We explore the science of "hedonic forecasting"—our often-flawed ability to predict future happiness—and share strategies to make better life decisions. We debate the right approach to a “task cascade.” Plus, as part of #Read25in25, we discuss hacks for doing more reading. Finally, an answer to the burning question: What will my family name our new dog? 

Resources & Links Related to this episode:
Order your copy of Secrets of Adulthood
Join me on book tour starting April 1, 2025
Read 25 in 25
Elizabeth is reading: The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen (Amazon, Bookshop)
Gretchen is reading: Sun City by Tove Jansson (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 science of "hedonic forecasting"&mdash;our often-flawed ability to predict future happiness&mdash;and share strategies to make better life decisions. We debate the right approach to a &ldquo;task cascade.&rdquo; Plus, as part of #Read25in25, we discuss hacks for doing more reading. Finally, an answer to the burning question: What will my family name our new dog?&nbsp;
Resources &amp; Links Related to this episode:
<ul>
<li>Order your copy of <a href="http://happiercast.com/secrets">Secrets of Adulthood</a></li>
<li><a href="http://happiercast.com/secrets">Join me on book tour</a> starting April 1, 2025</li>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/articles/join-us-for-read-25-in-25/">Read 25 in 25</a></li>
<li>Elizabeth is reading: The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen&nbsp;(<a href="https://amzn.to/41tnyCa">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/15926/9781662515132">Bookshop</a>)</li>
<li>Gretchen is reading: Sun City by Tove Jansson&nbsp;(<a href="https://amzn.to/4hC7jIZ">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/15926/9781681378657">Bookshop</a>)</li>
</ul>
 Get in touch:&nbsp;<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. 528: Improve Your Hedonic Forecasting, Hacks for Reading More, and Mystery Revealed (Name of New Dog)

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. 571: Want to Join Us for a No-Spend February? Plus a Better Word for “Squats”

A modern fable is an excellent illustration of a very popular loophole used to justify breaking good habits.

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. 

A modern fable is an excellent illustration of a very popular loophole used to justify breaking good habits.
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: Would You Do For Someone Else What You Wouldn’t Do for Yourself?

We talk about the impulse to save things, such as stationery or fine china, even when it makes no sense. And we also talk about the puzzling popularity of coffee-table books.

Resources & links related to this episode:
Check out my new LinkedIn Learning course on the Four Tendencies
How to Write Your Own Personal Commandments 
Join the "Move 26 in '26" challenge
Electric throw blanket


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 impulse to save things, such as stationery or fine china, even when it makes no sense. And we also talk about the puzzling popularity of coffee-table books.
Resources &amp; links related to this episode:
<ul>
<li><a href="http://lnkd.in/fourtendencies">Check out my new LinkedIn Learning course on the Four Tendencies</a></li>
<li><a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/articles/how-to-write-your-own-personal-commandments/">How to Write Your Own Personal Commandments&nbsp;</a></li>
<li>Join the <a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/uncategorized/join-the-move-26-in-26-challenge/">"Move 26 in '26" challenge</a></li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/4puNXcE">Electric throw blanket</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. 528: Improve Your Hedonic Forecasting, Hacks for Reading More, and Mystery Revealed (Name of New Dog)

In 1 playlist(s)

Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips