The night before Blogher in NYC, I was fortunate enough to hangout with Gretchen Rubin. Gretchen is one of those women who, when she speaks, you listen. And listen intently while taking mental notes for later reference. She is super intelligent (just check out her page here and you will see what I mean) down to earth and makes you want to stand next to her whenever she’s in a room. If you are ever given the chance to meet her or be where she is, go!
The reason for the gathering that night was to launch her latest book, Happier At Home. It’s the second Happiness Project for Gretchen and takes us through nine months, beginning with September and ending in May, of how she created a happier home. Each month she takes on a new project ranging from interior design and parenthood to marriage and time.
The week after getting an advanced copy at the party, I started reading and found I zipped through the first month titled Possessions, in no time at all. Then something happened when I flipped the page to begin October. I realized I wasn’t ready to move on. I needed to work on my own home and sorting through my own possessions in a similar manner Gretchen had described. A shelf at a time. With a purpose while mindfully selecting and sorting.
My conclusion? I needed to DO this happiness project! I put the book away and with September looming a few weeks away, I decided I would wait to start my project. Talk about great timing! With the beginning of a new school year and a new school too, this idea became even more appealing. I love new beginnings along with new notebooks, pens and folders! With a month for each chapter project, to read and work through, I figured I would be able to handle this undertaking. There is a specified timeline and a little project management help along the way. Perfect! I didn’t want it to feel like homework and I knew this way it wouldn’t. Read a little. Do a little. Baby steps are all I can take these days.
Then, I got even more excited after I made this plan with the thought of having someone do this along with me!! Kind of like when you join a gym and need a workout buddy so you don’t talk yourself out of going. Although I have tried that tactic and it never worked.
My question to you is, do you want to be part of this project with me? I promise to be supportive along the way with no pressure, only positive encouragement.
I have an extra copy that I grabbed on my way out the door that evening intended for my mom (sorry Mom!) and will give it to you if you tell me one thing that makes you happier at home. I’ll start.
What makes me happier at home: reading to my children
I’ll leave comments open until Wednesday at 12:00 noon EST but don’t over think this! I’m going to pick a random number but I would still love to hear what makes you happy too. It’s a great way to get thinking about your own happiness and what you need to get there. See what I mean about Gretchen? She gets you thinking!
Also, if you don’t win a copy of the book this time, you will have several other chances. I will be giving away one copy at the end of each month to get on board with us the following month! That’s nine copies in all! Thank you Random House and Gretchen, for helping me share the happiness!
Or, if you can’t wait, pick up a copy and start with us this month. Heck, pick up two and give one to a friend to be your support buddy!
I will be posting my progress as I go through each month both here and on Facebook and sharing pictures with you on Instagram too!
Live Well
The winners are announced here!
It makes me so happy when I take the time to let my kids cook with me.
Sit down family dinners without the TV on.
What makes me happier at home?
Sitting on our front porch w/a cup of tea and a good book.
Spending Fridays with my little grand daughter and then having all my grandchildren for dinner on Friday nites makes me VERY happpy !
What makes me happier at home: full attentiveness to the kids when they say, “Mama, watch this!”
When the TV is off, good music is on, fresh flowers are on the table, I had time to cook dinner, my husband is home and my son called from college to say hi.
When things are organized and neat!
Watching my husband and daughter laugh and play together.
What makes me happier at home? My pets, good music on the radio, being with my husband who truly understands me and is my best friend, feeling free to be me.
Having a lot of great books to read makes me happier at home.
A fire in the fireplace, a glass of wine and my husband, my son and me together reading or playing games together.
Sitting with a cat on my lap.
It makes me happy when the house is clean and organized, but I absolutely hate doing it – I hope that in doing my own Happiness Project I’ll be more diligent about it…
I’m happier when I’m reading on the weekends instead of watching TV.
I fell asleep reading this gorgeous blog last night so when I reopened my computer this morning–this beautiful page of yours pops open!
What makes me happier at hime? Baking oatmeal cookies with my children from scratch. Everything about that process, from the making a mess and mixing all the stuff in the kitchen to globbing the dough on the pan when we’re finished. Just watching them enjoy the process and feeling like we accomplished something together–that makes me feel so happy at home.
I’ve heard so much about Gretchen’s book–it sounds so inspiring!
p.s. I’ve had so many workout buddies (for the purpose of inspiring me to workout) but somehow it never works for me either! When I read your comment about this, it totally cracked me UP.
LOVE you. xoxo
What makes me happier at home- When I get the kids of the bus and they run to me excited with anticipation of what new snack I have created for them that day.
Jill! Hello friend.
I was just going to comment on this post about the book, but it looks like there is a GIVEAWAY, so I will also add what makes me happier at home: the answer is DEFINITELY less stuff and more organization! I just nested up a storm this weekend and am so excited to actually use some of the stuff that was stored in boxes in the back of a closet. Isn’t it so true that you use the stuff that’s easiest to get at?
Anyhoo, just wanted to say that I’m really looking forward to reading this book along with you!
xox
I am happiest at home being the one raising our children. Very blessed to be an at home mom.
I am happiest at home sitting in a rocking chair on my front porch, feeling the sea breezes blow through the trees while sipping a hot cup of tea.
I am happiest at home petting my beagle, Charlotte!
A clean kitchen sink makes me feel at peace.
Having a movie night in with my hubby and kids, a family movie and a bowl of popcorn.
Laying in bed and looking out our huge windows at a bright blue sky!
Cooking something new and eating at our kitchen table!