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: [email protected] Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on Threads @LizCraft on Instagram @LizCraft on Threads Get the podcast show notes by email every week: happiercast.com/shownotes Get Gretchen...

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: [email protected] Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on...

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: [email protected] 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 Senses to see how she discovered a surprising...

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: [email protected] 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 York Times bestselling book Life in Five Senses to see how she discovered a surprising path to...

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: [email protected] Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on Threads @LizCraft on Instagram @LizCraft on...

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: [email protected] 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 Senses to see how she discovered a surprising path to a...

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: [email protected] Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on Threads @LizCraft on...

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: [email protected] Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on Threads @LizCraft on Instagram @LizCraft on...

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: [email protected] 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:...

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: [email protected] Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on...

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: [email protected] 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 Senses to see how she...

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: [email protected] Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on Instagram @GretchenRubin on Threads @LizCraft on Instagram @LizCraft on Threads Get the podcast show notes by email every...

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.meditativestory.com/happier  Get in touch: [email protected] Follow on social...

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: [email protected] 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 Senses to see how she discovered a surprising...

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: [email protected] Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin on YouTube @GretchenRubin on TikTok @GretchenRubin on...

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: [email protected] 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 Senses to see how she discovered a...

We talk about the Kansas City-related story of Taylor Swift’s romance with Travis Kelce, discuss plans for revisiting a “happiness project” this year, and come up with ideas for maintaining the habit of hiking. Get in touch: [email protected] 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 York Times bestselling book Life in...

We discuss the third element of the “Happiness Trifecta”: We reveal our “24 for 24” lists of 24 things we each want to accomplish in 2024, and talk about why making this kind of list can boost our happiness. (The other two elements of the Happiness Trifecta? Choose a one-word theme for 2024 and #Write24in24.) Get in touch: [email protected] Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instagram @GretchenRubin on TikTok and YouTube Get the podcast show notes by email every...

I love color, and I love a “koan”--a question, story, or statement that can’t be understood logically. These thirteen color koans explore the mysteries of color. Get in touch: [email protected] 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 Senses to see how she discovered a surprising...

We discuss surprising new research that suggests that being accommodating doesn’t actually make us more likable. We also mention a hack that makes habit- keeping easier, discuss whether or not we’ve kept childhood vows, and debate a listener’s question about how to handle her unusual challenge with her in-laws. Get in touch: [email protected] Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instagram @GretchenRubin on TikTok and YouTube Get the podcast show notes by email...

Tomorrow always seems like it will be easier than today. Even Michelangelo thought so. Get in touch: [email protected] 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 Senses to see how she discovered a surprising path to a life of more energy, creativity, luck, and love: by tuning in to...

We talk about the happiness of finishing the first draft of a book and having a child return home. We also present our five-senses portrait of a Kansas City Christmas, and discuss the recent observances in honor of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Get in touch: [email protected] 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...

As part of the Happier Trifecta, we give ourselves and listeners an annual challenge. We reflect on last year’s challenge of “Go outside 23 in ’23,” and we reveal the challenge for 2024 as well as many suggestions for how to make it part of our daily lives. It’s a terrific challenge – plus, for the first time, we’re suggesting two very different ways of approaching it. Get in touch: [email protected] Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instagram @GretchenRubin on...

Should Money Be Used to Buy Fresh Flowers for a Museum? By posing an interesting question—such as “Should money be spent on flowers?”—we can learn about other people’s values. Get in touch: [email protected] 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 Senses to see how she discovered...

Listeners—and we--share the most effective and transformative resolutions we’ve made, as well as our suggestions for keeping them. We also talk about the 21 strategies we can use to make or break our habits. (It’s much easier to keep a resolution when we use the strategy that’s right for us.) Get in touch: [email protected] Follow on social media: @GretchenRubin & @LizCraft on Instagram @GretchenRubin on TikTok and YouTube Get the podcast show notes by email every...