From the Bookshelf of The Reading Challenge Group…

The Happiness Project

Gretchen Rubin

Start date: October 1, 2016

Finish date: October 31, 2016

Discussion: Group Read Archive 2014-16

Why we're reading this: Alternate Group Read (Non-Fiction) - October 2016
[close] Alternate Group Read (Non-Fiction) - October 2016

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Group Read Archive 2014-16

Genre Group Read (Humour) - December 2016 - You Are Not So Smart
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last updated Dec 28, 2016 04:05PM

Alternate Group Read (Classics) - December 2016 - Mansfield Park
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last updated Dec 04, 2016 09:34AM

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What Members Thought

Oct 11, 2014 Mickey rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A happiness project is an attempt to incorporate new habits or responses into your life in order to make it happier. I like the deliberateness and reflectiveness that Gretchen Rubin displayed in this book. Some of her attempts worked for her, and some did not. She was very vocal that happiness projects are heavily individual undertakings, even to the point of noting many times the contradictory nature of much of the advice. Given this element, I'm surprised at the amount of vitriol that some of A happiness project is an attempt to incorporate new habits or responses into your life in order to make it happier. I like the deliberateness and reflectiveness that Gretchen Rubin displayed in this book. Some of her attempts worked for her, and some did not. She was very vocal that happiness projects are heavily individual undertakings, even to the point of noting many times the contradictory nature of much of the advice. Given this element, I'm surprised at the amount of vitriol that some of the other reviewers have against the author for being wealthy and making statements that anything she said could not possibly help them in their lives. That's saddening. My life does not resemble hers very much in any respects, but I learned a lot from her book. She is simply tweaking things in her life while I am in the process of a major overhaul. There were still many interesting and worthwhile aspects of her journey that I will take with me.

I found her to be brutally honest about her faults and inclinations, which made it easier for me to make a clear assessment of myself. I liked how she planned it out. I even like how she resisted trendy remedies like meditation (which I'm trying). It makes it feel less staged. She has an interesting point of view and I enjoyed listening to her thought processes and assessments on the amount and type of progress she made. I especially appreciated her view on finding what really brings you happiness, as opposed to what you think should make you happy. Like this excerpt:

A while back, a friend with three children mentioned to me, "On the weekends, I like a day when we spend at least two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon playing outside."

"On the weekends, I answered, "I like a day when we all lie around reading in our pajamas until after lunch." True- but I felt bad about it. Why? Why did I think her inclinations were superior? Why do I feel guilty for lying around, "just reading"? Probably because that's what comes naturally to me. I wish I were different, that I had a wider range of interests. But I don't.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who is looking to really become happier in their lives, Although there is an element of self improvement, there is also a lot of learning who you are and what would make you happy, which I think is a good approach. ...more

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Oct 13, 2016 Cindy (BKind2Books) rated it really liked it

Shelves: featherweight-challenge, nf-challenge

I liked this book - it is a little gimmicky but I found a lot to take away from the author's exploration of happiness. She does state that she was not particularly unhappy and yet she takes a year to see if she can improve her life. She is also upfront that this is not to belittle or demean those fighting depression or other serious issues. She is definitely not deprived or struggling with huge life issues (illness, poverty, unemployment) but there's still much to be gleaned from this.

I liked he ...more

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Nov 04, 2017 Talyah rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: self-help-care, reference, audiobook, read-in-2017, inspirational, non-fiction, psychology, plan-to-reread, lets-get-physical

The Happiness Project has been on my wishlist for quite awhile, but then I saw a few negative reviews and pushed it back. Anyways, it came about that I got it on Audible and was pleasantly suprised. It was nice to listen to something positive and inspirational on my drives.
When I realized how much I liked Gretchen Rubin, was excited to learn that she had other books out. I promptly downloaded Happier at Home: Kiss More, Jump More, Abandon a Project, Read Samuel Johnson, and My Other Experiments ...more

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Nov 04, 2014 Kim Chatto rated it it was amazing

Gretchen challenges herself with monthly goals that culminate to a year of focusing on what is her happiness. I loved the book and its formatting. One of my favorite concepts was the idea "Be Gretchen," or in the simplest of terms always be yourself. She would identify the problems in her life that caused unhappiness and then find a solution. She also was honest with herself when things were not working. Highly recommend this book! ...more

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Oct 22, 2017 NzingaMarie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I loved this book! I appreciate that the author focused on changing her life without going through drastic measures. It makes it easier for your everyday person to try a Happiness Project of their own with universal steps and ideas (thanks to all of the great resources included in the book). I appreciate the entire concept that little things make a difference. I look forward to attempting a Happiness Project of my own :)

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