In Case I Don’t See Ya… Find Joy Today!

For the longest time, I believed that happiness was something grand, something only achieved in the glow of a major success or the applause of a final accomplishment. But slowly, I have come to realize that happiness doesn’t always come with fireworks. More often, it hides in the folds of ordinary days, quietly embedded in the unnoticed. The more I pursued happiness, the more I understood: It doesn’t just appear out of nowhere—you have to cultivate it with intention and attention.

Turn Off Your Phone, Tune Into the Moment

On my daily walk to class, I often notice that most people are glued to their screens, their eyes down. We scroll, we text, we escape, unknowingly ignoring reality for a curated, often hollow digital world. But when I put my phone away and simply look up, something shifts. I start to feel the golden warmth of the morning sun on my skin, and the gentle breeze is laced with the scent of spring flowers. In those moments, a quiet joy begins to bloom. I no longer chase fleeting dopamine from celebrity gossip on the internet. Instead, I feel deeply present from my senses, my body, my breath, and my surroundings. 

That joy is subtle but profound. It is not loud but stays longer. It is a feeling of discovering something secret that’s available to everyone, yet only visible to those who pay attention.

Griffith Observatory

Bring Something to Others

I’ve always identified myself as a “giver.” I find genuine joy in seeking small ways to brighten someone else’s day. Whether it’s holding the door for a stranger or surprising a friend with flowers, those little gestures have a lasting impact not just on others, but on me. 

There’s something magical about giving. A simple “thank you” from someone I held the door for can stay with me for hours. Many of my friends also say I’m the best gift-giver. Not because the gifts are expensive, but because they are thoughtful. I love choosing things that reflect their personality, or making handmade cards. To me, gifts are not objects. They are bringing the message of time and love.

Giving is a way of nurturing our own hearts. When you realize that your kindness has brought someone joy or made their day a little brighter, it creates a meaningful connection, which is a reminder that you are needed and that you hold the powerful ability to uplift others.

Flowers I got for my friends on a random day

“Break the Routine” Challenge

Sometimes I wonder: am I living in my own version of The Truman Show? Most days follow the same rhythm—walking the same paths between my dorm and the classroom, doing the same things at roughly the same time. Surprises are rare.

But maybe, like Truman, it’s time for us to notice that this world is different. Try something slightly out of the ordinary: wear a color you wouldn't usually pick, listen to a playlist that’s not normally your type, or walk home a different way. I also like to set small, silly challenges for myself: telling myself that if I hit all green lights on the way, it means good luck is on the way today. These things might sound trivial and unnecessary, but they quietly shift the way I move through the day. Breaking routine never requires a bold leap. It is about allowing a little flexibility and unpredictability. Those small choices we tend to overlook might actually be hidden pathways to happiness. When we are willing to engage playfully with the world, we begin to rediscover happiness from the simple, refreshing truth: life doesn’t always have to be the way it’s always been.