Book Review - "The Happiness Project"

I wanted to share this book review on The Happiness Project.  Published in 2009, Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project is an exploration of one woman’s journey to discover what happiness really is. Subtitled Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle and Generally Have More Fun, the book sums up a year’s personal research on how to be happier. Ms. Rubin cautions readers that the book is her own journey. Everyone has different experiences, goals and views of happiness.

Drawing upon her knowledge as a former lawyer, Rubin explores the topic of happiness in depth. She consults numerous books and authors about happiness and examins her own life to see what makes her happy and how she could improve.

Before beginning her project, she develops “12 Commandments,” or resolutions for the year. She compiles some “Secrets of Adulthood,” which are amusing truths she has learned in life.

The Happiness Project's chapters are actually months of the year, with a theme and specific resolutions to work on in particular. For example, January’s theme is “Boosting Energy.” To boost her energy, Rubin set the goals of trying to get more sleep and more exercise, among others. Each month follows the same pattern.

Rubin details her insight and experiences with each resolution and tells her successes and failures. Reactions of family and friends are included. I admire her ability to laugh at herself and her sometimes brutal honesty.

The narrative is inspirational and motivational. It is an easy read and one of those books you want to keep for reference. The reading list at the end is very helpful for those interested in pursuing their own happiness project. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Happiness Project and I plan to start my own!