What a week…and it’s not even over. For both personal and obvious reasons it’s been a crazy one. Confusion, lack of sleep, worry and a whole lot of prayer. Prayer is a constant.
I have a few (lighthearted) things on my mind for Thinking Out Loud Thursday…
1. Last December I took part in a blogging Secret Santa. My Secret Santa (Georgie!) gave me Gretchen Rubin’s Happiness Project One-Sentence Journal. The idea is to write one line about your day, every day for five years. Whether it’s something good that happened or just a memorable moment, the journal is a way to track your accomplishments and progress over a five-year period. I intended to start the journal on January 1 and fill it out every day.
Yeah…that didn’t happen.
95% of the time I’m THE person to follow through with personal goals (“just do it…what’s so hard?”), but there is a small percentage of me who either a) forgets (I’m human) or b) gets lazy (again, I’m human). Last week I found the book in my desk drawer and decided to commit. Now seems like as good a time as ever to acknowledge the small but wonderful parts of every day life. I’m determined to follow through and even set an alarm in my phone as a reminder. I hate relying on technology but hopefully that will help form a habit.
Side note: I highly suggest following Lindsay (@arunaroundlife) on Twitter. Her project “Today in My Life” is inspiring, entertaining and thought-provoking. I credit her for my enthusiasm toward the Happiness Journal.
2. Mindy Kaling’s book has been the best distraction this week. Instead of scrolling through social media at night I’ve been reading, laughing and imagining her as my best friend. It’s a quick read but a much-needed pick-me-up.
3. I’m not a baker. Things either burn, don’t rise or taste like cardboard. Even when I follow a recipe something tends to go wrong, likely due to my annoying need to make changes. Is baking soda really necessary?! Combine that with not loving sweets (taste or stomach-wise) and I just don’t bake too often. Save the defeat for other times.
This fall, by some crazy turn of events, I want pumpkin bread every.single.week. My first loaf didn’t rise, the second was overcooked and the third was too crumbly. I persevered and nailed it on the fourth try. See what happens when I follow a recipe exactly? Jen’s muffins, which I made into bread, were awesome.
Now don’t even ask for a decent photo. That might take 20 more tries.
4. Alert the presses: I have a new favorite nut butter. Prior to last month, I only used coconut butter in smoothies because I thought it was too coconutty for my liking. Dumb. This stuff is crack. I have it every day either melted with granola or just by the spoonful.
Also, and maybe it’s just me, but the top layer of the jar tasted more like coconut oil? I had to mix/scrape off some to get to the good stuff.
5. A few recent blog posts and articles worth noting:
The Slow Truth to Build an Authentic Brand Online– The Healthy Maven
America is Obsessed with Happiness- and It’s Making Us Miserable– Vox
Training for a marathon made me realize Americans’ dangerous obsession with pushing past our limits– Quartz
6. I’ll end with a happy election-related story. It’s not what you think.
Last week was my first time voting in a presidential election. Most of my peers were able to vote four years ago but I hadn’t turned 18 yet (end of December). I walked into the facility, handed the (cute older) woman my license and she asked “is this your first time voting?” I said yes and then a party erupted. She stood up and screamed “first time voter! We have a first time voter right here!” All 40 people in the room started clapping. The woman hugged me and said “no matter who you choose, I’m proud of you for making freedom count.”
After I left the polling place I remembered this was my second time voting (local elections 2 years ago). Oh well. I like to think I made her day. More than that, her reaction and enthusiasm made mine.
I have my trusty 5-Year journal. It gives you a prompt for each day and is the same for all 5 years. I’m on my second year now and have never failed! My mom has the same one and…never fills it out…she has a few days written in…I always yell at her :P Haha!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Rustic Gluten-Free Cornbread
I was listening to an interesting podcast about diaries and journaling the other day. My blog has become that for me. That is why I can’t give it up, no matter what goes on in my life.
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Thankful Thursday 11/10
I never would have guessed you aren’t a good baker! Ever!! That’s so interesting. I like that 5 year journal but I am 99% sure that it would never go over well. Just being honest, haha. I keep hearing about that book and I think it should be my next one I read. I need a lighthearted funny one! COme on over and I”ll bake you lots!
Heather @Lunging Through Life recently posted…Thinking Out Loud: Election Thoughts, Black Friday, DLS
That’s so sweet that they made a big deal out of you voting! I hope you got a sticker too..I sure didn’t :(
I LOVE baking, but now that I’m vegan it’s hard to find recipes that turn out correctly!
Gretchen recently posted…Belize Part 4 : Everything Else
Oh man, that’s the cutest story. I love how enthusiastic she was about your experience :)
My voting experience was not as exciting as that! Just in and out and on with it.
I have that Happiness Journal book as well. My husband and I share it which allows us to reflect on the day together :)
Haha! I feel ya about the baking. On the rare occasions I’ve posted a baked good on the blog a crazy amount of time went into it too.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…3 Ingredient Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Aww that lady was really sweet. :) I think this was my 2nd time voting? WE did mail in ballots; I’ve never gone to actually do it a polling place.
And I wouldn’t have guessed that you didn’t like to bake; I love baking when I have time. :) Sometimes I’m a burner though too.
Emily recently posted…How Truth and Love Affect Elections and Eating Disorders
Love love love love love Mindy’s book! And I’m so excited the Mindy Project is back on Hulu! I love to bake, but I have this weird aversion to adding the full amounts of sugar to things. So I always cut the sugar and my husband always says my baked goods taste….’healthy.’ And not in a good way. ;-)
Mollie Sweet recently posted…Pregnancy at 35 Weeks
This post was just the kind of post I needed to read today. I used to use a happiness journal and this is making me want to start doing it again. That coconut butter has been sitting in my Amazon cart for way too long. I just need to click purchase!
Sara @ Oats & Rows recently posted…This Week’s Meals & Workouts
Last week I listened to Mindy’s book as an audiobook and loved it! It felt like she was in the car next to me while driving:) And I laughed out loud more than a few times. I love journals like that. The one I have asks you a question everyday so each year you can see how your answers change.
Amanda @ ExploringLifeAndThings recently posted…6 Podcasts I’m Loving Lately
sounds like a great book! Wish I had time to read for fun. Currently reading a book on sex trafficking for sociology- super interesting yet devastating what is going on in our world!!
I am not the biggest baker either. Wish I was though!
Alyssa recently posted…Guest post-Managing stress in College
I love the idea of a 5 year happiness journal! I want to get one! :)
Kristina @ Ms.Modify recently posted…{gluten free} Nutella Swirled Pumpkin Pie
Why have I never even heard of coconut butter until reading this? YUM!
Diana @ Live Lean Eat Green recently posted…My Thoughts On 5 Of The Most Popular Nutrition Bars
YOU. ARE. THE. BEST. <3 I read Mindy's first book and absolutely loved it. I can't wait to read this one, too.
Lindsay @ A Runnaroundd Life recently posted…done.
Must admit that all of my attempts at journaling/ diary writing have lasted for about three days but they are such a great way of clearing your mind and getting some perspective so perhaps I should give it another go?…
Currently working my way slowly through the script of The Cursed Child- I hope to see it in the West End next year but it is fully booked through to February- and i’m definitely a burner! Most of my meals require skills in ‘combining’ rather than actually cooking/baking…
xx
You know I haven’t been too overly pumpkin this year! Love those links. Have a good weekend!
Kaitlin @ CA Enless Summer recently posted…What I Learned from Running a Marathon
Awww I love that election story! It was my second time voting in person, but first time back at home. It was weird voting my first time since I got to vote in my dorm room hall, not the case this year haha. I am a baker and I love it, I guess all those baking classes growing up helped out ;)
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…Thinking Out Loud #12: Looking Ahead, 13.1, & Other Thoughts
The polling place lady sounds so sweet! when i first voted in the local elections in high school right after I turned 18, I had a similar reaction from someone working there and it made my day!
Haha! I got a similar journal to yours for Christmas and I lasted all of two weeks because it was one where you’re asked a question each day – but then I realised the questions are repeated every fortnight so every month you’re asked the same question twice and then asked it again the next month twice and so on.
I loveee coconut butter too!
Kristy from Southern In Law recently posted…Recent Things: All Things Sweet and Hoarder Confessions
That election story brightened up my night. With all the commentary I’ve been reading on social media about the election, that little story was a breath of fresh air. I couldn’t vote in this election since I’m 17 (18 in April.) So, hopefully when I vote for the first time I’ll get a round of applause too..? :)
Edye recently posted…Friday Favorites #6 (Granola Bars, Music, Fall Nail Colors)
I really want to read Mindy’s book! I’ve heard great things about it. So funny that they made such big deal out of you voting!