10 Reasons to Smile Today

It’s no secret I LOVE to smile. If you see me walking around on campus, I’m probably smiling. I obviously have my non-smiling moments, but I’ve found that when I make it a point to smile, my mood instantly brightens. Here’s the truth though: sometimes it’s hard to find something to smile about. Maybe you’re fighting with a friend, going through a breakup, or swamped with projects. These things are hard, friends. So no matter where you’re at in life, I’m sharing 10 reasons to smile today. Some of these things are obviously big deals, but others are small. I truly believe that our greatest joys can come from these seemingly small moments. Hopefully this list gives you a chance to recognize them!

1. That first sip of your favorite coffee

It’s finally iced coffee weather, and that is a huge reason to smile to me! If you’ve been having a hard time lately, treat yourself to your favorite drink. This won’t be a cure-all – your problems won’t disappear. But, in those moments, you can find something to be happy about… and then later, you can find more things to smile for. Turn every little moment into a moment of joy, and you’ll find yourself smiling a lot more.

2. A wonderful friend

We can be in so many places when it comes to friendship! Maybe your life is full of amazing friends who constantly uplift you and make you the best version of yourself – celebrate that! Maybe you’re at a stage where you feel crushingly lonely or like you don’t have the friends you thought you did – that is hard. But, even in those painful times, you can still find a reason to smile. Use this as a chance to strengthen those friendships you have with casual acquaintances or classmates. Above all, know that this is just a period in your life – not your whole life.

3. A new episode of your current show

Okay, I admit it: I’m watching Riverdale. One of my best friends, LB, and I keep up with the show and watch it at the same time on Thursday, even though I’m in Auburn and she’s in Birmingham. It’s such a small thing to look forward to, but it brings a smile to my face! One of my favorite memories from this past fall was a solid week where every single night, I cleaned my room, lit a candle, and watched The Haunting of Hill House. These memories are so ordinary, but they remind me of a time when I was relaxed and invested in a show. When life is crazy busy, carve out those simple moments: light a candle, snuggle up in a cozy blanket, and turn on a favorite show.

4. The scent of an amazing candle

Speaking of candles… I’m obsessed with candles. Like, obsessed. My absolute favorite candle is the Bergamot Blossom one from Target, and I stock up whenever I go home. Lighting a candle just makes me feel like my life is together, and it immediately relaxes me. Again, it’s such a small part of my routine, but those small moments can have such a big impact

5. The absolute joy in your faith

I don’t speak too often about my faith on the blog, but it’s such an important part of my life! I truly believe that my joy – that happiness that comes no matter what my external circumstances are – is based on knowing that my identity is solely in being a daughter of God. If I’m upset about my grades, a painful situation with friends, or just feeling down, I can lean on this fact. What an amazing reason to smile!

6. Really good food

Okay, back to the slightly silly reasons to smile! Have you ever had that first bite of food and immediately gasped because it was so good? Yeah, me too, every time I go to Taco Mama. If life has been hard lately, get your favorite food! We know that food is necessary, but it’s also fun. Today when you’re eating your lunch or having a snack, use it as a moment to stop and be grateful.

7. Wearing clothes you feel confident in

This past year, I switched out my usual oversized tees and Nike shorts for “nicer” clothes. I’m not business casual by any means, but on a normal day, you’ll find me in jeans and a cute top, or fabric shorts and a sweater. I choose these clothes because I feel so confident in them, and that confidence helps me walk around smiling! For a few weeks, I worried that people would think it was “odd” that I was dressing differently than everyone else. Obviously, I snapped out of that when I realized these clothes make me feel good. Next time you’re getting dressed, make a conscious choice to choose something that makes you feel your best.

8. A good song

Definitely thinking of two different things right now, so let’s share. First: Khalid released a new album today, and I love Khalid. Second: We’ve got Jared. If you aren’t aware, Auburn is in the Final Four of the NCAA tournament. A week or so ago, a guy tweeted a video of himself singing a remix with the lyrics “We’ve got Jared… Chuma Okeke… and my guy, Bryce Brown… shootin that thang from way downtown.” Guys. This song has played on repeat in my head and everywhere else in Auburn. It’s such a fun little tune and an awesome reminder that Auburn is making history, and I get to watch it!

9. Chatting with friends

If there’s an old friend you’ve been thinking about lately, let this be the push you need to reach out to them! Talking to friends is such a beautiful thing and an amazing source of joy, and it could be just what you need to smile. Make lunch plans with a coworker today, or call a friend you haven’t talked to in a while. There have been so many times that I’ve been in a bad mood, and someone reached out to me at just the right time.

10. Reading a blog post that speaks to me

If you’re reading this post, you probably know what I’m talking about! Whether this is my first time coming across a blog, or it’s someone I’ve been following for years, I feel so much happier when I read a blog post where they share that they’ve been through something I’m going through. I know that blogs are “highlight reels” and I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing, but I love when I read a post and it feels like it was written just for me. Maybe that’s you right now, and you’ve been looking for a reason to smile.

I hope that you leave my blog, and this moment, knowing that no matter what you’re going through, there’s joy at the end of it. There will always be hard, messy, painful parts of our lives. But there will also always be reasons to smile. Thank you for being one of mine!

xoxo, Cecilia