My next book, Secrets of Adulthood: Simple Truths for Our Complex Lives, will be published on April 1. In this book, I’ve distilled the lessons I’ve learned (and often re-learned) the hard way. To express these “secrets,” I’ve written more than two hundred aphorisms.  People have asked me, “Why write in aphorisms?”  For my whole […] The post Aphorisms and the Power of Big Truths in Small Packages appeared first on Gretchen Rubin ..read more

Every year, millions of people set New Year’s resolutions with great hopes, and every year, most of those resolutions get abandoned–quickly. There’s even a discouraging name for it: Quitter’s Day, the second Friday in January.  Sound uncomfortably familiar? If so, here’s a surprising (and perhaps comforting) suggestion: Maybe you should give up your resolution. Not […] The post 3 Reasons to Give Up Your New Year’s Resolution appeared first on Gretchen Rubin ..read more

The start of a new year brings fresh possibilities—a chance to reflect, reset, and focus on what matters most. When it comes to happiness, however, research shows that we’re not always good at predicting what will make us happy. Studies have found that people often overestimate how much external achievements or material gains will boost […] The post How to be happier in 2025, and the Question Everyone Forgets to Ask appeared first on Gretchen Rubin ..read more

The start of a new year offers a terrific opportunity to reflect on what we want from the next twelve months. Making a New Year’s resolution is a popular way to set those aims, but it’s not the only way. Resolutions don’t work for everyone.  Each year on the Happier with Gretchen Rubin podcast, my […] The post Tips for writing your “25 for 25” list appeared first on Gretchen Rubin ..read more

Every year on the Happier with Gretchen Rubin podcast, my sister Elizabeth and I invite our listeners to join us in an annual challenge. For a bit of whimsy, we use the calendar year to frame the habit. So for instance, in 2020, the challenge was to “Walk 20 in ’20.” In 2023, it was “Go […] The post Join us for Read 25 in ’25 appeared first on Gretchen Rubin ..read more

For many years, my sister Elizabeth and I have started each year by choosing a one-word theme to sum up what we want the next twelve months to hold. For 2025, my theme is “Door.”  Why do it? While for many people, New Year’s resolutions feel intimidating or draining, there are other effective ways to […] The post Your One-Word Theme for 2025 appeared first on Gretchen Rubin ..read more

As research and everyday experience shows, acting with generosity makes us happier.  When we’re caught up in our day-to-day routines, it’s easy to lose track of how we’re spending our time, energy, and money.  But when we mindfully invest these resources in the causes that are important to us, we know we’re putting our values […] The post By giving, we gain appeared first on Gretchen Rubin ..read more

Ancient philosophers and contemporary scientists agree: close relationships are a key—maybe the key—to a happy life. As part of our circle of associations, we have friends, and we also have friendly acquaintances. With friends, we have close, long-term bonds; we can confide; we feel like we belong; we give and receive support; we trust. With […] The post How to Turn Acquaintances into Friends appeared first on Gretchen Rubin ..read more

I always feel better and happier when my home is organized and filled with beautiful things – especially in the kitchen where it feels like we always end up congregating. Here are some of my favorite items from over the years that also make great gifts. Note: This post includes products that I believe in […] The post Gretchen Rubin’s Gifts for the Home appeared first on Gretchen Rubin ..read more

Is it just me or is Gen Z one of the hardest groups to gift for? Luckily, I know my own daughters pretty well and here are the things I’m excited about this year. This post includes products that I believe in and love myself. It also includes affiliate links, meaning I will receive a commission if […] The post Gretchen Rubin’s Gifts for Gen Z Daughters appeared first on Gretchen Rubin ..read more