I’m checking the news constantly these days to learn what’s happening with the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. It’s heartbreaking to see the destruction of so many homes, schools, neighborhoods, natural life, and more. Thank you to everyone who is asking about my sister Elizabeth. Thank goodness, so far, her area in Encino is unaffected. So much gratitude to the firefighters and first responders who are fighting against this terrible fire and wind! If you want to help, the Los Angeles Times shared a useful list of organizations providing support.
Onward,
5 Things Making Me Happy
Each year, I’m curious to see what Pantone will choose as its Color of the Year, and I’m also curious to see what famous works will enter the public domain. This year, intellectual property from the year 1929 become free to use. Hearing that Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own, Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms, or William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury are available for creative use makes me want to come up with some wild creative project to take advantage of the possibilities.
A thoughtful listener sent me a note to say that “Onward and Upward” appeared as an answer on the legendary game show Wheel of Fortune. I say these words at the end of each episode of the Happier with Gretchen Rubin podcast, so it feels like “my” phrase. Fun.
In an episode of More Happier, I shared the list of “24 things that please me” that I made as one of my “24 for ‘24” list. Item #12 was “Artificial flowers”—I love fake flowers. I noted that a major trend in New York City was for restaurants and stores to have enormous, bold, elaborate arrangements of fake flowers around entryways or across walls. Yesterday, from the article “Why are restaurants filling up with fake flowers? Ask this guy,” I learned that one man, Carlos Franqui, is at the heart of this trend, with his company Floratorium (great name). Bring it on.
As a dog-lover, I was fascinated by a recent episode of one of my favorite podcasts, Twenty Thousand Hertz, which is all about sound. The episode “Dog Translation Guide” explores how to decode a dog’s barks, growls, and wags. (Turns out I did a bad job of distinguishing the meaning of barks.)
I had a great time talking to actor David Duchovny on his thoughtful podcast Fail Better. We talked about happiness, creativity, and—no surprise—failure. Fun fact: my husband Jamie remembers David Duchovny being the big high-school basketball star when he was in middle school.
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This week on Happier with Gretchen Rubin
PODCAST EPISODE: 516
Listeners’ Creative One-Word Themes, Use It or Lose It & Make Everyday Life More Fun
INTERVIEW
Tieghan Gerard of Half-Baked Harvest
Tieghan Gerard, creator of Half-Baked Harvest, is known for her bold and flavorful recipes that inspire home cooks everywhere. Her latest cookbook, Half-Baked Harvest Quick and Cozy, features simple, comforting meals for everyday enjoyment.
Q: Can you suggest something we might try to help ourselves to become happier, healthier, more productive, or more creative?
If you want to be happier, healthier, and more productive, I think you need to start with movement. My best advice is to get outside first thing in the morning. If you can’t go outside, walk on a treadmill. I go out for a hike every single morning and have done so since I was a teen. Exercise will help boost your mood, your confidence, and I always have my most creative ideas while I am moving my body. I have found this to be the most productive start to the day. Morning movement has been key to happiness and productivity for me!
Q: In your own life, have you found ways to tap into the power of your five senses?
Deep breathing has always been a tool I use when I feel stressed and overly anxious. A few deep breaths and I also feel a sense of calmness.
I also light a candle every night once I’ve cleaned the kitchen for the day. For me it singles my body to start winding down. Candles and fresh flowers bring me so much happiness!
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?
“Kill them with kindness” You always win when you’re kind!
Q: What simple habit boosts your happiness or energy?
Legs up the wall every night. I do this before bed and it not only increases circulation and reduces inflammation, but it helps ease my anxiety before bed. I always feel calmer after I have had my legs up. Additionally, I dry brush every night too.
Q: Has a book ever changed your life—if so, which one and why?
The Harry Potter series. When I was younger the books provided me an escape from the daily anxious thoughts I had. I was able to lose myself in that series and it still holds true for me today too!
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