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There is a ton of different things that make people smile every day, and even more of these wonderful things go unnoticed. If you just sit for a moment and think about what makes you smile and feel happy, you’ll be overwhelmed by the number of positive reasons to smile you actually have in your daily life.
I just did this exercise and I can’t stop smiling now because visualizing each one of these little things makes me wanna actually experience them again and feel that joy. And I believe that life is meant to be enjoyed every step of the way!
With all the scary things that happen in the world, I wanted to write something to make you smile, and what can do the job better than sharing a big list of 99 freshly found things that make me happy?
There is probably no person on Earth who doesn’t want to be happy. It’s a universal desire embedded in us from the moment we are born. And while the personal meaning of happiness is to each their own, the science behind happy emotions tells us that smiling can indeed make us feel happier.
Numerous studies have been conducted around the world to prove that facial movements that make a smile can by themselves influence our mood in a positive way. This means, you don’t even have to feel like smiling: just make the smiling expression show up on your face and let your brain pull the right triggers and uncover the waterfall of happiness.
Well, alright, maybe it’s not that simple, and faking a smile won’t immediately make you a happy person. But science doesn’t lie, and smiling doesn’t hurt. In fact, it doesn’t require half as much effort as you put into one push-up, even though you incorporate about twenty different muscles when you smile.
Another study shows that smiling helps reduce physical pain, which is why it’s important to keep smiling through the pain, even when life feels unbearable.
But enough with science. I hope I don’t need to convince you that smiling is important and you should do it more.
Let’s dive into pure joy and see the list of 99 things to smile about!
99 things that will make you smile until your cheeks hurt
1. Witnessing an act of kindness
2. Getting lost in a really good book
3. Planning a road trip with friends
4. Getting a message from someone who cares about you
5. Realizing you can actually make your dream come true
6. Watching the most beautiful sunset or sunrise
7. A happy ending in a movie
8. Waking up to sunshine after several rainy days in a row
9. Looking at some old photographs
Best things ever to smile about
These are, in my humble opinion, the best things ever to smile about. Read through and tell me whether or not you agree!
10. Finding your new happy place
11. An unexpected gift that is exactly what you wanted
12. Realizing you have 100 things to be grateful for in your life
13. Seeing someone happy after you helped them out
14. Getting an a-ha moment from a self-help book
15. First sale in your new business
16. Making up after a fight
17. Getting a letter from your old self
18. Seeing your favorite band live for the first time
19. When someone loved the book you recommended (and it was your favorite!)
You May Also Like: 150 Quotes About Being Positive And Happily Enjoying Life
Little things that make you smile
There is no lack of nice little things that can make you smile, as long as you learn to pay attention!
20. Warm feeling of a sun ray on your face
21. Reading an inspirational quote about enjoying life
22. Seeing your dog’s tail wagging happily
23. Someone holding a door open for you
24. Looking in the mirror and feeling beautiful
25. Five more minutes in bed after your alarm went off
26. When an old dress still fits perfectly
27. Fresh smell in the air after the rain
28. Your name spelled right on a coffee cup
29. Randomly hearing your favorite song somewhere
Things to buy that will make you smile every day
When I’m asked to name something that makes me smile every day and is not a person, the first things that come to mind are my favorite items in my home office. A candle with a lovely quote, a cute planter, a fun mug I recently got for myself, and a little collectible Sirius Black on my desk.
They say money doesn’t buy happiness but I think money can buy quite a lot of things that will bring you joy and make you smile every time you see them. Here are a few ideas that may do this for you:
If you want more, here is my full collection of fun stuff to buy to smile more.
Everyday things that make you smile
It doesn’t really matter whether your days are all unique and hectic or you have a fixed routine and relive the same day almost every day. There are always everyday things to make you smile, which might of course be different depending on your lifestyle. Here is a bunch of mine:
30. Learning a new cool skill
31. Crossing things off your to-do list
32. A cup of fresh coffee in the morning
33. Touching your smooth skin after a face mask
34. Coming up with a perfect solution for a problem
35. First bite of your favorite meal
36. A pleasant smell from a scented candle in your room
37. Playing a fun videogame
38. When someone did laundry so you don’t have to
39. Seeing “No new mail” label in your email folder
You May Also Like: 90 Positive Good Vibes Quotes For Every Day Of The Week
Things that make me smile the most
These are things that make me smile so much that my cheeks hurt. When I have a moment from this special list, I want to keep it longer, feel it to the fullest, and remember it until the next time.
40. Hugging my favorite person
41. Ordering sushi from my favorite local place
42. Buying a new book I’m excited to read
43. Walking in the rain
44. Going for a unique local experience
45. A thank-you email or comment from one of my blog visitors
46. Receiving a long-awaited parcel
47. Packing for a trip
48. When someone really loves my positive energy gift
49. Being near the sea
You May Also Like: How To Be Happy Every Day: 22 Tips For A Fulfilling Life
Silly things that make you smile
Life doesn’t have to be all so serious. We are allowed to have fun and enjoy the little things, even if they seem silly or not-adult-enough. Who cares? Smile!
50. Funny cat videos on Youtube
51. Dressing up nicely to go out
52. Having an inside joke with your bestie
53. Someone liked your post on social media
54. Watching one more episode on Netflix
55. Hilarious food jokes, such as pizza puns or chocolate puns
56. When you finally made it to the bathroom after a long meeting
57. Reading your own diary from a decade ago
58. Walking on the grass barefoot
59. Getting home right before the pouring rain started
You May Also Like: 50 Positive Energy Gifts | The Ultimate Collection To Spread Joy
Social things that make you smile
If you think about it, human connections have a big role in our happiness. If I were to write a full list of things other people can do to make you smile, it would be probably enough for a whole other post (maybe I should create it!).
Even though some of us are more introverted than others, we are all naturally social beings, and we need a sense of connection with other humans to feel happy. Here are some people-based things that make you smile, no matter how socially awkward you may be.
60. A nice compliment from a stranger
61. Going out with your best friend
62. Finally seeing a long-distance friend
63. When someone matches your positive energy
64. Feeling like a part of the community
65. Sitting at a big table at the family reunion
66. Playing a board game with friends
67. Someone smiling at you on the street
68. Meeting a new like-minded person you can potentially be friends with
69. When your clever comment made someone laugh
You May Also Like: 82 Positive Affirmations For Lasting Friendship And Making New Friends
Things that make you smile and feel happy
70. Waking up excited to have an amazing day
71. Achieving a big goal
72. Hearing good news
73. First word or step of your baby
74. Reminiscing about good old times
75. Standing on top of a mountain and embracing the view
76. First sip of a delicious seasonal drink
77. Getting better at some skill
78. Risky surgery that went well
79. Smell of baked cookies in your mother’s kitchen
You May Also Like: 11 Positive Things To Do Everyday: Happiness Checklist
Things that make people smile in relief
Not all reasons to smile are equal. Some are the simple nice things around you, others are more sophisticated and conditional. When you hear good news or realize the worst you imagined didn’t happen, it will make you smile from relief every time. Here are a few examples!
80. A warm bath for sore muscles
81. A negative result from some scary medical test
82. When you said something stupid and nobody noticed
83. Passing a big exam you were sure you failed
84. “I’m fine” on the phone after 50 missed calls
85. When you did something adventurous and didn’t die
86. The moment an interview ends
87. Coming right on time to something important
88. When a task you don’t wanna do is assigned to somebody else
89. Talking to someone after keeping your feelings inside for too long
You May Also Like: 180 Smile Quotes To Find Heaps Of Reasons To Smile
Cute things that make you smile
Let’s be honest here. What makes me smile is not always deep and huge to think about. Sometimes it’s all about those random moments that make me feel cozy, inspired, or just alive.
90. Rolling yourself in a cozy burrito blanket
91. When someone compliments your smile
92. Seeing an elderly happy couple holding hands
93. Finding a perfect heartwarming gift for your best friend
94. Pretty much anything a toddler says to you
95. Hugging a heatable plushie even though you are an adult
96. A purring cat nearby
97. Looking at cute babies
98. Lovely art on your latte
99. Sliding into fluffy slippers first thing in the morning
Click here to see my whole collection of fun things to buy to smile more
Final thoughts about things that make me smile
These were the 99 things that make me smile, and I hope some of them are good enough to make you smile too!
Aren’t you inspired to write your own list of things that make you show your beautiful smile to the world?
If I left something out that always makes YOU smile and you feel the urge to add it to the list, feel free to share it in the comments! Let’s make it into 100 things that make us smile together!
