12 Unexpected Things Happy People Keep On Their Desks

It's the little things.

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1. An elegant elephant ring holder that'll hold your jewelry while you lotion your hands.

amazon.com, Amanda Thomas / BuzzFeed

I slather hand moisturizer on any chance I get. The problem is, I wear two very precious rings that I hate getting lotion in. My bronze little elephant holds the rings for me, so I don't have to worry about them rolling off the desk and into the abyss whenever I take them off. It's the perfect little practical decoration! —Amanda Thomas

Get it from Amazon for $9.65.

2. A minty relaxing serum to rub on pressure points and relieve you from your 3 p.m. slump.

Sarah Han / BuzzFeed

I'm slowly amassing an assortment of nice-smelling ~self-care~ things on my desk to keep myself sane, and my newest addition is the Rituals The Ritual of Dao Relaxing Serum! When I was at their store, I loved how the reps talked about making little, ordinary moments meaningful. Even on the busiest days, carving out 30 seconds or a minute for a calming, mint-infused mini massage is totally doable. All I do is dab and rub some onto the pressure points on the sides of my forehead, just above my ears, behind my ears/neck area, and on the insides of my wrists. Doing something for myself reminds me that my stress doesn't control me and I will get my shit done. —Sarah Han

Get it from Amazon for $19.

3. A click-and-grow herb garden that'll lift your mood and jazz up your lunches in a literal pinch.

Delia Cai / BuzzFeed, amazon.com

I got this herb garden on whim in December, and now, two months later, have three healthy basil plants on my desk. They are mostly there as emotional support herbs, but I enlist them when my team is in the mood for some improvised pizza margherita, or when I want to spice up a lunch from home. It's the easiest thing to look after (you just plug it in and make sure to keep the water level filled), and there's something so primal about watching little green sprouts grow while I sit in front of a computer and press little buttons all day. Also, the smells are nice. I've repotted the basil plants and am currently growing lavender now! —Delia Cai

Get it from Amazon for $63.42.

4. A plushie version of the "this is fine" dog to remind you life is both awful and hilarious at the same time.

Alex Naidus / BuzzFeed

I got this plushie of the famous and Very Important "this is fine" dog from KC Green's webcomic from Kickstarter. In addition to simultaneously reminding me that the world can be both horrible and hilarious, it's super soft and frickin' adorable. I love it. —Alex Naidus

Get it from the Topato Co. for $25.

5. Collectible Funko Pop toys that'll add a burst of silliness to your desk, and start conversations with passerbys.

amazon.com, Caitlin Jinks / BuzzFeed

Having color on my desk makes me feel more productive and happy, and they're a great conversation starter for colleagues — people always comment on mine because they're horror-themed. Luckily my boss doesn't mind that I crowd my desk with them and the Pops make me feel like I'm able to express myself in a really simple way! —Caitlin Jinks

Get it from Amazon for $9.99. (And browse all the fun options here.)

6. A cord holder that's both adorable AF and actually useful.

Ashley McGetrick / BuzzFeed

I have this silly but adorable Stitch cord holder that I got at Disney World. It's very childish but brings me so much joy. And it actually helps my cords not fall underneath my desk! —Ashley McGetrick

Get it from Magical Ears Collectibles for $14.95.

7. This grape water spray that'll wake you up and hydrate your parched face.

sephora.com, Frank Tiu / BuzzFeed

I swear by this hydration spray. It really helps me freshen up and wakes me up when I am tired or low on energy. And if you use it after putting on moisturizer, it helps the moisturizer last longer and turns dull skin to a nice glow. It definitely helped me out a lot during finals week when I was in college. I love it! —Frank Tiu

Get it from Sephora for $10.

8. A candle that smells just like your home state and will give you all the cozy, nostalgic feels.

Delaney Strunk / BuzzFeed

This is my first time living away from home, not to mention my first full-time job. Put those things together and BAM you've got a recipe for stress. I've always known candles make me happy — but obviously lighting candles at work is frowned upon — so I bought a Homesick candle that I can enjoy by simply picking up and smelling whenever I feel too overwhelmed. Not only does it smell like home, which I love (hello, magnolia trees and peaches), but it gives me a moment to pause and just sit for a second. —Delaney Strunk

Get it from Amazon for $29.95.

PSST!...BuzzFeed makes money when you buy this.

9. Mushroom coffee that'll clear your head and have you feeling "chilled, yet stimulated."

amazon.com, Matt Stopera / BuzzFeed

Ever since I've started drinking mushroom coffee I've basically been obsessed. I love the taste and the way it makes me feel clear-headed, chilled, yet stimulated. Basically, I just like the way it makes me feel. I usually start my morning with Cordyceps and chaga for an energy burst. My favorite is the lion's mane and chaga coffee, which I like to have in the afternoon.

I haven't totally given up regular coffee because it's my first love, but will definitely continue drinking my newly beloved mushroom coffee. If anything, it's just nice to mix up my normal coffee routine with something new. It's also hilarious to tell people you're doing 'shrooms while drinking it. —Matt Stopera

You can read the full review here.

Get it from Amazon for $12.75.

10. All-natural hand cream that smells amazing and will cure your cracking, dry winter hands.

Kayla Suazo / BuzzFeed

I keep some all-natural hand cream at my desk that I absolutely love! I feel like I spend a lot of time using my hands and they can get dried out, fast. And nobody likes to type with dry, cracky skin! Marin Bee's honey butter just feels a little extra special than regular lotion, and IT SMELLS AMAZING. Plus the packaging is the cutest thing I have ever seen, so I love having it out on my desk. The coolest part is Marin Bee donates a portion of their sales to help save the bees! 🐝 —Kayla Suazo

Get it from Amazon for $18.

11. A corgi bobblehead to greet you in the mornings and lighten your mood any time of day.

Tom Vellner / BuzzFeed

Nothing makes me happier than corgis, so my favorite thing on my desk is hands-down my solar-powered corgi bobblehead named Elroy. Whenever I'm having a rough day or just need a lil' pick-me-up, I look over at Elroy and smile, especially because my partner got him for me. He truly never stops bobbling, even on cloudy days, which is inspiring, TBH. Not having to use or replace batteries makes me love him even more. —Tom Vellner

Get it from Amazon for $17.99.

12. And a Martha Stewart devotional candle that'll bless you with a die-hard work ethic and inspire an attention to detail.

Jesse Szewczyk / BuzzFeed

On my desk is a prayer candle of Martha Stewart. It actually came into my life after I wrote a post about cutting onions. Martha suggested lighting a candle to combat the inevitable tears, so obviously I purchased this one.

Apart from being a very important piece of spiritual decoration, I feel like in some strange way it encourages me to work harder. Maybe because I want to be like her one day? Maybe because she once dated the inventor of Microsoft and it gives me hope that maybe one day I can too? Whatever it is, it's always nice knowing that the holy saint Martha is looking over me as I write my recipe roundups. Amen. —Jesse Szewczyk

Get it from Etsy for $15.