We explore the big question of whether to get a dog, sharing results from our listener poll, research on how pets boost happiness, and hilarious "worst-case scenarios.” We share a hack for getting tasks done more quickly and pleasantly. Plus we feature a rich collection of listener insights on restaurant plate-rotating secrets, balance-building while tooth-brushing, how grief can lead to new friendships, and more.

Resources & Links Related to this episode:
Pre-order your copy of Secrets of Adulthood
Join me on book tour starting April 1, 2025
We mention the podcast Side Hustle School
The Library of Congress
National Archives
A Little Happier: The Efforts that Allow a Grandmother's Love to Speak Across Time
Elizabeth is reading: Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II by Liza Mundy (Amazon, Bookshop)
Gretchen is reading: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn (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. 

We explore the big question of whether to get a dog, sharing results from our listener poll, research on how pets boost happiness, and hilarious "worst-case scenarios.&rdquo; We share a hack for getting tasks done more quickly and pleasantly. Plus we feature a rich collection of listener insights on restaurant plate-rotating secrets, balance-building while tooth-brushing, how grief can lead to new friendships, and more.
Resources &amp; Links Related to this episode:
<ul>
<li>Pre-order your copy of&nbsp;<a href="http://happiercast.com/secrets">Secrets of Adulthood</a></li>
<li><a href="http://happiercast.com/secrets">Join me on book tour</a>&nbsp;starting April 1, 2025</li>
<li>We mention the podcast&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/side-hustle-school/id1188487073">Side Hustle School</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.loc.gov/preservation/about/faqs/paper.html">The Library of Congress</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.archives.gov/preservation/family-archives">National Archives</a></li>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/a-little-happier-the-efforts-made-that-allow-a-grandmothers-love-to-speak-across-time/">A Little Happier: The Efforts that Allow a Grandmother's Love to Speak Across Time</a></li>
<li>Elizabeth is reading:&nbsp;Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II&nbsp;by Liza Mundy&nbsp;(<a href="https://amzn.to/41ocarh">Amazon</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://bookshop.org/a/15926/9780316352543">Bookshop</a>)</li>
<li>Gretchen is reading:&nbsp;Legendborn&nbsp;by Tracy Deonn&nbsp;(<a href="https://amzn.to/3QLGlDM">Amazon</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://bookshop.org/a/15926/9781534441613">Bookshop</a>)</li>
</ul>
Get in touch: <a href="mailto:podcast@gretchenrubin.com">podcast@gretchenrubin.com</a>
Visit<a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/">&nbsp;Gretchen's website</a>&nbsp;to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the&nbsp;Happier&nbsp;app.
Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.&nbsp;

Gretchen Rubin is HAPPIER, and she wants you to be happier too. The #1 bestselling author of The Happiness Project and Better Than Before gets more personal than ever as she brings her practical, manageable advice about happiness and good habits to this lively, thought-provoking podcast. Gretchen’s cohost and guinea pig is her younger sister, Elizabeth Craft, a TV writer and producer living in Los Angeles, who (lovingly) refers to Gretchen as her happiness bully. 

Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/  

Gretchen Rubin is HAPPIER, and she wants you to be happier too. The #1 bestselling author of The Happiness Project and Better Than Before gets more personal than ever as she brings her practical, manageable advice about happiness and good habits to this lively, thought-provoking podcast. Gretchen&rsquo;s cohost and guinea pig is her younger sister, Elizabeth Craft, a TV writer and producer living in Los Angeles, who (lovingly) refers to Gretchen as her happiness bully.&nbsp;
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media <a href="https://lemonadamedia.com/" data-stringify-link="https://lemonadamedia.com/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://lemonadamedia.com/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

How to Build Happier Habits into Your Daily Life

Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Ep. 525: Should I Get a Dog? Plus Using Podcasts to Get Tasks Done & Listener Insights

Some people have no trouble meeting expectations for others but struggle to follow through on what they want for themselves. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. We revisit the Four Tendencies to explore the three biggest challenges Obligers face—shame, exploitation, and rebellion—and what actually helps.

Reminder: as an exclusive offer for “Happier” listeners, you can get 2 weeks FREE plus a special discount to the Activations app at activations.com/happier. These guided audios are designed to help you feel motivated, confident, and in charge of your life.

Resources & links related to this episode:
To identify your Tendency, take the free quiz at gretchenrubin.com/quiz.


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.

 

Some people have no trouble meeting expectations for others but struggle to follow through on what they want for themselves. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.&nbsp;We revisit the Four Tendencies to explore the three biggest challenges Obligers face&mdash;shame, exploitation, and rebellion&mdash;and what actually helps.
Reminder: as an exclusive offer for &ldquo;Happier&rdquo; listeners, you can get 2 weeks FREE plus a special discount to the Activations app at <a href="http://activations.com/happier" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://activations.com/happier&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1771479312630000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2zhLC5DCUl7Yy9EJKnPA5_">activations.com/happier</a>. These guided audios are designed to help you feel motivated, confident, and in charge of your life.
Resources &amp; links related to this episode:
<ul>
<li>To identify your Tendency, take the free quiz at <a href="http://gretchenrubin.com/quiz">gretchenrubin.com/quiz</a>.</li>
</ul>
 Get in touch: <a href="mailto:podcast@gretchenrubin.com">podcast@gretchenrubin.com</a>
Visit<a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/">&nbsp;Gretchen's website</a>&nbsp;to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the&nbsp;Happier&nbsp;app.
Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.
&nbsp;

More Happier: Four Tendencies for Obligers—3 Challenges and How to Handle Them [Revisited]

Struggling to make progress on a habit? This episode offers a different approach—get a 14-day free trial of Activations (plus a big discount) at activations.com/happier.

Determination Day, February 28, is a useful time to take stock of your progress (or lack of it) on any change you’re trying to make. In this bonus episode, we talk with Mimi Bouchard, creator of the Activations app, about a practical, science-backed way to adjust your approach when progress feels harder than expected.

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. 

Reminder: as an exclusive offer for “Happier” listeners, you can get 2 weeks FREE plus a special discount to the Activations app at activations.com/happier. These guided audios are designed to help you feel motivated, confident, and in charge of your life.

Struggling to make progress on a habit? This episode offers a different approach&mdash;get a 14-day free trial of Activations (plus a big discount) at<a href="http://activations.com/happier"> activations.com/happier</a>.
Determination Day, February 28, is a useful time to take stock of your progress (or lack of it) on any change you&rsquo;re trying to make. In this bonus episode, we talk with Mimi Bouchard, creator of the Activations app, about a practical, science-backed way to adjust your approach when progress feels harder than expected.
Get in touch: <a href="mailto:podcast@gretchenrubin.com">podcast@gretchenrubin.com</a>
Visit<a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/">&nbsp;Gretchen's website</a>&nbsp;to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the&nbsp;Happier&nbsp;app.
Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.&nbsp;
Reminder: as an exclusive offer for &ldquo;Happier&rdquo; listeners, you can get 2 weeks FREE plus a special discount to the Activations app at <a href="http://activations.com/happier">activations.com/happier</a>. These guided audios are designed to help you feel motivated, confident, and in charge of your life.

Bonus: How to Make Progress on What Matters to You (Even If You Feel Stuck) with Mimi Bouchard

In honor of our “Steel” anniversary, we share some of our favorite suggestions, insights, hacks, and highlights from the previous year.

Resources & links related to this episode:
Listen to my Audible Original Get It Done
Very Special Episode 540 on Whimsy 
Design Your Summer 
Simon Haisell's Footnotes and Tangents newsletter
Understanding Obliger-Rebellion
How to Question a Questioner
Solving Rebel Resistance to Something Desirable
Electric throw blanket
Accountability Hacks
Parenting Hacks
Our Father’s Obituary - Little Happier 
Secrets of Adulthood
Talking to Liz Gilbert about All the Way to the River
College drop-off hacks
The Since You Asked podcast 
Very Special Episode "What secrets your therapist wish they could tell you"
Happier in Hollywood Substack 
Secrets of Adulthood Substack
Elizabeth is reading: The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg (Amazon, Bookshop) 
Gretchen is reading: Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt (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. 

In honor of our &ldquo;Steel&rdquo; anniversary, we share some of our favorite suggestions, insights, hacks, and highlights from the previous year.
Resources &amp; links related to this episode:
<ul>
<li><a href="http://audible.com/getitdone">Listen to my Audible Original Get It Done</a></li>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/very-special-episode-treasure-trove-of-easy-ideas-to-add-whimsy-to-daily-life/">Very Special Episode 540 on Whimsy</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/design-your-summer-comfort-vs-adventure-amp-friendship-burnout/">Design Your Summer </a></li>
<li>Simon Haisell's <a href="https://footnotesandtangents.substack.com/">Footnotes and Tangents</a> newsletter</li>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/point-to-your-ugliest-thing-use-photos-to-save-memories-understand-obliger-rebellion/">Understanding Obliger-Rebellion</a></li>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/schedule-a-saturday-synch-up-lessons-about-getting-a-new-dog-how-to-question-a-questioner/">How to Question a Questioner</a></li>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/put-your-money-where-your-mouth-is-surprising-fun-solving-rebel-resistance-to-something-desirable/">Solving Rebel Resistance to Something Desirable</a></li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/4kPAcoe">Electric throw blanket</a></li>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/do-you-ever-think-this-is-not-good-i-could-do-this-better-plus-accountability-hacks/">Accountability Hacks</a></li>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/try-these-parenting-hacks-from-listeners-manage-your-own-worry-an-easy-packing-hack/">Parenting Hacks</a></li>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/a-little-happier-after-my-beloved-father-died-my-mother-sister-and-i-wrote-this-obituary/">Our Father&rsquo;s Obituary - Little Happier&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/books/secrets-of-adulthood/">Secrets of Adulthood</a></li>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/happier-book-club-liz-gilbert-talks-about-love-addiction-grief-in-all-the-way-to-the-river/">Talking to Liz Gilbert about All the Way to the River</a></li>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/question-assumptions-college-drop-off-hacks-rebelling-against-an-unappreciative-family/">College drop-off hacks</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.thesinceyouaskedpodcast.com/">The Since You Asked podcast&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/very-special-episode-what-secrets-does-your-therapist-wish-they-could-tell-you/">Very Special Episode "What secrets your therapist wish they could tell you"</a></li>
<li><a href="https://happierinhollywoodpod.substack.com/">Happier in Hollywood Substack</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="http://secretsofadulthood.substack.com/">Secrets of Adulthood Substack</a></li>
<li>Elizabeth is reading: The All-Girl Filling Station&rsquo;s Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg&nbsp;(<a href="https://amzn.to/478oQWK">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/15926/9780812977172">Bookshop</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Gretchen is reading: Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt&nbsp;(<a href="https://amzn.to/4kSKK6e">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/15926/9781442428782">Bookshop</a>)</li>
</ul>
 Get in touch: <a href="mailto:podcast@gretchenrubin.com">podcast@gretchenrubin.com</a>
Visit<a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/">&nbsp;Gretchen's website</a>&nbsp;to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the&nbsp;Happier&nbsp;app.
Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app.&nbsp;

Ep. 525: Should I Get a Dog? Plus Using Podcasts to Get Tasks Done & Listener Insights

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