In 2019, I’m trying one new habit per month that A) promise to increase my happiness levels and B) costs little to nothing.
I allllways seem to be late posting about each new month’s challenge. Maybe in June I will actually post about the challenge at the beginning of the month. 
April’s Challenge: Go outside.
First, an update on last month’s challenge, which was to get outside every day.
I successfully made a point of being outdoors for about 80% of the days in April, and I give this habit a big thumbs up.
I ate lunch outside, read on the deck, read in the hammock, and went for walks. And being outdoors definitely does make me feel happier.
Of course, I did this in April, when it’s neither freezing nor blazingly hot. I probably should try the experiment in a less pleasant month, such as January, and decide how I feel then.
Regardless, this encouraged me to get out and enjoy the lovely spring temperatures, so, yay!
And I think I’m going to do my best to keep this happiness habit going, the way I am the picture-a-day habit.
May’s Challenge: Read a chapter a day.
I know some people really do hate reading, but I enjoy it. So I figured that making time for it every day would be a happiness-inducing thing for me.
And since library books cost nothing, this could be a very free happiness habit.
My goal is to read a chapter every day. I hope to read more than that, but sometimes just getting started is the hardest part!
So I figured that setting a really small daily goal would at least make me get started.
(Only got ten minutes? I probably can knock out a chapter!)
Laura Vanderkam has frequently observed that she reads more when she has good books sitting around, waiting to be read.
So that’s what I’m doing too…I have a bunch of library books on hand, and hopefully that’ll help me make the time to read every day.
On a related note, I’ve been keeping a running list of the books I read this year, along with really short review of each.
Hopefully I’ll be adding a few to the May section of that list by the time this month is over.
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P.S. In case you missed earlier posts in this series, here’s a recap:
In January, I used my phone less.
(Definitely will keep doing this.)
In February, I tried a gratitude journal.
(This was not a keeper of a habit for me. One month was enough!)
In March, I did a photo-a-day challenge.
(I’m going to keep this habit up.)
WilliamB says
I had a thought about the April challenge and bad weather. If the weather really prevents you from going outside, get close to outside instead. Things I’m thinking of include sitting by a sunny window or going to the library (you’ll be outside while you get there).
I should adopt this idea as well. Going from home to work via car, doesn’t really count.
Kristen says
That’s a good idea!
WilliamB says
Thank you. Coming from a source of so many good ideas, that’s quite the complement.
JD says
In August in Florida, I don’t even want to walk to my car, much less stay outside, but I try, at least. I have found that I can take a brief walk when the weather is really hot by carrying a sunshade umbrella that I ordered through Amazon. It has a black-out lining and white top, and it really makes a difference. The air is still hot, but the deep shade cast on me means I can walk five or ten minutes without sweating through my make up and work clothes during my lunch time.
I love to read, but finding time to read a book is a real effort for me, with full-time work and a husband with increasing health issues. Maybe a chapter a day is a goal I can achieve. Since I commute to work, I find audiobooks are good for me, but I still love to read a (real) book in my hands.
Kristen says
Sonia got Mr. FG into audiobooks lately, and he is plowing through books at a tremendous rate this way! He too never could find the time to read, but listening on his commute is perfect.
Michele says
The Rosie Project was really good if you can get a copy at the library!
Faith says
Four book suggestions to keep you reading in May.
Radium Girls is really good! It is about the group of girls that painted watch dials with radium in the early 1900s and how people went from thinking radium was safe to how we treat it today.
A Woman of No Importance. It is all about Virginia Hall. She was an American that helped spy for America and England during world war two in France. Super cool.
The Immortal Life of Herietta Lacks
She had cervical cancer and they preserved her cell line and have used it for all sorts of medical break throughs today. The book follows her family as they try to make sense of the lack of information they are given. It reminded me just a little bit of hillbilly elegy and just mercy. But not as heavy as just mercy (which was one of my favorites this year, but so depressing).
When Breath Becomes Air
Written by a nerosugeon dying of lung cancer.
Kristen says
I love, love, loved When Breath Becomes Air. One of my favorites!
I think Sonia just read Radium Girls (she’s quite into everything scientific these days.) And I will check out the other two you suggested.
Kim from Philadelphia says
Kristen, looks like you sourced up your deck. You mentioned that was one of your to-do’s.
Will you share pictures with us?
I love deck spruce- ups
Kim from Phila says
Spruced up, not sourced!
Deidre says
Hah! I thought ‘sourced up’ must mean scavenge for free/cheap timber etc to re-do your deck
Amanda says
I love your April and May challenges.
On being outside. I’m not an outdoors person, but I find being outside, especially when the weather is terrible for some reason, makes me happier. Maybe part of it is that it usually involves exercise for me?
Reading is the same for me. I am a historian, so happily I get to read for a living. I notice that if I am moody it is often correlated with not having read anything for a few days. Even just a few minutes lost in a book before bed helps set me right.
Darlene says
I’ve been reading a chapter a day for a while now and I’m amazed at how many more books I’ve gotten through. An extra bonus is more walks to the library for more books!
Meira Bear says
One of my challenges for the upcoming weeks is to walk to the library on the weekend, get actual physical books, and read them outside (under a blanket, because it’s still pretty brisk in Ontario, weather-wise). I find ebooks really un-enjoyable to read outside, because of the glare on my computer. But I have a balcony and I mean to use it!!
Stephanie says
WOOHOO!!! Now this month’s challenge is something I can *definitely* get behind. I read constantly throughout the day: in the mornings, when I’m waiting for my husband and son to finish getting ready so I can drive them to the train/school; in the car, when I’m waiting to pick my kids or husband up; when my daughter is playing at the park or library; at night after my daughter has gone to bed. I’ve read 82 books so far this year, which isn’t too bad.
I hope you love Bear Town. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it and plan on reading more Fredrik Backman in the future.
Callie says
I love book suggestions and wanted to leave one, too. I’ve had a hard time getting into fiction lately but LOVED The War That Saved My Life as well as it’s sequel The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Bradley. My family has passed them around and everyone is loving them.
Bobi says
Your challenges have been very interesting so far. As for this one, apparently I’m reading books that are way too complex or else, I’m an awfully slow reader. I’ve never finished a chapter in ten minutes! I rarely finish a chapter in less than an hour. I should clarify though that I never read fiction which is more fun and probably reads faster.
Kristen says
I’m a really fast reader, so that’s probably what makes a difference. And yes, the type of book also makes a big difference! Some books are way faster to read than others.
Laura Vanderkam says
Great picture!
I made a resolution to get outside for 20 minutes every day this winter. I did not get every day, but the vast majority and it definitely made me feel better about winter. There’s something about fresh air…even if it’s filled with sleet.
Deidre says
I’m trying to go for a walk before work everyday – that is get to work early, park, go for a walk then have brekky in the staff tearoom before starting work….ahhh I have done it once, sat in my car for a second time deciding it was too cold & looked like rain & a number of days made it much earlier to work than before but not early enough to fit in a walk – will keep trying – is it 21 days to form a habit?
I do like reading but have not read much for a long time, just recently started back in to it – mainly reading my Bible and discovering lots I didn’t know was in there, I also want to have a go at some paper craft
Vicki says
I read a lot. I also enjoy audio books on my hour commute daily. I keep track of the books I’ve read on goodreads. You can also write reviews. I’ve been doing goodreads for 8 years.
Tammy says
I just read that book by Laura Vanderkam. I would say, if you like Hallmark movies, you’ll like the book! Haha. I thought it had a good point, and was an easy read.
I’ve been reading more this year, and loving it. Instead of just reading one book at a time, I have a book I read along with my Bible (a spiritual book), a book I stick in the bathroom, and one that I listen to on Hoopla while I do housework. I’ve read a lot of interesting books this year as a result!
Sunshine says
I think I will take your challenge!
Getting out in Nature is a high priority for me, because of how it makes me feel, and for what I discover out there!
I want to read a chapter in my Bible every day. Better than skimming. We already listen to tons of audiobooks in the car and get through many that way, but I want to focus on something more important.
Thank you so much for sharing your goals!
I would like to share this post as a challenge to myself and my readers!
Kristen says
Share away!