Gretchen Rubin, author of bestselling books like The Happiness Project, dives into the challenges of adulthood, offering insightful aphorisms. She discusses how happiness isn't just about feeling happy and shares strategies for personal growth. From favorite sweaters to navigating decision-making, her wisdom shines through. The conversation also touches on the evolving nature of parenting, nurturing children's passions, and embracing an abundance mindset. With humor and reflection, Gretchen provides a roadmap for a more fulfilling life.
In 'Better Than Before', Gretchen Rubin explores the science and practice of habit formation. She identifies 21 strategies for making and breaking habits, emphasizing the importance of self-knowledge and tailoring habits to individual personalities. Rubin categorizes people into four tendencies—Upholders, Questioners, Obligers, and Rebels—and explains how these tendencies influence habit formation. The book is filled with practical advice, personal anecdotes, and rigorous research, making it a comprehensive and engaging guide to building happier, stronger, and more productive lives.
Secrets of Adulthood
Simple Truths for Our Complex Lives
Gretchen Rubin
Drawing from her long studies of happiness and personal challenges, Gretchen Rubin presents 'Secrets of Adulthood' as a guide to manage life's complexities. Using the ancient literary discipline of aphorisms, Rubin conveys large truths in few words, addressing issues such as indecision, change, temptation, and relationships. The book is filled with witty and thought-provoking reflections designed to inspire and help readers navigate various life situations.
The Happiness Project
Gretchen Rubin
In 'The Happiness Project', Gretchen Rubin chronicles her year-long journey to enhance her happiness. Despite having a fulfilling life, Rubin realized she wasn’t focusing enough on her own happiness. She divided her project into twelve months, each with a different area of focus and specific goals. From boosting energy and improving her marriage to enhancing her work life and leisure activities, Rubin tested various strategies, including those from Epicurus, Thoreau, and modern scientists. The book combines historical wisdom, scientific research, and personal anecdotes to provide practical advice on how to make life happier and more fulfilling.
Figuring out the pitfalls and best practices of adulthood can be tricky. It's helpful to have some pearls of wisdom to guide you along the way.
My guest today has spent decades collecting these kinds of helpful truths and has crafted her own guiding mantras of maturity.
Gretchen Rubin is the author of numerous bestselling books, including The Happiness Project, and her latest, Secrets of Adulthood. Today on the show, Gretchen shares how she came to write hundreds of aphorisms on how to navigate life, and we dig into some of my favorites of these concise, sage sayings. Amongst many topics, we discuss why "happiness doesn't always make us feel happy," the best strategy for changing ourselves, a very useful heuristic for making decisions, why you should wear a favorite sweater more often, and even why big top tables at restaurants are one of my pet peeves.
The Art of Manliness 
