The Happiness Project

I just finished reading The Happiness Project a book by Gretchen Rubin. It was very enlightening about how people can make consious decisions about becoming happier and/or removing negative thoughts and feelings.
Several quotes stuck out to me:
1. Regarding decluttering/cleaning out her closet: "First, I got rid of items that no one should be wearing anymore. Good-bye, baggy yoga pants. Next I puled out the items that, realistically i knew I wouldn't wear. Good-bye gray sweater that barely covered my navel. Then the culling got harder. I liked those brown pants, but I couldn't figure out what shoes to wear with them. I liked that dress, but I never had the right place to wear it. I forced myself to take the time to make each item work, and ifI couldn't, out it went. I started to notice my dodges. When I told myself, "I would wear this," I meant that I didn't, in fact, wear it. "I have worn this" meant that I'd worn it twice in five years. "I could wear this" meant I'd never worn it and never would."

2. Do things for yourself, because you wantto do them, not because you want a Gold Star.

3. Acknowledge the reality of people's feelings. She alluded to a book called How to Talk So Kids Will Listen. by Adele Farber and Elaine Mazlish. She also quotes that most parents say "No" and to try and incorporate more "yes". "No, you can't do that, we have to have lunch first" vs. "Yes, we can do that after lunch."

4. "To eke the most happiness from an experience, we must anticipate it, savor it as it unfolds, express happiness, and recall a happy memory."