Happiness Project: March

Last year, I read Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project and it really spoke to me. I know that I often put myself last on the priority list. This year, I want to be more intentional about my goals and monthly plans. So I am modifying Rubin’s plan to fit my life. To help keep me accountable, I will be posting my goals and progress here on the blog. I’ve also helped create an in-person group through the parent’s group. We are sharing our goals and progress and meeting once a month for a check-in.

For March, I originally had marriage as my focus. Poor planning on my part considering that Arthur and I will be gone for the last half of the month. Instead of going ahead with my original plan, I've decided to switch March and April. So now my March focus is work.

Goals for March:

Redo my blogs -- Need to rethink my approach, schedules, and overall plan
Push Thirty-One to next level -- Hoping to get a bit more of a stable footing
Reevaluate Stampin' Up demonstrator status -- Potentially drop or push forward more classes and stamp club
Learn how to use our DSLR for blog/business work -- I've never actually picked it up, but I want to teach myself.
(continuation) Keep frivolous spending to zero
(continuation) Donate, sell, trash
(continuation) No pop
(continuation) Commit to fresh flowers and natural room scents
(continuation) Be aware of judgements
(continuation) Establish daily and weekly routines

Recap of February:

Keep frivolous spending to zero —I did pretty well on this goal. A little slip-up after a hard day, but in general I spent nothing.
Splurge on one big item —This didn't happen at all, but I'm actually not that disappointed. I have liked saying some money this past month.
Create a budget —We didn't create a formal one, but I have tried to cut our overall spending throughout the month.
Donate, sell, trash —I made it through about 70% of the house decluttering as I went. Very excited. I'm feeling like contents of our house are in a much better place. Hoping to continue the trend.
Added: No pop -- Added this on a whim. I successfully completed this goal and saved us some money.
Added: No dining out -- Another way for us to save some money.
(continuation) Commit to fresh flowers and natural room scents
(continuation) Be aware of judgements
(continuation) Establish daily and weekly routines

2016 Monthly Focuses:

January — Attitude and Mindfulness
February — Money
March — Work
April — Marriage
May — Friendship
June — Parenthood
July — Play
August — Knowledge
September — Self-care
October — Books
November — Vitality
December — Reflection

Happiness Project: February

Last year, I read Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project and it really spoke to me. I know that I often put myself last on the priority list. This year, I want to be more intentional about my goals and monthly plans. So I am modifying Rubin's plan to fit my life. To help keep me accountable, I will be posting my goals and progress here on the blog. I've also helped create an in-person group through the parent's group. We are sharing our goals and progress and meeting once a month for a check-in.

For February, I wanted to focus on money. We are wanting to move back to the peninsula or South Bay. And I would like to see to be able to take a family vacation this summer. To do so, we need to reexamine the money situation...

Goals for February:

Keep frivolous spending to zero -- I am a sucker for the Target One Spot and clearance sections. For February I'm going to try my hardest to not spend extra money.
Splurge on one big item -- I can't cut out all spending, but I would like to buy one larger thing. I'm thinking Arthur's tattoo.
Create a budget -- Been overspending a bit. Need to get something established.
Donate, sell, trash -- We are possibly moving in the next few months (back to the peninsula!!!!) and our house is a mess! I know we need to do a big cleanout. I'm planning on doing one area/room a week.
(continuation) Commit to fresh flowers and natural room scents
(continuation) Be aware of judgements
(continuation) Establish daily and weekly routines

Recap of January:

Commit to fresh flowers and natural room scents — I splurged and bought flowers for the kitchen. Makes me happy...
Be aware of judgments —Looking at my progress for January, I'd call this a success. I really held my tongue some days and others I stopped myself from even giving certain thoughts weight. Continuing this for February.
Establish daily and weekly routines -- Total bust! January was full of sickness and craziness. We never got our routines established and it makes me sad. Trying again for February.

2016 Monthly Focuses:

January -- Attitude and Mindfulness
February -- Money
March -- Marriage
April -- Work
May -- Friendship
June -- Parenthood
July -- Play
August -- Knowledge
September -- Books
October -- Self-care
November -- Vitality
December -- Reflection

Happiness Project: January

Last year, I read Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project and it really spoke to me. I know that I often put myself last on the priority list. This year, I want to be more intentional about my goals and monthly plans. So I am modifying Rubin's plan to fit my life. To help keep me accountable, I will be posting my goals and progress here on the blog. I've also helped create an in-person group through the parent's group. We are sharing our goals and progress and meeting once a month for a check-in.

For January, I decided to start with my attitude. I mulled over a few different focuses for January, but focusing on my attitude seemed the most likely to get the year started correctly. After I picked my larger focus, I broke it down into three manageable and fairly measurable goals.

Goals for January:

Commit to fresh flowers and natural room scents -- Having a nice home helps my attitude. I love having fresh flowers on my kitchen island, but always seem to write them off as a silly excess. And I know I'm susceptible to scents. Having a nice smelling home will help. So I am committing to weekly fresh flowers (maybe biweekly depending on how long they last) and weekly natural room scents. I amy also use candles at some point, but I wanted to start with natural room scents.
Be aware of judgments -- I fall into this trap sometimes. I want to follow two mottos this month (and the rest of the year): "Don't be a dick" and "Great for her, not for me."
Establish daily and weekly routines -- Routines make me feel better. I hate dealing with chaos when it come sot the everyday tasks and goals. I used daily planning pages last year and got away from them this year. I love using my big planner for the larger goals and planning, but I think I need to return to daily planning pages throughout the week. So I'm going to plan out my next week on Sunday and each day on the night before. Hopefully a routine will start to emerge and by the end of the month I can have something more set.

2016 Monthly Focuses:

January -- Attitude and Mindfulness
February -- Money
March -- Marriage
April -- Work
May -- Friendship
June -- Parenthood
July -- Play
August -- Knowledge
September -- Books
October -- Self-care
November -- Vitality
December -- Reflection