My Happy Jar

3 years ago I started my Happy Jar.

Every time something that made my happy happened, I wrote it down on a piece of paper. Anything. And then I would fold it up and put it in the jar and read it at the end of the year. 

​But as the years have gone on, I've noticed something interesting...

I've noticed more and more notes are going in my Jar - and now when I look at my Jar throughout the year I can feel joy and happiness rising in my chest. 

When I first did it, there really wasn't much to put in. That's not because I wasn't experiencing many happy things - I just wasn't used to focussing on them. It was so weird! I almost felt like I was cheating myself that things were artificially good... I actually found it hard to write the good stuff down. 

But like anything good that happens, it takes a little bit of practice. 

As I sat down with my Happy Jar this year, emptying the contents on the table I noticed a pattern. I recoginised the things that brought me the most joy. They were the little things like spending time with my son; spending days out with my friends and their children too; celebrating the little things and being outside in nature.

This was a bit of a lightbulb moment because I understood that these were the things I need to focus on and do more of this year.   Make these my primary objective.
​
In fact this year I've decided to go one step further and to write down every day something that's brought me joy or that I was grateful for.
Can you imagine what that'll be like at the end of this year? Hundreds of things that have bought me joy and gratitude! How exciting is that! I'm already looking forward to reading those :)
 
The Happy Jar isn't just about taking time to notice the good stuff (which is vital, especially now with everything that's going on around us) but also to make sure that I'm ​enjoying life, with those who mean the most to me. 

So how about starting a Happy Jar this year? and see how many magical and wonderful memories you can capture this year. Or perhaps take a picture every day of something that's made you happy and make a photo album? 

If you've got a Happy Jar already - I'd love to see it! How about take a picture and post it in the comments? Or inspire someone else to do the same? 

The idea is that you can look back at the end of the year and realise the joy and happiness that's around you all the time. All we need to do is look up. 

Happy January!

much love

Dawn xo