It’s just over a year since I read The Happiness Project, and set out on my path to contentment. It has been a bumpy ride, but one where the eventual destination will more than make up for the rough terrain. Sticking to the rules formulated at the beginning of 2012 did start to become harder than I expected, with far too much negativity being allowed to creep back in over the summer months. The fork in the road came with the realization that I had allowed myself to become very ill. I had to stop worrying, and get back on track. It’s a shame it took until November to gain the right perspective on things, but it had been an eventful year of many projects, craft shows, college courses, new working environments, first travels out of the UK in over ten years, working on keeping the mean reds and dark moods at bay, and finally taking control of a disturbingly unhealthy relationship with food that was causing bones to crack. Still…tiny victories, lads. Tiny victories. Feeling the most settled I have in a long, long time.
Removing unnecessary pressures last year is finally beginning to pay off. Creativity that had been more than a little stagnant is gradually returning. The urge to write things, to make more things, and doodle more is coming back. But I won’t push. A slower pace with no deadlines is working well. What ain’t broken doesn’t need to be fixed. Feeling bad that I’ve neglected the online world of Shaky Ghost here though, but the actual world and those important to me in it must take priority. Little and often, when I’m feeling up to it, or when I can spare time away from a full and rewarding real life to sit in front of a screen, when the writing or posting bug takes hold.
The Happiness Project continues. Here’s to another year of slowing down and focusing on the right things.
Long may it continue 
