Sunday, February 28, 2010

my own happiness project

For March, I'm starting my own little "happiness project." Mine is not as grand and organized as Gretchen Rubin's, but as she says in the book, everyone's happiness project will look different. I tend to get a little paralyzed by over-thinking things, so I decided to keep these March resolutions simple. I don't want to overreach--with my busy working-mom lifestyle, I know I can't sweep through my whole house and life and accomplish everything at once. Instead I'm focusing on just "getting started" and I decided to hone in some issues that are really bothering me. Here's my list:
::no white sugar. I already started this one a week and a half ago for Lent and it's going really well. It's shocking to me how easy it is, since I feel totally addicted to sugar on regular days. It's actually a relief to step back and have a break from my "addiction." Hopefully I will lose some weight too!
::only 30 minutes of online time at night. This is the crux of my March resolutions. I feel a bit out of control with my online habits recently so this is a way to remain accountable (by announcing it to all of you) and to reward myself with a little "check" in the box every day. I don't have any specific plans of what to do with the extra time that will result, but figure I will either sleep more, sew more, or tidy up more. Any of those would be most welcome. (By the way, checking my e-mail for 10 minutes in the morning before I leave for work is "legal" I decided.)
::make a meal plan and have the grocery list completed each Tuesday (for the following week). I've been so inconsistent with this these last several weeks but I know having a plan in order would be hugely helpful.
::no magazines. Have already been doing this but have had a few slips. This month I'll buy none (unless thrifted).
::tidy up every evening. It can be two minutes, five, ten or twenty. I just want to be consistent in doing something every night.
::check my planner twice a day. I tend to write in my planner in the morning but forget to check back later in the day. This will help.
Here is the daily checklist, an idea totally stolen from Gretchen Rubin. As she points out in her book, constantly reviewing the resolutions and having them in your head frequently increases the likelihood that you will stick to them. Each day of the month I'll check the goals I accomplished and put a "dot" if I didn't accomplish it. I absolutely love a checklist so this is super motivating for me.

For March I just wanted to get something down on paper and start doing some things that I know will make me feel better and more in control. Next month I'll take it further. If you're doing a happiness project too, I'd love to see it! (On the other hand, if I don't visit you it's because I'm limiting myself to 30 minutes at night!)

19 comments:

Jessica said...

You have some great resolutions! I could join you on all of those. :) What a great start to the month!

Nicola said...

i am so impressed! i, too, am working towards a happier me, family, life, etc. in fact, i recognize a couple of my own goals on your list that are also on mine. (the online time is sneaky time suck, isn't it?) if you would like to join a few of us who are posting regularly on these goals, you are welcome to!
warmly,
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com

Jessica said...

I really do love this! I'm sure these small changes made through March will become 'everyday' as the month goes on. Go you!!

Anonymous said...

great list - I can't wait to hear how it goes!

Elfin Goddess said...

Hello! Im doing a happiness too...40 days of happiness Im calling it...to ensure that this length Im kicking stress and staying focused on everything that makes me happy :)

Lia said...

I started doing lent by limiting myself to 30 minutes a day too. That was until I had two days off last week. I decided to adjust, be a little forgiving and focus more on being present with myself and my family. That means less computer time but I don't time it anymore. I'm reducing sugar also. Brown rice sugar has been a good substitute in my coffee.

I wish you a happy happiness project.

Andrea said...

This is a neat idea...I think I'll need to check out that book to...I feel like everything I thought I had under control in my life has just slipped through my fingers like sand...

pilgrimama said...

the no white sugar one is good! I am doing a limited sugar project myself right now!

Teddi Taylor said...

ugh... all of your resolutions are things I should be doing! Especially the online time. It's eating away at time with my family and other important things I need to do around the house. I should probably blog about it and have some accountability like you've done here.

Sarah said...

Love it...I was just writing to a fellow blogger about the no sugar thing...she gave it up too, and once freed from your sugary habits, it makes you want to conquer every vice in your life! I'm doing the computer thing too...typing fast as my one hour during naptime is up!

coloring in my life said...

great list Mary Beth and what a nice way to begin March!
(I totally need to tame my time online as well :)

Nicole Vangen said...

Horray for pen and paper! I love this idea.

I really enjoyed this post - so refreshingly honest!

Be well,
Nicole

Anonymous said...

What a great idea. I love resolutions and happiness and always feel that we can better ourselves or our lives in some small way. Now the 30 minutes of on-line time sounds like the biggest challenge. I wonder if I could do that.

Sarah said...

I've been on the waiting list at the library for this book for awhile, but now I'm next on the list. Reading your post makes me even more excited to get it.

Julie said...

Love this idea! I've given up eating sweets for Lent-- a major addiction for me! I could definitely work on meal planning and tidying up before bed.

hanna said...

oh this is such a great list - might just have to steal a few of those :)

Anonymous said...

Wow, you inspired me to a happiness project even BEFORE you did this post just by recommending the book which was a great step so thank for another inspiration.

Nice to see that I am not the only one to try to focus with lists - all the best for your happiness project :-)

Helen

Lisa Renata said...

GOOD FOR YOU! That all your happiness GOALS are reached and that you are always, always happy.

I keep on forgetting to order that book (thanks for the reminder), God only know I need it in my hands right now.

Btw- Have you tried raw sugar? I love it and it makes tea (and food) taste so much better.

Nat said...

Love this idea...can work this into my 'getting healthy one day at a time' challenge. thanks for the inspiration, i'm subscribing to your feed :)