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!
Jennifer says
There always seems to be a certain something that puts a kink in my goal of having a home free of dirt and drama, where all is well organized and running efficiently. Instead, I am learning to embrace it just the way it is. Not an easy thing to learn, by the way! I am happiest though when I know that I’ve done something daily to make it a great place to live – whether it is doing a load of laundry or cooking a new recipe for my family to try.
Becky says
I’m happier at home when the clutter is cleared (a weekly challenge), I’ve made jelly or jam, and my kitty Daiseymae is curled up in my arm, sleeping beside me.
thanks for the giveaway Gretchen.
Joan Defenbaugh says
Four generations in our home presently. It wasn’t the plan 14 years ago when we bought our “family sized home” for our two growning teenagers. One mother-in-law suite, one military family move and three dogs later, we have literally, a full house. 5 adults, 3 kids under 7, 3 dogs.
I can attest to the daily challenge of finding my own space. My husband and I are pretty much set up in our bedroom as our work space/den/bedroom. My daughter and her husband (who just finished 8 years in the Marine Corp) are now living with us until he finishes his degree My mother moved in with us in 2001. 2 years of sharing a kitchen with her! She now has her own 1800 square foot house on our house. It’s her dream home.
I’ve never done so much pitching, packing, donating, organizing, planning, ice/heating my back or sweating. We are making it work. Family is everything.
Heidi says
Happiness runs in a circular motion,
Floating like a little boat upon the sea.
Everyone is a part of everything anyway,
You can be a part if you let yourself be.
Barbara H says
Would like to receive a copy of Happier at Home.
Sandra says
I’ll give a double dose of happiness inducing:
1. At home, I am actually happier during the day when I take the time to make my bed. I read about this tip in a home magazine. I am the least organized person in the world. But it totally works!
2. In life – just give in to the crap. I remind myself daily that there is very little you can control in life and it is ok to just do nothing about a situation. Some problems aren’t meant to be solved, just meant to change your perspective.
Nancy M. says
I think doing as many things ourselves as possible has really made us happy in our home. A lot of the times things are not as flawless as I imagine they would be if done professionally and they certainly take much longer, but we take so much pride in them.
Arin says
Taking walks in my neighborhood has really increased my happiness. It makes me feel more connected to my community and home.
brenda says
I stay happy by taking my time. Searching for the exact right thing for my house (instead of buying what’s available), cooking from scratch, playing gin rummy with my kid.
Allie says
Homes should be everyone’s happy place. A house turns into a happy home when the inhabitants–people and animal–fully enjoy each space at some point during the day. That’s why “love the house you’re in” is such a fabulous manifesto; it reminds us to literally be here now and find joy within our four walls. 🙂