Happier January 2022

The Happier January 2022 calendar from the folks at Action for Happiness has daily actions to help us be kind to each other.  (Click on calendar to enlarge it.)  The AfH people say:

"How can we start this new year happier?  Things have certainly not been easy over the last year, and we are still in difficult and uncertain times.  The best way to try to handle our difficult emotions and experiences is by focusing on what we can control.  This month, we're encouraging everyone to focus on small steps to try to boost happiness — for ourselves and others around us — to spread kindness and hopefully inspire others to do the same."

January 1 ~ Find three things to look forward to this year.

January 2 ~ Make time today to do something kind for yourself.

January 3 ~ Do a kind act for someone else to help brighten their day.

January 4 ~ Write a list of things you feel grateful for and why.

January 5 ~ Look for the good in others, and notice their strengths.

January 6 ~ Take five minutes to sit still and just breathe.

January 7 ~ Learn something new, and share it with others.

January 8 ~ Say positive things to the people you meet today.

January 9 ~ Get moving.  Do something active (ideally outdoors).

January 10 ~ Thank someone you're grateful to, and tell them why.

January 11 ~ Switch off all your tech at least an hour before bedtime.

January 12 ~ Connect with someone near you — share a smile or chat.

January 13 ~ Take a different route today, and see what you notice.

January 14 ~ Eat healthy food which really nourishes you today.

January 15 ~ Get outside and notice five things that are beautiful.

January 16 ~ Contribute positively to your local community.

January 17 ~ Be gentle with yourself when you make mistakes.

January 18 ~ Get back in contact with an old friend.

January 19 ~ Focus on what's good, even if today feels tough.

January 20 ~ Go to bed in good time, and allow yourself to recharge.

January 21 ~ Try out something new to get out of your comfort zone.

January 22 ~ Plan something fun, and invite others to join you.

January 23 ~ Put away digital devices, and focus on being in the moment.

January 24 ~ Take a small step towards an important goal.

January 25 ~ Decide to lift people up rather than put them down.

January 26 ~ Choose one of your strengths, and find a way to use it today.

January 27 ~ Challenge your negative thoughts, and look for the upside.

January 28 ~ Ask other people about things they've enjoyed recently.

January 29 ~ Say hello to a neighbor, and get to know them better.

January 30 ~ See how many people you can smile at today.

January 31 ~ Write down our hopes or plans for the future.

Desmond Tutu (Oct. 7, 1931 – Dec. 26, 2021) died on Sunday.

An email from Action for Happiness today says:  "The start of a new year can feel daunting.  But rather than putting pressure on yourself with unrealistic resolutions or expectations, try to focus on the positive things you can do right here and now.  Our daily choices make a difference, and the little things soon add up."  Another paragraph said, "You can also join our app community to receive daily nudges and connect with other kind people putting these actions into practice."  The app is free for iPhone or Android, and I have it on my phone.