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Better Than Before
Better Than Before: What I Learned About Making and Breaking Habits--to Sleep More, Quit Sugar, Procrastinate Less, and Generally Build a Happier Life | Gretchen Rubin
New York Times Bestseller Washington Post Bestseller The author of the blockbusterNew York Timesbestsellers,The Happiness ProjectandHappier at Home,tackles the critical question:How do we change? Gretchen Rubin's answer: through habits. Habits are the invisible architecture of everyday life.It takes work to make a habit, but once that habit is set, we can harness the energy of habits to build happier, stronger, more productive lives. So if habits are a key to change, then what we really need to know is: How do we change our habits? Better than Before answers that question. It presents a practical, concrete framework to allow readers to understand their habitsand to change them for good. Infused with Rubins compelling voice, rigorous research, and easy humor, and packed with vivid stories of lives transformed, Better than Before explains the (sometimes counter-intuitive) core principles of habit formation. Along the way, Rubin uses herself as guinea pig, tests her theories on family and friends, and answers readers most pressing questionsoddly, questions that other writers and researchers tend to ignore:Why do I find it tough to create a habit for something Iloveto do? Sometimes I can change a habit overnight, and sometimes I cant change a habit, no matter how hard I try. Why? How quickly can I change a habit? What can I do to make sure I stick to a new habit? How can I help someone else change a habit? Why can I keep habits that benefit others, but cant make habits that are just for me? Whether readers want to get more sleep, stop checking their devices, maintain a healthy weight, or finish an important project, habits makechange possible. Reading just a few chapters of Better Than Before will make readers eager to start work on their own habitseven before theyve finished the book.From the Hardcover edition.
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TheBookDream
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Does anyone else struggle with #audiobooks? I have so much trouble focusing and sticking with them! It‘s weird because I love podcasts, so you‘d think I‘d have no problem.

wanderinglynn For me it depends on the audiobook and the narrator. Sometimes I‘ve stopped audiobooks because I couldn‘t listen to the narrator for one reason or the other, but read the physical book with no problem. Other times, I‘ve stopped audiobooks books because the book wasn‘t doing it for me. This book, Better than Before, fell in the latter reason for me. 4y
TheBookDream @wanderinglynn I recently heard the author on a podcast and liked her and her voice. I think it has to do with the extensive content I‘m trying to take in when listening to an audiobook. Podcasts are in more manageable chunks 4y
18 likes2 comments
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Smarkies
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Mehso-so

Listened to this on audio as I had previously tried to read the book but bailed a couple of times. I find that the "self help" category works better for me on audio.
If you listen to her regular podcast alot of the points covered in this are mentioned there though this book does pull it all together. I am trying to get into the habit of exercise so will try and see if any of her points work. ?

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wanderinglynn
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Bailedbailed

Her personal biases and prejudices came through too much. For example, she put down people who wanted to set a habit in order to drink more water (she doesn‘t think anyone needs to drink more water). Also, there was very little science and it was basically all her own experiences and observations (she‘s a lawyer, not a psychologist). I found her insufferable and DFN‘d at 30%. Full review on GR.

ChasingOm I loved her first book but her follow ups have all been misses for me. 4y
merelybookish Haha. I get it. I've only read one of her books but her Type A-ness was hard to take. It was almost comical. 4y
effani I felt the same way about this one. I learned a lot about Gretchen Rubin's opinions and nothing that I felt I could apply to my life. 4y
See All 15 Comments
kspenmoll I never could take her prejudices & personality! 4y
Smarkies Thanks for this review. This book is on my physical TBR - will see if I want it to remain there. I read her organising one last year - and that was not very biased so I thought her writing was generally balanced.😅😅 4y
wanderinglynn @ChasingOm what was it about The Happiness Project that you liked? 4y
wanderinglynn @merelybookish she talked about the 4 tendencies in this book too in relation to how those tendencies affect how you set habits. But I don‘t fit neatly into any one tendency. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 4y
wanderinglynn @kspenmoll Yes, she was a bit much. I don‘t think her personality works for self-help. 4y
wanderinglynn @Smarkies She can write very well. (I would expect nothing less from an attorney who clerked for a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.) But she was rather opinionated in this book as to what she deemed an acceptable habit. You can see more of my review on Goodreads. 4y
ChasingOm I feel like her first book was more — authentic, maybe? The follow ups have felt formulaic, like “this whole thing worked once, let‘s prove all my ideas are good!” 😂 4y
ChasingOm Oh, and I‘m also a sucker for yearlong self “project” memoirs, lol. 4y
TheRiehlDeal Well, I think I'll be taking this off my TBR. I certainly wouldn't want to get any self-help advice from a lawyer. 4y
eeclayton I tried her podcast and I wasn't impressed. She sounded smug and I too felt that I wasn't interested in her advice. 4y
wanderinglynn @eeclayton exactly how I felt too 4y
82 likes15 comments
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SShiney
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Pickpick

I first read this book about 5 years ago and it had a huge impact on the way I approach habits. Rereading it I still got a bunch out of it the second time around.

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annahenke
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Pickpick

I love Gretchen Rubin‘s philosophies, books, and podcasts. My first official read of 2020 was a strategic way to remind myself how to form better habits. #1of2020

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ChasingOm
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#BFCr2 was tough b/c I was traveling, so for #BFCr3, I'm focusing on staying grounded in my good habits, even when I'm on the road. My yoga practice helps, so I'm stepping it up. Even if I simply do some warm ups or one pose, focusing on my breath helps me stay grounded, so I'm striving to do it every day. Cooking at home helps too, so I've rearranged my kitchen and plan to use it! In fact, I'm off to do my grocery shopping now...

#TeamFitLit

AsYouWish Awesome goals!!!! 5y
wanderinglynn Great goals! 🙌 5y
Jerdencon Great goals! 5y
alisiakae Awesome goals! 5y
26 likes4 comments
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Karen.reads
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When trying to adopt a new habit, don‘t reward yourself for sticking with it. A reward frames the habit as something unpleasant that we have to endure, when really establishing the habit is its own reward. Instead, allow yourself certain treats. A treat can be sitting down for 15 minutes with a cup of coffee to start your day. A treat can be taking a long walk outside. As Rubin says, when we give more to ourselves, we can ask more from ourselves.

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Karen.reads
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Pickpick

I thoroughly enjoyed this. I tend to like anything that has to do with creating healthy habits and living intentionally. Although much of this was anecdotal, there were a lot of good takeaways, and listening to the audio felt like having a conversation with a friend.

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LauraBeth
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I haven‘t had a chance to post my #BFC goals yet - so here they are. The 20 miles a week will be from combined running/walking. So far this week we have 16 miles completed. I say “we” because I‘m doing the fitness challenge entirely with Bitsy.

#bookfitnesschallenge

Soubhiville How many hours of lounging on the floor upside down though? Bitsy insists! 6y
LauraBeth @Soubhiville oh she gets plenty of time lounging upside down! 😂 6y
julesG Great stats so far! 6y
See All 19 Comments
saresmoore Thank you for the running playlists...and the good advice! I‘ve been doing HIIT runs with music and it‘s been real good for my mental health. ♥️ Also, a book to add to your list is 6y
Kaye I bet your pup is having fun. Good job 👍🏼 6y
Laughterhp Great job so far! 👏🏻 6y
wanderinglynn Way to go! 🙌🏻 6y
alisiakae I love that your book goal is tied to the challenge theme! 6y
bewareofwords Yay! Great goals. 👏🏽 6y
audraelizabeth Great job 6y
LeahBergen Bitsy‘s gonna be exhausted. 😆😆 6y
mabell Way to go Bitsy! 6y
BookwormAHN Nice 👏🏻 6y
CoverToCoverGirl Wonderful.. you have the cutest buddy! 6y
Clwojick Vital looks like she‘s a great motivational buddy! ♥️ 6y
Clwojick Bitsy, not Vital. Thanks autocorrect 🙄😂 6y
britt_brooke Love it!! 6y
kspenmoll Bitsy did well!!!! 6y
MemoirsForMe Go Bitsy! 😁🙌🏻 6y
102 likes19 comments
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GlassAsDiamonds
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Pickpick

Litsy is probably the only place this will truly be understood but somehow, the dust jacket for my copy of the titled did not manage to make it from Mumbai to Singapore 😭😭😭😭. Still - review. This is my Related to a Podcast read for #BookedWinter a tad late. Unfortunately because I‘m a fan of the #podcast, there wasn‘t a lot of new material here and it felt a little repetitive but it‘s still a pick and recommended for habit change.

#Booked2019

Avanders Oh no 🤭😔 6y
thegirlwiththelibrarybag So it‘s not better than before... 🤭 (edited) 6y
Bklover When I don‘t have the dust jacket I don‘t feel like I actually quite have the book. 6y
Cinfhen That‘s a great view!!! Are you settling in??? Sorry about the dust jacket but I‘m just so glad your container arrived ❤️ 6y
38 likes4 comments
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GlassAsDiamonds
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Not my move but very dear friends. The kids are merciful asleep (NO IDEA how, these guys are being LOUD) and the expected fight with the building has begun. It‘s their stuff. They‘ve jumped through all the hoops of getting their landlords permission (to remove their own stuff 😡🤦🏻‍♀️), they‘ve filled in the stupid arbitrary form but the “office manager” is on leave so the guards just told the truck to come back on Saturday. 🤦🏻‍♀️ We‘re next 😭

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jenn0889
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"With habits, we don‘t make decisions, we don‘t use self-control, we just do the thing we want ourselves to do—or that we don‘t want to do."

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Pandalibrarian
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Finished the audio of this for the second time. I‘ve slacked off on some of the habits I was working on the first time I listened and am inspired (again) to start anew. I‘m sure I‘ll listen to this one again.

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Slynn71
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I‘m enjoying this book. I annotate via tabs otherwise I‘d mark up this entire book! Lol

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Deborah42
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Pickpick

Once we decide to make a change, how do we make it stick? Rubin‘s answer is habits. By creating habits, we no longer have to depend on willpower.

Knowing ourselves—what is truly important to us and what motivates us is the key to creating habits and transforming our lives.

While the author has some weird blind spots (diet soda isn‘t bad?!?), overall, I enjoyed the book and found some good advice for creating and maintaining habits.

MelissaSue81 Oddly, diet soda is the one thing I agreed with her on, lol. (Because I‘m slightly obsessed with it and I think it‘s overly villainized.) but she definitely comes off as “her way is the best way” with a ton of things. 6y
Deborah42 To be fair, she does admit to being rigid and sometimes condescending, but I like that she encourages everyone to find their own path, rather than laying out one-size-fits-all rules. I love her podcast, Happier with Gretchen Rubin. 6y
6 likes2 comments
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MelissaSue81
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Mehso-so

This was just “meh”.. felt really repetitive after awhile and the moral of the story was that “everyone is different and what works for me probably won‘t work for you.” Oookay.. true enough, but then what‘s the point? Also, this may be petty, but I read her other two books and hearing her narrate this one, I didn‘t really like her manner of speaking.. made me like her less. Book 3 complete for #twointhree Labor Day r#readathon

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MelissaSue81
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Just starting this on audio. I really enjoyed the Happiness Project, and am definitely interested in habit change. And, I‘m definitely an Obliger.

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parttimedomestic
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#bookhaul from this weekend! We stopped at a Goodwill on our way home from the beach. 📚⛱

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Morr_Books
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Mehso-so

I enjoy Gretchen Rubin's work, including her Better app and Happier podcast. If you subscribe to those and have read her book The Four Tendancies, then this book is a redundant and not worth the time.

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alvingregorio
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Mehso-so

I read this one AFTER Four Tendencies, which I loved. This one was helpful and practical, but didn't have quite the punch of 4T. BtB is more macro-level focused, while 4T was concentrated and distilled. They complement each other but would recommend 4T over this one.

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lucylovestoread
Pickpick

A re-read for me from my favourite self help author. Full of practical suggestions, citations and research studies weaved together with a personal narrative about habits and how to create them. I love Gretchen Rubin's writing style and attitude to life. If anyone is looking to start reading her work I'd recommend beginning with The Happiness Project.

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MelissaS
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I am a work in progress! #selfimprovement #bookstagram @bookriot

Rachel.Rencher I love books like this! 7y
16 likes1 comment
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Lacuna
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For a happy life, it's important to cultivate an atmosphere of growth - the sense that we're learning new things, getting stronger, forging new relationships, making things better, helping other people.

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Lacuna
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Seven essentials.

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Maria514626
Pickpick

So much makes more sense now. I read this with a couple of friends and we all delighted in learning about the motivations of these strange creatures—ourselves.

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RebeccasReading
Pickpick

I loved this book, and I‘m so glad I read it as an audiobook. I really like Gretchen Rubin, and while I didn‘t think that everything was applicable to me, I thought everything was interesting. I did find some good strategies that I want to try in forming new habits, like avoiding rewards and pairing one hawklets it with another. I can‘t wait to read The Four Tendencies!

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MaureenMc
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Pickpick

I like Gretchen Rubin‘s self-help books, and this one was no exception. Well researched examination of habits, with useful information on how to develop good ones, including many examples from Rubin‘s own life.

Supersteph I love Gretchen Rubin, thanks for the recommendation! I have the Four Tendencies on my shelf right now. Do you listen to her podcast, Happier? 7y
MaureenMc @Supersteph Yes, love the podcast! 7y
42 likes1 stack add2 comments
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RebeccasReading
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I‘ve really been loving audiobooks lately. I started listening just a couple of months ago. I always thought they were cheating, but honestly I don‘t think I would be reading non fiction books if I weren‘t listening to them. Perfect for preschool pick ups and folding laundry! 😂 As I was finishing this one, I realized it also included a podcast, so that was a real bonus for me!

HKGirl Definitely not cheating! You might not be using your eyes but you're using all the other parts of your brain just the same! 😊 7y
RebeccasReading @HKGirl If only I had realized that sooner! I‘ve been missing out! 7y
19 likes2 comments
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witchynarcoleptic
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Book #1 of 2018!

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Lacuna
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One of the goals this year is to read more! I am starting off late but with the right book. This app will serve me as my book diary, so here we go. Book #1

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Julsmarshall
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Lunchtime reading! #currentread #workbook

WhatDeeReads I Love Gretchen Rubin so much. I‘m reading her Four Tendancies now. 7y
66 likes1 comment
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MaureenMc
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1. One of 4 bookcases in the library
2. Historical, although I have enjoyed futuristic books, too
3. Wine (but I‘m not supposed to drink with my new medication ☹️)
4. Blue
5. Tagged book 😊
#humpdaypost

mabell Lovely bookcases! 😍 Not being able to have 🍷 would about do me in! (I love wine with dinner) 7y
MinDea Nice bookcases! 7y
mabell And I hope you are doing well, and the medication isn't serious! 7y
MaureenMc @mabell Nope, nothing too serious, all is well. Thanks! 😊 7y
mabell @MaureenMc Oh good 😊 7y
28 likes5 comments
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Laura317
Pickpick

I enjoyed learning about habits and how different people learn and maintain habits. Another good book by Gretchen Rubin

45 likes1 stack add
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Julsmarshall
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This was recommended to me, seems like a good one to start in the New Year!

LeslieO I've read her books and love them! 7y
Redwritinghood Just finished this one last week. Good insights. 7y
MaureenMc Just started this, too. 😊 7y
65 likes4 stack adds3 comments
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MaureenMc
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Enjoying a few quiet moments before my birthday festivities begin. 😊

MayJasper 🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🌠😊 7y
Mdargusch 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 7y
BookishTrish Happy Birthday 🎉 7y
See All 13 Comments
rubyslippersreads Happy 🎂🎂🎂! 7y
Cinfhen Happy Birthday 🍰🍡🍷ooops, we missed this one @Robothugs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 7y
Pamwurtzler Happy birthday!🎊🎉🎂 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Happy birthday!!!!! 🎁🎈🎊 I hope it‘s great!!!! 😘😘 7y
mabell Happy Birthday!! 🎉 🎂🎁 7y
Lmstraubie Happy Birthday! 🎈🎂🎉 7y
Cathythoughts Happy belated birthday 🎉🎉🎉 7y
35 likes1 stack add13 comments
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Laura317
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This just appeared in my email, so to Libby I went and downloaded. Perfect timing for New Years, huh?

Laura317 #NewYearsReadathon I forgot to add that. Whoops! 7y
43 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Redwritinghood
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Pickpick

This book has some really great insight into how people can form habits from the perspective that different approaches work better for different personality types. Based on how you view external and internal expectations, the author offers differing strategies for developing and maintaining habits. I learned a few helpful things that I will use for my New Year‘s resolutions next year.

DivaDiane I think I need to read this book. 7y
ChasingOm I just bought this — I love her Happiness Project book. 😄 7y
66 likes6 stack adds2 comments
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Redwritinghood
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I hope everyone had a great day yesterday! I tried to stay off-line, so I‘m catching up now. My reading plans for today include finishing the tagged book and then the rest of my plans are pretty chill. I hope you all have time for great books today!

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dylanisreading
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Pickpick

I nerded out really hard while reading this book. Probably because a. I‘m fascinated by human behavior and human nature b. I‘m basically obsessed with habits and habit-forming (I realized while reading this), and c. I‘m apparently an Upholder. I love habits, routines, rituals and so does Rubin. She did a ton of research, and it shows. I learned a lot and took copious notes.

DrSabrinaMoldenReads I am also an upholder and LOVED this book! 7y
dylanisreading @Joyfulmimi Yay! I‘m an avid podcast listener so I‘m listening to Rubin‘s podcast now, too. 7y
DrSabrinaMoldenReads Same here about podcasts @bianca 7y
55 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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dylanisreading
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It‘s me! 😂📚

Suet624 That whole passage is me to a T. 7y
dylanisreading @Suet624 Nice! I think I‘m actually an Opener rather than a Finisher, but I love going to bed early, and I‘m definitely the same kind of library patron as Rubin, too. 7y
36 likes2 comments
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dylanisreading
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My dad and his doge Bo. He‘s watching This Old House, and I‘m reading the tagged book. I‘m basically obsessed with everything Gretchen Rubin has written. So fascinating. #dogsoflitsy #friyayintro

saresmoore That sounds like heaven. Reading with This Old House in the background reminds me of happy times. 7y
AlaMich Too bad Bo is so neglected. 😉 7y
dylanisreading @saresmoore It was! I live for such moments wherein I‘m at my dad‘s place and he doesn‘t have cable news on. Now he‘s cooking, which is another kind of heaven. 😊 (edited) 7y
dylanisreading @AlaMich Yes, utterly deprived. 😂 7y
73 likes1 stack add4 comments
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dylanisreading
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Life is good. #dogsoflitsy

KarenUK Lovely face 😍 7y
TricksyTails 😍🐶♥️ 7y
mcipher Cutie!! ❤️ 7y
61 likes3 comments
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DrSabrinaMoldenReads
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Pickpick

I am now truly a Gretchen Rubin fangirl. I absolutely loved this book. Even as introspective as I am, I learned loads of new, important stuff about myself more than anything else. Turns out the book was validating,as well, because many of the strategies I already use to practice and maintain good habits, she recommends. I did not have an explanation or name for them that she so well provides. I highly recommend this to you all. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Natasha.C.Barnes I struggle with habits a lot, at least in part due to my ADHD--is there any discussion about how different kinds of people (brains) react to forming habits or do you think that her suggestions might be helpful to someone who, to give you a sense, has to remind myself to brush my teeth every day (no part of that is an instinctive or unconscious habit even after 28 years on the planet) 7y
DrSabrinaMoldenReads Yes indeed! I think this book will be especially helpful for you @Natasha.C.Barnes 7y
Natasha.C.Barnes @Joyfulmimi Thank you! *stacked!* 7y
32 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Christyco125
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Bailedbailed

I couldn‘t keep going. I took the quiz and thought through some of the questions. However, I just couldn‘t keep turning the pages. The estimator on Libby said it would take me another 10 days to finish and I just have to quit. #quitter

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LauraBeth
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Pickpick

“Comedian Jerry Seinfeld advised aspiring comedian Brad Isaac that, because daily writing was the key to writing better jokes, Isaac should buy a calendar with a box for every day of the year, and every day, after writing, cross off the day with a big red X.”After a few days you‘ll have a chain,” Seinfeld explained. “You‘ll like seeing that chain, especially when you get a few weeks under your belt. Your only job next is to not break the chain.”👇

LauraBeth This book was seriously life changing for me! 7y
saresmoore I want a changed life! 😁 7y
See All 12 Comments
NCNY All those closed circles! Awesome job!! 🌟 7y
CoffeeK8 What‘s the app you‘re using? It looks motivating! 7y
LauraBeth @saresmoore Go get it, girl! It‘s not going to come to you - you have to chase it. Be a boss and take the steps you want to take that will produce changes! ❤️ 7y
LauraBeth @Notafraidofwords what‘s holding you back? Figure that out and stuff a cork in it! You can make changes! 💕 7y
LauraBeth @NCNY thanks! 🤗 7y
LauraBeth @CoffeeK8 that‘s my Apple Watch and I‘ll admit that it has been VERY motivating! 7y
saresmoore @LauraBeth You are the BEST! My husband just accepted a job offer in NC, so we are moving in January. Now is the time to be brave and make it happen—these are big dreams & promises being fulfilled! ♥️♥️♥️ 7y
LauraBeth @saresmoore woo hoo!! 🎉🎉 That‘s wonderful! I know that jumping into the unknown is scary, but what doesn‘t challenge us doesn‘t change us! I‘m excited for what lies ahead for you and your family! ❤️ (edited) 7y
saresmoore Thank you! We are very excited, too. 7y
121 likes4 stack adds12 comments
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DrSabrinaMoldenReads
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I had to come back to my friend, Gretchen. I am pretty sure this is going to work out much, much better for me.

Ranchan She has been on my TBR list ever since I read the Happiness Project! 7y
InnerSavvy I enjoy her books. 7y
27 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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sarahgreatlove
Mehso-so

Well, I‘ve spent all year reading this book page by page and can categorically say it was the best book to read before bed and fall asleep to 😕😂 I adored the happiness project books and I love Gretchen Rubin. I‘ll read the four tendencies but I hope it‘s less mundane stories about random people and their issues getting stuff done. I‘m a Rebel so perhaps I‘m innately uninterested in reading about sticking to the rules? Who knows. 🤷🏼‍♀️😕😂

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brownekr
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So I'm generally skeptical of self-help books and the writing style in this one is driving me up a wall, but I'm reading it because Sarah Wendell spoke well of it and I mostly trust her.

If nothing else, this overbuyer/underbuyer dichotomy is useful in naming how I differ from my dad, who's otherwise VERY similar to me in personality.

(Me: does not own an umbrella.
My dad: owns every gadget ever made.)

Jess7 I straddle both worlds, but when I get into something I tend to be an #overbuyer. For the longest time I only borrowed books from the library (and I still do get most books there), but I have an ever increased TBR list of books that I have purchased as a kindle deal bc I'm on a kick with it. 📚🤣 7y
brownekr Haha, @Jess7 , I don't buy ebooks AT ALL because I know it would be an endless TBR hole for me. (I do read library ebooks and already have that problem there!) 7y
2 likes2 comments