Book Review: The Happiness Project

Join in on Bon's Book Club here.


The Happiness Project





















This is a popular book that I saw floating around the social media world about a year and a half ago. Mostly around the beginning of the year when people were making resolutions. I kept telling myself that I would read it eventually, and here I am. I read it, and it was basically written for me.


Gretchen Ruben decided one day on a bus in New York that she was happy, but not as happy as she could be. She decided to do some major research into what philosophers and researchers were saying causes happiness in ones life. She made herself monthly resolutions to tackle issues in her life that could help her become a happier person. Some were simple like 'singing in the morning', 'going to bed early', and 'doing something you love'. Some were a little more complicated like, 'Imitate a Spiritual Master', 'Fight right', 'Clean your closet'.




I was so excited about this book, not because I don't think I'm unhappy, but, I agree with Gretchen, that I feel like I could be happier. After having a baby its hard to readjust life from 2 people to 2 adults and a small child that needs your constant love and support. Every line I read I would think to myself "yeah I do that. I could change that!" I had found that I had become nagy towards Jake, I felt like I was owed praise or a gold star for getting the house clean and the laundry done. I was keeping score when it came to Bree, i.e. I was up with the baby all night and you are now taking a nap. I made dinner and now you are getting hunting stuff together. Those things were really bringing me down. And they were dumb things to be upset about. I can do the dishes. I can do the laundry. It doesn't take long to get it all done.


I am so grateful for Jake and for all of the hard work he does for our family. He was constantly working and he didn't need this angry wife to come home to.




I was so glad I read this book. It helped me look inside myself and see what really wasn't making me as happy as I could be. I enjoyed Gretchen's insight so much that I bought her second book, 'Happiness At Home'. I am currently reading this book and have already bought a scarf hanger because I have been putting it off for years! Also Jake and I have made a plan to declutter our house this fall and deep clean, so we will see how well it works!




Have you read either one of these books?


What did you think of them? Did you make use of her happiness guide?