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.

Building healthy relationships starts with having good social skills. Feeling confident jumping into casual conversations and small talk can take practice—especially for people dealing with social anxiety. But mastering social skills at work and with friends can help you better engage with people and connect in an authentic way, avoiding feelings of awkwardness and self-consciousness. To help people struggling with their social skills, self-described “recovering awkward person” and behavioral investigator Vanessa Van Edwards shared her best advice in a YouTube video. Van Edwards describes social skills as the “tools we use to communicate, relate, and build relationships.” She explains the 14 different types of social skills to help people better understand where their strengths lie and how to capitalize on them to make interactions with others feel natural and effortless. “I want you to think of social skills differently,” says Van Edwards. “Not all social skills are created equal. There are 14 different ways we can be likable, authentic, and charismatic.” Skill #1: Linchpin Van Edwards describes the Linchpin social skill as “the gatherer.” “You are the social glue,” she says. “What’s really great about you is that typically you are a bridge.” These are the characteristics of a Linchpin: I am the glue that holds my social group together. As a team member, I’m involved in lots of projects, bringing ideas and people together. I am the only person who talks to everyone in my family. Skill #2: Conversationalist Van Edwards describes the Conversationalist social skill as someone with the “gift of gab” who is good at small talk. These are the characteristics of a Conversationalist: You have been told you are a great conversationalist. You are good at both leading and facilitating deep conversations. You speak articulately and can easily express yourself. Skill #3: Comedian Van Edwards notes that the Comedian is great at presenting, leading meetings, being a host, and “making people feel at ease.” These are the characteristics of a Comedian: I am funny. I love to make people laugh. I can always see the bright side of any situation. @vvanedwards My Secret To Building Social Skills ♬ original sound – Vanessa Van Edwards Skill #4: Speaker “What we don’t realize is that we are speaking all the time,” says Van Edwards—from giving directions to telling a story. These are the characteristics of a Speaker: I can captivate an audience. I love being on stage or leading a meeting (even on video!). I love writing speeches, giving toasts, and delivering presentations. Skill #5: Influencer Van Edwards says the Influencer social skill is especially helpful in business. “You have no problem talking about who you are and what you do,” she says, adding that Influencers are good at expressing ideas and getting people to agree with them. These are the characteristics of an Influencer: People typically listen to what I have to say. I can be very persuasive. I am good at pitching myself. Skill #6: Listener Van Edwards notes that this is the social skill she struggles with most, adding that she is highly “neurotic.” “I’m always so worried there is going to be an awkward silence,” she says. “So the moment there is any kind of break, I try to hop in and make sure people are okay.” To help with this, she took an eight-day “vow of silence,” which she says helped her become a better Listener. These are the characteristics of a Listener: People always come to you to vent, complain, or talk about their problems. You tend to listen more than you talk. You are very good at being fully present with people and giving them your full attention. Skill #7: Magnet “Very few people have this social skill. They’re just attractors,” says Van Edwards. “The moment they walk into a room, people are just drawn to them.” These are the characteristics of a Magnet: People usually like you. You are charismatic and authentic. People find you approachable and warm. Skill #8: Storyteller Van Edwards says that people who are good at storytelling can leverage this skill into toasts, presentations, and speeches. These are the characteristics of a Storyteller: I always have a story to share. I save and remember good stories. People always ask me to give toasts or introduce people. Skill #9: Nurturer “When you are a Nurturer, you cannot help it,” says Van Edwards. “You want to nurture everyone and everything. You’re always worried about others more than yourself.” She adds that the danger of this includes “having trouble saying no. You probably have trouble setting boundaries. And you might have difficult or toxic people in your life that you have trouble getting rid of.” These are the characteristics of a Storyteller: You love taking care of people. You tend to be a people-pleaser and have trouble saying “no.” You are very empathetic and compassionate. Skill #10: Decoder “Decoders are sleuths,” says Van Edwards. “You’re super perceptive. You’re typically good at reading between the lines.” These are the characteristics of a Decoder: I am very perceptive. I can usually tell what people are thinking and feeling. I am very good at decoding body language. @vvanedwards How To Use Curiosity To Be More Sociable ♬ original sound – Vanessa Van Edwards Skill #11: Leader “Leaders typically are good at influencing, but they’re even better at seeing an entire team or family or group and taking the pulse of [it] and trying to guide to one direction,” says Van Edwards. These are the characteristics of a Leader: I like to empower others. People often come to me for guidance. I am better at giving directions than following them. Skill #12: Connector “Connectors are good at knowing who should know who, and are very good at building a very robust network that you can rely on,” says Van Edwards. These are the characteristics of a Connector: I spend a lot of time and effort networking with others. I am good at building relationships with influential people. I have developed a large network of colleagues and associates whom I can call on for support when I really need to get things done. Skill #13: Dreambuilder “Dreambuilders are often cheerleader types, so they’re really positive and really optimistic,” says Van Edwards. “You’re really good at encouraging and appreciating people.” These are the characteristics of a Dreambuilder: You are great at solving people’s problems. You love to encourage people. You are known as a fixer. Skill #14: Chameleon “If you are a Chameleon, you are great at adapting yourself,” says Van Edwards. “You’re probably the person who has a little bit of everything [social skills].” These are the characteristics of a Chameleon: You can get along with anyone. You are a floater socially or professionally. You have a variety of friends and interests. The post Behavioral investigator shares 14 social skills that can help people struggling to make authentic connections appeared first on Upworthy.

Head anywhere in the Southern United States, and you are likely to hear one distinct word: “y’all.” “Y’all,” which combines the words “you” and “all,” may be predominantly used in the South—but not for long. Paul E. Reed, a linguist at the University of Alabama who studies Southern American English and Appalachian English, told NPR in 2025 that “it’s expanded much more outside of the South” thanks to Americans under 40. (Add it to the list of Gen Z slang.) How “y’all” entered the English vernacular is a fascinating tale. Linguist Danny Hieber, PhD, explained the origin story of “y’all” to his TikTok followers—and it stems from a surprising language. @linguisticdiscovery What do all y’all think about “y’all”? @Landon If you enjoyed this video, you’ll love the Linguistic Discovery newsletter! Deep dives into how language works, language profiles, explainers of terms/concepts in linguistics, reviews, and more! LinguisticDiscovery.com/newsletter (Also available on Substack or Patreon.) #yall #yalldve #South #Southern #English #dialects #grammar #pronouns #linguistics #language#French#LingTok#LearnOnTikTok ♬ original sound – Linguistic Discovery – Danny Hieber, PhD A linguist explains the ‘y’all’ backstory According to Hieber, present-day English doesn’t have a plural form of the word “you” like other languages. In Old English, there were three forms of “you”: Thou (subject) Thee (object) Thine (possessive) Hieber goes on to explain that “you” became singular thanks to French. In French, “you” translated to: Tu (singular) Vous (plural + polite) “After the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, French had a huge influence on English,” he said. “So English speakers started borrowing that pattern into English and used ‘you’ to politely address one person.” He added that over time, this became the default way to address a single person. Along those same lines, the word “be” also followed suit. “It used to be that the verb ‘be’ was conjugated like this,” explained Hieber, with the plural use becoming “are.” “That singular verb got pulled along into the singular too, and now the conjugation of ‘be’ looks like this:” I am / we are Thou art / you are He, she, it is / they are However, it created a “gap,” and “English speakers have been trying to settle on a ‘you [plural]’ ever since,” said Hieber. Enter: y’all. @genteelandbard Where and how did the word “Y’all” begin in the southern United States? #genteelandbard #savannah #storytime #historytok #southerncharm ♬ Natural Emotions – Muspace Lofi The history of ‘y’all’ in the South There are many theories as to how y’all infiltrated American English in the 1700s, per NPR. One theory states that it has British origins, where the words “ye” and “aw” were combined and used in the British Isles. From there, Scots-Irish immigrants brought it to Appalachia in the U.S. The other theory is that it originated in West Africa, and when enslaved people were brought from there to the South, it began to spread. After the Great Migration, Black Americans brought the term north with them, expanding its use. However, the term “you guys” is still commonly used in most Northern states. There are also many regional variations throughout the country, including “yinz” (used in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) and “youse” (used in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). Americans respond Viewers had lots of opinions on Hieber’s video, including how different regions have termed the plural form of “you”—and their thoughts on y’all: “Sorry… y’all is singular all y’all is plural.” “In the upper Ohio Valley, we also say things like, ‘All yinz guys,’ a sort of amalgamation of Pittsburgh’s ‘yinz’ (we’re an hour away), and the Midwest ‘you guys.'” “From CA but living in the south..I just cannot bring myself to say y’all..feels so unnatural.” “Washington born and y’all made it into my vocab.” The post A linguist from Alabama explains the surprising origin story of the Southern word ‘y’all’ appeared first on Upworthy.

Princess Kate visited Leicester on March 5 and had a very sweet interaction with members of the British Indian community. The day prior was the Hindu festival of Holi, according to Daily Mail. During the visit, Princess Kate shared time with a group of Bollywood dancers who impressed her with their graceful moves. “You must be super fit because it’s super energetic,” Princess Kate said. “My children would love that. They love their dancing. Louis would love your dance routine.” She then joined the women for a traditional dance. Kate – Princess of Wales was in Leicester today as she joined the community in traditional dancing at the Shreeji Dham Haveli Hindu Temple.I think it would have been nice if she'd worn a nice indian suit. pic.twitter.com/RGwUKF9uYF— Narinder Kaur (@narindertweets) March 5, 2026 Princess Kate Felt Right at Home with the Dance Photos and video from the day show Princess Kate enjoying her time at the temple and participating in the dance. She visited the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre and met Aakash Odedra, who gave the princess a garland of flowers and pearls, explaining that there is “no better way to welcome a guest than to garnish their soul with flowers.” The Princess of Wales shared her experience on Instagram with a lovely video. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales) “Exploring how dance can blend Indian music, Sufi poetry and spiritual storytelling to create a transformative experience with Aakash Odedra’s ‘Songs of the Bulbul,’” the caption reads. “Wow! What a beautiful celebration of culture, music and storytelling. It’s inspiring to see art bringing traditions together in such a powerful and meaningful way,” a comment reads. “Sufi is one of the most beautiful forms of poetry,” another follower added. “i love our culture and thank you for embracing it HRH.” Having Princess Kate there to watch and appreciate the dance meant so much to the Indian people. “It was a pleasure to dance for the princess. Thank you for being so kind, humble, and sensitive to us all,” Aakash Odedra commented. This story’s featured image is by Samir Hussein/WireImage.