Hi friends!
Something different today that I thought would be fun to pull together and talk about. Over the last few years (or decade, really), I have made changes and shifts in my life that have brought happiness to me and ultimately, changed my life. Some of these are more grand than others, but I included both the major and minor because sometimes the smallest shifts ends up being a big one in the long run.
I would love to hear if you relate to the below, too. Let me know the changes in your life that have made you a happier person. Enjoy. x
1. Eating plant-based
This is at the top of the list because it is the most major change I have ever made that has brought me the greatest happiness and peace. Cutting animal-based foods from my diet (7 years ago) was the best thing I could have ever done for my physical and mental health. I eat the largest variety of foods that I have in my entire life, feel connected to my meals, enjoy cooking more, am more creative in the kitchen, have lowered my cholesterol levels, developed this very blog/community, and have connected to amazing people all over the world. Every time I take a bite, I am at peace knowing that no living soul was harmed in order to nourish myself. It truly does make you feel lighter. And if you have ever felt drawn to an animal-free way of eating, you should 100% start small or dive right in. I can’t tell you how much this has changed my life for the better. I have written countless posts and have an entire resource library for beginners if you want to get started.
2. Reading more
At the beginning of 2020, I decided I was going to read more. I grew up a reader and graduated college with an English & Literature degree. Books have always been a big part of my life but somehow after getting a job and getting married and having kids, I stopped reading for pleasure. Horrible, right? I am not sure why or how it happened but I have missed it so much. Reading brings me so much joy and is something that I have to have in my life. After making some shifts and cutting out some bad habits, I read nearly 200 books in 2020. Mission accomplished! And it feels so good! I wrote a post with tips on how to read more, if you are interested.
3. De-cluttering our home
When we moved from our starter home into our home now, we decided to de-clutter as we went. I have read a number of books on minimalism, having less, de-cluttering, and felt so inspired to live with less. We are by no means a minimalist household and are not perfect, but our home feels more “us” and everything we own has a spot. We have donated/sold hundreds and hundreds of items over the last few years and our basement is no longer overflowing with things “we may need someday.” It is truly liberating.
4. Mood lighting & personal pieces around the house
I know this might sound silly, but these are two major things we did in our home that has made it feel complete and more “us.” First, I have added mood lighting to all areas of the home (from lamps to Himalayan salt lamps, to twinkle lights) to give a sense of calm and hygge. It has made a big difference to me, especially when I am winding down at the end of the day. Second, we invested in a gallery wall in the main living area of our home and it makes me feel warm and fuzzy every time I glance at it. This also may seem trivial, but I was never one to display art or photos around… I am not sure why, I just didn’t. But this one thing that brought me such immense happiness. Everyone needs a gallery wall.
5. Buying clothes secondhand
Aside from pajamas, underwear, and socks, I have purchased all my clothes from thrift/secondhand shops over the last year and it has not only saved me money, but has made me so excited to find the perfect pieces for me. Fads aside, I choose staples and pieces that will last over the years. Some of my favorite places to thrift: Salvation Army, Plato’s Closet, and Savers. I also shop thrift for my kids at Once Upon a Child. I do not want to continue to support the fast fashion industry and this makes the most sense for my family.
6. Meal planning
I do my best to plan out our meals for the family every week and this has saved time, money, and SANITY. Knowing exactly what we need keeps me from straying on groceries (thus saving money) and having a plan all ready for the week keeps the guessing game out of “what should we have for dinner?” Talk about stressful. This really has been a game-changer over the last year or so and I encourage everyone to bulk cook and plan ahead! You can see some of my bulk cooking tips here and even some meal prep ideas for parents with little ones. I will definitely try to pull together a post on how I meal plan soon. You can also see some of our weekly meal plans in my IG stories (saved under “dinner plans”).
7. Letting go of the “mess”
Raising kids, playing with kids, cooking all meals, working, reading, cleaning… there is just too much to get done in the day and I used to drive myself crazy. I have had to let go of the “mess” when it comes to kids and embrace the craziness of the day. Everything will not get done. Accept it. I have learned that there will always be something to clean but you only have so much time to enjoy your kids. Just LET. IT. GO. The floors are going to be a mess day in and day out. Yes, you need to clean them but not every single day. I try to clean as I go but do not fret if I am just too tired at the end of the day to mop. There is always tomorrow. Letting the house feel “lived in” is very liberating. It is a season of life and someday, my house may end up being spotless again. But that day is not today!
8. Making veggie stock out of scraps
I can’t believe I actually used to spend money on vegetable stock. Crazy!! I use so many veggies in our house and am constantly chopping away… so I finally put the scraps to use and collected them in a freezer bag to make homemade stock myself every week. NEVER buy stock again! Here’s the details.
9. Getting outside everyday
I read the book There Is No Such Thing as Bad Weather and it completely changed the way I view the weather and the importance of getting outdoors. Nearly everyday, I take my kids outside with me – even if it is for 10 minutes. If it is freezing cold rain, I usually pass, but warm rain is a go. Snow? A go. Sure, it is a hassle to get the kids in all their gear (ok, it is more than a hassle, it is the worst) but after being outside for even a couple minutes, I never ever regret it. Go outside and play with your kids and do it often. It really is the good stuff that feeds the soul and maintains sanity.
10. Staying home to raise my kids
I left a job that I loved and we said goodbye to a second income to be home with my kids. For me, this is the right choice. I always dreamed of being home with my kids, and while it is exhausting and I do miss working sometimes, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I am very fortunate to be able to see their faces every single day and do not take this luxury for granted. I am also lucky to have chosen a field that I can freelance and work from home (and this blog, too!) It was truly just the best decision and even on the hard days, I am so happy to be in this season of life. I’ll go back to work someday and I am sure I will miss this. But today, I am soaking in every single moment.
11. Buying dried beans
I know this sounds like a really silly one but choosing dried beans and legumes over canned has brought me so much happiness. LOL Because they taste better, they last longer, and they are kinder on our wallet. Sure, they take a little preparation but I promise, once you remember to soak overnight, it is so easy! Here is my favorite way to make them in the Crock Pot.
12. Embracing the concept of hygge
After reading a number of books and falling in love with the concept of hygge, I have made it my mission to make our home and life as cozy as possible. There are a lot of pieces to what hygge is and what it means, but some of the things that I have helped me to get through cold winters are: baking every week, mood lighting, candles/twinkle lights, comfortable clothing and thick socks, and a warm drink every day. I did not appreciate the cold season ever – until now. It has rejuvenated my love of where I live.
