Just dropping in to say that until further notice, Catching
Happiness and the Happy Little Things newsletter will be on hold. My
mother-in-law’s condition has deteriorated, and on top of that, my mom is in
the hospital in California and I will shortly be flying out to help her. I’m fortunate
to have friends and family support, and I hope to be back with you soon.
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| Me after watching one too many animal videos online. Photo by Cookie the Pom on Unsplash |
This edition of Link Love is kind of a mixed bag, including a little
bit of inspiration, a piece to make you think, an article about a well-known
figure who died recently. This is one of the strengths of the internet—something
for everyone. Hope you enjoy this list of links I’ve loved recently (click on
the lighter colored text to visit the link).
Here’s a round up of good news that took place in 2022.
It’s not too late to start: “52 Acts of Kindness: How to Spread Joy in Every Week of 2023.”
When I was a painfully shy teenager, I read Barbara Walters’
book How to Talk with Practically Anybody About Practically Anything. It
helped. Since then, I’ve always admired her, and I enjoyed reading this remembrance after her recent death.
After reading “We need boredom to lead better lives. But social media is destroying it,” I’m picking up my phone less frequently, and I’m
planning at least one “internet fast” in 2023.
Yet another secret to happiness: a reverse bucket list—similar
to my post, “Just (Don’t) Do It.”
I love Stephanie Hayes’ newsletter, and this opinion column
in my local paper made me smile.
I want to drive the dog bus!
(Jake looks a lot like my dog, Luna!)
Have a very happy weekend!
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| Photo by Amador Loureiro on Unsplash |
The practice of choosing a word of the year is meaningful to me, probably because words are meaningful to me. Since 2010, I’ve chosen a one-word theme each year (except for 2013—I either didn’t choose one, or I didn’t write it down anywhere I can find it now). My word of the year is often something I aspire to (“flow”), or want to have more of (“delight”). I try to choose a word which will influence many areas of my life, one with layers of meaning I hope to discover over time. Some years I’ve found my word meaningful, while others I’ve barely thought of it, or it wound up being a mismatch for what the year turned out to hold (I’m looking at you, “Dare”/ 2021).
I also continue
to incorporate previous years’ words in my life—I still try to work “deeper,”
for example, and 2022’s “simpler” will continue to guide me for the foreseeable
future.
Life moves swiftly and is complicated, so having just one word/concept to guide me simplifies things when I’m making decisions or unsure of something. However, this year I couldn’t land on one word that resonated. I played with at least a dozen, until earlier this week, I realized 2023 needs three words.
1.
Flexible
As most of you know, I’m the main caregiver for my
mother-in-law, Carol. At this point, she needs support more than actual physical
care. I mostly coordinate with Hospice, manage her medications, and try to keep
her supplied with foods she finds appealing. I’m able to leave the house when I
need to, because mostly she takes care of herself (and our adult son is
currently living with us and can keep a watchful eye on her). This situation
could change at any time, and fast, so I don’t want to load myself with
commitments and goals I might not be able to complete. I’m not actively seeking
freelance work (though I’m still available!), but I have some writing projects
I’ve been working on, off and on, for years, that have no deadlines. While this
can sometimes be death to my productivity, this year, I appreciate the
flexibility. I plan to use my writing time to explore them. (I’m hoping to spend
more time with Catching Happiness, too.) Which brings me to the word…
2.
Forward
Even before Carol’s health crisis, I’d been waffling about my
way forward. Do I still want to write? If so, what types of writing do I want
to do? If not, what meaningful work could I do instead? I don’t want a new
career (I don’t think?!), but I still want to engage my mental faculties.
I also want to earn money. I’ve been stuck for a while. I want to move forward.
3.
Fun
And last but not least, I want to have fun in 2023! The past
three years have been decidedly un-fun. I want to be more proactive about finding
and indulging in fun. I’ll write more about fun in future blog posts!
There you have them—2023’s words of the year: flexible,
forward, and fun.
Do you have a word of the year? Please share in the comments
below!
For more information on choosing your own word of the year:
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| Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash |
“I long to accomplish a great and
noble task; but it is my chief duty and joy to accomplish humble tasks as
though they were great and noble…. the world is moved along, not only by the
mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of
each honest worker.”
—Helen Keller
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| I've seen this several places and it cracks me up! |
Welcome back! I hope you’ve enjoyed a peaceful and happy start to 2023. It’s been about as peaceful around here as it ever is (except for a couple of home appliances giving up the ghost).
Ready or not, it’s a new year
I wanted to do a lot of reflection on 2022 and some looking
ahead to 2023 during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, but my
husband was off work so we wound up doing some much-needed shopping (see: home
appliance death, above) and hanging out together. I wouldn’t trade this, even
though it briefly left me feeling behind. Here it is January 6th and
I haven’t done any of the things I like to do before the start of a new year. I
haven’t chosen a word of the year. I haven’t set any goals for the year, or
even for the month. I haven’t made a vision board, or even added birthdays to
my new planner.
And that’s OK. I’m not behind. And you’re not either, if you
find yourself in the same position I’m in.
Even though the beginning of a new year is a natural
starting point, it’s still just an arbitrary date. You can start (or stop) an activity,
goal, or dream at any point, on any day.
I would rather be “behind” than rush the process.
I’m gong to continue working thoughtfully through my
end-of-the year rituals until that process feels finished. (I’ve also been
loving seeing and listening to the goals of some of my favorite bloggers and
podcasters. Inspiration for my own.)
New year, new attitude
I spent a good portion of 2022 feeling overwhelmed and,
often, depressed. I didn’t have the mental bandwidth to do much more than just
what I needed to do to fulfill my commitments and responsibilities. But now I
feel a small upwelling of energy and desire. There are things I want to
accomplish, places I want to go, people I want to see. While I’m being
cautious, it feels great to want to set goals and make changes.
The first week of January has started softly. I’m taking
down everything pinned on my bulletin board and I’ve emptied out my Happiness Jar—and
started refilling it. I’m listening to music while sitting in my office rocking
chair and dreaming of what might be in 2023. I’m feeling happy. I hope you are,
too.
How is your new year beginning?
A few fun resources for New Year dreaming and
goal-setting:
Gretchen Rubin’s “23 for 23” printable
Best of Both Worlds podcast: 2023 Goals
Every January, Make Two Lists (a more practical alternative
to resolutions)
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| Photo by Igor Rodrigues on Unsplash |
“It is a fair, even-handed, noble
adjustment of things, that while there is infection in disease and sorrow,
there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good
humour.”
—Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
I wish all of you a most joyful and happy holiday season,
and a happy New Year. The Happy Little Thoughts newsletter will go out on
Wednesday, Dec. 28 (subscribe here), but this will be the last Catching
Happiness post for 2022. I’ll be taking some time off to be with family, to reflect
thoughtfully on this year, and plan for 2023. Thank you so much for your
presence here on Catching Happiness.
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| Photo by Rinck Content Studio on Unsplash |
During December, getting the mail is exciting. Will there be
a card and/or letter from a far-off friend? Did someone send me a Christmas
gift? Did something I ordered to give to someone else arrive? During the
stretch of weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I get more than bills and
junk mail in my mailbox—and I love it!
Snail mail as simple pleasure.
I know I’m not the only one who loves to get mail, and there’s
no reason why we can’t enjoy this simple pleasure all year round.
Letters
Back in Olden Times, before texting and email became as
convenient and popular as they are, if you wanted to stay in touch with a
faraway friend or family member, you had to write letters—pre-cell phone, calling
was likely expensive. I used to bring stationery or note cards with me to my
son’s baseball practices, or I’d jot a few lines while we watched TV. Even on
occasion, I’d sit on our front porch specifically to pen a letter to someone.
Even though I love the convenience of texting and email—the ability to send
photos or share a funny thought in the moment—I also miss getting actual
letters in my mailbox from my friends and family.
I don’t write many letters anymore, but I’m thinking about
bringing letter writing back into my life as a Happy Little Thing. I like the idea
of slowing down enough to gather my thoughts and write to someone. I have a few
older relatives who don’t use email or text, and I know they’d love to get a
note in the mail. I just need to make this a simple pleasure rather than a chore—maybe
set myself up with pretty stationery, a cozy drink, and so on. Make it a pleasant
ritual.
Packages
I’m also a fan of receiving packages in the mail, even if
they’re just vitamins or pet food I ordered online! There’s just something exciting
about opening up a box, especially if you’re not quite sure what’s inside. Though
I’ve never tried this, I know there are plenty of subscription services out
there, from coffee, to beauty items, to art supplies, to luxury boxes that
combine any number of charming personal and home items—at many different price
points. There are even letter subscriptions.
Subscribing to a letter or box service could be a way to
have something fun to look forward to, especially if you don’t have anyone to
exchange letters with, or if you’d prefer just receiving snail mail to actually
producing it. A few I that look tempting (no affiliation):
- Paris Letters or Typewriter Letters subscriptions, individual letters or packages from Janice MacLeod Studio
- Art and journaling supplies from Archer & Olive
- Stories told through letters from The Flower Letters
- Monthly “letters of celebration, inspiration, and hope” from The Confetti Bar
During the coming year, I’d like to write more letters (and hopefully
receive more letters), and I might even invest in some type of subscription
service—I absolutely would like to have something small and happy to look
forward to in my mailbox on a regular basis.
Do you have any favorite subscription services or other
snail mail sources?
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