And My Other Experiments in Everyday Life - Abandon Self-Control

This title appeared as a recommendation in an article in The Christian Science Monitor, so I assumed it might be important. But I haven't learned anything new. I recently read The Shelter of Each Other : Rebuilding Our Families by Dr. Mary Pipher (1996) which was much more influential and at least written by someone in the field of mental health.

As a retired person without children, the book is still great for making changing in my points of view. As a positive person, this book helps, just gives me a kick in my attitude. We are all different, but her life perspectives gave me new insight into my life.

Rubin provides valuable advise for being happy at home. To my untrained and "common" eyes, however, there is little difference between this book and Rubin's earlier book "The Happiness Project". Still, it's a heart-warming read and makes me smile when I turn the pages. Even if I'm not at home most of the time, her happiness tips are worth a read.

Having never read her first work, The Happiness Project, it took me a few chapters to get "into" her writing style. I enjoyed the book overall, and came away with several ideas for being "happier" within my own surroundings as well as how to spend my time in a more meaningful and enjoyable way. I did find her "status" in life and frequent referral to quotes from numerous famous authors somewhat distracting.

I love that Gretchen Rubin thrives on good research and personal story telling. It makes for a great read.

There is something about this happiness series that Can be truly inspiring, if you allow yourself to not just read, but to read, reflect and strive for your own personal insights.

I loved the first book - the Happiness Project -- and looked forward to Happier at Home, but was a little dissappointed in there was a lot of material repeated from the first book. Maybe if I hadn't read the first book, I would have really enjoyed this one. As it was, I felt like I could have skipped Happier at Home. If you haven't read either, I would definitely go with the original Happiness Project.

I am a huge fan of the original Happiness Project, and was super happy to hear Rubin had another book coming out. I highly recommend this for any mom trying to balance life while maintaining happiness.

I am sooo enjoying this book. Gretchen brings a realness to an ideal that meets me where I live. The Happiness Project stayed on my Kindle and this one will too. I want to be able to access it now and then. It's a keeper.

This is an excellent book! I was really happy with the first book and got some great tips to use in my own life, and was really excited to see this one as well. Gretchen Rubin really has a way of explaining things that make it seem so simple to implement these ideas to be happier in the life you've got.

I enjoyed this book - not as much a the original Happiness Project, but there were still lots of little thought-provoking ideas as to how to be happier in daily life. If you enjoyed The Happiness Project, you will also enjoy Happier at Home.

I preordered the book...counted down the release days...and was disappointed. I was hoping for more of an expansion on her first book, which I have read and reread many times. This book is pretty much the same thing done using a different time length and resolutions...no real mind shattering new additions.

Thank you, Gretchen, for the wonderful reminder that Now Is Now, and the time to be happy and make home a happier place is today.
Your authentic writing style is a pleasure to read. I love the research you put into your books.
A wonderful read to begin a new year.

Don't even bother. I loved the Happiness Project and it even inspired me to startmy own. Since I am a Stay at Home mom, I thought this book was going to be even more helpful and I could feel even more identified wuth it. Boy was I wrong!
Boring is an understatement,... Buy something else.

Thank you, Gretchen, for the wonderful reminder that Now Is Now, and the time to be happy and make home a happier place is today.
Your authentic writing style is a pleasure to read. I love the research you put into your books.
A wonderful read to begin a new year.

Don't even bother. I loved the Happiness Project and it even inspired me to startmy own. Since I am a Stay at Home mom, I thought this book was going to be even more helpful and I could feel even more identified wuth it. Boy was I wrong!
Boring is an understatement,... Buy something else.

A disappointing follow up to her previous book. I thought this was too specific to her personal situation. If you're not married and have kids, you'll end up skipping a bunch of chapters, because they won't really be of much use. Some of the research she brings up is interesting, but overall not as helpful as her first book, which was so enjoyable.

I enjoyed reading her first book. I felt as though she put a lot of effort into organizing her life and realizing how good her life is. It made me really think about my own. I was really excited to read this book. Shortly after opening the first page, I felt as though she just decided to write a book to have a second book come out. It didn't have as much depth and was very superficial. It didn't differ from her first book. She didn't take any chances or risks. She is a very bland individual and lacks character, depth and creativity. Most of all, she now lacks originality. She should try to go on a different path or stick to short words of advice. Gretchen, I will not be reading anymore of your material. You are boring.

I loved her previous book "The Happiness Project" and truly "Happier At Home" is living up to my expectations! I don't feel like I'm READING, I feel like Gretchen is a friend talking to me. I love her ideas, I'm about half way through "Happier At Home." I would have finished reading the first day, but I have purposely slowed myself down in order to take in everything Gretchen is saying. You'll love this book! THANK YOU GRETCHEN, YOU'RE THE BEST!!!

Life-changing for me...truly! This book got me back on track after a depressing semester in my teaching job. When I improved my home life, the other aspects of my life fell back into place. I can't wait to read it over and over again!

I cannot lie to myself anymore. Rubin's book made me come face to face with the reason I am not happier- ME. Her approach to happiness has set the example. I now take the time to not only think about, but actually take the steps necessary to be happier. Without this book, I would still be complaining in circles.
I also think about how to make family members and friends happier- brainstorming for ideas and trying them out. We are not victims and small changes make a difference. It is easier than you think to take charge. Thank you Gretchen for giving me the energy to do so.

This is an excellent companion book to The Happiness Project. Gretchen's books are engaging, easy reads, yet you learn so much as you are reading for pleasure. Obviously her books strike a chord with many people. They're clearly universal, when you consider how many are selling. Yet I felt like she wrote them just for me! She's my "therapist on a shelf!" Her practical ideas are easy to implement, and they can improve the lives of families. I was sad to come to the end of the story. I've purchases lots of copies of both books for friends.

I loved the original Happiness Project book and enjoy Gretchin Rubin's honest experience. I found the tips in this book especially helpful. We're going through a lot of transitions at our house right now, and having an arsenal of ways to stay resilient and protect the positive atmosphere in my home were much appreciated. GREAT BOOK!

This book suffers from Desperately Seeking Sequel syndrome. Gretchen has nothing new to say here, so she tries to inject universal meaning into her personal preferences and experiences. It's all Gretchen, all the time - like the scene from "Being John Malkovich" in which the actor's face appears on every single character and the dialogue goes "Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich."

I loved Gretchen's first book, but this one really bugged me. A few examples:

--Her expanding lists of Splendid Truths, Twelve Personal Commandments, ad nauseum. Oh, and let's not forget that "the opposite of a rule is also true." How to keep it all straight? When all else fails, invoke the guideline "Be Gretchen" and do what you wanted to do anyway.

--Endless detailed conversations; minutiae about family and friends; and overdone passages about Gretchen's fascination for miniatures and her collaborative project on the Eleusinian Mysteries. Who cares?!

--Two mindless lists of everyday tips, including gems like "Store leaky items in a plastic bag" and "Replace a light bulb or an empty roll of toilet paper right away."

--All the attention paid to the arrangements of flotsam and jetsam her younger daughter plays with and leaves lying around the apartment. Here in the real world, Mom would say: "Clean up your piles of cr*p already!"

--The way Gretchen's husband refuses to give her "gold stars" - the praise and recognition she yearns for. In this, I agree with her. Why can't Jamie unbend a little bit, to please his wife? Would it kill him to notice her accomplishments and say something nice? Maybe he's so worn out by all her relentless happiness campaigning that he's just trying to control SOMETHING.

--Her younger daughter's hissy fit when Gretchen fails to greet her properly. Gretchen's so concerned with getting everybody on board to "Give warm greetings" that she apologizes to the kid. Too bad "Respect your parents" wasn't one of the Life Rules.

--Her older daughter's favorite activity: making videos and books about herself. Hmm, sounds like a chip off the old block.

I expect we'll eventually see a third book in this series - something like "The Navel-Gazing Project." I think I'll pass.

Interesting, thoughtful and a reflective book. It has inspired me to be me and it has also helped me reflect that the days are long and the years are short. Oh..........and I am cleaning out my bedroom cupboards....who needs junk!

I will be re-reading this many times! Practical advice, easy to read and very thought provoking. It's enjoyable and helpful. It will be a resource book both as a "happiness" and a "de-cluttering" guide. Even if you follow Gretchen's blog, this book has a wealth of new information, tips and practical suggestions.