Need a closet overhaul? Help is out there

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How to code

I love computers, but everyone discouraged me from using them when Iwas growing up, because I’m female.When Iwas 38, I decided I’d learn to code.Through online classes and an in-person boot camp, I’ve expanded my understanding of theworld—and of myself. I love the languages and rules of HTML and CSS; they quickly let me create something that’s oftenvery beautiful.To learn, start online and get a taste of the tech community by looking for gatherings on meetup .com. Letyourself explore soyou can discoverwhoyou are now rather than believeyouwill always be the same asyouwere.

LETTA RAVEN IS A TECH SUPPORT SPECIALIST WHO LIVES IN PORTLAND, OREGON.

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How to turn stress into joy

The ability to find joy inyour daily life is highly teachable. Here’s an easyway to practice during a tense moment: First, secretly identify someone aroundyou. It can be anyone—your challenging coworker, the driverwho just cutyou off in traffic, the personyou’re serving a meal to at the local shelter.Then take in one slow, deep breath, giving full attention to the feeling in eitheryour nose oryour belly, and maintain that focus asyou slowly exhale.Asyou exhale, think, “Iwish for this person to be happy!” Sincere goodwill is picked up unconsciously by others and creates trust that leads to more positive interactions.

CHADE-MENG TAN, ONE OF GOOGLE’S FIRST ENGINEERS, IS CREATOR OF THE “SEARCH INSIDE YOURSELF” MINDFULNESS COURSE. THE AUTHOR OF JOY ON DEMAND, HE LIVES IN THE BAY AREA. 4

How to dance

I learned to dance a lot later than my peers. Most of them started as children andwere able to get great technique and incredible fundamentals thatway. Iwent to an arts high school for theater. One day, in rehearsal, Iwatched a dance number. I saw my classmates in the dark theater telling such a beautiful storywithout moving their mouths. I thought, “Iwant to do that.” Ifyouwant to learn to dance, even just socially, surroundyourselfwith other peoplewho are good at it andwhom you enjoy beingwith. It’s all about the environment and thevibes. Find a studio whereyou like the people and they make you feel comfortable, andwatch them closely. I believe that observing is just as effective as practicing—it’s the bestway to pick up an impressive move or two.

TYLER M C KENZIE IS A DANCER WHO HAS APPEARED ON BROADWAY IN MAMMA MIA, MATILDA, AND HAMILTON. HE LIVES IN NEW YORK CITY. 5

How to tell a joke

There are so many peoplewho have a great sense of humorwho don’t think they have the confidence to make people laugh. But telling a joke is a great icebreaker. The one thing to keep in mind as you’re getting started is thatyou don’t have to tellyour own joke. As long asyou give creditwhere it’s due—“You knowwhat Margaret Cho says, right?”—there’s nothing wrong withsharingsomeone else’s joke inyour own, funny way. Joke telling is a kind of public speaking; build upyour confidence by practicing onyour coworkers, friends, or family. It’s a strange experience to suddenly be the center of attention, but people love to laugh.And the stuff that makesyou laugh tells people who youare.

LINDSAY GOLDWERT IS A WRITER AND COMEDIAN BASED IN QUEENS, NEW YORK.

Good Read

Unhandy Man

MIDDLE AGE WAS APPROACHING, AND STEVE FRIEDMAN FELT LISTLESS. WERE THERE ANSWERS SOMEWHERE IN HIS TOOLBOX?

NOTTOO LONGAGO, I decided to build a bookshelf.

Proficiencywith tools has always been important to me.As a college student, I carried Zen and theArt of Motorcycle Maintenance wherever Iwent.Three decades later, I recommended Shop Class as Soulcraft to friends in distress aswell as to people I barely knew butwho seemed sad. I promised thatworkingwith their hands— hammering and sanding, measuring and tightening—might bring them the kind of peace thatyoga, therapy, and prayer neverwould.

I never read either book. Except for seventh-grade shop class, where I sawed andvarnished a cutting board that turned out to look like a hideously deformed bluegill, most of my experience at handinesswas aspirational, if not outright dishonest.