My Happiness Project

On Christmas Eve afternoon, we went to the movies with Lily and Elaine and saw The Princess and the Frog. It was delightful :) And then we all walked over to the bookstore. While the boys went off to find their books, I scanned the new books table and saw "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin. I sat down and started reading it. I liked the approach -- the small steps, the focus on a different aspect of life each month with the changes accumulating throughout the year. So I don't have to do it all at once. I also liked what the author wrote about others' responses--they asked: but aren't you already happy? Yes, she was, but she thought she could be happier. I'm right there. I could live my life in a way that would make not only me, but Neil, Joshua and Isaac happier--and that would be a help to Get It Scrapped!

As I got in line to pay for the book, the boys were a little skeptical--they said: "Beach Body" and "Live Your Truth" with smirks. "Hey! I actually did follow through on Live Your Truth and am still moving forward with those materials! And I'm going to do this.

So here's where I'm at.

My 2 Personal Commandments (Rubin has 12. I do have others that I've lived by for years and perhaps I'll add those---these, though, are new and what I want to remember. The others are ingrained.)

• Do what needs doing
• Become a creature of better habits

January = Boosting Energy
These to-dos have to do with food and exercise, but also with getting order and a more peaceful flow to my life. These are things I believe I will do (I didn't put anything about reducing Diet Coke because I don't think I will do it right now and I'm trying to stick to the doable, to small steps that will accumulate over the year).

• Do non-work reading each night.
• Do not work until the boys have gone to school. Feed them breakfast at the kitchen table instead of in front of a tv or in the car and BE with them during this time
• Put lotion on my feet every night.
• Go outside and move 4 times/week.
• Do laundry on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and have it all put away by EOD Weds.
• Make a menu of 4 dinners and a grocery list for Neil by EOD Thursday each week.
• Clean my closet & dresser.
• 10-minute tidy-up 5 nights/week.
• No sweets/junk food before 1 pm each day.
• Eat 3 fruit/veggie servings by noon each day.

And here's something that already makes me happy. It's been 4 years since we sent out a holiday card. Feels good to reach out to friends I still remember and value. And I just love seeing all of us in a {photoshopped} family portrait. (All supplies from DesignerDigitals and listed here.)

Comments

[Terry]

I love your Jan list. I need to get on a better laundry schedule and making a menu would really help me. I think I'll take a couple of items off your list and put on mine.

[Leslie]

I JUST saw this in Woman's Day yesterday and thought "How Cool"!! I want that book, too!!

I have your book and I LOVE it btw!!:)

[Katrina Kennedy]

Love that you picked up her book! I've been reading Gretchen's blog for about a year and JUST LOVE her perspective. Off to get my own copy at your recommendation :) Thanks!

[anke]

Your list is just awesome Debbie, I could be right there with you about most of them. Never heard of the book, but it sure sounds like great inspiration! I will look for it myself!

[DebbieHodge]

Hi, Leslie, Thanks for saying hi on my blog! Just added your blog to my
reader. Love that idea of 2010 energy. Debbie

Debbie Hodge
10 Cold Spring Road
Durham NH 03824
603-659-8853
[email protected]
Get It Scrapped!@
www.debbiehodge.com

[LauraBean]

Great list, Debbie! And, this may sound pretty random, but can you recommend a foot lotion? I'm thinking I need to do something for my sorry soles, too!

[Michelle]

This is awesome Debbie I might have to look for this as well. I love your list, so you. And all so doable! I also LOVE your family card!!!!!it is amazing!