I don’t read many books that would fall into the category of “self help”. I read lots of fiction, some business non-fiction and books about organization and time management. But self help, not so much. Not that there’s anything wrong with the genre, it just hasn’t been my bag.
Which is why, for a while, I resisted Gretchen Rubin’s “The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun”. I’d mis-categorized it in my mind. It’s not really self help at all. It’s a very personal story of Gretchen spending one year trying different methods of increasing her “happiness”. Not an easy goal, but an interesting one.
The thing is, Gretchen is a Penelope. BIG time.
I was hooked on her book when I read this line:
She says, with her Happiness Project, “I wanted to perfect my character, but, given my nature, that would probably involve charts, deliverables, to-do lists, new vocabulary terms and compulsive note taking.”
I get that, don’t you?
I flew through this book, taking from it several nuggets of interest, including some really useful, concrete ways to increase happiness in my marriage, in my role as Mom and in my blog. Good stuff and all written in Gretchen’s friendly, authentic voice. She feels like someone I could have coffee with, you know?
Given how much I love this book, you can imagine how excited I was when Gretchen agreed not only to send me a copy of the book to give away on the site, but to send and AUTOGRAPHED COPY. I have it here in my hot little hands!
To win this signed copy of the book, add a comment to this post (by 9am on Wednesday, May 26th, 2010) that tells us one thing you do that makes you happy.
The winner will be selected randomly on Wednesday, May 26th and announced soon after.
Until then, you should hop over to Gretchen’s blog, which is one of the best around in this Penelope’s opinion.
Here’s to more “happy” for all of us.
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I put fresh flowers on my desk each Monday. They make me so much happier than a daily $2 coffee does, and they don’t cost any more.
Other things make me happy but last night I hit upon something. A time when I didn’t feel like I should be doing something else, when my mind was calm, and both kids were happy. What could it be? My daughter helping me set the table while my son plays in his high chair. I had the radio on and the windows open. We were all working together. It just seemed like a moment where everything was at peace. And it happened just last night!
I started my own Happiness Project after checking out this book from the library. I think my favorite thing to do so far is let myself “splurge” once in a while on something that I wouldn’t normally budget for, such as going out to coffee with my husband or getting a doughnut at the grocery store.
I read Gretchen’s blog, and I love it! I think my favorite thing to do to increase happiness is to take time for myself to relax and read a book or go for a walk.
I’m so glad you mention the self help thing. I read The Happiness Project and really enjoyed it and am so surprised to see it on the How-To bestseller list instead of the nonfiction one. TO me, this book is very much a memoir.
One of the happiest moments of my day is when my husband and I do “three things.” That’s what we call it when we each list three good things that happened to us that day. It helps me look out for good things in the day–could be anythign as small as “i had a yummmy sandwich”–even on days when it seems like NOTHING good is happening, I know I will need to come up with three things.
Having a bouquet of fresh white dasies on my kitchen table makes me smile and makes me happy!!
I know it’s rather cliche but the one thing that makes me happy is when I snuggle with my kids. I just love that quite time when we are connected and relaxing together. I love hearing their stories about their day and other things. It truly makes for a great day when that happens.
I love linens! I love having fabric napkins in napkin rings! Somehow eating a Stouffer’s Lean Cuisine but having a wonderful fabric napkin elevates my life beyond the mundane humdrum everyday—for that moment I have become the petite bourgeoisie.
Growing up, my mother had a mangle (a rotary ironing device.) I was taught to iron my hair ribbons etc on this marvelous, but heavy, machine. As an adult I have found 2 (yes2!!!!) on garbage days– and have both in my home , because I so love mangling that I fear having one break and not having a replacement.
I have collected enough table linens that I can go for months without having to mangle/iron. But my ultimate happiness comes every 6 months when I have gotten on top of my life enough to go mangle 6 months worth of linens.. There is the most neat and orderly Penelope moment when I have conchered that basket of linens. I feel that all is right with the world!
I have had mangling parties where my girlfriends bring their linens and we drink wine and mangle together.
PS. I hate to brag, but I even know how to mangle my linen shirts!
At the end of the day, on a whiteboard in my bedroom, I write a list of all the things that I did today that made me feel connected to other people.
I read her website!
Also, I take the extra 5 minutes – whether it is not having to rush & be stressed or lingering over the last chapter of my book, I make sure to let myself have those moments every day.
Cheesecake! Caramel cheesecake, to be exact…
One thing I do to make myself happy is read. When the kids are asleep, I try to find even just five minutes to sit and read a book (or magazine if I’m out of books). It calms me down and always gives a fresh perspective…
Reading is one thing I do that makes me happy. In fact, I started to read Gretchen’s book, but had to return it to the library before it was done, so didn’t get a chance to finish it! I would love to have a copy of my very own!
Digging in the dirt makes me happy. Watching my plants and flowers grow, taking time to water them is very relaxing. I enjoy that time by myself.
I love Gretchen’s blog — I’ve been a longtime reader.
What makes me happy?
- new socks
- fresh sheets
- coffee
- fresh flowers
- snuggles with my kids
- my husband’s smile
It may sounds really odd but: one thing I do that makes me *very* happy is iron handkerchiefs. There’s something very satisfying about taking a wrinkled scrap of cloth and turning it into a fresh-smelling, neatly folded square. Aaaaah.
(It should be noted, however, that ironing just about anything else does not have the same effect!)
I love to sing out loud. Always have. And it drives my husband nuts. I have my harmony parts and my main parts that I do with most songs and driving down the road, belting those words out, can put the worst day in a much better perspective.
My newest happiness trick is blasting the Scissor Sisters’ album “Ta-Dah” and actively not caring who sees me dance in my seat as I drive to and from work. It makes going in every day so much easier.
ooh such a great giveaway – thanks!
my happiness? sharp pencils + blank journals… it’s an intoxicating combo i tell ya!
Oh, I hope this is available to people outside the US as well!
Reading makes me happy. Especially nostalgia reading where I revisit childhood favourites.
This book sounds good! It makes me happy playing with my 9 months old daughter and watching her learning new things every day!
I pre-heat my coffee cup before I put my morning coffee in it. My coffee stays steamy hot just a littler longer while I enjoy it.
at the moment, I get a small bit of happiness (and quiet) when I take a walk after tea each evening…
love the inspiration for menu planning!
woh… i’ve been sneaking around this book for a loooooooongggg time now and yet i couldn’t manage to get and read it since i’m a pretty happy person already (even if this sounds cheesy). i thought maybe i can increase it and it’s on top 1 on my to-read-list.
how great from gretchen to offer a hand signed copy for your awesome blog. i want to try.
one thing that makes me happy?! blogging makes me happy. i meet so many people and realizing it motivates and inspires me is the ultimate happiness project!!
sending you hugs
lou
Oh how I have wanted to read it as well! What makes me happy? Summertime: bright polish on tan toes, enduring the heat with a shot from the water hose (that was not supposed to rhyme), and day trips to the island with my bebe.
So many things to list….here are a scant few:)
Poking about bookstores makes me happy.
Being outside
Reading interesting blogs
Meeting new people
Yummy meals
Laughing with strangers
Having dinner together each evening with my kids and husband and discuss the day everyone had.
you’re right — it’s SO penelope! probably one of the reasons i love it so much
i heart gretchen rubin!
I go to the library once a week in the evening to spend a few hours reading or knitting. It’s quiet and gives me energy to get through the week! It’s very rejuvinating to be amongst all the books!
I can’t think of just one, I’m too excited about the book! Buying iced coffee and fresh flowers and curling up with a good book is at the top of my list though.
I love baking. Day in, day out.
How strange, I nearly put this on my birthday list, but I changed my mind in the end. it looks like this book is trying to get back in my life! It must be that I’m supposed to read it. Writing lists makes me happy, and I’m even happier when I’m crossing things off my list. ;0)
x hel x
finding really fun office supplies ON CLEARANCE!
oh my heart is smiling once more thinking of the cute lined post it’s that were $.63 for 3
New Zealand makes me very happy, I spent five weeks hiking there a few years back and hope to return some day. Walking while listening to great music also makes me happy. My husband and kids make me the happiest of all.
what makes me happy: food, cooking, having people appreciate my cooking, taking breaks during work, my rss reader, cafe world on facebook.
What makes me happiest, is taking a nap with my little one and listening to his deep breaths.
Being with my hubby and my three sons- nothing better!
Finding snatches of time to read a wonderful book.
I would love a copy of this book. I read her blog and it is very interesting.
I’ve been following Gretchen’s blog, too! I am happy with a good book, warm socks, and a glass of red wine. Yummm….
Fresh flowers in the house always makes me happy. Also finding something that I had forgotten about makes me very happy, it’s like a new treasure without having spent any money!
I have a very colorful glass in my bathroom I use everyday when brushing my teeth.
I smile to the bus driver each day. This person is generally the first stanger I see so my smile and “how are you?” allows me to set the tone for my own day….
Heather in Chicago
getting my car washed and vacuumed:)
doing One Good Thing when I get home from work, no matter how exhausted I think I am – tidying up one spot or putting away some laundry – something that adds a little orderliness to my home.
Organizing my bag/purse makes me feel happy. I love having one tiny part of my world where everything is just right.
Poking about a fabulous fabric shop, imagining all the creations I can make from the various materials. Such a delight to the visual senses!
I love cleaning and organizing. It might sound crazy but every day as I come home from work I go around from room to room with a bin in my hand looking ofr anything that is not necessary and not being used. To be able to toss it and clear my space and life is so meaningful to me.
My husband makes me happy. Also the fact that we’re expecting our first child.
Finishing something. Anything. Hence why I love to-do lists. I just love checking off a completed task.
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