8 Things to Do When You Feel Like Giving Up on Your Dreams

Krista Gray
Sep 08, 2017

Transforming a dream into reality is no easy feat! Even with careful planning and pure dedication, staying the course can be an all-consuming emotional roller coaster. Country singer Carly Pearce knows first-hand how hard it can be; she moved to Nashville when she was 18 and finally scored a record deal, only to lose her contract when the label folded. She topped the charts with her single Every Little Thing earlier this year, and Carly’s dishing out advice that’ll help you achieve the success you’ve been dreaming about, whether that means turning your side hustle into your full-time job or scoring a gig at one of the best companies to work for. Read on for more of her super inspiring story, plus eight great tips for moving forward when it feels impossible to carry on.

Carly Pearce

1. Network as much as you can. Carly admits that networking isn’t always easy, but tells us it’s super important just the same — you never know who you’ll meet! “After I lost my record deal, I ended up connecting with the Opry. After some back and forth emailing, I landed my very first performance there. I actually just played my 37th Opry performance, and it all started because of a little networking.”

2. Send five new emails each week. “This one might sound simple, but can really pay off,” Carly promises. “If you commit to sending emails, you’ll expand your network.” She notes that while the people you connect with might not be able to help right away, you might be surprised how they can pop up later in your journey. Plus, you might be able to help them out with something too.

3. Be open to taking a gig that isn’t your dream job. Carly says that you’ve gotta be creative when things get tough. “I auditioned for and took a job as Lucy Hale’s backup singer. No, my dream wasn’t to sing backup vocals for someone else — but if it kept me singing, I was going to do it.” For you, this might mean taking a more junior role at a company you admire, starting your business as a side project first, or even accepting a job with a few tasks you hate if it has potential to take you in the right direction.

4. Focus on your faith. “My faith has played a big role in my life,” Carly says. “When it looked like my dream would never come true, I turned to God.” She tells us that while it wasn’t easy, her faith helped her focus and inspired her to keep moving forward. She credits her strong faith for the people and opportunities that led her along the path to her current success. No matter what your faith or beliefs are, you may be able to call on them to build a super strong foundation that holds you up when things get tough.

5. Indulge to take the edge off. “If you know anything about me, you know I love some wine,” Carly confesses. “I think it’s great for celebrating and for helping me through the tough times.” She reminds us that pursuing a dream your heart is attached to is emotional and can be really tough. “Some days are great; others test your limits,” she shares. “That’s where the wine comes in. Don’t be afraid to pour yourself a glass to take the edge off if it’ll help you unwind and put things back into perspective.” Don’t share Carly’s love of vino? Consider a warm bubble bath, a facial, a good sweat sesh, or whatever else it might take for you to hit the ground running the next day.

6. Stay humble. Carly swears by being humble and tells us, “The moment you think you’re above something or that you’re ‘too good’, you’re sunk.” She explains that if you really want to see your dreams come true, you need to be willing to do whatever it takes — even it’s totally unrelated to what you want to do, like cleaning Airbnb rentals while networking and songwriting like she did. “This will also make you appreciate your success that much more when it happens,” she says.

7. Own your destiny. “Nobody is going to work harder for you than yourself,” Carly notes. “While your friends and family might mean well, remember that they aren’t the boss of you and your life. Make thoughtful decisions for yourself and stay true to who you are.” She reminds us that in the end, you have to live with the result — be it good or bad. Though it’s hard to find the courage to follow your gut and your goals, being brave is a surefire way to live with fewer regrets.

8. Never give up. Carly is a big advocate of believing in yourself and staying the course. “If you truly want something, don’t lose hope or give up.” Having been through the ups and downs, she explains that while your dream might not come true on your planned schedule or the way you think it should, the journey itself is worth it. “You don’t want to look back one day and say, ‘What if I had tried just one more day?’ or ‘What would have happened if I kept going?’ Remember, it’s always darkest right before the dawn. Keep dreaming, and keep going.

Are you chasing a dream? We want to hear all about it! Fill us in on Twitter @BritandCo.

(Photos via Carly Pearce)

10 Smart Responses To Passive-Aggressive Comments From Your Boss

There's arguably nothing worse than dealing with a passive-aggressive boss. Rather than laying their grievances out on the line, they use indirect communication that leaves you feeling confused, frustrated, and unsure of how to respond without escalating the situation.

But whether it's a sarcastic remark, a roundabout criticism, or a backhanded compliment, handling these statements with calculated grace is key. So, here are 10 smart responses you can use on your boss the next time they make passive-aggressive comments.

Scroll to find out what you should say when your boss makes another passive-aggressive comment at work.

1. Clarify & Confirm

Marcus Aurelius

Have you ever been on the receiving end of a wild remark from your boss that practically made you do a double-take? If so, don't be afraid to respectfully ask for clarification, forcing them to expand on their perspective without any ambiguity.

For instance, saying something like, "I just want to make sure I understand you currently. Are you saying that..." and paraphrasing their comment is a powerful tool. Not only will it avoid miscommunication, but it will also make your boss address their issue with you head-on.

2. Ask For Their Feedback

Edmond Dantès

We can only learn and grow in environments that challenge us while supporting us along the way. However, passive-aggressive bosses may resort to beating around the bush, making offhand critiques about your work that are vague yet still hurtful.

You can urge your employer to be more straightforward with you by telling them point-blank, "I value your feedback." Asking for open dialogue as opposed to one-off comments will show that you're receptive to constructive criticism and encourage your boss to be a stronger leader.

3. Politely Challenge

Vlada Karpovich

Whether your boss tries to guilt-trip you by implying you're not doing enough or praises you in a sarcastic manner, you can always politely challenge them, too.

Try saying, "It seems like you're hinting at something. Could you be more direct so I can address it appropriately?" Your boss will be put on the spot and driven to share their true feelings without the white noise.

4. Show Understanding

Edmond Dantès

Passive aggression shouldn't be acceptable in workplaces, but sometimes, showing compassion and understanding can help diffuse these all-too-common situations.

As hard as it may be, giving your boss some grace and acknowledging their apparent frustrations may be enough to get you both on the same page.

For instance, saying something such as, "It sounds like you might be feeling irritated. Let's figure out what we can do to fix it together," can encourage teamwork and put a stop to the indirect blame game.

5. Maintain Professional Distance

Thirdman

When passive-aggressive statements start to feel catty in the office, it's not just hurtful; it also retracts from productivity and can lessen the quality of completed work.

To cleverly call out your boss while shifting attention back to the matter at hand, you can respond with, "I'm not sure I follow the tone of your comment. Let's focus on our work so we can move forward."

6. Stay Calm & Collected

Kaboompics.com

It can be tempting to go on the offensive in passive-aggressive situations. Even so, staying cool as a cucumber will reinforce your professionalism and prevent a full-blown stand-off from occurring.

All you have to say is, "I hear your concerns, and I'll focus on improving that moving forward." It's direct, indicates you understand your boss' grievances, and should keep them from harping on.

7. Redirect To Next Steps

Christina Morillo

One of the biggest issues with passive aggression is that it makes someone's issue with you indirectly apparent. Yet, it can be tough to know exactly how to fix their problem moving forward, given they're beating around the bush.

Let's say your boss makes a snarky remark about a PTO request or acts unsatisfied with a project you completed. Don't hesitate to ask, "So, what next steps should we take to ensure this doesn't happen again?"

8. Make It Clear That You're There To Grow

Antoni Shkraba

You could be early in your career or an industry veteran. Either way, vague passive-aggressive statements about performance can be equally hurtful (not to mention unhelpful).

A smart way to respond is by saying, "I'm here to learn and grow." It makes your intentions crystal clear, reminds your boss that you're only human, and could open up conversations about avenues for improvement.

9. Share How You Value Your Professional Relationship

Christina Morillo

All relationships, from romantic and platonic to professional, rely on mutual respect and communication. Passive aggression is a sign of disrespect, but you can help turn interactions with your boss around by saying, "I value our professional relationship."

It will successfully set a positive tone and convey that you want a healthy working relationship. It may also help your boss realize that they haven't been treating you the way they'd like to be treated.

10. Set Boundaries

MART PRODUCTION

Finally, the most direct approach is to confront your boss' passive-aggressive attitude by setting firm boundaries. This can be uncomfortable, but with the right tact and professionalism, it can be very powerful.

For example, consider using this statement: "I believe in having open and honest communication. Can we make sure we're on the same page moving forward?"

It makes your desire for transparency clear and forces your boss to rise to your expectations.

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Whoa, Millie Bobby Brown Just Revealed Her Real Name

It’s pretty common for celebrities to go by a stage name or a different moniker entirely when they’re trying to break into showbiz. Take musicians for example. Before the world knew her as Rihanna, everyone in her life simply knew as Robyn Rihanna Fenty. And the same goes for actors as well. Did you know that The Office alum Mindy Kaling was born Vera Mindy Chokalingam?(Yeah, I was today years old when I learned that.) Even certain members of the British royal family have chosen not to go by their first name, given their high profile status. What if I told you Kate Middleton’s full name is Catherine Elizabeth Middleton? I know right, shocker!

Keep reading to learn more about the 22 celebrities who don’t actually go by their real name — and the reason why.

1. Emma Stone

Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Real Name: Emily Jean Stone

Back when Easy A alum Emma Stone was trying to break into the industry as an actress, she chose to go by a different name because there was already a person with the same moniker in the SAG.

So, in a 2017 interview with W Magazine, the Poor Things star shared that she wanted to go by Emily J. Stone, but decided against it. “So to ask a 16-year-old to pick a new name is really an interesting process, because I was like, ‘I’m going to be Riley’... And so my name was Riley Stone for about six months,” she told the publication at the time. “I changed it to Emma because you know it’s closer to Emily, but most people call me ‘M,’ that know me well.” Honestly, I think you could've pulled off the J, Emma.

2. Lady Gaga

Monica Schipper/Getty Images

Real Name: Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta

Turns out, the Bad Romance singer wasn’t gaga for her real name when she decided to break into Hollywood. Before entering the music industry, Germanotta chose her stage name “Lady Gaga” after she was apparently inspired by the 1984 Queen single “Radio Gaga.” Huh, who would’ve thought?

3. The Weeknd

Wagner Meier/Getty Images for Live Nation

Real Name: Abel Makkonen Tesfaye

Years before the world knew him as “The Weeknd,” Tesfaye chose his professional name when he left home at a young age. During a Reddit Ask Me Anything segment, the singer revealed, "I left home when I was about 17 dropped out of high school and convinced [my friend] Lamar to do the same.”

He continued, “We grabbed our mattresses from our parents threw it in our friends sh—ty van and left one weekend and never came back home. It was gonna be the title of HOB [House of Balloons]. I hated my name at the time though so I tried it as a stage name. It sounded cool. I took out the “e” because there was already a Canadian band named the weekend (copyright issues).”

4. Gigi Hadid

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Real Name: Jelena Hadid

In case you didn’t know, the proud mom went by “Gigi” early on in her childhood. (FYI: Gigi was also her mom’s childhood nickname too.) But in a 2015 interview with Vogue, Hadid shared that everyone started calling her “Gigi” once she started grad school.

“In first or second grade, there was a girl named Helena and it got confusing with the teacher who had to call out our names, and so the teacher asked my mom, ‘If I needed to call Jelena a nickname, what would it be?’ And my mom was like, ‘I call her Gigi sometimes,’ and the name stuck,” the supermodel explained at the time.

5. Millie Bobby Brown

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Real Name: Millie Bonnie Brown (Bongiovi ;))

Millie Bobby Brown revealed in a The Electric State interview that her name is actually Millie Bonnie Brown, and that she created the stage name for "sh—ts and giggles."

"It's not Bobby," she says. "It's Millie Bonnie Brown...I've never told anyone that."

6. Brad Pitt

Julien M. Hekimian/Getty Images

Real Name: William Bradley Pitt

Apparently, Brad Pitt is another celebrity who likes going by his middle name. But, according to Page Six, the longtime actor actually prefers introducing himself by his first name when he’s flirting with women.

7. Marilyn Monroe

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Real Name: Norma Jeane Mortenson

We're throwing it back with this celebrity name! Fun fact: Mortenson took the name Dougherty after her first marriage. But how did she come up with the name we're all so familiar with? Per Time, the beloved actress chose to say goodbye to her last name after a 20th Century Fox studio executive thought that there would be too many mispronunciations with her last name. So, she decided to drop her last name in exchange for her mom’s maiden name: Monroe. In addition, the exec gave her the name “Marilyn” because she reminded him of a 1920s Broadway star named Marilyn Miller.

8. Natalie Portman

Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

Real Name: Neta-Lee Hershlag

Originally, Portman was given a traditional Hebrew name before immigrating to the United States in 1984, where her family changed their surname to Portman. Then, the actress’s first name, Neta-Lee (which was her maternal grandmother’s maiden name) later became Natalie.

9. ​Cardi B

Catherine Powell/Getty Images for MTV

Real Name: Belcalis Almanzar

Though everyone knows her as Cardi B, her diehard fans can attest to the fact she was given a different name at birth. Born Belcalis Almanzar, her stage name is actually short for Bacardi (you know, like the rum). While appearing on an episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the rapper shared the origin of her pseudonym.

“My sister's name is Hennessy,” the rapper told Fallon. “So everyone used to call me Bacardi, and I started calling myself Bacardi, which eventually was shortened to Cardi B.”

10. Chloe Bennet

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

Real Name: Chloe Wong

While promoting her new show Interior Chinatown, Chloe Bennet sat down with Brit + Co and shared why she felt the need to go by a different name than what she was given at birth, which is Chloe Wong. “Early on in my career, my mixed race seemed to be so much more of a thing than I ever understood it as growing up,” the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D alum explained. “I come from a very diverse household and my dad is Chinese. I think I felt more Chinese than what the world perceived me as and that was a weird concept for me.”

The 32-year-old actress went on to share how she changed her surname to Bennet (aka her father’s name) on her resume and she started booking more roles. “I am still not Chloe Bennet. I am Chloe Wong,” she says in the interview.

11. Kit Harington

Amy Sussman/Getty Images for AFI

Real Name: Christopher Catesby Harington

Many of us are taught how to pronounce our given name from a very young age. But for Kit Harington, the Game of Thrones star wasn’t told his first name until he was 11 years old. In a 2014 interview with Glamour, the British actor explained how his parents refrained from telling his real name because “they could see that I wanted to be Kit, but Christopher was a bit of a tradition.”

He continued, "My brother’s name is Jack, but his real name is John. Kit is traditionally an offshoot of Christopher, it’s just not used that often. My middle name is Catesby.”

12. ​Jamie Foxx

Joe Maher/Getty Images

Real Name: Eric Marlon Bishop

Did you know Eric Marlon Bishop chose his stage name “Jamie Foxx” when he first started doing stand up? Back in 2015, Foxx sat down with David Letterman and explained how he tried aiming for a “unisex name” when it came time for him to choose a professional alias.

“I noticed that like 1,000 guys showed up and only three girls, but the three girls would always get a spot,” the singer and actor revealed when recounting the time he signed up for a slot in the standup lineup. “So I went to the list and wrote down a unisex name…Jamie Foxx.” And it looks like the name just stuck.

13. ​Lana Del Ray

Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Real Name: Elizabeth Woolridge Grant

Until the age of 25, Lizzy (aka Elizabeth) Grant reinvented herself and took on a new name when she tried breaking into the music biz—and that’s how Lana Del Rey came to be. According to The Guardian, she not only changed her name, but her entire persona and image. #Iconic

​14. Bruno Mars

Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for Keep Memory Alive

Real Name: Peter Gene Hernandez

Before he caught a grenade for us, the Finesse singer was called Bruno by his family because, when he was a baby, he resembled the professional wrestler Bruno Sammartino. But when it came to his last name, the Hawaiian-born musician thought it would be best to drop it and adopt the Mars surname. “Your last name’s Hernandez, maybe you should do this Latin music, this Spanish music...Enrique's so hot right now,” he jokes in a 2013 interview with GQ.

​15. Demi Moore

Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for Paramount+

Real Name: Demetria Guynes

Long before she starred in The Substance, the longtime actress (born Demetria Guynes) tied the knot with rock star Freddy Moore at the age of 17 and took his last name. Though the marriage ended after four-and-a-half years, she’s been known as Demi Moore ever since.

16. ​John Legend

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Real Name: John Roger Stephens

Tonight’s the night that…you’re going to learn how John Legend got his stage name! In a 2008 interview with MTV News (via People), the EGOT winner shared the story behind how he came up with his professional name. “John Legend is a nickname that some friends started calling me, and it kind of grew into my stage name,” he said at the time. “‘Legend’ is something that I never would have chosen for myself originally. It grew to the point where more people in my circle would know me by that name than by my real name.”

17. Miley Cyrus

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Real Name: Destiny Hope Cyrus

Don’t worry, Destiny Hope Cyrus can buy herself flowers! As it turns out, the Grammy-award winner’s stage name dates back to her childhood, when her family would call her “Smiley,” which ultimately turned into “Miley.” And the rest is history.

18. Halsey

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Real Name: Ashley Frangipane

Turns out, Halsey’s stage name is not anagram of her first name, Ashley. Back in 2015, the singer sat down with VEVO and revealed that she was inspired by Halsey Street in Brooklyn, where she would spend weekends making music with her friend.

19. Meg Ryan

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Real Name: Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra

Apparently "Meg Ryan Fall" isn't a totally accurate moniker because Meg's real name is Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra! Meg is a common nickname for Margaret, but she got Ryan from her maternal grandmother's maiden name.

20. Nina Dobrev

Francois Durand/Getty Images

Real Name: Nikolina Kamenova Dobreva

Originally born Nikolina in Bulgaria, our favorite Vampire Diaries star (and recent fiancée!) adopted "Nina" for her stage name because she reportedly figured it would be easier for fans to remember.

21. Reese Witherspoon

Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Real Name: Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon

Speaking of Jeane's, did you know Reese Witherspoon's name is actually Laura Jeanne? Yup, according to Vogue, the Legally Blonde star took on her mom’s maiden name early on in her career and the moniker Reese Witherspoon was born. It's also why she only calls Big Little Lies costar Laura Dern "Dern."

22. ​Lucy Hale

Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival

Real Name: Karen Lucille Hale

Lucy Hale has a secret…her full name is Karen Lucille Hale. As it turns out, the Pretty Little Liarsalum decided to ditch her first name and go by the nickname of her middle name: Lucy.

23. Meghan Markle

Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images

Real Name: Rachel Meghan Markle

Before she became the Duchess of Sussex, Markle simply went by her first name: Rachel. But now, she goes by her middle name professionally. Markle is rarely addressed by her first name in public. However, an exception was made in 2018 when The Sun reported that the late Queen Elizabeth II blessed Markle’s marriage with now husband Prince Harry and addressed the duchess by her full name.

Which celebrity surprised you the most on this list? Are there any celebrities that we might’ve missed? Let us know on Instagram and read up on the latest celebrity news on Brit + Co!

This post has been updated.

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8 Red Flags Your Job Is Taking Over Your Life

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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Yikes! Apparently Jennifer Lopez Is “Furious” About Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner Being So Close

As rumors about Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner continue to swirl, Jennifer Lopez is apparently "furious." Sources spoke to Page Sixabout the "Lets Get Loud" singer's true feelings on this potential rekindling, and they're...not great. Here's what the rom-com queen reportedly feels about it all — plus, what's next for her, Ben or no Ben!

Scroll to find out how Jennifer Lopezreally feels about Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner right now...

According to Page Six, Jennifer Lopez is "not happy with constantly seeing photos" of Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck together lately. The source explained that the photos are like “salt in the wound," and that she's honestly "furious" about them.

The source elaborated that the whole situation is “completely messing with her head” — and like, I get it! If My ex who split up with me went back to his other ex who he was with for over a decade, I would have all the feelings...and then some! Especially if I felt like we were "The Greatest Love Story Never Told."

These comments come after Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner were spotted out together during a family paintball outing. While they've spent plenty of time together since the holiday season, this week the rumors that they may rekindle continue to pick up even more speed.

Still, another source told Page Six, “I doubt she has even seen these stories as she is consumed with the film. She has been fully concentrating on her life, her growth, and her happiness.”

Right now, Jennifer Lopez is working on an upcoming Netflix rom-com, Office Romance. Jenny from the Block is starring alongside Brett Goldstein in this exciting new movie, and TBH it makes sense that she'd channel all her energy into her work. This Leo has got to shine!

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14 Books Like 'Severance' To Read For Even More Electrifying Twists

Severanceturns office culture on its head with it's eery sci-fi vibes, but I can't stop watching it. With only a few episodes left, I've been searching for similar books to read because I need more tales of looming conspiracy theories. It's the one thing that's keep me from doomscrolling so I'll gladly take fictionalized depictions of wild occurrences at the moment. Not to mention it's just fun reading different authors' ideas of secretive policies gone wrong and their effects on the people they're designed to keep in line.

Sounds like fun, right?

Here's the best books like Severance that are full of mind-bending conspiracy theories

Amazon

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris

Editorial assistant Nella Rogers has been longing to see a familiar face at Wagner Books because she's the only Black girl there. When she's not feeling lonely, she tries to ignore the sweeping passive-aggressive comments she often hears. In her mind, all her frustration would be erased if she had another black girl to relate to. Surprisingly, Nella's wish comes true when Hazel joins the Wagner Books team and they strike up a fun friendship.
But just as soon as Nella gets comfortable, Hazel becomes the new token girl and overshadows her. While trying to stomach that, Nella soon starts to receive threatening messages that make her fearful. Is her life in danger or is it all in Nella's head?

Amazon

The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami

Sara's been looking forward to going back home, but her anticipating is cut short when she's intercepted by the Risk Assessment Administration. According to them, she's on their watch list because her dreams alerted them of a future crime she'll be at the center at. To make sure she's not a real threat, they inform her she'll be watched for a little less than a month and then she'll be released.
Left with no other choice, Sara joins other women who have are begin held and she finds it odd how many of them haven't done anything wrong yet. What's worse is that the retention center keeps changing its policies which leaves the women imprisoned longer than they were led to believe. Their only hope? A rogue resident who's not afraid to ask questions and cause mayhem.

Amazon

I Who Have Never Known Menby Jacqueline Harpman

Similar to The Dream Hotel, I Who Have Never Known Men focuses on more imprisoned women. But this time the women are housed in an underground cage with no recollection of what's going on. It seems they're all suffering from the same case of amnesia and aren't even aware of the days or months. While the other women accept their conditions and try to adjust to them, one young prisoner isolates herself from them. They don't know it yet, but she'll be the one to free them all.

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Ripe by Sarah Rose Etter

Cassie's role at a Silicon Valley start-up company is one she's come to dread. It's a cyclical incubus of overtime, supervisors without boundaries, and tasks she'd rather not do. Also, she's noticed that some of her other other colleagues' burnout causes them to commit suicide as they succumb to the weight of always be "on" for their jobs. The only thing that seems to keep Cassie company is an internal void that seems to feed off her emotions.
Between her unplanned pregnancy and harmful work environment, she'll have to decide if chasing the glittering promise of success is more important than her sanity.

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Tokyo Doesn't Love Us Anymore by Ray Loriga

In the future lives a drug dealer who specializes in things that erases his clients' memories. The company he works for knows that people are caught up in the throes of capitalism and leans on the expectation they'd liked to eventual forget the harsh world around them. As for the dealer, he moves aimlessly from country to country and engages in fruitless encounters with people he doesn't care about. Though he uses humor to as self-deflection, readers will be able to see the stark reality he lives in by the end of the books.

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All Her Secrets by Wanda M. Morris

Ellice Littlejohn is a hotshot attorney in Atlanta who's earned her place in the law world. She even enjoys a friends-with-benefits situation with her supervisor, but that changes when he's found murdered in his office. Instead of attaching herself to the situation, she decides to fade into the background because her previous life would complicate things for her.

Miraculously, she receives a promotion that puts her in her former supervisor's shoes and it unnerves her. From discovering illegal deals to facing the biggest conspiracy theory of her career, Ellice will be forced to make decisions that have intense consequences.

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Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

Jason Dessen awakens after a stranger asks him a pivotal question about his life, but he can't remember what happened right before that. All he knows is that he's being observed by people in hazmat suits who seem to know more about him than he does.
It doesn't take long for Jason to understand the life he had before seemingly doesn't exist where he is now. That he's somehow not the man he remembers himself being. Now he's left to uncover if he's still dreaming or if this reality is one he created.

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Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke

Gerald's mind is now attached to his PR firm's Slack channels which has somehow made him more productive than before. This comes at the time where employees are allowed to work remotely which makes some of his co-workers believe he's taking advantage of his job. For Gerald, this is alarming because he doesn't know how to get back to his body.

From a major PR disaster to the reality something's off in the office, Several People Are Typing explores a different side of hybrid and work-from-home life.

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The Circle by Dave Eggers

Mae Holland's just been hired by the Circle and feels thrilled because it's one of the most prominent internet companies. It works to create a continuous link between users emails and the rest of their lives so they don't have to assume different identities on the world wide web.

Having access to this modern company makes Mae feel like she's made it so she willingly partakes in the perks her job offers. From company parties to cute clubs, what could go wrong?

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Company by Max Barry

New hire Stephen Jones has just started his job at Zephyr Holdings and willingly accepts his place as another worker in the grand company. However things look from the outside isn't how they are behind closed doors because everyone from the receptionist to the sales reps partake in unusual behavior. Plus, the CEO still hasn't made an appearance. For Jones, this seems like an absurd reality that's hard to escape from.
But, what will he discover the longer he remains employed at Zephyr Holdings?

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Jennifer Government by Max Barry

Does author Max Barry know something we don't? Based on Jennifer Government, it seems like he does because he highlights the effects of having a private government.
Readers will learn what happens when employees take the last name of the job they're employed at which chains them to it like never before. However Merchandising Officer Hack Nike is put in an odd situation where he has to take lives in order to bolster interest in expensive sneakers. He doesn't realize this, but he's sealed his fate when Jennifer Government notices him.
Facing her own problems, she's sure he's the perfect mark that'll place her in the position she covets the most.

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#FashionVictimby Amina Akhtar

Anya St. Clair's a fashion editor who's crafting a life anyone would kill to have. She may know a thing or two about that because she's left several people behind in order to position herself to have success. The only person standing in her way now is Sarah Taft, the person Anya wishes she could naturally be.

The only way she'll be able to solve her problem is by pretending to be Sarah's friend and going in for the kill when the latter least expects it.

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Happy For You by Claire Stanford

Evelyn Kominsky Humamoto knows she should be excited about getting married soon, but all she can do is worry about her future contribution to the world. She doesn't even know if she's ready to embrace family life, but everyone around her seems fulfilled with the choices they're making.

Deciding to place her academic focuses on the back burner, Evelyn lands a job at an internet company that's developing a happiness app. But it's clear she struggles to fit in with Silicon Valley's bros or the demographic social media praises the most.

Just when she's at her wits' end, an interesting situation pushes her to decide what being happy looks like for her.

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Glass Houses by Madeline Ashby

When the staff of company crash land on an island amidst a well-deserved celebration, strange things begin to occur. It's not that the island is destitute because it's not. It's the perfect form of paradise and includes amenities that keep them satisfied.

However, chief emotional manager Kristen is having a hard time trying to stabilize her co-workers' emotions as they realize they're truly cut off from the world. Though she's usually great at her job, this remote island with it's glossy technology may prove to be deadlier than she and her co-workers imagined.

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