I have been on a mission this year to see, can you be happy every day. It is now half way through the year and this post covers week 23 to 27.
As we all know, its been a funny time, but I am all for only thinking about the good stuff and finding happiness. Even if it is focusing on the things that make you smile.
June
For me June saw life beginning to return to some form of normality. I am back to work for 3 days a week, meaning I’m working from home just 2 days a week.
It is lovely to be around people again and of course to see the children. It seems to have been a successful transition for those that have returned. It’s amazing how quickly being back in school seems to be normal. I almost can’t remember ever NOT being back.
It does mean that the routine that took a while to settle in to when lockdown began is now behind me and I’ll be honest, finding a new one that works is hard.
Can you be Happy every day? Week 23-27
Despite the big changes June bought with it, It has been another successful month for us. I can say that I have managed to find happiness each day this month.
From socially distance visits to plowing through book after book, online shopping and Fathers day celebrations. This month has had it all.
Week 23
This week was the first time we went out for the day. Choosing to visit a local country park. We’ve only made it as far as our local park until now.
It was lovely to stretch our legs and visit somewhere different. Walking the same routes over and over was getting a little dull. It did rain pretty much the whole time we were there so I got no photo’s really.
It also meant it was fairly quiet too, although it was great to see how places are adapting to the changes we now need to implement due to Covid19.
Week 24
Finally we were able to welcome my Dad in to our bubble. If I’d had enough warning, I might have got him a big balloon with welcome to our bubble written on it.
After vigorous hand washing on arrival and a face mask on, I gave him the biggest cuddle I think I have ever given him. It was the best hug I have ever had! Not sure he’d agree, he gave me that little ‘OK stop now back pat’
Finally I was able to take him to do his own shopping rather than do it for him and leave it outside his house! I don’t think I will ever take these small pleasures for granted.
We walked round an almost empty retail park before sitting and drinking a coffee that we hadn’t made ourselves in the sunshine. As close to normal as we have been for a while and as much normal as we will be for a while I suspect.
Week 25
As I am back in the office, I have been trying to make the most of my evenings again. Starting our lockdown scrapbook seemed like a good way to use some of this time.
I’ve really enjoyed putting it together and the children have enjoyed seeing my progress each time. It’ll be a lovely thing to look back on, to remember the good times.
I was a little surprised though when the photo’s dropped through the door, I’d not realised just how many I had taken in the last 3 months!
Week 26
Fathers day!! I think this picture sums up parenting completely. Doing stuff that makes your kids got WHAT?!?!?
We had a lovely day celebrating the Dad’s in our lives. My Dad came over and had dinner for the first time since February. It was so nice to show him around the house and all the work we’ve completed during lockdown. We also saw Rob’s parents from a distance which was equally as lovely. I hope the Dad’s all enjoyed their day as much as we did.
Week 27
This last week has been one of full on sunshine, although when your office reaches temperatures of over 30 degrees, its not so much fun. My down time has consisted of reading this week, I am really enjoying picking up a book each day. You can see what else I have been reading through this month on last weeks blog post.
F had an art assignment this week. He had to recreate a movie scene. Here we went for The Lion King. I don’t think the cat was too impressed! What blew me away this week was the painting F created. Not for school but for his bedroom. I know I am biased but he did such a good job. It will look great against the dark blue on his bedroom wall.
Reading Hot hot hot! The Lion King F’s Artwork
That sums up June for us. Silly, sunny and a slight glimpse of normal! I wonder what July will hold. We have decided in our house that July will be the month of Claire. For no other reason than why not?
I’ll report back and let you know how long it lasts!
What were the highlights of June for you? Can you be Happy every day? Or is it unrealistic to even try?
Holy cow that’s hot in your office! Seriously there ought to be a health and safety maximum temperature!
Thanks for sharing the things you have been doing in June, mine has been very up and down from sad to happy, in the space of 3 weeks which has not helped my mental health at all. I had my birthday last week which was fun when it was 30 degrees! Have a great July 🙂
Nic | Nic’s Adventures & Bakes
Ah, this is so lovely, Claire. How absolutely wonderful that you got to be with your father again, that would have been my highlight for sure. That and F’s artwork which is just stunning. Fantastic use of colour! Lisa x
I too hadn’t see my dad and was so happy when I could! We lost my mom in the fall so we both really needed it! Stay well!
So glad to hear you’ve found so much happiness throughout this month Claire! Love that photo of you, the boy and your Dad. Bet it was SO NICE to see him again and you had the best day! xxx
LOL! The poor cat! What a great idea to recreate a scene from a movie though! 🙂
It sounds like June has been a fab month for you, getting back to some sort of normality does help to make sense of everything. However I still don’t know if I am coming or going! Aww so glad you got to see your dad, it will have cheered everyone up! Sim x
This was such a nice post to read! I’m glad to hear that you are finding the happiness in each day, especially during these crazy time!
It really has been so nice to slowly see people safely again. I know exactly what you mean. It felt amazing seeing my dad again too.
Hi Claire,
It sounds like you have embrased June beautifully.
I work with some people with very compromised immune systems, so I get it how hard it was not to see or have contact with your father. My work is starting outside family visits this week. 2/month. So hard. Thank you for sharing and reminding us that June was a good month!
Max
It’s great to hear you got to spend time with your dad. Ha, the balloon idea sounds great, might need to steal that lol.
Looks like you are slowly easing into normality and smiling along the way. So glad you go to see your dad and like you said, having a cup of coffee made by someone else is a special moment not to be taken for granted.
This is such a lovely idea. Its great that life is slowly getting back to a bit of normality.
I love that you are finding happiness in every day! Such a wonderful thing and I agree I am glad life is getting back A little bit of normalcy as well 🙂
I love reading happy things! It’s great that your dad is in your bubble now and you can spend time with him, lovely to hear ☺️
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
Great post! I enjoyed reading this! I’m glad you are now allowed to see your dad!
This is such a lovely post! I’m glad you managed to get back a bit of normality and can see your dad again!
Tash – http://www.agirlwithview.co.uk
So lovely to hear such a happy and positive post! It’s lovely that you were able to welcome your dad into your bubble too!
What a lovely week, and how a wonderful that you could extend your bubble to include your dad. It’s kind of strange to see things slowly creeping back to a little more normality.
June did feel the beginning steps of getting back to normal, and for some it was basically lockdown over, i think its great to look at things positively and happy, its often the only thing you can do to get through some of the challengers etc, great post.
It’s hard to be happy every day but it’s never a bad idea to try. Even when I’m having a bad day, I can always be made to feel better.
I need some photos printed out! It may be a silly thing to take from your post, but it really reminded me how happy pictures make me.
AW I love the sound of this series and love that you have been able to get some normality back. I can relate to the HUGE hug giving! Hope you enjoyed the drinks (that you didn’t have to make!) and work is all okay! x
Great post by the way. I am so glad that you were able to add your dad into your bubble that must have been fab for you x
Sounds like a busy month! So nice that your dad is now part of your bubble too 🙂 I know what you mean about getting some normality back – I’ve formed a bubble with my mum as she lives on her own so it was nice actually being able to go into her house and sit on the sofa for a change! The little things make such a difference at helping you feel normal again x
The transition to going back into work again must have been a tough one because most of us have been off for quite a while. I don’t know how I’ll cope when I go back as I’m in a new job and it will have been at least 6 months since I’d been in any form of office x
It’s lovely to see you are finding so much happiness each day. It sounds like you’ve had a really nice month. How great it must be for you to see your Dad again and include him in your bubble.
I love reading these posts – thank you of sharing.
Sounds like you’ve had a lovely month Claire! This post was a lovely read! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Being back at school has been a godsend to mine, with even my Year 7 back now. It makes such a difference to them and I have some down time too, which helps
That first hug with someone who doesn’t live with you is life, is it not?! I got mine just a week or two ago as well.
So lovely to read. It’s a much-needed reminder to me right now to remember to find those positives. And the reunion with your Dad made me sooo happy for you!
I love these posts, I wish I could say I’m happy every day, I am most days though which is good for me.
I think it’s difficult to be really happy every single day but I am managing to maintain a more consistently positive mood lately, which is fab 🙂
I am so glad that we are finally going to be able to see our families and friends again! I will definitely not be taking these things for granted anymore, amazing how a pandemic can out your life into rather harsh perspective.
I also try to find something every day, but my focus is gratitude. I’m a typically positive person, but I’m not always grateful for the small things. So I try to focus on that.
Some lovely photos here! great post thank you for sharing this! Lovely read!
Amber – The Unpredicted Page
It’s lovely how you look for the happy in every day! Sounds like June has been a great month for you! Love the artwork and what a fab idea doing a lockdown scrapbook.
Thank you for sharing your progress and journey! This was so lovely to read.
Was lovely to read such an uplifting and positive post! I’m glad you’ve been able to take the positives and run with them!
Hope you’re all keeping well!
James.
aw this is so sweet – glad your bubble has expanded and you could see your dad!
It sounds like you had a pretty great month! Reuniting with family after not seeing them for awhile was definitely a highlight of my month.
This also reminds me of the Happiness Project book. Was this inspired by it?
Oh my God… I love this! I personally think it’s amazing how you look for the good in everyday despite the fact that everything cannot go just how we want it and I also really love the fact that you appreciate the little things in life…. 💗💖💜 keep soaring. I love u and yeah your blog is awesome as hell!!!! I subscribed…
I’m glad you’ve been able to see some more family this week, it’s so important 🙂 I’m hoping to visit my boyfriend soon after being apart since before lockdown- those first visits after so long apart much be so special 🙂 thanks for sharing x
Ah what a lovely positive post! I’m glad you’ve found so much happiness.
Aw this is so lovely. It must have been so nice (and emotional) to be able to see and hug your dad.
What a great way to live your life, trying to find happiness each day. Showing gratitude and enjoying life. It looks like you have been busy enjoying yourself. I hope you have a good weekend!