You know that 100 Days of Happy that dominated social feeds for a little while? It was all about encouraging people to find 1 thing each day that made them happy, and sharing a photo of that thing or moment on social media. Prior to the launch of that social project, I had embarked on my own, private version of the challenge.

I was going through a bit of a rough patch in life. The kind of rough patches that you’re not quite sure how you got in and even more importantly, how to get yourself out. I had a job that I loved, friends that were amazing and endlessly supportive. My dog gave me kisses on the reg, and my cat was…well, a cat. I was comfortable financially, and my family was happy and healthy. But I was in a rough patch that I could not seem to get out of. During a short moment of clarity, I realized that I had let other people dictate or control my happiness for a long time. It was my turn to control my own happiness, and I took it upon myself to find something good – some little piece of happiness or small joy – each and every day.

At the time, I worked from home. It wasn’t always easy to find the small joy from my home office. Some days I had to find the house in search of my small joys. Some days they just came to me. Soon they came more easily, and more often, and eventually I was out of my rough patch and back to my positive, chipper self…

…thanks to these small joys:

– Walks through my local park with a hot coffee to think over creative ideas

– Taking a moment out of my work day to listen to my favourite song on my tiny balcony

– The unconditional love of my two pets – my partners in crime – even if I stepped in their puke getting out of bed

– The chance to meet an amazing elephant, lions, and tigers and contribute to animal conservation efforts with one of my clients

– Being able to work outside, or from wherever I wanted

– Being healthy

– Sending little surprises to the friends who supported me – like packages of cookies to their office or dropping off their favourite gluten-free treats while they’re at work

Since then, I’ve made a conscious effort to prioritize self care. I make sure that I take time to myself to do whatever it is I want to do. I make sure that I keep finding these small joys – and the large joys. I’ve taken control back over my own happiness, and I’ll never let anyone or anything take it again. It’s important to remember that positivity isn’t a personality trait, it’s a state of mind, or an attitude, that anyone can choose to have.