The Dan Buettner Podcast Begin 2026 with More Joy (Happier with Gretchen Rubin)
Dec 25, 2025
Discover how selecting a one-word theme for the year can enhance your focus and joy. Gretchen and Elizabeth share their personal themes, like 'bounce' for resilience and 'neighbor' for connection. They also discuss engaging listener stories about sensory memories and happiness. Learn new traditions for New Year's Eve that foster reflection and joy, and get practical gift ideas linked to your themes. Plus, a fun recommendation for binge-worthy TV makes the list!
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Pick A Multi-Layered One-Word Theme
- Choose a one-word theme to capture your aim for the year and give it multiple layers of meaning.
- Make it concrete, visualizable, and attach an object (mug, ring, welcome mat) to remind you daily.
Bounce Became A Kangaroo Mug
- Elizabeth selected "bounce" as a playful, energetic theme to signal resilience and returning to Hollywood momentum.
- She used a kangaroo symbol and bought a handmade mug to keep the theme visible.
Themes Last Beyond A Single Year
- Gretchen's past words (salt, wave, door) continued to inform her behavior and framing beyond the year itself.
- A good theme persists as a lens for decisions and habits across years.