Book: The Joy Diet – 10 Daily Practices for a Happier Life.
Author: Martha Beck
Publisher: Crown Publishers, 2003
What a great read! This approach is very simple, easy to follow and makes total sense (you’ll probably be thinking “Why didn’t I think of this). If your looking for ways to improve or just enhance your life, this is perfect for you! Martha recommends that you read one chapter a week until you’re fully comfortable with a step and then move on to the next. This is a great approach, I think if you tried everything at once you’d totally fall off of this diet, but the one step a week works for me.
The 10 Steps are:
Nothing – Not as easy as it sounds
Truth – This step is amazing and clicked right away for me. I never realized how many stories I made up in my head when there was absolutely no truth to them! Example of my internal voice: “My Sister hasn’t called me lately, I bet she’s mad at me, probably because I couldn’t watch the kids for her last week, what a bitch, I have a life too you know…” this could go on and on. But now I simply ask myself “Is it true that your Sister is mad at you?” The answer is “No! I have no idea why she hasn’t called!”
Desire – Pretty much a chapter of finding what you desire.
Creativity – Creatively reaching your desire
Risk- Take risks in your life. You’ve probably heard it before, “do something scary at least once a day”! I live a pretty risk-free life, so I had a hard time incorporating this step. But finally I just sucked it up and now I’m taking baby-risks and I’m so proud of myself! I’m actually looking forward to taking some big risks soon!
Treats – Reward yourself with 3 treats a day. 2 for no reason and 1 for taking a risk! I’m not very good at this step yet. I do reward myself when I do something risky, but I haven’t been very good at rewarding myself for no reason. I just don’t remember to do it! That’s my goal this week is to figure out a way to reward myself and not see it as a chore.
Laughter – What a great thing to incorporate into your life everyday. After reading this chapter you’ll realize that you actually laugh more than you thought you did, but it still isn’t nearly enough to be on the Joy Diet. I’m lucky, I have a pretty funny family so I usually have a few good laughs throughout the day and although I didn’t really pay attention before, I do feel better after laughing at my family members 
Connections – This is a tough one for me! I’ve shut down in most of my interactions with just about everyone I know and I haven’t figured out the source of why yet. I’m someone who is always there for everyone else, but I never (and I mean never) open up about myself. I can’t say this chapter was a major breakthrough for me, but it least got me to recognize my issues and get me excited about reconnecting with people.
Feasting – 3 times a day! What I took away from this chapter is relish all the good that is in your life! I surprised myself on this, I do “Feast” several times a day (at least for the last year or so). For me running through “Gratefuls” is the best feast! I try to do this several times a day especially when I’m in a rotten mood or when I’m trying to focus my mind, little did I know I was mastering a Martha Beck step!
I recommend this book for everyone. It doesn’t have to be for someone who’s trying to “find themselves” as in my case, but for anyone who wants to celebrate their day! Every chapter I’d think of a new person who I think should read this book and when I was done with the book my list included just about everyone I know.
Filed under: Books | Tagged: Books, happiness, Life, Martha Beck, Self help
