I love how every advertisement ever is like "buy our thing, then you'll be happy" and then you look at this list and almost nothing on the list is a product or service.
I agree! Some of my favorite things are petting dogs, smelling babies, and making comfort food in vintage or good-eough-quality-to-pass-down-to-my-chidren cook or bakeware. Making the most of the things I already have in my life always gives me a little boost.
Paying someone a simple, spur of the moment compliment, when they seem pretty happy already—and then realizing from the expression on the recipient's face that it really meant a whole lot more to them than you thought it would.
And to hear those children laughing, and a bunch of other stuff to cheer you up: https://www.peptoc.net/hotline. (Free "warm line" with pre-recorded messages—from kids!)
I just called that number and it was a9dorable! Sweet life advice and pep talks from little kids. I loved it!
When I used to work outside my house, I tried to do something every day that would really make someone's day like that, too. Giving extra compliments or helping with something I knew someone was struggling with but probably wouldn't ask for anyone to help them. When you work in a healthcare setting, it's easy to find opportunities to do those things. Now I'm always at home and there are only so many things I can do. That's why I spend all my time trying to get people to talk to me on Lemmy.