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Life Kit

Life Kit

Tools To Help You Get It Together
The decluttering philosophy that can help you keep your home organized
Andrea D'Aquino for NPR

The decluttering philosophy that can help you keep your home organized

Got piles of stuff you just can't seem to get rid of? Professional organizer Star Hansen explains how to let go of unnecessary items – and keep your home neat and tidy.

The decluttering philosophy that can help you keep your home organized

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How to be a better movie watcher, according to film critics (plus a handy brochure!)
Malaka Gharib/ NPR

How to be a better movie watcher, according to film critics (plus a handy brochure!)

This guide — which comes with a fun brochure you can download and print at home — offers advice on how to pick a film, get outside your comfort zone and deepen your enjoyment of movies.

How to be a better movie watcher, according to film critics (plus a handy brochure!)

Listen · 20:59
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Reach out and listen: How to help someone at risk of suicide
Maria Fabrizio for NPR

Shots - Health News

Reach out and listen: How to help someone at risk of suicide

What can you do when you fear someone you know may be considering suicide? It can feel daunting, but suicide prevention experts say we all can help someone at risk by reaching out and showing we care.

Reach out and listen: How to help someone at risk of suicide

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My in-laws nitpick at me and my partner's life choices. How can we get along?
Jasjyot Singh Hans for NPR

Life Kit

My in-laws nitpick at me and my partner's life choices. How can we get along?

Creating a relationship with your partner's family can be hard work. Experts share how to navigate 5 tricky situations, including dealing with in-laws who can't seem to stop giving unsolicited advice.

My in-laws nitpick at me and my partner's life choices. How can we get along?

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Dear Life Kit: We bought a dog instead of rescuing one. It cost me a friend
Photograph by Ethan Richardson/Unsplash; Collage by NPR

Opinion

Dear Life Kit

Dear Life Kit: We bought a dog instead of rescuing one. It cost me a friend

An ideological difference over adopting versus shopping for a pet causes a rift between friends. Tania Israel, a professor of psychology, shares advice about how to have difficult conversations with people you care about.

Dear Life Kit: We bought a dog instead of rescuing one. It cost me a friend

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When to let go of old family traditions — and create new ones
Prianko Biswas / EyeEm / Getty Images

Life Kit

When to let go of old family traditions — and create new ones

Traditions can foster a sense of unity with the people we love and help pass down cultural values. But what happens when these events no longer make sense in our lives?

When to let go of old family traditions — and create new ones

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8 listeners share the powerful ways they keep in touch with their ancestors

Marina Heintze creates artwork to pay tribute to the family members she lost during the Holocaust. This piece is titled "Nana Rocks." Courtesy of Marina Heintze hide caption

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Courtesy of Marina Heintze

Perspective

8 listeners share the powerful ways they keep in touch with their ancestors

Last month, we asked our audience to tell us how they stay connected to their late loved ones. They tell us about the objects they keep, the altars they built and how they pay their respects.

8 listeners share the powerful ways they keep in touch with their ancestors

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Dear Life Kit: My folks guilt-trip me into spending the holidays with them
Photograph by HuntImages/Getty; Collage by NPR

Perspective

Dear Life Kit

Dear Life Kit: My folks guilt-trip me into spending the holidays with them

Between long-held traditions, unfair expectations and clashing personalities, the holidays can be a perfect storm for conflict. Therapist John Kim helps untangle three holiday conundrums.

Dear Life Kit: My folks guilt-trip me into spending the holidays with them

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Everyone hates a boring party. Here's how to kick things up a notch

NPR Life Kit listeners share photos from their best theme parties. Left: a vision board for a "Vampire Nights"-themed party; middle: An '80s-themed ski party; right: An Olympics watch party. Photos courtesy of L to R: Gabby Kanu; Arik Colbath; Tom Czech and Elizabeth Novak hide caption

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Photos courtesy of L to R: Gabby Kanu; Arik Colbath; Tom Czech and Elizabeth Novak

Everyone hates a boring party. Here's how to kick things up a notch

Hosting a holiday party? NPR's audience shares their best untraditional party ideas and themes — and their strategies to make the experience truly epic.

Everyone hates a boring party. Here's how to kick things up a notch

Listen · 21:38
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The rules of improv can make you funnier. They can also make you more confident.
Annelise Capossela for NPR

The rules of improv can make you funnier. They can also make you more confident.

Improv comedy is about more than making people laugh. It can help performers be more creative and self-assured — and combat anxiety, both on and off stage.

The rules of improv can make you funnier. They can also make you more confident.

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5 strategies to help you cope with a nagging feeling of dread
Sol Cotti for NPR

5 strategies to help you cope with a nagging feeling of dread

Worried about deadlines, errands or your holiday to-do list? Reframe your relationship with dread with these simple exercises, from drawing the things that scare you to scheduling worry time.

5 strategies to help you cope with a nagging feeling of dread

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How to create an ancestral altar at home: A cross-cultural guide

Items from NPR Life Kit host Marielle Segarra's ancestral altar, clockwise from right: a Julio Iglesias cassette tape, an address book, a crucifix, a mango candy, a card with a rose depicted on it, eyeglass lenses and a ring. Malaka Gharib/ NPR hide caption

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Malaka Gharib/ NPR

How to create an ancestral altar at home: A cross-cultural guide

Spiritual practitioners and Indigenous educators explain how to set up an special place to honor your loved ones.

How to create an ancestral altar at home: A cross-cultural guide

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Want to get better at being thankful? Here are some tips
DrAfter123/Getty Images

Want to get better at being thankful? Here are some tips

Showing appreciation can improve our mental and physical health. But we don't often express it in our daily lives. Here's how to make thankfulness a habit, from starting a gratitude journal to writing a letter to a loved one.

Want to get better at being thankful? Here are some tips

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Traveling for the holidays? 7 tips to help you keep your cool
Malte Mueller/Getty Images/fStop

Perspective

Traveling for the holidays? 7 tips to help you keep your cool

There will probably be long lines, delays and overbooked flights, says aviation journalist Benét Wilson. So take steps to prepare for these situations and make the journey a little more pleasant.

Traveling for the holidays? 7 tips to help you keep your cool

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Dear Life Kit: My boyfriend's relationship with his coworker makes me uncomfortable
Photographs by Kelli McClintock, Fayiz Musthafa/Unsplash; Collage by Becky Harlan/NPR

Perspective

Dear Life Kit

Dear Life Kit: My boyfriend's relationship with his coworker makes me uncomfortable

My partner is constantly texting his former coworker and even spent the night at her house. He says they're just friends, but I don't like it. How can I trust him when he ignores my boundaries?

Dear Life Kit: My boyfriend's relationship with his coworker makes me uncomfortable

Listen · 12:43
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Want to get into credit card points? Here's what you should know
We Are/Getty Images

Life Kit

Want to get into credit card points? Here's what you should know

Credit card rewards programs can offer big perks like airline miles and hotel upgrades. Finance journalist Katherine Fan explains how to choose the right card and what to know before signing up.

Want to get into credit card points? Here's what you should know

Listen · 19:05
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Michelle Obama's best advice on marriage, parenting and being your authentic self

Former first lady Michelle Obama talks to Life Kit about her new book The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times Photograph by Mito Habe Evans/NPR; Collage by Life Kit hide caption

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Photograph by Mito Habe Evans/NPR; Collage by Life Kit

Michelle Obama's best advice on marriage, parenting and being your authentic self

In her new memoir, 'The Light We Carry,' the former first lady shares her philosophy on the relationships we have with our partner, our family and ourselves. 'You have to evolve with it,' she says.

Michelle Obama's best advice on marriage, parenting and being your authentic self

Listen · 19:56
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