Happy Sunday, everyone!
I’ve been feeling like such a bad blogger because I absolutely know that now is the time I should be doling out gift guide posts and SEO rich cookie and treat recipes, and Christmas crafting ideas but I’m just not feeling it. Honestly, when you are trying to lose weight, creating unnecessary treats just for a pinteresting blog is kind of counter productive. Even though I know you all would love to see some of that stuff, I hope you don’t mind if it comes at a slower pace than the other on the ball blogs. Just know, I’m not on the ball right now, but you know what I definitely am? HAPPY! I’ve had such a feeling of overwhelming happiness lately… and maybe that’s because I’ve stepped back and disconnected a little more. I don’t know, but I like it!
So, with that, I thought it was the perfect time to share my 25th Happiness Report with you! Below are some of the things that have been making me happy lately.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve developed a new morning tradition. Nudged on by my oh so brilliant friend Naomi, I’ve started getting up an hour earlier (around 5:20am) and enjoying what my Instagram friend deemed “Happy Hour”. As I was going through the Live More Weigh Less Mastery course, I remembered how I used to find such joy in spending many hours clipping things out of magazines and pasting things into books, writing down quotes, sharing gratitude, etc. So, as part of my morning routine, I’ve created a bubble of time where I read the newspaper, write cards to friends, journal, write down my daily gratitude, capture inspiring thoughts, tape in recipes I want to try and enjoy my coffee. It has become the time of day I look forward to the most. My So Many Stars tote bag has become my “Happy Bag” and I keep stamps, cards, scissors, washi tape, and several favorite books in there. It’s completely offline time, so I think of my happiness book kind of as my offline version of Pinterest. Do you have any time carved out just for you to meditate or reflect or be creative? I can tell you getting up an hour early for my time has been so worth it!
If you are a blogger looking for some balance and organization in your life, this is definitely one Kickstarter you want to check out!
I bought new pajamas a couple weeks ago that are both comfortable and just a tad bit sexy (depending on what buttons you leave undone.) Who knew that simply buying new PJ’s could make me happy?
I think this gift for the book lovers in your life is so cute! I think I could even be this crafty.
Amy makes me really want to take up knitting. Does’t she have the cutest knitting projects on her blog?
You guys… that logo above is mine for a really special product I’m working on. I cannot wait to be able to offer it to you! But for now, I wanted to share a super secret sneak peek! I’m so excited!
This time of year when all the “best books of” lists come around I get geeky excited. The way this list was created is pretty cool… I added a ton of these books to my Goodreads!
I totally need this sign in my life!
There are so many things about this time of year that make me happy, but I’d better stop there! Now it’s…
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This whole post made me happy. That logo makes me jump up and down, that kickstarter project? Divine. Calling your morning time “Happy Hour” is also brilliant.
My happiness for this weekend includes our re-flooring project starting tomorrow AND a new project of my own that I’m excited about. The kind that is ear-to-ear grin!
Happy Sunday, dear friend!
Isn’t “happy hour” just the best name for it? I owe this little change in my life all to you, so thank you 🙂
Oh I can’t wait to hear about your new project! Yayayay!
Thanks so much for backing our project Naomi! I’m so excited for you to get your Blog Buddy!
Dani
Absolutely! It’s going to be so great when it’s officially launched! You’ve been working hard.
You are making me happy!! You’re not the only one who doesn’t do holiday baking so please know you’re not alone in that department. Personally, I’m looking forward to January so that my RSS Feed isn’t pure sugar again. 🙂 Also, I want those pajamas!! Sadly the buttons are needed for nursing vs. being sexy but hey, Jacob is my main man these days. 😉 xo
Been there, done that, and these PJ’s would be perfect for little Jacob!!
Kristen, I love this whole post so much. Happiness??? What’s that? I know what stress is, but this happiness of which you speak? I’ve spent the last six months feeling like I’m slipping into quick sand, maxed out in every direction, knowing that it’s humanly impossible to do it all, but unable to figure out which ball I can drop, while hoping I don’t drop them all. I think it’s time to wrap up some sponsored posts and contract work and remember that my kids will only be ten and three for one Christmas, and I can’t buy it back or delay it, that I will never finish this to do list so instead I’ll just put it down, and deal with it at another time. So hard to do at absolute prime time for baking bloggers, but when that oxygen mask has dropped and is staring you squarely in the face, that’s probably a sign you really need to use it. Now. Thank you.
Oh friend – I know how hard things have been for you lately and know your situation is totally different than mine, but the one thing we do have in common is our career choice and it is so hard to balance all of that out.
I know it seems impossible, but I think if you try giving back to you a little more, even in the most simple of ways, you’ll begin to find happiness again. You spend so much of your day (dare I say 100%) giving to others. Give yourself at least 30 minutes… buy flowers for you, read a magazine you love (that isn’t related to food or parenting), buy some new PJ’s 🙂 Just do something to give back to you. You deserve it!
Thanks Kristen. You are so right, it’s a hard career to balance. It’s always there. It’s on our phones, our desktops, our laptops. There’s no leaving the office, and of course there is always more we can do, so it’s virtually impossible to ever feel that our day is “done”. While the day may not be done, I think I need to learn to hit the pause button, because these girls certainly do not have a pause button on them. 🙂
This post makes me happy! I’m pretty sure I want to live or at least visit Fifty-Two Happiness Street! You aren’t the only one who is steering away from holiday baking…tomorrow, I’m sharing a meatloaf recipe. Cuz what says holidays more than meatloaf? 😉
I’m excited to share Fifty-Two happiness street with you Johnna! Super excited!
And I love meatloaf every time of year!!!
Oh Kristen, I’m so happy to hear that you are feeling happy!!! I’m really excited to hear about your new project too…I’m sure it will be fabulous. My happiness recently came out of a really good deep conversation with a food blogger friend…it was really freeing. I’m personally not doing holiday gift guides or anything that we are “supposed to do” if I don’t enjoy it. I think I lost a lot of joy by filling my days doing things that I thought I needed to do to keep up, and I’m not doing those things anymore, and it feels so dang good, haha.
Kristen! This whole post is awesome! I need that sign!
Thanks so so much for all your help with our Kickstarter project! I can’t wait to hear your reaction when you get your Blog Buddy in hand!!
Dani
the Pom Pom book marks? Right Up My Alley!!!! I am totally a polka dot girl so anything resembling a circle, or dot always make me smile. I loved your post and your artfully crafted journey to balance. Interestingly, I’ll keep it short because this is a comment box, right? Planning to return to the storytelling world. Anyway, I am so inspired by your quest for balance. This season has been like that for me as well. Happy Heart for the Christmas Season is the best gift and wish of all. “I Believe.” Happy and Merriest of Christmas Season’s of All, Kristen.
Also, I am on board with your happiness project. I think you have started a revolution. Balance is such a tricky path, individually defined personally. Sometimes its even unknown literally. A trip we all have to make at one time or another. Thanks for bringing it home for all during the most meaningful season of the year.
I love this idea, a happiness list 🙂 Making me happy–I’m living in Austin with my Fiancee, a big change from living in the chilly Massachusetts! Finally took the plunge and moved across the country.
I love this post. I’ve also been getting up an hour early to do things for myself that are making my happy. I can spend the time blogging (that is my disconnecting from my professional life) and I recently took up running. I still haven’t reached that point where I’m happy WHILE I’m running, I love that I’ve been able be consistent with it and have seen huge progress. All this happiness for me is making me a much better mom and partner and I think we’re all a little happier for it.
Love the yarn bookmarkers – I shared that on my fb. And I hear you – I’m trying to lose another 22 lbs (and more) from my first baby (already lost all with second) and cooking isn’t as much fun as it used to be. I have to have excuses! Can’t wait to hear about this special project! And for an excuse for me and the hubs to take a getaway to your city so I can meet you!
I am “happily” pinning away right now all kinds of ideas for my new craft room.
Well, my craft room on a budget.
A craft room will definitely take away the long wait of summer’s arrival….right? Right.
It makes me SO HAPPY that you pull out your “So Many Stars” tote bag every morning for Happy Hour! Seriously, my heart just bloomed when I read that. 🙂
What’s making ME happy these days? Being at home for a good long stretch with Jamie (I love touring, but there’s no place like home), making meals for us in my own kitchen (road food gets soooooo old), and nesting for the winter. I’m also finding unexpected happiness in my new workout routine. Don’t get me wrong, I still really dislike the actual working out part, but it’s short enough that it’s over fast; and what I love is the results I feel in my body. Pretty soon I’m gonna be unstoppable. 😉
Love to you from California!
ooh, intriguing. I’ve been getting up early too! books and writing and drawing and coffee for me! we lost internet for a bit tonight, and I actually played board games with the kids- which really made me happy! I should do that more often-unplug, that is.
Happiness is extremely contagious, and you just delivered an extra large dose. Which happens to be just what I need right now. I can’t wait to hear more about your secret project!
I love everything about this post including all these comments. I REALLY hope Dani’s kickstarter is successful. I want it.
That sign? AMAZING. I need that in my kitchen.
Pajamas? Adorable. Thank goodness for your space heater so you don’t have to cover them up with a robe. 😉
Your new project? DYING to hear more.
Things that made me happy today — we put up our tree. It’s our tiny one, and fake. And I’m sure I’ll set it up 100 more times when N pulls it over. But it’s a Christmas tree. I love Christmas. I love that tomorrow morning when I’m up with N at 5am I’ll be able to look at the lights in the dark with coffee in hand.
And I stared at N while he slept in my arms for awhile tonight. And E sang in church for the first time ever and it was obviously the cutest thing ever.
Good day all around. 🙂 Please don’t ever stop writing Happiness reports.
I’m so excited to hear more about your new project! Going to check out some of these happy things now. 🙂
I also get up at 5:20, which I started as a time to read for my spiritual needs and just enjoy some quiet time with my coffee. The content of my quiet time has changed and evolved a bit, but I still like getting up and having the house to myself for awhile.
And Happy Friends make me happy!
I just love this and can’t wait to hear more about your venture. I also get up early… 400 am actually. I have alot of unhappiness in my life due to my full time job, but one of my very favorite things ever is my morning time when I drink my coffee, write, work on my own projects that I love.
I love your happy hour idea and I’m so tempted to try it out. I’ve always been an early riser ever since I used to get up at 3am to go to work back in the day. But now since being the SAHD, I’ve switched it around and have some ludicrously late nights. I gotta take a long look at y schedule and routine…
I’m so glad you are feeling happy, Kristen! You totally deserve to! It’s great to wake up with a smile on your face.
I’m loving this time of year, too. We’ve been baking up a storm around here lately. Early each December, we bake cookies and give them to those around us as a thank you’s for all they do for us throughout the year — UPS, Fed Ex, mailman, the nurses at the doctors office who cared for my daddy before he passed away, church staff, etc. My grandmother would always bake cakes and cookies this time of year to share with neighbors and church friends and I guess her tradition wore off on me a little bit. Now, truth be told, all the sampling to make sure they taste just right before delivering sure is meaning lots of extra time on that treadmill for me lately! 🙂
Hugs to you and your family this Christmas. Looking forward to hearing more about your new venture!
Never apologize for not being on the ball around the holidays…I can relate to you even more that you’re not! Lol. I’m so happy you are happy, I love your happy hour, and I love those Pom Pom bookmarks!
Happiest of holidays my friend! xo
Can’t wait to find out more about this special project! Glad to hear that you’re so happy. You deserve it!
What makes me happy? My dogs. Because they expect nothing, except a treat every now and then, and a little game of ball that makes them excited and me laugh.
My happiness hour was often called happiness islands where I took time off in the day and just went for a walk, baked, took a few images (other than food) etc. Somehow I lost the way this year and got caught up in a lot of static and stress. This is bringing me back on track … thank you!
I’m so happy for this post and I’m so happy for my friends. They keep me grounded and they keep me solid. I don’t know what I would do without you and my other dear friends. I can’t wait to hear more about your new project. I’m so proud of you, Kristen!!
I love this, Kristen. I have been feeling the same way lately… With the baby and trying to stay healthy, I just don’t feel the inspiration for all of the holiday blog posts. I’m glad I’m not the only one who decided to pull back on everything.
I can’t wait to hear more about your project… You are such an inspiration to me!
I am SO excited to find out more about your new project!!
So beautiful, Kristen! I love your new morning ritual! I’ve been wanting to exchange my late nights for an early morning routine, myself. I’m feeling inspired now! Thank you! What’s making me happy lately? Well, it took a few months for the kids and I to adjust, but I am loving our new simple life in the Southern California mountains. Now that we’ve traded in our crazy runaround schedule and are homeschooling… our mornings are so much less chaotic. We are able to focus on family time throughout the day, explore the outdoors, and are experiencing seasons for the very first time! It’s lovely! I am feeling very thankful and blessed for our downsized, quieter life…. xo
Well this makes me happy for starters. I always enjoy the time people take to share good things! As for myself, many things make me happy on a regular basis, so you’ve inspired me to spend time this morning (I LOVE Monday!) writing something similar. The feel good effect from the time spent should add a glow to the entire week, I think. And best to you on your new venture! Looking forward to the reveal 😉
I’m happy spending this time with the people who really matter in my life. And, I’m happy saying no to things that take me away from them. 🙂
Can’t wait to hear more about your project!
I can’t wait to see what the new logo is for!
SO excited to find out more about your new project!!!
I have started a little project too and although it’s labor-intensive, it makes me happy. Don’t feel the need to over-do the holiday stuff. Let everyone else cover it and you stay your happy self.
I love these posts! I do something similar with my “Little Things” series — so fun to see what other people are doing to up their happiness. And I LOVE the happy hour idea… might have to adapt that myself!
oooh, can’t wait to hear what you are up to!!
You know what’s making me happy? That I haven’t opened my reader in 3 days….making me unhappy? I opened it today and had over 120 posts to look through. Making me happy? Reading yours. Whatever you’re working on is sure to be pure gold 😀
I can not wait to hear more about your project!! Love the logo and it sounds like my kind of thing!
I was thinking of creating for myself an offline hour, just to read a book, pet a cat, drink tea, read magazine. Time flies buy so quickly when you are online.
I used to enjoy having a scrapbooks. You are not bad blogger for not baking SEO treats, you are actually a good blogger, who cares about her piece of mind.
Have a great weekend.
SEO rich cookies! I love it. I’m not posting anything really holiday oriented either. I can’t wait to hear more about your happiness project!!
I’m late to this post, but love it still the same. That early hour of unplugged “me time” is so precious. I manage little spits of that a few times a week, never for a whole hour, though. I love this idea. And that logo…I’m definitely intrigued to see what’s in store.
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