Blog Posts by Gretchen Rubin

Apples1

Every Wednesday is Tip Day.
This Wednesday: Ten things I can do every day -- even when I can't do anything else.

We've all had days where it seems as though nothing gets done. For those times when I seem to be spinning my wheels, I keep a list of things that I can do every day, even when I have no extra time, money, or energy to spare. I sometimes forget to write in my one-sentence journal and I don't always make it to the gym, but I do try to make sure I hit all these items.

That way, even if I feel like I had a day when I got nothing accomplished, I can comfort myself, as I climb into my smooth, tidy bed, "Well, at least I went for a walk. I ate an apple. I hugged my daughters."

Every day, I…

1. Make my bed.

2. Wear sunscreen (well, most days).

3. Wear my seat belt.

4. Jump up and down a few times.

5. Pick up one object that's in the wrong place and put it away.

6. Go for a ten-minute walk outside.

7. Eat a fruit or vegetable.

8.

Read More »from If I Can't Accomplish Anything Else Today, I Can Do These 10 Things.

2011 Happiness Challenge: For those of you following the 2011 Happiness Project Challenge, to make 2011 a happier year -- and even if you haven't officially signed up for the challenge -- welcome! Last month's theme was Possessions, and last week's resolution was to Spend out. When I started my happiness project, I assumed I was the only person who had trouble spending out, and I've been very surprised and gratified to learn that many people struggle with this, too. Did you try that resolution? Did it boost your happiness?

This month's theme is Creativity, and this week's resolution is to Do something every day.

Do something every day. MP3 for Audio Podcasting

If you want to read more about this resolution, check out…
Do something every day.
Secret of Adulthood: What you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while.
13 tips for actually getting some writing done.

How about you? Have you found that you're more full of ideas when you work more

Read More »from Do Something Every Day. Counter-Intuitive, But It Works.

Running-track

Last month, I posed the question: "If you're doing the 2011 Happiness Challenge, how is it going, now that we've reached the halfway point of the year?"

Several people kindly pointed out that, although June is month 6 of the 12 months of the year, the year isn't halfway over until July 1. Whoops!

So I'm asking now, at the proper time: "If you're doing the 2011 Happiness Challenge, how is it going?"

But really, it's artificial to ask this question even on July 1, because most people doing the 2011 Happiness Challenge didn't start on January 1. People still join every day -- which is great. No need to wait for January 1, or the first of any month, to start a happiness project. Today is the best time to start!

If you've managed successfully to keep even one resolution, give yourself a big gold star. It's hard to make change; it takes mindfulness, self-knowledge, and self-mastery. I'm often surprised by how hard it is to make even a change that's pleasant, like my

Read More »from How Is Your Happiness Challenge Going? (Asking Again.)

2011 Happiness Challenge: For those of you following the 2011 Happiness Project Challenge, to make 2011 a happier year -- and even if you haven't officially signed up for the challenge -- welcome! This month's theme is Possessions, and last week's resolution was to Read the manual. Did you try that resolution? Did it boost your happiness?

I don't usually post two videos in one week, but somehow last week's video was delayed a week, so here's the fourth video for the month!

This week's resolution is to Spend out.

Read More »from How using the things you have will make you happier [video]

2011 Happiness Challenge: For those of you following the 2011 Happiness Project Challenge, to make 2011 a happier year -- and even if you haven't officially signed up for the challenge -- welcome! This month's theme is Possessions, and last week's resolution was to Go shelf by shelf. Did you try that resolution? Did it boost your happiness?

This week's resolution is to Read the manual.

Read the manual MP3 for Audio Podcasting

If you want to read more about this resolution, check out…
Conquer a device.
Frustrated? Read the manual.
In which I learn a new, useful happiness term: mis-en-place.

What about you? Do you ever have trouble prodding yourself to read the manual? With what kinds of devices?

If you're new, here's information on the 2011 Happiness Challenge. It's never too late to start! You're not behind, jump in right now, sign up here. For the Challenge, each week I'll post a video suggesting a resolution for you to consider. For more ideas for

Read More »from Read the Manual. It Actually Does Help.

Military-families

As I was researching The Happiness Project, I was struck by the fact that I often found it more helpful to read about one person's idiosyncratic happiness project than to read about general principles applying to all humankind or studies applying to large populations. For some reason, reading about Thoreau's very individual decision to move to Walden Pond, or St. Therese's struggle to stay patient with the nun who made clicking noises during evening prayers, was what taught me most about myself.

I've heard from people whose lives are very different from mine, on the surface -- but it turns out that we face many of the same challenges in our happiness projects.

Here's a question for you, readers: I've been steadily getting email from members of the military and from military families who have found The Happiness Project helpful.

I'd like to do more to connect with this group of readers, but I don't know that world well. Do you have any suggestions for me?About blogs

Read More »from Any Suggestions for Ways to Reach Members of the Military and Military Families?

Doortooutside

This proposed happiness resolution is easy. Go outside.

Go outside into the sunlight; light deprivation is one reason that people feel tired. Research suggests that light stimulates brain chemicals that improve mood and increase motivation.

For an extra boost, get your sunlight first thing in the morning.

Now, I'm the kind of person who loves to sit around the house in my pajamas. If I can manage it, I enjoy the occasional day when I never step foot out of my apartment. But even though I love staying in, there's nevertheless something slightly oppressive about being inside all day.

And going from your front door, to the car door, to the office door, and then in reverse, isn't much better.

At least for me, unscientifically speaking, spending time outside gives a feeling of freedom, of connecting with the seasons (even when the weather isn't ideal), of breathing fresh air, of not being so trapped by a schedule that I can't be out in the world. Plus, if you use your

Read More »from Need a Quick, Easy Happiness Boost? Go Outside.

CheckboxDo you need a happiness boost-right now? If so, take a look at this menu of options and make your choices. Remember, the more you tackle, the bigger the boost you'll receive.

When you're feeling blue, it can be hard to muster up the physical and mental energy to do the things that make you happier. Plunking down in front of the TV or digging into a tub of ice cream seems like an easier fix.

However, research shows (and you know it's true) that these aren't the routes to feeling better. Try some choices below. The more you push yourself, the better you'll feel; but if you can't tackle a big task, just do something small. Even a little step in the right direction will give you a lift.

According to my ground-breaking happiness formula, to be happy, you need to think about feeling good, feeling bad, and feeling right, in an atmosphere of growth. What's dragging you down? Is it a lack of fun, of connection? Do you feel a lot of guilt, boredom, or anger? Do you feel that

Read More »from Want To Feel Happier by the End of the Day? Your Menu of Options.