Back-to-school fun for grown-ups

Plus: Would you ever swap your smartphone for a basic phone?

View this email online Today’s newsletter is brought to you by producer Clare Marie Schneider I know it’s only the beginning of August, but for many kids across the country, school is back in session. Backpacks full of new school supplies, they're ready to begin another academic year.  Even if you’ve been out of school for years, you too can harness that buzzy back-to-school energy and pick out some goals for the coming fall. That includes making new routines, giving your wardrobe a refresh and learning new things.  “There’s something really powerful about being willing to do things seasonally — to say, ‘this season I’m focusing on this,’ ” Oliver Burkeman, author and time management expert told me in an interview last year. It can help you home in on a few objectives rather than spreading yourself too thin across many areas of interest.  If you need ideas on how to improve your life this autumn, here are some fun, back-to-school-themed activities, updated for the grown-up version of you. We hope they inspire positive changes.    Take me back to school Maria Korneeva/Getty Images/Moment RF Miss packing a school lunch? Try meal-prepping Kevin Curry, founder of FitMenCook, meal preps two nights a week. On these nights, he'll spend 45 minutes cooking five dishes to mix and match over the next few days — for example, chickpeas, chicken, jasmine rice, roasted vegetables and a green medley of spinach, chard and kale. "With those five foods I prepped, I made about ten different meal combinations," he says. One day you might want chicken, rice and greens, another day you might want chickpeas, greens and chicken. Transform the flavor of each meal with different condiments like tahini dressing or barbecue sauce. Read more tips here. Miss back-to-school shopping? Spruce up your wardrobe Even if you aren’t doing any back-to-school shopping this fall, you can prioritize your personal style with a closet purge. Asia Jackson, actor and YouTuber, says to try on every item in your wardrobe and ask yourself a few questions to determine if you should donate or keep that sweater you haven’t worn in years. “Do you feel good in this item? Do you look good in this item?” says Jackson. “If it doesn't make you feel good, then you should get rid of it.” Once you’ve identified the pieces you love, use them as the foundation for your revamped style. Read more tips here. Miss recess? Bring more play into your life Play is as simple as observing tiny moments in nature, says Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play. Any increase in play throughout your day is a win – whether it's a hobby like painting, playing a board game, or just a new, playful outlook. If you aren’t sure what kind of play you’ll enjoy now as an adult, ask yourself – how did I like to play as a kid? And how can I incorporate that form of play into my life now? Read more tips here. More fall goal ideas Newsletter continues after sponsor message Your thoughts: Would you ever swap your smartphone for a basic phone?   Photo illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR Remember old-school Nokia phones? You could only do a handful of things on them -- call people, send an SMS, change your ringtone or play Snake.  Some people who are looking to spend less time on their smartphones are switching to basic phones like the Nokia. And we want to know: Would you ever consider getting a phone without apps like Instagram and Maps to curb the time you spend online?  Life Kit has a whole episode about how to transition from a smartphone to a basic phone, and we want to hear whether you’d ever consider making the change. What would you miss the most? What do you think you’d like about having a basic phone? Email us at lifekit@npr.org and share your opinion with us. We may include your response in a future Life Kit newsletter.  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+ This week on Life Kit Athletes of every sport prove it’s never too late to uncover your fitness potential. Left to Right: Canadian track cyclist Kelsey Mitchell, IOC Refugee Team sport shooter Luna Solomon and British rower Helen Glover all competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics. They did not discover their sport until their 20s. Photographs by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images; Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images; Alex Davidson/Getty Images Motivated by the Olympics? It’s not too late to jumpstart your own fitness journey. To kickstart an exercise routine you’ll actually stick with, try these science-backed tips to help you find the right movement, stay motivated and improve performance. Read the story here.  Common financial mistakes to avoid. Financial educator Yanely Espinal shares her don'ts when it comes to money. Don't co-sign loans. Don't make hype-driven investments. Don't spend money you don't have. If you've been making these missteps, don't worry — Espinal has advice on how to create a path forward. Listen to the episode here. How tech experts recommend organizing your photos. Feeling overwhelmed by thousands of photos? Running out of storage? We spoke with a consumer tech expert, a professional photo organizer and a photo-loving tech entrepreneur to get their tried-and-true methods for sorting digital photo collections — whether you're doing simple, routine prevention of photo bloat or starting a big archiving project. Listen to the episode here.  Upcoming Life Kit topics 🏋️ Weightlifting  📖 Public Libraries  💍 Weddings  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