My life has changed a lot in the past few years.  In 2008, I bought a house that I absolutely LOVED, and I built a low-impact life around it.  This year, I am settling permanently in Vermont into a life that is not quite suited to my sustainability and comfort needs.  It frustrates me that I’m starting over again from the beginning, but I guess the Universe has more to teach me.

First, these are some of my 5-year goals (that I already had 5 years ago):

1. Have space for my mom to come visit for a weekend or a few weeks
2. Live where I don’t need a car for most of my errands
3. Grow a % of my own food

Second, I need to resolve these things:

• Have space to do yoga (or use the hula hoop) every day
• Hang 75-80% of the laundry
• Avoid food waste

Just like when my house is cluttered, when I need a car to go everywhere, I get very anxious.  I don’t like to feel isolated, and being able to walk or bike around town reduces my stress and keeps me healthy.  It’s a part of my life that I’m not able to give up for sanity reasons.

The Happiness Project website suggests asking yourself these questions to help you find happiness:

• What makes you feel good? What gives you joy, energy, fun?
• What makes you feel bad? What brings you anger, guilt, boredom, dread?
• What makes you feel right? What values do you want your life to reflect?
• How can you build an atmosphere of growth—where you learn, explore, build, teach, help?

By being proactive, I am trying to stay positive that my life will get back to a place where I love it as much as I did before.  Settling in one place will help, and I hope the rest will follow before too long.

Stay tuned for the start of that journey next month.