5 rituals to reclaim that back-to-school buzz

"I used to love running my fingertips along the cover of a fresh marble notebook and picking out my outfit for the first day of school," says Life Kit host Mariel Segarra. That buzzy feeling of September—a chance at a fresh start, a time to ditch old habits and settle into a routine—doesn't have to disappear when you leave school behind. This episode reimagines five back-to-school rituals for adult life, grounded in practical psychology and real habits that stick.

Pack a lunch with intention

The first ritual is simple but powerful: pack your lunch. Eating out has gotten expensive, and often isn't healthy. Kevin Curry, founder of FitMenCook, spends 45 minutes twice a week prepping five components—chickpeas, chicken, jasmine rice, roasted vegetables, and sautéed greens—that he mixes and matches into about ten different meal combinations. "One day I was like, you know what? I think I want chicken, rice, and greens. Boom. Another day I think I want the chickpeas, roasted veggies, and the greens and maybe a little bit of rice." He also recommends making one sauce for the week, something packed with flavor that works on grain bowls, sandwiches, and salads.