Interacting With People Is the Antidote to the Never-Ending Cycle of Terrible News
When we rounded up our staff’s weekly updates last Friday, our editors were tweaking our cold-weather accessories, using pharmaceuticals to combat seasonal illnesses, and trying to add a little positivity to our social media diets.
This week, we’re simplifying ways to get your morning caffeine, finding out when to take a break from the news cycle, starting small with new habits, and welcoming a new employee (!!) to the Lifehacker team.
What updates have you made this week? Let us know in the comments.
Ditch tea for “bad coffee” and a simpler routine.
Every morning I brewed coffee for my wife and tea for myself, juggling a variety of accessories. Eventually I gave up and switched from tea to coffee, so now I only use the monotonous Black and Decker coffee maker and it’s much easier. It turned out that “bad coffee” is quite enough for us.
Nick Douglas, staff writer
Make face-to-face communication more important than your news feed
I spent several evenings meeting with friends, and it was the best I could do during what seemed like an endless stream of terrible news. If there is one thing we all need more than good conversation with good people instead of good food.
alisia adamchik, staff writer
Build a Basic Habit with Tiny Changes
It’s hard to get back into the habit of daily reading when your morning commute involves being hammered into a subway car like sardines. Instead of carrying around a giant tome about Casanova, I decided to adapt to my environment and bring something that could be read on the subway. This meant finding and organizing every interesting and tiny book I have. Right now, I am calmly reading a book on zazen . Next? Pencil Sharpening Guide . Of course, I don’t gobble up the books at the top of the reading pile, but at least I’m building muscle .
Patrick Austin, staff writer
Make your own delicious ingredient
I made toast with cream and they are really good, however. It works well in sweet and savory applications and makes whatever you add a little richer and deeper. I am especially pleased with the quality he brings to this toffee-like cocktail .
Claire Lowe, Food and Beverage Editor
New work, new trips
I took a new job this week (guess where!) And my life has improved dramatically with my new commuting. That cut just 10-15 minutes from my subway ride, but it feels like a whole new world with more time at home to get ready and easier to get to work earlier. (Plus, the people I work with seem talented, sweet, smart, and friendly … but definitely the new trip is a highlight.)
Joel Kahn, Senior Video Producer
Stop the wave of mess in the cords
Five people live in my house. We all have gadgets that we charge sometimes, and I was sick of the Nintendo charging cables wrapped around the toaster. (For some reason, all the main charging points ended up in the kitchen ??) So, I made a charging station. Our TV is wall-mounted, which means our entertainment cabinet (which houses the sound system and other electronics) is empty but a bunch of old dusty DVDs. (Unfortunately, my husband would not let me get rid of any of the DVDs, insisting that each of them was a joy, but I found some extra shelves for them.) I plugged in a new extension cord behind the cabinet, brought all the family’s chargers for a new one. space, and even installed some cute cable holders to organize them all. Everyone now always knows where their gadgets are and the toaster is freed from its wire prison.
Beth Squarecki, health editor
Fake natural light effects
I pondered this purchase for a while, but finally I rushed for the Philips Wake-Up Light (Amazon had 30% off, plus they offered a $ 25 off coupon) and I already love it. I still need an alarm or noise to wake me up completely (I set it to a radio alarm to wake me up with WQXR), but the lights slowly turn up 20-30 minutes before my wake-up time.I found the alarm had become much less harsh and I start the day in a better mood. It also means I no longer need to keep my phone on the bedside table, so I can jump into the bedroom without a phone, which everyone thinks is much better for your sleep and well-being.
Virginia K. Smith, Editor-in-Chief
Learn again about the importance of listening
I brushed my teeth. Smooth, shiny teeth are a nice upgrade, but what always impresses me is how many details from my life my hygienist remembers. She remembered my gym schedule, my neighborhood, my baby’s birthday month, my favorite bread, and the exact trajectory of my career over the past few years. It’s nice to know that she actually listens during small talk (a skill I want to be better at!) And that she can understand me when my mouth opens and I get dirt off my molars.
Michelle Wu, parenting editor