10 Small Changes for Daily Happiness

I used to think of self-care as things that require a lot of time, money or effort. Things like massages, pedicures, facials and spa days were my go-tos. But those could be cost- and time-prohibitive, limiting my ability to do them.

The onset of the pandemic, paired with living as an ex-pat in Germany, caused me to rethink self-care. As social activities have become more isolated and increasingly difficult, I have chosen to reimagine what self-care looks like. Now, for me, self-care is participating in enjoyable things and being present in the moment, no matter how small the activity may seem.

Here are 10 small things that I do to promote happiness in my life. Hopefully this list will inspire you to create your own list of small things for happiness, self-care and positivity.

Wearing lipstick. Wearing red lipstick, especially, always makes me feel like a boss. When the pandemic hit in 2020 in Germany, a mask mandate came with it. Wearing lipstick seemed pointless since no one could see it. But I realized that wearing lipstick had always been a self-care technique for me. I just didn’t know how important that had been until it seemed like I could no longer wear it. So I started wearing it again, under my mask, at work, at the grocery store, sometimes even at home. I feel great!

Ordering low-cost subscription boxes. I think there is nothing better than receiving a surprise gift in the mail, even if it is one you sent yourself. There are many options for subscription boxes starting around $10, including those for makeup, snacks and books. I like those that can be canceled or skipped at any time. (Editor’s note: Our friends at The Girlfriend offer a subscription box called the Relax & Radiate crate. Learn more here.)

Dyeing my hair fun colors. I recently dyed my hair hot pink, which made me feel like a new woman. I used a permanent color, but brands like Lime Crime and Manic Panic make temporary dyes that cost around $10-$20. This is a great thing to do because the fashion dyes are inexpensive and easy to do.

Binge-watching TV shows. I used to beat myself up about spending a lot of time watching TV, until I realized that it is like a release for me. For me, it’s an hour (or more) that I don’t worry about stressors, and it helps me relax so I can better deal with stress once the show is over.

Trying out recipes from other countries. I am an avid traveler as well as a foodie. Those two things usually go really well together, so not being able to travel has caused me to get creative. At least once a week I look for recipes for dishes from other countries and attempt to make one. They don’t always turn out amazing, but I always have fun.