Isn’t it crazy to think we are already half way through 2014? I think doing this project really helps you to take stock about the time that’s passed and what lies ahead. For June my focus was on connections – connecting with friends and family, connecting with nature and basically taking some time away from online life. Let’s see how I got on.
1. Have an Internet free evening once a week
A goal that sounds so easy on the surface (especially when you are online all day for work), but is really rather difficult to put into practice. It made me realise how much looking on my phone was habit more than anything else. While I would be lying if I said I stuck to this goal in its entirety, I did spend the odd evening away from the Internet and read from time to time… baby steps.
2. Spend some quality time with family
I was quite lucky that June was my sister’s birthday and also the month that we had arranged a family day out – an easy goal to keep. Both events involved doing things none of us had done before and it was so lovely to do this with family – it really shook up the routine conversations.
3. Connect with friends, in real life
Most of my friends live in different towns to me, and my oldest friend has relocated to Switzerland. This goal therefore required some effort and planning – which I’m pleased to say I did. I spent a weekend visiting my friend in Switzerland, seeing the home she has made for herself, and then I met my other friends for a long overdue catch-up dinner. We decided there and then that we would all try to work at least one ‘real life’ catch-up into our schedules every month.
4. Reconnect with nature
As you can probably spot from my picture above – I did manage to connect with nature this month. In Switzerland we went on a long hike in the mountains, taking in beautiful views and listening to cow bells in the distance. When I got home I kept up this momentum and went on several walks, and came across this beautiful deer. And yes, I did eventually share this picture online, but in that moment there was nothing but me and nature (promise).
July goals
In the Happiness Project book, July is dedicated to money – so this month I’ll be looking at all aspects of money and possessions, including whether or not money can buy happiness (it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it). My money-related goals for July are therefore:
- indulge in a modest splurge
- buy needful things
- spend money on an experience
- get rid of possessions I no longer need/use.
How do you unplug and connect to real life? Let me know on the Life Coach Directory Facebook page.
Catch up with previous Happiness Project blogs.
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