Learning To Be Happy At Home

I think it’s sort of about adjusting our mindset and coming to terms with what really makes us happy. So often we’re chasing after something bigger or better, comparing ourselves to others and putting a lot of pressure onto ourselves (and our kids). I think it’s important to take a step back, see the bigger picture and then to find happiness in the simple things. Courtney Adamo of Babyccinokids.com, mother of four, currently traveling the world.

Living thousands of miles away from home while learning a new language is difficult. Leaving a full-time job to stay at home with two small children can be quite an adjustment. It’s easy to lose perspective and can be a struggle to find a new normal in the household. Finding happiness at home is a balance of easing into the newness while keeping family traditions. But it’s all worth it to realize my dream of living in Europe.

The hurdles of daily life in Zurich are few. Sometimes it’s the simple trouble of not having a two-franc coin for the shopping carts, parking lots or whatever else it seems you always need that darn coin for. But as we sit in our living room, watching the ferries go by on Lake Zurich, I pinch myself over our new dream life.

As a constant traveler with very itchy feet, I always feel the need to be on an adventure of some kind. We visit my husband’s family in South Africa once a year and my family in the U.S. Living this dream in Europe means we also want to explore Europe at our doorstep. And with the amazing Swiss public transportation system, we are able to visit so many countries. Traveling and holiday planning are sources of incredible joy for me.

But I struggle with being content at home. I’m envious of the moms who have their cozy houses all sorted and can spend a whole weekend at home. I’m always planning our next adventure.

What works for me: The following tricks help me to slow down and enjoy our peace at home.

Cooking. Traditions help my house feel like a home. No matter how far from each other we are, food is a unifying factor, invoking memories of faraway family and friends as we chat at the kitchen table about all our adventures. My girls and I love to cook together. On the weekends we make pancakes, and we look forward to this weekend tradition as we make our oatmeal each weekday morning. We have pizza night and movie night, where we make popcorn and snuggle on the sofa all together. These moments, no matter where we live, are our happy traditions.

Reading. Who has time to read with small kids at home? But when push came to shove and I needed some clarity in my life, I turned to a few magical books that help me get myself, my house, and my happiness organized. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, The Happiness Project, and Happier at Home have all gotten me organized and clutter free and helped me prioritize my home time, so I can be happy and enjoy being home.

Yoga. The first friend I made in Zurich is a wonderful school mom. I wrote her a note scribbled with colored pencil after the first morning my daughter was at kindergarten. My daughter had made fast friends with another English-speaking girl in her class. They declared themselves best friends after three hours. Her mom and I have been thick as thieves ever since. She brought me to the most amazing yoga teacher. I go once or twice a week and it is amazing what a bit of time away and energy exerted does for my happiness.

Coffee. I’m a morning person and will never be seen outside after 18:00. My perfect day consists of taking the bus to Bürkliplatz, wandering around Old Town Zurich, and popping into one of my favorite coffee shops for a cappuccino and almond croissant. I love meeting friends in town for coffee and a catch up. I feel so revitalized after spending a morning chatting and laughing over a warm drink. There is an infectious energy I receive from laughter and chatting with good friends that makes me truly happy.

Instagram and blogging. A friend of mine introduced me to Instagram when I first stopped working, and it has been a bright spot in my day ever since. The inclusive group of moms I have met through Instagram is amazing.

I did extensive research before moving to Zurich. Searching through Instagram led to many playdates scheduled before we had even arrived! I love the community of Instagrammers we’ve created here in Zurich. Of course, we meet up for regular coffee sessions as well.

I have also started blogging. Similar to Instagram, I feel like I am creating something, which makes me incredibly happy. Without much time to devote to it currently, I hope to spend more time learning how to build out the blog into what I envision. I have many hopes and dreams for it, but for right now cuddling my girls is a bit more important to me.

I also find happiness in the morning hours after my oldest leaves for kindergarten and my youngest leaves for Spielgruppe (play school). This is when I can collect my thoughts, or empty my brain, and set out on my daily coffee shop adventures. I can go for an hour of yoga. By noon, nothing makes me happier than being able to make lunch at home for my girls. I would never have been able to do this in the U.S. This Swiss lifestyle is helping me learn to be happy at home.

Text and photos by Kate Prinsloo

Kate is an American mom living in Zurich with her two daughters and husband; she currently contributes to Mothering Matters Facebook Excursions and blogs on MomInZurich.com. When not traveling, Kate can be found in a Zurich coffee shop.

Illustration by Hadley, age 6