Summary
Gretchen Rubin, a writer living in New York City, embarks on a year-long "happiness project" to improve her overall well-being. She draws inspiration from various sources, including ancient philosophers, modern scientists, and self-help gurus, to create a framework for her experiment. Central to her approach are the "Four Splendid Truths" and "Twelve Commandments" that guide her resolutions. The book follows her journey month by month, each dedicated to a different aspect of happiness.
In January, she focuses on boosting her energy by going to sleep earlier, exercising better, clearing clutter, tackling nagging tasks, and acting more energetic. February is about remembering love in her marriage, which involves quitting nagging, not expecting praise, fighting right, avoiding emotional dumping, and giving proofs of love. She initiates "Extreme Nice," a week of exaggerated kindness toward her husband. March is for aiming higher in her work life. She launches a blog, embraces failure, asks for help, improves work efficiency, and focuses on enjoying the present moment. April's theme is parenthood, and she strives to be more lighthearted and playful with her daughters. She introduces traditions like "Polite Night" and "Sing in the Morning."
May is about being serious about play by having more fun, taking time to be silly, going off the path, and starting collections. She starts a children's literature reading group. In June, she focuses on friendship, resolving to remember birthdays, be generous, avoid gossip, make new friends, and show up for social events. July is dedicated to understanding how money can buy happiness. She tries indulging in modest splurges, buying needful things, spending out on things she values, and giving something up. She reflects on the difference between "underbuying" and "overbuying" tendencies. August's theme is eternity, and she reads memoirs of catastrophe, keeps a gratitude notebook, and imitates a spiritual master, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.
September revolves around pursuing a passion for books, and she challenges herself to write a novel in a month, make more time for reading, and master new book-making technologies. In October, she works on mindfulness by meditating on koans, examining her "True Rules," seeking new mental stimulation, and keeping a food diary. She tries hypnosis and laughter yoga. November is about maintaining a contented heart by laughing out loud, using good manners, giving positive reviews, and finding an area of refuge. Finally, December is "Boot Camp Perfect," where she tries to follow all her resolutions all the time. She reflects on her progress and the impact her project has had on herself and those around her.