1. Think about the moments in 2014 when you were the happiest. Then do more of those things. If going to the pool made you happy, spend more days by the pool. If you were happiest when you were planning your best friend's wedding shower, then throw more parties. Sometimes being happy isn't as hard as we make it out to be.
2. Read more books. It's my opinion that if you don't like to read, you simply haven't found a book you like yet. One of my best friends hated reading until she tried The Fault in Our Stars, and now she's a reading machine.
So if you like to read, do more of it this year. Branch out and read books you've never heard of. Re-read old favorites. Just read. If you don't like to read, keep trying until you find a book that hooks you. This is your year to become a reader, I just know it.
3. Have clear priorities about your year. Nothing sucks the happiness out of the year like setting yourself up for failure. If you want to spend this year relaxing and having fun, great! Go for it. But don't have the idea that this is going to be the year that you chase your dreams and make big changes, and then spend the year just relaxing and having fun. Because then at some point in July, you'll wake up super frustrated at your lack of progress and convince yourself you have to wait until January to change anything.
Don't get crazy, but make a few priorities for your year, and review them every now and then.
4. Get rid of stuff you don't like. If you don't use it or love it, get rid of it. Don't surround yourself with stuff that's not going to make you happy.
5. Take care of yourself. There's a reason that health resolutions always land on our New Year's list. I think there are two really simple ways to take care of yourself: Be more active than you were last year, and drink more water. I swear, drinking more water fixes all kinds of problems. Magic, I tell you.
Don't forget to enter the New Year giveaway!
How are you working on being happier in 2015?
Definitely agree about reading more books!It just does something for the soul!
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I need to be more of a reader - gonna make more time this year. Here's to a HAPPY 2015!
ReplyDelete-Claire
fashionandfeathers.com
An excellent list! I use GoodRead to track my reading and every year they roll out a Reading Challenge. This year I'm trying to hit 20 books, which I'm pretty sure is one more than last year.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely working on clearing out the clutter, too!
Love!! And #2 is on my list!! A list I hope to publish this afternoon as the hubby and I have taken off for an early morning shopping trip across the border - US Target here I come!!!
ReplyDeleteI love these ideas. I'm going to work on decluttering in 2015. I need to get rid of a lot of junk around here.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!! I am loving reading everyone's 2015 ideas, resolutions and goals this year... such a positive way to start the year!
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely into the reading more books. I maybe read 4 last year, but I plan on reading at least one a month this year.
ReplyDeleteI love these, Chelsea! Especially the reading one. It is oh-so-true. I have been reading consistently since I was a child, but since I started making reading goals at the beginning of each year, I have become even more content in my reading life. Imagining a year without reading is a very depressing thought. I hope you have a wonderful 2015!!
ReplyDeleteI'm always super confused when people tell me they don't like to read...it's like...but how? I think your theory is correct though, people who don't like to read just haven't found the right books.
ReplyDeleteReading more is definitely on my to do list, I hate that I even have to put it on there but sometimes life gets so busy! In the middle of a pretty good one right now..... *yourscoughcough*
ReplyDeleteHappy new year, friend :)
I love this list -- especially reading more books! I have a goal of reading 100 books this year and I am crossing my fingers I can make it ha ha.
ReplyDeleteHope 2015 is exciting for you!!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you about drinking more water. I think that's my biggest issue when it comes to eating healthy and trying to get fit. I NEED to drink more water!
ReplyDeleteNumber 3 is so spot on! I think people sometimes set themselves up for failure. Great list, thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great list and something that we all need to focus on! Best wishes for 2015!
ReplyDeleteAwesome list. I need to make more time to read. I love to do it but always get sidetracked by social media. I love the idea of re-reading old books too. I vow to be happier by slowing down...making less commitments and being true to myself!
ReplyDeleteLoved this post, great list! I agree with the reading a hundred percent, it really helps brighten a day! As for drinking water, this is SO true! I recently cut soda from my diet and started drinking a lot more water and I have noticed huge results! It really boosts your mood.
ReplyDeleteLove this post, and I hope you are very happy in the upcoming year!
Best of wishes
Water is magic! And I agree with you about readers. If you're not a reader, you haven't found the right book. :)
ReplyDeleteI love #1! I think that's a perfect way to stay positive this year!
ReplyDeletei love your first advice! funny enough, my happiest was at home with my husband and our dog. we have such a cozy home and i just love being there!
ReplyDeleteLove this list!! #5 Truth water is magic!
ReplyDeleteI love your tip to review the goals we've made! It's easy to set goals, but revisiting them to see whether progress is being made is key to staying on track :) happy new year
ReplyDeleteHere's to a happier 2015!! xoxo
ReplyDeletecool! thank you for the giveaway! love your tips for the new year...i have a good feeling about it :)
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely going to be reading more! I dropped the ball on that one at the end of last year :( I'm also going to take things one day at a time, relax more, and make a point of doing things I enjoy--like blogging, writing, drawing, and cooking special new recipes :)
ReplyDeletethese are great! i really need to make time to flesh out my priorities.
ReplyDelete