I have been a follower of Gretchen Rubin for many years. Not in the guru-sense, as she’s not even a yogi… but in her study and exploration of happiness & human behavior, which she shares through her books and her popular podcast, Happier w/Gretchen Rubin. I read The Happiness Project, soon after it came out in 2009. Unlike lots of other ‘self-help’ books, Gretchen doesn’t offer answers, but asks a lot of questions that help get to the heart of who we are, what makes us tick, how we relate to the world, and how we can actually be happier and more content in our lives- without having to make millions, buy any special product, lose weight, escape to the wild, or any other life-altering extremism.
So, as part of my annual goal-setting – this year 24 for 2024, I decided to embark on my very own Happiness Project. The book documented a year of Gretchen trying new things, and eliminating others, to add happiness to an already pretty good life. Each month had a different focus, with aims, questions and challenges to fine-tune a pretty good life into an even better life.
That’s where I am now. I am happy with my life. I am grateful to have made some big changes, and things are going well. Both of my children are technically adults now, and we are empty-nesters (at least during the week), we can pay our bills and go on vacations, and have good health.
Over the course of the year, Gretchen realized things about herself, she challenged her thinking, her habits and beliefs and ultimately created a ‘happier, healthier, more productive and more creative life’, which expanded beyond herself to her family, and later, her readers.
Isn’t that what we all want? I don’t REALLY need a Lotto win, but a boost of happiness, a little more joy in my day-to-day life, the elimination of one hated task… these can make a big difference. I am also trying to expand my habits and lifestyle to be more aligned with Patanjali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga– a framework for life, and the source of my yoga practice and business.
So, I am going to share my experience here, as I never know what to put in this part of the website…
I have now read the book three times, but to get this show off the ground, I have paid into an ‘experience’. A special members-only site, with a workbook, a chatroom, and regular contact to keep you on track. I am not big into the online stuff, but do find that more reminders help me re-set my priorities and stay on task, and I love a workbook, journal or stationary product! So here goes…
Each month has a theme/focus, with January and December acting as bookends, for planning and reflecting… the others are:
February: Energy
March: Organization
April: Friendship
May: Play
June: Family
July: Creativity
August: Love
September: Work
October: Mindful Investment
November: Meaning
During January, I did plan and map out the upcoming year, as well as reflect on 2023— both personally, professionally, and as a family (we all did a 24 for 2024 list), and February is well on its way — so stay tuned for how I have approached ENERGY…
Comments are turned off due to constant website phishing, but feel free to chat or email me with your thoughts & ideas on this project.
