This Will Make You Believe Boredom Is the Key to Creativity

Deep down, we all know we’re spending too much time on our phones. It seems we can’t carry out the simplest tasks without constantly checking them. Just take a look next time you’re waiting in line for coffee. We’ll bet no one has the audacity to just stand there. But that’s exactly what Manoush Zomorodi asked listeners to do in the “Bored and Brilliant: Reclaiming the Lost Art of Spacing Out” challenge. New Tech City has taken it upon itself to make the case for boredom and created a podcast and a series of six daily challenges to help you detach from your phone and embrace mindful living.

When New Tech City interviewed people about their relationships with their phones, they discovered that we love our smartphones because we are “connected all the time, organized beyond measure and never ever without entertainment.” But people also admitted that the constant phone use made them feel dependent, exhausted and addicted.

But did you know that being bored is actually good for your brain? New Tech City talked to boredom researcher (that’s a thing??) Sandi Mann and he reported that daydreaming and being bored can lead to more reflective and creative thoughts. “You come up with really great stuff when you don’t have that easy lazy junk food diet of the phone to scroll all the time,” Mann said. Guess that means there are quite a few apps we should be deleting…

In another interview with Jonny Smallwood, a professor of cognitive neuroscience, we learn that inspiration, especially creative inspiration, seems to strike when we’re not really focusing on anything, but letting our mind wander. And no, Instagram doesn’t count as letting your mind wander. “What smartphones allow us to do is get rid of boredom in a very direct way because we can play games, phone people, we can check the Internet,” Smallwood says. “It takes away the boredom, but it also denies us the chance to see and learn about where we truly are in terms of our goals.”

After you sign up for the Bored and Brilliant podcasts, you’ll need to download a time-keeping app that lets you see how much time you’re actually spending on your phone (yikes!). Once you figure out your baseline, you’ll get a daily challenge podcast emailed to you over the course of six mornings. These challenges vary from the simple step of putting your phone in your pocket as you run an errand to a big creative project at the end.

Technology is necessary to modern life — we understand that — but when it starts coming between real relationships and our creative time, maybe it is time to make a change, even if that change is as simple as keeping your phone in your pocket while you’re waiting for coffee.

Are you going to try the “Bored and Brilliant” challenge? We’d love to hear how it goes in the comments below!

A lot of people pride themselves on being optimists, and TBH, if you canstay positivewith everything that’s going on in the world today, major props to you. For most people who consider themselves the glass-half-full type, it’s a lifestyle. They try to look at everything that comes their way, from relationship troubles to work mistakes, with a positive spin. But a recent study investigated whether optimists still stay more positive than pessimists when things get really tough, and what they found was pretty surprising.


Scientists analyzed nine previous studies to see how both optimists and pessimists brace themselves for receiving important and potentially negative news, like medical test results. They found that even though people who identify as optimists tend to be more positive in general, they too start assuming the worst as the moment of truth about something important nears. It’s easy to understand this instinct, since some people tend to believe that preparing yourself for the worst will ultimately make it less shocking if it happens. On the other hand, some people would rather stay positive whenever possible, since it’s easier to fight off stress and anxiety when you have a sunny outlook. Here, we’ve gathered some of our favorite expert tips for staying optimistic when you’re dealing with some super hard stuff.

How To Stay Positive

1.Learn to reframe negativity. “The trick to positivity is not avoiding pessimism,” says Elaine Taylor-Klaus, a certified professional coach. “It’s really about how quickly you can redirect your focus from negative to positive. Critical thinkers are going to see problems to be solved, but the ability to ‘reframe’ the conversation is the really important skill for people to practice.” She recommends getting into the habit of acknowledging negative thoughts and then asking, “What else is possible here?” This can guide you back into a positive mindset more quickly.

“Bottom line: Negativity happens,” she says. “Positivity is a choice, and the quicker you learn to reframe, the more time you’ll spend in a positive space. Then, over time, the more likely you are to turn directly to a positive interpretation of events.”

2. Ask yourself if this will matter a month or year from now. Sometimes things seem crucial AF in the moment, but might be inconsequential even just a few days after that. Just think about high school drama. “When we can leave the past behind and even know in the present moment that this feeling won’t last, it can help to remind us that time heals and life goes on,” explainsSharon Stokes, life-fulfillment coach.

3.Give back. Volunteering is an amazing way to change your entire perspective, saysLyssa Menard, a clinical health psychologist, founder of Strategies for Changeand assistant professor at Northwestern University’s medical school. “There are many organizations that don’t require an ongoing commitment, so sign up for an event that’s meaningful. Research shows that giving to others is one of the quickest routes toward happiness. While happiness and positivity are different, they’re correlated,” Lyssa says.

4. Role play to be more objective. Playing a little mind trick on yourself can work wonders, says Lori Scherwin of Strategize That, a career coaching service. “We’re often better at helping others than ourselves,” she notes. “Make the situation more objective and less personal to you. For example, consider if it were anyone else in the situation (like your best friend, partner or colleague). How would you see the same ‘problem?’ What advice might you give them to get out of it?” she asks. This will help you shift from being super hard on yourself to more objective, and most likely, more positive.

5. Make changes to things that are within your control. Spending time worrying about something that you can’t change isn’t really worth the effort. Instead, “Focus on areas where you have agency,” suggests Holly Burton, a career coach for women in male-dominated industries. “You may be stuck in a role you don’t love at work, but you could probably work a few extra hours a week and take on a project that interests you. You could also schedule some proactive meetings with your boss to make an action plan to develop the skills you need to make a lateral move,” she says. In most situations, whether they’re career-related or not, it’s possible to take actions to make things better for yourself.

6. Practice radical acceptance. Some professional coaches suggest trying out the idea of radical acceptance, which is basically accepting the things you cannot change, even if they’re not right or you don’t agree with them.

7.Try this gratitude challenge. First, journal about one event each day for seven days that made you feel happy and/or thankful and include the specifics of why it made you feel that way, going deep into the details. Second, send one random thank you email or text to someone each day, either personally or professionally. This message should include what they did and why it’s worthy of the shout out. Detailed gratitude journals are proven to improve your life satisfaction, so try to stick to a gratitude practice, even in the good times!

What do you do when you’re trying to stay optimistic? Have you tried any of these techniques? Tell us about it @BritandCo!

This article has been updated.

Costco just restocked a very famous Starbucks drink, so if you’re a big fan of their Refreshers, you’re going to want to make a beeline to your nearest store ASAP.

Scroll on for all the details about shopping the Starbucks Pink Drink at Costco!

Costco

That’s right – Costco just added the bottled version of Starbucks’ Pink Drink to their shelves! This ready-to-drink version has the same “fruity and refreshing” effect you’d expect from the cafe favorite, as it’s made with the chain’s Strawberry Acai Refresher base and accented with coconut milk.

Costco

Each 8-ounce bottle is dairy-free, vegan, and has only 90 calories. The pack Costco is selling comes complete with 12 bottles, so you can easily stock your fridge with a fun little sip.

Starbucks

Costco fan account @costcobuys shared the newly-restocked Pink Drink with their Instagram followers and highlighted that their Costco location had the item listed for $16.99.

However, Costco’s website lists the 12-pack for $19.99, so the exact price may vary based on where you live.

Starbucks

Regardless, that puts each bottle of the Starbucks drink at around $2 each, which is significantly less money than what you’d spend for a freshly-made bev at a Starbucks location.

The Starbucks Pink Drink typically goes for around $5, plus tax. If you want to save on your Starbies habit, this new Costco find is a must!

Costco

Costco also carries many more Starbucks items in bulk like instant coffee, whole coffee beans, Nespresso pods, and even hot cocoa mix.

Subscribe to our newsletter for more Costco + Starbucks news!

It's fun to learn more about ourselves and to feel understood — that's why we take personality tests so incessantly. And since we live in an age of increased self-awareness, we can apply those tests to so many things, like our Hogwarts house and makeup preferences. Clearly, knowing thyself has taken on a whole new meaning lately, and we love the things that these tests can tell us — but did you ever wonder how your personality might affect your dreams? In a new study, Best Mattress Brand set out to discover whether specific types of people had particular types of dreams. Read on for their fascinating results.

The test explored each component of the Myers-Briggs types, which can be broken down into eight characteristics:

Extraversion or Introversion: This is the way you focus your energy. Extroverts focus on the outside world, and Introverts focus on their inner world.

Sensing or Intuition: This is the way you process information. Sensing individuals focus on the facts, and Intuitive individuals interpret the facts.

Thinking or Feeling: This is the way you make decisions. Thinkers process decisions logically, and Feelers make decisions with context and emotion in mind.

Judging or Perceiving: This is the lens through which you interpret the world. Judgers prefer decisive action, while Perceivers like to keep their options open.

Together, your individual combination of these eight traits creates your personality type. Given these traits as variables, the study surveyed 1,000 people on their Myers Briggs traits and their sleep habits.

As you'd imagine, there were a lot of discrepancies between Introverts and Extroverts. Interestingly enough, Extroverts are 17.7 percent more satisfied with their levels of energy during waking hours than their introverted counterparts. Perhaps it's because of their dream habits: Extroverts also have 8.3 percent fewer nightmares than Introverts. Extroverts also dream about traveling 13.9 percent more often than Introverts do.

What about the content of these dreams? If you're Intuitive, you're 16.8 percent more likely to dream about being killed than Sensers are. ­Apparently, Intuitive individuals' dreams are more violent across the board: They also dream about getting attacked and “punching something with no effect" more often.

There's also a substantial difference between Thinkers and Feelers when it comes to dreams. The more emotional Feelers dream about getting pregnant more often than Thinkers do, and they dream about their friends more often too. Perhaps Thinkers are just thinking too hard; they talk in their sleep almost 10 percent more than Feelers do.

The Judgers and Perceivers have their differences as well; in fact, Perceivers have night terrors 10.2 percent more often than Judgers, probably due to the fact that they experience reality so deeply.

Does your personality type match up with these findings? Let us know @BritandCo.

(Photo via Brit + Co)

This post has been updated.

Gisele Bündchen is officially a mom of three! The supermodel gave birth to the newest member of her family (and her first baby with BF Joaquim Valente) "recently," according to TMZ, who first reported the birth. I love any and all baby news, so I couldn't help myself from digging for details when I first saw the report!

Here's everything we know about Gisele Bündchen's new baby with Joaquim Valente, her first since split from Tom Brady.

Joaquim Valente and Gisele Bündchen's baby is here!

Gisele Bündchen shares two kids with ex-husband Tom Brady, a 15-year-old son named Benjamin Rein and 12-year-old daughter Vivian Lake. According to TMZ, while we haven't gotten an official birthday yet, the baby was born recently, and "mom and the baby are healthy." That's the best news yet!

Gisele and Joaquim were also waiting until giving birth to find out the baby's gender, and a source tells People the couple welcomed a baby boy. Stay tuned from an official announcement from the couple — if they choose to share, of course. The source also reveals the baby's middle name is River, which continues the tradition of Gisele choosing water-related middle names for her kids!

"Gisele and Joaquim are happy for this new chapter in their life and they're looking forward to creating a peaceful and loving environment for the whole family," a source told People in the fall of 2024.

Just a week ago, Gisele was active on Instagram, posting a video compilation that's set to Nate Broskii's "Memories Don't Fade Away" and features multiple clips, including a gorgeous beach sunset. "Happiness is an inside job," she says in the caption. "Remember, you are the only one who has the power to create the life you want to live."

We can't wait to see how Gisele's next chapter unfolds! Because if there's anyone who can inspire us to create our dream life, it's her.

Congratulations to Gisele Bündchen and Joaquim Valente on their new baby! Check out the latest news on Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell's new baby while you're at it.

This post has been updated.

As the New Year begins to settle, it's officially time to turn your New Year's resolutions into your reality. Whether you've decided that 2025 is the year you live a healthier lifestyle, budget your morning, or boost your productivity, we've rounded up 41 Amazon gems that will help you stick to your goals. From at-home fitness finds to chic planners and budget guides, this list of Amazon must-haves will set you up for success. Make 2025 your year with these products that your future self will thank you for.

Thanks for reading about our favorite finds from across the internet! FYI: We participate in affiliate programs and may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

These Adjustable Dumbells Come in a Set of 2

Amazon

The easiest way to prep your home gym is with these adjustable dumbells. They serve as a space-saving gem that allows you to effortlessly switch between five different weights, all with a simple twist.

See it on Amazon

This Label Maker With a Compatible App

Amazon

Follow through on your plan to stay organized in 2025 with this label maker. This gadget seamlessly connects to your smart device via Bluetooth, allowing you to customize and level anything from pantry items to office files.

See it on Amazon

This Cordless Jump Rope Tracks Your Progress

Amazon

Get your cardio on with this cordless jump rope that tracks your jumps, calories burned, and workout time. This gadget keeps you accountable, making it the perfect option for a last-minute sweat.

See it on Amazon

This Budget Binder Organizes Your Expenses

Amazon

Build responsible financial habits with this budget binder that is perfect for tracking spending and setting saving goals. This stylish binder includes cash envelopes and other accessories that make it easy to organize and manage your money.

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This Yoga Mat With an Inch of Cushioning

Amazon

Improve your balance and your mindset in the new year with this yoga mat that has an extra thick design. The non-slip, moisture-resistant material is perfect for anyone with sweaty palms, ensuring you stay in place throughout your workout.

See it on Amazon

This Fitness Ring With a Long-Lasting Battery

Amazon

Prioritize your health in 2025 with this fitness ring that can track your sleep, fitness, and health. This lightweight ring can monitor your heart rate, movement, temperature, and more, providing you with insight into your health each day.

See it on Amazon

This Hat Organizer Saves a Ton of Space

Amazon

If you're officially ready to clean up your closet, this hat organizer is for you. It can hold up to 25 hats and offers a neat and classy way to store your baseball caps, belts, ties, and more.

See it on Amazon

This Planner for the Entire Year

Amazon

A New Year calls for a fresh start. This planner is the perfect place to begin, designed to help you map out your entire year. With monthly and weekly spreads, you have plenty of space to track and monitor your plans and goals.

See it on Amazon

These Storage Bins Are Stackable

Amazon

Declutter your space with these storage bins that TikTokers swear by. They have four tiers and a stackable design, leaving you plenty of room to hold supplies, shoes, or other accessories.

See it on Amazon

This Alarm Clock With 13 Soothing Sounds

Amazon

Become an early riser in the new year, thanks to this alarm clock that gradually simulates a sunrise, offering a soft, natural light each morning. It also includes 13 nature sounds, creating a relaxing experience that you will love.

See it on Amazon

This Storage Rack With a Ton of Compartments

Amazon

Create a dedicated workout space in your home with this storage rack that can neatly organize your yoga mats, foam rollers, dumbells, and more. It has multiple storage compartments that will organize all of your belongings.

See it on Amazon

This Thigh Master With Comfort Grips

Amazon

The best part about this thigh master is that it can be used anywhere, at any time. It serves as a small but strong workout accessory that can be used to target your legs, arms, core, or glutes.

See it on Amazon

These Glass Containers With Air-Tight Lids

Amazon

Stay on track with your meal prep when you have these glass containers that are a game-changer in the kitchen. They are a must-have for portion control and have a microwave-safe and oven-safe design.

See it on Amazon

This Challenge Box With a Smash-to-Open Design

Amazon

This challenge box is the perfect accessory for anyone looking to save money this year. This cash vault has a smash-to-open design, meaning you can't access the money you saved until you've hit your goal.

See it on Amazon

This Mini Stair Stepper With Built-in Resistance Bands

Amazon

There's no need to go to the gym when you have this mini stair stepper in the comfort of your home. This accessory is made with hydraulic resistance technology, providing a smooth and reliable workout for all fitness levels.

See it on Amazon

This Workout Planner Tracks Your Progress

Amazon

This workout planner is perfect for anyone who likes to stay accountable. Designed with daily workout tracking, progress charts, and goal-setting pages, this planner offers everything you need to track your workouts and monitor your growth.

See it on Amazon

This Back Stretcher With Adjustable Levels

Amazon

If your goal is to improve your posture, this back stretcher is for you. Not only does it decompress the spine, but it's also known to promote a better posture and relieve lower back pain.

See it on Amazon

This Water Bottle Reminds You to Drink More

Amazon

Drinking enough water is the easiest way to improve your health. This water bottle makes it easy to stay on track throughout the day, providing you with motivational time markers to remind you when it's time for your next sip.

See it on Amazon

This Pill Organizer Shaped Like a Heart

Amazon

Stay consistent with your supplements and medications with this pill organizer that simplifies the process. Designed with cute pastel shades, this organizer is a functional and chic accessory that has plenty of room for all of your pills.

See it on Amazon

These Food Containers With Reusable Labels

Amazon

Create the pantry of your dreams with these food containers that include 24 reusable labels and airtight locking lids. These containers come in multiple sizes, making them perfect for anything from dry ingredients to your favorite snacks.

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This Memory Puzzle Book for the Problem-Solver

Amazon

Keep your brain sharp through the new year with this memory puzzle book filled with over 175 brain-boosting activities. This book is designed for adults looking to challenge their memory and boost their mental agility and is accessible for all vision levels.

See it on Amazon

These Spending Tracker Sheets Come in a Pack of 60

Amazon

Take control of your finances in 2025 with these spending tracker sheets that come in a set of 60. The minimalist design makes it easy to categorize whether you're paying off debt or just trying to cut back on unnecessary purchases.

See it on Amazon

This Duffel Bag With Hidden Compartments

Amazon

Prepare for the gym with this duffel bag that has a hidden shoe compartment and other storage spaces. The lightweight design makes it easy to carry, perfect for a trip to the gym or a weekend getaway.

See it on Amazon

This Electric Lunch Box With an Insulated Carrying Bag

Amazon

Cut back on fast food and enjoy your favorite homemade meals at work with this electric lunch box. The adjustable temperature setting allows you to heat your food throughout the day while the complimentary fork and spoon keep you prepared.

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This Gardening Tool Set for a New Hobby

Amazon

If gardening is on your 2025 bucket list, this garden tool set is a must-have Amazon gem. It includes eight pieces for both beginners and experienced gardeners.

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This Toner Hydrates the Skin

Amazon

Prioritize your skincare in the new year, starting with this toner that has a luxurious formula and a refillable design. Infused with nourishing ingredients like ceramides and amino acids, this skincare gem leaves your skin plump and radiant with each use.

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This Journal Promotes Mindfulness

Amazon

Practice daily gratitude with this journal that helps you set goals, embrace gratitude, and create positive daily habits. With a variety of different sections, this journal helps you focus on goal tracking, affirmations, and reflecting.

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This Sunscreen With a Tinted Formula

Amazon

Practice protecting your skin with this sunscreen that doubles as a tinted moisturizer. This skincare product offers a natural glow, perfect for daily wear. Plus, it has a non-greasy formula that stays in place all day.

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This Jumpsuit With a Breathable Fabric

Amazon

Feel good and look good at the gym with this jumpsuit that comes in a ton of fun colors to choose from. With a tummy-control design and sculpting fit, this one-piece outfit moves with you through yoga, errands, and all of your other plans in the new year.

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This Microwave Steamer With an Adjustable Design

Amazon

Eat more veggies in 2025, thanks to this microwave steamer that is designed to steam vegetables, fish, and even grains. The adjustable steam release vent allows you to control the moisture levels, offering perfectly cooked meals with each use.

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This Amazon Kindle Holds Thousands of Books

Amazon

Pick up reading in the new year with this Amazon Kindle that offers a 7-inch glare-free display. This reading accessory allows you to store thousands of books in one place, making it perfect for following your favorite stories on the go.

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This Fitness Plate Improves Balance

Amazon

Enjoy an at-home workout with this fitness plate that uses high-frequency vibrations to activate your muscles. The adjustable intensity settings let you customize workouts, perfect for beginners and advanced users alike.

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These Running Shoes With Intense Cushioning

Amazon

Boost your cardio with these running shoes that are a must-have for your fitness journey. Designed with ultra-cushioned midsoles and cloud-like support, these shoes will enhance your performance in no time.

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This Password Book With a Compact Design

Amazon

Never forget a password again, thanks to this password book that includes alphabetical tabs. The hardcover design adds a chic touch, while the compact size ensures it can fit in any drawer or bag.

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This Vegetable Chopper Saves Time

Amazon

Healthy habits start with this vegetable chopper that can effortlessly chop up onions, peppers, carrots, and more. It seamlessly catches chopped ingredients and simplifies meal prep.

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These Under-the-Sink Organizers With a Pull-Out Design

Amazon

Organize your kitchen in one simple step with these under-the-sink organizers that come in a pack of two. Each organizer has a double-tier design, leaving plenty of room for supplies, toiletries, and more.

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This Wall Calendar Covers 18 Months

Amazon

This wall calendar is the perfect accessory for staying organized in the new year. This accessory offers eight months of planning, covering everything from appointments to vacations.

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This Thinking Jar Keeps You Motivated

Amazon

Practice positivity with this thinking jar, which contains motivational notes and affirmations designed to boost your mood daily. These encouraging notes are perfect for stressful, unmotivated days when you just need an extra push.

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This Air Fryer Includes a Cookbook

Amazon

Enjoy more at-home meals this year with this air fryer that is the perfect cooking companion for beginners. This cooking gadget includes quick, easy, and delicious recipes, making it easier than ever to create flavorful meals with less oil.

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These Positive Cards Complete With a Wooden Display

Amazon

Stay grateful and motivated in 2025 with these positive cards that come in a pack of 52. Each card seamlessly fits in the wooden display stand, allowing you to show off a new motivating card each day.

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This Portable Treadmill With an LED Display

Amazon

Get your steps in this year thanks to this portable treadmill with a foldable design and a compact size. It's made with comfortable handles and an LED display, allowing you to customize your experience each day.

See it on Amazon