more about: happiness
How to Start a Family Tradition–and Why It Will Boost Your Happiness.
Starting a family tradition sounds like an oxymoron, right? But traditions have to start somewhere. Studies show that traditions are quite important to family happiness. In fact, family rituals encourage children’s social development and boost feelings of family cohesiveness by 17%. They help provide connection and predictability, which people–especially children–crave. Without traditions, holidays don’t feel much different from ordinary life. And they’re a lot of fun.
A Secret to Happiness? Pick a Favorite.
On our last family trip to visit my parents in my hometown, Kansas City, it occurred to me that one of the reasons we have so much fun there is that we make the rounds of our “favorites” – our favorite hamburger joint, our favorite ice-cream store, our favorite toy store, our favorite book store, our favorite barbeque place (several contenders for this—it’s Kansas City, after all!)
How Money Made Me Happy. It Only Took $9!
One of my Twelve Personal Commandments is to “Spend out.” This somewhat cryptic phrase encompasses several resolutions, but one aspect of “spending out” is to remember to spend money appropriately. I’m an under-buyer, so I need to make a special effort to buy even the things that I truly need.
And yesterday I actually bought some pens.
Note to Self: Don’t Talk About Things that Annoy Me.
Here’s something to do—or rather, not do—that has boosted my happiness and (I bet) the happiness of the people around me: I’m trying to resist the urge to talk about things that are annoying me.
One of my favorite authors, Samuel Johnson, observed: “To hear complaints is wearisome alike to the wretched and the happy.” I finally realized the truth of that statement.
When Making Decisions, Are You a Satisficer or a Maximizer?
One of my favorite happiness-project Secrets of Adulthood is “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” But how, you might ask, does this apply in real life? Here’s a good example: decision-making.
How Do You Know If You’re Over-Reacting?
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you didn’t know if you were overreacting – or not? Whether you should be worried – or not? Whether you need to get a different doctor or a different boyfriend?
Want To Stick to a Resolution? Do It Every Day.
To my surprise, I’ve noticed that when I’m trying to form a habit or stick to a resolution, it’s often easier for me to do it every day than to do it some days. I post to my blog six days a week. I write in my one-sentence journal every day. When working on my book/, I wrote something every day, even on the weekends. Many people have told me that they find it easier to exercise when they exercise every day.
What Do You Say to a Friend Getting Divorced?
Recently, a friend told me she was getting divorced, and I was anxious to say the right thing. Later, I asked some people I know who are divorced about what kinds of comments are helpful or, more important, unhelpful — I was more worried about what not to say.
Should My Nine-Year-Old Wear the Clothes She Likes?
Thinking about happiness often means balancing one person’s views against another person’s — I’ve been thinking about kids’ clothing. My older daughter has definite ideas about what clothes she likes and dislikes. And her tastes and my tastes clash. I’d love for her to wear classic children’s clothing—Peter Pan collars, wool dresses. But that’s not what she wants to wear.
