After seven years of trying to conceive, Lauren is ending fertility treatments and starting a new journey: adoption. She’s excited about this unexpected detour into parenthood—but she’s also grieving the loss of something deeply personal that she desired for so long. On this episode: How To!’s Courtney Martin brings on <a href="https://adalimon.com/">Ada Limón</a>, author of the new book <a href="https://milkweed.org/book/startlement">Startlement</a> and the current U.S. poet laureate. Ada offers Lauren guidance on finding strength and joy in this unplanned chapter of her life—and on rethinking our own expectations for our bodies and our lives.
If you liked this episode check out <a href="https://slate.com/podcasts/how-to/2022/07/adoption-with-marcia-chatelain">How To Become a Parent Overnight</a> and <a href="https://slate.com/podcasts/how-to/2023/11/building-a-long-lasting-marriage">How To Build a Marriage That Lasts</a>. 
Do you have a problem that needs solving? Send us a note at <a href="mailto:howto@slate.com">howto@slate.com</a> or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-with-charles-duhigg/id1469631127">Apple</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2sTpPBvpoGHZlDwgSKI7EZ?si=bD7WdR-vTjuCva13Wdn5qw">Spotify</a> or wherever you listen.
The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis and Sophie Summergrad. Our technical director is Merritt Jacob and our supervising producer is Joel Meyer.
Get more of How To! with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of How To! and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the How To! show page on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to/id1469631127">Apple Podcasts</a> or <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2sTpPBvpoGHZlDwgSKI7EZ">Spotify</a>. Or, visit <a href="https://slate.com/podcast-plus?utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=plus_pod&utm_content=How_To&utm_source=episode_summary">slate.com/howtoplus</a> for access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

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