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July is my birthday month, and this year I decided to celebrate differently. Instead of a single birthday, I declared a whole month of happy — as in happy birthday to me. It also happens to be America’s birthday, which felt like a perfect reason to double down on joy.

So I made a simple decision: every day this month, I would do one thing with the sole intention of creating happiness.

Sounds easy, right?

What Actually Creates Happiness (And What Doesn’t)

Before committing to my “Month of Happy,” I did a little research on what truly creates happiness — and what doesn’t. (So much for simple.)

One thing I discovered, much to my husband’s delight, is that buying new things only creates temporary happiness. The joy fades quickly as the purchase becomes part of the new normal. In fact, acquiring more stuff can actually reduce happiness by increasing clutter, stress, or financial strain.

So if “stuff” isn’t the answer, what is?

Research — and lived experience — point to a few consistent contributors to lasting happiness:

• Connection with others, especially family and friends

• Good health, both physical and emotional

• Financial peace, created by budgeting and living within your means

• Less clutter, which creates space for creativity and calm

• A sense of purpose, and taking steps to live it out

Each of these areas can be broken down further, and that’s exactly what I’m exploring this month.

Day One: My Happiness Proclamation

On July 1st, I made what I call my Happiness Proclamation. I publicly declared — on Facebook, no less — that I was committing to one happiness-creating action per day. Making it public made it official.

The first happiness choice? Lunch with my husband.

Strengthening relationships is one of the most powerful happiness habits we have, even when the relationship is already good. We enjoyed a delightful meal and unexpectedly ran into someone who knew us when we first met. That led to laughter, memories, and connection — a happiness bonus I didn’t plan.

Knowing that good health matters, I followed that with a bike ride in the sunshine. The exercise felt great, and I ended up at my favorite dolphin-watching spot, where I stood mesmerized as dolphins swam by. Simple. Free. Joyful.

Day Two: Happiness Grows When You Give It Away

On Day Two of my Happiness Happenings, I remembered something important: spending money on others brings more joy than spending it on yourself.

With the Fourth of July approaching, I stopped at a fireworks tent on my way to the doctor’s office where I hold sessions. Several women work there, many with young children. I bought a few fireworks for each of them and handed them out with my best Katy Perry Firework impression.

They laughed. They smiled.
And yes — I felt happy.

Decluttering for Happiness

Decluttering is also high on my happiness list.

In June, starting on Let It Go Day, I began a practice I call “3 a Day Must Go Away.” Every day, I found at least three things to give away or throw away. By the end of the month, I had eliminated at least 90 items — though honestly, it was probably closer to 900.

There’s still more to release, so I’m continuing this practice throughout July. Less clutter means more breathing room — mentally and emotionally.

Your Turn: What Makes You Happy?

I’m still early in my Happiness Happenings journey, and I plan to keep updating what I discover along the way. But I want to ask you, dear reader:

• What truly makes you happy?

• What small habit could you change to create more joy in your daily life?

• If you were happier — even just a little — how would you be different?

Happiness doesn’t have to be dramatic or expensive. Often, it’s found in small, intentional choices made one day at a time.

And sometimes, it starts with simply deciding that happiness matters.