Ok, in this blog post, I’m talking about what I did to prepare for My Happiness Project. If you’re lost, read my last blog post here. I’m aware there are two types of people, those who love the planning process and those who don’t. I definitely fall into the former category, but I’m not very organized or super analytical. I’m going to share what I did but you should take this as inspiration and find the processes and tools that work best for you. 

Get Inspired.

Getting in the right mindset is everything for me when it comes to making changes, working towards goals, etc. I do this by collecting and researching. Since the whole project was inspired by Gretchen Rubin’s Happiness Project, I read the physical book (borrowed from my sister) and listened to the audiobook (borrowed from my local library app). I did both because I knew I wouldn’t have time to read the entire hardcopy (new baby on board), but I would need to see the lists and how she organized her year. I’m a VERY visual person, #selfawareness. I also borrowed the Happier at Home audiobook, the second Happiness Project Gretchen wrote about. I listened to these books back to back for a few weeks before January 1st. Hearing her story is such a huge motivation. She has a way of making it seem so attainable. 

List it out.

When I get a thought or idea, I have to write it down or I’ll lose it. It’s taken me years to learn this about myself, but I’m getting much better. As I was listening to and reading the books, I started having ideas of the resolutions and goals I wanted to tackle this upcoming year. I wrote down ALL the ideas in my notes app and journal. Even if I wasn't sure about the idea, I wrote it down. It’s so important to not judge ideas when they’re new. I wrote down all the possibilities and would trim the list later. 

I did the same thing for my 11 truths. I started brainstorming using my Pinterest quote boards. I wrote down all of the quotes and ideas that I pinned over and over because they resonated with me for so long. You can also borrow other peoples’ until you figure out yours. Gretchen’s are a great place to start. I took a few cues from her. Don’t get caught up on any of these. This project is about learning and changing. I believe perfection is a lie that stops us from accomplishing anything. 

Plan out the year.

Next, I pulled out a piece of blank paper (visual-learner!) and drew 6 squares on each side. Then, I took my list of resolutions/goals and started placing themes into a month. I did this in pencil, as I do most things. I want the freedom to change my mind and move things around. 

I really liked that Gretchen had themes for each month. I had a few ideas for some months, but not every month. I allowed myself to be flexible with themes. 

Also, I have one simple rule for organizing your monthly resolutions: : Don’t Overwhelm Yourself. I’m very aware of how being overwhelmed is a killer for me. I don’t thrive off of being really busy. Instead, I feel defeated and quit. I wanted to tread lightly here. The whole point of this project is to SIMPLIFY and SLOW DOWN. Loading up each month with 10 goals to accomplish would defeat the purpose. I decided to have no more than 3-5 goals per month. This number is going to be different for everyone.

Track.

This is a very important step. Gretchen calls this monitoring and it’s crucial. Not only does it help you track your progress, but it keeps the goals/resolutions top of mind when you’re looking at them every day. Right now, I plan on keeping a chart on the fridge, but the location may change. I am open to flowing with what excites me (one of my truths!). I used the habit tracker chart HERE. I wanted something clean and black and white. There are a ton of free templates like this all over the internet. Gretchen has one on her website too plus lots of other resources.

Day-to-Day.

This is where the work happens. The planning phase will be over and it comes down to the real work, sticking to what I set out to do. I plan on revisiting my 11 truths in the morning and before I go to bed, tracking my progress on my chart, and listening to the books or Gretchen’s podcast for motivation. I think having a list of things that motivate me is a really good idea because I KNOW I will have ups and downs.

My resolutions.

Now, I thought I would share with you my untrimmed list of resolutions to inspire you with lots of ideas. You will see the specific resolutions I chose in detail for January and the rest of the months in my next blog post.

Slow Down Resolution Ideas:

• Less screen time (limit to an hour and a half on my phone per day)

• Read more fiction books

• Read only one non-fiction book a month

• Kiss my husband every AM and PM (warm greetings)

• Hug my husband for more than 7 seconds every day

• Wake up before sunrise

• Self-massage/abhyanga/gua sha

• Create a simple nighttime skin ritual

• Dry brush

• Drink more water

• Breath/wait 2 minutes after starting the car

• Set a pretty table for dinner

• Listen to more music while cooking, eating, and at home

• Ground myself every day (walk in nature, put my feet in water, or sit in the sun)

• Meditate 5 minutes daily

• Stretch/foam roll 5 minutes daily

• Dance 5 minutes daily 

• Write birthday cards/notes by hand

• Buy flowers every week

• Eat without screens (no phones, tv, etc.)

• Establish cocktail hour

• Dress for every occasion (aprons when cooking, robes while practicing self-care, a dress during the day, etc)

• Take an outfit picture most days of the week

• Mend, iron, appreciate clothes weekly

• Write for 10 minutes a day

• Establish signature hairstyle(s)

• Move my body for 20 minutes daily

• Take more walks/take air

• Create traditions for Jackson

• Light candles

• Use the bath salts, oils, etc

• Get bored

• Go to the bathroom when I need to

• Write a gratitude list (three things daily)

• Enjoy the now

• Fail more

• Write a blog a week

• Stop using never/always

• Stop rolling my eyes at my husband

• Celebrate anniversaries and birthdays better

• Celebrate the traditional anniversary years

• Accomplish one thing a day

• Give up sugar

• Give up soda

• Visit museums

All of these ideas reflect the life I want to live and the person I want to be. I get excited just thinking about a lot of these habits and you should too if you make your own list. Excitement is a sign you’re on the right path, no matter how fast or slow you go.

jodi xx