my top five: things that are making me happy

This year I've been trying to be more deliberate in how I spend my time (ie. not wasting away hours scrolling through twitter or pinterest.) I've been focusing on things that always make me happy, and trying to do, well, more of that. It's really been brightening my mood considerably -- as long as I am doing one of my happy activities, I'm usually good.

First up is reading. I LOVE reading but in 2017 and 2018 I really didn't devote that much time to it. I always have a deep regret when I look at my goodreads account at the end of a year and see that I barely finished any of the books I started (I have a terrible habit of starting a book, getting halfway through, and then starting another book.) So far this year I've read 10 books and I'll be so disappointed in myself if I end up slipping as the year goes on. I enjoy reading so much, I just need to be deliberate about how I spend my time to make sure I work it into my day.



Arrietty!! She really should have been first but blogger uploaded the photos in this order and I don't feel like changing it (so lazy omg.) Literally nothing in this entire world makes me happier than this cat. She is the absolute sweetest creature, so adorable, so affectionate, and so silly. I have very few humans in my life that love me (or even like me, lol) but this sweet sweet darling loves me *almost* as much as I love her, and I feel so incredibly grateful for her every day.



Third is cooking! Ever since I started eating healthy back in September I've been enjoying cooking so much more than I used to. Most days I stick with a variation on the same meal (zucchini noodles, tomatoes, broccoli or asparagus, and chick peas.) but a few times each week I'll try a brand new recipe. I listen to podcasts or audiobooks while I cook, and just let myself totally enjoy the experience of cooking dinner. And when I'm done, I eat at the table instead of in front of the tv or computer.

A few recipes I've tried recently that I am head-over-heels in love with -- carrot cake baked oatmeal (I am avoiding eggs, so I subbed in 1 tbsp. chia seeds and 1/3 c. water),  kale and wild rice bowl (I used a quinoa/wild rice combo, and skipped the feta cheese), and butternut squash kale salad with chickpeas and cranberries (I made this into more of a hot meal by combining everything in a skillet, and I used frozen butternut squash noodles!)



Movies! I have to admit I did not do great with my movie intake in January, but last week I made it a goal to watch one movie every night. I recently got this floor cushion (it reminds me of a Winnie The Pooh-printed one that me and my brother used to have when we were little!) and I've been laying it on the floor in front of my computer, filling up a bowl of popcorn, and enjoying a nice relaxing end to the day. My favorite new-to-me movie that I watched so far this year was Zodiac. This movie is 157 minutes long (!!!) but it felt like 90. It was so gripping and well-made that the 2+ hour running time zipped right by.



Lastly, Disney World! Me and my mom are going to be there April 10-16 and it's time to start planning! We can book fast passes and restaurant reservations starting next week! It's been two years since I was in Disney World so I'm incredibly excited to be going back. I loved Disneyland and Disneyland Paris but Disney World is my favorite, where I feel the most at home. Whenever my brain starts drifting into unhappy territory, I just start thinking about dole whip and the small world ride, the Paris pavilion at Epcot, my favorite broccoli slaw sandwich in Liberty Square, the smell of popcorn wafting through the air, the song It's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow from the carousel of progress. Only two months to go!

how to be a happy blogger

Whenever I'm on pinterest I see a ton of pins for posts like "5 ways to increase your blog traffic" or "Make your blog successful with three simple steps" or "Sell your soul and gain 100 blog followers!" etc. But I never see anything about actually enjoying blogging.

In February I posted less than any month since 2010. Yikes! Part of it is because I was on vacation and had limited access to wi-fi for about a week, but I'd be lying if I said that I was the least bit bothered by being unable to blog. I was kind of relieved. I've been having major blog fatigue this year and there have been countless moments when I've given serious thought to throwing in the towel. I'm not going to, but I thought about it... a lot. So this post is really as much for me as it is for anyone else.

Blogging is fun. First and foremost, it should always be fun. Obviously if you're a full-time blogger who makes your living from blogging sometimes it won't be fun and you'll have to do it anyway, but this post is directed more towards people like me (and maybe you?) who primarily blog because we enjoy documenting our lives and sharing our favorite things and connecting with other people. There are a lot of things that can put a damper on blogging but if you can maneuver your way around them and concentrate on the good things, you can be a happy blogger.

Step 1: Ignore any and all numbers.

ALL OF THEM. Trust me. When I first started blogging I used to check my follower count constantly. It would go up by two and I'd get excited and then it would drop by three and I'd be horribly crushed. At some point I just stopped looking on a regular basis. Every once in a while (like if I'm updating my advertising traffic statistics or if I happen to catch the number out of the corner of my eye) I'll notice the number but if you only see it once every few weeks or months you don't see the daily fluctuations that can potentially hurt your feelings. (I know not everyone is as insanely sensitive as me, but if you are, keep this tip in mind!)

This goes for comments as well. I don't look at how many comments each post gets anymore. I do read each comment when I moderate them but I never go back to look at the collective number on a post.

Ignoring numbers isn't just about avoiding disappointment, it's also about enjoying blogging for the act of blogging and not for the goal of gaining followers. That's a perk that comes with blogging, not the reason for doing it.

Step 2: Let it go.

Type up your post, hit publish, share on your various social networking sites if that floats your boat, and then let it go.

Don't baby your blog post. Maybe check in a few months later to re-read it or visit over the holidays when you're working on your year-end round up. But right now, let it go. Let yourself feel the satisfaction of having published a post that you're happy with.

If you are content with a blog post, let that be enough. If you get a positive comment, consider that an added bonus.

Step 3: Blog about what you like.

If you blog about things just because you think other people want to read them, you're not going to be a happy blogger. Blog about what you like. My favorite blogger is Kaylah from The Dainty Squid. I love when she posts about her unique interests like her tooth collection and her interest in the funeral industry. Being yourself and posting about the one-of-a-kind interests that make you YOU will make you a happy blogger (and, uh, oops.. this is probably a tip for being a successful blogger too.)

Related -- don't stop blogging about something because it's lacking in feedback. I'm so guilty of this myself. I can't even tell you how many times I've gotten my hopes up about a new series, broken my first rule (checked the numbers... a lot) and then cancelled said series because nobody seemed to like it as much as me. That needs to stop. If you find joy in scheduling your weekly round-up of marsupial photos, by golly you should keep doing it.

Step 4: Comparison is the thief of joy.

Yup, that quote. It's true. I think this is probably one of the biggest obstacles to being a happy blogger. Finding your own voice in a sea that seems to be populated by thousands of girls who are the blogging equivalents of Ariel from The Little Mermaid can be rough. In comparison you end up feeling like you're one of those little pathetic shrunken (poor unfortunate) souls Ursula keeps on a shelf in her lair.

It's definitely easier said than done. I mean, look at this cartoon by Gemma Correll. If an artist as talented, successful and universally respected as her can feel this way, it's no wonder the rest of us do, too. But as hard as it is to accomplish, it's important to try.

Whenever you find yourself thinking "why can't I have blog photographs like..." or "I wish my life was like ...." just stop for a second. You're awesome. And so are they. You can both be awesome in your own unique ways.

Step 5: Blog when you want to.

I've always thought my worst posts have been the ones I published because I felt like I had to blog that day. My favorite posts are usually the ones that I plan in advance, or the ones I whip up in the spur of the moment on a whim. Schedules are great, and I've stuck with a loose one on-and-off for a few years (obviously not for the last month or so) but if your schedule is getting in the way of your fun, stop.

Summary

Basically blog about the things you love, don't let your blog numbers get you down, and be proud of the work that you put into your posts. Post what you like and then like what you post. And above all, have fun. Enjoy blogging and just be happy.

we interrupt this christmas break to bring you exciting news...

The elusive modclothcouponicus has not been seen in the wild for more than a year. The legendary creature was often spotted in 2009 and 2010 but has been hibernating in exile for more than 12 months. But, alas! I opened my inbox this evening and low and behold... a coupon code was waiting for me, standing in plain sight! I could not believe my eyes!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the modcloth coupon code has been sighted once more! Once a candidate for the endangered retail species list, it is now alive and well! Hurrah!!

Okay, but seriously. 25% off all sale stuff with the coupon code SALEAWAY. If you've fainted, here is some virtual water in the face and slaps on the cheek. Wake up! It's true! It's real! I can't even tell you how many times I've looked at the sale dresses and thought "okay, that's nice but it needs to be like $10 cheaper before I can actually buy it." And now, it can be! aghhh! The four beauties at the top of the post are all going in my shopping cart before they sell out (hey, I finished my Christmas shopping earlier tonight.. I can spoil myself a bit now, right? ;) That one on the far right, the beading heart dress, is only going to be $38 after the coupon!! wheee! If you get something let me know what! I love shopping vicariously :D

Ok, now back to the Christmas break ;) I might pop back in with some photos of Christmasey stuff and the cats, but no outfit posts or scheduled features until after Christmas :)

ps. I scheduled this for 6am, but I have no idea what time the sale actually starts. I'm hoping the code will already be working by the time this post goes up, but right now (1am) it's still not live yet :p