Happier with Gretchen Rubin

We talk about why we should stay aware of STUFF, and also how to nudge ourselves to rest even when it’s hard to stop away from the to-do list. We also discuss a terrific conversational hack discussed on a comedy show, about the four words that often work when we don’t know what to say. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubi...

When I became editor-in-chief of the law review at Yale Law School, my mother made a helpful observation about the nature of success. 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 in...

It’s the fifth anniversary of my book “The Four Tendencies,” so we discuss the “Four Tendencies,” along with hacks, insights, stories, reflections, and free tools about the personality framework. Whether you’re an Obliger, Questioner, Rebel, or Upholder, we talk about strategies that will help you make your life happier. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get...

Mindy Kaling and I both give examples from our lives of when we reframed “I have to do it” into “I get to do it.” 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 adve...

We talk about watching the new TV show “House of the Dragon,” the question of what makes a good sequel, and we celebrate a big anniversary. 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...

We suggest using the Labor Day holiday as a catalyst for reflection on our work lives, and also suggest questions to help identify useful changes at work. We also share a simple hack that makes it easier to delegate tasks, and we consider the question, “Are you drifting?” Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft...

Even though players tend to have much better success with the underhanded free throw, few are willing to use this approach, for fear that people will make fun of them for it. Even in the intensely competitive world of professional basketball, words have tremendous power. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft G...

We talk about why it’s helpful to ask people, “How do you know when I’ve stopped listening?” Plus we discuss a hack that makes moving easier, as well as a hack for putting down our smartphones.  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/...

Two people give two different interpretations of a family member’s failure to compliment their appearance—one was hurt; one chose to see it as evidence of love and care. 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 voice...

We talk about why we get such a happiness boost from the fact that it’s become easier to return purchases, from reading collections of interviews of fascinating people, and from dogs. 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...

We discuss why it’s helpful to give your memory a break, how you can improve your experiences by re-considering the time of day in which you do them, and how a Rebel can talk to his boss. Plus we ask: why kind of procrastinator are you? Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email...

I’ve always remembered a story that I heard fourth hand—from my roommate’s friend’s sister—and use it to remind myself to buck up. “Get a hold of yourself, Meredith!” 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 voicemai...

In honor of upcoming #HappierLaborDay, we discuss different tips, hacks, and resources that have worked for listeners--and for us--to make work life happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative.  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://gretche...

When we went on a big family trip, my father told us, “We need to be willing to pay the tourist tax.” That is, by being willing sometimes to pay a bit too much for things, we could have more fun and more trust in our travels. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week...

We talk about what’s making us happier: my missing suitcase showed up after a week, Elizabeth took her two corgis on the road, and we talked about Joni Mitchell’s already-legendary live performance. 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....

We talk about an effective way to lower stress: take time to do what you do best. We also discuss how to avoid injury during exercise, and we tackle the common happiness stumbling block of trying to drink enough water. 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: h...

When I complain about traffic, I remember that I am traffic. When I admire nature, I remember that I am nature. 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 advert...

We talk about why you might try to reclaim a dormant activity and ask the question “What kind of collector are you?” And we point out that it’s very easy to share a particular podcast episode to someone who might enjoy it. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft Get the podcast show notes by email every week her...

For some people, TV can offer a kind of company that gives them comfort when they’re feeling alone or frightened. 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 adve...

We talk about a realization that Elizabeth had while waiting to board an airplane, and how a visit to the Met satisfied a longtime curiosity. Plus, the special satisfaction of getting more storage space. 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://gretchenr...

We talk about why creating a five-senses portrait of someone you love can help you appreciate their outer and inner presence. We also highlight an easy hack to protect bicyclists and share a listener’s question about how to use a milestone birthday as an opportunity for reflection. Get in touch: @gretchenrubin; @elizabethcraft; podcast@gretchenrubin.com Get in touch on Instagram: @GretchenRubin &...

It makes me so happy to watch the video of the actors of “The Good Place” learning about the big twist in the Season One finale—to see the surprise and delight in their faces. 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...

We discuss why choosing the right metaphor can help us better to reframe a situation, why understanding the psychology of waiting in line can make waiting more bearable, and offer a salad-related hack. 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://gretchenrub...

Oscar Wilde and Andy Warhol made the same observation: Sometimes, we want something or do something just because we know that someone else might want it. 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:...

We talk about summer travels, discuss a question about casting a TV show, and recommend yet more great material from Paul McCartney. 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 inf...