The Mid Life Dating Files 2025

What are 5 everyday things that bring you happiness?

6 Everyday Things That Bring Me Happiness (and Keep Me Slightly More Fun Than I Should Be)

Let’s just start with this: if you woke up this morning, put your feet on the floor, and didn’t immediately pull a muscle…you’re already winning. That first step out of bed? That’s not just a step—that’s a victory lap. Every single day is a brand-new chapter, and while mine may read like a comedy most days, I’m grateful I get to keep turning the page with a little faith, a lot of coffee, and just enough positivity to keep things moving.

Now, while I could list about 100 things that make me happy (including finding matching socks on the first try), here are six everyday joys that truly keep my world spinning:

1. My Family: My Built-In Comedy Show

Honestly, if I didn’t have my family, I wouldn’t have half the material I use to laugh my way through life. They are my daily dose of happiness—and entertainment. Between holiday gatherings, random weeknight dinners, summer pool days, river trips, and travel adventures, we are constantly making memories…whether we mean to or not.

And let’s be real:

Dad’s sarcastic one-liners could qualify as a stand-up routine. Mom? Completely unfiltered. Especially about food. If she doesn’t like it, oh—you will know.

They are my “Google receipts” of life—documented, unforgettable, and occasionally a little questionable. But I wouldn’t trade those moments for anything.

2. Blaze the Cat: My Furry Alarm Clock (Who Doesn’t Snooze)

Every morning, without fail, Blaze wakes me up by pawing my head like he’s checking for a pulse. Not out of concern—oh no. He wants his wet food, and he wants it now.

Blaze is my:

Kitchen supervisor Cooking critic Concert buddy Full-time talker

I’m pretty sure he thinks I’m his personal assistant. Actually, no—I know he does. And the conversations we have? One-sided but passionate. Mostly him demanding bites of whatever I’m eating. He’s needy, dramatic, and full of personality…which is probably why we get along so well.

3. My Small (Very Small) Circle of Friends

When I say my circle is small, I mean very, very, very small. Like, you could count them and still have fingers left over.

But here’s the thing—I chose that. Life has a funny way of teaching you who’s real and who’s just…extra background noise. I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that not everyone who smiles at you is rooting for you.

And honestly? I’m happier this way. The friends I have now are genuine, supportive, and drama-free—which, at this stage in life, is basically priceless.

4. Travel: My Excuse to Avoid Laundry and Responsibilities

Traveling brings me so much joy—and I’ve decided it’s about to become one of my top priorities. I’ve got a bucket list, and it’s time to start checking things off like I’m on a mission.

Even better? Spending that time traveling with my parents. Those moments matter more now than ever, and I want more experiences, more laughs, and yes—more photos to add to my ever-growing collection of “memories I will never delete.”

Because let’s be honest…life is short, and the laundry will still be there when I get back.

5. Freedom: The Everyday Blessing We Forget About

This one might not be funny—but it’s real.

I’m grateful to live in a place where I have freedoms that many people around the world don’t. The freedom to believe, to speak, to live life in a way that reflects who I am—that’s something worth appreciating every single day.

It’s easy to take those things for granted when they’re part of your normal routine. But perspective changes everything. And while life isn’t perfect (far from it), I try to stay grounded in gratitude for the freedoms I do have.

6. Wine: Because Some Days Require a Corkscrew, Not a Pep Talk

And finally…wine. Sweet, reliable, never-judges-me wine.

Wine is there for:

Celebrating a great day Surviving a long day Pairing with dinner Or replacing dinner (don’t judge me)

It doesn’t ask questions. It doesn’t offer unsolicited advice. It just shows up, does its job, and makes everything feel a little more manageable—and sometimes a lot more funny.

Let’s be honest: some conversations are better, some problems are smaller, and some decisions feel way more reasonable after a glass of wine. Or two.

At the end of the day, happiness isn’t always in the big, life-changing moments. Sometimes it’s in the small, everyday things—like sarcastic comments at the dinner table, a cat demanding breakfast like a tiny king, or a well-timed glass of wine after a long day.

And if nothing else…at least there’s always something to laugh about.

Because if you can’t laugh at life, you’re probably missing the best parts.