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

Happier At Home.... Part 2....

                 

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.

"Happier At Home" welcomed me with sharing insight and ground work from her first project "The Happiness Project" that seems to pave the way for this leg of the journey. I'll back track and take on "The Happiness Project" sometime in the near future for sure.

With notebook and sticky notes in hand I began reading, in the hopes of discovering points of interest that I would put into practice and share here with my Dear Readers. Well, I was not disappointed. 

A point that I found interesting, that was included in the book..research and statistics indicate, that roughly  30 - 50% of happiness is genetically determined. Well, now that explains a lot, given the number of less then cheerful people I encounter on any give day. I will look at those folks differently now, knowing they need a little extra encouragement.

From the start, I realized the importance and direction of the book.It was important that I understood the value of identifying what "suits me"! It ( by "it" I mean "me") doesn't have to make sense to others, there is no need for me to feel I have to justify my happiness, where it takes me or the "why" of it all. 

I really like the way the author Gretchen Rubin states that idea with the simple words "SUITS ME". I like it! I will use it for myself  and also keep it's meaning in mind when recognizing it in others. When I'm not understanding the WHY of them, I will remember "it is what SUITS THEM." 

I know for me, I frequently feel that my happy personality is misinterpreted. I then read the next few pages and discovered something that felt like a high five coming out of the book towards me. It reads: "In general, happiness doesn't make people want to drink daiquiris on the beach: it makes them want to help rural villagers gain better access to clean water!"  YES......that makes so much sense to me!!!

As I completed the first chapter I was reminded of  the importance of staying true to ME and what I feel is best for my family. It is the foundation needed as I make my list of which areas within my home and personal Life I want to be happier in!

In my next post I will share my list and where it is taking me.

Happier At Home.....

One of the perks of working at a library is the numerous titles and materials that pass through my fingertips on any given shift. I must say however, sometimes the titles and topics go unnoticed after a while, which serves well for folks taking out Fifty Shades of Grey and feeling a tad embarrassed. Quick side story: one day an elderly gentlemen came in, I'm figuring 85 years plus and wanted help locating the second book in the 50 Shades series. He was not embarrassed at ALL. Said his wife was "hooked on the first one and he wanted to surprise her with the second"...I'm thinking HE may be in for a few surprises himself...too cute)

Back to the purpose of today's post...This week at work, I was checking back in a non fiction book titled "Happier At Home" by Gretchen Rubin. Not being familiar with it, my split second thought (without reading the whole cover) was perhaps it was pertaining to agoraphobia - staying home, fear of being in crowds. The playful cover sparked an interest in me so I took a closer look. I was wrong.

The book in fact is about a woman's 9 month quest to "make her home a place of greater simplicity, comfort and love!" Yes...I love that! Naturally I checked it out and got to thinking. How about I report back in upcoming blog posts, how my own quest goes with this book as my guide?

I feel the benefits I glean from this book, have potential to be great and I want to share that with you, in my efforts to help others "Connect With Your Life."

Imagine my excitement when I found out this author's first book was "The Happiness Project!". What? have I been under a rock? These two books are so ME, it's what I blog about! I am delighted to have discovered them.....and eager to share!

So here goes.....I'm opening the "Happier At Home" book and starting a new chapter in my own book of Life and sharing a piece of it with you!


              

Sharing My Experience of reading: "Happier At Home" Part 1

From the onset, this book provided an identifying feeling that drew me in. The author speaks of  "aiming to find happiness within her daily routine." For me, this daily routine piece is similar, whether it be because the frequency and opportunity to share happiness in my daily routine provides or the fact that, to me, what feels like larger than Life activities and travels overwhelms me and I keep those to a minimum. For now working on greater simplicity, love and happiness in my home feels ideal!

Author Gretchen Rubin shares these components that she learned during research for her Happiness Project  that benefit in this project as well:

"Accept myself, and expect more of myself.

Give myself limits to give myself freedom.

Make people happier by acknowledging that they're not feeling happy.

Plan ahead to be spontaneous: only with careful preparation do I feel carefree.

Accomplish more by working less.

Happiness doesn't always make you feel happy.

Flawed can be more perfect than perfection.

It's very hard to make things easier.

My material desires have a spiritual aspect."

This list inspired me to be mindful of the various aspects that come into play with happiness. I must admit a couple of them don't make sense to me ....yet...but I am eager to read more and learn!

Take a Break................

Yummy popcorn surprise I like to make!

Sometimes you gotta' take a break...for sanity sake! This weekend was just that for my husband and I. My goal was to provide opportunities to de-compress the tension that so easily builds from day to day tasks. The weekend involved going out to dinner, watching a movie in the middle of the afternoon, Life of Pi (I recommend it for a thought provoking film) agreeing NOT to discuss work..(after all that is the stress inducing component lately) banjo, guitar and piano jam sessions with the boys, reading the newspaper, sharing stories of our various beliefs and answering conversation prompt questions like "if you could bring someone a lifetime of happiness who would it be?"...we both came up with the same person...very sweet!

It was more about a state of mind for our weekend really. And that's what I want to share in my blog post today. 

~ Be mindful dear readers of the stress that can creep in and take over. The simplest of diversions and activities can make all the difference and recharge us for the "other stuff" that can make us grumbly towards others. 

Sundays are a perfect time to disconnect....in order to reconnect for the week ahead! So at whatever point you read this post, think about something playful and distressing that will benefit both you and those you come in contact in the next few days and just do it!!

Strawberry Shortcake coloring book...here I come!