Do weekends make you happy?

From catching up on your sleep to enjoying a lazy Sunday brunch, weekends offer the chance to step of your routine, do things differently and soak in as much happiness as you can before the new week begins.

But doing things that make you feel happy doesn’t have to be something just for the weekends; feeling happy can be with you the other days of the week, too.

Like you, my weeks are busy. Some weeks it feels like Monday through Friday is one long day with a few naps sprinkled in. However, over the years, I’ve developed a plan – a happiness plan.

This plan helps me remember to do things that bring me joy, comfort and happiness even on the blue Mondays and the frantic Thursdays.

I hope my plan will inspire you to think about creating your own Monday through Friday happiness plan so each day is savored to its fullest.

Monday

Eating dinner as a family
It makes me happy to eat dinner with my family. And when the meal is over, we linger at the table sharing snapshots of our days, and our lives, with each other.

Tuesday

Grabbing an early-morning workout.
OK, I’ll admit it – I’m not happy at 5:15 as I’m getting ready to workout, but afterwards it feels good to know I did something that fills me up with confidence and will help me bank a few extra years.

Wednesday

A Venti Starbucks coffee with room
There’s no doubt about it: Starbucks sells community, not coffee. My morning stops there offer me the chance to see familiar faces with smiles more robust than the coffee. My reaction to smile back is spontaneous and genuine.

Thursday

Writing and sharing
I write for many reasons. One reason is because I want to impact other peoples’ lives in a meaningful way. When I hear from someone who has been touched by the words offered, I can’t hold back my happiness because I’m thankful to be living on purpose.

Friday

Exchanging emails with Mary Beth
When my wife’s email address pops into my inbox, I feel like a fifth grader discovering a love note from the cutest 10-year-old girl on the planet. I feel the smile begin to grow from left ear all the way over to my right ear as I open the email and read her special message before replying back.

About Alex Blackwell
Alex Blackwell is a father, husband and writer.