2009/03/26

Gretchen Rubin's Happiness Project Blog

Gretchen Rubin has a project going. "THE HAPPINESS PROJECT--a memoir about the year I spent test-driving every principle, tip, theory, and scientific study I could find, whether from Aristotle or St. Therese or Martin Seligman or Oprah."

Her blog always has something interesting, and her "one-minute movies" are definitely worth watching. But this series was really great - well-reasoned, pleasantly written, questioning in all the right places. Check her out. You won't regret it.

Ten Myths about Happiness -- Which Do You Believe?

Loch-ness-monsterEvery Wednesday is Tip Day.
This Wednesday: 10 widespread myths about happiness.

Each day for two weeks, I posted about Ten Happiness Myths. Today, for your reading convenience, I’m posting the entire list, with links.

No. 1: Happy people are annoying and stupid.

No. 2: Nothing changes a person’s happiness level much.

No. 3: Venting anger relieves it.

No. 4: You’ll be happier if you insist on “the best.”

No. 5: A “treat” will cheer you up.

No. 6: Money can’t buy happiness.

No. 7: Doing “random acts of kindness” brings happiness.

No. 8: You’ll be happy as soon as you…

No. 9: Spending some time alone will make you feel better.

No. 10: The biggest myth: It’s selfish to try to be happier.

Agree? Disagree? Am I missing an important myth?

1 comment:

dogwooddiarist said...

I enjoy Gretchen's Happiness Project posts, too. The "Venting Anger Relieves It" myth was particularly thought provoking. But there was one about the overrated value of spending time alone that I just couldn't get on board with . . . . maybe because having kids and being home with them all day means one never really has time alone!