Happier with Gretchen Rubin

We talk about why it can be helpful to schedule a “loose-ends day,” and we share a hack about an imaginative way to celebrate a milestone birthday with adventure and connection. We also talk to Aliza Pressman about ways to become a happier, more effective parent. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Ins...

An imaginative teacher devised a simple task that was deeply satisfying to the children in her classroom. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on Threads Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownotes Get Gretchen Rubin’s newest book Life in Five Sense...

We report on our experiences with doing “No-Spend February.” We also discuss the suggestion to go for a walk while having a difficult conversation and tackle a listener’s question about #Write24in24. Also, a listener offers a hack about using our non-dominant hands to improve our habits. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on Tik...

What is the lesson of an incident I remember from law school, when a friend and his girlfriend got engaged, and then immediately broke up? Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on Threads Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownotes Get Gretchen Rubin...

We talk about a happiness-boosting observation from the New York City subway. We also talk about the fun of becoming a “minor expert” and watching movies, and also the satisfaction that comes from clearing clutter (especially if it’s other people’s clutter). Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagra...

We explore why and how to allow an important tradition to evolve. We also share listeners’ suggestions about how to block the bothersome light emitted by devices, and we talk to author Bradley Tusk about his new workplace novel about the intersection of tech and politics. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRub...

In ancient Greece, early in his career, the statesman Demosthenes came up with an ingenious yet simple form of accountability to make sure he kept practicing his oratory. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on Threads Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast....

To celebrate the ninth anniversary of the podcast, we discuss the Try-This-at-Home ideas that have resonated most with listeners over the past year. We also review our favorite Happiness Hacks and some of our favorite moments and biggest milestones. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @Gretch...

Parents today, and parents in the Bronze Age, gave their children sippy cups—and they even use the same designs to delight their children. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on Threads Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownotes Get Gretchen Rubin...

We talk about the final season of the excellent television show “Succession.” We also discuss a simple, wonderful approach of a fourth-grade teacher, and the length of Barbra Streisand’s memoir. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on Threads @LizCraft on Instagram @LizCraft on...

We talk about why we’re reengaging with our habits on “Determination Day” on February 28. We also discuss Andy Warhol’s observation about airports and how we can have a better experience while waiting for a flight. We also share many excellent—and also surprising--suggestions from Rebels about how they manage to stick to their good habits. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social m...

When I was nervous before interviewing for a clerkship with Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, a friend found the right thing to say to help me calm down. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on Threads Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/show...

As a bonus for “Happier” listeners, we’re posting the episode of the podcast “Kelly Corrigan Wonders” that features a conversation with Gretchen Rubin. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instagram @GretchenRubin on TikTok and YouTube Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownotes Get Gretchen Rubin’s newest New Y...

We talk about why it’s valuable, not frivolous, to be polite in our everyday interactions. We explore the different types of rewards and recognition that people find most satisfying, such as praise-seekers and trophy-hunters, and we also tackle the distinction between “aims” and “goals.” Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on Tik...

My friend’s choice of a childhood bedroom reminds me of an important truth: It’s easy to want what others want, instead of asking, “What do I want?” Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on Threads Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownotes Get Gret...

We discuss the surprisingly controversial subject: Do you prefer to wear shoes or walk around barefoot? Plus we talk about how to use Determination Day to reflect and re-engage with resolutions, and in honor of Valentine’s Day, we talk about some of our favorite romance- and friendship-related books and movies. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTu...

We talk about why you might treat yourself like a professor, and why you might subscribe to newsletters (as well as unsubscribe to them). We also share many hacks, resources, and suggestions from listeners about how they’re doing their daily writing for the #Write24in24 challenge. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @Gr...

When I tell myself that I’m doing a task for someone else’s benefit, I can become resentful or annoyed if they don’t respond with appreciation. When I acknowledge that I’m doing that task for myself, I don’t expect other people to behave in a certain way.  Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram...

We talk about our plans to have a No-Spend February, and share a suggestion from a listener about a way to make keeping a “24 for ’24 list” even more fun. We discuss a common happiness stumbling block: What to do with packaging that’s too nice to toss, but hard to use. Plus we talk about the new self-knowledge quiz: What’s the next new habit that will make you happier? Get in touch: podcast@gretch...

I love Secrets of Adulthood, and some of my favorites fall into the “No THIS, no THAT” structure. It’s a thought-provoking way to illuminate a surprising relationship between two ideas. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on Threads Get the podcast show notes by email every wee...

We discuss the most popular results for the new “Habits for Happiness” quiz, and we also reveal our own results. Plus I explain what I’ll be doing for my Happiness Project: Revisited from July through December. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on Threads @LizCraft on Instagr...

We discuss several suggestions to help start a conversation with someone who wants to delay any discussion. We also share a suggestion from a listener about an unconventional approach to a book group, and we talk to Rohan Gunatillake, host of the podcast Meditative Story, about how to use technology more mindfully.    You can learn more and listen to Meditative Story here: https://listen.meditativ...

Growing up, I thought I disliked exercise. When I realized that, in fact, I don’t like games or sports, I was able to find ways to exercise that worked for me. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on Threads Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownot...

We talk about the one-minute rule, and why following this simple rule is so effective. We discuss the fascinating new “Habits for Happiness” quiz that tells you the next new habit that will make you happier. Also, we explore the question of “Who or what makes you feel more calm?” and share listeners’ insightful and hilarious examples of “X is the new Y.” Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Fol...

While ordering her soup, a woman was being a very difficult customer. When she was able to laugh at herself, she transformed the experience for the people around her. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on Threads Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/...