2 eyes, 1 mirror

So for psychology class I had a new assignment: to sit down in front of a mirror and look at myself for 20 minutes. Then I had to write about my experience including thoughts I had about myself, who I see myself as, where I think my future is headed, yadayada. So when I did this exercise, I didn't think I would get anything out of it. I thought I would stop myself after the first minute upon feeling uncomfortable. But (bear with me here), when I looked into my eyes for so long, there was a point when I realized I was looking at a stranger. I felt as if I didn't even recognize the person staring back. Is this really me?, I thought. Then, Is this who I want to be?

I'm not sure if my eyes got me, or if it was just staring at my reflection for so long that I became a stranger to myself. Either way, through this unorthodox assignment, I came to a conclusion that I don't self-reflect enough. Sure, I think about what others think of me (even though I know sometimes I shouldn't) and I think of where I want to be in 10 years, but I've never looked in the mirror and encountered myself before. It was just an overall odd yet somewhat enlightening experience that I thought I should share. Give it a try. I hadn't believed in the saying before, but maybe eyes really are the windows into our own souls...

The Happiness Project by Gretchin Rubin

A lot of us make new year resolutions we can't keep: eat healthier, work out more, be nice. At the beginning of the year it starts out well and we think we actually have a chance of attaining our goals for the rest of the year. But after the third week of going to the gym or eating solely a banana and yogurt for breakfast, it slowly dies down. Why make a resolution that can't be kept? The problem with these kinds of resolutions: specificity. What I learned from reading The Happiness Project is that if you're really determined, being specific actually does helps you achieve your goals.

"A 'happiness project' is an approach to changing your life," (Rubin xvii). Gretchin Rubin is a writer living in upstate New York who last year decided to start a "happiness project". Her project serves the dual purpose of creating a grateful sentiment and positive outlook on life. "I had everything I could possibly want, yet I was failing to appreciate it," (2). In this book, Rubin refers to Benjamin Franklin's virtues and uses them as somewhat of a template for her project. For example, January's resolution was to boost energy. She then chose 5 things that would help her boost her energy: going to sleep earlier, working out better, tossing, storing, and reorganizing, tackling a nagging task, and finally acting more energetic. In the book, throughout the chapter "January" she would go into depth the details of those 5 points and how she was going to accomplish them. Once February rolled around she would do February's resolution in addition to January's and likewise she would keep adding on with the ensuing months so that by December she would be working on all the 11 other month's resolutions.

I thought this project was an interesting idea. Rubin clearly isn't a depressed woman but rather someone who would like to appreciate everything life has to offer her. If Plato and Thoreau explained that the quest for happiness is at the essence of all humans, then why shouldn't I make an effort now to be as happy and grateful as can be? This year I will be off to college starting a new chapter in my life. I don't want to be unhappy and certainly not ungrateful. Plus, having a little project of my own is fun and different and makes me think that this year I will be able to sustain my resolutions throughout the whole course of the year.

I copied Rubin's January resolution by stating the need to boost energy and I think 5 days into the new year I have been good at boosting my energy. Two nights ago I went to bed at 9pm and got 3 more hours of sleep than usual. All I have to say about that is that it is such a great feeling not being so groggy and getting a massive headache during the day. That experience was enough proof for me that the tedious work of the project actually pays off.



Yesterday in my psychology class we were talking about our new year goals- not necessarily our resolutions but what we would like to achieve this 2012. If we were to chose one thing, what would we want to accomplish by the end of the year. I decided on one thing: fight for yourself and stand up for your decisions; you don't need to listen to anyone else but yourself at this point in your life. Hopefully this goal will help me make the right college and career decisions and help me become more aggressive and determined.

This book inspired me to want to become a happier, healthier person without changing anything or anyone in my life. If you're ready to become a new improved you, well you know what you've got to do: pick up this book and take look. There's much inside to discover. You'll finish it in no time, cover to cover.













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