My Happiness Project

I think I started my own "happiness project" at the start of this year without realizing that's what I was doing. 

True, it's not formal, detailed, or planned month-by-month, but even before reading Gretchen Rubin's best-selling book about her own one-year self-improvement scheme, I began setting similar goals for myself in 2013. Like Rubin, I'm looking deep within myself to discover who I am, what I want, what makes me happy, what's important to me, and which areas of my life would benefit from change.

This year has been all about personal growth, focusing on complete well-being (physical, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual health), stepping beyond my previous self-imposed limitations, and conquering fear in all its crippling forms. As a result, I've taken unprecedented risks, I've grown, I've matured, I've improved my health, and I feel like a better, happier, stronger, more complete version of myself. 

I've gone skydiving (seriously, I still can't believe I did that...), I've started this blog, I've attended workshops, I've amped up my workouts, I've cleaned up my diet, I've tried several new recipes, I've begun making my own food, I've read dozens of good books, I've watched several thought-provoking films, I've treated myself to countless "artist dates," and I've allowed myself to splurge on stylish, flattering clothing, music CDs from some of my favorite artists, healthier food, and better-tasting coffee.

I'm growing, changing, and learning to love myself, one improvement at a time. My own happiness project, begun this year, should, ideally, last the rest of my life. January 2013 was merely the genesis.