Gretchen Rubin's Blog, page 280

Six Tips for Coping with the Fact that You've Forgotten Someone's Name.

"You Don't Have to Live Your Life the Way Other People Expect You To."

From time to time, I post short interviews with interesting people about their insights on happiness. During my research, I've noticed that I often learn more from one person's highly idiosyncratic experiences than I do from sources that detail universal principles or cite up-to-date studies.

Chris Guillebeau has a terrific blog, The Art of Non-Conformity, "unconventional strategies for life, work, and travel." For example, one of the unconventional goals he has set for himself: to try to...

If I Came to Your Town, Would You Come See Me?

As I may have casually mentioned once or twice before, I have a book coming out in December. Yes, it's true!

Although it's still very early, it's time to think about the book tour. Although we're all familiar with the idea of author appearances at local bookstores, writers are doing far, far less touring than they did in the past. It's expensive, and for the most part, it's an ineffective way of shining a spotlight on a book. Most books just don't draw a crowd of any size at all, and often...

A Resolution I Bet You've Never Tried: Tweeting "The Waves."

I have a new (highly specific and quite idiosyncratic) happiness-project resolution, "Use Twitter to send out a daily quotation from Virginia Woolf's brilliant novel, The Waves."

I'm haunted by a line from Carl Jung, "The creative mind plays with the objects it loves." I often feel this way when I read or see a work of art that I love – I want to enter into it, play with it, make something with it, myself. But that's often a frustrating impulse, because I can't think of a way to enter...

"We Feel More Satisfied...If We Have Stirred Up Our Minds."

here or email me at grubin, then the "at" sign, then...

Watch Me on CBS News Talking about Quick Ways to Boost Happiness.

I can never bear to see myself on video, so I haven't watched this myself, but I had a lot of fun talking about "tried and tested ways to find happiness" on the CBS News show "Up to the Minute." I talk about the simple, everyday kinds of things that can boost happiness.

Watch CBS Videos Online

Sheesh.

* In case watching the interview makes you think, "Holy cow, I better make sure I order Gretchen's book right this minute!" here's the pre-order link.

Why "Having a Mission" Can Make You Happier.

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.

Writer Jean Stafford scoffed, "Happy people don't need to have fun," but in fact, studies show that the absence of feeling bad isn't enough to make you feel good; you must strive to find sources of feeling good...

Ten Tips for Getting Along with Your Mother-In-Law.

Every Wednesday is Tip Day.

I'm extremely lucky with fate as it relates to my mother-in-law and father-in-law. We get along very well, which is fortunate, because we live right around the corner from my in-laws, and I mean right around the corner. You don't even have to cross the street; one lone skinny townhouse separates our apartment buildings. I see my in-laws many times each month.

Obviously...

"The Internet Is Both My Lifeline and the Plastic Bag Over My Head."

From time to time, I post short interviews with interesting people about their insights on happiness. During my research, I've noticed that I often learn more from one person's highly idiosyncratic experiences than I do from sources that detail universal principles or cite up-to-date studies.

My friend Marci Alboher is a massive connector. She seems to know everyone, and she loves making introductions. She introduced Manisha Thakor and me (virtually) because we have a major interest in common...

Twilight, Team Jacob, Simone Weil, and "Real Good."

I'm a huge fan of Twilight (books and movie) -- a fact about myself that continues to fascinate and puzzle me. Because of my fandom, I spend a little more time reading Twilight-related internet stuff than is strictly efficient.

So one Friday afternoon when I should've been working, I was reading about the Twilight panel at Comic-Con, and to my surprise, I found myself hit by a moment of elevation – the exhilarating happy pleasure roused by the spectacle of virtue.

This feeling was inspired by...