A couple moves boxes into their new home
Picture it: you buy a new home knowing it's a bit of a fixer upper, but it's yours. You're expecting to move in slowly while you work on the house, but when you make your way to your new-to-you home, someone is already living there. Or maybe you're selling a home that's been sitting vacant and when the realtor gets there to show the property, someone has moved in. What do you do?
The logical answer would be to call the police because, clearly, there are intruders in your home who have made it their own. You have all the paperwork showing you own the property so it should be a no brainer. Wrong.
Marco Velazquez had this very situation happen when trying to sell a vacant home that he owns. When he reached out to the local authorities, he was informed that the people who moved into his home unlawfully cannot be forced out.
Under the current law in Illinois where the incident took place, squatters have rights and the police cannot forcibly remove squatters from the home. It's unclear if the squatters were scammed or if they were aware the property was not legally theirs as they presented police officers with mortgage paperwork, but the mortgage company listed did not exist.
Row of boarded-up homesCanva
No matter how the couple came about living in the home, it wasn't legally theirs. There needed to be a resolution, but they weren't interested in leaving. That's when the homeowner decided to come up with something a little out of the box: Velazquez decided if the people in his home couldn't be removed, they'd be getting a new roommate–him.
"I said I'm not moving out and I said at one point they gotta leave, they gotta get tired of us being in the property. I called a couple of friends to stay overnight and I knew they were not gonna like that," Velazquez says to ABC 7 Chicago.
The homeowner moved in with his wife and several friends, bringing air mattresses and blankets determined to tire out the squatters. However, it quickly became apparent that the illegal tenants were not planning to move out. In actuality, the morning after Velazquez moved in, the squatters demanded he pay them $8,000 for them to move out. While the stunt of moving in with squatters was a Hail Mary, Velazquez knew that the arrangement wasn't safe and heard stories of squatters staying for months.
A man walks down a alleyCanva
Instead of continuing to wait out the squatters, the man started negotiations with the couple to get them out of his house so it could be sold. He paid the couple $4,300 to leave his home. Shortly after the pair moved out, he learned that the woman had previously been arrested after squatting in someone else's home. Velazquez is hoping that he can also bring charges against the woman and her male partner for squatting in his home.
"We didn't want to give them money but we heard really bad stories about squatters taking over properties six, eight, ten months, even a year," Velazquez says. "I heard stories before about squatters. I never thought it was going to happen to me."
- YouTube www.youtube.com
This article originally appeared earlier this year. It has been updated.
Imagine if this kind of joy had a bigger place in the world.
You might recall Marcos Alberti's mega-viral "3 Glasses" project from 2016, in which he photographed people after they had consumed one, two, and then three glasses of wine. The series was impactful in part because it showed the physical transformation that comes from being relaxed after some wine. That, and it touched on a common curiosity. Haven’t we all wondered if we look as different as we feel after getting a little tipsy? (Spoiler alert: the answer is yes.)
Using a very similar format to “3 Glasses,” as well as the elements of lightheartedness, novelty, and rawness that made it so special, Alberti utilizes his photography to delve into a topic much less discussed: women’s sexual wellness.
The concept is simple: photograph women before, during, and after an orgasm. You can see why he calls this the “O” project.
Despite the subject matter, Alberti assures viewers that the intention wasn’t to be explicit, or even erotic, for that matter. The 20+ women who participated, of varying ethnicities and varying levels of sexually liberated versus conservative countries of origin, were completely covered below the waist while using personal massagers.
“The underlying message: all women deserve to be in control of their sexuality, no matter their background. Women should be free to be empowered by–and have a little fun with–their sexuality,” Alberti wrote on his website.
Similarly, Fan Yang, Global Brand Manager of Smile Makers (a sexual wellbeing brand that partnered with Alberti for this project) noted that the goal was to break through stigma and show female pleasure in a positive, healthy light. The hope is that not only society normalizes female pleasure, but that women themselves connect to their sexuality without “shame and secrecy.”
Given that all the women who participated were “in awe” seeing themselves “glowing and radiant” in their final photo, as Yang put it, it feels safe to say mission: accomplished.
Take a look:
An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com
An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com
An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com
An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com
An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com
An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com
An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com
An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com
An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com
An O Project participant. marcosalberti.com
In a video posted to YouTube, we get a behind-the-scenes look at Alberti’s process. Welcoming the models in, setting up his camera behind a curtain for privacy, talking them through the process, making them feel safe and comfortable, etc.
We also get to see the “awe” that Yang spoke of. It’s palpable.
“Initially, I was still apprehensive… [with] a lot of worry. And this one [referring to the final image] is like “Ha! Life is beautiful!” one woman shared, grinning ear-to-ear.
- YouTube www.youtube.com
We can talk ad nauseam about how women’s pleasure shouldn’t be a taboo subject, about how it’s a natural, vital part of her overall wellbeing, how it can lead to better mood, heart health, immune function, sleep, intimacy, self-esteem…yadda, yadda yadda…but there’s nothing like actually witnessing its semi-miraculous powers firsthand. It’s one of the things that make photography so powerful. We feel something raw and honest on a visceral level, so that we can THEN talk about it with empathy and understanding. It’s clear that Alberti knows this on a deep level and is using that knowledge for something truly good.
Be sure to follow Alberti (@marcos_alberti ) on Instagram to keep up-to-date with all his work.
A couple talking over coffee.
Many people find making small talk to be an excruciating experience. They think it’s boring to talk with a stranger about the weather, sports, or weekend plans. They may also feel like they don’t have anything to contribute to the conversation, or they don’t understand the point of having one in the first place.
However, those who excel at making small talk have a tremendous advantage in their professional and romantic relationships, as well as forming new friendships. Most importantly, small talk is a window to transition into medium talk or, eventually, deep, meaningful conversations. The problem is that many people get stuck in small talk, and things stall before progressing to something beneficial.
Two women chatting in front of a fire. Credit: Atlantic Ambience/Pexels
The great thing is that, like anything, making small talk is a skill that we can all improve by learning some simple conversation techniques. One technique that is great for keeping a conversation going, like hitting a ball back and forth past a net in tennis, is a simple statement:
"It reminds me of…”
A Redditor recently shared some great examples of how the phrase can be used to turn a mundane topic, such as the weather, into something much more fun:
Them: "It's been really rainy, huh?"
You:
Option 1 (Personal Story): "Yeah, it reminds me of a time I went on a run in the rain and nearly got hit by a car."
Option 2 (Music / Pop Culture): "It reminds me of every Adele song. When I'm driving, I feel like I'm in a music video."
Option 3 (Family): "It reminds me of my dad, he used to love playing with us in the rain as kids."
Option 4 (Thing you watched / World News): "It reminds me of this documentary I saw where they're trying to make it rain in the Sahara Desert.”
Option 5 (Place you lived): “It reminds me of when I lived in Australia, it barely ever rained there. I actually love this weather.”
- YouTube www.youtube.com
You see in this example that using “It reminds me of…” opened up the conversation to five potential new and more exciting topics. The “You” in the story could have responded with, “Yeah, it sure is rainy,” and the conversation would have ended right there. But instead, branching off the topic of rain into something a bit deeper took the conversation to the next level. You get extra points if you can take the “reminds me of” into a topic that you assume the other person will be interested in.
Using “this reminds me of…” is also a polite way to move the topics in another direction, especially when it's a topic that you don’t want to discuss or one that makes you feel a bit uncomfortable. Or, if it’s a situation where the other person is monologuing on one topic for a very long time, this makes it easy to transition away from their diatribe.
Two guys chat at a cafe. Credit: Helena Lopes/Pexels
Ultimately, the phrase is an excellent way for you to save the person you’re talking to from being stuck in the small talk rut as well. It shows you understand that when someone brings up the weather, they are merely getting things started with something both of you have in common. They probably don’t want to talk about the weather for 30 minutes, unless they are a meteorologist. “It reminds me of…” is an invitation to go a bit deeper and shows the other person that you’d like to learn more about them.
This article originally appeared in April. It has been updated.
A woman apologizing.
You messed up, and now it’s time to fess up and apologize. Apologies can be tough because you want to appear genuine so that you can start healing the relationship. Depending on the mistake, a simple sorry just won’t do. So, how do you craft your apology so it has the greatest chance of being accepted? The key is to be incredibly intentional with your word choice.
A recent study published in the British Journal of Psychology found that people sound the most sincere when apologizing if they use longer words than they usually would. “This paper shows that individuals produce longer words in their apologies than in their non-apologetic communication, presumably to express the effort they are willing to exert to express their remorse and/or correct the situation,” the researchers wrote. “Correspondingly, individuals interpret apologies with longer words as more apologetic.”
In plain English, the researchers found that using longer words in your apology than you would typically use makes the person you are apologizing to believe that you are truly sorry. The key here is for you to consider how you present yourself as a speaker. If you don’t usually use big words, you won’t have to stretch your vocabulary too far. However, suppose you typically speak as if you have a doctorate in English literature with a minor in linguistics. In that case, it's going to be a bit harder to find the perfect verbiage for your apology.
A woman rejecting a man's apology.via Canva/Photos
If you usually would have said, “I'm really sorry,” you'd do better by saying, “I'm genuinely sorry.”
If you usually say, “I am incredibly sorry,” you’d have a better chance of it being accepted if you said, “I am tremendously sorry.”
Let’s take things up a level so you can be a master at apologizing. To be even more convincing, use words that are longer and aren’t used as frequently in regular day-to-day conversation. If you were apologizing for being a bit snappy with someone and would usually apologize with, “I did not mean to be so hostile,” instead, try, “I did not mean to respond in a confrontational manner.”
A man and woman hugging.via Canva/Photos
Why does using longer words that are less common in everyday conversation make you more convincing when apologizing? Linguists believe that most people try to minimize the effort they put into choosing the words they use, just as they don’t put a lot of thought into interpreting what they hear. Therefore, when you appear to put a lot of thought into your word choice while also putting yourself through the strain of pronouncing extra syllables, you always seem to be more thoughtful and genuine. The person you’re apologizing to is saying to themselves, “They’re using big words that I don’t hear very often; they must have put a lot of thought into what they are saying. They must really be genuine.”
Ultimately, the researchers discovered that, like many aspects of life, effort is crucial. When people see that you’ve invested a lot in your apology, they take notice and just may give you the benefit of the doubt. Unless, of course, if this is the tenth time you’re apologizing for the same thing, then there is no word long enough to seem genuine.
Harry Styles running in the Berlin Marathon.
Harry Styles has impressed us yet again—but this time, it wasn't with an acoustic cover of "Ultralight Beam" or on the red carpet with his audacious fashion choices. The three-time Grammy winner proved that when it comes to athletic achievement, he's not another celebrity dabbling in fitness for Instagram likes. He's the real deal.
His marathon-running prowess is nothing short of phenomenal.
In early 2025, fans and athletes were stunned by Styles' performance at the Tokyo marathon, where he finished with a time of 3 hours and 24 minutes. Even more impressive, he demonstrated impeccable even split-timing: one of the most coveted and analyzed aspects of distance running, in which the runner maintains consistent pacing throughout the entire race.
Now, six months later, Styles has beaten his own marathon time by nearly 25 minutes.
In September 2025, the "Watermelon Sugar" singer ran in the Berlin Marathon and clocked an absolutely mind-blowing time of 2 hours, 59 minutes, and 13 seconds. And it's not just his millions of fans who are impressed: athletes and seasoned marathon runners are also quick to praise Styles' expertise.
"Running a marathon in under three hours is considered an incredible accomplishment in the running community. Statistically, fewer than 5% of all finishers worldwide can run [sub-three-hour] marathons," explains Dr. Joey Masri, in an exclusive interview with Upworthy.
Dr. Masri earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in 2016 and holds Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist credentials (CSCS). He's also the owner of Vice City Sports Medicine in Miami, Florida, where he develops personalized treatment plans that help patients achieve performance goals.
Harry Styles achieved his historic run time through hard work and intentional training.Photo credit: Canva
"It may seem that Harry Styles just ran faster, and while that's true, the reality is more complex," he adds. "To reduce run time dramatically in such a relatively short period, careful planning and intentional training are required."
Let's put Harry's achievement into perspective. Sub-three-hour marathons are the holy grail for recreational runners, a benchmark that separates serious athletes from the pack.
To achieve this, Dr. Masri says that Styles would have had to maintain a pace of six minutes and 50 seconds per mile for the entire marathon, which is "incredibly fast" for many recreational runners.
"This feat requires strong mental discipline, cardiovascular endurance, and running economy. The slightest form of inefficiency can cost precious minutes and compound over the course of a 26.2-mile run," Dr. Masri reveals. "Additionally, pacing can matter a great deal, as starting out too fast means burning out sooner, while starting too slow unnecessarily wastes time."
However, what makes his performance even more remarkable is the consistency. During his Tokyo Marathon debut, Styles ran the first half in 1 hour 42 minutes and 3 seconds, then completed the second half in 1 hour 42 minutes and 4 seconds—achieving nearly perfect even splits. This level of pacing precision is something that takes even experienced marathoners years to master. In Berlin, he maintained this incredible consistency, running the first half in 1:29:08 and the second half in 1:30:06.
For running coach and personal trainer Amanda Grimm (who is a part of the WeRun Network, an online portal that connects runners in the U.K. with running coaching), the conditions Harry ran in also add to his remarkable success.
"It's worth noting that the Styles' sub-3 marathon was achieved in quite tough conditions," she tells Upworthy. "It was a warm and humid day in Berlin, making his achievement all the more impressive… [and] Harry ran with remarkably even splits, demonstrating a discipline and maturity as a runner that has served him well."
So, how does a global superstar find time to train for marathon excellence while maintaining a full-fledged career that spans music, film, and sold-out worldwide tours? By training with the right people and approaching workouts with the same dogged intensity he brings to his art.
Styles trained under the guidance of Thibo David, a former British special forces member and professional fighter who specializes in peak performance training. David, who worked with Styles from 2018 to 2021, preparing him for his Love On Tour shows, designed a comprehensive program that would make even elite athletes sweat.
Harry's strength training included kettlebells.Photo credit: Canva
"When I first started training Harry, I wasn't thinking 'marathon finisher,' but peak performance was always the goal,' David told Running Magazine. "Whether training for a world tour, a film role, or a marathon, the same principles apply: structure, smart recovery, and long-term resilience."
The training wasn't solely focused on logging miles. David incorporated boxing-inspired workouts, kettlebell swings, jumping lunges, and sprint intervals—all designed to build the kind of power and endurance needed for marathon success. One marathon-specific workout included a 10- to 20-minute warm-up jog, followed by a fast one-mile run (Harry's personal best: 5 minutes and 13 seconds). This was followed by an eight-minute challenge consisting of 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, and 100 air squats, completed with hill sprints and a cool-down.
Phew. Aren't you tired just reading that?
Trainers and exercise physiologists are captivated by Styles' 25-minute improvement in such a short timeframe.
"Harry Styles' jump from three hours and 24 minutes to under three hours is remarkable because that kind of improvement gets harder the faster you are," says Dr. Masri. "Once you're in the mid-3s, every extra minute shaved off takes real discipline, smart training, and resilience. This feat simply does not happen by accident or luck."
- YouTube www.youtube.com
He believes that, to achieve such a dramatic improvement in less than half a year, Styles' training schedule would have likely included:
Dr. Masri adds, "expert coaching likely played a role as well, as marathon training is complex and requires a series of building, peaking, and tapering phases, which need to be meticulously planned to prevent overtraining and ensure the best possible position to succeed come race day."
Styles' journey offers practical inspiration for anyone with marathon dreams. His success stemmed from innovative training, consistency, and a supportive environment.
- YouTube www.youtube.com
Key takeaways for marathon runners:
Styles' marathon success is validation that with the right approach, dedication, and support, dramatic athletic improvements are possible for nearly everyone. And his journey from pop stardom to sub-three-hour marathoner proves that excellence in one field can translate to greatness in another when approached with the same tenacity and level of commitment.
The timing couldn't be better, too. Marathon participation has been growing steadily, and having a beloved global icon like Harry Styles could spark an even further interest in the sport among millions of young people who never considered distance running.
Achieving a sub-three-hour marathon finishing time doesn't happen just by luck. "Doing it in just six months, while juggling the demands of touring and public life, makes it even more impressive. It shows he wasn't just dabbling in running; he committed fully and embraced it," shares Dr. Masri. "As a strength coach, this result shows me that he brings real intention, genuine commitment, and a strong work ethic, and his results speak for themselves."
So, whether it's running your first marathon, learning a new skill, or making a significant life change, the next time you're wondering if you have what it takes to chase a seemingly far-off goal, remember Harry Styles lacing up those shoes and putting in the miles. One step at a time, again and again, until he crossed the Berlin Marathon finish line in under three hours.
