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

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.