Has anyone else read the Happiness Project?  It is a great book, written by Gretchen Rubin, about her year in tackling happiness through months dedicated to small changes in her life, that led her to happier days.  I loved this book and its main principles have remained with me long after I finished it.

Lately, though, I’ve been feeling a bit overwhelmed.  Welcoming our third child was a blessing, and spending time with the girls and the baby is always the highlight of my days, but face it, my free time has been shrinking with every new responsibility.

A few weeks ago, I reflected on what I could do to make my days happier and more stress-free.  I noticed that there were a few common themes nagging away at my happiness and peace of mind.  These revolved mainly around clutter, unfinished projects, and meal planning.  My days were consumed with these themes, more often than not.  It was like a light bulb went off as I wrote down another list of to-do items.  A definite theme was present, and if I broke it down it was something I could definitely manage in small goals.

So, I want to hold myself accountable, and thought I’d share my plans on my blog, so I could share the sense of accomplishment as I tackle each area, but also so I could help others create and take on their own happiness projects.

Here are my plans to achieve happiness by focusing on the three main areas that bug me the most:

Clutter

• Spend fifteen minutes each day clearing clutter and putting things where they belong.
• Get rid of things I no longer use, love, or need.  Somebody else may need it more than I do.
• Find a home for everything that is worthy of being kept.
• Be creative in finding new ways to store the growing number of children’s toys and items.
• In with the new, out with the old.  Replace items as you buy new ones.  Don’t keep the old!

Unfinished Projects

• Finish making the mobile for the nursery.
• Frame the photos for the nursery.
• Finish making new pillow cases to update our living room.
• Frame the beautiful original artwork by Fabio Napoleoni to display in our dining room.
• Document the child’s memories and milestones in their baby books.

Meal Planning

• Try new recipes that are quick and easy.
• Stick to our weekly meal structure so that it’s easier to plan meals {Meaty Monday, Taco Tuesday, White Meat Wednesday, Spaghetti Thursday, Happy Hour Friday, Seafood Saturday, Sunday Roast}
• Save money buy buying items in bulk and on sale.
• Spend one or two days a month preparing go-to meals in advance {Meatballs, Pizza Dough, Casseroles}

These are not new ideas or goals, but I’m hoping that putting them down in writing will help me stick to them a little bit easier.

Just yesterday, I found made the time to start on the new pillowcases for our living room.  It didn’t take as long as I thought it would, so I’m motivated to finish them all very soon.

What will YOU make time for this week, that will result in a happier YOU?

{Stay Sweet. Be Happy}

xo

~the sweetest mami~