I’m already more than a third of the way through my 100 days happy challenge (if you have no idea what I’m talking about you can read all about it here). Looking back over the past month there are definite themes emerging. Perhaps surprisingly, the things that have made me stop, smile and think, “This world’s pretty great really,” are mostly simple pleasures which cost nothing, or not very much at all. Here’s what’s been making me happy since I started the challenge…

Moving my body

Getting outdoors and moving my body whether I’m surfing, running, cycling, swimming or yoga-ing, can turn a bad mood around or make a good mood better. The feeling of standing up on my board and surfing all the way to the beach, running through the Olympic Park in the rain early one morning when no one else was there, and cycling along the canals and through the parks of East London on sunny mornings have all made me can’t-stop-smiling happy lately.

Drinking green juice

I developed a love for green juice on holiday in LA last year and I couldn’t be more happy that London has gone mad for the green stuff this spring, with new juice bars popping up all over the place. I love the health and happiness hit I get from chugging a bottle of some combination of nutrient-packed ingredients such as kale, spinach, romaine, celery, apple and ginger. The greenhouse juice combinations from Press – who had a pop up juice bar in Old Street last month, and are opening a shop in central London soon – are my favourites so far.

Eating. Full stop.

I think about what I’m going to eat for breakfast before I go to sleep. Soon after breakfast I’ve got lunch on my mind. And if I’m going out for dinner you can bet your life I’ll have read the menu online earlier that day. You get the picture. I like food. Some of my happiest meals recently include pizzas in the sun at Crate Brewery, pulled pork tacos from Breddo’s Tacos at Field Day, superfood scrambled eggs at pod, a tasty cheeseboard at Galvaniser’s Union and a burger and truffled fries last night at new Hackney Wick bar and eaterie Cygnet.

Getting organised

Whenever I’ve got a deadline (which is most of the time) my desk gets increasingly messy, taken over by teetering piles of papers, books, magazines, numerous glasses and mugs and various other paraphernalia that has no place on a desk at all. My to do list gets longer. Things get misplaced. And consequently my life starts to feel completely out of control. I’m determined to get on top of it all this summer. I’ve gotten into the habit of tidying my desk at the end of the day which makes me feel more in control. And I’ve bought some lovely folders and a pack of highlighter pens. Actual organisation? Starting tomorrow. Ahem.

Spotting street art

I’m not sure exactly why I love street art. Possibly because it brightens up otherwise grimy parts of a city. Maybe because it’s temporary and if you don’t take time to appreciate it the next time you walk past it might gone. Perhaps it’s because not everybody sees it as it’s often located in places that are a little off-the-beaten track. Whatever the reason, spotting a good looking piece of street art makes me happy and I can never resist taking a photograph and sharing it on Instagram.

When it comes down to it what makes you happy? Is it simple, low or no-cost pleasures like me? If you’re doing the 100 days happy challenge how are you getting on? Have you been surprised by what’s made you happy? As ever do share!

Images from Free People. You can buy the crochet triangle top here There are numerous pairs of denim shorts to choose from here.