Happiness Jars

A friend is hosting a Self Care Craftalong on her blog: Gifted Goodies.  I wasn’t sure how I would join in to begin with as I wasn’t ready to take on a crafting project.  I have one in mind, but I think I might save it for the new year. In the end though my friend came to the rescue though and came up with idea that I felt I could manage, but which I felt would be useful, fun and worthwhile.

The idea was starting a Happiness Jar.  It’s been a difficult year for me, but things have taken a turn for the worse lately as my mother is ill.  It’s been a difficult thing to come to terms with and I’m not there yet.  She has been so positive though through it all and I’ve been trying to follow her lead, even if it isn’t always easy.  Looking on the bright side and celebrating the good things seems like a way of keeping cheerful and purposeful. Self care becomes especially important when life is tough.

How does the Happiness Jar work?  Well everyday I look back and pick out one or more good things that have happened (even small things) and write them down.  I write each day’s good thing or things on the tear off page of my desk calendar.  It helps that they are printed with lovely pictures and have some inspirational quotes. They are great to look back at either at the end of the week or the end of the month, or just if you need a bit of cheering up. I’ve found a pretty jar to put them in too, so the whole experience is enjoyable.

Happiness Jars work well with children too.  If your child is feeling down about something, it’s a way of looking on the bright side.  I don’t claim that it will cure major depression, but it should help if you are feeling a little bit down.

If you’d like to join in with the Self Care Craftalong (you don’t have to be really skilled – an adult colouring book counts), share your pictures on Instagram using the hashtag #SelfCareCAL and you could win some crafty prizes.