Gretchen Rubin

Manifesto

I work hard to identify my core beliefs about habits and happiness. Here are some of my key principles.

Outer Order, Inner Calm

'Without delay is the easiest way,' and other truths about clutter.

My Habits Manifesto

When I'm writing about a very big subject—like habits—I find it helpful to push myself to distill it.

Better Than Before, Distilled in 21 Sentences

I decided to try to summarize each chapter of Better Than Before in a single sentence.

Secrets of Adulthood for Habits

My Secrets of Adulthood are the principles I’ve managed to grasp as I’ve become an adult.

My Twelve Personal Commandments

The overarching principles by which I try to live my life.

The Eight Splendid Truths

Eight core principles of happiness (writing about happiness has given me a passion for making numbered lists).

What Started Me Thinking

When I started thinking about happiness, several quotes made a special impression.

Happiness Theories I Reject

Several venerable thinkers and I disagree, apparently.

Some Paradoxes of Happiness

Paradoxes abound in the study of happiness.

More Essentials from Gretchen Rubin

Blog Post

To Be Happier, Write Your Own Set of Personal Commandments.

February 17, 2012

Blog Post

My Best Advice for Graduates: 12 Tips for A Happy Life

May 23, 2017

Blog Post

Paradoxes of Happiness: the Sadness of a Happiness Project.

October 27, 2008

Blog Post

Some Thoughts on Happiness After Dropping Off My Daughter at College.

August 25, 2017

Find out if you’re an Upholder, Obliger, Questioner, or a Rebel.

The Four Tendencies explain why we act and why we don’t act. Our Tendency shapes every aspect of our behavior, so understanding your Tendency lets us make better decisions, meet deadlines, suffer less stress and burnout, and engage more effectively.

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