looking for lykke

LYKKE ;;

THE DANISH SEARCH FOR THE WORLD'S HAPPIEST PEOPLE.

If you've been reading my blog or following me for a while, then you know my love for Hygge & Happiness. You can read my post if you don't know about Hygge yet, but *basically* it's about creating a quiet, cosy, sweet life with those you love most. It's really just an experience that is so simply and easy to create.

When Meik Wiking announced his book (I loved the Little Book Of Hygge) I obviously knew I'd want to read it. Not only that, but last Fall Meik did a talk and book signing in Toronto and I got to meet him (!!!) Tried to keep my chill, obvs. Meik is the CEO at The Happiness Research Institute. How f*cking cool is that? He was obviously so wonderful and very kind.

This book did not disappoint. The Little Book Of Lykke (pronounced "Lou-ga") is a true quest for happiness and it's a breath of fresh air, if you will. This book is a hunt for finding out how to live a wonderful life. So, as I read it (during our trip to California) I highlighted my favourite parts or some snippets and quotes I knew I'd want to share with you all.

I'm all about spreading and sharing happiness hacks, trips and tips with anyone I possibly can. Meik has a passion for happiness that excites me so much!

And, I promise to continue #Look4Lykke everywhere I go - but for now, I'll share some of my favourite snipets from The Book Of Lykke by Meik Wiking ♥ (ALSO! Meik, chat with meeeee, I'm really happy I swear. lol)

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"Let's put a positive spin on the phrase "If you want to see something, say something. If you see something that increases the happiness of you, your community or the world as a whole, talk about it, write about it, film it, photograph it - pass it on"

"What we at the Happiness Research Institute and the World Happiness Report find is that the happiest countries have a strong sense of community, and the happiest people have someone they can rely on in times of need. That is why there is no coincidence that Danes are not only amongst the happiest people in the world but are also among the ones who meet most often with their friends and family and trust that their friends will catch them if they fall"

"Think of a time when you felt happy or - feel free to tone it down a bit - a time you felt good, or laughed or smiled. Bring that memory to mind and try to remember the details of the situation"

"Expect and understand that reaching your goal might make you happy - but only for a while. We continuously raise the bar for what we want or feel we need in order to be happy. Getting your book published will make you happy for a while, and then you adjust your ambition to hitting the Sunday Times best seller list, becoming a global phenomenon."

"Across cultures, there seems to be one thing that all parents wish for their children: good health. Good health enables us to play, to seek out adventures, to pursue happiness."

"No people can be truly happy if they do not feel hat they are choosing the course of their life" - World Happiness Report 2012

"If you want happiness for an hour - take a nap. If you want happiness for a day - go fishing. If you want happiness for a year - inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime - help someone else" (Chinese Proverb)

"There is an important word in Brazil, simpatico. It refers to a range of desirable social qualities - to be friendly, nice, agreeable and good natured, a person who is fun to be with and pleasant to deal with. It is a social quality. Brazilians want to be seen as simpatico.

8 Happiness Tips:

1) Eat like the French - create rituals of food and fire.

Make time to eat. Reclaim your lunchtime and sit with friends, family, colleagues, and enjoy eating your food slowly and with company.

2) Do it like the Dutch - Celebrate Neighbours Day

Make the effort to speak to your neighbours. Meet them for a coffee, help them in the shared garden or just stop to chat the next time you see then

3) Create critical analogue mass

Encourage your friends and family to have tech-free periods during the week, avoid the temptation to check your phone, and detox digitally.

4) Move more each day
Built more movement into your daily routine: take the stairs, have a meeting while going for a walk and park as far away from the supermarket entrance as possible

5) Start talking about mental health
Next time you ask someone how they are doing, have a real interest in their answer and do no accept fine"

6) Smile and chat to strangers
Hand out smiles and friendly remarks. They are free.

7) Don't ask, just help
Bypass the whole "Let me know if there is anything I or we can do thing. You know what to do.

8) Become a Raktvist
Start doing little Random Acts of Kindness

more happiness hacks! (from the happier podcast)

My favourite podcast to listen to is Happier by Gretchen Rubin. I listen to it at work, while I plan my happiness initiatives + plan to takeover the world and make it happier (lol)

About a year and a half ago I wrote a blog post about what I had learned so far from the Happier podcast, because as you know I am all about that happy liiiife.

I thought I'd do another round up of some great happiness hacks that the podcast has taught me. And if you don't listen to podcasts, I'm gonna say give em' a try! & definitely include Happier on your list. I was jotting down in my notebook some thoughts I heard and really loved!

// H A P P I N E S S   H A C K S :
+ Kiss in the morning and at night - This is such a simple one, but sometimes with all the hustle and bustle of life, we forget the little things like a kiss good morning and one goodnight!

+ Don't put things down, put them away - This one is so simple but I love it! I am trying to get better and putting things where they belong since it will pay off in the long run.

+ Remember love - I think we could all use a reminder about this one on the daily. Nothing says living a happy, fulfilled life than remembering love in all you do!

+ Keep a running list of your favourite things - Gretchen's daughter actually shared this one when she was on, which I just love! It was to keep a list of all your fave things, any type of thing just to document and use as a reference point! (ie: for birthday gift ideas etc!)

+ 18 for 2018 - Goals and resolutions are so fun but can be really tough, especially because they are usually such general things like "read more" but instead an 18 for 2018 can be more specific and attainable, so something more like "read one book every month for a year" would be a good example!

+ Loving actions inspire loving feelings - This is just another reason to practice random acts of kindness however and whenever we can! The more you show and spread that love, the more it will be come back to you!

+ Create a "TA DA" list - Instead of (okay, more like in addition to) a to-do list, create a "ta la" list of all the great things you've achieved and are proud of.

+ Schedule daily transcendence - I need to take my own advice here sometimes, but taking time every day to chill, meditate and enjoy those calm and quiet moments.

+ The one minute rule (do it without delay!) - I think I included this one in my last post, but it's just that good. Gretchen and Elizabeth basically explain that if to you've got one minute to do something you should just do it with that minute you've got! It's one extra thing to cross off the list!

Hope these helped spread a little love & happiness into your day/week/year!

international day of happiness + first day of sping

I N T E R N A T I O N A L     D A Y     O F    

 H A P P I N E S S

Oh, hello! So today is a special day for a few reasons! First off, it's the first day of SPRING! (and I could not be more ready for warmer weather, sunshine, fresh flowers, + adventures) Today is also the international day of HAPPINESS ♥

Not sure if you knew this about me, but happiness is something I'm kinda really into. Happiness and positivity aren't just things I talk about, post about or preach, they are vital to how I live my life! Heck, I love happiness so much that I managed to have a career that focuses on it!

When I'm not blogging, crafting, hosting, instagramming or exploring Toronto - I am working in my full time role at Culture Specialist (Happiness Officer) at a company called Uberflip. My focus is on creating a fun, inclusive and exciting experience for all of our employees! It's a role that aligns all of my passions and as you can imagine I am beyonddd happy to be in it.

To learn more about my career, you can read this blog post posted by Jobbio;

"How I got my job as Happiness Officer at Uberflip"

How and or/why am I so happy? - Truth is, it's all I've ever really known. I grew up with two amazing, supportive, kind parents, and two of the best big brothers (ever). Just before I was 18, my Dad passed away after some complications with a non life threatening disease. As you can imagine, this turned my world upside down. I had two choices after this experience - 1) I could focus on the negative impact this had on my life, and would most definitely have in the future or 2) I could channel all (or most of) my energy into being the person my Dad taught me to be, and dedicate my life to spreading happiness to those around me (it's the least I could do)

Besides working in a role based on happiness, I try to channel that energy in my personal life. I live my best, happiest life in my favourite city ever (Toronto) with my amazing husband Pete. I feel beyond thankful to have the most wonderful family, the greatest friends, and so many opportunities to do things that make me happy like travel, celebrate, spoil my friends, go to events, be a hostess, blog, explore Toronto etc...

I hope you all get a little happier after reading my blog and following me on Instagram ♥

I've mentioned it a few times lately, but I'm really hoping to start a podcast soon too! Yasssss. The main focus will of course be happiness. I plan to touch on work, love, friendship, and the things in life that make me happiest (in hopes they'll make you happy too!)

It seems as though I've got a lot to say on this topic (lol) so I better wrap it up. I now leave you with a few happy links to enjoy on this day of happinesssssss and first day of Spring! Check these out:

// Happier Podcast by Gretchen Rubin
// The Book of Lykke & The Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking
// The Power of Moments by Chip & Dan Health
// Magic Lessons Podcast by Elizabeth Gilbert
// 52 Lists for Happiness by Moorea Seal
// Headspace Meditation App

make your own happy - what i've learned from "happier" podcast

m a k e   y o u r   o w n   h a p p y ♥

Since we got back from our Honeymoon I've been getting back to the regular routine of our lovely life here in Toronto. One of my goals for 2016 was to listen to more Podcasts, and to always keep learning (whether that means reading, listening, doing and experiencing new things always)

I came across the Happier podcast by Gretchen Rubin and her sister Elizabeth Craft (Gretchen wrote The Happiness Project) and I really liked that book, and I reaaaaaaally like happiness. I know, I know - I am already a very happy person, but I really love learning about all sorts of habits of happy people. My goal is to get caught up on all 70 podcasts, and so far I'm about half way through the wonderful episodes! Here are a few (of my favourite) things I've learned so far from Happier:

• The one minute rule - Gretchen & Elizabeth give such a simple and amazing tip, which is if you have one minute to do something that has been on your to-do list or on your mind, do it! If it is something that will contribute to your overall happiness then get er' done! This could be as simple as hanging that coat up, putting that dish away or wiping down that counter. This one is one of my favourite things I've learned and I can honestly say that I am doing it every day. Just these little things that allow us to do all the things we can do in a day!
• Stop reading that book - How many times have you kept reading a book because you felt like you had to finish it? I've definitely done that a few times because it felt like the thing to do. The girls talk about how if you really don't enjoy the book, then put it down and find one you love!
• Have a place for everything - This is such a simple yet satisfying one. I do my best to organize our little home as best we can but I know that this is a big one I can totally improve on. Having a place for everything makes you feel at ease, and that when ever you need something you can confidently say you know exactly where it is.
• Relationships make people happiest - Studies show that one of the things that make us happiest are the relationships in our lives. Having an amazing relationship with my husband, friends, family and co-workers is something I invest so much of my time in and means so much to me! It doesn't mean you need to have tons of these relationships. Even just a small few who you can always count on will contribute to your own happy.
• Warm greetings & farewells - They talk about starting and ending each day with love. This is something that can be easily overlooked, naturally. It's a great idea to really start and end each day with a positive thought, gesture, hug, kiss, smile and warm vibe. No matter how you feel that day or in that moment, take the extra time to start & end the day with a warm greeting or farewell, it definitely makes every day better.
• Take fifteen minutes a day to brainstorm - This is another great and very simple happiness tip to implement in to your every day (or a few times a week if you can!) Take fifteen minutes of your day to work on something that is important to you. This can be related to work, an event your planning, a goal or dream you have, a cool idea for a blog post, anything! I am going to make a conscious effort to at dedicate at least fifteen minutes a day for this.
• Find/identify your special places - Everyone has at least one place that is really special and/or important to them! It could be a coffee shop, a park, a cottage, a place where you spent time growing up, somewhere in your own home, but where ever it is - identify that place so that if you need to spend some time there for a pick me up, or to get inspired then you know exactly where to go.
• Act the way you want to feel - Seems simple enough. I feel like this one can be tougher now a days with social media and the pressure to be, think or act a certain way. But when it comes down to it, it's quite simple - and that is to act the way you want to feel.

PS - That adorable sign that you see in the photo is from My Cinema Lighbox!

happiness will find you.

I absolutely love this saying! It's a good reminder if you're ever going through a tough time. Happiness will always find it's way back to you.

This video makes me really happy.

My cutie pal Toni's "big list" is adorable and makes me happy.

I am SO happy, and the countdown is on until our Ireland & Scotland trip

// Hoping you find happiness today and this week. Monday, you've been good to us.

What is making you happy today?

International Day of Happiness

Happy Friday // 

Happy International Day of Happiness // 

Happy Spring!

Wow, today was a really good day! So many good vibes and wonderful moments. Surprised one of my besties with birthday surprises at work, went for sushi lunch with awesome buds, made mimosas for everyone at the office, and it was so warm and sunny in Toronto that I walked home from work. I ran in to 2 of my favourite people on the way home, picked up some fresh flowers, and a gift for a friend and there we have it, HAPPINESS! Here's last years blog post on International Day of Happiness!

Some things making me happy lately:

Waking up to the most beautiful skies, and being about the see the CN tower from my balcony.

This story was so beautiful - this boy Odin is turning 13 today, and none of the kids he invited to his birthday party replied to his invite. His Mom made a Facebook page and thousands of people have been sending him happy birthday messages and showing up to go bowling for his party! It's so refreshing when things like this happen and we can all focus on the good things that still happen every single day.

My favourite girl sent me this blog post this morning with the most amazing quote - "When Spring came there were no problems except where to be happiest" 

The Google header for the first day of Spring made me really happy today.

Simply searching the #InternationalDayOfHappiness hashtag on social media. SO much happy!

Constantly remembering why I am so lucky and having absolutely nothing to complain about. This print makes for a perfect mantra and I think everyone would agree!

Speaking of a mantra, I had so much fun writing my mantra for my blog. It perfectly describes how I feel about life in general and this blog! :

live life to it's fullest, and do everything with a smile. radiate positivity. always stay inspired, and inspire others. read more books, take more trips and always keep learning. adventure is out there! spread happiness every day and do all things with love. never give up and never grow up. focus on the things in life that make you happy. always say i love you. create, celebrate and never forget how lucky you are. cherish every moment, life is what you make it! 

life is SO good. Today and every day I am so thankful to live my life in a positive way that constantly brings so much happiness. I am surrounded by so many incredible people who make me happy every single day. I hope you found some happy today, and continue to do so every day.

life rules.

just a little reminder in case you needed it today, i know i did.

some days we just need to be reminded of how lucky we are. ♥