April Happiness Project

Back in January when I wrote out all my goals for the year and placed them in specific months randomly, I didn’t know just how perfect some of those placements would be. My list for April is:

• Meditate

• Handwritten cards/notes

• Make Traditions

• Traditional Anniversary Gifts

April and May contain many birthdays for some of my most beloved people: my husband, my mom, Elizabeth, Me, Jen, Jade, Yaz… just to name a few. One of my big goals for the year was to celebrate more and make more traditions. I’m not talking about buying bigger, more expensive gifts, but really celebrating the people I love with intention. Not fancy but thoughtful. Fun and imperfect birthday cakes, lots of balloons, and more importantly, surrounding ourselves with the people we love (when it’s possible and safe). It’s easy to let life fly by and forget what’s important. It’s always been the little things for me. When I was a kid, my mom always woke us up with a birthday surprise of balloons and a small gift, like a Disney movie I was dying to have. It made me feel so loved and special. It was never about the gift itself but the intention and the tradition of it all.

I want to make those traditions, not just for Jackson, but for all the people I love. I’ve learned the hard way how short life is. How a small moment in time can change everything and impact your life forever. Stopping to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries is helping me stay present when time seems to be passing me by. This May 25th Elizabeth would have been 2 years old. Two. Years. Old. Wow. It’s impossible for me to not feel sad about that, but I also know I can find ways to mix in some joy. She deserves that. We all do.

Birthdays have such a new meaning for me. We are alive, and that’s a lot to celebrate. The smallest gestures have always made the biggest impressions on me. So this month (and the rest of the year) I’m dedicating to sending more cards, buying more balloons, and gathering around more tables. I’ve also always wanted to follow the traditional anniversary gifts, my old soul loves the idea and finds something so romantic about the simplicity of it. Plus, it requires more time and creativity than a typical gift (aka, it takes more intention). 

This will be the third wedding anniversary for Justin and me. The traditional gift is leather. I have no idea, so if you have any please share! DM me on IG (@polishingup) or comment here. 

Celebrate something or someone this week!

jodi xx

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