Make Your Life Happier: Small Habits for Big Joy with Gretchen Rubin (Ep 269)

Wannabe Clutter Free | Declutter, Simplify, Find Freedom

Happiness starts at home and Gretchen Rubin’s here to prove it. The 7x best-selling author joins Deanna Yates to explore the connection between clutter and happiness, building habits that stick, and how knowing your personality can help you create a home that supports your well-being. It’s a practical and uplifting conversation for anyone ready to live lighter and happier.

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Resources Mentioned

(some may be affiliate links - thanks for supporting the show at no extra cost to you):

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my children's book: Lenora and Her Super Duper Messy Room⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get all the links and resources at wannabeclutterfree.com/266⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Gretchen Rubin

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gretchen’s Website⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠Podcast⁠

Follow Deanna Yates, the host of Wannabe Clutter Free on:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Your home holds the key to your happiness and 7x best-selling author, Gretchen Rubin, is here to show us why.

In this episode, host Deanna Yates talks with happiness expert Gretchen Rubin for a down-to-earth conversation about how the things in our homes affect how we feel, think, and live.

They dive into the deeper connection between outer order and inner calm, why it’s not about having a perfect home but a supportive one, and how to create better habits using your own personality type, not someone else’s system.

You’ll also hear about Gretchen’s Secrets of Adulthood, her fresh take on small wins, sensory delight, emotional clutter, and her favorite tip for dealing with all the little things kids bring home.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your stuff or unsure where to start, this episode will help you rethink how to create a home that truly supports your happiness.

🎧 This episode will help you discover:

• Why small shifts can have a big impact on your joy
• The link between clutter, clarity, and calm
• How to design habits that stick (based on your personality)
• Simple ways to make decluttering more doable
• How rediscovering yourself helps you create a space that feels like home

Time Stamps:

00:00 Welcome + Guest Overview 02:54 Gretchen shares what she’s currently learning about herself 04:38 How clutter influences happiness 08:47 Simple ways to create outer order 22:09 The Four Tendencies explained 31:49 Designing your space to support habits 33:00 Why convenience beats willpower 36:31 What are “Secrets of Adulthood”? 37:38 Emotional side of decluttering 46:48 Rediscovering joy in your quirks 56:54 Lightning round: habits, happiness, and favorite tips 59:29 Final takeaways + what to do next

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Music: Fresh Lift by Shane Ivers - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.silvermansound.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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We’d love to hear how you’re applying the strategies discussed in this episode. Share your stories and tips with us on social media (@wannabeclutterfree). Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes designed to make your busy life a bit easier.

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