happy in 2013

Made playing with a very cool iPad app, Paper.

2012: Savor

2011: Better

I didn't get particularly far with either word. This year I want to set myself up for success.

2013: Happy

I want to notice things that make me happy. 

I want to find new things that make me happy. 

Happy will lead to awesome, right?

In January, I will just notice. Where do I see happy around me?

Savor 2012: Update 2

February: What I Savored

I ate out way too much with trips to Milwaukee, Chicago, Wausau, and Madison.

I savored ice cream with Em. That was easily my favorite thing I ate this month.

Can cough drops be savored? If so, I savored cough drops.

I did read a great book and I listened to Human Again lots and lots of times. That counts as something to savor.

What I Will Be Better At:

I went a lot of places in February - Milwaukee (convention), Chicago (visit with Em), Wausau (work), and Madison (visit with parents). While I enjoyed each of those things, I'm feeling like I could really use some quiet time at home. 

I am overwhelmed. My house is a mess. My finances are a mess. I haven't done laundry (besides socks, underwear, and towels) for longer than I'm willing to admit. 

There was some heartache in February. I'm working on finding ways to work on that - reminding myself who and what really matters, being kind, being patient, asking for help, not being consumed by being angry.

Did you notice my subway art up there? Cool, isn't it? Inspiration from Katrina. Tutorials from Gadding Gal, It Works for Bobbi, and The Daily Digi.

Savor 2012: An Update

Savor.

The word that is supposed to guide me in 2012. Remember?

So, what have I savored so far?

I took some silly pictures to remind myself of my word.

I ordered a necklace. I wear it often. I am still working on how exactly to explain to people who ask (there have been a few) why I wear a necklace with "savor" on it. For some reason, I feel a little ashamed to say that I'm wearing it as a reminder to enjoy myself. I'm not sure why I am embarrassed about wanting to enjoy myself. I need to work on that.

I got a fun reminder of my word in the mail from Katrina.

I enjoyed noticing little things and saving "stuff" from my life. It's gone into my Project Life album. It doesn't feel like a chore, and I already love looking back at it.

I have enjoyed at least a little part of every day. I am confident about this because pretty much every one of my days was filled with a string of emails from friends who make me laugh.

I snuggled Memphis a little closer this month. Em saying goodbye to Maddie made me think more than I wanted to about how limited my days with Memphis could be.

What will I savor in February?

I will not apologize for enjoying myself.
I will surround myself with my favorite people.

I would like to say I'm going to work on actually getting up when my alarm goes off to avoid being rushed in the morning. I'm not sure I can commit to that, though.

2012: Savor

Ah, a new year.
A time where all things seems fresh and new.
A chance to start anew - to keep what is good and to begin again with all else.

Yeah. That plan didn't work so well for me today.

It's 8:19 PM. I am still in my pajamas.
I didn't clean the house.
I didn't do laundry.

I made French onion soup. It was a total flop.
I tried to eat it with a salad. I just picked out the tomatoes and the cheese.
I ate almost an entire pint of Ben and Jerry's pistachio ice cream to replace the soup.

Anyway.

My plan for 2012 is to savor.

How, you might ask, is that different from how I normally live life?

Part of the plan to savor is definitely about enjoying myself. I want to be deliberate about it, though. And, I'm through feeling guilty about it or having to justify it to others or compare it with others.

Part of the plan is also to enjoy what I have - to want less, to feel satisfied, to save.

Happy 2012, Friends.

In 2011. . .

In 2011, I will be better.

Better means. . .
adjective

1. of superior quality or excellence

2. morally superior; more virtuous

3. of superior suitability, advisability, desirability, acceptableness, etc.; preferable

5. improved in health; healthier than before.

–adverb

6. in a more appropriate or acceptable way or manner: to behave better.

7. to a greater degree; more completely or thoroughly

8. more

–verb (used with object)

9. to increase the good qualities of; make better; improve: to better the lot of the suburban commuter.

10. to improve upon; surpass; exceed

–noun

11.  that which has greater excellence or is preferable or wiser

—Idioms

12. better off, (to be in better circumstances) 

13. better oneself (to improve one's social standing, financial position, or education)

14. for the better (in a way that is an improvement)

15. get/have the better of (to prevail against)

16. think better of (to form a higher opinion of)

Better is. . . 

greater, improved, more excellent, exceeding, more valuable, preferred, souped up, superior, surpassing, to a greater degree, worthier.

Why better?
I want something attainable, something constant for this year. Better can be a mindset. It can apply to everything I do, decide, and think. It can always be present in my life. Better is possible. It doesn't mean I have to be perfect or that I even have to go all out. It just means that I need to be better than I was before.

Wisdom about being better
"Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure not this thing nor that but simply growth. We are happy when we are growing."

-William Butler Yeats

"I always felt that I hadn't achieved what I wanted to achieve. I always felt I could get better. That's the whole incentive."

-Virginia Wade

An Invitation

I will make better decisions with my money (starting tomorrow), assume better things about those around me, be better at supporting the people I care about, be a better wife, be better at cleaning my house, spend my time in better ways. 

There is always be room and time in 2011 to be better.