To be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition, the end to which every enterprise and labour tends. — Samuel Johnson, the Rambler, No, 68.
That’s the very first quote in Gretchen Rubin’s brand new book, Happier at Home (affiliate link) which — like its predecessor The Happiness Project — is sure to be a blockbuster. The Samuel Johnson quote immediately hit home for me, because golly, isn’t this blog about finding happiness in our sweet little midcentury homes… about loving the house you’re in, instead of pining after what it may lack… and about giving our houses our tender loving care — so that they can give theirs back?
Crikes, sorry to get all mushy there. But in case you haven’t guessed, I am hugely enormously, gigantically, sentimental about happiness in house and home. It is kind of… all that I think about. I also just read Gretchen Rubin’s first book The Happiness Project (affiliate link) in July. I thought that the book was hugely enormously gigantically brilliant. It was a #1 New York Times best-seller for good reason. The book is NOT self-help FLUFF. This woman is a take-no-prisoners serious, avid researcher. She wrote lauded history books about Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy before she turned to the more prosaic, yet elusive, topic of Happiness. In a nut, with The Happiness Project, she synthesized amazing amounts of research on the topic… and then… and this was the especially brilliant part: She put her findings to work in her own life, small-step-by-small-step, over a 12-month period, and chronicled her experience. The book is super easy to read, super encouraging — but at the same time, it’s deeeeeep. How often can you say that.
Now, Gretchen (I don’t think she will mind my familiarity) has followed up her first best-selling happiness book with a second one that focuses even more specifically on cultivating happiness within your home and with the creatures who may live there with you. UPDATE: Happier at Home has just hit #2 on the New York Times best-seller list, in just its FIRST week on sale. THIS BOOK IS A MUST-HAVE!
One more happy thing: Gretchen once gave a shout out to Retro Renovation on her blog — and send several hundred new visitors our way. She like the retro. Can ya believe it. I can: Retro is Happy!
Rick Segers says
I would love the book to help me plan for the future.
Debbie Bailey says
I loved your first book, The Happiness Project, and am really looking forward to reading the new one. Count me in. Thanks!
Tammy T says
Read the first book–loved it. Choosing to be happy through conscious selection of activities, acquaintances, and friends is key. Happy people flock together–hence why we all love RR. Pam doesn’t allow the U word or the U attitude. That makes visiting this site a joy. Thank you for making happy easier.
pam kueber says
I love that: “Happy people flock together.” That’s us here for sure! <3
Mia says
Count me in and thank you.
Dreda says
I’m happier when my counters are clean.
Leah says
I’m happier when I can make something I need rather than buy it.
Jennifer says
This sounds lovely…
One fun way we’ve increased happiness in our home is that we recently adopted a dog and 2 kittens! I look forward to learning more ideas to incorporate into our lives.
Tanya says
It makes when happy when I buy something vintage. Not only is it retro-cool, but I’m reusing and reducing my waste stream.
Barb says
I’m happier after cleaning out the closet or basement and giving away things I no longer use.
Burndett Andres says
I am happier when I look at everything that comes into my life as a blessing. By concentrating on blessings and welcoming them as gifts the Law of Attraction beings me more of what I want…serenity.