A More Perfect Day (Not a Perfect One)
A while back, I read this article in Simplify magazine by Gretchen Rubin about happiness. Ever since, I’ve kind of been on the lookout 
for my own little happiness project. I didn’t know what it would be — but I figured I’d know it when I saw it.
Recently, the idea came back around, and I thought: What if, instead of chasing some grand, perfect life overhaul, I just tried to make my regular old day a little better? Not perfect. Just more perfect.
So, I grabbed a notebook and started jotting down what would need to happen in a day for me to feel good about it. Turns out, it boiled down to four things:
Environment, Financial, Physical, and Spiritual.
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Environment: clean a space somewhere in the house
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Financial: track what money’s coming in and going out
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Physical: move my body somehow
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Spiritual: listen to or read something that fills me up — not necessarily religious, just something good for the soul
I started making these my daily anchors. Now, more than 40 days in, I can honestly say my days feel better. My house isn’t spotless (let’s not get carried away), but I can walk into any room without instantly feeling stressed about the clutter. I’ve become a lot more aware of where my money goes — and even made a few decisions that’ll save me a nice chunk in the long run.
I’m still not working out like a fitness influencer, but I move every day. And somewhere along the way, I discovered Gretchen Rubin has a podcast called Happier. It’s been around for a decade and I’ve started from episode one. Each show kicks off with a little tip called Try This at Home, and a lot of the time, I realize I’m already doing some of the things they suggest. It feels good to hear, like a little nudge of “You’re on the right track.”
What I really love is that the podcast is called Happier — not Happy. Just like I’m after a more perfect day, not a perfect one. It’s a journey, not a finish line. And even though both Gretchen and her sister Elizabeth (who co-hosts) are high achievers they are not perfect and they own their shortcomings in a way I appreciate.
In fact, I’m officially declaring myself a Happier Guru. I’m going to check in here every so often and share what I’m learning about crafting a more perfect day — whether it’s from the podcast, an article, or just life doing its thing.
Oh — and I’m dusting off my old Simplify magazine issues too. I have a lifetime subscription (because of course I do) and naturally, I’ll start reading from the beginning. That’s just how I roll.
Another thing: when I first made my little list of what a more perfect day looked like, I was surprised to realize that knitting, crocheting, and being creative didn’t make the cut. It took me a couple of days to notice. I thought about squeezing it in, but it didn’t come up naturally, so I left it out. And you know what? I still knit and crochet — it’s my job — but I enjoy it more now that it isn’t constantly front and center in my brain. Deadlines and orders still exist, but I’m better at shaking off the stress when it creeps in. That, my friends, makes for a more perfect day.
Also, I didn’t originally put relationships on the list either. But if I’m being honest, Mr. Honey (that’s my husband, for those of you new here) is one of the reasons this all started. He casually mentioned something about my finances (nothing bad) and something about my eating habits (definitely bad) — and it made me pause. Made me reevaluate. And whether he knows it or not, I’m better for it. We’re better for it.
So that’s where I am. I’ll keep chasing happier, one imperfectly perfect day at a time. And if you feel like joining me — come on. We’re in this together.
Stay tuned.