First, take a deep breath. We could all use it right now. Feel the cool, slightly warmed, early spring air fill your body and let that be a sign of hope. In an unprecedented week met by unfathomable life changes + looming uncertainty of what’s to come, it’s hard to find peace-of-mind in anything right now. Places that many of us turn to for physical, mental, and emotional support have temporarily closed their doors as a precautionary measure against the spread of the novel COVID-19. While the reality of life right now poses a laundry list of new challenges and close to 182,038,323 things to worry or complain about, the fact is, it’s our current reality. So, welcome. Get comfortable. Settle in. We’re going to be here a little while.
It’s hardly the life any of us envisioned for ourselves at the start of the month {or year or ever}, but it’s where we’ve found ourselves in the present moment. Time to lean in and embrace the here and now, recognizing that these extreme measures are the necessary “evil” helping us return to life as we know it sooner than we think. Even for the most optimistic, glass half full, positive thinkers among us, it has become increasingly difficult over the last week to find that light. Luckily, Lindsay Colameo {the mastermind behind the Happy Notes Book} is here to help. Her advice —making a commitment to happiness isn’t just for relishing in the best of times. It’s finding a smile each day — good, bad, and unimaginably ugly. Here’s a little trick, courtesy of Lindsay, that you can use:
What You Can Do
We can all agree our worlds could use an extra dose of happiness, now more than ever. In the spirit of spreading happiness faster than fear, this 15-second daily happiness trick will help you prioritize the little moments of joy that fill your daily life. It’s a practice called “happy notes,” and the concept is simple — find a smile in every day and write that baby down. And yes, even during trying times there is still something to smile about. For example, some options are a chance to catch up on sleep or Netflix, Marie Kondo your space, call you grandma, try a new recipe, start a puzzle, belt out your favorite shower ballad, enjoy a great cup of coffee, or an excuse to be lazy + recharge your battery.
Read More: 2 Jersey City Couples Married at City Hall Today — While Practicing Social Distancing Of Course
About “Happy Notes”
This simplified gratitude-style practice of “happy notes” is like a dose of mental fitness to keep your brain wired happy. Happiness is not absolute. You don’t just achieve happiness one day and lock in that satisfying, smiley euphoric state for the rest of your life. In the same way that one SLT class doesn’t grant you a chiseled six-pack for all eternity {le sigh}, your mental ‘fitness’ requires regular attention and care. Lucky for you, all it takes is 15-seconds a day.
See More: 12 News Stories to Bring You Some Happiness Today
Whether you jot it on a napkin, Post-It note, or in a pretty new Happy Notes Book {a local Hoboken-owned business built on this exact concept}, the practice of finding a smile in each day is more important now than ever before. Happiness has a supernatural ability to be instantly spread to those around you — and unlike other things, its result is beneficial to everyone involved. In fact, sharing a happy note with someone else via text, phone, email, snail mail, or the newly popular elbow bump, is proven to have exponential impact boosting the well-being of both you and the receiver. It’s been proven in an ongoing 80-year happiness study out of Harvard that the number-one thing that contributes to happiness and well-being is healthy relationships, and there’s no better time to foster those than now.
Today, like every day, happiness is a choice. Choose wisely.
What are you smiling about today? Let us know in the comments!
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Your Ultimate Hudson County Bucket List for 2025
In Hudson County there are tons opportunities to have fun and explore. From catching a Red Bulls game at the Red Bulls Arena in Harrison to making it to one of Hoboken's most well-known restaurants, and historical monuments, there are plenty of must-do activities in the area. Keep reading for your ultimate Hudson County bucket list.
Bayonne
Snap a pic of the Bayonne Bridge — it connects Bayonne with Staten Island and is one of the longest-arched steel bridges in the world.
Visit the Robbins Reef Light Station — it is a lighthouse that was built in 1839 and can only be viewed from a distance, as it is not open to the public.
Go see the "Tear of Grief" monument, located in Harbor View Park in Bayonne.
Take a walk along the portion of the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway in Bayonne and snap some great skyline photos.
Shop along Broadway Avenue, the city's main street, and spot the life-like statues and painted utility boxes.
Read More: 36 Hours in Hoboken: Here’s How to Spend Your Time
Harrison/Kearny
Catch a soccer match at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, home of the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer and NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women's Soccer League.
A neighborhood bar that serves up some seriously delicious Portuguese-meets-American dishes is Vinnie's in Harrison. A trip there is worth adding to your list in the new year.
For more things to do in Harrison, we have a list here.
Hoboken
Indulge in the roast beef special on Thursdays or Saturdays at the world-famous Fiore's Italian Deli.
The Annual Hoboken Mutz Fest, which takes place in April, is a must-do to try some of the best mutz in the area.
Indulge in zeppoles and fried Oreos at St. Ann's Feast in Hoboken, which happens every July.
Celebrate Pride Month during Hoboken's annual Pride celebrations.
Pay a visit to one of Hoboken's nationally recognized restaurants: Antique Bar + Bakery, Benny Tudino's, La Isla, Dino + Harry's, or Piccolo's, just to name a few. Here's a list of nationally recognized restaurants throughout Hudson County.
Visit Elysian Cafe — Hoboken's oldest continually operated bar/restaurant.
Take a ride on the NY Waterway Ferry to NYC and back to snap some seriously Instagram-worthy photos during the ride (plus, it's fun to be a tourist in your own neighborhood).
Take a self-guided Frank Sinatra walking tour around Hoboken to see the Mile Square through his eyes — and don’t forget to stop at the statue along the waterfront.
Visit the Hoboken Cove Boathouse in the summer to go kayaking for free on the Hudson River.
Take a walk along the Hoboken waterfront for breathtaking views of NYC (stop at Blue Eyes for equally good food with a view). Or check our list of restaurants located by the waterfront here.
Spend a summer afternoon or evening at Pier 13 (don’t forget to try one of the many delicious food trucks there, too).
Marvel at the gorgeous Gothic-style architecture at the Our Lady of Grace Church at 4th and Willow.
Watch a show at the Mile Square Theatre on Clinton Street, aptly named as it functions as Hoboken's performing arts center and theatre.
Visit the Hoboken Historical Museum for a chance to dive into the City's history.
Go indoor rock climbing at Gravity Vault, Hoboken's 25,000-square-foot rock-climbing center.
Take in the view and sit on the waterfront on Pier C, the manmade pier that juts out over the waterfront. This local spot provides amazing views of the Empire State Building and the Freedom Tower.
Hoboken is home to the most bars and restaurants per capita — so, go on a cocktail tour.
Walk uptown to downtown to experience Hoboken in all its glory.
Pick up a sweet treat from Lepore's Chocolates in Hoboken.
Visit the Hoboken Terminal and spot the Beaux-Arts architecture style that was part of the building’s original design.
Spend a day perusing the shops and businesses inside the Monroe Center for the Arts.
During the summer, watch your favorite flicks at "Movies Under the Stars" at Pier A.
For lovers of baseball (and history buffs), pay a visit to Elysian Park — this is the spot where the first baseball game was ever played in America.
Take a few "Fitness in the Park" classes in the summer in Hoboken. These are free classes provided by local fitness studios all summer long.
Shop local vendors and listen to live music at the Hoboken Arts + Music Festival — it happens every spring and fall.
Do a food tour of Hoboken. Try out the best chicken parm, eat bagels, indulge in pizza, grab brunch, go for a coffee date, and check out the best Italian restaurants in town.
Take an experimental cooking class at Hudson Table.
Design your own shoes at Hoboken Shoedio.
Take yourself on a self-guided thrifting and vintage tour.
For a more in-depth Hoboken bucket list, see here.
Jersey City
Explore Jersey City's different neighborhoods — the Heights, Bergen-Lafayette, Journal Square, Paulus Hook, and Hamilton Park.
Go to the HDSID Farmer's Market in downtown Jersey City.
Pay your respects at the Empty Sky 911 Memorial.
Sunbathe in the grass or have a picnic in Liberty State Park.
Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community during Jersey City's annual Pride celebrations in August.
Pay a visit to one of Jersey City's nationally recognized restaurants: Bread + Salt, Battello, Porta, Korai Kitchen, Razza, and Hamilton Pork, to name a few.
Take an unofficial 'speakeasy' tour of Jersey City — hitting up all of the local 'underground' spots (including dullboy and The Archer, to name a few).
Nerd out at the Liberty Science Center. Plus, be sure to add the LSC After Dark events to your calendar (these events are all 21+ and a guaranteed fun time).
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Hop on one of the NYC Cycleboats that launch out of Jersey City during the warmer months.
Catch a live performance at JC's well-known White Eagle Hall.
For golf lovers, pay a visit to Skyway Golf Course.
Swing by the Riverview Farmer's Market on the last Sunday in October for the Dia De Los Muertos festival.
Take an evening in the summer to visit Groove on Grove to catch live music.
Enjoy an authentic + delicious Italian dinner at Laico's Restaurant. It's way off the beaten path and almost looks like a house, but trust us, you won't be disappointed.
Make a reservation at Italian restaurant 15 Fox Place — we promise the years long wait is worth it.
Head to White Mana for an unforgettable burger — the circular building was built as a pavilion for the 1939 World’s Fair.
Take a quick day trip to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum from Liberty State Park. Although not technically Hudson County, it's a great place to visit to get a glimpse into the rich history of the area and the U.S.
Pretend you're in Night at the Museum and spend an evening at the Mana Contemporary Art Museum. This local museum has five floors of art exhibitions that are sure to keep you occupied for a few hours, minimum.
Indulge in some more amazing local art during the Jersey City Art + Studio Tour (JCAST), which happens annually in October.
Head to the All About Downtown Street Fair in September — it features tons of local vendors and more.
Visit the MORA Museum in Paulus Hook.
Design your own designer-quality handbag at Youssoufiani.
Explore all of the thrift and vintage stores Jersey City has to offer.
Go ice skating at Newport Skates this winter.
For a more in-depth Jersey City bucket list, see here.
Union City/Weehawken
Head to Charrito's in Weehawken and enjoy some seriously delicious Mexican food with a great view of the NYC skyline.
Fans of Hamilton, history buffs, and beyond — visit the Dueling Grounds. This historic spot is where Alexander Hamilton met his fate in his infamous duel with Aaron Burr.
In the summer, enjoy a meal on the outdoor deck at Molo's Restaurant.
Try the top-notch cocktails at the NoHu Bar, located inside the Envue Hotel in Weehawken.
Have a delicious meal at Chart House in Weehawken.
See More: The ULTIMATE Montclair Bucket List
West New York/North Bergen/Secaucus
Take the trip to Snake Hill, an igneous rock intrusion jutting up from the floor of the Meadowlands at a bend in the Hackensack River.
Pay a visit to NJ Beer Co. and sample some local craft-brewed beer, located at 201 Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen.
Visit Uncle Gordon's honey farm, a hidden backyard honey farm in North Bergen for some fresh, local honey.
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Visit the nationally-recognized Trattoria La Sorrentina in North Bergen.
Grab a bite to eat at Natoli’s Deli — a long-standing neighborhood deli in Secaucus.
Enjoy Jazz Brunch at Harry's Food + Drink in North Bergen.
