Since I returned from NYC in 2008 I've always been on the look out for things, routines, hobbies, etc to help me keep a good work/life balance. Don't want to wake up some day and realize all I'd done was politics my whole life. So, a few weeks ago I came across a new book by Gretchen Rubin called The Happiness Project. I promptly downloaded it on my Nook (which I still need to do a review for, but short story is I love it) and I was inspired. Each month she gave herself resolutions and every day reviewed how she did on them. She also came up with some absolute rules and ongoing things she could do to keep happy. She didn't succeed in every single one, and not all of her ideas worked for her, but some did. Some of them are just good habits to get into or things to remind yourself of when life starts to get you down. It's Lent, which is usually time to give up stuff, but instead I'm working on coming up with my own version of the Happiness project. I don't think I'm going to do a year, but am taking some lessons on setting goals, having the absolute rules (ie: Be Katie) and having a few tricks ready for when I see myself slipping into sad mode that can take me out of it. For instance, two things I've already made are an iTunes playlist of music that makes me happy and a collection of funny YouTube videos that make me laugh. If you haven't checked out the book I recommend you do. Or even just check out the author's web site: www.happiness-project.com or her Twitter account @gretchenrubin