Happier with Gretchen Rubin – Episode 565 Summary

Ep. 565: Did We Get Everything Done on Our “25 for ’25” Lists? We Review & Reflect
Date: December 17, 2025
Hosts: Gretchen Rubin & Elizabeth Craft

Overview

This episode centers on a year-end tradition for Gretchen and Elizabeth: reviewing their personal "25 for '25" lists—a collection of 25 goals, activities, and intentions set at the start of 2025. In a warm, candid conversation, the sisters reflect on successes, missed opportunities, and patterns that emerged, offering practical tips and encouragement for listeners preparing their own “26 for ’26” lists. The tone is upbeat, honest, and encouraging, with moments of humor, vulnerability, and meaningful family reflection.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Caring for Family & Compartmentalizing (02:53-03:23)

• Gretchen and Elizabeth record from Kansas City, mindful of their father's health, appreciating listener support and their dad’s enthusiastic encouragement for their podcasting work.

Technology & Preparedness: Listener Kathy's Medical Cheat Sheet (03:23-06:48)

• Listener Kathy shares her “cheat sheet” system for medications and health info, accessible via a QR code she keeps on her person while traveling. It’s praised as a creative, proactive use of technology for peace of mind and practical emergency planning.
• Notable Quote (Gretchen, 06:24): "This is a great example of how technology can really work for you if you know how to think about it in an ingenious, creative way to solve a problem."

"Try This at Home": Review Your 25 for '25 List (06:49-09:15)

• The main tip this week is to review your year’s list, celebrate wins (“ta-dahs”), and analyze patterns—especially repeated items, or goals that seem easy but stay undone.
• Tips include displaying your list for easy reminders and using categories or playful structures (e.g., one listener alphabetizes their 26 for '26 list by the letters of the alphabet).

Listener Inspiration: Playful List Organization (09:15-10:36)

• Listener Mary from New Zealand shares her alphabetized “26 for ’26” encouraging creativity in list design (e.g., "A for Adelaide trip," "X for eXtra long bike ride").
• Memorable Moment (Elizabeth, 10:24): "You could really turn any goal into one of the letters if you are creative enough."

Elizabeth’s "25 for ’25" Review (14:43-25:59)

• Theme for 2025: “Bounce” (symbol: kangaroo, representing rebounding and forward movement)

Reading Goals

• War and Peace slow read: Nearly completed; “Enormously enjoyed reading War and Peace.” (Elizabeth, 15:28)
• New book club: Inquiries made, but not started
• Reading retreat with Gretchen: A highlight; will likely become an annual event
• Read one physical book/month (vs. audio): Not strictly met, but substantial progress, especially with War and Peace

Health

• 100 Orange Theory classes: Completed ~85, felt good about strong effort despite family obligations
  • “I’m going to give myself a pass...those things were much more important.” (Elizabeth, 17:51)
• Maintain weight: Achieved
• Try Solidcore: Not done; simple but repeatedly postponed
• Daily medication routine: Significant improvement
• Water pick with flossing: Now a solid habit

Career

• Weekly social posts for podcasts: Not achieved; effort shifted toward Substack
• Happier in Hollywood Substack: Launched and running, “loved that”
• New photographs (with Gretchen and Sarah): Got new photos with Gretchen, still need with Sarah
• Finish novel: Still in progress

Family

• Visit Kansas City each season: Achieved, significant happiness boost
• Monthly visits to in-laws: Not strictly achieved
• Weekly movie night with family: Not achieved, met with some resistance
• New TV show with Adam: Intermittently successful
• Visit niece Ava: Accomplished
• Family trip to Spain: Not done

Grab Bag

• Mahjong group: Not yet formed, despite group interest

• Gold rings/bracelets: Partial progress, ongoing

• Save for expensive bag: Dropped—decided no longer important (example of letting go)

• Host game night: Not done, but renewed determination

• Attend seven live events (2+5 for 2025): Likely achieved, though not strictly tracked

• “Free space”: Used for giving herself credit for Fryman Canyon Sunday hikes

• Notable Quote (Elizabeth, 18:07): “Sometimes one thing might be a big, big thing and you don't care as much that you didn't do 10 other things.”

Gretchen’s "25 for ’25" Review (30:14-43:58)

• Theme for 2025: “Door” (drawn from the “open door”/empty nest phase; symbolizing openness, hospitality, and adventure)

Grab Bag

• Photo albums: Nearly finished, a perennial challenging item
• Watch essential movies: Saw some (Die Hard, Forrest Gump), not all
• Visit the Earth Room (art installation): Not yet, but committed to doing
• Organize children’s lit group anniversary: Postponed, plans to celebrate next year
• Make list of 25 things that please me: Found surprisingly satisfying; may become a larger project
• Supreme Court clerks reunion: Organized, a major achievement
• Experiment with AI: Substantial progress, especially using voice input and research archiving
• Podcaster gathering: Organized, very enjoyable

Read 25 in '25

• War and Peace: Completed with Elizabeth, “loved reading War and Peace” (Gretchen, 35:07)
• Reading retreat with Elizabeth: Another highlight—strengthened both sisterly bond and personal happiness

Open Door (Emptiness/Transition)

• Operation Knicks Knowledge: Fully embraced; became a more engaged NBA fan as a family activity: "I have loved getting to know more about the Knicks...Mission accomplished.” (Gretchen, 37:06)
• Try Transcendental Meditation: Not pursued after husband lost interest; let go of goal
• Plan adventurous family trip: Participated in one planned by in-laws—counted as achieved
• Anniversary party (husband’s health milestone): Not organized, unclear why
• Get a puppy: Added "Taffy" to the family; more work but brought lots of happiness

Door (At-Home/Ease & Hospitality)

• Work outside office: Did it more, but wants to increase the habit—will repeat
• Kayak every warm day at weekend house: Done (and reinforced by having it on the list)
• Tree, plant, & bird identification: Progress made but “a long way to go”—difficult but enjoyable
• Decorate/repurpose “the little door” in new house: Not yet, waiting for inspiration
• Make guest-friendly signs at weekend house: Delegated project to daughters

Watercolor Projects

• Watercolor every day: Not strictly daily, but frequent—plan to repeat

• 12 postcards of watercolor: Completed ~6-7; partial success

• Bench sketch at the Met each week: Did a few times, but dropped it—didn’t enjoy

• Create watercolor stations in both homes (strategy of convenience): Achieved; boosted frequency and enjoyment

• Notable Quote (Gretchen, 41:43): "I am just holding that in mind and looking for what that vision would be. So that might take years, but that's okay."

Patterns and Reflections

• “Ta-dahs” over “to-dos”: The sisters emphasize recognizing and celebrating completed items instead of just focusing on what remains undone.
• Letting go is OK: Both note it’s perfectly valid to cross off or drop a goal mid-year if it no longer resonates (e.g., expensive bag, meditation).
• Small changes, big impact: Seemingly minor goals (like going to live events) often prompt new, satisfying experiences.
• Accountability & display help: Keeping lists visible or using public accountability (like discussing on the podcast) increases follow-through.
• Family influence: Goals spark inspiration in others; both found themselves flossing more diligently upon hearing the other’s intentions.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On celebrating progress:

  • "It's easy to get focused on the to-dos and not give yourself the ta da."
    – Gretchen (07:07)

• On patterns:

  • "Sometimes something that seems small and easy doesn't get done. And something that's huge... gets done."
    – Gretchen (08:11)

• On habit formation:

  • "What? The more you do it, the more it feels weird if you don't do it." (about water picking when flossing)
    – Elizabeth (19:19)

• On letting go of a goal:

  • "You can decide to accomplish an item by deciding you don't wanna do it after all."
    – Gretchen (24:25)

• On family support:

  • “No one is a bigger champion, so we're compartmentalizing. We're taking this time to work on the podcast together.”
    – Gretchen (03:23)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:14 – Episode introduction, location, and family context
• 03:23 – Listener Kathy's medical hack and QR code system
• 06:49 – "Try This at Home": reviewing your “25 for ’25” list
• 09:15 – List-making creativity: alphabet, themes, and listener inspirations
• 14:43 – Elizabeth’s detailed review of her “25 for ’25”
• 30:14 – Gretchen’s detailed review of her “25 for ’25”
• 44:32 – Gold stars & family reflections
• 46:07 – Closing, reading updates, and signoff

Gold Stars: Celebrating Dad (44:40-45:42)

• The sisters devote the episode’s gold stars to their father, reflecting on his joyful personality, iconic smile, and unwavering support.
  • "One huge gold star or perhaps a trillion gold stars for our father, who is the best father ever..." – Gretchen (44:40)
  • “Nobody comments on his piercing blue eyes—they comment on his smile because his smile is so big.” – Elizabeth (45:06)

Resources & Next Steps

• Design Your Year Toolkit: All related materials (lists, prompts, challenges) at happiercast.com/designyouryear
• Encouragement for List-Making & Reflection: Listeners are invited to share their own insights, challenges, and "ta-dahs" via email, social, or show notes.

Final Thoughts & Next Episode Teaser

Reflecting on "25 for '25" highlights tangible progress and personal growth, even in years full of unexpected challenges. Both hosts emphasize flexibility, self-compassion, and the ongoing value of goal setting for happiness and insight. Next year, they're already brainstorming playful ways to assemble their "26 for '26."

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