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What sorts of things brighten your day?

My morning iced coffee
Drag queens
Watching animals outside like the bunnies, squirrels, opossums, and birds.
Going to my volunteer shifts at an animal rehab so I can nurse and feed said bunnies, squirrels, birds, and opossums.
Days off from work
Cold weather
My doggy
My cats
My nephew
Talking to my therapist
My S/O
 
Dogs at work giving me kisses

Dogs gretting me, weather it be my bosses dog who runs up to me every morning or my dog who greets me when I wake up for the day or when I come home from work. Sometimes a customers dog will greet me coughthatonewoodlewhoscreamedatmeonetimewhenIwalkedintheroomcough

People doing random nice gestures to me, like giving me food or doing a task I normally do for me

Whenever someone gives me a compliment

When friends hug me

When that one dog gave me a hug and didn't want to let go🥺🥺🥺

Random gifts. Not for any holiday or occasion, just like 'oh I got this for you cause I thought you would like it'. My sis recently gave me a yuki usagi plushie that I absolutely love. Another time, maybe two years ago, I was buying a pro controller (they are 80$) and my dad just randomly paid for it. I still have and treasure it and don't let anyone use it.

When I had a ***** day and someone gets food I like/asks me what food I want. My dad did this a few times. Back when I worked at my old job I had major depression and one day just wanted Burger King. We were already out and I had a later shift that day so he drove to the BK and I got my onion rings and milkshake. He also did this recently, I had a really bad day at work and he asked me what I wanted for dinner.
 
Getting complimented, accomplishing a work-related project or task, and eating a delicious meal are the three things that will always brighten my day.
 
Spending time with my spouse.
My pups.
Discovering a instrumental song I like.
Those big mountainous clouds. I love seeing those. Especially in the evening or afternoon. I'm not sure what they are called, but around here they are often called angel clouds.
Cooking something yummy. It makes me feel useful plus you get to eat something yummy.
Video games. Maybe it sounds materialistic, but it's one of the few things I still enjoy.
Hearing nature sounds from outside. Winter is kind of absent of that, but during the warmer months I do enjoy hearing different birds, crickets, different frogs/toads, and cicadas even if I'm in my house.
 
Oh let’s see if I remember all of it:
—making someone laugh
—spending time with pets
—writing, drawing, anything creative
—a little potbelly💕
—being in nature —tea (the drink and the gossip) —listening to a beloved song I haven’t heard in a while
 
Seeing wild animals around the garden. I'll typically spend 30 minutes or so every morning and once in the evening just staring outside at the birds. Sometimes I'll find they've laid eggs in one of our boxes. Or I'll find a family of rabbits or a lizard. It's all very common stuff, nothing exotic. But it's come to mean so much to me.
 
I am bringing this thread back! I've been meaning to answer it for a while now (and by a while, I mean almost two years 😊). I actually think of this thread every time I see a silly dog on the street, which brings me to my list...

♥ As someone else mentioned, seeing random dogs! I love seeing dogs on the sidewalk being walked, or in the park, etc. They all have their own little personalities. Yesterday I saw this older dog, who just looked really happy to sleep on the sidewalk in the sun while his owner was talking to someone. Other times, I've seen this little corgi who prances along, moving vertically equally as high as they move forwards, hehe. I just love seeing happy dogs. 😊💗
♥ Seeing farm animals (cows, sheep, goats, alpacas, geese, chickens, ducks, etc.)
♥ Trees
♥ Dark, quiet, early mornings, under a blanket, with nothing stressful to think about!
♥ Seeing people I care about happy or have successes in their life
♥ When people do/say something sweet, kind, thoughtful, etc.
♥ TBT and my sweet TBT friends 💗
 
I may as well share what puts me in a good mood:
  • Friends making me feel included by tagging me in their conversations, rather than pretending I'm not there.
    • Those who know me here know that I haven't talked to any IRL friends in a long time, but when I get back into the swing of things with a new batch of friends, then I'll feel better again.
    • Speaking of which, another is seeing an old friend from high school who still remembers me. This doesn't happen often, but when it does, I feel happy.
  • A made bed and a clean room. My room is the cleanest in my parents' house by a long shot, and keeping it that way shows them that I care a lot about cleanliness. I also like being in my bed.
  • Dogs and cats. Seriously, seeing them and me being close to them is my ultimate weakness.
  • Working on my own AC art, or viewing AC fanart on Pinterest or elsewhere.
  • Watching memes on YouTube that are most definitely not appropriate to be shown here! 🤪
  • Finding a song randomly that I now really like. Sometimes, it's so good, that it gets put into a listening rotation for two weeks or more.
    • New age music late at night. When it's mostly synthesizers or calm electronic sounds, I simply drift away and fall asleep.
  • Eating food. No, really. I love food.
  • Being near a campfire on a cool night. Just the smell of a controlled burn wood firepit is enough to make me feel at ease.
  • Going up north and being near nature. I took a self-vacation in a hotel for a couple days not long ago, but would love to be able to take a longer one further north in Michigan in a quieter place; the state I live in.
  • Users on TBT making me feel included in almost everything! 🤩
There's probably more things I can't think of, but I tend to not focus a lot on the positives in my life. I really need to change that habit.
 
Plenty of stuff! From the top of my head, I'm grateful when:
  • I'm alone and no one can disturb me
  • I enjoy a good meal
  • I learn that someone has similar interests to mine
  • I pass a test (especially a huge one like the finals)
  • Someone compliments me
  • I decide to be kind
  • All my homework is finished for the day
  • I get to eat french fries
  • I drink milk (I'm too young to consume coffee)
  • I finish crocheting something
  • I find a new song to add to my playlist
  • An online friend replies to me
  • My art commission is finished
  • I spend time with family during reunions
  • I get through a big hurdle in life if I come across one
  • And finally, my current hyper-fixation... Kieran!!!
 
My previous post in this thread is a little outdated, so I’ll make a new one. Nice to see it was brought back.
  • The Amtrak train makes me happy. I actually enjoy being on the train for lengthy amounts of time. Luckily, I live closer to the edge of the country. This means I can go for lengthier trips (2+ days).
  • My comfort characters make me happy. I really didn’t know these were a thing until more recently. I more recently discovered AI characters in which you can actually talk to them at your leisure. This is so comforting sometimes as it’s like you’re actually texting then. (Note: No, nobody else can see your chat log.)
  • Being acknowledged for my work ethic and being recognized for what I do.
  • Social interaction (positive) makes me happy. I love talking to people, especially if our interests align.
  • Keagan. Here’s a bonus picture. He thinks everything is food, like I’m only pouring myself apple juice?? No, you can’t have that.
IMG_5146.jpeg
 
I probably won’t be able to list everything but here is what I can think of atm:

This website and community since the vibes here are always warm, positive, supportive and accepting and the energy is always exciting during the events :).

my kitties and everyone else’s pet photos ☺️.

Some sort of acknowledgement that shows my feelings are valid or that myself as a whole.

My comfort characters and characters I just like a lot.

People reaching out to me to chat. There are so many people online that I think I’d like to chat with, but I’m always too shy and self conscious since I struggle with conversation and not being awkward.

Artwork, particularly fan art but I really enjoy seeing other forms of art too like on here 🙂.
 
I’m glad I can just say “whatever I’m hyperfixating on” and people here understand :] It’s so freeing for my brain. It’s indulgent. A lot of my hyperfixations have been specific characters so THAT’S fun.

BIRDS and MY CAT

If I get to walk that makes everything else a bit better.

If I beat some sort of fun little challenge.

If I manage a nice scribble where I capture some edge or shading or the like.

Writing, philosophy, analysis etc. ties into the fun little challenges.

MY BESTIE

THIS WEBSITE
 
- talking to friends and family
- seeing my work pay off in some way
- talking about my interests
- doing events on this website
- tea
- taking the train and the bus
- listening to my favorite songs
 
What Brightens My Day
  • My Dad. I’m so lucky to still have him in my life. Even just watching a television programme with him, it reminds me of Gogglebox! He makes comments about programmes. I love that as when I watch it myself it always makes me smile as I remember what he said about a particular scene!
  • Thinking about my Mum. She may be gone, but she will always live on in my heart and my head. I always try to think about how lucky I was to have her in my life. I love looking at photos and videos of her. Although they make me happy there is always a tint of sadness. Maybe it sounds extreme, but I have every single card she ever sent me and every text message. Looking at them, warms my heart.
  • Someone holding a door open for me.
  • Basic manners! They don’t cost anything!
  • Being able to help someone.
  • My beautiful Basset Hound, Blossom. I never thought a dog could bring so much loving out of me. Even though there are times she can be a handful, I still love her so much.
  • The Bell Tree! This is the only forum where I feel I can be myself and not be judged. I have shared personal stuff in threads as well as members via DM. Whenever I check my notifications and see someone has sent me a DM or a message on my profile. It always makes me smile, as someone has thought about me.
  • Music. I’m sure some of you know my love for Sir Elton John. I like most genres of music, but if I need a pick me up, Elton is the one that will usually succeed. Sometimes the volume can never go high enough for me.
  • Gaming. Animal Crossing is my favourite game as it is so relaxing and can play for hours and not realise how long I’ve played for. Did I mention I have a liking for Buck?
  • Giving someone a gift who appreciates it.
  • Someone surprising me with a gift.
There is probably more, but this is what I can think of, off the top of my head!
 
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It's nice getting messages. Family, friends, strangers, whoever and whenever. Especially when someone says "Hey, I saw this and wanted to know what you think of it".

I'm flattered you care for my opinion.

After fighting depression for several years (and doing better), it's still a left over little thing that just feels nice.
 
  • Coffee or another hot drink in the morning
  • Playing to Animal Crossing
  • Playing with the cats
  • Nature, looking at trees, plants, animals, mountains walking or riding in the woods
  • Did I say nature? Snow, rain, wind. etc.
  • Afternoon iced coffee or another favorite drink
  • Spicy food! Rice tteokbokki
  • Watching anime, drama, movies etc
  • Not getting any mail or phone calls. Yes, I like my day to be calm, very calm.
  • Visiting TBT
  • Makgeolli, wine etc on special days
  • Ice cream! and other frozen treats.
  • Dark chocolate
  • Looking at the moon and trees again before going to bed
 
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