Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Episode 568: Revealed! Our “26 for 2026” Lists
Release Date: January 7, 2026
Hosts: Gretchen Rubin & Elizabeth Craft

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the annual “26 for 26” tradition: Gretchen and Elizabeth each create a list of 26 things they want to accomplish in 2026. It’s a goal-setting exercise designed to spark happiness, productivity, and personal growth throughout the year. The discussion includes listener updates, the rationale for the “26 for 26” format, and, in rich detail, both sisters' categorized lists for 2026—ranging from whimsical to serious, personal to professional, and heartfelt to practical.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The 26 for 2026 Concept

• Alternative to New Year's Resolutions:
  The “26 for 26” approach appeals to people who want annual intentions without the pressure or negative associations of resolutions.

  "Some people love New Year's resolutions. ...But many people have really turned against them. They have negative associations with them...so this is a different way to approach the year." — Gretchen (07:17)

• List Flexibility:
  There are “no rules”—lists can be whimsical or practical. Items range from small (getting new paperclips) to ambitious (finishing a novel). Lists can be changed and adapted mid-year.

  “You can change it over the year if you want to change it. You don’t have to set it in stone.” — Gretchen (09:34)

Listener Updates

• Listener Taylor:
  Overcame “hostess neurosis” to host a party for kindergarten moms—resulting in joy, community, and ongoing connections.

  "This past Friday, I had over 25 moms at my house for an incredibly happy hour that went on late into the night..." — Elizabeth reading Taylor’s message (03:21)

• Listener Fiona:
  Revived beloved university musical theater traditions for her 40th birthday and continues the new tradition, reflecting the “raise your hand” philosophy.

  “So again, raise your hand. So many good things follow from it.” — Gretchen (05:19)

The Design Your Year “Trifecta”

• Three elements:
  1. Annual Challenge: This year—move 26 minutes/day in 2026
  2. One-Word Theme: Gretchen’s is “Neighbor”; Elizabeth’s is “X-ray”
  3. 26 for 26 List: The core focus of this episode

How to Make a 26 for 26 List

• Mix of simple and challenging goals
• Can draw inspiration from numbers (26 new recipes), alphabet (26 letters), or time (something every two weeks)
• Lists can be made fun, focused, categorical, or thematic

Elizabeth Craft’s 26 for 2026 List

Revealed at [13:11–25:07]

Elizabeth organized her goals into four categories: “For Me,” “Move 26 in 26,” “Friends,” and “For Dad.”

For Me ([13:19])

1. Attend two “Live Talks LA” events
2. Finish writing a novel with Sarah
3. Get a lovely gold bracelet ("Not a super expensive...just something nice that I can wear..." — Elizabeth, 14:11)
4. Find a therapist (using insurance) and go
5. Develop personal style
   • Likes connecting with her stylish mom through this (15:13–15:34)
6. Go on a reading retreat (aiming for three nights)
7. Get fingernails painted with color (twice)
8. Take new professional photos with Sarah
9. Rewatch “Mad Men”
10. Meet either Lena Dunham or Amy Phillips (even if just via Zoom; manifesting a book club connection)
11. Get gum surgery done
12. Use a gift certificate for a special head massage

Move 26 in 26 ([18:45])

13. Walk on treadmill desk 26 minutes/day

    “I’ve fallen off using my treadmill desk...as an Obliger, this challenge is the perfect way to get me back on it.” — Elizabeth (18:56)

14. Complete 100 Orange Theory Fitness sessions ("Having that goal gets me to go more often...even if I don’t reach 100." — 20:09)
15. Walk the dogs three days a week (alone, with Adam or J)
16. Maintain current weight

Friends ([21:40])

17. Have at least two girls’ weekends
18. Host a spring game night (missed in 2025 due to family events)
19. Host a couples’ dinner party

For Dad ([22:14])

20. Think of dad every morning when making Jack’s scrambled eggs; recall a happy dad memory ("He made great scrambled eggs." — Elizabeth, 22:41)
21. Create “I Remember” memory exercises, inspired by Joe Brainard, focusing on dad and family
22. Fill out “I Want You to Know” memory journal for dad (inspired by listeners)
23. Join a Wolf Hall “slow read” (dad’s favorite book)
24. Visit Kansas City once per season (connect with hometown, family, memories)
25. Read “Apple in China,” a book their dad recently loved
26. Hike Fryman Canyon weekly (“walk therapy sessions”; usually with a friend)

Gretchen Rubin’s 26 for 2026 List

Revealed at [27:40–42:31]

Structured with categories: “Repeating/Recurring,” “One-Word Theme: Neighbor,” “Move 26 in 26,” and “Grab Bag.”

Repeating/Recurring ([27:40])

1. Make annual family photo albums; include a special before-and-after lake house photo album
2. Plan a 20th anniversary party for children’s literature reading group (delayed from 2025)
3. Watercolor every day (“If I try to do it every day, I’ll do it much more than if I try to do it sometimes.” — Gretchen, 29:36)
4. Plan a perfume party for her perfume-obsessed friends
5. Make a list of 26 things that please her (inspired by making similar lists for her dad)
6. Plan a reunion with high school friends
7. Go on a reading retreat with Elizabeth
8. Visit the Earth Room installation in NYC ("I could do this in an afternoon...and I have not done it." — Gretchen, 32:24)
9. Plan an adventurous family trip for summer

One-Word Theme: "Neighbor" ([32:40])

10. Practice being actively friendly to strangers (especially while walking dogs, inspired by their gregarious dad)
11. Host monthly dinner parties with Jamie ("We just have to buckle down and make it happen." — Gretchen, 33:32)
12. Learn to use Paperless Post for digital invitations ("It's a great way to elevate...a very casual gathering." — Elizabeth, 34:00)
13. Support and get more involved with libraries
14. Make a habit of rating and reviewing books and podcasts as an act of kindness to creators ("A way to be like a good neighbor to my fellow writers and podcasters." — Gretchen, 35:01)
15. Make podcaster meetups an annual event (to build recurring relationships)
16. Write outside her home office; work more in New York’s Society Library

Move 26 in 26 ([37:15])

17. Walk faster (healthier and more efficient)
18. Take a 10-minute purposeful walk during every visit to the Met (Art Museum) to experience more of the collection and add movement
19. Do 12 squats “whenever I think of it” throughout the day (testing how spontaneous habits work)

Grab Bag ([38:55])

20. Create a Five Senses portrait of Dad (a written exercise collecting sensory memories)
21. Do something with her “Color Pilgrimage” essay—publish, share, or post online
22. Stop reading books she doesn’t enjoy (“Just put down the book if I’m not actively enjoying it.”)
23. Participate in a “No Spend February” (and tempted Elizabeth to join)
24. Watch “Girls” TV series (Elizabeth and daughters have recommended it for years: “I know that I’m going to love it once I start it.” — Gretchen, 40:33)
25. "Ticket 26" — buy tickets to 26 cultural events (except her usual Met visits) in 2026 ("The research is clear...when people do cultural things regularly, their happiness grows." — Gretchen, 41:21)
26. Delegate or drop eight tasks in her life ("It's hard to drop or delegate...but it’s made my life so much easier when I have." — Gretchen, 42:08)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the joy and power of aiming high:

  “A man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for? Meaning you should aim for something that you can't necessarily reach.” — Gretchen, quoting a poet (20:43)

• On approaching happiness projects:

  “If you have some project...that you’re struggling to get done, this is your guide.” — Gretchen, on her new audiobook, (05:30)

• On memories and honoring family:

  “I want to do this practice of ‘I remembers’ focused on Dad...just a memory exercise.” — Elizabeth (23:05)

• Teamwork and sisterly encouragement:

  “I’m excited for this [reading ‘Girls’]. This is ambitious.” — Gretchen (40:41)
  “That makes me want to do it more.” — Elizabeth

• On dropping/delegating tasks:

  “It’s hard sometimes...instead of the one-time hard work of figuring out how to drop or delegate, you keep doing it...I hope I can get to eight.” — Gretchen (42:08)

Important Timestamps

• 01:55 — Main episode begins
• 03:21 — Listener Taylor’s update (hosting a party)
• 05:19 — Listener Fiona’s story (reviving theater traditions)
• 07:10 — “Try This at Home” tip: make your 26 for 2026 list
• 13:11 — Elizabeth reveals her list
• 27:40 — Gretchen reveals her list
• 38:55 — Gretchen’s “grab bag” items, including Five Senses Portrait of Dad
• 41:21 — Gretchen’s “Ticket 26”
• 42:08 — Delegate or drop eight tasks
• 43:51 — Reading recommendations: “Wolf Hall” (Elizabeth); “The English Understand Wool” (Gretchen)
• 44:12 — Call for listener participation: share your 26 for 26

Overall Tone and Takeaways

Warm, practical, supportive, and sisterly—the episode combines motivation with manageable advice and vulnerability. Both hosts reveal goals ranging from deeply personal (honoring their father, seeking therapy) to everyday practicalities (using gift certificates, walking more), demonstrating how habit and happiness projects can be personalized, playful, and deeply meaningful.

Listeners are encouraged to create their own lists, share them with the Happier community, and embrace the power of tangible aims to foster happiness in large and small ways.

Resource Links:

• PDFs and more on the 26 for 26 at happiercast.com/designyouryear
• Show notes for this episode: happiercast.com/568

Closing Reminder:

“Try this at home: Write your 26 for 26 list. Let us know what you did. We want to know.” — Gretchen Rubin (44:10)