Connection Chain Theme

365 Days Of Happiness - What They've Inspired Me To Do So Far

Morning, Parker. Look, I know everything's been upside down lately. So many stressing things have happened to me - the dog wanting to go out, almost cutting my finger off when I'm colouring in...but, now that I have been sleeping until 7AM, reading 365 Days Of Happiness two days in a row has made my emptied brain from the effect of sleep get more ideas.

For Day 2, my little friend had the idea to make some connection chains, knowing she had some people in her life that she was thankful for - even when some people are being a bit too bossy and hard on her. She even decided to make some for I Am Not An Animal, Bob The Builder, Stingray, Captain Scarlet and me and my dear friends from International Rescue. It proves that we are all connected in an international chain of friendship and love, no matter where we come from.

And today, she read Day 3, and the idea was that, from this whole chocolate biscuit recipe for happiness she read about, she told me that she thought up two new list books - and very inspired they were too. One was named 'Everything', about every single place and activity and thing that makes her happy, and the other is named 'Everyone', about every single person, whether fictional or real, who makes her happy...

...including me and you, Parker.

"That's sweet, milady."

Sweet as freshly churned ice cream.

Happiness Tip #8: Learning With Pi - I Mean, Er, Kipper

Kipper is a teacher and wise mutt of a lot of things that may not be important in other HIT Entertainment shows right now. In Angelina Ballerina for example, Angelina almost always has to do things almost immediately so it's perfect. But from Kipper's perspective, it's completely okay not to. The true balance is in the special connection between either friends, or parents and children.

Happiness Tip #8: There's One In All Of Us...And That's Fab-A-Rooney!

There's a Tweenie inside each and every one of us. You'll realise you're Bella if you like to boss people around and want to be queen someday, you're Fizz if you're creative and love to make a sanctuary for you and your favourite things, you're Milo if you're full of energy and a love of exciting adventures, and you'll know you're Jake if you are shy, timid and a bit of an introvert. As for the ones being Doodles, Max and Judy...who knows what you might find from them inside your peers.

Happiness Tip #7: Presents Are Rewards

Hauls are more than just the result of binge buying for the spoilt, yet gifted only child. With every single item you buy with your birthday money, you are realising that happiness doesn't just come with the punishment of overspending, it comes with something much greater: the rewards you get when you've worked through the many trials of life.

Happiness Tip #6: Be More '80s Dangerous

Embrace the weird, Danger Mouse style. The '15 series takes out all the weirdness that made the classic series so enjoyable for fans old and young, but the classic version's Daliesque tone, blend of slow and fast pacing and stream of conciousness slapstick comedy feel is a representation of how we view the extraordinary colour in the everyday dullness.

Happiness Tip #5: Maps & Charts

If you find writing stories too much for your mental static and mental burnout, try some maps with zones based on your favourite feelings and aesthetics, like the one Pibby used in her full length pilot animatic, or use a table on GSheets to label and code for your party plans, renovation ideas and Barbara Ann Kipfer style list books, whether it's by the amount of letters in a word, your favourite characters in your favourite shows, or your favourite colours or aesthetics or concepts or themes.

- A tip from the Larntown Board Of Advice (LAB)

Happiness Advice #3

Talking your imaginary thoughts aloud during detox time is a way of reading and imagination without screens - since tonight is World Book Night, I believe some nights are reserved for no screens, just page to page bonding.

Happiness Advice #2

Harmful cartoons can haunt you for absolute eternity, especially ones from Britain. Harmless cartoons, especially ones with no dizzy and aggressive camera movements and effects, can soothe and lower your brain's whining needs for learning and developing. Examples include:

1.Bob The Builder

2.Trumpton

3.Chigley

4.Paddington Bear (Filmfair)

5.Danger Mouse (1981)

6.Postman Pat (1981)

7.The Magic Roundabout (Eric Thompson or Nigel Planer)

8.Wallace & Gromit ('90s and '80s shorts)

9.Bagpuss

10.The Wombles

Happiness Advice #1

Storywriting doesn't matter "write" now.

Geddit?

What matters most importantly is visiting it, in person, no matter whether a person is in the room or out of it, your ideas are your's to share.

365 Days Of Happiness - Time To Rest, Not Roar

Happiness can be the pause that follows a rough day. Yesterday might have left you queasy and wrung out, the car ride with the support worker still lingering in your body. Today, though, you can soften into rest. Let yourself sink into the quiet of your room, no timetable to keep, no pressure to push. A blanket pulled close, a gentle show humming in the background, or even the simple sound of the dog’s paws padding nearby—these little comforts can stitch you back together.

Happiness doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it’s just giving yourself permission to do nothing after your body has done enough.

365 Days Of Happiness - Keep The Balloon On The Ground!

"What lovely balloons, Dinah."

"They make me wish I was going to a party!"

-Tessie Bear and Martha Monkey, Noddy Cheers Up Big Ears

When your mind feels flat, like a balloon without air, don’t push it to fly. Instead, hold it gently. Let it rest on the ground for a while. Happiness doesn’t always look like a spark—it can be the soft pause, the nothingness, the space in between.
Close your eyes. Breathe. Touch something real: a mug of tea, a leaf, a piece of fabric. Feel its texture. That simple act reminds you—you’re alive, you’re here, and that is enough.
Sometimes the kindest thing you can do for your happiness is to allow stillness. Your thoughts will float back when they’re ready, like clouds finding their way across the sky.

Altogether now:

That IS happiness!