Happier with Gretchen Rubin

We revisit some of our favorite hacks and tips for designing a happier summer, including why you might choose a summer song, how to think about comfort versus adventure, and practical hacks for making summer more memorable, manageable, and fun.

Resources & links related to this episode:

Start Designing Your Summer on the Tools page of the Happier app, or ⁠download the app here⁠

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

Stop renting space for stuff you've forgotten. Plus a simple framework for starting a new tradition.


Try This at Home: Make a new tradition — Why creating a deliberate, recurring ritual can strengthen relationships and make scheduling easier. [03:24]


Happiness Hack: Treat yourself like your own daughter — The latest in the “treat yourself like a___” series. [11:41]


Happiness Stumbling Block: Your storage unit is costing you more than you think. [12:52]


Listener Question: How do you set aside worry for a whole season? [20:15]


Demerits & Gold Stars: Gretchen's demerit: ongoing battle with foot exercises; Elizabeth's gold star: using the Design Your Summer tool in the Happier app. [28:30]

Mentioned in This Episode:

Design Your Summer tool

Atlas Obscura app

Habits for Happiness quiz


The Wreck of the Mentor by Eric J. Dolin (Amazon, Bookshop) 


The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes (Amazon, Bookshop) 

Connect with Us:

Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Website: gretchenrubin.com

Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft

Learn more about Gretchen's 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

A letter from Churchill demonstrates the value of courtesy, even—or perhaps especially—at moments of highest battle.

Connect with Us:


Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com


Website: gretchenrubin.com


Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft


Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality 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

Why summer is the perfect time to revisit your goals for the year. Gretchen and Elizabeth share a hack for making socializing easier.


Build Your Social Muscles: The more you socialize, the less mental energy it costs  [00:39]


Spotlight on a Tool: July 2nd is the halfway point of the year, so it’s a great time to revisit the goals and lists you made in January  [18:24]


I've Been Meaning to Ask You: We talk about happiness all the time. Does we ever get tired of thinking about how to be happier?   [10:56]


I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You: Gretchen finds reassurance in Elizabeth’s recent take on the challenge of watching TV [19:14]

Mentioned in this Episode:

Design Your Year / Halfway Day resources

When Zero Isn't Nothing: The Fresh Eyes of a Basketball Beginner

Connect with Us:

Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com

Website: gretchenrubin.com

Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft

Learn more about Gretchen's Four Tendencies personality 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

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