Patricia Harrelson

Early this year, my therapist recommended that Cindy and I listen to an episode of a podcast called “Happier,” hosted by Gretchen Rubin and her sister, Elizabeth Craft. This particular episode, called “Deep Dive into 18 of 2018,” explored the women’s proposal to create a list of 18 things that will enhance joy and happiness during the year. We listened to the episode and then took several days to draft our lists. It turned out to be several weeks before we actually shared our lists with one another, but in the meantime, I’d take a deep dive down the rabbit hole of the Happiness Project.

During the podcast, Gretchen mentioned something called “The One Minute Rule.” I had  added the “One Minute Rule” to my 18 for 2018 list because the gist of it appealed to me: commit to do any task that can be completed in one minute. But I wanted to know more, so I Googled Gretchen and the rule and ended up at her blog. Soon I was roaming among her blog posts, totally intrigued with the idea of a Happiness Project, so I went to Audible and downloaded the book, which Gretchen reads. I was hooked immediately.

Gretchen thinks like me–in lists, about setting goals and self-improvement and finding greater joy in life. As I drove down the road listening to this book I was smiling. Her ideas made me happy! A by product was that I began to notice other times and places when I felt particularly happy.

For instance, Cindy and I spent half a day posting a pile of items on the local online Buy & Sale site. It was a blast taking pictures, researching the going prices for each item, and crafting an interesting description. Plus, I enjoy working with Cindy on almost any project. We also had a fun time was watching Super Bowl 52, not because either of us are fans of football but because Cindy had developed a pool with family and friends. The pool spurred my interest in the game AND the score. I found myself hooting and cheering enthusiastically.

This morning, I discovered something else that makes me happy. For Christmas, I asked for a reacher because I wanted to use it to pick up trash on my morning walks along the edge of New Melones Reservoir. This morning as I walked beside the glassy water, picking up beer cans, water bottles, and abandoned fishing paraphernalia, I realized I was truly happy.

The best thing about Gretchen Rubin’s book, blog, and podcast is that she has reminded me that I’m a pretty happy person already, but it helps to be conscious of all the different things that contribute to my happiness.