Mood boosting ideas to make you smile
We can’t always feel positive and happy all the time. You might be bored and looking for something interesting to do. Sometimes it’s good to wile away a bit of spare time with something that’s fun and frivolous. It’s good for the soul to smile. But also great to enjoy a bit of downtime. These mood-boosting ideas and exercises listing memories and happy things can make you smile and lift your mood.
Often it’s the little things that make you smile. Wishes, dreams. Events and memories. People who inspire and are good to be with. Places you enjoy visiting. If you want a little pick me up, something to make you smile then a list might be the way to go.

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You don’t need lots of time and effort. Taking a shorter amount of time, and just writing, not worrying or thinking too much about it can be worth doing.
Just taking a little time out for yourself. To think and write. It’s like self care in a list.
Enjoy taking some fun things and thinking about them, rather than any day to day worries that will still be waiting for you.
You don’t even need to keep hold of the lists you make. Although if you want to remind yourself of it over time, why not create a lists or memories jar, or use an empty notebook*. Put all your happy lists in it to bring out when you need some happy vibes. It could be a great way for children to talk with parents about their feelings by doing a similar list keeping exercise.
Why not write some of these mood boosting lists when you’re next struggling and see how they can lift you afterwards.
89 mood-boosting list ideas
To make you smile and remember memories, why not list (or draw):
Your favourite books.
The books you want to read.
Your favourite poetry / poets.
List your favourite phrases or quotes
Your favourite movies.
The movies you want to watch.
Your favourite theatre shows or performers.
Favourite tv shows
Celebrity crushes
Your favourite songs / music (and play them)
Top bands or musicians
List all the music you can play on an instrument (or all the instruments you’ve ever played)
Name all the dance styles you’ve tried.
Favourite memories from school
Favourite teachers from school or university
List your childhood crushes
Best childhood memories.
Things you loved to do as a child.
Favourite family memories
Best friends from childhood through to adulthood, and what made them good friends (it might inspire you in future friendships)
Favourite or worst fashion trends through the eras that you took part in.
All the countries/cities you’ve been to.
All the countries/cities you want to go to.
All the adventures you’ve been on.
The adventures you want to go on.
Favourite souvenirs you’ve found in every place you’ve visited.
Holiday traditions
All your hobbies (past and present).
Hobbies you would like to try.
Languages you’d like to learn
Phrases you know how to say in different languages
Your favourite people (friends, celebrities and dead)
People who have helped you.
People you have helped.
Different ways to fundraise and who to fundraise for
Money-making ideas.
Favourite activities to do in spring
Favourite activities to do in summer
Activities to do in autumn
Favourite activities to do in winter
Things you know how to do well.
Skills you’d like to learn.
Problems you’ve solved and the challenges you’ve overcome.
Favourite meals and desserts.
Foods you would like to try.
Favourite restaurants
Favourite fast food meals
Favourite drinks (cocktails or otherwise)
Recipes you’d like to cook (and start meal planning).
Best qualities –your best physical and character traits.
Favourite self care activities
Favourite outfits
Ways you can step out of your comfort zone.
Your strengths.
Your weaknesses and ways to deal with those weaknesses.
All the things you would like to improve about yourself
Your positive habits.
Positive habits you would like to adopt.
Your biggest achievements.
The goals you want to achieve.
The things you’ve done that you’re most proud of.
The most important life lessons you’ve learned.
Things you love about your partner
Things you would like to do with your partner
Things you love most about your kids.
Things you would like to do with your kids.
Your family fembers and their best traits
Favourite personality traits in a person.
Best things about being in love.

Your favourite animals
Your favourite flowers or trees
Your favourite smells
Things you need to stop worrying about.
The best compliments you’ve received.
Random acts of kindness you want to try
50 things you’re grateful for.
Everything you’d like to happen in your ideal day
The simple pleasures that make you smile
Make a list of gifts you’d like to receive in case anyone asks
Gifts you would like to give to others.
Everything you want to declutter
People you admire.
The courses you would like to take.
The best dances you’ve ever had.
The favourite places you’ve walked.
Ways you can make your life easier in work or at home.
Dates you’re free and things to do on those days.
Bucket list activities.
Hopefully writing lists of fun things that boost your mood will help take your mind off more serious things and daily chores. Writing these may also inspire you to get planning for another activity, trip, meal or project. Dual purpose – yay!
What mood-boosting exercises or lists would you add if you were looking to make yourself smile?