Monday, September 16, 2013

Life lessons

In the first chapter, Gretchen Rubin addresses a couple of things, one of those being her Secrets of Adulthood, or what I refer to as General Life Lessons. She has her list, well I decided that if I am going to go into this wholeheartedly I needed to make sure I wrote down the top things I have learned about being an adult until now.

I am still young, just in my early 30's (soon to be mid-ish 30's I guess eek!), but I feel like I have had a ton of life experience given the choices I made in high school and early on in my University career, plus all the moving we've done and the people we've met have given me a different outlook on daily life than I think I would have if I had not had these same experiences.

Like the Gretchen Rubin states in the book, each one may not be profound when you read it, but once I finally learned these things and implemented them in my life it brought such peace to my daily living.

So...here they are:

  • Life only comes one day at a time, so deal with it that way-when possible.
  • People don't mind helping, sometimes you just have to ask for it.
  • There really is no use yelling or crying over spilled milk-just clean it up and move on.
  • There is no reason to berate someone when they break something, it can [usually] be replaced, they cannot.
  • If you have something special to you keep a picture of it tucked away along with the story, that way if the above happens you always have the memory.
  • A place for everything, everything in it's place-yes, it does actually work.
  • Love your family members for who they are, you can't change them so find the things you love most.
  • Share in the joy of others.
  • Be present.
  • No electronics at dinner.
  • Take time to think things over.
  • 15 minutes is a good chunk of time.
  • Always have flats in your purse.
  • Don't get mad when someone doesn't do exactly what you want when you haven't asked them.
  • Put your stuff away as soon as you walk in the door.
  • Some else's house is dirtier than yours.
  • Have patience, all things will fall into place...eventually.
  • Don't be afraid to admit you made a mistake.
  • Let your children hear you say, "I was wrong". 
  • Be open minded.
  • Don't judge others.
These were things that were a long time coming for me to learn. Some I learned the hard way, others came easy and just seemed like a normal part of life. Some I hoping others learn sooner rather than later! But, these are my "rules of adulthood", or Life Lessons that I think are very important to live by everyday.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Inspired from The Happiness Project

The Happiness Project
I've started this blog, separate from my other blog because I wanted to chronicle my journey of my own happiness project. From the minute I picked up this book I knew I wanted to do a happiness project. I've known for a very long time before I even had heard of this book that I wanted to do a happiness project, I just didn't know that is what it was. Back in 2005 I decided I wanted to get healthier, I started working out and it has been part of my daily routine for some time now. We also eat pretty decent, but those things were a long time in the making. But, there are parts of me that want to improve. So, that is where I begin.

I think this book as been inspirational to me because, like Gretchen Rubin I am not unhappy. I have an amazing husband who works very hard and allows me the luxury of staying home. I have an amazing 13 year old daughter, she's bright, witty, intelligent, and independent. But, there are just little things about myself that I want to change that I think will make me a better wife, mother, daughter, and friend.

This is where my story begins...my next post will outline my project and what I hope to accomplish over the next year.