The Happiness Makeover: Overcome Stress and Negativity to Become a Hopeful, Happy Person (Positive Psychology; Positivity Book)

by M.J. Ryan

“A wonderful blend of motivation, inspiration, and explanation, The Happiness Makeover is a recipe for enjoying today and all your tomorrows.”— David Niven , PhD, author of T he 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People From M.J. Ryan, one of the creators of the New York Times bestselling Random Acts of Kindness series, The Happiness Makeover teaches you how to be a happy person and enjoy the experience of life again. Train your brain to be optimistic, even in the darkest situations. From stress management tips to positive and motivational quotes, M.J. Ryan’s positivity book shows you how to transform your mindset so that you can face any difficult challenge thrown your way. We all want the things that we are sure will make us a happy person —money, success, independence, and love. But when we finally get them, we can find to our surprise that we are the same miserable, moody, or unhappy person we always were. Do things have to be that way? Absolutely not! Cultivating the ability to feel contentment is the key. There are people whose lives are full of serious challenges who nevertheless feel peace and joy—and there are those who have few difficulties in life and yet feel hopeless negativity. You can teach yourself to be a happy person and enjoy your days. M.J. Ryan, the bestselling author of The Power of Patience and Attitudes of Gratitude , shows you how in this positive thinking guide.  The Happiness Makeover gives you a plan that can help If you enjoyed optimism books and positivity books like A Year of Positive Thinking , The Happiness Trap , or Habits of a Happy Brain , then you’ll love The Happiness Makeover .

Genres: Self Help, Audiobook, Nonfiction

204 pages, Paperback

Published April 12, 2022

About the author

MJ Ryan is one of the creators of the New York Times bestselling Random Acts of Kindness series and the author of The Happiness Makeover (nominated for the 2005 Books for Better Living award in the Motivational category), Attitudes of Gratitude, The Power of Patience, Trusting Yourself, The Giving Heart, and 365 Health and Happiness Boosters, among other titles. Altogether, there are 1.75 million copies of her titles in print.

Reviews

[Kelly Jarvis · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book came off as a book written by a woman who has been told to be quiet and not take up space. To not ask for what they want. To tell yourself that you're happy when you're not. I found many of the aspects of this book to be borderline harmful. I also got wrapped up in a comment she made that research shows people are happier when they're married. That's not true. Men are happier married statistically, women are shown to be happier when single and childless. Probably because they aren't compromising their happiness the way this book seems to encourage. I would not recommend this book to any woman I loved and wanted to be happy. Ask for what you want, find happiness in things that bring you joy, don't care what others think of you, you don't need to be good at something to enjoy it, and it's okay to say that something someone does upsets you and set boundaries.

[Ella Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook feels like a gentle mindset coach in your headphones — easy to listen to, uplifting, and full of positive reminders about joy, gratitude and how your thoughts shape your happiness. 🎧🐣 It’s not dense or academic — more motivational and practical — perfect for a mood reset or morning boost.

👍 What Works Well
📌 Friendly Narration: The narrator’s voice is pleasant and engaging, making the content easy to absorb even while multitasking. 
📌 Practical Tips: Lots of simple ideas you can apply right away — like cultivating gratitude, managing worry, and reframing negative thoughts. 🌱✨ 
📌 Positive Momentum: Great for listeners who want a boost in optimism or a reminder to focus on what brings joy. 😊💡

🤔 Some Mixed Opinions
💭 Not Super Ground-Breaking: Many listeners feel the ideas aren’t totally new — more great reminders than brand-new insights. 📖🔁 
💭 Style Over Substance: Some reviews note the content relies on quotes and general advice, and wish it offered more original strategies or deeper techniques. 📚🤷‍♀️ 
💭 Tone Matters: A few listeners felt certain anecdotes or cultural references didn’t land for them — but that varies by personal taste. 🌍👂

🧠 Best For…
🌟 Beginners to happiness/self-help listeners
🎧 People who love affirming, feel-good audiobooks
📅 Those wanting small, actionable shifts in mindset
😌 Anyone seeking a light motivation session with calm narration

❗In a Nutshell
The Happiness Makeover is like a friendly pep talk in audiobook form: uplifting, easy to digest, and filled with positive thinking tips. It won’t reinvent your worldview — but it can help you tune your mindset toward contentment and joy. 📻🌈
Whether you’re looking to break out of negative thinking or just want a sunny mindset companion for your commute or chores, this is a warm and accessible listen with a kind and encouraging tone. 😄💛

[Nana Kesewaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how this book lightened up my spirit with many wonderful tips on happiness!

[Monta | IG montareads · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3,4)
Atsauksme par M.J. Ryan grāmatu "The Happiness Makeover: Overcome Stress and Negativity to Become a Hopeful, Happy Person"

Šo grāmatu izbaudīju kā audiogrāmatu un pabeidzu vienā piegājienā, veicot mājas darbus. Tā ir viegli uztverama, bet vienlaikus pilna ar vērtīgām atziņām par to, kā radīt priecīgāku un vieglāku dzīvi.

Pozitīvie aspekti:
+ Ja tev patīk pašattīstības grāmatas un esi ieinteresēts tēmā par dzīvesprieku, šī būs patiešām Tava lasīšanas laika vērta.
+ Grāmata ātri "lasās" un ir ierunāta patīkamā balsī, kas padarīja klausīšanās pieredzi vēl baudāmāku.
+ Ja šo būtu lasījusi drukātā veidā, noteikti būtu pilna ar atzīmēm – tik daudz mazu, vērtīgu ieskatu.
+ Idejas izklāstītas vienkārši un saprotami, bez lieka sarežģījuma.
+ Atstāja patīkamu, vieglu pēcgaršu.

Mazliet negatīvās puses:
- Kaut arī neko pavisam jaunu neuzzināju, grāmata bija lielisks atgādinājums par tām svarīgajām lietām, kas palīdz dzīvi uztvert vieglāk.

Ja meklē pašattīstības grāmatu, kas paceļ garastāvokli un atgādina par prieka nozīmi, The Happiness Makeover ir lieliska izvēle!

[Maha Al Zahrani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed The Happiness Makeover! I had read the author’s previous book and liked her style, so I was curious about this one and it didn’t disappoint. It’s not super groundbreaking, but it’s full of simple, uplifting reminders about how much our thoughts and beliefs impact our happiness.

I listened to the audiobook, and honestly, it felt like a cozy, positive podcast. Super easy to listen to, and the tone was warm and encouraging. Perfect for when you need a little boost or just want to reset your mindset.

Overall, a great listen. I’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking for something light but meaningful to help you refocus on what really matters.

[jmphoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was more of a 3.5 but I bumped it up to a 4 because there were a handful of good nuggets in there. Many of the chapters were based on quotes or excerpts from other books which made it feel not very authentic. Also made it feel a bit dense due to all the quotations. Many useful thoughts for happiness yet its always easier said than done. Would have liked more personal stories/experiences over vague suggestions that had worked.

[Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated the research Ryan did for this novel, it was interesting to see different studies on correlations to happiness. I did, however, want to punch her when she included a chapter on rest and her idea was how when she gets tired, she takes the day off to sleep. It felt out of touch with most people's reality. Nothing new or ground breaking but an easy read.

[areej. · Rating 4 out of 5]

listened to the scribd audiobook !! rlly great reminders on happiness.

stuff like have an attitude for gratitude, focus on what you can control, and overall having a positive mindset that makes you a happier person.

[Claudia Muafeca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, I enjoyed the quotes brought from other authors and simple to life the messagea were. For open minded people you see this book as life lessons, especially for our peace of mind and finding our inner happiness 📖🙏🏽. I see myself using some quotes as a guide.

[Nathália Gonçalves]

DNF 42%
eu achei o livro muito simplista, falou sobre depressão de uma maneira tão rápida, e sinceramente, quando eu vi a cara da autora eu fiquei meio meh, parece uma karen que agora quer fazer livro por fazer

[Noelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just didn’t love it. Felt like she was just telling random stories that were related to happiness but wasn’t actually employing methods to teach how to find happiness. There are a few pages at the end with ways that you can use, just felt like the rest of the book was pointless to read.

[Neelam Babul · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read mostly containing brief snippets on bringing happiness into our lives. It is mostly based on books the author has read and habits that brought happiness to her life.

[Melanie Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It's a great reminder to stay conscious of our thoughts. It also gives some great exercises to be mindful of what we are thinking, saying, and doing!

[Ryan Ness · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Meh. She uses a lot of others’ quotes and personal stories on happiness to fill the pages.

[Cath G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this!

[Mary Kate Healey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it, read chapters here and there over months, no pressure to go through all of it. Some chapters really resonated with me and overall I thought there were some really good insights.

[Zeng Daria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has citations and references to some other books on happiness that I've been meaning to read. It's a good book with a lot of nice quotes and research backing.

[Amy Betters-Midtvedt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of actionable things you can do to improve your life right now. Loved it!

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Nothing mind losing if you have ever read Seligman. Not bad. Just ok.

[Mo A · Rating 3 out of 5]

( 3.5 ★ )

[Monta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grāmatai nebija ne vaina, bet es neatradu tajā kaut ko unikālu par ko jau nebūtublasījusi citās grāmatās

[Namratha · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay… just a stream of advice
doesnt have a theme or narrative to the lessons given

[Christie Kahlon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good review of techniques. Just what I needed!

[Jessica Van Den Heever · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basically n huge summary van klomp boeke en thoughts oor happiness in een

Eintlik nogal life changing
Ek het my off season approach verander agv die boek
Die boek het my laat agter kom ek maak myself ongelukkig en ek kan dit maklik verander
Notes gemaak in samsung notes

[Lauryn Clemmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean, any book about happiness isn’t going to be bad, right? I liked the book, all good messages. Nothing in particular really stuck out to me though. Just made me want to be a more grateful and kind person. So that’s always good!

[Lara (Atlas Of Stories) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book with anecdotes and quotes with some useful tips and tricks to live a happier and less stressful life. It's a short read but doesn't leave a strong impression.

[Austin Mangelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an amazing book! This is one I could read over and over, and gain something new every time. I'm already excited to go back and read it again someday. It's full of profound yet simple truths and ways to increase your happiness.

[Paige · Rating 2 out of 5]

Does not liking it make me a curmudgeon? It feels like a regurgitation (verbatim at times) of so many other books on the subject. At least it was an easy read with short chapters. 👂🏻