16 Ways to Incorporate Pantone’s “Resourceful” Palette into Your Home

When Pantone looked into their crystal ball of home decor and pulled out their decor trends for 2018, all the palettes were bold, intense, and beautiful. The Resourceful Palette combines warm and cool tones of blue and orange for such a mesmerizing effect that, according to Pantone, “You just can’t avoid looking at it.” Whether you’re going for a few bold accessories or you’re ready to pop open those paint cans, scroll on for 16 inspiring ways to bring these vivid colors into your own home.

1. Orange Crush: Orange can stimulate activity and add a burst of energy to any space, making it ideal for a home office. Kick-start your work day with pops of orange accessories, wall art, and maybe even paint in the shelves. (via IBA Design Associates)

2. Retro Vibes: Blue and orange look lovely together, but you don’t have to go with the boldest paint possible. A soft sky blue is surprisingly elegant and modern when paired with an orange sofa, pastel pink pillows, and lots of rustic texture. (via Urban Outfitters)

3. Nautical Touches: The blue pom-poms on these sweet, simple, and sophisticated nursery curtains are *everything.* Placing an orange chair against bold graphic patterns keeps the decor lively and ready to inspire your next great reading session. (via Design Dazzle)

4. Opposites Attract: It’s totally okay to embrace this color palette in tiny ways. After all, Pantone comes out with new palettes every year. If you’re still rocking last year’s pastels, bring in a quick refresh with blue and orange throw pillows. (via BHG)

5. Gorgeous Graphics: Major pattern points go to this bold AF couch. The orange ikat, quirky koi fish patterns, and blue chevron couch come together in a way that totally works. (via The Glam Pad)

6. Boho Accessories: While you’re busy bringing in blue and orange accents, incorporate another modern trend — boho textures — with wooden furniture and handmade ceramics. Blue walls will make those textures pop in a majorly good way. (via Target)

7. Graphic Patterns: Pastels look hip and trendy with punchy accents like blue and orange. Anchor the space with neutral furniture and go crazy with cartoon-like patterns. (via BHG)

8. Minimalist Colors: This modern bedroom is a beautiful example of how versatile the Resourceful Palette is. A blue half wall is *the* perfect complement to an orange task lamp and white bedding. We’re loving how the end result is almost nautical but in a totally fresh and trendy way. (via INT2 Architecture)

9. Sneaky Accents: Forget painting the walls. The easiest way to experiment with a new color palette is to pull out the spray paint and dress up a thrifted bench or stool. (via Decouvrir Design)

10. Country Living: The different shades of blue in this room are totally on point, but it’s that orange sofa that really brings the whole space together. Pair bold chairs with white walls and graphic throw pillows and you’ve got a seating arrangement guests will never want to leave. (via Vintage Revivals)

11. Big Blue: This bold kid’s room is wearing those bright shades in the best way possible. And who would’ve thought matching the wall paint to the headboard would look so chic? (via Elle Decor)

12. Pull Up a Seat: Ah yes, a blue velvet armchair in your reading breakfast nook ensures you never have a bad morning. Whether you’re settling down with a glass of wine or a mug of coffee, this bright and cheerful corner comes together beautifully with luxe textures and an orange throw blanket. (via Livet Hemma)

13. Stripes Ahoy: Well that settles it; striped ceilings are officially the coolest thing ever. Take a cue from this kiddo’s nursery and pair soft teal walls with playful orange accessories for all the happy feels. (via In Jackie’s Shoes)

14. Jungle Glam: Monkey wallpaper, blue cushions, and an orange desk chair make this space look positively luxurious. Plus, who can resist a blue daybed piled high with matching pillows? (via House of Hackney)

15. Tangerine and Cerulean: The bright blue bedding in this guest room earns its clout when paired with a citrusy punch of orange. The pops of color also add a ton of personality to an otherwise cool-toned bedroom. (via Domino)

Need more color palette ideas for your next home makeover? Follow us on Pinterest for more inspiration.

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.

“Mocha Mousse is the perfect choice for 2025," says designer Ashely Stark. "Mocha Mousse offers endless possibilities for decorating, whether it’s through a plush rug, a soothing carpet, or as a base for bold pops of color like deep jewel tones or metallics. This versatile shade opens up a world of design options, making it a timeless and adaptable addition to any space." 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.

Justin Baldoni shocked the internet when he released a website full of text messages and emails surrounding It Ends With Us in a 5-year timeline of events. The messages ranged from discussing Blake Lively sneaking an unfinished cut of the movie to fans to Justin, Ryan, Blake, and Taylor Swift discussing a script rewrite, but according to one First Amendment lawyer, Justin's website could actually "backfire on him."

Here's the latest news on Justin Baldoni's website amid Blake Lively It Ends With Us feud.

Why Justin Baldoni's website is "unusual."

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Kevin Goldberg, Freedom Forum's Vice President and First Amendment expert, told Forbes that "this is a PR campaign being played out in the courts, especially the defamation part."

"From a First Amendment point of view, that is unusual," the lawyer continues. "Public figures don't usually win these cases and are not supposed to use the courts to try the case in the court of public opinion."

Justin Baldoni's website, TheLawsuitInfo.com, includes an Amended Complaint in his lawsuit against The New York Times and a 168-page timeline of events.

"I think it's unusual and I'm not sure it's appropriate once you have already filed a defamation lawsuit," he says. "Legally speaking, it's not going to be, itself, relevant as evidence. It could be introduced in evidence but there's no need for it."

Sony Pictures Releasing

After admitting the website and all its details could be introduced as evidence in Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's March 2026 trial, Kevin says he thinks it's clear that the website clearly "only exists for one purpose: to try to sway the public's point of view of Baldoni."

"And again, the reason we have very strict standards for anyone who is trying to win a defamation lawsuit — and in particular, a celebrity who is trying to win a defamation lawsuit is they can do things like this," he adds. "Use a website and PR team to restore their reputation, they don't need to use the courts to restore their reputation. So why did he do both is my big question. It seems like his real goal is not to win the lawsuit but restore his good name, just, generally in the public view."

Kevin also thinks the website is somewhat "disheartening" and "unnecessary" to the case because he can just win his case in court. "They're really only supposed to [use the courts for reputation purposes] when they have no other recourse...[The media] are the ones who, if he wins this case or forces Blake Lively to back down, might be the next ones who find themselves on the backfoot of a lawsuit filed by a celebrity who doesn't like what you've written or said about them...And that's not what the First Amendment is about," saying that the amendment is supposed to "allow the conversations to occur in public not in court."

And doing both may actually "backfire on Justin," Kevin says. "Is his reputation being restored? I'm not sure it is, in my mind."

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Justin Baldoni's Amended Complaint is a 224-page document outlining his lawsuit against the New York Times.

"The following is not a story the Wayfarer Parties ever wished to tell," the beginning of the complaint reads. "Unfortunately, Blake Lively (“Lively”) has unequivocally left them with no choice, not only to set the record straight in response to Lively’s accusations and The New York Times Company’s maliciously and recklessly propagated falsehoods, but also to put the spotlight on the parts of Hollywood that they have dedicated their careers to being the antithesis of."

Justin's legal team continues that "had Lively chosen to merely ride out the self-inflicted press catastrophe she faced in August 2024, the public would likely have moved on and never known the truth about her...No one except the parties involved would have known that she used threats and extortion to relegate the colleagues she once highly praised to a basement to sit out their own premiere, while she enjoyed the spotlight of a premiere and afterparty that was ultimately co-financed by both Wayfarer and Sony. She would have gotten away with these things and more, because Baldoni, focused entirely on seeing the film succeed, would have held his tongue, as he had through the year and a half that Lively tormented him, his family, and his partners."

What did you think of Justin Baldoni's website? Read A Definitive Timeline Of Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's It Ends With Us Feud for more.

In our eyes, color is never a bad idea, and though the moments where you get stuck in a wardrobe rut and reach for boring (yet dependable) all-black attire can be all too common, there are ways to work your way out of it. Trends often cycle through the seasons, so welcoming this next one means a brand new set of colors to play with – even beyond your wardrobe. Check out 6 trending colors that fit right into your summer color palette below!

1. Barbie Pink

Image via Brit + Co.

There’s no doubt that the anticipation for Barbie to hit theaters has crept into every area of our lives. Barbie pink is back in a big way this summer, adorning our clothes, accessories, beverages, and even our interiors.

TikTok’s “Miamicore” (all about the bright and the bold) interior design trend is a testament to Barbie pink’s power at the moment. According to Taskrabbit, 25% of people expressed a desire to incorporate pink accents into their homes this year.

Hot pink hues were also… well, hot during NYFW, and have carried this season’s brightest fashion looks.

2. Red-orange

Image via Flying Tomato

It’s not totally red, and it’s not really orange, either. It’s red-orange, and we love that this color’s trending right now because it's complimentary to practically any skin tone and just hits different in the summertime.

Pantone truly hit the mark on this color trend with the hue Cherry Tomato, which was featured in their Summer ‘23 Color Trend Report. This Loveliest Looks Woven Midi Dress ($64) from Flying Tomato is the true embodiment of the color.

Perhaps its popularity is because it reminds us of actual tomatoes – the ones we’re growing in our home gardens and using for fresh summer pasta salads. We also can’t forget the viral Loewe tomato candle.

Fiery, tomato-y red-orange looks stunning against turquoise, chartreuse, and this next trending color: lilac.

3. Lilac

Image via Urban Outfitters

As Swifties, we’ll take a chance and say this next trending color is a product of the “Lavender Haze” effect. But it could also be that lilac is simply easy to feature as the main component of an outfit, or be used for a small pop of color in your room. This lilac BDG Eddie Ribbed Shrug Sweater ($39) is proof – the versatility of it all!

The trending shade could *also* be linked to our growing passion for florals and botanicals, whether they come in scent or flavor form. We adore them all the same! According to Tastewise, in the past two years alone, floral flavors have received a +91% rise in consumer interest, with botanical flavors following suit, experiencing a +31% increase. Their scented counterparts are popular as well, being highly correlated with stress relief.

4. Lime Green

Image via Olive and June

The bright and the bold continue in this trending green. It seems we’ve departed from spring’s popular chartreuse to more lime green shades in the color canon – after all, there’s nothing wrong with standing out a bit!

Like lilac, lime green is easy to apply all-over, or as an accent – it’s whatever you’re feeling. Greens in all forms and shades are trusted to be nourishing and lush, but this punchy take just infuses the summer months in sheer fun! Take this Lime Fizz Polish from Olive & June ($9) – it truly stands out among the rest.

5. Metallic Silver

Image via Nasty Gal

This next color simply shines. More prominent in fashion than in interior design, metallic silver is having a renaissance – no, literally. Thanks to Beyonce’s recently-embarked Renaissance tour that’s dripping in eye-catching metallics and disco-esque futuristic aesthetics, interest in silver pieces has dramatically increased.

A recent finding by Nasty Gal revealed that online interest in 'metallic cowboy boots' skyrocketed 488% after the first night of the tour, according to the analysis of Google search data.

Google searches for 'silver cowboy boots,' a la NG's Real Leather Stitched Western Boots ($98), also rose 300% worldwide after the first tour date, as well as searches for 'disco cowboy hat', which went up 525%. The metrics for ‘silver bodysuit; and ‘silver corset’ measure up to the large increases as well.

“These increases in searches tell us exactly what everyone is wearing to the tour, with many fans wanting to emulate Beyoncé's iconic and daring style,” a spokesperson for Nasty Gal said. “Expect to see plenty of chromatic cowboy boots, head-to-toe silver, and disco-embellished cowboy hats on your tour date.”

6. Cream White

Photo by Angela Roma / PEXELS

Cream white is super design-friendly, and can be observed through current fashion and home trends. It’s most prevalent in the fashion world when we look at sustainable fashion – people are making more careful investments in their wardrobe in an effort to shop sustainably and halt detrimental spending habits. See: the rise of capsule wardrobes.

This hue is also incorporated into minimalist fashion trends that prioritize easy styling by using neutral palettes – think blacks, whites, tans, creams, and the like.

Furthermore, cream white’s summer presence in architecture and interior design can be attributed to the same reasons. Consumers are craving the minimalistic simplicity found in limited color palettes.

The Chip and Joanna-style houses are a good example – they boast an uncomplicated black and white color scheme that makes things look super clean and minimal. We’ve taken that concept and ran with it for interiors, too.

Which color will you be adding to your summer color palette? Let us know @BritandCo!

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

Every February,romance is in the air with Valentine's Day, ushering in a season of love with everything from the films we watch to the books we read. We're talking about pining over all things slow burn, spicy romps, and classic tropes like enemies-to-lovers. As luck would have it, we've narrowed down the greatest modern love books worth reading so you don't have to. Grab a cup of tea, curl up in your favorite blanket, and get ready for these romantic page-turners. Let's share the love!

See the greatest modern love books that make even The Notebook seem like puppy love!

Amazon

The Viscount Who Loved Me: Anthony's Story by Julia Quinn

Anthony Bridgerton's finally ready to put his bachelor antics behind him by marrying Edwina Sharma. However, she's constantly shadowed by her sister Kate and this couldn't be more annoying to him. Truthfully, Kate's the bane of Anthony's existence and seems to know how to get under his skin. He wants her to stop trying to sabotage he and Edwina's marriage plans, but he also can't stop thinking about the defiant, very beautiful woman who challenges him.
It's not that Kate doesn't want her sister to be happy, but she doesn't want her to get hurt. The issue with that is her wild feelings for Anthony may be the biggest betrayal of all.

Amazon

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Emma Blair was sure she and Jesse would be together forever. They even created a life they loved, but a tragic accident involving Jesse cuts their bliss short. Lost without the love of her life, Emma hightails it back to their hometown where she learns how to live and love again.
Falling for Sam reopens her heart and she decides to accept his proposal with the intention of having another shot at "forever." But when it's revealed Jesse survived, Emma is caught between the two men she's fallen in love with.

Amazon

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

Popular erotica author Eva Mercy is known for writing bestselling titles that make readers go feral, but her own love life isn't up to par on purpose. She'd rather make sure her daughter doesn't follow in her footsteps while managing her health, but all that changes when she runs into Shane Hall at a literary event.

It becomes quite clear to everyone that they have intense chemistry and the two later reveal they've been writing to each other all these years. However, Eva's not sure if she trusts Shane to be consistent after what happened when they were teens.

They can't deny the passion burning between them, but they'll have to tend to old wounds if they want to have something that's worth their time.

Amazon

A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

Eileen Merriweather loves a rom-com that has a beautiful ending because they feel like a balm for the fact her own shot at happiness was dashed by a runaway fiancé. It's a place for her to escape for a while and it's also the reason she's excited to attend a yearly book club retreat.

Despite her best efforts, Eileen doesn't make it to her destination because her car fails her in the most idealistic town she's ever seen. As she explores it, she realizes she in one of the places from the books she loves the most and time is running on a loop. The only person that's out of place is the ill-tempered, but attractive bookstore owner who could care less about making sure the town gets a proper ending.

Unbeknownst to them, it could be the very thing everyone needs — including them.

Amazon

The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren

Romance novelist Felicity "Fizzy" Chen knows how to write about dazzling love, but she hasn't had much luck with it. Much to the dismay of her parents, she doesn't seem like she's close to tying the knot and it leaves them baffled. It's even starting to confuse her because how can she write about the beauty of romance when she's never experienced it? Enter documentary filmmaker Connor Prince.
Tasked with creating another mind-numbing reality TV show, Connor scrambles to find his opus until he meets Fizzy. Even though their initial production meeting doesn't go as planned, they agree to work together to create magic known as The True Love Experiment.
It's all about helping Fizzy find "the one," but she and Connor would be lying if they said their feelings for each other weren't making things complicated.

Amazon

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

Nora Stephens' eye for what makes books great is impeccable because she's a no-nonsense literary agent. The only soft spot she has involves her younger sister Libby which is how she ends up in Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for unlimited "sister time."
She should be enjoying herself, but Nora keeps bumping shoulders with editor Charlie Lastra and his meticulous demeanor. They can't stand each other, so it's quite annoying that she can't seem to escape him. Yet, there may be a reason why fate keeps pulling these two serious career-minded individuals together.

Amazon

The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood

Delphie's not your usual protagonist because she doesn't start off alive. She's somewhere in the afterlife because a microwaveable meal cut her life short and she wasn't even wearing something "cute" when she passed. But that doesn't stop an attractive man from looking at her kindly and the moment they start talking is when she's okay with where she is. Too bad a "mistake" barrels him back to earth as she stands there wondering what just happened.

Sensing that she's distressed, Delphie receives another chance to be alive so she can find the man she hit it off with. There's just one problem: she doesn't have the slightest clue where to look.

Amazon

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

Yasmen and Josiah were supposed to be happily in love forever, but they've since lost their desire to maintain their marriage. No matter how hard they wanted things to work, there was too much trauma between them to save what they thought was solid. Agreeing to get divorced, co-parent, and still run their restaurant together sounds like a nightmare waiting to happen, but they manage to do it until their ability to lie to themselves starts wearing thin...

Amazon

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

The Ministry of Time is meant to be a historical novel, but it touches on the possibility of finding love over and over again.
At the beginning, readers meet a "civil servant" whose sole job is to help "expats" from various places in time acclimate to the present. Specifically, Commander Graham Gore ("1847") is placed in her care and they awkwardly try to interact with each other. Gore finds it strange to be around a woman who has much freer liberties than he's used to while the civil servant tries to be respectful of his POV. One conversation leads to another and it doesn't take long for them to start feeling something forbidden: love.

Amazon

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

Theoretical physicist Elsie Hannaway's occupations have put her in a bind. As brilliant as she is in her adjunct professor role, it's not helping her fully pay her bills. To cover other expenses, she secretly solicits her "fake girlfriend" services to clients who are willing to pay.She's able to keep the two separated until Jack Smith realizes who she is. He happens to be related to one of her best clients and he runs the physics department where she works.
Knowing he could destroy her reputation, Elsie prepares for the worst and is surprised when it doesn't come. Could it be that Jack sees beyond the roles she's had to play in order to survive?

Amazon

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

Feyi Adekola is trying to rejoin the land of the living, but it's been hard not to mourn the death of the man she was in love with. She's gone on to open her an art studio and move in with her best friend Joy, but she chose to close her heart off until she meets someone who knocks her off her feet.
Their relationship seems perfect until Feyi meets her partner's father. There's no way he could be the answer to fully repairing her heart, right?

Amazon

Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant

Tessa Johnson probably shouldn't be thinking about love, but she loves reading romance books. She's so inspired by them that she's been crafting her own stories that only her best friend Caroline gets to read. This same enthusiasm lands her a coveted spot within a creative writing program, but she suddenly develops a bad case of writer's block. With the help of Carolina, Tessa starts researching what makes love stories great. However, between that, the moody Nico, and the charming Sam, Tessa starts to lose her grip on reality. Getting real with herself may be the very thing she needs instead of following someone else's formula.

Amazon

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abba Waxman

Nina works at the bookstore of her dreams and even has a perfect cat named Phil to go home to. In her mind, she doesn't need anything else because she's content with how life is. But she's suddenly thrust into close proximity to family she never knew were alive due to her secret father's death. And the guy who aggravates her during trivia? He wants to move beyond their surface level quips because he's...interested.
What could go wrong?

Amazon

Drunk on Love by Jasmine Guillory

Margot Noble's getting burned out from helping her brother run their family's winery. She half-heartedly asks for a proverbial break, but doesn't expect her life to be interrupted by Luke Williams. He's new to Napa and brings a ton of charm, sexiness, and passion with him. It's the perfect recipe for a one-night stand, but a horrible one when Margot realizes he's been hired to work at the winery...oops!
The reason Luke is there has everything to do with his experience with burnout. He's just not sure how he can tell his proud mom that her son no longer has the high-powered job she loved bragging about. The only thing he's certain of is that he's attracted to Margot beyond the steamy sex they had. He genuinely wants to be around her, but he's insecure about whether she'll think he's worth her time once she discovers the job he left behind.
It's a beautiful tale of starting over and taking chances in love!

Amazon

A Love Like the Sun by Riss M. Neilson

Laniah Thompson and Issac Jordan are besties who lives don't mirror each other at all. For one, Laniah loves being home while Issac thrives in the spotlight. And two? Their businesses are on opposite sides of the scale. Still, this doesn't stop Issac from trying to help Laniah when it becomes clear she and her mother's natural hair store is struggling. He decides to give Wildly Green a boost by telling the world he and Laniah are dating which greatly improves foot traffic. The goal is to "date" long enough for someone to invest in Wildly Green and then they can go back to normal.

But their plan comes with the reminder they've always been attracted to each other and it begins blurring the lines of reality...

Amazon

Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

Danika Brown doesn't have time for love. She's a career-driven woman who knows that opening your heart ends in disaster and she doesn't have time for that. Instead, she'll accept a FWB (friend-with-benefits) that understands how to keep it steamy in the bedroom and distant outside of it.

When an accident brings Zafir Ansari into her life, Dani is sure he's the perfect FWB for her, but the internet has other plans. People want them to date which doesn't turn Zafir off. He thinks it's a great idea because his sports charity needs a boost so Dani says "yes" to this plan while secretly plotting to get him in her bed.

As the public falls for their fake relationship, Dani and Zafir's plans start to go awry when they realize they actually like each other.

If you still believe in love, we've rounded up even more romantic books that'll make your eyes flutter.

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

It might seem like more and more companies are prioritizing work-life balance nowadays, but that doesn't mean employees aren't still consumed by their responsibilities. For some, climbing the corporate ladder and furthering their career is proving to be increasingly demanding amidst the competitive job market; meanwhile, others are worried about the tumultuous economy, and working longer hours helps them feel more financially stable.

While these concerns are all understandable, it's unhealthy to let work creep into every corner of your existence. Here are eight telltale signs that your job is taking over your life.

Scroll to find out the obvious signs your job is taking over your life.

1. You Obsessively Check Your Work Email

Sora Shimazaki

Certain people struggle with social media addiction, scrolling for hours on apps like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Yet, you may find yourself glued to Gmail or Outlook.

Do you constantly refresh your work email to make sure you haven't missed anything? Do you check your email as soon as you wake up in the morning and right before your head hits the pillow at night?

If so, your job is dominating your thoughts, and these obsessive tendencies can lead you to suffer stress and anxiety. Now, you don't have to entirely "unplug," but make sure you're giving yourself space to relax, decompress, and worry about other things that aren't work-related.

2. You Work During Weekends Or Vacations

Yan Krukau

Weekends (and vacation time) are common practice for a reason. It's unrealistic to expect anyone to continuously work without a break, and working when you're supposed to be resting can seriously erode your motivation and mental health over time.

Sure, catching up on emails or completing a project with an impending deadline can be fine on weekends from time to time. However, most Saturdays and Sundays should be reserved for "you time," and working when you're supposed to be on vacation is flat-out unacceptable.

3. Your Relationship With Your Significant Other Is Struggling

Alex Green

When a job starts to take over your life, relationships can really take a hit, especially the one you share with your significant other.

Your partner may grow frustrated if literally all you do is talk about your workday or stress about the outstanding items on your to-do list. Plus, if you're frequently working long hours or are just mentally consumed by your responsibilities, you and your partner won't get to spend enough uninterrupted quality time together.

Sacrificing personal free time is one thing, but if you realize that your romantic relationship is suffering due to the demands of your job, it may be time to reassess your situation. After all, your partner (and you) deserve more.

4. Every Goal You Have Is Career-Related

The Drink

Being career-driven is often viewed as a very valuable and commendable personality trait, yet being too goal-oriented can spiral out of control. This is particularly true if all of your aspirations center solely around your career. This tunnel vision may help you climb the corporate ladder faster, but you're doing your inner self a disservice.

Aside from promotions and salary increases, what other life goals do you have? You might've once dreamed of owning a home, starting a family, traveling more, or delving into a hobby. If these goals have been entirely pushed to the wayside in favor of focusing on just your career, your job is consuming your life.

5. You've Lost Your "Spark"

Andrea Piacquadio

Remember when you were in high school or even college, with wide eyes and big plans for your future? Unfortunately, adulthood has a way of grounding our expectations. Even so, no one turns into a corporate zombie overnight. After landing your job, you might've been over the moon and actually excited about your new position.

Nowadays, do you see that same person in the mirror? Or do you find yourself feeling agitated, unenthused, and trudging through your day-to-day? This is a red flag that you've lost your "spark," the personality that makes you, well, you.

6. Your Home Is A Mess

Vlada Karpovich

Some people out there are simply messy by nature. Regardless, that doesn't mean their homes are always complete disasters. With dozens of meetings and an endless amount of tasks on your to-do list each week, it can be hard to keep up with laundry, dishes, vacuuming, and mopping.

It's obviously okay for houses to be "lived in" and not spotless all the time. Still, neglecting maintenance and cleaning of your home is a major sign that your job is taking up way too much of your time. You deserve to dwell in a space that feels clean and cozy, especially if that's what you desire.

7. You Frequently Have To Cancel Plans

Ivan Samkov

Think back to the last time you actually got to grab drinks with your best friend or enjoy dinner with your parents. Have you become known as "flakey?" Having to cancel plans all the time due to your job isn't just unfair to your loved ones; it's not good for your mental health.

While it's great to have solid or even family-like relationships with your coworkers, they shouldn't be who you see every waking hour of the day. Everyone needs relationships outside of work, and by constantly canceling on your loved ones, you're just isolating yourself and letting your job take over your personal life.

8. You Suffer From The "Sunday Scaries"

Antoni Shkraba

Finally, no one really likes Mondays. But that doesn't mean your Sundays should be filled with anxiety over them. Think about it: you only get two days off each week. If you constantly get the "Sunday Scaries," half of your weekend has been wasted on work stress.

Getting out of the house, disconnecting from your devices, and even meditation can be helpful in curbing this common problem. Nevertheless, if none of that works, it's usually a red flag that your job is impeding your life and negatively impacting your mental health.

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