Gretchen Rubin's Blog, page 270

Under-React to a Problem.

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 have hundreds of resolutions for my happiness project, and I love hearing other people's ideas for resolutions -- which is one reason I'm addicted to checking out the Happiness Project Toolbox. I've adopted...

Happiness Is…A Great Book Event in Kansas City.

Last night, my book tour took me to Kansas City, and I loved being in my home town, even just for one night.

The event was co-sponsored by the Kansas City Public Library and Rainy Day Books, and it was tons of fun. It made me especially happy to be speaking at the Plaza branch, a place that played a huge role in my childhood. The building has been renovated, so the familiar downstairs children's room, with its distinctive, wonderful smell, is gone…I remember so well the first few times...

Eight Tips for Maintaining Friendships

Every Wednesday is Tip Day.

Ancient philosophers and scientists agree: strong social ties are a KEY to happiness. You need close, long-term relationships; you need to be able to confide in others; you need to belong; you need to get and give support. Studies show that if you have five or more friends with whom to discuss an important matter you're far more likely to describe yourself as "very happy." Not only does having strong...

Happiness is...a Great Visit in Washington, D.C.

I had a great time in Washington, D.C. I've lived in DC for several years, at various points, so driving around the city gave me the chance to catch sight of many places that were important to me at different times.

It was even more thrilling to see so many people at the Borders at Friendship Heights (Booeymongers!) last night -- plus I got to see friends from college, my college roommate's mother, a former boss, a family friend, friends from law school, a blogland friend...the day had a...

The Prospect of Leaving Home Makes Me Appreciate It More.

Last night I boarded the train from New York City to Washington, D.C., and so began my ten-day book tour. I'm thrilled to be getting to do a book tour – they're increasingly rare – and I'm looking forward to making the stops along the way, but the prospect of being away from home had me feeling anxious and sad.

I've never been away for my daughters for ten days, and for that matter, I'm not sure that I've ever been away from my husband for ten straight days. My trip will take me through...

"Not a Few Scattered Pleasures, But...Happy on the Whole Amount."

"The important question is not, what will yield to man a few scattered pleasures, but what will render his life happy on the whole amount."

* I was very excited to be mentioned in this TODAY segment about "Banishing winter blues -- steps to simple happiness." Writer Sarah Bernard is talking about the New York magazine piece about Fifty Steps to Simple Happiness, which included my suggestion, "Make your bed."

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the...

Make the Positive Argument.

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.

At the suggestion of the brilliant Bob Sutton on Work Matters, I read David Dunning's book, Self-Insight: Roadblocks and Detours on the Path to Knowing Thyself.

One passage jumped out at me:

"[People:] can argue...

Happiness Is...a Great Visit in Boston.

I had such a great time on my trip to Boston. For all of you who came to the reading at the Brookline Booksmith -- thanks for coming! -- especially if you had to stand on the stairs or sit on the floor. And I'm so sorry the store didn't have room for everyone. We weren't expecting such a great turn-out! It was wonderful.

Just before the event started, I found out the The Happiness Project will stay on the New York Times bestseller list for its second week, still at #2! Thrilling!

Also, while...

Fourteen Tips for Getting More Sleep -- and Why It Matters.

Every Wednesday is Tip Day.

Since I started my happiness project, I've become more and more convinced of the importance of sleep to happiness. That's why I proposed "Get more sleep" as the very first resolution of the 2010 Happiness Challenge (see the video here). Many researchers argue that not getting enough sleep has broad health consequences, such as raising your risk for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and even...

If You Had Trouble with the TODAY Show Link...

Not to keep going on about the Today show, but some people have asked for a different link to the interview, because the one I gave didn't work for them.

Here's a better link. It includes the interview, and even better, the little story about my daughter: