You might have heard about "The Happiness Project" but it was new to me - earlier in the week Kate bought me a copy, she had first seen the book in Anthropology and was loving it.
The Happiness Project is an account of Gretchen Rubin's year long journey to discover happiness and find pleasure in small aspects of life. Each chapter chronicles a month in Gretchen's happiness project and explores a different resolution for happiness from remembering love to whether money can buy happiness. There's a great philosophical basis to the book which blends seamlessly with honest and detailed personal thoughts and anecdotes that really bring tests of happiness to life.
I love this quote.....................
I couldn't find anything in my wardrobe due to clutter and a reluctance to let go of things - so inspired by Gretchen I had a sort out............
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after a few hours work - I now have a tidy wardrobe and a pile of clothes and shoes ready for the charity shop to be recycled.
I am really enjoying the book, so a big thank you to Kate (who is also decluttering) you can watch a short interview with the author Gretchen Rubin's here (although if I had only seen the interview I'm not sure I would have been inspired to read the book) Gretchen also has a blog here
Overall I am a happy and positive person but the book isn't aimed at unhappy people it's more about what makes us feel happy and how we can be even happier with just some small changes in how we deal or react to things.
Gretchen talks about the one minute rule - if you can do a job in one minute do it now don't save it until later. I am amazed how it helps reduce clutter and also reduces that overwhelming feeling of having lots and lots of little things to do. I am getting better at putting things away, paper's are filed, emails or text messages are answered when received (if they only need a quick response) stuff is taken upstairs not left on the bottom stair until later etc etc. Suddenly I have fewer areas of the house that are used as dumping grounds which is uplifting in itself and I don't have a multitude of little chores to do at the end of the day. I am also trying to tidy before I go to bed, just ten minutes in the kitchen before I go up does the trick and the feeling of a lovely tidy kitchen when you first get up is lovely (makes me happy!)
I have to admit though I have not tackled my yarn, fabric or craft hidey holes yet so more instalments to come.
talk soon x
bbb.jpg)
after a few hours work - I now have a tidy wardrobe and a pile of clothes and shoes ready for the charity shop to be recycled.
I am really enjoying the book, so a big thank you to Kate (who is also decluttering) you can watch a short interview with the author Gretchen Rubin's here (although if I had only seen the interview I'm not sure I would have been inspired to read the book) Gretchen also has a blog here
Overall I am a happy and positive person but the book isn't aimed at unhappy people it's more about what makes us feel happy and how we can be even happier with just some small changes in how we deal or react to things.
Gretchen talks about the one minute rule - if you can do a job in one minute do it now don't save it until later. I am amazed how it helps reduce clutter and also reduces that overwhelming feeling of having lots and lots of little things to do. I am getting better at putting things away, paper's are filed, emails or text messages are answered when received (if they only need a quick response) stuff is taken upstairs not left on the bottom stair until later etc etc. Suddenly I have fewer areas of the house that are used as dumping grounds which is uplifting in itself and I don't have a multitude of little chores to do at the end of the day. I am also trying to tidy before I go to bed, just ten minutes in the kitchen before I go up does the trick and the feeling of a lovely tidy kitchen when you first get up is lovely (makes me happy!)
I have to admit though I have not tackled my yarn, fabric or craft hidey holes yet so more instalments to come.
talk soon x
This looks like a great book, thanks for the recommendation Sue. Off to read a little more about it. It is so satisfying when you get little jobs such as clearing out cupboards done, I have the kids to do over the holidays and dreading it! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI am in the middle of Gretchin's second book 'Happier At Home' which is a good follow up... and like you, the 1 minute rule has become part of daily life for me now too :)
ReplyDeleteI was bought this book for Christmas and within a week had a nice tidy decluttered wardrobe :) xx
ReplyDeleteI have this book but coudln't get into it! I will try again.
ReplyDeleteGemma xXx
Sounds like something I'd like to read. Thanks for the recommendation! :)
ReplyDeleteI shall have to investigate the book - it sounds good. I am reasonably good at keeping my wardrobe decluttered, and I do like a tidy house! However I need to do more to sort out my varius stashes. I did have a serious think earlier in the year about which crafts I want to continue with, so I have sorted out some stuff - I now need to be ruthless!!
ReplyDeleteI love news like that. I am quite good at de-cluttering and using up old stuff. See, I would have felted any pure wool jumpers and made denim bags for my craft fair with jeans but that doesn't immediately get rid of it does it - not the same clear away impact. Well done you it sounds very motivating. Jo x
ReplyDeleteOh dear where do i start !!! maybe the book is a good start !
ReplyDeleteBarbara