Day 15: Visit the library

Remember libraries? Although today you can find almost anything online, it's a special thing to actually hold the book in your hands. Soon there might not be any, since everything is being digitalized. Borrowing books from the library is actually really practical. You get to read whatever you like and you can return it when you're done. No need to take unnecessary space on the shelves. Maybe you just want to read something new that you haven't before and discover a new author you like. You don't need to buy a book to do it. I accidentally (although I don't believe in accidents) discovered a few books that changed my life! I'd never heard of the authors nor their titles, yet those books found me. In the library! Helped me make some important decisions in life, understand better certain things around me, and if nothing else they inspired me. I'm actually not a big reader but sometimes a book can capture my attention and keep it for a long time... stories, characters, images captured with words. Finding a new book can be a really cool experience. I suggest going to the library and picking out a book in the section you never go to. Find something that might interest you but you shouldn't know too much about the book before you read it. Discover it as you go. It's a more interesting experience. The less you know at the beginning, the better. If you have no idea where to go, you can always ask the librarian to help you pick something out. For all you book lovers I suggest staying at the library and reading the books there! Spend a whole day browsing and reading new books and have fun doing it! You will discover there are plenty of people doing the same, so don't feel weird about it. Just enjoy the experience! 

YOUR FEEDBACK:

WHICH book did you discover? What did you think of it?

Day 14: Wear something different today!

If you are used to wearing the same style every day, in those few colors you prefer, your usual hairstyle you know suits you best with your usual every-day make-up? Try something different today! Pick one day when you will get out of your shell and try something on that you've never dared to before! Feel free to go extreme on this one. You might wanna pick something that's really NOT your thing! The point is to get out of the familiar frame and see a different perspective. See how people perceive the different you, how they address you, do they make unusual comments... whether you feel uncomfortable or not, be sure that you WILL feel different. At least you'll be trying out something new and hopefully realize that it's not a big deal. You might want to make it a habit. Start with one day a week when you'll try a different you. Change the clothes, the outfit or at least some accessories, do something different with your hair or make-up. See how it feels. Soon you might be more comfortable with yourself, no matter what you have on! Have fun! 

YOUR FEEDBACK:
WHAT did you change? HOW did it make you feel?

Day 13: Find new music

Take one day to browse through CDs in a music shop or at a friend's house. Discover something new that inspires you and makes you feel good! Close your eyes and travel to new places. Check out some world music and discover different cultures, try some jazz, new age, chill-out, or whatever makes your heart sing. Share the music with the ones you love!

YOUR FEEDBACK:

Which music did you discover? We wanna know too!

Day 12: Visit an exhibition!

It's not something we usually do in our own town. We go to galleries and museums when we go abroad, but rarely when at home. Sometimes you get an invitation to an exhibition opening, or if you're really a fan of the artistic expression you are probably used to it. All of you who don't normally go, try it! I went once to check out the museum about my city and I loved it! It was cool to see all those historical artifacts and interesting exhibits from the past. I learned a lot about my city which was nice. And important, I would add. There is an unusual exhibition on the Old Town here in Zagreb at the Museum of Broken Relationships where they exhibit objects sent to them by broken hearts along with their story of the break-up. Check it out if you're around. There is always something interesting on display so I'm sure you can find something that might interest you. It's a nice day to appreciate art, don't you think? 

YOUR FEEDBACK:

Which exhibition did you check out? What was on display? 

Day 11: Photo day

Take your camera with you and spend a day walking around and taking pictures of what you find interesting in your town. Try to capture interesting moments, people, animals, buildings, little details, the sky, nature, etc... Be creative and try to find the unusual in the every day things. You might find a different perspective! You don't have to go on a trip to take pictures. Find new things in the familiar surroundings. If you prefer, go on a trip! Pick a destination you've never been to before and take photos. But I don't mean the typical tourist photos. Again, focus on the little details and interesting perspectives. 

If you have no idea where to start, let me give you a task. Find anything that will remind you of the following: LIFE, LOVE, HAPPINESS, HARMONY, MUSIC, DELICIOUS. Don't take it too literally! Meaning, don't pick the most obvious choice. Sometimes the associations that you might have can surprise you. 

YOUR FEEDBACK:

Pick 20 photos and make an online exhibition! Send us the link with your photos! 

Day 10: Sing your heart out!

Singing is something people have been doing since the beginning of time. The moment we are born and breath in the air, we let our voice be heard. Singing and producing sounds is what comes natural to every human being, because it happens without any effort. Now, it doesn't matter what you sound like. That's not the point. The point is to let your SOUND out! It's an exhilarating experience! Try first humming or lip trills, slowly prepare your voice to sing. Whistling can be a good start too! Then sing your favorite song out loud and surrender to the song. It would be best if you could find a nice spot where you can sing your heart out without worrying if the neighbors can hear you. You can go to the nature - a mountain or a forest, or any other place you feel comfortable at, like your bathroom! Pick your spot and sing! Apart from singing your favorite song like you mean it, you can only sing long tones, using vowels (choose which one feels most comfortable). Just take a long breath, open your mouth and let the sound come out. Hope you feel some relief after! If nothing else, you will certainly enjoy you  favorite song, right? 

YOUR FEEDBACK:

What is YOUR favorite song? 

Day 9: Laugh away!

Laughter heals! There are actually many organizations spreading this idea and helping people in need. We all face the hardness of life and have to deal with everyday obstacles. But instead of getting angry and bitter, try something different - laugh about it! Laugh at life and treat those obstacles like they're nothing! It's not hard to do and it really does help. The moment you start smiling you feel the difference in energy. You feel more energized, lighter, positive and life suddenly doesn't seem so bad. Watch your favorite comedian on Youtube, go to a stand-up comedy show, watch your favorite comedy, do something ridiculously funny and laugh at yourself, spend time sharing jokes with your friends... or if you don't feel like doing any of those things, just smile on purpose (in front of a mirror!) and stay in that pose for a few minutes. Then try giggling and laughing on how funny you look! I wish you a smiley day! :)

YOUR FEEDBACK:

How does laughter make you feel? Be specific!

Here's a starter, in case you have no idea where to look. This is one of my favorite comedians. Hope you enjoy it!

Day 8: Thought of the day

At the end of the day think about what made that day interesting. What happened out of the ordinary? Whom did you meet? Where did you go? How did you feel? What was the weather like? What did you do today? Ask yourself these questions and you will realize that every day something special happens. Even little things you pay no attention to matter! If you did something that day it's worth noting it. After you think about it for a while and define the best description of that day. Write down only one sentence, which can be only one word if that's enough for the description, or write a really looooong sentence. But DO write it! Just one sentence a day - the thought of the day. You can use a special notebook or a diary, your computer, Twitter or other social networks if you want to share your thoughts with others. The point is to get you thinking and appreciating what you've got. When you look at EVERY day as unique you will find there are many beautiful things you can be thankful for! 

YOUR FEEDBACK:

What's your thought of the day? 

Day 7: Write a haiku

Writing is a good tool to get your creative juices flowing. If you could write just one line a day about your day it would be good. However, let's start with a more specific task. It has three lines instead of one and very specific rules on how to do it. When you know the formula all you have to do is put words in. It doesn't have to be philosophical. Just write how you feel at that moment. You would be surprised how creative you can be. On one hand you will be thinking creatively, and on the other you will have a collection of haiku poems as the result! Try writing 1 haiku a day, or at least in a week. You will notice the difference very soon and after a while you will have a book of poems you can read to your friends and family at your first home book club meeting.


When writing a haiku...

Think about the topic you want to write about and write down some words that remind you of that. Haiku has three lines so you should organize your thoughts in that manner. The first line should have 5 syllables, the second line 7 syllables and the third line 5 syllables.

Good luck!

YOUR FEEDBACK:
Post your haiku in your comment and share your poetry with us! 

Day 6: Invent a smoothie

Pick 3 to 5 of your favorite ingredients (veggies, fruit, milk, cereal...) to put in a smoothie. Even though that combination might not exist - be the first one to make it! Prepare the smoothie as you like it. Put more sugar if you please, milk, cream, chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, or any additional flavors that you prefer to make it more tasty! When you make it enjoy in your new smoothie! Don't forget to write everything down so you can make it for your family and friends! :)

YOUR FEEDBACK:
Share your recipes with us! We want to try your smoothie too! 

Day 5: Play your favorite music

Remember your first cassette, CD or LP? Try finding those old albums from your childhood that made you happy and spend the whole afternoon listening and reminiscing... Think about the nice moments from your early life and recreate them in your mind. Try to think about the colors that remind you of those times, smells, candy you used to like, your favorite drink, toy, TV show, fashion trends of that time...relive those times in one afternoon, listening to the most familiar sounds of your past. Let the music take you time traveling.

YOUR FEEDBACK: 
What was your favorite album in the early days? What makes your heart all fuzzy and warm even today? 

Day 4: Hug a tree

There are many reasons why people hug trees. Some are environmentalists and want to protect the only life on this planet providing oxygen. Some are called hippies who simply love nature and want to appreciate it. Some say they feel life energy coming through went they hug a tree. Either way, it's worth giving a shot. So, find a park or a forest and spend a day walking around and hugging trees. Just find the tree you like (preferably a big one) and spend at least 5 minutes in that position. See how it feels. I believe that only by being in nature surrounded by wonderful plants, breathing in clear air can help. Hugging a few trees will just be an additional experience you can benefit from. Don't forget to give love to our oxygen-providers!


YOUR FEEDBACK:
How did it make you feel to hug a tree? What changed and do you feel it was a positive experience?

Day 3: Give yourself a treat

Pick out your favorite dessert or meal if you don't care for sweets and treat yourself one day a week. Have one day in a week (or month, if you're watching your figure) when you reward yourself! Don't forget to think about your inner self and what you need to feel good. Picking something that you don't have every day to treat yourself will remind you that you deserve to have something sweet in your life!

YOUR FEEDBACK:
What is your favorite treat?

Day 2: Sit in the sun

On a sunny day, the best thing to do is sit in the sun! I have noticed that after a long period of winter and gloominess people started craving sunshine. As soon as the first rays of sun appeared, it seemed as if people went out to sit in the sun and charge their batteries. We need the sun and its energy to survive. We have more energy and willpower to find new adventures. Take 5-15 minutes to sit in the sun and just enjoy its warm feeling.

YOUR FEEDBACK:
Tell us how it made you feel and if you felt more energized after the "re-charging"!

Day 1: Stop and smell the roses

Even though we have all heard of this one, I thought it might be a good starting point since it's familiar to everyone. So, don't be afraid to stop at least once in your busy day to smell the roses! You will find that this simple action can actually make your day seem a bit less stressful. You can literally smell some flowers or buy some for your home, or even pick some from the park if you have one nearby. It can also be just a moment to think about the things you like and enjoy in life. Just one moment to remember what to be thankful for and enjoy that moment.

Have a sunny day!

YOUR FEEDBACK:
Share your favorite flowers or something you want to be thankful for!