This year instead of resolutions I picked a word to be my theme for the year. I picked content – like happy.
And I think it’s working for me. When things get rocky and I get off course, I stop and think “am I content?” or “does this make me content?, will it further my happiness.
And if it doesn’t I stop. I stop emailing or texting or turn off the TV. I walk away from the computer or put down the pottery barn catalog that only taunts me with $2000 dining room tables I can’t have.
I refocus and think about what will make me content. What things I want to fill my hours, my days and ultimately my life with.
So here are some things that thus far have kept me mostly content.
I’ve started teaching myself to crochet. And while at times it has been frustrating, for the most part it’s been really fulfilling to learn something new on my own. Progress has been slow but it’s progress and I enjoy it.
Cooking really helps with my stress levels. So lately when I find that I’m starting to lose my patience, I cook something. Which has made me happy but hasn’t really helped my waistline.
I started doing puzzles again. John and I did a puzzle when I was pregnant with Jackson. It’s one of my fave memories of being pregnant. The two of us working on something together. I’ve always liked puzzles and I had picked one up in Disney so I finally started it right before the new year and finished it last week.
There is something so satisfying and relaxing to me about completing a puzzle. The night I started it I felt like such a dork sipping wine carefully sorting edges out, while John worked on the computer and I realized I am a bit of dork and my hubs loves me for it, how much happiness is that?
Afternoons have been a rough spot for us this winter. Our mornings are activity filled but after nap we have only endless hours till bedtime. So I’ve started trying to come up with stuff to do after nap other than play with toys and watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. This week we baked cookies, simple break and bake cookies, that taste awful but it’s not about that. Jackson spent a half hour placing them on the cookie sheet and loved every minute of it.
So I’m working on being content and I still have a ways to go. I still stress and fret and jump to conclusions. I still slip and respond to emails and Facebook posts that I’m better off ignoring. But I’m trying to be mindful of my time and my happiness and I think it’s starting to work.
What have you done lately that has made you happy?
Focusing on happiness is a good way to live.
Yes it is but it's not always easy.
It's hard not to stress and just focus on being happy! I struggle with it sometimes, but it's totally worthwhile. Love your pictures – and the reminder that I like to do puzzles. I haven't done one in so long, but I'm actually thinking it would be a good bonding activity with my oldest girl, who doesn't always want to spend time with me these days 🙂
That sounds like a great bonding activity for you and your daughter. I'm glad this reminded you that you like puzzles.
Winter can be such a beast! Especially when we have these littles. Spring can't come fast enough 🙂 I love that you are working on contentment. It's such a worthwhile journey.
Thank you I'm finding it to be a good journey for me. The winter is a beast. I keep waiting for spring to come so that we can run around the park and just be outside.
Ok, this is awesome! I too love to cook, do puzzles and I totally want to learn to knit or crochet. Did you just learn from youtube tutorials? Spill it, I need to know.
Ok so I've been using this site a bit http://crochet.about.com/od/babypatterns/a/fast-easy-crochet-baby-blanket-for-beginners.htm
And I've been using youtube tutorials which for me are easier follow than a description online. I need to see how something is done, you know. I also have a friend who crochets so when I get stuck I talk to her. It's definitely a worthwhile skill to pick up. I'm hoping I get the hang of it.
I love to crochet! It has always given me a sense of calm.
Well that's good to know because I may be looking for some tips.
You know, I really struggle to stay calm and happy through the tantrums, etc. My word this year is "perspective." It's the same thing, really, right? It's all about our state of mind.
Keep it up!
I struggle to stay calm and happy during the tantrums. It is all about perspective which I'm struggling to have.