The Happiness Project: Or Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing ...

The Happiness Project is a sort of memoir/self-help book/handbook mesh, but as a self-help book/handbook, the sheer amount of information is overwhelming, and ... Goodreadshelpsyoukeeptrackofbooksyouwanttoread. Startbymarking“TheHappinessProject:OrWhyISpentaYearTryingtoSingintheMorning,CleanMyClosets,FightRight,ReadAristotle,andGenerallyHaveMoreFun”asWanttoRead: WanttoRead saving… WanttoRead CurrentlyReading Read Othereditions Enlargecover WanttoRead saving… Errorratingbook.Refreshandtryagain. Ratethisbook Clearrating 1of5stars2of5stars3of5stars4of5stars5of5stars OpenPreview SeeaProblem? We’dloveyourhelp. Letusknowwhat’swrongwiththispreviewof TheHappinessProjectbyGretchenRubin. Problem: It’sthewrongbook It’sthewrongedition Other Details(ifother):   Cancel Thanksfortellingusabouttheproblem. ReturntoBookPage Notthebookyou’relookingfor? Preview—TheHappinessProject byGretchenRubin TheHappinessProject:OrWhyISpentaYearTryingtoSingintheMorning,CleanMyClosets,FightRight,ReadAristotle,andGenerallyHaveMoreFun by GretchenRubin(GoodreadsAuthor) 3.64  ·  Ratingdetails ·  162,363 ratings  ·  13,574 reviews GretchenRubinhadanepiphanyonerainyafternoonintheunlikeliestofplaces:acitybus.“Thedaysarelong,buttheyearsareshort,”sherealized.“Timeispassing,andI’mnotfocusingenoughonthethingsthatreallymatter.”Inthatmoment,shedecidedtodedicateayeartoherhappinessproject.Inthislivelyandcompellingaccount,Rubinchroniclesheradventure GretchenRubinhadanepiphanyonerainyafternoonintheunlikeliestofplaces:acitybus.“Thedaysarelong,buttheyearsareshort,”sherealized.“Timeispassing,andI’mnotfocusingenoughonthethingsthatreallymatter.”Inthatmoment,shedecidedtodedicateayeartoherhappinessproject.Inthislivelyandcompellingaccount,Rubinchroniclesheradventuresduringthetwelvemonthsshespenttest-drivingthewisdomoftheages,currentscientificresearch,andlessonsfrompopularcultureabouthowtobehappier.Amongotherthings,shefoundthatnoveltyandchallengearepowerfulsourcesofhappiness;thatmoneycanhelpbuyhappiness,whenspentwisely;thatouterordercontributestoinnercalm;andthattheverysmallestofchangescanmakethebiggestdifference. ...more GetACopy KindleStore $10.99 AmazonStores ▾AudibleBarnes&NobleAbeBooksWalmarteBooksAppleBooksGooglePlayBookDepositoryAlibrisIndigoBetterWorldBooksIndieBoundThriftbooksLibraries Hardcover,301pages Published December29th2009 byHarper (firstpublished2009) MoreDetails... OriginalTitle TheHappinessProject:OrWhyISpentaYearTryingtoSingintheMorning,CleanMyClosets,FightRight,ReadAristotle,andGenerallyHaveMoreFun ISBN 0061583251 (ISBN13:9780061583254) EditionLanguage English OtherEditions(93) AllEditions ...LessDetail EditDetails FriendReviews Toseewhatyourfriendsthoughtofthisbook, pleasesignup. ReaderQ&A Toaskotherreadersquestionsabout TheHappinessProject, pleasesignup. PopularAnsweredQuestions BoundriesbyJohnTownsendandDr.HenryCloud? 12likes · like 7yearsago Seeall3answers Kcire First,Ithinkthemessageisgood...thatweshouldtrytofindhowwecanallbehappyorhappier.However,asIwasreadingthisbook,itoccurredt…moreFirst,Ithinkthemessageisgood...thatweshouldtrytofindhowwecanallbehappyorhappier.However,asIwasreadingthisbook,itoccurredtomethathersuggestionsonlyappliedtothemiddleclassorhigherincomepeople.Theauthorneglectstomentionthemillionsofpeoplestarvingtodeath,homeless,andlackinginoptions.Itseemsliketheauthorjustbasicallyslapsyouinthefacewithherperfectlifeandthengoesontocomplainaboutit,ponderinghowherperfectlife,incomparisontothemillionsoutintheworlddeprived,couldbeevenmoreperfect.Ithinkevenaparagraphontheunfortunatepeopleoftheworldwouldhavegiventhisbookmorestrength,inthatitwouldhaverecognizedanothersideofliferatherthantherichaffluentbackgroundsheobviouslycomesfrom.AndIknowshementionsthisinthebook,abouthowotherpeople'shappinesswilldiffer,butIfeelthatthisauthorneedstogetoutofherbubble,andmaybevolunteersometimeinthirdworldcountriesandseechildrendyingofsicknessthattheaffluentconsidersnon-threatening,inordertounderstandhappiness.Ormaybeeveninanorphanagetoseethechildrenwhohavelosttheirparentsatsuchayoungage,whocryandhavenoonetocomfortthem.Ifshe'sjustbeingher,thenIdon'twanttobeher.(less) flag Whathaseveryonethoughtofthisbookthathasreadit?Wasitinformative 3likes · like 7yearsago Seeall7answers WiktoriaWysocka Didn'tlikeitpersonally,Iwasboredreallyfast.Althoughithasanice,fluid,lightstyleofwriting,therewassomethingmissing...3/6stars…moreDidn'tlikeitpersonally,Iwasboredreallyfast.Althoughithasanice,fluid,lightstyleofwriting,therewassomethingmissing...3/6stars(less) flag Seeall7questionsaboutTheHappinessProject… ListswithThisBook AYearintheLife 186books — 300voters BestHappinessBooks 298books — 511voters Morelistswiththisbook... CommunityReviews Showing1-30 Averagerating 3.64  ·  Ratingdetails  ·  162,363 ratings  ·  13,574 reviews AllLanguagesBahasaIndonesia‎(25) Dansk‎(1) Deutsch‎(18) Eesti‎(3) English‎(13051) Español‎(30) Français‎(11) Italiano‎(3) Latviešuvaloda‎(8) Lietuviųkalba‎(3) Magyar‎(3) Nederlands‎(32) Norsk‎(1) Polski‎(3) Português‎(7) Pусскийязык‎(11) Română‎(1) Slovenčina‎(1) Slovenščina‎(1) Suomi‎(13) Svenska‎(3) TiếngViệt‎(5) Türkçe‎(4) WikangTagalog‎(1) en-US‎(1) česky,čeština‎(2) българскиезик‎(1) українська‎(14) עברית‎(1) العربية‎(20) فارسی‎(39) ไทย‎(1) 中文‎(1) Morefilters  |  Sortorder StartyourreviewofTheHappinessProject:OrWhyISpentaYearTryingtoSingintheMorning,CleanMyClosets,FightRight,ReadAristotle,andGenerallyHaveMoreFunWriteareview Jul05,2011 Laura ratedit didnotlikeit Shelves: self-help Idon’tknowwhichisstranger–thatpeoplelikethisbook,orthatitwaswritteninthefirstplace.ItcameintobeingbecauseGretchenRubin,awomanwithabizarrelycharmedlife,decidedtospendayeardevotingeachmonthtoa“theme”designedtomakeherselfhappierandthenwriteabookaboutit.Thewholethingsmacksnotonlyofacalculatedstunt,butalsoofthesortof“list”approachsheusedforherbreathtakinglytritebookonChurchill.Regardless,anyreasonablepersonwould Idon’tknowwhichisstranger–thatpeoplelikethisbook,orthatitwaswritteninthefirstplace.ItcameintobeingbecauseGretchenRubin,awomanwithabizarrelycharmedlife,decidedtospendayeardevotingeachmonthtoa“theme”designedtomakeherselfhappierandthenwriteabookaboutit.Thewholethingsmacksnotonlyofacalculatedstunt,butalsoofthesortof“list”approachsheusedforherbreathtakinglytritebookonChurchill.Regardless,anyreasonablepersonwouldwonderwhythiswomanwasworryingabouthowtobe“happier”thanshealreadywaswithher“soulmate”husband,twohealthychildren,afamilyshelikes,in-laws*shelikes,plentyoffreetime,andmoneycomingoutthewazoo.Theobviousquestionis:“Ifshewantstobehappier,whydoesn’tshedomoreservice?”Thequestionyou’llalsoprobablyask,repeatedly,is“Whatcouldasmugperfectionistwithaneasylifepossiblyteachme?”Honestly,Ihavenoidea,unlessithasn’talreadyoccurredtoyouto.....areyousittingdown?.....stashyourcrapinfileboxesinsteadofleavingitstrewnallover,andstopnaggingyourhusband.Otherpreviouslyunminedgemsofinsight:“Youcan’tchangeothers,”“Exercisemakesyoufeelbetter,”“Befriendly,”“Dothingsyouliketodo,”“Begrateful,”and,mypersonalfavorite,“Moneycanbuyhappiness.”Evenbetter,everytensentencesorsosheinserts–nottobeconfusedwith“worksin”–aquotationthatsoundslikethefirstentryinitscategoryfromTheBigBookofQuotations.Basedontheself-congratulatorytoneshedoesn’tquitehavetheskilltoavoid,I’dguessshe’sdeeplyinvestedinshowingsheisEducated,andhasDoneResearch.Ithinkyou’realsosupposedtosurmiseshe’sreallysmart,basedonthenumberofreferencestoeditingtheYaleLawRevieworclerkingforaSupremeCourtJustice.Whatshenevermentions,yetyoucanalsosurmise,isthefactthatmoneyisnoobject.Neitheristime.Whilebeingrichandleisureddoesn’tdisqualifyherfromhavingwisdom,itdoesplacehersituationincontext.She’snotstrugglingtofindhappinessamidstrealtrials–illness,poverty,loneliness,relativeswhodriveyoubonkers–shejustwantstobe“happier.”What’samazingisthatwithallherresearch,shedoesn’tcomeupwithanythingprofound.Atbest,herpaper-thin“insights”aremerelysummariesofotherpeople’sresearch.Andyet,inexplicably,acoupleofwomeninmybookgroupactuallylikedit!Thesewomendon’tsitaroundwonderingifthey’rehappyenough–theyprobablywonderifthey’refaithfulenoughanddoingenoughgoodintheworld.Sowhatdidtheyfindvaluable??Acoupleofthemsaidthattheorganizationchapterpromptedthemtocleanoutclosets,whichisalwaysgood,butthereareatleastahundredbooksonde-clutteringthatwerewrittenbypeoplewhowerealreadyawareoffileboxes.(Iknowthisbecausemysisterhasboughtallthosebooksandoccasionallygivesthemawayaspresents,unlessyou’rereallyluckyandshejustthrowsyourstuffoutwithoutbeingasked.)Sotheorganizationchapterstruckmeasabitsilly.ButnotassillyasturningtoNietzschefortipsonhappiness.AndIthinkthatindicatesthebiggestflaw–herapproachisentirelysecular.Joyandfulfillment(abitdeeperandmorelastingthan“happiness”)comethroughdoinggoodand,eventually,becominggood.EverynowandthenshestumblesasifbyaccidentuponversionsoftheGoldenRuleLite,but,naturally,inhereyesthepointofbeingnicetoothersistomakeherselfhappier.*Father-in-lawisRobertRubin,Clinton’sAssistanttothePresidentforEconomicPolicy.HelaterservedonCitigroup’sboardasSeniorCounselor.DuringhiseightyearsatCitigroup,shareholderssufferedlossesofmorethan70%;Rubinearnedover$126million. ...more flag 1167likes · Like  · seereview Viewall175comments Feb24,2010 MicheleChapman ratedit didnotlikeit Icouldn'tfinishit.Infact,Icouldn'tgetpastpage49,andthatreallyhurt,becauseIBOUGHTthisbookinHARDBACK.Sigh.AndIwantedtolikeit,Iswear,butitjustwasn'thappeningforme.IpickedthisbookupbecauseIhaveaninterestinhowothersachievehappiness,enjoygettingaglimpseintohowothersconducttheirlivesonadailybasis(Ievenfindgroceryselectionsinteresting,andwhatgoesintothem),andhavegottenakickoutofseveralstuntjournalismprojects.Rubin's Icouldn'tfinishit.Infact,Icouldn'tgetpastpage49,andthatreallyhurt,becauseIBOUGHTthisbookinHARDBACK.Sigh.AndIwantedtolikeit,Iswear,butitjustwasn'thappeningforme.IpickedthisbookupbecauseIhaveaninterestinhowothersachievehappiness,enjoygettingaglimpseintohowothersconducttheirlivesonadailybasis(Ievenfindgroceryselectionsinteresting,andwhatgoesintothem),andhavegottenakickoutofseveralstuntjournalismprojects.Rubin'sresearchandmethodicalattemptsatachievingherelusivegoldstarhappinessappealedtome.However,thepersonaRubinprojectsonpaperdidn'tappealtome.Perhapsinreallifesheisafantasticpersontohangoutwith,butifthisbookwasherresume,Iwouldhavetopassonaninvitationtograbcoffee.Ifinditinterestingthatearlyoninthebooksherecountsaconversationshehadwithsomeoneatapartyinregardstoherhappinessproject,andthisindividualpointedoutthatsheprobablywouldnothaveawideappeal,statingthatherupperEastSideapartment,lawdegree,andseeminglycharmedlifewouldalienatehertomanyreaders.AsIwentonwiththebook,Ifoundmyselfagreeingmoreandmorewiththatnamelessindividual.WhileIdonotthinkthebookisbad,itjustisn'tabookthatspeakstome. ...more flag 345likes · Like  · seereview Viewall39comments Dec06,2012 Tina ratedit didnotlikeit Shelves: memoirs, book-club, 2013 Themostusefulpartofthisbookwaswhentheauthorsuggestsnotcontinuingtoreadabookyou'renotenjoying.Istoppedthere.Greatadvice. Themostusefulpartofthisbookwaswhentheauthorsuggestsnotcontinuingtoreadabookyou'renotenjoying.Istoppedthere.Greatadvice. ...more flag 243likes · Like  · seereview Viewall7comments May19,2013 Katie ratedit didnotlikeit Shelves: memoir Letmeprefacethisreviewbysaying,Ireallytriedtolikethisbook.IfounditatSam'sClubfor$7whenIwasonmymonthlyTPrun.Thecoverlookedfun.Theconceptuplifting.Iwentintoreadingitwithhighhopes.Ididn'tlookatanypreviousreview(Ishouldhave).So,heregoes...Thisbookshouldbere-titled"TheYearISpentTryingToBeLessofanEntitledB*tch(AndFailed!)".Theauthorisarichwhiteladylivingintheuppereastsideofmanhattanwithhertwohealthylittle Letmeprefacethisreviewbysaying,Ireallytriedtolikethisbook.IfounditatSam'sClubfor$7whenIwasonmymonthlyTPrun.Thecoverlookedfun.Theconceptuplifting.Iwentintoreadingitwithhighhopes.Ididn'tlookatanypreviousreview(Ishouldhave).So,heregoes...Thisbookshouldbere-titled"TheYearISpentTryingToBeLessofanEntitledB*tch(AndFailed!)".Theauthorisarichwhiteladylivingintheuppereastsideofmanhattanwithhertwohealthylittlegirlsandher(asshedescribed)gorgeousrichhusband.He'srich,like,stupidrich.Researchhisfamily.Yourjawwilldropthatshehadenoughtimebetweenswimmingthroughpilesofmoneytowritethisselfindulgentcrap.Herprojectincludesallthethingsyouwouldexpect:appreciatefamilymore,behappywiththehereandnow,etc.Thesesimplestepscouldbeveryenlighteningifdonebysomeoneanyonebutanuppereastsideyuppiecouldrelateto.Sidenote:theauthordoesreferenceseveralgreatbooksandquotesofOTHERpeoplethatwouldbemuchmoreinterestingtocheckout,IMO.Igotthroughthecleaningoutclosetschapterfine.It'swhentheauthorhadtostartinteractingwithotherpeoplethatitwentquicklydownhill.Oneparticularstoryhadmegobsmacked.Itwashermotherinlaw'sbirthdayparty.Thepointoftheexercisewasthatshewassupposedtodo"proofsoflove."Ifyou'veread"TheFiveLanguagesofLove"she'stalkingaboutActsofService.So,shestartsplanningthisshindig,whilstfarmingouttaskstoeveryoneelsesodon'tthinkthiswasamonumentalaccomplishment.Theentiretimeshe'sdescribingalltheemailsshehadtosendforthisgreatactoflove,she'spassiveaggressivelytellingthereaderabouthow*normally*she'dbesoresentfulabouthavingtodoallofthis.Canyoufeelthelove?Fastforwardtothedayoftheparty.Everythingisgoingswimmingly.MILloooovesherparty.Shelovesthefoodcookedbyhersonwhoisaprivatechef.Lovedherpresents.Love,love,love.So,thenightwentwell?Lovewasproven,right?Notsofast.Theauthorwasfeelinglikehereffortsweren'tbeingrecognizedenough.EventhoughherMILhadafantasticnightnoonestoppedthepartytogolfclapherorganizationalskills.Thatisuntilherwelltrainedhusband,inthemiddleofgiftopening,pullsoutagiftfortheauthor.AT.HER.MILs.BIRTHDAY.PARTY.Suddenly,alliswell!Theauthorstopspoutingbecausefinallyit'sbacktobeingabouther!Orderisrestored.HowherMILdidn'tsideeyeherandmouth"WTF"isatestamenttohowclassyMILis.So,allinallIjustcan'twiththisbook.I'lltakeEat,Pray,LoveoraYearLivingBiblicallyifIneedmyyeardoingstufffix.Butthisoneisgettingtossed. ...more flag 195likes · Like  · seereview Viewall18comments Jan25,2010 BooksRingMahBell ratedit itwasok Shelves: memo-auto-bio AuthorGretchenRubindivesintothestuntgenre(wheretheauthordoessomethingforayearandthenwritesacleverbookaboutit)withaprojectonlivinghappyforayear.Sittingonthebusoneday,sherealizesherlifeiszippingalongandwondersifshecan'tmakeherdayshappier,andwriteabookaboutitandmakesomemoney.Shedevisesaplanforhappiness,readingallsortsofbooksonhappiness,fromawidevarietyofauthors.Iwouldhavelikedtohavebeenmoreenthusiasticabout AuthorGretchenRubindivesintothestuntgenre(wheretheauthordoessomethingforayearandthenwritesacleverbookaboutit)withaprojectonlivinghappyforayear.Sittingonthebusoneday,sherealizesherlifeiszippingalongandwondersifshecan'tmakeherdayshappier,andwriteabookaboutitandmakesomemoney.Shedevisesaplanforhappiness,readingallsortsofbooksonhappiness,fromawidevarietyofauthors.Iwouldhavelikedtohavebeenmoreenthusiasticaboutthebook,butitseemswehavethesametiredthemes(simplify!findjoy!)regurgitatedintothetiredstuntgenreform.InJanuary,shefocusesonsimplifyingandorganizing,becausehey,weareallalothappierwhenwearenotthrowingatantrumlookingforkeysortheremote.Iwilladmitthatafterreadingthechapter,Icleanedoutmyclosets.Thesecondmonth,shefocusesonhermarriage.ItisinthischapterthatIdecideIsimplycan'tSTANDtheauthor.I'mreallyhappyI'mnotmarriedtoher.NAGNAGNAGNAGNAG!Suddenlyallthosecrabbywifejokes*makeperfectsense.(Sheadmitsthatshenagsandisoftenargumentative,soIwillgrudginglygiveherpointsforhonesty.)ButwhileIwasshakingmyheadatherbitchinesstowardherhusband,Ihadanepiphanyofsorts.WhileI'mnotanagger,IrealizeIcanbeapouterandthatIdon'tdonearlyenoughtoensuremyhusbandishappy.Reallyhappy.Itakeitforgrantedthathe'sthere,andIshouldn't.Makinghimhappierwillmakemehappier.Icanworkwiththat.Onemonthfocusesonfriendships.Sheencouragesustomaketimeforfriendsandtobethere.Allthoseeventsyoudon'tlike?(Tupperwaresalesparty!)SuckitupandBETHERE.Itmeansalot.AnotherthingRubinsuggestsistoreachoutandmakethreenewfriends.Ihavetoadmitthat'satoughoneforme,Ican'tkeepupwiththegoodpalsIhavenow.Plus,asIgetolderandsocialanxietycreepsuplikeacheappairofunderwear,thefriendmakingthingtakesmuchmoreeffort.Anothermonthisaboutleisureandplay.Inthischaptershetalksaboutstartingacollection.Peoplereallydogetsomepleasureoutofsearchingfortreasuresandseeingthemaccumulate.(anyonerememberStimpyandhismagicnosegoblins?)AndthisisapartofhappinessthatIcan'tworkwith.Ilikesimplicity.TheonethingIstrugglewithcollecting-books.Ilovetohavethem,butontheotherhand,Idon'twanttobetiedtoallsortsofstuff.Restassured,Goodreaders,youwillNEVERseemeonanepisodeofHoarders.TherewereafewthingsthatIdidlikeaboutthebook,thingsIthoughtshegotjustright.Inonechapter,shesuggestedkeepingagratitudejournal.ThisIdig.Fartoooftenwetakestuffforgranted.Especiallyhereinadevelopedcountry.Whenyouwerethirstytodaydidyouhavetowalk4milesforcleanwatertodrink?Canyouwipeyourownass?(beingabletodothisishighlyunderrated.)Bethankful.October'schapterwasPAYATTENTION.Beinthemoment.November:Keepacontentedheart.Hereshementionslaughing,usinggoodmannersandgivingpositivereviews.(SorryI'mnottakingyouradviceonthatonerightnow,Gretchen.)Thequestionthatremainsis,whatishappy?Whatmakesyouhappy?Areyouhappy?Howdoyoudefineit?Ishappybeinginaconstantstateofblissorexuberance?Orishappinessfoundincontentment?Orishappysimplynotwantingtoeataguntoday?WheredoesthispressingNEEDforhappinesscomefrom?In2008,morethan164millionprescriptionswerewrittenforanti-depressantshereintheUnitedStates.Whatthehellarewesounhappyabout?Whatexactlyareweseeking?Whycanwenotseemtofindit?Therearethousandsofbooksonfindinghappiness.I'mnotconvincedthisisthebestone.*Adrunkisdrivingthroughthecityandhiscarisweavingviolentlyallovertheroad.Acoppullshimoverandasks,"Wherehaveyoubeen?""I'vebeentothepub,"slursthedrunk."Well,"saysthecop,"itlookslikeyou'vehadquiteafew."Thedrunkgrins."Didyouknow,"saysthecop,standingstraightandfoldinghisarms,"thatafewintersectionsback,yourwifefelloutofyourcar?""Oh,thankheavens!"sighsthedrunk."Foraminutethere,IthoughtI'dgonedeaf." ...more flag 145likes · Like  · seereview Viewall19comments Jan29,2019 Cindy ratedit itwasok  ·  reviewofanotheredition Theauthorisrightthateveryone's"happinessproject"willbedifferent,butIquestionhowmuchvalueherbookactuallybringswhenthedemographicseemstobenarrowedtowealthywhitewomen.Itfeelslesslikeapracticalself-helpbookandmorelikethejournalofaboredmommybloggerwhodecidedtodosomecutelittleexperimentstospiceupherlife.It'sworthnotingthatsheisneurotypical,andthatsheandherfamilyareverywealthyandliveintheuppereastsideofManhattan.Id Theauthorisrightthateveryone's"happinessproject"willbedifferent,butIquestionhowmuchvalueherbookactuallybringswhenthedemographicseemstobenarrowedtowealthywhitewomen.Itfeelslesslikeapracticalself-helpbookandmorelikethejournalofaboredmommybloggerwhodecidedtodosomecutelittleexperimentstospiceupherlife.It'sworthnotingthatsheisneurotypical,andthatsheandherfamilyareverywealthyandliveintheuppereastsideofManhattan.Idon'tfaultherforthesethings,buttheybecomequiteevidentbyhowsurface-levelhermethodologiesare.Iseethemeritintryingoutthesethings,butmanytacticsarecommonsenseandherstoryisnothingremarkablenordoesitprovideanythingnewtothetable.Iwasalsoturnedoffbytheauthor’sself-indulgencewhenevershepattedherselfonthebackfornotfeelingresentfuloffriendsandfamilywhodon'tshowappreciationtoher(unsolicited)actsofkindness.I’mgladshe’stryingtoimproveherpassive-aggressivetendenciesbutthebookshould'vebeenmarketedmoreaccuratelyasajourneythatisn’tsomuchaboutbecominghappierasitisaboutbecominglessentitled. ...more flag 121likes · Like  · seereview Viewall4comments Dec05,2009 Alea ratedit itwasamazing Shelves: read-for-review, bea10 IhavenoideahowtoproperlyconveyhowIfeelaboutthisbook.Ifeltsomuchforitandbecauseofitandit'skindofcrazy.Isawsomuchofmyselfintheauthorandsomeoftheexamplessheexplained,halfthetimeIwassittingtheredumbstruck.Shebreaksdownherresolutionsinsuchawayit'sveryeasytofollowalongandsheissospecificinhowtheyworkoutyoureallycan'taskformuchmore.Rubinwritesinawaythatitwasveryeasyformetorelatetoandunderstand.It'sarea IhavenoideahowtoproperlyconveyhowIfeelaboutthisbook.Ifeltsomuchforitandbecauseofitandit'skindofcrazy.Isawsomuchofmyselfintheauthorandsomeoftheexamplessheexplained,halfthetimeIwassittingtheredumbstruck.Shebreaksdownherresolutionsinsuchawayit'sveryeasytofollowalongandsheissospecificinhowtheyworkoutyoureallycan'taskformuchmore.Rubinwritesinawaythatitwasveryeasyformetorelatetoandunderstand.It'sarealachievementhowmuchresearchshedidandhowmanyinformationsheiseasilyabletogetacrosstothereader.JustherHappinessProjectingeneralwasalargeundertakingbutitseemedlikesomuchfunaswell.Iactuallyfeelhappierjusthavingreaditandalsotryingoutandnoticinglittlethingshereandthereaboutmyself.ThisisabookthatIthinkwillstaywithmeforeverandonethat'sdefinitelyworthayearlyread,Icannotstoptalkingaboutit.Iwouldconsideritamustreadforjustaboutanyone.IfoundmyselfonlyreadingabitadaysoIcoulddrawitoutlonger,Ididn'twantittoend.It'sfunnythatI'vereactedtoTheHappinessProjectsostronglytoobecauseoriginallyitjustsoundedlikeacuteandfunmemoirwhichissomethingIlovetoread,butitwassosomuchmorethanthat.Youmightthinkwithitbeingabitofaselfhelpbookthatitcouldgetpreachyorbefilledwithboringclinicaltalkorchartsandgraphsbutit'snothingatalllikethat.It'ssomeonesharingtheirwonderfulexperiencewithgreatinsightthatisveryeasytotransfertoyourownlife.TheHappinessProjectisanachievementbytheauthorandIwouldstronglysuggestthisbooktoeveryone. ...more flag 113likes · Like  · seereview Viewall4comments Jan18,2010 Kate ratedit likedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Recommendsitfor: Anyonewhoislookingtomakepersonalchange Shelves: memoir, nonfiction Wow,whendidIbecomesocynicalandnotevenrealizeit?JustlikeJuliafromJulieandJulia:365Days,524Recipes,1TinyApartmentKitchenItooamindangerofbecomingnothingbutasecretaryonaroadtonowhere,driftingtowardfrostedhairandmentholaddiction.However,thisbookhelpedmegetoutofmyfunkandbecomemorecreative.Ididn'twanttoreviewthisbookuntilItriedmyown"happinessproject"becausetobehonestIwasveryscepticalabouttheresults.So,mypersonalj Wow,whendidIbecomesocynicalandnotevenrealizeit?JustlikeJuliafromJulieandJulia:365Days,524Recipes,1TinyApartmentKitchenItooamindangerofbecomingnothingbutasecretaryonaroadtonowhere,driftingtowardfrostedhairandmentholaddiction.However,thisbookhelpedmegetoutofmyfunkandbecomemorecreative.Ididn'twanttoreviewthisbookuntilItriedmyown"happinessproject"becausetobehonestIwasveryscepticalabouttheresults.So,mypersonaljourneytogettingbackontracktobeinghappierstartedintheLGAairportintheHudsonNewsBookstore.IwastravelingbacktoChicagoaftervisitingfamilyinLongIslandandConneticutforEaster.MyplanewasdelayedandIhadfinishedmyotherbookIhadbroughtwith.So,beingboredandknowingIwasgoingtositthereforawhile,IpurusedthebooksatHudsonNews.ThisistheonethatspoketomeandIstartedreadingitintheairport.Mostoftheinformationisn'tanythingspectcularandit'sallstuffthatIalreadyknew,butobviouslyIneededtohearitagainforthemillionthtime,beforeitfinallysunkin.Iwasn'thappybecauseIwasn'tmakingtimefortheonethingthatreallymakesmehappy...writingeveryday.So,Idecidedtostartmyownproject.ThefirstthingIdidwascleartheclutteroutofmyapartment.Notonlydidthismakepackingtonseasierformymovetomynewhome,butitalsoliftedamentalweightthattoomuchstuffcanhaveoveryouandyou'llnotevenrealizeit.Thiswasagoodfirststepforme.ThestuffIdidn'thaveuseforIgaveawayordonatedinhopesthatsomeoneelsewhodoesneeditcan.Thesecondstepwasmakingmoreroomforcreativityeverysingleday.Iamreallygoodatmakingtimetoread(sinceIhaveanhourcommuteviatrain)butIwasn'tshowingupatthepageeverydaytowriteandthatreallysouredmymood.So,IstartedajournalwhereIwouldwritejustasentenceeverysingleday,evenwhenIdidn'twantto,andyouknowwhat?BecauseIshowedupandmadethetimeforcreativity,Istartedwritingmorethanasentence.Iwaswritingparagraphs,andthenpages.ThatmademereallyhappyandforthefirsttimeinalongtimeIrealized,Icandothis!Thethirdandfinalstep(andtheonethat'sstillaworkinprogressforme)isspendingmoneyonunnecessarythings.Ibecameaddictedtointernetshopping.It'sreallyeasytodo.Iwouldjustlogontosomeofmyfavoritesites:Etsy,Sephora,Groupon,AmazonandcouldorderinaninstantanythingIwantedviamycreditcard.Prettysoon,Iwasindebt,andIhadmassiveamountsofunnusedproducts,books,andotherthingsIdidn'tneed.So,IstoppedspendingontheinternetalltogetherandboughtonlythethingsIabsolutelyneededlikefoodandbegantouseupthethingsIhadlyingaround.Thismademefeelhappier,however,it'sstillhardformetogointoastoreandsay,"yes,thisisareallygooddeal,butIdon'tneedit."I'mslowlygettingbetteratthisandpracticedoesmakeperfect.LikeGretchen,Itoojustwantedtosharemythoughtsonthissubject,andhopefullyinspireothers,nottodothesamethingsI'vedone,buttofindtheirownpassionthatwillmakethemhappiereverydayandgratefulforthelittlethingsthatwetendtooverlook. ...more flag 103likes · Like  · seereview Viewall19comments Jan10,2013 JennaCopelandKristensen ratedit reallylikedit Shelves: parenting-selfhelp-diet Wow...whatinterestingironythatabookonhappinesshassomanyhaters.I'mnotoneofthem--whileIdon'tthinkthebookwillchangethemostly-good-alreadytrajectoryofmylife,thereweresomeniceinsightsandaswiftkickintherumptoremembertoenjoylifemoreandnagless.Absolutelyworthmyinvestmentoftime.Dobewarned,though,thatGretchenRubinisaclassicTypeAoverachieverandthisbookisorganizedandwrittenaccordingly.Beingagoldstaraddictmyself,I'vegladly Wow...whatinterestingironythatabookonhappinesshassomanyhaters.I'mnotoneofthem--whileIdon'tthinkthebookwillchangethemostly-good-alreadytrajectoryofmylife,thereweresomeniceinsightsandaswiftkickintherumptoremembertoenjoylifemoreandnagless.Absolutelyworthmyinvestmentoftime.Dobewarned,though,thatGretchenRubinisaclassicTypeAoverachieverandthisbookisorganizedandwrittenaccordingly.Beingagoldstaraddictmyself,I'vegladlywrittenmyresolutionchecklistandhaveithangingonmywall--fullofhappylittlepencilmarks.But,ifyouareafly-by-the-seat-of-your-pantskindofperson,thisbookmayjustannoyyoualot.MyfavoritecriticismsthatI'veseenhereandelsewhereusethelifecomparisonargument:"ifIlivedinamansioninManhattan....".Yes.Weallknowthatmoneybuysyoualltheloveandhappinessyoucaneverneedwithoutonehavingtoevenliftafinger.NOT.Youmaynothavethetimeorresourcestodoallofthethingssuggestedinthebook(andwhichwouldn'tlikelymakeYOUhappyanyway)butgetinspiredandwhat'stheworstthatcanhappen?Yougetalittlemoresleepordothatnaggingchoreornagyourspouselessorreconnectwithanoldfriend.Andallwithouttheuppereastsideaddress.Wow. ...more flag 104likes · Like  · seereview Viewall7comments Nov22,2013 Melanie ratedit itwasamazing Thisisnotgreatliterature.Thisisnotearth-shatteringormindblowinginanyway.Yetsomehow,underneaththeveneeroflight-heartedentertainment,thissneakylittlebookisfilledwithprofoundtruths.Itisalsofilledwithextremelyinterestingbitsofpsychologyandsociologyresearchthataresprinkledthroughoutitspages,mixedwithherpersonaljourneyandconstantlyevolvingconsiderations.Astudyinself-empowermentifI'veeverseenone.Awitty,self-examinedlifewhichbristle Thisisnotgreatliterature.Thisisnotearth-shatteringormindblowinginanyway.Yetsomehow,underneaththeveneeroflight-heartedentertainment,thissneakylittlebookisfilledwithprofoundtruths.Itisalsofilledwithextremelyinterestingbitsofpsychologyandsociologyresearchthataresprinkledthroughoutitspages,mixedwithherpersonaljourneyandconstantlyevolvingconsiderations.Astudyinself-empowermentifI'veeverseenone.Awitty,self-examinedlifewhichbristleswithgoodideasandacontagiousdesireforself-realizationthatactuallyendsupradiatingastubborn,beautifullight.Oftenfunnyandself-deprecating,GretchenRubinmademethinkaboutmanyareasinmylifewhichcouldusealittleboostof"intention",andmindfulness.Andjustforthat,I'llwillinglygiveher5stars. ...more flag 99likes · Like  · seereview Viewall7comments Jul31,2012 Lori ratedit didnotlikeit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Ifoundittheepitomyofselfabsorbtion.I'vereadmanyhappinessbooks,oftenlookingtouseexcerptsinmyhospicespeachesandvolunteertraining,butIfeltthiswassodumbeddown.Ifyoudon'tmindtheconstantreferencestoherclerkingforSupremeCourtJusticeO'Connorandhermoniedlifeandthemundaneattemptsather"happinessproject"youmightbeok.Anyonewhoeverhadanyreligious,maritalofpsychtypeofbackground,ie"GoldenRule",wouldbeabletodothisandprobablyal Ifoundittheepitomyofselfabsorbtion.I'vereadmanyhappinessbooks,oftenlookingtouseexcerptsinmyhospicespeachesandvolunteertraining,butIfeltthiswassodumbeddown.Ifyoudon'tmindtheconstantreferencestoherclerkingforSupremeCourtJusticeO'Connorandhermoniedlifeandthemundaneattemptsather"happinessproject"youmightbeok.Anyonewhoeverhadanyreligious,maritalofpsychtypeofbackground,ie"GoldenRule",wouldbeabletodothisandprobablyalreadyis.Ididn'trealizethroughthelibrary'sdescriptionitwouldcarryyouthroughonemonthatatimeofherlife.Hey,bekind,takeyourhusband'sclothestothecleanersbeforeheasksyou??Planasuperpartyforaninlaw,bygosh,justjumpinandplanitandtakecontrol.Don'tsnipeatyourspouseoverstupidthingsforonewholemonthandyouwillfeelhappier.Irealizeshecomesfromamoniedbackgroundandthatdoesn'tinfluencemytakeatall.ThebookwasshallowandjustanotherversionofI'munhappy,ithitmeoneday,soIcalledmyhubbyoutsidehisofficeandtoldhimtolookdownatmewhileIwavedbecauseitmademehappytypeblog.Maybetheintentionsweregoodtogetfolkstostarttheirownplan,maybeI'mtooharshbecauseIstrivetomakeothersandmyselfhappyknowingfullwelleachdayisagiftandit'snotaboutmoney,position,braggingorpower,it'saboutbeingthebestyouanbeatthatmomenteveryday,24/7,andyes,thatmeanshelpingyourfellowmankind(nevermindyourownspousewithoutresentment).Thisbookwasvery80'swithoutthegoodadvice. ...more flag 101likes · Like  · seereview Viewall8comments Jan24,2021 ReneeAmberg ratedit didnotlikeit Ihadtoskimthroughtheendbecauseitwasexcruciatingtotrytoreadthroughherstories(mostlyaboutherkids&husband).ItwasabookaboutHER.Ontopofthat,thebookfeltlikeanarticleexpandedintoa5thgradersEnglishessaytryingtohitawordcount.Therewereelementarypointsthatdidn'tneedanyexplanation,yetshesomehowmanagedanintro,3paragraphs,andaconclusiontoexplainabasicconcept.Gratitude,declutter,startahobby...ThatsoundsharshbutI'mreallygl Ihadtoskimthroughtheendbecauseitwasexcruciatingtotrytoreadthroughherstories(mostlyaboutherkids&husband).ItwasabookaboutHER.Ontopofthat,thebookfeltlikeanarticleexpandedintoa5thgradersEnglishessaytryingtohitawordcount.Therewereelementarypointsthatdidn'tneedanyexplanation,yetshesomehowmanagedanintro,3paragraphs,andaconclusiontoexplainabasicconcept.Gratitude,declutter,startahobby...ThatsoundsharshbutI'mreallygladIdon'thavetopickthisupagain. ...more flag 68likes · Like  · seereview Viewall6comments Apr20,2010 Diane ratedit itwasamazing Shelves: memoirs, domestic-bliss, favorites, inspirational, year-long-project Oh,howIlovedthisbook.Ihavereadquiteafewyear-longprojectmemoirs,butthisisoneofthemostmeaningfultome.GretchenRubindecidedshewantedtobehappierinherlife,and,beinganorganizedandthoughtfulperson,shedevisedaplan.Eachmonthshewouldfocusononeareaofherlifetoimprove,andbytheendoftheyear,sheshouldbemeasurablyhappier.Thefirstmonthshefocusedonherenergylevels,thenherrelationships,latersheconcentratedonbeingmoresuccessfulin Oh,howIlovedthisbook.Ihavereadquiteafewyear-longprojectmemoirs,butthisisoneofthemostmeaningfultome.GretchenRubindecidedshewantedtobehappierinherlife,and,beinganorganizedandthoughtfulperson,shedevisedaplan.Eachmonthshewouldfocusononeareaofherlifetoimprove,andbytheendoftheyear,sheshouldbemeasurablyhappier.Thefirstmonthshefocusedonherenergylevels,thenherrelationships,latersheconcentratedonbeingmoresuccessfulinherwork,shealsotriedtobemoremindful,etc.Ifoundthisbooktobeveryinspiring,andIhaveadoptedseveralofhermethods.OneofthekeylessonsItookawaywasthatit'seasytofantasizeaboutmakingyourlifemoreenjoyable,suchasdreamingaboutwinningthelotteryandmovingtotheCarribbean,buttherealityisthatifyouwanttochangeyourlife,youneedtofindawaytodoithereandnow.Don'tgetsohunguponthebigthingsthatyoumissthesmallstuff—therearelittlethingsyoucandoeverydaythatcanhelpimproveyourlife.Focusonthosepositivebehaviors.IfirstreadTheHappinessProjectseveralyearsago,andsincethenIhavepulleditdownfromtheshelfseveraltimestoreviewachapter,ortodrawinspirationfromRubin'senthusiasm.Herprojectwon'tworkforeveryone,butmaybeyou'llbeinspiredtotryyourown. ...more flag 65likes · Like  · seereview Viewall6comments Apr15,2010 sleeps9hours ratedit itwasok Thiswasaninspiringbookinsomeways,butalsoannoying.Theauthoradmitsthatsheispartofanewtrendinbooksinwhichtheauthortakesayearforselfimprovement.Ilikedthatsheseemsfairlynormalanddoesn’tescapeherregularroutinetomakesomechanges.Overtimethebookdraggedthough.Iwasquiteimpressedwiththeplethoraofquotesthroughout(shecollectsthem),andtonsoflittleideasandresearchresultsIfoundinteresting.Ihadtogetpastthefactthatherpersonal Thiswasaninspiringbookinsomeways,butalsoannoying.Theauthoradmitsthatsheispartofanewtrendinbooksinwhichtheauthortakesayearforselfimprovement.Ilikedthatsheseemsfairlynormalanddoesn’tescapeherregularroutinetomakesomechanges.Overtimethebookdraggedthough.Iwasquiteimpressedwiththeplethoraofquotesthroughout(shecollectsthem),andtonsoflittleideasandresearchresultsIfoundinteresting.Ihadtogetpastthefactthatherpersonalityseemsabitoff-putting.p.52Themostreliablepredictorofnotbeinglonelyistheamountofcontactwithwomen.Timespentwithmendoesn’tmakeadifference.p.62“MyQuakergrandparents,whoweremarried72years,saidthateachmarriedcoupleshouldhaveanoutdoorgame,liketennisorgolf,andanindoorgame,likeScrabbleorgin,thattheyplaytogether.”p.71Enthusiasmismoreimportanttomasterythaninnateability,itturnsout,becausethesinglemostimportantelementindevelopinganexpertiseisyourwillingnesstopractice.Therefore,careerexpertsargue,you’rebetteroffpursuingaprofessionthatcomeseasilyandthatyoulove,becausethat’swhereyou’llbemoreeagertopracticeandtherebyearnacompetitiveadvantage.p.81BenjaminFranklin,alongwith12friends,formedaclubformutualimprovementthatmetweeklyfor40years.p.84Thereissomethingniceaboutworkinginanofficewithacandleburning.It’slikeseeingsnowfallingoutsidethewindoworhavingadogsnoozingonthecarpetbesideyou.It’sakindofsilentpresenceintheroomandverypleasant.p.85Takepleasureinthegradualprocessmadetowardagoal,inthepresent.Called“pre-goal-attainmentpositiveaffect.”p.109“Rosyprospection”,theanticipationofhappinessissometimesgreaterthanthehappinessactuallyexperienced.p.120“Whatdidyouliketodoasachild?Whatyouenjoyedasaten-year-oldisprobablysomethingyou’denjoynow.”p.126Lookatthosethingsthatdohaveabeautytoyounowandlookatthemmoreandmore....OurlivesareinthespacebetweenIsaiahBerlin’s“Wearedoomedtochooseandeverychoicemayentailanirreparableloss”andBorges’sGardenofForkingPaths,whereeverychoiceproducesaquantumexplosionofalternatefutures.p.132Istarteda“HappinessBox”inwhichI’dcollectallsortsoflittletrinketsmeanttotriggerhappythoughtsandmemories.p.153The“fundamentalattributionerror”isapsychologicalphenomenoninwhichwetendtoviewotherpeople’sactionsasreflectionsoftheircharactersandtooverlookthepowerofsituationtoinfluencetheiractions,whereaswithourselves,werecognizethepressuresofcircumstance.p.156Anotherreasonnottosaycriticalthingsaboutotherpeople:“spontaneoustraittransference.”StudiesshowthatpeopleunintentionallytransfertomethetraitsIascribetootherpeople.p.169TheEpiphanyoftheBackSpasm.Moneydoesn’tbuyhappinessthewaygoodhealthdoesn’tbuyhappiness.Whenmoneyorhealthisaproblem,youthinkoflittleelse;whenit’snotaproblem,youdon’tthinkmuchaboutit.p.170People’sbasicpsychologicalneedsincludetheneedtofeelsecure,tofeelgoodatwhattheydo,tobeloved,tofeelconnectedtoothers,andtohaveastrongsenseofcontrol.p.171Iwantedtospendmoneytostayinclosercontactwithmyfamilyandfriends;topromotemyenergyandhealth;tocreateamoresereneenvironmentinmyapartment;toworkmoreefficiently;toeliminatesourcesofboredom,irritation,andmaritalconflict;tosupportcausesthatIthoughtimportant;andtohaveexperiencesthatwouldenlargeme.p.185Peoplewhogivemoneytocharityendupwealthierthanthosewhodon’tgivetocharity(?!).p.211 DoctoroftheChurch,theelitecategoryof33supersaintsthatincludesSaintAugustineandSaintThomasAquinas.p.242Shakersdeliberatelyintroducedamistakeintothethingstheymade,toshowthatmanshouldn’taspiretotheperfectionofGod.Flawedcanbemoreperfectthanperfection.p.250Listeningtomusicisoneofthequickest,simplestwaystoboostmoodandenergyandtoinduceaparticularmood.Musicstimulatesthepartsofthebrainthattriggerhappiness,anditcanrelaxthebody—infact,studiesshowthatlisteningtoapatient’schoiceofmusicduringmedicalprocedurescanlowerthepatient’sheartrate,bloodpressure,andanxietylevel.p.259Asmallchildtypicallylaughsmorethan400timeseachday,andanadult—17times.Quotes:Nietzsche“Alltrulygreatthoughtsareconceivedwhilewalking.” “Theendofamelodyisnotitsgoal;butnonetheless,ifthemelodyhadnotreacheditsenditwouldnothavereacheditsgoaleither.Aparable.”WilliamJames“Actionseemstofollowfeeling,butreallyactionandfeelinggotogether;andbyregulatingtheaction,whichisunderthemoredirectcontrolofthewill,wecanindirectlyregulatethefeeling,whichisnot.”SamuelJohnson“Itisbystudyinglittlethingsthatweattainthegreatartofhavingaslittlemisery,andasmuchhappinessaspossible.” “Toliveinperpetualwantoflittlethingsisastate,notindeedoftorture,butofconstantvexation.” “Abstinenceisaseasytomeastemperancewouldbedifficult.”G.K.Chesterton“Itiseasytobeheavy:hardtobelight.”(orasthesayinggoes,“Dyingiseasy;comedyishard.”)“Happywife,happylife”“IfMamaain’thappy,ain’tnobodyhappy.”Businessschooltruism“Youmanagewhatyoumeasure.”WilliamButlerYeats“Happinessisneithervirtuenorpleasurenorthisthingnorthat,butsimplygrowth.Wearehappywhenwearegrowing.”W.H.Auden“Betweentheagesoftwentyandfortyweareengagedintheprocessofdiscoveringwhoweare,whichinvolveslearningthedifferencebetweenaccidentallimitationswhichitisourdutytooutgrowandthenecessarylimitationsofournaturebeyondwhichwecannottrespasswithimpunity.”MatthewArnold“Allknowledgeisinterestingtoawiseman.”AndyWarhol“Eitheronceonly,oreveryday”SimoneWeil“Imaginaryevilisromanticandvaried;realevilisgloomy,monotonous,barren,boring.Imaginarygoodisboring;realgoodisalwaysnew,marvelous,intoxicating.”SarahBernhardt“Itisbyspendingofoneselfthatonebecomesrich.”MicheldeMontaigne“Theleaststrainedandmostnaturalwaysofthesoularethemostbeautiful;thebestoccupationsaretheleastforced.”RobertFrost“Thebestwayoutisalwaysthrough.”J.M.Barrie“Wesetouttobewrecked.”SaintThereseofLisieux“Ichooseall.”FrancisBacon/Heraclitus“Drylightiseverthebest.”GertrudeStein“IlikearoomwithaviewbutIliketositwithmybackturnedtoit.”EliasCanetti“KantCatchesFire.”VirginiaWoolf“Shealwayshadthefeelingthatitwasvery,verydangeroustoliveevenoneday.” ...more flag 60likes · Like  · seereview Viewall3comments Apr18,2011 Tasha ratedit didnotlikeit Shelves: didn-t-finish Allthenavel-gazingof"Eat,Pray,Love"withnoneoftheinterestingcommentaryprovidedbyothercharacters.Gretchenistheonlyactualbeinginherworld;everyoneelse,includingherhusbandandchildren,ismerelyamirrorreflectingwhoshethinkssheshouldappeartobe.I'mconvincedthattheauthorwantstobehappyonlybecausesomeoneelsetoldhersheshould.I'mallforfluffreading,butthistookittoanewlevel.Thechapteroncleaningherclosets(yes,anentirechapterabou Allthenavel-gazingof"Eat,Pray,Love"withnoneoftheinterestingcommentaryprovidedbyothercharacters.Gretchenistheonlyactualbeinginherworld;everyoneelse,includingherhusbandandchildren,ismerelyamirrorreflectingwhoshethinkssheshouldappeartobe.I'mconvincedthattheauthorwantstobehappyonlybecausesomeoneelsetoldhersheshould.I'mallforfluffreading,butthistookittoanewlevel.Thechapteroncleaningherclosets(yes,anentirechapteraboutcloset-cleaning)didmein. ...more flag 55likes · Like  · seereview View1comment Dec11,2017 Christy ratedit likedit Shelves: 2017-audio 3.5starsIenjoyedtheaudiobookofTheHappinessProject.Ialwayslikewhenauthorsnarratetheirownbooks,andGretchenRubindidanicejobwiththeaudio.Ilistenedtothebookfairlyquickly,itonlytookme2days.Onthepartsthatrelatedtomylife,Icangiveanawesome4-5starratingto.Unfortunately,alotofthebookhadtodowithparentingandotherthings(notjustonesownhappiness)andIfoundmyselfcompletelyzoningout.Still,itwasasolidreadandthereareparts 3.5starsIenjoyedtheaudiobookofTheHappinessProject.Ialwayslikewhenauthorsnarratetheirownbooks,andGretchenRubindidanicejobwiththeaudio.Ilistenedtothebookfairlyquickly,itonlytookme2days.Onthepartsthatrelatedtomylife,Icangiveanawesome4-5starratingto.Unfortunately,alotofthebookhadtodowithparentingandotherthings(notjustonesownhappiness)andIfoundmyselfcompletelyzoningout.Still,itwasasolidreadandtherearepartsofitthatwereinsightfulandI'lltakeawayanduse. ...more flag 53likes · Like  · seereview View2comments Jun14,2018 Caroline ratedit itwasamazing Shelves: 5-star-books, psychology, miscellaneous Ienjoyedreadingthisbook,itwasfunandstimulating,anditmademeHAPPY.ItinvolvedfollowingGretchenRubininheryear-longpursuittoincreasetheamountofhappinessinherlife.Ilearntalotalongtheway,andoftentheywerethingsIwasnotexpectingtolearn.Ididn'tagreewitheverythingshetried-butthenneitherdidshe-someofherprojectsjustdidn'tworkout.Butalotofthemdid,andshehasgivenusallalottothinkabout.Thebookhasbeenagreatsuccess,spawnin Ienjoyedreadingthisbook,itwasfunandstimulating,anditmademeHAPPY.ItinvolvedfollowingGretchenRubininheryear-longpursuittoincreasetheamountofhappinessinherlife.Ilearntalotalongtheway,andoftentheywerethingsIwasnotexpectingtolearn.Ididn'tagreewitheverythingshetried-butthenneitherdidshe-someofherprojectsjustdidn'tworkout.Butalotofthemdid,andshehasgivenusallalottothinkabout.Thebookhasbeenagreatsuccess,spawningablogthatloadsofpeopleseemtoreadandtakepartin,butthehypeisn'tjusthype-Ithinkshedeservesthepositivefeedback.Shetakesadifferenttopiceachmonthoftheyear..VitalityMarriageWorkParenthoodLeisureFriendshipMoneyEternityBooks.ThemainmessagesIgotfromthisbookabouthappiness?Beyou.Blowdoinganythingyoudon'tenjoy.IfyourrealpleasureiscollectingCindydolls-thenjustgoforit,regardlessofmorehighbrowpleasuresthatmightturnotherpeopleon....wemustdothethingsthatmakeusjoyful.Tryandworkoutwhatmakesyouhappy,andthenkeeparesolutionchartthatwillensurethatyouactuallyDOthethingsthatmakeyouhappy.Rubinsaysthatkeepingaresolutionchartwastheverynubofwhatmadethisprojectsuccessfulforher.Itensuredthatshekeptpractisinghernewhabits,orinRubin'swords"Accessibilitytogoodideasandpractisesmakesiteasierforthesubconsciousbraintoaccessthem."So,aresolutionchartisgood!Finally,thebookendswithanexcellentlistofbooksforfurtherreading.Ishallendwithmyusualstackofnotes(viewspoiler)[ JANUARYHappiness:Happinessisavirtuouscircle.Happiness=moreenergy,andthatmakesiteasiertobeactive(moreexercising,moresocializing.)Exercise:Just20minutesexerciseaday,3daysaweekfor6weeks,willboostyourenergy.Evenwalking.AsNietzchesays...."Alltrulygreatthoughtsareconceivedwhilewalking."Weighttraining/strengthtrainingisalsonice,becauseyoudon'tsweat.Decluttering:Doit.Itmakesyoufeelbetteranditgivesyouenergy.Throwthingsaway,butalsocreatemorefilingandstorage.Youwantstuffstoredaway,notstashedonsurfaces.Tackleanaggingtask:Studiesshowthatoneofthebestwaystoliftyourmoodistoengineeraneasysuccess,suchastacklingalong-delayedchore.Itcangiveyouadramaticboost.Actthewayyouwanttofeel:WilliamJames"Byregulatingtheaction,whichisunderthemoredirectcontrolofthewill,wecanindirectlyregulatethefeeling,whichisnot."Oranotherwayofputtingit-"Fakeituntilyoumakeit."FEBRUARYSeeingthegoodinpeopleWithregardtootherpeople-it'seasytofocusonbadhabits,andtakegoodhabitsforgranted.Practiseenjoyingtheirgoodhabits.Tryandkeepcheerful.GKChesterton"Itiseasytobeheavy:hardtobelight."Unconsciousover-claiming:Thisisaphenomenonwherebyweunconsciouslyoverestimateourcontributionsorskills,relativetootherpeople.Thisagaininvolvescelebratingthegoodstuffaboutpeoplearoundus.Goodarguing:1.Tackleonesubjectatatime.2.Easeintoarguments,don'tjustblowupimmediately.3.Don'tsay"Youalways",or"Younever".4.Beawareofhowtobringanargumenttoanend,insteadofkeepingitgoingforhours.Showingmatters:WeneedtoSHOWloveandcaring.PierreReverdy"Thereisnolove;thereareonlyproofsoflove".Theexperienceof'growth'versusachievement:Manyresearchersagreethatitisn'tachievementthatbringsushappiness,butratherGROWTH,egtrainingforamarathon,orlearninganewlanguage.Thereisalsothe"hedonistictreadmill"wherebywequicklygetusedtonewpleasures,sothegoodfeelingwearsoff.Anatmosphereofgrowthoffsetsthat,thatiswhygardeningisbetterthanadmiringyournewdiningroomtable.MARCHNovelty:Noveltygivesuspleasure.Mastery:Weenjoymasteringnewthings.Newthingsalsoenableustoexpandhowweseeourselves.Goals:Thearrivalofagoaloftenbringsmoreworkandresponsibilityeghavingababyorbuyingahouse.Arrivingatonegoalusuallyrevealsanother,yetmorechallenginggoal.Thechallengethereforeistotakepleasureinthe'atmosphereofgrowth'.Enjoyingthenow,withoutworryingtoomuchaboutthefuture.APRILThiswasthesectiononparenthood.Ididn'ttakeanynotesfromthissection(Ihavenochildren),butitwasmyfavouritechapterinthebook.Rubinisn'ttheperfectparent,butsometimessheisdarngood.Shewarmedmyheartinthischapter.MAYEmotionalcontagion.Studiesshowthatwesubconsciouslycatchemotionsfromotherpeople,whethergoodmoodsorbadones.Takingthetimetobesillymeansweareinfectingoneanotherwithgoodcheer,andpeoplewhoenjoysillinessareathirdmorelikelytobehappy.Benefitofthedoubt.Weneedtocutpeopleslackwhentheyappearrudeorimpatient.Wedon'tknowthethingsthatmaybegoingonintheirlives.Familiarity.Familiaritybreedsaffectioninmostinstances.Themoreseesomeonethemorewelikethem-althoughobviouslythisdoesn'tapplyinallcases.Spontaneoustraittransference.Studiesshowthatpeopleunintentionallytransfertoyouthetraitsyouascribetootherpeople,soifyougossipaboutsomeonebeingarrogant,thattraitwillalsobeascribedtoyou.Luckilyitappliestopositivethingstoo.Andifyoucomplainalot.....SamuelJohnson"Tohearcomplaintsiswearisomealiketothewretchedandthehappy."OCTOBERNonotes....NOVEMBERKindness:"Nothingcanmakeourlife,orthelivesofotherpeople,morebeautiful,thanperpetualkindness."Tolstoy.Goodconversation:Listen.Getinvolvedinsomeoneelse'sconversation,ratherthanjustwaitingforwhenyoucanspeakupaboutyourexperiences.Badconversation:Beingaknow-it-all(tellinglotsofanecdotesthatshowoffyourknowledge.)(Hum...exceptIenjoyotherpeople'sknowledge.)Beingatopper:"YouthinkYOUhadacrazymorning.Letmetellyouaboutmine!"Beinga"deflator":"Youlikedthemovie?Ithoughtitwaskindofboring."Beingbeligerant:Lookingforwaystocontradictwhatsomeonesays.Goodygoodytwoshoes:Exercise:TryhavingaPollyannaweek.Youmaywellnotdoitperfectly,butit'sagreatexercise.InmanywayPollyanna-ishbehaviourisgood,andcheerseveryoneup.DECEMBERNonotes.... (hidespoiler)] ...more flag 49likes · Like  · seereview Viewall25comments Nov23,2009 Jamie(ThePerpetualPage-Turner) ratedit reallylikedit IwonthisadvancecopybookthroughtheGoodreadsGiveawayandcouldnothavebeenmorestoked!Iamalwayscreatinglistsandgoalsandthingstoimprovemylife.Ifeellikebooks,songs,moviesalwayshaveawayoffindingmewhenIneedthemmost.IjustquitmyjobbecauseIwaswaytoomiserableandIhavebeenhomeforthepastfewweeksfeelingextremelyunhappyandlikemylifewasjustmiserable.Thisbookwasjusttheinspirationtowanttochangemysituationandbringaboutmoreha IwonthisadvancecopybookthroughtheGoodreadsGiveawayandcouldnothavebeenmorestoked!Iamalwayscreatinglistsandgoalsandthingstoimprovemylife.Ifeellikebooks,songs,moviesalwayshaveawayoffindingmewhenIneedthemmost.IjustquitmyjobbecauseIwaswaytoomiserableandIhavebeenhomeforthepastfewweeksfeelingextremelyunhappyandlikemylifewasjustmiserable.Thisbookwasjusttheinspirationtowanttochangemysituationandbringaboutmorehappinessintomylife.WhileIamanadventuroussoulandlovedreadingmemoirsbypeoplewhogodoextremethingstofindthemselvesandchangetheirlives(ieEat,Pray,Love).ThisisnotaluxuryIhaveandIlikedRubin'sideaofnotwantingtorejectherlifebutwantingto"changeherlifewithoutchangingmylife,byfindingmorehappinessinmyownkitchen."Iwanttobehappyhereandnowinmyownlife.Sure,IwouldlovetogogallivantingofftootherpartsoftheworldtofindmyselfandmakemyselfhappierbutthatisjustnotarealityandI'mjustnotsureitwouldteachmehowtolivemynormallife.Ilovedthequestionsthattheauthoraskedofhappinessandhowsheapproachedwhathappinessisandifshebelieveditwaspossibletomakeherselfhappier.Ilikedthatshewashonestaboutreallybeingahappypersoningeneralandadmittingthatherlifehasbeenprettyeasy..nodramaticstoriestotellofsometerriblemisfortune,etc.Shejustwantedtoseeifshecouldbringmoregeneralhappinessintoherlifeand,ifdiddisasterdidstrike,woulditbeanenduringandembeddedtypeofhappinessthatwouldhelpherthroughsomething.Iabsolutelylovedthesetupofeachsection.Itwentmonthbymonth.Shetalkedabouteachoftheresolutionsshemadeforthatmonthandtalkedaboutherstrugglesandsuccesses.Shewasoftentimeshumorousandalsoveryobservant.Ilovedtheresearchshedidpertainingtohappinessandhowsheusedtheseideastofigureoutwaystoherownhappiness.Ilikehowsheemphasizesthateverybody'shappinessprojectwouldlookveryunique.Differentthingsmakedifferentpeoplehappy.Ididn'talwaysagreewithsomeofherconclusionswithherownresolutionsbutIappreciatedtheresearchshedidandthatitwasHERhappinessprojectwithHERownresults.I'malwaysskepticalof"selfhelp"typethingsor25waystohappinessdeals.Idon'tthinkthereisaformulatohappinessorpeaceorsuccess.ThatiswhatIlikedaboutGretchen'sbook.Shewasn'ttryingtosay.."HERE!Hereistheexactmethodbywhichyouwillbehappy!"Rather,shewasshowingyouherjourneyandtheprojectthatshethoughtwouldbestelevateherOWNhappiness.IwascertainlyinspiredbyherhappinessprojectandIamplanningonstartingmyowninJanuary2010.Theauthorhasablogtoothatischockedfullofgreatadviceandifyougobackfarenoughitshowsherjourneythroughoutthehappinessproject.Theblogreallyshowsheractuallygoingthroughwithit.Thebookistheoutcomeandthereflection.Iactuallyemailedhertogetherresolutioncharttoseeifit'ssomethingthatmightworkformeorifIshouldcreatemyown.Sheisextremelygraciousandincrediblyenthusiasticaboutinspiringandmotivatingotherpeopletotheirownelevatedhappiness.I'ddefinitelyrecommendthisbookifyouarefindingyourselfincreasinglyunhappy..orifyouareahappypersonwonderingifyoucanbehappier. ...more flag 39likes · Like  · seereview Viewall8comments May06,2011 Gaijinmama ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: nonfiction, self-help Thisbookgotmixedreviews,butIlikedit.Itwasrealistic,veryreadable,andnotexploitativeofdevelopingcultureslikesomeoftheseother"Gofindyourself"stuntbooks(coughcoughEat,Praycoughcough).Rubinisup-frontaboutthefactthatshecomesfromawhite,upper-middleclass,happily-married,securelyemployedNewYorklifestylethatmakesitseemabitnarcissisticforhertogooutsearchingforyetmorehappinesswhenshehassomanyadvantagescomparedtosomanyotherpeo Thisbookgotmixedreviews,butIlikedit.Itwasrealistic,veryreadable,andnotexploitativeofdevelopingcultureslikesomeoftheseother"Gofindyourself"stuntbooks(coughcoughEat,Praycoughcough).Rubinisup-frontaboutthefactthatshecomesfromawhite,upper-middleclass,happily-married,securelyemployedNewYorklifestylethatmakesitseemabitnarcissisticforhertogooutsearchingforyetmorehappinesswhenshehassomanyadvantagescomparedtosomanyotherpeople.Andyet,Ifoundmyselfagreeingwithher.Forexample,whyisitthatsooftenpeopleassumethatifyou'reahappypositivepersonyou'reautomaticallylessintelligent?whydowewastetime,moneyandenergyonthingsthatwefeelweSHOULDlikeasopposedtowholeheartedlymakingtimeforthingswereallydolike?ThiswillbethelasttimeImakeadisclaimeratworkforbeingaddictedtofantasywithelvesanddragonsandtrashyparanormalromances!IamauniversityEnglishprofessorandIhaveamasters'degreeandyeah,theclassicsaregreatbutIlikewhatIlike,andwillcontinuetorecommendittomystudentsalongwithHemingwayandSalingerandtheBrontesisters.IdonotintendtofollowallofRubin'ssuggestions.Irefusetoaccept,forexample,thatasamotheritisMYjobto"beatreasure-houseofhappymemories."Sorry,Gretchen,butthatjustain'tmeandyoualsosayinyourbookthatrulenumberoneisBeYourself.MySelfwouldratherwakeuplateonChristmasmorningtofindthatthehusbandandkidsgotupearlyanddecoratedthetree.Ihighlyrecommendthisbook.Thewritercanactuallywrite,andallofuscanfindsomeusefulsuggestionsoratleastfoodforthoughthere. ...more flag 36likes · Like  · seereview Viewall10comments Nov02,2018 Caroline ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Recommendsitfor: TheunhappyANDthehappy Shelves: psychology, happy, took-way-too-long-to-read, get-smart, stunt-memoir, nonfiction, she-wrote-it Shouldthepursuitofhappinessbeturnedintoaproject?GretchenRubinmadeitayear-longproject,onesheputherheartandsoul,blood,sweat,andtearsinto.Itmayseemlikeaweirdwaytogoaboutattaininghappiness,butherresults,asfinelydetailedhere,areimpressiveandinspiring.Muchhasbeenwrittenabouthowtobehappier.Thegeneralbeliefseemstobethathappinesswillcomewhensomemilestoneisreachedorsomethinglife-changinghappens:payingoffalargedebt,reachin Shouldthepursuitofhappinessbeturnedintoaproject?GretchenRubinmadeitayear-longproject,onesheputherheartandsoul,blood,sweat,andtearsinto.Itmayseemlikeaweirdwaytogoaboutattaininghappiness,butherresults,asfinelydetailedhere,areimpressiveandinspiring.Muchhasbeenwrittenabouthowtobehappier.Thegeneralbeliefseemstobethathappinesswillcomewhensomemilestoneisreachedorsomethinglife-changinghappens:payingoffalargedebt,reachingagoalweight,orwinningthelottery.PriortoreadingTheHappinessProject,I’dreadarticlesonthistopicnowandthenbutalwaysfoundthemvague.“Happinessexperts”repeatedlysaythatdeep,long-termhappinesscan’tbefoundinthelife-changingmoments,butitwasn’tuntilreadingTheHappinessProjectthatIunderstoodhappiness-attainmentconcretely.Inplainerwords:Thisbookmakessense.TheHappinessProjectisverywellorganized,dividedintotwelvechapters(onepermonth),witheachofthosefurtherdividedintoaseriesofmainpoints.January,forinstance,issubtitled“BoostEnergy”becausethatwasRubin’sresolutionforthatmonthonherjourneytotruehappiness.Relatedtoboostingenergy,shecoveredthefollowingpoints:“Gotosleepearlier,”“Exercisebetter,”“Toss,restore,organize,”“Tackleanaggingtask,”and“Actmoreenergetic.”InJanuary,Rubindidallthesethings,methodicallyandmeticulously.Somesheenjoyedmorethanothers,butshedidallofthem.IappreciatedRubin’scandidandsinceretone.Shetalksoffeelingrushedandanxiousattimes,oflosingpatienceandgettingirritable.Sheneverpretendstobeperfect,thoughshesetthebarhighforherselfandpersisted.It’sadmirableandoverwhelmingjustreadingaboutallthatshedidoverthecourseofoneyear,and,ultimately,hertype-Apersonalityprobablyhelped.EspeciallyfascinatingtomewasRubin’sshortbutthoughtfulpreparation.Rightbeforestartingherproject,shecompiledalistoftwelvepersonalcommandmentstohelpguideherandgetherbackontrackwhenneeded,andalistof“SecretsofAdulthood,”somethingsheadmitswasgoofier.WhatItrulyloved,however,werewhatshedubbedthe“FourSplendidTruths,”whichwerebornoftheproject(andthereforerevealedthemselvestowardtheend)andarephilosophical.TheHappinessProjectisasortofmemoir/self-helpbook/handbookmesh,butasaself-helpbook/handbook,thesheeramountofinformationisoverwhelming,andthisistheonlymajorfaultIcouldfindwithit,ifitcanbecalledafault.Itbegsarereading,orifnotthat,extensivenote-takingduringthefirstreading.Rubindoes,however,haveablogthathaspromptstohelpreaderssetuptheirownhappinessprojects.Tryingtocatchandholdontoanimmaterialconceptsuchashappinessisn’tsoridiculous;it’spreciselybecauseRubindidveryspecificthingsoverthecourseofoneyearthatshegotresults.That’showthisbookisvaluable--initsspecificity.It’sunnecessarytoembarkonayear-longchallenge.Evenifareadermakesonlyahandfulofchanges,thatcanhelp,andevenreaderswhoaren’tunhappycanfindTheHappinessProjecthelpful. ...more flag 32likes · Like  · seereview Viewall23comments Jul22,2019 Swrp ratedit likedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition PierreReverdywrote:Thereisnolove;thereareonlyproofsoflove.GretchenRubin`sTheHappinessProject:OrWhyISpentaYearTryingtoSingintheMorning,CleanMyClosets,FightRight,ReadAristotle,andGenerallyHaveMoreFunisgoodwithsomepracticalpointsandrealisticadvice.Thisbookwillbemoreusefulifreadasabasicself-helpbook,andnotamemoir.Ifyouarewillingtotaketheblame,peoplewillgiveyouresponsibilities.Itiseasytobeheavy,hardtobelight. D PierreReverdywrote:Thereisnolove;thereareonlyproofsoflove.GretchenRubin`sTheHappinessProject:OrWhyISpentaYearTryingtoSingintheMorning,CleanMyClosets,FightRight,ReadAristotle,andGenerallyHaveMoreFunisgoodwithsomepracticalpointsandrealisticadvice.Thisbookwillbemoreusefulifreadasabasicself-helpbook,andnotamemoir.Ifyouarewillingtotaketheblame,peoplewillgiveyouresponsibilities.Itiseasytobeheavy,hardtobelight. Dogood,feelgood;feelgood,dogood. ...more flag 33likes · Like  · seereview Jul24,2010 Erin ratedit itwasamazing Shelves: how-to, memoir Inspiring!Lovedit!TotallywanttostartmyHappinessProject.GretchenRubin,happilymarriedmotherof2,hadarealizationwhilesittingonabusthatshewaslettingherlifepassherbywithoutfullyappreciatingit.Beingawriter,shedecidedtoresearchtheorigins,psychologyandelementsofhappinessanddevelopherownHappinessProject,a12-monthexperiment(eachmontharoundathemelike"love","work""energy",etc)withcarefullymeasuredgoalsandresolutionstoseeifshecou Inspiring!Lovedit!TotallywanttostartmyHappinessProject.GretchenRubin,happilymarriedmotherof2,hadarealizationwhilesittingonabusthatshewaslettingherlifepassherbywithoutfullyappreciatingit.Beingawriter,shedecidedtoresearchtheorigins,psychologyandelementsofhappinessanddevelopherownHappinessProject,a12-monthexperiment(eachmontharoundathemelike"love","work""energy",etc)withcarefullymeasuredgoalsandresolutionstoseeifshecouldbeahappierperson,betterwife,bettermother,betterwoman.Ienjoyself-helpstuffwhenitdoesn'tsoundtoopreachy,andRubinfindsareallynicetonetoherbookthatmadeitcompelling,human,notpreachy,andhonestlykindofcharming.Sheisprettyhonestandopenaboutwhenthingsworkedandwhenthingsdidn'tquite,thefactthatshecanbekindofapill(Icanrelate!)whenthingsdon'tgoherway,andhowonemonthbuiltontheprevious.Ithinkmostpeoplecanrelatetowantingtodonewyear'sresolutions,butneverholdingontothem,andshecountersthatbyusingherresolutionchartandholdingherselfaccountable.IthinkwhatIlikedmostaboutitwasthatshehadtolearnto"StayGretchen"(somethingsworkforothersandnotforyou,andthat'sok),andthatshewantedtochangeherlifewithoutchangingherlife(shecouldn'tmovetoAfrica,forexample,butwantedtomakesmall,manageablechangesshecouldkeeptherestofherlife.)Thatspoketome--Idon'tknowthatI'llstaywhereIamforever,butIthinkI'llbewhereIamatleastforanotheryear,andwanttoknowthatI'vereallystartedtopayattentiontowhereIamrightnowandmadeafewpositivechanges.Growalittle!Sheisquitehonestabouthowthiscouldsoundself-absorbedorself-indulgent,butshedisagreesingeneralandbelieves(backingthatupwithresearch)thathappierpeoplearemoreproductive,moregenerous,morethoughtful,etc.I'mdefinitelyintriguedandinspiredtoplanmyownHappinessProject.Moreinfoonherbloghere:http://www.happiness-project.com/ ...more flag 28likes · Like  · seereview Jan08,2010 Gina ratedit itwasok Natasha'sreviewofthisbookisperfect.IthinkNatashashouldre-writeTheHappinessProjectandthenitwilltrulybeaprojectabouthappiness.____________________________________Natashawrote....."AshortwhileagoIstartedablogpostbysayingthatIwasdepressedaboutthebookTheHappinessProject.IfeltthatIknewwhatthebookwasaboutandthatIcouldhavewrittenitbutnowthatitwaswrittenbysomeoneelse,myideaforaself-helpbookwastaken.IsaidIwas"depressed" Natasha'sreviewofthisbookisperfect.IthinkNatashashouldre-writeTheHappinessProjectandthenitwilltrulybeaprojectabouthappiness.____________________________________Natashawrote....."AshortwhileagoIstartedablogpostbysayingthatIwasdepressedaboutthebookTheHappinessProject.IfeltthatIknewwhatthebookwasaboutandthatIcouldhavewrittenitbutnowthatitwaswrittenbysomeoneelse,myideaforaself-helpbookwastaken.IsaidIwas"depressed"asahumourousplayuponthetitleofthebook--itseemscounter-intuitivethatabookabouthappinesswouldmakesomeonedepressed,right?ExceptnowthatIhavefinishedreadingthebook,thejoke'sonme:Iactuallyamdepressedaboutit.Itwasasadread,inparts,becauseitwasabundantlycleartomethattheauthordoesn'treallyunderstandthesecretofhappiness.Idon'tfeellikethebookcametoanyconclusionsonhowtobehappyinalastingway.Ithinkthebookmanagedtogetpublishedbecauseshewasalreadyapublishedauthor,soshehadconnections,andbecausethepublisherswerecashinginonwhatauthorGretchenRubinmentionsas"stuntgenrejournalism",inthiscase,doingsomethingforayearandthenwritingaboutit.BeforeIdelveintomycriticisms,thebookwasnotwithoutmerit.Therearelittlenuggetsofinspiration,likewhenGretchendrasticallyimprovesherdrawingabilitybytakingaclassthatgaveherprofoundanxiety.IwouldbesurprisedifanyonecouldreadTheHappinessProjectwithoutfeelinginspiredtogooutsidehercomfortzoneanddosomethingnew.Buttheinspirationendedthere.Basically,Gretchenwantstobehappier.Herhusbanddoesn'tunderstandwhyshewantstobehappierbecausesheseemshappytohimbutitbecomesclearbeforelong,asshedescribesmanyinsufferablehabitsandtraitsofherown,thatshe'snotreallyhappy.So,insteadofdiggingdeep,gettingattherootofherissues,shemakesmonthlythemeresolutions,travellingthesurfacestreetsofwhyshe'sobnoxious,puttingasuperficialband-aidonherflaws.Thisisnotabooktoreadifyou'relookingtoidentifywithsomeoneelse'sunhappinesstohavea"lightbulbmoment"aboutyourown,unlessyoureallyaresouncomplicatedandflawlessthatyouronlysourceofunhappinessisnotenoughextra-curricularbusynessinyourlife,inwhichcaseyoudon'tneedtoreadabooktosolvethatproblem.Ifshewererelayingherpoorbehavioursothatshecouldfollowitupwithanexplanationoftherootreasonforherbehaviourandwhatsherealisedaboutherselfandhowthatrealisationchangedher,thenthisbookwouldbeaworthwhilepursuit.Instead,itreadslikeaconfessionaljournal,alistofsinsandthepenancethatfollowed,andthelackofprofunditymademesad.Ifeltuncomfortableforherknowingthatthisself-flagellationwasnotbringingheranylastinginsightintowhyshewasunhappywithherself.Forexample,onpage266shestarts,"...IrealizedIhadoneparticularcharacteristicthatIurgentlyneededtocontrol:Iwastoobelligerent.Theminutesomeonemadeastatement,Ilookedforwaystocontradictit.Whensomeonehappenedtosaytome,'Overthenextfiftyyears,it'stherelationshipwithChinathatwillbemostimportanttotheUnitedStates,'Istartedsearchingmymindtothinkofcounterexamples.Why?....Iknowverylittleaboutthesubject."Shegoesontosaythatcriticizingis"deliciouslysatisfying",thatitmadeherfeelmoresophisticatedandintelligent.Shedescribesherselfasa"know-it-all"whostrivestodropliteraryobservationstoappearintelligent,a"topper"whotopsotherpeople'sstorieswithabiggerandbetterone,anda"deflater"whofindssomethingnegativetosayaboutthingsthatotherpeoplewereexcitedabout.Onpage269shedescribesthedifficultyshehadwithtryingtosquelchherinclinations,"Givingpositivereviewsrequireshumility.Ihavetoadmit,ImissedthefeelingsofsuperioritythatIgotfromusingpuncturinghumor,sarcasm,ironicasides,cynicalcomments,andcuttingremarks.Awillingnesstobepleasedrequiresmodestyandeveninnocence--easytoderideasmawkishandsentimental."Onpage272shedescribesasituationwhereherdaughteristhrowingupandsheasksherhusbandtogetatowel.Hebringsthetowelandshesays,"Folks,thatwasnotthefastestactionwecouldhavehad."Shethenaskswhyshetossedoutthatnegativecomment,butdoesn'tgivetheanswer.Answeringthewhysprovesdifficultforherthroughoutthebook.She'sabletonarrowbehaviourdownasbeingprideful(andIadmireherforherfrankness)butshedoesn'tanalysethesourceofthepride.So,withoutreallyknowing(ordivulging)thesourceofherproblems,shedecidesthattofixthesecharacterflawsshewillgiveupdrinkingbecauseitenablesherbelligerence,andshewillforceherselftobelikePollyannaforaweek,includingwearingabracelettoremindhertorememberabout"PollyannaWeek".PollyannaWeeksucceedsincuttingdownhernegativecommentsforthatweekandhas"lastingeffects"later,whichshedoesn'tdescribe.Iimmediatelynotedtheironyingoingaboutbeinglessnegativeby...negativereinforcement."Stopsayingnegativethings."That'snotapositiveapproach.It'sliketryingtoloseweightbysaying,"Ihatebeingfat.I'mgoingtostopbeingfat,"insteadof"ImissfeelingthinandI'mgoingtobethinagain."(Andbesides,mytheoryisthatthepeoplearounduswillwelltolerateournegativeattributesiftherearesimplymorepositiveonesthannegative.Everyoneisnegativesometimes.Wedon'tneedtozipourmouthsandbeasperfectasimpossible.Wejustneedtobemorepositivethannegative.Ifwe'reenthusiasticalotofthetime,peoplewillforgiveusforbeingcriticalsomeofthetime.Ifwearefrequentlycelebratoryofourfriends'successesandinterests,peoplewillbettertoleratewhenweindulgeinself-absorptionforawhile.)Whydidn'tshejustworkonbeingmoreloving?Because,byherownassertion,itwas"vague"aswellasbeinghardertofake.Negativecommentswereeasierforhertospotandmeasure.It'seasiertostopdoingsomethingbadthantostartdoingsomethinggood,but...ifyoucansucceedinbeingmoregood(insteadofmerelyactingmoregood),thenyouhaveamorelastingchangethantheoneyouhavebymerelywillingyourselftostopbeingbad.Aswell,givingupdrinkingandgettingmoresleepisgreat,butnoteveryonewhodrinksoristiredisbelligerent.Whyisshethiswayundertheinfluencewhensomeotherpeoplearesillyandmoregregariouswhenthey'reboozyortired?Shedoesn'taskthatquestion.Itseemstomethatthesourceofmanyofherproblemsisbasicinsecurity.Sheresolvesearlyonto"BeGretchen"andthroughoutthebookwhensherunsupagainstinsecurities,theinsecuritiesaresolvedbyhermantrato"BeGretchen".So,thelessonhereforthereader,whenhavingtroubleswithinsecurities:Beyourself.Problemsolved.Whydidn'tyouthinkofthat,Reader?Atonepoint(andIcan'tfindthepage)sheasks"Why?"aboutherbehaviourandthensaysshehasnoidea.Finally,sheadmitsthatherHappinessProjectmadehermorejudgmentalofothersfornotbeinghappy.Iwonderifshewouldhavehadthedisciplinetokeepupwithallherresolutions,ifshewouldhavechallengedherselftotakeadrawingclassthatgaveherpanickyanxietyifshewasnotdoingitforbookfodder.Withouttheresolutions,therewouldbenostorytotell,really,soitseemsthatthebookisinexistenceforthebook'ssake.Thestrangethingisthatshe'sobviouslyaveryintelligentwomanwhoseemsintrospectiveenoughthatIdobelievesheiscapableofgettingtotheheartofthematterofherproblems,ofaskingtheimportantquestionsandgettingrealanswers.Ijustdon'tunderstandwhyshedidn'tdoitforthebook.Iguessitjustwasn'tthestyleofbookshewaslookingtowriteorHarperCollinswaslookingtopublish?Further,whatmademesadwasreadingofGretchen'sstruggletoloveherselfandothersinapure,unshakablewaythatcomesfromGodandcomesfromadeep-seatedknowledgeofthevalueofanothersoul.Shedescribesherlifeashavingbeenfairlyeasy,herchildhoodbeinghappy,andsheevensoundsinsecureaboutthatinaboutthreeplaceswhereshewishesshehadhardshiptodrawontogiveherself"legitimacy".Isuspectthatherhappyupbringingiswhyshestrugglestohavetruecompassionforotherswithouthavingtotalkherselfintoitsomuch.Compassionishardtocomebywithoutexperience.It'seasytohaveanintellectualawarenessoftheneedtocutpeoplesomeslack,it'seasytorepeattoone'sself:"Everyoneisdoingthebesttheycan."butit'squiteanothertofeelthatunderstandingofanotherperson'ssoulbecauseitcomesfromaplaceofexperience.Onpage259shesaid,"Alongwithamorehumorousattitude,Iwantedtobekinder.I'dconsideredkindnessarespectablebutblandvirtue...butresearchingBuddhism,withitsemphasisonloving-kindness,hadconvincedmethatI'doverlookedsomethingimportant."Important?Yathink?Wow."...arespectablebutblandvirtue"?Thatreallythrewme.Inmyworld,andinmuchoftheworld'sreligions,kindnessisabranchoflove,whichisthemostimportantcommandment,theflavouroflife,ourraisond'être.Howcankindnesseverbeblandasanideaoramanifestation?"Iwantedtopracticeloving-kindnessbutitwassuchavaguegoal--easytoapplaudbuthardtoapply.Whatstrategieswouldremindmetoactwithloving-kindnessinmyordinaryday?...Perhapsmerepolitenesswouldn'tengenderloving-kindnessinme,butactingpolitelywouldatleastgivemetheappearanceofpossessingthatquality--andperhapsappearancewouldturnintoreality."AmItheonlyonewhoseestheproblemswiththisparagraph?Theentirebookissprinkledwithtalkof"strategies",withwishfulthinking,with"perhaps"sand"maybe"sand"acting".Isitpossiblethatshedoesnotseethattruehappinessdoesnotcomefromactingkindbutbeingkind?Onpage275shesays,"....ifIkeepmyresolutionsanddothethingsthatmakemehappier,Iendupfeelinghappierandactingmorevirtuously.Dogood,feelgood;feelgood,dogood."Again,shedescribes"acting"insteadof"being".Tsk.Andbesidesthat,howisthisarevelationworthpublishingabookabout?Hey,thisjustinfolks:Ifyoukeepupresolutionsforthingsyouknowyoushoulddo,itwillmakeyouhappier.So,keepupyourresolutions,okay?Tellussomethingwedon'tknow,right?Like,howtokeepthoseresolutionswithoutmerelygrittingourteethanddiggingourheelsin.IknowthatifIwouldbekindertoJim-BobthatIwouldfeelbetterandthatfeelingbetterwouldthenmakeiteasierformetobekindertoJim-Bob.ButhowdoIgetthemomentumtodosomethingIdon'treallywanttodo,andwon'thesensethefalsenessanyway?Thisiswhyshefindsitsoeasytojudgeotherpeople'sbehaviours--shedoesn'tfocusontheheart,shefocusesontheoutwardappearance.Ifit'ssoeasyforhertochangeherbehaviour(um,easybecauseshehastoorshedoesn'thavebookfodder),thenotherpeopleshouldbeabletoaswell.ThiswastheonlypreconceivedexpectationIhadwhenstartingthisbook--thatshewouldstrivetochangeherselfbymerelydiggingherfeetinand,withsheerwillpower,changeherhabits.Iwasotherwiseexpectingtoenjoythisbook.Iamblownawaybyitssuperficialityanditsinabilitytoinspiremeortochangeanyoneinaprofound,lastingway.Itsmethodicallayout,itsquotesfromphilosophers,itsarticulatewriting,anditsNewYorkTimesbestseller'slistplacementdoesnottrickmeintothinkingit'salife-changingbook.TheonlyreasonitchangedGretchen'slifewasbecauseshewaswritingabook.Itservesasmoreofamostlyhumour-lessjournal,really.Itcouldn'tevenbecategorisedunder"self-help".Ifinditprofoundthatinthelastchaptersheasksherhusbandifherhappinessprojecthasmadehimhappieratall.Heanswers,"Nope."Thenshesays,"Buthehadchanged"andexplainsallthechanges.But...thatdoesn'tmeanhe'shappier.Maybehewasn'thappierbecausehewasalreadyhappy.Maybehewashappybeingthekindofmanwhodoesn'treplytoheremails.Maybehewashappynotdoingthethingsthatwouldmakeherhappierifhewouldjustdothem.Maybehewashappyinhisimperfections...andhers.Maybeit'sjustGretchenwhothinksthathappinesscanbefoundinresolutions,ingoldstars,inbeinglikable.IfeltlikeIwasreadingmyownjourneytodiscoveringthesecrettohappiness,fromwhenIwasinmyearly20's.AtonepointIactuallythoughtitwouldbeagoodideatomakealistofallmynegativequalitiesandallthebadthingsIdid.WhyIthoughtthiswouldbebeneficialescapesmyrecollection.Andmaybeit'sthisreminderthatmademesosad.MaybeifIdidn'tidentifywithwhatIseeasherconfusion,Iwouldn'tevennoticeit.Ithinkit'stheideaofhappinessthatattractspeopleenoughtomakethisabest-sellingbook.Bite-sizedblogpostsaboutthetopicareinterestingtomostofus,butIexpectedabooktobemoresubstantial.(Needlesstosay,Iamnolongerbummedoutthatsomeoneelsewrotemybook.TheHappinessProjecthasmadeiteasierformetowritewhatIneedtowriteabout,tofillinthegaps,toexplorethehumanpsyche,aspretentiousasthatsounds.AmIqualified?Sure.WhatmakesTigerWoodsqualifiedtoteachaboutgolfisthathe'sgoodatgolf.I'mgoodatintrospectionandansweringtoughquestionshonestly.Myfriendsshouldexpectmuchbadgeringfrommefortheirexperiencesandopinions.:-)Aswell,therearemanyworkstoreadasreference,suchasVoltaire'sCandide.Sofar,I'monlyabout5000wordsintomybookwritingbutIhaveanoutlineandaninklingandananny.Ijustneedsomesleep,sometime,someprivacy,andawriterlymood.It'sthepassionatemoodthat'ssohardtocomebyandwithoutit,writingissoexcruciatingandneverasgood.So,we'llsee.)"-Natashaofhttp://www.becomingsomething.com/ ...more flag 26likes · Like  · seereview Viewall4comments Apr05,2019 Britany ratedit reallylikedit Shelves: memoir, mmd, 2019, audiobook, non-fiction ThisismysecondbookbyGretchenRubin,andmyfavoritesofar.Gretchendecidestotakearesolutiontoanewlevelbycreatingminigoalsandfocusthemesforeachmonthoverthecourseofayeartofocusonhappiness.Ilovedthestructureofthisbook.IlovehowGretchenintroducesatopicforeachmonth(Ikeptthinking,howwillshecomeupwithanothertopic,andalasshesurprisedmeeverymonthpastJuly!).Ilovedherproclamationsandheressenceasshewentthroughherproject.I ThisismysecondbookbyGretchenRubin,andmyfavoritesofar.Gretchendecidestotakearesolutiontoanewlevelbycreatingminigoalsandfocusthemesforeachmonthoverthecourseofayeartofocusonhappiness.Ilovedthestructureofthisbook.IlovehowGretchenintroducesatopicforeachmonth(Ikeptthinking,howwillshecomeupwithanothertopic,andalasshesurprisedmeeverymonthpastJuly!).Ilovedherproclamationsandheressenceasshewentthroughherproject.Iappreciateherhonestywhenshewasfrustratedorwhenshelostherpatiencewithsomething.ThisbookfeltauthenticandtherearesomanythingsIcantakeawayfromherproject.Sheoffersgreattipslikecreatingphotobooksforallyournotesandjournals(whoknew?)andkeepinganemptyshelfinyourcloset.ThisbookwilldefinitelybeonethatIrevisitinthefuture. ...more flag 24likes · Like  · seereview Viewall7comments Jan07,2010 Jenn ratedit itwasok "Idid,however,vowtostopreadingbooksthatIdidn'tenjoy.IusedtopridemyselfonfinishingeverybookIstarted--nolonger."Usingtheauthor'sownwords,thatprettymuchsumsuphowIfeltaboutreadingthisbook...althoughIdidn'tstop.IreaditallthewaythroughandwishthatIhadactually"BeenGretchen"forabriefmoment.Ireallylikedtheconceptofthebookandoftheproject;however,IfoundittobelessinspiringandmuchmoreannoyingthanIwouldexpectabooklike "Idid,however,vowtostopreadingbooksthatIdidn'tenjoy.IusedtopridemyselfonfinishingeverybookIstarted--nolonger."Usingtheauthor'sownwords,thatprettymuchsumsuphowIfeltaboutreadingthisbook...althoughIdidn'tstop.IreaditallthewaythroughandwishthatIhadactually"BeenGretchen"forabriefmoment.Ireallylikedtheconceptofthebookandoftheproject;however,IfoundittobelessinspiringandmuchmoreannoyingthanIwouldexpectabooklikethistobe.Fromtheconstant,uncitedreferencesto"resources"tothequotesfromobscureresearchers,fromthereaderresponsestotheauthor'sblogtothesupposedword-for-wordconversationsbetweentheauthorandothersinherbook,Ifoundthebooktohaveaverycontrivedfeelingthatleftmerollingmyeyesandsighingwithirritation.Ifelttheauthorcontradictedherselfcontinuallythroughoutthebook,usedreferencestosupportheropinions(NOTresearch)whileignoringthosethatshedidn'tagreewith,alltomakeapoint...well,thatreallydidn'thaveapoint.Yes,I'dliketobehappierinmylife.(Whowouldn't?)Yes,IthinkRubinhadsomegoodideasonhowtodothat(althoughhoworiginalthoseideasareisquestionable.)No,Idon'tthinkreadingherbookgavemeanymoreinsightintobeingahappierpersonthanwhatmyowncommonsensehastoldmeovertheyears.Instead,IwouldgosofarastosaythatthisbooklikelymademylifealittlelesshappybecauseIdon'tfindreadingsomeone'sgrumblingandwhining(allundertheguiseof"maximizinghappiness")tobeparticularlyuplifting. ...more flag 24likes · Like  · seereview Jan02,2020 Chelsea ratedit reallylikedit Greatbooktostarttheyearoffwith.Goodjobme!*patsselfonback* flag 23likes · Like  · seereview Apr01,2021 NikiHawkes-TheObsessiveBookseller ratedit reallylikedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition GretchenRubinandIseeeye-to-eyeonalotofthings,whichmadereadingTheHappinessProjectafulfillingendeavor.HavinglovedmostofherorganizingadviceinOuterOrder,InnerCalm,Ibumpedupthistitlefroma“maybesomeday”to“letmegetaholdofthatimmediately”inmyTBR.Anditdidnotdisappoint.Ithinkchangeofanysortstartswithobservingyourownbehaviorandevaluatingifit’sservingyou.InGretchen’scase,shedeterminedshewasn’tashappyasshethoughtshecouldbe GretchenRubinandIseeeye-to-eyeonalotofthings,whichmadereadingTheHappinessProjectafulfillingendeavor.HavinglovedmostofherorganizingadviceinOuterOrder,InnerCalm,Ibumpedupthistitlefroma“maybesomeday”to“letmegetaholdofthatimmediately”inmyTBR.Anditdidnotdisappoint.Ithinkchangeofanysortstartswithobservingyourownbehaviorandevaluatingifit’sservingyou.InGretchen’scase,shedeterminedshewasn’tashappyasshethoughtshecouldbeandinstigatedaseriesofhappinessgoalsoverthecourseofayear.Eachmonthhadafocuswhereshereallydugintothewhy’sofhercurrentbehaviorandconstantlystrovetoimprove,trackingherprogressallthewhile.Myfavoritethingabouthermethodisthatit’snotaboutattainingperfectioninanyonecategory,it’saboutimplementingnewdailyhabitsthatovertimeadduptomeaningfulresults.It’smeanttobeincremental.Eventhetiniestchangecanhavelife-changingresultsinthelongrun.Ialsolikethatit’snotacookiecuttermethod.Eachpersoncomesupwiththeirowncategories.ManyofmyownpersonalgrowthgoalswerehighlightedinGretchen’sjourney,ofwhichIappreciated.Thebookisdefinitelyfront-loaded,wheremostofthebestideasandexperiencesareinthefirsthalf,buttherewerestillafewgoodmomentsthroughout(acoupleofherlatercategoriesgotalittletoomuchpagetimeformytastes,butthat’sasmalltrifle).Overall,thisbookgavemetheopportunitytorevampmylifegoals,alongwithaslightlydifferentlensthroughwhichtoexaminethem.Awin.Recommendations:Thebookismoreanexhibitionoftheauthor'slifeandherpersonalstrategiesfordealingwithherownspecificdeficienciesratherthanatypicalselfhelpbookthatgivesresearchandstepsonhowtoachievehappiness.Morecreativenon-fictionthanself-helpy.However,itgavemeagoodsourceofinspirationformyownpersonalgoalsandIfoundtheprocessshewentthroughreallyinteresting.Becauseofthat,Ilikedthebookmorethanmost(...atleastinrelationtothereviewsI'mreadingbelow).Expectationsbeforeventuringinareeverythingwiththistitle.MyPersonalHappinessProjectLittledidIknow,I’vebeenrunningmyownversionofthisforthepastcoupleofyears,onlywithoutthestructure.Icallitmy“ChasingJoy”objectivewhichentailsfiguringoutwhatactivitiesbringsmejoyandpackingmydayswithasmanyofthemaspossible.Herearethethings:1.Spendingmorequalitytimewithmykids.AndhavingmorepatiencewhenIdo.2.Beingcreativeeveryday.Crossstitching,scarfmaking,diamondarting,scrapbooking–allblissfulactivitiesforme.3.Memorykeeping.MuchlikeGretchen,I’vedecidedto“becomemyfamily’schampion”formemorykeeping.Ilovehowshephrasedthat–itgavemygoalalotmoreintention.4.Practicinglookinginternallyforvalidation.5.Lettinggoofcrazyperfectionism.I’mstillnotconvincedthisispossiblebutanyattentionandeffortwillonlyservemeinthelongrun.6.Strongerfocusonphysicalhealthwhichentailsworkingout,mealplanning,cooking,andselfcare.7.Strivingfordigitalminimalism.8.Workonreviewingeverydayandcontinuetoestablishastrongpresenceinthebookworld.9.Mentalhealthfocusofmeditating,journaling,AlAnonmeetings,dailyreaders,andwritingrawself-evaluationposts.10.Householdgoals.Decluttering,establishingroutines,andgettinghouseworkoutofthewayasefficientlyaspossiblesoIhavemoretimetoworkonotherjoyfulthings.Whatdoesyourprojectlooklike? ...more flag 22likes · Like  · seereview View2comments Dec08,2018 Rebecca ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: self-help, memoirs, year-challenges, bedside-book (4.5)Probablythebestself-helpbookI’veread;evenbetterthantheothertwoRubinbooksI’dread,whichhavethedistinctionofbeingtrulyhelpfulself-help.Ireadthisslowlyasabedsidebookoverthecourseofafewmonths,whichendedupbeingagreatchoicebecauseitallowedmetotakeinalotmoreofthecontent.Iwasn’treadingitforthenarrativeofRubin’sprojectyear,perse,butforherspecificfindings.Thebookisdense(inthebestpossibleway)withphilosophy,experi (4.5)Probablythebestself-helpbookI’veread;evenbetterthantheothertwoRubinbooksI’dread,whichhavethedistinctionofbeingtrulyhelpfulself-help.Ireadthisslowlyasabedsidebookoverthecourseofafewmonths,whichendedupbeingagreatchoicebecauseitallowedmetotakeinalotmoreofthecontent.Iwasn’treadingitforthenarrativeofRubin’sprojectyear,perse,butforherspecificfindings.Thebookisdense(inthebestpossibleway)withphilosophy,experienceandadvice.WhatIappreciatedmostisthatherapproachisnotaboutundertakingextremeactionstotrytoachievehappiness,butaboutfindingcontentmentinthelifeyoualreadyhavebyaddingortweakingsmallhabits–everythingfromkeepingaone-sentencegratitudejournaltoorganizingyourcloset.Likeme,Rubinisapessimistwhotendstobejudgmentalandirritableunlessshecurbshernaturalleanings.Sherealizedthatittakesalittlemoreefforttobehappybutisworthit.“It’seasiertocomplainthantolaugh,easiertoyellthantojokearound,easiertobedemandingthantobesatisfied.Keeping‘ahearttobecontented,’Iexpected,wouldhelpchangemyactions.”Iespeciallyvaluedthediscussionof“foghappiness”(activitiesthatmightnotseemfunatthetimebutwhenyoulookbackonarerewarding,likeparentingorhostingaparty)andtheideathatpursuinghappinessisn’tselfishbutinfactequipsyoutoactonbehalfofothersandbolstersyouagainstlife’sinevitabletragedies.IcouldseemyselfandothersIknowinalotofherexamples.Shetalksaboutbeingsuchaperfectionistthatshedoesn’toftenactthrilled,sosometimesshehastoforceherselftobedemonstrativeofherhappiness.IwasremindedofwhenIwasinmysenioryearofhighschoolandflewouttoCaliforniatospendmyspringbreakwithmysister.Ihadthetripofalifetime,butattheendshehadtoaskmeifI’dhadagoodtime–shecouldn’tactuallytell.“Ittakesenergy,generosity,anddisciplinetobeunfailinglylighthearted,yeteveryonetakesthehappypersonforgranted.”IthoughtaboutafamilymemberwhoI’veonlyeverseenupsetonce.Althoughshe’sexperiencedseveralterriblelossesinthelastfiveyearsorso,she’salwayscheerfulandthinkingofothers.MyonlyminorannoyancewiththebookisthewayRubinpresentsmanyofhertenets(e.g.her“TwelveCommandments,”“SecretsofAdulthood”and“SplendidTruths”)asafaitaccompliratherthanexplaininghowshearrivedatthem.I’dliketogobackthroughthebooknextyear,takingnotesanddecidinghowIcouldapplyherfindingstomylife. ...more flag 26likes · Like  · seereview Viewall3comments Jul20,2014 Kim ratedit likedit Shelves: rubbernecking, reference, perspicacious Idon’tknow.Ijustdon’tgetit.ForthebetterpartofmylifeIfeelthatI’veleanedtowardstheglasshalffull-lookatthebrightside-I’dliketoteachtheworldtosing-makelemonade-happyhappyjoyjoysideofthings.Readingthisbookmademefeeldoomed.Isnortedandharrumphedandtsk’dalotatherobservationsandhertruthsanditmademeUnhappy.Idon’tmuchcareforbooksthatdothat.Okay,let’sbackup.Iwasn’texpectingalifechangerhere.Ithoughtitwouldbeanecdotal, Idon’tknow.Ijustdon’tgetit.ForthebetterpartofmylifeIfeelthatI’veleanedtowardstheglasshalffull-lookatthebrightside-I’dliketoteachtheworldtosing-makelemonade-happyhappyjoyjoysideofthings.Readingthisbookmademefeeldoomed.Isnortedandharrumphedandtsk’dalotatherobservationsandhertruthsanditmademeUnhappy.Idon’tmuchcareforbooksthatdothat.Okay,let’sbackup.Iwasn’texpectingalifechangerhere.Ithoughtitwouldbeanecdotal,humorous,likemaybeAmySedaris-ishoratleastkitschyErmaBombeck-y…IthoughtImightfindalike-mindedsoul.Ididnot.Iwilltaketheblameforthis.Highexpectationsandcrap.Ishouldknowbetter.Plus,Ireallydon’tdowellwiththeself-helpykindofbooks.Theytendtoreadlike‘allornothing’and‘Iamtheexpert’.Thisbookdidn’tdothatbutitdidfeelalittlepreachy.However…andhereiswhereIamnotlikingmyselfandfeelingsortofhypocriticalandDebbiedownerish….I’mnotsurethatshequite…shedoesn’t…It’snot…Ugh.Okay.1. Sheiskindofprivileged.ShelivesinManhattanwithasane,functioning,providing,husbandandtwogiftedlittlegirlsandgettingto‘work’fromhome(IusequotesbecauseshegetstowriteandstuffalldayandshelovesthatandI’mnotdownplayingpeoplewhoachievetheirworknirvanaoranything,butIdon’tthinkshethinksit’sworkeither)2. Shehasthisawesomesupportsystemandlotsandlotsoffriends.Shegoestoparties.Idon’tthinkI’veeverbeentoaparty.Certainlynotasagrownup.3. Ikindoffeellikeshe’sthrowingitinmyface.Iknow,Iownthis.Sheisjusttryingtogetalittleappreciationandwarmfuzziesoutofherdaytodaylife(whichisalreadyprettytoasty).Iamamajorproponentinfindingyourhappyplace.Yourgleemonex(ifyouareaKidsintheHallfan).Ijustdon’tlikethewayshetellsitbecauseshemakesitfeellikesomuchwork.Becomeclutterfree,don’texpectretribution,exercisemore,sleepmore,meetnewfriends,writeanovelinamonth,indulgeyourself(modestly),lightenup,beseriousaboutplay,aimhigher,stopnagging,don’tgossip,findaspiritualmaster.Wow.Ihave18markedpagesofissuesthatIwantedtocounteract.That’snotgood.Ishouldn’tbejudginglikethat.But,scoringyourvirtues?AndtakingthiscuefromBenjaminFranklin?Idon’tknow.Thatseemssketchytome.Pg.18.“Wasitsupremelyself-centeredtospendsomucheffortonmyownhappiness?”Hellyes.Imean,I’msureothersbenefited,butifyoustartedtalkingabouthavingaplaydatetoclutterfreemycloset,I’mgoingtowanttopunchyouintheface.Pg.153“Itriedtoremembernottojudgepeopleharshly,especiallyonthefirstorsecondencounter.Theiractionsmightnotrevealtheirenduringcharacterbutinsteadreflectsomesituationtheyfindthemselvesin.Forbearanceisaformofgenerosity.”Doesn’tthatsoundsnotty?I’mnotsayingshe’swrong..IguessI’mjustpointingoutthatherlittlerealizationsmademeannoyed.Idon’twanttobeTHATperson.Pg.215:"Ittookmealongtimetoacceptthisperversefact—manypeopledon’twanttobehappyoratleastdon’twanttoseemhappy(andiftheyactasifthey’renothappy,they’renotgoingtofeelhappy).”Ugh.ShemakesmefeellikeoneofthosepeopleandIstartedthisbookthinkingI’dfindkin!NowI’mafrowning,furrowed,huffy,lipbiterwhoseesthebadinsteadofthegood.Yes,it’smybad.Isaidthatalready.Whydoesshehavetomakehappinesssoundsoexhausting?Igetit,weneedtobemoreawareofourblessingsorwhathaveyou.Gratitudejournalsarebigrightnow,dailytruths,calmblueoceans,yogaandcoloredskiesandMeyersBriggs,andparachutesandallthat.IcameacrossasitethatofferedPositiveAffirmations!(foraprice)‘Reminder:YoucanstillgrabThePositiveAffirmationsforLifeprogram(ThePositiveAffirmationforLifeprogramisa4-houraudioprogram,spanning7importantlifeseries(seebelow).Eachseriescontainsthree12-minutetracksinMP3formattoplayvirtuallyanywhere.PlusyougetaninstructionalguideandthecompleteaudiotranscriptsinPDFformat.Yougetimmediateaccesstotheentireproductuponpurchase.)Withmorethan4hoursofaudioaffirmationsfor7lifesituationsthatimpactyourhappinessandsuccessthemost.Youcanbuyyourveryownpositiveaffirmationwitha30daymoneybackguarantee.See,I’macynic.I’mgrumpyandIwanttoarguewithallherobservations.Iwanttokeepbuttinginsaying‘but,whatabout’,‘andifyouaren’tableto…’,‘really?’.Crud.Ihatemyself.ThingsIdidlearnfromthisbook:3secondhugsreleaseoxytocinordopamineorsomethingthatinducescalmness(IwishIwereabetterhugger).StudiesDOshowthatinstantgratificationisjustthat.Canyouimagineastudywherepeoplewentandputlikecoinsinapayphoneforotherpeopletofindtomaketheirday?Weird.Ican’tstartmyownhappinessprojectbecauseIwilljustmakemyselfmiserable. ...more flag 20likes · Like  · seereview Viewall6comments Aug04,2012 MC ratedit itwasok Atthestart,IwasveryenthusiastictoreadthisbookbutbythetimeIgothalfwaythrough,Iwasstillwaitingforthe"Eureka!"momentwhereitallseemedworthwhile.Itwasmostlyskippableandsomepartswerejustfrustrating(startingacollectionforthesakeofstartingacollection?Plugginginbirthdaysoffriends?Abithollow...).IsupposeIwasexpectingamorememoirapproachanditseemedmoreself-helpmanualthananythingelse.Dull. Atthestart,IwasveryenthusiastictoreadthisbookbutbythetimeIgothalfwaythrough,Iwasstillwaitingforthe"Eureka!"momentwhereitallseemedworthwhile.Itwasmostlyskippableandsomepartswerejustfrustrating(startingacollectionforthesakeofstartingacollection?Plugginginbirthdaysoffriends?Abithollow...).IsupposeIwasexpectingamorememoirapproachanditseemedmoreself-helpmanualthananythingelse.Dull. ...more flag 20likes · Like  · seereview View2comments «previous123456789…next» newtopicDiscussThisBook topics  posts  views  lastactivity    fun 1 2 Feb01,202207:18AM   YSU,Alumni,PLYM...: Jan25-YSUandPLYMCBookClub:TheHappinessProject 1 8 Jan12,202211:52AM   STARTBookClub: Book10:TheHappinessProject 1 9 Dec13,201907:25AM   MonroePublicLib...: Makeyourownhappiness 1 11 Sep16,201909:36AM   Moretopics... Share RecommendIt  |  Stats  |  RecentStatusUpdates Readersalsoenjoyed Seesimilarbooks… VideosAboutThisBook 1comment Morevideos... Genres Nonfiction 3,525users SelfHelp 1,876users Autobiography> Memoir 780users Psychology 485users SelfHelp> PersonalDevelopment 385users Audiobook 226users Inspirational 196users Biography 148users Adult 114users BookClub 109users Seetopshelves… AboutGretchenRubin GretchenRubin 69,413 followers IamtheauthorofNewYorkTimesbestsellersTheHappinessProject,HappieratHome,andBetterThanBefore,andTheFourTendencies.Mynewestbook, OuterOrder,InnerCalm ,isonsalenow.CuriousaboutTheFourTendencies?Findoutifyou'reanUpholder,Obliger,Questioner,orRebel(andhowtoharnessyourstrengths.TakethefreeFourTendenciesquiz.Ihaveapopular,award-winningpodca IamtheauthorofNewYorkTimesbestsellersTheHappinessProject,HappieratHome,andBetterThanBefore,andTheFourTendencies.Mynewestbook, OuterOrder,InnerCalm ,isonsalenow.CuriousaboutTheFourTendencies?Findoutifyou'reanUpholder,Obliger,Questioner,orRebel(andhowtoharnessyourstrengths.TakethefreeFourTendenciesquiz.Ihaveapopular,award-winningpodcast,HappierwithGretchenRubin(searchinyourfavoritepodcastapp)andablog(GretchenRubin.com),whereIwriteaboutmydailyadventuresinhappinessandhabit-formation.MypreviousbooksincludeabestsellingbiographyofWinstonChurchill,FortyWaystoLookatWinstonChurchill,andoneofJohnKennedy,FortyWaystoLookatJFK.Myfirstbook,PowerMoneyFameS..:AUser'sGuide,issocialcriticismintheguiseofauser'smanual.ProfaneWastewasacollaborationwithartistDanaHoey.I'vealsowrittenthreedreadfulnovelsthataresafelylockedawayinadrawer. ...more BooksbyGretchenRubin More… Articlesfeaturingthisbook5GreatBooksHittingShelvesThisWeek Needanotherexcusetotreatyourselftoanewbookthisweek?We'vegotyoucoveredwiththebuzziestnewreleasesoftheday. Tocreateour...Readmore...28likes·11comments QuotesfromTheHappinessPro... “Thebeliefthatunhappinessisselflessandhappinessisselfishismisguided.It'smoreselflesstoacthappy.Ittakesenergy,generosity,anddisciplinetobeunfailinglylighthearted,yeteveryonetakesthehappypersonforgranted.Nooneiscarefulofhisfeelingsortriestokeephisspiritshigh.Heseemsself-sufficient;hebecomesacushionforothers.Andbecausehappinessseemsunforced,thatpersonusuallygetsnocredit.” — 694likes “Thedaysarelong,buttheyearsareshort.” — 433likes Morequotes… Welcomeback.JustamomentwhilewesignyouintoyourGoodreadsaccount.