I really like to be happy, as I think most of us do.

I like to feel good. I like to enjoy the world. I like to laugh. I like to think positive thoughts. I like to think that life is just darn good sometimes, even if it’s not. And I like to do things.

I like to do really ridiculous things sometimes, all because they fill me with joy and make me happy.

When I’m feeling down, or maybe just bored, I often get urges to think a certain way, complete a certain task, or take action towards a unique goal, in order to lift my spirits. And these urges are usually so strong that I end up following through with my ideas, leaving me in a simple state of bliss. I think there are some valuable lessons I’ve learned from my antics, so I want to share them with you all.

Here are five ways to find some pleasure in simplicity:

1) Explore Your Imagination

Recently I’ve been on an obsessive Dunkin’ Donuts binge. There are two DD stores located conveniently close to my apartment, and I’m completely in the habit of going on a run (or jog (or walk)), just so that on my return, I can pop into a Dunkin’ and buy some munchkins (that I will occasionally supplement with a medium iced coffee or hot chocolate, depending on Mother Nature).

Yes, I love the delicious, sweet taste of a glazed or chocolate mini-doughnut, but do you know what makes me even happier than the doughnuts themselves? The silly, imaginative experience I create in my head while placing my doughnut order. I like to think that if I have a great interaction with the cashiers, maybe make them smile, make them feel better, make them laugh a little, that they will give me more mini-doughnuts than what I originally ordered. So when I order a 10 ct. of munchkins, and they actually provide me with 11 or 12 or 13, I like to think that I made some sort of tiny impact in their day–boosting my own self-worth.

This may sound narcissistic, and it’s probably a Dunkin’ Donuts protocol to always add an extra munchkin or two to an order, but it’s just SO FUN to play out this scene in my head. It makes me smile and fills me with joy (unless I don’t get any extra munchkins in my order–then the walk home is ROUGH). The plus side to this, is that it equally makes me want to be a little nicer and more pleasant towards all the DD cashiers that I greet. And I think that this positive energy alone speaks for itself.

2) Embrace Your Inner Weird-o

I feel slightly exposed sharing this, but…

Another strange quirk of mine can be highlighted in my 2018 New Year’s resolution. I vowed, that for the rest of my lifetime, when seeking out new undergarments for myself, I would only buy those styled with some sort of leopard print.

I think leopard print just makes me feel bold, and knowing that I’m wearing it somewhere on my body makes me feel extra fierce and brave. Why did it have to be a New Year’s resolution? I don’t know, but this goal makes me just as happy as my trips to Dunkin’.

To give a little more detail, when I made this resolution, it did not mean that I immediately disposed of all the underwear in my possession–it’s only meant for new additions to my collection. I’m assuming that one day, all the old pieces will eventually be replaced with the new, and my underwear drawer will look like the Serengeti. But never again will I buy bland briefs or flowery bikinis. Every pair of knickers I buy from here on out, NEEDS to have some sort of leopard or cheetah, or something of similar fashion, print on it, thank you very much.

FYI, I love leopards and cheetahs. Always have, always will. My desire to wear their print is not to claim power and dominance over the animals, but more so to embody their majestic spirits and honor their beautiful auras.

Also, for the curious minds: The difference between a Leopard and a Cheetah

3) Create Happy Traditions

If you thought leopard print underwear was weird… your in luck because that really was the peak of my weirdness. But another fun, more creative thing that I do for joy, is a tradition that I created for my friends and I.

Every year, when the month of December rolls around, I gather my funniest friends, and we make a Christmas video.

One day, back in 2013, I was rummaging through my Christmas decorations, and found a Santa hat with a full-beard, and immediately the inspiration hit me! I was going to dress up as Santa, record myself singing Jingle-Bells, and then post it online for the world to see, and hopefully laugh at.

This video was so hysterical to make with my roommate, that I immediately ingrained it as my first Christmas tradition, and have continued the spectacle for 5 years now. The videos are definitely NOT revolutionary or graphically stimulating. They are for my own enjoyment, and mostly popular among my close friends and family–although I’m positive one year I will be producing one on the set of The Ellen DeGeneres Show (shameless plug if you’re out there reading this, Ellen).

I’m also just a huge fan of the Holidays in general, and I usually wear a light-bulb necklace for the entire month of December. And when I used to own a car, you bet that either a wreath or festive bow was attached to the front bumper for all 25 Days. It never bothered me if people found me “lame” or “embarrassing”. In fact, it probably brought me more joy to embarrass such friends. (I’m also one who will still argue that Santa Claus is real to give you more perspective.)

Here’s a link to 2016’s video: Santa’s Workshop Part 4.

4) Seek Peace in Your Surroundings

Ok, to bring my actions back to a more relatable realm, something else I really, really love to do that brings me joy is running. Whether its for 10 minutes or 30, I always feel happier and like everything in life really is alright after I run.

The main reason I run, is to find serenity in the nature that surrounds me on my routes. I currently live in New York City, the biggest metropolitan city in the U.S., and it can be overwhelming at times. So every day, I run to where the sidewalk meets the East River at 96th Street, and overlook the guard railing to see the pretty, lighted bridges sparkle in the night sky. I then continue my run North along the river, and u-tern at the foot of the bridge that connects Manhattan and Randall’s Island.

I always grow very attached to my running routes, but this one definitely exceeds any of the others in my past. Something about the East River and being close to the water makes me breathe easier. And the twinkling lights that reflect across the ripples remind me how grand and mystifying the world is, and that I’m so lucky to be living in it.

5) Indulge in Guilty Pleasures (as long as they’re healthy…)

LASTLY, I absolutely love the Bachelor and all of Bachelor Nation. It is by far the biggest guilty pleasure I have, but I love it. And I’m not going to stop watching it. By no means do I find inspiration in these T.V. personalities, or fall prey to the hopeless romance and manipulation of the show, but I just can’t help it. I love it. Go ahead.. Think what you want…

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In conclusion, a motto that I’ve termed in life, and that I think applies very well to these stories is:

“Live Simply, Laugh at Yourself, Love the World, & Learn from Everything!”

Live Simply. There are so many simple pleasures that exist in life. Just how I found pleasure in my own, simple imagination, there are many ways to make yourself smile on the day-to-day just by changing your perspective on a task. Living simply does not necessarily mean minimally or like you’re tethered to the rawest forms of the Earth. It just means enjoying the little things in life. Buying munchkins from Dunkin’ Donuts cost me $3.49, yet it brings me that little spark of happiness that I need at the end of a long week.

Laugh at Yourself. I really try never to take myself too seriously. There are times when it might be beneficial and necessary to do so, like within your career or other important responsibilities, but for the most part, I try to laugh at all the goofy things I do and embrace my inner weird-o. Whether it’s adorning myself with leopard print or directing homemade Christmas videos, I always find a way to laugh at who I am deep down. And usually when you can make yourself laugh, you can make others laugh too.

Love the World. It is so important to love this world, because, after all, we do live in it. I get it, times aren’t always going to be cheerful, and some struggles are not easy to overcome by any means. But I think it’s necessary to find beauty in nature and really be grateful for the physical planet that allows us to live. Even if you don’t like running along rivers, find other ways to be entranced by and connected to the greater natural forces surrounding us.

Learn from Everything. So, LOL, my reference to learning is watching the Bachelor–BUT, to my point, we can find new knowledge in most anything. Whether it’s a book, T.V. show, new friend that you meet, art class you took, YouTube video you watched, anything at all, you can find knowledge in it. In fact, watching the Bachelor has exposed many truths about all reality television that I watch, and has further opened my mind to the obscenities of such environments. I suggest never stop asking “why” with your new knowledge. Just like a curious toddler who is learning to speak, keep asking “why” and “what” and “how”, and continue expanding your mind.

Applying these principles to my daily life helps me find joy and stay at peace with myself. I wanted to share them with you in hopes that you can do the same.

And with that…

What do you do to Live, Laugh, Love, and Learn in your life?