The '90s were a decade like no other. With TV psychics, parachutes in gym class, and iconic TV shows binged during sick days, the era was packed with uniquely memorable moments that Generation X and Millennials still feel nostalgic about today.Beyond the epic CDs and cartoons, the '90s were also defined by specific scents. Gen Xers and Millennials on Reddit recently discussed the nostalgic smells of the decade—from specific foods like banana-flavored Runts to the distinct scent of roller-rink carpet and classic Bath & Body Works fragrances. Here's what they had to say: @jennaabarclay ‘90s bath & body works scents WITH the ‘90s label

Sometimes, you can't tell how brilliant a screenplay is until you have two dudes acting out a scene from it in the middle of a public setting. Such was the case for a heartbreaking dialogue from the hit 2003 film How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, originally starring Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson. Hearing it from the mouths of these two brilliant guys makes it hit just a little bit harder in the heart.First, a little backstory on these men. Comedian Chad Kroeger, whose real name is Tom Allen (@chadgoesdeep on social media), has been collaborating with a handful of friends for years to make hilarious content. Mainly, fellow comics Strider Wilson, AKA Michael Klimkowski, and JT (John) Parr, the latter with whom he had a Netflix series called Chad and JT Go Deep. They also have a popular podcast, Going Deep with Chad and JT, where they discuss "major current events, honor legends, explore ongoing beefs, and give advice to fans." See on Instagram The "rom-coms in public" bit has been a fan favorite. Recently posted on both Kroeger and Wilson's socials is their rendition of a turning point scene in How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days. Standing near one another on a crowded platform at a train station, Wilson (in the McConaughey role) holds up a rolled up paper and asks, "Is this true or are you just trying to sell magazines?" Kroeger summons his inner Kate Hudson and answers, "I meant every word.""Where are you going?" Wilson asks. Kroeger throws his hands up in frustration and says, "I've got an interview!" Wilson seems to have known that as he replies, "In Washington, I know! Where are you going?" Again, Kroeger commits to the bit, delivering his next line passionately: "It's the only place I can go and write where I want to write."Onlookers watch and some even laugh nervously, but many seem to try and avoid eye contact. Wilson continues, "You can write anywhere! I think you're running away." Kroeger answers, "Why don't you save your mind games for the next fantasy draft? How 'bout that, bro?"At this point, a bystander in a hoodie comes over to make sure everyone is okay, asking, "Yo. He bothering you?" While Wilson keeps reciting dialogue, Kroeger answers the man: "What? No, we're bros. And we had a falling out." The man earnestly mimes a hug. "Y'all hug each other and make up. It's your bro. Hug each other and make up, bro." Kroeger and Wilson can't refuse. They hug and point to the stranger as he walks away, chorusing, "Thank you, dude!"The comments are equally funny. "Dude walked over, assessed the situation, fixed the problem, and walked away like a boss. What a legend."Another believes that this kind of action could solve a lot of world issues, writing, "This is how all public arguments should be resolved."This Instagrammer is both laughing AND crying, commenting, "Laughing out loud, then streaming tears, healthy masculinity all around." Chad Kroeger and friends try out "pick up lines" using romcom dialogue. www.youtube.com, Chad and JT Go Deep This wasn't the first time these comedians displayed their acting chops. The gang just recently posted a compilation of themselves trying out "pick-up lines" on random people at the beach—all inspired by popular romantic comedies. At one point as some cyclists ride by, one paraphrases Julia Roberts from Notting Hill: "We're just some dudes, standing in front of some cyclists, saying what up?"They then show clips from movies before showing their beach version of the same dialogue. We see Tom Cruise tearfully crash the all-women's support group in Jerry Maguire with his "You complete me" line. Then, Kroeger randomly relays the same speech to a surfer, who just kind of goes along with it until she doesn't. "This isn't sincere, honey," she says.They soon switch over to the famous scene in When Harry Met Sally, wherein Billy Crystal yells at Meg Ryan about loving all of her quirks. This time, Wilson pops in with the same woman and gives her the same speech, which makes her laugh. She throws him off a bit when she says, "I don't do any of those things," but he never breaks character. Chad Kroeger and friends act out scenes from the film Good Will Hunting in public. www.youtube.com, Chad and JT Go Deep The rabbit hole of bits goes deep with these guys. Before they landed their Netflix deal, Kroeger and Parr became popular by attending Southern California city council meetings, often bringing real issues to light. (And sometimes just having fun in the best way.) California City News reported, "The comedic surfer bro duo has crashed city council meetings across Southern California, delivering ridiculous remarks and requests in character. After numerous viral videos, the gadflies have now made it to the big leagues."They also note that they didn't expect that they'd garner such fandom. California City News continues, "The show features plenty of footage of city council sessions we’ve covered, including a San Clemente meeting where they pleaded for a Paul Walker statue." 'We didn’t expect it [our activism] to blow up like it did,' Allen—remaining in character as Chad—told CBS in 2022. 'We're just following our passions, and the world is responding.'” @chadandjt We brought him to the council to overcome heartbreak. FULL VIDEO IS NOW LIVE ON OUR YOUTUBE! LINK IN BIO. #chadandjt #citycouncil

If you're fortunate enough to live long enough to stop working and enjoy your golden years in retirement, you may start to wonder where you want to spend them. When you're no longer tied to a place by a job or family obligations, and you're looking for the best bang for your buck along with the amenities you want and need, it's natural to begin searching for the best places to retire.Many people's first thought when it comes to retirement is "south," which is why some of the places on the U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 list of "Best Places to Retire in the U.S." may come as a surprise. While the rankings are dominated by Florida and Texas, those two states account for only a little over half of the Top 20. Many of the remaining cities, including the No. 1 spot, are located in the northern part of the country, in places that are decidedly not warm come wintertime.The list was compiled using criteria such as quality of life, overall value, tax rates, senior population/migration trends, and health care quality. Let's go through the Top 10:1. Midland, Michigan If you've never heard of Midland, that's probably because it has a population of less than 43,000 people. However, the median home price is just north of $200,000 and rent isn't even $800, so your retirement dollar would go pretty far there. The small city sits at the confluence of two rivers and is also the home of Dow Chemical. Do with that information what you will. 2. Weirton, West VirginiaWe're going even smaller for No. 2. Weirton has less than 19,000 people and a median home value of just over $124,000, making it uber affordable. Rent will set you back around $550. And it's only about a 40-minute drive to Pittsburgh, so if you get bored, you can always hit the bigger city.3. Homosassa Springs, FloridaEver heard of this one? It has a population of about 15,000 (they're really pushing the small-town retirement angle here) and a median home value of around $219,000. Located in western Florida between Tampa and the Panhandle, the town is home to a state wildlife park, and is undoubtedly warmer than the first two places on the list.4. The Woodlands, TexasThe Woodlands is a bit bigger, crossing into six-figure population territory at just over 116,000 residents. We also see a jump in home prices in this suburb of Houston, though, with a median price of $474,000 and average rent a bit over $1,400. The city's website refers to it as a "destination whose culture and offerings rival the nation's largest and most vibrant cities," so that sounds promising.5. Spring, Texas With a population of around 68,000, Spring is close to, but more affordable than, The Woodlands, with a median home price of about $251,000. Rent isn't much lower, though, at just over $1,300. Definitely look into buying a house instead of renting if this is where you choose to spend your retirement. 6. Rio Rancho, New Mexico Rio Rancho, New Mexico.G. Edward Johnson/Wikimedia Commons Moving west, Rio Rancho is a northern suburb of Albuquerque. It's home to about 108,000 people, and the median home value is about $310,000. Rent runs about $1,200. If that classic Southwest feel is your thing, this is where to go. 7. Spring Hill, FloridaLost of springs on this list, eh? If you're looking for a 100,000+ population without a significantly higher cost of living, Spring Hill gives you the best bang for your bigger-city buck. (Not that 100,000 is a big city by most standards, but it's not a small town either.) The median home price is just over $300,000, and rent comes in a little above $1,100.8. Altoona, PennsylvaniaAltoona is the least expensive place to live among the Top 10, with a median home price under $115,000. (Did anyone know there were still places with home prices like that anymore?) The city has a population of about 43,000, and median rent sits around $660. Not too shabby, price-wise. Not sure what people do in Altoona, but it's probably affordable. 9. Palm Coast, Florida Palm Coast is on the eastern coast of Florida.Wikimedia Commons/Lance Asper Palm Coast just sounds like a place to retire, doesn't it? Located on Florida's east coast, north of Daytona Beach, Palm Coast has a median home price close to $380,000 and rent approaching $1,500. It's not the most affordable spot in the Top 10, but hey, palm trees, right?10. Lynchburg, VirginiaNamed for Quaker John Lynch and founded in 1757, Lynchburg is the oldest city in the top places to retire, so if history is your thing, this would be a good option. With about 80,000 residents, it's neither a small town nor a large city, and with a median home price under $224,000 and rent just over $900, it's affordable, too.Here's how the rest of the Top 20 rounds out: 11. Bismarck, North Dakota12. Victoria, Texas13. Palm Harbor, Florida14. Rochester Hills, Michigan15. Troy, Michigan16. Sioux Falls, South Dakota17. Pearland, Texas18. Naples, Florida19. Pensacola, Florida20. Conroe, TexasAgain, lots of Florida and Texas, but a surprising showing from Michigan and the Dakotas, too. Retirement looks different in different places. Photo credit: CanvaWhat should people consider when they're looking for a place to retire?U.S. News & World Report used its own criteria to compile this list, but what should the average person look for when thinking about where they might want to retire? Kiplinger's "A New Guide to Choosing Where to Retire" shares five considerations to keep in mind:1. Local tax ratesStates tax retirement income differently, and property taxes vary widely from place to place. Because retirees need to stretch their retirement funds carefully, taxes are an important factor to look into and understand before settling somewhere.2. Health careAs we age, our health care needs often change and increase. Additionally, health insurance for retirees may have local limitations, so it's important to make sure your plan lines up well with wherever you end up. The quality of doctors and specialists, along with access to medical facilities, are also big considerations.3. Lifestyle suitabilityAre you active and adventurous? Do you want easy access to cultural experiences and the arts? Do you desire peace and quiet? Is sunshine and warmth important to you? Do you want to garden year-round? Do you plan to travel and want to live near a major airport? All you have is time when you're retired, so thinking through how you'll want to spend it is key. What kind of environment do you want to be in when you retire?Photo credit: Canva4. Climate risksIn the 21st century, the way climate change affects different regions is a major consideration. Places prone to natural disasters like wildfires, floods, and hurricanes may be less appealing as those events become more frequent and intense.5. Sense of communityWho you spend time with matters, and having a sense of community can make a big difference in how your days feel. In retirement, having a community can also help you have a more regular schedule as you set up routine times to get together with others, volunteer, or otherwise be socially active.Whether you're close to it or just thinking ahead, there's a lot to consider when it comes to where you retire.

One of the most challenging things to do as a communicator is to convince someone you disagree with to listen to you. You’re fighting against a host of psychological phenomena that prevent people from changing their minds or listening to those with whom they disagree. Persuasion is incredibly difficult because we’ve evolved to cling to our views no matter what.One of the most pronounced psychological blockages is the backfire effect, which states that when people are confronted with information that challenges their opinion, even if it is indisputable, they will hold onto their views even more strongly than before.So, what are we to do in a world where there is so much misinformation and zombie lies flying around? Dr. Alison Wood Brooks, a professor at Harvard Business School who studies conversation and emotion, shares the key to having a constructive dialogue with people we disagree with is: Don’t invalidate them. Couple arguing during therapy.via Canva/PhotosThe moment we invalidate someone by saying, “I disagree,” we’ve killed our chance at persuading them. Dr. Books believes that changing people’s beliefs is important, but it only happens over time. So, it's pointless to disagree at the onset of the conversation. “The only way that we change our beliefs is usually across many conversations and we're around someone we like talking to and respect and have admiration for. And then over time, we sort of bend to the gentle pressure of their differing viewpoint,” she told Bartlett.Dr. Brooks shared her strategy in a recent appearance on the Diary of a CEO podcast with Steven Bartlett. - YouTube www.youtube.com Three steps to disagreeing with someone without invalidating them1. You don’t need to be certain“Even if you're right, like it's not about being right or wrong in that moment. The goal here is to keep the conversation in an emotional place where it can continue. So, you can continue to engage. And that's what these researchers find in this receptiveness recipe,” Dr. Books said. The receptiveness recipe is a research project by Harvard and the University of British Columbia that created a formula for the most effective way to disagree with someone.2. Hedge your claims“I think often people think of these types of things as weakness because it's like our instinct is to try to win and be right. And instead, what I'm saying is no, hedge your claims. Show that you're uncertain about stuff. Validate their feelings. Divide yourself into disagreeing parts because you're not certain about anything, in order to keep the conversation going, so that you have any shred of hope of persuading them over the longer term.”If they say the sky is purple:“That’s interesting. I'd love to hear more.”“As a painter, who knows a bit about color, that is so intriguing.”The key is to make it an emotionally safe dialogue and show you’re interested in what they have to say. In turn, they'll be more receptive to your thoughts. Two coworkers debate each other.via Canva/Photos3. Hold back your disagreement “I wrote this chapter in my book called 'Do Not Disagree.' It's an intentionally provocative chapter because people think, ‘What do you mean, never disagree with anybody?’ But I mean, don't make the first thing you say 'I disagree,'" Bartlett adds. “That's right. It can come later,” Dr. Books added. “It can come later, but first has to come like ‘Oh, it's so intriguing that you said that. I'm so fascinated, and it makes sense that you might feel that way. I wonder if…’ and then you can go on instead of ‘I disagree.’”Ultimately, the key is understanding that changing someone’s mind takes time and is nearly impossible if we shut down the conversation by invalidating them. By delaying the instant gratification of saying, “You’re wrong! I got you, here are the facts,” you can create a space where they are more open to listening to what you have to say. You've validated their beliefs, so they'll be more likely to consider yours.

We all make mistakes when speaking off the cuff. Sometimes we flub a word, stutter, or forget the point we were trying to make. Other times, our slip-ups are far more hilarious, like when we unwittingly swap the beginning or ending sounds of two words in a sentence."I'm going to bead a rook," or "I'll see you at Brunday Sunch," may seem like random gaffs, but they are actually a well-documented phenomenon with a strange history and an official, if goofy-sounding, name: Spoonerisms.It all started with a man named William Archibald Spooner in the 1800s.Spooner, a tutor and eventually Dean at New College of Oxford, was initially known for his kindness—even though he was also a little odd. New College, Oxford; the birthplace of the SpoonerismHoncques Laus/Wikmedia Commons"One touching story describes how Spooner insisted on providing an Egyptian student with extra blankets and warm clothes, as the boy was struggling with the British climate. Another tells of a student who had injured himself while playing hockey. Spooner paid for his medical expenses, as his family could not afford them. Spooner’s odd behaviour could be off-putting at times, but he had his students’ best interests at heart" writes Sami Anderson-Talbi for New College.Soon after, however, he began to be known for something else: His absent-mindedness and a tendency to flub his words in a peculiar manner. These were quickly dubbed Spoonerisms by his students, and the legend grew rapidly.Anderson-Talbi writes that a Spoonerism is defined as, "the unintentional mix-up of parts or words, thoughts, and phrases, often resulting in humorous phrases or situations."Documented Spoonerisms include referring to a "Dr. Childe's Friend" as "Dr. Friend's child," and warning a group of undergraduate students about the "weight of rages" (rate of wages). But soon, Spooner's reputation for misspeaking grew and more and more examples came to light. Some of them were apocryphal, others were complete fiction, including:"It is kisstomary to cuss the bride." (It is customary to kiss the bride.)"You have hissed all my mystery lectures." (You have missed all my history lectures.)"You have tasted two worms." (You have wasted two terms.)"Sew me to another sheet." (Show me to another seat.)"The Lord is a shoving leopard." (The Lord is a loving shepherd.)But at that point, the reputation stuck. Sadly, Spooner wasn't a huge fan of his silly reputation.Bain News Service/Wikimedia CommonsSpoonerisms were far from an inside joke on the Oxford campus. In 1924, Spooner wrote in his diary that he met an American woman who was thrilled to meet a "celebrity" such as himself.In fact, the mythical power of Spoonerisms was so strong that Spooner is said to have spoken extremely slowly with many pauses in an effort to make fewer mistakes. But his thought process was also evident in his writings, with many words crossed out and paragraphs rife with errors. "Spooner’s mind seemed to move at a pace faster than his mouth—or in this case pen—could keep up with," writes Anderson-Talbi.Spooner was not a fan of his reputation for Spoonerisms, and after one speech, sighed and announced, "And now I suppose you will expect me to say one of those things." - YouTube www.youtube.com Language Testing International writes that Spoonerisms can be caused by any number of factors. Most commonly, rushing or being distracted when speaking can lead to mixing up your words. So can a sort of computing error in your brain, where the sentence you were planning on saying changes at the very last second and the words come out mixed up. Spoonerisms can also show up more when you're tired, or in children, who have to work harder to focus on correct diction.It's not just English, either. Different languages have Spoonerisms too.Frequent Spoonerisms can also sometimes be anecdotally linked to disabilities like Dyslexia or ADHD. Difficulties with speech or any condition where someone's brain is moving "faster" than their mouth can manifest in slip-ups like Spoonerisms.Ultimately, however, we are all guilty of the occasional Spoonerism. And though Spooner himself didn't love that the flubs were officially named after him, he may have felt better if he knew how much laughter and delight we all get out of each other's Spoonerisms today.

Many people get nervous in social situations because they don't know how to start conversations or make small talk. They overthink things to the point of social paralysis. Others miss the mark at parties or when meeting new people because they think the key to being likable is impressing others with their wit, charm, and accomplishments.However, according to Harvard Business School research, the key to being likable is asking questions. It's better to be interested in others than to try to make them interested in you."In fact, among the most common complaints people make after having a conversation, such as an interview, a first date, or a work meeting, is 'I wish [s/he] had asked me more questions' and 'I can't believe [s/he] didn't ask me any questions,'" Dr. Alison Wood Brooks, a behavioral research scientist and professor, writes in Harvard Business Review’s "The Surprising Power of Questions."Ten questions that make you more likableOn a recent appearance on The Diary of a CEO podcast with Steven Bartlett, Wood Brooks shared 10 research-based questions designed to make people more likable. The questions are based on psychologist Arthur Aron's famous 36 questions that lead to love. Aron found that when people ask each other these questions back and forth, it can make them fall for each other more quickly. Wood Brooks later modified the questions so they could be used to get to know others in social settings and help people fall "in like" with you. A woman making eye contact with a man she is speaking to.via Canva/Photos"It's just ten questions that are of this flavor that many people, but I suspect lots of men don't ask," Wood Brooks said. "That is a great starting point. It's just the first turn, right? You have to actually listen to what the person says and ask follow-up questions to really deepen the conversation. But these are good questions. You could prep just one or two of them. You could carry two of them in your back pocket all the time as go-to topics for people."1. What are you excited about lately?2. What's something you're good at but don't like doing?3. What's something you're bad at but love to do?4. Is there something you'd like to learn more about?5. Is there something you'd like to learn how to do?6. What can we celebrate about you?7. Has someone made you laugh recently? What happened?8. What is something cute your [kid/friend/pet/partner] has been doing recently?9. Did you grow up in a city?10. Have you fallen in love with any new [music/books/movies/shows] lately? A man in a suit with questions.via Canva/PhotosWhy do these questions make people more likable?Wood Brooks' questions are effective because they're open-ended, allowing people to do what they enjoy most: talk about themselves. They also give people permission to be vulnerable, which studies show makes them more likable. Research indicates that one of the quickest ways to become more likable is to ask a question and then follow up with two more. This signals that you are genuinely interested in them. The psychological principle of reciprocal liking also supports this: we like people who like us.

Our physical surroundings play a larger role in our behavior, emotions, and well-being than we might think. For example, if you ever feel like you're stuck in a creative rut or having trouble with critical thinking, you might want to look up at the ceiling.Research has discovered a correlation between ceiling height in a room and our ability to think creatively. It's called the "Cathedral Effect."When you imagine a cathedral, of course, you envision a great open space with towering ceilings far above your head. It's cavernous and spacious. In pictures, people standing in cathedrals appear incredibly tiny; almost insignificant. Therein lies the magic. Cathedral-like libraries like the George Peabody Library in Baltimore, Maryland are popular places for creative work.By Matthew Petroff/Wikimedia CommonsArchitect and designer Patricia Fierro-Newton is an expert on "neuroarchitecture," or how built environments impact the human brain. She writes, "In the 1960s, the American anthropologist Edward T. Hall explained what is known as the Cathedral Effect. The idea that a high ceiling evokes feelings of freedom and openness, fostering abstract thinking, creativity, and holistic problem-solving in individuals."Brain scans taken of people in high-ceiling environments show activation of brain areas associated with "abstract thinking and spatial processing," along with "visuospatial exploration and mental imagery." The brain is also triggered for more "abstract and integrative thinking processes."That's a perfect recipe for creative work, brainstorming, big-picture thinking, and clarity.Another study measured how the ceiling height of an art gallery impacted the emotions and perceptions of the art on participants. Higher-ceiling environments elevated certain feelings like joy (and, strangely, disgust), while lower ceilings were correlated with feelings like fear and anger.The concept was discussed on a recent episode of Huberman Labs. Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman says of the Cathedral Effect, "There's a way you can arrange your work environment, or should I say that you can place yourself into certain environments, that will allow abstract thinking, creative thinking, and indeed, expansive thinking to emerge." - YouTube www.youtube.com It's not just elite artists and creatives who should be aware of this effect. Normal everyday interactions can be colored by our surroundings in a very similar way.Psychiatrist Dr. Maya Reynolds of Choice Point Health tells Upworthy that she sees the impact of this effect in her daily practice."Speaking from personal experience, clients also feel more comfortable opening up in rooms with higher ceilings or natural light. The space feels welcoming and they are more willing to sit with tough emotions and look at things from different angles."You might consider the venue for your next heart-to-heart, date, or tough conversation. Could that interaction benefit from your brain feeling more open and fluid?Inventor and author Martin Lucas, who specializes in behavior psychology and the science of decision, says "The brain is constantly reading the environment for cues about how to operate. ... There’s also an attention effect. In more expansive spaces, people tend to mentally zoom out. You notice more. You connect more. That wider attentional state is exactly the kind of soil creativity grows in." The Sterling Memorial Library at YaleBy Nick Allen/Wikimedia CommonsThough not everyone has access to a cathedral, there are always ways of changing or tweaking our working and thinking environments."Go somewhere that feels mentally open. A public atrium, a gallery, a big quiet café, even outside under the sky. Give your brain the cue that it’s allowed to think bigger," says Lucas. Specifically, according to Fierro-Newton, ceilings 10 feet or higher are ideal. But there may be a tipping point—working in an actual cathedral with way too much vertical space could lead to "feelings of being ungrounded or unfocused."But do smaller, cozier working spaces ever have their place? The experts say of course they do.Huberman suggests lower-ceiling or more confined spaces are better suited for more detailed, analytical work. Editing, repetitive tasks, highly focused thinking. These areas of the brain are primed by a more enclosed space, which narrows your focus and the scope of your thinking."The real takeaway is simple and kind of beautiful," Lucas says. "Your environment is not just background. It’s part of the conversation your brain is having with itself."

For years, home renovation and home makeover content has entertained the masses, giving people aspirational ideas and serving as fodder for people's "dream home" desires. But amidst all the quartz countertops, trendy paint colors, and affiliate decor links, a huge swath of people have felt unseen in their own homes. The reality is that nearly a third of Americans live in low-income households, where the idea of replacing floors or furniture or even repainting a room is way beyond the budget. A lot of homes don't even look like the "before," much less the "after," of home redo content, which is why a video from Midwest Magic Cleaning showing an affordable glow-up of a real-life, worn-down home has been viewed nearly five million times.As one commenter wrote, "This may be the only home-related video I’ve ever seen that actually acknowledges poor people exist." Using mostly what the family already had, we get to see a transformation from a depressing, cluttered space to a welcoming, tidy home, and the before and after is every bit as satisfying as anything on HGTV. - YouTube www.youtube.com The gentleman from Midwest Magic Cleaning perfectly diagnosed the issue with this home right out the gate, saying:"I grew up in places that look a lot like what I'm showing you here. We didn't have much money, the place was kind of falling apart, and we didn't have the money or the time to fix it. They had bad paint jobs, broken molding, broken trim, terrible carpets, terrible floors, terrible lighting. You get close to the holidays, and you're just not sure what to do. You're embarrassed to have people over, and you know that fixing the place and painting it would do wonders, but if you had the money and time to fix it and to paint it, you wouldn't have this problem in the first place." He started with a "move out, move in" cleaning, where he got rid of all the trash and then took everything but the basic furniture out of the room. Large furniture got moved out of the way to clean underneath it. He then rearranged the room in a way that made it look bigger and "fancier" by putting the sofa in the center instead of along the wall. Lighting, he said, can make all the difference in a depressing room, so the first things he bought were a floor lamp and two end table lamps for the living room. When the mood of a room is depressing because of bad lighting, it inhibits motivation, which just contributes to a cycle of depression. He put up curtains as well to filter light and hide the fact that the windows had no trim. Curtains can help make a space feel homey and hide bad windows and trim.Photo credit: CanvaFor the kitchen, he broke the process down into three steps: 1) Get rid of all the trash. 2) While you're getting rid of trash, put away anything you can put away. And 3) Clean surfaces. He used curtains to hide open cabinets and purchased a pantry shelf for $25. All in all, he spent about $300 on curtains, curtain rods, and a few pieces of furniture, but he said he could have done the whole makeover for free by getting donated, hand-me-down curtains and other items. The end result isn't "fancy," but it's tidy, homey, and organized. And perhaps most importantly, it's doable. People in the comments raved about the video:"My momma used to say...'We may be broke but we will be clean.' Clean and organized goes a long way." Clean and tidy sets a mood.Photo credit: Canva"I like the way you kept their home looking like their home. The change was subtle, yet not so drastic that they wouldn’t feel like they were not in the same home.""Thank you for addressing the sad dark room = depression = no motivation = room gets dirty = depression cycle because I am going through that right now and it just feels nice to be seen and for once, to not feel like I'm just a horrible goblin.""Dude. I’m sitting here with a negative bank account and feeling like I’m being worked to the bone at my job. My home is messy and depressing and it’s difficult for me to relax even when I have time. This is so inspiring and I can’t wait to go home and clean.""I love this real approach. I grew up in poverty, and know all too well the depressing loop that these types of environments create. This is real motivation for people — not the typical shiny, expensive, unobtainable 'improve your home!' fluff that social media is filled with.""The lights did SOOOOO much. As a trailer park kid, who at one point in my life had bare plywood covering a hole separating inside from outside, this was so refreshing. Poor people deserve to have nice homes too. I’m VERY blessed to not be there anymore but I will always remember what that it’s like. Thank you for your wisdom, video, and work." Lighting makes a big difference in how your home feels.Photo credit: Canva"I was raised as a 'lace curtain Irish' where you put up lace curtains even if you're dirt poor. It lifts your spirits and makes your home look inviting. This video is so respectful of this family and makes the home look great.""This is how my mom used to 'fancy up' our poor when I was growing up. She saved small amounts of money each pay to buy things at yard sales or discount bins. Its amazing how a little here and there raises the spirits. I never knew how poor we actually were. I just thought she really loved beans and potatoes."While it's fun to daydream with home improvement shows and content, seeing a real makeover of a lower-income home is truly inspiring.

In 2005 at only 18 years old, Russian rhythmic gymnast Svetlana Putintseva became a world champion, after which she retired and eventually became a mom. Then, in 2011, Putintseva came out of retirement for one special Gala performance. Little did anyone know that her then two-year-old daughter named Masha would be the key to making that performance so special. As the story goes, the young child refused to leave her side that night. But rather than stopping the performance, Putintseva did what so many incredible moms do: she masterfully held space for two different identities. As we see in the video below, Putintseva simply brought Masha onto the dance floor and incorporated her into the routine—holding and comforting her at times, performing impressive moves while she ran around at others…letting it all become a lively, endearing interaction rather than a rote routine. It became something really touching:Watch: See on Instagram Now, a bit of fact-checking as this video has once again started going viral. Despite what many captions say, Putintseva‘s daughter was likely always a planned part of the performance (the tiny leotard is a bit of a giveaway). But that doesn’t really take away from the message behind it: motherhood weaves another soul into one's identity, forever. And one of the biggest lessons it teaches is how to hold someone else steady, all while becoming ourselves. Every day, moms are engaging in a similar type of “dance”: navigating through the world while guiding and nurturing their little ones. It probably doesn't always feel quite as graceful as what Putintseva put out, and, yet, it is just as beautiful. A mother hugging her daughter.Photo credit: CanvaMaybe so many thought it was an improvised moment because improvising is a very real parent superpower. That’s certainly the takeaway we get from some of these lovely comments: “You cannot control life but you can learn to dance with it.

There is a story unfolding across America's South that has been healing for many at a time when the news cycle is dominated by war, street violence, and political tension.On October 26, 2025, a procession of Buddhist monks left their temple in Texas to begin a 120-day, on-foot spiritual trek to Washington, D.C. Their mission is simple: to promote national healing and peace. At a time when many forces seem to be pulling America apart, these monks are here to bring people together."My hope is, when this walk ends, the people we met will continue practicing mindfulness and find peace," said the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, the group's leader, according to the Independent. Along for the "Walk of Peace" journey has been Aloka, a rescued Indian pariah dog who captured hearts across the country and later became a cause for concern after being sidelined by a leg injury. Aloka is now recovering and hopes to rejoin the monks once healed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Walk for Peace (@walkforpeace.usa)The monks have a beautiful encounter with an autistic childThe monks have touched countless hearts on their trek to spread peace and love, and they created what felt like a near miracle during a stop in Raleigh, North Carolina, on January 25. Samantha Bray and her family were among the spectators hoping to see the monks along their journey, and she couldn't believe the effect they had on her son, Vincent, who is nonverbal and autistic.As the monks walked by, they noticed Vincent and approached him. One of the monks tied a bracelet around the boy's wrist as Vincent held his mother's hand. For his family, the moment was astonishing—Vincent had never allowed anyone to put anything on his wrist before, not even those close to him.Bray later shared the video on Facebook, where it received more than a million views. The monks also reposted the clip on their growing social media accounts.Bray wrote in her post:"Today was such a blessing. We caught the Buddhist Monks in the Walk for Peace. My daughter and I were on the sidewalk while my son and husband were a little ways back. One of the Buddhist Monks saw our son and asked if he was ok. My husband brought our son up. They prayed over our son, who is autistic and nonverbal, and tied the holy thread around his wrist and gave our daughter flowers." The monks responded: "Thank you, Samantha, for sharing your family's precious experience with all of us. May the blessing continue to shine in your son's life and in your whole family's hearts.""Having that moment with our family, surrounded by our community and the monks, it was just a really beautiful moment to experience," Bray told WRAL. "And to even add, you know, for him to tolerate that and kind of just being in that moment together was pretty spectacular." - YouTube www.youtube.com The meaning behind the braceletTraditionally, when a Buddhist monk shares a bracelet, it carries multiple meanings. It's meant to promote mindfulness, serving as a reminder to focus on having a deeper connection to the present moment. The bracelets are also believed to promote inner peace, offer protection from negative energies, and help ward off obstacles along one's spiritual path.There's a lot of good in this world; you just have to look around to find it sometimes. While those who wage war and sow chaos often get the most attention, it's important to remember that many people are also fighting for good. These monks are a powerful reminder that simple acts, like gentle kindness, can overcome forces of negativity and division.