The Happiness Project

By: Gretchen Rubin

Narrated by: Gretchen Rubin

Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 New York Times Bestseller

“An enlightening, laugh-aloud read. . . . Filled with open, honest glimpses into [Rubin’s] real life, woven together with constant doses of humor.”—Christian Science Monitor

Gretchen Rubin’s year-long experiment to discover how to create true happiness. Drawing on cutting-edge science, classical philosophy, and real-world examples, Rubin delivers an engaging, eminently relatable chronicle of transformation.

Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. “The days are long, but the years are short,” she realized. “Time is passing, and I’m not focusing enough on the things that really matter.” In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project.

In this lively and compelling account, Rubin chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. Among other things, she found that novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness; that money can help buy happiness, when spent wisely; that outer order contributes to inner calm; and that the very smallest of changes can make the biggest difference.

As an added bonus, this recording includes a sampling of Gretchen’s podcast, Happier With Gretchen Rubin. In this episode, "Choose the Bigger Life," Gretchen and her sister, Elizabeth Craft, discuss happiness, good habits, and whether Gretchen is going to get a dog.

©2009 Gretchen Rubin (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Packed with fascinating facts about the science of happiness and rich examples of how she improves her life through changes small and big. The Happiness Project made me happier by just reading it." (Bookpage.com)

Soothing

Garnered and gathered some points to ponder with this book. I am a big fan of the Happier podcast which let me to this book. One of the biggest take always was the Be Me mantra, it has helped me accept that I am who I am and my development is related to that not to who I may wish I was. A lighter takeaway was to spend what I want at the grocery store because it is always cheaper than eating out, simple but a true shift in thinking for me. Gretchen’s voice is soothing to me but that may be personal preference.

Down to earth advice, sometimes too much

I would give everything a neutral 3 stars except I believe it is worth listening to.

What I like: resources for inspiration such as Benjamin Franklin, St Therese de Liseux and the Dalai Lama. The author/reader also perked up in these passages.

What I don't like: quotes from scientific "experts" in the field of happiness research...overlong descriptions of everyday family interactions (even the author sounded bored)...the implication that New Yorkers are somehow "special" and not ordinary (big whatever there)

And the fact that different people like different things is not a big "Secret of Adulthood"...it seems more like something that you "Learned in Kindergarten", so yes, that's a burn.

You're still reading so here is the treat...I really liked the bonus podcast at the end. That was pretty cool.

I don't think I'll start a systematic Happiness Project for myself in the same way, but I did get some inspiration as to where I could make some improvements in myself and so that is wonderful.

Happiness is an ongoing state of aspiration

Each day a new beginning a new opportunity to be working in my happiness band myself. Gretchen Rubin is an inspirations. Her simple get profoundly effective tips is sure to get anyone closer to happiness. Definitely a must read for anyone on this journey called life who hopes to aspire for more meaningfilled experience worth remembering.

Feel good

If you could sum up The Happiness Project in three words, what would they be?

Uplifting. Inspiring. Refreshing.

Any additional comments?

A lot of research went into this, but I didn't feel like any of it was ground breaking. For example, any good upbringing will tell you that you feel good when you do good things for other people. All the same, it was a refreshing "feel good book."

A nice story!

The Happiness Project was more like listening to Gretchen's story. I looked at my life through her story and learnt to be happy in the little things! Good book!

Spinning Head

Too many lists!! Resolutions, Truths, Declarations, so many I can't even "list" them all! Way too complicated!Too much re-reading of other people's books or their research. Every time the author thought of something she went out & bought something: containers, books, journals. Also this book was way too long, get to the point, simplify.

Fantastic Listen!

If you could sum up The Happiness Project in three words, what would they be?

Inspiring, motivating, reflective

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Happiness Project?

Do What You Love - this quote stuck with me

What does Gretchen Rubin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

emphasis on certain words/phrases that makes it easier to identify what you should take note of

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes - feel very inspired to start my own happiness project

For me: better on audio

I have this in book for also. I skimmed a bit and saw it would make for good reading. But, for me, audio worked much better. I felt better able to proceed at my own pace. I enjoyed the book very much and the author did a great job reading it. I have much to consider now.

Good, simple, relatable advice on happiness

This book won’t necessarily make you happy just by reading it, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. To be honest, that would be a very tall order. Instead, it walks you through the year-long journey the author undertook in order to evaluate her own life and engage in more activities and practices that brought her happiness. The goal for us readers, then, is to follow the author’s lead and start a happiness project ourselves.

The thing I liked most about this book is that Rubin reminds us happiness is simple, albeit not easy. There are many things we can do to cultivate happiness fairly easily; develop and leverage strong social bonds, engage in our passions, stop the spiral of negative thinking, express gratitude, etc. Again, nothing mind-blowing, but that’s a good thing; if we can merely take time to practice the simple things, we can likely be happy too.

I’ve seen some reviews mention that the author writes from a privileged or spoiled place. I don’t agree with that sentiment at all. Yes, she’s a fortunate person in that she has a family and a job she enjoys, but I don’t see how that discredits any of her conclusions. She even acknowledges that many people have it much worse off than she does; she seems humble and empathetic to me.

Anyway, it’s a good book. I’d recommend reading it if you’re looking to boost your own happiness levels or just learn some more lessons in personal development.

-Brian Sachetta
Author of “Get Out of Your Head”

Loved it!

I have been wanting to read this book because it's mentioned in the Happier podcast quite often. I was not disappointed.