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

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.

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)

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)

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 |

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.

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.

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)