAN FACE:  I know I talk about skincare a lot, but skincare is self-care and self-care = happiness! Plus, I literally love the way my face feels after I wash and moisturize it. It's so easy to do yet so exponentially satisfying. I'm constantly looking for new ways to improve my skincare regimen and when I do, I love to share them with you. Here are two of my current finds... Face Foundrie- If you haven't heard of this relatively new spa chain, google it now and see if there's a location near you. They provide “quickie” and inexpensive facials that will leave you and your face feeling AH-MAZING! And, if you want to really indulge yourself this year (psst...YOU SHOULD!) sign up for their monthly subscription and enjoy a facial every month at a discount! If you don't have the time to treat yourself to a facial outside of the house, do yourself a favor and get a jar of GOOP GLOW Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator. I am telling you, this product is worth every penny! Use it once a week and your skin will not only glow- it will also feel so darn soft and clean! Invest in your face and savor the happy feelings that will follow.  

(3) GREAT INSTA's: When I find some new awesome instagram accounts, I love to share them with you! The first is a comedian who I think is a real hoot. Check out # karenmorgancomedy if you want LOL at some great perspectives from this wife and mother with a southern viewpoint. I find her hysterical and so relatable since she references a lot of things from our generation. Next, if you love doggos (or even if you don't!) you have to follow # thedogist! The concept is simple, Elias Friedman the photographer behind this account, meanders around NYC to find dogs being walked and takes gorgeous pictures of them. While doing so he chats with the owner or walker and gets some tea on the pup about his/her personality, etc. I so look forward to seeing his posts each day because it's fun to see what breed he finds next! For me, happiness = dogs and so posts by # thedogist does too. Finally, if you want to have a good chuckle at your own expense (and hopefully your family members too), check out THIS website that allows you to snap a face pic and turn it into a vintage Christmas Card photo. My whole family did this together over the holidays and let me tell you I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Now, I know Christmas has passed, but this same site is launching a Valentine's Day Card version very soon! This "first of its kind photorealistic card simulator" is a must do if you want to share a little happiness with your loved ones on 2/14 ❤️!

{Read more HERE about how laughing at yourself is healthy for you!}

Yep...that's my face in all those pics below! 🤣