On Happiness, Shopping, and Intervention

Lately I’ve been thinking about what it means to be truly happy. In general I believe that happiness is a constant struggle that involves choice. You have to actively choose to be an optimistic person – trust me when I say that I find pessimism much easier. Searching for a silver lining on shitty days can be trying, exhausting, in no way is it easy. The reason I thought of this is because of an old Chinese Proverb: “We count our miseries carefully and accept our blessings without much thought.”

This quotation in particular screams at me because it’s so undeniably true. Why am I so much more affected by a bad day than I am a good day? Is this a normal struggle? I imagine it is

I choose every day to wake up a happy person. And I hope you all do too. The whole no shopping thing is where I have had the opportunity thus far to re-think the “retail therapy” aspect of my life. When I’ve had a bad day maybe I need to reflect, read a book, have a glass of wine, watch some really bad TV (I don’t know about you, but Intervention makes me SO happy I’m not a crack whore) I don’t need to buy something to fix the problem. I need to fix me!

I know this is a totally random post, but I thought I would share it anyway. As well as Ghandi’s Top 10 Fundamentals for Changing the World: (or myself):

1. Change yourself

2. You are in control

3. Forgive and Let Go

4. Without action you aren’t getting anywhere

5. Take care of THIS moment

6. Everyone is Human

7. Persist

8. See the good in people

9. Be authentic, be your true self

10. Continue to grow and evolve

What are your thoughts? What do you do to maintain positivity and happiness in your life? Do you shop till you drop or treat yourself to a bubble bath? Let me know in your comments!

It’s 2012 – Time to be Miserable!

Hola bloggies!

Remember me? No? That’s probably because it’s been so long since I last updated the blog, so let me catch you up on a few things:

1. My family came to visit for Christmas! Yay! I hosted my very first Christmas dinner for 9 people, including 5 house guests, and we had a lovely time. My mom and sister did most of the cooking, but we had ham, potatoes, asparagus, french bread, pumpkin pie, homemade fudge, and that’s only naming a few things. We went up to San Francisco, down to the outlet malls (more on that soon!) and basically all over the bay area. It was lovely.

2. Having 5 house guests for 9 days is equal parts awesome, and exhausting. I grew up in a big loud household, so having that many people is always really fun for me. However, as the hostess with the mostess this time around, I understand the pressures of making sure that everyone is getting along, having fun, has all of their needs met, etc. I really appreciated my mom, it was so nice to have her around helping out with everything. 

3. I read three books! Three! Over the break. It was incredible. I will be updating my book club posts accordingly, but I am currently about 50% of the way through the final book of the Hunger Games, and until then the outside world more or less ceases to exist.

4. I did NOTHING on New Year’s this year. The family was gone, the house was quiet – it’s the first time in a really long time I didn’t do anything, and I couldn’t have been happier. It was nice to spend quite time with my husband, and Layla of course:

Obligatory Layla Photo

So that’s pretty much what I have been up to the last couple of weeks. Relaxing with my family and counting my blessings.

I imagine you are wondering how I am doing with the no shopping thing, but to be honest, it’s only been 4 days, so I’ve hardly noticed it at all. I did choose to sit in the car when Victor went to Target however, as I knew I couldn’t resist myself if I tried… 

However, I must note that over the Christmas Holiday I went to the outlet malls with my mom, mother in law and sister. The haul there, and my Christmas gifts (of clothing and shoes only) included:

3 pairs of TOMS

1 lululemon jacket

1 pair of shorts

4 t-shirts

2 bath towels (don’t ask…)

1 pair of shorts

1 pair of jeans

2 sweaters

1 blazer

Frankly I did okay, a little overboard, but okay. I should have plenty of clothing and shoes to last me at LEAST a year. Otherwise I’m screwed.

On a personal note, I’m on a diet that sucks, as I am currently discovering life without carbs = the land of intense hunger and bitchiness but I will let you know how that goes. Currently it’s not going well – and I dream of cupcakes and pasta. Sigh.

Well, that was my very very long update, but stay tuned, I’m planning on updating a few book reviews and non-shopping techniques very soon!