Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin

I know this blog has been about sustainability and so far most mostly about a zero waste lifestyle. That’s why I also started the weekly diaries, to show what my journey towards sustainability looks like. But, sustainability isn’t the only thing that interests me. And the past weeks I read a book I found so interesting that I am sharing it today. I talking about Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin.

Gretchen Rubin

This isn’t the first time I’m sharing a book written by Gretchen Rubin. I’ve written a post about another book written by her too, The Happiness Project. It’s obvious I’m a fan of her books! I keep sharing about her books because the books are about happiness and personal growth. I want every person to be the best version of themself. And I see the relation between happiness and sustainability and compassion. If you have a happy life, you’re open and compassionate. That’s the only way we can make the world a better place in any way, when people are open. If people are happy and their basic needs are met, only then it’s possible to look ahead and focus on bigger things. That’s also the reason why I don’t blame people when they don’t live sustainably. If you are just barely surviving, there is no room for anything else.

“It’s a secret of adulthood: I can’t make people change, but when I change, others may change; and when others change, I may change.”

Gretchen Rubin

Better than Before

Okay, about the book. Rubin writes about good habits, just like in The Happiness Project. Change your habits, change your life. That what it says on the cover. I see this book as a follow-up on The Happiness Project. Rubin gives different techniques and tools to form great habits. At the end of the book there is a quiz with which you can find out which ‘personality type’ you are and with that you can read the book. For each type there is a different approach. What I strongly liked is that Rubin refers to research and theories. This really strengthens her story and I like seeing what an average person behaves like when it comes to habits (even though there is no such thing as an average person).

It’s a thin book, not even 300 pages. Therefore I finished it quickly. You also get through it quickly because Rubin mixes the theories and facts with her personal story. So, here you have it: another book to put on your list: Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin.

Sustainable tip: lend the book at your local library. Sharing is more sustainable than buying new. Sharing = caring!.

Yours sincerely,
Romee