My Experiments in the Practice of Everyday Life

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January 4, 2011
50 Comment

Kristin Davis Talks About the TV Comedy, “The Happiness Project,” on the Craig Ferguson Show!

Very exciting — plans are underway to make a single-camera, half-hour comedy TV show based on The Happiness Project. With Kristin Davis to star!

Kristin Davis appeared on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and she talked about the possible show.

I still can’t quite believe this project is underway. It still has a long way to go, so keep your fingers crossed.

* Join the Facebook Page! Lots of interesting discussion there.

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  • Napkindad

    Congrats, it should be a lot of fun for you to see this come to fruition!

  • http://zeroto60andbeyond.com Barbara Hammond

    How cool is that?! I think it could be very good, and I like the comedic spin. It is, after all about being happy. Congratulations!

  • Ris

    That is so exciting! Kristin Davis is fabulous and this sounds like a great idea.

  • The Red Angel

    Ahh, this is so exciting! Kristen Davis is awesome. The television show is a great idea, I can’t wait to see how this develops!

    ~TRA

    http:///xtheredangelx.blogspot.com

  • http://www.bighugstudio.blogspot.com Ella

    This is so exciting. Congratulations!

  • Bluejay

    Kristin Davis is gorgeous and does have a happy, radiant glow around her..
    Sounds like fun!
    Congratulations Gretchen!

  • @elizabethcraft

    Awesome! I love Kristin Davis!

  • cmclaire

    How exciting!

    Cxx

  • http://www.BettermentBlog.com Doug Isenberg

    Really looking forward to this — and I think you, Gretchen, should have sporadic comments a few times in each episode, speaking from your desk as you do in your website videos, sort of like the “real” people in “When Harry Met Sally” (at least, I think that was the movie that did that).

    (And thanks again for inspiring not only a TV show but also my new little project, The Betterment Blog at http://www.BettermentBlog.com )

    • gretchenrubin

      I love this idea — not sure what everyone else will think. But I’ll suggest
      it!!!

    • http://nomorefrump.blogspot.com Anne Marie Petersen

      Fantastic, Doug! I really like how this community is creating a way for us to all relate. And, I second the opinion with a footnote or a narration by Gretchen. It is, after all, your story, Gretchen. We’re all just kind of intrigued and following along.

  • http://www.happinesshereblog.blogspot.com Jennifer

    Did you EVER in your wildest dreams think that The Happiness Project would be made into a television series? Fantastic!

  • DrLambert

    Don’t mean to rain on your parade.
    I have a medical degree and a doctorate. I am also a therapist.

    Some of my colleagues and I would like to know what gives you – an English major and a law major who never really practiced law or had a real job for that matter – the authority and expertise to give advice on happiness.

    From what I have seen by skimming your book, you have no original thoughts on the subject matter. You state that you read a lot of books and “test drove” other’s people theories.

    • gretchenrubin

      An excellent question, Dr. Lambert! My expertise comes from my own
      experience. I write about what I studied, what I learned, what I tried, and
      what I discovered. “The Happiness Project” is an account of one ordinary
      person’s attempt to be come happier, as part of her everyday life.

      It’s absolutely true — and I say this in the book — that I don’t come up
      with a startling new formula for happiness. But I never expected to do that.
      The greatest minds throughout history have grappled with the issue of
      happiness, and the most important truths are too important to be new.

      The pressing question for me was: how do I put those large ideas into
      practice in my own life? For instance, ancient philosophers and contemporary
      scientists agree that strong relationships are a key to happiness. True! But
      what will I do, as part of my day-to-day life, to strengthen my
      relationships? As a writer, my challenge is: how do I convey ideas in a way
      that helps people understand and act on them? (and, of course, write an
      engaging book).

      When I was working on the book, I worried a lot about your question. I
      thought that people might find my personal experience useless, or trivial.
      It has been thrilling to find that my experience resonates with many people.
      Not everyone, as your email illustrates!

      Many people have told me that they read “The Happiness Project” at the
      suggestion of a therapist or psychiatrist, so some are finding it useful in
      that context.

      P.S. I did have “real” jobs — for instance, as a clerk for Justice Sandra
      Day O’Connor, a broadcast/cable advisor to the FCC Chairman, a waitress, and
      a load-management operator assistant at an asphalt plant. And of course, I’m
      a writer–which does seem like a real job to me.

      • nnnnn

        “Ordinary” person? Your father in law is Robert E. Rubin – the architect of deregulation, the global economic crisis, former head of Goldman Sachs, former treasury sec under Clinton, former chair of Citi, one of the persons accused of causing the global economic recessionn, …??

        There are lots of other things written about Mr. Rubin on the web as well – some not so nice. Google is a great resource, don’t you think?

        • Travelingchristi

          Seems like you have an ax to grind about Gretchen’s father in law. How is he relevant to her book and its success?

        • Laurie

          We don’t choose our in-laws.
          I’m not going to pay a therapist to coach me every day on ways I can improve my life.
          I love how Gretchen has enriched my life and made me happier.

    • kelli

      drlambert. you seem upset about this and i’m having a hard time understanding why? just curious, because you haven’t read the book and you are trying to rain on her parade………..and quite frankly i’m a little offended because i’m a part of the parade your trying to rain on. for some reason you seam to be taking this personally, is that so?

    • Laurie

      How sad that some people think we need advanced degrees to opine on happiness

    • pam

      It will be a sad day when only degreed “experts” can discuss and write about the subject of happiness!

  • Monica

    That is so cool! Congratulations :)

  • smacputt (aka liw)

    I would think that those who are therapists and who hold doctorates in the field would be very interested in a “project” (not of the research kind) taken on by an invidual who has obviously brought happiness to her own life and is encouraging others to do the same. You sound threatened. Ms. Rubin doesn’t claim to be an expert. She is sharing what is working for her, and is working for many others. Try reading rather than skimming.

    • AnotherMD

      Would you want someone who has only read a book on dentistry (without a dental degree) to do a root canal in your mouth? Well the same may be said for someone doing work on your brain regarding happiness. In the medical profession we called these people crocks, witchdoctors. Many patients come to me very screwed up because of folks like Mrs. Rubin. If you need help with happiness get real professional help. Or as they say “you pay what you get for”!

      • JAS

        I disagree that only experts should be allowed to offer their thoughts on happiness, and I think your dental analogy is faulty. Reading a book about one person’s views on happiness is very different from allowing an unqualified quack to perform a root canal. Gretchen Rubin wrote a book about her own experiences; she is not offering her services as a therapist.

        • Wenghu

          Have you seen the amazon categories for this book: health, mental health, self-help, mind and body, social sciences, etc.

          Sorry, but it seems that Rubin IS claiming to be an expert on this matter and offering therapy. Sounds like serious malpractice to me. If it was JUST a book about her experiences then it should be listed as a memoir, biography, etc.

          But don’t take my word. Talk to real doctors. My husband is one of them. He saw me laughing while reading the book – recommended for my book club. I finished it – finally because I found it so amusing because the author seemed to lack common sense on real basic life issues.

          My husband (a doctor who works in the mental health profession) says that folks who read such books are prime candidates for cults.

          BTW, we came to America from China. We love your country because we have become very wealthy doing real work (medicine, engineering, mathematics, etc.) while most Americas either seem to be trying to make a living like Rubin does or are following people like her in a cult-like manner.

          God bless America!

          • Christy

            I haven’t read Rubin’s book, and I don’t plan to. However, I read her newsletter. Anyway, I bet that part of (or a main reason) why you came to America was to pursue your dreams/goals, which seem to include making money. Rubin is also pursuing her dreams/goals, and as some people say, if Rubin’s book helps ONE person, then it’s a wonderful thing. So God bless America indeed because Rubin and others (like you) have the FREEDOM to pursue their dreams/goals!

  • Sharon Yannarella

    Don’t you just love people who start out comments like “Dr. Lambert” did? A little like people who tell you something and then insert a “but” – you can just ignore everything that came before the “but”, since it’s meaningless – what comes after is the the unvarnished truth . . .
    And to his condescending and cruel comments, I suggest a proper response might be (other than may God help his patients) to simply say that we are all people in the human condition called life, each finding our own path towards happiness – and there are many roads there.

    • nnnnn

      I have to agree with the doctor.

  • Margaret Hope

    Dr. Lambert must be so accustomed to working with maladjusted people that he cannot understand those of us who are well-adjusted and striving for more contentment in every aspect of life.

    What’s more, there is a religious appeal in Gretchen’s advice on life generally, and as a man of science the doctor would sneer. I found Gretchen’s book to be uplifting. It inspired me to be a better person, one who did not neglect friendships, did not gossip, did not waste time but instead set goals, and so on.

    Don’t know how television writers will make this into a half-hour comedy since it is so full of historical references. Gretchen has been a scholar all her life.

    • Wenghu

      As I wrote below, my doctor husband said you people are like cult followers! Good luck!

      • Sharon Yannarella

        One of the (still) great things about America (and what possibly attracted you and your husband) is the freedom to choose different paths and to be free from a dictated and arbitrary school of thought and behavior (as well as the money that is to be made). I am glad that you are able to celebrate that freedom in a country that graciously welcomes you and the gifts you bring – especially in the demonstrated freedom of speech in your comments (somewhat lacking in civility and manners, but seemingly heartfelt). I would encourage you, though, to open up your mind to a larger view (and your own view, as well as your husband’s view) of the value of life paths other than medicine, engineering and mathematics – and include a gentle reminder that it is difficult to be a life-long learner and truly alive and growing when your mind is closed to the possibilities of new ideas and concepts.

  • Sarah K

    I just finished Gretchen’s book, and read it, rather than skimming it. She makes it clear that there are big problems, like depression, that she is not discussing or suggesting solutions for. I did not think for a minute that she was trying to be a therapist. She spoke to me because, like her, I am not unhappy, just trying to find ways to maximize happiness.
    It is irrelevant who she is related to, and she does not choose how Amazon tags her book.

    • Guest

      I am a writer with a book on amazon. The author DOES choose how the book is tagged!

  • Lisa P.

    This is exciting news Gretchen! In reading the comments below I would suggest that some people need to read your book and add “Rejoice in others’ successes and avoid trying to bring others down” to the top of their Happiness List. If reading an uplifting book and practicing various acts that promote happiness makes me a “cult member” then so be it. :)
    Thank you for being a modest, down to earth, generous human being who doesn’t need to throw her credentials around to be credible but rather, walks the talk.
    Happy New Year!

    • Travelingchristi

      I’m with Lisa, if reading, enjoying and finding a way for this book to help me in my life makes me a member of a cult, I’m in!

  • Rachel

    Wow! People on here are getting really worked up today in the comments. Maybe some of the people commenting on here should make “Don’t rain on someone else’s parade” their happiness mantra for the year.

  • FormerSupporter

    Not sure why the Dr. and the Chinese woman are being attacked.

    It seems the doctor legitimate professional concerns.

    The Chinese lady didn’t say anything negative. She bought the book, read it, and seems to be a blog reader.

    Seems that there are others who have similar feelings to the doctor and this woman – according to some of the book review on amazon.com

  • Zupamum

    My fingers are crossed in hopes of a TV show based on the book will become a reality! I’ve done a lot to get the word out about the Happiness Project, but TV will bring this helpful and wonderful concept to many more!

  • Bluejay

    As a recent enthusiastic reader of this blog (and a listener of the audio book) which probably makes me a member of the so called cult (! can you believe this?? talk about bigotry), I am having a very hard time reading about how certain people constantly manipulate things in a very dishonest way.
    I am cheerfully following this blog from Europe and am very happy to see that Gretchen’s book has been translated in so many languages.
    Congratulations!
    Gretchen doesn’t need to be defended but it’s part of participating here, I think, to say what one feels, and she is letting us participate in what is HER space. I think that a blog is in some way a new form of public/private space, in which there are manners and rules of basic courtesy, it’s like visiting someone.
    Frankly I do not believe some of the comments written here deserve an answer, because of the way they are presented, with an aggressive mauvaise foi, totally lacking grace and elegance, and because of self interests that appear to be disturbed by the personal research of someone who is not a member of a clan of professionals.

    Truth is it is so difficult for a lot of people (who are obviously not preoccupied with their own deep rooted happiness) to be truly happy for the success of another, and that is what is really going on here.

  • dema1208

    I wouldn’t fault Gretchen for a second. I don’t think that she is pushing a cult like agenda. She is simply sharing thoughts and tips that have allowed her to see the world in a brighter light. Having said that, I am not always able to maintain the happy thoughts. I easily slip into a melancholy state whenever I feel that I have disapointed another person or when I feel disliked. I do believe that I suffer from depression and I am constantly trying to figure out what to do about it. Sometimes the HP helps and sometimes it doesn’t. Emotions are complex One should not consider themselve a failure for not feeling 100% happy after reading this sort of book.

  • Bluejay

    This is such a dusty old zombie like issue, the one of non-mental-health-professionals who “dare” to even speak about anything that in any way can relate to mental health!
    By the way, I truly believe that anyone in the helping profession should leave their degrees and titles out of the door. It is the authentic human soulful encounter which is healing, and not jargon and statistics and diagnostic manuals.
    The problem is if you are a human being and you are alive EVERYTHING is in some way related to your so called “mental health”.
    Of course when there are serious major clinical issues of depression and other diagnostic conditions (although I really adhere to a more existential and soulful outlook on life and mental health) we all know that it would be recommended to seek the help of a serious, competent AND EMPATHIC professional.
    Gretchen never said anywhere I read that she was presenting herself in this role. I have seen several posts regarding this aspect of the question, and how she constantly repeats she is not treating depression or other conditions of the kind.

    There is a lot of talk about mindfulness but so little practice, how can you seriously write an attack on a book you have not even read? This is arrogance and lack of seriousness.
    She is not treating depression she is exploring happiness.
    The real issue is the legitimacy of thinking, experimenting, exploring and in the end writing about happiness. Philosophers, writers, thinkers, seekers of all times, places and sorts have been asking themselves what happiness is and how to reach it.
    It is one of THE quests of humanity (maybe THE ultimate quest that encompasses the others) and as so we all have a right to explore this issue and the freedom, if we are so generous, of sharing what we find along the way.
    The fact that Gretchen made a best-selling book out of it and a tv-show doesn’t take anything away from her right to share and from her generosity which the blog expresses in my opinion.

    Have a FABULOUS day (or evening, it’s night here)

  • Nicole W.

    Congratulations! Huge fan of your book and blog – it has inspired my life in so many ways – and I’m a huge fan of Kristin Davis too! This is so exciting! May the very most you wish for be the very least you receive!

  • JanetRowe

    Geez, this forum is so biased. I try to read it once a week. But I think this is it for me. So we are to just take what is written in Rubin’s book and not question it?

    After reading the comments below – you folks do not sound happy. You definitely don’t sound nice.

    Sorry, if I had to choose between a trained expert and professional (who has spent years of studying, practicing and has been tested and peer reviewed on the subject matter) and Rubin (who spent one year reading what experts have done) then I choose the first.

    Yes, I read the book. I don’t know the author personally, but judging from the comments below and those on amazon she should be happy. Sounds like everything has been handed to her on a silver platter. So what’s her beef? Show me somebody who has had real problems and has somehow managed to be happy. Then I am a believer.

    Mrs. Rubin good luck with your book and tv show.

  • JamieStein

    Hi, I read the book. It is cool.

    But I am still in a slump because most of my problems relate to long-term unemployment and finance.

    Could someone recommend some resources (websites, books, etc.) for this?

    There are millions of unemployed Americans who will not really be happy until they can find work, feed their families, get healthcare, educate their kids, etc.

    So Gretchen, I know you have wonderful intentions in your book. But after reading it it does not resonate for me and millions of Americans. Perhaps this is what the doctor and many of the commenters may be alluding too.

    Your book seems to be great for a small elite class of people who can afford to do things you like described in the book. At this point in my life I can not even afford to take a day off – forget about a year.

    So, if you keep this in mind, you will know that many people make sneer at what you have written because they can not connect to your lifestyle of luxury and not having worked.

    Best to you.

    • gretchenrubin

      There are many great online resources for people who are focused on
      finances. To get a round-up of several really good ones, check out
      LifeRemix, http://liferemix.net/. It includes links to sites like Get Rich
      Slowly, The Simple Dollar, WiseBread, and Dumb Little Man.

  • catseye

    Oh my! Envy is such an ugly emotion. Even when it’s expressed by someone who claims to have degrees and expertise out the ying yang. Or maybe the good doctor is afraid that people will read your book, realize they don’t need professional services and will just get on with their lives on their own, thus depriving him/her of income.

    Congrats on the sitcom, Gretchen!

  • Amazonfan123

    I read the comments and went to amazon to buy the book. However, since I don’t have cash to waste, I read the amazon comments before books I waste money on killing trees.

    Seems many of the amazon comments support what Dr. Lambert is trying to say – especially this really funny (and somewhat critical) review of the book:

    Frustrating, Frenetic and Depressing, January 5, 2011
    This review is from: The Happiness Project: Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun (Paperback)
    Make sure to read the reviews of the hardcover version of this book–especially the negative reviews which are right on.

    This book isn’t what the title leads you to believe–it’s not an objective view of how to improve your life. Instead it’s one woman’s story of how she personally tried to become happier, but she spews a lot of confusing negativity throughout.

    It’s filled with stories (some of which probably shouldn’t have been told since they make her husband look bad), truisms that often have no attributions (who says it takes five positive marital interactions to offset one negative interaction?) and unorganized chapters filled with unconnected trite words of advice.

    The major flaw of the book is that she writes it completely about herself. To hear a person’s depressing self-analysis and negative comments sprinkled among chirpy happiness phrases for 300 pages requires that she first establish herself as a sympathetic character that we care about. However, from the start she seems defensive, critical and a pain to live with. By page 50 I wondered how her husband could stand her, so it makes it difficult to accept much of what she writes. Some young mothers frustrated with families may identify with her, but the rest of us just shake our heads wondering how she can function properly.

    She also lacks necessary organization for her rambling thoughts. As much as she put together a 12-month plan to improve her happiness one theme at a time, filled with her “12 Commandments” and “Secrets of Adulthood,” once she gets into each month she seems to skip between issues and jumps all over the place. Some of her concepts are good and beneficial, but there is no sense to how they are sprinkled throughout the chapters. Her stylistic problems detract from some of the very valid points that she tries to make.

    The worst part is that she feels the need to throw “facts” at the reader without explaining where she got them. Even when she reports a tidbit like 47% of people feel closer to a family member to expresses verbal affection, not only is it a silly piece of information but she adds “How do they come up with these statistics?” Hey, Rubin, that’s your job as the author to tell us! If you found the information reported somewhere–then tell us where and how they came up with it! The fact that she worked for the Supreme Court and the FCC explains a lot about why our government is so messed up.

    Bottom line is that she is not the right person to write this type of book. She is too negative, frenetic and self-centered. She even admits, “I don’t actually love writing.” That is painfully obvious after reading this book that will make you more introspective but not necessarily happier.

  • Melanie

    I usually never leave comments that acknowledge the negativity of others, but I feel too strongly about this to stay quiet. I just finished the book and it has had an extremely positive impact on my life. The notion that you have to have a degree in medicine or science in order to explore happiness is completely absurd. Happiness is something that everyone is striving for in some way or another, and to say that one person doesn’t have a right to talk about their quest because they are not aptly qualified is ridiculous.

    Thank you for your book, Gretchen. I have so much respect for how you have responded to your critics and it has inspired me to act as graciously when I am criticized.

  • Linda_haley

    To the nay sayers: Lighten up! This is supposed to be fun! Thank goodness a great comedy writer is playing with the concept.

  • ArizonaDoctor

    I think the Arizona shootings are a strong example of the seriousness of the complexities and dangers of mental health issues.

    It is not funny that Ms. Rubin classifies her book under the mental health category on amazon. He she ever set foot in a mental health ward or a hospital?

    Instead of people criticizing what Dr. Lambert and others have to say regarding this matter – they should be commending people like Dr. Lambert who devotes his life to dealing with dangerous complex mental health issues everyday!

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