The Happiness Project

Farewell, Slate Readers! Come Visit Me at The Happiness Project Blog.

Gretchen Rubin — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:52:00 GMT

Well, today is the last day of 2009, so it’s my last day here on Slate . My year’s stint is up, and my book, The Happiness Project , has just been published, so it’s time to say farewell. It has been so much fun being part of Slate —this terrific site...(read more)

Why Is It Hard to Know What You Find Fun? Why Does It Matter?

Gretchen Rubin — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:26:00 GMT

Why, I often wonder, is it so hard to Be Gretchen and to know what I find fun? I’d think that nothing would be more obvious to me than my own nature, but it’s a constant challenge to be myself. Other people have told me that they also find it difficult...(read more)

More Tips about Making and Keeping New Year's Resolutions Than You Could Want

Gretchen Rubin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:27:00 GMT

Every Wednesday is Tip Day. This Wednesday: More tips about making and keeping resolutions than you could want. In 2009, the top three resolutions made by Americans were: - Losing weight (20 percent) - Quitting smoking (16 percent) - Spending less (12...(read more)

Today My Book Hits the Shelves

Gretchen Rubin — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:27:00 GMT

I can’t believe that I’m writing these words, at last: today is the publication day for my book . As of today, it’s out in the world, available for sale at bookstores near you. It seems like so long ago that I sat on that crowded bus, on a rainy afternoon,...(read more)

Decide Now To Make 2010 a Happier Year

Gretchen Rubin — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:39:00 GMT

It’s the last week of 2009, and the new year begins on Friday—a great time to make some resolutions. About forty-four percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions; there’s something about that fresh year stretching out in the future that makes it...(read more)

"Like a Boy Playing on the Seashore"

Gretchen Rubin — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 01:16:00 GMT

“I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay...(read more)

Ten Tips for an Emergency Energy Boost

Gretchen Rubin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 11:40:00 GMT

Every Wednesday is Tip Day. This Wednesday: Ten tips for an emergency energy boost. When your energy level is low, everything feels like a chore -- even things would ordinarily make you happy. Holiday time can be draining, with lots of shopping, cooking,...(read more)

More Paradoxes of Happiness: I Desire To Not Want

Gretchen Rubin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:35:00 GMT

One of my Secrets of Adulthood (cribbed from Niels Bohr) is "The opposite of a great truth is also true." As I’ve worked on my happiness project, I’ve recognized many paradoxes . In Marc Lesser’s book Less: Accomplishing More by Doing Less , I read a...(read more)

"Energy Is Eternal Delight"

Gretchen Rubin — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 12:59:00 GMT

"Energy is eternal delight."—William Blake * The folks at Drinking Diaries did an interview with me about the relationship between drinking and happiness. Very thought-provoking questions. * Interested in starting your own happiness project? If you’d...(read more)

Jump!

Gretchen Rubin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:40:00 GMT

I’m working on my Happiness Project, and you could have one, too ! Everyone’s project will look different, but it’s the rare person who can’t benefit. Join in—no need to catch up, just jump in right now. Each Friday’s post will help you think about your...(read more)

I'm Extremely Happy Because...

Gretchen Rubin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:34:00 GMT

I'm extremely happy because my sister had her baby last night! A boy. Here she is, a week ago, courtesy of Sarah Fain Has Starfish Envy , talking about the upcoming event . My sister lives in Los Angeles, a long way from New York, but fortunately I'll...(read more)

Five Tips for Planning Effective New Year’s Resolutions.

Gretchen Rubin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:23:00 GMT

Forty-four percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, and I know I always do. I’m more inclined to make resolutions than ever, in fact, because if my happiness project has convinced me of anything, it has convinced me that resolutions – made right...(read more)

Does Everyone Need a Theme Song? Come On, Get Happy.

Gretchen Rubin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:26:00 GMT

Because I literally cannot resist this call to happiness, here is the “Come On, Get Happy” theme song from The Partridge Family television show. I sat grinning away as I listened to it. If you need it, here’s the link . And speaking of getting happier,...(read more)

In Which Holiday Decorating Reminds Me of Several Happiness Lessons

Gretchen Rubin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:27:00 GMT

I recently put up our holiday decorations, and as I was doing it, I was reminded of several important happiness lessons. 1. I love my husband, just as he is . One of the challenges of a happiness project is accepting your own nature—and also your sweetheart’s...(read more)

"Do Not Spoil What You Have By Desiring What You Have Not..."

Gretchen Rubin — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 13:56:00 GMT

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things only hoped for.” --Epicurus * I'm a longtime fan of Ben Casnocha's blog , but I just discovered his Business Rules of Thumb Wiki ....(read more)

Don’t Try to Keep That Resolution, Part II

Gretchen Rubin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 08:45:00 GMT

Two Things that Make Me Happy Today.

Gretchen Rubin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:41:00 GMT

As I approach the publication day of my book (oh, did I forget to mention it? December 29 ), two things have made me happy. First, I’m scheduled to go on the Today show on Friday, January 8. Very exciting! I did the Today show for my first book, Power...(read more)

Four Tips for Using the Abstainer/Moderator Split in the Face of Holiday Temptations

Gretchen Rubin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:16:00 GMT

Every Wednesday is Tip Day. This Wednesday: 4 tips for using the abstainer/moderator split to fight holiday temptations. Ah, the holidays. If you’re a person who is trying to withstand temptations, it can be very tough. Everywhere you go, you face cookies,...(read more)

“Toast, Tea, and To-Do Lists”

Gretchen Rubin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:38:00 GMT

From time to time, I post short interviews with interesting people about their insights on happiness. During my study of happiness, I’ve noticed that I often learn more from one person’s highly idiosyncratic experiences than I do from sources that detail...(read more)

I’ve Waited Three Years to Write This Post. Plus a Freebie!

Gretchen Rubin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:23:00 GMT

I started this blog in March 2006. I didn’t intend to become a blogger, at all; I considered myself (and still consider myself) a traditional writer of books. Starting a blog was the way I chose to test the proposition that novelty and challenge make...(read more)