New Leaf!! I'm a leaf on the wind...wait, why does that sound familiar? o_0
After having a very interesting conversation with a long time customer yesterday I have decided to try an experiment. I was inspired not only by our observation that people seem to chase happiness rather than learn it like a life skill that needs continuous updating as we change, a coworker further remarked on another topic that "we are one decision away from happiness". Smart cookie.
So! Things are not what I would wish them to be in my life and rather than treading water as I have been I'd like to try a series of small changes. First, to identify the challenges...
-I have a shelf full of books I am interested in reading and have yet to get around to. Instead I'm reading fluff, or as I like to call it "junk food for the brain".
- My body fat index is higher than it should be. I wear it well, but I can do better. I usually walk to work, unless it is ungodly hot(and it's Texas, so...) but this has been a fairly mild summer.
-I'm tired of being at the mercy of surprise bills. One recently caused me to be broke for about two months. While I learned things I could do without(like making birthday cards and present for friends), I got really fed up(hah!) with peanut butter and missing out on going to the movies like the geek that I am.
-I'm swearing more than I'd like. I used to think it was lazy(and I can express myself quite creatively) but I have found it to be a good stress reliever. And yes, an easy adjective, adverb, exclamation...ahem!
-I have too much clutter! After recently helping a friend move, and going through the process myself during a Texas summer more than once, I have resolved to get rid of this stuff I'm not using.
-I am often late to things. I was born overdue and it has only snowballed from there. I love the snooze button, don't judge!
-I am not using this journal to write, probably best as my muse seems to thrive most on my misery and ignore me at all other times, so I'd like to use this as a way to keep track of being a happier person. Achieving consistency and keeping promises to myself the way I do for other people.(budget and migraines aside, sorry people.)
On to my solutions.
+Rather than read fanfic on my phone on my lunch breaks I'm going to bring a book along as I used to do before this infernal, addictive contraption. I can still read the fanfic on my fifteen minute break and after work. Let's not get crazy.
+Starting tomorrow(seriously, it's after 11pm! ;P )I'm going to use some of the fitness equipment I have lying around gathering dust. Every other day will include 30 minutes of exercise(hello sore body!) no matter how tired I am after being on my feet all day.
+$25 is going in my savings account every week, I get $20 mad-money(and that's it!) and I will sit down and work out a budget for the bigger stuff and get back on track. Impulse buys have to wait a week, then they're not impulse ok? LOL
+A swear jar. Proceeds to go to drinks for the ladies at work. I do best when I have consequences, and if I get to spend that money on the lovely people I work with then that makes me happy, relieves stress and leads to less swearing. Parameters to be worked out by the end of the week and posted here. If I'm not accountable for my progress there likely won't be much of it to see.
+Every day I will sort one closet/box/cabinet and make decisions on whether I need this and if it belongs where I found it. Clothes will be donated, papers shredded, Tupperware matched up and socks reunited. I also hope to inspire my mother before Hoarders comes to check her out, the crazy packrat! LOL
+Let's try setting my alarm clock ten minutes back. For every week I am on time I can redeem money from the swear jar. Those who know me will understand this will be a tug of war between the titans of sloth and vulgarity. Let the battle begin, and may the odds be ever in your favor. ;P
+In addition to reporting progress I'd like to post one positive thing every day. All setbacks are to be phrased as challenges or opportunities(really, that's how you spell that?!*shrugs* Thanks spell-check!) with solutions being spit-balled. But mainly positive stuff goes here.
One choice away from being happy. Ok. I can do this. See you tomorrow! :D
So! Things are not what I would wish them to be in my life and rather than treading water as I have been I'd like to try a series of small changes. First, to identify the challenges...
-I have a shelf full of books I am interested in reading and have yet to get around to. Instead I'm reading fluff, or as I like to call it "junk food for the brain".
- My body fat index is higher than it should be. I wear it well, but I can do better. I usually walk to work, unless it is ungodly hot(and it's Texas, so...) but this has been a fairly mild summer.
-I'm tired of being at the mercy of surprise bills. One recently caused me to be broke for about two months. While I learned things I could do without(like making birthday cards and present for friends), I got really fed up(hah!) with peanut butter and missing out on going to the movies like the geek that I am.
-I'm swearing more than I'd like. I used to think it was lazy(and I can express myself quite creatively) but I have found it to be a good stress reliever. And yes, an easy adjective, adverb, exclamation...ahem!
-I have too much clutter! After recently helping a friend move, and going through the process myself during a Texas summer more than once, I have resolved to get rid of this stuff I'm not using.
-I am often late to things. I was born overdue and it has only snowballed from there. I love the snooze button, don't judge!
-I am not using this journal to write, probably best as my muse seems to thrive most on my misery and ignore me at all other times, so I'd like to use this as a way to keep track of being a happier person. Achieving consistency and keeping promises to myself the way I do for other people.(budget and migraines aside, sorry people.)
On to my solutions.
+Rather than read fanfic on my phone on my lunch breaks I'm going to bring a book along as I used to do before this infernal, addictive contraption. I can still read the fanfic on my fifteen minute break and after work. Let's not get crazy.
+Starting tomorrow(seriously, it's after 11pm! ;P )I'm going to use some of the fitness equipment I have lying around gathering dust. Every other day will include 30 minutes of exercise(hello sore body!) no matter how tired I am after being on my feet all day.
+$25 is going in my savings account every week, I get $20 mad-money(and that's it!) and I will sit down and work out a budget for the bigger stuff and get back on track. Impulse buys have to wait a week, then they're not impulse ok? LOL
+A swear jar. Proceeds to go to drinks for the ladies at work. I do best when I have consequences, and if I get to spend that money on the lovely people I work with then that makes me happy, relieves stress and leads to less swearing. Parameters to be worked out by the end of the week and posted here. If I'm not accountable for my progress there likely won't be much of it to see.
+Every day I will sort one closet/box/cabinet and make decisions on whether I need this and if it belongs where I found it. Clothes will be donated, papers shredded, Tupperware matched up and socks reunited. I also hope to inspire my mother before Hoarders comes to check her out, the crazy packrat! LOL
+Let's try setting my alarm clock ten minutes back. For every week I am on time I can redeem money from the swear jar. Those who know me will understand this will be a tug of war between the titans of sloth and vulgarity. Let the battle begin, and may the odds be ever in your favor. ;P
+In addition to reporting progress I'd like to post one positive thing every day. All setbacks are to be phrased as challenges or opportunities(really, that's how you spell that?!*shrugs* Thanks spell-check!) with solutions being spit-balled. But mainly positive stuff goes here.
One choice away from being happy. Ok. I can do this. See you tomorrow! :D