photo by schabloni	via PhotoRee

This month My Happiness Project for November is to Keep a Contented Heart.   I have been struggling with many things this year (but haven't we all) so it's important to keep my happiness a priority.   . 

Ways I will do this are:
1. Laugh more.
2. Be More Positive
3. Be selfish in a good way

1. Laugh more.

I need to remember to watch more funny videos, tell more jokes at work, and just lighten up overall. I naturally am pretty silly and sarcastic so I need to embrace it more.


2.  Be More Positive.
I am a pretty positive person as is, but I need to be even more positive especially with myself! I will think of the good part of everything...always!


3. Be selfish in a good way.
I need to love myself so much and put myself and my needs first because if I don't and I'm not happy..then what's the point?

Check back at the end of the month to see how I reached my goal!

My Happiness Project - October - Pay Attention - COMPLETE

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My Happiness Project for the month of October was to ">Pay Attention.

Ways I did this were:
1. Meditate
2.Learn about Mindfulness.
3.Love myself more than ever before.

photo by 1541	via PhotoRee

1. Meditate

I even took a course just to get Meditation down pat and it worked! The thing I love about it is the challenge at first, because you have to teach yourself and train your mind to be able to do it. I feel much happier now and less on edge even in stressful times. I feel I have better control of my mind.

2.  Learn about Mindfulness.
I was guilty of multitasking ALWAYS so I made sure to slow myself down. I didn't worry about doing 103948093284 things at once and instead just began doing what I enjoyed doing. Now I don't feel so rushy rushy all the time.

3. Love myself more than ever.
To start doing this, I had made a list of everything in my life currently going on..even if it was something not so great.. but when I wrote it down I made it into something great. Like if I was stuck on a major decision, I put down that I am so great that I have TWO choices for something. The second I stress or worry now I write down all the good things going on. I also have started writing an amazing love letter to myself. It's okay to do this stuff. I love myself a lot more than ever now. It's hard to explain but I just do!

Check back tomorrow for October's Happiness Project which is to Pay Attention!

My Happiness Project - October: Pay Attention

photo by 1541	via PhotoRee

This month My Happiness Project for October is to Pay Attention   This is important because I really do have a lot of passions and I feel like I'll be happier in my life if I pursue them more!  . 

Ways I will do this are:
1. Meditate.
2. Learn About Mindfulness
3. Love myself more than I ever have before.

1. Meditate.

It's on my bucket list anyways, but I really want to learn to master this. I hope that within 30 days, after reading some books about it, I will be able to clear my mind of all thoughts when I meditate. One way to do this is by thinking of a concept that you just can't actually comprehend. Like What did the world look like before it came into existance... see?


2.  Learn About Mindfulness.
I will do research and learn more about being mindful because I struggle with it currently. I am always multitasking and never living and enjoying the present moment at hand.


3. Love myself more than I ever have before.
I know this is hard to explain, but I want to become focused and aware of my being and seriously love myself so much because I will enlighten myself as to how awesome I really am. You'll see :)

Check back at the end of the month to see how I reached my goal!

My Happiness Project - September - Pursue a Passion: COMPLETE

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My Happiness Project for the month of September was to Pursue a Passion.

Ways I did this were:
1. Make Time
2.Start Writing a Book
3.Embrace a New Hobby

photo by 1541	via PhotoRee

1. Make Time

I now write my hobbies: meditating, reading, watching my tv shows, crafting, etc. into my agenda on a daily basis. I schedule them in so that I never neglect them. It made me realize that it's important to make myself happy in life more than relying on anything else to make me happy... so if I ensure I am always making time for happiness, it will always be present in my life!

2.  Start Writing a Book
I did start to write a book, but then I also started keeping a journal of thoughts. Maybe someday you guys will get to see it ;)

3. Embrace a New Hobby
The hobby I chose was meditation. Sure it might not seem like a hobby to some but recently I went through so much stuff that I certainly think that if meditating is what is good for my mental, spiritual, and emotional well being , then it's a GREAT HOBBY! I also have started little odds and ends type projects around the house so we will see how that goes! !

Check back tomorrow for October's Happiness Project which is to Pay Attention!

My Happiness Project - September - Pursue a Passion

photo by 1541	via PhotoRee

This month My Happiness Project for September is to Pursue a Passion.  This is important because I really do have a lot of passions and I feel like I'll be happier in my life if I pursue them more!  . 

Ways I will do this are:
1. Make Time.
2. Start Writing a Book
3. Embrace a New Hobby

1. Make Time.

For the first time in many years I actually have too much free time on my hands with nothing to do and I spend it alone. So I'm going to make time for pursuing my passions by planning time for them instead of just doing them as they come up when I'm bored (which isn't often because when I sit around bored I tend to feel bummed out and unmotivated).  


2.  Start writing a book.
I'm going to do it this time since I have started before and got discouraged. I want to write an advice-style book based on my experiences... sort of a self help guide!


3. Embrace a New Hobby.
I am going to start doing something that I have always been interested in. I WILL START IT and make my spare time (which I already have too much of) much more enjoyable.

Check back at the end of the month to see how I reached my goal!

My Happiness Project - August - Contemplate the Heavens - COMPLETE!

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My Happiness Project for the month of August was to Contemplate the Heavens.

Ways I did this were:
1. Keep a Gratitude Diary
2.  Read Books about Tragedy
3.  Be grateful for the people in my life.

photo by www.pablomontt.com (soon!)	via PhotoRee

1. Keep a Gratitude Diary

I kept a small notebook at my desk at work and everyday I came in I wrote down 3 things I was thankful for. They were anything from fair weather, someone holding the door for me that day, my health, a specific friend, and just a simple material object like my favorite shirt. It made me realize everything I have in my life and how lucky I really am.

2.  Read Books About Tragedy
I highly suggest you read the book The Best Worst Thing by Kristen Brown. I did and it changed my life. Kristen lost her husband suddenly at a young age and I am telling you that if you read this book it will have a huge impact on the way you live your everyday life! Just trust me.

3. Be Grateful for the People in my life.
Recently, I went through some very trying times and man did it open my eyes to how supportive people are to me and how loved I really am. But that's not enough...nope. For me, I needed to show them as part of this project. I made sure to tell them all how much I was blessed to have them help me through some of the darkest times in my life.    Simple as that!

Check back tomorrow for September's Happiness Project which is to Pursue a Passion!

My Happiness Project: August - Contemplate the Heavens

photo by www.pablomontt.com (soon!)	via PhotoRee

This month My Happiness Project for August is to Contemplate the Heavens.  This is important because I need to be a better person I think.   I need to treat my boyfriend as best I can and be grateful for all I have in my life.  . 

Ways I will do this are:
1. Keep a Gratitude Diary.
2. Read books about tragedy
3. Be grateful for the people in my life

1. Keep a Gratitude Diary.

I will write down each day what I am grateful for.   I am going to try to write 3 things each day. 


2.  Read books about tragedy.
I'm going to read a book by my favorite author Kristen Brown. I read it before but I'm going to read it again.


3. Be grateful for the people in my life.
I am going to tell them and show them!

Check back at the end of the month to see how I reached my goal!

My Happiness Project - June: Make Time for Friends COMPLETE!

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My Happiness Project for the month of June was to Make Time for Friends.

Here were my goals and here's what I did with achieving them. 

My ways to do this were:  

1. Spend more time with my close friends

2.  Keep in touch better
3.  Remember special occassions

1. Spend More Time with My Close Friends.
This was easily accomplished by spending a few more nights each month with my best friend Daniela when she needed me most!  

2.  Keep in touch better.
I have made sure to talk with each of my close friends multiple times a week, and with my best friend, we speak every day! Texting worked when our schedules clashed, and phone calls worked when they didn't.

3. Remember Special Occassions.
I made sure to mark my best friend's sons birthday on my calendar and I'm attending his birthday party in July!

These all made me feel better about myself because I am being a much better friend and I do feel more loved in general!

Check back tomorrow for July's Happiness Project which is to Buy Some Happiness!

My Happiness Project: May - Be Serious About Play - COMPLETE!

photo by johnivara	via PhotoRee

My Happiness Project for the month of May was to Be Serious About Play.

Here were my goals and here's what I did with achieving them. 

Ways I will do this are:
1. Be goofy
2. Take time to play
3.  Do fun things more often

1. Be goofy.
I have become even more of a comedian for my coworkers which has brought us all even closer .  We  have a lot of inside jokes now and it really helps me enjoy my time in the office more!! 

2.  Take Time to Play.
I am always trying to be productive and get things done but I don't like spending my life rushing through the days and wishing the weeks by.  So now, I spend 15-20 minutes in the morning doing nothing but goofing around with my chihuahuas.  I don't blog or check my phone during that time...I simple relax and enjoy my fun time.  This puts me in a MUCH better mood for the entire day.


3. Do Fun Things More Often.
Every weekend I take it easy now UNLESS I actually have a commitment to take care of.   I now utilize my weeknights to get errands, etc.  done so that me and my boyfriend can enjoy our time together on the weekends.

Check back tomorrow for June's Happiness Project which is to Make Time for Friends!

My Happiness Project - May - Be Serious About Play

photo by johnivara	via PhotoRee

My Happiness Project goal for May is to Be Serious About Play.  This is important for me because sometimes I get caught up in working so hard in life and I think I really do need to enjoy the reward of my hard work.  


Ways I will do this are:
1. Be goofy
2. Take time to play
3.  Do fun things more often

1. Be goofy.
Even if it's just sending silly texts to friends or goofing around with my friends at work, I'm going to make sure I embrace the urge to do so.  I deserve to laugh at myself and with other people and I need to take free time to watch funny videos or watch silly movies, simply so I can laugh.


2.  Take Time to Play.
It's second nature for me to take any free time and be productive with it, and there's nothing wrong with that, but I think I do deserve a break and I should use the break to just to some good old fashion fun!   Whether it's goofing around more with my dogs, or just making silly faces in the mirror, I need to allow myself time to do that!


3. Do Fun Things More Often.
Must, Have, LEISURE TIME!   I need to make sure I spend a few days this year just lounging around in the pool under the sun and not worrying about what time it is or what on my to do list still needs done!

Check back at the end of the month to see how I reached my goal!

My Happiness Project - April - Lighten Up

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My Happiness Project goal for April is to Lighten Up.  This is perfect for me because while I pretty much have no negative, stressful things in my life, I still need to conquer any anxiety or negative thoughts I may ever have.  I am determined to train my brain to be able to kick them out the second they come about! 

Ways I will do this are:
1. Take my own advice
2. Be realistic!!
3. Give myself more credit

1. Take my own advice.
Hello!! I run an advice blog.  I can literally give people advice that ends up working, but yet I sometimes struggle to accept, believe, and take my own advice.  I WILL start taking my own advice, even if it means I have to write in to my blog and then respond to myself!


2.  Be Realistic.
The second I begin to second guess or doubt anything in my life, I will realistically look back at my past and how successful things have always ended up working out the way I want them.  So why would it be any differen this time?  This will especially come in handy with my relationship!


3. Give myself more credit.
I have done a great job up to this point, or else I would not be where I am or be as happy as I am.  If I made it this far, than I need to convince myself I should never worry that I can't keep making good decisions and that things will keep going my way.


Check back at the end of the month to see how I reached my goal!

My Happiness Project - March - Aim Higher

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My Happiness Project goal for March is to Aim Higher. This will have to do with work and my blog. 

Ways I will do this are:
1. Not complain about my job
2. Grow my blog
3. Work harder

1. Not complain about my job.
I will remember how lucky I am to have a job, especially one with great pay and benefits.  And I will train myself to let that thought pop up whenever I get ready to complain about something with my job. 

2.  Grow my blog.
I want to network more, especially locally and make my blog even more appealing and successful.

3. Work harder.
I will not let my personal life affect my work ethic and when I'm at work I will focus on work. 

Check back at the end of the month to see how I reached my goal!

My Happiness Project - February - Remember Love

My Happiness Project goal for February is to Remember Love. Since I am single I am changing this from love in a relationship to love in friendships and with family. 

Ways I will do this are:
1. Not complain or act irritated with anyone
2. Show others I love them
3. Give compliments


1. Not complain or act irritated with anyone. Sometimes, and yes I'll admit it, I get annoyed when a call comes through from my parents when I'm in the middle of something. I should remember how lucky I am to have family members alive and well enough to call me.

2.  Show others I love them.
Whether it's texting them a random I love you or telling them in person, I will tell all of the people close to me that I love them and they mean a lot to me!

3. Give compliments.
I will give more compliments than ever before to those I love to make them feel as good as they make me feel.


Check back at the end of the month to see how I reached my goal!