THE HAPPINESS PROJECT

by Gretchen Rubin

MINI REVIEW

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve been exploring ways to make myself feel happier.  From investigating Yale professor Laurie Santos’ online happiness course, to keeping a gratitude journal, to taking the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course and joining a fitness club, I have looked into many approaches.  Of course, I’ve also been reading books on the subject and I want to share two of my favorites with you.  My second book recommendation is The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin.  After setting out to identify those things that made her happy but which she never had time for, Rubin spent a year cultivating and tracking behaviors that would result in her happiness. Not only did her project make her happier, she found that the people around her also were happier.  Although she can sometimes slip into a bit of a  preachy tone, overall, The Happiness Project is definitely a worthwhile read.  In fact, I’m contemplating using her approach to try a similar project of my own. (Liz)