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Gretchen Rubin Shares 8 Personal Rules of Happiness

Season 6 Episode 617
Aired on 11/08/2015 | CC tv-14
What does happiness look like?

According to best-selling author Gretchen Rubin, the path to joy is unique to each person, so no two paths will look alike. Several years ago, Gretchen was riding a city bus and realized that, as time passed, she wasn't focusing on the things in her life that really make her happy. To begin her spiritual journey, she set personal resolutions for each month of the year. As she developed her resolutions, she noticed some overarching principles, which she calls her 12 commandments.

During her Super Soul Sunday interview, Gretchen shares eight of the aforementioned rules and why they matter. One of the rules, "Act the way I want to feel," is a science-backed way of making yourself feel better. "Psychological research shows that we think we act because of the way we feel. 'I'm throwing things because I'm angry.' But to a very great extent we feel because of the way we act," Gretchen says. "So, if I feel resentful, but I act kind, I'm going to feel more kindly."

In the video above, the longtime happiness researcher shares seven more rules she's found extremely helpful in her quest for joy.