It’s Smiley Saturday time again over at Lightening Online. Lightening gives some very sensible advice about looking after ourselves. It’s something that I think a lot of mums struggle with. It always seems that the kids, or husband, or community or friends need us, and of course we put them first.
I’ve been reading The Happiness Project recently. The author, Gretchen Rubin, is spending a year focusing on happiness;
test-driving every principle, tip, theory, and scientific study I could find, whether from Aristotle or St. Therese or Martin Seligman or Oprah.
What I have learnt from Gretchen is that it’s OK to do the things that make me happy. I don’t have to do anything out of obligation. Committing to things I feel I’m obligated to makes me feel tense and stressed because I generally don’t have enough time to do them. It then impacts on both my health and my family – the people i really care about.
So I too am trying to do what makes me happy. I’ll be a better mum, wife and friend for it I’m sure. And most of all I’ll be a better me.




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YES, I relate to obligation.
I read on Iron Puglist’s blog a quote “Friendship ends where duty begins.” Or something like that. If we do something because we think we have to, it really is more draining etc.
Widdle Shamrocks last blog post..Smiley Saturday
You go girl!
R.E. Taylors last blog post..Smiley Saturday
Great post Journeyer. That happiness project sounds interesting.
Thanks for joining in again this week!
Lightenings last blog post..Smiley Saturday: Time To Take Care of Ourselves
I enjoyed learning about The Happiness Project in your post. Thanks for sharing. I’m visiting late (on Monday) because I didn’t have time over the weekend, but I did post MY Smiley Saturday on time and hope you’ll find time to visit.
Hugs and blessings,
storytellers last blog post..CC#8 … UM#9 … and Sunday Stuph ;–)
Thanks for coming by Storyteller. I think The Happiness Project is fascinating. There are lots of lessons there that everyone could benefit from.
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