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We talk about the value of having a party (a party that’s not family- or child-centric). We share an easy hack for assembling furniture. Plus listeners give their examples of how they feel the pressure to “use up”—the beautiful offerings of the world.

Resources & links related to this episode:
 Here's a guide to help you generate thoughtful gift ideas
Elizabeth is reading: The British Are Coming by Rick Atkinson (Amazon, Bookshop) 
Gretchen is reading: On the Beach by Nevil Shute (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 talk about the value of having a party (a party that&rsquo;s not family- or child-centric). We share an easy hack for assembling furniture. Plus listeners give their examples of how they feel the pressure to &ldquo;use up&rdquo;&mdash;the beautiful offerings of the world.
Resources &amp; links related to this episode:
<ul>
<li>&nbsp;<a href="http://happiercast.com/giftgenerator">Here's a guide to help you generate thoughtful gift ideas</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Elizabeth is reading: The British Are Coming by Rick Atkinson (<a href="https://amzn.to/3JbiRrF">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/15926/9781250231321">Bookshop</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Gretchen is reading: On the Beach by Nevil Shute (<a href="https://amzn.to/473VucE">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/15926/9780307473998">Bookshop</a>)&nbsp;</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. 559: Feel Lonely? Out of Touch? Try This. Plus the Beautiful Pressure to “Use It Up”

We talk about why proposing an anchor date makes it easier to set plans with friends. We also include answers from Questioners about why they don’t like to answer questions—and how to get them to answer questions. Plus helpful ideas for grappling with grief.

Resources & links related to this episode:
Listen to the March 7th episode of More Happier 
Take the Four Tendencies quiz 
Check out these organization tools in The Happiness Project Shop
Elizabeth is reading: Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (Amazon, Bookshop) 
Gretchen is reading: The Lion’s World: A Journey into the Heart of Narnia by Rowan Williams (Amazon) 


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 talk about why proposing an anchor date makes it easier to set plans with friends. We also include answers from Questioners about why they don&rsquo;t like to answer questions&mdash;and how to get them to answer questions. Plus helpful ideas for grappling with grief.
Resources &amp; links related to this episode:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/more-happier-do-you-ever-have-post-party-blues-plus-the-raymond-carver-chandler-problem/">Listen to the March 7th episode of More Happier</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/quiz/the-four-tendencies-quiz/">Take the Four Tendencies quiz&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="http://happiercast.com/shop">Check out these organization tools in The Happiness Project Shop</a></li>
<li>Elizabeth is reading: Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel&nbsp;(<a href="https://amzn.to/4rzOoEB">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/15926/9781250806710">Bookshop</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Gretchen is reading: The Lion&rsquo;s World: A Journey into the Heart of Narnia by Rowan Williams&nbsp;(<a href="https://amzn.to/4skqmOh">Amazon</a>)&nbsp;</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. 579: Do You Have Trouble Making Plans with Friends? And How to Question a Questioner

Listening to Lady Gaga sing the theme song of iconic children’s TV show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” made me pay attention to the song’s familiar words. I get choked up every time I hear them.

Resources & links related to this episode:



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. 

Listening to Lady Gaga sing the theme song of iconic children&rsquo;s TV show &ldquo;Mister Rogers&rsquo; Neighborhood&rdquo; made me pay attention to the song&rsquo;s familiar words. I get choked up every time I hear them.
Resources &amp; links related to this episode:
<ul>
<li></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;

A Little Happier: Why Lady Gaga Matters for My One-Word Theme for 2026

We discuss whether we might be expecting too much these days from the workplace, from marriage, from schools, from family. We also talk about the challenge of tackling a big project—and actually getting it done.

Resources & links related to this episode:
Listen to the Since You Asked podcast here 
Listen to my new Audible original, Get It Done: How to Complete Your Dream Project 


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 discuss whether we might be expecting too much these days from the workplace, from marriage, from schools, from family. We also talk about the challenge of tackling a big project&mdash;and actually getting it done.
Resources &amp; links related to this episode:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.thesinceyouaskedpodcast.com/">Listen to the Since You Asked podcast here&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Get-It-Done-Audiobook/B0G459HN6Y?clientContext=133-5821630-1507506&amp;loginAttempt=true&amp;noChallengeShown=true&amp;srsltid=AfmBOopbJi5pjC5v5wQDMS8a7ndxalY6qX6sjKK84Mz_3UutudJX-uOe&amp;showMosaicSSOView=true&amp;showAmznLopSignalBanner=true">Listen to my new Audible original, Get It Done: How to Complete Your Dream Project&nbsp;</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. 559: Feel Lonely? Out of Touch? Try This. Plus the Beautiful Pressure to “Use It Up”

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