Things Learned
I have been pretty intensely happy lately and I think part of that is because I have been thinking about happiness so much. Even yesterday, when I received a not so happy letter from a lawyer, I found myself happy again in no time. Here are some things that I have learned about my particular brand of happiness.
1. Let yourself feel what you are feeling. Getting there is most of the fun.
My mom always tells me not to get my hopes up. A few weeks ago I was feeling very excited about something and the excitement made me happy. I told someone else about it and they automatically came up with a negative statement about what the outcome was going to be. I don't even remember what we were talking about now. All I know is that this experience made me think about excitement. I get excited about things.
I have been so excited about my birthday party for like a month now and it is still a few weeks away. Usually I would edit myself and make myself put off the excitement until the week of. Then I would remind myself not to get my hopes up because it would be fun but not all that I thought it would be. This is RETARDED. By letting myself be excited, I have been happy about my party for a full month already. It's been a great high. When I start to feel a little bummed, I think about what I'm going to drink at the party or what kind of meat I'm going to cook or my iPod playlist.
A couple more things about this excitement thing. Every year I get really excited about Christmas and I get burned out on it about two weeks beforehand. When I try to put off my excitement, this still happens because I am constantly thinking about it in the back of my mind. Instead, I think it's better to throw myself into it while I'm enthusiastic. Lastly, I have discovered that my let downs are way less intense than the high I get from being excited. I jsut let myself be excited now.
2. Trust your Rachaelness.
I am goofy. I am not very professional. It doesn't really matter. I pretty much make my living off of being cute.
Rachaelness was mentioned to me at a party last week and it made me feel soooo awesome. I know it's silly because everybody has a insertnameness. Somehow, thinking about it that way made it okay to be what I am and what I'm not. Also, this thought sent me off on wearing what I want to wear. Last Sunday I wore a really cute sundress around the house because I WANTED to and I felt gorgeous and awesome. I also listen to my iPod and dance while I work in my office now. It increases my energy and productivity and I don't feel bad about it at all.
3. I feel best when I take care of myself.
It's simple, really. Eat right most of the time. Work out. Park at the back of the lot and walk. Be a little more active. And those are the hard ones! The easy ones are super simple. Put lotion on before bed. Brush your teeth even when you are dead tired. My favorite: Shaving my legs every day. It makes me feel pretty and like a lady. Missy says that's just because I have a boyfriend, not a husband. lol
4. Love people and let them know.
I love so many people in my life but usually I don't really take the time to show them. There are so many quick ways to do this. All it takes for Mom is listening to her or unloading the dishwasher without being told. It's calling to ask her if she wants me to pick her up a sundae on the way home. It's sending a text to Kourtney on her graduation day, congratulating her. It's texting Ashley before her flight to wish her a safe trip. It's remembering a gift that was given to me that I have never used and realizing who would love it and giving it to them. Today I am making special treats for Melissa because she is the bestest bestie I could ever ask for. Like ever.
It's so easy to be happy. I don't know why you wouldn't be.
1. Let yourself feel what you are feeling. Getting there is most of the fun.
My mom always tells me not to get my hopes up. A few weeks ago I was feeling very excited about something and the excitement made me happy. I told someone else about it and they automatically came up with a negative statement about what the outcome was going to be. I don't even remember what we were talking about now. All I know is that this experience made me think about excitement. I get excited about things.
I have been so excited about my birthday party for like a month now and it is still a few weeks away. Usually I would edit myself and make myself put off the excitement until the week of. Then I would remind myself not to get my hopes up because it would be fun but not all that I thought it would be. This is RETARDED. By letting myself be excited, I have been happy about my party for a full month already. It's been a great high. When I start to feel a little bummed, I think about what I'm going to drink at the party or what kind of meat I'm going to cook or my iPod playlist.
A couple more things about this excitement thing. Every year I get really excited about Christmas and I get burned out on it about two weeks beforehand. When I try to put off my excitement, this still happens because I am constantly thinking about it in the back of my mind. Instead, I think it's better to throw myself into it while I'm enthusiastic. Lastly, I have discovered that my let downs are way less intense than the high I get from being excited. I jsut let myself be excited now.
2. Trust your Rachaelness.
I am goofy. I am not very professional. It doesn't really matter. I pretty much make my living off of being cute.
Rachaelness was mentioned to me at a party last week and it made me feel soooo awesome. I know it's silly because everybody has a insertnameness. Somehow, thinking about it that way made it okay to be what I am and what I'm not. Also, this thought sent me off on wearing what I want to wear. Last Sunday I wore a really cute sundress around the house because I WANTED to and I felt gorgeous and awesome. I also listen to my iPod and dance while I work in my office now. It increases my energy and productivity and I don't feel bad about it at all.
3. I feel best when I take care of myself.
It's simple, really. Eat right most of the time. Work out. Park at the back of the lot and walk. Be a little more active. And those are the hard ones! The easy ones are super simple. Put lotion on before bed. Brush your teeth even when you are dead tired. My favorite: Shaving my legs every day. It makes me feel pretty and like a lady. Missy says that's just because I have a boyfriend, not a husband. lol
4. Love people and let them know.
I love so many people in my life but usually I don't really take the time to show them. There are so many quick ways to do this. All it takes for Mom is listening to her or unloading the dishwasher without being told. It's calling to ask her if she wants me to pick her up a sundae on the way home. It's sending a text to Kourtney on her graduation day, congratulating her. It's texting Ashley before her flight to wish her a safe trip. It's remembering a gift that was given to me that I have never used and realizing who would love it and giving it to them. Today I am making special treats for Melissa because she is the bestest bestie I could ever ask for. Like ever.
It's so easy to be happy. I don't know why you wouldn't be.