Self-soothing for adult sleep with stuffed animals."I rediscovered the habit of sleeping with stuffed animals in the terrifying early days of the pandemic, when I grabbed a polar bear from my childhood bedroom to ward off the onslaught of bad news and fear. I had never been particularly attached to him as a kid—but he was the perfect size to hold in my anxious adult arms," writes Sarah Gannett in the New York Times It is no surprise she reached for the polar bear in a time of heightened stress. Max Genecov, author of New York Times Magazine ode to his plush friends and a clinical graduate student in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, says stuffed animals are transitional objects: a psychological term often used with regard to children for an item that provides comfort during times of anxiety or change. “Kids love stuffed animals. It’s because they’re cosy and... just personified enough to provide a bit of social comfort. That’s a great way for kids to self-soothe. We adults do the same thing.” says Jade Wu, board-certified sleep psychologist and researcher at Duke University School of Medicine. She began sleeping with her older child’s stuffed alligator during pregnancy, when it soothed her after vivid nightmares and also made side-sleeping more comfortable by helping to support her growing belly. While adult sleep and stuffed animals have not been studied specifically, these studies show the importance of self-soothing for adults: "I couldn’t name a single other grown-up who shared this bedtime routine, but maybe that’s because I didn't divulge it: talking with friends and coworkers about mattress toppers or humidifiers is easier than discussing the childlike whimsy of a stuffed polar bear. Once I asked them, however, I was flooded by enthusiastic responses and tender insights into people’s stuffed seals, amoebas, pickles, and hedgehogs (even robots)." Stuffed animals help establish a calming bedtime routine, which is "probably the single most important thing in getting a better night of sleep," says Jennifer Goldschmied, assistant professor of psychiatry at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She encourages patients to embrace any practice—from reading to picking sheets they love—that teaches them to associate bedtime with comfort and relaxation instead of with anxiety. Over time, performing the same rituals helps to transition the body into a restful state and leads the brain to expect sleep. My sleep routine? After I finish reading a book or gaming on my phone, I cuddle my sheepdog "Smokey" and close my eyes. :) |
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That's why art is amazing. You don't have to like it. You don't have to agree with it. You don't gave to understand it. Art is first and foremost for the artist. To express an idea, a concept or a theme. You saying, "my 3 year old could do it" - but they haven't done it. We laugh at what we don't understand. It's OK not to understand art. But maybe you can feel into what art is - with curiosity and an open mind. And then go and create your own Teresa Joy Mack Craft Conscious CIC - Grief Consultancy & Education |
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People are tired of inauthentic, generic marketing - they crave real connection. Ad.The online world is noisier than ever. Attention spans are shrinking, marketing is becoming more automated, and businesses are struggling to stand out. Most marketing advice pushes businesses to follow rigid templates, rely on ‘bro-marketing’ tactics, or outsource their thinking entirely. That’s why now - more than ever - words that truly connect are the key to success. That’s where Copy College® comes in. I teach a different approach - one that’s rooted in authenticity, emotional connection, and trust. Copy College® teaches members how to write in a way that feels like them - so their audience actually listens (and buys). Because people don’t buy from a list of features. They buy when they feel something. I help business owners who want to sell their offers without feeling pushy. We embrace AI as a tool, but never as a replacement for creativity, thinking, or the human touch that makes great copy truly convert. Why this matters right now: Businesses need copy that feels natural, not forced. AI is a powerful tool, but using it to replace creativity leads to generic, forgettable marketing. Instead, AI should enhance creativity, and keep your unique, authentic voice.
Copy College® is more than a membership - it’s a community moving towards better, more human marketing. Because when you communicate with clarity and confidence, you don’t just grow your business - you change the way people feel about it. And that changes everything! |
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The face of a doll, the face of yourself.Amy Jandrisevits, former pediatric oncology social worker from Wisconsin, USA, creates custom dolls for children with disabilities through her nonprofit, A Doll Like Me. These handmade dolls reflect each child’s unique features—such as limb differences, birthmarks, scars, or medical devices—so they can see themselves represented in their toys. Amy started the project in 2015 after noticing that children with disabilities couldn’t find dolls that looked like them. Since then, she’s made over 500 dolls for kids around the world. Each one takes about five hours to create and is given to families free of charge, thanks to donations. Her work has been widely praised for promoting inclusion and boosting children’s self-esteem. Healthcare professionals say the dolls help kids process trauma and better understand their identity. Everyone Should Be Able to Look Into the Face of a Doll and See Their Own. "We tend to minimize the importance of "seeing yourself" and downplay how this lack of representation plays out in a child's life - particularly in one of the most powerful industries in the world. The toy industry!" - Amy Jandrisevits. A Doll Like Me is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. |
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Bethan's Rock in Poole Museum.In August 2019, a young girl named Bethan visited Poole Museum in Dorset, England, with her mother. Inspired by the exhibits and a conversation about the purpose of museums, Bethan decided to donate her most treasured possession—a small rock—to the museum. She requested that it be placed behind glass so others could appreciate it as she did. The museum staff honored her heartfelt request, and the rock was displayed in a glass case on the second floor, labeled “Bethan’s Rock.” Bethan’s Rock quickly became a beloved exhibit, capturing the imagination of visitors and the online community alike. Photos of the display and its touching backstory went viral on platforms like Reddit and Instagram. Many praised the museum’s gesture as a beautiful example of how institutions can nurture curiosity and inclusivity. The story resonated widely, showing how even simple contributions can inspire meaningful connections. In response to the overwhelming positive attention, Poole Museum expanded its geological exhibits, introducing a gallery that features rocks with interesting stories and encourages young minds to engage with cultural spaces. "Thank you for sharing, we’re glad to see everyone loves Bethan’s Rock as much as we do! We’re excited to have it back on display when we reopen after a huge development. Be sure to follow us for more updates!" - Poole Museum Source: This How Things Work. |
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Your energy can cast like Arcane Spells. Ad.When you feel like you're always running on empty, constantly overextended, with no idea how you can be everything to everyone, you're on a one-way track to burnout. Melissa Cox is energy witch/coach witch to AuDHD parents: "I could absolutely tell you how to fix some things in your life with strategies and accommodations (and we do that) but I also want you to know how to do it yourself. When you know why you're already overwhelmed, you can pick apart how to be less so - and place energetic boundaries around maintaining your own peace." Inspired by Spoon Theory, Dungeons 'n' and energy work, the Arcane Energy System gamifies being mindful and finding ways to be intentional with your actual capacity each day. |
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"Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable." Cesar A. Cruz Mexican poet and academic. |
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