I read a lot, all the time, but often I read books for research, or because they're interesting to me in some way, even if they aren't exactly 'pleasurable.' Gretchen Rubin bookinterestlot Change image and share on social
Negative emotions like loneliness, envy, and guilt have an important role to play in a happy life; they're big, flashing signs that something needs to change. Gretchen Rubin bigchangeemotion Change image and share on social
It's easier to get rid of things when you're giving them to someone who can use them, but don't let this kind intention become a source of clutter itself. I have a friend who has multiple piles all over her house, each lovingly destined for a particular recipient. Gretchen Rubin clutterdestineeasy share on social
I get such a buzz out of cleaning closets. Gretchen Rubin buzzcleancloset Change image and share on social
I collect axioms, paradoxes, maxims, teaching stories, proverbs, and aphorisms of all sorts, because I love to see complex ideas distilled into a few words. Gretchen Rubin aphorismaxiomcollect Change image and share on social
In 'Happier at Home,' I write a lot about my struggle to create an unhurried atmosphere at home. Gretchen Rubin atmospherecreatehappy Change image and share on social
One of my 'Secrets of Adulthood' is: Somewhere, keep an empty shelf. I know where my empty shelf is, and I treasure it. Gretchen Rubin adulthoodemptysecret Change image and share on social
It's so easy to use tired, shopworn figures of speech. I love using long, fancy words but have learned - mostly from writing my biography of Winston Churchill - that short, strong words work better. I am ever-vigilant against the passive and against jargon, both of which are so insidious. Gretchen Rubin biographychurchilleasy share on social
In 'Before and After,' I identify the sixteen strategies that we can use to make or break our habits. Some are quite familiar, such as 'Monitoring,' 'Scheduling,' and 'Convenience.' Some took me a lot of effort to identify, such as 'Thinking,' 'Identity,' and 'Clarity.' Gretchen Rubin breakclarityconvenience share on social
Many people keep photos in their homes, in their office, or in their wallet, and happy families tend to display large numbers of photos at home. In 'Happier at Home,' I write about my 'shrine to my family' made of photographs. Gretchen Rubin displayfamilyhappy share on social