Happier with Gretchen Rubin

In an old story, a stone magically makes a soup out of water—but you do have to add carrots, beef, cabbage, onions, milk, salt, pepper, and potatoes. This story reminds me to be wary when someone offers a quick fix to make something desirable happen. Probably I have to do the work myself. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenR...

We talk about why instead of thinking about our future-selves, we might think about our past-selves. Also, a listener suggests a lovely family Valentine’s Day tradition, and we ask ourselves the question, “Am I an over-estimator or an under-estimator?”  Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast sho...

Writer Betty MacDonald’s memoir reminds me that even as adults, to be happier, we should seek out experiences that will give us the “wonderful, joyous, childhood feeling of expectancy.” Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newslett...

For this episode, we have a surprise co-host—an iconic figure who offers her own suggestions and insights for how to be (more) happier. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Leave a voicemail message on: 774-277-9336 For...

We talk about how and why we should tune in to our five senses. We also share listeners’ practical suggestions for how to “Go Outside 23 in 23” when the weather is bad, and discuss an easy hack for handling the feeling of dread. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every we...

For a long time, when I tried to understand the nature of happiness, I was confused by one aspect of its nature. Finally, I figured it out: One of the best ways to make ourselves happy is to make other people happy; one of the best ways to make other people happy is to be happy ourselves. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenR...

In honor of “Dry January,” we explore why we might want to turn deprivation into indulgence (with alcohol or with anything else). We discuss listeners’ ideas for creative ways to approach the “23 in 23” tool, and share a suggestion from a Rebel about how Rebels can use this approach. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin...

Fred Rogers observed that when times are bad, we should “look for the helpers.” Is this suggestion appropriate only for children, or is it helpful for adults, too? Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Leave a voicemail m...

We talk about four milestones. We discuss hitting the one-year anniversary of “More Happier” as well as the eighth anniversary of a very happy day. Other milestones: hosting extended family for the holidays, and seeing the premiere of Season Two of “Fantasy Island.” Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get th...

We reveal our “23 for 23” lists of the 23 things we each want to accomplish in 2023, and talk about why making this kind of list can boost happiness. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Get the resources and all links r...

Why do so many of us wait until a new calendar year to start setting our goals? Gretchen recently sat down with Chris Duffy, host of How to Be a Better Human, to discuss this goal-obsessed time of year. As she says, “there really is no magic to January 1st”-- and the best time to start a healthy habit is just, well, “now.” In this episode, she shares eye-opening frameworks on the different ways to...

In the movie “Before Sunrise,” one character says, “I always have this strange feeling that I am this very old woman…that my life is just her memories,” and another character says, “I always think that I'm still this thirteen-year-old boy…who just doesn't really know how to be an adult.” I’ve felt both ways, myself. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in to...

For this Very Special Episode, we discuss some of the top tools for habit change. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for making or breaking habits, but some tools are particularly effective and popular. We talk about accountability, “don’t break the chain,” track your total, and more. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRu...

Since childhood, I’ve been reflecting on the depiction of Beatrice d’Este, a duchess from fifteenth century Italy, in E. L. Konisgburg’s novel The Second Mrs. Giaconda. What is the mystery of character? I think about that question all the time, and reading this novel may have been one of the influences that made me want to understand this mystery. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; pod...

We talk about how a friend planned in advance about how she would answer a tough question. We also discuss a delicious, healthy snack and our upcoming plans for a happier 2023 with the “23 in 23” list and #Outside23in23. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here:...

We reveal our yearly challenge for “____23 in 2023,” share listeners’ ideas for post-holidays hacks, and give a suggestion for a TV show for families to watch together. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Get the resour...

Paraprosdokian is a figure of speech in which the latter half of a statement or a phrase has an unexpected ending, which makes the listener reinterpret the first part in a way that is funny or memorable. Finding new examples of paraprosdokian gives me a real burst of pleasure. “Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.” Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubi...

We reflect on our one-word themes for 2022 and reveal our themes for 2023. We also share an easy family gift-giving hack, as well as listeners’ answers to the question, “Have you ever had an uncanny experience?”  Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://...

An old nursery rhyme comes in handy for describing a common situation. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsletter Leave a voicemail message on: 774-277-9336 For information about advertisers and promo codes, go to happiercast....

We discuss how the fun of Corgis is helping to allay anxiety, hear from a listener’s success using a hack for finding lost objects, and consider a popular trend that neither of us has tried. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#new...

We review our “22 for 2022 lists” to report on which of the 22 items we did--and didn’t—accomplish during the year. We also reflect on 2022’s challenge to “rest” for #Rest22in22 to see what we learned. Plus we share an easy travel hack. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email...

A visit to the train station reminded me of a morning, years ago, when my daughter Eliza had a tough time boarding the train. It wasn’t much fun at the time, but looking back, it’s a happy memory. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.co...

We talk about why we might upgrade the makeshift—that is, address with any temporary situations that have become permanent. We also share listeners’suggestions for gifts for teachers and school staff, as well as a great photo-related gift that deepens relationships. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get th...

A passage from poet Stephen Spender’s autobiography is an example of a familiar tension: How do we stay open to constructive criticism and direction, yet also hold fast to our own creative vision? Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.co...

We talk about technology; it can help a person who lacks a sense of direction and also help to reduce food waste. We also discuss how we can elevate an event by giving it an official name. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week here: http://gretchenrubin.com/#newsl...