Ask the Expert: Gretchen Rubin
What an exciting year we've had with the introduction of our “Ask the Expert” feature on The Other Side of Organized blog! We’ve enjoyed fabulous conversations about being wonderfully human with Denslow Brown, possibilities with DeeAnne White, success with Lori Deschene, enlisting help with Janet Barclay, motivation with Dr. Shannon Reece, time management with Julie Morgenstern, clutter with Lorie Marrero, letting go with Geralin Thomas, next steps with Yota Schneider, and change with John Ryan. The interviews are the starting point. Your insightful reflections and additions to the dialogue add so much depth. I’m grateful that you are part of The Other Side of Organized community. This month as we shift our focus, I’m thrilled to bring you best-selling author and happiness expert, Gretchen Rubin to share her wisdom about life balance.
When Gretchen wrote The Happiness Project in 2009, there was a tremendous buzz about her book. I added it to my “Books to Read” list. Around that time, my husband and I became empty nesters. We had just dropped off our youngest daughter at college. We were in the airport, on our way to our first vacation in years without our kids, when I entered a bookstore to “just browse.” Displayed prominently, was Gretchen’s book. I bought it immediately, knowing it was the perfect book to read as I transitioned to this new phase of life. My deepest gratitude and thanks goes to Gretchen for taking the time to join us. Before we begin, here’s more about her.
Gretchen Rubin is the author of several books, including the blockbuster #1 New York Times bestseller, The Happiness Projectand her latest bestseller,Happier at Home. On her popular blog, The Happiness Project, she reports on her daily adventures in the pursuit of happiness. Gretchen started her career in law, and she was clerking for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor when she realized that she really wanted to be a writer. Raised in Kansas City, she lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters. You can connect with Gretchen on Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, website, or blog.
My Conversation with Gretchen Rubin
Linda: You’re an expert on encouraging more happiness into our daily lives. What are some ways to increase the happiness quotient?
Gretchen: A key—perhaps the key to happiness is strong relationships with other people. When you’re deciding how to spend your precious time, energy, and money, anything that widens or deepens your bonds with others is likely to be a happiness-booster.
Linda: In your pursuit of happiness, what have you discovered about life balance?
Gretchen: If something is important to me, I can’t wait until I have some free time to do it. I never have any free time. I have to make time.
Linda: What do you suggest for those who are overwhelmed, stress-out, and time poor?
Gretchen: Get enough sleep! Many people who feel overwhelmed, stressed-out, and time poor are physically exhausted because they’re chronically under-slept. Most adults need 7-9 hours. You can’t “train” yourself to get by with less. I’ve become a real sleep nut, because I see how important it is to happiness, energy, and health.
Linda: Do you have a philosophy about life balance?
Gretchen: My mantras are “I have plenty of time for the things that are important to me” and “I want to cram my life with the things I love.” The consequence – I don’t have time for the things that don’t reflect my interests, values, and temperament. They have to fall away.
Linda: What has been your biggest personal life balance challenge?
Gretchen: I love to work, so it’s sometimes hard for me to put down my book or step away from my laptop to spend time with my family and friends. I have to give myself “quitting time!”
Thank you, Gretchen for your thoughtful and concise insights about happiness and life balance. I love the clarity you have that happiness comes from our strong relationships with others, and that life balance is a matter of making time for what’s important and releasing the things that are not. I invite all of you to join Gretchen and me as we continue the conversation. What adds to your happiness? What are your challenges or successes with finding balance?
