Happiness Project: Month 1 reflection

After three weeks of focusing on increasing my energy, I think I am finally starting to feel a little more vitality. I’ve been wearing my pedometer for two weeks and adding steps each day. Yesterday, a seemingly normal day, I walked 6,000 steps without any extra “walk” to talk of. In the coming weeks, a change in my work schedule will allow me more “me” time and hopefully allow me to continue to work on this goal. As for sleeping, this too has been a little better. I still tend to wake up very startled and anxious but I have been sleeping throughout the night better. I’ve been limiting my television and computer time at night and laying off the night-time snacks. I am confident by continuing to think about my energy and consciously make an effort to do more for me and relax my energy will return to its previous vigor.

For Rubin’s second month, she focuses on her marriage. I have been married nearly four years verses 14 plus- years but still can relate with many of the things she is talking about. Her main goal is to love better. She adds mini goals like stop nagging, lighten up and offer tangible proofs of love. I’ll expand more how it applies to me and how I can incorporate this into my relationship after I reflect and do some research. I may adapt my own goals this month to find a way to make my relationship better.

For the rest of this week, I’ll be focusing on increasing my energy and how the past month has really made me feel. Do I feel happier? A little. But is this because I am consciously trying to be more “happy”? Maybe. Only time will tell how this project will work, but I am happy (no pun intended!) with my progress thus far and looking forward to many more months of new discoveries and increased joy!

Until next time,
Fabulous KT

Month #1 continue – how to sleep better

A few weeks ago, I declared the start of my Happiness Project, based on Gretchen Rubin’s “Happiness Project.” Each Thursday I’ll be writing about my process and the small steps I’m taking toward a happier me.

After one week of focusing on exercising better, I have discovered 10,000 steps is A LOT. However, having a small little device hooked to my hip measuring my every step is kind of inspiring. In addition to my weekly yoga class, I wanted to add steps to my daily routine and slowly add a little better exercise to my life without having to commit to a crazy work-out schedule. I am hoping to increase my average daily steps by 500 until I reach my 10,000 (or 5 miles a day) goal. Right now, I am averaging about 4500 steps. With the warmer weather approaching, after-dinner walks will soon return and I will quickly be on my way to increasing my energy by exercising better.

Another element that Rubin focused on this month is sleeping better. For me, this is a big challenge. While I do sleep for roughly 8-9 hours, I wake up two to three times a night. The librarian in me did some research and found a few tips to make each night a little better.

1. Avoid using the computer or anything that could cause you to stress. I have been trying to relax and just enjoy my evenings. I’ve been super busy this week so this hasn’t been hard. Instead of sitting on the web, mindlessly browsing Facebook, I’m trying to read or just lay in bed and try to go to sleep.
2. Turn off the TV. This is a hard one, as my hubby and I tend to fall asleep with the tube on. Given his crazy work schedule this time of year, he is usually conked out before me so I’ve been trying to shut off the television when I feel tired instead of trying to “listen” and sleep at the same time.
3. No caffeine, alcohol or other “stuff” before bed. I am not a bit drinker and too much caffeine makes me jittery so this isn’t really a change for me, just something to pass along.
4.RELAX. This is the big one for me. Bedtime is NOT the time to reflect on the day’s events. It’s not time to solve the world’s problems. It’s time to sleep.

I’m not sure if it is the new energy from exercising or my busy schedule but the past few night have been fairly constant when it comes to sleep. I haven’t gotten up to use the bathroom or found myself waking in a panic (this is another bad habit that I’ve formed by being too stressed.) I’m trying to let things go and not worry so much. It’s often easier said than done but there is a conscious effort going on.
Thus far on my journey, I have been a little bit “happier”. Like I said, I’m trying not to worry as much and trying to live life to the fullest every day.

Next week, I’ll reflect on how this month has been and what to look forward to for May. For now, I’ll leave you with a quote or mantra that my Yoga instructor read the other night… “I am strong. I am healthy. I am beautiful.” No matter what people may think, it is important to always remember this. By focusing on increasing my energy, I am reminding myself that yes, I am strong. I am healthy and I am beautiful!

Until Next Time,
Fabulous KT

Month #1 = Strive for more energy

Last week, I declared the start of my Happiness Project, based on Gretchen Rubin’s “Happiness Project.” Each Thursday I’ll be writing about my process and the small steps I’m taking toward a happier me.

The first monthly “goal” Rubin sets for her happiness project is to improve her energy by focusing on things like getting more sleep, exercising better and having a positive outlook. Because everyone’s happiness plan is a bit different, there will be times throughout the process when I am sure I will deviate from her project and create my own way. For this month though, more energy definitely sounds like something that would add to my personal enjoyment and daily happiness. Every day, it seems from 3 p.m. on. I am in mega-need for a pick me up. Usually, I just push this aside and forge through the day. However, perhaps if I had more energy in general, the afternoon would be something I look forward to, instead of dread.

To start off, I am going to focus on exercising better. To me, this doesn’t mean overdoing it and setting crazy gym goals but finding a nice balance between getting healthy and exercising my body. As I’ve mentioned before, I started yoga in February and love it. As part of my plan, I am going to continue to commit to at least one class a week. This has already improved my mental state and flexibility. I am hoping in conjunction with my other exercise goals, it will start to improve my physical state as well.

Next, it’s time to strap on the sneakers and get walking. I’ve never been a “runner”. Yes, in junior high, I did run for field hockey and basketball but never for much enjoyment. However, I love to take a long walk, (preferably, along a nice warm beach, but I settle for my spring-time neighborhood!). Given the cold winter climate where I live, I tend to hibernate all winter and long for sunny days and warm temps. Rubin talked about how she started keeping track of her steps with the help of a handy pedometer. She set a goal of 10,000 steps each day. So last night, I picked up my own pedometer and after I figure it out, will be starting to keep track of my daily “steps”. I am fairly active during the day (or at least I think) so it will be interesting to see how much I really move. Even by incorporating this simple tool, along with a few extra weekly walks, I’ll be one ‘step’ closer to my goal. They say every journey begins with a first step…so here I go on my way to a happier me.

After I tackle the idea of exercising toward more energy, I’ll focus on the opposite, getting better sleep. Unlike Rubin, I probably get enough sleep (at least 8hours) but I don’t sleep well. If I can start to relax and learn to sleep better, then hopefully my energy will improve and I will start to feel better.

Until next time,
Fabulous KT

My Happiness Project

One of my goals for my 30th year is to live my life to the fullest and enjoy every second. One of my fabulous gifts at my surprise party was a copy of Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project from my sassy sister. Rubin wrote the book chronicling year-long journey toward happiness. While I am just beginning the book, Rubin has already inspired me to start my own project. Each month, I am going to try to achieve a new goal centered on the main goal of becoming “happy”.

The first thing Rubin did was set some personal commandments. So following with that, today, it’s time to set my personal commandments:

1. Always be real – to myself and to others.
2. Tell the truth…always!
3. Do good, feel good.
4. Don’t sweat the small stuff!
5. Count my blessings & enjoy the little moments in life!
6. Don’t worry, be happy!
7. Stop being so self conscious. Be true to myself and not worry what others think!
8. Relax!
9. Make time for me; don’t be afraid to say no to others!
10. Eliminate the negativity – be it attitude, people or things!

These are not individual goals but more a philosophy on how I want to live my life- a new attitude for a new decade! Thursdays seem to be a good day to reflect so each Thursday I am going to try to blog about my progress. Next week, I will be talking about the goal for the upcoming month that will center on increasing my energy and overall vitality.

Until next time,
Fabulous KT