BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

  • Interiors
    • My Home: Main Bathroom
    • My Home: Powder Room
    • My Home: Living Room
    • My Home: Dining Room
    • My Home: Main Bedroom
    • My Home: Front Porch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
    • Travel Posts
    • Travel Guides
  • Style
    • Style Posts
    • Outfits
    • The Coveted
  • Collaborate
  • About

What I Do Every Day For a Happier Life

September 12, 2019 by jessica Leave a Comment

What to do for a happier life
source

A few weeks ago, I was nearing a breaking point with stressors that kept snowballing. I was frustrated with my failing weight-loss journey, overwhelmed with my to-do list at work, felt like I wasn’t getting along with anyone, down on myself for not being further along with home-improvement projects, and annoyed by the piles of clutter around the house. Not exactly earth-shattering or unique challenges, but I felt so paralyzed by it all that I didn’t know where to begin. It seemed that every step forward was in vain because nothing was righting itself and staying that way.

One morning after a particularly discouraging number on the scale, I went downstairs to make breakfast and passed our dining room table which is a glorified dumping-ground for items during the week. I sighed and thought, “That’s it. I’ll take a few minutes to pick this up and then I’ll make a healthy breakfast.” Those were two small things that I could do that would be a step in the right direction and address both problems.

The idea of doing at least one thing every single day to take care of myself and my home kept coming up, and I finally started being more intentional about it. It has made me so much happier overall to look back at the end of the day knowing that there was at least one thing that I did to improve my wellbeing and my environment. They don’t have to be major accomplishments either. Sometimes something as simple as making a healthy meal and cleaning up afterward checks both boxes. Other days are more ambitious with cycling for nine miles (my longest non-stop stretch yet!) and cleaning the bathroom. Heck, even turning in early and getting a full eight hours of sleep is a win. This helps me acknowledge the good things I do rather than fixate on the things I haven’t gotten around to yet.

I wouldn’t say it has become a mantra — yet — but I do find myself thinking, “Do at least one thing to better myself and one to better my home today.”

For the former, diet and exercise are the easiest ways to address that, but I don’t think it needs to stop there. Emotional health and working on passion projects fall under that purview, too. Here are some of the things I’ve done for myself:

  • Go for a walk
  • Bike longer than the last time
  • Plan healthy meals for the week, and make sure to eat a low-calories breakfast and lunch on days we have evening plans
  • Read a book
  • Dedicate time to a hobby (the blog!)
  • Do a face mask
  • Allow time to go to bed early
  • Give myself permission to say “no” to invites if I need a night to myself to keep my sanity

On the home front, most of things I’ve been doing have been to keep up on the cleaning chore list. Here are some examples:

  • Pick up clutter
  • Clean the kitchen right away after cooking
  • Scrub the bathroom
  • Make progress on a larger home project
  • Dust surfaces
  • Make the bed
  • Put laundry away and hang rejected outfits back up

In any case, this has been working for me and I thought I’d pass it along if you’re also looking for a digestible way to break down some of your larger goals or just keep up on your task list. I’d also love to know some of the ways you deal with stress and how your carve out time for yourself and your home each day!

–
Let’s keep in touch!
Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Bloglovin’

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Wellness

Hello!


Jessica Hamm
Hello there! I'm a first-time homeowner updating a 1920s house in Madison, Wisconsin. I have a penchant for travel and a love of costume jewelry. Follow along for personal style, travel, and lifestyle content.

Search

Keep In Touch

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

You Might Also Enjoy These Popular Posts:

  • Two Years Later: How Sherwin Williams SuperDeck Stain is Holding Up
  • Sherwin Williams SuperDeck Wet Clay We stained the front porch!
  • How to Remove Paint from Antique Hardware How to Remove Paint from Original Antique Hardware
  • Copenhagen Travel Guide: Dos and Don’ts
  • 12 Neutral Home Decor Finds for a Summer Refresh

Currently Coveting

Visit Me on Instagram!

A few moments from the weekend. A few moments from the weekend.
A small moment of peace from the past weekend. I A small moment of peace from the past weekend.

I feel like I’ve been doomscrolling since the news broke of SCOTUS’ decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. My emotions run the gamut from sadness to frustration to unadulterated rage. I’m deeply disgusted by conservatives and evangelicals, but especially by liberals who supported Bernie Sanders and refused to vote for Hillary Clinton at such a crucial moment in our history. Did you know that 12% of Sanders’ primary election supporters voted for Trump in the general election? In Wisconsin alone, 51,000 of them voted for Trump — a state Trump would win by just 22,000 votes. 

Your vote matters. It matters in national elections, statewide elections, and local elections. It’s crucial that Democrats organize as strategically as conservatives did and restore reproductive rights. 

In the meantime, donate your time, talent, or treasure to help those facing an unwanted pregnancy. @thecut has a great list on their site with organizations to support in states likely to prohibit abortion. I’ve donated to @plannedparenthoodwi.
Reveal day is finally here! It’s been a long pro Reveal day is finally here! It’s been a long process that started back in April 2020 with a kitchen ceiling leak that was attributed to water leaking from our tub faucet and working its way through the floor and into the kitchen. Our bathroom was never anything to look at (before photos on the feed), but the leak really accelerated our plans for a full bathroom renovation when timelines — and budgets — allowed. It feels a bit surreal to have it done and I don’t think I’ll ever stop admiring it whenever I walk past!

#bathroomremodel #1920shouse #1920shouserenovation #bathroomdesign #bathroomrenovation #kohler #schoolhouseliving #thetileshop
This renovation sure had its moments of frustratio This renovation sure had its moments of frustration, but I’m blissfully heading toward “renovation amnesia” as @em_henderson calls it in her new book. Head to the blog today to read about two headaches that came at the tail end of our main bathroom remodel. 

#bathroomremodel #bathroomdesign #bathroom #bathroomrenovation #thisoldhouse #1920shouse #subwaytile #classicbathroom #deltafaucet
A peek into the garden kaleidoscope at @olbrichgar A peek into the garden kaleidoscope at @olbrichgardens by @rcandersonsculpture.
I am just the happiest! I keep looking at this bat I am just the happiest! I keep looking at this bathroom and thinking how lucky we are that we were able to do this! It wasn’t always easy to navigate the stressful moments, but the end result is worth it. I feel like I’m at a luxury hotel every time I shower! (And it sure beats showering with the spiders in our [basically unfinished] basement bathroom. It was like camping in our own home for the past six weeks — and I very much hate camping!)

More photos to come!

#bathroomremodel #bathroomdesign #bathroom #bathroomrenovation #thisoldhouse #1920shouse #subwaytile #showertile #marbletile #marblefloor
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2022 · Jennifer on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Posting....