We explore the value of the German custom of the Stammtisch as a fun and easy way to strengthen friendships. We also share dozens of compelling one-word themes chosen by listeners for 2026—plus a strategy for elevating everyday life.

Resources & links related to this episode:
Learn more about Move 26 join us here
Elizabeth is reading: The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop by Fannie Flagg (Amazon, Bookshop) 
Gretchen is rereading: Christmas in Austin by Benjamin Markovits (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 value of the German custom of the Stammtisch as a fun and easy way to strengthen friendships. We also share dozens of compelling one-word themes chosen by listeners for 2026&mdash;plus a strategy for elevating everyday life.
Resources &amp; links related to this episode:
<ul>
<li><a href="http://happiercast.com/move26">Learn more about Move 26 join us here</a></li>
<li>Elizabeth is reading: The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop by Fannie Flagg&nbsp;(<a href="https://amzn.to/4szMgNX">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/15926/9780593133866">Bookshop</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Gretchen is rereading: Christmas in Austin by Benjamin Markovits&nbsp;(<a href="https://amzn.to/4qxRo3X">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/15926/9780571365968">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. 569: Do You Miss Having Time to Hang Out with Friends? Plus Listeners’ One-Word Themes

The traditional Russian practice of “sitting on suitcases” is an excellent ritual for anyone setting off on a trip.

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. 

The traditional Russian practice of &ldquo;sitting on suitcases&rdquo; is an excellent ritual for anyone setting off on a trip.
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: Do You Get Rattled Before Starting a Journey? Consider This Ritual.

Why is it so hard getting yourself to do what you want to do? This overview of the Four Tendencies explains why motivation works differently for different people and how understanding how you respond to expectations can make follow-through easier.

 

Resources & links related to this episode:
Four Tendencies Framework 
Take the Four Tendencies quiz here 
Order The Four Tendencies 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. 

Why is it so hard getting yourself to do what you want to do? This overview of the Four Tendencies explains why motivation works differently for different people and how understanding how you respond to expectations can make follow-through easier.
&nbsp;
Resources &amp; links related to this episode:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/books/the-four-tendencies/intro/">Four Tendencies Framework</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="http://quiz.gretchenrubin.com/?_gl=1*1e3rcha*_gcl_au*MjA0OTUwNzY5Ni4xNzY3NzIwNzE1LjE0ODcwMTE2NjYuMTc2OTQ1OTc2NC4xNzY5NDU5NzY0*_ga*MTgyNTkyODU5LjE3NTIwMDk3ODQ.*_ga_7C83YBXZPT*czE3Njk0NjYxMTkkbzE2MyRnMCR0MTc2OTQ2NjExOSRqNjAkbDAkaDA.">Take the Four Tendencies quiz here&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/books/the-four-tendencies/">Order The Four Tendencies here</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: Start and Stick to Anything using the Four Tendencies [Revisited]

We share our plans for our next “No-Spend February”—our rules, our exceptions, and what we hope to learn.   We also share a more elegant term for “squats” and discuss an interesting self-knowledge question related to the makeshift.

Resources & links related to this episode:
Join us for No-Spend February
Shop the sale in The Happiness Project Shop
Listen to Episode 466 here 
Listen to Episode 475 here 
Elizabeth is reading: Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy (Amazon, Bookshop) 
Gretchen is rereading: Gray Divorce: What We Lose and Gain from Mid-Life Splits by Jocelyn Elise Crowley (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 share our plans for our next &ldquo;No-Spend February&rdquo;&mdash;our rules, our exceptions, and what we hope to learn. &nbsp; We also share a more elegant term for &ldquo;squats&rdquo; and discuss an interesting self-knowledge question related to the makeshift.
Resources &amp; links related to this episode:
<ul>
<li><a href="http://happiercast.com/nospend">Join us for No-Spend February</a></li>
<li><a href="https://the-happiness-project.com/">Shop the sale in The Happiness Project Shop</a></li>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/466-no-spend-february-fun-with-the-24-for-24-list-and-what-about-packaging-thats-too-nice-to-toss/">Listen to Episode 466 here</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/475-listeners-no-spend-february-ideas-boost-happiness-by-sending-cards-and-a-quick-way-to-connect/">Listen to Episode 475 here</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li>Elizabeth is reading: Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy (<a href="https://amzn.to/4jX3UqR">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/15926/9780593723739">Bookshop</a>)&nbsp;</li>
<li>Gretchen is rereading: Gray Divorce: What We Lose and Gain from Mid-Life Splits by Jocelyn Elise Crowley&nbsp;(<a href="https://amzn.to/4bcpsO4">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/15926/9780520295322">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;

Ep. 569: Do You Miss Having Time to Hang Out with Friends? Plus Listeners’ One-Word Themes

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