Befuddled by ‘adulting'? Gretchen Rubin has some words of wisdom for you!
All are among the aphorisms collected in her latest book, '
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Rubin's been writing aphorisms for years, she says, these distilled, potent portions of wisdom. Many are about big issues, from desire to creativity to persistence, while others are simpler life hacks ('If you don't like a pair of pants, don't pay to get them hemmed').
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She knows that not everyone will agree with all of them. 'There are some where I'm like, 'do I believe that?' Or I go back and forth.' Many come from folk wisdom expressed in Rubin's own words. 'A lot of big important truths are too important to be new,' Rubin adds, 'it's more about freshness and finding a new way to express an idea.' She especially loves when someone reads or hears an aphorism and says, 'I've had that feeling many times myself, but I just never quite stopped to put it into words. But now, that's exactly what I think, too!''
Ideally, Rubin adds, the book is 'a springboard. We're all just looking for a way to share what you've learned with other people, especially your children. Usually we have to learn [about life] the hard way. But sometimes, somebody can get you through it a little bit easier.'
Gretchen Rubin will read 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, at the
.
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And now from some recommendations . . .
In '
Ariel Courage's '
'
Rachel Phan's delightful new memoir, '
Kate Tuttle edits the Globe's Books section.
Kate Tuttle, a freelance writer and critic, can be reached at
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