I’ve been reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. Easy to read, it’s one woman’s journey to find happiness and the surprising things she encounters.
For me, it’s not about necessarily finding happiness, but refocusing my views on what’s really important to me and getting myself unstuck.
So for the next twelve months, I’m going to set goals that will have a positive effect on my life and relationships.
Happiness is a rather new concept. Most of the time in human history, we were running around trying to fill basic life necessities: Eat, Shelter, Don’t Die. But as we evolved, some of us take for granted those things because we have them. Therefore, what used to make us happy no longer does. Or we believe more of that thing will make us happy. Or we choose certain routes in life that we think will make us happy and we’re surprised when they don’t.
September has always been one of my favorite months. It’s the start of the new school year and although I’ve been out of school for many many years now, I still equate the time of year to thinking about starting new.
Many people, myself included, believe that your surroundings effect your mood. Whether that’s enjoyment of being around your favorite items or anxiety because you’re overwhelmed by items that amassed so quickly.
One of my good friends recently moved out of state and she had to clean out her condo. This woman does not hoard. But she was so surprised by how much “stuff” her and her husband had accumulated.
It got me thinking to when I last moved, about 3 years ago. The process was long and at the time, I did a major cleaning. I was going from a tiny one bedroom apartment to a house. When we first got in, there was so much empty space, the house echoed when we walked through it.
As you can imagine, this is no longer the case. I realized that sometimes I buy thoughtless items, without intention. On the flip side perhaps I don’t truly appreciate some of the items I already have.
For September, my moto is Less is More. I’m decluttering and boosting energy. (For those of you who have already read Gretchen’s book, this is her January)
I believe this will create some needed space and curb the anxiety I feel when confronted with too much stuff and not enough time to enjoy doing the things I really want to do.
Clean out the clothes I don’t wear in my closet and donate them to Goodwill.
My Nagging Chore – Clean out the back room where a lot of extra stuff is kept. (This may take a full weekend)
Clean out digital junk – older magazines, old emails.
Go through my graphic novels.
Sleep more. (Go to bed at 1030 every night and see how this changes productivity, focus and happiness)
Exercise more. Run, Yoga and Walk each at least once a week.
Go through my physical books. (Yikes!)
Honestly, this list looks overwhelming to me. But I have a whole month to complete it!
What about you? Do you ever feel stuck? What do you do snap yourself out of it?
Kimberly majored in Songwriting and currently works full time in the music industry. When she's not listening to music, knitting or writing, you can find her outside reading her favorite genres: Young Adult, Adult Fiction, Mystery, and Romance.
I think these are all good goals for you. If you are not enjoying the things you have then I think it’s good to put them out where someone else can enjoy them. Good luck on this project!