My own happiness project.

Hey everyone! Since my last post, I've really been trying to narrow down my list of daily chores and feel happier.

I started reading The Happiness Project a week ago and although I haven't started my one year challenge yet, I have noticed a big difference in my attitude toward life, chores, and being happy!
One of my favorite parts of the book so far (I've only gotten about half way through), is where Gretchen Rubin talks about making a list of what she really likes vs. things she wants to like. This hit me really hard! My husband and I are so different. Like we barely have anything in common. So when I made this list, I realized that most of the 'want to like' side were things that he likes. Of course it's not a bad thing to try to do some of the things that he enjoys if it makes him happy and brings us closer together, but the problem was that I was so stressed trying to do all of the things that he likes on top of the what makes me happy. And I believe that it's been pushing us apart.

Here's part of my list.

What I want to like:
-wearing make up
-cooking
-world news
-going to/hosting big parties
-speaking spanish
-drinking alcohol
-growing a garden
-raising chickens
-having a horse
-exercising

What I actually like:
-coffee
-organizing
-crocheting & knitting
-going to church
-stretching
-creating
-minimalist design
-eating organic (myself and my kids)
-reading
-making lists

I am still working on a few things from the top list because I know (from reading The Happiness Project) that you won't always feel happy doing something that will bring you long term happiness. Some of these include cooking, growing a garden and exercising. I know that if I took the time to cook more often, I would be happy later because Jorge will be happy and my kids will be eating a healthier meal. Growing a garden would bring long term happiness because I will be proud of my hard work and we will be able to save money on veggies. And obviously exercising will make me happier in the long term in many ways. So why don't I take more time for them? That's a good question! I'm still working on putting together my personal happiness project that will last one year. Cooking and exercising will definitely be included somewhere while a few others will be cut out. I can't wait! I'll do my best to keep up with my progress on here.

<3 Erin

I did some organizing immediately after reading the part of The Happiness Project where she decluttered her home and organized some of her kids' toys. I knew my bathroom needed some help so I went straight there and I'm happy with the results!

Drinking coffee while keeping up with a bible plan is my idea of a perfect morning. Right now I'm juggling a few different plans: The One Year Bible, Soul Detox, and Habit of Happiness.

Currently reading! & I highly recommend this book. :)

Some crafting I did recently.

Trying to turn my love of crochet into a source of income. So far I haven't had a sale. But I'm keeping my chin up! I have over 500 favorites on my Etsy shop, so I'm sure a sale will come soon. 

One of my favorite recent purchases. Organic lip balm from this Etsy shop

Surrounding myself with bible verses have been a helpful reminder of how to live my life and grow closer to God. I don't always remember them during the day, but seeing them over and over helps big time. 

New me.

I feel like a completely different person. 

I don't even think the same way I did a few weeks ago. I'm obsessed with my book, Skinny Bitch, I'm reading labels on all my food, I'm getting into groups on Meetup that hike to explore plants and their natural healing methods, I'm gathering ideas about growing an herb garden in an old dresser drawer on my porch, I'm reading The Vaccine Book to finally find out the straightforward facts about vaccines, and I haven't ate meat in at least a week, I may be not be eating any dairy soon either. I know I can't make all these life altering decisions based off what one good book says, so I'm going to do my research, and if milk really is bad for your bones, which it looks like it is, we shall stop drinking it and get what we need from other foods.

Some books I picked up at the library!

I'm bugging the crap out of Jorge by explaining to him how terrible all the food is over and over again. Poor puy, he just wants to eat his meat everyday and drink his huge glass of milk, then give a glass of milk filled with some mexican 'enriched' chocolate powder that has who knows what in it to my kid one day. NO way jose! I am just trying to make him aware, like I am becoming by reading these books, I'm not trying to tell him to become a vegetarian like I am. Although it would be a hell of a lot easier if we did this together. But he's getting annoyed, and it's making me kind of sad. I don't think he's going to put up with this long, but it's not going to stop. And I WILL NOT allow him to give Betsey food that I don't approve of. After finding out about all the toxins in the food, how could he expect me to not freak out when he tells me he's going to take me kid out to eat that stuff when she's not with me?! Doesn't he want what's best for her?

 

So my kitchen is also looking a little different than it used to, thanks to my new knowledge of good food vs. bad food. I've never in my life had a fridge so packed with fruits & veggies! It makes me so happy! Also, this isn't food related, but I have been using less paper towels to save money for a little while now and I recently had the genius idea to grab the burp cloths out of Betsey's room that we're not using anymore and use those as rags in the kitchen also! Too bad I'm not putting as much effort into making money as I am into learning all this organic stuff! :/ I'd be loaded, this stuff is fun but doesn't happen over night.

Someone come take that macaroni salad! Grosssss & I can't throw away that much food......

Brussel sprouts, carrots, tofu <3

Now I can't forget to mention my Celadon Road progress! I have planned my first party already, and have a few people who have RSVP'd on the facebook event, but I'm going to start contacting people here pretty soon, people that I think will be interested in coming and maybe buying things or hosting! I have tried a few of the products and I really like them. The glass cleaner smells freakin awesome! I really want to get myself some face wash, and vegetable wash, but I haven't tried those. These are the things I got in my $99 start up kit! The baby wash is awesome too, especially since it's in a stainless steel container. Pretty cool to reuse! :)