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 just finished reading The Happiness Project last night at work and must say that I absolutely loved it. And I posted about it on my blog.
http://lifeaccordingtomaran.blogspot.com/2011/02/booking-it-2011-happiness-project.html
I thoroughly enjoyed “The Happiness Project”. It was motivating, challenging and encouraging. After reading the first chapter, I cleaned out the ‘junk drawer’ in my kitchen, emptied (mostly) a shelf in my coat closet and got rid of a bunch of clothes and shoes out of my closet. It was so satisfying! I love her resolution to “tackle a nagging task”. I emailed her and requested her resolutions chart and she promptly emailed it to me. I still haven’t found time to personalize it, but plan on trying it out soon. I recommended the book to my mom and she and her book club are going to read it after it comes out in paperback this March.
This was definitely a “life-changer” for me. It really made me think about what I am doing with my life and how I see, feel and propagate happiness in my life. Such a fabulous book! Thanks for recommending it. I would not have picked it up on my own.
I blogged about it here:
http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/2011/02/booking-it-2011-january.html
Did not finish this book. Did not care for it at all. I couldn’t believe I was reading about a woman sorting through her clothes. Definitely not for me.
I haven’t finished the book yet. I do like some aspects but like other commenters, I found myself skipping over some parts of a chapter. I actually was depressed about one part I read – about how you realize so many doors and options are closed for good. Its very true but yikes depressing! that certainly did NOT increase my happiness!
I read The Happiness Project right after we made our booklists. It truly inspired my goals for the year as it did yours. I enjoyed how she broke each month into an area of focus. While I haven’t been quite as diligent about my own Happiness Plan as I might have liked to have been, I did get a lot out of reading it. I was inspired to tackle some huge tasks (and some small ones) in my life and to find more happy in every day! Thanks for the suggestion – it was a great start to this years reading!!
I tried to read this book this month but never finished it and had to turn it back in at the library. The reason I never finished it is I started a notebook of goals for different parts of my life and guess what? I started accomplishing something!! I am crossing off tasks on my nagging list and actually making headway on some important tasks. Wow! If that isn’t life changing, I don’t know what it. My number one takeaway from this book is I don’t have to do everything in one day – but step by step, I’ll get it all accomplished. And maybe be happy!!
I started this book at the beginning of January. I was so tired from the holidays that reading about all her cleaning projects just made me grumpy. I didn’t want to work that hard to be happy. However, I finally clicked with the author when she started her children’s lit group. I would love to be part of that group. It is amazing how I connected with the book after I felt more connected with the author. I went from dragging myself through it to enjoying it. One thing she did that I HAVE to take time to do is start files for each of my family members to put cards and papers in. That was such a great idea. Once that goes from a nagging task to a completed task, I’ll get to have a moment of happiness, too!
I’ve read this book twice now, and now all these comments make me want to read it again, Jessica!
I loved Gretchen’s writing style – and the fact that I could read a memoir but come away with so many ideas that would benefit my own happiness was such a treat. It was like reading a self-help book, but so much more entertaining!
I actually got to interview her over on Steady Mom last year, which was really cool:
http://www.steadymom.com/2010/07/what-makes-you-a-steady-mom-gretchen-rubin-of-the-happiness-project.html
Jamie
I really enjoyed this book, but admit with the commenter Karen-I did find it a bit dry in spots and I admit that I totally skipped the part on imitating a spiritual leader and pondering her eternity.
I think the thing I took away from the book that has most helped me is that it’s ok to do little changes in little steps. You don’t have to do big grand resolutions.