This Woman Lived 100 Days Without Fear and Is Inspiring Us to Do the Same

While we all strive to embrace our confident, take-no-prisoners alter egos, it can definitely seem impossible to find the courage to face what scares us most. This was certainly the case for Michelle Poler, who came face-to-face with some of her biggest fears when she chose to pack up her belongings and move to New York as a young twentysomething student. But instead of running home and giving up on her adventure, Poler decided to embrace her new environment and challenge herself to live 100 Days Without Fear. After asking her Facebook friends to help her brainstorm a list of frightening tasks, Poler set about conquering one new fear every single day for 100 days — and, as you may have expected, her courageous experiment went VIRAL. We recently got the opportunity to sit down with the amazing lady herself to learn more about her #girlboss journey to fearlessness and get the inside scoop on how we can all learn to live a braver life.

B+C: What inspired you to attempt to conquer 100 fears in 100 days?

MP: Living in NY is what made me realize I needed to face my fears head-on. After moving here I knew this city was not for the fearful, so trying to stay in my comfort zone was practically impossible. I was missing out on once-in-a-lifetime experiences because of my many fears. But moving to NY has always been my dream; I couldn’t allow my fears to get in the way for another day. Also, it was a school project, so I took that as an opportunity to build a branded experience, since I was doing a masters in branding at SVA. I challenged myself to brand an emotion: FEAR.

B+C: Was it difficult to find so many unique things that challenged you?

MP: Finding the 100 challenges was the hardest part. Good thing I decided to ask my 1,000+ Facebook friends for their help. Everybody started suggesting things I should do, but I only added to my list the ones I was really afraid of, like posing nude, singing in public, giving a speech (which is now my career), crashing a wedding, holding a tarantula, and skydiving, among others. Once the project went viral, I started receiving thousands of emails a day with ideas to face my fears, and that made it *way* easier. By far the funniest suggestion I got was to submit myself as a painter at the Bodypainting Day in NYC. My model/canvas was a 70-year old dude, completely naked, that I had to cover with paint and do art on him (I’m not a painter BTW). I wrote the word “fearless” all across his body and afterwards we became good Facebook friends. I faced that challenge in the middle of the street in front of my husband, my brother, and my in-laws. You have to see the video.

B+C: We know it’s probably hard to choose, but which fear would you say was the most difficult to overcome?

MP: It is definitely hard to choose one. Some were emotionally challenging; others were physically challenging. If I had to choose one emotional fear, it would have to be giving my TEDx Talk, which was fear 100. But the decision to face that fear is what marked the beginning of my speaking career. It also allowed me to share my story with the world and inspire hundreds of thousands to go after their own fears. Thanks to that, I now get paid to inspire audiences around the world. I couldn’t ask for a better job! In fact, I’m at the airport coming back home to NY after speaking at Microsoft Israel as I answer these questions.

B+C: What was the biggest thing you’ve learned from this experience?

MP: I learned that every fear, which I used to perceive as an obstacle, is actually an opportunity. So every time I feel the fear, I take that as a sign that I should go for it. I learned how to differentiate comfort from growth when making decisions. The growth choices are always the ones that gets us uncomfortable but are also the ones that will take us further. On the other hand, the comfortable choices we make will only take us back into safety. So if we want to grow, we must be willing to get uncomfortable. It goes like this:

Should I start a poscast?

Nah, I’m really bad at interviewing people.

Hmm… Am I afraid of it?

Heck yeah, what if I’m terrible at it?

Then I should totally start a podcast.

(You can now find the Hello Fears Podcast on iTunes.)

B+C: Now that you’re on the other side of the challenge, how are you incorporating what you learned in those 100 days into your everyday life?

MP: My project became a lifestyle. I don’t keep count of the fears that I face now — I just say yes as much as possible and dare to try new things on a daily basis. Something that has helped me quite a lot this year is my 2017 New Year’s resolution: to fail. By turning my fear into my goal, I’ve been able to make bolder decisions throughout the year and take bigger risks. If things go right, awesome; if not, at least I’m fulfilling my resolution, and I have a new story to share in my presentations. I always get the question, “Can you share a story about a time you failed?” I still don’t have a good answer for that.

B+C: You’ve recently started a new 100-day challenge (wow, you go, girl!) called Courage Is. Can you explain what inspired you to tackle the topic of courage?

MP: Ever since I finished my 100-day project two years ago, I started noticing courageous actions that either I or people around me were doing. Some people don’t even know how courageous they are, but as a fearful person myself, I get to recognize those acts. I realized that courage is contagious very early in the game. On that note, I created this new 100-day project that highlights daily acts of courage. The idea is for those who can relate to the action to feel proud of themselves and acknowledge their own courage, and for those who can’t relate to it, to give it a thought and maybe even a chance. I see these illustrated posts as daily reminders for people to get out of their comfort zone. Also, I am not an illustrator, so making the decision to illustrate 100 posts was a fear I decided to face. I cannot begin to tell you how happy this project makes me on a daily basis. Plus, I see the impact that it’s been having on my followers. The more vulnerable I get, the more others can relate to it, like the therapy post I recently uploaded where I talked about the panic attacks I started getting after I got married and realized my life was too comfortable for a 24-year-old girl.

B+C: If you could say one thing to a young woman who is putting off doing something she really wants to do because she’s too afraid, what would it be?

MP: Precisely because of that thought, I launched a new YouTube series called Dear Younger Self. I certainly can’t go back and do things all over again, but I can talk to young women all over so they can do things right — choosing to be brave instead of comfortable. One quote that helped me see life differently is from Confucius: “We all have two lives. The second one begins when we realize we only have one.” I started living my second life at 27; I wish I could’ve started earlier. So I would tell that to anyone who is too afraid to take action. I’d say, start living your second life, which requires you realizing that we cannot allow our fears to get in the way of our dreams and that the only time we fail is the time we fail to try, because otherwise we would be allowing our doubts to kill our dreams. Finally, I would ask that person who is afraid to do what she really wants to do: What is the BEST that could happen if you take action? In order to put growth into motion, we must focus on the rewards, not the risks like we are wired to do.

Do you have any hacks to help us be more courageous every day? Tweet us by mentioning @BritandCo.

(Photos via Stephanie Geddes)

HBO Max renewedEuphoria for a third season back in 2022, but we sadly haven't seen any progress on the show in the way of filming. Though details surrounding the plot for Euphoria season 3 haven't been revealed, we are awaiting the TV show with excitement!

Euphoria has inspired our coolest makeup looks and on-point Halloween costumes, so we can’t wait to see what the next season of this neon-lighted, drama-filled story holds. Here’s what we know about season 3, thus far. Stay tuned for more updates!

Keep reading for everything we know about Euphoria season 3, filming in 2025.

  • Euphoria season 3 is officially moving forward, and will start filming in 2025.
  • Cast members like Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, and Hunter Schafer are returning.
  • Despite the fact creator Sam Levinson suggest Zendaya's schedule caused Euphoria production delays, the actress said she's "just waiting" to return to the show.

Is Euphoria season 3 coming out soon?

Eddy Chen / HBO

Euphoria Season 3 Release Date

Variety confirmed that we should be seeing Euphoria season 3 in 2026...but after an almost-three year wait...does anyone actually care anymore? I'm excited to see Zendaya return to the role that won her an Emmy (as well as the rest of the cast, obvi), but it's hard to be thrilled about something after such a long time. Luckily, fans are familiar with waiting a long time for new releases (remember that 2 ½-year wait for Euphoria season 2?), and hopefully the pent-up hype will be worth it when the show finally comes to streaming.

What's going to happen in Euphoria season 3?

Eddy Chen / HBO

Euphoria Season 3 Plot

Season 2 of Euphoria left us with a lot to unpack: Rue’s (potential) sobriety, Lexi’s chaotic play, Fez and Ash’s shootings, Cal’s insane sexual spiral, and of course, the glorious girl fight between Maddy and Cassie. The third season has some loose ends to tie up, and we can’t wait to see how it’s done.

Sam Levinson tells EllethatEuphoria season 3 is more of a “film noir,” and that Rue's plot line will “explore what it means to be an individual with principles in a corrupt world.”

Originally, Sam showed multiple story ideas to both Zendaya and HBO (and although Z doesn't have total creative control, as an executive producer, she does get a say in where her story goes). The show will feature a time jump, bringing the characters closer to the actors' ages. According to Variety, the first draft of the script gave the "meaty" storyline to Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi, and featured Zendaya's Rue as a private detective in more of a background role. More recent rewrites incorporated Z's idea of making Rue, who would now be sober, a pregnancy surrogate. Unfortunately, "the new scripts simply didn’t feel like the show tonally."

HBO chairman & CEO Casey Bloys told Variety that Sam Levinson is furiously working on the scripts. "One of the issues I think that Sam is thinking about is that he doesn’t want to have it in high school anymore. That’s where it was set and what made sense then," he says. "So when you take it out of that, there’s a lot of back and forth about where to set it and how far in the future to set it and all that stuff. But I think he’s got a take that he’s excited about, and he’s busy writing."

Is Storm Reid going to be in Euphoria season 3?

Eddy Chen/HBO

Euphoria Season 3 Cast

No, Storm Reid won't be in Euphoria season 3. On November 20, she revealed she wouldn't return as Zendaya's onscreen sister Gia. “I’m very excited for Season 3,” she said in a Rotten Tomatoes interview at the Governors Awards. “Unfortunately, Gia’s not returning to the third season, but I am so so indebted to the cast and the crew of that show, to HBO. Euphoria’s a really special thing and I’m so glad that that’s a part of my legacy and that I was a part of such a cultural phenomenon.”

However, we also know that Barbie Ferreira (Kat) won’t be returning for season 3, due to butting heads one too many times with the show’s creator, Sam Levinson.

Okay, so who's actually in Euphoria season 3?

Eddy Chen / HBO

At the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, Dominic Fike (who played Elliot in Euphoria season 2) told Variety it “would be dope” to come back for Euphoria season 3, but that “I don’t really talk to them anymore.” And after Angus Cloud's (Fez) tragic passing, some fans were calling for HBO Max to cancel the series.

But when we finally do see the series again, we’ll see more of the main cast: Zendaya (Rue), Sydney Sweeney (Cassie), Hunter Schafer (Jules), Alexa Demie (Maddy), Jacob Elordi (Nate), Maude Apatow (Lexi), and more – but who knows? The production team may surprise us with new additions, like they did with Dominic Fike’s Elliot.

And the cast is even more excited for the show to return than we are! While Sydney Sweeney says she "honestly" doesn't “know anything about it,” (although she's hoping for "Crazy Cassie": "The crazier, the better for me."), Sweeney can't wait to reunite with Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Alexa Demie, and everyone else from the show.

“They were the crew and the cast that were there at the beginning of my career,” she tells The Hollywood Reporter. “We all came up from different places but came together and were navigating so much at the same time, so it’s really nice having that core group. They’re experiencing a similarity to what I’m going through. It’s nice to have that community.”

Why is Euphoria season 3 delayed?

Eddy Chen / HBO

We've been waiting for Euphoria season 3 for over two years, but there's a very good reason for the delay. After a source told THR Zendaya was to blame, the actress reportedly laughed at the idea. “I will say, I have been off for a couple years, so not delayed because of my [schedule]…I’ve been open, just waiting,” the actress told Vanity Fair. "I haven’t read anything yet, but I’m excited to see what everyone has been working on, and what the future looks like for Euphoria...My most important thing is to do justice by the people who love and care about Rue, and make sure that she’s looked after as a character. I think that’s my number one duty."

Actor Colman Domingo has another explanation for the delay: “[Sam Levinson is] a person who writes and rewrites and writes and rewrites again, because I think he's wrestling with what's important,” he tells GQ. “He's responding immediately to what the ills of the world are. I know that the one thing I can tell you is that he's very much interested in the existential question of who we are right now. Our souls. That's what he wants to figure out with season three.”

“HBO and Sam Levinson remain committed to making an exceptional third season,” HBO says in a statement to Deadlineabout the show's official, if temporary, pause. “In the interim, we are allowing our in-demand cast to pursue other opportunities.”

So much has happened in the real world since the end of Euphoria season 2 that could have an impact on the new installment, and I can't wait to see what that looks like!

When will Euphoria season 3 start filming?

Eddy Chen / HBO

Euphoria season 3 will begin filming in January 2025. “We are shooting Euphoria,” HBO's Casey Bloys said at an HBO/Max press event on November 12. "I think we have a start date, mid to late January. Nothing’s changed...We are shooting the season. I have read the scripts. We’re happy. We’re moving ahead. All of the actors are in the show.”

The Euphoria season 3 delay comes down to significant script rewrites (not to mention how busy the cast is!). According to Variety, the original plan was for the Euphoria cast to work on other projects throughout 2024, and that filming the new season could take at least 25 weeks. However, it looks like that plan could change at any time.

In a March 2024 interview with Who What Wear, Sydney Sweeney shared her excitement to return. "It’s going to be very, very wild,” she says. And regarding the time gap between seasons 2 and 3, Sydney “actually [likes] it because there’s so much room for growth for both me as a person and also Cassie as a character."

Storm Reid, who plays Rue's (Zendaya) little sister Gia in the series, expressed her hope (and a bit of hesitance) in for Euphoria season 3 in talks with E! News at the Challengerspremiere in April 2024. "We're on pause right now, but we're anxious to get back," she said. "If it's meant to be, we'll be back soon and we'll give the audience what they want and deserve. Hopefully, we will be back."

On the other hand, according to an article published by Vanity Fair, another cast member (who wished to remain anonymous) said at the time, “I just don’t think it will happen.”

The anonymous actor also shed some light on the show's delay. “Since January of 2022, we have had a start date of March that turned into June, that turned into January,” they say. “And then they kept pushing every month from then on. It was two full years of HBO telling all the actors we were going back soon, so we couldn’t take some jobs.”

Now that Euphoria season 3 is officially on hiatus, the cast members aren't barred from taking further jobs, they say: “Before last week I couldn’t take any TV jobs. Since they have put it on hiatus, I can now take any job. But what sucks is that we all had more momentum right when the show came out but now it’s been 2 years of waiting.”

Eddy Chen / HBO

Hunter Schafer, who plays Jules in the series, joined the Call Her Daddy podcast podcast in August 2024, discussing everything from relationships to fame. The topic of whether or not Euphoria season 3 is going to happen came up – as it's pretty hard to ignore at this point – and Schafer immediately got emotional.

Alex Cooper, the host of the podcast asked, "Is season 3 happening? What are we doing?"

"I think everyone feels a certain sense of anticipation for, like, if we are supposed to do a season 3," Schafer said between tears. "Obviously, I'm still coming to qualms with what's happened, and losing people that we really loved and were a part of this family and everything," she said, referring to the passings of co-star Angus Cloud and screenwriter Kevin Turen.

"If we do go back, that's going to be tough," Schafer said. "I think there's a world in which we can channel that into making it a beautiful season 3."

Will there be a time jump in Euphoria season 3?

Eddy Chen / HBO

Multiple stakeholders in the Euphoria-verse expressed their interest in seeing the characters out of high school. When asked about season 3 in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Zendaya expressed her eagerness to see what post-East Highland will look like for the cast:

“I think it’ll be exciting to explore the characters out of high school,” said Zendaya. “I want to see what Rue looks like in her sobriety journey, how chaotic that might look. But also with all the characters, in the sense where they’re trying to figure out what to do with their lives when high school is over and what kind of people they want to be.”

Heidi Bivens, the HBO show’s costume designer, hinted further at a time jump between seasons 2 and 3 when talking with Vogue: “There is talk of [season 3] being approximately five years in the future, and that they’re not in high school anymore. Dorothy’s not in Kansas anymore.”

How many Euphoria seasons are there?

Eddy Chen / HBO

There are currently two seasons of Euphoria — both of which you can stream on HBO Max now. And it sounds like Euphoria season 3 will be the final installment. The Euphoria cast is contracted for the junior season, and according to a Variety source, they're all committed to seeing the story "through to the end with a third season."

Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on all things Euphoria season 3 — plus all the new TV shows coming your way, like Stranger Things 5 and The Last of Us season 2!

This post has been updated.

Finally — a Pantone Color of the Year that I can totally get on board with. PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse is a deliciously warm brown that blends two of my favorite things: coffee and chocolate. This cozy, yet refined hue is the ultimate neutral for anyone embracing the earthy tones that make your home decor feel grounded, organic, and effortlessly elevated. It's rich without being overpowering, with a muted sophistication (think: coffee with a splash of cream) that instantly warms up a space. Pantone describes it as the color of comfort, and I couldn’t agree more. Ready to infuse your home with a Mocha Mousse aesthetic? Here are 15 easy ways to embrace the look for 2025.

See how to decorate with Pantone's Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse, here!

Mocha Mousse Soft Goods: Bedding + Pillows + Throws + Rugs

Anthropologie

Anthropologie Lustered Velvet Alastair Quilt

Velvet is making everything cozy for 2025 and this lovely set with mocha tones will instantly refresh your bed for the season.

McGee & Co.

McGee & Co. Polly Pillow Cover

This plaid pillow in 100% linen is luxe yet approachable for that sophisticated McGee vibe, mocha style!

McGee & Co.

McGee & Co. x Loeffler Randall Gardenia Pillow Cover

This warm plaid pattern, designed in collab with Loeffler Randall, is a perfect pairing for your mocha decor.

Lulu and Georgia

Lulu and Georgia Behren Wool Rug

This handwoven rug feels organic, fresh and modern with a literal grounding palette.

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn Faux Fur Mink Throw

This luxe faux mink fur in deep brown and creamy tones is the throw we want to cozy up with all winter.

Statement Mocha Mousse Accents

Lights and Lamps

Avero Concrete Table Lamp

The mocha cast in this concrete lamp is stunning in a bedroom or living room.

Minted

Minted Earthy Cascade I

This abstract print of a mountain and river landscape is earthy and modern and perfect for your wall decor. Pair it with Earthy Cascade II.

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn Artisan Studio Handcrafted Ceramic Collection

Ceramics have a way of making a home feel less sterile. The organic shape and rustic finish of these vessels are gorgeous in any mocha decor.

CB2

Regine Brown Glass Vase by goop

Inspired by midcentury Murano glass, this handblown brown glass vase by goop transitions from clear to earthy brown and looks lovely with a dried or fresh bouquet.

Mocha Mousse Furniture

Lulu and Georgia

Lulu and Georgia Baird Accent Chair

Let the overstuffed arms hug you while you read a book in this inviting accent chair.

Joybird

Joybird Denna Sectional

Get cozy in this dreamy oversized sectional with so many pillows, perfect for your winter weekend Netflix binge!

Mocha Mousse Paint

Sherwin Williams

Sherwin Williams SW 6067 Mocha

This muted chocolate neutral is perfect in a home office or living room. Try it as an accent wall or go full color drenching.

Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore Whipped Mocha CSP-350CSP-350

This color literally looks like a whipped mocha delivered straight from your favorite barista.

Graham & Brown

Graham & Brown Hot Mocha

This mocha leans into the warmer side, bringing a warm, inviting and luxe feel to a room.

Pair Mocha Mousse With These Colors

Wayfair

Chris Loves Julia x Loloi Matilda Collection

Lean into natural colors like creamy whites, beige, and taupe for a sophisticated mocha vibe. Olive, greige, and burgundy reds with a smidge of gold will also bring out the mocha warmth for 2025!

Be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter for more home decor inspiration!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Everyone deals with family issues, but some people had more dysfunctional childhoods than others. Are there ways to tell? According to family psychologist Caitlin Slavens of Mamapsychologistsand therapist Rachel D. Miller, Ph.D., LMFT of Hold The Vision Therapy, yes!

Slavens says, "As a family psychologist, I’ve seen how growing up in a dysfunctional family leaves its mark. Sometimes the signs are glaring, like obvious chaos or neglect." However, she said the signs can also be "more subtle" being that they're "things you don’t even realize were 'off' until you’re older." You may even "start noticing patterns in yourself or your relationships" if you've become retrospective, according to her.

Here are all the subtle signs you grew up in a dysfunctional family

1. You're never sure what kind of mood your parents will be in before you walk in the living room or kitchen.

Emma Bauso

Let's put this on record: parenting is tough — especially on top of trying to maintain a work-life balance. But, this doesn't mean you're meant to be unsure of what to expect every time you come around your parents. If you have to "'read the room'" a lot "before speaking," Slavens indicates this is one of the more subtle signs of dysfunction.

This is where you may have learned how to become passive-aggressive if that's something you struggle with. The reason for this is because "clear and direct communication is avoided and/or seen as bad or aggressive," according to Dr. Miller.

2. You tend to feel like you're constantly compared to and in competition with your siblings.

August de Richelieu

My heart truly wants to believe this isn't intentional behavior from parents, but I can't say I haven't heard people talk about feeling like they'd never measure up to the 'golden child' of their family. You may have felt insecure about your grades, the college you chose to go to, your career goals, or even your physical appearance. Slavens says this "struggle with self-worth or second-guessing yourself constantly" is yet another sign that your family's dynamic wasn't the healthiest.

Also, Dr. Miller says this could've caused you to learn to "shrink yourself in the presence of loved ones." Even worse, you may "feel the need to hide pieces of yourself in order to be loved and accepted."

3. There was constant yelling and screaming during arguments, making you fearful of disagreements or hardships.

Kaboompics.com

If you grew up in a home where arguments always led to screaming and yelling, chances are you're not a fan of loud voices or hard moments. Honestly, Slavens says it's not hard to believe that "conflict make you anxious, even when it’s minor." Unsurprisingly, you may have become a referee during these arguments and currently find yourself being a mediator in your platonic or romantic relationships. Why?

Dr. Miller says, "You constantly feel the need to manage everyone else’s emotions often at the cost of your own needs and wellbeing." You know, to keep the peace.

Here are some more obvious signs you grew up in a dysfunctional family

4. You had to take on a parental role when one of your parents decided to stop being an adult.

cottonbro studio

I imagine that having an emotionally immature parent is one of the most aggravating and stressful things to deal with. Not only that, but you may have had to help keep the household afloat. You may have had to get a job or two to help pay bills, listening to an adult conversation as your mom or dad laid their problems at your young feet, and more!

If you "family roles were flipped" and you "maybe had to parent your own parents," Slavens says this is a form of emotional dysfunction.

5. You weren't allowed to go anywhere with your friends because your parents wanted to keep an eye on you at all times.

Ketut Subiyanto

Slavens says boundaries that "didn't exist" or "were rigid and controlling" is a sign your home was a little...interesting. Being concerned about your whereabouts is one thing, but it's another when you're unable to do anything without your parents' eagle-eyes on you. Something as simple as going to the mall with your friends may have become a lecture about the dangers of shoplifting or car wrecks. Again, these are valid concerns but they shouldn't be treated like the verbal form of doom scrolling.

6. You consistently witnessed one of your parents abuse alcohol or drugs at home.

Ksenia Chernaya

This is a tough because substance abuse is so prevalent in varies socioeconomic statuses and communities. From the functioning alcoholic to the one who becomes belligerent after they've had too much to drink, it always affects those around them. Slavens says if "there was ongoing neglect, substance abuse, or verbal/physical aggression," your home probably didn't safe.

I recognize some of these signs of a dysfunctional family. But that doesn't mean they're affecting my current relationships, right?

Ron Lach

I hate to break it to you, but it's possible your childhood wounds have shown up before. "Dysfunctional dynamics don’t stay in childhood — they tend to creep into how you connect with others," says Slavens. Similarly, Dr. Miller agrees that "we typically repeat what we learned at home with our families in our other relationships." How?

"This includes the beliefs and rules we follow, often completely subconsciously, about what can and can’t talk about and why, as well as what emotions are allowed to be expressed, who can express them and how, and how we should or must respond to those people and their emotions," explains Dr. Miller.

Another way to look at this is how Slavens has outlined it:

In Platonic Relationships:

  1. Overextending yourself to please others, even at your own expense
  2. Feeling like you have to "earn your friends' affections.
  3. Avoiding vulnerability because it feels unsafe.

In Romantic Relationships:

  1. Struggling to trust your partner or feeling overly suspicious
  2. Repeating patterns like dating people who are emotionally unavailable or controlling.
  3. Feeling overly responsible for your partner's happiness — or relying on them for yours.

OMG! How do I unlearn habits from my dysfunctional family?

Antoni Shkraba

Honestly, everyone has a few bad habits they've carried from their childhood to adulthood. You're not an outlier because some things weren't 100% normal so I don't want you to feel like you're a failure for not having having it all together. "Dysfunction doesn’t have to define your future relationships," Slavens assures. Dr. Miller says you can start to unlearn things "that aren't working for you anymore" by "gathering your family's larger context to gain insight into how and why, for them, the behaviors make sense."

By taking a look at your family's "history and larger social and political contexts" gives you a chance to "see them as whole people with full lives," she says. Once you do that, she believes "you can examine what pieces make sense for you to keep and what parts you'd like to learn to do differently." Her other suggestion? Don't forget you're ability to utilize a "therapist who works systemically, like an LMFT" who "can be a huge support in this process."

Anastasia Shuraeva

Slavens' tips include the following:

  1. Practice self-awareness: Notice when a response feels automatic — like people-pleasing or shutting down during conflict — and ask yourself, Is this helping me, or is this a leftover habit from the past?
  2. Set boundaries: If your childhood lacked healthy boundaries, learning to say “no” without guilt is a game-changer. Boundaries protect your energy and teach others how to treat you.
  3. Learn healthy conflict skills: If conflict made you feel unsafe growing up, it’s natural to avoid it. But healthy conflict is necessary in relationships. Practice expressing your needs calmly and directly.
  4. Therapy, therapy, therapy: A good therapist can help untangle the messy, “weird” things that got normalized and give you tools to rebuild healthier ways of relating to yourself and others.
  5. Surround yourself with healthier models: Whether it’s friends, mentors, or books/podcasts, seek examples of functional relationships and start observing what feels different.

While you're busy unlearning things, Dr. Miller also wants you to remember something. "Recognize that how your family does something is simply that; how your particular family system figured out and were taught to navigate the world. It isn’t inherently right because you’ve normalized it nor is the way another person or family does it inherently wrong," she says.

Slavens' final thoughts? "It’s not about blaming your family but recognizing how your experiences shaped you — and giving yourself permission to do things differently. You’re allowed to rewrite the script."

Visit the top signs to recognize if you have toxic friends on Brit + Co!

New year, new movies! Grab your popcorn buckets and your favorite candy because it's movie season, baby. Summer arguably has the best action and adventure movies (which totally makes sense given how energetic we are from June to August), but there's nothing cozier than coming in from the cold and snuggling up to watch a slew of comforting and memorable winter movies. Here are some of the best 2025 moviescomin' at you from December until the end of February! Don't forget to read up on the December TV shows and January TV shows to keep you company at home, too.

Here are the best Winter Movies you can watch in 2025.

Y2K — In Theaters December 6, 2024

A24

Eli and Danny (Jaeden Martell and Julian Dennison) crash a New Years Eve party in 1999, and along with Laura (Rachel Zegler), their evening takes a turn for the insane when the Y2K crisis actually breaks out — and leads to full blown chaos. TLDR; this winter movie isn't your average holiday film.

Nightb—ch — In Theaters December 6, 2024

Anne Marie Fox/Searchlight Pictures

Amy Adams might be a mom IRL, but I'm not aware of her turning into a dog like her character in this new movie. The movie also stars Scoot McNairy, Arleigh Patrick Snowden, and Zoë Chao.

Maria — On Netflix December 11, 2024

Pablo Larraín/Netflix

Get ready to be swept off your feet by Angelina Jolie as opera singer Maria Callas. In this new winter movie, Maria has retreated to the City of Love for some peace and quiet, reflecting on her glamorous, and difficult, life in the public eye.

September 5 — In Theaters December 13, 2024

Paramount Pictures

During the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, the ABC Sports broadcasting team has one job: cover the global competition. But when the Israeli athletes are taken hostage, Geoff (John Magaro), his boss Roone Arledge (Peter Sarsgaard), Marvin Bader (Ben Chaplin), and German interpreter Marianne (Leonie Benesch) have to figure out how to protect both the hostages and the public while honoring truth and ethics.

Kraven the Hunter — In Theaters December 13, 2024

Jay Maidment/Sony

Madame Web isn't the only Sony superhero movie we're getting this year! A ripped Aaron Taylor Johnson stars as Kraven in this new movie, which follows his journey to becoming the villain we love to hate, alongside Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, and Russell Crowe.

Mufasa: The Lion King — In Theaters December 20, 2024

Disney

We all grew up loving The Lion King, so it only makes sense that the newest generation of movie lovers gets a new installment! This winter movie (which stars Beyoncé, Aaron Pierre, John Kani, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Donald Glover, and Blue Ivy Carter) tells the story of how Mufasa became king after growing up an orphan cub — and how a newfound friendship with royal heir Taka changes everything.

Babygirl — In Theaters December 25, 2024

A24

Age gaps are so in, and Babygirl is only going to make them hotter. CEO Romy (Nicole Kidman) risks her career and her marriage to Jacob (Antonio Banderas) when she begins a spicy affair with younger intern Samuel (Harris Dickinson).

A Complete Unknown — In Theaters December 25, 2024

Searchlight Pictures

Our other Christmas Day movie for 2024 is A Complete Unknown, a Bob Dylan biopic that follows the iconic artist (played by Timothée Chalamet in a role I'm convinced is scoring him an Oscar nom) as he rises to fame and moves from folk to rock. Monica Barbaro, Elle Fanning, Edward Norton, Boyd Holbrook, and Nick Offerman also star.

Wolf Man — In Theaters January 17, 2025

Nicola Dove/Universal Pictures

Just because fall is over, doesn't mean your Halloween spirit has to end too. Wolf Man is perfect for anyone who's always down to watch a scary movie, and follows Blake (Christopher Abbott) and Charlotte (Julia Garner) and their daughter Ginger (Matilda Firth), who hide inside a farmhouse after getting attacked by a mysterious animal. But it doesn't take long for Blake to begin a strange transformation of his own — and for Charlotte and Ginger to wonder if they're trapped with the worst creature of all.

Paddington in Peru — In Theaters January 17, 2025

Peter Mountain/StudioCanal/Sony Pictures

Our favorite cuddly teddy is back for another adventure! And this time, he's trading the drizzly streets of London for Peru and the Amazon rain forest in a quest to find Aunt Lucy...so it looks like he'll be needing that raincoat after all. This new winter movie stars Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton, Carla Tous, Ben Whishaw, Olivia Colman, and Madeleine Harris. Talk about a stacked cast!

One of Them Days — In Theaters January 24, 2025

Sony Pictures

BFF's Dreux (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA) are totally unprepared to learn Alyssa's boyfriend has spent all their rent money...and to do go on a hilarious quest to keep themselves from getting evicted. But what can you do? Sometimes, it's just one of them days ;). Maude Apatow and Janelle James also star.

Flight Risk — In Theaters January 24, 2025

Lionsgate

After The Union, Mark Walberg is back in another thriller that follows a U.S. Marshall (Michelle Dockery) bringing a witness (Topher Grace) to court after learning he was involved in criminal activity. But when she realizes the pilot (Mark) is actually a hitman — and that his mission is to assassinate the witness — it's all hands on deck.

You're Cordially Invited — On Prime Video January 30, 2025

Prime Video

This rom-com finds Reese Witherspoon in the middle of planning her sister's destination wedding...only to learn the venue's been double booked with the father (Will Ferrell) of a young bride (Geraldine Viswanathan). Will and Reese going toe-to-toe can only mean one thing: chaos. We've all been apart of a crazy winter wedding season (right?!) and I've never felt like Reese understood me more.

Valiant One — In Theaters January 31, 2025

Briarcliff Entertainment

This winter movie might star Netflix darlings Chase Stokes and Lana Condor but, Toto, I don't think we're in the Outer Banks anymore. The story follows a captain (Chase) trapped with his unit (and without equipment) in North Korean enemy territory — and the group's journey to safety.

Love Hurts — In Theaters February 7, 2025

Allen Fraser/Universal Pictures

Oscar winner (!!) Ke Huy Quan plays realtor Marvin Gable, who's resigned to live a quiet life in suburban Wisconsin. But when his ex partner-in-literal-crime Rose (Ariana DeBose) shows up and ropes him back into the criminal world, Marvin must come face-to-face with his past, and his murderous brother Knuckles (Daniel Wu). Argylle fans, this one's for you.

Heart Eyes — In Theaters February 7, 2025

Spyglass/Sony Pictures Releasing

Halloween's come early! Because nothing says romance like slasher flicks, right? In this new winter movie, a slasher (whose nickname, if you couldn't guess, is Heart Eyes) has been targeting couples on Valentine's Day for years — and when co-workers (Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding) get mistaken for a couple, it looks like they could be next. I just have one question: do they make heart sunglasses this cute?

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy — In Theaters February 14, 2025

Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures

Valentine's Day wouldn't be complete without a rom-com, and in 2025, we're finally getting another installment of the Bridget Jones series. This time around, our relatable heroine is a single mom four years after Mark's (Colin Firth) death, and both finds herself in constantly awkward interactions with Mr. Wallaker (Chiwetel Ejiofor) AND drawn to Roxster (Leo Woodall). What can I say? Movie goers are in their age gap romance era. The movie also stars Emma Thompson, Jim Broadbent, Isla Fisher, and Gemma Jones.

Captain America: Brave New World — In Theaters February 14, 2025

Eli Adé/Marvel Studios/Disney

Now THIS is the Valentine's Day movie I've been waiting for! After the death of Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) has taken up the mantle of Captain America — and ends up in the middle of a worldwide incident. (As if The Falcon and the Winter Soldier wasn't enough). Now Sam, along with Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), has to get to the bottom of the mystery before the incident becomes a crisis.

The Unbreakable Boy — In Theaters February 21, 2025

Lionsgate

Get your tissues ready because this winter movie is going to be a tear-jerker. Inspired by a true story, the film revolves around a boy with autism and brittle bone disease (osteogenesis imperfecta), his joy, and just how beautiful he makes the world around him. Meghann Fahy and Zachary Levi star as his parents, which is just another reason to add this to your watchlist!

Last Breath — In Theaters February 28, 2025

Focus Features

Barbie and Shang-Chi fans get excited, because Simu Liu is coming to our screens again! (It's me, I'm fans). In Last Breath, based on the 2019 documentary, Duncan Allcock (Woody Harrelson) and David Yuasa (Simu) must rescue Chris Lemons (Finn Cole) when he becomes untethered 100 meters underwater. In case you're wondering, that's 328 miles. I'll be swimming in the shallow end from now on.

Which new winter movie are you excited to see? Let us know on Facebook, and check out our Weekend Send for the latest pop culture news and roundups curated just for you.

Now this is a cause for celebration: after 8 long, agonizing years, the McDonald’s Snack Wrap is officially coming back!

João Vitor / PEXELS

In an interview with Good Morning America, President of McDonald's USA Joe Erlinger revealed the chain’s plans to bring back the fan-favorite menu item, and honestly, I couldn’t be happier about the news. I practically grew up on McDonald’s Snack Wraps.

“The Snack Wrap will be back in 2025,” he said in the interview. “It has a cult following. I get so many emails in my inbox about this product – it will be back in 2025.”

McDonald's

Though its construction is quite simple – just chicken, lettuce, and shredded cheese sandwiched within a tortilla with the sauce choice of ranch or honey mustard – the Snack Wrap has always held a special place in many McDonald’s fans’ hearts, myself included.

Popular foodie account @snackolator recirculated the news in an Instagram post not long after Erlinger’s GMA interview, with many of their followers rejoicing in the Snack Wraps’ highly-anticipated return.

“We’re so back,” one person commented.

“About time I need four right now,” another said.

“YESSSSS GAWD,” one more person chimed in. Honestly, same.

Samuel Figueroa / PEXELS

Though Erlinger excitedly revealed the Snack Wrap’s return, he didn’t say exactly when they’ll be back in 2025, citing “competitive reasons.”

Erlinger also addressed McDonald’s recent struggles with food safety in his interview with GMA. In late September and October, an E.coli outbreak ran its course via onions on the chain’s Quarter Pounders, with most illnesses reported in Colorado and Nebraska.

The outbreak has since been contained and officially closed by the CDC as of December 3.

“We let people down,” he said. “I want to apologize to all of our customers out there who were harmed by this incident.”

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