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)

The encouragement for personal betterment by sharing her own experience.

The author’s genuine, honest reflections of herself and the creative, committed ways she pursued to become better at honoring her personal values.

The Happiness Project

I really enjoyed this book. I listened to it - and then wanted the hardcover edition as well. I'm inspired to start my own happiness project. This book opened my eyes to ways that I can increase not only my happiness but also that of people around me. It made me happy!

Happy to have read it.

My friend ended up getting divorced because of this book. Hmmmm... what could be so powerful that my friend could decide to end a 15 year marriage??
Gretchen Rubin does a great job of telling her story of trying to be happier by changing little things in her life - making a list of promises to herself. Things that she will work on. It is HER project and she is very clear that what works for her may not bring you happiness. But she also points out that we are all different and our happiness needs are different.
I was worried that I would not want to finish this book. But I did and I feel that I learned a lot about how I approach my own life. Gretchen Rubin and I may not have the same needs for happiness, but I appreciated her list and her self-awareness of her own behavior and how that might effect the happiness of the people around her and ultimately her own happiness.

This has stayed with me....

Any additional comments?

I listened to this book a couple of times as I was painting the walls on the first floor of our house a couple of years ago. Some sections I listened to more than once. I think that this was interesting as a story of one person's life, but not really anything ground breaking. I did, however, get some golden nuggets out of this book. My two favorites are 1) If it will take me less than one minute to take care of something that needs to be done, I will do it when first I notice it needs doing, and 2) When I am getting increasingly frustrated because my computer isn't working right, if I turn it off and then turn it back on again, 99% of the time, the problem is gone with the ReStart. While I am now tired of the genre of blogs into books, I did learn some things that I can honestly say have made me happier since I read this book.

OK

The concept was cool but this is definitely a book more geared toward women 35+ with families. A lot of it was about her children which I was not expecting. I wish it were written for a broader audience because I loved the idea of it all.

Loved it!!

I found Gretchen Rubin's ideas, observations and resolutions to be very insightful. I'm really excited to implement this into my life, and it has already helped me be more mindful of my actions and thoughts.

awesome

this is an awesome book I recommend to all people looking for a way to be happy

Fun and inspiring

What made the experience of listening to The Happiness Project the most enjoyable?

It was fun to hear the author read this book.

This book made me think about what I truly find enjoyable or fun, and what brings me happiness in my own life and then to embrace it. I also found myself asking others what they consider "fun", etc. There are many subjects this book brings up that I wanted to discuss with others.

This book is very upbeat and I recommended it to many of my friends and family members.

Excellent book

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Interesting insight and thoughtful examples. It's not only a great read for those looking for more self awareness, but it provides a good plan for anyone wishing to start their own happiness project. In particular this book has helped me have more patience with my kids and has taught me to pay attention to the snippy remarks made to family members and my spouse. I'm certainly much happier for it.

Something for everyone

As Rubin prefaces her book, happiness looks different for all of us. So not every chapter of this book will be directly relevant to you or your life. Still, the principles of growth, mindfulness, and accountability outlined herein will make everyone happier.