Happier with Gretchen Rubin

The old story about “The Dog in the Manger” is a reminder that if there’s something we can’t enjoy or make us of, we should back away and let someone else benefit from it. 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...

We talk about our response for trying—for the first time!—the famous flavor of pumpkin spice latte. We also discuss the secret of a making a convincing TV pitch, and how group texts can strengthen family bonds. 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: ...

We talk about how and why the creative challenge of coming up with “___ is the new ___” observations sparks happiness. We also talk about enjoying the five- senses experiences of Halloween, and the fun of the new thrift ghost-painting challenge. Plus, a listener asks how to listen to podcasts to help ourselves fall asleep. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRu...

In South Carolina, three thoughtful passers-by stopped to comfort a weeping stranger—and had the opportunity to share a joyful moment with author Hernan Diaz, who had just learned that he’d won the Pulitzer Prize. 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 s...

We suggest several practical solutions to common, but challenging, social situations. We also address a listener’s question, “Do Questioners ever experience Questioner-rebellion?” and discuss the know-yourself-better question of “Is your birthday important to you?” Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instagram @GretchenRubin on TikTok and Y...

At the top of one of the most significant pages of his notebooks, Charles Darwin wrote “I think.” There are three good reasons to explain why he might have done so. 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/sh...

We talk about how Elizabeth’s novel-writing is going, now that the Hollywood writers’ strike is over. Inspired by a recent wedding, we discuss the huge contribution that old friends can make to our happiness. Plus we highlight a great suggestion from a listener about how Obligers (and people around Obligers) can create useful accountability. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social...

We talk about why making a visual representation of a challenge can help us make tough decisions. We also share listeners’ suggestions about improvements they’ve made to their daily routines, and Elizabeth reveals the brand of running shoe that cured her foot pain. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instagram @GretchenRubin on TikTok and Y...

My daughter’s experience helping with little kids at school illustrates the same principle as the sponsorship program in A.A.: by giving support, we gain. 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 Ge...

In this Very Special Episode, we discuss ideas, hacks, and habits related to the challenge of performance. We all have to perform—give a wedding toast, make a presentation to co- workers, give an announcement to a group, or make a formal speech to a large crowd. We share tips from our own experiences, as well as many suggestions from listeners, for dealing with stage fright, memorization, mistakes...

After people die, their possessions often seem transformed, because they’re no longer animated by the animating force of their owner. It’s startling and transcendent to experience this change. 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 ev...

In honor of International Podcast Day, we talk about all the ways that listening to podcasts boosts our happiness—by making it easier and more fun to exercise, fall asleep, learn information, do chores, relieve anxiety, commute, and stay connected to others. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instagram @GretchenRubin on TikTok and YouTube...

We discuss why making a mindful investment in ourselves is a good way to spend our time, energy, and money. We also suggest a hack for falling asleep more easily, and we tackle a listener’s question about a messy adult son who has moved back home. Plus, we talk about the nostalgia we felt when we shared a frosted cherry Pop-Tart—fun with the five senses! Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Fol...

The familiar fable of “The Tortoise and the Hare” offers many possible lessons, and the most common moral—“Slow and steady wins the race”--actually isn’t the most apt. 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...

There are 100 days left until the end of the year, so if something needs to get done, start the countdown! We also read a listener’s suggestion for another reason to visit your local library, and we take a deep dive into listeners’ responses to two listener questions related to Rebels and school: How to help a Rebel child with ADHD, and how to help a Rebel child succeed when starting college. Get...

Our attitude toward a habit or an activity can be dramatically changed by the words we use to describe it. I love the idea of a “happiness project,” but to some people, that sounds too much like homework. 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...

A Case of Obliger-Rebellion, Advice About Waking Up a Child, and Do Spoilers Spoil Stories? We talk about Elizabeth’s rare episode of Obliger-rebellion (spoiler: it involved a box of chocolates) and about advice for helping children get themselves out of bed in the morning. Speaking of spoilers, we discuss surprising research, and our own views, about whether spoilers spoil stories. Get in touch:...

We talk about why we should pay someone a meaningful complement, and we share many wonderful, moving compliments received by listeners. We also highlight a quick, easy hack that can protect your digital privacy and discuss an amusing (and also enlightening) know-yourself-better question. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on Tik...

New terms allow us to understand the world in a deeper way. Opportunity cost, abstainers vs. moderators, finishers vs. openers—sometimes, having the right vocabulary helps us see more clearly. 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 ev...

We talk about why it’s a good idea to re-examine our personal, work, and family routines to look for opportunities to improve. We also discuss how Obligers can recognize when they’re entering the state of Obliger-rebellion, and we answer a listener question about our reading habits. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @...

During the covid period, my daughter Eliza returned to live on campus for her final semester of college. She was told to pack lightly, and as an Upholder, I took that to mean that she should pack very, very lightly. But an Obliger friend had a wiser approach. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagr...

We talk about the eleventh anniversary of “Happier at Home,” which is Elizabeth’s favorite book written by Gretchen. We also discuss a lesson in standing up for yourself, and about the energy that comes from getting rid of clutter. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instagram @GretchenRubi...

We reflect on two questions that can help us make our work lives happier, more productive, and more creative. We also talk about why it’s a good idea to nominate people for awards, and how to manage the breakdown of the line between work time and leisure time. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin & @LizCra...

A story from the life of writer Shirley Hazzard illustrates the conundrum: When do we think, “It can still be better,” and when do we decide, “It’s finished?” 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/shownote...

We talk about why and how we might try to get more benefit from a tool we already use, and share an idea for a gift that’ very valuable to the recipient, but doesn’t cost any money. We also share listeners’ traditions to prepare for the other “new year” of September. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin &...