We can accept ourselves and also expect more from ourselves.
In my work, I investigate unexpected truths about everyday life—and identify ways we can take happiness from the transcendent to the concrete.
“One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make others happy. One of the best ways to make others happy is to be happy yourself.”
GRETCHEN RUBIN
NEW PRODUCTS
The new Happiness Project collection is here
Workbooks, tear-away inspiration, a countdown calendar for special milestones: meet the new additions to the Happiness Project collection.
BIG IDEAS
The Four Tendencies
We all face two kinds of expectations: outer expectations (meet work deadlines, answer a request from a friend) and inner expectations (read more, take a daily walk). Your response to expectations determines your “Tendency”—that is, whether you’re an Upholder, Questioner, Obliger, or Rebel.
READ
How to Overcome Creative Block Using Indirect Prompts
Sometimes, when I’m working on a project, I hit a roadblock. Then, as I’m struggling to move forward, I hear an offhand comment, or I read some thought-provoking phrase, and with that kind of “indirect direction,” I get a sudden idea.
7-DAY EMAIL CHALLENGE
Join the 7-day “Energy Through Movement” Challenge
Get one email a day with a short action item to help you build an enjoyable, sustainable movement habit. Plus, you’ll receive Gretchen’s weekly 5 Things Making Me Happy newsletter with ongoing tips and insights on habits and happiness.
LISTEN
Exercise Tips from NPR’s LifeKit: Could Watching TV Actually Help You Get Moving?
For “Move Happier,” Gretchen talks with Marielle Segarra, host of NPR’s Life Kit, about ditching the all-or-nothing rule, making the most of everyday activities, and the importance of smell and lighting.
HAPPIER APP
Jump-Start Your Habits with the Happier™ App
Choose a short, guided challenge to help you make progress on habits, organization, relationships, and more, with clear prompts you can start anytime.
READ
16 Tips for Being a Happier, Calmer Parent
If you’ve been looking for ways to stop yelling at your kids or cut back on nagging here are 16 strategies to try.
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WHAT'S NEW
Discover the latest articles and podcast episodes.
CURATED COLLECTIONS
Explore Gretchen Rubin’s work on these popular topics.
Tap in to the power of your five senses as a path to a happier, more mindful life.
Unexpected insights and concrete suggestions about how to create a happier life.
Helpful tips, tools, and strategies for building (and breaking) habits.
Understand yourself and others with Gretchen Rubin’s personality framework.
ABOUT GRETCHEN
About Gretchen
Hi, I’m Gretchen Rubin. For more than a decade, I’ve been studying human nature—the science of the soul. My happiness project is to understand myself, the people around me, and how we can move from good intentions to concrete actions to build happier lives.