“The Happiness Project,” written by Gretchen Rubin, is a detailed account of Rubin’s commitment to one year of finding more happiness in her life. Though Rubin was not an unhappy person, she felt she lacked full appreciation for her life. In her quest for ultimate happiness, Rubin dedicated each month of the year to improving a different aspect of her life. She emphasizes that every person’s happiness project is a personal trajectory, maintaining its own goals and variations. Nonetheless, she feels that sharing her own experience could be of value to others and their respective happiness projects. Here is a glimpse at each goal within Rubin’s personal happiness project!
January:
Rubin began her project focusing on the idea of vitality, with the specific objective to boost energy. To achieve this, she aimed to go to sleep earlier, exercise better, and to tackle a nagging task. Furthermore, she resolved to act more energetic, and to create a more organized life.
February:
Rubin’s second area of focus was marriage, with the ambition to remember love. Rubin aimed to put an end to nagging, as well as the expectation of praise from her husband. Moreover, she resolved to “fight right,” and to show proofs of love to her husband.
March:
The emphasis for March was to aim higher in work. Rubin focused on eliminating the fears of failing and asking for help. She also maintained the goal of enjoying the moment and “working smart.”
April:
Rubin’s fourth goal was to lighten up with parenthood. She had several approaches, some as lighthearted as singing in the morning, others more deep, such as acknowledging the feelings of others. To further develop her role as a parent, Rubin took more time for projects, and became a “treasure house of happy memories.”
May:
The focus of May was on leisure, and to be “serious about play.” Rubin committed herself to discovering more fun in her life, and taking the time to experience life in a silly manner. One of her less abstract ideas for this goal was to begin a collection (she chose to collect bluebirds).
June:
Rubin’s next goal was to make time for friends. This encompassed making new friends (three, to be specific), as well as putting in the effort with old friends (with gestures as simple as remembering birthdays and showing up when promised). She also resolved to stop gossiping, and to be more generous.
July:
Rubin’s focus for the month of July was on money, or as she says, “buying some happiness.” This was a month of balance, for she aimed to purchase needful things and to give something up, but at the same time, to spend out and indulge herself in a modest spree.
August:
To end the summer, Rubin spent this month contemplating the heavens to address the subject of eternity. In order to take on this overwhelming aspect of life, she laid out three objectives: to read memoirs of catastrophe, to imitate a spiritual master, and to keep a notebook of gratitude.
September:
For September, Rubin wanted to pursue a passion; naturally, she chose books. Her first pursuit for this passion was to create more time for this passion, including the time to write a novel. She also hoped to master a new technology, and to “forget about the results.”
October:
With her focus on the idea of mindfulness, Rubin spent this month with the goal to pay more attention. This incorporated meditation, new forms of stimulation for the mind, and interestingly, keeping a food diary.
November:
Rubin’s next goal pertained to attitude, with the objective to “keep a contented heart.” This includes having good manners, and allowing oneself to laugh (out loud!). Furthermore, Rubin aimed to give positive reviews of others, and to have an area of refuge.
December:
Lastly, Rubin ended her project by using her accumulated skills for happiness for what she called “boot camp perfect.”
With the end of the semester approaching it’s becoming even more important for us to remember to find the bits of happiness buried under such a hectic time of year. We encourage you to work hard, spend some time out in the fresh spring air, and enjoy the rest of the semester!