Things I Do To Relax & That Make Me Feel Happy | Five Things

Have you ever thought to yourself: “I don’t feel like myself. I have been doing way too much, running around like crazy for a couple of weeks or months now. I don’t even have time for anything I actually want to do.” Well, I definitely have. It’s not a nice feeling and can be very frustrating. To get me feeling like myself again, I have a couple of things I like to do to feel relaxed and happy again. ⭐️ These are five things I do whenever I need to relax and that also make me happy!

#1 || Go somewhere

Since I am very much an adventurer, of course going somewhere has to be on this list. It doesn’t have to be somewhere far, like another country. Like I’ve said before, I think it’s so much fun to explore my own country and its cities. There are so many places I haven’t ben before so why not explore them? For example, a couple of weeks ago Elba and I went to Scheveningen. Just because we don’t go there very often and it’s a nice place to go when you want to get away. We just walked along the Pier, took some photos and had lunch at a beach club. Sounds like a great day right?

#2 || Meet up with friends

Good friends are very hard to find, but when you finally have some, you should never let them go. My friends are important to me and that’s why I try to see them every once in awhile. When you get older it’s a little harder to actually spend time together. But when you do, it’s a lot of fun. Last year my friends and I went away for the weekend and I can’t wait to do this again!

#3 || Create something

I’ve always been the type that wants to make and create things. There’s just so much stuff in my head that I want to do, but it’s hard to find time. That’s one of the reasons why I started Thoughts in Style. This way I wanted to push myself to actually ‘create’ something every single week. And I’ve done this for the past four years. But something my blog isn’t enough. That’s why I also love to design stuff in PhotoShop (for my newsletter for example) and play around with photography (which you see on here and my Instagram).

“Creativity is experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes and having fun.” – Mary Lou Cook

#4 || Do (yin) yoga

At the beginning of this year Elba and I wanted to try and do yoga. We tried one class and loved it. Since then, we’ve been going every single week. It’s yin yoga we do and it’s a combination of meditation and yoga. Every yoga class is so relaxing and definitely something I just need. It clears my mind and keeps me grounded at the same time. If you haven’t tried it before, you definitely should.

#5 || Take a break from social media

Confession: I definitely find it hard to stay of off social media. I think everyone has this because we’ve gotten used to it. For work I have to check social media a couple of times a day, which makes it hard to actually take a break. But when I do, I don’t miss it in the slightest. It kind of feels free when I don’t constantly scroll through Facebook and Instagram. That’s why this just had to be mentioned because I think it’s so important to take a break from all the craziness online and take a moment for yourself. Listen to music, read a book or go on a bike ride.

Of course they are many more ways (than just five) to actually relax and that make you feel happy. I’ve changed the one in this post up so many times but these five are the most important ones for me. Always remember: Take time to make your soul happy. Did you like this post? What are things that make you feel happy and relaxed? 

Love,

Neeltje

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64 Comments

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 23, 2018 / 12:32 pm

      Ah, thanks so much. Xx

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 23, 2018 / 12:35 pm

      Thank you so much Daniel! X

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 23, 2018 / 12:54 pm

      Yoga is perfect if you need to relax more, especially Yin Yoga! I bet you will love it as well. X

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 23, 2018 / 3:58 pm

      Thanks! I know right, it’s the best thing 🙂 X

  1. May 24, 2018 / 10:47 am

    Hele fijne tips! Het gifje vind ik ook erg leuk gedaan. X

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 24, 2018 / 10:49 am

      Dankjewel! Xx

  2. May 24, 2018 / 7:18 pm

    Beautiful photography! Where is this place you’re at (sorry…ignorant American over here)? I travel a lot so I love good recommendations!

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 24, 2018 / 7:51 pm

      Thank you so much! The photos are taken in Scheveningen 🙂 I have tons of hotspots posts and travel diaries on my blog, also featuring cities in The Netherlands so hopefully you can find some places you like to visit as well. Xx

  3. May 24, 2018 / 7:21 pm

    Beautiful photos! It is so important to take care of your mental health and these tips are the perfect example of you recognizing exactly what you can do to take care of yourself, I love that! I could definitely do a better job at determining what makes me happy and then practicing it.

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 24, 2018 / 7:51 pm

      Ah, I am glad you like this post! Thanks 🙂 X

  4. May 24, 2018 / 7:37 pm

    Yes…going somewhere and disconnecting from social media is a must do. I’d like to do it more often. It’s so important to take care of ourselves and do the things we love. Great photos too!

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 24, 2018 / 7:52 pm

      Yes, it really is! Thank you so much Xx

  5. May 24, 2018 / 8:59 pm

    Yes to all ot these! Life can be so overwhelming and it’s so important to sometimes just hit pause on all the events and obligations 🙂 Thsi was a really great post and I am so excited to see another Dutch blogger! xxxx http://www.thevolcanicveins.com

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 24, 2018 / 10:50 pm

      I know right! Thank you so much. Xx

  6. May 24, 2018 / 9:05 pm

    All of this is amazing! And your Aesthetic is goals 😍!

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 24, 2018 / 10:49 pm

      Thank you sooo much!

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 24, 2018 / 11:19 pm

      Thank you so much! X

  7. May 25, 2018 / 7:57 am

    I love all your suggestions especially about taking a break from social media. As a blogger I feel like I am constantly on it and it is not relaxing. I like the idea of meeting up with friends. It’s the only thing that distracts me from work or other stresses in my life!

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 25, 2018 / 8:12 am

      Ah, I am so glad you like this post! Meeting up with friends and family is indeed the perfect distraction 🙂 Xx

  8. May 25, 2018 / 8:41 am

    alleen de yoga heb ik nog niet geprobeerd, maar verder ontspan ik ook van de andere punten. Zo zet ik ‘s avond sop tijd mijn telefoon uit en vind het heerlijk om in mijn bullet journal te knutsel en creatief bezig te zijn.

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 25, 2018 / 9:42 am

      Het is altijd goed om je telefoon weg te leggen inderdaad! Yoga is echt de moeite waard om te proberen 🙂

  9. May 25, 2018 / 9:03 am

    Ik herken dat gevoel zeker! Bij mij is het enige wat helpt dat ik een tijdje alleen ben.

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 25, 2018 / 9:42 am

      Dat kan inderdaad ook helpen! Dat je gewoon even alleen kan zijn en echt even focust op jezelf.

  10. May 25, 2018 / 10:41 am

    Nice pictures! I love to start doing yoga, but the classes are so expensive.

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 25, 2018 / 1:00 pm

      Thanks! I know… With my gym memebership it’s included so it’s cheaper 🙂

  11. May 25, 2018 / 12:17 pm

    Eens ergens (nieuw) naartoe trekken vind ik ook bijzonder tof, hoeft inderdaad absoluut niet ver te zijn! 🙂

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 25, 2018 / 1:01 pm

      Nee, dat is zeker waar! Al ga je ergens dichtbij huis een nieuwe plek ontdekken door lekker te wandelen 🙂

  12. May 25, 2018 / 3:22 pm

    Your photos are beautiful, I love Scheveningen, I have been there many years ago. Someday I wanna go back.

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 25, 2018 / 3:50 pm

      Thank you! It’s such a beautiful place, right 🙂

  13. May 25, 2018 / 4:18 pm

    Singing is my favourite way to relax my mind. And reading fiction, pageturners which you do forget everything else…

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 25, 2018 / 8:00 pm

      Ah, that sounds like a great way to relax! X

  14. May 25, 2018 / 5:41 pm

    Hanging out with friends, running…, Great pics by the way

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 25, 2018 / 8:00 pm

      Ah, thanks!

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 25, 2018 / 8:01 pm

      Ah, thank you so much! Xx

  15. May 25, 2018 / 5:44 pm

    ja de tijd te vinden om de dingen te doen , die je wil doen…dat is bij mij ook een “dingetje’

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 25, 2018 / 8:01 pm

      Het is wel belangrijk om de tijd voor te maken 🙂

  16. May 25, 2018 / 5:45 pm

    Ik kan me heel erg vinden in de dingen die jij aanhaalt! Dingen ontdekken en afspreken met mensen kan me ook zo gelukkig maken!

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 25, 2018 / 8:01 pm

      Goed om te horen! Xx

  17. May 25, 2018 / 8:51 pm

    These are great ideas. Nothing like spending good times with good friends. I definitely need to learn to take time off social media. Ha!! Great shots here. Love the scenery a lot.

    https://www.missymayification.co.uk

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 25, 2018 / 9:10 pm

      I am so glad you like this post! Thank you xx

  18. May 25, 2018 / 10:22 pm

    Quality photo’s love it! And I agree you don’t have to go far to relax.

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 25, 2018 / 10:23 pm

      Thank youu! X

  19. May 25, 2018 / 10:38 pm

    Het is heel goed om even tijd voor jezelf te nemen. Yoga is super fijn daarvoor.

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 25, 2018 / 10:40 pm

      Jaa, dat heb ik dus laatst ook ontdekt 🙂 x

  20. May 25, 2018 / 10:43 pm

    Alles behalve Yoga kan ik mij goed in vinden. Leuke fotos en gifje

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 25, 2018 / 11:01 pm

      Dankjewel! Yoga is zeker de moeite waard om te proberen 🙂

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 26, 2018 / 12:14 pm

      It really is! Thanks 🙂

  21. May 26, 2018 / 9:43 pm

    Heerlijke tips. Ik vind vooral ergens heengaan of afspreken met vrienden een goed idee! 🙂

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 26, 2018 / 9:44 pm

      Dankjewel!

  22. May 27, 2018 / 3:29 am

    Yes, these are all such good points. I also find going for a walk and listening to music and dancing help with this too. Definitely makes you feel excited. It’s so easy to get caught up and worried about silly things!
    xx Jenelle
    http://www.inspiringwit.com

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 27, 2018 / 9:29 am

      Yes, your points are definitely helpful as well! Xx

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 29, 2018 / 10:52 am

      Ah, same for me! 🙂

  23. May 29, 2018 / 10:48 am

    To me, doing Yoga is also something that helps me relax and when I’m feeling stressed and not quite like myself and start doing it again I always tell myself that I will do it daily. I do that for like a week and then I have a busy day and skip it which just leads to me not doing it at all again 😀

    To me, drawing or just colouring in my colouring book is always so relaxing. To me that is a kind of meditation. Life seems fine again when I’ve coloured in a few flowers.

    Or actually another thing that I sometimes just need is to put a rock or metal song on really loud and box out all the stress and really exhaust myself and get my sweat on 🙂

    I LOVE the photos btw! Especially the one where the ferris wheal is moving!

    Love,
    Jenny

    Jenny Side Up

    • Neeltje
      Author
      May 29, 2018 / 10:53 am

      Thank you so much Jenny! Coloring is always very relaxing indeed. X

  24. June 5, 2018 / 11:26 am

    This is a pretty nice list of great things to try. I enjoy reading stuff like this, at least I know what other people are into. I enjoyed reading your post.

    StyleSprinter Blog by Katya Bychkova

    • Neeltje
      Author
      June 5, 2018 / 12:29 pm

      Thank you so much!

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