Happier with Gretchen Rubin Ep. 552: Start Your 100-Day Countdown, Try Substack & the Power of Engaging
Sep 17, 2025
Explore the idea of a 100-day countdown to boost happiness while tackling long-term projects and personal goals. Discover a reading initiative that encourages 25 minutes of daily reading, and dive into the world of Substack for enhanced engagement. Hear fascinating listener responses about the power of community activities, like Mahjong, which help forge connections and reduce anxiety. Reflect on the joys of revisiting beloved books and the importance of self-awareness during life transitions.
32:56
Recording Farewell With A Loved One
- Lily recorded a video with her dying mother after hearing someone regret not having recordings.
- That saved memory became a lasting source of gratitude.
Start A 100-Day Countdown
- Start a 100-day countdown on Sept 22 to review and prioritize goals for the remainder of the year.
- Use the period to tackle low-hanging items and rekindle activities you value.
Choose Concrete, Doable Wins
- Review your long list (like a 25-for-25) and pick concrete one-off tasks to finish in the next 100 days.
- Break big projects into preparatory steps (e.g., clean phone photos before making a photo album).
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
Embracing Change: A 100-Day Countdown
02:55 • 12min
Embracing Reading and Digital Connectivity
15:19 • 7min
Building Community Through Shared Experiences
22:37 • 6min
Travel Tales and Tips
28:09 • 4min
Celebrating Literature and Community
31:59 • 5min
Rereading and Reflection
36:40 • 4min
#489
• Mentioned in 40 episodes
The Lion, The witch and the Wardrobe
C.S. Lewis
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a portal fantasy novel that follows the story of four English siblings - Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy - who are evacuated to the countryside during World War II. While exploring the large, old house of Professor Kirke, Lucy discovers a wardrobe that serves as a portal to the land of Narnia.
In Narnia, they encounter various magical creatures and the evil White Witch, who has cast a spell to keep Narnia in perpetual winter.
The siblings soon learn that they are part of an ancient prophecy to save Narnia, aided by the lion Aslan.
The story is an allegory of Christianity, with Aslan's sacrifice and resurrection mirroring the story of Jesus Christ.
The novel also incorporates elements from Germanic, classical Greek and Roman, and Celtic mythology.
#6845
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
The signature of all things
Elizabeth Gilbert
The Signature of All Things is a historical fiction novel by Elizabeth Gilbert that follows the life of Alma Whittaker, a 19th-century botanist.
The novel spans decades, exploring Alma's scientific pursuits, her family relationships, and her personal growth.
Gilbert's writing beautifully weaves together scientific detail with a compelling narrative.
The novel explores themes of ambition, love, loss, and the enduring power of nature.
It's a richly detailed and moving story of a woman who defies expectations to pursue her passions.
#5848
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
The Golden Compass
Philip Pullman
The Golden Compass, also known as Northern Lights in some regions, is the first book in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy.
It follows Lyra Belacqua, a young girl living in an alternate universe where humans and talking animals coexist.
Lyra embarks on a journey to save her friend Roger from the Gobblers, a mysterious group abducting children.
Along the way, she discovers a world of complex moralities, where figures of authority are often deceptive and true help comes from unexpected sources.
The story involves Lyra's encounters with an alethiometer (a golden compass), her daemon Pantalaimon, and various characters including the enigmatic Mrs. Coulter and her uncle Lord Asriel.
#21091
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The secret commonwealth
Bill Griffiths
#83
• Mentioned in 132 episodes
War and Peace
Leo Tolstoy
Set during the Napoleonic Wars, 'War and Peace' follows the lives of several Russian aristocratic families, including the Bezukhovs, the Rostovs, and the Bolkonskys.
The novel spans from 1805 to 1820 and is known for its realistic detail and psychological analysis.
It explores the impact of Napoleon's invasion of Russia on the characters and society, delving into themes of love, family, war, and personal growth.
The novel includes historical events such as the Battle of Austerlitz, the Treaties of Tilsit, and the French invasion of Russia, intertwining historical and fictional elements.
#2666
• Mentioned in 11 episodes
City of Girls
Elizabeth Gilbert
In 'City of Girls', Elizabeth Gilbert tells the story of Vivian Morris, a nineteen-year-old who is sent to Manhattan in 1940 after being kicked out of Vassar College.
Vivian lives with her Aunt Peg, the owner of the flamboyant Lily Playhouse theater, where she is introduced to a vibrant world of showgirls, actors, and other charismatic characters.
The novel follows Vivian's journey as she navigates her new life, makes personal mistakes that lead to professional scandals, and ultimately discovers the kind of life she craves and the freedom to pursue it.
The story is told from the perspective of an older Vivian looking back on her youth with both pleasure and regret, reflecting on themes of human desire, connection, and the idiosyncrasies of true love.
#9432
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Actress of a Certain Age
My 20-Year Trail to Overnight Success
Jeff Hiller
#3336
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
All the Way to the River
Love, Loss, and Liberation
Elizabeth Gilbert
Elizabeth Gilbert's 'All the Way to the River: Love, Loss, and Liberation' invites readers on a deeply personal journey through the complexities of human experience.
Gilbert fearlessly explores the intricacies of love and heartbreak, sharing intimate reflections on loss and resilience.
As she navigates life's inevitable challenges, the author discovers the path to personal liberation, embracing self-discovery and empowerment.
With her signature blend of vulnerability and insight, Gilbert crafts a narrative that resonates with readers seeking solace and inspiration.
This memoir is a testament to the human capacity for growth and transformation in the face of adversity, reminding us that love and liberation are always within reach.
#183
• Mentioned in 80 episodes
Eat, Pray, Love
Elizabeth Gilbert
In 'Eat, Pray, Love', Elizabeth Gilbert chronicles her journey as she leaves behind her outwardly successful but inwardly unfulfilling life in the United States.
The book is divided into three parts, each set in a different country: Italy, where she seeks pleasure and indulges in the local culture; India, where she delves into spiritual practices and meditation; and Bali, Indonesia, where she aims to find a balance between worldly enjoyment and divine transcendence.
The memoir is a personal and introspective account of Gilbert's struggles, growth, and self-discovery during her travels.
#3677
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
The Committed
Viet Thanh Nguyen
#228
• Mentioned in 68 episodes
Big Magic
Elizabeth Gilbert
In 'Big Magic', Elizabeth Gilbert delves into the mysteries of creativity, encouraging readers to live more creative and fulfilling lives.
The book is divided into six parts: Courage, Enchantment, Permission, Persistence, Trust, and Divinity.
Gilbert argues that creativity is an essential part of human nature and that it requires courage to accept and overcome fears.
She emphasizes the importance of persistence, trust in the creative process, and the need to separate creativity from the pressure of making a living.
Through personal anecdotes and insights from other artists, Gilbert demystifies the creative process and inspires readers to pursue their passions with curiosity rather than fear.
There are about 100 days left in the year, and we discuss why starting your 100-day countdown can make you happier. We also explore a hack that will help you read, learn, and get entertained, and we share interesting responses from listeners about the power of engaging.
Resources & links related to this episode:
- For the Happier Podcast Book Club: All the Way to the River: Love, Loss and Liberation by Elizabeth Gilbert (Amazon, Bookshop)
- Joshua Rothman's New Yorker article "A.I. Is Coming for Culture"
- Listen to the new podcast Since You Asked with Lori Gottlieb and Gretchen Rubin
- Happier in Hollywood Substack
- Secrets of Adulthood Substack
- "Fall in Love with Your Next Novel" Quiz
- Elizabeth is reading: Actress of a Certain Age by Jeff Hiller (Amazon, Bookshop)
- Gretchen is reading: The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman (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.
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