Tag Archives: Humor

5 Ways to Be Happier in 2013

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Prepare yourself for a slew of news articles about how to do this and that during the new year. Let’s face it, a fresh start (whether it’s literal or figurative) is a welcome way to wipe the slate clean and say, “Ok, I’m choosing to forget the past (or embrace it) and try, try again!”

Resolutions are all good and well if you keep track of them. Sometimes that’s more work than we want to put forward (or than we have the time to put forward). So here are some simple thoughts about making yourself (and maybe even those around you) happier in 2013.

1. Make more of your own fun instead of buying it.

Sure buying new things is fun and thrilling. I love it. It makes me happy. But just as with any addiction, I feel like I need more and more new stuff to feel truly satisfied. I need fashionable outfits. I need pretty furniture. I need a lot of things, right? The truth is, I don’t need any more than I already have. I just WANT things. Encouraging yourself to get by on less can help you focus on what you truly need: more time with those you love, a job that is fulfilling, stronger relationships, etc. Play board games. Go for a hike. Hold hands in silence. Spend time sitting on the floor petting your cats.

Twister

2. Take more pictures.

I have a really bad habit of not taking pictures during events and parties and family get-togethers. Sure I remember having all that fun, but it’s always nice to look back and remember the looks on their faces when grandma cracked that joke or share memories online with others who were there. I always think people look ridiculous taking so many pictures, and then look back and ask myself, “Why didn’t I take more pictures while I was there?!”

Bag Cat

3. Tell people how you feel.

I’m terrible at this. I expect people into read my mind, my voice, my mannerisms, my text messages and decipher how I’m feeling. That’s expecting too much! People aren’t all movie psychologists who can tell by the quiver of your lip or the flit of your eyes if you’re mad or sad or mischievous. Do yourself and the people you’re with a favor and just tell them how you feel. I feel unprepared. I’m a little frustrated. I feel upset. I feel blah. This makes me so happy. People will really appreciate your honesty and feel more comfortable returning the favor.

What a grump

4. Write someone important a letter.

Have you ever gotten a heartfelt letter from someone important to you? Or even just a letter with regular old details about someone’s life at that moment in time? In the age of emails and text messages and Twitter and Facebook, stop and take the time to write someone a letter. Strike up conversation about how your life is, maybe risk a little and get philosophical. I love getting real life (non-bills) mail. Wouldn’t you? Get a pen pal!

Write a Letter

5. Spend more time helping other people/animals.

I have a bleeding heart when it comes to animals, but I’m encouraging you to get out into your community and volunteer! Though you may feel like you’re making just a small difference, it can be a big deal for someone whose life you’re touching. Then they’ll go out and pay it forward!

Sean and Pudge

How do you plan on making 2013 the best year ever?

30 Things – 10 things to Tell Your 16 Year-Old Self

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1. Spend more time with your friends and less time with your boyfriend.

2. Get off the computer and read.

3. Cherish your family.

4. Think about life from the perspective of an 80-year-old. What’s important now?

5. Stop being so flipping hard on yourself. Perfection doesn’t fix problems, struggles, or pain. Acceptance does.

6. What you wear is much less important than you think.

7. You look ridiculous being so dramatic. You’ll look back in 10 years and laugh at yourself. Chillax.

8. Be more adventurous! You’ll remember those years forever and have fun stories to tell your grandkids!

9. Appreciate the people around you more (teachers, coaches, parents, siblings, etc.).

10. Dream big and write. Write, write, write!

 

That Really Grinds My Gears

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I’m getting ready to complain. Beware.

I’m a planner. I like to have some idea of what I’m going to do any certain day. It come from when I’d over-scheduled the hell out of myself in college, and while I complained about always being busy and having no life, it came to be the way I learned to function.

Even now, I have a really, really hard time when someone disrupts the imaginary schedule I’ve made for myself each day. Even if it’s off by just a few minutes, even if it’s a beneficial disruption, my first reaction is indignation and annoyance.

Cue the incessant habit of my boss to send emails to clients, copying me, saying things like, “Carolyn will call you tomorrow about this.”

This stirs up a silent rage. I don’t know why it makes me so mad. Maybe because I feel like he’s shirking things off on me that he doesn’t want to do. Maybe because I feel like he’s passively-aggressively telling me to hurry up on a project (although he keeps adding things to my already endless to-do list so I feel like I never accomplish anything at the end of the day). Maybe it’s because I’d rather have him ask me to call someone than promise them I will, assuming I wasn’t going to do anything important that day.

It happens at least once a day and it is so flipping hard for me to not have a big, ol’ attitude about it.

He does similar things not in email form, “Hey! Add this to your list.” Nonchalantly. I feel like someone’s secretary. I know we’re supposed to be humble, and that I’m the employee so technically I do what I’m told while I’m getting paid to do so. But ARGH! I don’t know why it’s so frustrating for me, but I just can’t help but get angry.

Any advice? Suggestions? Anyone just want to tell me to get over it?