Create Your Own Happiness

There’s power in living with intention and seeking to create your own happiness. In the swirl of life and endless to-do lists, it’s easy to lose track of what truly brings you joy. By deliberately weaving moments of self-care into your daily routine, you can ensure that every season of your life – even the busiest ones – will have some modicum of joy, contentment, and a sense of calm. Creating this life doesn’t start with an endless bank account or unlimited availability; it starts with the smallest of changes that fit into your existing world. Over time, those small changes grow bigger and bigger until one day, you can look up and see nothing but a seasoned life that you truly love. This is deeper than simply redefining success on your own terms. Here’s how you can do it—drawing on simple, personal rituals I’ve adopted to keep my own life sane, and to remind myself to take a deep breath in the midst of all the chaos.

This is the first in a series of posts on how to create your own happiness. In each post, we’ll look at simple ways you can reset your mind in the midst of chaos, creating the seasoned life you’ve always wanted.

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Scent is Your Sanctuary

If you haven’t identified your signature scent, now’s a good time to get on it. I’m not only talking about your perfume or body lotion; I’m talking about a scent that follows you through most areas of your life, whether in your bathroom, in your car, at your desk, or in the laundry room. Make this scent your personal beacon and incorporate it into as many areas of your life as possible. I call this creating a SANCTUARY SCENT, a scent that recenters your mind and instantaneously spawns joy in your heart.

A SANCTUARY SCENT should be one that you like, obviously, but it should also be one for which you are never tired. What scent is that for you? I tend to oscillate between the soft, comforting aroma of vanilla, or the luxurious, deep floral aroma of a rose. For you, it might be fresh citrus, earthy sandalwood, or a crisp mint. If you’re not sure, go on a trip to a fragrance counter and sniff around until you find something that stops you in your tracks, wanting more. Take note of the fragrance notes (the names of the smells that hit you – ask the attendant or check the website if you’re unsure) and see if there’s a trend of what naturally sparks joy for you. Another option is to head to a health store and try out different essential oils. You might find that you are drawn to the earthiness of eucalyptus, and the freshness of spearmint flares up your allergies. This olfactory exploration is a great way to identify your true SANCTUARY SCENT.

How do you do this? Well, there are a multitude of ways, of course. Here are 3 specific ways that I use SANCTUARY SCENTS to create happiness in my life:

Create Happiness through Personal Fragrance

This one is obvious. I always have on hand fragrances that give me life, and that fit the mood no matter what’s going on. Sometimes, my senses NEED a deep oud, and other times, I truly want to smell like pure roses. That said, you’ll find that I have body lotions, fragranced oils, and perfumes in my collection of signature scents that create happiness no matter the occasion. Also, I try to keep a hand lotion in my purse that features a signature scent. I adorn myself with these fragrances at conventional times (like right after a shower, before heading out), and unconventional times as well. For example, this morning, I simply wanted to smell like roses no matter what, so I grabbed my Jo Malone Rose Blush (limited edition) just before heading to the gym to create happiness while I’m huffing away on the weight bench. Wearing fragrance to the gym wasn’t about others getting a luxurious whiff of my fragrance; it was about me recentering myself each time my rose aroma hit me, creating happiness I may have forgotten existed. Other days, I’m feeling like a classic vanilla, and have been known to mix an entire bottle of vanilla fragrance oil into my unscented Cerave Moisturizing Cream for an added scent boost each time I moisturize. Another option – don a fragrance just before bed. Not only will it lull you into sweet dreams, your partner will enjoy the aroma as well – creating happiness for the both of you.

Here are my top 10 favorite personal fragrances which create happiness year-round; the descriptions are directly from each fragrance house:

1. KayAli Utopia Vanilla Coco: This perfume combines creamy sandalwood and sweet white florals topped with milky coconut and then whipped together with vanilla bourbon. Take a dip into your daydreams, evoke a sense of freedom from reality, and be transported to your utopia. Find Utopia Vanilla Coco by clicking here.
2. KayAli Vanilla 28: Captivate the senses with VANILLA | 28, a masterpiece of refined and cultivated nuance. A time-honored union of creamy jasmine and rich Madagascan vanilla orchid draws out the sweet softness of Brazilian tonka. Beautifully balanced oriental notes of musk, amber, patchouli, and brown sugar form the distinguished wood base of this utterly sublime scent. Find it by clicking here.
3. Nest Madagascar Vanilla Fragrance Oil: Capture the allure of Madagascar’s rich landscape with NEST New York’s nourishing Madagascar Vanilla Perfume Oil featuring the warm essence of vanilla bean, the subtle floral of vanilla orchid, and a hint of coconut. Try this fragrance oil as part of the Nest fragrance oil discovery set. If you’re looking for a dupe of the full size product, this one from Native Oil will do the trick.
4. Nemat Vanilla Musk Fragrance Oil: The Vanilla Musk Fragrance Oil from Nemat is a sweet gourmand scent which lingers on throughout the day – one drop goes a long way. This fragrance can be described as sweet and enticing, with vanilla as the central note supported by musky undertones. Try this oil by clicking here, or picking up at Ulta or many health food stores.
5. Jo Malone Taif Rose: At the foothills of the Taif mountains, the Arabian sun warms the city’s exceptional rose. This admired bloom flourishes amid a desert landscape, captured only at its most alluring. A sensuous scent, irresistible with coffee and amber, evokes this radiant and iconic flower. Precious and majestic. A majestic floral scent inspired by the precious Taif Rose. (Side note: it’s very similar to Jo Malone’s limited edition Rose Amber.)
6. Lancome Idole Eau de Parfum: This fresh floral fragrance, created by women, for a generation of women that dreams big and stands strong. At the heart of this radiant fragrance, a sustainably sourced radiant rose meets jasmine absolutes for an intense softness which blooms gracefully. A base of sultry white musks and sweet vanilla give depth. At the top, notes of bergamot explode with juicy pear and a touch of pink peppercorn.
7. Jo Malone Rose Blush (sadly, a limited edition that’s no longer available, but my ABSOLUTE favorite): A soft, light floral fragrance inspired by delicate rose petals suspended in a delectable jelly. Instead, try this option from Jo Malone, Rose Magnolia, a slightly more sensuous rose fragrance.
8. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb (original): The ultimate floral fantasy, Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum by Viktor&Rolf is a women’s fragrance that bursts with an explosion of flowers. Opulent, sensual, and ultra-feminine, this iconic Viktor & Rolf perfume for women is a whirl of dozens of cattleyas, hundreds of sambac jasmine, thousands of freesia and millions of rose petals. A garden party in a perfume bottle, this heady bouquet is anchored by patchouli and vanilla for a lavish composition that is every bit as balanced as it is intoxicating. Such a classic and sophisticatedly pretty scent; try it here.
9. Maison Francis Kurkdijan Oud Satin Mood: A free interpretation of oud wood, a rare and precious material, this OUD Satin Mood Maison Francis Kurkdjian Eau de Parfum reflects the creator’s desire to bring a shimmering facet to life. Wrap yourself in the woody ambery scent to suspend time and lose yourself in the depth of the here and now. Transported by the finesse of the violet accord, the oud wood bows down to the essence of Damascena rose and absolute to then blend into the rich vanilla amber accord. Oud Satin Mood is made to be delicately worn on your skin like a rich fabric. Oud Satin Mood is an entire, expensive vibe. Try it as part of a cost conscious MFK discovery set by clicking here.
10. Parfums de Marly Delina Xclusif: The fragrance opens with the freshness of a fruity bergamot-pear-lychee trio and grows into burnt oud notes before sinking into a bed of soft and heady amber. Find it at Neiman Marcus, alongside its classic sister, Delina.

Are some of these pricey? Yes. Are they absolutely worth it? Also yes. To save a few bucks, I typically purchase the travel size only. Not only is it substantially less expensive than a full bottle, it allows me the ability to enjoy the fragrance without becoming bored and regretting having purchased a larger bottle.

Do you steer clear of fragrances for health or ethical reasons? I totally get it. Try your hand at essential oils, extracted from plant sources. The beauty of this route is the ability to create your own custom SANCTUARY SCENT that can’t be duplicated by others. Bear in mind you’ll need to use a carrier oil and plan to reapply more frequently than traditional fragrance sprays.

How do I use personal fragrance to create happiness?

There several ways to incorporate personal fragrance into all portions of your day. Do you have other ideas in mind? Leave them in the comments below.

• Morning boost: Spray your favorite perfume before you head to the gym. That little spritz transforms an otherwise sweaty, shout-it-out workout into a moment that feels uniquely yours.
• Afternoon pick-me-up: Keep a scented hand lotion in your purse, car, or desk drawer. When the day gets rough, a quick hand massage is all you need to anchor your mind and create happiness in your heart.
• Evening wind-down: Mist your pillow or wear a calming roll-on as you climb into bed. The familiar fragrance signals to your mind and body that it’s time to relax.

By surrounding yourself with a fragrance you love—morning, noon, and night—you create tiny “reset” moments that create happiness, reminding you to breathe, be present, and savor the day.

Create Happiness through Home Fragrance

This one is also straight forward, but must be said…your sanctuary scent should be incorporated into as many areas of your home as possible. No matter how messy, chaotic, or loud your home becomes, there’s nothing like a whisper of a beautiful scent to bring your senses back to order, creating happiness at the most unlikely of moments.

How do I create happiness through home fragrance?

Remember the talk about SANCTUARY SCENTS? Well, if you’ve done the work to identify the scents that create happiness for you, this part will be easy. There are 3 ways that I use fragrance throughout my home:

1. Candles. I love, Love, LOVE a good candle. I’ve recently started the process of transitioning to soy or coconut candles for the sake of improving the indoor air quality in our home. However, use whatever candle speaks to you with the most clarity (meaning that one whiff can create happiness on the spot). A new friend of mine recently launched the Luxxe Aurora candle company, and I have been obsessed with all of her scents. Even though I’m a vanilla/rose girl, citrus scents bring me the most joy in my kitchen; therefore, her Life Is Good candle does it for me every-single-time. Now the notes of this candle are technically not citrus (peach & mango), but I still love it in my kitchen. Luxxe Aurora for the win!
2. Carpet Freshener. I grew up sprinkling Arm & Hammer carpet freshener all over the house first thing on a Saturday morning, and allowing it to sit while all other cleaning was completed. Once the house was spotless to my Mom’s liking, vacuuming the floors became a luxuriously scented experience that my 10 year old self is only just now appreciating. I still use Carpet Fresh to this day, though I’m seeking other, more natural options to yield the same effect. One option is to mix baking soda with a few drops of essential oil (in a SANCTUARY SCENT, of course), and using it in the same way to create happiness. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m certain it will be a winner! If you’ve tried it, comment below and let me know the deets.
3. Laundry. Laundry does not create happiness for myself or most other people. (If you do actually like laundry, comment below so I can learn the secret of your happiness.) However, I do love using a few drops of essential oil on a wool dryer ball to scent my clothes as they finish up in the dryer. Listen, if you haven’t deeply inhaled a fresh, fluffy towel lightly scented with rose after a hot shower, you have not yet lived. THAT, my friends, is how you create happiness. I didn’t start with the wool dryer balls in an effort to be “extra,” however. It started as a way to cope with eczema and itchy skin. My husband’s beloved dryer sheets were causing myself and our then-toddler daughter to break out with the itchies, so I needed to find an alternative to create happiness – light fragrance without our skin breaking out. Once I found wool dryer balls and essential oils, I never looked back. It’s been 10+ years and our laundry still smells like heaven. My favorites: Rose Garden Essential Oil on a solid wool dryer ball.

Remember: You don’t need a grand vacation or an expensive spa day to create happiness. Often, it’s the smallest changes, like utilizing a SANCTUARY SCENT that turns ordinary moments into extraordinary acts of self-care. Start seasoning your life with fragrance today, and watch simple intentions bloom into lasting joy.

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Before long, you’ll have a toolkit of simple, intentional acts that elevate your days. You’ll be living seasoned: finding flavor, finding joy, and discovering that happiness truly thrives when you make it a deliberate choice.

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In the meantime, comment below on how this helps you. Stay seasoned my friends.