More Happier: Get Ready for Fall in Just 30 Minutes [Revisited]

Summary

Podcast Summary: "More Happier: Get Ready for Fall in Just 30 Minutes [Revisited]"

Podcast: Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Hosts: Gretchen Rubin & Elizabeth Craft
Release Date: August 30, 2025
Episode Focus: Practical, quick strategies to "clear the decks" and create a fresh start for fall

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Overview: Fresh Starts and Clearing the Decks for Fall

In this revisited episode, Gretchen Rubin and her sister/cohost Elizabeth Craft bring back a listener-favorite approach to harnessing the "September is the other January" back-to-school energy, encouraging listeners to reset for fall. The episode is built around a clear, actionable list of 24 simple tasks that help clear physical and mental clutter—each designed to spark a sense of control, accomplishment, and readiness for the new season.

Listeners are encouraged to participate in real time, pausing after each prompt to complete these bite-sized actions. There's also a bingo card version of the "clear the decks" list available for extra motivation.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Power of a Calendar Catalyst

• Back-to-School for Grownups: September signals a reset, not just for students, but for everyone seeking a fresh start in routines and habits.

  “I always say September is the other January… It's back to school energy for us grownups.” —Gretchen (01:27)

• Labor Day as a Reflective Moment: The hosts invite listeners to use Labor Day as an annual trigger to reevaluate work life and clear accumulated “clutter” in all areas—physical, digital, and psychological.

  “We can use HappyOurLaborDay to think about our work life. And in the United States, our Labor Day is coming up on September 4th…” —Gretchen (02:47)

The "Clear the Decks" Exercise: 24 Rapid-Fire Actions

• Active Participation: Each prompt is designed to take just a few minutes, with the goal of immediate accomplishment.

  “Every time we list one, we are going to ask you to pause the show and do this task… By the end, you will feel like you have really made a lot of headway.” —Gretchen (03:45)

The Full List of Tasks (with Select Quotes & Timestamps)

1. Delete Unused Apps (05:01)

   “Get rid of those unused apps.” —Elizabeth (05:12)

2. Make a Pile of Worn-Out Clothes/Socks (05:34)

   “All that space… it makes you feel like you have that reclaimed space.” —Gretchen (06:08)

3. Answer a Tricky Email (06:39)

   “The stewing is worse than the doing for sure.” —Gretchen (06:51)

4. Unsubscribe from Unwanted Newsletters (07:02)

   “It does clutter the inbox.” —Elizabeth (07:26)

5. Book or Confirm Holiday Travel (07:54)

   “Only gets more expensive and more complicated. If you know your dates, do it.” —Gretchen (08:29)

6. Sort Through Accumulated Mail (08:38)
7. Get Rid of Unused Personal Care Products (08:53)

   “If you’re not gonna use something, figure out something else to do with it. Get it off your counter…” —Gretchen (09:28)

8. Add a Fun Activity to Your Calendar (10:11)

   “Clearing the decks means also taking care of something fun…” —Gretchen (10:11)

9. Sign up for Autopay for a Bill (10:32)

   “I just did this… for our cable bill. I don’t know why I didn’t do that 10 years ago.” —Gretchen (10:42)

10. Make a Procrastinated Appointment (11:05)
11. Clear Out Your Wallet, Backpack, or Purse (11:27)

“You just feel so much lighter and freer…” —Gretchen (11:51)

12. Jot Down Five Holiday Gift Ideas (12:33)
13. Unfollow/Delete Podcasts You Don’t Listen To (15:59)

“It’s easier to find what we’re looking for and we don’t feel weighed down…” —Gretchen (15:25) “Podcasts take up a lot of room on your phone…” —Elizabeth (15:16)

14. Check Your Disaster Preparedness Supplies (15:59)
15. Identify a Habit to Reduce Food Waste (16:24)
16. Wash Your Car (16:56)
17. Donate to a Meaningful Organization (17:11)
18. Buy an Extra of a Frequently Lost Item (e.g. chargers) (17:38)

“Label your chargers, put a sticker or write your name…” —Elizabeth (18:05)

19. Get a Library Card (Including Digital Cards/Apps) (18:15)

“Getting a digital library card has changed my life…” —Elizabeth (18:38)

20. Return 10 Misplaced Objects to Their Proper Home (19:07)
21. Prepare Items for Return (Mail or In-Person) (19:50)
22. Clean Out Your Car Interior (20:16)

“He loves, loves, loves having the inside just be pristine.” —Gretchen (20:27)

23. Sell or Donate Unwanted Books (21:02)

“It’s good to gather them up and send them along their way…” —Gretchen (21:44)

24. Forward the Podcast or Rate/Review (21:44)

Bingo Card: All tasks are available as a downloadable bingo card for those who want extra encouragement or gamification.

“It’s in the form of a bingo card… A bingo card needs 24.” —Gretchen (03:45)

Bonus Actions, If You’re “On a Roll”

• Change a lightbulb that’s been out for ages (24:45)
• Clear the kitchen counter (24:51)
• Declutter and rearrange your desk (24:54)
• Make a list of 5 books you want to read (24:58)

“This is an exercise you could repeat again and again if you’re enjoying the feeling of clearing the decks.” —Gretchen (25:09)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Value of Small Actions:

  “It is amazing how even these tiny little actions make me feel more in control.” —Elizabeth (28:06)

• On Stewing vs. Doing:

  “The stewing is worse than the doing for sure.” —Gretchen (06:51)

• On Digital Library Cards:

  “Getting a digital library card has changed my life. I tell everybody I know…” —Elizabeth (18:38)

• On Season Routines:

  “We'll probably need to do this again in six months.” —Elizabeth (28:29)

• Gold Star Moment:

  “Clear the decks. If you did it, you get a gold star…” —Elizabeth (27:34)

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Episode Flow & Key Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------------------|---------------| | September and Labor Day as catalysts | 01:27 - 03:37 | | How to use the Clear the Decks bingo/list | 03:37 - 04:44 | | Rapid-fire list begins: 24 clearing tasks | 05:01 - 22:16 | | Bonus clearing/more ideas | 24:45 - 25:53 | | Encouragement to apply at any time, not just fall | 25:53 - 26:11 | | Wrap-up, listener engagement, and gold star shoutouts | 27:22 - 28:39 |

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Tone & Atmosphere

The tone throughout is upbeat, supportive, and practical, with light teasing between the sisters and an open invitation to adapt the process to listeners’ own needs and circumstances. Real-life examples from the hosts' lives make the advice relatable and the challenge fun rather than overwhelming.

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Takeaway

This episode offers a practical, empowering roadmap to start fresh by clearing the “little things” that occupy precious space in life and mind. Whether tackling one item or the entire list, the idea is to create more room for the routines and habits that support happiness and productivity—just in time for fall, or whenever a reset is needed.

Download the bingo card and start your own "clear the decks" session at happiercast.com/clear.

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Gold star to all who participate—and remember:

“The best time to start a happiness project is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” —Gretchen (28:49)

Transcript

[Elizabeth]

There's something about a love story that takes your breath away. Not because it's perfect, but because it's impossible. Imagine finding the person you were meant to be with in the very place designed to destroy you. Imagine choosing love when everything around you is hate. Everything designed to strip away hope. That's not just romance. That's survival. That's destiny. That's exactly what you'll feel watching Bow. Artist at War. The film opens September 26th, and you can visit Baomovie.com to see the trailers.

[Gretchen]

If you were moved by Schindler's List or even the bittersweet hope in Jojo Rabbit, you'll understand why Bao is different. This isn't just about what was lost. It's about what was found. Artist at War tells the remarkable true story of Joseph Bao, a brilliant artist and master forger who risked everything to help others survive. Artist at War opens September 26th. Visit baomovie.com to watch the trailer and learn more or sign up your organization for a group screening. Again, that's Baumovie.com.

[Elizabeth]

Lemonada.

[Gretchen]

Hello, we're here.

[Elizabeth]

Here for more Happier.

[Gretchen]

A podcast where we get happier. It's the weekend. It's a looser vibe. Elizabeth, you know how I always say September is the other January?

[Elizabeth]

Yes, I do. It's back to school energy for us grownups.

[Gretchen]

That's right. And one of the best ways to channel that energy is to clear the decks.

[Elizabeth]

Okay, Gretch, I still cannot believe how big this idea became. When we first did this episode in 2023, it really struck a chord with people. They love the feeling of returning random objects, deleting apps, finally answering that one email that had been nagging at them.

[Gretchen]

Yeah. And I found that I need to do it again. Every year, these little tasks, you wipe them off and then they just come building back up.

[Elizabeth]

They really do. That's why I'm so glad we're bringing this one back. I'm planning to do the tasks again as I. Listen, Gretch, I need to.

[Gretchen]

Oh, that's a great idea. I'll do that, too. Okay, let's get into it. Okay. This week's try this at home is to clear the decks, and this week, we're going to do something in a way that's a bit different. Yeah.

[Elizabeth]

Gretchen, to give some context, you and I are big fans of using the calendar as a catalyst for reflection and change, and Labor Day is a great time for that.

[Gretchen]

Yes. In fact, if you want to get the calendar of Catalyst, you can get that from My website. But just as people use Valentine's Day to remember to think about their sweetheart, or they use Mother's Day or Father's Day to remember to feel grateful for their parents, we can use HappyOurLaborDay to think about our work life. And in the United States, our Labor Day is coming up on September 4th, which is. Which, coincidentally, is my wedding anniversary. So we can use this time to reflect on our work life. And that could be our paid work or unpaid work. Anything that we do for work, it's approaching, and it's also the end of summer, and it's kind of that feeling. We're getting back to it. The usual routine. Maybe it's school, maybe it's the workplace, but for many of us, September is the other January. It feels like a fresh start. And you sort of wanna clear the decks.

[Elizabeth]

Yes. So we put together a list of things that will help you clear the decks to feel ready for that fresh start.

[Gretchen]

So here's what's different. We're gonna list these, but we want you to do it with us. Every time we list one, we are going to ask you to pause the show and do this task. And these are things that will take one minute, maybe two, three, four, five minutes at the most. But if you do them as we go, by the end, you will feel like you have really. I made a lot of headway into just getting rid of a lot of those small, nagging tasks that can weigh us down. And do not worry about writing these down as we go or keeping track of them. You can get the whole [e-mail] Clear happiercast.com Clear. It's in the form of a bingo card. So if you want to do it as bingo, you can do it that way. Or you could just use it as a list. And of course, Elizabeth, we're all about trying to use the year date. We use it in the trifecta. So this is a list of 23, plus we added a bonus to complete the bingo card. A bingo card needs 24.

[Elizabeth]

And, Gretch, we realize not everyone is gonna stop and start and do this as we are talking about it, but maybe you'll do a few of them.

[Gretchen]

Yeah. It's meant to be fun. It's a new way to try to make it more fun to do the things that we know will help us clear the decks.

[Elizabeth]

It's a power hour.

[Gretchen]

There we go. Okay, let's launch in with number one. Delete unused apps. Yes. We all have them.

[Elizabeth]

We all know how nice it is to have A less cluttered screen. So get rid of those unused apps.

[Gretchen]

Our father just got a new phone and I was saying to him, you don't need GarageBand, let's get rid of it. So you just have the things you use. And it felt richer because it wasn't weighed down with a bunch of stuff he was never going to use.

[Elizabeth]

Yes.

[Gretchen]

Number two, make a pile of some worn out T shirts, unmatched socks, etc.

[Elizabeth]

Yeah, Gretch, you and I talk about this all the time. We have what we call gross T shirts we do that we can't bear to get rid of, but we also know we shouldn't be wearing. And I have probably half a drawer full of unmatched socks or socks with holes, socks that are gray. I can make a pile of these. So I should stop this recording right now and go make a big pile of unused T shirts.

[Gretchen]

Well, and then you regain all that space. That's the way it clears the decks. It makes you feel like you have that reclaimed space. Yes. Number three, answer a tricky email. Just pick one. We all have an email in our inbox that we have been procrastinating about answering. Because either you have to look something up or you have to make a decision, or you have to put something into words that's hard to say. Get that thing out of your inbox and off your conscience.

[Elizabeth]

Yes, Gretchen. And one thing to note about the tricky email is that it usually takes much less effort than we anticipate and is less effort to do it than to think about doing it.

[Gretchen]

Yeah, the stewing is worse than the doing for sure.

[Elizabeth]

Yes. So go answer that tricky email right now.

[Gretchen]

Number four, unsubscribe from unwanted newsletters. Now, Elizabeth. I have my regular five Things Making Me Happier newsletter. I have my Moment of Happiness newsletter, and I have my Tips and Hacks newsletter. And I hope people love to get these newsletters and they would never unsubscribe from them. But we all subscribe to things that we end up not wanting. And again, it's a way to clean out what's coming at us.

[Elizabeth]

Yes, I think I have four podcast news newsletters and I could pare it down because it does clutter the inbox well.

[Gretchen]

And the opposite of a profound truth is also true. And it makes us very happy to get newsletters that we want. And so if anybody would like to sign up for my newsletters, I love all of them, you can go to GretchenRubin.comnewsletters and you can sign up for exactly what you want. Nothing that you don't want.

[Elizabeth]

Okay, number five, everybody stop this podcast and go book travel for the holidays or confirm whatever your travel plans are going to be.

[Gretchen]

Elizabeth, you told me that you've already made your holiday airline reservations, and that made me realize, why haven't I done mine? I need to get on that. I'm going to do that right now.

[Elizabeth]

Yes, Gretchen, we had this discussion, and I said, you know what? I'm gonna do it so that when we record the podcast, I can say I've booked mine.

[Gretchen]

Yep.

[Elizabeth]

So I have that smug feeling it.

[Gretchen]

Only gets more expensive and more complicated if you know your dates do it.

[Elizabeth]

Exactly.

[Gretchen]

Number six, sort through accumulated mail. Now, some people don't have much mail, and I think we're all getting less physical mail. But partly because of that, I think it's easy for it to stack up because you don't need to manage it as much. So if you've got it, get rid of it.

[Elizabeth]

Yes, this is one of those tasks. For some of us, it could take longer than one minute, but you feel so good when you've done the task. Okay, Gretch, number seven, get rid of any personal care products you don't use. I think I gave myself a demerit recently because I had too many personal care products just making my bathroom feel so cluttered and overwhelming.

[Gretchen]

Yeah, the thing is, if you're not gonna use something, figure out something else to do with it. Get it off your counter, out of the bottom of your shower, whatever. Again, it's this clear the decks feeling where you just feel like you have more space and you're not nagged by all those little decisions and trying to sort through a bunch of stuff that, in truth, you're not and don't want.

[Elizabeth]

And, Gretch, this is a good time to mention just like a bonus hack of spend out. If you have that mask, you're saving, it probably won't last forever, so use it.

[Gretchen]

Yes, so getting rid of something includes using something up. So that's an excellent point.

[Elizabeth]

So go put on your mask and then come back and listen to the podcast.

[Gretchen]

Number eight, this is a fun one. Add a fun activity to your calendar to look forward to. Right? Clearing the decks means also taking care of something that you've been meaning to do for fun. So if there's, you know, a movie you've been wanting to go to, look on the calendar and figure out, okay, what would be a good night to go see that movie or make plans with those friends, put it on your calendar and off again, off your Conscience.

[Elizabeth]

Yes. Number nine, sign up for autopay for one of your bills.

[Gretchen]

Okay. I just did this because, again, I wanted to be able to talk about it and say I did it for our cable bill. Yes, we still have cable, and it's always exactly the same amount, so I don't have to worry about monitoring it. And I thought, why don't I just put this on autopay and save myself? I don't know why I didn't do that 10 years ago. So there you have it.

[Elizabeth]

Well done. Gold star, Gretch.

[Gretchen]

Number 10, make an appointment you've been putting off. Most of us have this. It's some kind of. You got to get something inspected. You got to get a doctor, a dentist appointment. There's some skin cancer check. You gotta get some kind of shot. Make that appointment that you've been putting off.

[Elizabeth]

Number 11, clear out your wallet, backpack, or purse. Now, Gretchen, this one makes me feel nostalgic because this was a. Try this at home. We did live. At our live show when we toured before the pandemic, we would have everybody take a minute, we'd put up the lights, have everyone take a minute to clean out their bag.

[Gretchen]

Yes. Oh, I know. And that was so much fun. Blast from the past. And the reason that we did it then and the reason we're mentioning it now is you just feel so much lighter and freer when you clear out all that stuff that you don't need anymore, and you're just left with the things that you actually use. Number 12, jot down five ideas for holiday gifts. You're not buying them. You're not worrying about that, just trying to generate some ideas. Write them down someplace, because the day will come when you'll be thinking, what are my ideas for holiday gifts? A lot of times you have different ideas if you think about it at different times. And so if you give yourself five ideas right now, your future self will thank you.

[Elizabeth]

They will indeed. Okay, Gretch, we're gonna take a short break, and then we'll be back with more ideas for clearing the decks. It's important to recharge, but when you go on vacation, please don't hide the key under the mat. That's safe ish. We know safe ish. Home security hacks don't actually work. We just use them because they're easy. ADT systems help keep your home safe and secure and are customizable to your needs.

[Gretchen]

ADT offers tools and services like 247 monitoring and cameras you can check from virtually anywhere with the AIDS ADT plus app, visit ADT.com or call 1-800-ADT ASAP. Don't settle for Safish.

[Elizabeth]

Get ADT Gretch, you know that I am the biggest fan of Audible. I absolutely love audiobooks. Audible has thousands of titles. I love a good romance and they have everything from like the modern steamy stuff too historical. I love listening to the OG romance Pride and Prejudice. I just can't get enough. Whether I'm getting ready in the morning, whether I'm driving. I might even just sit on my couch and listen to Audible for hours.

[Gretchen]

Audible's Romance collection has something to satisfy every side of you. When it comes down to what romance you're into, you can't be pinned down. And here's your invitation to have it all. Hear modern rom coms from authors like Lily Chu and Ali Hazelwood, the latest romantasy series from Sarah, Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros, and Regency favorites like Bridgerton and Outlander. Plus all the really steamy stuff. Your first great love story is free when you sign up for a free 30 day [e-mail] Happier okay, and we are back for the clear the decks exercise, getting ready for HappierLaborDay and the return to the normal routine after the summer. And I hope everybody is stopping and starting the podcast. Keep up. Do these things as we talk about them and you will get so much done by the time the podcast is over. It is now time for lucky number 13, which is to unfollow and delete podcasts that you don't listen to. This is kind of like deleting the apps that you don't use. When we get rid of the things that we don't actually use, it's easier to find what we're looking for and we don't feel weighed down by a lot of information and distractions that aren't meaningful to us. Because I'll sign up for a lot of things and I won't even remember why I signed up. But now when I look in my podcast library, it's all things that I'm actually excited to listen to.

[Elizabeth]

Also, podcasts take up a lot of room on your phone, so if you need to clear up some memory. Yeah, deleting podcasts is a great way to do it.

[Gretchen]

Absolutely.

[Elizabeth]

Hopefully no one will delete Happier.

[Gretchen]

That's right. Yes. Yes indeed. And happier in Hollywood. Can I give you a little tip on that? Oh yes.

[Elizabeth]

You can also select for podcast episodes.

[Gretchen]

To be deleted after a certain number of accumulated in your settings. So like, you don't have everyone you ever listen to downloaded to your device. You can say, keep the three latest episodes or the five latest episodes.

[Elizabeth]

That's a great tip.

[Gretchen]

So they don't accumulate. Right? That's a great tip.

[Elizabeth]

Okay, Gretch number 14. And this is a big one in California. Check your disaster preparedness. So the supplies that you might need for two or three days without power, a bag you can take with you if you have have to evacuate quickly. That have clothes that fit everybody in the family. It's always good to have that updated and refreshed.

[Gretchen]

Absolutely. Number 15. Identify one change you can make to reduce food waste. In the United States, we have enormous levels of food waste. A lot of times you can find a little practice to adopt that will affect your food waste. So take a look in the fridge, take a look in the pantries, and see if there's any little habit you can change to reduce food waste.

[Elizabeth]

Okay, Gretch number 16. And this is going to take listeners more than a minute, for sure. And this is another one big in California, wash your car. It feels so good to have that clean, fresh car.

[Gretchen]

That is something that I do not need to do in New York city. Yay. Number 17. Donate to an organization that you've been meaning to support. Again, this is something where it might be on your mind. It's something that you've been meaning to do. By going ahead and doing it, you will put that money toward a cause that you believe in and you will get it off your mind.

[Elizabeth]

Okay, number 18. Buy an extra of some small item you often hunt for examples, charger earbuds and reading glasses.

[Gretchen]

Yeah, sometimes you just make your life a lot easier if you have duplicates of something that you use all the time instead of constantly charging around looking for something or getting it swiped by other members of your family because they don't have it. Sometimes that can be a really good thing to do.

[Elizabeth]

Side suggestion, Gretchen, label your chargers, put a sticker or write your name, something so that you can claim your charger.

[Gretchen]

And when they're like, no, it's my charger, you could say no, because it has a sticker of a rubber duck on it. And that means it's my charger. I have had that argument before. Number 19. Now, listen, I know this one is close to your heart. It's to get a library card. Remember, these days you can check out print, digital or audiobooks with your library card.

[Elizabeth]

Yes, Gretchen, getting a digital library card has changed my life. I tell everybody I know it took less than a minute. And it opened up my world to a whole slew of books, and I absolutely love it.

[Gretchen]

And remember, you can sign up online for a digital library card, so you don't even need to go to the library.

[Elizabeth]

I use the Libby app. But your place where you live may have a different one. You can Google it.

[Gretchen]

Number 20. Okay. This is one where you get to run around, return 10 misplaced objects to their proper places. So just maybe you could do this while you're listening to the podcast. You're just roaming around saying, I don't know why this pair of shoes is on the fireplace mantle. Who knows? But they don't belong there. So just put them where they go. And you just get that feeling of everything just being put away. And that is a really good feeling. Plus, you can find things when you're looking for them because they are stored where they're supposed to be.

[Elizabeth]

Yes. And I don't know about you, Gretchen, but I might end up with something not in its right place for two years.

[Gretchen]

Oh, yes.

[Elizabeth]

Now this is where it is.

[Gretchen]

Oh, yeah.

[Elizabeth]

But it was never meant to be there.

[Gretchen]

Yeah, we've all done it. We've all done it.

[Elizabeth]

Number 21, take care of any items that need to be returned by mail or in person.

[Gretchen]

Yeah. So if you need to get something ready for the mail, get it ready. If you need to box something up so you can return it, get that ready. You don't have to go ahead and return it right now, but just get it ready to be returned so it's prepared to go on its way.

[Elizabeth]

Number 22, Gretchen, clean out your car. So now that you've washed your car, clean out everything from it that has accumulated over the summer.

[Gretchen]

A friend of mine says that he signed up for a special service where you pay, like, an annual fee and they will vacuum out your car as many times as you want. And he does it twice a week because he says he loves that super clean interior feeling. He doesn't care so much about the outside, but he loves, loves, loves having the inside just be pristine. And I thought, well, I wouldn't take it that far, but it just shows that, you know, it does feel good to clean out your car.

[Elizabeth]

You really do.

[Gretchen]

Okay, number 23. Now, Elizabeth, we have done a lot of talking about the number 23 because we have our annual challenge. Go outside 23 and 23. We have our 23 for 23 list, part of the happier trifecta. And so Here we have 23 things on our list for clear the decks and number 23. Is to sell or donate unwanted books. Books. We are huge fans of books and reading, but all too often we accumulate books that we no longer want. So it's good to gather them up and send them along their way so that they can find their fate with someone who is eager to read them.

[Elizabeth]

And Gretchen, we wanted 23 ideas for 2023. But of course to complete our bingo card we needed 24 ideas. So here is our bingo card completing suggestion which is forward the happier podcast to somebody who you think would like it. And of course also rate, review and follow us.

[Gretchen]

Yes, so this last one is a little self serving, but we decided hey, let's throw it in. We need 24 for the bingo card so we'll remind listeners to take a minute and do it.

[Elizabeth]

Yes, as summer winds down, I am all about refreshing my wardrobe with staple pieces for the season ahead. Quince, as always, nails it with luxe essentials for such a great price. Gretchen, you know I can't live without my chic cashmere sweaters from Quint. I think I have like five different colors. I just love them. But I love their summer stuff too. Recently on our reading retreat I was wearing my favorite bone colored Quince T shirt with my new jeans and I felt very fashionable.

[Gretchen]

By working directly with tarp artisans and cutting out the middlemen, Quince gives you luxury without the markup. Elevate your fall wardrobe essentials with quince. Go to quince.com Gretchen for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com Gretchen to get free shipping and 365 day returns.

[Elizabeth]

Quince.com Gretchen let's talk about the Defender 110. It is a vehicle built for the modern Explorer Gretch. I have a friend who's extremely adventurous and she loves her Defender 110. It's a vehicle that looks tough because it is tough. The Defender boasts an exterior design for optimum durability. It has a raised hood and sculpted grille that give the Defender 110amodern edge.

[Gretchen]

Yeah, it has 3D surround cameras with Clearsight ground view that let you see underneath the vehicle and anticipate obstacles and rough terrain. Clearsight Rear View offers an unobstructed rear view even when you can't see through the back window. Driver aid technologies make driving and parking simpler. Intuitive driver displays are customizable to your journey. Design your Defender 110 at landroverusa.com Visit land roverusa.com to learn more about the Defender 110 Explore the Defender 110@land roverusa.com okay, Elizabeth, we gave 24 ideas for clearing the decks, but there's some other things we thought people could throw in if they're just on a roll. Because sometimes you're clearing clutter, you're clearing the decks, you're going, and you think, I want to do more, more, more. So here's a few more ideas that can be useful.

[Elizabeth]

Yes. Change a light bulb that can again go years without happening.

[Gretchen]

Yes. And I've done it.

[Elizabeth]

Clear the kitchen counter. Feels so good.

[Gretchen]

Yes. Declutter and rearrange your desk. This can feel great.

[Elizabeth]

And then make a list of 5 books you want to read. We all know that feeling of being ready to read a book and not knowing what you want to read. Make a list so you can go down the list.

[Gretchen]

So if you want the bingo card so you can see if you get bingo or you just want to have a written list of what we talked about, you can get [e-mail] clear for clear the Decks. And this is an exercise that you could repeat again and again if you're enjoying the feeling of clearing the decks. A lot of these things, you could take several passes at them and clear out more each time you go. So this is something that you can do more than once. You can listen to the podcast more than once or you can look at the bingo card. Also, if you do love to clear the decks and clear clutter, I have to mention my book, Outer Inner Calm, because that is a book that's just. It's basically just hundreds of hacks and strategies for clearing clutter and getting organized. I had so much fun writing that book.

[Elizabeth]

And Gretchen, we're using this Clear the Decks exercise to help prepare to return to our usual routines after the summer. But it can be used at any time that we need to gear up for a change or a challenge or just want that fresh feeling of clearing the decks.

[Gretchen]

Right. Because there's a lot of times where we feel like, you know, I just need to give myself a little bit more space in order to get ready for whatever's coming my way. So let us know what you would add to the bingo card. What would you say we should have done as part of the clear the decks that we forgot? If we get a lot of great ideas, maybe we'll even do a second one. Because I do think this is the kind of thing that is, with a few fairly simple actions, we can make ourselves feel a lot more energized. And a lot more ready for whatever is coming our way. So let us know if you do try the clear the decks, how it worked for you, what you would have added. Did you do it in real time? Did you stop and start the podcast, or did you wait? Use the list we want to know. Let us know on Instagram, thread, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook. Drop us an [e-mail] or, as always, you can go to the show notes if you ever want to know where to find the show notes to any episode. Like, let's say you're listening to episode four. Five. It's always the same way. Go to happiercast.com the number of the podcast episode. So this is happiercast.com 443. If you were listening to episode five and wanted those show notes, it's happiercast.com five.

[Elizabeth]

Finally, Gretchen, this week we have just a gold star. No demerit. We want to give a gold star to everybody who did this exercise with us.

[Gretchen]

Clear the decks. If you did it, you get a gold star and you can go do it. And then you'll get a gold star. When you're done, you know how good it will feel to clear those decks.

[Elizabeth]

Okay, Gretch, I actually returned three things to their proper place during that. One of them had been sitting on my desk for weeks. That will not surprise you.

[Gretchen]

Mm. I finally unsubscribed from some newsletters that I usually delete without reading. It takes a little bit of extra time to actually unsubscribe, but it feels so good to just get it done.

[Elizabeth]

Yeah, it is amazing how even these tiny little actions make me feel more in control.

[Gretchen]

No, I know. It's that they back up on us. They make us feel weighed down, and then you get a completely disproportionate jolt of energy from doing them. And, you know, for people who didn't do the tasks while they were listening, you can still go back and do them or save it for the next time you need that feeling of a recession.

[Elizabeth]

Yes, Gretch, let's be honest. We'll probably need to do this again in six months.

[Gretchen]

That's right. The decks never stay clear for long. So, Elizabeth, are you happier?

[Elizabeth]

I am happier. Thank you to Chuck and thank you to everyone at Lemonada. Remember to subscribe to lemonadapremium.com and remember.

[Gretchen]

The best time to start a happiness project is 20 years ago. The second best time time is now from the onward project. Every year on the happier Podcast, Elizabeth and I invite our listeners to join us on an annual challenge. This year, we brought back the listener favorite and it is read 25 and 25 to read 25 minutes every day in 2025. To take our reading challenge to the next level, Elizabeth and I went on our first ever Sisters Reading Retreat with no distraction, just stacks of books.

[Elizabeth]

Gretch I now want to do a reading retreat with Adam and Jack, but while we're away, our house would just be sitting there. What would be an even better move? Hosting our space on Airbnb. Our house could be bringing in extra income I could put toward our next vacation or more books. Whether it's a spare room, a backyard cottage, or your whole home while you're traveling, Airbnb makes it easy to turn your space into extra cash. You decide when to host and how much you charge. Plus, Airbnb offers tools to help you set up and support if you need it. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how [e-mail] host.