Happier with Gretchen Rubin A Little Happier: Why Lady Gaga Matters for My One-Word Theme for 2026
Mar 23, 2026
She shares three yearly exercises for designing 2026 and explains why a single word can shape your year. She announces her one-word theme "neighbor" and why neighborliness matters. She describes being moved by Lady Gaga’s cover of Mister Rogers’ theme and how that song stirs feelings about community and American ideals.
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Three Simple Year Design Exercises
- Gretchen recommends designing your year with three exercises: a yearly list, an annual challenge, and a one-word theme to focus your priorities.
- For 2026 she made a list of 26 goals and set Move 26 in 26: move 26 minutes daily as a concrete challenge.
Choosing Neighbor As My One Word
- Gretchen Rubin chose the one-word theme "neighbor" for 2026 and felt drawn to more neighborliness personally and culturally.
- She watched Lady Gaga's Redfin cover of Won't You Be My Neighbor about 50 times and found it emotionally stirring, prompting reflection on the song's message.
How A Children's Song Captures A Civic Ideal
- The Mr. Rogers theme delivers what Gretchen calls her "America feeling," articulating a civic ideal of warmth and mutual belonging.
- Simple children's-song lyrics like "Won't you be my neighbor" can encapsulate national ideals and evoke strong emotional resonance.