The Happiness Project discussion

The Happiness Project Review
Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project is an account of her well-thought-out, methodical approach to happiness. Rubin dedicates an entire year to self-improvement, enjoying the little things, and fixing any areas of her life that could use improvement. Her realization occurred on a gloomy day as she rode the city bus — the days are long but the years are short. This realization sparked her desire to cherish life and adopt resolutions that would change her view of life and happiness.
Rubin’s overachiever, type A personality shows through her approach to happiness as well as her writing. She is very specific in what she plans to change in order to attain her desired happiness, which is why she is ultimately successful. The Happiness Project has an uplifting tone that appeals to anyone looking for a lighthearted read. Adults particularly can benefit from Rubin’s project, as several of the areas of improvement concentrate on aspects of adulthood, such as parenting, work, and marriage. Though the target audience is adults, there are takeaways for young adult readers as well, particularly in the chapters on friendship, leisure, mindfulness, and attitude.
The combination of Rubin’s extensive research and personal experience make for a well-balanced, straightforward read that appeals to a large audience. However, readers must keep in mind that because Rubin’s happiness project is subjective, it is tailored to the aspects of her own life that could use improvement. Rubin has a great husband, two kids, a job she loves, and is does not struggle financially. Some might be turned off by her project, because it appears as though she already has everything she needs to be happy. Rubin doesn’t mention having to overcome any significant obstacles to find happiness, such as illness, death, or poverty. Though the book doesn’t touch on any of these profound aspects of many people’s lives, there is still value in Rubin’s wisdom if readers keep in mind that this is her own happiness project.
The Happiness Project provides fresh insight on small improvements that can make a big impact in terms of happiness. Rubin’s personal experience with working towards happiness might not be directly applicable to someone else’s life, but her findings have merit, and readers can find inspiration in them. “What you do every day matters more than what you do once in awhile,” a quote by Rubin, sums up a major component of her happiness project: happiness doesn’t only lie in big, profound moments, but in the little aspects of everyday life that are often overlooked. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin is an insightful read for anyone looking for new perspective, life advice, or just a quick pick-me-up.