More Happier: Very First Episode [Revisited]

Summary

More Happier: Very First Episode [Revisited]

Released February 22, 2025 | Hosts: Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Gretchen Rubin and her sister, Elizabeth Craft, revisit the very first episode of the "Happier with Gretchen Rubin" podcast. This milestone episode offers a rich reflection on the origins of the show, the evolution of its content, and enduring strategies for enhancing happiness and productivity.

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Reflecting on the First Episode

Gretchen and Elizabeth begin by reminiscing about their initial foray into podcasting a decade ago. Recording their pilot episode in 2015 was a nerve-wracking yet exhilarating experience for both sisters. They recall the excitement and uncertainty of launching something entirely new:

Gretchen Rubin [02:02]: "We were super excited, but we were definitely doing something that we had never done before."

Elizabeth shares insights into their early challenges and the pivotal role of Andy Bowers, whom Gretchen affectionately calls the "wizard of Pods":

Elizabeth Craft [03:01]: "Andy Bowers gave us so much great advice."

Commitment to Consistency

One of the hallmarks of their podcast has been unwavering consistency. Over ten years, they have maintained a regular schedule, missing only one episode—a testament to their dedication and the flexibility of their production team:

Gretchen Rubin [05:12]: "I feel really proud that we've maintained such consistency."

Elizabeth adds a personal touch, mentioning how their executive producer, Chuck, has been instrumental in navigating the unpredictable nature of their lives:

Elizabeth Craft [06:11]: "Chuck, our executive producer, is very flexible."

Core Segments and Listener Engagement

From the outset, Gretchen and Elizabeth established key segments that have become staples of the show. Elizabeth introduced the "hacks" segment, later named "Try This at Home," aimed at providing listeners with actionable tips to enhance their daily lives:

Elizabeth Craft [03:29]: "I think we should do one [hack] every week."

Gretchen emphasizes the importance of small, manageable changes:

Gretchen Rubin [04:09]: "If you're gonna make your life happier, healthier, more productive, or more creative, we're gonna give you something that you could try at home tomorrow."

Listener feedback has played a crucial role in shaping the podcast's direction, allowing Gretchen and Elizabeth to explore a diverse range of topics that resonate with their audience:

Elizabeth Craft [06:20]: "Listener input has been one of the greatest unexpected pleasures."

Replay of the Inaugural Episode

To honor their first episode, Gretchen and Elizabeth replay portions of the original show, highlighting foundational concepts that continue to inform their advice today.

1. The One Minute Rule ([08:20] Gretchen Rubin)

This simple yet powerful habit encourages tackling small tasks that can be completed in under a minute immediately, preventing clutter from accumulating:

Elizabeth Craft [09:17]: "Your one minute rule has actually improved my marriage."

Gretchen shares personal anecdotes about how adhering to this rule has enhanced her organization and productivity:

Gretchen Rubin [10:10]: "Those little things don't become the scum on the surface of life."

2. Maximizers vs. Satisficers ([14:16] Gretchen Rubin)

The discussion differentiates between maximizers—who strive for the best possible decision in every scenario—and satisficers, who seek good enough decisions without the burden of perfection:

Elizabeth Craft [15:19]: "I call myself a recovering maximizer."

Gretchen highlights the psychological impacts, noting that satisficers tend to experience greater happiness and less regret:

Gretchen Rubin [17:50]: "Research suggests that satisficers are happier."

3. Stumbling Blocks: The One Coin Loophole ([18:15] Gretchen Rubin)

This segment explores how minor justifications can undermine the formation of good habits. The "one coin loophole" exemplifies how small excuses can prevent significant progress over time:

Elizabeth Craft [20:05]: "I invoke it all over the place."

Gretchen emphasizes the cumulative power of consistent small actions:

Gretchen Rubin [20:24]: "It's only by one trip to the gym and one trip to the gym that you form the habit."

4. Impact of Social Media on Happiness ([23:05] Elizabeth Craft)

Addressing listener questions, they delve into whether platforms like Facebook contribute to happiness or exacerbate feelings of loneliness:

Gretchen Rubin [24:24]: "Facebook is an amplifier of human nature. It makes good things better and bad things worse."

Elizabeth reflects on her personal choice to remain off Facebook and the challenges it poses for staying connected:

Elizabeth Craft [24:26]: "I feel overwhelmed by jumping in now."

Personal Stories and Practical Applications

Throughout the replay, both hosts interweave personal stories that illustrate the practical application of their concepts. Elizabeth discusses her struggle with maintaining a writing routine and how awareness of the one coin loophole motivated her to stay consistent:

Elizabeth Craft [20:24]: "This week I am a happiest bully. You are? Yes. The ultimate happiness bully."

Gretchen shares her challenges with multi-tasking during conversations, underscoring the importance of focused attention for relationship happiness:

Gretchen Rubin [28:50]: "We were both totally ignoring each other, clattering away on our keyboards."

Celebrating Successes and Acknowledging Challenges

As the episode concludes, Gretchen and Elizabeth engage in their signature segment of awarding demerits and gold stars. Gretchen admits to accidentally multitasking during a phone call, while Elizabeth proudly highlights the benefits of her treadmill desk—a gift from Gretchen that has significantly improved her health and happiness:

Elizabeth Craft [30:04]: "I had two 5.5 mile days on my treadmill desk."

Closing Reflections

The sisters express immense gratitude to their listeners for being part of the "happier community" and look forward to continuing their journey together:

Elizabeth Craft [32:50]: "Whenever I think about the podcast, I get a jolt of happiness."

Gretchen Rubin [33:02]: "Onward and upward to another 10 years."

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Notable Quotes

• Gretchen Rubin [02:29]: "Andy Bowers is the wizard of Pods."
• Elizabeth Craft [05:31]: "In 10 years, we have never missed an episode."
• Gretchen Rubin [08:39]: "The one minute rule helps to keep clutter under control."
• Elizabeth Craft [14:26]: "I call myself a recovering maximizer."
• Gretchen Rubin [17:50]: "Satisficers are a better choice for happiness."
• Elizabeth Craft [20:24]: "This week I am a happiest bully."
• Gretchen Rubin [28:50]: "We were both totally ignoring each other, clattering away on our keyboards."
• Elizabeth Craft [30:04]: "I had two 5.5 mile days on my treadmill desk."

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By revisiting their inaugural episode, Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft not only celebrate a decade of insightful discussions but also reinforce the timeless principles that continue to empower their listeners to lead happier, more organized, and fulfilled lives.

Transcript

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[Elizabeth Craft]

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[Gretchen Rubin]

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[Elizabeth Craft]

Lemonade.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Foreign.

Hello, we're here for more Happier a podcast where we get more of the happier podcast. It's weekend listening with a happier vibe. And Elizabeth, today we are revisiting our very first episode ever. It has been 10 years. How bonkers is that?

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes, Gretchen, I cannot believe it. It's very exciting.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Okay, so when we did our first episode, so I was in a studio and you were in a studio, right?

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes, I went to a studio in Culver City. I think it might have even been some sort of NPR studio.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Oh, right, yeah. And I was at Panoply and we were super nervous and I think we rehearsed the whole thing in advance. And then I remember on the way home I called you and we debriefed for like an hour. How did it go? What did we think? What were we thinking while it was happening? What was the vibe like? We were super excited, but we were definitely doing something that we had never done before. It was a lot, nor did we.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Know a lot about podcasts. They were just getting popular. I had listened to Serial and that was it pretty much. And Gretchen, technically, I think this was a pilot episode. We did a pilot episode and then Andy Bowers, who's the person who had approached you initially, said, well, you can do this and then you'll decide if we're moving forward. And we were so at the edge of our seat waiting to hear what Andy said. And then he's like, oh yeah, let's start recording next week. He was like, and we'll use that episode as your first episode.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes. Yeah, yeah, Jacob Weisberg. And then Andy Bowers. And I said to Andy, once I'm calling you the wizard of Pods. So you can say sometimes called the wizard of Pods. Yeah. He gave us so much great advice. And Elizabeth, it's interesting, I mean, looking back, it was such a different time. So many things have changed, and yet we still have the segments that we had then. We've added segments. For instance, do you remember that it was your idea to add the hacks?

[Elizabeth Craft]

I do. I remember I was working on the Family, which was a show, and I remember being in the office and being on the phone with you and suggesting that.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes.

[Elizabeth Craft]

And saying, yeah, I think we should do one every week. I don't know what gave me that idea, but I remember, well, we had.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Done a few and we always got such a big response from listeners, but it hadn't occurred that we could just then plug it in. But, like, try this at home. That was the first segment, and it was an every week segment from the beginning. That was an idea that was just part of the core idea of the show, which is, if you're gonna make your life happier, healthier, more productive, or more creative, we're gonna give you something that you could try at home tomorrow. That was our idea.

[Elizabeth Craft]

And, Gretchen, I remember we were both in Kansas City and we took a long walk in Luce park and talked about different segment ideas and what they could. And I think that might be where we came up with demerits and gold stars and the phrase try this at home, which I think you had already come up with. And then I said I thought it was good.

[Gretchen Rubin]

I remember I had a piece of paper in my pocket and I would jot down notes as we would have ideas. Because if there's one thing we've learned as writers. Elizabeth, what is the one thing we've learned as writers?

[Elizabeth Craft]

Write it down because you will forget it.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes.

There's an amazing scene in Mad Men. It's all about how awful it is to have a great idea and then not write it down and forget it. Well, and then also know yourself better. I remember talking to you, Elizabeth, about, is this an idea that we would have enough material for it to be a recurring segment? And then the more we talked about, we were like, oh, this is great. We have a million ideas for know yourself better.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes. And then I remember that we wanted to have a consistency every week.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes. Yes.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Right from the beginning, you were like, we are doing this every week. We are taking notes. No breaks ever. And, Gretchen, in 10 years, we have never missed an episode. I will say I missed one episode when I was shooting a pilot in New York, and Eliza, I believe, filled in for me.

[Gretchen Rubin]

But it's kind of extraordinary, especially given how unpredictable your job is. It's extraordinary that that has happened so few times. And yes, we have never missed our Wednesday episode. And there was only the one time when we did it on a Thursday. Right. Because that's when we switched to lemonade and it was gonna be January 1st and they' not make this switch on a national holiday.

So, like.

Okay, no. And I have to say, I feel really proud about that. But you know, it's funny though, with doing it every week, for me, it's easier to do something regularly than to stop and start. And I do think that even though sometimes it's hard to manage and we have to think ahead and plan ahead, it's just part of what we do.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes. And luckily, Chuck, our executive producer, is very flexible. And we're all flexible with the situation.

[Gretchen Rubin]

We're all flexible. We're all flexible.

Yeah.

[Elizabeth Craft]

But I also like, Gretchen, that I do feel we've evolved over the years. Part of what has evolved so much is our listener input. When we started, and we've said this before, we had no idea how much the listeners would contribute and be a part of the podcast.

[Gretchen Rubin]

No, that is 100% correct. We just couldn't foresee that. And that has probably been one of the greatest unexpected pleasures of it, is how much we've learned and gained and just the observations, the research, the humor. The humor. It's always fun to see what people are interested in. We are often not very good at predicting. And that's part of what keeps it fun for us.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes. Keeps it fresh.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Well, we hope you enjoy this. Look back. And it goes without saying, this episode was taped in 2015 because we are replaying it for our 10th anniversary. So this happened in February 2015.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Enjoy.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Hello and welcome to Happier, a podcast that gives you streams, strategies, and tips for how to build happier habits into your daily life. We discuss cutting edge science, the wisdom of the ages, lessons from pop culture, and our own experiences. I'm Gretchen Rubin, a writer who studies happiness and good habits. I'm in New York City, and with me is my sister of the sage, Elizabeth Craft, who's my happiness guinea pig and questioner.

[Elizabeth Craft]

That's me, Elizabeth Craft, a TV writer and producer living in la. And Gretchen makes me happier, even if it's against my will.

[Gretchen Rubin]

This week, we'll talk about the one minute rule as a habit that helps to keep clutter under control, whether you're a satisficer or a maximizer when making decisions and how to avoid a common happiness stumbling block.

[Elizabeth Craft]

We'll also answer a listener question and reveal our happiness fails and gold stars for the week.

[Gretchen Rubin]

We're gonna start with a suggestion you can try at home. Something small and manageable that will actually make a difference about how you feel each day. And our first try this at home tip is the one minute rule.

[Elizabeth Craft]

The one minute rule is exactly what it sounds like. If you have a task that can be done in less than one minute, do it without delay.

[Gretchen Rubin]

And this has been so helpful for me because I realized that if I just hang up my coat instead of dumping it on a chair, if I rip open a letter and read it and throw it away, if I answer an email that you know is a one word answer without postponing it, then those little things don't become the scum on the surface of life. I mean, a friend of mine told me that her apartment went from being a total wreck to being quite tidy without much effort. And another friend said his productivity shot up because when he got rid of all those little things, then he felt like he could do the bigger things.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah, I mean, for me, I have to say, your one minute rule has actually improved my marriage because as you know, I'm extremely messy. If left to my own devices, I.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Will say in your defense, you're not dirty, you're just messy.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Well, thank you for that. Whereas Adam, my husband, is very neat. If you go into his closet, all the shirts are together, you know, all the pants, everything's perfectly arranged. And one of the things that we used to find was me being messy. And so once I instituted this one minute rule, I started putting dishes in the dishwasher, putting in laundry, changing the laundry, scooping up that huge pile of clothes that accumulates next to my bed every week. And so it has relieved some of that tension. Although if you asked him, he would probably say I could do much, much better. But it's something.

[Gretchen Rubin]

It's something. And the thing that's nice about it is that it's small and it's gradual. Like, you don't have to, you know, spend the entire weekend cleaning out your closet. You don't have to take like a week of your vacation time to deal with a garage. It's just something that you fit into, like the little bits of your day. Like, you know, you've got one minute before you have to head out the door. And, you know, you've got your keys in your hand and you're just like Okay. I could just do one thing. And so that stuff gets done without a lot of effort. It just, it's not hard to work it into your daily routine.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah. And I think of each of these things as an accomplishment of the day.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Oh, yeah.

[Elizabeth Craft]

So it sort of builds up the number of accomplishments per day.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Well, and it's funny because so many people, like, whenever I talk to them about happiness, something that's really surprising is how often people say that outer order contributes to inner calm really more than it should. I mean, like, why does having, like a messy kitchen counter or a messy desk make you feel weighed down? Or like you have no creativity or no energy? But over and over, people say when you clear those surfaces and get rid of stuff and put stuff away so you can find it, you get this weird surge of energy and cheer. Like, as a friend of mine said, I cleaned up my fridge and now I know I can switch careers. And I knew exactly what you meant. And if that's an illusion, it's a helpful illusion. There's just something about doing that, taking that time that does make people feel like they're more in control.

[Elizabeth Craft]

I definitely feel more in control. When you come to my house and clean out my closets for me, I will give you that.

[Gretchen Rubin]

That is my favorite thing to do.

[Elizabeth Craft]

I know. Which is a nice quality in an older sister.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Well, let us know if you do try this at home and how the one minute rule works for you.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Gretchen's on Twitter retchenrubin and I'm lizabethcraft.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Connect on the Gretchen Rubin Facebook page or drop us an email.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Our email address is podcastretchenrubin.com.

Gretch I love that one of the first things we talked about was the one minute rule, because this is a tool that still comes up all the time. I still use it in my everyday life.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Yes.

And Elizabeth, you are still happily married, so I can continue to believe that my one minute rule has continued to help contribute for that. It is funny though. It still comes up even though it was in the very first episode we ever did.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yep.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Now we'll be right back with more from our very first episode.

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[Gretchen Rubin]

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[Elizabeth Craft]

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[Gretchen Rubin]

Elizabeth, here's a question to help you know yourself better when it comes to making decisions. Are you a maximizer or a satisficer?

[Elizabeth Craft]

Well, why don't you? Maybe you should start by defining those words. I'm thinking a normal person probably has no idea what you're talking about.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Been indoctrinated the way you have.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Exactly.

[Gretchen Rubin]

So, yes, these are real words. And it has to do with how you make decisions. Maximizers want to make the maximum, best decision. They want to make the optimal decision. If they're choosing a tent or an apartment or a pasta sauce, they want to make the best possible choice. Satisficers. And that's a word that's a combination of satisfy and suffice are people who they have a certain criteria and that criteria could be very high, but once it's met, then they move on. They don't have to feel like they have the best possible at the best price. They just have to feel like they have what they wanted. And what's interesting is that maximizers are a lot less happy with their decisions. They have more regrets. They don't feel as good about their choices. They're anxious about it. So what do you think you are? Are you more of a maximizer or a satisficer?

[Elizabeth Craft]

I call myself a recovering maximizer.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Oh, yeah.

And a lot of people are a mix of both. Yeah. So you're a recovering maximizer.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah, because I Think. I used to think I should be a maximizer, partly because, you know, our mother, who I call the Martha Stewart of Kansas City, is the ultimate maximizer. She'll spend months looking at fabric, paint choices, coffee tables, Christmas ornaments, et cetera, et cetera.

[Gretchen Rubin]

And she loves it.

[Elizabeth Craft]

And she's got wonderful taste. I, for instance, years ago, I moved into an apartment, and I used a cardboard box turned over as my coffee.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Table, which is totally typical, by the.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Way, which I just couldn't, like, handle picking a coffee table. There were so many out there. And, of course, everyone would make fun of me for this. So I finally said to my writing partner, Sarah, I just wish someone would buy me a coffee table. I wouldn't care what it was. It's just if I. Once I have it, I know that I won't ever think about it again. But I can't commit.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Right. If you just had a coffee table that worked as a coffee table, that would be enough. Your criteria would be met. Yeah.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes. It was just the existential dilemma of choosing it. So Sarah, being the good writing partner that she is, for my birthday, went to a thrift store and bought me an extremely ugly coffee table, which I used for, I think, around five years, probably until I got married. I will say in my defense that people would come to my apartment and sort of feel nostalgic for the cardboard box. I think it made them feel good about themselves. But anyway, to this point, I mean, I've had blank walls my whole life. Nothing on the walls again, unless mom visited and put something on the walls. This is frustrating for my husband, and I am trying and have, I think, in recent years, become more of a satisficer, where I realize it doesn't have to be the perfect art. We just need something on the wall.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Right. There's this great line from Voltaire where he says, don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. And it's like, don't let the desire for the perfect coffee table or the perfect painting mean that you get nothing. Because if you just satisfice, you have the satisfaction of moving on. Research suggests that satisficers are happier. They're more contented with their decisions. They don't use so much time and energy. They don't burn it up coming to those decisions, and they have less regret about the decisions they've made. And so, really, it seems like for happiness, satisficing is a better choice.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Well, I have to disagree on one point, which is that our mom, for example, who I said is the ultimate maximizer. I think she really enjoys the process of making those decisions. She enjoys those hours she spends. So I think if you are a person who loves the journey of choices, it's good to be a maximizer. But for most of us who are just interested in the destination, it's better to be a satisficer, right?

[Gretchen Rubin]

I think that's a very good point. For you and me, it's hard to imagine enjoying the journey, but clearly others do. All right, in our next segment, we're gonna talk about stumbling blocks. That's our name for the small, seemingly innocuous things that get in our way when we're trying to make our lives happier, healthier, and more productive. Today's stumbling block is a loophole. Now, a loophole is when you're trying to keep some kind of good habit, but you've come up with a justification why just this once, you're off the hook, that for some reason, something doesn't count. And this loophole I call the one coin loophole, and it gets its name from a classical teaching story, which is called the argument of the growing heap. And this teaching story goes like, are you rich if you have 10 coins? You'd say, no, if 10 coins aren't enough, what if you add one coin? What if you add another coin? Finally, you have to say that you can't be rich unless one coin can make you rich. Now, this has huge implication for habits, because just as in the story one coin by one coin, a person becomes rich. It's only by the addition of the one coin that eventually you get to the growing heap with a habit. It's only by one trip to the gym and one trip to the gym and one trip to the gym that you form the habit of going to the gym and that you get all the benefits, all the riches that are going to come from going to the gym. So the one coin loophole is when you say, well, what's one coin? One coin doesn't make a difference. So, Elizabeth, have you ever caught yourself invoking this loophole? Which is very true. I mean, that's what's dangerous about it. It's very true.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah. I mean, I invoke it all over the place.

[Gretchen Rubin]

You know, it is a great loophole. It works every day. It works every time.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Absolutely every single day. You know, the one that's really. I'm really having trouble with it at the time right now is, you know, I'm trying. I won't say I'm trying. I'm writing a novel. On the side.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Right?

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah. And all your novels. Yeah. And that is something where, you know, it's so easy to say, well, if I don't write a paragraph right now, what does it matter? I have to write 300 more pages of this thing. I'm on page four. Right, right.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Or it's going to take a year. What does it matter if I skip.

[Elizabeth Craft]

One morning in a year? Exactly. Whereas, you know, but I know that if I keep writing those paragraphs or if I get up and write two pages at 6am it's gonna add up and I'm gonna get to page 300. Now, I will tell you that knowing that we were gonna be discussing the one coin loophole actually got me to work on my novel this week. Oh, there you go. Because I didn't want you to bust me on it. So this week I am a happiest bully. You are? Yes. The ultimate happiness bully. So it worked. But it's hard. It's easy to fall into that.

[Gretchen Rubin]

But it's just, it's like you realize like the only way that you're actually doing something is by doing it in any particular situation. And I think this is a problem because people will often shift, you know, they will decide, well, today, like, yes, it's true that I want to spend all this time with my family and it's a really high priority for me. But not today. Because what's today? What difference does today make? But it's only by doing it today and today and today and today that you build up. That's how you become rich. That's how you get something accomplished.

[Elizabeth Craft]

It's also, I'll add, how you build stamina, you know, And I. Cause I think a lot of the reason people don't do things, at least for me, is fear, you know, I'm afraid my book is gonna be terrible. That's why I don't want to write it. If I actually just do builds the muscle and then you keep doing it. And so like that's definitely true for the gym.

[Gretchen Rubin]

It's such a good point too, because it's like if you do something only rarely, and it's like a big production every time you do you want it to be good, you want it like, wow, today's writing has to go well. Today at the gym, I have to really push myself. Like, everything has to be really quality. But if you do it all the time, it's like, any particular one, you're like, eh, well, today was sort of lame, but I'll keep doing it tomorrow. So it takes the pressure off of it. But it's funny, like, sometimes people will use this, like, as a weapon. A friend of mine lost, like, 70 pounds, and so she said somebody in her office, like, used the one coin loophole to undermine her. She would say, oh, you've been so good. What's one cupcake? Okay, right.

[Elizabeth Craft]

It's like, well, one cupcake. Cupcake by cupcake, I gained 70 pounds.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Right? And cupcake by cupcake, I lost it. And so it's so true that it's easy to invoke, but it can quickly spiral out of control. Okay, on upcoming shows, we'll be answering some of your questions, but since this is episode one, we don't have any calls yet.

[Elizabeth Craft]

So instead we're answering a question posted to us from Gretchen's Facebook page. The question is, does checking Facebook make people feel happier and connected or more lonely and sad?

[Gretchen Rubin]

Good question.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Good question. I mean, funny thing for me is I'm not even on Facebook.

[Gretchen Rubin]

And why not?

[Elizabeth Craft]

I don't know if I deserve to.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Answer this, but why have you made that choice?

[Elizabeth Craft]

You know, at the beginning, it was because there were just certain people in my past who I did not want to reach me or, you know, know where I was. Nothing dangerous, just people I didn't care to speak to.

[Gretchen Rubin]

I can vouch for that. There's no secret crimes.

[Elizabeth Craft]

But, you know, over time, it just seems so overwhelming. Like, I see now why Facebook is valuable, because, for instance, my husband is on it, and he'll tell me something that a good friend of mine is doing, such as moving to Italy that I have no idea about. And, you know, he'll know what her kids look like. And I don't know, because I haven't seen them for, you know, a year. So I'm realizing that it's making me feel like I'm out of the loop and that I am not connected to people. So I would like to join, but I feel overwhelmed by jumping in now. It seems so late in the game.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Right. Well, I think. And that's why it makes people happier is, I think, you know, ancient philosophers and contemporary scientists agree that if you had to say, what is the secret to happiness? Probably the best answer is relationships. So anything that helps people stay in touch to maintain relationships is something that's probably gonna make you happier. But the thing about Facebook is that, like many things in life, it's an amplifier of human nature. It makes good things better and bad things worse. And so if you're the kind of person who really gets upset if you compare yourself to others or if you have relationships in the past, like a tendency to be kind of a slight stalk. You know, there's things about it that can amplify the negative as well as the positive. And it's interesting. There's a lot of research right now. Scientists are really interested in what is its effect on us, how is it making us happy or not. But I think just for most people in everyday life, I think your experience, the one that like, wow, it really makes it a lot easier to stay in touch with people. Like, everybody's so busy, it's hard to like pick up the phone or make plans and anything that makes it easier.

[Elizabeth Craft]

I think you just need to remember. I know I will. Should I embark upon the Facebook journey? Is that people present? I think a lot of people, their fantasy selves, yes. And so next to all of these fantasy selves, you can feel like your life is not measuring up. So I will definitely have to guard myself against that because I could spend a lot of time beating myself up over the fact that I don't have a garden, growing my own vegetables and all that.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Right, right. Your kids aren't trilingual and all that business. Now that's a very good point. It's like you have to use it. It's like everything. It's a good servant and a bad master.

And we will be right back with more from our very first episode of Happier this new year. Why not let Audible expand your life by listening? Explore over 1 million audiobooks, podcasts and exclusive Audible originals that'll inspire and motivate you. Just open the app and tap into your well being with advice and insight from leading influencers, experts and professionals. Whatever your focus or interest, there's a listen for it on Audible. You'll find titles on better health, including personal fitness, nutrition and relaxation.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yeah, Gretch, I am all about Audible. I cannot get enough audiobooks right now I'm listening to Colored Television by Danzi Senna and I am obsessed with it. 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 Medicaid is a clinically proven British skin care brand known for age defying results. Medicaid was founded by two scientist brothers 15 years ago on a mission to simplify the route to great skin. All Medicaid products undergo clinical testing and have amazing before and after results. Their dermatologist recommended. Medicaid creates everything in house in their lab located just Outside of London, following strict EU guidelines, Medicaid is having a friends and family sale for 25% off now through February 23rd.

[Gretchen Rubin]

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[Elizabeth Craft]

Welcome back to More Happier. Today. We are revisiting our very first episode in honor of our 10th anniversary.

[Gretchen Rubin]

To wrap up this show, Elizabeth and I are going to get even more personal. First, one of us is going to give ourselves a happiness demerit for a mistake we made this week that affected our happiness.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Then, so we don't leave you on a down note, one of us will award a gold star to something or someone we think deserves to be recognized.

[Gretchen Rubin]

You know, you'd think that just like the average person would not have to make a big effort not to email while talking on the phone to the love of her life. And yet this is something that I really have to make a special effort. Like, do not email while I'm talking on the phone to Jamie. And you know, the other day I was just, you know, it was all, I'm sure, you know, when there's that pause before somebody answers because you know that they're like trying to like slightly rewinding it in their brain and I'm, you know. And then he started answering his email. I could hear him clattering away. So there we were both totally ignoring each other, clattering away on our keyboards. And it wasn't like a companionable, nice like, let's sit here together and answer our emails together. It's just like you were both sneaky.

Yeah, we were.

Yeah. It was just so rude. I was like, okay, but okay, so we'll do better next time.

[Elizabeth Craft]

And I have to ask you, though, I can't help myself. Are you emailing people when I'm talking to you on the phone?

[Gretchen Rubin]

No. With you, Never.

[Elizabeth Craft]

And I would never do it to you either. Ever.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Never. Never.

[Elizabeth Craft]

When I ask you to repeat what you just said, it's, it's because I really want to think it over, not because I wasn't listening.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Right, right. It's instantaneous. Always. Okay, so now on a happier note, let's go to the gold star to.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Give my gold star this week goes to my treadmill desk. Ah, I love your treadmill desk. Yes. I don't know if everyone knows what a treadmill desk is. It's what it sounds like. It's a desk on which you put your computer and your phone and your pension. And it's underneath is a treadmill and you walk while you write or talk on the phone or in my case, break story for television shows. And I have to give you credit, Gretch, because this was your gift to me a few years ago, my genius idea recently, a few years ago, whenever. For my 40th birthday. And I'd been off of it for a few weeks because I just hadn't been in the office. And so I got back on it this week and I had two 5.5 mile days.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Oh, my gosh. So just like in the middle of your work day, you're walking five miles without.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes. Without trying. And I have to tell you, especially as you know, I'm a type 1 diabetic, so keeping in motion really helps me keep my blood sugar under control. And even aside from that, it just makes me happier. And, you know, I even got my writing partner even got one because she didn't want to sit around, she said, like a slug while I was, you know, walking away during a meeting. So I recommend the treadmill desk to anyone who has the space for it.

[Gretchen Rubin]

But. And then, and this is the thing where, like, you live in la, so you have space. I live in New York. I can't. I tried so hard to figure out a way to get a treadmill desk, but if I put it in my office, I would not be able to open the door. So it's. And I'm so sad. I really envy you your treadmill.

[Elizabeth Craft]

It is. It's a great sadness in your life, but you can enjoy mine.

[Gretchen Rubin]

I enjoy vicariously. And that's it for the first episode of Happier. Remember, try this at home, the one minute rule. And let us know if it's helpful.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Our producer is Henry Malofsky. Thanks to Laura Mayer and Andy Bowers at Panoply.

Please let us know what you think of the show.

Gretchen's on Twitter retchenrubin and I'm lizabethcraft. Our email address is [e-mail] and if.

[Gretchen Rubin]

You like the show, please be sure to tell a friend and subscribe to us in itunes.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Until next week. I'm Elizabeth Craft.

[Gretchen Rubin]

And I'm Gretchen Rubin. Thanks for joining us. Onward and upward.

Well, we hope you're feeling happier after this revisited episode. It has been so fun to go back listen to that episode from 10 years ago, our very first episode. But Elizabeth, one thing that makes me happier is you can tell how happy we are and how excited we were to be launching this podcast.

[Elizabeth Craft]

Yes, and it still is like that, Gretchen. Whenever I think about the podcast, I get a jolt of happiness. It's one of the best things in my life. I'm so grateful for it and I'm excited for another 10 years.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Absolutely. Well, thank you so much to all you listeners for being part of the happier community. We are so grateful that you keep listening, that you send in your tips and ideas and observations and questions. Onward and upward to another 10 years.

From the onward project.