Hey guys,
despite the obvious failure of my reading challenge, I finished another book. I usually don't read self-help books or non-fiction for that matter but The Happiness Project seemed an appropriate title for me, as I've been told I'm someone who is constantly sulking. Of course, I don't agree with this.
GoodReads Summary
Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. “The days are long, but the years are short,” she realized. “Time is passing, and I’m not focusing enough on the things that really matter.” In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project.
In this lively and compelling account, Rubin chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. Among other things, she found that novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness; that money can help buy happiness, when spent wisely; that outer order contributes to inner calm; and that the very smallest of changes can make the biggest difference.
My opinion:
As with everything this book had both good and bad things in it. I've read several other book reviews and most of them were negative based on the fact that Gretchen seems like an entitled brat. She has everything: a loving husband, two adorable children, a successful career and her financial situation isn't bad either. Yet, she doesn't feel happy. That's why I think most people are put off by her - she doesn't have a reason not to be happy. However, I disagree. In my opinion, unless you're dealing with extreme poverty, death of a love one, or a serious illness, happiness is often a mindset. I agreed with a lot of what she had to say - that it's easier to get angry than to accept something with a smile. I know that people disliked it because her methods and problems apply mostly to the people from the middle class, but every book has its target audience so I don't think we should hold it against her. The general theme of the book was positive and I got whatever was useful to me. It was in a way a motivating incentive for me to evaluate what I want to accomplish in terms of work and personal development. I even think of loosely following a calendar with monthly resolutions (let's see how long is this going to last).
On the negative side Gretchen was a brat. She complained on and on how she had some errands and how when she went to the dentist to fix something and it turned out she had bigger problems and she had to make additional appointments. I mean, most of the things she found irritating were dead-ass ridiculous. Not to mention the ridiculous names for her rules - she calls them Splendid Truth. I mean, it sounds idiotic. Nothing which she says is revolutionary, it's recycled ideas from philosophers, writers and so on, but that's ok,as she has done massive amount of research. I doubt we'll read an original idea in the future. Lastly, the thing was also off-putting was that as you read you got the sense that Gretchen is a snob. She's constantly referencing quotes from famous people, which for me was over the top.
All in all, the book wasn't bad, it was an easy read, and I think everyone can take what's useful and applicable to their situation.
despite the obvious failure of my reading challenge, I finished another book. I usually don't read self-help books or non-fiction for that matter but The Happiness Project seemed an appropriate title for me, as I've been told I'm someone who is constantly sulking. Of course, I don't agree with this.
GoodReads Summary
In this lively and compelling account, Rubin chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. Among other things, she found that novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness; that money can help buy happiness, when spent wisely; that outer order contributes to inner calm; and that the very smallest of changes can make the biggest difference.
My opinion:
As with everything this book had both good and bad things in it. I've read several other book reviews and most of them were negative based on the fact that Gretchen seems like an entitled brat. She has everything: a loving husband, two adorable children, a successful career and her financial situation isn't bad either. Yet, she doesn't feel happy. That's why I think most people are put off by her - she doesn't have a reason not to be happy. However, I disagree. In my opinion, unless you're dealing with extreme poverty, death of a love one, or a serious illness, happiness is often a mindset. I agreed with a lot of what she had to say - that it's easier to get angry than to accept something with a smile. I know that people disliked it because her methods and problems apply mostly to the people from the middle class, but every book has its target audience so I don't think we should hold it against her. The general theme of the book was positive and I got whatever was useful to me. It was in a way a motivating incentive for me to evaluate what I want to accomplish in terms of work and personal development. I even think of loosely following a calendar with monthly resolutions (let's see how long is this going to last).
On the negative side Gretchen was a brat. She complained on and on how she had some errands and how when she went to the dentist to fix something and it turned out she had bigger problems and she had to make additional appointments. I mean, most of the things she found irritating were dead-ass ridiculous. Not to mention the ridiculous names for her rules - she calls them Splendid Truth. I mean, it sounds idiotic. Nothing which she says is revolutionary, it's recycled ideas from philosophers, writers and so on, but that's ok,as she has done massive amount of research. I doubt we'll read an original idea in the future. Lastly, the thing was also off-putting was that as you read you got the sense that Gretchen is a snob. She's constantly referencing quotes from famous people, which for me was over the top.
All in all, the book wasn't bad, it was an easy read, and I think everyone can take what's useful and applicable to their situation.
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