happiness project: january

photo via.
Finally, it's Happiness Project time. Currently I am reading The Happiness Project, as well as listening to Happier at Home in my car, so, needless to say, my head is swirling with ideas of how I want to become happy camper this year. The main message I've taken from Gretchen Rubin's experience is that, essentially, we need to be in a state of growth to be happier. 
I plan on doing a 12-month project like she did, but the thought of planning each month now overwhelms me. Instead (and for now), I'll outline one month at a time. My January looks much like hers did; I like the idea of working to find more energy in the first month.
January (Energy) Go to sleep earlier: Shut off the light by 10:45. Work out: Whether it's Zumba, 25 pushups or a walk around the block, do something. No sugar: Once again, I'm cutting out sugar. I've loved it every other time I've managed to do it, plus my mom is doing it this time! Use my daybook: Make to-do lists before I go to bed so I can sleep in peace. Check things off the next day. Tidy up: Before I sleep, tidy up my room. It only takes a few seconds, but it'll keep things nice and orderly. Don't procrastinate: Tackle tasks (...like homework) right away. Act the way I want to feel: Like Gretchen, I think it'll benefit me to act more energetic, happy or calm--even if I don't always feel that way. 
There are printouts on The Happiness Project website to help keep track of daily progress, which I'm already using. I think they'll help me remember and feel more accountable, which is a good way to prevent New Year Resolution Abandonment.
If any of you are still posting your resolutions or Happiness Projects, give us the link!

It's the little things.

It's that last piece that gets stuck in the corner of my Trident box that makes my day for some reason. I look forward to that little guy every time. What made you smile today?

It's never too late to be thankful...

I'm thankful for the smell of peach cobbler and for how fast my car warms up. I'm thankful for yoga, zumba and that I love to sweat. I'm thankful for new pairs of socks. I'm thankful for each country patch sewn onto my backpack and for their stories and the memories they carry. I'm thankful for pine needles. I'm thankful for day hikes with my family. I'm thankful for patient people. I'm thankful for Harry Potter. I'm thankful for scarves and hand warmers. I'm thankful for to-do lists. I'm thankful for warm water for showers and cold water to drink. I'm thankful for the protection I always seem to find. I'm thankful to be alive and to feel alive. I'm thankful for happiness.

Listen to this.

And just be happy ok?