The Mason Jar Project

It was a bitch. The whole year. Start to finish. Everything about this year challenged me and forced me to push through things I hadn't thought I'd need to. Anxiety attacks to last a lifetime, switching jobs, breaking bones, my broken heart, dad facing cancer, fighting with friends, feeling lost within myself, and balancing everything in my world to maintain some level of happiness. I can tell you how amazing the year was at the same time, though. Broken friendships were healed, friendcations were taken, weddings were attended, many memories made with my dancers, teaching myself to love me more, operation renovation on my condo, and overcoming all the challenges the year held stood out more than the bad. I've really fought to teach myself to smile at the silver linings.

In high school, a guy a year older than me used to call me "Smiley" because I was always so happy and smiling. In the last 15 or so years, well, life happened, and I wasn't always so smiley anymore. Nowadays, I'm constantly searching for ways to hold onto that youthful girl that people once knew. I feel like I always want a reason to smile.

A year or so ago, I participated in the 100 Happy Days Challenge. I succeeded at it so I did 200 days. Then I just decided I would do a whole year. I took one picture a day every day for a year of something that made me happy. Looking back on those pictures, I'm so glad that I did it. Not only do I have a photo for every day of that year (so I actually remember the shit that I did), but I have something I know made me smile. Lately, with a lot of stress and anxiety on my shoulders, I have been on the hunt for a new way for me to remember it can be the simplest of things in life that make me happy!

I was scrolling through my Facebook news feed one day and came across a meme. It was a photo of a mason jar and the caption suggested that you write down one good thing that happened a week and fold it up and place it inside the jar. At the end of the year, on New Years Eve, you reread how wonderful your year was! I took it upon myself to make it my project for 2017! I set a weekly reminder in my phone and I'm happy to tell you, I kept up with this task. Here's a little bit of what I did this year...

Week #1
I was put on a list of bloggers to watch in 2017!

Week #31 
Dad's surgery went really well and there were no complications!

Week #35
Got back on the bike trail after 2 years. It felt so good to ride.

Week #6
I got to watch my choreography put to work on a stage for the first time!

Week#40
Went to the first game of the ALDS with Dee. Had a blast watching the Indians win!

Week#52
I have made official plans to better me. Focus more on me. Put me first and be happier.

Week #15
Completed the final novel in the Crossfire series, One With You. Fantastic Series by Sylvia Day.

Week #21
Added stamp #2 to my passport and visited the Caribbean for the first time. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic was gorgeous. Enjoyed myself so much I broke my foot! 

This was fun for me. It was a challenge (especially when I got a new phone and never reset my reminder) and it forced me to dig deeper into the little things all over again. The things that truly made me smile. I challenge you, my readers, to try this for yourself or your family for the following year. I promise, you won't regret it!

Happy New Year Y'all!