When people refer to artistic or creative geniuses, we often praise them as rugged individualists who pursued a singular vision. But many times, that story is too simple. In reality, great artistic achievements are made through collective effort. This is especially true in film and television. One artistic genius who changed the world by empowering his creative partners and giving them credit was Muppets creator Jim Henson. Henson helped create some of the most popular TV shows in the ‘70s and ’80s, including Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and Fraggle Rock, as well as iconic films such as The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. Jim Henson alongside Miss Piggy and Fozzie. Photo credit: Bernard Gotfryd/Wikimedia Commons Henson shares the secret to his incredible success Actor Alexander Polinsky recently shared rare insight into Henson’s creative process and how much he owed to his collaborators in a TikTok post that received over 650,000 views. Polinsky played Adam Powell on the TV show Charles in Charge from 1987 to 1990 and has done voice acting on shows such as Teen Titans, Teen Titans Go!, and the Ben 10 franchise. @alexanderpolinsky Replying to @Ray Franz #Muppets #MuppetShow #Disney #Disneyland #MoffattBabys #JimHenson #Acting #Actor #ActorsLife #darkcrystal , Labrinth, #TheLabyrinth #thedarkcrystal ♬ original sound – Alexander Polinsky Polinsky was seven years old in 1982, when Henson’s dark fantasy film The Dark Crystal was in theaters. His mother worked at a gallery hosting an exhibition on the film. Henson was there when young Polinsky was visiting, and his mother pushed him to ask the creator a question: “She pushed me in front of him. I was the only kid, besides my two other friends, that were in the whole place that morning. And I said, ‘How did you make this stuff?’ And instead of saying ‘hot glue and learn to sew,’ he said, ‘First, gather a group of people around you that you love and that love you. And give them an idea that has enough empty space in it so that they can take it on and make it their own. And when you get it back, it’s more beautiful than you ever thought possible.’” Polinsky ended his video by saying, “So make art with the people that you love.” Jim Henson and George Lucas. Photo credit: AP Wirephoto/Wikimedia Commons Henson loved to collaborate with people who thought differently Steve Whitmire, a Muppet performer who eventually took over as Kermit (Henson’s signature character) after his death, told D23.com that Henson believed in the power of the ensemble. A great example was when The Muppet Show won an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy–Variety or Music Series in 1978. “I remember Jim’s Emmy acceptance speech very well because he made eye contact with me,” Whitmire, who was newly hired at the time, said. “I was in the third row, and he was looking at me. He was kind of uncomfortable onstage as himself to some degree, but he said, ‘I just want to let everybody know that this is not about me, it’s about our group and our group dynamic.’” “‘Appreciate each other for your differences and not for your similarities’ was a theme that went through all of his work,” the creator’s son, Brian Henson, added. “Clearly, this was a wonderful message that got picked up all around the world. Everyone got it, everywhere.” Henson’s belief in providing space for his creative partners shows that he had an astonishing lack of ego—rare in the world of entertainment—and an incredible amount of faith in his collaborators. But it must have been a lot easier for him to keep his faith in those around him because their relationship was based on a power even greater than artistic integrity: love. The post In 1982, Jim Henson shared the secret to his success with a young actor. It still touches his heart. appeared first on Upworthy.

Do you feel like your brain is constantly juggling a million things? Like your mind is on overload and you cannot focus? Between the effects of scrolling social media, navigating the 24/7 news cycle, and managing work and family life, your brain can easily feel overwhelmed. Even when you have quiet moments of calm, your mind might still feel too cluttered to get your thoughts in order. However, according to pediatric neurologist Dr. Arif Khan, there is an old-school solution to that problem with modern science to back it up: journaling. Khan goes a step further by sharing three specific techniques and the neuroscience behind why they help. “In brain scans, something remarkable happens when people write about their feelings,” Khan says in a YouTube video. “The regions for motion and the regions for reasoning begin to synchronize, as if the brain is learning to talk to itself. That is the hidden power of journaling. It’s not just reflection. It’s neurological repair.” Khan explains that when you write, your prefrontal cortex—the brain area that helps with planning and analysis—begins to communicate with your amygdala, the brain’s emotional reaction center. He cites a 2021 Stanford University study, which demonstrated that expressive writing can help your brain recover from stress. “The mid-cingulate cortex, which usually fires under emotional pressure, becomes calmer and more coordinated,” says Khan. “And when you put emotions into words, the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex turns on, helping to quiet the amygdala. This process is called affect labeling; it allows you to feel without drowning in the feeling.” Writing by hand matters, Khan adds. “A 2023 study in Frontiers in Psychology showed that handwriting activates more areas of the brain than typing,” he says. “When your hand moves with your thoughts, that is, the mind slows down just enough to make sense of itself.” Here are three journaling techniques Khan recommends to reduce brain clutter: Technique #1: Expressive writing Expressive writing, a technique developed by psychologist James Pennebaker, involves writing about something you feel strongly about. “Think about something you still carry—a disappointment, a loss, a moment that lingers longer than it should,” Khan says. Then write about it for 15 to 20 minutes. “Don’t worry about grammar,” he adds. “Don’t edit. Don’t write for anyone else. Write until you run out of words.” Expressive writing helps the brain process emotions. Photo credit: Canva Khan says this technique is effective because the brain treats emotional suppression as “unfinished work.” “Studies show that after expressive writing, the brain’s emotional centers quiet down while cognitive control increases,” he explains. “Your body feels lighter because your mind has stopped trying to contain what it has finally released. You might cry. You might feel tired. You might want to stop halfway. That’s okay. Healing requires a small amount of discomfort before calm returns.” Technique #2: Gratitude journaling Gratitude journals aren’t new, but Khan explains how and why they work from a neurological point of view. Instead of writing about what’s troubling you, write down two or three things you’re grateful for. It could be anything, but stay specific. (Khan gives examples like “the smell of rain,” “a message from a friend that came at just the right time,” or “a meal that made you feel safe.”) View this post on Instagram “Gratitude journaling doesn’t force positivity,” says Khan. “It retrains your attention. Neuroscientists have found that practicing gratitude activates the ventral striatum and the medial prefrontal cortex regions that regulate mood and motivation. When you do this daily, you teach your brain to look for what is stable instead of what is threatening.” Khan says gratitude journaling “tunes your nervous system towards balance.” Rather than erasing struggle, it helps you see beyond it. Technique #3: Reflective reframing Reflective reframing journaling focuses on a specific incident and helps you work through it. Khan says to think of a challenge you’ve had and write about it plainly. No judgment, just write what happened. Then write down: What it meant. What it revealed. What it taught you. One small action you can take the next time something like that happens. Emotion regulation is like other skills: it takes practice.After 2 weeks of daily journaling to reframe unpleasant events, depression dropped, life satisfaction rose, and the benefits lasted at least a month.The best way to improve at managing emotions is to do it more often. pic.twitter.com/vt2JQ6aMWe— Adam Grant (@AdamMGrant) June 27, 2024 “This pattern strengthens the prefrontal regions that regulate emotional reactivity,” Khan says. “It builds the ability to pause and reinterpret before reacting. You learn to step back—not to detach, but to understand. Over time, this practice reshapes resilience itself. You begin to see difficulties not as failures, but as data points for growth. That subtle shift changes how your brain responds to future stress.” Journaling rewires the brain over time Khan says you don’t have to use all three journaling techniques every day. “Think of journaling as mental cross training,” he says. “Use expressive writing when emotions feel heavy. Use gratitude journaling when you feel numb or distant. Use reflective reframing when life feels confusing. Each practice strengthens a different circuit of awareness.” Khan says that journaling isn’t just self-expression but self-construction. While it can help in the moment, the real power is the change that happens over weeks or months. “You pause longer before reacting. You remember more clearly. You recover more quickly,” says Khan. Journaling has genuinely changed my life.I used to think it was just another trend people hype up for a few weeks and move on from. But it works like magic, and the reason is surprisingly simple: it reduces cognitive load.If you are someone who deeply cares about everything,…— Tanya Rajhans (@tanyarajhans7) February 9, 2026 People in the comments of Khan’s video shared their own experiences with how journaling has impacted their lives: “I’ve done all these. I’m 68 now, and I’ve been journaling since I was 13. I have all of these journals. It is all very true and tried out. Today, people ask me how do I live my life so well. This is one of the secrets…..” “This is fascinating. When I was about 12, I had a teacher who made us keep journals, and we would write about a given promt for 10 minutes at the start of each class. On the days when we wrote about something negative/stressful, she always told us to just keep writing until every single word we had about the topic had drained out. Sounds like we were actually doing technique #1!” “I recently went thru a 12 year relationship breakup. I felt so bad , like no pain I had ever experienced before. After two weeks of this agony I started a journal and wrote whatever came into my mind including my diet. Now, a month and a half later I have stopped daily entries and my anxiety has dropped from 100 pc every day for a month to almost zero. I write as I feel the need. What an amazing insight this video has given me.” People testify to the old-school power of journaling. Photo credit: Canva “I have survived and thrived by doing this kind of journaling since 1996 when my husband left me with our three wonderful children (thank God for them!). I highly recommend writing as often as you can on both good and bad days.” “I’m 27. I’ve been journaling since 16/17. I can honestly say it’s gotten me out some pretty dark places. All types a writing, expressing, pain, gratitude, to God, to my future self, it all helps. Writing and journaling are a lost art. I hope more people get in tune with themselves a little more and open up to writing and journaling. It’s a beautiful experience.” “I started to write about my life at 75, mainly for my children, grandchildren and future generations. I have to say that getting all the hurt, upset, sorrows and jubilation has given me peace at last.” You can follow Dr. Khan’s The Brain Project channel on YouTube for more neuroscience info. The post Pediatric neurologist shares 3 easy and effective journaling techniques to fix mental clutter appeared first on Upworthy.

Everyone’s heard of Staples. But now people are actually going there in droves thanks to one employee affectionately known online as the “Staples Baddie.” Back in January, Kaeden Rowland, a Staples employee, filmed a brief clip of herself during a work shift. Donning the recognizable red shirt and lanyard, she quipped, “You finna need something printed? I gotchyu.”  That single video quickly turned into a mega-viral series. It’s a fun combination of slang-filled humor, nail-clacking ASMR, and genuinely helpful tutorials and insights. The content is breathing new life into the brand and being hailed by fans and experts alike as “marketing genius.” A major aspect of Rowland’s shtick is explaining certain lesser-known services you can get at Staples. In one particularly popular video, she quips: “It’s come to my attention that y’all don’t really know the full scope of what Staples, like, does. We can make ornaments. We can make mugs, shirts, backpacks, signs, posters, whatever you could need. A banner that’s like eight feet long? Sure. Why not?” @blivxx We got you covered ♬ original sound – oblivion In another video, she explains the difference between Staples’ direct-mail services. One is for business and can generate a mailing list based on a target demographic. The other is for personal use, like wedding invitations. Though she jokes that either service is too pricey for committing “evil against your ex.” @blivxx Both are more pricey but are worth it depending on your needs ♬ original sound – oblivion Other times, you might catch her letting you know when certain things go on sale: “You’re not getting your shawty a 40% off mug from Staples? And men wonder why women cheat.” She also dissects the different personalities of the printers (the Xerox PrimeLink C9200 has “clean girl” vibes, apparently). Finally, she hits a groove showcasing some of her favorite stationery products. At the moment, she’s very into a tiny botanical planner that fits into her small purse. @blivxx Yall wanted to meet the printers ♬ original sound – oblivion Despite not having any formal marketing training, Rowland has made an undeniable impact. A company struggling to stay competitive now has fresh enthusiasm. Folks are getting their personalized mugs there. They’re switching suppliers. They’re even using Staples to supply their best analog life. The best part is none of this is because of an expensive micro-influencer, but someone who actually works there. View this post on Instagram In a video analyzing the Staples Baddie, marketing analyst and PR expert Katie Omstead said, “Just a scan of the comments on any of these videos will show you that people are thinking about Staples more than ever before.” Rowland is just the latest in a growing trend of people who happened to share their creative ideas at just the right time, somehow skyrocketing to full-blown brand collaborations. Think back to Romeo, whose silly Dr Pepper jingle went viral. MarketerMilk calls this “human-first media,” where corporations rely on the fact that “people buy things from people they trust, not from businesses.” This can look like companies “leveraging their existing employees to become influencers.” This, of course, can also look like corporations trying to recreate something organic, thus squelching its spark. One Staples employee lamented on Reddit that their team is being encouraged to replicate the Staples Baddie moment in their own stores. On the bright side, Staples has shared their appreciation for their resident “Baddie.” Not only have they sent a care package Rowland’s way, according to Fast Company, it’s also “exploring opportunities to collaborate and continue supporting her creativity and engagement with the community.” We very well might be seeing much more of the Staples Baddie in the future. The post People are falling in love with Staples all over again thanks to one employee dubbed the ‘Staples Baddie’ appeared first on Upworthy.

Sometimes, when a person is in the early part of adulthood, they seek actual, usable advice and not just broad “bumper-sticker” platitudes. So when a 21-year-old woman took to Threads, she was very specific about the practical wisdom she was seeking. Elisabeth Bergbom wrote, “I’m 21. Give me oddly specific life tips. No general ‘surround yourself with positive people’ tips. I want the most random, specific advice possible.” Commenters came through. In fact, more than 11,000 people shared their very specific insights, and they didn’t hold back. Friends and family View this post on Instagram A post shared by AwakenΩne (@_awaken_one_) “Take as many pics with your mom as possible. Moms tend to stay behind the camera. Take pictures of her and with her. Ask for samples of her handwriting and a lock of hair for a necklace. Record and keep voicemails in case, heaven forbid, something happens. Same for your dad.” “Don’t expect one person to fill all the roles in your life. I have the ‘going out’ friend, the ‘chill out’ friend, the ‘adventure’ friend, the ‘lifetime’ friend…etc. You’ll always be disappointed when you expect the wrong thing from the wrong person.” “Invest in 2-3 close female friendships where you support each other fiercely. If there’s underlying competition vibes, find different friends to prioritize. Send voice notes every day. Show up for each other. Dutifully advocate for each other to mitigate the effects of crappy romantic relationships, draining jobs, family drama.” Practical advice “If the pants fit perfectly, buy them in every colour, and twice in your favourite colour. Clothing companies love to discontinue the lines that actually fit!” “You said oddly specific, so it’s your own fault for asking. Live east of your job. Driving into the sun both ways means you start and end your day with a headache, and nobody needs that.” “Spend for quality on everything that anchors you to the ground: Shoes. Mattresses. Car tires.” “Never cut your bangs after midnight. Reason retires early, but regret is tireless and she delights in uneven fringes. Photograph your hands occasionally. One day, you will search for her, the girl you once were, and find she has been living there all along.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mariah Miigwans (@mariahmiigwans) “Keep sugar-free gum by your bed. Sometimes you may feel too tired, sick, or late to brush your teeth, and your mouth will thank you.” “Drink a large glass of water — preferably with lemon and cayenne — first thing upon waking. Before coffee, before eating. Game changer.” “When you’re grocery shopping, bring a snack. You’ll save tons.” Loving yourself “Don’t wait for anyone to do the things you want to do. Go to concerts alone. Movies alone. Take yourself to dinner alone. And getting drunk is overrated. Hangovers are the worst.” “Allow me to offer you some advice: Take a thousand naked pictures of yourself now. You may currently think, ‘Oh, I’m too spooky.’ Or, ‘Nobody wants to see these tiny boobies.’ But, believe me, one day you will look at those photos with much kinder eyes and say, ‘Dear God, I was a beautiful thing!'” (Moira Rose’s quote from Schitt’s Creek) “You can always leave. Bad dates. Jobs. Relationships. The state. The country. People too often forget that they can always leave.” “Learn to keep a commonplace book. One day, it will help you remember the significant things you no longer have in your active memory.” “Do not fall into the hustle culture mentally. Rest. Stillness. And a peaceful life matter so much.” “You always deserve the name-brand toilet paper.” Financial advice “Open a Roth IRA account, even if you only put in $5 a month.” “Live below your means, nobody cares.” “Learn to cook 10 good cheap meals that you like. Eat out as little as possible.” “Pay credit card bills off every month. Don’t carry a balance unless you’re in dire circumstances and have no other choice.” “Don’t be fooled with needing the latest phone or a new car. It’s sexier to save money. To have a budget and invest in your future.” Love “Date with the intention of finding someone who matches ‘your weird’ instead of changing your weird to match someone else’s. Or, in other words, don’t worry so much about getting them to like you. Instead, use dating for finding out if you like ‘them.'” The post 21-year-old woman asks for ‘random, specific advice.’ Here are the 22 best answers. appeared first on Upworthy.

Autistic special interests are intense, deeply focused passions or hobbies that provide joy, structure, and anxiety regulation, often serving as a key part of an autistic person’s identity.  For Jenny Grant, her seven-year-old son Sebastian had a special interest in UPS. This naturally meant having a UPS-themed birthday party.  Technically, Sebastian only asked his mom for “a chocolate UPS cake,” along with “a million people” for his birthday, as she shared with People. But his mom made up for that latter request by going all out on the decor. In a now-viral (and very adorable) TikTok video, we see an array of brown and gold balloons, banners, and other favors with a UPS sticker placed on top, as well as actual UPS packages and a tiny cardboard cutout of a UPS center. Plus the pièce de résistance: a UPS cake.  @jenchilla156 SO to the @UPS store for contributing to their future delivery driver’s birthday party #autismacceptance #autismawareness #ups #birthdayparty #autism ♬ Chopin Nocturne No. 2 Piano Mono – moshimo sound design In her video’s caption, Grant wrote, “Having a ‘normal’ birthday party theme with an autistic son. Level: impossible.”  As Grant told People, her local UPS was a major help with her plan. Her own mother went there while procuring decorations, mentioned the themed party they were throwing, and the store gave logos, packaging materials, and even some pens as party favors—all to give the shindig some extra authenticity, free of charge. Wild birthday party themes The super-cute clip inspired viewers to share how their own kids’ ultra-niche passions led to some pretty wild birthday party themes: “My son is obsessed with 20th Century Fox.” “My son is obsessed with Home Depot.” Home Depot-themed birthday party. Photo credit: @jenchilla156/TikTok “My son’s hyperfixation is pool filters. He had a pool filter cake for his birthday.” “Mine wanted a broccoli-themed party. Undiagnosed, but we are pretty sure.”  “My brother had a coleslaw-themed party a few years ago.” “My sister had a Circle K theme for her 10th birthday…the local Circle K gas station sponsored everything for free.” How did Sebastian like his UPS party? Judging by this video, we’d say he liked it very much. @jenchilla156 Replying to @UPS excuse the weird editing! Trying to respect everyone’s privacy #ups #birthdayboy #reaction #autismacceptance #birthdayparty ♬ Stuff We Did (from ‘Up’) – Piano Version – your movie soundtrack How stinking cute was that? His little “ohhhhh my goodness” shoots straight to the heart. And, as Grant pointed out, the way Sebastian’s party blew up online did sort of fulfill his initial request. “In a crazy way, his celebration ended up being shared with well over the million people he asked for!” said Grant.  One more wholesome chapter UPS apparently reached out and offered to arrange a visit with a UPS driver so Sebastian can “see the truck up close.” “I haven’t told him yet, but I have my fingers crossed,” Grant told People. “It would absolutely make his year!” Sebastian’s UPS party may not have been “normal” by traditional standards, but it was perfect for him. That’s what truly makes a birthday unforgettable. The post 7-year-old boy obsessed with UPS asks for a themed birthday party, and his mom delivers big time appeared first on Upworthy.