I had promised that I’d keep you posted on My Happiness Project. Perhaps you’ve noticed that I quietly updated My Happiness Project on the sidebar to February 2014.
Let me report my progress or lack of it from January.
Some of the main highlights were that I actually went for a walk more than half the month – which is good by my standards. Towards the end of the month, I got the ‘flu and then just gave up the walks. But I think resuming them will be much easier. However, I desperately need to work on going to bed earlier, so as to get up more energized.
I’m happy to report that I managed to clear out and give away quite a lot of household stuff, clothes and books. That made me feel so much better. I still have that nagging task to handle, but I’ve made a start with it, so I’m hoping to crack it this month.
This is what this month’s Happiness Project looks like. It’s all about love – very appropriate in February. While Gretchen Rubin’s project for February revolved around her husband, I’m trying to move beyond to family and others in my life.
I know that my whole effort to be more grateful for what I have, including a great relationship with Jose, has made a big difference to our marriage. I am more understanding and accepting because I’m grateful for having such a wonderful companion in my life. However, I can be quite a nag and poor Jose gets the worst of it. This is something I’m focusing on letting go of this month. So far, I can safely report, it’s going well. But that’s my side of the story – you’ll just have to ask him if he sees things any different! 😉
There is something I’ve learned after being married for seven years – we can and must improve ourselves as individuals, but we must always be striving to be better companions to our spouses. I can only work on being a better me, but when I become a better me, I find that the quality of my relationship with my spouse improves too. Less expectations and more focus on improving ourselves. I know it has worked for me.
While it’s easy to give proofs of love in gifts and fine words, it’s always hard to give proofs of love – in small daily acts of kindness to our spouses and family. What better proof of love than to spend more time with them listening, understanding, laughing. I’m attempting to do that.
Will be back with more of My Happiness Project, next month.
I can’t choose between the second and the fifth Corinne. I’m in love with both the ideas. And about becoming better individuals, I too have seen that when we are better to others as well as to ourselves, our relationships improve quite a lot. Please let me also join you this month in your happiness project 🙂
Bhavya recently posted..Dilemma in Hundred Words
Before you say ‘I love you’, you should learn to love I. Totally agree with you improving ourselves, engaging with yourself results in better relationship not just spouse but immediate family you are living with. I am working on this, I can tell the diff but still a long way to go! 🙂 And as for nagging my husband, neither of is seem to help being the way we are – me constantly nagging him, and he completely turning a deaf ear to all I have to say 😉
Aditi recently posted..With lots of love
Too many typos… Pls ignore 😉
Aditi recently posted..With lots of love
I agree spending time with family members is showing them love. I have been married for 25 years and am sure have nagged my poor husband for at least 24 of them but he is a good sport. I am changing too, improving myself, de-cluttering my mind and offloading my anger and stress.
I like your happiness project, very positive and nice. 🙂
The Happiness Project sounds like a brilliant thing to do. And it’s a lovely idea to try to improve on our inner selves so that we can show people just how valuable they are to us. Nothing beats a kind word, a hug, a kiss or even holding hands whilst going out. It doesn’t cost anything.
Rum Punch Drunk recently posted..Great Expectations
I agree with you Corinne. Quality time spent with the family is the best way to spread happiness. It is quite infectious. When we spread happiness we unknowingly get afflicted by it and this has a positive effect on our personality.
Our presence, our time is the best gift we can give our loved ones.
Geeta Nair recently posted..Thirst
So glad to hear that the project is going just fine. I really do like the way each month you’re focusing on one bit at a time. I guess this month I see myself getting into the sphere you’ve chalked out her too.
Less of expectations and improving oneself! Also ‘give proofs of love’ Lately I have realized it is so important to represent yourself in words/actions. It only makes your case stronger. I need to work on that too 🙂
Thanks!
Loved it! I think my weak points are 1 and 2. They are my pain areas, literally! Even though I don’t mean it, but I turn out to be a horrible nag and I need to improve on that!
Pratibha recently posted..Brand Focus – Rustic Art
I am smiling to myself as I think of your 7 and my 17. A loving relationship is a great place to be in. My favorite quote of the week is: “Love doesn’t excuse our faults: it makes them insignificant”. It is a lesson I’ve gradually learned.
I have pretty similar focus points as you, and have faced a setback thanks to health issues. 😀 Oh yes, over the past week – I have learned about not expecting praise or appreciation – especially outside the family.
I am watching your Happiness Project updates. And I wish you success! Hugs! Thank you for being in my life!
Vidya Sury recently posted..A Celebration of Love
Love your happiness updates, Corinne! And, you are so right that when we work on improving ourselves and loving ourselves first, we can more fully meet the needs of those we love.
Happy Valentine’s Day! <3
Martha Orlando recently posted..Sabbath Rest
Couldn’t agree more!! I’ve realized too, that the more I’m at peace with myself, the more I’m at peace with those around. I used to be Super Nag, but I think I’ve improved a lot, although I do have my days!! BTW, on your recommendation, I went ahead and ordered the paperback of The Happiness Project and I’m currently reading the Feb chapter, so this is perfectly timed 🙂
Fab recently posted..Balancing Self-Acceptance and Fitness
A delightful way of starting the love month. So happy to see your progress Corinne. And yes being a better person helps. I believe at the end of the day it is about you. Others are only the planets revolving in circles, it is your field or influence that decides how they do…
Hoping this project reaps fruits of happiness for you 🙂
richa singh recently posted..Suryagarh Jaisalmer- A Review
Very inspiring Corinne. I could learn a lot from you and I love the fact that you have dedicated a project purely for happiness.
Chai a cup of life recently posted..Pit Stop at a Dhaba in India!
I love how much you share. I love that I can look here and find love. Thanks for that.
xo
Adriana Boatwright ( recently posted..Wonderland…
I enjoyed your update, Corinne! Hope you have a great experience with February’s challenge.
Laurel Regan recently posted..How do you define a writer?
Hi Corinne!
What a wonderful project! I love the concept – a deliberate, step-by-step self-improvement project – a DIY Happiness!
And I believe that it’s easy to give gifts. The most difficult thing to give, and the most precious… is your time!
Thank you for signing up for my Ubuntu Bloghop next week!
I’m looking forward to the entries… 🙂
Michelle Wallace recently posted..The Insecure Writer’s Support Group ~ No#26
It sounds like you are making great progress on the road to happiness! Good luck on your continued quest! ♥
Kathy Combs ( recently posted..Counting Stars
**when I become a better me, I find that the quality of my relationship with my spouse improves too.**
Superb insight, Corinne. xx
It is fantastic that you are doing so well with your Happiness Project, Corinnne. I must work on No. 1 and 5.
Wishing you all the success this month for this project! Cheers 🙂
Shilpa Garg recently posted..Freeing My Mind
This is such a cool idea. Receiving love is just as important as giving love. I would’ve worded 2 a little differently rather than “not expecting” I would’ve said “Feeling praised and appreciated”. Sometimes no words are needed to praise and appreciate.
Suzy recently posted..Loving Heart
You’ve set yourself a bunch of very tough goals. Quit nagging, don’t expect praise/appreciation.. Gosh how hard is that! And then giving ‘proofs of love’.. Another toughie. However they do have the capacity to infinitely better our lives. Great that you’re going strong. Best of luck.