Pleasures and pastimes

Woman in a white dress standing in front of a geometric quilt in a garden setting with trees in the background.
TRADITIONAL ARTS

Beauty is woven into everyday life for the quilters of the American West

A film by Carly Jakins and Jared Jakins

Painting of a cafe interior with a person sitting alone holding a cup tables stacked chairs on checkered floor.
EMOTION REGULATION

Solitude can be profoundly restorative. Here’s how to savour it

Time alone offers unique psychological benefits, once you learn to embrace these quiet moments rather than escape them

by Thuy-vy Nguyen

Photo of a person in vibrant traditional attire with an orange headwrap singing on stage, another in shadow to the side.
MUSIC

How to get hooked on opera

Aspects of opera can seem strange. But give it a try and you’ll soon find yourself absorbed in a truly magical experience

by Alexandra Wilson

Photo of young people sitting on a stone ledge outside a historic building, some using phones, with trees and red phone boxes.
TECHNOLOGY AND MEDIA

Why teenagers are deliberately seeking brain rot on TikTok

Talking to teens reveals a hidden sophistication to their media use. Rather than policing it, maybe we could learn from it

by Emilie Owens

A large flock of birds fills the sky at dusk over a car park, where people with binoculars observe them from beside their vehicles.
PLACE

A makeshift community of people and migratory birds converge on a strip mall

Directed by Henry Davis

Photo of a woman jogging along a riverside path in an urban area with tall buildings under a partly cloudy sky.
GOALS AND MOTIVATION

So-called ‘SMART goals’ are a case of style over substance

From fitness to finance, the SMART goal-setting method is ubiquitous, but often detrimental. There are better approaches

by Christian Swann

Black and white photo of a man smiling next to a woman laughing at a formal event. Other guests visible in the background.
SEX AND SEXUALITY

Everything I know about flirting, I learned from the Cold War

The rewards of flirtation go beyond sex or romance. But, as in other exchanges, you have to know where the red line is

by Youngbin Yoon

Black-and-white photo of a woman smoking at an outdoor cafe at night with tables, a bicycle and streetlights in the background.
ADDICTION

You can want things you don’t like and like things you don’t want

The distinct neurochemistry of wanting and liking is helping to make sense of addiction – and more everyday behaviours

by Shayla Love

A knitted grey toy mouse holds a needle and repairs its own dress. Three balls of yarn lie nearby, alongside a small blue open book.
PLEASURES AND PASTIMES

A whimsical ode to the reparative power of knitting, rendered in wool

Directed by Samantha Moore

A woman with grey curly hair is sorting plant materials on an outdoor table in a garden, with various green and flowering plants in the background.
NATURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

From freeze to bloom – the rhythms and splendour of life on a flower farm

Directed by Oriel Danielson

Photo of shelves filled with vinyl record covers stacked vertically, showing a collection of diverse albums.
MUSIC

How to discover new music

In a musical rut? Whatever your age or existing tastes, you can find surprise and enjoyment beyond the streaming algorithms

by James Hadfield

Close-up of feet in white trainers near four tennis balls on a blue tennis court, with blurred background of a few people.
SPORTS AND GAMES

Passion, agility, invisibility – do you have what it takes to become a ball person?

Directed by Scott Lazer

A man sitting on a chair in a lush garden with blooming flowers, a cobbled path, and a red garden shed in the background.
PLEASURES AND PASTIMES

A club for ‘dull men’ may just inspire you to see the unremarkable anew

Directed by Andy Oxley

A lone swimmer in choppy waters near a lighthouse on a rocky outcrop, under an overcast sky.
TRANSCENDENT EXPERIENCE

A record-breaking distance swimmer finds sublime peace in cold water

Directed by Thomas Beug

Photo of smiling people in festive nature-inspired costumes with leaves and flowers, outdoors against a stone building.
JOY

How to start having more fun

Fun isn’t frivolous – it’s vital for your wellbeing. Here’s a step-by-step plan to bring more pleasure into your busy life

by Mike Rucker

Black and white photo of a person playing a piano with an ornate music stand.
MUSIC

How to listen to, and enjoy, classical music

Whether you’re a newbie or an aficionado, these ways to navigate and approach the genre will enrich your experience

by Lawrence Kramer