Happy Monday!

You know, we all plan our tasks, events, and obligations, but how often do we plan our HAPPY? It’s easy to keep saying, “I’ll get to it one day,” but let’s be real, unless we plan for it, that day will never come. So today, let’s start scheduling the joy in our lives!

First, ask yourself a couple of key questions:What do I wish I had more time for?

If I had an extra half day each week, what would I do, where would I go, and who would I want to see?

Once you’ve answered those, it’s time to think about this year and the people you love the most, family and friends. Schedule some time to chat with them and ask this: How much time do you need from me this year for FUN? Whether it’s that vacation you keep putting off or a quick weekend getaway you know you could do, but just haven’t prioritized, plan your HAPPY!

Start Each Day with a Little HAPPY

Let’s start with each morning. Find a cozy spot in your house, your happy place, and spend 10-30 minutes there. Maybe it’s with a cup of coffee, your Bible, or your journal. This is your moment with Jesus to reset and plan for the day ahead. But don’t just fill your to-do list with obligations, add some joy to it, too!

Instead of only talking to God about what’s going wrong, start chatting with Him about His plans for you. Get off the defense of life and onto the offense. Start planning the things you want to be part of your days. Take the pen of your life back and plan a little HAPPY!

Make Time for Fun—Yes, FUN!

We often lose touch with what makes us happy. So if you’re thinking, “I don’t even know what I like anymore,” that’s okay! It just means you have a blank canvas to start painting your story with new, fun things that bring you joy.

Here’s a practical tip: Get a hobby or learn something new you’re curious about. Fun is the opposite of depression, so if you want more HAPPY  this year, you have to plan more fun into your routine.

Now, I know someone out there might think this sounds frivolous, but remember, this all fits within God’s plan for your life. So yes, start by seeking God’s will, but then be sure to stop and smell the roses along the way. You’re allowed to have fun and enjoy the ride!

How I Plan My HAPPY

Here’s a little glimpse into how I plan my HAPPY. I don’t always hit every mark, but having a clear aim helps me stay content and fulfilled with my life overall. Always growing, always improving—this is how I do it:

Each morning: I go to my HAPPY place, read my Bible, journal, and plan my day. It’s my time, and I love it! Sometimes, my husband joins me for what we call “Coffee Talk,” where we connect for about 15 minutes, and it’s awesome.

Each week: My husband and I go on a date. We also FaceTime with our Cali Cooley Crew and spend time with our youngest who lives in town. Whether it’s dinner, golf, or just hanging out, we make time for family. I also try to paint, paddleboard, play pickleball, or bike trails.

Friend time: I set aside a day each week for lunch with friends. It doesn’t happen every week, but since it’s at the top of my Google calendar, I plan it as often as possible.

Saturday mornings: If I’m home, I revisit my goals for the year and track my progress. I pray about tweaks and focus on how well I’m executing my plans. This keeps me on target!

Monthly: I have a reminder to call or FaceTime a friend I haven’t heard from in a while. It’s a small way to stay connected to the people who matter.

Quarterly: My husband and I plan a two-day getaway. This is great for our marriage, and when the kids were little, we would trade weekends with friends to get some time alone, even if it was just at home.

Annually: We plan a family vacation and take time to work on our goals for the next year. And yes, I always make sure to plan my HAPPY into the calendar!

The 7/7/7 Rule

One quick way we approach this is through the 7/7/7 rule:

Every 7 days: Take a day off, go on a date, and have some fun.

Every 7 weeks: Plan a two- or three-day getaway.

Every 7 months: Take a family vacation.

This works for us, but you can adjust it to fit your life. If quarterly or annually works better, go for it!

Your Turn to Plan Your HAPPY

I hope this helps, and I can’t wait to hear about all the HAPPY you’re planning for 2025! Share with us any fun hacks or plans you have for the year. Let’s spread some joy together!

Xoxo,

Adrienne Cooley

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