I’m counting down the days until Secrets of Adulthood hits the shelves. A fellow writer once told me, “You can never identify the actual audience for a book until after it’s published,” and another writer told me, “When your book comes out, you learn the most from the q-and-a session after a talk—that’s when you find out what’s most interesting to other people.” Along those lines, I’m very curious to see which “secrets” resonate most with readers.
Onward,
5 Things Making Me Happy
I’m still adjusting to Daily Saving Time. I assume that it’s a certain time of day, then realize with a jolt that it’s later than I assumed. “Oh, no wonder I’m hungry,” I’ll think. I do enjoy the longer days of sunshine—it creates the illusion of more time.
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I loved getting another chance to talk to the inimitable Jonathan Van Ness. This time, we were actually face to face, for an in-person interview. It’s really true that IRL is better than URL for great conversation.
I was fascinated by this video showing how silk flowers are made. I enjoyed learning about the flowers, and I also loved the chance to go inside one of the old workshops of New York City, to see the handcrafting. There are so many different worlds happening here, all at the same time. New York City feels…inexhaustible.
Did I mention that my next book, Secrets of Adulthood, is coming out in less than two weeks? Oh right, I think I did. Bookshop.org is offering 20% off for a limited time (use code: Gretchen20, valid for physical copies only). If you plan to read the book, I’d so appreciate your pre-order. They really do give a major boost to a book. I’ll even send you a special pre-order bonus as a thank-you.
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This week on Happier with Gretchen Rubin
PODCAST EPISODE: 526
The Rule of More, a Fun Way to Clear Family Clutter & More Secrets of Adulthood
INTERVIEW
Sahil Bloom
Sahil Bloom is the New York Times Bestselling author of The 5 Types of Wealth: A Transformative Guide to Design Your Dream Life. Sahil is an inspirational writer and entrepreneur, captivating millions of people every week through his book, social insights, and bi-weekly newsletter, The Curiosity Chronicle.
Q: Can you suggest something we might try to help ourselves to become happier, healthier, more productive, or more creative?
Take yourself on a Think Day date once each month. Schedule 2 hours and go to a new or open environment, something out of your ordinary routines (because going to a new space encourages you to escape your usual patterns and think differently). Bring a journal and pen, but nothing else (no phone!). The goal is to think deeply on a few bigger picture questions about your life, to allow yourself to zoom out and see things more clearly. There are eight question prompts included in my book, but my favorite question right now is: If you were the main character in a movie of your life, what would the audience be screaming at you to do right now?
Q: Do you have a Secret of Adulthood? A lesson you’ve learned from life the hard way; something you’d tell your younger self?
Life is about direction, not speed. It’s much better to climb slowly up the right mountain than it is to climb fast up the wrong one. For this reason, you should pay close attention to the mountains you’re on—and regularly ask yourself whether they are ones you actually want to be climbing.
Q: Is there a particular motto that you’ve found very helpful? (I remind myself to “Be Gretchen.”) Or a quotation that has struck you as particularly insightful?
My favorite quote is from the ancient poet Rumi, who wrote, “As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.” I remind myself of that often. You can’t find the way by standing still, you have to act, you have to walk to find it.
Q: What simple habit boosts your happiness or energy?
I do something I call my 1-1-1 Method before going to bed. I take a blank sheet of paper and write down 1 win from the day, 1 point of stress or tension, and 1 point of gratitude. It calms my mind and puts me into a restful, grateful state, which has helped enormously with my sleep quality and overall happiness.
Q: Has a book ever changed your life – if so, which one and why?
When Breath Becomes Air. I’ll continue to read it every year, as it provides a reset to remind me what’s most important. This ethos was deeply connected to what I wanted readers of my book to come away with.
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