60 Simple Things That Make Me Happy

Yes, I know I've been neglecting my blog lately. I just wasn't feeling very inspired and didn't know what to write about. I decided to give it a go anyway, maybe this post will make me feel more inspired.

1. nature
2. hot long showers
3. Pinterest
4. my friends
5. this playlist
6. tea
7. stretching
8. yoga
9. music
10. feminists / people who have the same mindset as me
11. meeting new people
12. food
13. going out with people I like
14. staying in with people I like
15. spending time with people I like
16. when my Snapchat story is on point (@zoeeozstar)
17. when my Instagram feed is on point (@zoanacb)

18. motivational quotes - but not the ones that are cliche
19. traveling and/or discovering new places

20. when people get me
21. shopping
22. window shopping
23. dogs
24. cats
25. animals in general
26. getting good grades
27. ice cream
28. looking back at photos from fun times
29. planning parties for friends birthdays
30. having my friends plan parties for my birthday
31. glitter
32. learning new things
33. coming up with new theories and conspiracies
34. cozy sweaters
35. cozy blankets
36. aesthetically pleasing things
37. aesthetically pleasing photos

38. when my friends invite me to hang out
39. the after-workout feeling
40. baking
41. making things (DIYs)
42. wearing pretty things
43. doing my makeup
44. watching water flow
45. watching fire burn
46. balloons
47. deep breathes
48. flowers

49. plants in general
50. wall decor
51. taking pictures
52. getting ready to go out
53. concerts
54. flipping my hair - even though it's short
55. facepaint
56. doing things and thinking this is going to be a great story
57. when you ask someone for gum and they actually give you some
58. feeling inspired
59. taking care of my skin
60. realizing how many things can make me happy

What makes you happy? Do we have anything in common?

WHY I LOVE VOLUNTEERING

As you may or may not know, I LOVE volunteering. I love making people feel better and helping them.

I started to fall in love with helping others in 7th grade when I had to volunteer somewhere for a school project (I had to write a journal of what it felt like and my experience). My school didn't give many options for 13-year-olds, so I ended up volunteering at a school for autistic kids once a week (for 3 hours).
I worked with a couple of my friends with the first graders, which was really hard. They were hard to communicate with. None of us liked it too much, but we didn't really have an option.
But I did like the idea of helping people who can't help themselves. When I told people about what I do they were proud of me and it made me feel good.

In 8th grade, I had more options of where I wanted to volunteer at, and I chose a home for abused families. A few of my friends (different ones, who I wasn't as close with) went with me on Fridays. This was no longer for a grade, although it would be mentioned on our report cards.
I really liked the place. The kids were really nice and I played with them. We'd jump on their trampoline until it broke (literally, that happened), filled in colouring pages when it was yucky (cold) outside, played hide and seek and even had water fights a few times. It was really fun.
I love that place, what they do and the people there. Unfortunately, I don't go there anymore since I flew to America this summer, and I never arranged to start going again, which is a shame.

This year, I'm not exactly volunteering. I'm taking a course by The Red Flag (MADA - Israel's main ambulance service) so I can volunteer with them starting next year. The course is on Sundays from 5-9PM and there's A LOT of learning done. I won't lie, it's hard, but I think the things I'm learning and will be very useful for my future.
Since I live in Israel, I will have to go to the army when I'm 18, and this MADA experience is going to help me become a paramedic/first aid person in the army. I've always said that I want to do something that makes a difference in the army, but I don't want to be out with a gun people trying to kill / kidnap me. I love my country, but there's a limit.

Throughout this whole experience, I've also been passively volunteering with Jeremy's Circle (which I will write a blog post about) but it's my moms organisation, but basically we help family's who have Cancer in the family be who they are (mostly let kids be kids). At Jeremy's Circle, I mostly play / talk to other kids and brighten up their days. I also hand out our T-Shirts, chocolate milk and lunch.

In conclusion, I think it's easy to say I like helping others, even if it's just a bit. If you currently need help with any mental issues or just having a bad time I recommend you check out this post or this Pinterest board.

What do you do to make others feel better? Do you volunteer anywhere?

Picture credit