What is Achamedes' Job? | JEFF DUNHAM

Grocery prices have have continued to soar in the United States due to inflation. According to a new U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report on food inflation prices, they continue to increase in January 2026.Certain foods have been impacted more than others. Coffee prices increased 20% from December 2024 to December 2025, while beef prices increased 15.5% percent, per ABC News.Current grocery prices have impacted how people shop. Frugal people on Reddit discussed how inflation has changed their grocery shopping habits to stick to a budget. Many shared the foods and ingredients they have stopped buying due to increasing costs. Plus, they explained how it has positively impacted them—from becoming better bakers to making swaps that they like even better. From meat to desserts, these are how frugal people are dealing with food inflation costs. - YouTube www.youtube.com Protein"Haven't bought any beef other than hamburger in over a year. The prices are laughable." - polishprince76"Yeah, we switched from ground beef to ground turkey over a year ago bc it was cheaper. Steak was never in the budget and now neither is ground beef." - TraditionalChest7825"Beef, of course, is ridiculous. We've learned to make a lot of our recipes with chicken these days. I make chicken meatballs, chicken burgers and chicken meatloaf. We found it is cheaper to make our own ground chicken when boneless, skinless chicken is on sale than to buy it already ground. I don't mind as chicken is healthier than beef, anyway." - aeraen"I swapped a lot of meat for tofu/ beans. If I do have meat on sale or something, I always make it last longer by like mixing it with beans/ mushrooms to go the distance too." - rockdog85"Not sure if this is what you are after, but I moved from a place where peanut butter was cheap and tahini was expensive to a place where tahini is cheap and peanut butter is expensive, so now I use tahini in all the recipes where I used to use peanut butter." - tlatlsaddlebattle"We try to find rib roast sales as it brings the price down and then we cut them to our liking or sometimes we will have the butcher do it." - Florida1974Carbs"I’m eating more oatmeal. Cereals are so expensive and they require milk." - EmmelinePankhurst77"Chips. Every so often if there's a really good sale (4 bags for $10 isn't too bad) but no way is a bag of Lay's worth $4.79 or more." - myystic78"I've switched to buying popcorn kernels instead, but I'd probably make an exception for something like a party." - Signal_Error_8027"$7 for a loaf of bread? No thanks, I’ll bake my own. Getting a bread machine makes it super easy, too!" vozzov, Pretend-Policy832"I learned how to make bagels! Honestly, just google homemade bagel recipe and pick the one that works for you! I’ve only made them with Greek yogurt so far (and they came out great), but I’m going to try making some with yeast next." - Efficient_Swan_9182"Frozen pizzas. We make fresher single serve pizzas using Greek pita breads, or flatbreads as the base, with olive oil, shredded mozzarella cheese and whatever leftover/stored garden vegetables we have." - SnooMarzipans6812Drinks"Any sort of beverage. I used to buy Diet Coke pretty regular as it’s one of my few vices, but I can’t justify the price anymore. Occasionally I’ll buy the Aldi brand flavored seltzers but beyond that, we just drink filtered water from the fridge." - Alpacalypsenoww"I started making jugs of iced tea, using (relatively inexpensive) tea bags. Soda is, indeed, too expensive, but sometimes I like having something to drink that isn't water." - witty_grapefruit"I’ve found the Walmart version of Sprite called 'Twist Up' I feel is almost identical to Sprite & only costs $1 for a 2-liter." - Jedi_Hog"Coffee pods. I bought a canister of Illy ground coffee on sale and it’s lasting me a lot longer than buying those Starbucks Nespresso pods. I love the smell of the ground coffee too. And less Vital Farm’s eggs and more from Costco." - Easy_Growth_5533"I don’t drink coffee, but I do need a little caffeine or gogo juice as I call it, to get me going. So I started buying the Mio drink mix that you put in water. Certain ones do have caffeine in them and it doesn’t take much, so it saves money." - Florida1974Sweets"Any kind of cake. I learned how to bake and glad for it. I didn't realize how easy it is to do most of the basics (muffins, banana bread, Madeira cake, blueberry loaf, shortbread, etc). Most of the cakes and treats I used to buy are better homemade." - Chancevexed"I stopped buying candy bars also. Instead, I substitute a bag of dark chocolate baking chips/morsels. Lasts months longer than a candy bar and still get a small chocolate fix a couple of times per week." - Katesouthwest"My jaw dropped when I saw a small bag of chocolate chips was 6 dollars a bag. Hard pass! Sometimes large bars of chocolate go on sale. We just chop it for baking. It is way better than chocolate chips." - HappyinBC, HappyinBC

Every generation has its own signature slang: back in the '70s, a Boomer might have labeled their disappointment a "bummer," while a Gen Zer might react with a "big yikes." Some of these phrases linger on, and others suffer an awkward death—signifiers of an age long gone. Millennials, of course, are not exempt from this general rule. In a recent Reddit thread, people of that generation looked back at the cringe-worthy things they used to say (or perhaps still do). In some cases, these goofy phrases seem to carry a nostalgic sweetness, or perhaps a charming kind of irony. As one person proudly wrote, "Everything is cringe. Therefore nothing is cringe. We are free." - YouTube www.youtube.com "I don't cringe at my cringe, I revel in my cringe, it makes me smile."Lots of people reflected on this topic in the r/Millennials subreddit, highlighting outdated phrases like "I did a thing," "I was today years old when I learned," "And go!", and "adulting." But one person defended the latter, saying, "I actually liked that. Previous generations tended to downplay how difficult the mundane parts of adulthood can be. It was refreshing to see people actually talk about it." And many other users said they enjoy looking back at the awkwardness of their younger days. One wise Redditor wrote: "I'm proud of everything I do badly and with enthusiasm. I don't cringe at my cringe, I revel in my cringe, it makes me smile. I hope I'm wholeheartedly cringe for many years to come. I think we're pretty awesome. I'm going to get that annoying, stupid little 'ironic,' mustache tattooed on my finger this year. I love it, I've always wanted it, and imma get it done. I think humanity in all its messy glory is a beautiful thing."On that tattoo note, other Millennials ventured beyond the spoken word to reflect on the charmingly cringe behaviors of their youth. As you might expect, given the demographic, social media played a big role. Here are some interesting comments:"Every now and then my Facebook memories will pop up from 2005 and 2006 when it was still 'is ____' and I can't help but laugh at how often I'd post 'is working,' 'is tired after a long day,' and of course the vague 'is not ready for this.' I literally laughed out loud when one from 2008 came up and it said 'I hate what has to happen is going to happen, but it has to happen.' I have no clue what I was talking about, but there were definitely updates where I was basically begging for someone to message me and be like 'Are you ok? What's wrong?' But my life was boring as hell back then and I think I just wanted attention haha.""I mostly posted Radiohead song lyrics to show everyone how mysterious I was""It's so cringe too, when you look back at it. It's almost like the duck face peace sign pics we all took, LOL""Cryptic AIM away messages hinting at the pain. It even creeped into Facebook briefly""Planking anyone?""Song lyrics on photos. Yelling 'YOLO' before doing something. Hash-tagging. Anything during Tumblr days. Facebook honest answers lol like 'rate me, tell me what you think of me' and then posting something cringey on that person's wall.""I got on Facebook when I was 13 or 14. Being 30 now I have a love hate relationship with my FB memories. It's s--- that I would obviously never post these days, but still hilarious to look back on." - YouTube www.youtube.com You may cling to your cringe slang. But why?Let's say you're one of those Millennials who still adds "lol" to the end of every text or shouts "YOLO" before a night out, even when it's not a trendy thing to do. What's the reasoning? Why do some of us still use outdated phrases? LaNysha Adams, PhD, an author and applied linguist, says we cling to old slang due to "identity, memory, and connection.""Because language is tied to memory and emotion, some words function like time capsules from a psychological point of view," Adams explains to Upworthy. "The social component is also very real, too, because slang is a form of belonging where these verbal inside jokes reinforce a shared history from a previous time in life." To illustrate, she points to the phrase "no cap," a recent favorite of hers. "Since 2000, I have been tracking since it's hit enough people and spread through so many different social networks," she says. "It's gained traction for the past five years, but I would imagine it may fade over time. Linguistically, neologisms like this are spread widely depending on who says them because the right people say them in the right places."Valerie Fridland, PhD, a linguistics professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, tells Upworthy that slang is simultaneously about "showing that we belong to a certain in-group, often of age-matched peers, and of giving off a cool 'IYKYK' vibe." But things change as we get older and start our lives. "As we get jobs, get paired up, and have kids, we might outgrow the youth culture that inspired us to use slang, but we don't leave behind the identity those words helped us claim," she says. "Hearing or saying words like 'sick' or 'totes' triggers memories and an emotional connection to that person we were in the same way that we can't help but sing along to a song that we loved in our teen or college years. In other words, that person and the slang terms that once made us cool is still part of who we are, even if we have to laugh at ourselves a bit because of it." - YouTube www.youtube.com

One of the hardest parts of speaking in front of a group is managing the nerves that often accompany public speaking. No matter how much you want to appear cool, calm, and collected, nervousness can hit even experienced speakers, and when it does, it's hard to figure out how to handle it. It's especially disconcerting when your voice shakes, because that's the last thing you want when you're trying to project confidence. Instinctively, we may try techniques to calm our bodies, such as meditation or deep breathing. But there's a counterintuitive hack that public speaking expert Vinh Giang shared with a woman who asked how to keep her voice from shaking when she gets too nervous. - YouTube www.youtube.com "If your voice shakes, what must be shaking?" Giang asked in the YouTube video. "Your body, right? Why do you shake? Because you're nervous. But the main physiological reason why we shake is because of excess adrenaline, because the body's preparing for fight or flight." The fight-or-flight response is the body's way of revving up with energy, which triggers a surge of adrenaline. But because we're not actually going to fight or flee, we don't know what to do with that adrenaline. Giang pointed out that this is why speakers tend to pace onstage, trying to burn off the excess energy."Instead of getting on stage, having a shaky voice, and pacing, get rid of the adrenaline backstage," he said. "Go for a really brisk walk for 3 to 5 minutes. Wim Hof breathing. Twenty star jumps. Five pushups." Giang said this forces you to take deep breaths, and you'll soon find that the adrenaline has left your body.It makes sense when you think about it. Adrenaline needs to go somewhere, so doing a few minutes of brisk body movements gives it a place to be processed. Star jumps can help you move adrenaline out of your body. Photo credit: CanvaCommenters on Giang's video said they've tried this method and that it works:"I used to do this before going on stage as a solo pianist. Looked funny at times doing star jumps in my dress and heels or a wall push in the same, but it worked!!""I usually have like really bad anxiety before speaking in front of people. I'm talking about hyperventilating, vomiting, and all. For my latest presentation, I remembered this video. I tried shaking my hands aggressively for maybe 1 - 2 minutes, and I kid you not, it works wonders. No nauseousness, lightheadedness, and all that. Thank you so so much for this.""This is the best piece of advice that I have ever come across... Ever since I saw this video a few months ago I have never been jittery during a performance since THANK YOU!!" There are ways to stop the shakes without exercise, too. Photo credit: CanvaWhat if you aren't able to exercise just before speaking? While getting your adrenaline out backstage is great, that's not always an option. Sometimes you might be sitting in a room full of people, waiting for your turn to speak, when the nerves hit. Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman shared that research shows a "double inhale" method can quickly reduce stress without having to move your body around. - YouTube www.youtube.com The basic technique, known as a "physiological sigh," involves taking a deep breath through your nose, then inhaling again without letting any air out first, followed by a slow exhale.Huberman said this method works because it offloads a large amount of carbon dioxide all at once. Carbon dioxide builds up when we're stressed, causing the tiny air sacs in the lungs to partially collapse. Taking that extra, quick breath when the lungs are already full helps reopen those sacs, allowing the body to release more carbon dioxide than it would with a single deep breath and exhale.People in the comments on Giang's video also shared personal tips for those who can't go for a walk or do pushups before speaking:"I used to clench my fists under the table with all the strength I got over and over again. Or even my whole lower body. And I learned a breathing technique, where I inhale for 4 seconds, then hold my breath for 4 seconds and then release my breath for 4 seconds or even longer, but it's crucial that your exhale takes as long or even longer as your inhale. Another trick is from a mental coach. You play the presentation in your head like a movie and every time you get anxious you stop for a moment and just breathe. When you feel at ease again you continue the movie in your head. In the end nourish the vision of yourself after a wonderful presentation and experience all the emotions like pride, happiness, relief, feel them in your body, let them thrive. Do it as often as you want to or need to.""I would get up early and go for a run. You're still getting your blood pumping and releasing endorphins even though it's a good few hours before your presentation."So many options to try in different situations. Check out this article for more expert ideas to stop your voice from shaking when nerves hit, and follow Vinh Giang on YouTube.

The world is changing faster than ever. Cultural shifts that may have taken decades before can now happen in just a few short years thanks to rapidly evolving technology and global interconnectedness. To demonstrate just how much society has changed in the last couple of years, users on social media are sounding off in response to the prompt: "What was normal in 2019, but looks like 'psychopath behavior' in 2026?"Here are some of the best responses from the viral Reddit thread:1. Going to work sick Going to work or school sick. Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash "Being sick but still showing up somewhere because its 'just a little cold' but you’re visibly unwell. After the pandemic, showing up to work with a cough or the sniffles is a total no-go.""Going to work/school sick and acting proud about it. Absolute villain behavior now.""I had to gently insist with my boss that I could not return to work while still showing positive for the flu.""going to work sick and bragging about it. coughing through meetings, no mask, acting like you’re a hero for 'powering through' instead of realizing you’re just spreading illness. pre-2020 that was normal grind culture. now it just looks selfish and unhinged."2. Posting frequently on social media"Posting your location, meals, and every thought in real time. Totally normal in 2019, kinda unhinged in 2026"Data confirms that regular people are posting far less on social media. Most users are "passively active," meaning they just scroll and interact with others' content without posting much of their own. The days of the early Instagram algorithm sure are long gone. @cntrtnr It's important to remember that people who post on tiktok are not representative of most of humanity. #socialmedia #anxiety 3. Commuting unnecessarily"Spending 2 hours a day in a cramped train just to sit at a desk you have at home"Prior to 2020, work from home was typically a special perk reserved for certain workers on certain days. Then it became the norm, and even in 2026 amid the return to office push, a majority of "office" workers work from home either full or part time.4. Visiting the US for vacation"Visiting family in the US, sadly""There was a dip in international tourism to US in 2025, but it was only 6%. International travelers are still very much visiting the US."The most recent data shows international visits to America are down about 5-6%. It's hardly a drastic fall-off, but considering that many of the most-visited countries in the world are actually seeing increases, it tells a tale about how foreigners are feeling about the United States right now.5. American flags"Having an American flag in your yard. It used to be a sign of patriotism."American flags have certainly not gone completely out of style, but in 2026 it has gotten much harder to separate any American flag paraphernalia from certain political beliefs. Most people won't buy and display a flag unless they're intending to send a specific message. Displaying an American flag. Photo by Andrew Ruiz on Unsplash 6. Hustle culture"Bragging about how hard you work. Work culture stuff like a sign on your desk that says 'The Boss'. Bragging about how much coffee you have to drink to stay up for all the extra work you're doing for your 9-5 job. Making being a good employee a big part of your personality."Gen Z is primarily driving this change. They work to live, not the other way around. - YouTube www.youtube.com 7. Apps for everything"Ordering literally everything through an app. Groceries, food, furniture, therapy, dates all normal now."COVID-19 was clearly the main driver of a huge surge in apps like UberEats, but they've stuck around and even expanded their foothold since then into new categories.8. Using Twitter/XX, formerly Twitter, used to be a main hub for breaking news, live-sports analysis, and funny one-liner jokes. In recent years, usage has fallen significantly and the app has been embroiled in scandals involving its built-in AI assistant, Grok.9. Having tons of kidsThe reasons are many, including inflation, housing costs, and the demands of career. But however you slice it, people are widely choosing to have fewer children, or not to have kids at all. The trend has been steady since the '60s, but the birth rate has fallen even since 2019, with couples finding going with just one child (or even zero) gives them more financial and social freedom.10. Using public water fountainsCOVID-19 definitely took its toll on public drinking fountains, but so did the rise of bottled water and, even more recently, trendy water bottles. Fountains that fill reusable bottles are a lot more popular now than the traditional models where the water went straight into your mouth.11. Buying a TeslaIn 2019, the Tesla was seen primarily as a marvel of modern engineering and a huge step toward more environmentally friendly transportation. Today, much like the American flag, it's become much harder to separate the product from its political ties. Tesla sales slumped dramatically in 2025 as a result.12. Calling people on the phone"Calling someone without texting first. In 2019 it was normal. In 2026 it feels unhinged. If my phone rings now, I assume it’s bad news or an emergency."Calling was well on its way out in 2019, but the drop off has been accelerated by a rapid rise in spam and robocalls. Junk calls reached an all-time high in 2025 and now, many Americans simply ignore it when their phone rings. Calling people on the phone unannounced. Photo by Jae Park on Unsplash 13. Questioning the validity of everything"Is this AI?"It's a question that inspires many Google searches and even has its own popular subreddit. ChatGPT wasn't released until 2022, so in 2019, AI was a fledgling, far-off idea. In 2026, people all over the world must question almost everything they see and hear on the Internet.

You know the feeling. There’s laundry spilling out of the hamper, 47 emails glaring at you from your inbox, and a Word document that’s supposed to become a report by Friday morning through… magic? You need to start. You want to start. And yet, you don’t.The longer you put it off, the worse it gets. You might feel tempted to call yourself names, like “lazy” or “unmotivated,” but psychologists suggest that procrastination isn’t about laziness at all—it’s about emotional regulation. It’s about dodging discomfort: the anxiety of not knowing where to begin, the fear of doing it badly, the sheer weight of the thing itself.But what if you didn’t have to start the task at all? What if you only had to start getting ready for it? @jessekatches Day 2 of 10 Which mental block should we tackle next? ♬ original sound - Jesse Katches This is the brilliant idea behind the “anti-start” ritual, a concept that’s been taking over TikTok lately. It’s not a grueling productivity hack designed to squeeze more hours out of your day. Instead, it’s a gentle, compassionate way to trick your brain into crossing the starting line without even realizing the race has begun. What exactly is the ‘anti-start’ ritual? TikTok creator Ankita Tejwani (@ankitatej) popularized the term while sharing her personal method for overcoming that paralyzing “freeze” response.The premise is simple. You trick your brain by lowering the stakes. Instead of telling yourself, “I need to write this essay right now,” you pivot and say, “I’m not going to work. I’m just going to set up my space.” TikTok · Ankita Tejwani Credit: @ankitatej via TikTok In her viral video, Tejwani describes her inner monologue: “OK, you’re not going to start,” she tells herself. “That’s OK. Just set the stage for someone who will. Clean your space, light a candle, get a coffee, open your laptop, and set the stage for when you are ready. No pressure.”Another user, @legalwrites, describes their own “anti-start” ritual: “Begin each session with a consistent, positive trigger. Light a candle, drink the same tea, or play a specific song. These conditions help your brain to recognize that it’s time to focus.”It’s a bridge between doing nothing and doing the hard thing. And for thousands online, it’s been a game-changer. Why this simple trick actually works (1) It quiets the fear response When a task feels big or daunting, the amygdala—your brain’s built-in threat detector—kicks in. We avoid tasks that make us feel bad: anxious, overwhelmed, unsure, and afraid of screwing up. The worse a task feels, the harder we’ll try to dodge it.“It’s all about our feelings,” says Tim Pychyl, the head of the Procrastination Research Group and an associate professor of psychology at Carleton University in Ontario, Canada. “Procrastination is the misregulation of emotion. We think that by putting things off, we’re going to feel better.” - YouTube youtube.com That’s procrastination in action. But if you shift your attention to something small and harmless, like making tea or tidying your desk, your brain relaxes. There’s no threat to react to.This is what psychologists call “decoupling emotional resistance from task initiation.” Opening a document isn’t scary. Laying out your materials won’t hurt you. Counting down from five takes no courage at all. These tiny gestures are so bland and effortless that your brain’s alarm system has nothing to latch onto. Another user shares their anti-start, or "start," ritual. Photo Credit: @the.1491 via TikTokOnce the trivial action is complete, however, the psychological landscape shifts. You’re in motion—that’s the game. Once you’ve tricked yourself into lighting the candle or organizing your desk, your brain has shifted gears—motivation starts to build, your prefrontal cortex wakes up, and you’ve cleared the hardest hurdle. (2) It makes you feel motivated, neurologically Procrastination isn’t about laziness. It’s about motivation. Or, more precisely, the neurochemistry of it. Dopamine, the molecule that drives you to want things and do things, is at the heart of the issue.Here’s the “anti-ritual” trick: dopamine doesn’t show up before you start. It shows up after. Waiting around to feel motivated is like waiting for a train that only arrives once you’re already on it. That doesn’t make a ton of sense. @thecreativeathlete Rituals are more powerful than you think #personalgrowth #psychology #productivity #creativity ♬ original sound - Creative Athlete When you take even the smallest action—tidying a desk, opening a file, putting on your shoes—you change your physical state. Suddenly, the motivation you were hoping would arrive on its own is there because you summoned it by moving.Motivation, in other words, is not the cause of action. It’s the result. (3) It reduces decision fatigue Rituals offer something valuable to procrastinators: predictability. Psychologists call this phenomenon “implementation intention,” which is basically the “if-then” plans you make in advance. The logic is straightforward: specific cues are linked to specific actions. For example, “If it’s 9 a.m., then I open my laptop.” Or, “If I finish breakfast, then I sit at my desk.”Once that connection is forged, there’s nothing to think about. You’ve already decided. There’s nothing left to debate. This user's start ritual sums it up: we're starting now. Photo Credit: @aaiimmiiee via TikTokIn one study, students were asked to write an essay during Christmas break (arguably the worst possible time to get work done). The students who made implementation intentions about exactly when and where they’d write finished the essay 71% of the time. Those who just set the goal without a plan? Only 32% followed through.Implementation intentions, or anti-rituals, are so effective because they remove the moment of choice. You hit your cue, and the rest unfolds on autopilot. There’s no window for second-guessing or distraction. What does an anti-start ritual look like? The beauty of this concept is that it is entirely personal. Don’t aim for perfection—that’s the exact opposite of an anti-ritual. You need a series of cues that signal to your brain: We are arriving at the workspace.Here are a few examples of what this might look like for different people. Woman lighting a candle with a match, surrounded by softly glowing candles.Photo credit: Canva The “cozy” ritual This ritual is ideal for writers or administrative professionals who work best when they feel safe and calm. Step 1: Put on a pair of comfy socks. Step 2: Fill a water bottle or make a cup of hot tea. Step 3: Light a specific candle (scent is a powerful trigger for memory and habit). Step 4: Put on a specific playlist, like the minimalist YouTube video, “Give your brain a break.” Step 5: Open the document. Man stretching neck in living room, wearing a gray shirt, with eyes closed.Photo credit: Canva The “active” ritual If you’re feeling sluggish or physically “stuck,” movement can be the spark your brain needs to wake up and get flowing again. Step 1: Stand up and stretch deeply. Step 2: Shake out your hands and feet to release nervous energy. Step 3: Clean one area of the room. Step 4: Sit back down. Writing down your thoughts and feelings by hand is a totally different experience.Photo credit: Canva The “analog” ritual For those who feel immediately overwhelmed by screens, starting with pen and paper can be a game-changer. Step 1: Close your laptop. Step 2: Grab a physical notebook and your favorite pen. Step 3: Write down three things you want to accomplish, or fill a page with free-written thoughts. Step 4: Once that’s complete, reopen your laptop. A gentle word of caution While the anti-start ritual is an excellent tool, it’s essential to use it in a way that honors who you are. The internet is full of “aesthetic” morning routines that look beautiful but may not be practical in real life.Beware of the “positivity trap”: It’s easy to get so hyper-focused on perfecting a ritual that it turns back into procrastination. If you spend 45 minutes arranging your desk pens by color before answering an email, the ritual is no longer serving you. The goal is to make starting easier, not to create a more polished obstacle.Respect your natural rhythm: It’s vital to remember that a ritual should not force you to become someone you aren’t. As reported by Outside Online, forcing a routine that fights your biology can actually backfire.“Everyone’s routine is super unique, and it’s supposed to be,” Kristen Casey, a licensed clinical psychologist and insomnia specialist, tells Outside Online. “So, if you’re trying to mimic someone else’s routine to a tee, it’s likely that you’ll run into some problems, because you’re not that person.”For example, if you’re a night owl, forcing a 5 a.m. “anti-start” ritual might lead to sleep deprivation and frustration. Vanessa Hill, a behavioral scientist and science communicator, notes that fighting your circadian rhythm leaves you feeling groggy and less productive.If your brain works best at 10 p.m., do your anti-start ritual then. The best routine is the one that works with your biology, not against it. Be kind to your brain In a culture obsessed with optimization, the anti-start ritual offers an alternative: the permission to begin gently. In this way, it’s not a productivity hack in the usual sense. There’s no weird time-blocking, gamification, or guilt. It’s a way of being kinder to yourself when starting the work feels impossible. Photo credit: CanvaAnti-start rituals work because they accept a fundamental truth: starting is the hardest part. You don’t need to run a marathon. All they ask is that you lace up your shoes.Next time resistance shows up, try this: don’t force it. Light a candle. Clear the desk. See what happens next.

Blaze reporter Sara Gonzales responds to “weak Republicans” who “do not intend to vote for what their constituency wants.”