It’s been a while since I spoke about my happy thoughts lists, so I wanted to write a bit about it more since I was inspired by watching this TED Talk:
For those of you who missed the earlier experiment, in my happy thoughts list experiment, I took the time to write three happy thoughts each day. It was an incredibly simple experiment, but for the little effort it required, it had a surprisingly large impact. In a single week, I had a big impact on how I think.
The 7-day duration I set for experiments has both advantages and disadvantages. I see results quickly and I get to enjoy a lot of variety. Unfortunately, I also miss out on some of the longer-term perspective on the experiments.
Thankfully, for some of them, I get to speak to people who have been doing the experiments for much longer than I have. When it came to my happy thoughts list experiment, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Reggy (@fragileheart on twitter) had been doing her own project, 3 Smiles, for nearly 2 years.
I’ve mentioned Reggy on this blog before, as she’s a blogging inspiration of mine. However, I only discovered her 3 Smiles project after I finished my own experiment. I got a chance to sit down with her and talk to her about her experiences with 3 Smiles.
It was a long conversation, so I’ll just hit a few of the high points:
Even though we’d started our two projects at entirely different times, we were surprisingly close on our perspectives. We both remarked about how deliberately listing your happier moments in a day helped you remember that you did have happy moments instead of focusing on the negative ones. We both have personalities that gain a lot of satisfaction from solving problems, and that unfortunately means that we can easily take a negative outlook.
Biggest Surprise: The people whom it impacts. While she wasn’t sure that anyone had followed in her steps and started their own 3 Smiles, Reggy said that she gets a lot of positive feedback about how her lists help make people smile. I confess, I’d always been looking at my happy thoughts list as an intensely personal journey, and I hadn’t considered the impact it might have on others.
I love how, despite the people it impacts, Reggy views her 3 Smiles as an obligation to herself first and foremost.
Reggy’s advice: While making a list of your happy thoughts in a day might not work for everyone, it is something that everyone should try.
Check out Reggy’s 3 Smiles project or follow her on twitter @fragileheart.
Interesting experiment…I might have to try that.
SASS
It’s a great way to cut through the winter blahs! Thanks for stopping by!
Quote: …deliberately listing your happier moments in a day helped you remember that you did have happy moments instead of focusing on the negative ones.
I can totally see that. What a lovely idea! I think I’ll have to give this a try. – SASS
It really is amazing how easily we let those small happy moments pass us by, and we (intentionally or not) tend to focus on the negative ones.
Thanks for stopping by, and I hope it works as well for you as it did for me!
I used to keep a gratitude journal several years ago – a great way to point out the happy moments of each day.
-SASS
Thanks for stopping by!
I really like the sounds of this project – 3 happy thoughts a day! I can do that! I am going to do this with my kids! Thanks for sharing and for participating in SASS this week!
http://www.multitestingmommy.com/2012/02/nows-your-chance-to-sass-back-with_10.html
Thanks for the positive feedback! I found that making a happy thoughts list really had a big impact on my life for almost no effort spent.
I’m glad I had the chance to participate in SASS this week. It was a great chance to discover a lot of amazing bloggers. I’ve subscribed to a number of new blogs this weekend!
Hope to see you again next week
Most definitely!
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How come you dont have your web site viewable in mobile format? cant view anything in my netbook.
here recently posted..SearchingForHappy
I don’t have a mobile specific site because my blog doesn’t draw that much mobile traffic (yet). WordPress does make sites that are pretty mobile friendly though, so it’s still quite readable.
Thanks for stopping by!
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I discovered your blog using google. I must I am floored by your blog. Keep up the good work.
Thank you!
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