Gretchen Rubin's Blog, page 252

P.S. How To Get Your "Happiness Project" Fix While I'm on Vacation.

Warning: Blatant self-promotion! It just occurred to me to say -- I'm taking a week's vacation, but if you want to read about happiness in the meantime, please consider my book, The Happiness Project (on the New York Times bestseller list for months, including hitting #1).

"Um, why should I buy your book," some people have asked, "when I can read the blog for free?" Other people have asked, more delicately, "I read your blog regularly, so isn't reading the book just more of the same?" Here...

Take a Vacation. Not a Change of Scenery, a Vacation.

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 own happiness project.

I'm leaving for vacation with my family today. I thought about trying to post here throughout next week -- I've often posted during a vacation -- but I decided, no. Given the technology these days, it's tempting to...

"I'm Much Happier If I Can Achive a Flow State for Part of Each Day. But This Requires Shutting Off My Email."

Happiness interview: Paul Bloom.

I recently read Paul Bloom's new book, How Pleasure Works: The New Science of Why We Like What We Like. It's an absolutely fascinating look at pleasure and why we feel it. The relationship between pleasure and happiness -- what it ought to be, and what it actually is -- is one of the most complex issues within the larger subject of happiness. So I was very eager to hear what Paul had to say.

Gretchen: What do you see as the difference between happiness and...

5 Tips for Happiness Inspired by a Family Vacation.

Every Wednesday is Tip Day.

My college roommate was a dedicated journal-keeper. She once told me, "Every once in a while I have a big insight into myself, or have a major epiphany about life. The thing is, when I look back in my journals, I realize that I had exactly the same idea a few years ago -- but I forgot it."

I feel the same way; it's hard to remember the lessons I've learned. For that reason, because I'm...

Video: Abandon a Fun Project.

2010 Happiness Challenge: For those of you following the 2010 Happiness Project Challenge, to make 2010 a happier year – and even if you haven't officially signed up for the challenge -- this month's theme is Fun. Last week's focus was Make time for fun--even if you have to schedule it like a dentist's appointment. Did you try to follow that resolution? Did it help to boost your happiness?

This week's resolution is to Abandon a fun project. I realized that a source of clutter in my...

"The Best Way Out Is Always Through."

The best way out is always through.
--Robert Frost

One of my personal koans.

* I was interested by this article about color, happiness, and depression: Different colors describe happiness vs

* Are you reading The Happiness Project with a group? I've prepared a one-page discussion guide for book groups, as well as a guide tailored for church groups, spirituality book group, and the like. If you'd like either discussion guide (or both!), email me at grubin at gretchenrubin dot...

Throw Away Other People's Trash, or, How to Boost Your Self-Esteem

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 own happiness project.

The subject of self-esteem is a topic that has generated a fair amount of controversy over the last few decades, but one thing seems clear: you don't get healthy self-esteem from constantly telling yourself how great...

"Decide What You Want or Need to Do, and Then Do It With All Your Power."

Happiness interview with Chris Yeh.

I was e-introduced to Silicon Valley investor and entrepreneur Chris Yeh by my online-then-real-life friend Jackie Danicki.

Chris has been building Internet businesses since 1995 (which, if I recall correctly, was about the time that I actually used the Internet for the first time). He's the VP Marketing for PBWorks, the world's leading provider of hosted collaboration solutions, and he played a role in starting many other Internet companies. He has two...

12 Tips for Getting Regular Exercise -- and the Benefits for Happiness and Fitness.

Every Wednesday is Tip Day.

Exercise is a KEY to happiness. Research shows that people who exercise are healthier, more energetic, think more clearly, sleep better, and have delayed onset of dementia. They get relief from anxiety and mild depression. They perform better at work.

Also, although it's tempting to flop down on the couch when you're feeling exhausted, exercise is actually a great way to boost energy levels...

Video: Make Time for Fun. Even If You Have To Schedule It Like a Dentist's Appointment.

2010 Happiness Challenge: For those of you following the 2010 Happiness Project Challenge, to make 2010 a happier year – and even if you haven't officially signed up for the challenge -- This month's theme is Fun. Fun may sound frivolous, but people who regularly have fun are much more likely to describe themselves as happy. Last week's resolution was to Find some fun. Did you try to follow that resolution? Did it help to boost your happiness?

This week's resolution is to Make time for fun.

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