Project:Happy
 
I've always been one for independence. I like to do things myself, I figure if I've got it done myself, I know it will be done the way I like... the only downfall to this is that I have a little bit of a phobia of going out to public places alone. So today, I decided to step outside of my comfort zone. It's my moms birthday tomorrow so we are having a dinner for her. Being the youngest sibling, not much responsibility is left on me to help out. So instead of being upset that I wasn't included with the planning, I went to the dollar store (by myself! Yay!) and bought decorations, and candles for her dinner tomorrow. I also took the liberty to call some family members to see if they would be able to stop by. I can't believe how much everyone appreciated these small gestures, and I mean it didn't cost me much, and I actually enjoyed the time out on my own. This has kind of driven me to be less afraid of people, they are pretty much just like me.. I need to stop worrying what other people think of me so much!

I also went to the doctor today, which takes a lot off of my shoulders. I should be healthy and happy pretty soon!
Also, I had the best cuddle with my guinea pig, she loves her little chin tickles, I love that thing.
I'm off to bed soon for a good nights sleep, and tomorrow I'm helping out my grandma, and taking her to Valu Village.. She loves that place.. and Tuesdays are seniors 20% off days.
 
For the past few days I've simply been trying to get more sleep, and do things I normally wouldn't do.

My dad just became a realestate agent and has to do what they call 'farming'. He asked me to help him walk around his neighbourhood and hand out flyers with his name and information on it. Normally, I would have made up some excuse to stay home, and not do it. But instead, I told myself.. This is something I wouldn't have done before.. and I said yes. I have to tell you, it was nice to get out for the walk, and it was honestly nice to spend time with my dad. I don't do it often enough. So something else I am going to do during my Project: Happy is try to spend more time with my family. Friday night I came home from work and tried to spend time with my mom, but I fell asleep within minutes.. So unfortunately on that spector I failed, but you cannot succeed if you don't try at all. This afternoon my uncle and his partner are coming over with their two dogs for a 'playdate', which should hopefully be fun. They are nice people, and again, it will be nice to spend more time with family.

Speaking of which, I just took a five minute break and my mother and I danced to a great song.. Love of an Orchestra by Noah and the Whale. Instead of feeling tired, I feel so energized. And she seems to be in a better mood:)

I've been keeping my room tidy, and everyday I do a spot cleaning of my guinea pig cage. Just doing this little bit makes me feel more organized. I'm not quite as overwhelmed when I go into my room anymore.

Well Maxs' playdate will be here soon! It should be fun:)

I'll try to keep udating on a regular basis.

...The play date went really well, it was good excersize too, walking through all of the snow!
Plus the dogs had a blast. My guy is the black and white one (Max), my uncles are the two cattle dogs (Reba and Whiskey) I know Max is passed out now.
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Day 2 of Project: Happy --

I have to say last night ended in a fight with my sister, but I guess that is pretty common with siblings. I tried not to let it bother me, and I didn't hold any grudges, which is a start.

Anyways, it is amazing what a good nights sleep does for you. This is the first day I haven't felt exhausted in ages. Think energetic, feel energetic. Unlike Gretchen, who wrote The Happiness Project, I don't have children or a husband to better my relationship with. In a single parent house, with one sibling who is currently attending school to become a dental hygenist, I find myself home alone more often than not. So more or less, this project is to better the relationship I have with myself, which will hopefully end up changing my relationship with my mom and sister for the better. Maybe it will also help me appreciate my dad and brother more, who I don't happen to see very often.

Today I've decided will be my new beginning, I 'dancersized' for an hour, which I've realized is much more fun than just excersizing. I'm thinking about joining a class. I took my dog for walk, and I've played with Sir Charles, my guinea pig. I also picked up the dishes that were on the counter, put on the dishwasher and put away the clean dishes. So far so good. It's early afternoon though, so I still have time to do some other things. I'm going to vacuum my carpet, and maybe I'll even study for my history exam. It feels good to be doing things... I suggest it!

Wish me luck,
 
So I've been reading a book recently, and let me say, I've been extremely inspired! The book I'm indulging in is called the Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. This is not to say I'm not a happy person, but in the words of Gretchen, "I'm not as happy as I could be." I've decided to start my own happiness project, and hopefully to encourage other people to just do the little things, that can make everyone so much happier!

For day one of Project: Happy, I'm simply doing laundry and cleaning out my closet. This may seem little, but I feel like it will make me feel a great deal better... I mean, your room should be a place to relax and be comfortable. Not a place were you go and feel overwhelmed with the mess! I need my space back!!!!! I'm also going to listen to music everyday. Apparently humming/ singing is one of the most relaxing things you can do, so I'm definately going to try it out.. I'll let you know how it works out.

I've made some rules learned from being a teenager:
1. Let the little things be
2. Don't procrastinate... do my homework ASAP!
3. Don't be hard on myself! I'll do better next time
4. Don't be hard on others, they are trying as best as they can
5. When in doubt, ask :)
6. Your parents love you, even if it doesn't seem like it right now
7. Sure times might seem hard, but act how you want to feel, and you'll feel better
8. How you act determines how you feel, act happy, feel happy
9. Lost something? Clean up!

...3 loads of laundry later, and a bag of clothes ready to donate, I feel great! While I was at it, I found my sketch book, I didn't realize how much I had missed that thing. Funny how things turn up just when you need 'em.