Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Who is doing The Happiness Project with me in 2025?
For January, Gretchen’s goals were:
boost energy, go to sleep earlier, exercise better, toss, restore, organize, tackle a nagging task, and act more energetic.
Go back to my first post about it if you need more background!
I added to Gretchen’s January goals to create my January List (basically a list of fun things to do this month and post coming tomorrow), create my 40 bags list to start going through various areas of my house, learn to enjoy January, read more and scroll less, have a bath night – maybe Friday night? – where I read my book in the tub.
I’m not doing very well so far since I have still been in that weird limbo between Christmas and New Year’s with my week of snow days!
I am enjoying January more! What has helped me is keeping out the twinkle lights, making more hot beverages – two cups of coffee in the morning, tea later in the day, hot chocolate if the mood strikes, having some unexpected snow days and leaning in to the snow days, having my kids around, reading more and watching less tv and scrolling less.
For about a week of this month I was sick so that made it hard to improve my sleep and to be very motivated about decluttering.
I have already read two books! This is amazing for me because I prefer reading outside. I really tried to embrace indoor reading and it worked.
So, that’s how I am doing so far in January. I have to tell you that I wasn’t that excited about the January themes this time around. I am really anxious to have the roads snow free so I can walk more easily. I think that will be a boost for me.
How are you doing this month if you are participating? If you aren’t participating, how are you doing with any other January goals?
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
I just read the intro and chapter 1 yesterday but after hiking in the cold yesterday I had zero trouble falling asleep at 8:30 last night so I easily got a full 8 hours of sleep!
But that is the first time we’ve been outside walking since mid-December. I am just NOT embracing the cold this year and Evan and I were remarking that going to Hawaii seemed to have made that worsen. I really miss the warm weather, sunshine, and flip flops. I remember going to Disney in February being the same way– it made the last part of winter feel so much longer because I was just so ready for spring. I have been doing lots of reading and working on my puzzle though!
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I think you are right about Hawaii. My friend went to Mexico and said the same. It ruined her for the cold we are having.
it’s hard to be trapped inside and I love reading outside so much. i know you do, too.
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I’m participating! I wasn’t crazy about the January goals either, so I kind of ignored them and will do my own thing. I already am pretty organized and clutter free in my home, so that was an easy one for me to embrace. I could boost my energy, and am thinking of ways to do that. I started this morning by waking up at 4 and taking a shower to start the day; this wasn’t intentional, but I couldn’t sleep, so I got up. I love doing things in my home in the mornings!
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Glad I’m not the only one! I think Feb. will be better.
Oh, wow – you have been sleeping in more so that is rare. But, you know what – you made the best of it and you get the reward of an early morning!
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I am glad to hear you’re enjoying January more! The simple things make a difference like enjoying the hot beverages and the twinkle lights. I think you’re doing great!
xo,
Kellyann
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It’s going by faster but maybe that is just a sign of my old age!
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Thank you for following up with us! My husband and I have cleaned out our closets… There’s probably more we need to do, but we don’t have anything “getting in the way“ either so not too motivated on that front right now. Plus, we still have two kids at home and I figure we will stay in this “limbo” until they take the next step in their lives. I like the idea about having more energy and absolutely need to move more and get more exercise. The cold gray days make it difficult (for me) and I need to just get rid of that excuse – ha!
Looking forward to your January list – I can’t ever imagine “looking forward“ to anything in January (haha), except, of course, in the years that I have had “big“ projects to start the year with. This year, I made a list of things I want to finish. Now maybe I need to give myself some deadlines!
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Yes! That’s awesome! I’m the same – you never regret getting out even if it isn’t for long.
I’m the same and my Christmas is simple so it’s not exhausting like some say and I don’t feel the need to rest in January.
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I love this. I will definitely be following along with you and Jen – great idea- very inspirational- the weather definitely affects my happiness for sure- I prefer snow-free roads too!
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Thank you! Please do! You don’t have to buy the book because we will tell you the monthly themes.
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Well, I stepped on the scale January 2nd and that was cause to make some changes to my eating habits!! I always tend to clean up and calorie less in January after the excesses of December so in that regard, nothing too new. BUT, the number was higher than it’s ever been which was depressing and a bit demoralizing (since it brought up thoughts of getting even older, slowing down more, etc.). I made several changes to my diet and I know that they’re having an impact so that is good? I hope you’re enjoying your books. I have read up a storm in January and am loving that 🙂
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Oh gosh – I am not that brave. I would love to hear your tips. I am upping my protein and lowering my sugar. I am definitely not moving enough but going back to school did help me to start getting more steps in.
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I’m a big fan of a book in the bathtub and do that many nights. Probably not great for my skin this time of year, but definitely good for my mental health!
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I have one of those bath boards but I don’t have a pillow. Maybe this friday night!
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I’m not reading that book but just cleaning out my home here in Tulare and the beach house makes me happy! I donated several pieces of clothing in both places. Kitchen items i haven’t used in forever. I donated books to the free library by my favorite sandwich shop. I had a set of dishes i haven’t used in years and I finally donated them. That was 4 tubs alone. I feel like my home’s just breathe easier when i am done!!
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You are very good about staying decluttered! Goals!
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I’m not using the book but had a few of my own goals. At the end of 2024 on the weekends, I would come home from work on Friday evenings and not want to leave until Monday morning for work. I need to make myself run errands to be productive. I need to move more, and I need to scroll Insta less. On Sunday, I went to cardio tennis (who am I?), picked up a Walmart grocery order AND ran into Mariano’s for extras. I also dropped off a bag of clothing donations. Had my usual tennis league on Monday night. I’m doing better on scrolling less by reading more. Moving more is hard when it’s a feels like temperature of 5 degrees outside (yay Chicago winter).
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I would really recommend Fiona Ferris books for inspiration. I found her Christmas book so helpful in December and made my errands fun. I dressed in red and green and enjoyed myself!
It’s so hard to get excited when it’s that cold but could you couple an errand this weekend with a cozy coffee shop and a book?
Great job on the things you have accomplished!
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My book arrived and I’m in! I’m really into these kind of books and next year I will definitely buy that Fiona Ferris Christmas book. Please remind us come December!
Go to sleep earlier: well, no, can’t say I do
Exercise better: hm, I bike to school, maybe I can bike better? 😀
Toss, restore, organize: yes! I threw away a couple of old broken coffee cups! And we put up a rod high up in the ceiling of a wardrobe where we put a bunch of winter jackets to clear up space in our hallway wardrobe. So easy and such a great difference!
Tackle a nagging task: which one should I choose…
Act more energetic: that I will do! It’s so easy to complain about everyone else being boring and lethargic, but let’s start with ourselves!
I like the goals! I think they are inspiring! And January flows by quickly! I’m afraid February will be worse…
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Great! You have re-energized me at I sit here at 5:50 am! Ha!
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Ouch! Over here it’s lunchtime! 😀 It’s quite hard to communicate with Saga, there’s a time difference of seven hours for us. Wasn’t that complicated when your son was in Scotland?
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Yes! We did 6 am usually and it was a good time for him and I loved waking up to a what’s app!
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