the happiness project.

this holiday weekend was full of so many things i love - leisurely homecooked meals, the smell of spring, mr. frederickson (more on him later), perfect running weather, afternoon naps in the sun, cadbury mini eggs, and some time to get settled into my new book, which is a luxury in and of itself.

if you are anything like me, you have a pile of books cluttering your nightstand, just taunting you and begging to be read. and in my case, they are a constant source of guilt (i really should be reading these, but i really just want to fall asleep) and annoyance (dust seems to gather on my nightstand around said books more than any other place in my apartment!) so, i am going to challenge myself this spring to tackle this reading project (book club, anyone!?) and it seemed only appropriate that the first book be "the happiness project" by gretchen rubin.

i think gretchen and i might be soul mates...but even if you and she have very little in common, you will love this book. it is entertaining and full of helpful bits of wisdom (and lists!) to help even the happiest person get a little bit happier. and who can argue with that? plus, she has a blog, so you can stalk - i mean, follow - the happiness project everyday!

one of my favorite lists was her secrets of adulthood. clever, concise and i am fairly certain that this list alone will carry me well into the next chapter of life, whatever that may be.

• the best reading is re-reading.
• outer order contributes to inner calm.
• the opposite of a great truth is also true.
• you manage what you measure.
• by doing a little bit each day, you can get a lot accomplished.
• people don’t notice your mistakes and flaws as much as you think.
• it's nice to have plenty of money.
• most decisions don't require extensive research.
• try not to let yourself get too hungry.
• even if you think they're fake, it's nice to celebrate mother's day and father's day.
• if you can't find something, clean up.
• the days are long, but the years are short.
• someplace, keep an empty shelf.
• turning the computer on and off a few times often fixes a glitch.
• it's okay to ask for help.
• you can choose what you do; you can't choose what you LIKE to do.
• happiness doesn't always make you feel happy.
• what you do EVERY DAY matters more than what you do ONCE IN A WHILE.
• you don't have to be good at everything.
• soap and water removes most stains.
• it's important to be nice to EVERYONE.
• you know as much as most people.
• over-the-counter medicines are very effective.
• eat better, eat less, exercise more.
• what's fun for other people may not be fun for you--and vice versa.
• people actually prefer that you buy wedding gifts off their registry.
• houseplants and photo albums are a lot of trouble.
• if you're not failing, you're not trying hard enough.