Secrets of Adulthood: Gretchen Rubin on Living a Happier, Simpler Life
“Happier people are more likely to volunteer, more likely to vote, more likely to donate their time and money, more likely to help out if someone needs a hand. When we’re happier, we’re able to turn outward and think about the problems of the world.” – Gretchen Rubin
Episode 59
Gretchen Rubin is one of today’s most influential observers of happiness and human nature. In addition to hosting the award-winning podcast Happier with Gretchen Rubin, where she shares practical strategies for building a happier, healthier, more creative life, Gretchen is also the bestselling author of The Happiness Project, The Four Tendencies, Better Than Before, Life in Five Senses, and now Secrets of Adulthood, a delightful collection of her signature aphorisms—concise, thought-provoking truths gathered from her own experiences and reflections on human nature.
Today, Gretchen shares a wealth of bite-sized, digestible truths with Jen and Amy that acknowledge problems everyone faces.
- “What we do every day matters more than what we do once in a while.”
- “Outer order contributes to inner calm.”
- “A strong voice repels as well as attracts.”
- “Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.”
- And our personal favorite, “Choose the bigger life.”
Gretchen also delves into the Four Tendencies and helps Jen and Amy unpack their profiles to better understand whether they are an Upholder, Questioner, Obliger, or Rebel. Anyone want to take bets?
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Secrets of Adulthood: Simple Truths for Our Complex Lives by Gretchen Rubin
The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun by Gretchen Rubin
The English Understand Wool by Helen DeWitt
The Last Samurai by Helen DeWitt
5 Things Making Me Happy Newsletter
Sandwich: A Novel by Catherine Newman
Take a peek around
If you’re not sure where to begin, I got you, friend. I’m always bringing you something new to enjoy.
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