January 1, 2025
A Christmas gift that I asked for this year was The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. I had the book a long time ago and did the “project” but I have been wanting to do it again. I think I donated my first copy or gave it to someone. I’m going to make it my own, though! I may add/subtract/vary the monthly goals a bit. Anyone want to join me?
I started a book club about 15 years ago and this was the first book we did. I remember one of the ladies being very critical of Gretchen Rubin and her happiness project. She said that it was easy for Gretchen to be happy. She is wealthy and lives in New York City; why wouldn’t she be happy? I didn’t see it that way at all. My friend Kara and I both got a lot out of this book. Kara even quoted that after The Bible, this book had the biggest impact on her adult life. So, I am a different age and at a different stage now, so why not? And, if I get bored with it after awhile that’s fine, too. I feel zero pressure.
The way I see it is that anything can have a positive impact on me and to scoff at something like this is a sad way to live. I like a self-help book. Don’t you want to learn and grow and wake up a better version of yourself each day?
I might even share this with my students. I can see some of them really getting into monthly goals and challenges.
Here is Gretchen’s front cover quote, “Why I Spent a year trying to sing in the morning, clean my closets, fight right, read Aristotle, and generally have more fun”. So, some of those things don’t appeal to me so I will make this mine!
Let’s take the theme of January, for example…
The theme is “Boost Energy” with an emphasis on going to sleep earlier, exercising better (not more, but better), toss, restore, organize, tackle a nagging task, and act more energetic. I think I am going to write in my copy and adjust as needed.
But, before you start January, I think the Getting Started chapter is important.
So, remember I did this 15 years ago? I am different in many ways! I am 53 now. I have 22 year old kids now. I am in spitting distance of retirement – whereas 15 years ago I thought I might still become a principal before it was all said and done.
Anyway, in the Getting Started chapter Gretchen Rubin lists her commandments and her secrets of adulthood.
She lists “Be Gretchen” as her first. I would say that it is harder now than it was then to not be influenced. Sometimes I stop myself and think, “that is not even something I enjoy; why am I letting myself be influenced?” I distinctly remember that I didn’t have a smart phone until my kids were 8 and I used to have to go to my basement to check my email on my desktop computer. Lol. She also lists let it go, act the way I want to feel, do it now, be polite and be fair, enjoy the process, spend out, identify the problem, lighten up, do what ought to be done, no calculation, and there is only love. Mine would be different; yours would be different.
Do you make resolutions for a new year? My life has been measured in school years rather than calendar years, so I don’t really go big on January 1.
What say you? Any thoughts on this project?
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
I have never heard of that book before but I do enjoy looking for ways to improve my life, my health, and my outlook.
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I think you might like it and it was under $10 on Amazon. I am the same, Joanne. I love to hear tips about improving myself and my life.
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HI!
I think this is a good idea. I will order the book. I did not realize we are so close in age, with very different lives. (I’m 54). You got married had kids, a house. I did not get married until 45, didn’t want kids and started my career at 19, and now retired. I think this will be interesting to see the differences now. This sounds fun!
Happy New Year.
Missy
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Wonderful! Yes, we had very different paths – but not that different! I started my big girl job at 22 and could have retired 4 years ago. I got married at 28 and had kids at 30, though.
How are you finding retirement? Are you bored?
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Yes, You are right its not that different. Yes, I am bored! As soon as I retired Covid hit so my big do this, do that plan went down the tubes. My company called me back to work on an hourly basis at home because they could not get someone fully trained in an at home space. They made it so I could not say no. So, that lasted for almost 2 years. So, my plans to go on a great vacation, get a part time job went down the tubes. I take care of my husband, (he works) my dog (Rusty) and my home. I shop too much, and take myself out for lunch too much. Ha! The biggest and I mean the biggest thing I amaze myself is. HOW did I do all this and work 50 hours a week? I still ask myself that at least a couple times a week. So, I’m still trying to figure it out.
Thanks for asking!!!
Missy
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I always feel like September is the start of a new year for me. It’s hard to let that go if you’ve been a teacher. There’s a lot of pressure on January, but I like to ease in. The book sounds interesting, practical. I will give it a look. Happy new year!
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So true! I agree with easing in.
Yes, I wonder if I will still think it’s so good 15 years later.
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I read this also when it came out. I love a good book club discussion and tips. The new “buzz book” right now is called Let Them by Mel Robbins. Oprah had her on a podcast and I am reading it. I think you would find it helpful in your pursuit. I will look forward to your posts about the book.
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Great! Would you do it again?
I follow Mel and used her Let Them theory over the holidays – lol. I also told some people about it in efforts to help them with their dysfunctional families!
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I have lots of thoughts on this project! I remember when she first wrote this book and I think she did a whole blog series on it or something. Anyway, I think you should start a blog series on this and once a month let us know what your challenges are going to be and hold us accountable for naming our challenge. š Sharing it with your students is a great ideaā¦you are the biggest influencer in some of their lives, for sure.
If you have seven minutes, you might want to listen to Mel Robbins podcast she released this morningā¦ āGive me seven minutesā or something like that. Her phrase ( and the name of her new book) is called Let Them. I donāt subscribe to everything she says and every belief she has but I know itās coming from a place of truth and goodness from her and something many people can probably relate to or need to hear. Anyway, I think my word this year is āintentionalā. I will probably not buy the book because I have so many books laying around, but I would certainly follow along and participate in a series if you (or another blogger) did something like this. In my devotionals, I like to either mark them up or put in sticky notes with my thoughts on that particular day. Year after year, when I come across that particular day, it is neat to see what I was thinking, doing, dreaming, etc., at a different time in my life. You are right ā we are different people than we were 22 years ago! Happy 2025 Amy!
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I think I will! Thanks for the encouragement!
I follow Mel and I actually used what I knew of the Let Them theory at the holidays and I advised some people with it when dealing with their inlaws!
I do want to read the whole book. Thanks!
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I’ve heard of this book; I think I might have had a copy at some point. I read a sample, and it looks like a great read. Happy New Year!
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Want to join in? I would love to have some readers do it with me!
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I love this post! I ordered the book and would love to my own version of it with you. I forgot to write a blog post for today, but I’m about to publish one in the next thirty minutes. I wrote in my journal today about what I want to carry into 2025 with me, so you should go check out some of my things. I’m excited for a new year and have some things I want to work on personally. I love a new year, full of hope and prospective things to enjoy! I am guessing you feel the same. Happy New Year to you, my friend!
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OH, so fun! I think I might do a weekly check in with either Friday Faves or Hello Monday and then a monthly recap at the end of the month? Thoughts? I went back later in the day and read it and i love it! I can’t remember if I was too tired to comment or too lazy because I read it on my phone. I rarely open my laptop after morning time.
I really really mean this when I say I hope 2025 is your best year yet.
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Greetings, Amy! Long time reader; first time writer! I also looked at The Happiness Project when my life was different. Iām excited to try it again in this newer phase of life. Thanks for always being real!
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Aww, thanks for commenting! Yes, let’s do it!
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I have heard so much about this book from a good friend. I like reading self help books too! They are a great way to keep growing! I haven’t set my goals/intentions for the year but I am thinking about them. I love that you are going back to the book after 15 years. I am so curious to see what you think this time around. Happy New Year!
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I think you might like it! The kindle edition is really cheap, I think. But, you might want to write in it -$10 for the paperback.
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This sounds like a great project for the year. One of my favorite podcasts Midlife Matters did a series on her newer book called Happier at Home. They talked about how they implemented each chapter. Isn’t it funny to think about life 15 years ago when we checked email on the computer and texting and social media weren’t a “thing” yet? Simpler times! Happy New Year!
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i’m afraid I will treat it like a recipe and change each month so it’s not what she intended! Ha! Yes! I also read that book. I think it’s great, too. It’s so funny to think about those days and I almost miss them. I am super strict about never doing work email on my phone. I do all personal on my phone and all work on my work laptop – unless I just have to check it on my personal laptop. Silly rules for myself but they help so much.
You too!
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I haven’t heard of this book, but now I’m intrigued. I’m always looking for ways to be more authentically me (yeah, even at 67, I’m not always sure who I am). And, just like you, I never really measured years as calendar years. I still don’t really do that even though I just agreed to be a part of a group of bloggers doing a bucket list/goals quarterly post. Let’s see how long I can keep that up! I can’t even remember what my WOTY was last year…and it was the first year I’d done one! I guess those aren’t for me. I’m looking forward to future posts from you.
I wonder how many teachers consider becoming a principal, and then they realize that’s not who they are. I toyed with that a couple of times and realized I wanted to be with my students rather than teachers!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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It’s only about $10 on Amazon if you think you will read it. We change and evolve all the time, too. So, I think being any age and being open to change keeps you young. Maybe being a part of the blogger goals link up will be good?
I did a second Masters in Admin before I got married. I was only 28 when I got it. I then got married, preg with twins, and realized it wasn’t a raise – it was working far more and just dealing with the discipline.
No regrets!
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I loved that book! I guess it was 15 years ago for me too? It was my first “self-help” book, and since then I have evolved a lot (according to me :D). I gave my copy to a friend that I believed needed it…
I’m totally in to go through it again! I guess I should get a new copy!?
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Wow! I’m impressed that you also read it. I think I have, too. Ha – that’s funny! Did your friend like it?
Yes! I would love you to join!
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I mean, the title “The happiness project” is so good! She’s a very clever woman! And it’s cool that’s she lives in the middle of New York City, I think!
I don’t know if my friend liked it… I gave it to her because I found her so negative, and you know… We don’t have time for negative people in our lives if we can choose!
So, 30 seconds ago I ordered the book, but it will take at least one week, unfortunately. How fun! I never thought I would have that book again! But your recap made me remember I really liked it. I’m very into books that you follow through a year (or December for Christmas). Since October I’ve been reading The Road to Papillon – have you heard about it?
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I always enjoyed this book and I used to listen to her podcast. However…I realized she came/comes from a very privileged background. It’s not evident in the book, but if you listen to the podcast, it’s super off-putting lol. Her FIL worked for Bill Clinton. They have $ and live in a penthouse-style apartment.
Anyway! I like the idea of betterment. I’m going to split the year into quarters and work on 3 month chunks at a time.
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Amy, After reading your blog post yesterday I also went to purchase the book. Iām on board too š. Have a great day, Holly
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Oh I think I am digging this. I think I should grab this book today. Loving the concept- keep us posted on your progress!
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I will! Thank you! Glad you are interested!
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