107 replies to this topic

[scrapweaver]

Hi all!

A week or so ago Debbie posted on her blog about a book that she had happened on in the bookstore called "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin. In response several of us here, including me, have picked up the book as well and are reading it. I would like to invite you to share the experience of reading, learning through this book.

The book is written in Gretchen's voice as she talks through trying to make some changes in her life to make herself more happy. She describes herself as a person who is generally happy as it is, with a lot of blessings in her life. But she realizes that she could be happier. So she challenges herself to explore happiness for a full year, setting goals each month to see if she can MAKE herself happier. The book is light and fun to read even if you decide not to try a happiness project yourself it has some wonderful incites.

I propose that for those interested we could each share our happiness projects here. Working month by month through the book as a group, sharing and supporting each other. You can check in as often or as little as you want, but I am certainly going to try to work my way through the entire year checking in at the end of each week for an honest review of how I did on my goals. (I have to give credit here to Celia who is already meeting once a week with a group of friends to do this very thing, I am just borrowing her lovely idea)

So if you would like to join me just raise your hand and shout hi! When you are ready, post your goals for January, and if you join us later in the year just join in where ever you are starting from.

[scrapweaver]

OK so many of you know me, I am Michelle (scrapweaver) and I am a teacher here at GIS. I also am a stay at home Mom and an aerobics instructor. For the most part I am a very happy person. I am blessed with an amazing husband, 2 beautiful little girls a gorgeous house and more. But I find that there are days that I am just tiered, tiered of the driving from spot to spot, tiered of fixing and cleaning meals and yes the endless laundry (my number one dreaded chore)

This is my list of things I am trying to tackle daily for January

Only 2 sweet treats a day (big deal for me)
Continue purging and cleaning
Keep up with folding and putting laundry away
Act more energized
Make a list and start tackling the chores that never get done

So I just started and today I am going to start giving my self checks each day to see how I do. I'll let you know next week and I hope you will join me.

[Celia]

Fantastic thing to be doing!

A slight correction -my friends and I are going to meet once a month to get ourselves sorted with that months project development. The two friends have bought the book and it has arrived so now we need to gather to chat.

I really like the idea of getting rid of the mental clutter so I have taken time to listen to that inner voice that keeps worrying about the small stuff and deal with it.

The other thing Gretchen said was "If it will only take a minute to do do it now." So that's what I have been saying to myself so that I don't just fling my clothes on the bed but put them away as I go and also clearing tables etc. I need to go back to flylady and check out her ideas too.

[DebbieHodge]

{sigh} I have not done a great job with my January goals --- I haven't even done a good job. I made a small dent. I am more aware.

BUT . . . I'm still stuck with this constant problem of overextending myself and thinking (always) that as soon as I finish a current project I'll live better. Today I finished the newest book I'm writing for DD (which I've thought I was going to finish every day since LAST Friday). Whoohoo. But now I'm under the gun to get accounting and 1099s done this week as well as really get the bulk of my Feb class done ----Thus, I keep extending my deadlines on living better to focus on my obsession: work.

However . . . I've kept the house in order all month which makes everthing easier (esp mornings). I'm doing a better job of keeping a visible to-do list. I'm sticking to my "do what needs doing" goal --- though maybe I need to redefine what needs doing. I've made more meals than usual. I'm spending more time with my husband. But I still need to spend more time on EXERCISE!

[scrapweaver]

You had quite a long list as I recall Debbie. It sounds to me as if you are doing great!

[TamiTaylor]

Hi! I'm Tami and I'm a happy-holic..

{hi tami}

I've been happy for several years now. I grew up in a happy home with happy parents.. it was hard not to inherit the happiness. When I was a teen I fought very hard to not be happy. I wore grungy clothes and put on a persona of teenage angst. But underneath.. I was happy. I have come to terms with my demeanor and am ready to take it to the next level and be happier-holic.



truthfully I have the book and have read the intro.. I spent this week trying to be mentally aware of what is going on when I start getting frustrated, angry, mad.. in hopes that when i read the book I can work on those things.

[gabmc]

I'm going to see if my local bookshop has this one - I really like the sound of it

[Terry]

I haven't bought the book. Might need to consider it---just don't know when I would have time to read.

Me--I'm a happy person--almost ALL of the time. Hardly ever get "down." My entire life has been centered around the idea that no one and nothing can make you happy--you have to do this yourself. so, it is a choice thing. I make the choice every day to be happy, to be in a good mood.

But, like everyone else, things get in the way sometimes and you get distracted. I'm really concentrating on staying organized, not over extending, making good use of my time, exercising, family time, and Terry time. So far I have done a pretty good job--have had to prioritize the things I want to do, the things that have to get done, etc. Exercising is a big challenge for me--I make excuses of why I can't do it at night after work. So--I get up an hour earlier, turn the news on and get after it. My day now starts 5AM and I am feeling better about everything.

[TamiTaylor]

Terry that's such an important thing about this book .. the author was never UNhappy.. so it's not a how to be happy when you're coming from a bad place (like depression or such) it's more a book on how to be happIER.. which I think is fantastic.

[scrappylassie]

Enjoyed reading through all of your posts. Want to find this book too. You all should be proud that you chose to be happiER and that you are working on goals...It's that you tried that matters I think.

[Celia]

Thanks Jane for the links they are perfect. I have just been lost in the connections of her toolbox. Inspiration flows!

[scrapweaver]

Terry I wanted to add that I read the intro and the first chapter (January) in about 45 min. So very light. I am anxious to check out the links that Jane is sharing and I'll bet those would work too.

Celia I loved the 1 minute rule of so it now too. One actually two things that I try to do daily that I learned from and organazational instructor is make your bed every day. Do it right when you get done, amazing how little time and how it starts your day tidy. And the second is to sort your mail as it comes into the door and have a system for it so it does not pile up. i am great with that one now too and never have that nagging pile up. Now if I could tackle the pile on my desk of excess school papers and kid art the same way I would be set :-)

[TamiTaylor]

TOTALLY plugging the Get It Scrapped project but Michelle I'll be pushing you to do that next month

[scrapweaver]

Sounds good Tami! Hold me accountable please!

[LarkensNanny]

I have ordered the book and hope it comes tomorrow. This sounds like the perfect thing for me at this point in life. My word for this year is "Breathe" and it implies that I must just breathe and take in life to the fullest. Celia, I too love the flylady and I was thinking of tuning in to her again also, she has a great system. My plan for this year will be:
1. Find more opportunities to have fun.
2. See people I would really like to see.
3. Keep up with all the fun challenges and classes on GIS
4. Join a Red Hat Group that has common interests to me.
5. Work on exercising and continuing my WW routine. Track those points and calories more carefully. The outcome will give me great happiness and the ability to do more fun stuff.

[scrappylassie]

I have ordered the book and hope it comes tomorrow. This sounds like the perfect thing for me at this point in life. My word for this year is "Breathe" and it implies that I must just breathe and take in life to the fullest. Celia, I too love the flylady and I was thinking of tuning in to her again also, she has a great system. My plan for this year will be:
1. Find more opportunities to have fun.
2. See people I would really like to see.
3. Keep up with all the fun challenges and classes on GIS
4. Join a Red Hat Group that has common interests to me.
5. Work on exercising and continuing my WW routine. Track those points and calories more carefully. The outcome will give me great happiness and the ability to do more fun stuff.

Great goals, Linda. And after reading your posts here, those are the things you mentioned over and over that bring you so much satisfaction and fun. Wish we were closer-I'd love to hang out for a day with you!Keep us posted how it is going.

[scrappylassie]

Fantastic thing to be doing!

A slight correction -my friends and I are going to meet once a month to get ourselves sorted with that months project development. The two friends have bought the book and it has arrived so now we need to gather to chat.

I really like the idea of getting rid of the mental clutter so I have taken time to listen to that inner voice that keeps worrying about the small stuff and deal with it.

The other thing Gretchen said was "If it will only take a minute to do do it now." So that's what I have been saying to myself so that I don't just fling my clothes on the bed but put them away as I go and also clearing tables etc. I need to go back to flylady and check out her ideas too.

Celia...This morning I went past the sink and there were dirty dishes soaking and I remembered what you said (see above). Took a few more minutes and got the whole kitchen cleaned up before work. Then tonight-wanted so badly to just leave my pile of work clothes on the floor tonight...but could hear you now saying....If it will only take a minute...So I spent 3 more minutes and now everything is done!!!YOu are such a great influence!!!Thanks.

[MaryC]

I have a different take on this. I am a neat nut. I can't walk past the sink if it has ONE dish in it. I also can't walk past it if it has water spots in it. I drive myself nuts trying to make everything look perfect all the time. I would be happier if I could just relax about it a little.

[Terry]

Mary--come to my house and be a neat nut.

I have a different take on this. I am a neat nut. I can't walk past the sink if it has ONE dish in it. I also can't walk past it if it has water spots in it. I drive myself nuts trying to make everything look perfect all the time. I would be happier if I could just relax about it a little.