“by mindfully shaping our habits, we can harness the power of mindlessness as a sweeping force for serenity, energy, and growth.” — Gretchen Rubin Habits Copy Share Image
Although we often assume that feelings inspire actions, in fact, actions also inspire feelings. By pushing myself to act happier, I make… — Gretchen Rubin Act Copy Share Image
I have a lucky perfume. I love beautiful smells, but I save one of my favorite perfumes to wear only when I… — Gretchen Rubin Authentic happiness Copy Share Image
“Finally I am coming to the conclusion that my highest ambition is to be what I already am. —Journal of Thomas Merton” — Gretchen Rubin Ambition Copy Share Image
I have a passion for children's literature. Young adult literature. I love it. I've always loved it. — Gretchen Rubin Adults Copy Share Image
If I pretend to myself that I'm different from the way I truly am, I'm going to make choices that won't make… — Gretchen Rubin Choices Copy Share Image
You really have to begin by figuring out what kind of person you are. The tip is to really take a look… — Gretchen Rubin Begin Copy Share Image
If you've had something for more than six months, and it's still not repaired, it's clutter. — Gretchen Rubin Clutter Copy Share Image
“On Three Ways of Writing for Children”: When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed… — Gretchen Rubin Books Copy Share Image
When I find myself focusing overmuch on the anticipated future happiness of arriving at a certain goal, I remind myself to 'Enjoy… — Gretchen Rubin Anticipated Copy Share Image
“There's no "right" or "best" way to create a better life. Nevertheless, while each of us may define and achieve outer order… — Gretchen Rubin Better life Copy Share Image
Habit allows us to go from 'before' to 'after,' to make life easier and better. Habit is notorious - and rightly so… — Gretchen Rubin Ability Copy Share Image
Did I have a heart to be contented? Well, no, not particularly. I had a tendency to be discontented: ambitious, dissatisfied, fretful,… — Gretchen Rubin Ambitious Copy Share Image
Try to never say 'yes' on the phone; instead, say, 'I'll get back to you.' When you're actually speaking to someone, the… — Gretchen Rubin Actually Copy Share Image
I've always loved 'Before and After' stories, in books, magazines, and TV shows. Whenever I read those words, I'm hooked. The thought… — Gretchen Rubin After Copy Share Image
Whenever I start a new book, I think, 'This is the most interesting subject of all time. It's sad, I'll never enjoy… — Gretchen Rubin Another Copy Share Image
“I started to apply the “one-minute rule”; I didn’t postpone any task that could be done in less than one minute.” — Gretchen Rubin Minute Copy Share Image
“If I never do something, it requires no self-control for me; if I do something sometimes, it requires enormous self-control.” — Gretchen Rubin Discipline Copy Share Image
When Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's government fell in May 1940, the nation turned to Churchill. At last, his unique qualities were brought… — Gretchen Rubin Above Copy Share Image
One of my key realizations about happiness, and a point oddly under-emphasized by positive psychologists, given its emphasis in popular culture, is… — Gretchen Rubin About Copy Share Image
“It struck me as poignant that my long relationship with my beloved grandparents could be embodied in a few small objects. But… — Gretchen Rubin Long relationship Copy Share Image
Superstition is the irrational belief that an object or behavior has the power to influence an outcome, when there's no logical connection… — Gretchen Rubin Authentic happiness Copy Share Image
Feelings follow actions. If I'm feeling low, I deliberately act cheery, and I find myself actually feeling happier. If I'm feeling angry… — Gretchen Rubin Action Copy Share Image
Studies show that aggressively expressing anger doesn't relieve anger but amplifies it. On the other hand, not expressing anger often allows it… — Gretchen Rubin Amplify Copy Share Image
Take the perspective of a journalist or scientist. Really study what's around you. What are people wearing, what do the interiors of… — Gretchen Rubin Almost Copy Share Image
“I knew I wouldn't discover happiness in a faraway place or in unusual circumstances; it was right here, right now— as in… — Gretchen Rubin Backyard Copy Share Image
Happiness is hard because it's very subjective. I know the people that seem happiest to me, but whether they are actually -… — Gretchen Rubin Happiness Copy Share Image
As goofy as it sounds, I try to sing in the morning. It's hard both to sing and to maintain a grouchy… — Gretchen Rubin Audience Copy Share Image
Now that I've relinquished my fantasies of all the people I wish I could be, and stopped feeling guilty about not going… — Gretchen Rubin Enjoy Copy Share Image
“When it comes to fake food, I’m like Samuel Johnson, who remarked, "Abstinence is as easy to me as temperance would be… — Gretchen Rubin Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Spending hours stressed out in front of the TV isn't the same as volunteering or donating. Feeling a high level of personal… — Gretchen Rubin Detachment Copy Share Image
One of the findings that really interests me is that, although we think we ACT because of the way we FEEL, we… — Gretchen Rubin Feelings Copy Share Image
What I found is, really, you always have to begin by nailing what is true about you, because something that works very… — Gretchen Rubin Found Copy Share Image
If you're impatient while waiting for the bus, tell yourself you're doing 'Bus waiting meditation.' If you're standing in a slow line… — Gretchen Rubin Bus Copy Share Image
If you'd like to watch less television, try putting the remote away in a very inconvenient place and making yourself put it… — Gretchen Rubin Activities Copy Share Image
Nature is impersonal, awe-inspiring, elegant, eternal. It's geometrically perfect. It's tiny and gigantic. You can travel far to be in a beautiful… — Gretchen Rubin Above Copy Share Image
I embrace treats, but I'm also very wary of treats. Treats help us feel energized, appreciated, and enthusiastic - but very often,… — Gretchen Rubin Also Copy Share Image
When we don't get any treats, we feel depleted, resentful, and angry, and we feel justified in self-indulgence. We start to crave… — Gretchen Rubin Angry Copy Share Image
In the scope of a happy life, a messy desk or an overstuffed coat closet is a trivial thing, yet I find… — Gretchen Rubin Agree Copy Share Image
It's about living in the moment and appreciating the smallest things. Surrounding yourself with the things that inspire you and letting go… — Gretchen Rubin Appreciate Copy Share Image
