Hi,

I'm Cris, and I've been a nurse in Los Angeles for 15 years. I started Happy Hoos in my 250 square foot apartment in downtown Los Angeles. Like many nurses during the pandemic, I found myself wanting a little more clarity and calm in my everyday as the uncertainty of the pandemic rose. This is when I made meditative journaling a habit, a simple practice that blended writing with mindfulness every morning.

Journaling was my constant that helped me build a more positive mindset, practice gratitude, and find more joy in the little moments. Over the last 6 years, I tapped into the creative, left side of my brain, played with color, and grew Happy Hoos. Our team brings unique designs, concepts, and ideas to create notebooks, stickers, shirts, and happy mail for every season: winter, spring, summer and fall. I believe each season feels different and our designs aim to match each feeling.

One of my goals is to also reach my fellow nurses and encourage them to journal. That is why our team started Dear Nurse, a low-cost snail mail sent quarterly to nurses. Why, you may ask? Because nurses deserve happy mail, too.

Through writing, I invite everyone, especially my nursing peers, to foster an attitude of gratitude, notice the small wins, and celebrate them, or what I like to call "Happy Hoos."

Sending good vibes,
Cris (proud nurse 💙)

PS: On most days, the first thing I write in the morning is "I am grateful for today." Often, my days are better when I start with gratitude.