Don’t count every hour in the day, make every hour in the day count.
Express yourself
My boyfriend and I took a fantastic painting class, after not painting for years. It was pure fun.
Everyone has a creative side, and you don’t have to be a van Gogh to express that. Allowing yourself time to be creative opens the opportunity to express yourself with activities you enjoy, and you very well may surprise yourself. There are plenty of ways to express yourself, including making music, painting, drawing, planting flowers, fixing cars, writing, or photography. And those are just a few, of course. Stimulate your mind!
Try something different
My boyfriend, Tim, at our trapeze class in the summer of 2013. Exhilarating.
Whether it’s skydiving, shark-diving, trapezing, parasailing, volunteering at the animal shelter, sitting in on a new class, running a mile, cooking a big meal, or writing that novella, there are so many extraordinary things this world has to offer. There’s an infinite amount of learning and experiences to be had, and all you have to do is step outside of your comfort zone to open your life to rejuvenating, exciting adventures.
Laughter
Me acting like a weirdo as one of my best friends took my picture in Manhattan in 2010.
Everybody knows that an eye-tearing, stomach-aching laugh can bring immense joy to ourselves and those around us like like nothing else. As children, we laughed with ease. In fact, most of us seeked fun or funny things on a daily basis. As adults, we often need reminders to allow ourselves to be silly and see the humor in everyday situations. Bonus: laughter is also good for your health. Research shows that laughter may strengthen your immune system, and it reduces stress.
Be grateful
I did some European traveling in 2010 and 2011. The Colosseum (and all of the other beauty and history) was breathtaking.
In other words, don’t take things for granted — every good thing in your life is precious. With our busy civilized human lives, we often forget to recognize our blessings. From the beauty of those pink trees blooming in the springtime to a big hug from a loved one — cherish it all. Our mere existence is an amazing thing.
Share kindness
Feeding a pair of friendly birds back in May 2012.
By now you must have noticed how good it feels to do something nice for someone else (and if you haven’t, it’s not too late). Whether it’s exchanging smiles with a stranger, to holding the door open for a person with their arms full, to spending time with a friend who is feeling down, these simple acts of kindness add meaning to our lives. Studies have shown that selflessness also results in significant psychological health benefits.
And there you have it! Those are my top five, although there are many more ways to make each day a story of its own. How do you make your days count?
Nicole DiGiose 