Booking It with The Happiness Project
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If you’re just now joining us, let me explain. Booking It is an online reading program designed to get you reading.
This online book club features flexibility for those who want to do their own thing as well as “assigned reading” for those who prefer a little more structure. You can even do a little of both.
On the 10th of the month, we discuss the “book of the month” while we share our choice readings on the 11th.
Have a plan
Last month we made reading plans. Having a reading plan gets you one step closer to reading. Not only do you have an idea of what you want to read, but you also can get the wheels turning to have those books at the ready for when you find pockets of time to read. I’ve bought some books, dug some out of storage, requested some from the library, and put some on my wish list to acquire later in the year.
Not sure how to find good books? No problem. Wondering where to find time to read? You can do it. Really.
There is a whole world of great books to explore. Some of them will bring you the laugh that you sorely need. Others will help you solve a problem. Still others can change your life. So let’s get reading!
The Happiness Project
Today is the first day of our Assigned Reading Check-in. We read The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.
{If you haven’t read it, then this is your official SPOILER ALERT.}
Can I just say that this book was life-changing? The Happiness Project was one of the most encouraging, freeing, thought-provoking books I’ve ever read. Seriously.
Gretchen Rubin’s story of the year she intentionally pursued happiness was not only entertaining and easy to read, but it prompted me to consider what really matters in my life.
What really makes me happy? How do I really want to spend my days — and my life? How can I be intentional about living life in a way that truly blesses me and my family?
The Happiness Project got me thinking about new ways to live life “on the road to joyful motherhood.”
Not to mention, reading the book validated my college degree when I actually knew what Sisyphean meant when I came across it.
I could so relate when I read Gretchen’s confession of wishing she liked something she thought she should like instead of just enjoying where her natural preferences lay. I laughed at how she wished she enjoyed “cool music,” but that to be really happy musically, she just had to be okay with the styles that she truly enjoyed.
I think some would balk at the title of the book, thinking that it’s all about satisfying oneself and forget about others. This is so not the case. The message is clear that to be really happy, we are doing things that bless, love, and encourage the people we love.
It’s about being thankful for the good that we have and enjoying it as much as we can, whether that be marriage, children, friendships, or a good cup of coffee.
Certainly, those things vary in degree, but they are good things, and we should enjoy them.
Changes are a-coming
Different sound bites from the book come back at me at random parts of the day. And since I read and watch Gretchen’s blog and vlogs, I know what she sounds like. So, I hear her real voice, too.
No, not in an Obi-Wan-Kanobi-telling-Luke-to-use-the-Force kind of way. But, like a friend encouraging me.
When I finally put the proofs of insurance in each of our vehicles and stuck the new registration tags on, I heard Gretchen say, “Tackle a nagging task.” Yes! Who would have thought that dealing with insurance and registration would make me happy?! But, it did. Because to not do it, it would continue to bug me until I did it or until a cop pulled me over.
I feel “happy” knowing that if there was an accident or some other traffic issue, I would be prepared with proper paperwork.
Many of my year’s goals were influenced by having read this book. Working on each of them will contribute to the overall happiness of my family and me.
I find myself making mental notes about things that bring me joy or bring one of my family joy. This prompts me to think of ways to incorporate that thing more into the fabric of our lives.
I could probably write a book about this book and how it is changing my thoughts and dreams. But, since I lost my notes in the cluttered office that is nagging me to organize it, I can’t. Instead, I can ask…
What did YOU think of the Happiness Project?
Let’s talk in the comments section. And if you wrote a review of the book, share the link there as well. Can’t wait to hear what you thought!
I tried! Really, I did. I simply could not get into this book. I didn’t click with the author, and I couldn’t get past her to get to the heart of the book. Hopefully the next one will be something I can get into!
@Rachel, I think that is totally fine. I’ve found that different seasons work for different books. I once tried to read a book that I thought would be good — and I just couldn’t get past the first chapter. But, a year later I read it and I loved it. There’s something better for you out there right now. 🙂
Here’s what I thought about the book:
http://naturalranchfamily.blogspot.com/2011/02/booking-it-happiness-project.html
thanks for getting this all organized!
I read and reviewed the Happiness Project book in December. Here is my review http://myviewofthehoneypot.blogspot.com/2010/12/december-book-it.html
It was one of my top 5 reads last year. I like all the little things she did in a very systematic way to increase her happiness. I too find myself thinking about some of the phrases in the book.
I liked the book a lot. I seem to compare myself to others alot and fall short. I am focusing on “Being Carri”. I am also working on reframing. Attitude is everything!
Not my favorite book. I wrote about it and the others I’ve read this month on my post here.
http://thesolomonstory.blogspot.com/2011/02/booking-it-2011-february.html
So, I am still finishing up the book. But hey, when you have 2 under 2, reading isnt always something that is easy to come by.
What I have really learned from the book is that I am able to make myself change how I feel. I like how one of Gretchen’s commandments was to “Act the Way I Want to Feel”. Realizing that I have the power to change the way I feel was so freeing. It reminds me of Romans 12:2, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
So, my plan is to finish the book. I really have enjoyed it, even if it isnt something I would normally read. Besides, got to get it done in order to get on to my next read.
@Tara @ Mommy Head Adventures, Tara, I love your comparison to the verse in Romans. That’s such an awesome way to look at that idea. Thanks!
@Tara @ Mommy Head Adventures, isn’t it amazing that we can reframe things and change our attitudes. I found that really helpful and a great reminder to “take every thought captive.”
Great reference to Romans 12, too.
I absolutely loved this book!
As others have said, this is not normally a book a would choose to read, but I am so glad I did. Thanks so much for including it on this list. It has inspired me so much, now it is time for me to put that inspiration into action.
I got so caught up in it the first time I read it, that now I am reading it for the second time and taking notes, thinking about how I can apply to my own life. It came at a perfect time, when I feel stuck in a job that has no enjoyment for me, it only seems to drag me down. I have always had many dreams about what I’d like to do, but just let them get pushed to the side, too scared to make any changes. But as Gretchen says “If you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough.” Maybe I just need to “enjoy the fun of failure!”
@Ashley, now enjoy the fun of failure is not something I’m quite ready to embrace. Ha! I guess it just depends on what it is.
But, this sounds like something to really apply to your career. Can’t wait to hear how it goes!
I loved this book. When I first started, I worried about whether I would have the problem I often do with non-fiction: Will I “want” to read? Well, I definitely did!
I rarely buy books but I think this is one that I might actually buy so that I can reread it, maybe once a year. I was so inspired by many parts of the book but know there is no way I could implement everything at this one moment. Rereading though would reignite the desire, hopefully. She said that not everyone’s happiness project would be the same, and she’s right, but I was amazed at how many of her points I could also see for myself.
I’m trying to convince my friends and family to read this book as well, hoping that they will get as much out of it as I did.
@Sarah H., isn’t it funny how enthusiastic we can get about books we love?
I gave it to my mom for Christmas, but have no idea if she’s read it yet.
But, I think I’m realizing that there are all kinds of reactions to the book. So, don’t feel bad if they don’t love it like we do. 😉
Oh.. Now I feel so bad I couldn’t receive the book in time. I’d ordered this and The Well-Fed Writer and received the latter first. So, obviously began that. Awesome book and I’ll be sharing my review but am sure The Happiness Project will be a different kind of awesome:-) I look forward to reading it for the March edition of Bookin’ It. 🙂
@Prerna, you will love it when you do read it!
I thought this was a great book too. As others have said, while it would be nice to travel to Italy, India and Bali, in an effort to become happier, it’s not very realistic. I’m not looking to escape my life, just be happier where I am. And this book helped me to see ways in which I could do that. I definitely saw myself looking for those gold stars! But its nice to know I’m not the only one. Even just knowing others are in the same boat makes me a bit happier (is that weird?).
@Margaret K, I am a gold star person, too. But, I had never thought about it that way. It was good to see her confession about it, I could so relate. And acknowledging it seems to take its power away in a sense.