Happier at Home Book Summary - Happier at Home Book explained in key points
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Happier at Home summary

Gretchen Rubin

Kiss More, Jump More, Abandon Self-Control, and My Other Experiments in Everyday Life

4 (107 ratings)
12 mins

Brief summary

Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin is a self-help book that encourages readers to cultivate happiness and contentment in their homes. The author offers a variety of tips and strategies for improving relationships, creating meaningful space and rituals, and finding joy in everyday life.

Table of Contents

    Happier at Home
    Summary of 6 key ideas

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    Key idea 1 of 6

    The happier-at-home project is about finding happiness in your daily routines.

    Get ready to start a nine-month project of happiness!

    Each month, you’ll focus on a different principle that can make your life at home more enjoyable. If you stick to it, this nine-month plan will have you enjoying your everyday routines and cherishing nearly every moment. Sound good?

    Then let’s get started!

    Creating a happier family is all about adapting your home to both your needs and the needs of each and every family member living there. For example, one particularly creative family with four children installed climbing ropes and monkey bars in their hallway. This made being at home all the more enjoyable – for both the kids and the parents!

    But before you can create a happier home, you need to figure out what needs changing. There are four things that will help you do that:

    First, you have to find out what makes you feel good at home. Is it the pictures or trinkets that remind you of your family? The smell? The lighting?

    Next, figure out the primary factors that make you feel bad at home. It could be anything, from major disturbances to a scary painting in your bedroom that keeps you awake at night.

    Third, ask yourself how you can feel right more often – that is, how you can develop a lifestyle, home and routine that reflect your values and align with what’s important to you.

    Finally, search for ways to develop an atmosphere of growth at home, an approach to life that keeps you focused on maintaining a go-get-’em attitude even after you’ve accomplished a goal. For instance, if something breaks in your home, you shouldn’t just fix it, but also adjust your behavior so that the problem doesn’t arise over and over again.

    Now that you understand the fundamental goals of the nine-month project, our remaining blinks will explore exactly which actions you should take during that time.

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    Key ideas in Happier at Home

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    What is Happier at Home about?

    Happier at Home (2012) is a guide to transforming your home into a sanctuary that reflects your family’s personality. By helping you identify both your and your family’s needs, this book gives you everything you need to start changing your home and family life for the better.

    Happier at Home Review

    Happier at Home (2012) is a thought-provoking book that explores the keys to finding happiness within the walls of our own homes. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • With practical insights and experiments, it offers a roadmap to cultivate happiness by focusing on the beauty and simplicity of our everyday lives.
    • By delving into various aspects of home life - from possessions to relationships - the book prompts readers to reassess what truly matters and find joy in the present moment.
    • Through personal anecdotes and relatable stories, the book captivates readers, providing inspiration and motivation to create a happier, more fulfilling home environment.

    Best quote from Happier at Home

    We often dont spend enough time and attention thinking about how possessions could boost happiness...

    —Gretchen Rubin
    example alt text

    Who should read Happier at Home?

    • Anyone who wants to build the best environment for their family
    • People striving to be happier

    About the Author

    Gretchen Rubin is a highly acclaimed author and the host of Happier with Gretchen Rubin, a podcast about positive habits and happiness. Her books include Better than Before and The Happiest Project.

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    Happier at Home FAQs 

    What is the main message of Happier at Home?

    The main message of Happier at Home is finding happiness by making small changes within our homes and daily routines.

    How long does it take to read Happier at Home?

    The reading time for Happier at Home varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Happier at Home a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Happier at Home is worth reading as it provides practical insights and actionable advice for creating a happier home environment.

    Who is the author of Happier at Home?

    The author of Happier at Home is Gretchen Rubin.

    What to read after Happier at Home?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Happier at Home, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin
    • Outer Order, Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin
    • Let It Go by Peter Walsh
    • Advice Not Given by Mark Epstein
    • In Praise of Slowness by Carl Honoré
    • Uncertainty by Jonathan Fields
    • Scaling Down by Judi Culbertson
    • Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg
    • Making Habits, Breaking Habits by Jeremy Dean
    • The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer