Podcast Title: Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Host/Author: Gretchen Rubin / The Onward Project
Episode: Ep. 544: "25 for ’25 List” Mid-Year Check-In—How Are We Doing?
Release Date: July 23, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 544 of Happier with Gretchen Rubin, hosts Gretchen Rubin and her younger sister, Elizabeth Craft, conduct a mid-year review of their ambitious "25 for '25" lists. These lists encapsulate 25 goals each for the year 2025, spanning various aspects of their lives, including reading, health, career, and personal growth. This episode serves as both a personal accountability check and a source of inspiration for listeners aiming to enhance their own lives through structured goal-setting.

The Concept of the "25 for '25" List

Gretchen introduces the idea of the "25 for '25" list, explaining its origins and purpose:

Gretchen Rubin [04:05]: "This is something that we've done for many years now, which is take the year date, like 2025, and then make a list accordingly of things that we want to do in the coming year."

Elizabeth adds her perspective on the challenge of maintaining visibility of these goals:

Elizabeth Craft [04:48]: "When something becomes wallpaper, it literally becomes wallpaper. Where even though it's right next to me, I don't even see it. So it's good to go through and remind ourselves."

Gretchen emphasizes the importance of periodic reviews to keep the goals alive and to acknowledge completed tasks, which boosts motivation:

Gretchen Rubin [05:06]: "Giving yourself that 'Ta da' helps us stay energized so that we can stick with more ambitious aims."

Theme Words and Symbols for 2025

Both sisters share their chosen theme words and symbols for the year, which serve as overarching guides for their goals:

• Elizabeth's Theme Word: "Bounce"

  Elizabeth Craft [05:41]: "It feels very forward and it feels hopeful."

  Her symbol is a kangaroo, representing forward momentum and resilience.

• Gretchen's Theme Word: "Door"

  Gretchen Rubin [07:18]: "This is the year of the open door for me, which is how I'm rebranding the empty nest."

  She received a miniature door as a symbol, symbolizing new opportunities and transitions in her life.

Elizabeth Craft's "25 for '25" List Review

Reading Goals

1. Slow Read of War and Peace [12:14]

   • Elizabeth reports being up-to-date with the slow reading group, inspired by Sharon, who appreciates the practice.

2. New Book Club in Encino [13:10]

   • She is in the planning stages for a neighborhood-based book club, aiming for convenience to ensure participation.

3. Reading Retreat with Gretchen [15:17]

   • Completed this goal and plans to discuss it in detail in a future episode.

4. Read One Book a Month [15:31]

   • Admits to inconsistent tracking and needs to improve accountability.

Health Goals

5. 100 Orange Theory Fitness Classes [15:49]

   • Consistently attending classes but behind on the target due to illness and travel.

6. Maintain Current Weight [16:17]

   • Successfully maintaining her weight.

7. Try Solid Core [16:22]

   • Yet to start; plans to integrate it with her current fitness regimen.

8. Take Daily Medication [16:47]

   • Struggling with consistency due to the number of pills.

9. Use Water Pick Daily with Flossing [17:14]

   • Making progress, though not perfectly consistent.

Career Goals

10. Do One Happier in Hollywood Social Post Weekly [17:38]

    • Hasn't started; plans to schedule it during weekdays for better consistency.

11. Happier in Hollywood Substack [18:23]

    • Successfully launched and maintaining it, acknowledging the commitment required.

Personal Goals

12. New Photographs with Sarah [20:01]

    • Planning sessions in Kansas and coordinating with co-host Sarah.

13. Finish Your Novel [20:19]

    • Acknowledges it's a significant goal but hasn't completed it yet.

14. Go to Kansas City Every Season [20:28]

    • Partially fulfilled by visiting New York with family.

15. See Mother-In-Law and Father-In-Law Monthly [20:54]

    • Needs to increase frequency of visits.

16. Movie Night Every Week with Jack and Adam [20:59]

    • Started but inconsistent; plans to schedule regular times.

17. Always Have a New TV Show with Adam [21:22]

    • Currently watching several new shows together, maintaining this habit.

18. Visit Niece Ava at UCSB [22:03]

    • Completed successfully.

19. Go to Spain with Jack and Adam [22:10]

    • Not yet achieved; remains on the list for future consideration.

20. Get a Four-Person American Mahjong Group [22:27]

    • Initiated by attending lessons and connecting with potential group members.

21. Get More Inexpensive Gold Rings and Bracelets [22:44]

    • Purchased an inexpensive gold ring; bracelets remain.

22. Save for an Expensive Bag [22:51]

    • Decided to abandon this goal due to impracticality and safety concerns.

23. Host a Game Night [23:46]

    • Yet to organize; plans to implement before summer ends.

24. Attend Seven Live Events [24:22]

    • Attended a few events but not all; aims to reach the target.

25. Free Space Utilization [25:07]

    • Still undecided on what to include; planning to utilize for creative or practical purposes.

Gretchen Rubin's "25 for '25" List Review

Grab Bag Goals

1. Photo Albums [28:08]

   • Regularly updates and reviews photo albums, considering them as treasure troves of happy memories.

2. Watch Essential Movies [28:42]

   • Completed Die Hard; plans to watch Frozen, Inside Out, Boyhood, and Forrest Gump.

3. Visit the Earth Room [29:31]

   • Hasn't visited yet; intrigued by the concept of a room filled with earth.

4. 20th Anniversary of KidLit [29:57]

   • Plans to host a celebration for the 20th anniversary of her children's literature reading group.

5. List of 25 Things That Please You [30:19]

   • Partially completed with 15 items; considering publishing the list.

6. Organize a Supreme Court Clerk's Reunion [30:53]

   • In the planning stages, addressing organizational challenges to make it happen.

7. Continue to Learn and Experiment with AI [31:25]

   • Actively engaging with AI technologies and integrating them into her work.

8. Have a Podcaster Gathering [31:42]

   • Successfully hosted this event, marking it as completed.

Read 25 Minutes Every Day [32:34]

• Engaged in the War and Peace slow read alongside Elizabeth, finding it enjoyable and beneficial.

Open Door Project [32:34]

1. Operation Knicks Knowledge [32:51]

   • Embracing her newfound interest in the New York Knicks, fueled by the team's recent success.

2. Try Transcendental Meditation [33:34]

   • Initially planned to meditate with her partner Jamie, but plans have changed as Jamie opted out.

3. Plan an Adventurous Family Trip for the Summer [34:04]

   • Decided to welcome a new puppy, Taffy, considering it a greater adventure than any planned trip.

4. Anniversary Party [34:38]

   • Successfully hosted a significant anniversary party celebrating Jamie's cure and their marriage.

5. Get a Puppy [35:10]

   • Acquired a puppy, Taffy, marking a major personal milestone.

6. Learn to Cook One Dish [35:21]

   • Learned to cook meatballs from Smitten Kitchen’s Instagram tutorials, enjoying the process.

Door-Related Goals

7. Work Outside Your Office [35:48]

   • Occasionally works from the New York Society Library and various coffee shops, aiming to increase frequency for creative rejuvenation.

8. Kayak Every Warm Day at the Lake House [36:26]

   • Regularly kayaks when weather permits, integrating it into her routine.

9. Tree, Plant, and Bird Identification [36:35]

   • Actively learning to identify local flora and fauna, sharing new knowledge with enthusiasm.

10. The Little Door in the House [37:10]

    • Contemplating creative uses for a small door next to her fireplace, seeking whimsical ideas.

11. Make Nice Signs for Wi-Fi and Projector Instructions [37:27]

    • Delegated the task to family members, aiming to create aesthetically pleasing instructional signs.

Watercolor Goals

12. Watercolor Every Day [38:45]

    • Struggled initially due to new commitments but is making efforts to re-engage with daily painting.

13. Postcards of Watercolor [38:59]

    • Successfully creating and sending watercolor postcards, finding joy in this creative expression.

14. Bench Sketch Once a Month [39:08]

    • Plans to sketch at the Met once a month, enhancing her observational skills.

15. Create a Watercolor Station at Home and Lake House [39:41]

    • Established dedicated spaces for painting to facilitate regular practice.

Key Insights and Discussions

• Accountability and Visibility: Both hosts highlight the challenge of keeping their goals visible and actionable amidst daily distractions. Their methods include placing lists prominently and conducting regular reviews.

• Flexibility and Adaptation: Elizabeth's decision to abandon the expensive bag goal underscores the importance of flexibility in goal-setting, allowing for revisions based on practicality and changing circumstances.

• Integration of Goals: Gretchen's approach to integrating new habits, such as delegating tasks, demonstrates effective strategies for managing multiple goals without overwhelming herself.

• Emphasis on Personal Growth: The lists encompass a broad spectrum of personal development areas, from physical health to creative pursuits, reflecting a holistic approach to happiness and fulfillment.

Conclusions and Takeaways

Gretchen and Elizabeth's mid-year review of their "25 for '25" lists serves as a testament to the effectiveness of structured goal-setting and regular self-assessment. Their candid discussions about progress, challenges, and adjustments offer valuable lessons for listeners:

1. Regular Reviews are Crucial: Periodic check-ins keep goals alive and provide opportunities to celebrate achievements and recalibrate efforts.

2. Be Realistic and Flexible: It's essential to set achievable goals and remain adaptable, abandoning or modifying those that no longer serve your well-being.

3. Accountability Enhances Success: Sharing goals with others and seeking collective accountability can significantly boost commitment and follow-through.

4. Balance is Key: Incorporating a mix of personal, professional, and creative goals ensures a well-rounded pursuit of happiness.

Notable Quotes

• Gretchen Rubin [05:06]: "Giving yourself that 'Ta da' helps us stay energized so that we can stick with more ambitious aims."

• Elizabeth Craft [05:41]: "It feels very forward and it feels hopeful."

• Gretchen Rubin [07:18]: "This is the year of the open door for me, which is how I'm rebranding the empty nest."

• Elizabeth Craft [24:22]: "It honestly feels like a no brainer way to get a little more spending cash."

• Gretchen Rubin [38:45]: "If you're around me out there, I will be constantly saying, 'I, like, did you know that is a red maple?' The possibilities of me becoming tiresome, I would say, are very high. I am learning."

Final Thoughts

This episode not only provides a comprehensive look into the personal goal-setting practices of Gretchen and Elizabeth but also encourages listeners to engage in similar reflective practices. By sharing their successes and setbacks, the hosts create a relatable narrative that underscores the value of intentional living and continuous self-improvement.

Resource Mentioned:

• The Happiness Project Shop: Gretchen highlights items that cultivate joy and whimsy, available at thehappinessproject.com.

Books Mentioned:

• War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
• Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
• On Writing by Stephen King
• Rivals by Jilly Cooper
• The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

TV Shows Mentioned:

• Andor on Amazon Prime
• Stick on Apple TV

Connect with Gretchen and Elizabeth:

• Podcast Website: happiercast.com/544
• Substack: happier in Hollywood Substack
• Social Media: Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Facebook

Onward and upward, Elizabeth. Looking forward to our next discussion on the reading retreat!