If Blueness Threatens I Look for the Humor in Any Situation

Gretchen Rubin
TRISH-MCEVOY
TRISH-MCEVOY

Happiness interview: Trish McEvoy.

I've long been an admirer of Trish McEvoy - both for her beautiful products and for her entrepreneurial acumen in establishing her cosmetics company and her brand. So I was thrilled to hear that she was a fan of my writing.

I was very eager to hear what she had to say on the subject of happiness in her own life, and immediately asked for an interview.

Gretchen: What's a simple activity that consistently makes you happier?

Trish: Getting ready for the day always makes me happy. From applying my making to picking out what I want to wear to how I will style my hair, I love the girly part of my day.

What's something you know now about happiness that you didn't know when you were 18 years old?

When I was 18 I didn't understand the impact of one's relationship and situation management on happiness. Experience has taught me that how I react to something can affect drastically different outcomes that either add to or take away from my happiness. At 18 we're the center of the universe-as we get older, we better understand how inextricably linked our happiness is with other people.

Is there anything you find yourself doing repeatedly that gets in the way of your happiness?

Difficulty accepting the things I cannot change, like the health of my aging mother.

Is there a happiness mantra or motto that you've found very helpful? (e.g., I remind myself to "Be Gretchen.")

There is something funny in almost everything. Have a laugh. Be in the moment and find the joy therein. Enjoy the little things but don't sweat the small stuff. Get the most into and out of every day.

If you're feeling blue, how do you give yourself a happiness boost?

I keep the blues at bay! If blueness threatens I look for the humor in any situation.

Is there anything that you see people around you doing or saying that adds a lot to their happiness, or detracts a lot from their happiness?

Complaining-the pity party-is the biggest detractor from happiness. Learning, dreaming, pushing oneself, celebrating the positives all create happiness.

Have you always felt about the same level of happiness, or have you been through a period when you felt exceptionally happy or unhappy - if so, why?

Both. I have had moments of great joy-like when I met my husband, started my business, and met my best friends-and sadness at the loss of people I have loved .

Is there some aspect of your home that makes you particularly happy?

The people in my home and its beauty and order.

Also ...

  • Are you reading Happier at Home or The Happiness Project in a book group? Email me if you'd like the one-page discussion guide. Or if you're reading it in a spirituality book club, a Bible study group, or the like, email me for the spirituality one-page discussion guide.