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Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Ep. 595: Always RSVP, & Why We Should Stop Over-delivering

Happier with Gretchen Rubin · Jul 15, 2026 · 31:17

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Gretchen and Elizabeth discuss why we should always RSVP, and how to stop a simple gathering from, over time, becoming too much work.



Episode Highlights:


Try This at Home: Always RSVP — Why responding promptly (even with a "no") makes us a better guest [05:49]



Happiness Hack: Try a bag organizer insert — A simple way to keep a carry-on, tote, or structureless bag tidy and travel-ready. [14:22]



Happiness Stumbling Block: Presentation Creep — How over-delivering can gradually turn a casual get-together into something burdensome.  [16:00]



Listener Update: Hearing Aids — Listeners share how hearing aids changed their lives, plus a practical tip on using Apple AirPods Pro as a starter hearing test. [01:44]



Demerits & Gold Stars — Gretchen’s demerit: not enough watercoloring; Elizabeth’s gold star: for the friend who created "Trail and Talk" [21:29]




Mentioned in This Episode:


Bag organizer insert: [https://amzn.to/4oc1oPO]



Five-Senses Journal (20% off with code HAPPIER20):



More Than Enough by Anna Quindlen (Amazon, Bookshop)



The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout (Amazon, Bookshop)

Listen to our Bookclub interview with Elizabeth Strout here!




Connect with Us:


Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com



Website: gretchenrubin.com



Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft



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Episodes: Happier with Gretchen Rubin

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