Birthdays, gender identity and hurricane preparedness

Plus, coping with the loss of a sibling

View this email online Today’s newsletter is brought to you by Life Kit producer Clare Marie Schneider  How do you feel about your birthday? Is it a day you dread or look forward to? I’ve only recently started embracing my birthday as an adult. I now view it as an opportunity to get everyone I love in the same room.  Tamar Hurwitz-Fleming, a birthday enthusiast and author of the book How to Have a Happy Birthday, says birthdays can be fraught, partly because no one teaches you how to have one as an adult. When you're a kid, your family makes all those decisions for you. Then you grow up and "you have to make your birthday happen." No matter how old you are, having a happy birthday is one of life's great pleasures, she says. You just need to figure out what that means for you.  In this charming cake-shaped zine, Hurwitz-Fleming shares her must-do principles for having a happy birthday. Click here to download this cake-shaped zine to print and fold at home. Zine by Malaka Gharib/NPR; Photo illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR More birthday fun, please Transform your birthday into a day you enjoy  Think of your birthday as your own personal holiday. Some of us expect friends or family to take the lead on celebrating our birthday, says Hurwitz-Fleming. "We often sit back and wait for other people to do for us what we can only do for ourselves." So take the reins. Start by doing something you want to do. Maybe it's a big bash, attended by every human you know. Or something more intimate, like drinks with a few friends. If you don't like the attention of birthdays, do something just for you. Take yourself on a backpacking trip, sign up for a special class or go on that whale-watching excursion you've been eyeing. Think of your birthday as your own personal holiday, says Hurwitz-Fleming. And like any other holiday, that requires some prep "in the same way you're not going to wake up on Thanksgiving and expect a turkey on your table and friends to show up." Use the weeks leading up to your birthday to make plans and address anything you will need, like getting tickets to a show, reserving a table at a restaurant or buying your cake. Remember that aging is a privilege. Birthdays mean we're one year older. And if you have feelings about that, think of it this way, says Hurwitz-Fleming: "Aging is a privilege and a joy. I have so much more wisdom and self-confidence and comfort with myself at the age of 58 than I did 30 years ago."   Happy birthday to me Reader reflection: 'I celebrate the day my life changed' The whole point of having a happy birthday is that it softens you and makes you kinder, says Hurwitz-Fleming. Click here to download this cake-shaped zine to print and fold at home — the back has helpful birthday tips. Zine by Malaka Gharib/NPR; Photo illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR On the day of [my daughter’s] birth, I was changed too. So, each year on her birthday, I read her birth story and do something for myself to celebrate the day my life changed. I helped my mom do the same, noting that it is more than just my day, but hers as well. —Amber Holton-Thomas Newsletter continues after sponsor message Listen Sponsor-Free Support public media while getting expert advice on health, finance, relationships and more with Life Kit+. You'll get sponsor-free listening AND that warm fuzzy feeling that comes with making a difference. You can also check out loads of other NPR+ podcasts with benefits at plus.npr.org. Explore Life Kit+ Let's keep the party going: More tips from Life Kit South_agency/Getty Images The key to hosting a successful theme party? Start planning early. Party planning experts say to send out invites at least 6 weeks in advance. That can give guests ample time to mark their social calendars — and prepare for the big bash. Read the story here.   How to host meaningful gatherings without stressing yourself out. Having people over can be a lot of work, but it doesn't need to be. Conflict resolution facilitator Priya Parker discusses how to host a meaningful, memorable gathering. Read the story here.  How to make a good playlist: Tips from a Tiny Desk producer. So you're planning the perfect candlelit evening, the perfect road trip or the perfect afternoon at home. How do you set the mood? With a playlist, of course. NPR Music's Bobby Carter shows us how he crafts them. Read the story here.  How to give the perfect toast. It's the wild card of every big event — the toast. If you're giving a New Year's toast, a best man or maid of honor speech or any other toasts, make sure people remember your tribute with fondness (and not horror). Read the story here.  This week on Life Kit schfer/Getty Images How to protect your household from disaster during Atlantic hurricane season. This year's season will be one of the most active on record, say forecasters. Tips and strategies to help you weather the storm. Read the story here. These water safety tips can save lives. Drowning is the No. 1 cause of death for children ages 1-4 in the United States. To prevent drownings, make sure there's always a designated adult watching the water whenever kids are swimming. We'll cover other water safety tips to keep young swimmers safe this summer. Listen to the episode here.  COMIC: How to explore your gender identity as an adult. If you're an adult starting to explore your gender identity, it can be tough knowing where to begin. Here's some advice from trans people to help you on this intimate and powerful journey. Read the comic here. Coping with the loss of a sibling. Losing a sibling is a unique and often overlooked kind of grief. Many grieving siblings aren't given the same level of support as their parents or caregivers after a loss. But a sibling's grief can be just as powerful and potent. NPR health correspondent Rhitu Chatterjee shares advice on how best to cope with grief — and honor a sibling's memory. Listen to the episode here. Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. 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