Goodbye for now!

Well, I've tried to keep a second year of Happiness Projects going but it just doesn't look like it's going to happen.  I really needed this last year--something to really focus on for myself since I just haven't felt the same since my mom's death.  I feel like it has served its purpose and now I'm ready to move on to something else.  I just can't seem to find the motivation to blog and post and write about anything.  Plus, I'm just not doing things consistently like I did last year.  It's starting to feel like a burden.  Once July came around again I really wanted to continue on with my Happiness Project but it just hasn't gotten off the ground.  I think that God is telling me and my instinct is telling me to move on and just keep some other things going in my life that don't require blogging.  So, I will continue on keeping myself moving forward with things like book club, journaling, at-home projects, homeschool with Olivia, and my monthly Simplify 101 lists that keep me in check and help me stay organized.  I'll be back at some point when I feel like I have something more purposeful to use this platform for.  Until then, I'll keep improving and growing in other ways!

August 2012: Mental Health

So I'm a few days later in posting but I had to get myself a bit organized.  This month I'm focusing on mental health.  Mental and emotional health are a little bit different to me although they are somewhat one in the same if you look at a definition.  They definitely overlap each other.  But to me, mental health means keeping your mind busy and sharp.  I have always done this by working on things like:  music theory skills, crosswords,  learning definitions to words you don't know, and so on.  So this month, I'm going to break down my weeks into categories that focus on those things.

I am also noticing that posting every Sunday is not as much fun as it used to be so instead of giving up, I'm only going to post at the beginning, middle and end of each month.  That way I can move through my resolutions each month and actually look forward to writing about them.   I'll post again around the 15th!

July wrap-up

I didn't post last Sunday because we had my Dad and his wife come to visit.  I gave myself the week off because we were busy going places and spending time together.  It was a great visit!  I'll post again on August 1 to blog about my new month!

Physical: Week #2 Recap

I got things done this past week!  I only did three days of yoga instead of the intended five, but I'm re-committing this week to make sure I get in five days!  I also got the attic and basement donations ready.  Now this coming week all I have to do is drop them off.  I also have my Dad and Susan coming on Sunday the 22nd, so this will give me the opportunity to get rid of piles around the house.  Should be a good week!

Physical: Week #1 Recap

Well, my goals were to walk for 30 minutes at least three times this past week and work on filling a donation box from the attic.  Instead of the walking I thought I would do, I did yoga instead!  My kids got me a new yoga mat for my birthday so I used that for my physical exercise.  As far as the attic, not so much.  I am down to a pile up there of stuff that needs to be sorted out and either put away or donated.  I swear, I've done de-cluttering and de-junking in my house so many times you would think it would be done by now!  But it just seems like there is always something more to put away or give away!  When will it end?  Yikes!

So this week, I will continue working on my yoga skills.  I think I'll try to do five days a week instead of three.  I will continue with the attic and hopefully do the basement as well.  I did get rid of lots of stuff not long ago but there were a few things left behind.  So, here's to finishing the attic/basement donations and continuing the yoga!  The yoga makes me feel better.  And de-junking is another kind of great feeling!

Happiness Project: Year #2! July 2012

Well, I made it through a year of projects!  I can definitely say that doing this has made my year "happier"!  It has kept me busy and focused on good things throughout the year.  If I really look back on everything I've done, I've accomplished a lot.  I feel pretty good about the past year.

As far as this year goes, I've had a hard time deciding what to do but I finally figured it out.  For years in my journal writing, I've focused on four areas:  physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.  I'm going to cycle through these this year and specifically work on things in these areas throughout the year.  For example, physical will be done in July, November, and March 2013, mental will be done in August, December, and April 2013, emotional will be in September, January, and May 2013, and spiritual will be October, February 2013 and June 2013.  Each area will be represented four times throughout the year.

What will I do with these areas?  I found some "areas of focus" on the internet when I was researching what to do so I have some lists of things to do to help me expand myself in each of these areas.  It will definitely be more of a retrospective year as I focus on these areas for myself but I'm sure I'll be adding projects into each month to work on.  I want to continue to do things related to my kids, my home, and others.  I will still plan to update each Sunday night to record my work along the way.

This month's focus/resolution is to focus on the physical--not only the physical self but other things that need to be physically done.  I will be working on a couple of goals each week.  This week it will be clearing out the rest of the attic and adding stuff to the donation box--(yes, I've done this numerous times, but it doesn't seem to end with me...).  I would also like to get out walking three times this week for at least 30 minutes per walk.  I'm hoping to find a walking partner for the summer!

I'm excited to start another year of bettering myself and my things and my life.  All at the age of 40!  (In two more days...!)

Wrap-up

For this last week of June, I'll be finishing up some plans with the kids. We are planning a trip to the new car museum in Tacoma for Ethan, a BBQ with the Fischer's for the 4th of July, (here's hoping for good weather!) and a lunch date with Andy for my upcoming birthday. I'm still working on plans for my next Happiness Project, starting next month. Summer will fly by so I pray for good weather and a few fun trips before kids are back in school.