March Book Review- The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

For our first book we decided to read The Happiness Project. I have wanted to read this book since the first time I heard about it in 2011. I have to admit I had not heard much about it other than its name and that it was a bestseller.  The name intrigued me, not because I was unhappy but because I thought what could a “happiness project” entail?

As I started reading this book, all I could think of was all the people who I thought would enjoy and appreciate the book. Not only is it an easy read (which for me, means a lot), but it speaks to many of our common procrastinations and feelings. Speaking of feelings, mine ranged from anxiety to joy. While I read Gretchen Rubin’s bit on re-organizing I was in bed and about to go to sleep, I could not fall asleep because all I could think about were all the things I needed to do around the house but have been putting off.  The very next day after work I came home and organized a pile of paper I had been putting off for months. I felt much better about myself and continued to read that night, feeling much less anxious.

Some of her monthly goals were obviously different than mine would be as I am in a much different place in my life but even when I couldn't quite relate I still could usually find a connection and at the very least it made me think.

For example, I think I do plenty of fun things every week, and do not have a hard time listing activities that I think are fun; however her chapter on bringing more fun into her life made me think outside the box and think of things I LOVE to do but maybe don’t always make time for.

 Rubin keeps it all very relatable and as much as this project is about her, it becomes about us. With all the steps she takes throughout her year experiment, whether I agreed with them or not, the book still constantly made me think about my life and how I wish to improve it.

I hope that this inspires you to pick up a copy at the library or to go buy it from a used book store.