Sailing is a sport that requires dedication, discipline, and an incredible amount of skill. Sailors who take on these adventures independently have an even more specialized set of skills; just ask 18-year-old Ollie Bergquist.  The Oregon teenager recently sailed solo from California to Hawaii. His 20-day trip was one he will never forget. He documented his journey on Instagram. When he finally made it to land, he shared a sweet post. “What a feeling… It’s been one hell of a road to get here. It is mind-boggling, and sometimes I just try to forget just how hard it was. From working every summer since the age of 13 at a woodyard and dreaming of sailing around the world. I would come home completely beat, and I would still study almost every day about sailing. This has been the most challenging and difficult year of my life, but also the most rewarding,” Ollie wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ollie Bergquist (@olliebergquist) Ollie Bergquist’s Trip Was a Dream Come True Ollie Bergquist’s mom, Tia, followed her son’s journey on Instagram, she told Hawaii News Now. “If he was late posting or something, I would start getting worried,” said Tia Bergquist. “I pretty much saw what you guys saw. Once in a while I would get a text saying, ‘I’m OK, Mom.’” She was waiting for her son when he arrived on land in Hawaii. Now that his trip is over, Ollie plans to enjoy his time on land. “It still doesn’t feel real. I am just getting started and will be headed to the South Pacific next season, mostly due to an El Niño year. For now I will be slowing down, enjoying the Hawaiian islands, and making new friends,” he wrote on Instagram. “Thank you, everyone, for following and supporting the dream.” This story’s featured image can be found here

When most people forget things that happened in the past or how to tackle specific tasks, they think that the memory is gone forever. They will have to relearn the skill, and once a memory is forgotten, it’s like the event never happened. However, new research shows that when we forget things and can’t recall them, there’s still an opportunity to retrieve the memory. Like finding a lost file in a computer, you have to find the right place to look. A new study published in Cell found that when your brain updates your memory, it does some strategic formatting where it intentionally forgets some experiences or pieces of information to make room for new information. That’s a tough pill to swallow when you spent all day trying to learn a new program on your computer, only to forget what you did a few days later. How to recall memories you thought were long gone? But there’s good news. When we forget things, they aren’t erased from existence. They’ve been put in a dormant state, and they can be retrieved. Let’s say you went on a trip to a lake 11 years ago, but now you can’t remember the seven friends who went with you. You close your eyes and recall everyone on the trip, but you just can’t come up with any names. By re-experiencing something associated with the memory, such as a photo of the lake or the music you listened to, you can trigger the recall of the forgotten details, empowering you to take control of your memory. It’s as if the associated item serves as a key to unlock the door to the information stored in your mind. Took a trip to the store and you forgot the ingredients that go into your famous chilli? Even if you scan your brain and try to recall the ingredients, you may come up empty. But if you start with the ingredients you know, like the chilli powder, and grab it off the shelf and put it in your shopping cart, the other ingredients may magically come to you. It’s fascinating to think about how many memories we have that are waiting to be rediscovered with the right kind of prompting. It’s like a treasure hunt in our own minds! What is cued recall? The type of mental activity that helps you recover long-forgotten memories is known in scientific circles as cued recall. Cued recall is significantly more effective than free recall due to the additional support provided by cues, helping activate dormant memory pathways. The big takeaway from this research is that your brain is an incredibly vast and powerful place that holds so much information, it locks some of it away in a far-off place just in case you need it in the future. The wild thing is that even though it’s your brain, you still may need some help from science to learn how to use it. If only the mind came with an owner’s manual, we’d be in much better shape. This article originally appeared in January. It has been updated. The post Neuroscientists share how to ‘revive’ memories that you thought you had forgotten forever appeared first on Upworthy.

One day, a Japanese photographer operating under the name Yusa Film walked up to a young family sitting on a bench with an unusual proposition: take this disposable camera, shoot whatever you want for a few days, and I’ll turn your photos into a video. The couple, who were with their two-year-old son, Tsuntsun, happily agreed. “Do we get the camera for free?” the dad asked cheekily. Then he added, “Will you also pay for developing?” “Of course,” Film replied. @yusa.film カメラ渡すので日常撮ってきてもらえませんか？ with @大久保たもつ If I give you a camera, can you capture your everyday life? #写ルンです #フィルムカメラ #saucydog #スパイス #collab ♬ spice – Saucy Dog What came back encapsulated more than mere snapshots of daily life. Along with the developed film, each parent wrote a heartfelt letter to their son, sharing anecdotes about watching him grow up and how much they loved him. Film stitched it all together beautifully into a TikTok video that’s now been watched 3.4 million times, mostly by people trying to hold back tears at their desks. But maybe that’s just me. An enchanting week that changed everything Film does this professionally. His channel is full of videos like this: finding interesting subjects, handing them a disposable camera, asking them to record their lives for a few days, then turning the results into a wonderful tapestry that captures the beauty of daily life’s mundanity. In another touching video, he approaches a young couple wearing high school uniforms and unravels a deep, heartfelt letter of adoration overflowing with the magnificence of budding love. A different video, boasting 1.4 million views on TikTok, finds Film approaching a young couple at Tokyo Disneyland and asking them to document their day at the park. Amid funny photos in Minnie Mouse ears and candid mid-bite shots, a larger picture emerges: one of infatuation and puppy love. @yusa.film カメラ渡すので写真撮ってきてもらえませんか？inディズニーランド #写ルンです #ディズニーランド カメラ渡すので写真撮ってきてもらえませんか？ #disposablecamera #disneyland ♬ Mix – Marcy “I hope they last forever and are forever in love!” one commenter wrote. “Is this the amusement park arc of every romance anime?” another commenter asked. Film’s videos follow a similar format and script. It goes something like this: find two strangers. Ask them if they’re a couple. If yes, proceed by asking them to document their lives with a disposable camera in hand. Get to know them through a few generic questions. What are your names? How do you know each other? In the case of the young family, this mini-interview yields tremendous quotes about raising a child, reflecting on their own youth, and the meaning of family. Tsuntsun and his family. Photo credit: Yusa Film After Film asks Tsuntsun’s parents if they’ve noticed anything new since his birth, the father replies: “I often think, we don’t really remember much before 5 years old, right? But raising a child, [now] I can imagine it. When he won’t sleep at night, and I’m up at 2 or 3 A.M., so tired, I suddenly think, ‘maybe I was cared for like this too.’ I could imagine myself being rocked to sleep by my mom and dad. I realized that was the love I had received.” The photos that captured millions of hearts Tsuntsun’s family’s camera roll is imperfectly perfect. There are blurry photos and candid shots taken by Mom, Dad, or little Tsuntsun, along with delightful snapshots of daily family life. A picnic in the park on a beautiful day. Tsuntsun plays with Legos, driving a toy car atop a building. The family bundles up, preparing to head out into the biting cold. A father reads aloud to his child. A family picnic. Photo credit: Yusa Film This video, along with Film’s channel, works because it revolves around something simple: paying attention. In life, we remember the big moments: birthdays, proposals, births, and deaths. But what about the small ones? Rainy days spent inside, watching your toddler take an afternoon nap, the way a child’s tiny hand feels in yours as you walk to school. Life moves quickly, and these tiny moments that make up our lives are soon forgotten. A disposable camera allowed Tsuntsun’s family to slow down and capture the small stuff that vanishes far too quickly. Disposable cameras have a strange discipline. You get a finite number of shots, and that’s it. No deleting, no do-overs, no scrolling through a camera roll to pick the best angle. Point the lens, then cross your fingers. “I got a disposable camera when I was in Japan and tried it here in Montreal, and interestingly, discovered that [analog photography] is related to the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi,” remarks a photography enthusiast online named Toshiki Yukawa. Even in Japan, the concept of wabi-sabi is notoriously hard to pin down. Essentially, it’s an idea that places great value on incompleteness and imperfection.” But perhaps the simplest definition of wabi-sabi comes from an unexpected source of inspiration: Bobby Hill, from the show King of the Hill. In a clip that’s gone viral, Hill explains to his father why his roses, while not perfect, still retain a simple elegance. “I like how mine’s a little off-center, it’s got wabi-sabi,” Hill says. “It’s an Eastern tradition, Dad. It’s celebrating the beauty in what’s flawed, like the crack in the Liberty Bell, or the mole on Cindy Crawford’s face.” Similarly, disposable cameras, with their limited number of photos and the wait to see what was captured, contain an element of wabi-sabi. Their limitations create a beautiful pressure to truly see and appreciate moments as they happen. The family in Film’s video couldn’t rely on endless do-overs; they had to capture their authentic life as it unfolded, imperfections and all. The profound impact of letters to children Perhaps the most moving element of Film’s video wasn’t just the photographs, but the letters the parents wrote to accompany them. From Tsuntsun’s mother: “Dear Tsun, We are amazed at how fast you’re growing. Even though you’re only two, your kindness already touches us. Keep chasing what you love, explore the world, and laugh a lot, just as you are. We love you so much! From, Mom” A touching message. Photo credit: Yusa Film Then, from his father: “Dear Tsuntsun, You are the joy of our lives! I’m more excited to see how your story unfolds than to watch the final episode of One Piece! Whatever happens, always know you can come to us! From, Dad” Photo from Dad. Photo credit: Yusa Film When parents take time to write letters to their children, they’re creating tangible expressions of love. Unlike conversations, which can be forgotten, misremembered, and distorted over time, letters provide physical evidence of parental affection that children can return to throughout their lives. “Writing a letter to your child may seem like a small gesture, and it might not come naturally in the hustle of everyday life,” writes Hannah Brencher, whose mother wrote her love letters growing up. “Now, as a mother myself, I understand why she did it. I understand the importance of handwriting notes and cards [for my daughter], especially in an age where life is increasingly moving at a faster pace and everything is more digital.” Studies demonstrate that children who feel consistently loved and supported by their parents develop higher self-esteem and better emotional resilience. Writing letters becomes a powerful tool for communicating this support in a way that transcends the chaos of daily life. Why this moment matters more than ever In our hyperconnected digital age, families often struggle to truly be present with each other. Film’s experiment offers a refreshing alternative: intentional, mindful documentation and communication that prioritize connection over perfection and quality over quantity. The resulting photos aren’t staged Instagram moments. Instead, they reveal family life in all its messy, beautiful glory. The slight blur of a child in motion, the imperfect overhead lighting of a breakfast scene, the candid laughter caught mid-moment: these “flaws” are actually what make the images so powerfully moving. Tsuntsun and his mother. Photo credit: Yusa Film Judging by the comments, viewers couldn’t agree more: “Oh, Tsuntsun, you are so loved.” “This is the most wholesome thing I’ve ever seen.” Film’s video reminds us that our most ordinary days contain perfectly imperfect moments, and extraordinary love. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple camera and the courage to document moments as they happen: the beautiful, imperfect, irreplaceable moments that make up life. This article originally appeared in January. It has been updated. The post A Japanese photographer’s simple request resulted in pure magic and 3.4 million views appeared first on Upworthy.

Waterbeds were all the rage in the 1970s, 1980s and well into the 1990s. The squishy, water-filled mattresses came in all forms: from heated to hardside to super waveless, they became a bedroom phenomenon. But like all trends, waterbeds have had a downfall in recent years. YouTuber and mattress reviewer Marten from Mattress Clarity explains in a video on why waterbeds fell out of favor after enjoying such popularity. Marten explains that the first technical waterbed came to be in 1833, but modern waterbeds as we know them came into existence in 1968 thanks to inventor Charles Hall. By 1971, he had a patent for his waterbed design. Here’s when waterbeds were at their peak “By 1987, waterbeds hit their peak. And they made up almost 22% of the mattress market. That’s over one in five mattresses sold,” Marten says. Their rise soon came to a halt as people became frustrated with their faults, mostly leaks, and then cleaning and heating upkeep. “And the advent of new types of mattresses, namely memory foam, helped to push waterbeds out of the market,” Marten adds. “And they took a lot of maintenance.” Waterbeds are still available for purchase today, but Martens explains that many people have opted for other mattresses due to better knowledge of proper spinal and sleep hygiene practices. People have a lot of strong opinions On Reddit, however, Boomers and Gen Xers reminisced about what it was like to have a waterbed back in the day. They shared the good, the bad…and the ugly: “I think about those now and wonder how anyone thought it was a good idea to have a giant water balloon in your house that you aggressively move around on.” – HockeyTMGS “They were sooooooo comfortable! Turn on that heater in the winter, kinda like getting a big warm hug! I loved mine when I was in high school.” – Who_Wants_Tacos “Many homeowners insurance policies had prohibitions against them or at least excluded damage from burst water mattresses. If they sprung a leak, the damage could be extensive. Nothing rots a home like water damage, especially the slow, insidious leaks.” – Competitive_Boat106 “Had several back in the day. Regular bladder, baffled, waveless…had ’em all. Once the water hit the right temp, and the heaters (always use two & remove the knobs when the right temp is achieved) are adjusted just right, they’re wonderful. I’d go back in a heartbeat! This ‘swedish memory foam’ Tempurpedic monstrosity sucks big time. So why don’t I have one now? Cats…that’s all I’m gonna say.” – oldandjaded “When you found that your new romantic interest had one, was a good day indeed.” – Abernathy1234 “My dad got my sister and I each one for Christmas of 1985. Had the huge oak headboard area with a mirror and shelves, they were ugly as sin. Then the cat jumped on it. Not an awesome gift for a 14 year old boy and a 16 year old girl. My dad was losing it during that time, clearly.” – EpponneeRay “Had one in my late 20’s the heated bladder was awesome til a snowstorm took the power out. Ever sleep on a very cold water bed? Woke up and could barely move the next day. Went up for sale the same day and never looked back.” – bdr22002 “I can hear this photo…. .” – NoMichFarmGirl “We had several when I was growing up. I remember my father refilling them and adding some kind of conditioner to the water. Then he would have me roll back and forth on it to get the air bubbles out before putting the cap back on.” – libbieonthelabel “I used to love how ornate the headboards were with little doors and cubbies and things. Miss that.” – bugmom “Had one-it sucked. Trend that won’t be missed.” – Existing-Finger9242 The verdict from people who actually owned one Reading through the Reddit thread, it’s clear there’s no real consensus. Some people genuinely loved their waterbeds and would buy one again tomorrow if their cats would allow it. Others are still mildly traumatized by a power outage during a snowstorm. What everyone seems to agree on, though, is that waterbeds were never boring. They demanded a kind of commitment, upkeep, and occasional disaster recovery that modern mattresses simply don’t ask of us. Maybe that’s exactly why they’re gone, and also exactly why people still talk about them with so much affection. This article originally appeared in January. It has been updated. The post Boomers and Gen Xers discuss the awesome absurdity of owning waterbeds back in the day appeared first on Upworthy.

Buying nothing may sound like a quirky gimmick, something an influencer would tease before asking you to pay for a very expensive course. While that would be ironic, the buy nothing trend is now turning into a full rebellion as people struggle with making ends meet in the new economy. There is no class to buy, and no real secret to making it work beyond what people have been doing for centuries. More people are turning to bartering services in exchange for things that they need, while others are turning to “Buy Nothing” groups on social media. The purpose of these groups is to give people a centralized place to list items they no longer want and request items they need. No money or services are exchanged. The practice of giving away items one person no longer needs is not new, but it is on the rise. Some people have declared they’re not purchasing anything outside of necessities for the entire new year. For some buy nothing rebels, the move is strictly financial. They are looking for ways to save as much money as possible to offset rising costs in other areas, such as groceries and utilities. For others, refusing to buy unneeded items is a way to dial back consumerism. Why we keep buying things we don’t need As people spend more time online, interacting with targeted ads has become the norm. Someone searches for comfy socks once, only to spend the next three months scrolling past sock ads. It does not take long to start thinking you might actually need those memory foam, microfiber, astronaut-tested space socks that promise to make every step feel like walking on a cloud. Adding to the sudden sense of need, at least two celebrities, a personal friend, and several influencers are now telling you how great they are. Buy nothing rebels are not only feeling the strain on their wallets, but also the pressure to buy things they do not need, and they are tired of it. Amare, who hosts the YouTube channel Amare’s Approach, shares how companies design ads to create a sense of missing out and push people to buy their products. “You see, companies have been training us to chase this sense of not enough, and we fall for it again and again,” Amare says. “We buy what we don’t need, hoping to feel complete. Hoping to feel just anything, and that’s exactly where the buy nothing rebellion starts. Noticing that trap, seeing the patterns, and then realizing that the desire itself is what they’ve been selling. We keep chasing thinking, maybe the next thing will make me happy, but it never does. The product is never the point. It’s the craving, the desire that they’re actually selling us.” So what does buying nothing look like? Throughout the video, Amare points out that people are tired of being perpetual consumers, a mindset that leads to excessive spending. Buy Nothing groups let people get items both large and small for free. Sometimes the items are as small as plants, like when Lauren Click found dying aloe plants in her local Buy Nothing group. Instead of seeing trash, she saw multiple gifts, she told Scripps News. She salvaged each living aloe pup, repotted them into smaller containers, wrapped each pot with a bow, and gave them away as gifts. “This is mutual aid. We are taking care of each other by sharing the things that we might no longer need but it will make a world of difference to a nearby family,” Liesl Clark, founder of the Buy Nothing Project, told TODAY. Clark started the original project as a social experiment to see if people would help their neighbors. It quickly grew into a global movement, with more than 8,000 groups worldwide on social media. There is now an app for people who do not use Facebook but still want to participate. People can turn to the group when they are in need, such as when a single mother ran out of special formula for her infant. The bigger benefits go beyond money No matter why someone joins the Buy Nothing Rebellion, it can help people in need, save money, and reduce textile waste entering the environment. According to Clark, it also helps people build community and get to know their neighbors. Buying nothing doesn’t mean you won’t spend money. Unfortunately, electric companies and doctors’ offices do not trade old coffee pots for services, so spending on necessities is unavoidable. But if you’re looking to reduce your overall spending, it can’t hurt to join your local Buy Nothing group to see if someone is getting rid of the thing you need or want. Why spend the money if you don’t have to? This article originally appeared in January. It has been updated. The post The ‘Buy Nothing Rebellion’ is growing as more people opt out of modern consumerism appeared first on Upworthy.