Ep. 445: Have a Happier Labor Day, Nominate Someone, and Manage the Line Between Work and Leisure
We reflect on two questions that can help us make our work lives happier, more productive, and more creative. We also talk about why it’s a good idea to nominate people for awards, and how to manage t...
30 Aug 202333min
Little Happier: When Do We Say “I’m Finished” and When Do We Say “I Can Still Make It Better?”
A story from the life of writer Shirley Hazzard illustrates the conundrum: When do we think, “It can still be better,” and when do we decide, “It’s finished?” Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com F...
28 Aug 20235min
Ep. 444: Benefit from Tools You Already Use, a Gift Idea, and Traditions for the Other “New Year”
We talk about why and how we might try to get more benefit from a tool we already use, and share an idea for a gift that’ very valuable to the recipient, but doesn’t cost any money. We also share list...
23 Aug 202324min
Little Happier: A Story About a Man Who Couldn’t Resist Tempting Food—Until He Could
I never forgot a story I read about a man and his eating habits, and how it illustrated an essential lesson: What we think is not possible may be possible, through the power of an idea. Get in touch: ...
21 Aug 20235min
More Happier: A Surprising Benefit of Daily Visits to the Met, a Funny Sign from the Hollywood Picket Line, and a Same-Day Book
We talk about how making daily visits to the Metropolitan Museum have had unintended consequences. We also discuss a funny sign from the Hollywood picket line that plays on a famous scene from “Mad Me...
19 Aug 202322min
Ep. 443: Clear the Decks! We Try Something New to Get Ready for September, the Other New Year
We’re trying something new for this episode: a fun “Clear the Decks” exercise. This time, e’re using it to help prepare to return to the usual routines after the summer, but it can be used any time we...
16 Aug 202330min
Little Happier: Have You Ever Walked Along a Desire Path?
As we go through our days, we can look for “desire paths”—the natural paths that emerge as we try to find the quickest and easiest way to get where we’re going. Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com...
14 Aug 20233min
Ep. 442: Take Over a Disliked Task, Check Your Passport, and When Not to Do Something for the First Time
We talk about why we might take over a task that someone else particularly dislikes. We also mention that it’s a good idea to check passport expiration dates, and when it’s a bad idea to do or try som...
9 Aug 202324min
