Let this be the season of rest and recovery.

(Managing projects at the office!

What to do with your one wild and preciouspersonal day?

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MONICA GARWOOD

Go to a concert.

(Keep reading for more on all three of those suggestions.)

If theres overlap with your interests, thats a natural connection point.

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MONICA GARWOOD

And when you invite them to hang out, explain why you want to.

We could be better as a team!

Then see how it goes!

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MONICA GARWOOD

Interior designers say you only have to change one thing for a quick vibe shift.

“There are so manygreat booksout there that you have to be picky!

For daytime, think defense.

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MONICA GARWOOD

For nighttime, think repair.

In the morning, use a cleanser, then a moisturizer with SPF.

At bedtime, cleanse again and follow with a product to treat specific issues while you sleep.

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MONICA GARWOOD

See Your Friends More Often

More than half (61%!)

Still, it can be hard to fit dinners or even happy hours into our busy schedules.

Its as simple as: Hey!

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MONICA GARWOOD

Im heading to your area to grab plants at the nursery.

I can pick you up on the way.

Maintaining friendships is often simply a matter of showing up.

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MONICA GARWOOD

These nibbles tend to lack the good stuff youd want from a meal (protein!

and are often high in other stuff (sugar!

Your neighbor pressures you to host the next book club.

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MONICA GARWOOD

Youd love to…if the timing were better.

Reply to them individually or circle back solo after a meeting, she suggests.

Be clear and truthful.

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MONICA GARWOOD

If its something you would do in the future, bow out with what Swann calls a Next time!

to show youd be happy to help when it’s possible for you to.

In the long run, though, itll be a huge boost.

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MONICA GARWOOD

Keep the increase going for 10 years and you should end up with about double your money.

Up that by 1% a year, and in a decade youll have $111,000.

(If youre under 50, thats $23,000; $30,500 if youre over.)

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MONICA GARWOOD

While youre doing that, Garcia says to revamp your beneficiaries if necessary.

And dont believe the myth that your furnace has to work harder to heat back up.

According to the DOE, you could save 10% on your heating bill this way.

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MONICA GARWOOD

The point: Snooze away!

So if you feel the waterworks coming on, let them.

Try the “5 Things Tidying Method” for yourself.

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MONICA GARWOOD

The live performance triggered a stronger emotional response in the amygdala than the song played from a rig.

you gotta be just as cautious in the digital world, he says.

His biggest tips forpeople who want to entertainbut find it daunting: Start early and outsource.

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MONICA GARWOOD

Do the parts of hosting you like and delegate the rest.

Once youve decided what parts youre going to handle, do as much as possible in advance.

Then take deep breaths, smile, and enjoybecauseno ones judging you on your performance.

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MONICA GARWOOD

As Meyer likes to say, This is not a White House state dinner!

Plus, you’re free to hold a little taste test.

Write a Thank-You Note

Bust out that stationery!

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MONICA GARWOOD

Write one to your kids school custodian, or your dry cleaner, or your best friends dad.

I wrote to the chef of a restaurant I used to love that had closed, she says.

She wrote the most beautiful reply.

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MONICA GARWOOD

That said, we dont want to look like relics either.

Just shop for a few things, says fashion pro Stephanie Tricola.

Theyre on-trend but also comfortable.

Levis has a few pairs Tricola likes.

Ballet Flats

Yay!

We couldnt be happier about the return of ballet flats.

Wear em with dress pants or jeans for max comfort.

Checkout Camper, Dolce Vita, and Madewell for lots of great and colorful options.

Anthropologie has some inexpensive ones.

Lighten your load and look cute doing it!

My mother was a survivor of Auschwitz.

His suggestion: Do what you’re free to.

Feed a hungry person, volunteer at a shelter, speak up for voting rights.

Because youre not actually blowing off steam.

According to researchers at The Ohio State University, venting and running dont lower your physiological arousal level.

In fact, they increase it!

Start Prepping for Next Summers Vacation

Its never too early!

Do you hope to re-create this yearsbeach daywith friends, white water rafting trip, or grown-up tennis camp?

Was there something you wish youd done?

Make your goals for 2025 on apaper plannerand start saving, Garcia says.

Set a dollar amount to automatically transfer into a high-yield savings account every month.

Come spring, book away.