Hello and welcome to Happier, a podcast where we discuss Cut-Against Science, The Wisdom

of the Ages, Lessons from Pop Culture, and Our Own Experiences about how to be happier.

This week we'll talk about picking a mantra for the day and the happiness stumbling block

of awful lising.

I'm Gretchen Rubin, a writer whose studies happiness, good habits, and human nature.

I'm in New York City, and with me, yes again, is my sister Elizabeth Graff still in New York,

such a treat to have her right next to me.

Oh, thanks, Gretchen.

That's me, Elizabeth Graff, a TV writer and producer, living in LA, but I'm spending several weeks

in New York City, loving it, although it seems to have wrecked havoc on my voice.

It might be because I have to talk so much during the day, because we're, you know,

working on a pilot, and I'm just constantly jabbering, but excuse my cracking, croaking voice.

Well, and from a happiness standpoint, how is it being away from home for several weeks?

This isn't just a casual business trip. This is like you're living in New York City for a while.

Yeah, although I am a little bit, I've gone home to see Jack.

Oh, that's good.

Just getting a little bit of taste, you know, helps.

And they're going to come visit me during his spring break.

I hope.

So it's hard, of course, you know, being away from him, FaceTime helps.

But it is so much fun to be in New York that it's a great distraction.

And like the weather has been great.

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