Like many of you, I have spent much of the past year following the KonMari Method of decluttering my home. What I learned from reading The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up has been a constant theme in my life. “Does this item spark joy?” is a question repeating over and over again as I’ve been faced with the decision to declutter something or even bring something new into my home. It’s a method that has worked wonders in my life…until Christmas.

As I look at the giant stack of boxes that keep coming into my house for Christmas presents, I wonder where I went so wrong. How did I once again get caught up in the value of “things” over “joy”? Simply seeing these boxes and knowing the impact the clutter inside will have on our house makes me anxious. In fact, many of the things I’ve “KonMari’d” from this past year were Christmas presents from past years. Why did I allow myself to get caught up in shopping, shopping, shopping, yet again?

I’ve already made the mistakes I’ve made this year, but I vow right here and now that next holiday season will be different. Instead of choosing things, our family is going to choose experiences. It’s the experiences we share together… from big to small… that brings happiness to our lives. By not allowing more clutter into our house and by bringing more experiences to our life, we will be released from the stress of being suffocated by a house full of things.

As I think to next year, some ideas I have for experience gifts for my family are:…

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First off, my newest coffee mug from Pier 1 is the best, don’t you think? I love this time of year and the beginning of sweater season!…

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The post The Happiness Report #24 appeared first on Dine and Dish.

Happy happiness report time, friends! It’s my first happiness report of the new year, and I have so much to be happy about!

The absolute first thing on my list is our new dog. I can’t tell you how happy she is making our family. When we finally decided to get a dog, and Santa decided he’d bring us one, I was really nervous about how a dog would fit into our lives. Well, I think she is the best thing that’s happened to us in a long time. Right this very moment, she’s sitting on what she has taken over as “her chair” and snoring her sweet little doggy snore. Heartwarming.

She is an absolutely wonderful dog and has instantly become an important member of our family. Every time she hops in the car to go for a ride, or sits on my lap while I’m working, I smile. She loves the kids so much too, which of course brings me joy. If you are on the fence about getting a dog, I highly recommend taking the plunge! (If you missed the story of Meg’s entry into our family, you can find my post about it here).

Your emails, private facebook messages, calls and comments on my post about the struggles we are having with our 6 year old make me happy and feel so much less alone. Thank you all for your support…it totally turned my attitude about it all around. I know it takes a village, and I’m so thankful to have you all in mine! …

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The post The Happiness Report #20 – Puppy Love and More appeared first on Dine and Dish.

Happy November! I feel like I say this with each passing month, but November already? Really? Raise your hand if you think that seems impossible!

My heart has been heavy this week as I think of you all on the East Coast who have gone through so much. The pictures, stories, accounts… they all seem so surreal observing from Kansas. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Everything else seems kind of irrelevant, but I always think there is time to focus on what’s making us happy, so I decided to share a Happiness Report. Also, as the month of being intently thankful is upon us, seems like a good time, don’t you think?…

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