The Happiness Project | Psychology Today

A Fun Way to Make a New Year’s Resolution

For the last several years, I’ve identified one idea, summarized in just one word, as an overarching theme for the entire year.

Determined to Keep Your 2016 New Year’s Resolutions?

Most of us have a list of things we’d like to do better — and very often, those things involve habits.

5 Quick and Easy Habits That Will Strengthen Your Relations

Habits are freeing and energizing because they get us out of the draining, difficult business of making decisions and using our self-control.

3 Bad Habits that I Use with My Puppy.

Do you have any habits that you swore you wouldn’t have, before you got a dog? Any tips for me?

Photo [cropped] by Al Ravenna, World Telegram staff photographer [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

What Do You Do With Holiday Cards?

Holiday cards are a tradition that helps to keep social bonds going. And it makes us happier to be reminded of the people who are important to us.

Have You Ever Lost Your Love for Something?

Have you ever left behind one activity or subject you loved?

Sergey Nivens/Shutterstock

I Can Barely Say a Word

Have you ever lost your voice? How did the silence and the listening affect you?

Photo by W.marsh [GFDL|CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons.

Those Who Are Not Grateful...

A great reminder to stop and take a moment to be thankful.

Secrets of Adulthood: If You Can’t Find Something, Clean Up

Losing your keys is no big deal. But it sure feels like a big deal.

5 Things Oprah Taught Me about How to Give a Good Interview

Doing the interview was exciting on many levels, but among other things, I learned a lot about the interview process.

Do You Love the Excitement of Being Snowed In?

Drawing from May Sarton's writings on the subject of what makes home feel homey.

How I Do My Research: Is “Despite” Actually “Because?”

If I’m stumped by something I see, I substitute “because” for “despite,” and see if a proposition makes sense.

The 7 Basic Plots of Stories — Do You Have a Favorite?

If you’re a serious reader, it’s great to have a reliable source of recommendations

Would You Commit a Random Act of Kindness...

Have you signed the registry, or had a conversation about this issue?

7 Things I Learned About Myself, from Getting a Dog

To live a happier, healthier, more productive life, I’ve learned, is less about learning new things and more about putting the things we already know into action.

A Lesson in Happiness and Love I Learned From Rob Lowe

I love this story, because it’s a great example of how sometimes we can be generous by taking.

Do You Text While Driving?

About one quarter of car accidents involve the use of a smart phone.

September is the Other January - Time for a New Start

Summer is over, and the fall brings fresh beginnings and new possibilities.

Outer Order Contributes to Inner Calm

A good clutter-clearing makes me feel more energetic, more creative, and more in command of myself.

Are You Haunted by Reading People’s Final Journal Entries

What practices help you to remember to be grateful for your ordinary day?

Why Going to a Podcasting Conference Made Me Happier

When you’re deciding whether or not to do something, do you explicitly consider the effect it will have on your happiness?

My College Roommate Sent Me a Sketch of Myself

It’s funny, though, what can unleash a memory.

How Do You Feel About Gifts?

How about you? How do you feel about gifts?

Butter Scraped Over Too Much Bread

What do you do, when you need to restore yourself?

What Did Flannery O’Connor Pray For?

We’ve all waited and hoped for a “happy meeting” to occur.

Secrets of Adulthood: Remember to Go Outside

It’s both energizing and calming to be outside.

A Memoir and a List of Loopholes Used to Justify Drinking

Do you have a favorite loophole, that you find yourself turning to most often?

Do You Keep a Contented Heart? I Work at This.

One of my most frequent faults is fretfulness...

Secrets of Adulthood...

Agree, disagree?

Lessons From Happiness and Habits to Help Me Buy a Backpack

Some people love finishing, and some people love opening—both literally and figuratively.

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