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By Aimee, January 7, 2010

I recently got a review copy of the new book, 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, right before our holiday break. The timing of the book couldn’t be better, because the author spent an entire year exploring the topic of personal happiness. Since we just started a new year, maybe a focus on happiness is a great idea? I think so!

Gretchen Rubin is a super researcher and included tons of research in her happiness project, which she then applied monthly in specific goals that fit her personality. The book includes what she learned in her research, but is mainly about her own experiences and changes she felt as she did her project. She also includes some comments from the blog she kept during the project.

It was a fun read, and it was also great to think a bit more about happiness. I’m a naturally happy person, but I had been thinking a lot about FUN recently. Namely, I had been feeling like maybe I wasn’t having enough of it! The truth is, I adore doing things outside, and especially love more physical activities like dancing, aerobics, and sports. So, not doing much of those things due to weather and lack of budget was making me feel a bit boring. However, I also really love doing computer things, playing video games, and just vegging out with my husband.

The book talks about the topic quiet a bit, and how we often look at things other people are doing that they are having fun with and feel like we should be doing them too. However, what is actually true is that we need to find out what is truly fun for us, not just what appears fun. In the author’s case, she really loves reading and taking notes during it. That might not sound fun for everyone else. A good lesson that we too often forget (be true to yourself).

It’s a worthwhile read, and an enjoyable one as well. Her writing is really approachable and she isn’t afraid to include her shortcomings in the project either. If you want to learn a bit more you can check out The Happiness Project website.

*I would love to pass my copy of this book along to one of you dear readers! My copy may have already been read, but it’s brand spanking new to you! If you want a chance to read the book, please leave a comment on this post. I will choose a winner at random on Monday Jan 11th.*

And the book goes to… Georgia!