The Happiness Project

A chronicle of my attempts to test-drive every tip, principle and scientific study that promotes happiness

Anxiety

Dealing With One of the Most Challenging Forms of Clutter

Gretchen Rubin on April 17, 2019

Managing this kind of paper clutter is difficult, but so rewarding.

Managing this kind of paper clutter is difficult, but so rewarding.

Friends

Tips on How to Help a Friend Clear Clutter

Gretchen Rubin on March 12, 2019

From my experience—both as the clutter-clearer myself, and as the friend who's helping—I think it can often be helpful to have a companion.

From my experience—both as the clutter-clearer myself, and as the friend who's helping—I think it can often be helpful to have a companion.

Gratitude

Dealing With Difficult Relatives During the Holidays?

Gretchen Rubin on December 14, 2018

For many, one of the biggest happiness challenges of the holidays is dealing with difficult relatives.

For many, one of the biggest happiness challenges of the holidays is dealing with difficult relatives.

Friends

How Can I Make More Time for Self-Care?

Gretchen Rubin on October 11, 2018

People often ask me, "How do I make more time for myself? How do I put myself first?"

People often ask me, "How do I make more time for myself? How do I put myself first?"

Identity

Habit Strategies and Tips for Rebels

Gretchen Rubin on September 12, 2017

Rebels want to do what they want to do, in their own way, in their own time.

Rebels want to do what they want to do, in their own way, in their own time.

Identity

A Mother’s Brilliant Strategy for Dealing with a Rebel Child

Gretchen Rubin on August 1, 2017

As an Upholder myself, I’ve certainly gained tremendously from studying the Rebel perspective. We’re more free than we think.

As an Upholder myself, I’ve certainly gained tremendously from studying the Rebel perspective. We’re more free than we think.

Happiness

Do You Face These Common Problems in Happiness and Habits?

Gretchen Rubin on August 1, 2017

Perhaps it seems unlikely, but it’s true — the Four Tendencies framework sheds light on all these questions.

Perhaps it seems unlikely, but it’s true — the Four Tendencies framework sheds light on all these questions.

Identity

Want to Change an Important Habit?

Gretchen Rubin on July 12, 2017

Do you want to make a significant change in your life? Or help someone else to make an important change?

Do you want to make a significant change in your life? Or help someone else to make an important change?

Parenting

Some Thoughts on My Daughter’s High School Graduation

Gretchen Rubin on June 13, 2017

What I want most for my daughter and all these kids is for them to go forth unafraid, strong with love and strong with learning.

What I want most for my daughter and all these kids is for them to go forth unafraid, strong with love and strong with learning.

Motivation

Buying Towels and a Moment of Self-reflection

Gretchen Rubin on May 31, 2017

It’s not a Peter Pan, refusing-to-accept-responsibility feeling; it’s that feeling that nothing is yet real or permanent, but that someday, it will become real and permanent.

It’s not a Peter Pan, refusing-to-accept-responsibility feeling; it’s that feeling that nothing is yet real or permanent, but that someday, it will become real and permanent.

Motivation

I Give My Own Response to the “Ask Amy” Advice Column

Gretchen Rubin on May 31, 2017

To my mind, the writer’s problem is not “I’m lazy,” it’s “I need accountability.”

To my mind, the writer’s problem is not “I’m lazy,” it’s “I need accountability.”

Motivation

My Best Advice for Graduates: 12 Tips for a Happy Life

Gretchen Rubin on May 24, 2017

What advice would you give to a graduate?

What advice would you give to a graduate?

Motivation

Struggling to Get Something Done?

Gretchen Rubin on May 17, 2017

Whenever an Obliger struggles to get something done, the solution is always the same: external accountability. It’s just a question of figuring out what form it’s going to take.

Whenever an Obliger struggles to get something done, the solution is always the same: external accountability. It’s just a question of figuring out what form it’s going to take.

Motivation

Warning! Don’t Expect to Be Motivated by Motivation

Gretchen Rubin on May 8, 2017

Instead of thinking about motivation, I argue that we should think about aims, and then concrete, practical, realistic steps to take us closer to our aims.

Instead of thinking about motivation, I argue that we should think about aims, and then concrete, practical, realistic steps to take us closer to our aims.

Creativity

Like Me, Do You Get the Urge to Do Spring Cleaning?

Gretchen Rubin on April 12, 2017

Creating outer order gives a huge boost in energy, cheer, and creativity.

Creating outer order gives a huge boost in energy, cheer, and creativity.

Happiness

For the International Day of Happiness

Gretchen Rubin on March 20, 2017

If someone asked you, “What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about happiness?” what would you answer?

If someone asked you, “What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about happiness?” what would you answer?

Happiness

Want to View the World With Fresh Eyes?

Gretchen Rubin on March 15, 2017

What hooks do you use to help yourself see the world more vividly?

What hooks do you use to help yourself see the world more vividly?

Motivation

“My Highest Ambition Is To Be What I Already Am.”

Gretchen Rubin on March 13, 2017

What is self-acceptance, really? Or self-knowledge? A mystery.

What is self-acceptance, really? Or self-knowledge? A mystery.

Happiness

How Does One Bring One’s Mind and Body Back Together?

Gretchen Rubin on March 7, 2017

How would you fill in the blank?

How would you fill in the blank?

Loneliness

7 Types of Loneliness, and Why It Matters

Gretchen Rubin on February 27, 2017

It’s important to realize why we feel lonely, because only then can we see how we might address it.

It’s important to realize why we feel lonely, because only then can we see how we might address it.