What’s In Your Happiness Toolkit?

Let’s be honest—when you’re going through cancer, most of the standard “happiness tips” don’t exactly hit.

Gratitude journal? Cool, but your joints hurt and you’re exhausted.

Bubble bath? You’re not even allowed to submerge your port.

Go outside? You just threw up. Again.

You need a happiness toolkit that works for you.

Not a list of Pinterest-perfect habits.

Not someone else’s idea of “wellness.”

Just real, doable things that help you feel a little more like yourself on hard days.

What Is a Happiness Toolkit?

It’s a short list of things—big or small—that help regulate your nervous system, boost your energy, or spark a flicker of joy.

Things you can reach for when life feels heavy.

And the best part?

You get to decide what goes in it.

Two Ways to Build Yours

1. Do a “Joy Audit”

Ask yourself:

What used to make me feel good before cancer?

What still might, even now?

2. Keep a 3-Item Emergency Joy List

When you’re wiped out and your brain is fried, decision fatigue is real.

Make a go-to list of 3 comfort strategies that you can default to, no thinking required.

Example:

• Play a comfort playlist

• Rewatch a favorite show

• Text someone who gets it

Stick it somewhere visible. That is the toolkit.

You don’t need a total life overhaul to feel better.

You just need a few things that help you feel more like you, even on the hard days.

Your happiness doesn’t have to be loud or Insta-worthy.

It just has to be yours.

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