Book Review—365 Days of Happiness

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

All about Happiness

With all the craziness that’s been happening, I think a bit more happiness is needed in the world. Because of this, I wanted to share a book with you that I’ve been reading. It’s all about happiness. 

Jacqueline Pirtle’s 365 Days of Happiness gives 365 ways to create happiness, so you can be a happier person every day of the year. Although most are relatively easy and involve a shift in your thinking, not all of them are a “piece of cake” as she claims. (That could just be a reflection on me.) As Pirtle says, “Happiness . . . is an exercise in mindfulness that shows up in many different ways.” That is really what this book talks about and helps with, shifting your own thoughts to focus on the positives instead of the negatives. When we are able to be in a positive headspace, it is much easier to be happy. 

Be Open to New Ideas

For this book to be helpful, the reader must be open to exploring all the different techniques Pirtle suggests. To be honest, I don’t know that this book is for everyone. Some tips may be a little out there for some. There are definitely ones that I would have just written off before I started my own journey of self-care and opened myself up to new ideas. There are a number of things that bothered me as a proofreader, but if you don’t let the small things get to you, Pirtle uses great allusions and comparisons to get you thinking in a new way. Her suggestions also make clear the things you already do that make you happy and shouldn’t be changed (e.g., I don’t agree with her suggestion of switching coffee for tea).  

Creating a Happier You

But for those open to trying new things and a new thought process, Pirtle’s 365 Days of Happiness is a fun way to bring more awareness and focus to creating a happier you. You can read it day by day, focusing on one idea each day of the year, or flip through the pages and randomly pick an idea, letting the universe pick how you should focus that day. I’ve been using the book both ways and taking notes on the ones that resonate with me the most, so I can go back to them. 

One that spoke to me is “you matter.” I think all mothers sometimes need to be reminded of this. Another is “focus on your hands” to focus on the now “because they are always doing whatever they are doing in the now.”

Choose Happiness

Pirtle’s book is a great reminder that happiness is basically a choice. And her book gives you 365 different ways to choose happiness. If you’re ready to put some energy into creating a happier you, then I recommend you pick up a copy of Pirtle’s book.

To a happier you!