Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Ep. 592: Reflect on “Halfway Day,” Plus How Abstainers Can Moderate

We’re halfway through the year. Gretchen and Liz share how to treat July 2 as a built-in reset to reflect on what's working and what isn't. Try This at Home: Prepare for Halfway Day — Use “Halfway Day” on July 2 to review your aims for the year [05:48] Happiness Hack: Name Your Days of the Week — To make work easier, give a name to each day of the week  [21:34] Listener Question: When Abstainers Try to Moderate — Can an abstainer occasionally indulge in moderation? [24:29] Question for Listeners: What Works with Rebels? — If you live or work with a Rebel (or are one), what insights or strategies have made a difference? [30:18] Demerits & Gold Stars — Elizabeth's demerit: a missed opportunity to schedule doctor appointments. Gretchen's gold star: the New York Knicks [31:32] Mentioned in this Episode: Wedding readings collection You with the Sad Eyes by Christina Applegate — (Amazon, Bookshop)  The Virginia Woolf Diaries, Vol. 2 — (Amazon, Bookshop)  Take the Four Tendencies quiz  Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Learn more about the Four Tendencies framework and take the free quiz  Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Little Happier: An Important Creativity Lesson from “Green Eggs and Ham”

It may seem counter-intuitive, but it’s true: imagination is often sparked more by constraint than by freedom.  Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Halfway Day Check-In—Plus, How to Adjust Your Habits for Summer

We revisit a special audio episode from the “Habits for Happiness” course about adapting your habits for summer. With Halfway Day approaching on 7/2, it's a useful reminder that a small adjustment can help you get more out of the season and the second half of the year. Resources & links related to this episode: Check out the new Design Your Summer tool in the Happier app Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com. Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep. 591: How to Fight Perfectionism—Plus a Simple Happiness Hack That Really Matters

We discuss how perfectionism is driven not by high standards but by anxiety—and how embracing imperfection is a great way to overcome it. We also share an important reminder about hearing health and why it matters so much for our happiness and wellbeing. Resources & links related to this episode: Cass Aarssen—Clutterbug Life in Five Senses (Amazon, Bookshop)  Check out the Don't Break the Chain Habit Tracker in The Happiness Project Shop Elizabeth: Rewilding by Jane Green (Amazon, Bookshop)  Gretchen: The Diary of Virginia Wolfe volume 1 (Amazon, Bookshop)  Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Little Happier: A Valuable Lesson in Happiness from the 2014 London Tube Strike

Studies from commuter patterns after the 2014 London Underground Strike illustrate an important point: even when we resist change, it holds the possibility of making our lives better. Get in touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@gretchenrubin.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit⁠⁠⁠⁠ Gretchen's website⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices