The Happiness Project 2015

Paper_Doll

Hi There!

I hope there's room for a newbie here? I've decided to start a project for myself in 2015 as I want to become a better me, spread happiness and become financially free! Being a lurker on these threads for the last 3 years, these diaries have helped me a lot and I feel that writing things down will help me keep to my goals and hopefully I can learn more about money management

The only time I kept a diary was from ages 12-14 which consisted writing mainly about boys I was in love with eeek. Like many of us, I have debts. Being 30 (thought I'd be 21 forever) I want to get these cleared by December 2015 so I can move on to my long term goal of moving to the USA, which I have already paid a quarter of my Green Card Fees. I have been talking about it for the last 4 years but when debt has a hold of you, you almost feel stuck!

Despite paying off bills, I also have some daily and weekly tasks I aim to stick to;

- Walk 20 mins a day
- Get a least 7 hours sleeps a day
- Read a book a week
- Text someone a nice message to cultivate friendships
- Watch a film a week
- Floss Daily
- Do 50 Squats Daily
- Walk home from work once a week ( 10 mile walk )
- Meditate
- Weekly Declutter
- Look at ways of earning an additional income


If you've read this far...high five! :T It would be great to hear what happiness projects you are all doing to make 2015 the best one yet and we can all support one another!

Former_MSE_Megan

Ah this is such a lovely idea!

Your goals are really good, they're not huge either which makes it achievable. Mine are...

- Clear my debts (ignoring student loans because let's face it, that might never happen!)
- Go back to New York
- Read more
- Join the gym and go at least 3 times a week
- Visit the family more
- Look after myself, stop putting off going to the Doctors/Dentist etc

I think I can manage those! I'd love to see what everyone else planning to do

SailorSam

Good Luck.

Paper_Doll

Thanks SailorSam and Megan!

Megan those goals sound great...defo go to New York again!! I worked in New Jersey one year and NY was my weekend getaway!!

With reading more, Brian Tracy said, if you only read one hour a day, that is like a book a week, which translates into 50 books a year which will supposedly put you at an advantage and transform your life! Defo worth a shot me thinks!

Think Lady Luck is shining on me. Finished my tax return last night and they owe me money woop woop! I will put this on the CC bill. Also signed up to YNAB and will move my current account to First Direct next week!

Hope you all have an amazing day and something great happens for you today!

StressedSteph

Hi Paper Doll

Great new diary :beer: and so positive too, I am going to subscribe as I sometimes feel I spend most of my time just moaning on my diary rather than being upbeat and positive. Maybe your great vibes will wear off onto me .

My goals are:-

BIG number 1) Kill off all remaining debt during 2015.

After that is done, then my big goal can start happening:-
Travel more / weekend breaks to European cities + also travel to America. Would love to save for a West Coast Road trip :heart2:.

2) Concentrate on building friendships stronger with the three friends I feel happiest around.
3) Stay away from socialising with the school gate mums - Unfortunately we have a weird bunch of mothers at my childrens school that just seem to make me feel anxious.
4) Spend more time at home working on the veg plot and making our home lovely.
5) Keep smiling

Fab diary and i will be subscribing xxx

vw_campervan_mum

Hi loving the title "The Happiness Project". My aim for this year too so will be good to see other people on this.

My Weekly Goals for 2015:
Health
- Walk 20 mins 3 days a week/longer Sunday walk
- Exercise with DD
- Meditate twice a day
- Eat healthily 3 days
- Drink less than 7 units per week/3 days
- Start gardening at home/fortnightly volunteer group
Emotional Wellbeing
- Read a book a week/start Book Club
- Ring at least one distant friend/family
- Meet up with at least 1 friend
- Watch a film
Live in a beautiful home
- Weekly Declutter/start selling on Ebay
- Daily tidy/weekly deep clean
Prepare for 2016
- Try possible new jobs/training (Jan = IT course, volunteer in local fairtrade cooperative)

Paper_Doll

Hi StressedSteph and vw campervan mum! I love your goals!! Oh my gosh, we are going to be on fire in 2015 and these all seem realistic and achievable so there is no excuse

I have printed and stuck the weekly goals in my diary, on the wall and have a tick sheet so I know it's done! Plus I think all these goals are great as it's not a once a month thing but something weekly which should eventually become routine to us!

Do let me know how the week goes!? Would be great to do a weekly evening meetup and see what we're reading, who've you've contacted and if anyone can help with any of our goals and ambitions xx

ali-t

I'm revisiting last years goals again and plan to do better than last year :-)

In no particular order:
Lose weight - keep going to weight watchers and increase the amount of exercise I do
Wear more jewellery - I have loads but rarely wear it
Have more nookie! Myself and oh have not been prioritising this so 2015 we find our mojo much more often :-)

All things that should make me and those who are important to me happy!

Paper_Doll

All sounds fab and do-able @ali-t! Totally agree with the jewellery! Think I will start wearing more...hopefully wont look like a pirate though haha!

Happy New Year to everyone!! Hope everyone's done one small thing today to make them happy or something that's part of their daily goals! Done my squats yay, will go for a walk shortly and am about to pay £200 on one of the debts!

Currently reading Seneca On the shortness of life, life is long if you know how to use it' If anyone has any suggestions on some good books to read...I mainly read non fiction, then send them along Or if you fancy a book swap let me know

Have a great day!

StressedSteph

Hi Paper Doll

Great to hear you are already putting some of your goals into action.

I achieved the start of one of mine yesterday.

I had my oldest best friend over for lunch who I have been abit rubbish on keeping in touch with in previous years and almost lost her.
Mid 2014 onwards I have been making more of an effort to txt her etc and I have been building the friendship back up. It was wonderful to have them over yesterday and we have both promised to meet up loads.

I have three friends that I feel closest too, but end up out of convenience mixing with the mums at my childrens school. Trouble is there are so many politics and back stabbing that i find I can't talk openly with any of them as I feel they just run off and use it against me to someone else. This just proves that they are not real friends.

So.....I need to spend more time at home, doing the jobs I need to do, thus avoiding negative coffee mornings with school mums, and then once a week or so meeting up with my more valued friends that I know have my best interests at heart.

If I can stick to this then I think 2015 will be alot less traumatic.

xxx

Ellsbel

What a lovely idea for a diary paper doll:)
Since I've resolved to be more positive in 2015, I've subscribed for inspiration!
This year my plans are:
To exercise 5 times a week
To read for one hour a day
To find a new hobby/ learn to do something new
To get a part time job, or find a sideline to earn a little of my own money
To do some volunteering
To do one thing I love, once a month - like visit a gallery or museum or stately home
Finally, to make the time I spend with loved ones quality time

Rather a long list, but I'll be giving it my best shot:)
I look forward to following the diary:)