We are half way through the year. Wow-zas! Before I begin, let me tell you about my Happiness Project. This year I decided to model the book by Gretchin Rubin, having a goal for each month of the year. It’s not too late for you to start your own project. If you need ideas, read my review of goals since this January or check out Gretchin’s website. This week there is an interview with blogger Kelle Hampton, someone who inspires me to be the best mom I can be!
I like this quote from Kelle in her interview:
What’s something you know now about happiness that you didn’t know when you were 18 years old?
I know now that I am 100% responsible for my own happiness. It is a state of mind that is cultivated by my own choices and habits, not things or people. Yes, my children make me happy. Yes, sitting at the beach and watching a sunset makes me happy. But I cannot rely on other people and my environment to make me happy. I don’t ever want to make the mistake of thinking my happiness is dependent on something“a different job, more money, another child, wood floors, a remodeled bathroom, etc.
June: Weekly Bucket Lists & A Pantry Makeover
Since it’s half way through the year, I am highlighting the areas from each month that I continue to struggle in as a visual reminder of what I want to remember to focus on. I am super excited about this month’s plan. In May, I once tried a weekly bucket list thanks to the suggestion of blogger Kelle Hampton and it made a huge impact in my week. I made sure there were a few things on there that would be for the benefit of others and something that I have been wanting to do. For this month, I will post a weekly bucket list. My recipe club has a pantry makeover challenge that I am participating in this month. Here’s what I am doing for that challenge:
1. Buying a dark glass bottle for my olive oil. Benefits here.
2. Replacing a few of my condiments with products that don’t contain high fructose corn syrup.
3. Researching alternatives to using so many ziplock bags. Cute ideas here.
4. Making my own taco seasoning, italian dressing seasoning and onion soup spice mix (making them yourself will help take out the msg and other naughty ingredients.)
5. Organizing my pantry and getting rid of any expired items.
Review of 2012 Goals
January: Health
(learn about Gluten Free Diets, start taking wheat grass shots, dry brushing, smoothies and hot water with lemon in the morning)
Follow-up: addicted to wheat grass and dry brushing. Smoothies and hot water (along with tea) have been easily incorporated into my daily routines. I have learned to cook with less gluten but by no means am I completely gluten free or do I want to be.
February: Romance
(focus on my marriage, making time for each other, schedule date nights and make dave feel appreciated!)
Follow-up: Every other week date nights has been unreaslitic with an unpredictable newborn at home, but we have done really good on every other week lunch dates! We have also been making a lot of time for each other on the weekends, whether it be with the girls or not. This last week with the weather being so nice, Dave and I have been having a cup of coffee before the kids wake up on our back patio (or an evening beverage on our front patio after the kids go to bed!)
March: Aim Higher (work)
(revise my current programs, develop outlines for my new programs, work with Pure Heart Studios on new blog format)
Follow-Up: March was a great month for work. I had almost 100 student letters written to me that I “promised” to answer and I have! I revised my current programs, didn’t get an outline for my new program yet and have launched a new program on my blog. I continue to aim higher in work. I have booked several schools for Fall 2012 and Winter 2013. Follow-up (May) still aiming high!
April: Parenthood
(being present, a role model, say no less (lighten up), write my 10 commandments)
Follow-Up: I had an excellent month focusing on parenthood. We went without tv on most days and because I was so focused on the kids, it didn’t make a difference that I didn’t have the break on those days. I was able to talk to friends on the phone during nap time more and less while my girls were awake. I used a technique I read in The Happiness Project and I feel like it’s a part of my daily language now! Instead of saying No, I say Yes. For example “Yes, you can have another cookie, tomorrow.” Instead of contstantly nagging! We went to church on Daughter’s Day and I gave the girls little gifts:)
May: Me, Me, Me
(focus on myself, more time for creative outlets, take time to learn new things!)
Update: This portion sounds so self-centered while at the same time, it is really hard for me to find time for myself and let it be all about me, me, me! This month I got a hair cut. I painted my nails several times. I started yoga (again) and have been 4 weeks in a row now! I also signed up for a photoshop class (oh, how I love digital scrapbooking). I found that a mini-bucket list really inspired my creative juices! I wanted to go to sleep earlier and I didn’t accomplish that one. That’s the beauty of these monthly goals, I can refocus on this in the months to come!