Your Happiness Project: Read Something For Fun
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I’m working on my Happiness Project, and you should have one, too! Everyone’s project will look different, but it’s the rare person who can’t benefit. Join in — no need to catch up, just jump in right now. Each Friday’s post will help you think about your own happiness project.
This week — read something for fun!
I’ve noticed something when I ask people what they’re reading: they often name some highly estimable, dense, serious book, and then confess that they’ve been reading it for months.
I pressed one friend to explain his reading habits. “I just don’t have the time,” he said.
“Well, your books sound a bit dry,” I said. “Why don’t you read something more enjoyable?”
“When I read, I want to learn something,” he said virtuously. “I don’t want to waste my time with something that’s not worthwhile.”
“But you watch a lot of trashy TV,” I pointed out. I happened to know that he was a fan of shows like VH1’s “I Love the Eighties,” some reality TV, and lots of sports. “You don’t force yourself to watch nothing but documentaries when you’re watching TV, why shouldn’t you read something more fun?”
He didn’t really answer me. But I think this exchange highlights a problem with the way a lot of people approach reading.
In general, reading is supposed to be fun! Go out and get hold of a book you want to read.
If you find yourself saying things like, “I really ought to read this,” or “I’ll be glad that I read this,” or “This is an important book,” you probably don’t really want to read that book.
— Read the rest of the blog by Gretchen Rubin
