Hello and welcome to Happier, a podcast that gives you strategies and tips for how to build

happier habits into your daily life.

This week we'll talk about why you might choose to go someplace by yourself and discuss

a listener's easy, clever reminder system.

I'm Fred Shin-Rubin, a writer whose studies happiness, good habits, outer order and

human nature.

I'm in New York City and with me is my sister, Elizabeth Kraft, my sister, the sage.

That's me, Elizabeth Kraft, a TV writer and producer living in LA and Gretchen, I definitely

feel that doing this podcast has made me wise.

Well, before we jump in, we have an interesting update from our listener, Donna.

Yes, she said, in 2018, I listed more music for one of my 18 for 18.

I wasn't sure how it would play out, but I began being more mindful of ways to have

more music again in my life.

I had been in two singing groups in high school, a traveling choir in college, played several

instruments, etc. in my former life, a four mom and professional.

As the kids left home, I was having a bit more time.

I wanted to join a choir, but at the same time, my mom suffered worsening dementia, had

a stroke, and was wheelchair and assisted living bound.

I started traveling three to four hours a week to see her.

I tried to make our visits meaningful, but we stopped having things to talk about, despite

including her tablemates and favorite things they have done in their past.

One day while attending a funeral, I noticed how rich the words were and the carefully chosen

...