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The Happiness Project: Or Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun

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'The Happiness Project' by Gretchen Rubin follows the author's year-long experiment in trying to incorporate more happiness into her life. Rubin adopts resolutions each month, accounts for how successful she is, and at the end of the year determines that the project has been a success for her. primarily serves as her journal of the year, but also includes references to research in the area, philosophers' definitions of happiness, and related material. Rubin's writing style is described as chatty, thoughtful, and easygoing, making it a lovely read for anyone seeking self-actualization in life.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is conversational and humorous, blending personal anecdotes with scientific research to engage readers.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot follows the author's journey over a year to enhance her happiness through various monthly themes and resolutions, incorporating personal experiences and research findings.

Setting:

The setting takes place in New York City over the course of one year, reflecting seasonal changes in both the author's life and her happiness journey.

Pacing:

The pacing is organized by monthly themes, allowing for structured exploration of different aspects of happiness.
One day, I’d stop twisting my hair, and wearing running shoes all the time, and eating exactly the same food every day. I’d remember my friends’ birthdays, I’d learn Photoshop, I wouldn’t let my daugh...

Notes:

The Happiness Project is a memoir by Gretchen Rubin about her year-long quest to increase her happiness.
Rubin based her research on psychological studies concerning happiness.
The book breaks down her project by month, with each month focusing on a different theme.
Studies cited in the book indicate that genetics play a large role in overall happiness.
One interesting finding is that spending time with women is more likely to increase happiness for both genders.
A common theme is that material wealth only accounts for a small portion of happiness, with relationships and perception being more significant.
Rubin discovered that sleeping more could boost happiness more than a large pay raise.
The book emphasizes that happiness is subjective and individual, so what works for one might not work for another.
Rubin's personal commandments, like 'Be Gretchen,' emphasize the importance of being true to oneself as a path to happiness.
Rubin also discusses the concept of 'Secrets of Adulthood,' which includes practical maxims for everyday life.

From The Publisher:

#1 New York Times Bestseller

"An enlightening, laugh-aloud read. . . . Filled with open, honest glimpses into [Rubin's] real life, woven together with constant doses of humor." -Christian Science Monitor

Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. "The days are long, but the years are short," she realized. "Time is passing, and I'm not focusing enough on the things that really matter." In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project.

In this lively and compelling account-now updated with new material by the author-Rubin chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. Among other things, she found that novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness; that money can help buy happiness, when spent wisely; that outer order contributes to inner calm; and that the very smallest of changes can make the biggest difference.

· An extensive new interview with the author

· Stories of other people's life-changing happiness projects

· A resource guide to the dozens of free resources created for readers

· The Happiness Project Manifesto

· An excerpt from Gretchen Rubin's bestselling book The Four Tendencies: The Indispensable Personality Profiles that Reveal How to Make Your Life Better (and Other People's Lives Better, Too)

Ratings (8)

Loved It (5)
It Was OK (1)
Did Not Like (1)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (21):

Read It (8)
Want To Read (11)
Not Interested (2)
 
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