Lifestyle - Friday, April 17, 2026

Researcher Valentina Bianchi says holding in information can take a mental toll. Here’s how to manage it Tell us: do you use AI for fitness? Usually nothing makes me happier than receiving a message that starts with “don’t share this, but …”. Yet as I played the voice note on my phone, my gleeful anticipation turned to dismay. It was a juicy bit of gossip, but one I ultimately would have preferred not to know. Now I also had to conceal it from others. I’m an adult. Why do I regress under my parents’ roof? I like my own company. But do I spend too much time alone? People say you’ll know – but will I regret not having children? Continue reading...

Advice columnist Carolyn Hax answers your questions about the strange train we call life.

When the comedian has to weigh up entertainment against hurting people’s feelings, he says he’ll pick entertainment every time As we walk down the top end of Collins Street, past the Rolex store on one side and Gucci boutique on the other, approaching the theatre bearing massive photos of his face, Tom Gleeson is describing how out of touch he is. “A mate of mine once said to me, ‘Everyone thinks you’re really relatable because you come from the country or whatever but you’re not relatable at all. You never had a real job. You’ve worked in the arts your whole life. You’ve never really had to set your alarm for a job. This idea that you’re somehow this regular Australian guy is just so not true.’” Continue reading...

Experts share the simple shift that makes your plants look intentional. The post Why Your Plants Make Your Home Feel Cluttered (and How to Fix It) appeared first on Camille Styles .

Resurgence of 90s minimalism has caused an explosion in the popularity of denim, but can a pair ever be worth £800? Denim mania is surging across the fashion spectrum. At one end is the luxury brand Alaia with an Aegean blue, comfortable yet flattering £800 pair. At the other is JW Anderson’s collaboration with the high street brand Uniqlo and a £34.90 price tag. Both are proving wildly popular. Alaia’s line has only just launched, so there are no sales figures yet, but demand for its Japanese denim is such that customers are advised to reserve certain styles in store or call ahead before visiting. At Uniqlo, the straight cut are said to be the most popular, on the front row of the most recent fashion weeks, and routinely sell out online. Blame the resurgence of 90s minimalism. Continue reading...

The best sales from Filter-vetted brands for climate-conscious consumption that are also easy on the wallet Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things Durable, climate-conscious goods often come at a premium. After all, it’s a lot cheaper to churn out 1,000 plastic cutting boards out of a mold than to craft them from walnut and compost the tiniest scraps . Fortunately, a lot of our favorite brands are throwing Earth Day sales right now, making it more affordable to buy fewer, better things . We’ve rounded up the best deals worth shopping from Filter-vetted brands, including responsibly sourced Burt’s Bees lip balm and a forever chemical-free Mammut jacket. While not every sale is strictly in honor of Earth Day, they’re all prime opportunities to snag products we love from brands we trust. Continue reading...

Common Sense Media also reviews “Pizza Movie” and “Little Margo Stories.”

From next-day delivery to kids’ TV shows on demand, have we forgotten how to wait for … anything? The good news is that patience is a skill that can be cultivated – by parents and children alike. Here’s how Your kids want to know why their new book (ordered 18 hours ago) is “taking so long” and need you “NOW” because Netflix “isn’t loading” (it “tu-dums” milliseconds later). For parents who had dial-up internet, endless TV adverts and long car journeys soundtracked by Dad’s AM Test cricket, modern kids’ inability to be patient can feel galling. Except, with our Deliveroo habit and boiling-water taps (who has time for a kettle?), we can be just as bad. “Our environment and culture has trained our nervous systems to expect immediacy,” says Anna Mathur, psychotherapist and author of How to Stop Snapping at the People You Love (As Well As the Ones You Don’t) . “The issue is our brains are plastic; they adapt to the level of easy dopamine we’ve got at our fingertips.” Our brains are changing, confirms child psychologist Dr Michele McDowell: “A recent study indicated the brain instantly responds to notifications and takes seven seconds to refocus. Consequently, the brain is becoming overstimulated and is increasingly more responsive. Over time, this erodes the brain’s capacity to tolerate waiting and to be patient. So each time your phone pings, it’s reshaping your mind’s ability to wait.” Continue reading...

Chef José Andrés, whose latest cookbook is “Spain My Way: Eat, Drink, and Cook Like a Spaniard,” shares his tips for an authentic culinary experience in Spain.

Art lover Ari Hodara bought two raffle tickets on a whim for about $118 each. The raffle raised money for Alzheimer’s research.