Pods We Love: Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Overview

This episode features a shared segment from Gretchen Rubin's Happier podcast, where she and her sister Elizabeth Craft explore the concept of familect—a unique family language—and its role in fostering connection. They also share practical tips for organizing smartphone apps and highlight listener-submitted Secrets of Adulthood, offering wisdom for navigating life.

Notable Quotes

- If you have to do something every day or regularly, find a way to enjoy it. – Listener Melanie, on creating joy in routine.

- You are the lead role in your own movie. Everyone else is starring in their own. – Listener Kate, on perspective.

- Don't ruin an apology with an excuse. – Listener Jennifer, on the art of sincere apologies.

📖 The Power of Familect

- Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft discuss familect, a family-specific language made up of unique words or phrases. Examples include sessy (a small gift) and foo-foo juice (deodorant).

- Familect often originates from children's mispronunciations or inside jokes. For instance, Gretchen’s family once called Parmesan cheese pajamas after a child’s slip of the tongue.

- Creating a familect dictionary can preserve these cherished memories, acting as a time capsule of family life.

- Familect can also exist in workplaces or friend groups, fostering closeness and shared identity.

📱 Smartphone Organization Hack

- Gretchen shares a simple yet impactful tip: reorganize your smartphone apps to prioritize frequently used ones.

- Place high-use apps (e.g., e-readers, podcasts) on the home screen for easy access.

- Move distracting apps (e.g., social media) to less accessible locations to reduce usage.

- Elizabeth Craft admits her apps are disorganized and plans to implement this hack to save time and reduce frustration.

💡 Secrets of Adulthood: Listener Wisdom

- The hosts share a treasure trove of listener-submitted life lessons:

- Go slow to go fast. – A reminder to avoid rushing and making mistakes.

- Not my circus, not my monkeys. – A Polish proverb about setting boundaries.

- When you worry about something that hasn’t happened, you worry twice. – On managing anxiety.

- Always carry a book and a sweater. – Practical advice for preparedness.

- These aphorisms range from humorous to profound, offering insights into navigating daily challenges.

🌟 Gold Stars and Demerits

- Gretchen Rubin gives herself a demerit for over-controlling her puppy’s training, acknowledging the need to relax and trust the process.

- Elizabeth Craft awards herself a gold star for maintaining her hustle in Hollywood, balancing multiple writing projects with determination and hard work.