Famous People: Kate Hudson knows how to be “Pretty Happy”

This is an archive article from 02/23/16

Photo: Courtesy of Natalia Dagenhart

Did you ever think what is behind those brilliant smiles on the faces of Hollywood actresses when you stare at the magazine covers while standing at the line at your local store? Modern women are under a lot of pressure – they have to be smart, slim, beautiful, healthy, successful, optimistic, and, basically, perfect. Our society expects even more from famous people, whose faces we see every day. However, is it easy to look and feel perfect without getting stressed out, or is it even possible? “Take time to be kind to yourself,” said Kate Hudson at her book-signing event in Naperville. That night, Kate proved that she knows how to be “Pretty Happy” and shared her hard-earned wisdom.

This book-signing event organized by Anderson’s Bookshop took place at Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville on February 20. Hundreds of issues of Kate Hudson’s book called “Pretty Happy: Healthy Ways to Love Your Body” with a beautiful image of Kate on them were patiently waiting for those, who were inpatient to see and hear Kate and read her book. The event was a sell-out and finally, after a long wait, the auditorium was full of people with happy faces and books in their hands.

Under the applause and a loud ovation, Kate appeared on the stage with a nice and warm smile on her face and a cell phone in her hand taking a video of the audience. At some point, while walking to her chair, she tripped over something, but immediately turned it into a light, unconstrained and natural dance. It set up a free-and-easy environment for the night.

Photo: Courtesy of Natalia Dagenhart

Kate was charming. Her open smile, light and soft hair and shiny beautiful eyes attracted the Naperville audience and immediately made everyone feel relaxed, calm and maybe a little bit happier than a moment before she entered the concert hall. Candy Purdom, publicity and events coordinator from Anderson’s Bookshop, joined her and asked Kate a few questions.

The actress was very serious talking about issues that are important for everyone – health, beauty, diet, weight and mindfulness, but at the same time she found a way to joke and be funny. On Candy’s question about personal space and what Kate would choose to do with her time in the morning – to exercise or to meditate – Kate gave a great answer saying that if she would feel like meditating, she would meditate, if she would feel like exercising, she would exercise, and if she would feel like sleeping, she would sleep.

“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself,” – said Kate, - “Don’t try to be perfect and concentrate on what you feel… Happiness is so subjective!” Truthfully, these few words describe Kate’s book “Pretty Happy”, which is based on the idea of celebrating individuality and connecting with the individual idea of what you should do to make you feel happy.

We are programmed that we should look a certain way, fit a certain size and live certain lives. However, the actress noticed that we are constantly changing, including our bodies that are constantly changing with age. Accepting our bodies changing over time is a key way to happiness, in Kate’s opinion. Yes, you can’t become absolutely happy, but you can be pretty happy! “I am pretty happy,” – said Kate, giving an example of how to achieve harmony and happiness without getting engaged in such a common race to perfection.

Nothing came easy to this 36 year old well known and successful actress and mother of two. As any other human being, Kate went through her share of ups and downs but taught herself to not just survive, but also to achieve personal growth and success through harmony with her body, spirit and mind. “For my children who keep me active, vital, and make me want to live as long as possible,” – she wrote in her dedication of the book, showing that there is a much greater purpose in her life than just looking good and feeling good for herself. She is doing it for her children.

However, Kate also worries about other people and about those who struggle. “There are many people who need help,” noticed the actress, “There is a lot of pressure on them to be perfect.” She likes to be spontaneous and believes that it helps her feel happy, but she also believes that structuring her life helps her achieve physical health and peace of mind. “I am ruled by my head,” said Kate, and the example of her own life proves that this attitude works. She also shared her emotions about those, who just like her chose to make healthy habits and to live better lives. “There is nothing more wonderful than seeing people going through that process of losing extra pounds and seeing their result,” she added.

Kate also shared her thoughts and experience related to meditation and mindfulness practices and noticed that after she started using these practices she started feeling peaceful and happy. After talking for a while, she still had a lot to say to her fans, but it was time for them to line up and get their books signed. The rest of Kate’s story about her personal success and wisdom of how to become pretty happy was in her colorful and smart book “Pretty Happy”, which her grateful fans purchased through Anderson’s Bookshop.

The night was over, but the journey just began; the journey to a fun, bright and pretty happy life with Kate Hudson.

Natalia Dagenhart