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’

You might also enjoy:
My Favorite Purchases of 2018
Weekend Roundup: The Perfect Personal Travel Bag, a Gender-Neutral Doll, the Happiest Song on Earth,...
On the Right Foot: Ironic L.L. Bean Totes, Affordable Original Art, How to Edit Your Wardrobe & More...
On the Right Foot: Holiday Shipping Deadlines, Cranberry Rum Punch, Loafers to Love & More!

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
  • How to Remove Paint from Antique Hardware How to Remove Paint from Original Antique Hardware
  • Sherwin Williams SuperDeck Wet Clay We stained the front porch!
  • Review: Waterproof Birkenstock Arizona EVA Sandals
  • Copenhagen Travel Guide: Dos and Don’ts

Currently Coveting

Visit Me on Instagram!

Garden of the Gods, Colorado #gardenofthegods #c Garden of the Gods, Colorado 

#gardenofthegods #coloradosprings #rockformations #hiking #redrocks #visitcolorado #colorado #travelamerica
Denver #unionstation #unionstationdenver #visitde Denver

#unionstation #unionstationdenver #visitdenver #denver #denvercolorado #colorado #travel
Caturday. #catsofinstagram #bengalcat #snowbenga Caturday. 

#catsofinstagram #bengalcat #snowbengal #snowbengalsofinstagram #seallynxpointbengal #schoolhouseliving #schoolhouseelectric
Amsterdam #amsterdam #netherlands #visitamsterda Amsterdam 

#amsterdam #netherlands #visitamsterdam #amsterdamnetherlands #dutchhouses #delftblue #delftware #🇳🇱
Over the weekend, we drove to Michigan and welcome Over the weekend, we drove to Michigan and welcomed this little lady to the family! She’s a two-year old snow Bengal that was surrendered after being bullied by the other cats in her home. We’re pretty sure she’s a seal lynx point Bengal, which has Siamese in the lineage, based on her vibrant, slightly crossed blue eyes. She is the sweetest, softest, most playful, and unbelievably talkative little girl. We’re crazy about her! 

We haven’t picked a name just yet, though. We have some ideas, but we’re waiting to get to know her personality more. 😊

#bengalcat #snowbengal #snowbengalsofinstagram #schoolhouse #schoolhouseelectric #schoolhouseliving
Looking back at the changes we made to our home in Looking back at the changes we made to our home in 2022. 

#homerenovation #homedecor #home #ckstyleaccordingly #showemyourstyled #homeremodel #thisoldhouse #1920sHouse #dominomag
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Jennifer on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in