Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project"

I just finished reading Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project" and it's definitely a keeper. After being introduced to the minimalist lifestyle aka intentional living, I purged many things from my life including books. While I'm still in the middle of the purging process, I know have a direction to go in. Before I would just add more to an empty space that I had created, but now I have learned that everything should have a home. If I believe that I will read it again and get something out of it, then I should keep it. If it served it's purpose then it's time for it to go to a new home like a library, school, or Half Price Books (where I originally purchased this book).

Included in the newer version of "The Happiness Project" is an excerpt from her next book, "Better Than Before." I have to say that I'm definitely interested in her story when it comes to habits. I enjoy the way she writes; it feels like a combination of having a conversation with a friend and someone's personal journal.

The main reasons that this book originally jumped out at me was that (1) it had my favorite color, yellow, juxtaposed with a light blue sky over the tops of some New York City apartments, and  (2) it sounded vaguely related to my current project. I literally came across this book while in the midst of my own personal happiness project, albeit a less organized version. They werent vaguely similar as I originally thought. They were one in the same, but with a different person with different life.

Starting a couple months ago, I picked a theme of something to focus on. In April it was to be more grateful, in May it was to rediscover hobbies and have more fun, in June I focused on money, June bled into July in a less stressful manner with more money mindfulness and budgeting, and right now in August I wanted to work on focus on what's important.

I love Gretchen's "Secrets of Adulthood," "Four Splendid Truths," "Happiness Project Manifesto," and all the little maxims she discovered and actually wrote down. Reading her story, like with the works of The Minimalists and Elizabeth Gilbert, it made me think about my life, how I feel, what I want out of life, and gave me a direction to start moving. One of her "Secrets of Adulthood" is "When the student is ready, the teacher appears." This book, and her next one for that matter, feels like the embodiment of this. I hope she continues to write and publish works for years to come.

Get Off Your Butt and Go Walk the Dog

I can't be the only one that struggles to motivate myself to do some things, regardless if I enjoy them or not. We are supposed to eat right, exercise, take time for yourself, and such, but how often do we think about our own role in the lives or others? That is something I know I need to work on doing more often.

Our new dog Dexter has been with us for about a week now and I'm still not quite used to it. As a cat person, it all seems like new territory to me. On my days off all he wants to do is hang out right next to me or will climb onto my lap and ask for attention. Lately I have been pushing him off a lot, mostly because he keeps sneezing on me and my laptop and because I'm doing something else at that moment. Sometimes he reminds me how I'm not quite ready for kids, not that I don't want them in a couple years, because of the massive time commitment and complete lifestyle shift.

My husband told me that dogs have a weird perception of time. As I sat at my kitchen table typing on my computer (hypocritically)and not spending time with Dexter, I had an epiphany that he probably has no idea how short or long this period of time that I'm not focusing on him is. I feel silly for sitting here and pondering my life, when we could be outside on a walk doing the same thing together. I want me-time and that takes away from us-time. Striking a balance is always a challenge. I guess it's time to get off my butt and give Dexter the love and attention he deserves.

1 Hour Later...

We just got back from a walk around the neighborhood. He does surprisingly well on a leash and has only gotten better each time we go. I think I have walked him the most, my husband has walked him once or twice, and we have gone together once. Hopefully the three of us can go more often.


I didn't think about life as much as I thought I would and instead focused completely on enjoying the moment and nice weather with Dexter. It was really calming to let go of everything for a bit.

From my fur-babies and I,
Have an awesome day!