The Happiness Project cover art

The Happiness Project

Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun

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About this listen

#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.

 Personal Development Personal Success Happiness Inspiring Witty Biography Health
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I love the idea of self-help books. I love thinking about ways to make my life better and happier. Who doesn't? So I've read many of these kind of books and most of the times I am greatly disappointed as few of these kind of books have any real research backing them up. This book is a wonderful exception.

Gretchen isn't a scientist, but she has approached her happiness project in the same spirit of a scientist, and she has read a lot about the topic. This reading and her personal experience is the basis of this book, and although there are a few things I won't be trying, I still think this is a great example of what more self-help books should be like.

Well researched self-help book.

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A great book, it really did get me thinking about my own happiness well worth the read / listen.

Compelling enough to give it a try

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I find the book easy to listen and follow. it has very practical ideas about how to improve ones daily and overall life.

Easy and inspiring listen

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

Hopefull, Inspiring and Systematic

What about Gretchen Rubin’s performance did you like?

When I read a book I often try to imagine that the writer is reading it to me. And this was exactly that! I loved that it sounded so natural, like listening to a friend's story.

Any additional comments?

I'm going to give it a second listen and start my own Happiness Project. I've already did a major clean up in my house because I couldn't wait to get started. Gretchen has a point: "It's the rare person who can't benefit from a Happiness Project."

Happiness within reach

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I lost interest half way though! I wanted to hear more attitude in her voice to give it more umpt but no. for me boring!

monotone and boring

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