I read a wonderful blog post by the Other Laura last night. She interweaved some personal reflection with a project that she was finishing up and that gave me some thoughts of my own.
Laura defines fun as “in the moment and feeds the need in the now before it withers”.
She defines happiness as “a quest that requires vigilance and can become myopic – in some respects it is frustratingly elusive and not easily sustained”.
I see the two terms as intertwined. Can one have fun without happiness?
I see happiness in terms of the state of my well-being…my contentment. I don’t think it has to be an elusive quest. In fact, I think it is intertwined with gratitude as well. The more fun and gratitude that I have, the more I am happy.
2023 was my most fun year in a very long time. Previous years were tough for me. Some of that toughness was not of my doing. But, in retrospect, some of it indeed was. If I had practiced a gratitude attitude, I am now sure that some things would’ve been easier to deal with.
Pity parties of one are so easy.
Some of what made 2023 so fun was that I had more gratitude (The first complete year without any water issues! Yes, I can honestly say that I am grateful to clean the toilet!). I had more time to visit with family…so precious and so grateful! I had an epic road trip…so much fun! I explored more genealogy (fun for me to learn that I am a descendant of Governor William Bradford and Susanna North Martin as well as learning other family stories). I baked more (and gained pounds)…I love to bake! I have so much to be thankful for…more than I can list here!
I suggest to declutter as much stress as you can! 2023 was less stressful for me and that definitely brings on a state of well-being…happiness.
I believe decluttering relieves stress! My pantry/laundry room/closets/attic spaces have been cleaned and decluttered and I feel great about that! No photos to show, so you will just have to trust me. The Hubster and I have spent the end of 2023 taking care of stuff. Starting fresh in 2024! We don’t live in a sterile environment, not by any means, but we know what we have and where it is (most of the time).
I have joined Karen’s 2024 Declutter Challenge (clicking on the photo below, or in the side bar, will take you there).
I did this challenge last year as well. Karen takes the process in baby steps and makes it fun!
Another way that I am decluttering is by joining the Chookshed Stitchers 2024 Challenge.
I am using this challenge as fun motivation to clear out “stuff” from my sewing studio as well as from my mind, leading to contentment.
Number 6 was chosen, so I’ll be working on the Santa door draft kit. Looks like I will have this one finished before Christmas!
A very fun and happy 2024 to you all!
LC's Cottage 
Gratitude is important and often humbling. I bet retirement helped too. 🙂 Good luck with your declutter challenges.
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Retirement is no small factor for sure, Donna! 🙂
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What a lovely read! I agree with you gratitude is so important ! Self pity brings on real health problems.
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Thanks Deb! 🙂
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Hi Laura! Happy New Year to you and your family. We have undertaken a serious declutter of our physical surroundings. We started in the sewing room and it is so nice to think about working in there again. We both just retired, too, so that should help with having more time to devote to fun things that inspire us and that make us grateful. {{Hugs}} a bunch, my friend. I look forward to reading about your challenges and I’m hoping over to the Other Laura’s website right now. ~smile~ Roseanne
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What a delight to hear from you, Roseanne! Congrats to you both on your retirements…that is awesome! God bless you on your new adventures! 🙂
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The Other Laura here – I’m thrilled to read about your recent retirement. Remember that even in retirement, the 2-project rule comes in handy! Wishing you all the best, Roseanne!
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Laura, I truly enjoyed the wisdom and “realness” of this post. Gratitude is something that really does make us happier. I have added a column in my daily planner (I still like a paper one) just for gratitude.
I look forward to seeing your Santa door progress.
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I don’t usually philosophize out loud, Deana. Thank you for the kind words as well. I also still like paper…the kids and the Hubster use their phones, but I just gotta have the action of writing it, feeling it, and smelling it, I guess. 🙂
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“I think it is intertwined with gratitude as well. The more fun and gratitude that I have, the more I am happy.” Yep, agreed! I’d add that dipping into the wellspring of ‘joy’ which is a constant for me, helps in hard times as well as enhances the good.
I like how you pondered this and developed the concept further! BTW: I almost called you the Other Laura in my post, but I refrained…just sayin’…
HA! 😀
My your 2023 year of fun, happiness and gratitude continue to blossom long into 2024.
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By all means, call me the Other Laura…let’s have fun with that! Ha! Thank you for the conversation (I’ll have tea, not coffee, but you can stick with coffee), and I wish you a fun, happy and grateful 2024 as well! 🙂
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I am glad your year was a year of more fun for you! A great trip is a help….we had one too…and it felt good. Thanks for pointing me to the declutter challenge. There is always room for improvement and I am going to do day 1 and 2 right now!
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Good luck with your decluttering, Kathleen! Karen makes it seem easy! 🙂
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So much to think about with this posting. I love your dive into your family genealogy, keep going 🙂 I must add, I am in a constant state of declutter here at home, being a maximillist, it’s the only way to survive. Happiness overflowing in the new year Laura and lots of fabulous crafting!
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There are places for ‘more is more’. For example…scrappy quilting. And the spread of hugs and smiles! 🙂
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Thanks, Laura! I’ve joined the Declutter Challenge, too!
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Don’t stress and have fun with it! 🙂
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