Ep. 568: Revealed! Our “26 for 2026” Lists

Summary

Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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

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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.

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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

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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

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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.

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Resource Links:

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

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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)

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Lemonade. Hello and welcome to welcome to Happier.

[A]

A podcast where we talk about strategies and suggestions for making our lives happier, healthier, more productive and more creative. This week we will reveal our 26 for 26 lists. This is always one of my very favorite exercises. I'm Gretchen Rubin, a writer who studies happiness, good habits, human nature. I'm in my little home office in New York City and joining me today from Los Angeles is my sister, Elizabeth Craft. And Elizabeth, I cannot wait to hear what is on your list.

[B]

That's me, Elizabeth Craft, a TV writer and producer living in la and Gretch. I got a lot of good stuff on my list. Excited to share.

[A]

Excellent. I can't wait. But before we jump in, we got a few updates. First comes from Taylor.

[B]

Taylor says I am such a huge fan of the show and I've been a loyal listener since the beginning. I have listened to every episode, including Happier in Hollywood as well. Upholder much. I also find I share in the hostess neurosis and have always felt insecure about hosting a party. What if my house was a mess? What if I invite people and no one shows up? These do not seem like thoughts of a fabulous and effortless host. However, I decided to take your advice and live in an atmosphere of growth after listening to episode 559. My oldest son is 5 and just started kindergarten. I've enjoyed getting to know other moms in his class when one day I thought, wouldn't it be fun to get all the kindergarten moms together for happy hour? And it hit me. I should host a party. I created a cute digital invitation, sent it to all the moms I knew, and told them to spread the word. This past Friday, I had over 25 moms at my house for an incredibly happy hour that went on late into the night. I even have several moms who have volunteered to host the next party. This event brought me so much joy and I look forward to cultivating these relationships for years to come as our kids grow up. This makes me so happy, Gretch.

[A]

So happy. This could end up changing her life. I love it and the lives of many of these people.

[B]

It's so wonderful. And also it's such a great way to Then you get invited to things while you've hosted, now you'll get invited to other things, right?

[A]

It's that principles raise your hand, step up and so many good things follow. So that's wonderful. Fiona wrote. At University around 20 years ago, I performed with the Student Musical Theater Society. Every summer we got bussed to a nearby village hall to stage a review concert for charity. We'd lark about on the children's playground equipment, rehearse all day, eat fish and chips and stroll along the canal to the local pub and then don our glad rags in the evening and sing for the appreciative villagers. All for a good cause. It was always the best day of the year. For so long, I'd wanted to recreate this concert, getting all my musical friends to reunite. And in 2023, my plan to have 40 adventures to celebrate turning 40 provided the impet as an obliger. As soon as I started the thing by booking a hall and sending out invitations, it was easy to put in the hours and hours of work to pull it off. 17 people traveled to be part of it. We raised about £800 for charity, and once again we all agreed it was the best day of the year. It was also a huge hit with the residents of the small market town where I now reside. In fact, it was so successful we've done it twice more since and I plan to continue this new tradition long into the future. It's an enormous effort to but I am so pleased I finally raised my hand to get it done. So again, raise your hand. So many good things follow from it.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And I also wanna remind everybody tomorrow my new audiobook is out. It is called Get it how to Complete youe Dream Project. And this is a guide to if you have some project, it could be moving, it could be writing your PhD thesis. If there's just some project that you're struggling to get done, this is your guide. I had so much fun. It was a project for me to do this, and I had a tremendous amount of fun. So you can search for it on Audible, you can search my name or search get it done.

[B]

Well, you know, I love an audiobook, Gretchen, so I will be listening.

[A]

Excellent. Well, this week, our try this at home tip is to write your 26 for 2026 list.

[B]

Yeah. And Gretchen, this is something we have been doing for years.

[A]

Yes. This is one of the three exercises within the Design youn Year trifecta. So there's the annual challenge. This year, the annual challenge is to move 26 in 2026. Move for 26 minutes a day in 2026. There's the one word theme, where we each pick a one word theme for the year. Elizabeth, My one word theme is neighbor. And your one word theme is X ray. Yes. And we're having so much fun thinking about and working toward those themes. And this is the annual list. So playing off the year. So it's this year's 2026. We made a list of 26 things we want to get done in 2026. If you want to get more information about these three exercises, if you want to get some PDFs, anything like that, you can go to happiercast.com designyouryear there's so much material there. And these exercises really do make us happier.

[B]

Yeah. So Gretch, doing these exercises is our replacement for New Year's resolutions.

[A]

Some people love New Year's resolutions. I love New Year's resolutions. But many people have really turned against them. They have negative associations with them. They maybe have been discouraged because they've tried and failed in the past. So this is a different way to approach the year. Because here's the thing, research shows, and this will surprise no one, that people who set clear aims for themselves are more likely to achieve those aims than for people who do not set aims for themselves in the future. So if you're a person who doesn't want to make New Year's resolutions, these exercises are meant to make it more fun. You're still thinking about the future. What are the things that you would do differently or that you could add that would make your life happier, healthier, more productive, more creative. And the 26 for 26 list is really, really fun and useful to do. Yes.

[B]

And I love that it can include all kinds of items from something really tiny, like get new paperclips, to something huge, like run a marathon.

[A]

Yeah. And people can be really creative with their lists. I mean, sometimes people make every entry fun. They're like, my life is no fun. I'm gonna make everything on my list fun. Or maybe there's one big thing you need to do, like you need to switch careers. And so every single thing on your list is about that, because that is your main focus for the year. You can put it in categories. You and I do this some years, but not always. Elizabeth. A lot of times people mix easy things, which are arduous things. You can use the number of the year, like try 26 new recipes. One listener, Kaelyn, pointed out that 26 plus 26 is 52. So there's 52 weeks in the year. Maybe you can do something every two weeks. That could be a way to think about it. Or you could think about the Alphabet, because there's 26 letters in the Alphabet. There are a lot of ways to make the 26 for 26 list reflect exactly what you want and what you need and what appeals to you. It can be creative, it can be whimsical, and it's just a structured but also really fun way to think about what you want in the upcoming year.

[B]

Yes. And whenever we talk about this, Gretchen, we always get a bunch of emails from people asking about the different rules for the list and wanting to know the rules. Yes, there are no rules. It can be whatever you want it to be. And you can change it over the year if you want to change it. You don't have to set it in store, Stone.

[A]

Yeah, absolutely. Well, coming up, we will reveal what is on our list for this year. But first, this break.

[B]

This episode is sponsored by Better Help. Gretchen. It's a new year. You and I love to discuss what we want to have happen in the new year. My word of the year is X ray, because I want to look within and figure out things I want to let go of or things I want to lean into. I definitely want to let go of worrying too much, being too anxious. A great way to do that is with therapy, because a therapist has an objective view of what's going on.

[A]

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[B]

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[A]

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[B]

Okay, Gretch, I did do categories. So the first category is just I called for me. Just things I want to do for me.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

So number one is I want to go to two live talks. La. That is a series of talks. You have done it several times.

[A]

I have.

[B]

They always have really interesting people. It's not expensive. It's like the idea of going to lectures, sort of. It's in that category, I would say. So I want to go to at least two. And it's also a fun thing for Adam and me to do together.

[A]

Oh, that's good. Okay, what's number two?

[B]

Okay, number two, to go from the easy to the more difficult, finish the novel that Sarah and I are writing. I think this has been on my list for two or three years.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

We must finish it this year or we are just gonna be embarrassed. So gotta finish that novel.

[A]

Okay. You've done a huge amount of work on, so it's not as if you're starting from zero, but it's hard to finish something like that. Yeah. Okay, then number three for you.

[B]

Number three. I want to get a lovely gold bracelet to wear. I don't have any bracelets, really. So I'm not talking about, like, a super expensive, amazing, fabulous bracelet. Just something nice that I can wear with an outfit.

[A]

I like that. That comes right after finish a novel, because that feels like something you can cross off the list.

[B]

Doable.

[A]

Okay, number four.

[B]

Number four. This is a bigger one. Find a therapist that takes my insurance and go to the therapist.

[A]

Okay, Excellent.

[B]

I have said that I think it would really. You know, I've done therapy before. I find it immensely helpful. I wanted to do this even before, but now with losing dad, it even ups my interest.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So that is a goal for 2026.

[A]

Okay. Five.

[B]

Number five. This is something I've started and I want to continue, which is develop my personal style. I've talk about this a lot on Happier in Hollywood, and I think on happier as well. I always feel like I don't have a clear personal style. I want to care about how I look. I think, you know, one thing that I like about style, Gretchen, is mom is so stylish. So whenever I'm interested in style, it connects me to mom, which I enjoy. So want to continue down that path.

[A]

That seems enjoyable, but also work to work on that.

[B]

And I know it's a bit amorphous and you don't like things that are amorphous.

[A]

Yeah, that's what I was just thinking. Well, what were your three words? It was like, clean, contemporary, classic, or.

[B]

No, I think it was clean. Confident.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And contemporary.

[A]

Okay. And you have your signature color of bone.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Pantone's color of the year is cloud Dancer, which is white. But yours is really bone. But it's adjacent.

[B]

Yes. Similar but different because white is definitely not a color I love wearing. But off white is.

[A]

Yeah. Okay, number six.

[B]

Number six, you'll like this one. Reading Retreat, 2026. We did our first reading retreat last year in Los Olivos, and we want to do another one in 2026.

[A]

Yes. Three nights, not just two. Two nights wasn't enough. Yes, let's do the reading retreat. Number seven.

[B]

Number seven. I want to have my fingernails painted. An actual col twice this year. I always get my fingernails painted clear because I worry about the chipping, et cetera. But I love when people have painted fingernails, so I want to try it at least twice and see if it might be something I would commit more to.

[A]

Okay, number eight.

[B]

Okay, number eight. This is a holdover. Have to get new professional photos taken with Sarah.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

My co host of Happier in Hollywood and I, we need photos. We are both committed to it, so that's got to happen.

[A]

That is a lot of work and planning. Yeah. Number nine.

[B]

Number nine. I want to rewatch Mad Men. I got you to watch Mad Men.

[A]

I love Mad Men so much.

[B]

Now, you know, I am not a rewatcher or a rereader, but this year I rewatched Girls, and I enjoyed rewatching it so much that I decided, okay, I really have to rewatch Mad Men now.

[A]

I would love to rewatch Mad Men with you, but a little bit of foreshadowing girls is gonna come up on my list. I always think I enjoy something better the second time, so I think you will Love that. Number 10.

[B]

Number 10. This is fun, Gretch. Speaking of girls, I put on my list, meet either Lena Dunham or Amy Phillips, who are two of my favorite parasocial relationships.

[A]

You're just manifesting that.

[B]

Manifesting. Now I will say Lena Dunham has a book coming out in the spring, so I'd love it to be a happier book club. Okay, so manifest that.

[A]

All right.

[B]

And meeting on zoom count.

[A]

Okay, that's a fun one. And then number 11.

[B]

11. Not so fun. Get a gum surgery done that I need to get done.

[A]

Oh, that does not sound fun. Okay, number 12.

[B]

Okay, number 12. I have a gift Certificate for this head massage place that I've been dying to go to. Friends gave it to me for my birthday. I haven't used it. It's one of those things where I'm almost hoarding it.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

I have the anticipation of it, but you actually have to use a gift certificate, so that's on the list.

[A]

I think you should pair it with the gum surgery.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. My reward for getting the gum surgery.

[A]

Yes, exactly. And then what's number 13?

[B]

Okay, well, I'm moving into my next category, Gretch, which is Items for move 26 and 26. Moving 26 minutes a day, every day in 2026.

[A]

Yeah. The annual challenge.

[B]

Yes. Part of our trifecta. So 13, is walk on my treadmill desk for 26 minutes a day. We don't need to belabor it, but I've talked a lot about how I've fallen off using my treadmill desk. So I think this challenge as an Obliger is the perfect way to get me back on it every day for 26 minutes, which is really not hard because I can just be on it when I'm talking to Sarah on the phone, so. Should be easy to accomplish once I get in the habit.

[A]

Well, I'm really gonna be interested to see this, Elizabeth, because for so long, it was just such a natural part of your. Yeah. And then it just fell away. And so hopefully, you can crack the code of how to get just back into that habit. That was so helpful for you. Number 14.

[B]

14. This is a repeat from last year, which is to do 100 Orange Theory Fitness sessions.

[A]

So let's talk about the hundred of it all. Now, hundred is a big, big goal. Sometimes a big, big goal is really productive, and sometimes a big goal makes it easy for people to get discouraged and then stop trying. So how are you thinking about 100?

[B]

Well, I didn't reach 100 this year, but my thinking, and I'm sure this is true, is that having that goal of 100 gets me to go quite a bit more often than I would if I didn't have the goal.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So whether I actually get to 100 or not, I will get to a higher number if I have the goal.

[A]

If you don't hit 100, you're not gonna be really distressed about it.

[B]

Well, I mean, I'd rather hit it, but I'd rather hit 80 than 50.

[A]

Right.

[B]

So I'll reconcile that in my brain if the time comes.

[A]

I'm trying to remember who said it, but there's a line from Some poet where he said, a man's. 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, because that's the better way.

[B]

Of course, I plan to reach it.

[A]

To be clear, I have every belief that you could reach it. I just was curious about that because it's something that comes up a lot of times when people are setting goals. Number 15.

[B]

15. Walk the dogs three days a week at least.

[A]

Aw. And is that something you do by yourself or you do that with Adam?

[B]

Oh, I do it by myself. I do it with Adam. I do it with J. All three of us do it sometimes, so all the above.

[A]

Daisy and Nacho are high energy corgis. I'm sure they love it.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

Sixteen.

[B]

Sixteen. Maintain my weight. That's been on my list a couple years now. I'm at a weight that I'm happy with. And of course, moving every day will help me maintain that weight.

[A]

Number 17.

[B]

Okay, 17. We're moving into friends category. Gretch.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

17 is to have at least two girls weekends. You know, I love a girls weekend.

[A]

Oh, that's fun. Number 18.

[B]

18. Have a spring game night. I didn't have my game night in 2025. Our fall fell apart once dad wasn't feeling well. So in spring, I want to have my game night.

[A]

You love a game night. And then number 19.

[B]

Number 19. I want to have a couple's dinner party.

[A]

Oh, fun. That's fun. Yes. Number 20.

[B]

Okay, Gretch, this is moving into my final category, which are things for dad, things that I want to do, you know, to feel connected to dad, to remember dad, to honor dad.

[A]

Oh, that's such a great idea for a category. I wish I'd thought of that category. What a great idea.

[B]

Okay, gretch, so number 20 is think of dad every morning when I make Jack's scrambled eggs and have a fun memory of him, because he loved making scrambled eggs.

[A]

He did.

[B]

It was a thing that he did. He made great scrambled eggs.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And Jack eats them every morning before school, so I thought that would be a nice time to just remember a fun thing about dad.

[A]

Oh, that is fun. Number 21.

[B]

Okay. Number 21. I want to do a thing called I Remember, sort of inspired by this book I Remember by Joe Brainard, which Mom told me about.

[A]

Yes, I remember.

[B]

And it's a series of memories that, for him, makes up a memoir. And I thought, I will do this practice of I remembers focused on dad. But Other things too, but just a memory exercise.

[A]

Oh, that's good. I love that. It's like a cult classic. I remember. I think we've talked about it before. That's a really beautiful exercise. What about number 22?

[B]

22. I want to fill out, Gretchen, a journal about dad. Your journal. Your I Want you to Know journal. Yeah. It so happens we have heard from so many listeners in the past who've said that they love this I Want yout To Know journal to do it as part of their grieving process about someone they've loved, who they've lost. So I'm gonna do it for dad.

[A]

Oh, that's wonderful. Number 23.

[B]

23. I'm gonna do the Wolf hall slow read because we, you know, dad was such a huge reader, he loved Wolf hall, and I tried to read it a few times, couldn't get into it. So that'll be for dad.

[A]

Oh, good. Number 24.

[B]

24. I wanna go to Kansas City at least once a season. Connect with Kansas City and all my dad memories there.

[A]

Number 25.

[B]

25. This is fun. Gretch is read Apple in China, which is a book that dad read recently.

[A]

I gave it to him. I gave it to him. You gave it to him? I did. I did. Because he had read the Party Always Comes first, which was about China. And so I was like, oh, well, everybody who is interested in China says that Apple in China is one of the best books of the decade.

[B]

So I have not read it. And dad was absolutely obsessed with it right before he died. So I'm going to read it in Dad's honor. Oh, great.

[A]

And then number 26.

[B]

26. Do Fryman Canyon once a week, as I've been doing, but I want to keep it up every Sunday at least.

[A]

And is that something you typically do by yourself or is that something you do with a friend?

[B]

Usually I do it with at least one friend, which I really enjoy. It's our walk therapy sessions.

[A]

That's good.

[B]

All right, Gretch. Coming up, we are going to reveal your 26 for 2026 list. But first, this break. So, Gretch, Adam has been trying to cook more, but, you know, it's a new thing in our family, partly because Jack really wants to make sure he's getting enough protein. And Hungry Root makes it so much easier. It is the easiest way to eat healthy. Hungryroot basically works like a personal nutrition coach and a shopper in one by planning, recommending, and shopping everything for you, which is so key because we don't want to spend a lot of time shopping. They take care of weekly meal planning, recommending healthy recipes tailored to your tastes and your nutrition preferences and health goals.

[A]

Take advantage of this exclusive offer for a limited time get 40% off your first box plus get a free item in every box for Life. Go to hungryroot.com gretchenrubin and use code gretchenrubin that's hungryroot.com gretchenRubin code gretchenrubin to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life.

[B]

Starting the year with a wardrobe refresh. Quince has you covered with luxe essentials that feel effortless and look polished. They're perfect for layering, mixing and building a wardrobe that lasts. Gretch I am wearing one of my favorite Quint sweaters right now. My jersey red Mongolian cashmere sweater. It has held up so well. I wear it all the time.

[A]

I have one in green that I wear all the time too. Quint's has all the staples covered from soft Mongolian cashmere sweaters that feel like designer pieces without the markup. The ones we love to 100% silk tops and skirts for easy dressing up to perfectly cut denim for everyday wear. Eleanor is going to head back to school and I cannot wait to give her a new cashmere sweater as well. Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Don't wait. Go to Quince.com Gretchen for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too. That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com Gretchen to get free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com Gretchen all right Gretch, we are.

[B]

Back with your list. I cannot wait. I have no idea what you have on your list. Let's start with number one.

[A]

Okay so I divided it into categories too and my first category was called repeating and recurring. Some of them recur because they're really important to me year after year, but I feel like I want to put them on the list so I make sure that I don't forget to do them and then some repeat because it's still important to me. But I didn't do it last year or maybe for several years. So it's just repeating and repeating until I finally get it done. So the first item in my repeating and recurring is to make my photo albums. Cause these are the big year end photo albums that I make. Family diaries and it takes a lot of work to do them but they're really really important to me. I always feel like I don't remember life very well. So having these are really important to me. And I also want to make a special one to do a bunch before and after album of the lake house that we got. Because I have all these pictures of what it looked like when we got it. And then we're still sort of putting stuff in when it's kind of done. I want to do a before and after. A friend of mine had done this, and I thought it was such a great idea that I want to do a before and after album as well.

[B]

I so wish we had done that at our house.

[A]

Right. Everybody says that because when you move in, you feel like, oh, I just want to get it finished as fast as possible. And you don't think about the fact that you will be so curious to know what it used to look like.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Like your kitchen. Elizabeth, I can't remember what your kitchen looked like when you first moved in. I have no recollection of it.

[B]

Well, it had green cabinets, if I remember correctly.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay. Number two.

[A]

So September 20th, 2025, was the 20th anniversary of my children's literature reading groups. So that was in 2025. But because I planned my Supreme Court reunion in 2025, I decided that I would move the kid lit anniversary party to 2026. Cause I'm like, that's just too much anniversary party planning for me. So I'm very excited to do that. I think I will do that in the spring. So that's gonna be really fun.

[B]

That is fun. Number three, watercolor every day.

[A]

So this reminds me, Elizabeth, of your 100 orange theory classes. I'm gonna say that I'm gonna do it every day because I think if I try to do it every day, I will do it much more than if I try to do it sometimes. Some things I'm really good about doing, like, really every single day. This. I'm not gonna be too hard on myself if I can't be every day. But I'm really gonna aim to do it every day. Because I do love watercoloring. And the more I do it, the more I enjoy it. But it's hard, too. I love it, but I also don't wanna do it. You know how that is.

[B]

Do you ever do it at the Met?

[A]

Well, I couldn't take watercolor to the Met for sure. Last year I did those bench sketches in the Met. But then I sort of decided, oh, that's not what I wanna be doing in the Met.

[B]

Well, yeah, that makes sense.

[A]

But I have watercolored on vacation and that's really fun.

[B]

Okay, number four. This is one I've definitely seen on the list before.

[A]

Plan a perfume party. I have some friends who love perfume the way I do, and I think it'd be so fun to get together and just talk about perfume. So that's something I would like to do.

[B]

Number five.

[A]

So last year, I made a list of 25 things that please me. And this year, I'm going to make a list of 26 things that please me. Because this is a super fun exercise. It keeps me alert to all the beauties of the world. I'm making a list. Elizabeth, when we wrote Dad's obituary, we put in many things that he enjoyed, but I keep thinking of more and more things that he enjoyed or that he's associated with, that I had forgotten about. So I'm making a list for him, like pinyon incense. Remember the pinyon incense he would burn every Christmas? That was one of his special jobs. So I was like, oh, I have to write down pinion incense. So I'm doing it for dad, but then I'm also doing it for me. And then I'm thinking, would this ever be a fun book? Would anybody else be interested in my list of hundreds of things that please me or not? You know, I always think about these little hobby books. So, anyway, I'm doing that list.

[B]

Okay, number six.

[A]

I wanna plan a reunion with my high school friends. We have done this several times, and now more than ever, I realize how precious these really old, old friends are that go all the way back to childhood. All these friends, they knew dad well. They remembered him. They had their own very vivid memories of him. It was really meaningful to talk to them, and it just made me realize I really want to have a really active connection to old friends. So I want to plan this for the spring.

[B]

I agree completely. And Gretch, number seven.

[A]

Well, Elizabeth, this is one you're going to like. Reading retreat with. Elizabeth.

[B]

Ah, yes. That's on my list, too. I think it's going to be on our list every single year from now on.

[A]

Exactly.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Number eight, Visit the Earth Room. This is a repeat. This is downtown. I could literally go. As far as I know, you just walk into a room, it's full of earth, you take a look at it, you have your thoughts, and you walk out. I could do this in an afternoon. Maybe in, like, a couple of hours. Maybe in an hour. And I have not done it, so I want to do it.

[B]

Sounds intriguing, I must say.

[A]

Well, maybe you and I will do it. When you're in New York City sometime.

[B]

I would love to. Number nine.

[A]

Plan a family adventure for the summer. So I don't know what that's gonna look like, but I want to have a family adventure.

[B]

Okay, Gretch. Love that. Moving on to number 10.

[A]

So now we're switching categories to my one word theme. My one word theme is neighbor. Some of these are repeats, too, but I just put them in the neighbor category. I just wanna work on being actively friendly to strangers, not just neutral. I would say I'm usually neutral. I don't think that I am rude, but I am very neutral. But I wanna be friendly. Like, when I'm walking the dogs, I want to be friendly to those dogs. I could learn those dog. I see the same dogs all the time, and I feel like this is like a tribute to dad. Dad could talk to anybody. He was very friendly and conversational. He was like a very neighborly person. I want to work on being more friendly.

[B]

Love that.

[A]

Number 11, monthly dinner parties. So Jamie and I started to do this before COVID Yes, I remember. Never have gotten back to it. I keep saying, we're going to do it. Jamie's really interested in doing it, so we just have to buckle down and make it happen.

[B]

Number 12.

[A]

Okay, this is silly. Paperless post. There are different versions of this, but sending out digital invitations, this seems like a really useful thing. And I just never do it because I don't know how to do it. So I just need to, like, create an account and learn how to do it, and then I'm sure I would use it for all different kinds of things. I just need to learn how to use it. Yeah.

[B]

And, Gretch, let me say, one, it is easy to use, and two, it is a great way to elevate a very casual gathering. So if you did a monthly dinner party, it's fun to send a paperless post. Yeah. Because it just makes it feel more like an event. I am a big fan of digital invitations.

[A]

Okay, that's great. So, okay, so if I need help, you can coach me through it. That's good to remember. Okay, Good.

[B]

Yes. Number 13.

[A]

I want to get more involved in libraries supporting libraries because nothing furthers my values more than libraries. I feel like the neighborhood library is such a neighborly thing. It's a neighborhood hangout. It's the way you can help old people, young people. All different kinds of people come to libraries for all different kinds of reasons. You and I have talked about how you can get all these, like, bonkers things from Libraries now. It's not just for books anymore, people. I feel like there's something, and maybe it's just my own personal association with the library that we went to growing up, which really was like a fixture of our neighborhood, that I feel like I want to do more to strengthen libraries as part of my neighbor theme.

[B]

And how about number 14?

[A]

Okay, so this is about being a good neighbor to others. So, Elizabeth, you and I talk about rating and reviewing, the importance of rating and reviewing podcasts. And as an author, I know that reviews really help online reviews really help a book, because many people read reviews or they'll look at the number of reviews. They certainly do that for podcasts. And I'm always talking about this and encouraging people to do it for. But for me, I'm not always such a good citizen of this myself. So I want to really start going out of my way every time I like a podcast, every time I like a book, rate it, review it, and that's a way to be like a good neighbor to my fellow writers and podcasters.

[B]

Gretch, that is such a good point. I'm going to do this because you're right. We ask people to do it all the time. We should do it, and it just.

[A]

Makes you feel good. I feel like this is why we love to talk about things that we enjoy. It just feels good to tell people about something that's good. So anyway, yeah, I think that'll be fun.

[B]

Okay, number 15.

[A]

So I've had a few podcaster gatherings. You know, I love to talk shop. And I've decided I want to make this an annual thing. I want to say to people now is my annual podcaster gathering instead of it's always presented as a one off. And one of the things they say about relationships is that relationships need to recur. If you just have a bunch of one off things, it's not the same. Now, something recurring annually is not that frequent, but it's better than nothing. And so I've just decided in my own mind, instead of just saying, okay, this year I'm going to do it. I'm going to say, oh, I'm committing to doing this every year. I think that will be really fun and more valuable for everybody.

[B]

Well, I want to come to the next one.

[A]

Okay, number 16, work outside my office when I'm writing, I want to get my portable extra screen monitor. And I often work in my beloved New York society library that's just a block from my house. I love working outside my office. I just need to push myself because it's just a little bit more effort than staying in my seat. And I have to plan a little bit so that I don't have to take a phone call or something in the middle of it. But it's not hard. And every time I do it, I love it so much. I love working in a library. I've done that ever since I was in high school. I just really want to recommit to that.

[B]

All right, number 17.

[A]

Okay, now we're in. Move 26 and 26. This is the annual challenge for me. One of them is to walk faster. I have a tendency to stroll around if I'm walking in Central park or I'm walking. And just by walking faster, you get more health benefits from it. And also you get where you're going faster. And so I want to just remind myself, pick up the pace a little bit.

[B]

Okay, good idea. Number 18.

[A]

When I'm in the Met, I want to do a 10 minute walk. So I'm looking around, I'm daydreaming, I'm looking at whatever I want. And then I want to take 10 minutes where I'm going to walking purposefully. And this is good because that will add 10 minutes to my move. But also I like the feeling of not having any part of the museum go dead to me where I haven't visited it in a while. And this way I'm not stopping to look at something, but I'm walking through the ancient Greek and Roman, or I'm walking through that mezzanine level that has the Tibetan sculptures or something like that. So I'm walking through everything all the time. I think that's gonna make me enjoy the Met more and also get me to my move.

[B]

Okay, number 19.

[A]

This is just a random one. I'm gonna see how this works. To do 12 squats in place whenever I think of it. So it's like I'm waiting for my cup of coffee to brew. Do 12 squats. I'm in the elevator, do 12 squats or whatever it is. Usually I'm so scheduling of things and this I'm just like. If I just say I'm just gonna do it, when it occurs to me, will it actually get done? So I'm curious to see how that works out.

[B]

That just makes me giggle. The idea of you just doing squats all over town. I love it.

[A]

Can I just say not a nice word. I wish that there was a different word than squats. It's not a good word.

[B]

Not a good word.

[A]

Does it have a better name?

[B]

Oh, that makes me laugh. All right, Gretch. Number 20.

[A]

So this is my grab bag. The last ones are just the grab bag. Number 20. I want to do a Five Senses portrait of Dad. I love doing Five Senses portraits, and I want to just do the most essential things for dad. I'm really looking forward to doing that and making a beautiful version of Five Senses portrait.

[B]

Oh, I love that.

[A]

Number 21, do something with my Color Pilgrimage. This is this little pamphlet I wrote about my absolute love and preoccupation with color. I worked so hard on this. I really polished and polished it, and I want to do something with it, even if I'm only just putting it on my website or something. But I want to do something with it because I worked on it so hard, and I love it so much, even if nobody else likes it.

[B]

I love the title.

[A]

Love the title. I love the title.

[B]

Okay, number 22.

[A]

I've talked about this before, Elizabeth. I want to stop reading a book if I don't like it, and fast. I really want to work on this. Just put down the book if I'm not actively enjoying it.

[B]

Great idea. Number 23.

[A]

Okay, Elizabeth, this is something I'm going to try to get you to do along with me, which is. No, spend February.

[B]

Okay. Shortest month of the year. I think we've done it before, and it was pretty successful.

[A]

Let's do it again.

[B]

Okay, number 24.

[A]

Well, this is inspired by you, Elizabeth. I wanna watch Girls because you told me for years to watch Mad Men, and I didn't. And then I watched it, and I loved it beyond all measure. And you've been telling me for years to watch Girls, and I haven't watched it. And also, Eliza and Eleanor keep telling me to watch girls. It is 32 hours, which is less than Mad Men, but it's a big commitment. But I know that I'm gonna love it once I start it, so I'm excited for that.

[B]

And I just rewatched it so we'll be able to talk about it.

[A]

That makes me want to do it more.

[B]

Okay, number 25.

[A]

I'm excited for this. This is ambitious. It's called Ticket 26. I want to buy 26 tickets to something in 2026. And the fact is, the research here is clear, is that when people go to a movie, a show, a museum on a regular basis, their happiness really grows. In fact, it cuts the likelihood of them feeling depression. There's the cultural engagement. There's the sense of growth. You're around other people. There's a Million reasons why it makes you feel better. Now, I am not counting the Met in this, obviously, because I go to the Met every day. But any other museum would count as a ticket. But then a movie, a show, a magic show, the Knicks, I think, Elizabeth, both of our lists have this element. We know that we're happier when we get out there and go to stuff.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And it's just so easy to stay home. And I love staying home, too. So I'm setting myself a high bar. We'll see if I get to 27.

[B]

Just make sure you write them down.

[A]

That's a really good point. I will make a special list for that. That is an excellent point.

[B]

And Finally, Gretchen, number 26 on your list.

[A]

Okay. I'm excited for this one. You can think of 26 as two and six, and two plus six is eight. And this year I want to delegate or drop eight tasks. Two plus six tasks. It's hard sometimes to drop or delegate something. And so you keep doing it and keep doing it and keep doing it instead of the one time hard figuring out how to drop or delegate it. And so I'm going to have to identify what these opportunities are and then do the hard work of doing them. But I'm hoping that in the past there are things that I've dropped or delegated and it's made my life so much easier. So I don't know what these are. I just picked a number eight, just because it was two plus six. So I hope I can get to eight. I hope I can exceed eight, but I'm excited for that one.

[B]

All right, Gretch. Well, good luck. I can't wait to hear what these eight things are. It's not easy for you to drop tasks. I know because we've discussed it often.

[A]

It is so fun to do these lists. Elizabeth, I don't know about you, but I feel so fired up even to do the things that are arduous on my list.

[B]

I can't wait for that gum surgery.

[A]

Absolutely. Or at least the head massage. Well, let us know if you do try this at home. How did you do your 26 for 26 list? We love to see them. Post photos of them. Send us your lists. We often get great ideas from listeners. We can all learn from each other. Let us know on Instagram, threads, TikTok, Facebook. You can drop us an [e-mail] or as always, you can go to the show notes. This is happiercast.com568 for everything related to this episode and also Remember, you can go there if you want any PDFs related to the Design youn Year or if you want to read more about the Design youn Year exercises. They are so fun.

[B]

And what is the resource for this week?

[A]

Yes, the 2026 of the happiness Project Revisited course starts next week. This is a flexible, structured way to do a happiness project in 2026. There are monthly theme areas you tailor to yourself. It is the last chance to sign up. Go to happiercast.com course and Elizabeth, what are we reading? What are you reading?

[B]

I am reading Wolf hall by Hilary Mantel.

[A]

And I am rereading because I love to reread the English Understand wolf by Helen DeWitt. And that's it for this episode of Happier. Remember to try this at home. Write your 26 for 26 list. Let us know what you did with your list. We want to know.

[B]

Thank you to our executive producer, Chuck Reed and everyone at Lemonada.

[A]

And here's your rhyming reminder, fan of the podcast. Review it fast. You know I'll be doing a lot of reviewing in the year to come.

[B]

Until next week. I'm Elizabeth Craft.

[A]

And I'm Gretchen Rubin. Thanks for joining us. Onward and upward. How did you do your 26 for 26 list?

[B]

Let's start with number one.

[A]

What's number two? Then number three for you? Number five? Number eight.

[B]

And then number seven.

[A]

I like number nine. Number ten.

[B]

Okay, Gretch. Love that. Moving on to number ten. Number 11.

[A]

Number 12.

[B]

Number 13.

[A]

And then what's number 13? Okay, number 14. Number 14. Number 15. Number 15. Number one. Number 16. Number 17.

[B]

Okay. Number 19.

[A]

Number 20.

[B]

Okay, Gretch. Number 20.

[A]

Number 21. Now number 21.

[B]

Number 21.

[A]

What about number 22? Number 23? Number 24.

[B]

Number 23.

[A]

How did you do your 26 for 26? Listen. From the Onward project.

[B]

Hi Gretchen. Craig Robinson and my little sister Michelle here. We host a new podcast called IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson. We know you're the queen of giving advice, so we wanted to get a few tips from you. You know, Gretchen, a lot of our listeners are going through some major life changes. What advice do you have for folks who are trying to stay grounded in the midst of major life transitions?

[A]

Craig and Michelle, I am so happy to be talking to you. Here are a few questions that might help us gain perspective. So consider questions like this. What activities take up my time but are not particularly useful or stimulating for me? Do I spend a lot of time on something that's important to someone else? But is not very important to me. If I could magically change one habit in my life, what would I choose? And here's a question. Would I like to have more time in solitude, restorative solitude, or would I like to have more time with friends? You know, just thinking about questions like this can help us start to figure out how we might make our lives happier. With greater self knowledge, we're better able to make hard decisions that reflect ourselves, our own nature, our own interests, our own values. In my own case, I have found that the more my life reflects my nature, the happier I get and the more grounded I feel when I'm going through a period of major change or transition. For more great advice, search for IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson. Wherever you get podcasts, you can listen to Issa Rae on letting go of certain friendships, Keke Palmer on why disappointment is actually the key to career success, Seth and Lauren Rogan on caring for aging parents and so many more.