Little Activities to Brighten Your Days

By Victoria Gonzalez

One of my 2023 New Year’s  resolutions was to invest time in myself and my mental health! One

of the ways I do that is by filling my days with new activities that prompt joy and excitement in

my mundane and stressful days. Balance becomes increasingly important as university students,

burdened with assignments, part-time jobs and general anxieties about starting a new chapter of

life. To achieve this ‘balance’ we must dedicate time to the activities and hobbies that spark

happiness and a deep-rooted love of life. This obviously looks different for each individual, but

here are some ideas to get you thinking about you…

Coffee Shop Hoppin’

My new favorite pastime is visiting local coffee shops to study and try out their drinks and treats.

Usually surrounded by other students typing away on their laptops, the atmosphere allows me to

be both focused and productive. It’s a small way to brighten your daily routine while working

away on assignments, readings or simply people watching. There’s many small-businesses to

explore in CUE’s vicinity that are worth your time and filled with kind-hearted people. This New

Year I plan to visit multiple small-owned coffee shops until I find my favorite study haven!

Happy Hour Nights
As university students we share a collective appreciation for cheap fast food. Though in most

cases we will resort to the McDonald’s across the street, why not try exploring some of

Edmonton’s restaurants? Most establishments offer a period of time where an inexpensive or

discounted menu is available to choose from, universally known as the “happy hour” menu. It’s

typically offered right before closing time, giving you the opportunity to get a taste of that

expensive restaurant you’ve been meaning to try. It’s especially fun to round up a group of

friends, dress up and try a variety of appetizers and drinks!

Reading/Podcasts

Though I absolutely love my degree, I feel like I haven’t read a novel of my choosing in ages. If

you can relate, let’s refuel our love of contemporary texts together. I’ve made it my personal goal

to set aside time to enjoy a book simply for what it is. Whether that’s a meaningless, fluffy

romance, or twisty thriller (both of which I love) just without the critical analysis or dissecting of

the text I’m accustomed to doing! If novels aren’t your thing, I would highly recommend

exploring the world of podcasts. Anything you are passionate about, I guarantee there is a

podcast out there perfect for you.

Though these ‘activities’ are rather simple, they have helped redeem my excitement for the days

ahead. I thoroughly enjoy my long study sessions at coffee shops; drinking lattes and watching

people flood in and out. I love listening to my favorite podcast on my morning and evening

commutes to and from school and finally, I absolutely adore an inexpensive evening with my

loved ones at an intimate restaurant. I believe anyone can derive joy from these little tips and

fight against the monotonous nature of daily life. Remember to prioritize balance this semester!