![Design Your Summer, Comfort vs. Adventure, & Friendship Burnout](https://gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/30f51e.jpg)
Update
We mention the fun, get-things-done-quick episodes: “Sweep the Deck,” Deck the Halls,” and “Clear the Decks” episodes.
Try This at Home
Design your summer.
We’ve talked about this idea in episodes 431, 325, 224, 118, and 67. Here’s the quotation that originally inspired these discussions:
Every man makes his own summer. The season has no character of its own, unless one is a farmer with a professional concern for the weather. Circumstances have not allowed me to make a good summer for myself this year…My summer has been overcast by my own heaviness of spirit. I have not had any adventures, and adventures are what make a summer.
— Robertson Davies, “Three Worlds, Three Summers,” The Enthusiasms of Robertson Davies (Amazon)
We talk about our upcoming hiking trip in England, partnering with Wilderness England: Northumberland and the Lake District. (The possibilities of Wilderness Ireland/ and Wilderness Scotland/ also look terrific.)
I talk about my “Five-Senses Portrait: Summer Past and Present.”
I mention that the “Spin the Wheel” in the Happier app will suggest a fun, free activity to help give users concrete ideas for a happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative summer.
Happiness Hack
We discuss a symptoms break-down if you’re wondering whether you’re suffering from Covid, allergies, or a cold.
Know Yourself Better
If you have to choose, do you prefer comfort or adventure?
Listener Question
A very outgoing and gregarious listener asks about her pattern of periodically withdrawing from social demands.
Demerits & Gold Stars
Elizabeth’s Demerit: She gives herself a demerit for a failure of dog-training.
Gretchen’s Gold Star: The students working at Jamie’s and my college reunions were so friendly and cheerful.
Resource
Earlier this year, I started the monthly “Five Things to Try This Month” edition of my “Five Things” newsletter, and the feedback has been great. If you’d like to subscribe for free, sign up at happiercast.com/newsletter.
What We’re Reading
*Transcript coming soon*