More Happier - "24 Things That Please Me" and Why Making That Kind of List Makes Us Happier

Summary

Podcast Summary: Happier with Gretchen Rubin – "More Happier - '24 Things That Please Me' and Why Making That Kind of List Makes Us Happier"

Release Date: January 4, 2025

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Introduction

In the January 4, 2025 episode of "Happier with Gretchen Rubin," host Gretchen Rubin and her co-host, Elizabeth Craft, delve into the enriching exercise of creating a personal list of things that bring joy. Gretchen introduces her own list of 24 things that please her, exploring the profound impact such a list can have on one's happiness and mindset.

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What Makes Us More Happier

Elizabeth Craft kicks off the conversation by sharing a personal source of happiness: Topsies popcorn. Reflecting on nostalgic memories, Elizabeth explains how the "traditional" caramel, cinnamon, and cheese popcorn tins from Topsies in Kansas City evoke feelings of home and the festive spirit. She shares,

“Whenever I look at it, it just makes me so happy because it's the pretty tin and it makes me think of home and it makes me feel holidayish even now.” (00:40)

Gretchen Rubin adds her own perspective on the New Year as a source of happiness, describing it as a “clean slate” that symbolizes new beginnings. She muses on the irrational yet powerful framework that the new year imposes on time, stating:

“It just feels like that clean slate. It's this field of untrodden snow that feels full of possibility.” (02:12)

Both co-hosts recognize the special significance of 2025 as a quarter-century mark, adding a layer of meaningful reflection and anticipation for the year ahead.

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The Power of Making Lists

Gretchen elaborates on her 24 Things That Please Me list, highlighting its dual role as a gratitude journal and a tool to combat negativity bias. She explains that while people are naturally inclined to focus on negative information, deliberately listing what pleases them shifts their focus to the positive aspects of their environment and experiences. Gretchen shares:

“It both focused my mind on the beauty of the world and pleasing things, but also the hunt.” (08:24)

This exercise not only fosters gratitude but also engages the mind in a joyful pursuit of identifying and acknowledging sources of happiness.

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Exploring the 24 Things That Please Me

Gretchen takes the listeners through her meticulously curated list, sharing personal anecdotes and the reasons each item brings her joy. Below is a detailed exploration of her 24 things:

1. Periodic Table of the Elements
   Gretchen marvels at the elegance and beauty of the periodic table, appreciating its orderly arrangement and the serendipitous discovery of elements.

   “I love how beautiful it is, how elegant it is.” (09:04)

2. Air Dancers (Inflatable Waving Tube People)
   She finds these cheerful and funny, especially when placed in the right context like car lots.

   “They just whip around, and I just think they look so funny and cheerful.” (09:38)

3. Streetlights Changing Colors at Night
   The cyclical transition of streetlight colors in empty streets provides Gretchen a comforting and serene visual.

   “I find this very, very comforting.” (10:02)

4. Active Air
   Gretchen enjoys observing elements like leaves, petals, snow, or rain moving through the air, finding beauty in their motion.

   “I love looking out the window and seeing the air full of something.” (10:48)

5. Quirky Vending Machines
   She is enchanted by unconventional vending machines, such as those dispensing cupcakes or unique items in Las Vegas.

   “I just love when people do something interesting with a vending machine.” (11:53)

6. Glass Elevators
   A nostalgic favorite from her childhood, the transparency and design of glass elevators captivate Gretchen.

   “I love a glass elevator.” (11:54)

7. Color Wheel
   Gretchen admires the aesthetic and simplicity of color wheels, appreciating their beautiful illustrations.

   “I just find it so beautiful.” (12:08)

8. Button Collections
   She enjoys collecting buttons, finding tactile pleasure in running her fingers through them.

   “I just run my fingers through them. Love a button.” (12:24)

9. Pretend Igloo at Kansas City Museum
   A cherished childhood memory, Gretchen fondly recalls a pretend igloo that sparked her imagination.

   “I absolutely remember it.” (13:07)

10. Rereading
    Contrary to the pursuit of newness, Gretchen finds joy in revisiting books, movies, and music, embracing familiarity.

    “I love revisiting the old things, so that's okay.” (13:39)

11. Moss
    Gretchen is captivated by moss, enjoying its look and texture.

    “I reach down and touch it. I love the way it looks.” (13:59)

12. Artificial Flowers
    She appreciates the aesthetic of artificial flower garlands, especially when they are abundantly displayed.

    “I love it as its own thing, as kind of an artificial invocation of flowers.” (14:12)

13. Lunchboxes
    Gretchen cherishes classic metal lunchboxes, reminiscing about their unique smell and nostalgic value.

    “I just love it as a thing.” (18:51)

14. Roller Bags
    She praises the practical invention of roller bags, recalling their indispensability during travels.

    “The roller bag is a great invention.” (19:57)

15. Flowers and Grass Growing Out of a Stone Wall
    Inspired by her trips to England, Gretchen finds the sight of natural elements breaking through stone structures beautiful.

    “Flowers and grass growing out of a stone wall... I love it.” (20:18)

16. Trompe-l'œil and Miniatures
    She delights in art that tricks the eye and miniature objects, finding joy in their intricate designs.

    “I love anything miniature.” (21:10)

17. Department Store Lunch
    Influenced by Elizabeth, Gretchen enjoys the tradition of having lunch in a department store, finding it a pleasant ritual.

    “It's fun.” (21:25)

18. Tiny Glass Jars with Cork Stoppers
    Gretchen is fond of collecting tiny glass jars, appreciating their quaintness and potential uses.

    “They're like one of my favorite things that I own.” (22:06)

19. Drifting Off While Family Talks During Holidays
    She finds comfort and coziness in the simple act of falling asleep amidst family conversations during festive times.

    “That is like my most cozy feeling.” (22:43)

20. Uninhabited Island in a Lake with a Burned-Out House
    The serene image of an island with a burned-out house captivates Gretchen, symbolizing both solitude and beauty.

    “It feels like kind of a special treat for me.” (23:24)

21. Eating with a Little Spoon or Fork from a Little Container
    She enjoys the whimsical experience of using miniature utensils and containers during meals.

    “I think it's fun.” (24:37)

22. Fire in a Fireplace
    Gretchen is mesmerized by the warmth and ambiance that a fire in a fireplace brings, whether at home or in a restaurant.

    “Fire is just so pleasing.” (24:48)

23. Renaissance Portraits
    She admires Renaissance art, particularly portraits, appreciating their composition and the beauty of their backgrounds.

    “There's a certain way that they draw people.” (25:16)

24. Subway Trains Transitioning from Underground to Above Ground
    The exhilarating transition of subway trains emerging above ground offers Gretchen a unique sense of freedom and excitement.

    “It always feels like kind of a special treat for me.” (25:41)

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Insights and Reflections

Gretchen discusses the therapeutic benefits of creating such lists, emphasizing how they serve as a gratitude practice and a means to counteract the mind’s negativity bias. By actively seeking and acknowledging what pleases them, individuals can cultivate a more positive and appreciative outlook on life.

Elizabeth reflects on the ease of connecting with familiar pleasures and the joy in sharing them, suggesting that listeners engage in similar exercises to enhance their own happiness. Gretchen encourages the continuation of this practice beyond the initial list, hinting at the creation of a new 25 for 25 list as part of their annual challenge.

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Community and Engagement

Towards the end of the episode, Gretchen invites listeners to join the "read 25 and 25" challenge, aiming to foster a community of readers who commit to reading for 25 minutes every day in 2025. This initiative is part of their broader goal to help individuals build sustainable and joyful habits throughout the year.

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Inspirational Quote

The episode concludes with an inspiring passage from C.S. Lewis's "Surprised by Joy," which resonates deeply with the themes of appreciation and the enduring beauty found in simple joys:

“That was the first beauty I ever knew. It made me aware of nature, not indeed as a storehouse of forms and colors, but as something cool, dewy, fresh, exuberant.” (27:30)

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Conclusion

Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft successfully illustrate the profound impact that consciously identifying and appreciating the little things can have on one's overall happiness. By sharing personal stories and engaging in thoughtful discussions, they provide listeners with practical tools to enhance their well-being and embrace a more joyful life.

For more insights, lists, and tools on building happiness, listeners are encouraged to visit happiercast.com.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Elizabeth Craft:
  “Whenever I look at it, it just makes me so happy because it's the pretty tin and it makes me think of home and it makes me feel holidayish even now.” (00:40)

• Gretchen Rubin:
  “It just feels like that clean slate. It's this field of untrodden snow that feels full of possibility.” (02:12)

• Gretchen Rubin:
  “I both focused my mind on the beauty of the world and pleasing things, but also the hunt.” (08:24)

• Gretchen Rubin:
  “I love how beautiful it is, how elegant it is.” (09:04)

• Gretchen Rubin:
  “I just run my fingers through them. Love a button.” (12:24)

• Gretchen Rubin:
  “I absolutely remember it.” (13:07)

• Gretchen Rubin:
  “I love revisiting the old things, so that's okay.” (13:39)

• Gretchen Rubin:
  “They're like one of my favorite things that I own.” (22:06)

• Gretchen Rubin:
  “Fire is just so pleasing.” (24:48)

• Gretchen Rubin:
  “It always feels like kind of a special treat for me.” (25:41)

• Gretchen Rubin:
  “That was the first beauty I ever knew. It made me aware of nature, not indeed as a storehouse of forms and colors, but as something cool, dewy, fresh, exuberant.” (27:30)

---

For further details, tools, and to participate in community challenges, visit happiercast.com.

Transcript

[Elizabeth]

Lemonada. Hello.

[Gretchen]

And we are here for More Happier, a podcast where we get more happier. It's the weekend. It's time for some weekend listening and a looser vibe. Hey, Elizabeth.

[Elizabeth]

Hey, Gretch.

[Gretchen]

Today we'll talk about my list of 24 things that please me and why I think it's such a great exercise to do. I highly recommend it. But first, something making us more happier. Elizabeth, what is making you more happier?

[Elizabeth]

Well, Gretch, my Topsy's popcorn is making me more happy.

[Gretchen]

Oh, yeah.

[Elizabeth]

So Topsies is a place in Kansas City most known for its popcorn. Also slushies, fudge, it's legendary limeade, other things. We used to go there as a treat when we were little, and they have tins of popcorn for the holidays, and mom and dad sent one to us since we weren't in Kansas City this year with caramel, cinnamon and cheese popcorn. That's the traditional. Yes. The classic. And so we're still eating it. And whenever I look at it, it just makes me so happy because it's the pretty tin and it makes me think of home and it makes me feel holidayish even now. So I'm just loving my Topsies for.

[Gretchen]

Life in five senses. I put some cinnamon popcorn in a plastic bag, and I don't know if it'll just disintegrate over time, but I'm like, I wanna hold onto that smell so much because there is that very particular cinnamon popcorn smell.

[Elizabeth]

Yes.

[Gretchen]

And then the tins, I mean, we use the tins for Christmas ornaments. And so it's such a good memento over the years, in addition for being this very evanescent thing that you eat up.

[Elizabeth]

And there's always new tins every year with different designs. You can pick your design.

[Gretchen]

Yeah. Mom and dad sent one to Eleanor to share with her, like, entryway, and it was a big hit.

[Elizabeth]

Yes. I sent it last year to my LA nieces for Halloween for their dorm room. So that was fun.

[Gretchen]

Oh, that's so fun.

[Elizabeth]

So it always makes me happier to have Topsies. Gretch.

[Gretchen]

Yes. It's a happy memory.

[Elizabeth]

What is making you more happier?

[Gretchen]

Well, Elizabeth, I meant to repeat something that you said because you said how the new year. You gave a gold star to the new year. And I wanted to say that the new year is making me feel happier too. It just. It feels like that clean slate. It's this field of untrodden snow that feels full of possibility. And the fact is, I recognize that this is totally irrational, that time is not different. On January 2nd, versus December 30th. And it's just this framework that we impose on time that is largely in our imaginations, and yet I still feel that it is powerful, and it is a way to frame time in a way that I just feel like I'm taking a deep breath now. The 25 for 25s will start and the annual challenge. And it just feels like it's full of fresh, new things. And 2024 felt stale and worn out and. Ugh. And now I feel good about 2025.

[Elizabeth]

Well, I wonder if the fact also that it is the year 2025, like, the 25 is pleasing to people, because I feel like people are really embracing 25. It feels like more than usual. People are doing things with 25 and making lists. And, I mean, I know we are obviously very in on that.

[Gretchen]

Yeah.

[Elizabeth]

But it just feels like 2025 is a thing.

[Gretchen]

Well, it's funny because this is just. Again, some numbers feel like they have more power than other numbers. Like 13 has power. 16 is four times four. Like, there's different things. And 2025, it's a quarter of a century, and that feels like a meaningful marker. So I think people do feel like this year has more weight.

[Elizabeth]

Yeah, I think so. So, anyway, it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

[Gretchen]

Yeah, hopefully. Sure will.

[Elizabeth]

Love 2025. And we'll be so sad when it's over.

[Gretchen]

Yeah. Here's hoping.

[Elizabeth]

Here is hoping. All right, Gretch. Coming up. There's something I've been meaning to ask you, but first, this break. You know how sometimes a meal leaves you energized, and other times sluggish, foggy, or even hungrier? That may be your glucose talking. Foods that are sugar and carb heavy, and, you know, my experience here. Cause your body's glucose levels to spike, often followed by a crash. This matters because it turns out 88% of us have suboptimal metabolic health. So glucose could be the next big thing to track when it comes to health. That's why we're excited about Lingo, a new biowearable from Abbott that tracks your glucose in real time.

[Gretchen]

I've been wearing Lingo for weeks now, and I've learned that for my body, if I move around after I eat a meal, my spike is much more gradual, much lower. And so I've learned that I just need to get up and move around after I eat. What works for me might work very differently for you, but that's what works for my body. To see how your body responds to food and learn what you can do to improve your metabolism. Try Lingo. It starts at $49 for a two week plan. No prescription needed for a limited time. Save 10% on your first order with happier@hello lingo.com the Lingo Glucose System is.

[Elizabeth]

For users 18 years and older not on insulin. It is not intended for diagnosis of diseases, including diabetes. For more information please visit helloingo.com us.

[Gretchen]

Elizabeth this year our annual challenge is to read 25 and 25. Read for 25 minutes every day in 2025. And that includes listening. You can expand your reading listening on Audible and you can Explore more than 1 million audiobooks, podcasts, and exclusive Audible originals all in one easy app.

[Elizabeth]

Yeah, Gretch, I am all about Audible. I listen to books all day, every day. Right now I'm listening to colored television by Danzi Senna and I am obsessed with it. I cannot get enough audiobooks. If I have to have a choice between reading with my eyes and reading with my ears, I'm always choosing reading with my ears. Plus, on Audible you can find insight and expert advice on health, relationships, career, finance, so much more. Start listening today. Sign up for a free 30 day trial at audible.com happier okay, Gretch, there's something I have been meaning to ask you. We talked about the fact that you wrote a list of 24 things that please you for your 24 for 24 list. That was one of your items and I've been meaning to ask you to tell us what they are. But before we get to the whole list, how did you like doing the exercise?

[Gretchen]

Okay, so I just randomly came up with this idea, so I wasn't really sure how it would play out. And I have to say that I loved it. I love this exercise because by thinking about the things, writing down the things that please me, it did so many great things. Like, first of all, I felt like I was paying tribute to the world. You see these things that you love and you desire to use them up or turn them into something or whatever. And somehow by putting them on this list, I felt like they got their recognition or they were somehow registered in some kind of world imagination categorization of things that are pleasing. It also acted like a gratitude journal. You know, like way back in the Happiness Project, I wrote about how I tried keeping a gratitude journal. And I was really annoyed by keeping a gratitude journal. This was like a different way of keeping a gratitude journal that worked for me. And because of the negativity bias, people we're just naturally more drawn to negative information. This is why journalists say, if it bleeds, it leads. This is why you're more likely to remember criticism than praise. Our attentions are more focused on negative information because that's probably what we need to remember and know. Right. Because maybe we're at risk or there's a tiger chasing us or whatever. We sort of need to fight against that by consciously training our minds against the negativity bias. And so I found that this. It both focused my mind on the beauty of the world and pleasing things, but also the hunt. You know how it's fun to be on the lookout for something?

[Elizabeth]

Yes.

[Gretchen]

And then when you find something, you're like, ooh, I found it. And I think sometimes people get this by, like, going to a used bookstore or by going to a garage sale. And so I felt like I was constantly on the hunt to identify these things just as they were flickering through my mind. And I just found it to be absolutely delightful. So I'm gonna do this again with 25. 25 for 25.

[Elizabeth]

Yeah. I think one reason it's maybe more pleasing to use the word pleasing than a gratitude journal is the bar seems lower.

[Gretchen]

The bar seems lower. And it's like, am I grateful for it? I don't know that I'm grateful for it, but it just pleases me.

[Elizabeth]

Okay, well, let's start going through your list. Number one.

[Gretchen]

Okay. This might surprise people, but I am so pleased by the periodic table of the elements. I marvel at the periodic table of the elements. I love how beautiful it is, how elegant it is. They found things just because they knew that they were supposed to be there, because the periodic table of the elements suggested that something would exist. And so they looked for it, and then there it was. And I remember when I was creating my four tendencies framework, I felt like it was the same plugging. Every space was filled in an elegant way, and I just love it. I love the periodic table of the elements.

[Elizabeth]

Okay, number two, Air dancers.

[Gretchen]

These are those inflatable waving tube people. They're more classically outside of use car lot, you know, and they just whip around, and I just think they look so funny and cheerful, and I just love them. They can look eerie and uncanny in the wrong context, but if they're in the right context, they look super cheerful.

[Elizabeth]

I love that. Okay, number three.

[Gretchen]

Okay, this is strange, perhaps, but this is something that I even think about sometimes, just if I'm trying to fall asleep, because I find it so pleasing, which is the image of streetlights going through their change of colors. In the middle of the night when the streets are empty. So the idea that it's changing from red to green and it's just there in the night and there are no cars and there are no people, or maybe there's, like, one person walking their dog very late at night. And yet the streetlights continue to cycle through their colors. For some reason, I find this very, very comforting.

[Elizabeth]

I think it's a world order thing. Like, there's order in this treat.

[Gretchen]

Yes, yes. It's like mailboxes, which I. Which I didn't put down, but I find mailboxes very pleasing. Okay.

[Elizabeth]

Okay. 20, 25 list. Mailboxes.

[Gretchen]

Mailboxes.

[Elizabeth]

Okay.

[Gretchen]

Number four, active air. So I would call active air when there's air that's got leaves blowing in it or petals or snow or you can see rain. There's one artist in the Met that like active air, where there's, like, flecks of everything. For some reason, I love looking out the window and seeing the air full of something. Number five, quirky vending machines. I love a quirky vending machine. You know, you're in Las Vegas and they're selling, like, weirdo things in the vending machine. Or, I don't know, you know, it's Automat or whatever. I love a vending machine.

[Elizabeth]

Yes. We have. In the mall near me, we have a sprinkles vending machine. The cupcakes.

[Gretchen]

Yes.

[Elizabeth]

And I love just looking in at a cupcake vending machine.

[Gretchen]

There's just something about that system of the vending machine that's just very. And sometimes they have them, like, in airports. They'll have oddball things in vending machines. Or sometimes you'll see art vending machines where you, like. You get a poem or a novella. I just love when people do something interesting with a vending machine.

[Elizabeth]

Okay, Gretch.

[Gretchen]

Number six, glass elevators. I love a glass elevator. Elizabeth, do you remember when we were growing up, there was a glass elevator in our environment? And we loved it, and I loved them ever since.

[Elizabeth]

Yes. Number seven. I know you love this one.

[Gretchen]

A color wheel. This kind of is related to the periodic table of the elements. Like, I love any illustration of the color wheel. I just find it so beautiful.

[Elizabeth]

Well, and, Gretch, when we were picking our signature colors, you chose the color wheel.

[Gretchen]

I did.

[Elizabeth]

Because you couldn't narrow it down.

[Gretchen]

Yeah. And just the color wheel itself is so beautiful. Number eight, any button collection. You put a bunch of buttons in a jar in a box, and I just love it. I just. And you don't have to do anything with them. I just, like, run my fingers through them. Love a button.

[Elizabeth]

Collection number nine.

[Gretchen]

So, Elizabeth, you may be too young to remember this, but when I was little, there was a museum in Kansas City that had a pretend house made out of ice and snow. You know, like a pretend igloo that you could crawl into. And this, to me, was so powerful, so interesting, so exciting. I loved it. Do you remember it, or were you too little?

[Elizabeth]

No, I absolutely remember it. We visited it. Our class would visit it. But I remember when we would be at the museum with our parents, you, me, and mom and dad in Europe one summer. And I think I kept finding these art museums lacking next to that particular museum in Kansas City. I was like, wait, that's a museum. I like going to these museums. I don't like going to.

[Gretchen]

Yeah, that's probably one of my most vivid early memories. Is that.

[Elizabeth]

Yes. Number 10.

[Gretchen]

Rereading. Elizabeth, I know you are not like this. You do not find pleasure in this. But I find such pleasure in revisiting things that I've already watched, listened, or heard. And so I just decided to embrace it. So now I used to think, like, oh, I should be pushing to have new things, but I'm like, but I love revisiting the old things, so that's okay.

[Elizabeth]

11.

[Gretchen]

Moss. I just love moss.

[Elizabeth]

Yes.

[Gretchen]

Now I reach down whenever I see it. I reach down and touch it. I love the way it looks. I love the way it feels. Love moss.

[Elizabeth]

Maybe moss could be your signature color.

[Gretchen]

Mm, yeah.

[Elizabeth]

12.

[Gretchen]

Okay. I love artificial flowers. Have you noticed? I don't know if this is just like a New York City thing or if this is like a trend that's sweeping the nation, but now, around doorways, entrances, there will be these huge garlands of artificial flowers. Inside a store, there might be masses of artificial flowers as decorations. And I used to think, oh, artificial flowers, Those. Those aren't nice. But now I'm like, I love an artificial flower, and I love huge quantities of artificial flowers or any kind of garland or. I've just decided I'm gonna embrace the artificial flower. I wanna find a way to bring artificial flower. I do have some paper flowers in my apartment. But now I'm like, yeah, this is like a whole thing that I like. And I like it when they're not trying to pretend to look like real flowers. Like, nobody could have that kind of rose decoration outside their restaurant in real life. It's just pleasing as its own thing, as kind of an artificial invocation of flowers. And so do you have this in la? Do you know what I'm talking about?

[Elizabeth]

I don't think so. I feel like we have more real stuff, like real bougainvillea outside a restaurant.

[Gretchen]

Yeah, but see, this is draped all over over the place. I'll send you some pictures of it. I'll try to take some pictures and post it. You know, when you go looking for something, you're like, how come nobody has this? Now that I'm looking for it, but if I can find some, I'll post it in the show notes. And I'd be curious from listeners, is this something that you're seeing where you are actually, Elizabeth, I don't remember ever seeing this in Kansas City. So maybe this is kind of a New York City thing or other people seeing it elsewhere. It's very noticeable. If it's happening, you will notice it because there's these gigantic quantities of fake flowers.

[Elizabeth]

Maybe for Instagram moments.

[Gretchen]

Yeah, maybe.

[Elizabeth]

Okay, Gretch, Coming up, we're going to hear the rest of what's pleasing you. But first, this break. This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. What do you want your 2025 story to be? Every January brings you 365 blank pages waiting to be filled. Maybe you're ready for a plot twist or maybe there's a part of your story you've been wanting to revise. Gretch, I know as a writer, I'm always wanting to rewrite my story on the page and in life. Well, therapy can be your editorial partner, helping you write new chapters and create the meaningful story you deserve to live. I know that without having done therapy, my life would be completely different. There is no way I would be a TV writer.

[Gretchen]

Right? Yeah.

[Elizabeth]

BetterHelp is fully online making therapy affordable and convenient, serving over 5 million people worldwide. And you can easily switch therapists anytime at no extra cost. Write your story with better help.

[Gretchen]

Visit betterhelp.com happier to get 10% off your first month. That's betterhelp. H E L p.com Gretchen Rubin this.

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[Elizabeth]

Okay, Gretchen, we're back. We are talking about 24 things that please you, which is such a delightful list. Number 13.

[Gretchen]

Okay, so a lunchbox. Okay, there's certain things that are like a vending machine. It's just like, that's just a great form of object. And I love a lunchbox. And when I say lunchbox, I have in mind in particular the classic rectangular metal kind with like a little handle. When I was growing up, like, I had one and I remember it had this very particular smell because I actually brought it to school with my lunch in it. I wish so much that I still had my lunch boxes from then. But when Eliza and Eleanor were little, we had a Disney princess kind of mini lunchbox. And when we were going through all their toys to give away, I was like, well, we can't give this away because I love it so much. And Eliza and Eleanor thought that was hilarious. They're like, what are you gonna do with a mini pink Disney princess lunchbox? And I'm like, I just love it. I just want it, because I just love it as a thing. I don't know what I could do with it. Maybe I'll fill it full of buttons.

[Elizabeth]

There you go.

[Gretchen]

Now that I think about it. But I just love a lunchbox. I Think it's just a classic form that can't be beat.

[Elizabeth]

Well, I think you had a Partridge Family lunchbox.

[Gretchen]

Oh, I'm sure that I did. I'm sure that I did.

[Elizabeth]

Number 14.

[Gretchen]

Oh, another thing that I really appreciate, and we talked about this with travel hacks, is the roller bag a great invention. You and I, we rolled our bags all over England, and, boy, we are glad we were not hefting them over our shoulders. The roller bag is a great invention. It pleases me every time I use 1.

[Elizabeth]

Number 15.

[Gretchen]

This is also one that came out of our trip to England, which is flowers and grass going out of a stone wall. And, like, it was so sweet because by the end, you'd be like, look, Gretch, there's flower, grass growing out of a stone wall just the way you like it. And I'd be like, look, it's so beautiful. There it is again. Flowers and grass growing out of a stone wall. I think some of our listeners think it's very sweet the way something that to them is something that they literally see every single hour of their lives. It's something that gets me hopping up and down with enthusiasm, but there it is. I love it. I love flowers and grass going out of a stone wall.

[Elizabeth]

There is a lot of it in England.

[Gretchen]

Yes.

[Elizabeth]

Okay. Number 16.

[Gretchen]

Anything TRUMP Loy or miniature. And maybe those should be two things, but I feel like these are things that trick the eye or delight the eye with something unexpected. So trump loy is anything where you look at something and it looks three dimensional when it's really flat or something like that. And then, of course, miniatures. I love anything miniature.

[Elizabeth]

You do you have miniatures around your apartment?

[Gretchen]

Yes, I do. I love that.

[Elizabeth]

Delightful in and of themselves.

[Gretchen]

Yeah. Well. And funnily enough, in Kansas City, there was the Toy and Miniature Museum, which we didn't even go to that much when we were growing up. And now I go to it all the time. It's kind of funny.

[Elizabeth]

Number 17.

[Gretchen]

Okay. This one was inspired by you, Elizabeth. And this is a good example of when somebody tells you something that pleases them. Often you're like, that pleases me, too. I didn't even think about it. But you are a huge fan of the department store lunch. And whenever we are on a sisterly adventure and we have the occasion to go to a department store, we always try to time it so that we can have a department store lunch. And I don't know why this is so pleasant, but it sure is. And you were the one who taught me about that.

[Elizabeth]

And mom introduced me to it, Gretch. Because we would go to New York, we'd go to Bloomingdale's and go have a department store lunch at Bloomingdale's. And I just absolutely loved it. And I still do.

[Gretchen]

Yeah, it's fun.

[Elizabeth]

Number 18.

[Gretchen]

Well, this is back to the miniature thing. Okay. I like a tiny glass jar with a cork stopper. I bought some of these at a store, and they were just like, here are some empty, tiny glass jars with cork stoppers. And I could not stop myself from buying them. I'm like, I just simply want them. I have them in a drawer. The day will come when I really need a tiny glass jar with a cork stopper. And I'll be ready. But in the meantime, I just like knowing that they're there. A friend of mine gave me a lot of little tiny gold stars because I love gold stars so much in a tiny glass jar with a cork stopper. And it's like one of my favorite things that I own.

[Elizabeth]

Okay, number 19.

[Gretchen]

Oh, this is one of my favorite things to do. So let's say it's the holidays, right? And I'm very sleepy, and so I just lean over and I'm closing my eyes and I'm drifting off to sleep while my family is talking around me. Like, they're just talking, they're just making conversation or like they're just doing things. And I'm sort of gently drifting off. That is like my most cozy feeling.

[Elizabeth]

Similar to that I remember again from being little is dozing off in the backseat of a long car drive of a road trip with, like, mom and dad talking in the front seat.

[Gretchen]

Yes, yes.

[Elizabeth]

And the radio on and just drifting off.

[Gretchen]

Exactly. That's exactly the same vibe.

[Elizabeth]

Number 20.

[Gretchen]

Okay. So, you know, we have this lake house that I'm so excited about. I realize it's something that really pleases me is an uninhabited island in the middle of a lake. And one other thing about the lake that our house is next to is it has an uninhabited island in the middle, which is very small, but it's still an uninhabited island. It has a burned out house, and it has lily pads. And I'm like, that is so great. I love the burned out house. I kayak and I like there's the burned out house. I like the uninhabited island. But there's something about an island in the middle of a lake. Even, like, as the title of a painting or a book title. The island in the middle of a lake, it's this. And Christopher Alexander says that Something roughly in the middle makes things more pleasing. That's one of his patterns in a pattern language. So it's something roughly in the middle of a lake.

[Elizabeth]

This summer, you should have a picnic on that island.

[Gretchen]

As an upholder, I feel like, is it permissible for me to do that? But then part of me is like, why not? So I'll have to have my questioner husband be like, why can't we go take a picnic on that uninhabited island? But I think he's going to need to coach me into it.

[Elizabeth]

Okay.

[Gretchen]

But, yeah, why not? We won't do any harm.

[Elizabeth]

Number 21.

[Gretchen]

I like eating with a little spoon or fork out of a little container. You know when sometimes you just have, like, a little container or something and you have a little bitty spoon. I don't know why. I just like that. I think it's fun.

[Elizabeth]

Number 22.

[Gretchen]

I love a fire in a fireplace. Any fire in a fireplace, if it's at home or, like, if you go to a restaurant. You know how sometimes restaurants will have a fire and a fireplace? I love that.

[Elizabeth]

Yes.

[Gretchen]

If I could suggest anything for the Met, I think they could have fire somewhere. Just a very super safe fire. Cause I'm sure that if you have a bunch of art around, you're not necessarily that enthusiastic about fire. But I just feel like fire is just so pleasing. And so I love fire in a fireplace.

[Elizabeth]

Absolutely. 23.

[Gretchen]

Well, speaking of the Met, I love a Renaissance portrait. There's a very particular look for a Renaissance portrait. They usually. The background colors are often absolutely gorgeous. There's a certain way that they draw people. There's just something about them now because they've redone that part of the Met. There's a whole room that's just Renaissance portraits. And it's one of my favorite rooms in the whole Met now.

[Elizabeth]

Okay, gretch, finally, number 24.

[Gretchen]

Okay. So if you take the subway a lot in New York City, some of the time you're underground, which is fine. And so you're just underground. But there are places in New York City where it comes out from underground and it's running above ground. And this is so fun because now you're, like, kind of raised. You're looking all around in New York City, which is super fun and interesting. And what I love about it is it feels kind of free and wild because you're sort of racing through this urban landscape. But you also feel safe because you're in this train compartment, you're in the subway, which is very familiar, very safe. And I just love this combination. And so most of the time when I'm traveling, I'm underground, but every once in a while, you know, I'm going to someplace where I do go above ground, and that's always feels like kind of a special treat for me. And I haven't really memorized when that is, so it's always very exciting and surprising when it happens.

[Elizabeth]

All right, Gretchel, I love your list. I think this is a great idea to make a list of things that please you. So I should do this in 25 as well?

[Gretchen]

Yeah, you'll love it. It'll be so fun. And then it's so fun to talk about it.

[Elizabeth]

All right, Gretchen, what's our spotlight on a tool this week?

[Gretchen]

Okay, well, we've been talking about everybody trying to get more into the habit of reading in 2025. And if you're trying to build the habit of reading, it helps to have a list of books that you' excited to read. And the read 25 and 25 challenge has just started. And so we're helping everybody kick off by helping everybody make the list. We will give great prompts for how to think of the titles that you'll be looking forward to reading throughout the year. You can join the SMS challenge starting January 5th. This is for the US only. Alas, if you go to happiercast.com read 2, 5 and 25, you can join up. More reading for all in 2025.

[Elizabeth]

Yes, I joined yesterday.

[Gretchen]

Good. Yay.

[Elizabeth]

All right, Gretch, what is our quotation today?

[Gretchen]

Okay, now, this was inspired by my list because so many of the items on my list reminded me of this passage from C.S. lewis's book surprised by Joy. He writes, once in those very early days, my brother brought into the nursery the lid of a biscuit tin, which he had covered with moss and garnished with twigs and flowers, so as make it a toy garden or a toy forest. That was the first beauty I ever knew. What the real garden had failed to do, the toy garden did. It made me aware of nature, not indeed as a storehouse of forms and colors, but as something cool, dewy, fresh, exuberant. As long as I live, my imagination of paradise will retain something of my brother's toy garden.

[Elizabeth]

I love that.

[Gretchen]

So, Elizabeth, are you feeling more happier?

[Elizabeth]

Yes, I am feeling more happier. Thank you to Chuck. Get in touch. Gretchen's on threads, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram retchenrubin. And I'm on threads and Instagram Izcraft. Our email address us is podcast gretchenrubin.com and for everything related to this episode, links, photos and more, go to happiercast.com Bye, Gretch.

[Gretchen]

Bye, Elizabeth. The best time to start a happiness project is 20 years ago or maybe 25 years ago. The second best time is now.

[Elizabeth]

So, Gretchen, are you going to have all new things on the 25 list of things that please you? You have to, right?

[Gretchen]

Yeah. And I'm, I've already started making it. I already have three things on there. And I'm thinking that maybe I'll have, I'll, like, print it out and put it in a journal so that, like, over the years I'll have this list because it just makes me happy just to look at it.

[Elizabeth]

Yeah.

[Gretchen]

From the onward project.