C’Mon, Get Happy: How to Create Your Own Happiness Project

There are many ways to go about a Happiness Project. Basically, a Happiness Project consists of 3 parts:

1. Identify elements of your life that you want to change
2. Create concrete, measurable resolutions that can bring about that change
3. If you’re unable to keep said resolutions, decide if you want to make adjustments, do away with it, or simply try again

Similar to the way Gretchen Rubin planned hers in The Happiness Project, I came up with one focus area for each month, and specific resolutions pertaining to each focus area. I strategically planned out my year with each focus occurring at a time when I felt I would need it most. Here’s my list of areas and resolutions from my 2015 Happiness Project:

January: Mindfulness

• Don’t let the past get in the way of the future
• Meditate

February: Relationships

• Relationship with self
• Wait for a relationship worth having
• Focus on friendships
• Treat Yo’ Self

March: Attitude

• Find the positive
• “Be kind or be quiet”
• Stop comparing myself to others
• Less complaining

April: Fun

• 1 meetup per week
• Try something new

May: Friends

• Make new friends

June: Diet, Exercise, and Health

• Regular exercise: yoga, bicycling, aerobics

July: Find more joy in life

• Do things that make me happy
• Laugh more, be goofy

August: Clutter/Possessions

• Clean out the closet
• Clothes: buy 1, get rid of 1

September: Time

• Donate time
• Plan meals weekly

October: Money

• $250/month into savings
• Advertise piano lessons

November: Work

• Take time to be silly
• Don’t expect thanks, appreciation
• Create your dream job
• Acknowledge the feelings of others

December: Energy

• Act energetic

 

Each month, I gathered inspirational quotes to put on a page of my notebook with my goals for that month. Then at the end of the month, I would journal about how things went. Some months I experienced success, others I struggled. But overall, I am happier, stronger and more independent than I was before I started the project.

Thinking about starting your own Happiness Project? Whether you get a group going or you’re flying solo, check out the Happiness Project Group Starter Kit from Gretchen Rubin (at the bottom of the page). It breaks things down and gives great tips and suggestions for how to come up with your own focus areas and resolutions. And for more details on how Gretchen did hers, check out her book. I also spotted a coordinating one-line/5-year journal for the Happiness Project today! I would recommend that if you set resolutions to last the whole year, or to record a happy moment from each day.

Good luck on your quest for happiness!

Katie, the NoCo List Chick

2016 is here!

Now’s the time for setting impossible resolutions. Everyone has their lofty goals, but how many actually see them through? Just look around at the gym in January, then compare to the numbers in May.

I think it’s great to have goals. After all, making lists, reaching goals, and realizing dreams are what this blog is all about. I would love to help you reach your goals, and that’s the focus of today’s post. You’ll also get to see my list of resolutions and how I’m planning to keep them.

My 2016 Resolutions

• keep a journal
• blog consistently
• read 20 books
• travel
• focus on fitness

Tackling Those Resolutions

Setting mini (attainable) goals

As a teacher, I’ve been taught to break things down into attainable mini-goals to ensure the success of my students. One way I’m applying this strategy is in regards to keeping a journal. My brilliant cousin, Sheila, is credited with this one. For my 30th birthday, she gave me a neat 5-year journal called Q & A a Day. It has a question for each day of the year. Then you go back through it again the next year, and the next, for 5 years. It will be interesting to see how my perspective changes over the years, what matters most in life, what interests me, etc. And it’s only a little question each day, ranging from simple to introspective. Surely I can do that! I remembered to bring it back home with me, so I can start on it right away, today! Off to a good start, I’d say. 🙂 I think this is a really neat concept and what a great gift! They have other variations too, for couples, kids, teens, moms, creative people, etc.

More on the idea of mini-goals:

Over the past year, I worked on a Happiness Project, inspired by that of Gretchen Rubin. I even started a group with friends to help up the accountability. Naturally, the whole thing kinda fell apart, but I did see my project through to the end. I’ll post about that whole thing later, when I have my notebook handy to review what I had focused on this year to make myself happier. But the overall design is to have different goals for each month, based on an aspect of your life that you feel needs adjusting. I had planned my topics appropriately with the months of the year. February was about loving myself, December was to “act energetic,” at a time of year I knew I would feel lackluster.

If you have a big, difficult goal like quitting smoking, perhaps try setting mini-goals to get you there. For some people, quitting cold turkey works, but it’s not for everyone. Perhaps you could devise a plan that would gradually wean you off, tapering down the number of cigarettes per day/week, adding in Nicorette or other products to help you on the rough days. Another gradual plan could help with saving money. I’m sure you’ve seen those charts on Pinterest or Facebook for socking away money each week, with the amount increasing, so that by the end of the year you have more than $1,000! While I would LOVE to do that, my income varies month to month, with some months of no income at all, so it’s just not feasible for me. Instead, I have automatic transfers to my savings once a month, to pad those 2 months where I don’t have any pay. If I could sock away extra money on top of that, I would. Here’s a 52-week plan from Lena at whatmommydoes.com. Looking at that one, maybe I could do it…

Enlist technology

The world is full of helpful technology to make our lives easier and more efficient. Trending in the last year or so is the concept of “wearable tech” – smart watches (by Apple, Samsung, and others) and wireless activity wristbands (such as Jawbone and FitBit).

I am super excited to finally jump on the fitness-tracking train with a FitBit Charge that I bought myself for Christmas through Groupon Goods. The wristband (mine has a small screen to display the time and other info) syncs with your smartphone to track steps taken, miles walked, calories burned, and more. You can also use the app to track your weight, sleep, calories eaten, water consumed. Each day you can see how you’re measuring up to your goals. The default walking goal is 10,000 steps. You can check the screen display of your wristband to see how you’re measuring up. I think that’ll be really motivating!

My sister downloaded an app to help her break some small habits. It’s called “HabitBull.” Track your daily progress in reaching your goals! There are plenty of similar apps available, so find one that suits your needs. Just search “habit” on the AppStore and watch your productivity soar! There are also ones that sync with your Apple Watch if you’re super into the wearable tech. 😉

Set deadlines

I rather thrive on deadlines. I set myself a crazy goal this past year on GoodReads to read 30 books in 2015. That’s 2.5 books a month! Who does that?! I must’ve been riding high on the realization that I had joined 3 book clubs. Well, it was a strain, but I was determined to meet my goal. In the crunch of November and December, I enlisted the help of audio books, especially helpful when making the long drive from San Diego to Sacramento alone at the holidays. Not only did I reach my goal, but I surpassed it, with 31 books! This year, I’ve scaled it back to 20, since I have a lot on my plate for school/work and I’m only regularly attending one book club these days. But 20 is still a hearty goal, since it’s more than one book a month.

If you fall off the wagon, get back on

Don’t be ashamed of any setbacks you may experience with your resolutions. Find a way to modify it so that it’s more workable for your life. Break it down into smaller goals if necessary. But don’t be afraid to fail; start again.

 

I hope you are inspired to create attainable goals that will enrich and improve your life!

Cheers!

Katie, the NoCo List Chick

Celebrate the Season 2015

There’s always plenty to do in the San Diego area, and the holiday season is no exception! Here’s a list of upcoming events in North County and San Diego. Get out and enjoy all that SD has to offer!

December 4-5

Balboa Park December Nights

Friday 3-11pm, Saturday noon-11pm

Free

http://www.balboapark.org/decembernights

Experience food, music and entertainment from around the world at San Diego’s largest free community festival. Participating museums are open free of charge from 5-9pm. Food from around the world can be found at the House of Pacific Relations Cottages. There will also be the annual Santa Lucia Procession, unique gift shopping, as well as music and dance performances.

List Chick’s Vote: Sounds wonderful! Balboa Park is so beautiful, I’m sure it’s magical with all the holiday lights!

Dec. 4-6, 11-13, 18-23

Holiday Wonderland at Petco Park

4:30-9:30pm

Adults $20, Children $10

http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/sd/ticketing/holiday.jsp

Walk through magical lighting displays, ride the Polar Express, snap a picture with Santa, or rock around the 40’ tree.

List Chick’s Vote: Too expensive for me, especially since I don’t have kids!

Dec. 5

Holiday Tree Lighting and Winter Wonderland Festival

California Center for the Arts, Escondido

3-8pm

Free

http://artcenter.org/event/holiday-tree-lighting-festival/

So much for families to enjoy at this annual event: snow, cookie decorating, live reindeer, a visit from Santa, carolers, stilt-walkers, and hula dancers! Food and drinks are available, along with local vendors to shop from. When the sun goes down, the Winter Wonderland Forest comes alive with twinkling lights.

List Chick’s Vote: Sounds like a great event for those with kids. The Center for the Arts is a nice venue. A fun outing!

Encinitas Holiday Parade

5-7:30 pm

Free

http://www.ci.encinitas.ca.us/index.aspx?page=20&recordid=3071

Celebrate “This IS Encinitas Life!” with parade floats and bands, showcasing what Encinitas is all about. Tree Lighting ceremony is at 5pm, the parade is at 5:30pm. Parking shuttles available!

List Chick’s Vote: Never been! May be worth checking out.

Dec. 5-23, 26-30

Garden of Lights

San Diego Botanic Garden, Encinitas

5-9pm

Adults $14

http://www.sdbgarden.org/lights.htm

The San Diego Botanical Garden transforms itself each December with over 125,000 sparking lights. In addition to strolling the grounds, enjoying the lights, there is also nightly musical entertainment, as well as food and drinks. Family-friendly activities include: horse-drawn wagon rides, crafts, marshmallow roasting, visits with Santa, snow for sledding, and an extensive Nutcracker display.

List Chick’s Vote: The price is a bit steep, but it was a pretty neat event when I went a couple years ago. Nothing like roasting marshmallows over a crackling fire and awkward pictures with Santa! If you’re not strapped for cash, check it out.

December 11-26

The Nutcracker Ballet

With so many companies performing this holiday classic, there’s a time and ticket price for everyone! Check out Goldstar for discount tickets.

https://www.goldstar.com/san-diego/?q=nutcracker

List Chick’s Vote: Though I’ve danced in a dozen or so Nutcracker ballets, I still love it. I’m excited to join coworkers in an afternoon at the ballet this year!

December 12

Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights

7-9pm

Free

http://visitoceanside.org/ai1ec-event/parade-of-lights-2/?instance_id=1317747

Fishing boats, sail boats, yachts, kayaks and dingys dressed up in holiday swag circle the Oceanside Harbor to enchant onlookers at the harbor, restaurants and beach.

List Chick’s Vote: Sounds like fun. I’d personally book dinner at a harbor restaurant to coincide, and ask for outdoor seating. There’s also a walkway surrounding the harbor, so there are lots of viewing spots.

Dec. 12-Jan. 3

Jungle Bells

San Diego Zoo

Price included with zoo admission

http://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/jungle-bells

Twinkling lights, festive foods, and merry performances transform the Zoo into a wild, glowing wonderland. Ride the Twinkle Lights Trolley to tour an array of animal light sculptures, enjoy jingly, jazzy carols, acrobatic trampoline elves, and more. Jungle Bells holds holiday cheer for all!

List Chick’s Vote: If you’re already planning a trip to the zoo, what a great time to go! This sounds like so much fun. If I had a zoo membership, I’d definitely go.

Dec. 13

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights

5:30pm

Free

http://www.sdparadeoflights.org/

A time-honored tradition, this parade of 80+ lavishly decorated boats is sure to amaze. This year’s theme is Christmas Around the World.

List Chick’s Vote: I think I’m going to check this out. I’ve never been to a boat parade!

 

I hope you have fun with friends and family this holiday season!

Cheers,

Katie, the NoCo List Chick

Thanksgiving Alternatives

Much as I love the classic dishes of Thanksgiving, sometimes you just want to change it up and try something new. This year, I’ll be partaking in three Thanksgiving meals (already had one!), so you know the same ol’ turkey and stuffing bit is going to get old. My dad’s family is going Italian this year with lasagna in lieu of the bird. I can’t wait! I’m making chocolate gelato. 🙂

I saw this video on Facebook and it looked so appetizing, I was inspired to try acorn squash for the first time. It was soooo delicious. I took it to a potluck and it was voted the top dish of the evening! Here’s the recipe all written out: Sausage and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash. It tastes kind-of like stuffing, so it’d be a great replacement for that, with or without the sausage.

I haven’t personally tried this one, but it looks amazing: Spiced Pumpkin and Chocolate Cake with Maple Mascarpone Frosting. Normally I would say, “Cheese in frosting?!” but after tasting ricotta in gelato, I’m a believer! I might make this for an upcoming pumpkin-themed meetup.

Speaking of gelato, here’s my recipe for Ricotta and Fig Gelato. It’s actually adapted from a recipe for Mascarpone and Clove Gelato! The fig preserves may be hard to find. I discovered Braswell’s Fig Preserve at Cost Plus World Market and it comes in fancy “European drinkware.”

If you’re afraid of backlash from those who prefer the traditional dishes, just try slipping in one new thing this year. They may be so impressed, you can switch it up more next year!

Season’s eatings!

Katie, the NoCo List Chick

Carlsbad Walk Like MADD 5k

On November 9, I walked in and around the Carlsbad mall for Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s (MADD) 5k event. I was inspired to do this particular 5k because my friend Cristi had a team in honor of her cousin Travis, who was killed by a drunk driver last Christmas. I didn’t know Travis’ story before I did the walk, I just knew that it was important to Cristi, and I wanted to support her and her family.

Cristi was not only a volunteer for the walk (along with her wonderful husband Michael), but she now works for MADD, going to schools to talk to teens using their Power of You(th) program. At the walk, she was this year’s Mission speaker, a person chosen to share their story about why they are committed to ending drunk driving. Cristi gave a beautiful, heartbreaking, passionate speech about her cousin Travis, a young man we all would have been privileged to know.

Cristi and Travis were very close in age and not only cousins, but friends. I have a similar relationship to some of my cousins. Travis had a passion for animals, wanting to someday design more animal-friendly enclosures for zoo animals. He followed his passion to New Orleans. It was there, on Christmas Eve morning last year, that Travis was hit by a drunk driver while walking on the street. The driver left him there, went to the bar, and had two more drinks. She then returned to the crime scene, called the police, and pretended that she was a good Samaritan. Travis had been abandoned, dying, on the sidewalk for over 30 minutes. He was taken to the hospital, but died on New Years Eve. He was 27 years old.

It brings tears to my eyes now. It’s just not fair. And it could’ve been prevented if this despicable woman had either stayed where she was until she sobered up, or arranged for a ride.

There were so many beautiful displays at the Walk, memorials to loved ones lost to drunk drivers. There have been 21 drunk-driving related deaths in San Diego County alone since May. The statistics are truly staggering:

• 2 out of 3 people are involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime
• Every 2 minutes someone will be injured in a drunk driving crash
• An average drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before their first arrest

One point that really hit home for me is that drunk driving accidents are 100% preventable. You can still get drunk, if that’s your decision, but just be responsible about how you’re going to get home. These days, there are so many options, with Uber and Lyft. For those of you in North County San Diego, NK Towing will tow your car and take you home for FREE. They are just one of the great sponsors of the Carlsbad Walk Like MADD. The funds raised at this event go directly to local programs to reach out to teens about underage drinking, emotional support for families/victims, working with legislators to adopt tougher laws, and more.

If you would like to donate, there’s still time. Donations can be submitted here until December 7, 2015: Carlsbad Walk Like MADD

With the holiday season approaching, please remember to drink responsibly, and arrange for transportation to get home safely.

 

Katie, the NoCo List Chick

San Diego Dozen

1. Take swing dancing lessons
2. Go to Vegas
3. Bike Point Loma
4. Walk a 5k for a cause
5. School of Hard Locks
6. Fun run 5k
7. Watch the bike races at the Velodrome in Balboa Park
8. Karaoke
9. See the Space Shuttle Endeavor in LA
10. Try African dancing
11. LIPS drag club
12. Hike Cuyamaca

Friday Five: Terrible Halloween Costumes

Every October, my dad and I would look forward to the Party City ad coming to our house. We reveled in the appalling sexed-up costumes of things that should not be sexed-up. Chucky?! Cookie Monster?! Downright terrible.

Here’s my top five for this year:

5. The Lazy Minion costume.

Which is worse? Sexed up minion or just plain unflattering minion? Besides, what could be worse than a minion?

4. Mario and Yoshi

You would think it’s a couples costume, but no. The lonely can have it all! The only drawback is the creepy factor is increased seventy-fold with that inflated Yoshi between your fake little doll legs.

3. My Little Pony

Why? Good lord, why???? And those hooves!

2. Elmo

As if Elmo wasn’t scary enough, how about making your entire body into his face while concealing yours.

1. This year’s inappropriate couples costume – Bruce Jenner, Before and After

They actually had these on display next to each other in the store. I saw them and chuckled. Then I thought, distasteful. But funny. And now is really your only chance for being relevant with this one. I feel like next year will be too late.

Nothing tickle your fancy? Don’t worry, Sexy Chucky is still available!

Happy Haunting!

Katie, the NoCo List Chick

I’m On Top of the World! Or SD County, At Least.

Saturday I drove out to Julian to hike with girls from a meetup group. The mountain we were tackling on this beautiful autumn day was Cuyamaca Peak. Part of San Diego Magazine’s 2015 Top 50 Hikes and Bikes, it was rated difficult. The magazine has you take the paved service road up the mountain, which gives you 7 miles round-trip. We, however, took the Azalea Glen trail to the Conejos trail to the summit, then went back down the service road, for close to 10 miles in all! Woof. But taking the trails vs. the service road on the way up resulted in much better scenery.

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The summit of Cuyamaca Peak is the highest point in San Diego County!It was nice to get out and enjoy a hike with the company of wonderful young women. Some I had met before, and some I got to know while hiking. We all took photos like this:So wilderness. 😉

After, we headed to nearby Julian, a quaint country town that thrives on the sale of delicious apple pies. Before indulging in the pie, we went to Baileys BBQ. I had a pulled pork sandwich with beer-battered onion rings. Yum! They hardly put any sauce on the sandwich, but there’s sauce at the table, so I slathered it on. The onion rings were so good.

I’ve been to Julian maybe 3 times now, so I’ve had pie at the two biggest sellers, Mom’s and Julian Pie Co. This year I tried the pumpkin-apple pie at Julian Café, and that was interesting. Better served warm, even though I normally don’t eat my pumpkin pie warm. The cinnamon ice cream at Julian Pie Co. also can’t be beat.

If you are planning your first trip to Julian, keep in mind that autumn weekends are the busiest time of year, so be ready to wait. For everything. Even lunch at 3:00pm. If you want to get your hands on the best selection of pie and pastries (cider donuts at Julian Pie Co.!), grab them early, as they do sell out.

Last year we did a scavenger hunt around town that was pretty fun, not sure if they still have that. There’s lots of little shops to explore, and of course plenty of places to eat. Baileys is good, I’d skip Apple Alley for lunch, but if I remember correctly the pie is still tasty there. The Julian Grille is good, if you’re looking for something a little fancier. (I mean, they spell grill with an E on the end, so you know it’s classy!)

Happy Fall!

Katie, the NoCo List Chick

Two down, 10 to go!

San Diego Dozen

1. Take swing dancing lessons
2. Go to Vegas
3. Bike Point Loma
4. Walk a 5k for a cause
5. School of Hard Locks
6. Fun run 5k
7. Watch the bike races at the Velodrome in Balboa Park
8. Karaoke
9. See the Space Shuttle Endeavor in LA
10. Try African dancing
11. LIPS drag club
12. Hike Cuyamaca

Friday Five: Sirius XM Sessions Covers

At first, I was just going to list covers that were performed on XMU, the indie rock station, but then I unearthed some really fantastic ones from other channels! Oh Sirius XM, you’re the best.

Ceremony – Day Wave (New Order)

Such a perfect fit for Day Wave.

Heart-shaped Box – Father John Misty (Nirvana)

Such a haunting, creepy “love song.”

Dancing in the Dark – Vance Joy (Bruce Springsteen)

I love this song. It’s my favorite Bruce song. And I like that Vance Joy keeps his unique sound while covering it.

No Scrubs – Bastille (TLC)

How could this NOT make the list? I think it’s so hilarious when bands cover the music of such opposite artists.

Steady As She Goes – Fitz and the Tantrums (The Raconteurs)

Bringing soul and sexy sax to The Raconteurs.

Enjoy!

Katie, the NoCo List Chick

Friday Five: Beatles Covers

Today our covers pay tribute to one of the greatest bands of the 20th century. Ladies and gentlemen, The Beatles!

I’m Only Sleeping – The Vines

The first three are from the I Am Sam soundtrack. If you haven’t seen that movie, do. It’s really wonderful. And the soundtrack is all Beatles covers.

You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away – Eddie Vedder

Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder lends his voice to this classic, and it really works.

Revolution – Grandaddy

This is one of those covers where it’s switched up and almost unrecognizable and I love that. New twist on an old song.

Real Love – Regina Spektor

This John Lennon tune is so simple and beautiful in the hands of the lovely Regina Spektor.

While My Guitar Gently Weeps – Jake Shimabukuro

Remember when this gem hit the Internet? It was nearly 10 years ago! Now Jake plays concerts all over the world. Such a talent.

Happy Friday!

Katie, the NoCo List Chick