Happier with Gretchen Rubin

We explore the value of the German custom of the Stammtisch as a fun and easy way to strengthen friendships. We also share dozens of compelling one-word themes chosen by listeners for 2026—plus a strategy for elevating everyday life. Resources & links related to this episode: Learn more about Move 26 join us here Elizabeth is reading: The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop by Fannie Flagg (Amazon, Booksho...

When we lose our wallet, we think finding it would make us happy forever, but once found, we quickly start taking it for granted again. Colette said of her life, "What a beautiful life. It's a pity I didn't notice it sooner." But we don’t have to lose our wallet to note the joy of possessing it. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-se...

Already exhausted by the new year? In this conversation on the "Lazy Genius" podcast, host Kendra Adachi and I explore why “fresh start” culture creates so much anxiety—and how being “lazy” about some things can help you focus on what truly matters in January. Resources & links related to this episode: The Lazy Genius Collective  Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to...

You have a big project you want to finish. So why can’t you get it done? In my new Audible Original audiobook “Get It Done: How to Complete Your Dream Project,” I share a practical, research-backed approach to help you break a big project down, stay focused, and keep moving forward in a way that fits how you actually work. This episode is part of the Move 26 in ’26 Challenge. Each month, I’m relea...

As one of the three “Design Your Year” exercises, we each wrote a list of 26 things we want to accomplish in 2026. Some repeats, some new. Resources & links related to this episode: Design Your Year hub  One last reminder to sign up for The Happiness Project Revisited course I Want You to Know: My Portrait of You  Elizabeth is reading: Apple in China: The Capture of the World’s Greatest Company by...

In his speaking, Winston Churchill often deliberately made mistakes. He understood that an imperfect speech would be more persuasive and moving than a perfect speech, and he chose to make his performance better by making it worse. Resources & links related to this episode: Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products f...

Just in time for January, I joined NPR’s “Life Kit” to talk about New Year’s resolutions, why they fail, and a more effective way to build better habits and make real progress in 2026. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript for this e...

We talk about a thought-provoking, helpful exercise to help prepare for the upcoming year. We also share an easy hack for making parties more fun, reflections on #Read25in25, and re-visit a whimsical know-yourself-better question. Resources & links related to this episode: Home cotton-candy machine Listen to episode 355 Simon Haisell's Footnotes and Tangents on Substack Last chance to sign up for...

With his characteristic skill, and with a powerful metaphor, Warren Buffett makes the point that even talented people won’t succeed if they’re working in very unfavorable conditions. Resources & links related to this episode: Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Ha...

We talk about a whimsical way to take better photographs, a useful question for making a hard decision, and the joy of field trips. Resources & links related to this episode: Join the "Happiness Project Revisited" before prices rise on January 1st  Bandolier Order your 2026 Moment of Happiness Calendar  Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's...

We talk about why the realization “I could this this task better myself” can help us identify possible opportunities. We also talk about how to give a bad review in a nice way, and share imaginative accountability strategies.  Resources & links related to this episode: Obituary for John Charles Craft Take the "Four Tendencies" personality quiz Forty Ways to Look at Winston Churchill In Our Time po...

As a gift to listeners, I read O. Henry’s classic "The Gift of the Magi"—a timeless reminder of what really matters most for our happiness during the holidays. Resources & links related to this episode: "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry (Amazon, Bookshop)  I read "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens (Amazon, Bookshop)  I read "The Snow Queen" by Hans Christian Andersen (Amazon, Bookshop) Get in...

When we’re quoting someone who has articulated an important idea, it’s important to make sure that we’re quoting their entire point. Winston Churchill, Stewart Brand, and apocryphally, Harry Gordon Selfridge, are frequently only partially quoted. Resources & links related to this episode: Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling b...

With the holiday crunch in full swing, here are three practical hacks that can make this week easier to manage. Resources & links related to this episode: Listen to Happier episode 96 Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript for this ep...

As part of “Design Your Year,” each of us made a list of 25 things we wanted to accomplish in 2025; here, we report on what we got done—and what we didn’t. Resources & links related to this episode: Happier in Hollywood Substack  Simon Haisell's Footnotes and Tangents Allie Coyle Photography The Earth Room created by American artist Walter De Maria Click here to find everything related to the Desi...

A familiar story about Gandhi is apocryphal, but nevertheless illustrates one of my Secrets of Adulthood: If we’re trying to encourage or enforce a particular behavior, we should be willing to observe that behavior ourselves. Resources & links related to this episode: Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from T...

My friend Chip Conley joins the “Dan Buettner Podcast” to explain why the old idea of a “midlife crisis” holds us back and how reframing this stage can open the door to purpose, curiosity, and stronger connection in life after 50. Resources & links related to this episode: "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry (Amazon, Bookshop)  I read "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens (Amazon, Bookshop)  I rea...

As part of our Happier Podcast Book Club, we revisit our conversation with Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast about her compelling bestselling memoir “Crying in H Mart.”  Resources & links related to this episode: Crying in H Mart Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, an...

We report on our experience with the “Design Your Year” exercise of the annual challenge: Read 25 in ’25. We also reveal the annual challenge for 2026—join us. Resources & links related to this episode: Move 26 in 2026  Visit the Happiness Project shop  The science-backed trick that soothes an itch better than scratching Elizabeth: is coming into the end of War and Peace (Amazon, Bookshop)  Gretch...

Do You Feel Like an Employee of Your Former Self? Renowned novelist Ian McEwan makes a funny observation about book tours that’s applicable to many familiar situations. Resources & links related to this episode: Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Fin...

Make entertaining easier. These simple hacks take the stress out of hosting and help you focus on what really matters: enjoying the people you’re with. Resources & links related to this episode: Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript...

We talk about why choosing a one-word theme for the year can be such a creative, constructive, and satisfying exercise. We review our words for 2025 and reveal our words for 2026. Plus we share an original and fun reason to have a party. Resources & links related to this episode: Amazing scene in Mad Men Work through my new Gift Idea Generator worksheet Elizabeth is reading: War and Peace by Leo T...

The gap between expectations and reality determines whether we feel happy or disappointed. From empty-nest parents hoping for daily texts to tourists experiencing "Paris syndrome," our expectations shape our emotions. Sometimes adjusting expectations—rather than changing reality—is the key to happiness. Resources & links related to this episode: Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretch...

We revisit our long list of hacks to make the holidays a happier time. Resources & links related to this episode: Listen to Happier episode 145 12 Personal Commandments  Eight Splendid Truths Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript for...

We discuss a know-yourself-better question related to how we conceive of ourselves at different ages. Plus we talk about a way to find excellent book recommendations. Resources & links related to this episode: Join the The Happiness Project: Revisited course Since You Asked advice podcast Shop the biggest journal sale of the year! Substack Live with Sari Botton  "Oldster Magazine" on Substack Less...