Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Gretchen Rubin / The Onward Project
Ep. 595: Always RSVP, & Why We Should Stop Over-delivering
31 minutes Posted Jul 15, 2026 at 7:00 am.
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Show notes
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 [
Happiness Hack: Try a bag organizer insert — A simple way to keep a carry-on, tote, or structureless bag tidy and travel-ready. [
Happiness Stumbling Block: Presentation Creep — How over-delivering can gradually turn a casual get-together into something burdensome.  [
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. [
Demerits & Gold Stars — Gretchen’s demerit: not enough watercoloring; Elizabeth’s gold star: for the friend who created "Trail and Talk" [
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: [email protected]
Website: gretchenrubin.com
Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft
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