In case you had not heard, I have declared war on 2012.
Following 2010 and 2011, two years of utter schtickdreck (a colorful Yiddish word my grandfather used to mean "crap"), I am mindfully determined that 2012 will be filled with positive things.
A big part of that is my "33 in 2012" list, which you may be following. I decided in this year of positivity, I would finally kick the ass of several things I've always thought of or talked about but never done. Each time I complete one thing or work toward completing something, I feel really great about myself and it reinvogirates me to keep checking them off. One item on that list that I am particularly enjoying is the goal to read more this year. I've completed four books in the last few months, which is a lot for me with my busy schedule, and it has made me feel amazing. I forgot how much I love to read and I feel like it keeps my mind vital or something. It makes my imagination work overtime - there is nothing wrong with that.
Another hugely surprising part of being happy lately? Pinterest. I know it's a tremendous time-suck and about 75% of the universe is using it already, but it's become rather meaninggul to me. Perhaps because I am such a visual person and I so quickly forget ideas after they pop into my head, PInterest has sort of allowed me ot bring all this thoughtfulness to life. There are all my likes and hopes and aspirations in living color, on my computer monitor. It's actually driven me to tackle a couple big projects like redecorating my bedroom.
P.S. If you need an invite to Pinterest, lemme know. Happy to do it.
P.P.S. Pinterest, I'll take that endorsement check whenever you're ready. ;)
And recently, I started reading Gretchen Rubin's book, The Happiness Project, which two friends gave me for Hannukah last year. It has long been on my "to read" list and I'm already engaged, just 11 pages in. I've already created an account on the THP website and subscribed to Rubin's newsletters (I don't do anything halfway, you know).
Anyone else doing this? Read the book? I'd love to hear.
What IS The Happiness Project? A few years ago, Rubin had an epiphany and asked herself, “What do I want from life, anyway?” and thought, “I want to be happy”—but I never spent any time thinking about happiness. I should do a happiness project!” Thus, she has. Practical to her lawyer-core, Rubin weaves together philosophy, science, history, analysis, and real-life experiences as she finds what works for her— and what didn’t. And she is honest. She finds often times her learnings are counter-intuitive and shares that. But in the end, it seems her Happiness Project convinced her that it is possible to be happier by taking small, concrete steps in daily life.
I heard Rubin speak at BlogHER '11 and it's not been far from my mind since. I am particularly fond of her because, like me, she's a list-lover. Her lists like the "Twelve Personal Commandments" and "Four Splendid Truths" really resonate with me. I look forward to reading more of this book and participating in my own Happiness Project.
Cheers, my friends. Here's to being happier in the coming year! I am emrbacing 2012!
















