5 Ways to Embrace Being Alone During the Holidays

Annamarie Higley
Dec 21, 2020
alone for the holidays

The holidays season is centered around loved ones, particularly family. With Hanukkah now at a close and Christmas right around the corner, followed by New Years!, those who are unable to spend time with their family due to the pandemic or otherwise might be feeling especially alienated and alone. And during the winter season in particular, many are susceptible to sadness and loneliness — as many as three million Americans are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder each year, so it's important that those who can't or won't be surrounded by family members are knowledgeable about productive and effective ways to cope. We spoke with Sheri Heller, a licensed clinical social worker who works with people affected by addiction, childhood adversity, and PTSD, about ways to navigate the holiday season alone.

1. Make a donation. The holidays are as much a season for giving as they are a season for family. In giving back to the community, you'll feel a sense of humanity and connectedness, according to Heller. “[Service] is a meaningful way to assuage feelings of alienation and aloneness during the holiday season," she says. Of course, volunteer opportunities are difficult right now but you can look at making food or clothing donations or knitting blankets for kids in need through Project Linus or knitted "boobs" for cancer survivors through Knitted Knockers.

2. Minimize the holidays. Shutting out the barrage of holiday-themed, well, everything can prove difficult, but at the end of the day, a holiday really is just like any other day. Treat it as you would a normal day off. Heller suggests relaxing activities such as going to the movies, exercising, or finishing up household tasks. Here are 10 winter staycation ideas to try.

3. Take a hike. “Taking oneself somewhere beautiful and exciting is a gift to the self and a tangible reminder of one's value," Heller comments. Removing yourself from your everyday surroundings will separate you from standard holiday festivities.

4. Engage your creativity or spirituality. Activities ranging from photography and painting to meditation and group prayer can be especially nourishing in the absence of familial bonds during the holidays. It's important to “[maintain] a transpersonal perspective of one's purpose and place in the world," according to Heller, and art and spirituality are two ways to do this.

5. Celebrate with other loved ones. Don't let the fact that you're not with your family distract from the other loved ones in your life. Celebrate with pod friends who are in similar situations to you, even if just a masked morning walk together. Or connect with long-distance friends through Zoom. According to Heller, “Feeling loved and cared for is the ultimate panacea."

How have you handled being alone for the holidays? Tweet us @BritandCo!

This post has been updated from an earlier post.

9 Sneaky Ways You’re Self-Sabotaging Without Even Knowing It

You could be secretly — an unintentionally — self-sabotaging in your day-to-day life in more ways than you know. From your job to your friendships, there are probably a few ways that you're counting yourself out and putting yourself last when you don't have to. And that kind of self-sabotaging behavior? It's seriously bringing you down.

Rest assured that this isn't another article meant to make you feel bad about yourself though. It's more of a friendly nudge for all of us to stop being so mean to ourselves because self-sabotaging isn't exactly rooted in self-love. It's like setting small parts of ourselves on fire...then complaining about how much it hurts. That doesn't sound fun, does it?

If you're vigorously nodding your head, let's make a vow to do things a little differently. But first, we have to face the subtle signs of self-sabotaging we just can't seem to stop doing.

Buckle up because we're exposing 10 signs you're actually self-sabotaging!

Mikhail Nilov

1. Treating Procrastination Like It's The Love Of Your Life

We see you snickering to yourself, but it's time to evaluate your relationship with procrastination. Whenever you do it, does it make you feel better about yourself or do you rush to complete whatever you were supposed to do? If you've noticed your habit is a daily part of your life, chances are other people know about it too.

One study found that "1 in 4 Americans say their friends expect them to procrastinate on takes" while "1 in 12 say even their employer expects" late tasks. It may elicit a few jokes, but we wouldn't be surprised if you told us people are starting to rely on you less because you're not starting things when you said you would.

We know it's familiar to reach for procrastination, but it's not helping you in the long run.

Polina Tankilevitch

2. Critiquing Your Appearance Like You Have A Built-In Bully In Your Ear

We couldn't decide if this should be the first self-sabotaging thing we covered, but we know it's serious enough to talk about early on. The Florida House Experience discovered almost 50% of women begin questioning their body as they age which is scary to think about. But what if you're doing that now?

It's easy; we know. Still, there's no reason to repeat negative things about yourself like you're an annoying internet bully who likes to pick fights with everyone. It's soul-crushing and puts you in a position to find new things to critique no matter how many times you swear you'll stop.

Find ways to counter whatever negative thing you're thinking. Here's a few of our tips:

  1. Instead of saying "My body doesn't look like the girls on social media," say "My body's been keeping me healthy so far and I love it for that."
  2. Instead of saying "My face is terrible because I have so much acne," say "My face is doing it's best to signal that I need to take care of something."
  3. Instead of saying, "I hate that I have to wear glasses," say "How cool is it that I get to wear something stylish that also helps me see?"

Anastasia Shuraeva

3. Treating Yourself Because "You Can't Spend It When You're Gone"

We're not financial experts whatsoever, and we honestly don't believe in restricting yourself to the point you can't ever enjoy your money. It's just you shouldn't carry recurring debt so you can have the fun you want. You could be an emotional shopper or have a huge FOMO; two things we know a lot about. Usually we'd say it doesn't matter, but your underlying why absolutely does.

The only person who can get to the root of what's causing you to spend excessively is you, though we'd also argue that a therapist and financial expert can help you even more.

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4. Not Cleaning Up After Yourself Regularly

The thing about cleaning is that you don't have to love it to do it. It's more about making sure you respect and value the space you're in more than making sure your inner child is appeasing your parents. Leave them and anyone else out of the equation for once.

Wash your dirty dishes with old food stuck to them because you want to have something clean to put your new meals on. Wash, dry, and put away your clothes because not seeing a huge pile makes you less anxious. Put your shoes in a safe space so that you stop spraining your pinky toe.

See how that works?

Liza Summer

5. Being Scared To Set Boundaries Because You Don't Want To Be "Mean"

People pleasers to the front! You're still putting everyone else's needs and emotions before your own, aren't you? We see you and think you have a beautiful heart. We also think it's time for you to stop willingly allowing yourself to shrink or feel uncomfortable because you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

A hard fact it's time to understand is that you're never going to please everyone nor should you willingly accept toxic behavior. Your best friend or sister doesn't get a pass for making passive-aggressive comments if you wouldn't let a stranger do it.

Mikhail Nilov

6. Ignoring What You've Accomplished Because You Think You Can Do Better

What are you in a rush to prove Ms. Perfectionist? That you can make your boss regret passing you over for a promotion? Maybe you think you can make your ex regret mistreating you because you've gone on to accomplish everything they said you wouldn't.

Whatever your reason for chasing the next thing is, we want you slow down and look around you. If you're able to afford your rent or mortgage, have a car to get you from point A to B, or have received work accolades, you're not failing. You are doing so much better than you give yourself credit for and it's time to recognize that.

Every time you feel like you have to chase the next big thing, you're signaling to yourself that what you have done is insignificant and it's not. The fact you get up every day to try counts so it's time to give yourself more credit!

cottonbro studio

7. Pushing Your Partner Away Because You're Afraid Of Being Hurt

Eh, we're calling ourselves out big time here. Sadly, we're guilty of being mean to our partners because we've kissed a few snakes in the past and found ourselves nursing broken hearts after getting wounded. Unfortunately, this made us carry fear from past situations into our current relationships.

If this tune sounds familiar then you're probably guilty of starting drama with your partner before they can even think about playing with your feelings. But, what if they're a genuine person who cares about you and you're just being mean? Does that seem fair? Chances are you don't even realize you're doing it which makes this one of the trickier self-sabotaging things you've been doing.

We're not here to berate you for it though because —like we said — we've been there. If you want a shot at having the healthy relationship you want, you have to put down your proverbial fists though — trust us.

Christina Morillo

8. Being Afraid To Speak Up Work Because You Think Your Ideas Are "Stupid"

Hey, Ms. "I Want A Successful Career!" You're not going to get there if you bite your tongue whenever your boss asks if anyone has fresh ideas to share. We're guilty of sitting on things too because we've been overlooked in the past, but all jobs aren't like that.

If you work with a collaborative team where people genuinely care about your input, don't be afraid to speak up. Even if all your ideas don't come to fruition, it still helps when you actively bounce ideas off your co-workers.

This is the only time you'll hear us say this, but teamwork really does make the dream work.

Vlada Karpovich

9. Turning Down Event Invites Because You're Nervous To Be Yourself

Who made you feel like you have to hide from the world when you have so much greatness inside of you? Point them out so we can have a word with them. Just kidding, sort of.

Really, we're more concerned about how many opportunities you're letting pass by because it means you'll have to actually talk to people and let them see you. It's obvious someone wants to see you if you're receiving invitations to pop-up shops, NYFW shows, and even just a friend's birthday dinner!

If you've been dreaming about rubbing shoulders with certain people in the industry you work in, put your best foot forward and show up! You've been doing the work to get to this point so don't hold back.

We promise you've got this!

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Here's The Latest Update In The Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni Legal Battle

It Ends With Us fans probably all remember where they were when news broke that Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively's rumored feud from the movie set had evolved into a full-on legal battle. While the movie released in August 2024, news continues to release in 2025 about their ongoing lawsuits.

Here's the full timeline of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's legal battle surrounding It Ends With Us.

A Definitive Timeline of The Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni Feud

Cindy Ord/Getty Images

August 6, 2024 — The It Ends With Us New York premiere

Fans first noticed something was off between the It Ends With Us cast (specifically Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni) when they realized Blake Lively, Brandon Skelnar, Jenny Slate, and Colleen Hoover don't follow Justin on Instagram. And when Justin didn't take any photos with the cast and his onscreen sister Jenny dodged a question about him? It only added fuel to the fire.

In a 2025 lawsuit (more on that later), Justin claimed that Blake “initially refused to permit his attendance.”

“The Wayfarer team and their families, including Baldoni and [producer Jamey] Heath, were segregated from the main cast, barred from the exclusive after-party, and forced to organize their own event at additional cost,” the lawsuit says. “Baldoni’s participation on the red carpet was cut short, and his family and friends were confined to a makeshift holding area in the basement before being escorted into a separate theater after Lively’s departure.”

Sony Pictures

August 8, 2024 — Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's film publicity starts to clash

The divide between Blake and Justin only appeared deeper when Blake started promoting the movie like a lighthearted rom-com, telling viewers to "grab your friends and wear your florals," while fans thought Justin took the movie's message of domestic violence awareness more seriously.

"This is a night for all the women who we made this movie for," he told ET during the premiere. "If a Lily Bloom in real life can sit in this theater and maybe make a different choice for herself than was made for her, maybe she sees herself on that screen and chooses something different for herself, that's why I made the movie."

The Hollywood Reporteralso revealed there might have been two different cuts of the movie, citing creative differences between Justin and Blake, while sources told Page Six Sony Pictures went with the "more feminine cut."

Sony Pictures Releasing

August 9, 2024 — Sources say Justin Baldoni was "borderline abusive" during filming

After THR suggested there were creative differences, source straight-up told The Daily Mail that Justin was "chauvinistic" and "borderline abusive" while the cast was filming.

Meanwhile, an It Ends With Us on-set source told Page Six that "the tension was so obvious.”

“Once [Blake] was done with the scene she was really impatient, said, ‘Am I done? Can I go?,’ and as soon as they said ‘yes,’ there was like a Blake-size hole in the wall...She was so outta there."

Blake Lively/Instagram

August 13, 2024 — Blake Lively shares domestic violence resources to Instagram

Blake Lively ended up sharing resources on August 13, offering ways her followers could get "immediate help."

"1 in 4 women aged 18 and older in the US alone have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime," she says in the Instagram story. "Intimate partner violence affects all genders, including more than 12 million people every year in the United States. Everyone deserves relationships free from domestic violence.

Sony Pictures Releasing

August 14, 2024 — TMZ reports that Blake Lively felt "fat-shamed"

By the middle of August, rumors were circulating that Justin Baldoni made Blake Lively feel uncomfortable in her postpartum body (she gave birth to baby Olin in February 2023; the movie started filming in May 2023), and that he asked an on-set trainer for her weight before he had to pick her up for a scene (although, Justin reportedly has back problems and didn't want to injure himself). Blake also reportedly felt like the actor & director lingered too long during a kissing scene.

Justin Baldoni later claimed Ryan Reynolds responded so "aggressively" that Justin "felt compelled to offer repeated apologies.”

Sony Pictures Releasing

August 20, 2024 — Brandon Sklenar breaks his silence on the It Ends With Us drama

Brandon Sklenar posted a statement to Instagram at the end of August, saying "Colleen and the women of this cast stand for hope, perseverance, and for women choosing a better life for themselves."

"What may or may not have happened behind the scenes does not and hopefully should not detract from what our intentions were in making this film," he continues. "There isn't a single person involved in the making of this film that was not aware of the responsibility we had in making this...All I ask is that before you spread hate on the internet, ask yourself who it is helping."

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

September 10, 2024 — Blake Lively was "Surprised" at the It Ends With Us drama

After the internet seemingly turned on her overnight ahead of the movie's release, a source told Peoplethat Blake Lively was "pretty surprised at the backlash and drama," which "felt out of control to her."

"She initially felt very vulnerable and upset," the source continued. "During the promotion of the movie, not one day went by when she was not in the news in an unfavorable light. She's just not used to this kind of drama."

Sony Pictures Releasing

December 4, 2024 — Justin Baldoni reveals he had a "near breakdown" after filming with Blake Lively

In an interview with the How to Fail podcast, Justin revealed just how difficult it was to decompress after playing a character like Ryle. "That was very hard and honestly, that took a few months," he says. "I had dreams as him for a while, and it lived in my body, but I think for the most part, he's out."

"I've done a lot of somatic therapy so there were times when I was actually just shaking," he continues. "There's a moment in the movie where Ryle finds Lily's phone and he finds a phone number and he's very jealous and he's heartbroken and he's angry and he doesn't harm her but you can see in his eyes how dangerous he is. After that scene, I had a near breakdown."

Sony Pictures Releasing

December 21, 2024 — Blake Lively alleges Justin Baldoni orchestrated a smear campaign in the New York Times

Blake Lively sent the internet into a tailspin when she published messages between Justin Baldoni, publicists, and legal team members in the New York Times, reporting they were behind a smear campaign against her.

Justin's lawyer Bryan Freedman told People the claims are "false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt," to which Blake's legal team held firm that "this is not a ‘feud’ arising from ‘creative differences’ or a ‘he said/she said’ situation."

“Wayfarer [Studios] and its associates engaged in unlawful, retaliatory astroturfing against Ms. Lively for simply trying to protect herself and others on a film set," the statement continues. “Sexual harassment and retaliation are illegal in every workplace and in every industry. A classic tactic to distract from allegations of this type of misconduct is to ‘blame the victim’ by suggesting that they invited the conduct, brought it on themselves, misunderstood the intentions, or even lied. Another classic tactic is to reverse the victim and offender, and suggest that the offender is actually the victim. These concepts normalize and trivialize allegations of serious misconduct."

An insider told People that Blake "still believes she's doing the right thing. She's ready to tackle whatever comes her way."

Sony Pictures Releasing

December 21, 2024 — Justin Baldoni is dropped by his agency

After Blake's accusations were published, Justin was then dropped by his agency, WME.

Shortly after, Liz Plank, a cohost on Justin's podcast Man Enough, left the show.

Cindy Ord & Lia Toby/Getty Images

December 23, 2024 — Brandon Sklenar shows support for Blake Lively

After Blake Lively's NYT piece went live, Brandon shared a screenshot to his Instagram story, writing "For the love of god read this" as the article link text.

Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Sony Pictures

December 23, 2024 — Blake Lively's Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants costars speak out

Blake's Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants costars, Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, and Amber Tamblyn, also showed support for the actress and posted a joint statement.

"As Blake's friends and sisters for over twenty years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation," the statement reads. "Throughout the filming of It Ends With Us, we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice."

"Most upsetting is the unabashed exploitation of domestic violence survivors' stories to silence a woman who asked for safety. The hypocrisy is astounding," they continue. "We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake, she can still face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe work environment. We are inspired by our sister's courage to stand up for herself and others."

Sony Pictures Releasing

December 24, 2024 — Justin Baldoni's former publicist sues him

Ahead of the Christmas holiday, Stephanie Jones, Justin's former publicist, sued him, claiming that Justin, Jennifer Abel, and Melissa Nathan really did orchestrate a smear campaign without her knowing about it.

"Defendants Abel and Nathan secretly conspired for months to publicly and privately attack Jones and Jonesworks, to breach multiple contracts and induce contractual breaches, and to steal clients and business prospects," Stephanie's complaint read. "Behind Jones' back, they secretly coordinated with Baldoni and Wayfarer to implement an aggressive media smear campaign against Baldoni's film costar, and then used the crisis as an opportunity to drive a wedge between Jones and Baldoni, and to publicly pin blame for this smear campaign on Jones — when Jones had no knowledge or involvement in it."

Sony Pictures Releasing

January 7, 2025 — Justin Baldoni's lawyer responds to the NYT piece

After the new year, Bryan Freedman, Justin Baldoni's lawyer, told People, "It is painfully ironic that Blake Lively is accusing Justin Baldoni of weaponizing the media when her own team orchestrated this vicious attack by sending The New York Times grossly edited documents prior to even filing the complaint."

"We are releasing all of the evidence which will show a pattern of bullying and threats to take over the movie," he continues. "None of this will come as a surprise because consistent with her past behavior Blake Lively used other people to communicate those threats and bully her way to get whatever she wanted. We have all the receipts and more."

Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV

January 16, 2025 — Justin Baldoni brings Taylor Swift into the conversation

Justin responded to the New York Times allegations with his own 179-page, $400 million lawsuit against Blake Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist. And the lawsuit mentions Blake's BFF, Taylor Swift.

Justin claims he was invited to a meeting in Ryan and Blake's apartment with the couple and Taylor after he didn't enthusiastically accept Blake's rewrite of a scene. He says Blake described Taylor and Ryan in a subsequent text as "embarrassingly effusive" and her "most trusted partners." She allegedly wrote, "I think they wanted you and me to see how they felt about [the rewrites] because they've been by my side for far too many experiences where I've been overlooked."

Then, according to Justin, Blake texted, "If you ever get around to watching Game of Thrones, you'll appreciate that I'm Khaleesi, and like her, I happen to have a few dragons. For better or worse, but usually for better. Because my dragons also protect those I fight for. So really we all benefit from those gorgeous monsters of mine. you will too, I can promise you."

Yeah...allegedly Taylor didn't like that.

Courtesy of Bryan Freedman

January 21, 2025 — Justin Baldoni releases a behind-the-scenes It Ends With Us video

Near the end of January, Justin's legal team released a behind-the-scenes video to "refute" Blake's claim. "The scene in question was designed to show the two characters falling in love and longing to be close to one another. Both actors are clearly behaving well within the scope of the scene and with mutual respect and professionalism."

However, Blake's team disagrees, telling Page Six that "the video itself is damning” and that “the released footage corroborates” her original lawsuit.

“The video shows Mr. Baldoni repeatedly leaning in toward Ms. Lively, attempting to kiss her, kissing her forehead, rubbing his face and mouth against her neck, flicking her lip with his thumb, caressing her, telling her how good she smells, and talking with her out of character,” the statement continues. “Every moment of this was improvised by Mr. Baldoni with no discussion or consent in advance, and no intimacy coordinator present. Mr. Baldoni was not only Ms. Lively’s co-star, but the director, the head of studio and Ms. Lively’s boss.”

Sony Pictures Releasing

January 21, 2025 — Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds seek a gag order for Justin Baldoni's lawyer

After Justin's video was released, Blake Lively's legal team sought a gag order against Justin's lawyer Bryan Freedman. Justin's legal team told People that “Justin Baldoni and team has nothing to hide" and that they "have the right to defend themselves with the truth."

“This is what we will be continuing to show with the upcoming website containing all correspondence as well as relevant videos that quash her claims.”

Cindy Ord/Getty Images/Sony Pictures Releasing

January 23, 2025 — Colleen Hoover deactivates her Instagram account

Amid the ongoing legal battle surrounding It Ends With Us, the book's author Colleen Hoover deactivated her Instagram account.

"Colleen Hoover deactivated her IG after [Justin's video] came out now idk what the hell that’s supposed to mean," one X user tweeted. And with those rumors she was considering retiring from writing, I also don't know what to think.

Cindy Ord/Getty Images

January 24, 2025 — Justin Baldoni's mom praises his "integrity"

In an Instagram post celebrating his birthday, Justin's mom reminded him that "life has its moments and also its surprises - as you keep your integrity through it all Justice and truth will shine today and into eternity."

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Michael Kors

January 28, 2025 — Justin Baldoni's apologizes to Blake Lively in leaked voice memo

In a voice memo seemingly referencing Blake Lively's It Ends With Us script rewrite, and Justin's response, the director apologized for his "fail."

He continues that while he's "a very flawed man as my wife will attest," and he's "gonna put my foot in my mouth [and] piss you off probably," he'll "always apologize and find my way back to center."

Cindy Ord/Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

January 30, 2025 — Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds move to dismiss Justin Baldoni's claim

At the end of January, Blake and Ryan made a move to dismiss Justin's original lawsuit.

Sony Pictures Releasing

February 1, 2025 — Justin Baldoni publishes 2 years' worth of texts and voice memos from It Ends With Us

Justin published TheLawsuitInfo.com, which contains both an amended complaint and full timeline of events — including text messages and emails (the latter of which seem to confirm Blake's confusing It Ends With Us costumes cost over half a million dollars).

Sony Pictures Releasing

February 3, 2025 — Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's judge warns their teams to rein in the PR war

Judge Judge Liman told both actors' teams to "rein in the public relations war outside the courtroom," according to People. He also told both lawyers they needed to work according to the New York Rules of Professional Conduct, and avoid saying anything with a "substantial likelihood" of leading the jury to have a bias one way or the other.

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

February 5, 2025 — Blake Lively gets sued (again)

At the beginning of February, Blake was sued by Jed Wallace, who was a part of Blake's own original lawsuit. Jed is looking to receive "at least $7 million and a court order stating that he didn’t engage in harassment or retaliation against the actress."

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy/Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

February 6, 2025 — Taylor Swift reportedly "feels used" by Blake Lively amid It Ends With Us feud

After those Game of Thrones texts were revealed, a source told Page Six Tay “can’t help but feel used” by Blake Lively as her legal battle with Justin Baldoni rages on, and that she “doesn’t appreciate being referred to as one of Blake’s dragons.”

Only time will tell if the singer gets deposed.

Sony Pictures Releasing

February 10, 2025 — A lawyer reveals why Justin Baldoni's website could "backfire"

Kevin Goldberg, Freedom Forum's Vice President and First Amendment expert, told Forbes why he thinks Justin's website is unexpected. "From a First Amendment point of view, that is unusual," the lawyer says. "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."

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

February 12, 2025 — Blake Lively's team files a subpoena

Blake Lively's team is prepared to bring receipts to their 2026 court date. “Ms. Lively has initiated discovery that will expose the people, tactics, and methods that have worked to ‘destroy’ and ‘bury’ her reputation and family over the past year,” Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, her lawyers, say. “We will now receive all of the ‘receipts’ that, unsurprisingly, are nowhere to be found on Mr. [Bryan] Freedman’s website, and like Ms. Lively, those ‘receipts’ will have their day in court.”

Sony Pictures Releasing

February 12, 2025 — Colleen Hoover returns to Instagram

Colleen Hoover also reactivated her Instagram on February 12 — without a photo with Justin or Blake in sight.

NBCUniversal Media

February 16, 2025 — Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds show up to SNL50 celebration

Blake and Ryan surprised us all when they showed up to the SNL50 celebration, especially when Ryan seemingly made a joke about the whole situation.

A source told People that "Blake felt a bit anxious about attending the SNL anniversary" but "she still thought it was the perfect opportunity to ease back into the spotlight."

"They had many friends attending, and as soon as they arrived, they received a warm welcome," the source continues. "It was a great event."

Sony Pictures Releasing

February 17, 2025 — Brandon Sklenar speaks on the feud

While on CBS Mornings, Brandon (who plays Atlas in the movie) said he wants "people to remember why we made the movie in the first place and what it stands for, and just keeping the focus on that." And he also revealed he's "Team It Ends With Us" when asked if he sided with Blake or Justin.

Sony Pictures Releasing/NBCUniversal

February 18, 2025 — Blake Lively files an amended complaint

Blake Lively filed an amended complaint against Justin Baldoni on February 18, alleging two other actresses were "uncomfortable" on set — and could testify. She also revealed her kids are "traumatized" by the whole experience.

Lia Toby/Getty Images

February 19, 2025 — Justin Baldoni's lawyer says Blake's claim is "underwhelming"

Bryan Freedman, Justin's lawyer, spoke on Blake's amended complaint, claiming it's full of "unsubstantial hearsay."

"Since documents do not lie and people do, the upcoming depositions of those who initially supported Ms. Lively’s false claims and those who are witnesses to her own behavior will be enlightening," he said in a statement to THR. "What is truly uncomfortable here is Ms. Lively’s lack of actual evidence."

NBCUniversal

February 19, 2025 — A resurfaced clip of Justin Baldoni reveals he was "exhausted" before Blake Lively's lawsuit

In November 2024, Justin told Gent's Talk Podcast that he "wasn't in the best place" after an "intense" year, and that he still needed to "heal."

Sony Pictures Releasing/Jamie Squire/Getty Images

February 20, 2025 — Resurfaced clips prove Taylor Swift did actually have creative involvement in It Ends With Us

Despite reports Taylor wasn't involved in the creative process for It Ends With Us, Justin revealed in a resurfaced clip from 2024 that he showed Isabela Ferrer's (young Lily) casting tape to both Blake and Taylor. “They were both, like, ‘Yes! her,'” he said. “And that’s a true story.”

"She was a helpful part of the process of the audition, which I found out later after I got it and that rocked my world," Isabela told Extra at the movie's premiere.

Check Brit + Co for the latest update on Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's feud.

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4 Reasons You're Lowkey Obsessed With How Your Friends Spend Money

Admit it: you rolled your eyes when your friend talked about scoring tickets to see Beyoncé'sRenaissance tour or Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour. You've probably even looked at her sideways when she's shared she pays 50% of her household bills because you don't think modern women should do that.

Whatever your reasoning is, you're aware that you have a habit of judging how your friend spends money and feel like you should stop. But friends shouldn't lie to each other, right? Eh, we've yet to see lying in relationships produce healthy results, but overstepping boundaries is just as worse. This is especially true if your friend doesn't always ask for your financial opinions.

Want to know why you keep doing it even though you're making your friend uncomfortable? Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Navjot "Navi" Hughesof Empower Mental Health has a few hints so pull up a chair to see what gives!

4 reasons you're lowkey obsessed with how your friends spend money

Jayda Anderson

1. You're using money as a way to compare yourself to your friend.

Seeing it worded like this sounds harsh and is sure to illicit the following responses:

  1. "Are you kidding me? I'd never do that!"
  2. "There's no comparison between my friend and I. I love them too much to do that."
  3. "It's not like I'm hurting my friend when I try to give them advice."

Even if you're not proud of it, there's a reason why comparison feels a embedded. Hughes says you're zeroing in on your friend's finances because of your "mindset." She further explains, "...we compare because money either separates you or brings you together. It's a social comparison because it's one of the most powerful tools to create the life you desire." This checks out if you and your friend are always talking about the kind of futures you want.

Here's the clincher: Hughes says, "Some are motivated by others, and some become jealous and hopeless."

Tima Miroshnichenko

2. The childhood lessons you learned about money are on full display.

Did you grow up hearing "money doesn't grow on trees" or "Anyone who doesn't save their money is being wasteful?" You may not think about it, but plays a role in how you look at other people's habits. Hughes says, "...judgment comes from our social upbringing. Some people have a scarcity mindset, so they hoard all their money." This could explain why you're less likely to spend money on things you consider frivolous while thinking your friend who does has lost a grip on reality.

The other side of this is being in a position where you didn't have to worry about money growing up. "If you are from a wealthier family, you know that money is a tool that flows." But, you're not off the hook from having negative opinions about others. You could still "judge others for not being smart and investing their money," according to Hughes.

Shaunna Levy

3. You may be jealous of your friend or annoyed with their complaints.

You can adore your friend while envying them for having the luxury to do whatever they want with their money. It's not to say they're truly in the position be carefree, but their ability to believe they'll be okay no matter what may make you see green. Then again, you may resent your friend for complaining about financial hardships they're in because of bad choices.

Like Hughes has mentioned earlier, there's so many reasons why everyone judges each other. She reiterates, "Usually, it's a place of jealousy," and it can show up differently based on your friend's circumstances.

"If your friends travel and you can't afford it, it creates discontent," she uses as an example, but "if your friends complain about not having money and bad spending habits, you may be annoyed and frustrated because their habits don't align with their perceived values," she adds.

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4. You're unable to handle the same criticism you're dishing out.

It's easy to judge others for doing something we think isn't right, but it's harder to accept the same vein of criticism. Hughes says people who consistently critique their friends' spending habits wouldn't have a hard time paying attention to their own choices if they were genuinely seeking "expert guidance on how to manage money instead of avoiding it."

For example, you could feel envious of the friend who has a good relationship with money while you're always spending it as soon as you get paid. "Some people cannot hold on to cash because they don't feel they deserve it. It's the subconscious programming that prevents them from making changes," says Hughes.

Emma Ripperdan

Here's what to do if you're truly concerned about your friend's finances

Approach the topic delicately

Sometimes we love to pose aggressive interventions with our friends because we "know" them. While this may work in some cases, it could backfire if you're adding to the guilt they're already feeling.

"If they ask for feedback or they complain in a moment, you can get curious and ask questions that allow them to realize their mistakes," suggests Hughes. Don't go thinking this is your shining moment to make your friend change, however.

"Ultimately, it's up to that person to receive feedback. If they don't want the input, it's best not to express your opinion as it doesn't impact you..." Hughes remarks.

Pavel Danilyuk

Here's how to set a firm boundary with a friend who can't keep their opinions to themselves

If you've found yourself on the receiving of constant opinions about how you spend money, we know you're annoyed. We're irritated for you because invasive questions or thoughts about money can ruin a longstanding friendship!

You can say something like, "While I appreciate your concerns, I will figure this out". You must take control of the conversation and be assertive if others are crossing a boundary. This usually reflects a lack of boundaries in relationships beyond finances- so chances are your relationship already lacks boundaries.

Need more money tips? You'll love browsing our articles about budgeting, saving money, and more!

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Yay! Sterling K. Brown's 'Paradise' Just Got Renewed For Season 2!

The only thing keeping me from being upset about A Court of Thorns and Roses TV show being canceled is how well Hulu is handling it's newest thriller, Paradise. Created by screenwriter Dan Fogelman (This Is Us) and starring Sterling K. Brown, it's a murder mystery with dystopian undertones that explores what could happen if states become uninhabitable.

Besides feeling relevant to our current timeline, Paradise has a soundtrack that rivals Strangers Things and leaves viewers wanting more. Fortunately, Hulu got the memo and renewed it for Season 2 — thank goodness!

Here's everything to know about Paradise season 2!

What is 'Paradise' about?

Disney/Brian Roedel

Paradise begins in an idyllic community where homes are picturesque, streets are clean, and everyone lives in perfect harmony. However, it doesn't take long for the peace to be disturbed when the President is discovered murdered by his trusted Secret Service agent Xavier Collins.

Before long, he begins questioning the world he and his children live in while also searching for clues about his missing wife.

Who's in the 'Paradise' cast?

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Paradise Season 1 has a stacked cast! Besides Sterling K. Brown, there's other familiar faces who help with the show's equilibrium.

  • Sterling K. Brown as Xavier Collins
  • James Marsden as President Cal Bradford
  • Julianne Nicholson as "Sinatra"
  • Krys Marshall as Robinson
  • Sarah Shahi as Dr. Gabriela Torabi
  • Jon Beavers as Billy Pace
  • Nicole Brydon Bloom as Jane Driscoll
  • Aliyah Mastin as Presley Collins
  • Percy Daggs IV as James Collins
  • Charlie Evans as Jeremy Bradford
  • Richard Robichaux as Carl

What's happened in 'Paradise' so far?

Disney/Brian Roedel

Wow, where do I begin?!

After it was revealed that the community he and everyone else lives in has been artificially created due to a disaster, the brief moments of unease Collins shows begins making sense. It's clear he and President Cal ended on bad terms before his death, but it doesn't seem like he was responsible for murdering the man he was sworn to protect.

What's odd is that Sinatra, the mastermind behind the beautiful community they live in, has been playing puppet master. She ordered the deaths of scientists sent to the surface to test the air quality AND she made sure Agent Billy was blindsided by his love interest's manipulation. Upsettingly, his murderer is none other than seemingly docile and clueless Agent Jane.

Viewers were also introduced to President Cal's father and were able to see how much he never wanted to be the face of the country. Though his father appears to have dementia, it's clear he feels guilty about something and may have seen who killed his son.

When is the 'Paradise' season finale?

Disney/Brian Roedel

There's only two episodes of Paradise left with the finale premiering on Hulu March 4!

When does 'Paradise' season 2 premiere?

Disney/Brian Roedel

Now comes the fun part! After getting the green light from Hulu to continue giving us heart palpitations, Paradise is officially coming back for season 2. Not only that, but the entire season will appear on ABC April 7 at 10:00 p.m. (via The Hollywood Reporter).

How many seasons of 'Paradise' will there be?

Disney/Brian Roedel

Dan Fogelman already knows what he wants to do with Paradise! He said, "I have a plan for three seasons of the show. Without giving away too much, each season of the show is a slightly different show, within the same show with the same characters," (via The Hollywood Reporter).

You can watch the 6 episodes you've miss on Hulu right now!

For more exciting entertainment news, be sure to follow us on Facebook so you never miss a thing!

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7 Mistakes To Avoid At Costco That Are Costing You Money

While shopping at Costco can feel like a total treasure hunt, you might just be making some major shopping mistakes along the way that put your membership at risk. If you’re looking to keep your grocery budget in order and discover only the best that Costco has to offer, you’ll want to keep reading for the most common mistakes to avoid when shopping there.

Before you embark on your next trip, here are 7 mistakes you don’t want to make at Costco.

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1. Going in without a plan

Costco is huge, so going in without a plan or a grocery list can turn overwhelming pretty quickly. If you’re not the type to get overwhelmed, then you probably get super excited about all Costco has to offer instead – and while it's so easy to go shopping-crazy and buy large quantities of items there, you should be strategic about what Costco items you’ll actually use, when you’ll use them, and more importantly, how to store them all when you get home!

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2. Assuming all prices are good

This one is a big no-no, especially if you’re watching your budget. Just because something is at Costco doesn't always mean it's the best deal! Smaller quantities or sales at other major grocery stores can be cheaper per unit, so make sure to check the posted unit price at Costco to ensure you're getting the best value.

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3. Skipping the gas station

If you’re paying for a Costco membership, you don’t want to skip the gas pump! Costco’s gas prices are often significantly lower – so it’s worth filling up before (or after) each shopping trip. The same principle goes for more of Costco’s additional services like travel discounts, optical care, hearing aids, and the auto shop.

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4. Avoiding free samples

Sorry, but you’re simply crazy if you don’t indulge in free samples! Costco;’s free sample booths can be a great way to try new products before fully committing to bulk purchases. Plus, they can be a nice power-up during your shopping trip!

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5. Shopping in peak hours

If you also despise people-y grocery shopping trips, you’re going to want to avoid visiting Costco during peak hours. Costco can get extremely crowded, especially on weekends and weekday evenings. If you can pull it off, shop during off-peak hours (early mornings on weekdays) to avoid long lines and congested aisles.

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6. Forgetting bags or storage bins

Longtime Costco members may already know this, but if you’re new to the Costco life, it’s important to remember that Costco doesn’t provide traditional shopping bags. It’s a good idea to bring your own reusable bags or have storage bins (like boxes) prepped and ready in your car for easy loading and unloading. Oftentimes, though, Costco will supply the boxes from emptied products.

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7. Skipping the food court

The Costco food court offers some of the cheapest and most filling meals around. We could eat there every day of the week, TBH. When you take the $1.50 hot dogs and $3.99 chicken bakes into consideration, that’s pretty good. Don’t miss out!

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