Sunday, May 05, 2013

Happiness Project Week 1

I survived - I did!!  I found out that sometimes we need to be happy with the small changes, and not get frustrated if they just can't be done. Case in point - Tuesday - we had an all day track meet. I brought my water, but then discovered that the bathrooms were locked - and only outhouses were available. I don't like those.... so it became my excuse to not drink water.... I didn't drink a Dr Pepper either - so it was sort of a win right?

Adding different fruits and salad was fun too....   did i get more energy? I have no clue.... but I did start a LOT of new quilt projects... and even dug into a UFO *gasp*

Another thing that really makes me happy, but sometimes takes a backseat to the other *have to do's*  is my quilt piecing.  I spent time Thursday getting a few piecing projects all organized and prepped. My idea:

To sneak in at least one hour of piecing per day.... even if I can only get it in 10 minutes at a time....

I intend to do this in addition to my water, fruit and salad goals....




Maybe I do have a little more energy - I have actually been thinking of cleaning out my closet. I still have clothes from um... well.... I don't want to say - but they are old..... I am sure I won't ever wear them...

Have any of you cleaned your closets? Any suggestions? How do you *let go* of the things that have memories???


See - track meets.......

13 comments:

Kate said...

It's hard to make really big changes all at once. Sounds like you are mostly staying on track, you have to celebrate the small stuff along the way.

I try to sew for at least 15 minutes every day. Sometimes that's all I get, but it helps keep me sane and moving along in all my projects.

Judy V from Thornton CO said...

Piecing is my favorite thing to do, too....it is so relaxing and satisfying! As to cleaning out my closet, if I have not worn the item in the past couple years or so, it gets donated. Except for a white blouse or other items needed for special occasions. I don't miss the items once they are donated. One thing I have kept is a mohair sweater my mom made me,oh, maybe 40 years ago! Still a classic...

LynneP said...

Good for you for working towards those healthy goals!

I have a suggestion for you-cut up the clothes and use the fiber in either quilts or other textile art. You will then be preserving the memories and creating at the same time.

Anonymous said...

My daughter has started cleaning out 'stuff'. If she really loved it, but won't ever use it again, she takes a picture. That way she can have the memory -- and in a much smaller space -- and pass the item on.
Marci

Sue in Scottsdale, AZ said...

I've recently lost a lot of weight and have begun clearing the old (and some is really old) out of my closet. Most of the stuff I am putting into bags to be donated to several organizations like the Big Brothers Big Sisters. The really "good" or better quality items that are not too dated will probably be brought to a consignment store. If there are items I really am having trouble parting with, I'll just keep them! I like the idea of cutting things up and putting them into a sort of "memory quilt".

Ranch Wife said...

You've made a great start! It really IS the small things! When I started drinking 8 glasses of water a day, I felt like I was sloshing, but I probably was because I was drinking 8 glasses of water, but they were tall glasses, not 8 oz. If you are active at all, you should drink more anyway, and I know you don't do much sitting still.
As for clothes, I have too many in my closet too. Cutting them up and making a quilt is a great idea, or you could donate them and buy yourself a FQ for each piece you donate! :)

Anonymous said...

Every January I go through my closet and if I haven't worn it in a year it either gets donated or cut up to use in a quilt. Can't offer any advice on the eating/drinking side - I've been vegetarian for 20+ years and drink A LOT of water every day. It's good exercise for me as well - I'm physically challenged and the little girls room is on the other side of the building I work in.

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

I walk in my closet and run out. I do sometimes start, but never get much done. Then I just smile and say I'll save it for my daughter for when I'm gone....giggle....she would do it now if I asked. :D

k. said...

My daughter regularly asks me to keep items of clothing of mine so she can wear it when she is bigger....but I concur with the suggestion that you take a pic of it. Many times we hold on to our "nice" things because they cost a lot of money. Whenever I catch myself in that thinking (about things I don't wear) I remind myself that there may be a woman trying to get a job and needs a "nice" thing to wear for an interview. Won't she be delighted to see this on the rack at Goodwill (or wherever you donate locally.) Reminding myself of the benefit my "excess" can be to others helps me let it go. I also recommend to friends (when they are trying to lose weight usually) that if they have "goal" clothing that they limit it to just a few items (if they need to keep it at all.) Carrying around a heavy weight of your expectations can be more of a discouragement than the small motivation you might receive from keeping them. And besides, when you do meet goals like that you deserve to treat yourself to new things. heh. Also, if you need to keep it then you need to wear it this week. (This is obviously not the case for things like your wedding dress etc...) If it fits you but you can't actually bring yourself to wear it you don't need to keep it. k.

Unknown said...

I have discovered that memories are in our heart and head, not in things. It can be a difficult lesson, but....possible.

TLC said...

This year on January 1 I turned all my hangars backwards on the rod. If I wear something the hangar will be turned around. After laundry of course. ;-0 A lot are still backwards. We'll see how many are backwards on December 1. I loath porta pots!

Smultronbo said...

I know how you feel. I keep a temp storage beside my drawers atm where I put all clothes that are turning to be too big. Think I've swapped out most of my wardrobe over the last year but its fun and makes me happy. I go through the temp storage from time to time when it gets full and sort out the stuff I feel I can part with and send it to charity. GL with your goals and dont give up. Keep going.

LizA. said...

Wow--some really good ideas here. I definitely need to put some of them into practice. And now is a great time as I look at all these clothes that have just made two moves in 5 months. Many of them I boxed up last summer when we were putting stuff into storage in prep for selling the house.....