Mixtapes, Mahjong, and Other Sensory Friendship Experiences: Gretchen Rubin

Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship

Episode #96: I have been a Gretchen Rubin fan since 2009 when I read The Happiness Project the week it came out. Who could resist that cover and concept? And I cannot believe this, but I got to discuss my favorite topic, friendship, with Gretchen Rubin on Dear Nina.

In celebration of Gretchen's paperback release of Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World, I am replaying our episode from about a year ago. I found my favorite parts of the episode and put it together.

We covered:

• The art of listening for what is being said and what is not being said in conversations with friends.
• The sound, sight, and touch of mixtapes plus our attempt to hatch a new business idea.
• The sound and touch of mahjong
• The joy of tasting parties
• The nostalgia inherent in taste or even discussing foods we used to eat with friends
• The distracting sight of friends checking their phones and watches
• The sight of friends' faces and the emotions we read on their faces
• Making plans to see sights with friends and the memories created
• Hugging friends! (I've gotten better at this since we first spoke.)
• And we took a quick dip into The Four Tendencies for me to share my husband being the Upholder of all Upholders.
• Take the "most neglected sense" quiz here.

Meet Gretchen Rubin

Gretchen Rubin is one of today’s most influential observers of happiness and human nature. She’s the author of many books, including the blockbuster New York Times bestsellers Life in Five Senses, Outer Order, Inner Calm; The Four Tendencies; Better Than Before; and The Happiness Project. Her books have sold more than 3.5 million copies worldwide, in more than thirty languages. She hosts the top-ranking, award-winning podcast “Happier with Gretchen Rubin,” where she explores practical solutions for living a happier life. Raised in Kansas City, she lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters. You can find everything you need at gretchenrubin.com.

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