The Happiness Project – A Review

Today, in lieu of the regular weekly meal plan post, I am linking my review of the book The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin with Cait’s Cozy Corner.  I discovered that Cait chose this as her monthly book pick while I was in the middle of re-reading it.  Yes guys, I was doing a rare re-read of a book.  According to goodreads, I first read The Happiness Project back in 2012 and rated the book five stars.  Fast forward almost four years later and I am still giving this book five stars.  As many of you know, this year, I chose “happy” as my one little word for the year.  I’ve really been trying to focus on adding more happiness to my life.  I thought it fitting to do a re-read of The Happiness Project.

When I chose “happy” for my word of the year, I felt similar to Rubin’s sentiments for her happiness project, “I am happy – but I’m not as happy as I should be.  I have such a good life, I want to appreciate it more – and live up to it better…..”

In this book, Rubin spends a year dedicated to trying to be happier.  Each month she focuses on a different aspect of her life to “work” on gaining more happiness including marriage, parenting, work, leisure and mindfulness.  She also includes five targets each month that will hopefully help her in reaching that particular happiness goal.  For example, in January, her happiness goal is to “Boost Energy.”  She aims to do this by going to sleep earlier, exercising better, declutter and organizing, tackling a nagging task and acting more energetic.  Rubin includes research and anecdotes to support her efforts.

In my own focus on happiness, decluttering & organizing and exercising are some of my own goals, so I could relate to this book just from reading the first chapter.  I don’t feel like there are many books that I have to or want to own.  However, this is a book that I plan on buying myself a copy of.  Rubin provides so much useful information and takeaways that it’s hard to digest and take everything in in one reading.   Plus, it’s inspirational in starting my own Happiness Project.  Many others must feel the same way, as many Happiness Project Groups have formed and Rubin offers a Happiness Project Toolbox Website to assist readers with their Happiness Projects.

If you are a Rubin fan like myself, I highly recommend listening to her Happier podcast and reading her other books Happier at Home (where she focuses on making her home a happier place) and Better Than Before (where she focuses on habits).

As if you couldn’t already tell, I highly recommend this book.  I think everyone can take away something from this book and we can all use a little more “happy” in our lives!