Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Why you might consider spending your vacation money on a home experience that you’ll enjoy for years, and why delegating tasks is more important–and harder–than it may seem. Episode highlights: Try This at Home: Why you might "spend out" on your space, instead of on vacation, to give yourself fun and comfort at home [02:35] Happiness Hack: A listener's three-system method for documenting daily lif...

With a simple answer of “Zero-zero,” Jalen Brunson communicated the attitude of his team as they pushed toward the NBA Championship. Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find...

September is the other January. We revisit seven of our favorite habit strategies to help you get back into your routines after summer and build habits that actually stick. Episode Highlights: Episode 360: Want to Change a Habit? Start with These 7 Strategies Mentioned in this Episode: Back-to-Routine resources The 21 Strategies for Habit Formation Better Than Before Checklist for Habit Change Con...

A counterpart to No-Spend February, "Do-Spend September" helps us spend what we have. We also share a five-senses hack for planning vacations that are much more fun. Episode highlights: Try This at Home: Observe a "Do-Spend September," the counterpart to No-Spend February [03:06] Fun with the Five Senses: We share a listener's Five Senses hack for turning a familiar long weekend into a fresh, memo...

An exchange between Knicks teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart illustrates the fact that sometimes, we’re better off treating a painful subject with lighthearted humor rather than sympathetic silence. Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review...

It's time to clear the decks for September. Here are 26 quick tasks to get you moving while you refresh your space for fall. Mentioned in This Episode: The Move 26 in ‘26 Challenge: https://gretchenrubin.com/move26in26/ Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz Enjoyed this episode? L...

When relaxing feels like wasting time, you can trick yourself into enjoying it anyway. Plus, 16 things to try for happier, calmer parenting.  Episode highlights: Something Making Us Happier: Gretchen shares Chuck's tip for an ultra-quiet desk fan, plus more things we didn’t know [00:00] I’ve Been Meaning to Ask You: We don’t personally like tattoos, but what would we get?[00:00] Spotlight on...

Listeners share the insights and suggestions that have resonated with them most over the past 600 episodes. Mentioned in this episode: Power Hour (Apple, Spotify)  Ta-Da Lists (Apple, Spotify)  Outer Order, Inner Calm (Amazon, Bookshop)  Reframing (Apple, Spotify) The Strategy of Pairing (Apple, Spotify) Half-Way Day (Apple, Spotify) Why Scheduling is Life (Apple, Spotify) My Americ...

NBA star Jalen Brunson gives a surprising answer to the question, “What play best embodies this entire title run?” Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the...

We revisit one of our favorite happiness ideas: Treat Yourself Like a _____. Over the years, we've explored many variations on this theme, including treating yourself like a toddler, a dog, a teenager, and a professor. Sometimes it's easier to recognize what we need when we imagine we're taking care of someone else. Revisited Highlights: Episode 7: Treat Yourself Like a Toddler Episode 243: Treat...

Why you should treat your home like a hotel, and a common blindspot that can lead to unnecessary conflict. Plus a relationship hack. Episode highlights: Try This at Home: treat your home like a hotel—declutter, fix small annoyances, and add small touches of luxury. [03:10] Happiness Hack: A listener shares a tip on making helpful introductions [11:14] Happiness Stumbling Block: Are you arguing tha...

Many players and teams struggle during clutch time—but not every player or team faces that challenge. Never assume that your problems are the same as other people’s.  Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality framework and take the free quiz. Enjoyed this episode? Leave...

Gretchen shares a recent insight on feeling "anonymous" versus "present." We also discuss a lesson for Upholders and gift-worthy pop-up books. Episode Highlights Something Making Us Happier—Elizabeth's new Wordle streak milestone and Gretchen’s favorite pop-up books [00:36] I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You— Gretchen’s insight on feeling “anonymous” vs. “present.” And a lesson for Upholders [12:01] Sp...

“Treat yourself like…a person of interest” and try a month-long “self-stakeout” to track your habits. We also share an easy way to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit in your head. Plus we discuss three broad categories of empty nesters.  Episode highlights: Try This At Home— Do a "self-stakeout": Imagine you're a detective and tail yourself for a month. What will you find? [06:43] Happiness Hack—...

George Orwell’s observation about work performed by machines is very relevant to our discussions of AI. Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality framework and take the free quiz. Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps ot...

We revisit listener-favorite hacks for cultivating summer fun. If you want to make the most of the weeks ahead, these practical ideas can help you add more fun, adventure, and whimsy to everyday life. Revisited Highlights: Episode 146: Introduce a note of whimsy Episode 178: Schedule a weekly playdate with yourself Episode 98: Give yourself a quest Episode 477: Embrace fun plans Mentioned in This...

August is “Dogust,” so we talk about celebrating the dogs in our lives. Plus, we answer a listener question about our reading habits. Episode Highlights: Try This at Home: Celebrate "Dogust" with five easy ways to celebrate your dog [06:10] Four Tendencies Tip: We share strategies for helping a parent Upholder who is struggling to maintain her habits [15:23] Happiness Hack: Why a backpacking pack...

A classic children’s fable is very relevant to the work of adults. Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality framework and take the free quiz. Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the...

A viral clip shows two NBA stars turning a painful mistake into a moment of friendship through humor. We also discuss a surprisingly divisive topic: coasters. Episode highlights: Something Making Us Happier: Running a mile in under 12 minutes, and weird soda flavors [00:41] I've Been Meaning to Tell You: How "joshing" and affectionate teasing helped two Knicks teammates reframe a painful playoff m...

Listeners share the "everyone knows that" facts they learned the hard way and we share an important warning about falls.  Episode highlights: Listener Follow-Up: Remember that even a small fall can lead to a big injury. [00:57] Lessons Learned the Hard Way—spare tires, elevator exit stars, gas tank arrows, and more [02:42] Try This at Home: We share listeners' examples of facts everyone else...

It’s very draining to deal with someone who complains and rejects any help that’s offered—but effective responses exist. Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality framework and take the free quiz. Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Sp...

We revisit a favorite Try This at Home tip for getting more reading done, share listener hacks for building a happier reading life, and discuss how to discover books you'll love. Plus: recommendations for fascinating books about how things work. Revisited Highlights: Try This at Home: Read More (episode 121) Happiness Hacks: Listener Question: How to Find Good Books to Read (episode 428) Listener...

Gretchen and Elizabeth discuss why we should always RSVP, and how to stop a simple gathering from, over time, becoming too much work. Episode Highlights: Try This at Home: Always RSVP — Why responding promptly (even with a "no") makes us a better guest [05:49] Happiness Hack: Try a bag organizer insert — A simple way to keep a carry-on, tote, or structureless bag tidy and travel-ready. [14:22] Hap...

A haunting story from ancient Rome remains relevant to our lives today. Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality framework and take the free quiz. Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Fin...

We discuss the biggest obstacles to moving more this summer with Sarah Fain from the “Happier in Hollywood” podcast, and share practical strategies for getting regular exercise. This special episode is part of the Move 26 in ‘26 challenge to help all of us find more ways to move every day. Try This at Home: Identify your biggest obstacle to movement — Figure out what's getting in the way of moving...