To Secrets of Adulthood

via Pinterest

Greetings, Toasties! I hope you had a fabulous weekend.

Life update time!!!! So, I recently joined a book club and I am very excited I did. I've always been kind of a flake about book clubs because I've found that very few adult book clubs care to re-read the Sweet Valley High series or discuss the intricate relationships espoused in Lauren Conrad's trilogy, L.A. Candy.


(And by the way, when I said "adult book clubs" I meant book clubs with adult participants....not  an X-rated book club.)

(Is there such a thing...??)

I digress.

BUT...I finally found a book club that fits. There are about six of us and we take two months to read a book (which is great because I would hate for too much reading to interrupt my Pinning). Then, on the off months between book discussions we have wine club!

The on months involve wine, as well.

The other stipulations of this book club are that we only read "happy" books and quick reads. 

While I contemplated suggesting the Confessions of a Shopaholic series for this past month, someone beat me to the punch and suggested The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, instead.

The title pretty much sums it up; it's a 30ish-year-old woman's quest for happiness and to better appreciate what she has. I feel like she's similar to most of us who have the luxury (yes, luxury!) of being able to blog or read a blog: she has a perfectly delightful, wonderful life and just isn't taking the time to appreciate it. 

I have a couple of favorite parts of the book, but my favorite-favorite part is when she shares her "Secrets to Adulthood"...general nuggets of advice and life observations.

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Gretchen Rubin's Secrets of Adulthood


The days are long, but the years are short.

Someplace, keep an empty shelf.

Turning the computer on and off a few times often fixes a glitch.

It's okay to ask for help.

You can choose what you do, but you can't choose what you like to do.

Happiness doesn't always make you feel happy.

What you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while.

You don't have to be good at everything.

Soap and water remove most stains.

It's important to be nice to everyone.

You know as much as most people.

Over-the-counter medicines are very effective.

Eat better, eat less, exercise more.

What's fun for other people may not be fun for you - and vice versa.

People actually prefer that you buy wedding gifts off their register.

House plants and photo albums are a lot of trouble.

If you're not failing, you're not trying hard enough.

No deposit, no return.

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Originally when I wanted to post about this book, I thought it would be fun for me to share all of MY "Secrets of Adulthood" with you. What I assumed would be a plethora of wisdom turned out to only be two tidbits:

Always wash your face and brush your teeth before you go to bed, no matter how tired you are; and,

Don't waste your time boys who cheat on you. You are clearly not "the One" and they are CLEARLY not either.

So I was feeling pretty inadequate in terms of adult advice (I mean, it appears I'm only an expert on on how to not inflame adult acne and how to avoid men who are obviously treating you like crap), until I went to a Chi O chapter meeting this evening. 

As you may remember, I am a recruitment advisor for the chapter and I've been fairly involved with them lately, tying up some loose ends before they head off for the summer. So, they've seen me a bunch, to say the least. However, I don't think there has been a single time I've been there that they haven't been extremely vocal about how much they appreciate having me. And I don't even know if they always mean it (I really hope they do!). But, I just get so excited every time I go to work with them because they make me feel appreciated.

So, on that note, I have one more Secret of Adulthood to add to Gretchen Rubin's list:

Thank everyone for everything. All the time. 

I know. I have actual wisdom. Who woulda thunk?

On that note, I'd like to thank YOU for reading. Yes...you! Recently, I've been approached by a few people who have shared that they read 'ye little blog and I am just honored and surprised and thankful to hear that you enjoy what you read here. 

(Because, for a long time it was just my mom reading....and only because I would call her as soon as I posted and have her stop everything to read my latest post over the phone. She's thankful for other people reading too, I bet.)

Anyway, this blog brings me so much happiness and I am totally thankful and appreciative for every one of YOU....you are just the best readers and friends a blogger could ask for.

*****Swoon*****

Okay, I'm done with this gushy lovefest. Hit me up with your "Secrets to Adulthood" in the comments section....I'll add them to this post and link to your blog!