Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
mercredi 16 mai 2018
32 Signs You're an Introvert
People are great - in small doses. I value my loved ones just like everyone else, but there are (a lot of) times when I need to retreat and recharge my energy. I'm a true introvert at heart. Introverts value their alone time, their comfort zones, and their way of doing things. They are great listeners, deep thinkers, and good judges of character. If this sounds familiar to you, you might be an introvert, too. Here are some qualities that all introverts can relate to.
- Crowds stress you out. Parades, concerts, big parties - these are not an introvert's idea of a good time.
- Your alone time is precious to you. For introverts, alone time is like the air you breathe. It's not negotiable. Introverts are often alone but rarely ever lonely.
- You're a great listener. Introverts listen first and speak second. This trait is especially valuable within the relationships that introverts build with friends, family, and significant others, because they are people who others feel they can come to for great advice and thoughtful dialogue.
- You form deep, meaningful relationships with people. You may not have a ton of friends, but you are very close to the ones you have. Extroverts are known for having multiple friend groups and a long list of engagements and events, and they generally love being around people. Introverts care less about the scope of their friend group but rather are more interested in the depth of the friendships they take the time and effort to form.
- You prefer hanging out with a small group of people you know. Introverts don't have that much interest in meeting new people. While this is often an extrovert's idea of a good time, introverts prefer to be surrounded by a small group of people they already know and trust.
- You're easily distracted. You're good at multitasking, but because there is so much going on inside your head, it's easy to get distracted and overstimulated by your environment. This is why introverts work well alone!
- You'd rather stay at home than go out. You are a notorious homebody. What's outside in the world that you can't create for yourself in your own home? Introverts look forward to days spent in their comfort zone, doing whatever they want for however long they want to - without distractions and without worrying about what anyone else is doing.
- You're able to look at the big picture. You have perspective and often think beyond the day-to-day, looking ahead to the future, to abstract situations and concepts, and to how decisions you make now will later affect you and others.
- You often overanalyze things. Introverts think. A lot. They agonize over every little detail of conversation from weeks before, they worry about things that haven't happened yet, they ponder concepts and theories just for the fun of it. There are always wheels turning in an introvert's mind - a trait that is both a blessing and curse.
- You recharge your energy when you're alone. The biggest difference between introverts and extroverts is how they recharge their energy. Extroverts seek interactions with other people to feel renewed, whereas introverts need to get away from others and renew their energy by recharging from within themselves.
- You hate being the center of attention. If you've ever had a surprise party thrown in your honor and still cringe at the memory of it, you're probably an introvert. You don't like for the focus to be on you at any time, and you do whatever you can to point the spotlight anywhere but on yourself.
- You often feel awkward during and after social interactions. Meeting new people is NOT your favorite thing. Social interactions - especially with people you don't know - are something that you generally dread. It's not that you don't like people, it's that you overanalyze the situation, and the energy it takes to be "on" during social interactions can drain you down to your last drop.
- Silence between you and a loved one doesn't make you uncomfortable. Many extroverts like to insert conversation into every moment, because silence seems like a waste to them. On the opposite end of the spectrum, introverts savor silence. They are happy to sit with loved ones and not speak, believing in only exerting the energy required for conversation if it's truly worth it.
- You're a really good judge of other people's character. Because introverts listen, avoid the spotlight, and seek meaningful relationships, they are naturally good judges of character. You have the ability to see beyond the exterior and are able to call a person's true nature pretty much from your first impression of them.
- Being around people drains your energy. While you are totally capable of being around people and socializing (and enjoy it!), you have a limit. After a certain period of time, you feel like your mental battery is drained. In order to recharge, you need to retreat to your comfort zone for some much-needed alone time.
- Your personal space is VERY important to you. Introverts love their personal space. In fact, they need it. Your personal space is a comfort zone of your own making, and you don't want anyone else encroaching on that sacred space unless you give them permission to.
- You usually think before you speak. Introverts are thinkers before they are talkers. You typically analyze everything in your head and sort out your thoughts and feelings before verbalizing them.
- You're extremely loyal to your loved ones. Because it takes a lot for you to let someone in, once you do, you are extremely loyal to your loved ones. Introverts are protective over the people they care about and are willing to walk through fire for them.
- You're in touch with your emotions. You are in touch with your feelings and know how to maintain a balance in your life. You're in tune with your energy level, with your emotional and mental states, and with what you want/need. You know (and understand) yourself very well.
- You savor your comfort zones. Introverts are open to new experiences, but they also cherish what they know. The familiarity is comforting and stabilizing to them.
- People mistake you for being shy. Introverts are often perceived as being shy because they are sometimes quiet and not as outwardly social as extroverts. However, many introverts aren't shy at all - they are just waiting to put time and energy into the right thing, rather than everything.
- You strive for success. You are driven, balanced, and independent - qualities that set you up for the success that you value.
- You are very decisive. You know what you like, what you don't like, what you want, and what you don't. While willing to try new things, introverts are also sure of what they know and are rarely indecisive about anything - big or small.
- You're independent. You play well with others, in your career, in school, and in group situations. Because introverts are great judges of character and good listeners, they are definitely able to work cooperatively. However, because they are easily distracted and overstimulated, they are more productive and successful when they work independently.
- You're good at thinking outside the box. A strong characteristic of introverts is their ability to think outside the box. This is especially an asset in an introvert's professional life but is also applicable outside the workplace. You are never held back by perceived limitations; you just think of another creative way around an obstacle.
- You absolutely hate small talk. Chit-chat feels like a colossal waste of time to introverts. Instead, you crave meaningful connections with people, with the potential for forming long-lasting relationships rather than more surface-level interactions.
- You feel relieved when people cancel plans. Introverts enjoy interactions with others, but they also anticipate the inevitable burnout that comes from spending too much time being "on." Because of this, you can't help but feel relieved when people cancel plans with you - it means you're off the hook.
- You can be intense. Introverts can sometimes take things (and themselves) pretty seriously. You love in-depth conversations, thinking critically, and theorizing about concepts in the abstract. You love reading, watching thought-provoking movies and TV shows, and overall seeking meaning in everything.
- You're in a close relationship or friendship with an extrovert. Extroverts are essential parts of an introvert's life, because they are very good at pulling introverts out of their shells, of persuading them to engage in activities they may not have otherwise, and of overall encouraging them to have fun and be outgoing. You are able to feed off an extrovert's energy, while still being able to retreat into yourself when you need to.
- You have a creative outlet of some kind. Many introverts are writers, artists, or creative in some way. Because their minds are always working and an inner dialogue is always running, a creative outlet can be extremely productive (and often necessary).
- You're a planner. Introverts don't usually like surprises, so they like to have a plan at all times in order to make sure that things go as smoothly as possible.
- You're very good at making yourself happy. You don't depend on other people to bring you joy; you're able to find joy within yourself and in the little things around you. This is one of the most valuable traits introverts possess, because they are capable of finding happiness no matter where they are and no matter who they're with.
The 20 Best Whole Foods Snacks For People on the Go
I feel like I spend far more of my time running around than actually sitting down relaxing, and for someone who loves a good snack, it limits my options for easy things I can grab and throw in my purse. Thankfully, Whole Foods has a whole host of options for busy people, including a lot for snacking. Whether you're looking for something salty or sweet (or maybe a little of both), I have full confidence you'll find something at Whole Foods. Bonus: it'll probably be pretty good for you, too!
35 Unique Travel Tattoos to Fuel Your Eternal Wanderlust
Warning: Only committed travelers allowed. If you have a never-ending case of wanderlust, this awe-inspiring ink is perfect for you. Check out all 35 of our most favorite tattoos from those who roam the globe.
5 Words and Phrases to Ban From Your Vocabulary to Improve Your Mental Health
Though the expression says "talk is cheap," I'm not so sure this is always true. In fact, my experience giving therapy to hundreds of people tells me that talk, in fact, can be very, very costly to our health and well-being if we're saying the wrong things. I present you with the words and phrases that should be banned from our vocabularies to improve the state of our precious mental health.
1. "But . . ."
Who knew this three letter word could be so consequential? Interestingly, "but" is defined as a word that "indicates the impossibility of anything other than what is being stated." I would go to the gym, but I'm just too tired. I would save money, but I really want that new Prada bag. The moment we utter this conjunction, it's as if we have no choice but to obey only one of our desires.
The thing about saying "but" is that it glosses over the complexity of our experiences and encourages us to think in black-and-white terms. Life is not a simple thing. As such, I encourage people to start replacing their but's with and's to help make space for the nuances of their experiences. Surely we can want to go to the gym and feel tired, can't we? The moment we start swapping 'but' with 'and,' we give ourselves a hell of a lot more wiggle room.
2. "Should"
"Should" is a word of obligation. It's also loaded with scripts from our culture, society, or family of origin that we often aren't particularly aware of. When you say you should go to the party despite feeling exhausted, for example, the idea that you should prioritize being social versus well-rested didn't come out of nowhere; somewhere along the way, you absorbed that message from somewhere or someone. The question is: Where did it come from? Who said it to you most often? Any time you hear a "should" slip out of your mouth, let it be an invitation to be curious about where it stems from and how it's affecting your day-to-day behaviors.
3. "I deserve it."
There's an air of entitlement that comes with this phrase, no? After all, it implies that you are so worthy, important, hard-working, or what have you that it would be ludicrous for you to not be rewarded. In reality, I'd argue that none of us "deserve" anything other than basic human rights. Beyond that, none of us really deserve anything. Certainly, we can feel like we've earned things, but saying we deserve something is akin to saying we expect to be rewarded and will be displeased if we aren't. Furthermore, using this phrase sets us up for a potentially damaging reward-versus-punishment mentality. For example, in saying you deserve that glass of wine after a long day, you're also implying that you don't deserve to deprive yourself. Again, this lures us into an overly simplistic, black-or-white way of thinking that ignores the complexities of our experiences. Instead of saying you deserve something, say you'd really like something instead. That way, your expectations stay in check and you resist thinking of life's happenings as rewards or punishments.
4. "I hope."
Now, when I invite you to remove "I hope" from your vocabulary, I'm not saying you shouldn't be hopeful. What I'm saying is that hoping for something implies that it's out of reach. "I hope to open my own business one day" sounds very different from "I am going to open my own business one day." Indeed, there's sense of complacency to saying you hope to do something. Hoping isn't what you need; doing is.
5. "Never" and "always"
These are absolute terms that are far too unforgiving. When we say our partner never does the dishes or that they're always late, what we're really doing is perpetuating negative (and inaccurate) self-talk and relationship cycles. Further, we stop ourselves from being able to see the positive moments in our relationship or life in general when we're so fixated on these fleeting negative moments. Even replacing "always" with "often" and never with "rarely" is a step in the right direction.
These words and phrases are so common in our everyday vocabulary that we likely don't notice how often we actually say them. But making these simple changes can have profound impacts on your mental health and overall well-being, particularly in terms of expanding your perspective and catalyzing mental flexibility.
40 Things You've Been Doing Wrong All Your Life
You were probably happily chugging along in your daily routine until you came across this slideshow. You'll soon realize after reading through that there are many things you've been doing wrong without knowing. Get ready to have your world turned upside down.
What I Learned About Swedish Death Cleaning After Experiencing My Own Loss
As I stood atop a makeshift ladder, an old door atop two sawhorses, with a mask over my face, pulling down pieces of wood that were covered in dust that may have been there from the 1920s Dust Bowl, I found myself resenting my grandparents and their parents for holding onto all this junk. I then promptly felt guilt and shame for thinking such a thing while also knowing the resentment was, and is, in many ways misplaced grief. Indeed the emotions are as layered as the dust that was raining down on my head from the eaves of the garage of my grandparents' house in southwest Kansas.
Along with my mother and aunt, we are döstädning - death cleaning, in Swedish.
It's the latest idea and trend in organization, coming from Margareta Magnusson's The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Make Your Loved Ones' Lives Easier and Your Own Life More Pleasant. The principle is that people who are aging should begin to clean their homes and rid them of unwanted items in the hopes that when they pass away, their families will be spared the task. It follows neatly in many ways after the organizing trend started a few years ago with Marie Kondo's book The Life-Changing Art of Tidying Up.
And it's an activity I'd never thought about doing, much less considered giving it a name, until my father passed away unexpectedly not so long ago.
At the time that he died, I wanted to hold onto every single scrap of anything about him - if I could've bottled the air he'd breathed, I would have done it. Every letter or note or even text message, I was sure I needed to hang onto forever and always. As if holding on tight enough would mean he wasn't gone from my life. I couldn't fathom getting rid of anything of his. And he may have had the same idea. His father also died relatively young and our house has boxes of ephemera from a generation past; my dad had never been able to go through and get rid of the condolence cards sent after his own father died. Both of us had fathers who died unexpectedly when we were in our early 30s. With my mother still alive, there was no reason to cull my dad's things, and with the shock of it, we just didn't really do anything.
Then her father, my grandfather, died, and his house was left empty and needed to be cleaned out. That more pressing need has seemed to spur on my mom to look again at the collections of things her husband, my father, left behind. So we mobilized and are currently tackling the unenviable task of "death cleaning" in two places at once. And what seemed impossible slowly became possible - and even helpful. Here are some things I have learned, and am still trying to learn, about the process.
It's ridiculously hard emotionally.
"Many adult children do not want to talk about death with their parents." This. Most definitely this. I highlighted this quote in Magnusson's book, and it's so achingly true. It's not something your brain wants to process, so it's much easier to pretend it won't ever happen.
I don't want to envision going through my mother's stuff, and facing down the one thing that we'll all come to - death - is remarkably difficult. But if you bring it up when you can or think about it for yourself and your own belongings, you get a chance to think about what's actually important and where you'd like treasured heirlooms to go. "Send that rug to Aunt Dottie, she's always loved it," and "It's OK to get rid of that lamp," etc.
I'm working to cherish the memory of loved ones without clinging tight to all of the stuff left behind.
I didn't and don't want to go through any of this stuff, literally and figuratively. It's unfathomable still that my dad and grandpa won't be coming back into the house, and surely they'd be asking where their shoes, hats, and books were if they did.
But wishful thinking does nothing, and I'm working to cherish the memory of loved ones without clinging tight to all of the stuff left behind. And it's also OK to hang onto some special things as memory touch points.
I also had a share of irritation with the sheer volume of stuff and decisions to make, and then felt/feel guilt about that irritation. I know that the burden left behind wasn't an intentional one, but it's OK to feel tired and stressed with it all. Be prepared to be overwhelmed and uncertain.
Having gone through and done our best to organize the two-car garage, filled with old wood scraps, tools, buckets, and odds and ends from the past hundred years, my mother, aunt, and I were pretty much immobilized in physical and mental exhaustion, and it wasn't long after sunset that we packed it in for bed. And that was just for the garage, where nothing had much sentimental value to it.
Many items are likely to spark memories and laughs and tears, some all at the same time.
And what I may have seen as ready for the thrift store or dumpster, others may not and vice versa. A tattered shirt or blanket may bring back all kinds of memories for someone else, and prying it from their hands because you think it's trash isn't going to help anyone.
The weight of making decisions on item after item will wear you out. That's a large part of why Magnusson advocates for doing such cleaning not only before you pass (if you can), but to do it a room at a time, and slowly.
Stories. Ask for and find out stories.
The ideal way to go through the stuff and things of someone's life is to do it with them or with those who know the stories. Before my grandmother passed away, she made notes on many of the handmade quilts that she had in her house, and those notes and stories make the quilts so much more meaningful.
But then there's things like the 18-inch-braid of brown hair in a trunk in my grandparents' basement. Whose was it? Why it was saved? Questions that no one has any answers for. We put it back in the trunk, shut the lid, and left that conundrum for another day.
Which brings me to the next thing.
Be ready to let go.
Think of what's in your own attic, basement, garage, storage unit, file cabinets, and drawers. The things you've curated to make your life comfortable. The things you've saved - appliance instructions, old screws and nails, bank statements, solitary socks - the "stuff" that may not "spark joy" as Kondo puts it, but the stuff that you think will come in handy one day. Or your childhood collections, in my case of postcards and dolls.
All that you hold dear or find valuable in terms of the stuff of your life, at one point and inevitably, it will be meaningless. And that's OK. The memories are still there, and it's not a purge of them from your life. It's a way to move forward, it's giving yourself space to breathe, because as much as you don't want to, the forward motion has to happen.
Give things a place of honor and joy as best you can.
It's hard to know what to do with things that aren't sentimental but that are still in good shape and don't deserve to be flung to the dump. Maybe no one you know needs another bed frame or dresser, not stylish enough to be vintage, but just old-fashioned. Towels and sheets are easy enough to donate. But what do you do with things like yearbooks? Half-finished sewing projects?
I don't collect baseball cards, stamps, or Boy Scout stuff, but I flirted briefly with the idea that I should start collecting all those things my dad had. Holding onto those collections wouldn't do a thing to bring him back, though, and there are people in the world who surely would find more value in them than I could.
Schools and universities may be on the lookout for old yearbooks - we found an old friend of my dad's who was overjoyed to have some of his old Boy Scout stuff, a distant relative was stoked on the idea of getting some of the stamp collection, and my dream is that someone at the local thrift store will find a way to put together the quilt blocks into a cozy, warm comforter.
It's time-consuming to do more than just chuck things in the dump, but it feels right to be able to see things that brought joy and value into my dad's and my granddad's lives find new homes where they'll be appreciated.
35 Facts You Learned in School That Are Completely Wrong
If you really think back to everything you learned as a kid, you'll probably realize how inaccurate a lot of the stuff was. Whether it was taught directly in the classroom or told by your parents, much of what we've always assumed as common knowledge is flawed. Like the whole Thanksgiving thing, obviously, plus a list of other lies many of us have believed our whole lives. Prepare to be surprised by the 35 false facts ahead.
5 Best Disneyland Walls to Take Photos in Front of on Your Next Visit
You can't visit Disneyland and not take a photo. The Anaheim park and theme parks in general, however, don't offer the most ideal photo-taking conditions with so many people around. But there are spots sprinkled around both Disneyland and California Adventure next door for Instagram-worthy photo ops.
Knowing the dedication of Disney fans, we weren't surprised to find several Instagram accounts dedicated to the walls of Disney. So next time you're at the parks, make sure to locate one of the top five Disneyland walls for the best photos.
11 Ingenious Pampered Chef Products That Will Make Cooking So Much Easier
Admittedly, I barely know how to cook. When I successfully make a delicious meal without burning myself or the food, I consider it an enormous accomplishment and send a proud photo to my parents and post it to Instagram for all to see. One brand that has helped me hone my food skills significantly, however, is Pampered Chef.
The brand was founded in 1980 with the aim of making cooking easier and more enjoyable, and so far I've been super impressed by the products. Each item is designed with what seems to be every possible use and solution in mind. The line features pans with removable handles (for easy storage!) that are dishwasher safe and gadgets that help to solve every kitchen problem imaginable. Thanks to the brand, my learning process has gone smoothly and hasn't resulted in any severe injuries yet.
Removing These 31 Things From Your Life Will Make You Happier and More Successful
It's time to come clean. If you want to become a happier person, you don't need to add things to your life - you need to get rid of them. It's time to remove these worries or problems so that you can move in the right direction. Take this list to heart and look forward to a flourishing life.
39 Tips That'll Save You Hundreds on Your Next Trip
Travel can be one of the most rewarding experiences you can pay for. However, it can also be one of the most expensive. Fortunately, there are ways to cut costs so you can afford your dream vacation. Read on for some of the best tips to save on the upfront costs of your next trip.
Step Up Your Dinner Game With These 21 Ina Garten Recipes
While Ina Garten may only have eyes for Jeffrey, the rest of the world has eyes for the dishes the Barefoot Contessa seems to easily whip up in no time.
Dinner is the time where families sit around and talk to each other about their days, or the time where they gather on the couch and bond around a television show or even a game. For singles, it may be their downtime, whether cooking for themselves or savoring the meal and the quiet that comes with it. Dinner looks different in every household, but one thing is for certain - we all want the most delicious meal we can have in the least amount of time we can spend prepping and cooking.
Well, as usual, Ina is here to save the day. Check out this roundup of some of her best - and easiest - dinner dishes and see if you can keep your mouth from watering.
60+ 1-Pan Dinners That Are Ready in an Hour or Less
Let's face it: even the most enthusiastic cooks can fall into a takeout and delivery rut during especially busy times. While transforming raw ingredients into a tasty meal is pretty magical, the postmeal cleanup can be enough of a deterrent to make cooking midweek seem impossible. If you've felt this way as of late, a one-pot or -pan meal may be the answer. The secret of many a savvy cook, these minimal-cleanup meals are low on fuss and high on flavor. This collection of recipes is particularly geared toward busy weeks, as all of the recipes are both one-pot or -pan and take an hour or less to cook.
WTF: A Woman Was Denied a Second Job Interview For Asking This Question
On March 13, 2017, Taylor Byrnes tweeted screenshots of the response she received from SkiptheDishes after asking about pay and benefits following her first interview at the food delivery service in Winnipeg, Canada. "Applied for a job at @SkipTheDishes. They cancelled my interview b/c I asked about wages/benefits," she wrote in a now-viral tweet.
Applied for a job at @SkipTheDishes. They cancelled my interview b/c I asked about wages/benefits @CBC @CBCNews @ctvwinnipeg #boycottSkip pic.twitter.com/CjBdnFvY1P
- . (@feministjourney) March 13, 2017
"Hi Victoria, I had another question that I wanted to ask you," Byrnes's initial email reads. "If I do end up filling this position, how much do you think I'll be getting paid an hour? Benefits will also be included, right? Sorry, I just thought I should ask now. Thanks for your time and have a lovely day," she concluded.
Screenshots show that Victoria responded, "Hello Taylor, your questions reveal that your priorities are not in sync with those of SkipTheDishes. At this time we will not be following through with our meeting this Thursday." In a follow-up email, Victoria called out qualities the company looks for in employees, including "hard work and perseverance in pursuit of company goals as opposed to focusing on compensation."
"For these reasons, questions about compensation and benefits at such an early stage is a concern related to organizational fit."
After the screenshots were posted and shared across social media, Byrnes received yet another response from the company, this time from its cofounder, who expressed disappointment with the way the situation was handled. The company also shared its screenshots on its Twitter page to rectify the backlash from people who were calling for a boycott of SkipTheDishes.
(1/2) The email to Taylor does not represent #SkipTheDishes team values. We have followed up to offer heartfelt apologies & a 2nd interview. pic.twitter.com/XKYWsHXj7P
- SkipTheDishes (@SkipTheDishes) March 14, 2017
(2/2) We do share compensation & it's OK to ask. We are coaching internally to ensure this doesn't happen again. @CBC @CBCNews @CTVWinnipeg
- SkipTheDishes (@SkipTheDishes) March 14, 2017
SkipTheDishes cofounder Joshua Simair addressed the controversy in an emailed statement to POPSUGAR, writing, "We are very disappointed in how it was handled. We do share a compensation package prior to hiring. As soon as we became aware of it on Monday, we reached out to Taylor to apologize for the email and reschedule her interview."
Simair also revealed that the company would be changing internal policies to make sure it doesn't happen again. "We've also addressed the email internally and will be providing additional training. We are very committed to our community, employees and continuing to grow and create employment opportunities in the Prairies."
Although Byrnes has received an outpouring of support for standing up for herself, there is still a dispute over whether or not her questions were appropriate to ask. Seeing as it's important for women to ask about pay upfront so that they get what they deserve, we'd say the answer is yes.
We've reached out to Byrnes for comment and will update this story if we hear back.
22 Reasons You Should Reread the Harry Potter Series RIGHT Now
First of all, no, you do not need a reason to reread the Harry Potter series. However, if you'd like a reason other than "because I love it so much it hurts," then these are extra justifications for plowing through the seven books. Again. Do they get old after the 27th read? I can tell you from personal experience that no, they do not. Here's more fuel for your (Goblet of) fire.
This Alternate Harry Potter Story About Neville Will Rock Your World
Any true Harry Potter fan keeps up with all the new theories and possibilities that seem to pop up every few weeks. This latest one is an alternate storyline that completely turns around the series, focusing instead on Neville Longbottom.
The fan fiction, written by Tumblr user ink-splotch, explores what the world of Harry Potter would've looked like if Voldemort had chosen to mark Neville as his opponent instead. The long story makes huge changes to each book - for example, the writer imagines that Neville wouldn't be a "savior," but rather a scarred Neville who would still forget and lose items. The books would still focus in on Harry, Ron, and Hermione's adventures but only because they were reckless and willing to explore, not because of some unprecedented need to stop Voldemort.
Read the full post below to see how the entire Harry Potter world could've been. It definitely makes you think about all the relationship dynamics in the series.
Whoa.
Prepare to Squint For Hours Trying to Find the Hidden Animals in This Painting
Fancy yourself a keen observer? Do you always find Waldo within minutes? Then try your hand at the latest Playbuzz optical illusion quiz that's driving the internet a little loopy.
The quiz, created by Alan Sherin, features a moving painting GIF. The objective? Find the four hidden animals in it. See if you can find them in the illustration below.
Can't spot them? The four animals are a fox, antelope, bat, and flamingo. The bat, antelope, and fox are all on the rock on the far right. The flamingo is located at the bottom left, near the patch of green grass. It might not be as infuriating as trying to find a cell phone that looks exactly like the carpet it's laying on, but it's pretty damn close.
The Best Video Games of 2018
If there's one thing we can say for sure, it's that there's never been a better time to be a gamer. With more platforms, more indie developers, and more ways to play than ever, well, there's something out there for everyone, no matter what they're looking for. But it also means that making the decision as to what to buy is harder than ever, so for 2018 we've decided to test some of the hottest new releases and pull out the very best of the best, just for you. Ahead, check out what's already sent our hearts aflutter the last few months, and be sure to check back here each month for our most highly-recommended titles as we make our way through the year.
These "Tech Tats" Are Going to Upgrade Your Life and Have You Feeling Like a Robotic Badass
Ever been way too busy to make a doctor's appointment for your physical, but wished there was another way for them to collect all your medical information? Or, what about wanting to pay for dinner with your credit card without ever having to take out your wallet? While it may seem too good to be true, Chaotic Moon has developed a solution to do all of that and so much more just by attaching a little tattoo to your arm. Back in 2015, the software development firm created a prototype for these all-encompassing "Tech Tats," and they have recently resurfaced because it is just SO cool.
The brainiacs at Chaotic Moon have developed this product with the medical, banking, and fitness industries in mind. "The Tech Tattoos can really tie in everything into one package," said Eric Schneider, creative technologist, hardware at Chaotic Moon. "So it can look at early signs of fever, your vital signs, heart rate, everything that it needs to look at to notify you that you're getting sick or your child's getting sick."
How is this different from your current wearable? Well, it can go anywhere on your body, not just your wrist and it can even be washed off like a temporary tattoo. They create a circuit on your skin and are able to monitor body temperature, stress levels, and more medical data from your body. It's unknown when the Tech Tats will be available to the public, but Mashable reports that the ultimate goal is to make it super cheap, so you can buy a box like a box of Band-Aids.
This 4-Leaf Clover Puzzle Is Harder Than It Looks - Seriously
Love everything to do with St. Patrick's Day? Or, maybe you love puzzles? Well, we're bringing you a puzzle that combines both in a moving GIF.
Pusheen, an adorable illustrated cat beloved by the internet and anyone who likes cute things, posted a puzzle on its Facebook page asking people to find a four-leaf clover. Try it for yourself below.
The post is incredibly popular, with more than 56,000 reactions, 17,000 shares, and 3,000 comments. Did you have trouble finding the four-leaf clover? One commenter pointed out how to find it: look at the wagging tail, count four clovers down, and you should be able to see it. Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Drapple Is a Thing All Harry Potter Fans Need to Know About Right F*cking Now
Harry Potter fans are many things. Creative, brilliant, hilarious, and sometimes, we're a little weird. I talked with Tom Felton aka Draco Malfoy at the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hollywood, and I obviously had to ask him the most important hard-hitting question of all: what's his favorite pair to ship in the Harry Potter world? When he asked me if I knew what "Drapple" was, everything I thought I knew about Harry Potter, Harry Potter fans, the internet, and life in general flew out the window. Basically, Drapple is a romantic relationship pairing that fans ship, or pull for, and it involves Draco Malfoy and an apple. A green one, like the one that started this madness in a scene in Prizoner of Azkaban. I actually felt like a terrible fan for not knowing about this, um, unique ship, which people argue is canon because, OK technically it is.
He does caress one lovingly in The Half-Blood Prince as he pulls it out of the Vanishing Cabinet. And the way he bites into that crisp, juicy fruit in The Prisoner of Azkaban does seem sexy, I guess? Sh*t, I think I've spent too much time in the depths of Tumblr . . . because am I shipping Drapple now too? No, for me, it's Dramione for life. Here's some of the internet's most creative Drapple memes, GIFs, and fan art that may have you weirdly shipping the pair but will definitely have you laughing out loud.
We're Rooting For the Author of a Brutally Honest Yelp Review, and the Reason Will Surprise You
Matthew Goodyear admits he's not one for posting Yelp reviews each and every time he eats out, but after a morning of serious self-reflection, he knew it was time for his first post. After the 27-year-old finally realized that he was losing an ongoing battle with alcohol, he decided to open up about his struggle in a brutally honest Yelp review of a little place called Pignone's Café.
"I realized that Oct. 23, 2017 was Day 1 of my sobriety. I am an alcoholic and an addict, and I finally accepted those two things while I was sitting at the corner table of this café at 6 a.m. hungover with a five-hour car ride ahead of me. Step 1 of the 12 Step Program is acceptance. It was in this place that I finally accepted what I am. I can finally move on with my life and deal with my issues. I will be OK. Eventually," he wrote.
Those who struggle with alcoholism know just how vicious of a cycle it can be. You drink to blow off steam or simply to forget the embarrassing things you did or said the last time you were drunk - and that's when it really gets messy. Goodyear explained just how bad it can get: "I hit rock bottom for the first time in NYC in October 2013. Then I hit a new low, my current rock bottom, last October. It was scary. Still is, actually. Massive panic attack. Couldn't sleep for four straight days. It was brutal. That made me turn to drinking even [more.] That's not the solution to anyone's problems. Certainly not any of mine."
He also reminded readers that alcoholism and addiction affect way more lives than just the person drinking:
[October is my mom's] favorite month for many reasons. Least of which is probably the fact she was born then. Anyway, her new favorite reason to love October can be because it is when I finally stopped drinking. She has wanted me to stop for a long time. Longer than anyone else. Forever, really. She didn't want me to start. It runs in the family, on both sides, with both of my parents, unfortunately. Neither of them are, but it's a slippery slope. I slipped immediately. Sophomore year of high school. I liked it way too much, right away. Being a beer pong beast didn't help, but it always turned me into an animal. That's not how I will act moving forward. That is a very good thing.
Other than detailing the challenges many people are too afraid to admit they deal with each and every day, Goodyear had some practical advice for anyone who plans to visit Pignone's Café: "The people are nice, and most importantly, the food is great . . . Two thumbs up, five stars, whatever. Go to this place. Support their business. They take plastic, and there is a Bank of America right next to it. I went to the ATM so I could leave a 100 percent tip on my meal. I am not bragging. I am also not rich. Not even close. But they deserved it. Perfection."
Talk about an honest review.
This Adorable Stray Dog Is Now a Monastery's Newest Friar
A monastery in Bolivia has a new adorable friar: a stray dog who goes by Friar Bigotón. The schnauzer dog, originally a stray, was recently adopted by a Franciscan monastery in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Friar Bigotón and his story went viral after photos of him dressed in Franciscan clothing were posted to Facebook.
Posted by Kasper Mariusz Kaproń Ofm on Sunday, February 26, 2017
The dog, named Friar Carmelo and who also goes by the nickname Friar Bigotón (mustache in English), is seen in various photos running around the monastery, drinking water - all while dressed as a friar. The Facebook album, was posted by Kasper Mariusz Kaproń Ofm, on Feb. 26. It's clear that people love the dog a lot, considering the album has more than 2,000 reactions.
Posted by Kasper Mariusz Kaproń Ofm on Sunday, February 26, 2017
Fray Carmelo predicando a los peces
Posted by Kasper Mariusz Kaproń Ofm on Sunday, February 26, 2017
Friar Jorge Fernandez told the Dodo that Carmelo loves playing and running - and that they're big fans of him. "Here, all of the brothers love him very much. He is a creature of God."
Posted by Kasper Mariusz Kaproń Ofm on Sunday, February 26, 2017
It's thanks to local adoption agency, Proyecto Narices Frias, that Carmelo found a new home. We're so glad he did - he looks like he's having the time of his life.
Posted by Kasper Mariusz Kaproń Ofm on Sunday, February 26, 2017
43 Insanely Creative Cosplays to Inspire You
From historically accurate costumes to creative combinations of different fandoms, cosplayers always find a way to make their elaborate outfits stand out. At this year's WonderCon, held in Anaheim, CA, over the weekend, cosplayers from all over the country brought their A game. Don't let their hard work go to waste, so check out these incredible cosplays and start preparing for your next con.
Take 1 Look at This INSANE Photo of the Moon, and You'll See Why It's Going Viral
Every time we get a different view of space, we're simply left in awe of its mesmerizing natural beauty. One photo of the moon in particular is no exception to that, as it has just started sweeping the internet and taking our breath away in the process.
The image features a view of an almost translucent crescent moon through the top of the Earth's atmosphere, and it's absolutely stunning. We've never seen the moon look like this before! This snapshot was captured by an astronaut in the Johnson Space Center's Image & Analysis Laboratory back in 2006, and it recently found its way to Reddit, where space-lovers noted its beauty and quickly made it go viral.
Some users even observed how the photo looks noticeably similar to a specific shot of the Death Star in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Seriously, the resemblance is uncanny . . . was this the movie director's sly way of giving NASA a hat tip? The internet seems to think so!
9 Next-Level Relationship Goals
Are you madly in geek love? Good, because the Internet is going to motivate you to take your amour to the next level. In what follows, the funniest relationship goals designed just for gamers, nerds, and other geeks. Try to hit all 9 before the New Year?
This Children's Puzzle Is Testing the Patience of Everyone You Know
If you love Where's Waldo puzzles or a good challenge, try finding the six hidden words in this drawing from the children's magazine, Highlights. The puzzle is going viral on Facebook with many people debating just how many words are in the drawing - or voicing their frustration.
The puzzle was originally posted on Feb. 27 on a Facebook page called Dude and has more than 25,000 reactions, 11,000 comments, and 138,000 shares. For the most part, people are commenting what words they found. Some people are sharing other words they are finding throughout the puzzle. Try it for yourself below.
Seriously I could only 4 words in this picture
Posted by Dude on Monday, February 27, 2017
Did you get it? The hidden words are: book, story, pages, read, novel, and words. One commenter said they also found five more words: or, age, boo, tory, ad. Yes, those are words within the original six but there aren't any rules on how to find them!
Hopefully, this didn't drive you too crazy and at least this one didn't involve any math!
This "Yanny" vs. "Laurel" Clip Is the Audio Version of THE Dress - and It's a Mindf*ck
Remember the dress color debate? An equally divisive debate is here, and its name is Yanny . . . or is it Laurel? Here's the deal: an audio clip of a robot has made its rounds on the internet and people are losing their damn minds based on whether they hear "Yanny" or "Laurel." Some people swear they hear nothing but Laurel, while others can't fathom hearing anything but Yanny. And some hear Yanny at first and then Laurel, and then they can never go back to Yanny - talk about a quick way to divide you and all your coworkers! I'm sorry in advance for all the fights you're about to have.
Even my fellow POPSUGAR editors and I can't find common ground, and it's tearing us apart. Here's a little snapshot of how our conversation went upon listening for the first time:
- "Laurel till the day I die. TAT IT ON MY FACE."
- "I did hear Yanny for a hot sec though when I took one headphone out."
- "Does anyone in here hear Yanny somehow??
- "Oh no . . . I hear Yanny . . . packing up my desk - goodbye."
- "Omg, that blows my mind how people can hear such diff things."
- "Guys, who is hearing Laurel? We all hear Yanny. You're punking us."
- "WHAT DA FERQQQQ."
The way you hear it apparently has to do with the frequencies: if you're listening for the higher tones, Yanny is clear, but once you hear the lower tones, you're team Laurel for life. Are you tired of reading the words "Yanny" and "Laurel" yet?!? I invite you to be tempted to pull out your hair as you listen closely and see how people are reacting to the greatest debate of 2018.
This Harry Potter Theory About Dumbledore's Deluminator Will Break Your Damn Heart
Image Source: Everett Collection
We first encounter Dumbledore's mysterious "Put-Outer" early on in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, when he knocks out an entire street's lights with just a few clicks.
"It seemed to be a silver cigarette lighter. He flicked it open, held it up in the air, and clicked it. The nearest street lamp went out with a little pop. He clicked it again - the next lamp flickered into darkness. Twelve times he clicked the Put-Outer, until the only lights left on the whole street were two tiny pinpricks in the distance, which were the eyes of the cat watching him."
At the time, it seemed that the device was a nifty bit of magic just for turning lights off and on with flair - useful, but not so remarkable. We, of course, learn that the Put-Outer, or Deluminator, is much more. It was Dumbledore's will that the device be passed to Ron Weasley after his death, and Ron later discovers it's more powerful than any of them realized.
In The Deathly Hallows, the journey to find the Horcruxes becomes too much for Ron, and he abruptly leaves Harry and Hermione to continue the quest without him. His departure was due in part to the effect Slytherin's locket Horcux had on him, and he immediately regrets his decision to abandon his friends. Unfortunately, he is unable to find them again, until the Deluminator works its true magic, to lead him back to where his heart is, to be reunited with his friends.
A Redditor recently shared a moving theory about the nature of the Deluminator, which if true would illuminate Dumbledore's brilliance even more and further underscore the late headmaster's believe in the power of love. Read the theory ahead.
Based on the theory, Dumbledore designed the Deluminator using a branch of magic he knew Tom Riddle, later Voldemort, had an aversion to, making it less likely that Riddle would think to combat what he didn't believe was even worth considering. It also means that Ron's love for Harry and Hermione led him back to where he was needed despite how difficult their task was, because as the theory reminds us, "we need love the most when we are lost in the dark."
Image Source: Warner Bros.
31 NC-17 Movies That Are Basically Porn With a Plot
There should be no shame in your sex-filled movie-loving game. Porn with a plot is a thing - and it's basically a thing called an NC-17 movie. If you like your steamy scenes against the backdrop of a dramatic, interesting, or thrilling story, then these sexy movies are exactly what you need. From foreign films to dark love stories and even straight-up comedies, these movies will fulfill your NC-17 fantasies . . . and maybe spark some new ones too.
Here's Everything You Need to Know About POPSUGAR Play/Ground
Are you ready to kick off Summer with an empowering and epic weekend full of fun, fitness, food, and friends? On June 9 and 10 at NYC's Pier 94, we're hosting POPSUGAR Play/Ground, an event that will combine workouts with your favorite Insta-famous trainers, tasty treats that merit a selfie, live music for an epic dance party, and more! From bonding with your besties through a group yoga class to getting inspired by your favorite fierce females, including Mindy Kaling and Kate Hudson, read on to discover what POPSUGAR Play/Ground is all about and buy tickets before they're gone! For a limited time, we're offering a BFF Bundle - buy one general admission day pass and get the second one for 50 percent off! Make sure to follow @POPSUGAR and #POPSUGARPlayGround on Instagram for more exciting updates.
35 Unique Travel Tattoos to Fuel Your Eternal Wanderlust
Warning: Only committed travelers allowed. If you have a never-ending case of wanderlust, this awe-inspiring ink is perfect for you. Check out all 35 of our most favorite tattoos from those who roam the globe.
A Breakdown of All the Products a Beauty Editor Travels With
I don't know if it's harder to pack my clothes or my makeup when I go on vacation. Even getting ready for work at the gym in the morning feels like a challenge; I inevitably end up leaving the lip color I want to wear at home. When I travel, I like to go carry-on only, which means my makeup bag can't be too large or too heavy. Talk about a challenge. After a lot of flights and multiple overstuffed cosmetic cases, these are my picks for on-the-go beauty. Your suitcase will thank you.
5 Words and Phrases to Ban From Your Vocabulary to Improve Your Mental Health
Though the expression says "talk is cheap," I'm not so sure this is always true. In fact, my experience giving therapy to hundreds of people tells me that talk, in fact, can be very, very costly to our health and well-being if we're saying the wrong things. I present you with the words and phrases that should be banned from our vocabularies to improve the state of our precious mental health.
1. "But . . ."
Who knew this three letter word could be so consequential? Interestingly, "but" is defined as a word that "indicates the impossibility of anything other than what is being stated." I would go to the gym, but I'm just too tired. I would save money, but I really want that new Prada bag. The moment we utter this conjunction, it's as if we have no choice but to obey only one of our desires.
The thing about saying "but" is that it glosses over the complexity of our experiences and encourages us to think in black-and-white terms. Life is not a simple thing. As such, I encourage people to start replacing their but's with and's to help make space for the nuances of their experiences. Surely we can want to go to the gym and feel tired, can't we? The moment we start swapping 'but' with 'and,' we give ourselves a hell of a lot more wiggle room.
2. "Should"
"Should" is a word of obligation. It's also loaded with scripts from our culture, society, or family of origin that we often aren't particularly aware of. When you say you should go to the party despite feeling exhausted, for example, the idea that you should prioritize being social versus well-rested didn't come out of nowhere; somewhere along the way, you absorbed that message from somewhere or someone. The question is: Where did it come from? Who said it to you most often? Any time you hear a "should" slip out of your mouth, let it be an invitation to be curious about where it stems from and how it's affecting your day-to-day behaviors.
3. "I deserve it."
There's an air of entitlement that comes with this phrase, no? After all, it implies that you are so worthy, important, hard-working, or what have you that it would be ludicrous for you to not be rewarded. In reality, I'd argue that none of us "deserve" anything other than basic human rights. Beyond that, none of us really deserve anything. Certainly, we can feel like we've earned things, but saying we deserve something is akin to saying we expect to be rewarded and will be displeased if we aren't. Furthermore, using this phrase sets us up for a potentially damaging reward-versus-punishment mentality. For example, in saying you deserve that glass of wine after a long day, you're also implying that you don't deserve to deprive yourself. Again, this lures us into an overly simplistic, black-or-white way of thinking that ignores the complexities of our experiences. Instead of saying you deserve something, say you'd really like something instead. That way, your expectations stay in check and you resist thinking of life's happenings as rewards or punishments.
4. "I hope."
Now, when I invite you to remove "I hope" from your vocabulary, I'm not saying you shouldn't be hopeful. What I'm saying is that hoping for something implies that it's out of reach. "I hope to open my own business one day" sounds very different from "I am going to open my own business one day." Indeed, there's sense of complacency to saying you hope to do something. Hoping isn't what you need; doing is.
5. "Never" and "always"
These are absolute terms that are far too unforgiving. When we say our partner never does the dishes or that they're always late, what we're really doing is perpetuating negative (and inaccurate) self-talk and relationship cycles. Further, we stop ourselves from being able to see the positive moments in our relationship or life in general when we're so fixated on these fleeting negative moments. Even replacing "always" with "often" and never with "rarely" is a step in the right direction.
These words and phrases are so common in our everyday vocabulary that we likely don't notice how often we actually say them. But making these simple changes can have profound impacts on your mental health and overall well-being, particularly in terms of expanding your perspective and catalyzing mental flexibility.
40 Things You've Been Doing Wrong All Your Life
You were probably happily chugging along in your daily routine until you came across this slideshow. You'll soon realize after reading through that there are many things you've been doing wrong without knowing. Get ready to have your world turned upside down.
What I Learned About Swedish Death Cleaning After Experiencing My Own Loss
As I stood atop a makeshift ladder, an old door atop two sawhorses, with a mask over my face, pulling down pieces of wood that were covered in dust that may have been there from the 1920s Dust Bowl, I found myself resenting my grandparents and their parents for holding onto all this junk. I then promptly felt guilt and shame for thinking such a thing while also knowing the resentment was, and is, in many ways misplaced grief. Indeed the emotions are as layered as the dust that was raining down on my head from the eaves of the garage of my grandparents' house in southwest Kansas.
Along with my mother and aunt, we are döstädning - death cleaning, in Swedish.
It's the latest idea and trend in organization, coming from Margareta Magnusson's The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Make Your Loved Ones' Lives Easier and Your Own Life More Pleasant. The principle is that people who are aging should begin to clean their homes and rid them of unwanted items in the hopes that when they pass away, their families will be spared the task. It follows neatly in many ways after the organizing trend started a few years ago with Marie Kondo's book The Life-Changing Art of Tidying Up.
And it's an activity I'd never thought about doing, much less considered giving it a name, until my father passed away unexpectedly not so long ago.
At the time that he died, I wanted to hold onto every single scrap of anything about him - if I could've bottled the air he'd breathed, I would have done it. Every letter or note or even text message, I was sure I needed to hang onto forever and always. As if holding on tight enough would mean he wasn't gone from my life. I couldn't fathom getting rid of anything of his. And he may have had the same idea. His father also died relatively young and our house has boxes of ephemera from a generation past; my dad had never been able to go through and get rid of the condolence cards sent after his own father died. Both of us had fathers who died unexpectedly when we were in our early 30s. With my mother still alive, there was no reason to cull my dad's things, and with the shock of it, we just didn't really do anything.
Then her father, my grandfather, died, and his house was left empty and needed to be cleaned out. That more pressing need has seemed to spur on my mom to look again at the collections of things her husband, my father, left behind. So we mobilized and are currently tackling the unenviable task of "death cleaning" in two places at once. And what seemed impossible slowly became possible - and even helpful. Here are some things I have learned, and am still trying to learn, about the process.
It's ridiculously hard emotionally.
"Many adult children do not want to talk about death with their parents." This. Most definitely this. I highlighted this quote in Magnusson's book, and it's so achingly true. It's not something your brain wants to process, so it's much easier to pretend it won't ever happen.
I don't want to envision going through my mother's stuff, and facing down the one thing that we'll all come to - death - is remarkably difficult. But if you bring it up when you can or think about it for yourself and your own belongings, you get a chance to think about what's actually important and where you'd like treasured heirlooms to go. "Send that rug to Aunt Dottie, she's always loved it," and "It's OK to get rid of that lamp," etc.
I'm working to cherish the memory of loved ones without clinging tight to all of the stuff left behind.
I didn't and don't want to go through any of this stuff, literally and figuratively. It's unfathomable still that my dad and grandpa won't be coming back into the house, and surely they'd be asking where their shoes, hats, and books were if they did.
But wishful thinking does nothing, and I'm working to cherish the memory of loved ones without clinging tight to all of the stuff left behind. And it's also OK to hang onto some special things as memory touch points.
I also had a share of irritation with the sheer volume of stuff and decisions to make, and then felt/feel guilt about that irritation. I know that the burden left behind wasn't an intentional one, but it's OK to feel tired and stressed with it all. Be prepared to be overwhelmed and uncertain.
Having gone through and done our best to organize the two-car garage, filled with old wood scraps, tools, buckets, and odds and ends from the past hundred years, my mother, aunt, and I were pretty much immobilized in physical and mental exhaustion, and it wasn't long after sunset that we packed it in for bed. And that was just for the garage, where nothing had much sentimental value to it.
Many items are likely to spark memories and laughs and tears, some all at the same time.
And what I may have seen as ready for the thrift store or dumpster, others may not and vice versa. A tattered shirt or blanket may bring back all kinds of memories for someone else, and prying it from their hands because you think it's trash isn't going to help anyone.
The weight of making decisions on item after item will wear you out. That's a large part of why Magnusson advocates for doing such cleaning not only before you pass (if you can), but to do it a room at a time, and slowly.
Stories. Ask for and find out stories.
The ideal way to go through the stuff and things of someone's life is to do it with them or with those who know the stories. Before my grandmother passed away, she made notes on many of the handmade quilts that she had in her house, and those notes and stories make the quilts so much more meaningful.
But then there's things like the 18-inch-braid of brown hair in a trunk in my grandparents' basement. Whose was it? Why it was saved? Questions that no one has any answers for. We put it back in the trunk, shut the lid, and left that conundrum for another day.
Which brings me to the next thing.
Be ready to let go.
Think of what's in your own attic, basement, garage, storage unit, file cabinets, and drawers. The things you've curated to make your life comfortable. The things you've saved - appliance instructions, old screws and nails, bank statements, solitary socks - the "stuff" that may not "spark joy" as Kondo puts it, but the stuff that you think will come in handy one day. Or your childhood collections, in my case of postcards and dolls.
All that you hold dear or find valuable in terms of the stuff of your life, at one point and inevitably, it will be meaningless. And that's OK. The memories are still there, and it's not a purge of them from your life. It's a way to move forward, it's giving yourself space to breathe, because as much as you don't want to, the forward motion has to happen.
Give things a place of honor and joy as best you can.
It's hard to know what to do with things that aren't sentimental but that are still in good shape and don't deserve to be flung to the dump. Maybe no one you know needs another bed frame or dresser, not stylish enough to be vintage, but just old-fashioned. Towels and sheets are easy enough to donate. But what do you do with things like yearbooks? Half-finished sewing projects?
I don't collect baseball cards, stamps, or Boy Scout stuff, but I flirted briefly with the idea that I should start collecting all those things my dad had. Holding onto those collections wouldn't do a thing to bring him back, though, and there are people in the world who surely would find more value in them than I could.
Schools and universities may be on the lookout for old yearbooks - we found an old friend of my dad's who was overjoyed to have some of his old Boy Scout stuff, a distant relative was stoked on the idea of getting some of the stamp collection, and my dream is that someone at the local thrift store will find a way to put together the quilt blocks into a cozy, warm comforter.
It's time-consuming to do more than just chuck things in the dump, but it feels right to be able to see things that brought joy and value into my dad's and my granddad's lives find new homes where they'll be appreciated.
35 Facts You Learned in School That Are Completely Wrong
If you really think back to everything you learned as a kid, you'll probably realize how inaccurate a lot of the stuff was. Whether it was taught directly in the classroom or told by your parents, much of what we've always assumed as common knowledge is flawed. Like the whole Thanksgiving thing, obviously, plus a list of other lies many of us have believed our whole lives. Prepare to be surprised by the 35 false facts ahead.
5 Best Disneyland Walls to Take Photos in Front of on Your Next Visit
You can't visit Disneyland and not take a photo. The Anaheim park and theme parks in general, however, don't offer the most ideal photo-taking conditions with so many people around. But there are spots sprinkled around both Disneyland and California Adventure next door for Instagram-worthy photo ops.
Knowing the dedication of Disney fans, we weren't surprised to find several Instagram accounts dedicated to the walls of Disney. So next time you're at the parks, make sure to locate one of the top five Disneyland walls for the best photos.
11 Ingenious Pampered Chef Products That Will Make Cooking So Much Easier
Admittedly, I barely know how to cook. When I successfully make a delicious meal without burning myself or the food, I consider it an enormous accomplishment and send a proud photo to my parents and post it to Instagram for all to see. One brand that has helped me hone my food skills significantly, however, is Pampered Chef.
The brand was founded in 1980 with the aim of making cooking easier and more enjoyable, and so far I've been super impressed by the products. Each item is designed with what seems to be every possible use and solution in mind. The line features pans with removable handles (for easy storage!) that are dishwasher safe and gadgets that help to solve every kitchen problem imaginable. Thanks to the brand, my learning process has gone smoothly and hasn't resulted in any severe injuries yet.
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