disconnect to reconnect: the summer happiness project

A new mission statement for a new period of The Happiness Project:

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Folks, I'm aware we are living in the pinnacle of the digital age. Everything we do is run, controlled, maintained, or monitored by something technological. And while this is convenient, and certainly makes life easier, it's taken away from the old-world simplicity of generations past. One of the most unnerving realizations I've had is the lack of face time contact. Social interaction has been replaced by Facebook chat and text messages. To me, it's taken away from the thrill of being with people. Pen-and-paper communication, something once so common, has been demoted to something of a novelty, something quaint and foreign. We reach for the Blackberry instead of the stamps. Our cell phones have become new appendages; they are now extensions of our hands. As funny as this poster is below, it seems to be the societal norm and totally acceptable.

"look into the eyes of another person..." This breaks my heart. Look at couples out to dinner, friends meeting for coffee, or family gatherings. Is anyone really talking? Or are they playing Angry Birds under the table, or BBM-ing?
"the arrival of a snippet of trivial text holds promise of unimagined pleasure..." I feel so foolish reading this, because how often do I feel my phone buzz and reach for it like a precious winning lottery ticket? I am just as, if not more, guilty of cell-phone over usage as the next person. I sleep with my iPhone nightly. Well, I say no more. I'm stopping this nonsense in an effort to really connect with people. The phone will be staying off longer, will remain in the purse during meals, and will not surface while I'm with another person.

Disconnect to reconnect, darlings!

the happiness project: an even exchange

darlings! It's been what feels like forever since I've posted and I hate it! I will never go this long without posting again.

gorgeous

The next month of the happiness project began 14 days ago. Again, so sorry I didn't blog as usual at the premier of the month! I'll admit, I was at somewhat of a loss when it came to what project I wanted to tackle this month. It hit me, though, when I was unpacking my clothes after moving home for the summer. There was an absurd amount of clothing spilled out onto my floor. It's rather embarrassing the vast amount of clothes that covered my floor...and bed...ugh. So, as I hung up the last shirt today, it hit me. I'm doing a closet cleanse. If I haven't worn it in a year, honestly won't wear it again, or am holding on to it for nostalgic purposes (or wishful thinking), then it is out. And for everything I buy, I will get rid of at least one item of clothing already existing in my wardrobe. 

By doing so, not only will I de-clutter my closet, I'll also be able to modify and create a closet full of items I really love, and can feel good wearing. 

outfits like this!

I can't wait to start this project. I'll keep you posted on the progress!

Au revoir, mes amies!

the happiness project-miscellaneous thoughts

Hello, my darlings! So though it isn't yet the start of a new month, therefore not time for a new month of the happiness project, I was thinking about it pretty intently today in class (oops...hehe). Anywho! I found myself reflecting back on all of the aspects of this project: what I'd wished to accomplish, what I actually accomplished, and how it improved my happiness. I realized something: over these past five months, whenever I set a goal to improve my happiness, I changed something in my life to accommodate. And I think that's the ultimate key here, folks. If you're unhappy with something, change! It's that simple! Now, exercising and implementing the change isn't that easy, but bringing yourself to that awareness is.

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This is so incredibly true, isn't it? I've printed this out and I'm putting on the ceiling above my bed. It's something good to dwell on before dreaming and when getting up in the morning.

the happiness project: learning to laugh

They say laughter is the best medicine. And though I'm not feeling I'll, a dose of honest laughter will do any body good. That's why "Learn to Laugh" is a perfect monthly project, and with today being April Fool's, why not April? Perfection!

It was Charlie Chaplin who said, "A day without laughter is a day wasted." think about it: he's right! What good is a day if you do not laugh? Laughter ease, of not fix, so many of the miniscule insignificances we allow to sour a prefectly wonderful day.

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The Happiness Project: April Edition- genuinely laugh at least once a day.

captured on film :)

nega+ivi+y

Hello, my darling readers! I apologize for my 3 week hiatus! Things have been a whirlwind with school (I'm officially an art minor now, and I'm considering changing my major. I'll keep you posted!) and jobs (the bookworm became a bookseller! In other words, I'm working at Books-A-Million now!), but it's officially my spring break so I can can up on my blogging!

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So, my dears, we're already into the second week of March. Where is this year going? But, the start of a new  month brings the start of another month of the happiness project. It really took some thought for the March aspect. I want to develop my own project, separate from Gretchin Rubin's, so I looked into what I really wanted to improve about my mentality: thinking positively. Negativity not only takes a toll on my mood, but my physical well-being and general outlook for the rest of the day, sometimes longer than that. I've decided for every negative I encounter, I will think of two positives to counteract them. If you notice the title, each "t" is a plus sign, hence positivity (woo hoo!) 

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One day starts today. 

daytrippers

hello, darlings! this Friday, Derek and I decided to take the day off and get out of here for a while. we traveled to Asheville, North Carolina. For the international readers, Asheville is a city about an hour away that I try to visit at least once a month. It is undoubtedly one of the most unique cities you'll find, hence, why it feels like home to me. My dream is to relocate there as soon as possible-but that's another story for another day!

I'm not one for taking pictures, especially in a city where I visit frequently. but for blogging purposes, I decided to snap a few to remember the journey and to post for you all to see!

We started with a trip to Urban Outfitters (swoon). I picked out my Valentine's Day present!

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I also got a new iPhone cover. I think it's pretty cute...

Whenever we go, we try to eat somewhere new. This trip, we decided to try Bier Garten. 



Have you ever heard of the Chocolate Fetish? More or less, it's heaven on earth.

Trouble.

Bigger trouble. 

Next door is my favorite art supplies store in the world. We had fun testing out the water color crayons. 

Wall Street-my absolute favorite strip of city land. Everything about this place is charming; all of the buildings are dissimilar, the sidewalks are cobblestone, there's a giant iron on one side of the street and a 12 1/2 Wall Street exists!

Right before you come up to Lexington Avenue, there's an alleyway with fantastic outdoor artwork. 

We camped out in World Coffee Cafe on Battery Park Avenue for a good hour for sketching, lattes, and a man telling everyone "it will never be like 1971 again!" Heard that. 

He he. It looks like he's admiring the drawing. 

I love street music. Let me reiterate: I LOVE IT, and these guys only added fuel to my fire. They go by "Blind Chocolate and the Meik Sheik." They were amazing!

But all good things must come to an end, and so did our amazing day away. But not before we stopped to watch the sunset over the mountains on the way home. 

Pit stop with a lollipop

Not only was this a wonderful escape, it also plays into the happiness project: love. Remember to spend time with the ones you love the most, friends.

Happy belated Valentine's Day! 

love, love me do: the happiness project continues

Happy February, friends! Our first month down in 2011. Let's give ourselves a round of applause!

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Now, as you may remember, my happiness project is my year long endeavor to seek greater happiness by tackling certain aspects of life each month. In January, I tackled vitality in an effort to be a more energetic person. I'm still working on this one, but after a month of a more regular sleep cycle, eating better, and exercising more, I feel so much better. I'll continue this.

So, now for February's project! When I think of February, I immediately think of Valentine's Day...icky, right? And so terribly cliché, not to mention overrated. But this "holiday" did give me inspiration for my newest area of happiness- love. Go ahead, relish in the cheesiness of it all.

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This obviously means the relationship aspect of love, but in addition, I'm going to focus on all of the people I truly love and work on showing them how much they mean to me. This entails giving proofs of love, remembering important things, like birthdays, making phone calls and having lunch dates with those I haven't seen in a while...anything possible to show the ones I love how much I really do love them.

the happiness project

I've started reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. Basically, Rubin lives a good life (a loving family, a job as a writer, comfortable setting in New York City) and feels pretty happy, but not as happy as she believes she can be. So she embarks on a year-long life changing experiment in which she tackles a new area of happiness each month. Example: In January, she tackles vitality by going to bed earlier, exercising better, organizing, and acting more energetic - all in an effort to be more energetic. Looking at the table of contents, she also tackles love, work, lightening up, leisure, friendship, money, eternity, hobbies, mindfulness, attitude, and happiness within. Wow.

I'm not even a full chapter in, and already I'm inspired to start my own happiness project. Like Rubin, I'm not unhappy by any means. But I feel like I could definitely improve on it. I've been contemplating what I would want to focus on each month. I like the way Rubin starts her project, with vitality. After a pretty rough semester, my energy plummeted to a new low. And with a new semester quickly approaching, I'll need all the energy I can muster.

I'm embarking on my own happiness project, starting with vitality. I'll get at least 7 hours of sleep, reorganize and clean my space, exercise and eat better.

I have a good feeling about this!