As a customer, I love buying stuff from people who are excited about what they're selling or the service they're providing - especially if I've had a lot of input about what it is that I want. For example when I first went to the hairdresser's to get my hair dyed, my hairdresser was so excited about the colour I was getting. I know, because she said so, and she practically clapped her hands with joy when it was finally all finished and had turned out really well.
I had a similar experience the other day when I contacted a girl I've been to before who does my nails, to tell her about an idea I'd had that I'd like her to do for me. I haven't been in for an appointment yet (we spoke about it just last night) but I'm even more excited because the nail technician loves the idea and really wants to create it for me. Also today I've had some similar interactions at a store and at a restaurant discussing the products and food with the staff - it's so nice to share happiness and excitement this way!
Sunday 27 July 2014
Friday 25 July 2014
Music appreciation - the original ones are the best (sometimes)
What made me happy today:
I was listening to a Swedish radio station and a song I recognised came on. It took a few seconds for me to place it but I realised it was "Wherever You Will Go", only it was the original version by The Calling, and not that cover that some woman did that was on the Twinings advert, or whatever it was. So nice to hear the original being played! Here are some important things to remember:
"Run" was originally by Snow Patrol, not Leona Lewis
"Valerie" was originally by The Zutons, not Amy Winehouse
"Somewhere Only We Know" was originally by Keane, not Lily Allen
"Many of Horror" was originally by Biffy Clyro, not Matt Cardle (and it was called "Many of Horror", not "When We Collide!")
I was listening to a Swedish radio station and a song I recognised came on. It took a few seconds for me to place it but I realised it was "Wherever You Will Go", only it was the original version by The Calling, and not that cover that some woman did that was on the Twinings advert, or whatever it was. So nice to hear the original being played! Here are some important things to remember:
"Run" was originally by Snow Patrol, not Leona Lewis
"Valerie" was originally by The Zutons, not Amy Winehouse
"Somewhere Only We Know" was originally by Keane, not Lily Allen
"Many of Horror" was originally by Biffy Clyro, not Matt Cardle (and it was called "Many of Horror", not "When We Collide!")
Monday 21 July 2014
Poetry: Mortality
How about a change of pace? I haven't written anything in a million years (ish), so it's not my best, but it's a start so it's good enough for now. Actually the second one I've wrote tonight, picked up from scraps of notes I've saved on my laptop.
Mortality
I guess you just don’t think about mortality like I do
Because I’ve seen it up real close and studied it like it was something new
It grabbed me by the neck and questioned my morality,
Put its shades upon my face so I could see it with more clarity
And now I see it everywhere, in everyone I know
I see so plainly that no-one ever questions when they’ll go
We don’t know when that door will knock or when the bell will ring
But I had a dream we all died, and I felt better about the whole thing.
Mortality
I guess you just don’t think about mortality like I do
Because I’ve seen it up real close and studied it like it was something new
It grabbed me by the neck and questioned my morality,
Put its shades upon my face so I could see it with more clarity
And now I see it everywhere, in everyone I know
I see so plainly that no-one ever questions when they’ll go
We don’t know when that door will knock or when the bell will ring
But I had a dream we all died, and I felt better about the whole thing.
Sunday 20 July 2014
Obsessions
I haven't posted in a few days because I've been very busy with the latest thing to make me happy - Breaking Bad. I just finished the whole thing the other day, and now I'm starting over from the beginning. I love it when I get an obsession going.
I went out for a meal with my family last night for my dad's birthday, which also made me happy, and I'm going to write a good review on Trip Advisor for the restaurant because they totally deserve it - the food and staff were all awesome. And giving praise where it's deserved makes me happy, too. As does thanking people for little, simple things.
Thinking about obsessions and fandoms, I think they're really important because they're a source of happiness that takes you out of real life for a while and helps you focus on things that are awesome instead of things that aren't so good.
I went out for a meal with my family last night for my dad's birthday, which also made me happy, and I'm going to write a good review on Trip Advisor for the restaurant because they totally deserve it - the food and staff were all awesome. And giving praise where it's deserved makes me happy, too. As does thanking people for little, simple things.
Thinking about obsessions and fandoms, I think they're really important because they're a source of happiness that takes you out of real life for a while and helps you focus on things that are awesome instead of things that aren't so good.
Wednesday 16 July 2014
Sometimes I get scared and I don't know where to put it
Sometimes I put it in words. Very occasionally I put it in pictures. Either way, if it has somewhere to go, we both feel better.
For me, it's the whole Lynch syndrome thing. I have realised recently that it makes me feel like I have no control, but almost completely responsible at the same time, which is an odd combination. Because I can't control whether I get cancer again or not, but if I do get it again and it's worse than the first time, it will be my fault because I know it could happen again and that I should look for any signs and be vigilant, so it's my responsibility to look out for it and stop it before it gets bad. I have been forewarned. So yeah. It scares me sometimes. I tried to get rid of the feeling the other night by going on Tumblr and basically typing that I was scared about ten times, just to get it out. Didn't really make much difference, so I drew it instead.
Sunday 13 July 2014
Happiness news round-up
Here's what's been happening in the news recently - see, it's not all doom and gloom!
New study suggests happiness classes should become part of the school curriculum
Teaching life skills and the pursuit of happiness
The little secrets of our happiness: How finding a fiver in your pocket or sleeping on fresh bed sheets are the things that put us in a good mood
New study suggests happiness classes should become part of the school curriculum
Teaching life skills and the pursuit of happiness
The little secrets of our happiness: How finding a fiver in your pocket or sleeping on fresh bed sheets are the things that put us in a good mood
Tuesday 8 July 2014
ERMEHGERD Professor Green retweeted me!
Happy happy happy happy!!
I dunno why we get so excited when celebrities retweet us... But to hell with analysing it, Professor Green retweeted me! Though I probably should have watched this match, seems to have been one of the best matches of the world cup so far... and I took my eyes off the screen for like ten minutes and all of a sudden it went from 6 - 0 to 7- 0 for Germany. Exciting evening! :D
The Happy Google Bell
It might sound silly or girly or childish but I love inanimate objects or animals with smiley faces on them. Like immensely happy cartoons or household objects that look like they're smiling. So one of my favourite things at work is the happy Google notifications bell. If you click the little bell on the top right hand corner of Gmail, or AdWords, or other Google sites, it shows you your notifications and if you don't have any notifications there's a happy bell:
He's so happy, right? But THEN, only recently, I accidentally clicked the bell. And that made me even more excited, because when you click Mr Bell, he smiles even more and does a little wiggly dance:
He's so happy, right? But THEN, only recently, I accidentally clicked the bell. And that made me even more excited, because when you click Mr Bell, he smiles even more and does a little wiggly dance:
Look how happy he is!! Definitely worth breaking my "one exclamation mark only" rule. And that's why at least once a day I go ahead and click the little bell of happiness, because he makes me all gooey inside.
Sunday 6 July 2014
How to be happy at work
Business Insider has a few interesting tips for being happier at work, from finding meaning in what you do to taking your time and stressing less. Some pretty useful stuff!
I'd like to add a few of my own:
1. Have a little treat at work
In my office there is frequent cake. We even have a dedicated "cake table" where we put biscuits, chocolate, and other assorted goodies, including pancakes on Shrove Tuesday and our Christmas feast. It breaks up the day and gives people something to look forward too - a bit of a boost.
2. ...But not too many treats!
I try to abstain on occasion because if I indulged every time I'd just feel guilty, and I do like to sort of pretend I'm watching my weight a little bit.
3. Sit comfortably
Chairs matter. Bad posture is why I go for massages. Massages are happy; good chairs and sitting up straight are happy, too.
4. Considering priorities
Not just your own priorities, but other people's. This is helpful if you're a bit impatient like I am and want everything to be done immediately. Other people's priorities are different to yours. It's just a good thing to bear in mind when you need stuff to be done - they might have something higher up on their list even if the task in question is the first thing on yours.
5. Be yourself
For me at least, it can be hard to find work clothes I feel comfortable in. I just don't feel like myself if I'm not in jeans and hoodies or t-shirts. But I bought a couple of new tops the other day that I could wear at work or at home - I wore one for work today and kept it on once I got home. I'm still wearing it now; if I don't throw it off as soon as I walk through the door, it's definitely a feel-good top. And I feel happier when I feel like myself and not restricted or having to wear things I don't like.
I'd like to add a few of my own:
1. Have a little treat at work
In my office there is frequent cake. We even have a dedicated "cake table" where we put biscuits, chocolate, and other assorted goodies, including pancakes on Shrove Tuesday and our Christmas feast. It breaks up the day and gives people something to look forward too - a bit of a boost.
2. ...But not too many treats!
I try to abstain on occasion because if I indulged every time I'd just feel guilty, and I do like to sort of pretend I'm watching my weight a little bit.
3. Sit comfortably
Chairs matter. Bad posture is why I go for massages. Massages are happy; good chairs and sitting up straight are happy, too.
4. Considering priorities
Not just your own priorities, but other people's. This is helpful if you're a bit impatient like I am and want everything to be done immediately. Other people's priorities are different to yours. It's just a good thing to bear in mind when you need stuff to be done - they might have something higher up on their list even if the task in question is the first thing on yours.
5. Be yourself
For me at least, it can be hard to find work clothes I feel comfortable in. I just don't feel like myself if I'm not in jeans and hoodies or t-shirts. But I bought a couple of new tops the other day that I could wear at work or at home - I wore one for work today and kept it on once I got home. I'm still wearing it now; if I don't throw it off as soon as I walk through the door, it's definitely a feel-good top. And I feel happier when I feel like myself and not restricted or having to wear things I don't like.
Friday 4 July 2014
I'm on YouTube! ...Sort of.
This is what made me happy this week:
I'm on YouTube! Apart from not feeling too happy about my face or the sound of my voice (ick), it's quite nice to be a little bit involved in something cool, and this is a pretty good channel - if you're interested in learning Swedish even a little bit, it's a good way to pick up some random words.
I'm on YouTube! Apart from not feeling too happy about my face or the sound of my voice (ick), it's quite nice to be a little bit involved in something cool, and this is a pretty good channel - if you're interested in learning Swedish even a little bit, it's a good way to pick up some random words.
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