The Morning: Your best advice of 2024

Readers of The Morning share wisdom for the coming year.

View in browser|nytimes.com December 28, 2024 By Melissa Kirsch Good morning. As we close out this year and look ahead to the new one, here's the best advice that readers of The Morning received this year. María Jesús Contreras Good advice The piece of wisdom I repeated the most this year came from a reader of The Morning who answered my call for advice last December: "We are all juggling so many balls. Differentiate between glass balls and rubber balls — and don't be afraid to drop the rubber balls." Everyone with whom I shared this little gem seemed to find it useful (or maybe they were humoring me?). I'm not sure why this particular advice stuck with me — really, it's just saying "learn to prioritize," a colorful riff on "don't sweat the small stuff." For whatever reason, picturing the messy, ungovernable realm of worries and to-dos as rubber and glass balls helped me think more clearly in times of stress. Social media is an aphorism machine. Any bit of marginally useful wisdom has been reproduced in a paintbrush font and shared a million times on Instagram or TikTok. I'm reflexively repelled by the commodification of wisdom, but I'll admit that I've been unexpectedly moved more than once by some random influencer who shows up in my feed, their voice urgent and commanding as they gaze right into my eyes and tell me something improbably pithy about boundaries or time or the necessity of letting the soft animal of my body love what it loves (a gorgeous Mary Oliver line, no matter how many times it's repeated). The best advice for how to live well, though, comes from other people, from their actual process of trying and failing and trying again. I asked you a few weeks ago for your best advice of 2024 and, as in previous years, your responses were so wise, so insightful and moving that I'm sorry I can't share them all. I hope there's some bit of insight in here that will provide you with clarity as you wind down this year and look ahead to the new one. I know there is for me. The best advice you received Do something today your tomorrow self will thank you for. — Ava Shaffer, Cincinnati The real game doesn't start until the fourth quarter. I take it to mean that you are never out of time, and it is never too late to make a comeback. — Annelise Medina, Los Angeles People who avoid their own feelings will neglect yours. — Jennifer Pagliaroli, Bethlehem, Pa. If you have a plant with mealy bugs, spray it with rubbing alcohol. — Joli Holmberg, Minneapolis Even one step a day gets you 365 steps farther in a year. — Andie Daniels, Charlottesville, Va. It could be great? — Angela Southern, Pflugerville, Tex. "Shake the tree," my mom advised. "You never know what will fall out." Put another way: It never hurts to ask. I shook the tree this year and some great things came about: a new mentor, a penalty waived for a late submission, a free plate of zeppoles. — Jennifer Suzukawa-Tseng, New York City Attend funerals for relatives of people you don't know really well. It is the kindest thing you can do for an acquaintance. — John Immerwahr, Bryn Mawr, Pa. Stop thinking about your problems and make someone else happy. — Sonja Jewell, Leesburg, Va. Don't just put things back. Put them away. — Tracie McGinnity, Rochester, N.Y. If you're worried about something that really doesn't matter and you know eventually you'll say, "Who cares?," why not just go straight to "Who cares?" — Kimberly Andersen, Old Bridge, N.J. Instead of trying harder, try softer. — Martha Bonnie, Phoenix Everything is better after you stretch. — Tal Hadani-Pease, Sherman, Conn. If you're going to procrastinate, do something you enjoy. — El'isha Allen, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. It's never too late to have a good day. — Carolyn Kettler, Kansas City, Mo. Go to the doctor! — Amy Henning, Palatine, Ill. The only time you should look in someone else's bowl is to see if they have enough. — Jess Wehmeier, Indianapolis Love shows up. — Kathy Fry, Grosse Pointe, Mich. Some seasons you produce fruit, some seasons you prune, and some seasons you let your roots grow deep. — Jonathan Berry, Berea, Ky. When someone is interpreting your behavior or actions without a spirit of openness, de-escalate the conflict by saying, "I would appreciate it if you could be more generous with me." It really works and leads to conversation, not argument. — Kate Fessler, St. Paul Use up everything in your freezer. — Tess Hartman, Kennett Square, Pa. The world is run by those who show up. — April Conway, Reno, Nev. Retire as soon as you can. Time will always be your most valuable asset. — Julie Drew, Akron, Ohio Get off Tinder. — Will Boone, New York City If you're unhappy, do something about it. If you are happy, do something about it. — Kelly King, Pittsburgh There's a connection between novelty and joy. — Jacqueline Lovell-Lantz, Sandy, Utah Does it need to be said? Does it need to be said by me? Does it need to be said by me, now? — Astrid Moresco, Fort Collins, Colo. Don't look at your medical test reports before the doctor has a chance to explain them to you. — Melanie Mullins, Walden, N.Y. Nothing is ever as good as you think it will be or as bad as you fear. — Gail Baron, Charlotte, N.C. Does your houseplant make you feel happy? If you're just keeping it alive out of a sense of obligation, let it go! — Mary Ann Carter, Kensington, Md. Don't be the one to tell yourself no. — Skye Verhofste, Des Moines Sometimes the greatest act of kindness is to pretend you haven't already heard that story before. — Sarah Schroeder, Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. For more: If you like The Morning's annual reader advice, be sure to listen to "The Daily" on Tuesday, Dec. 31. Listeners called in with their best advice of the year and it's pretty special. THE WEEK IN CULTURE Music Beyoncé's halftime show. Maria Lysaker/FR 171984 Associated Press, via Associated Press Beyoncé performed at an N.F.L. halftime show on Christmas in Houston. Netflix hosted two pro football games and the big performance as part of its push into live programming. Our pop critic reflected on the impact of Charli XCX's "Brat" on 2024. Catch up on the biggest songs of 2024 and make your own playlist with help from our critics. Film and TV "Babygirl" was released in theaters. "Nicole Kidman bares body and some soul in a story about a married woman who enters a dominant-submissive affair with a younger man," our critic writes. The internet continued to buzz over Blake Lively's lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, her co-star in the movie "It Ends With Us." Read about the controversy in The Cut. Shyam Benegal, an Indian filmmaker who in a career that began in the 1970s made many of his country's best-loved films, died at 90. Finished watching Season 2 of "Squid Game," Netflix's hit Korean series about the indignities of modern capitalism? Read this. Greg Gumbel, the witty and wise sports broadcaster who called football and college basketball games over a 50-year career, died at 78. More Culture See photos from celebrations of Christmas and Hanukkah around the world. Signs at 30 Rockefeller Plaza and the Apollo Theater have lost their vintage neon glow, replaced with LED lighting. The hottest trend in book publishing is elaborately designed covers. A fire burned multiple booths at a popular holiday market in Midtown Manhattan yesterday. No one was injured. THE LATEST NEWS Trump Administration A supporter of TikTok during a protest in Washington in March. Kent Nishimura for The New York Times Donald Trump wants the Supreme Court to pause a law that could ban TikTok in the U.S., according to a brief he filed. Two Canadian government officials met with Trump allies about a border security plan that they hope will end Trump's threats to impose tariffs on Canadian goods. Tesla's electric-car sales have stalled, but its share price is up. Investors are betting that Elon Musk will use his influence with Trump to benefit the company. Immigration hardliners vs. tech industry leaders: Trump allies are arguing online about whether the U.S. should welcome foreign skilled workers. International After Hamas's Oct. 7 attack, Israel weakened military safeguards meant to protect civilians to more easily strike Gaza, a Times investigation found. (Here are more takeaways.) Iran arrested and jailed Cecilia Sala, a prominent Italian journalist, while she was reporting there. Iran hasn't said why it detained her. A young woman trapped in Sudan decided to help wounded soldiers on the front lines. Read her story. Other Big Stories Homelessness in the U.S. reached record levels this year, driven by a migrant surge, housing shortages and the end of pandemic-era measures. An inmate at a New York prison died after corrections officers punched and kicked him while his hands were restrained, body-camera video footage shows. The E.P.A. urges farmers to use sewage sludge as fertilizer. Decades ago, scientists told the agency that the sewage contains toxic "forever chemicals." Bird flu samples from a person hospitalized in Louisiana showed mutations that could help the virus infect people more easily. The Holiday Sale ends soon. Subscribe to Cooking. Main dishes. Side dishes. And all the cookies, too. Cooking recipes are for every taste and skill level. Save on your first year. CULTURE CALENDAR By Alexis Soloski 🎭 "Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind" (Tuesday): If you need one more comedy special before you ring in the New Year, you can stay up for this hour from Buteau ("Survival of the Thickest," "Babes"), an energetic, side-eye-rich disquisition on children, marriage, aging and basic human decency. (This is apparently the first special recorded by a woman at Radio City Music Hall.) Buteau's special isn't as brainy, brash or uncouth as others released this year, but there's a sweetly molten core to her routines, a sense of genuine warmth. "You understand how love works?" Buteau asks toward the end of the hour. Buteau does. RECIPE OF THE WEEK Andrew Sullivan for The New York Times Buttermilk-Brown Sugar Waffles By Melissa Clark Today's the approximate halfway point in this week of holiday hullabaloo, and therefore a good opportunity for a moment of self-care. For me, that means waffles. Julia Moskin's buttermilk-brown sugar waffles are light, crisp at the edges, and very easy to throw together. They're forgiving, too. If you don't have buttermilk, you can use yogurt, or regular milk with a dash of lemon juice or vinegar for acidity. Cook up a batch this weekend, then freeze any leftovers, which are easy to reheat in the toaster. You'll be very grateful to find them in January. REAL ESTATE The New York Times The Hunt: Our favorite home-buying stories of 2024, with homes ranging from $135,000 to $6.75 million. Holiday cleanup: Which New York borough produces the most Christmas tree waste? First-time home buyer? Read one new owner's top tips. LIVING Travel: Ski between the U.S. and Canada in the same day. Thinking: The speed of human thought has been quantified. It's slower than an internet connection, a study found. Scales: Some doctors will stop taking routine weight measurements. They say it's keeping patients from coming to the office. ADVICE FROM WIRECUTTER Our most popular picks of the year Wirecutter journalists spend all year rigorously and independently testing thousands of products. We'll be the first to tell you that there's a whole lot of junk out there. But the right product — something that's thoughtfully designed and well-made and that actually solves a problem for you — can set you up for a safer, cleaner or more beautiful year. Here are our readers' 100 favorite Wirecutter picks of 2024, all expert-vetted recommendations that they found valuable in their own lives. — Ben Frumin GAME OF THE WEEK The Rose Bowl. David McNew/Getty Images Ohio State vs. Oregon, the Rose Bowl: This bowl game was once a gem of the college football postseason. Now it's a quarterfinal game in the 12-team College Football Playoff. But some traditions live on: It's still on New Year's Day; it's still preceded by a flowery parade; and it's still got the most majestic setting in football, a century-old stadium at the foot of California's San Gabriel Mountains. And, by dint of fate (or good scheduling), this year's game even features two classic Rose Bowl teams — Ohio State and Oregon, both of which are serious title contenders. Wednesday, 5 p.m. Eastern on ESPN NOW TIME TO PLAY Here is today's Spelling Bee. Yesterday's pangrams were magically and myalgic. And here are today's Mini Crossword, Wordle, Sudoku, Connections and Strands. Thanks for spending part of your weekend with The Times. —Melissa Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. Reach our team at themorning@nytimes.com. Editor: David Leonhardt Deputy Editor: Adam B. Kushner News Editor: Tom Wright-Piersanti Associate Editor: Lauren Jackson News Staff: Desiree Ibekwe, Sean Kawasaki-Culligan, Brent Lewis, German Lopez, Ian Prasad Philbrick, Ashley Wu News Assistant: Lyna Bentahar Saturday Writer: Melissa Kirsch Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for the Morning newsletter from The New York Times, or as part of your New York Times account. To stop receiving The Morning, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018