Have you ever wanted to celebrate all of the little things that bring you joy in one place? A zine is the perfect way to do it! If you've never made a zine before, don't worry - you've come to the right place. Zines are self-published, DIY booklets that allow you to share your art, writing, and ideas freely, without rules or restrictions. They can be as polished or as scrappy as you like - the most important thing is that they reflect you.

This guide will walk you through making your own little Happiness Zine - a celebration of all the things that bring you joy.

What is a Zine?

A zine (pronounced 'zeen', like the end of magazine!) is a handmade, self-published booklet. Zines have been around for decades, originally used by sci-fi fans, punk musicians, and activists to spread ideas outside of mainstream publishing. They are all about self-expression, creativity, and community.

A zine can include:

• Drawings and doodles

• Poetry or short stories

• Collages of images and words

• Lists, comics, and handwritten notes

• Anything else that makes you happy!

And best of all? You don’t need fancy materials to make one - just a sheet of paper, scissors, and something to write or draw with.

Step 1: Gather Your Joy

Before you start making your zine, take a moment to reflect on what brings you joy.

Here are some prompts to get you thinking:

• A song that makes you want to dance
• Your favourite comfort food
• A place that makes you feel at peace
• Your favourite season / weather
• Someone that makes you laugh
• A phrase or quote that lifts your spirits
• Your favourite time of day
• A hobby that makes time fly by
• Something that gives you a sense of achievement
• Your favourite animal
• A memory that makes you smile
• Your favourite smell or sound

Write a list, scribble doodles, or just sit with these thoughts for a moment. 

Step 2: Choose Your Zine Style

There are lots of ways to make a zine, but for this task we've chosen a simple one-page folded zine - this is a great place to start on your zine-making journey! Here's how to do it:

1. Take an A4 sheet of paper.

2. Fold it in half. Then in half again... and then in half again!

3. Unfold the paper, before folding widthwise and cutting a slit along the center fold.

4. Fold the paper back up and push the pages together to form a booklet.

5. Start filling it in!

You can also staple together a few sheets for a bigger zine, or experiment with different shapes and sizes. 

Step 3: Create Your 'Happiness Zine'

Now comes the fun part - making your zine! Fill your pages with whatever makes you happy. Some ideas:

• Cover Page: Give your zine a fun title! Try Little Book of Joy, Things That Make Me Happy, or A Pocket Full of Sunshine.

• Doodle Pages: Draw objects, places, or people that bring you happiness.

• Gratitude List: Jot down things you’re grateful for.

• Collage Page: Cut out words and pictures from magazines that inspire you.

• Mini-Manifesto: Write a few sentences about why these moments of happiness are important to you.

Remember, your zine doesn’t have to be perfect. That's part of the fun! We set ourselves the challenge of going straight in with a pen for our zines - this forces you to embrace any 'imperfections' or happy accidents that happen along the way.

Step 4: Copy and Share Your Zine

Once you’ve finished, you can keep your zine for yourself or make copies to share with friends! If you have access to a photocopier, you can print multiples and trade with others. You can also scan it and share it digitally.

If you want to take it a step further, why not:

• Leave copies in public places for strangers to find?

• Host a zine swap with friends?

• Submit your zine to a local zine library?

Sharing joy makes the world a little brighter!

Final Thoughts

Making a Happiness Zine is a beautiful way to celebrate the little things that make life wonderful. Whether it's a doodle of your pet, lyrics from your favorite song, or a list of simple pleasures, your zine is a reminder of what makes you smile. And the best part? There are no rules - just have fun!

Now go forth and create! What will you put in your Happiness Zine?