Archive

Choosing Happiness with the Magic Underwear Trick

posted 2nd March 2010 Written by: Nicole Antoinette CATEGORY: All Posts, Nicole Antoinette, Quarterlife Crisis, Season 2

One of the main reasons I love personal blogs is that I’m fascinated with people’s private lives. I feel like how you act at home is the truest reflection of who you are, and I just can’t get enough of reading about other people’s lives and watching their video blogs and clicking on their Twitpics.

Which is to say, I’m Nicole and I’m a voyeur and I don’t care because it’s so fun and I just can’t help it and the internet makes it so damn easy.

You know what I love the most? The details.

Like, what do you and your husband have for dinner? Do you cuss a lot? What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? Do you like hiking on the weekends? What color are your walls? And on and on.

My home life, in case you’re just as much of a voyeuristic stalker, is a combination of Trader Joe’s and writing and Snuggies and a wood burning fire place and dancing on the counter to mashup music and wearing my hair in a side ponytail and watching stand up comedy online and I don’t have a husband but my roommate and I eat a lot of pasta for dinner and of course I cuss like crazy and I listen to Bedrock by Young Money when I first wake up and sure hiking sounds fun and my walls are like a sage-ish green.

I think that things like this, the details of our lives, reveal what our values are and what’s most important to us. How we spend our personal time is what defines us, and one of the most defining things about my home life right now (and therefore my life in general), is that I spend the majority of my time at home wearing nothing but a sports bra and boy short underwear.

I know that probably sounds totally bizarre and you’re all, “Wait, what?” but here’s the thing: it’s all about building confidence.

Overall, I think this small act has less to do with being almost naked and more to do with the fact that I’m really just trying to close the gap between who I am and who I want to be, and who I want to be is a woman who’s so overwhelmingly comfortable with her own body that feeling otherwise isn’t an option.

We all do things like this, right? Things that make us feel good and emphasize the fact that even if our over-scheduled lives try to make it otherwise, happiness is something that can’t be dispensable. And I really believe that happiness, the purest happiness, is completely self-defined and that all we need to do is figure out what makes us kick and then run with it, and run hard.

Happiness is a choice. Confidence is a choice.

And lately I’ve been choosing both by jumping around my apartment in my underwear while listening to live versions of John Mayer on YouTube, making tomato sauce, and checking myself out in the mirror. That’s how I’m choosing happiness, choosing confidence…

Your turn.

photo credit: Annie Mole

The Challenge Child

posted 1st February 2010 Written by: Kelly CATEGORY: All Posts, Kelly, Love, Quarterlife Crisis, Season 2

INTRODUCING KELLY

I’ve never done things the easy way.

I’ve always been the type to learn lessons the hard way and experience mistakes by myself. Personality traits also come into play; I’m spontaneous, impatient, impulsive and driven.

When I was young, my parents affectionately referred to me as “The Challenge Child”; and you bet that I earned every letter of it.

In 1st grade, I cut my desk mates’ bangs. I told her that to get rid of them, you don’t grow them out, you cut them. I left a trail of hair from the bathroom to my desk. It wasn’t hard for the teacher to find the culprit.

My kindergarten report card read, “Kelly needs to understand that the world does not revolve around her.”

At 6, I convinced my sister that our blanket was a magic carpet. I opened the 2nd story window, knocked out the screen and was ready to push her out. Dad caught on just in time.

I changed my name to Ming in 2nd grade.

My first detention was in 3rd grade. I took ticky-tack and put it in my teacher’s hair. It got stuck, and he had to have the school nurse get it out with peanut butter. They sent a note home, but I stuffed it under the bus seat.

Between the ages of 8-13 the majority of family dinners ended with me eating at the bottom of the basement stairs alone. My parents have pages and pages of “I will not talk back” written on them.

High school years hit me hard; I was far from the perfect student. Always into some kind of trouble, hanging out with the “wrong” crowd and doing my best to defy authority. It took a few years to come into myself.

I am made of tough stuff. This comes from my Mother. I may have to learn everything from my own mistakes, but it has made me the person I am today and fueled me to become the best that I possibly can. My experiences have forced me to look at the world for what it really is, figure out what I need to do and get it done.

About 4 months ago, I met a boy, fell head over heels in love and decided to move to Texas from my little home town, after knowing him 2 weeks. Imagine the hell I raised with this stunt! I’ve been here for 3 months now and I’ve never been happier. I packed up; left everything and everyone I ever knew and moved … 1200 miles away, for love.

Which brings me to present day. To my “Quarterlife Crisis”… I’m living in a brand new city with no solid ground. A supportive and amazing man by my side, but no self-identity in this new world. No job, coworkers or girlfriends and reliant everyday on my trusty GPS, Greta. I find myself examining my life, my patterns and my past … realizing that there are skeletons in my closet … and to lead the life I want to, I must face them.

So, it’s time to shine!

Join me as I spread my wings, find life outside of Buffalo, NY and discover a entire new chapter of my life journey.

Habitual Happiness Giveaway

posted 14th August 2009 Written by: Molly Hoyne CATEGORY: All Posts, Stratejoy the Biz

We’re hosting a giveaway!

a Habitual Happiness Giveaway

Here’s the Deal: I want to help you make happiness a habit.

And we’ve got three fabulous gifts that will help you do just that. They’ll help you begin to carve out the road to happiness and success on your own terms; your own personal rockstar life… Read on to find out what I’m giving away and how to enter!

The cow picture has nothing to do with the giveaway. It just makes me giggle. And that makes me happy!

The Goodies:

Style Statement: Live by Your Own Design

Style Statement is one of my favorite books. Carrie & Danielle’s philosophy is right in line with my own — the secrets to your authentically joyous life lie within you and only you. It’s up to you to tune in and recognize what you truly love, and how that can help you live an authentically joyous life. This book is “part workbook, part inspirational narrative,” and all beautiful. You’ll be inspired by what’s inside, especially after you’ve filled in your own details!

STYLE STATEMENT is an inspiring take on the power of style and authenticity. [The book] presents a series of inquiries that lead readers to the personal words that guide the spirit, look and feel of their life. Via Carrie and Danielle’s Lifestyle Map, readers then explore how their own unique Style Statement can generate momentum in every area of their life.

Want to know more? Take a look at the video below where Carrie and Danielle talk about their book and the feedback they’ve received about the Style Statement process.

Props to Carrie and Danielle on Vimeo.

(Clarification for those who want the entire scoop: Carrie and Danielle as a rockin’ business duo have since broken up, but you will find Carrie’s new site: Style Statement and Danielle’s blog: White Hot Truth alive and well and inspiring as ever.)

$50 off a Stratejoy Course

You can apply the $50 gift card to either Stratejoy’s in-person Lifestyle Design course here in Seattle or to The Joy Equation, our 30-day online course. That’s a 20-33% savings! The courses are designed to give you the time, tips, and resources you need to recognize your own awesomeness, define your version of success, and build a plan to claiming your happiness. Life’s too short to feel stuck, bored or unhappy. Here’s what one participant had to say about it:

… By taking the time to actually define my core values, my own vision of success, and what I truly wanted, I realized that happiness was something I could start working on now …

Molly doesn’t tell you how to live your life. She simply gives you the tools and resources that will help you do that for yourself. Everyone’s version of what success or happiness looks like is different, so the last thing we need is someone telling us what they are — Molly helps YOU figure it all out on your own terms.

And that’s what I love about the workshop and about Stratejoy. No pressure, just tips, tricks, motivation and accountability. The good stuff.

Want to know more?

Click here to find out more about Lifestyle Design.

Click here to find out more about The Joy Equation.

Two for the Price of One Entry:

101 Things To Do Before You Go:

Creating a Powerful, Meaningful, Inspiring Life List

Get ready for an inspiring art-filled, mimosa-fueled, life changing ALL AGES MEN AND WOMEN event! Come spend a morning with your best gal pal creating your official “life lists”. Invest some quality hours with your mom or daughter sharing your big dreams. Or bring your husband, boyfriend or partner with you – find out what surprises are on their list!

When? Saturday, August 29th 9 am – 1 pm, Northwest Work Lofts

What? Did you know that the latest scientific research in positive psychology states that creating life lists plays a crucial role in happiness? Join us for an exhilarating morning as we work through a step-by-step method to create a powerful & meaningful life list. We’ll start by identifying your personal core values, complete a few writing & brainstorming exercises to connect values to goals in different slices of life & end by creating a vision board or memory book full of your 101 Things To Do Before You Die. There will be lots of time to create and you’ll walk away with an incredible record of your goals to remind you to “get busy!”

“In my coach training and busy practice, I have discovered that successful people almost always have life lists. These lists enable them to be more joyful, proactive, and accomplished. The most current research underscores that clear-cut goals– and a path to accomplish them– contribute to a meaningful and flourishing life.” – Caroline Adams Miller, author of Creating Your Best Life

How? Preregistration by Thursday, August 27th is required. The Event includes beverages, brunch & art supplies. Cost is $89, so with a two for one entry, each person invests $44.50!!

How to Enter

Simply leave a comment with your all time favorite inspirational quote. Of course, include your name, contact info and which prize you’re interested in.

For extra entries do any of the following:

Sign up for the newsletter & leave a comment letting me know (2 extra entries)
Tweet about the giveaway (1 extra entry per tweet)
Blog this giveaway and leave a comment with the link (3 extra entries)

Winners will be chosen randomly and announced on Twitter next Thursday, August 20th as well as on the blog next Friday.

Good luck all! I can’t wait to read all the fantastic quotes — I’m sure they’ll inspire an extra-joyful week!

Girl Power Hour = Happiness for You

posted 8th January 2009 Written by: Molly Hoyne CATEGORY: All Posts, Events

photo credit: Barbie Hull, courtesy of Girl Power Hour

The lovely ladies of Girl Power Hour, Darnell & Samantha, have invited Stratejoy to share some happiness secrets at their networking event next Thursday the 15th. It’s the kickoff of GPH in 2009 and the first in a 4 month series titled “The Power of Focused Intention”.

These two have created an incredible opportunity for Seattle area women to network in a very positive, social, festive atmosphere. I give them big props for filling a need in our community and doing it with such guts and glam.

Make a Commitment to Yourself

posted 16th December 2008 Written by: Molly Hoyne CATEGORY: All Posts, Inspiration, Tips & Tools

As women, we pride ourselves on taking care of others. We commit ourselves to our partners, our best friends, our colleagues, our extended families, our neighbors– the list goes on and on. We show love & respect by being there for them & following through on commitments. We work to understand the nuances of their days and react by cheering them up when things look down, celebrating when life is good or bolstering self esteem when fear starts taking over.

We listen, we care, we pay attention.

And this is a good thing. Having caring, committed relationships (as long as they are reciprocal) help us navigate our lives with support and meaning.