Happier At Home...Part 4

Quick recap for folks just jumping in: I recently discovered author Gretchen Rubin and one of her books titled "Happier At Home". A few weeks ago I embarked on my own discovery using her book as my guide and blogging about it along the way.  Seeing what works for me and sharing it with you.....just in case it creates an aha! moment for you too.

In my last post I chatted about possessions in my Life & the role they play. I continue to be aware of them so they don't weigh me down & in fact look for the lightness & happy moments they create in my home. 

Next piece to my Happier At Home puzzle:

FAMILY: I consider us to be a pretty happy family of four. I believe we are "family strong", kind, loving & supportive of each other to the core.

 

That is truly a Blessing, which I give thanks for daily....but as a little additional piece, I look to make the day to day interactions just a bit more jovial. We all get caught up in the stresses of work, school, chores, house repairs etc. Life can make us a tad cranky and a bit less than pleasant to be around from time to time. It's not just my house is it?? 

Reading Happier At Home I was reminded of how a slight change of mindset can have a positive and happy effect in my home! My take away from the recent portion of my reading includes:

~ Share more positive acknowledgements for what I see that is done "right" (and by "right" I mean my checklist....is there any other??)

~ Refrain from negative dialogue that just perpetuates negative energy

~ Stop and listen

~ Pick my battles

~ Keep in mind that what is a priority to me is not necessarily to the others  

~  Make efforts to create family time

~ Be mindful of what is going on in the lives of my loved ones...feel their pain and victories

Since I have been mindful of these tips, I do have to say there has been a bit of levity in my home. Now I can't be certain of the exact cause and effect...but I can say "I like the feeling" and the response I see it having on my fellow family members. So yes, I am delighted to share that, with creating an awareness and taking the initiative, things are feeling Happier At Home!

Part 3...Happier At Home

Quick recap: Recently I discovered author Gretchen Rubin. It was like finding a new friend who understood the thoughts in my head and has the amazing talent to sort them out and make sense of it all and then put them into words. A treasure to find!
I am setting out on my own discovery using her second project "Happier At Home" as my guide and blogging about it along the way.

*** The first area I am choosing to create more happiness within my home will be: 

POSSESSIONS: I am of the partial belief that "money can't buy happiness." Materialistic energy and the driving force it creates to "keep up with the Jones'" holds no value for me as far as living genuinely and authentically. 


Now that being said, I do believe that money can ease financial burdens and as a result ease stress and for me that = times of happiness!

I decided to tackle the possession portion of my Happier At Home journey, by going through, eliminating and passing along STUFF. My check list for what to hold or toss consists of asking myself: does it add value to my Life? Hold sentimental meaning? Do I have something else similar, so this is extra? Have I used it in a year? Can I live without it? Does it give me a good feeling when I see it?

Going through closets, cupboards and drawers as part of the purging portion of my possessions is going well and I must say there are happy moments associated with it already.

The part that is bringing me an abundance of joy is seeing the possessions I

Beautiful scroll work on wooden box

choose to have.....that give me THAT feeling. The ones that each time I see them make me smile, they feel good, add a special value in my Life. I truly believe these types of things are different for every person. For me it's a variety of things including a frame, a wooden box with a design that really appeals to me and a journal book that I have yet to start writing in, but love just the same.  

Other possession aspects that make me Happier At Home would have to include the recent changes to "summerize" our bedroom...you know "to make more summery", Now with white sheers in the windows, light aqua and blue bedding with sheets having a thread count that feels amazing, I get THAT feeling.... I kid you not each time I go into my room I love how it makes me feel! Simple changes big reward.

So my vote would have to be...if  you are looking to simplify the STUFF in your  home, add value to your Life through possessions that really matter...consider assessing your own belongings and see how they personally make you feel and be certain they provide a useful connection in your Life in order to have them around.

By reading Happier At Home  I am inspired to be more mindful of my possessions, evaluate them to be certain they hold the proper value in my Life, and be aware of what I purchase...all in my quest to be Happier At Home!

Wednesday post will include the next step of my Happier At Home journey: FAMILY