Try This at Home

Make the most of the first three weeks of a new experience with strangers. 

I refer to the article “Making Friends in New Places” by Nicholas A. Christakis.

Sidenote: If you’re also taking a child to school, episode 125 may be useful. We do a deep dive into items to bring, not to bring, hacks, and more.

Happiness Hack

To set your mind at ease, set an alarm to tell you to when it’s time to leave.

Four Tendencies Tip

An Obliger listener asks for suggestions about dealing with Questioner and Rebel family members who don’t do their share.

Take the Four Tendencies quiz here.

I mention my article “Resentful? Overworked? Face these painful facts about shared work.”

Demerits & Gold Stars

Elizabeth’s Demerit: She hasn’t been consistent with Orange Theory since we returned from our hiking trip. 

Gretchen’s Gold Star: My daughter Eleanor is staying calm and cheerful in the run-up to the start of her freshman year of college.

Resource

Check out the Explore page in the Happier app for fresh tips, hacks, and suggestions to help parents and students navigate the back-to-school season. Open your Happier app, go to the Explore tab, and scroll down to the audio clips. Or download the app at thehappierapp.com.

What We’re Reading

• Elizabeth: We’re Experiencing a Slight Delay by Gary Janetti (Amazon, Bookshop) 
• Gretchen: Grown & Flown by Lisa Heffernan and Mary Dell Harrington (Amazon, Bookshop) 

*Transcript coming soon*