The Happiness Project

I received great feedback after my last post, so I decided to follow up! I was so amazed by how many of you felt the same way- especially during the winter. One of my readers recommended the book, The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. I ordered it on my iPad right away and got to reading.


While the idea of a happiness project is not unique to Rubin, she took a different approach. Her goal was to change her life without really changing her life. She wanted to find happiness in her existing life. Many of you have read, or at least heard of, Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. In her quest for happiness, she moves to Italy, India and Indonesia. This is not a realistic approach to happiness for many people- especially when you have small children. Because of this, I found the idea of Rubin's journey especially inspiring.

The idea behind it is this: Rubin conducted extensive research in the science of happiness. She studied everyone from Plato to Oprah. She then made resolutions each month, for a whole year, in an attempt to increase her happiness. She examined many different areas of her life to find happiness: energy, marriage, work, friendship, money, parenthood and others. Throughout her journey she discovers certain truths about herself that will allow her to increase happiness in her daily life- both during and after her happiness project.

I really enjoyed the book, and found that just reading it lifted my spirits a bit. I was able to realize all I had to be thankful for and keep a positive attitude more easily. This book came at just the right time too. I was reading it while I was stuck inside with three kids for over a week because of all the snow! In what would have normally been a painstaking a complaint filled week, I was able to make it fun and enjoy the special time I had with my kiddos. My husband even noticed that I didn't complain once!

After reading the book, I have decided to start my own happiness project. I am going to start in March and carry it on for the remainder of 2011. I think it will be a great way to examine what really makes me happy. And, as everyone out there know, "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!" The project will not only benefit my happiness, but that of my whole family and everyone around me. Happiness is contagious, and I would love to spread that around!

I will not turn this blog into a happiness project blog, but I might be doing a few more posts on happiness and my progress as I go along. I have turned into a bit of a happiness junky lately- I ordered a heap of self-help books, and relate so many things in life to happiness. I can't help but talk about it, because everyone could benefit from being a little bit happier!

Have a great day and enjoy the sunshine!!