In this episode, Gretchen Rubin shares how to go from chaos to calm and why your environment shapes your habits and happiness. She explores how organizing and decluttering physical spaces can boost mental clarity and emotional well-being. Gretchen also shares practical strategies for habit change, discusses individual differences in preferences for order, and explains how small environmental tweaks can make positive behaviors easier. The conversation also covers managing possessions, letting go of outdated identities, and making intentional life choices.

Exciting News!!!Coming in March 2026, my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How a Little Becomes a Lot: The Art of Small Changes for a More Meaningful Life is now available for pre-orders!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Key Takeaways

The relationship between outer order (organization and decluttering) and inner calm (mental and emotional well-being).
The impact of small environmental changes on habits, mood, and productivity.
The concept of “feeding the good wolf” from the parable of two wolves, emphasizing intentional living.
The significance of setting intentions or themes for the new year, such as choosing a “word of the year.”
The role of “ignition costs” in habit formation and how reducing friction can facilitate positive behaviors.
The varying responses individuals have to clutter and organization, including “clutter blind” individuals and “abundance lovers.”
The importance of monitoring habits and recognizing progress to encourage continued growth.
Strategies for managing possessions and making decisions about what to keep or discard.
The psychological challenges of letting go of items tied to past identities or aspirations.
The concept of “choosing the bigger life” as a decision-making framework to guide intentional choices.

For full show notes,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠

Connect with the show:

If you enjoyed this conversation with Gretchen Rubin, check out these other episodes:

Living Skillfully with Gretchen Rubin (2020)

Designing a Life That Supports You: Presence, Beauty, and the Power of Environment with Nate Berkus

By purchasing products and/or services from our sponsors, you are helping to support The One You Feed, and we greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

This episode is sponsored by:

⁠Hungry Root⁠: For a limited time, get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to www.hungryroot.com/feed and use code FEED.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aura Frames⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: For a limited time, save on the perfect gift by visiting ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AuraFrames.com /FEED ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to get $35 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames – named #1 by Wirecutter – by using promo code FEED at checkout. This deal is exclusive to listeners, and frames sell out fast, so order yours now to get it in time for the holidays!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Uncommon Goods ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠has something for everyone – you’ll find thousands of new gift ideas that you won’t find anywhere else, and you’ll be supporting artists and small, independent businesses. To get 15% off your next gift, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UNCOMMONGOODS.com/FEED⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: Post your job for free at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/oneyoufeed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Terms and conditions apply.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Teleporting Quack Echoes