🏆 Top 10 Life Kits from 2021

Plus: sneak peek of our New Year's episodes

View this email online Illustrations clockwise from left: Jasjyot Singh Hans for NPR; Krzysztof Nowak for NPR; Lucinda Schreiber for NPR; All photographs Becky Harlan/NPR Friends, The end of the year is often a time of reflection — a time to take stock of the past and to look ahead to the exciting possibilities of the future. But this year... well, it feels a little different. Maybe you're just trying to get through the day. Maybe you want to move on from 2021, but you feel stuck in a holding pattern. Wherever you're at, we wanted to share the Life Kit stories that got you through a roller coaster of a year. When we looked back at our top 10 stories from 2021, we noticed a few things: That we just might need a break — the 9 to 5 grind isn't working anymore and our focus is waning. But we also noticed that, even if we're still socially distant, we're craving connections — how to find them, nurture them and learn from them. However you're feeling with this year coming to a close, here's to the best bits of 2021 and to a brighter 2022. Newsletter continues after sponsor message 10. How to shake the feeling that you're an impostor There is no magic cure for getting rid of feeling like an impostor, but there are some tools to help manage the feeling when it starts to rear its ugly head. 9. How to wake up early, even if you're not a morning person For some people, waking up early just feels natural. But if you're not naturally a morning person, how much room do you have to change your wake-up schedule? A few habits can help make waking up earlier less of a chore. 8. Too much focus is draining. Here's a better strategy Photo illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR Getting (and staying) focused can be a challenge in the best of times. But with everything going on in the world, concentrating can feel down-right impossible. Here are six tips to help you find your flow. 7. Procrastination is more than putting things off. Here's how to kick the habit At the beginning of every year, we promise ourselves that we'll slay this beast. We make lists, buy journals, try new apps, but no matter what, we often wind up falling into the same cycle of delay and avoidance — putting things off, day after day. Here's how to combat procrastination however small the task. 6. You're apologizing all wrong. ​​​​​​ Here's how to say sorry the right way Photo illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR Most of us haven't been taught how to apologize, and our efforts tend to be deleterious: vague, intrusive, demanding, or full of caveats that can leave the recipient of an apology feeling even worse. Here are six ways to offer an apology that can help heal, rather than cause additional harm. 5. How to fall in love, according to Hinge's relationship scientist Dating isn't easy but Logan Ury's book, How to Not Die Alone, presents a plan for every type of dater and walks readers through each step of that process. Here are three things you can do today to shift your love life for good. 4. How understanding jealousy can lead to a better relationship Jennifer Qian for NPR Jealousy is a complex emotion and can lead to everything from internal strife to unnecessary arguments. But cultivated correctly, jealousy can also be a powerful tool for change. 3. The key to flirting? It's not about you If you're looking for a few concrete tips to help you get better at flirting, look no further. Nothing corny or weirdly creepy — OK, one slightly corny thing. 2. The 40-hour workweek isn't working. Reducing it could help with productivity The five-day workweek hasn't always existed. How did we get here, and where can we go? Life Kit spoke with author and researcher Will Stronge about what a shorter workweek offers workers and organizations. 1. Burnout isn't just exhaustion. Here's how to deal with it Photo Illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR Burnout has serious consequences for your mental health, so it's important to spot it and address it. We asked some of the top experts on the topic for tips to recognize and address burnout in yourself and at your workplace. Thanks for sticking with us! We'll be back in 2022 with a *monthlong special series* to kick-start the new year 😉 —Clare Marie Schneider, Life Kit producer   Look out here for next week's episodes on:   💗 Mindfulness | 💪 Diet culture | 💸 Money avoidance Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from WBEZ (edit station). What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: LifeKit@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Code Switch, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Life Kit emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy