The most important thing in life, without a doubt, is to be happy [1]. With that being said, don't overthink your happiness [2] — remaining content is actually incredibly simple. We created a 365-day challenge that will make you more cheerful [3] than you've ever been. One year may seem like a long time, but these are activities you will truly enjoy. We made them easy so that accomplishing a long-term goal will be a piece of cake. Try our happiness challenge and we promise it will change your attitude [4] forever!
— Additional reporting by Tara Block, Annie Gabillet, and Ann-Marie Alcantara
- Day 1: Wear your favorite things.
- Day 2: Sign up for a free exercise class.
- Day 3: Rearrange your furniture.
- Day 4: Start a gratitude journal. [6]
- Day 5: Bake a cake.
- Day 6: Have a sleepover.
- Day 7: Watch a funny YouTube video.
- Day 8: Listen to the radio.
- Day 9: Make a scrapbook.
- Day 10: Stargaze.
- Day 11: FaceTime an old friend.
- Day 12: Put your favorite photo in a frame.
- Day 13: Learn to cook a new dish [7].
- Day 14: Dance around your living room.
- Day 15: Host a dinner party.
- Day 16: Go to your local farmers market [8].
- Day 17: Have a yard sale and earn some money.
- Day 18: Take a bath.
- Day 19: Surprise someone you love with a gift [9].
- Day 20: Try nail art.
- Day 21: Go on a picnic.
- Day 22: Build a fort in your house.
- Day 23: Roast marshmallows.
- Day 24: Play a board game.
- Day 25: Watch the sunset.
- Day 26: Send someone you miss a postcard.
- Day 27: Take a day off work [10] just because.
- Day 28: Watch your favorite movie.
- Day 29: Blow bubbles.
- Day 30: Visit a museum.
- Day 31: Treat yourself to something sweet.
- Day 32: Swap clothes with your friends.
- Day 33: Post an old photo that makes you happy on social media.
- Day 34: Sing in the shower.
- Day 35: Tie-dye or upcycle a t-shirt [11].
- Day 36: Start a blog.
- Day 37: Give yourself a makeover.
- Day 38: Volunteer for a cause you care about.
- Day 39: Complete a paint-by-numbers.
- Day 40: Visit a local park.
- Day 41: Teach yourself how to knit.
- Day 42: Take a dance class.
- Day 43: Read a magazine.
- Day 44: Play frisbee.
- Day 45: Donate clothes [12].
- Day 46: Slide across the floor in your socks.
- Day 47: Go for a bike ride.
- Day 48: Write thank-you cards.
- Day 49: Jump rope.
- Day 50: Plant a garden.
- Day 51: Put together a puzzle.
- Day 52: Skip rocks at a pond.
- Day 53: Go to the aquarium.
- Day 54: Listen to a podcast about something that interests you.
- Day 55: Clean out your closet [13].
- Day 56: Learn how to skateboard.
- Day 57: Go to a karaoke night.
- Day 58: Pick flowers.
- Day 59: Go bowling.
- Day 60: Watch a TED Talk.
- Day 61: Make crafts and display them in your home.
- Day 62: Fly a kite.
- Day 63: Learn how to juggle.
- Day 64: Listen to an upbeat playlist [14].
- Day 65: Do some yoga outdoors.
- Day 66: Make a memory box.
- Day 67: Play laser tag.
- Day 68: Go to a flea market.
- Day 69: Write a poem.
- Day 70: Give yourself a spa treatment.
- Day 71: Buy a small pet.
- Day 72: Meditate [15].
- Day 73: Play a free online game.
- Day 74: Practice origami.
- Day 75: Have a pajama day.
- Day 76: Play hide and seek.
- Day 77: Go to an animal shelter and play with some pets.
- Day 78: Get a fancy dinner at a restaurant.
- Day 79: Surprise your co-workers with a treat.
- Day 80: Browse through Target [16].
- Day 81: Go swimming.
- Day 82: Create a new recipe.
- Day 83: Hire someome to clean your home.
- Day 84: Do a newspaper crossword puzzle.
- Day 85: Get a massage.
- Day 86: Make a recipe book.
- Day 87: Go to the movies.
- Day 88: Buy a new album.
- Day 89: Meet a friend for a drink [17].
- Day 90: Make paper airplanes.
- Day 91: Get a fancy drink at your favorite coffee shop.
- Day 92: Watch a movie from your childhood.
- Day 93: Go for a run.
- Day 94: Complete a sudoku puzzle.
- Day 95: Go to the library [18].
- Day 96: Visit your old school.
- Day 97: Make your own pizza.
- Day 98: Have a cartoon-watching marathon.
- Day 99: Visit your family.
- Day 100: Go thrift shopping.
- Day 101: Ask a barista for latte art.
- Day 102: Trade books [19] with a friend.
- Day 103: Go for a long walk.
- Day 104: Go to the zoo.
- Day 105: Watch a stand-up comedy show.
- Day 106: Light up your fireplace.
- Day 107: Complete a Rubik's Cube.
- Day 108: Jot down positive affirmations [20] and tape them to your mirror.
- Day 109: Go to a playground and swing.
- Day 110: Collect shells on a beach.
- Day 111: Spend an hour on Pinterest.
- Day 112: Indulge in some selfies.
- Day 113: Watch a cute animal video.
- Day 114: Host a cocktail party.
- Day 115: Go canoeing.
- Day 116: Visit a nursing home.
- Day 117: Give a server a big tip [21].
- Day 118: Order your favorite takeout.
- Day 119: Camp in your backyard.
- Day 120: Press flowers in a book.
- Day 121: Buy yourself flowers.
- Day 122: Hug someone.
- Day 123: Flip through old yearbooks.
- Day 124: Get a haircut.
- Day 125: Make an inspiration board.
- Day 126: Go on a hike.
- Day 127: Snuggle a kitten.
- Day 128: Learn to surf.
- Day 129: Make homemade ice cream.
- Day 130: Chill out [22] in a hot tub.
- Day 131: Spend a day in your favorite part of town.
- Day 132: Give your bedroom a makeover.
- Day 133: Learn a new skill though YouTube videos.
- Day 134: Go on a photography adventure.
- Day 135: Make a time capsule.
- Day 136: Send your parents flowers.
- Day 137: Perfect your hula-hooping skills.
- Day 138: Paint a wall in your home your favorite color.
- Day 139: Go roller-skating.
- Day 140: Binge on a TV show.
- Day 141: Learn a dance routine from an online video.
- Day 142: Get a facial.
- Day 143: Sail on a boat.
- Day 144: Play Mad Libs.
- Day 145: Watch the sunrise.
- Day 146: Bake cookies.
- Day 147: Fill up a coloring book [23].
- Day 148: Put your feet in the ocean.
- Day 149: Clean the house for a roommate or significant other.
- Day 150: Play with a baby.
- Day 151: Have breakfast in bed.
- Day 152: Enjoy coffee and a book.
- Day 153: Plan a vacation [24].
- Day 154: Join a book club.
- Day 155: Try out a DIY [25].
- Day 156: Sign up for a color run.
- Day 157: Compliment a stranger.
- Day 158: Kiss someone.
- Day 159: Visit a local beach.
- Day 160: Buy something new for your room [26].
- Day 161: Write a letter to your future self.
- Day 162: Make a paper fortune teller.
- Day 163: Have sex.
- Day 164: Go somewhere fancy for lunch.
- Day 165: Choreograph a dance routine.
- Day 166: Start your own YouTube account.
- Day 167: Play with puppies.
- Day 168: Forgive someone.
- Day 169: Find a new show on Netflix.
- Day 170: Make a list of things that make you happy [27].
- Day 171: High-five someone.
- Day 172: Buy a houseplant.
- Day 173: Cuddle.
- Day 174: Pay for someone else's coffee.
- Day 175: Look at old photo albums.
- Day 176: Write a short story [28].
- Day 177: Peruse a bookstore.
- Day 178: Watch the clouds.
- Day 179: Meet a neighbor.
- Day 180: Stretch before bedtime.
- Day 181: Have a photo shoot with your BFF.
- Day 182: Take your friend out for a meal.
- Day 183: Don't check social media for a day.
- Day 184: Go to an antique store.
- Day 185: Dress up for no reason.
- Day 186: Tell someone you love them.
- Day 187: Sit in the sun for 15 minutes.
- Day 188: Get a manicure.
- Day 189: Ride a scooter.
- Day 190: Buy a new pair of shoes.
- Day 191: Smile at a stranger [29].
- Day 192: Visit a rooftop bar.
- Day 193: Go skinny-dipping.
- Day 194: Pick out your Halloween [30] costume.
- Day 195: Write an open letter to someone who inspires you.
- Day 196: Go on a Tumblr binge.
- Day 197: Get rid of [31] something you don't use.
- Day 198: Give money to a homeless person.
- Day 199: Call your mom.
- Day 200: Have a margarita.
- Day 201: Take a family photo.
- Day 202: Draw a picture.
- Day 203: Drink green tea [32].
- Day 204: Dance in the rain.
- Day 205: Go paddleboarding.
- Day 206: Host a barbecue.
- Day 207: Climb a tree.
- Day 208: Turn off your phone for a day.
- Day 209: Get something that you never wear altered.
- Day 210: Make a list of things you want to do before your next birthday [33].
- Day 211: Make your favorite drink at home and invite friends over to share.
- Day 212: Buy balloons [34].
- Day 213: Make your own playlist.
- Day 214: Play cards.
- Day 215: Do something touristy.
- Day 216: Tweet at an author.
- Day 217: Have a Harry Potter [35] marathon.
- Day 218: Get a pedicure.
- Day 219: Have a costume party.
- Day 220: Sip on a poolside beer.
- Day 221: Take deep breaths.
- Day 222: Wear sweatpants.
- Day 223: Plan a road trip [36].
- Day 224: Do cartwheels.
- Day 225: Make a healthy meal.
- Day 226: Download fun, new apps to your phone.
- Day 227: Make a mood board.
- Day 228: Buy a new accessory.
- Day 229: Try a new hairstyle.
- Day 230: Exfoliate your face.
- Day 231: Skip down the street.
- Day 232: Babysit for a friend.
- Day 233: Volunteer at a youth center.
- Day 234: Watch home videos.
- Day 235: Organize your pantry.
- Day 236: Blow a bubble with chewing gum.
- Day 237: Invest in quality skin care items.
- Day 238: Eat chocolate.
- Day 239: Draw on the sidewalk with chalk.
- Day 240: Set goals [37] for the week.
- Day 241: Start a book [38] you've been dying to read.
- Day 242: Make a flower crown.
- Day 243: Pop some popcorn.
- Day 244: Have an afternoon nap.
- Day 245: Reread your favorite book [39].
- Day 246: Start a piggy bank.
- Day 247: Create a collage and frame it.
- Day 248: Eat samples at Costco [40].
- Day 249: Subscribe to a magazine.
- Day 250: Go ice skating.
- Day 251: Attend a free concert [41].
- Day 252: Learn a few sentences of a new language.
- Day 253: Text your high school friends a throwback photo.
- Day 254: Put on clean sheets.
- Day 255: Join a subscription box service [42].
- Day 256: Buy fun, new pens that will inspire you to write.
- Day 257: Learn something new about a family member.
- Day 258: Play basketball with a friend.
- Day 259: Shake a snow globe.
- Day 260: Go skiing [43].
- Day 261: Freeze your favorite fruit.
- Day 262: Call your grandparents.
- Day 263: Eat your favorite childhood snack.
- Day 264: Order a pizza.
- Day 265: Buy a plant for your desk at work [44].
- Day 266: Get perfume samples.
- Day 267: Buy a cozy blanket.
- Day 268: Eat your favorite candy.
- Day 269: Decorate your closet [45].
- Day 270: Go to Chuck E. Cheese's.
- Day 271: Get yourself [46] something special.
- Day 272: Drink some hot chocolate with extra marshmallows.
- Day 273: Play with a Slinky.
- Day 274: Watch a movie from the year you were born.
- Day 275: Declutter your workspace.
- Day 276: Go sledding.
- Day 277: Eat a burrito.
- Day 278: Write a positive review online for a restaurant.
- Day 279: Have a twin day with your best friend.
- Day 280: Make a scarf or camera strap [47].
- Day 281: Lick a popsicle.
- Day 282: Ride a go-kart.
- Day 283: Make a snow or sand angel.
- Day 284: Create a candy jar custom to you.
- Day 285: Go to a Zumba class.
- Day 286: Help a grandparent sign up for Facebook.
- Day 287: Buy a new outfit for work.
- Day 288: Get your eyebrows done.
- Day 289: Buy a new piece of statement jewelry.
- Day 290: Tell a joke [48].
- Day 291: Memorize the lyrics to a favorite song.
- Day 292: Go camping.
- Day 293: Grab some fro-yo.
- Day 294: Go to a funhouse or mirror maze.
- Day 295: Take a cooking class.
- Day 296: Have a game night with friends.
- Day 297: Get some fresh air [49].
- Day 298: Message a long-lost friend on Facebook.
- Day 299: Go scuba diving.
- Day 300: Talk to a co-worker [50] you've never spoken to.
- Day 301: Try something new you've never eaten before.
- Day 302: Write down a favorite book quote.
- Day 303: Master the art of chess.
- Day 304: Listen to a record player.
- Day 305: Find a photo booth [51] and take pictures.
- Day 306: Eat an ice cream cone.
- Day 307: Try a Spin class.
- Day 308: Wear a fun hat.
- Day 309: Listen to Christmas music.
- Day 310: Ask your friends for song recommendations.
- Day 311: Check something off your bucket list [52].
- Day 312: Ride a horse.
- Day 313: Have a no-electricity night.
- Day 314: Stay in bed all day.
- Day 315: Have breakfast for dinner.
- Day 316: Make out with someone.
- Day 317: Pop open a bottle of Champagne and celebrate yourself [53].
- Day 318: Read your favorite children's book again.
- Day 319: Go on a virtual trip via Google Maps.
- Day 320: Get a new piercing.
- Day 321: Try a new cuisine.
- Day 322: Visit a friend's office.
- Day 323: Give a friend some advice.
- Day 324: Try to drink eight glasses of water [54] in a day.
- Day 325: Get your shoes shined.
- Day 326: Fix something that's been broken.
- Day 327: Slip into some lingerie.
- Day 328: Use a Polaroid camera all day.
- Day 329: Spoon someone you love.
- Day 330: Join a dating app.
- Day 331: Go for a walk somewhere scenic [55].
- Day 332: Wear crazy socks.
- Day 333: Go to happy hour.
- Day 334: Prank call someone.
- Day 335: Listen to oldies.
- Day 336: Play checkers.
- Day 337: Get coffee with an old friend.
- Day 338: Play truth or dare.
- Day 339: Try on an evening gown.
- Day 340: Plan a friend's birthday party.
- Day 341: Get your makeup done at the mall.
- Day 342: Do a social media cleanup.
- Day 343: Go line dancing.
- Day 344: Get a new tattoo [56].
- Day 345: Treat your boss to something.
- Day 346: Watch your favorite sports game live.
- Day 347: Dog-sit for a friend.
- Day 348: Go to an art gallery.
- Day 349: Learn how to play an instrument [57].
- Day 350: Play a video game.
- Day 351: Get new business cards.
- Day 352: Floss.
- Day 353: Get a blowout.
- Day 354: Get your teeth whitened.
- Day 355: Wear your favorite jeans.
- Day 356: Get a box of doughnuts.
- Day 357: Buy a new phone case.
- Day 358: Put up Christmas lights [58] (even when it's not Christmas).
- Day 359: Put a sticker on your laptop.
- Day 360: Plan a staycation.
- Day 361: Set up your planner for the year [59].
- Day 362: Bedazzle something.
- Day 363: Join a fantasy league.
- Day 364: Wear your robe all day.
- Day 365: Reflect on all the amazing things you did this year!