Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Write an Unhappiness List

I preparing for my happiness month coming up for June, which starts tomorrow, one of the important things I did was to sit down and to write out an unhappiness list. Weird? you might think! but, I decided to look at all of the things that make me feel unhappy.

I did this to help me see what makes me feel happy. Some days I struggle with knowing and remembering what really makes me happy. I find it so much easier to know what does not make me happy. I seem to have a natural disposition to focus on the negative and I have to really work on seeing the good and wonderful in my life.

Here are some of the things that make me feel unhappy:
After looking at this list I then tried to work out what the opposite would be so that I could see what happiness would look like for me. Here are the opposites that make me feel happy:

I found this process really easy, simple and fun to do. Of course this is just a small sample of what makes me feel unhappy and also what makes me feel happy. I look forward to sharing with you what happiness looks like for me in the next coming days as I work on completing more of my happiness list.

I hope you will drop by to see what is in my heart and what brings joy to my life.

I have attached a blank copy for you to print out or have fun with to make your own unhappy and happy list. I found this over at Shabby Blogs. Have fun!
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15 comments:

  1. what a great idea! I may steal it from you. And I love those dandelions on the notes.

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  2. Now this is an exercise I can do.
    I love that you've not only scaffolded it for me but hooked me in with some pretty paper which I've just downloaded.

    Thanking you for your never-ended inspiration,

    xx F

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  3. I've loved writing my list and have just shared with my Gifters here:

    http://www.giftsofserendipity.com/2011/05/three-gifts-in-one-day-wowee.html

    xx F

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  4. I was just reading your lists and noticed that there are some pretty onerous tasks that you have set yourself for happiness. I was just mulling over that and thinking that just being on the journey towards the goal often gives it's own sense of accomplishment, therefore happiness...eg. in organising one messy desk or drawer per week even I can feel a sense of happiness because it's beyond my normal household routine..whereas organising a whole household would probably stress me out if it all needs doing. Just a thought!

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  5. Glad you like the idea Rhonda - hope you can get some time to try it.

    Love your list Felicity - you are inspiring xx

    Thanks for your comment Carol - in putting this list together I was very general in relation to my happiness - in saying I would like a house of order I know it is totally unrealistic to think that with seven kids having a totally organised house at all times is possible. A house needs to be lived in and kids make a mess. Trying to keep a house clean and organised at all times stresses me out too! appreciate your additional thoughts on this. N x

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  6. Can I share words that arent mine-theyre from the Quiverfull articles. Ive printed them out for regular reading, and thought you might like them too.
    I thought that one day I would be a famous artist and create great works of art
    Instead, God made me a mother, and my children are His masterpiece.
    The design of their lives will live on after me. What is painted on their hearts will last an eternity-Anonymous
    And if you ask me, your first list looks a beautiful example of that, much more artistic than the second list! Hugs, Jodie-Mum to 9...oh and PS my list is waaay to long to fit on that paper!

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  7. I love your lists! I do not like clutter, spiders, codes. You did a great job with the exercise, brooms, friends!

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  8. Thanks for sharing this! I also struggle with only looking at the negative and not the positive, so I would definitely benefit from making a list like this too. I look forward to reading more about this subject from you.

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  9. I adore you. This is keeping it real. xx

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  10. Thanks ladies - love your thoughts. I have a lot of keeping it real coming up and hope you enjoy the next month. N x

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  11. This is such a clever way of looking at life Naomi. Bravo to you for thinking it up. I've never looked at things in this way, although I probably do every day without realising it! Many of the things on your list are also my unhappy things.
    I started decluttering yesterday and it made me feel so much better.
    And tight clothes, they are a stress in themselves. As you grow older, you start to accept the tops/shirts need to get longer, hehe! xo

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  12. Love the idea... i have been wanting to write a whinge list just to acknowledge some things that are irritating me but i like this much better :)

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  13. Can I borrow this idea too?

    My PINT post today was mostly whining but unhappiness is different again.

    Loved both of your lists.

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  14. I think this is a great way to start your happiness project. And also a great thing to do to help create affirmations for negative thoughts.

    e.g. if you have a negative thought, what is the opposite to it, make it an affirmation.

    Thanks for sharing

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  15. This is such a great start and a thoughtprovoking exercise. I shamelessly stole the paper from you and had fun with it! ;o)
    see my lists here:
    http://theshinybubble.blogspot.com/2011/06/lists.html
    thanks for the idea!!
    love
    yaga

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Thank you for your thoughts...Naomi x

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