Gretchen Rubin's Blog, page 261

Video: Take a Quiz -- How Mindful Are You?

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 upfor the challenge -- last month's focus was Money. Last week's resolution was to Spend out. Did you try to follow that resolution? Did it help to boost your happiness?

This month's theme is Mindfulness. Mindfulness can bring many benefits. It brings clarity and vividness to present experience. It may help people end unhealthy...

Thinking about Teasing -- Something I've Never Thought Much About.

Because I saw it recommended in a post on Bob Sutton's great blog, Work Matters, I picked up a copy of David Dunning's book, Self-Insight: Roadblocks and Detours on the Path to Knowing Thyself.

It's a fascinating book, but I keep thinking about one passage, in particular:

"People commonly tease each other, but it appears that people who are teased misunderstand the intentions of the person doing the teasing. Often, teasing is done in a spirit of affection and playfulness, and teasers attempt...

"Natural Inclinations Are Assisted...By Education, But They Are Hardly Ever Altered or Overcome."

"Natural inclinations are assisted and reinforced by education, but they are hardly ever altered or overcome."

Do you agree or disagree? I agree, and I think about this quotation all the time, usually in the context of making decisions about my children's time -- that's why, in the end, I let my daughter quit Tae Kwon Do, instead of making her stick to it.

* Shameless plug: Mothers' Day is May 9 -- please consider giving the gift of The Happiness Project! Remember that old...

"Natual Inclinations Are Assisted...By Education, But They Are Hadly Ever Altered or Overcome."

"Natural inclinations are assisted and reinforced by education, but they are hardly ever altered or overcome."

Do you agree or disagree? I agree, and I think about this quotation all the time, usually in the context of making decisions about my children's time -- that's why, in the end, I let my daughter quit Tae Kwon Do, instead of making her stick to it.

* Shameless plug: Mothers' Day is May 9 -- please consider giving the gift of The Happiness Project! Remember that old...

I Was on the Today Show This Morning!

This morning, Ann Curry interviewed me and Dr. Ian Smith on the Today show. Very exciting!

Ann Curry interviewed me back in January, when The Happiness Project first came out (here's that video). I really enjoyed doing that segment, so I was very happy to be speaking to her again -- and a lot more relaxed.

Ian Smith has a new book out, Happy: Simple Steps to Get the Most Out of Life, so he talked about the science of happiness, and I talked about strategies people might try to be happier in...

Want to Feel Happier? Listen to a Favorite Song.

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.

Research demonstrates – and everyday experience confirms – that one of the simplest, easiest ways to boost your mood and your energy is to listen to your favorite upbeat music. Music can have an enormous influence on...

"Weekend Brunch, Taking Inventory, Mastery -- and Not Rushing."

Happiness interview: Scott Belsky.

I've "known" Scott Belsky on the internet for years, because we're both part of the fabulous LifeRemix network—"great writing about great lives." But even though we both live in New York City, we'd never met in person until this year at the SXSW Interactive conference. It was so much fun actually to speak face to face.

Scott is the founder and CEO of Behance, a company on a mission to empower and organize the creative world. He has a new book, Making Ideas...

Quiz: Is the Design of Your Office Space Making You Happy? Or Driving You Crazy?

Every Wednesday is Tip Day—or quiz day.

Of all the books I've read in the last few years, few have made a deeper impression on me than A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction. This strange, brilliant, fascinating book uses architecture, sociology, psychology, and anthropology to describe the most satisfying architectural environments.

Instead of talking about familiar architectural styles and elements...

Quiz: Is the Design of Your Office Space Making Your Happy?

Every Wednesday is Tip Day—or quiz day.

Of all the books I've read in the last few years, few have made a deeper impression on me than A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction. This strange, brilliant, fascinating book uses architecture, sociology, psychology, and anthropology to describe the most satisfying architectural environments.

Instead of talking about familiar architectural styles and elements...

Video: Spend Out.

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 focus is Money.

Last week's resolution was actually a quiz: Are you an over-buyer or an under-buyer? Did you recognize yourself in either of those categories? Did the quiz help you identify steps you could take to boost your happiness? (I bought three bottles of saline solution, in one purchase! A big step for me.)

This...