Get Happy: Online Resources for Improving Your Life
By Margaret Mason (from Mighty Girl) on October 26, 2011
For the last few years, I've been planning my days around a Life List of things I want to do before I go. The process has made me happier, and also led me to all kinds of simple ways we can improve our daily lives. If you'd like to make a small shift toward bettering your life, here are a few sites I recommend that will help you on your way. 
Health MonthHealth month is a game that lets you choose a healthy habit you'd like to adopt -- taking a multivitamin, drinking more water, cooking for yourself -- and gives you tools to track your progress. You can play by yourself or see how your game is stacking up to other players who are trying to accomplish the same goal.
The Happiness Project
This site grew out of the New York Times bestselling book The Happiness Project, wherein author Gretchen Rubin spent a year trying out habits she thought would make her happier. Her website catalogues what Rubin learned and helps you start your own happiness project on your own or with others in your area.
This site grew out of the New York Times bestselling book The Happiness Project, wherein author Gretchen Rubin spent a year trying out habits she thought would make her happier. Her website catalogues what Rubin learned and helps you start your own happiness project on your own or with others in your area.
750 Words
This is a genius Web app based on the idea of "morning pages," starting your day with three pages of uncensored freeform writing. I find it helps clear my head and get me in a more limber mental space for the rest of my day. The app tracks your word count in real time, autosaves as you go, and at the end of each session it gives you statistics on your mental state based your on your word choice. You also get points for consistency and meeting your word count for the day, and you can see others' points if you're feeling the competitive urge.
This is a genius Web app based on the idea of "morning pages," starting your day with three pages of uncensored freeform writing. I find it helps clear my head and get me in a more limber mental space for the rest of my day. The app tracks your word count in real time, autosaves as you go, and at the end of each session it gives you statistics on your mental state based your on your word choice. You also get points for consistency and meeting your word count for the day, and you can see others' points if you're feeling the competitive urge.
Pinterest
Pinterest lets you use the Web to collect images for inspiration boards. People use it for all kinds of things, but the image above shows part of my inspiration board for my Life List. I'm slowly collecting images to go with my goals, and when I check things off, I replace those images with photos of myself realizing those dreams.
So, what did I miss? What sites make your life easier, happier, or better in general? What apps do you use in interesting ways to track your personal progress. Let us know what you recommend.
Read more by Maggie Mason:
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Pinterest lets you use the Web to collect images for inspiration boards. People use it for all kinds of things, but the image above shows part of my inspiration board for my Life List. I'm slowly collecting images to go with my goals, and when I check things off, I replace those images with photos of myself realizing those dreams.
So, what did I miss? What sites make your life easier, happier, or better in general? What apps do you use in interesting ways to track your personal progress. Let us know what you recommend.
Read more by Maggie Mason:
Spring Clean Your PC in 5 Easy Steps, 5 USB Sticks that Don't Insult Your Data, Beyond Evite: Top 3 Unique Invitation Sites, Top Luxe Laptop Bags, 5 Stands to Keep Your iPad at Attention, 5 Great Covers for your iPad, 5 Cool, Easy Ways to Display Snapshots The Wired Pet Owner: Top 5 Pet Gadgets Top 5 Lapdesks: Spend More Time in Bed Gadget Case Roundup: Keep Your Gear Safe4 Tips for Creating an Inspiring Office, 5 Super Useful Camera Accessories, Five Small Camera Bags for the Casual Photographer, Gift Guide for Geeks, 6 Unique Tools for Better Photos, Budget Tech Gifts Under $50, Packing Light: 5 Tips for Wired Travelers, Best Father's Day Gifts For Geeky DadsEntertaining Automated: 3 Parties from Your LaptopGear Up: Back to School Supplies for Grownups
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Maggie Mason is the author of No One Cares What You Had for Lunch: 100 Ideas for Your Blog, publisher of Mighty Mighty Media, and a Twitter power user (@Maggie). Her personal blog, Mighty Girl was recently nominated for a SxSW Lifetime Achievement Award, and she was named one of Silicon Valley's Top 50 Influencers by Now Public.
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