The 8 best holiday movies to watch while you’re bunkering down with your family

Almost nothing improves a family gathering like a great movie.

Oct 19, 2024

Photo credit: Array – Array

We’ve all been there. And even if we haven’t, we can imagine the scene: Sitting around with your family on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and even respective holiday in between. There are countless opportunities for joy and connection but also equal opportunities for boredom and awkwardness during times when we are supposed to be savoring the season and the company of those closest to us.

Sometimes those trying times are as simple as lacking a shared pop culture moment to laugh, cry and be inspired by in each other’s company. In that spirit, we’ve come up with eight of our favorite holiday films. After all, everyone loves a good movie. Still, not everyone is down to watch the same Christmas movies. And some people, frankly, aren’t fans of them at all. But let me assure you, these films cut across religious, generational, gender and cultural boundaries.

So, sit back, load up your Amazon Video account (or other streaming service) and check one of these films out. Even if you’ve already seen them 100 times, they can take an entirely new meaning and experience when viewed through the holiday lens, especially in the shared company of our families and closest friends.

8. Love, Actually

The 2003 romantic comedy has steadily risen up the ranks to become quite possibly the number one current holiday movie. It was an international hit during its initial run but has gained steam, especially over the past 5 years. Much like The Office and Friends, this movie has become a cultural phenomenon with people who were too young to see it when it first aired. If you’re under 30, it’s truly bizarre and delightful to see Andrew Lincoln in a deeply romantic role. It’s just as weird as it was for those of us who primarily knew him as a big softie before he became the zombie slaughtering, ex-cop protagonist of The Walking Dead. And that’s just up top. With an absolutely packed cast that included Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley, Emma Thompson and Colin Firth, it’s a film you can watch over and over again. It’s just naughty enough for the jaded lovers and sweet and wholesome enough for anyone who needs a powerful, transformational love story around the holidays. And honestly, who doesn’t need that right now?

Watch it Now: Love, Actually, $8.99; on Amazon

7. Die Hard

You’re damn right it’s a Christmas movie. Some people like to pretend there’s still a debate about that. Well, “some people” can go walk barefoot across a floor of glass. Just kidding! The movie that spawned an entire generation of cinematic knockoffs, “Die Hard … but in space!” holds up incredibly well. At the time, Bruce Willis was the co-star of the 80’s sitcom sensation Moonlighting. His co-star Cybil Shephard was the one with the Hollywood bonafides. That rapidly changed after Die Hard burst onto the scene. It’s funny, grounded and full of some really great action. And yes, there’s even a “Ho, Ho, Ho” thrown in there for good measure. Don’t be distracted by the subpar sequels that have been churned out in recent years, the original is an all-time classic. There’s even a genuine tale of romantic strife thrown in there for good measure. In fact, love is at the very center of what propels Willis’ John McClane into action. So, when you put it that way, Die Hard isn’t just a Christmas movie, IT’S A LOVE STORY.

Watch it Now: Die Hard, $7.99; on Amazon

6. The Nightmare Before Christmas

If you’ve already seen it, then you know. And if you haven’t, you’re understandably on the fence. Trust us, we get it. We were very late to the game on this one. That said, it’s become an annual holiday must-see in our home ever since. Like some of the best Christmas tales, this one is truly bizarre from the opening scene to the final credits. It’s covered in Tim Burton’s elegant madness throughout and Danny Elfman’s soundtrack is an all-time classic. And the stop motion animation that powers the film is both an homage to films of early Hollywood while simultaneously creating a cutting edge style that has proven influential across film, television and even video games ever since. We’d still love to see a sequel of spinoff, just don’t set it during Halloween. Thats too obvious. The Fever Dream Before Easter? Where do we sign up?

Watch is Now: The Nightmare Before Christmas, $3.99; on Amazon

5 Elf

This might be the most easily crowd pleasing selection on our list. Released the same year as Love, Actually it was another movie that was a sizable hit at the time before exploding into all-time holiday film status in the ensuing years. Will Ferrell has made an entire career out of playing cynical and twisted characters but Elf is a reminder that his earliest roles were centered around surprisingly innocent characters with hearts of gold. As wholesome as it is, Elf relevant enough to sneakily draw in your emo niece. The movie is so universal that when a relative of mine “won” a narwhal ornament inspired by the film, she was genuinely confused and a little annoyed. I suggested she watch the movie before tossing the little trinket in the trash. This year? She brought it back to the gift exchange only to steal it back. Some people need to make a point.

Watch it Now: Elf (plus bonus features), $14.99; on Amazon

4. Gremlins

Some people describe Gremlins as one of the great “anti-Christmas” Christmas movies. We disagree. Gremlins is a proper Christmas movie to its core. It’s values are so classic they are almost revolutionary as our main character and his family learn a lesson about appreciating relationships over materialism. Yeah, there’s some death and destruction along the way. But also plenty of laughs. When Spike and his fellow Gremlins gather at the town theater for an evil movie marathon, the hijinks and tension hit incredible highs. Gizmo has some serious competition in Baby Yoda but remains one of the cutest characters of all-time.

Watch it Now: Gremlins, $6.99; on Amazon

3. Christmas Vacation

Chevy Chase was once the most popular comedic actor in the world. Just let that sink in. By the time 1989 rolled around, his Vacation series was seemingly out of steam. Yes, the original National Lampoon’s Vacation is an all-time comedy classic and European Vacation has its fans as well. But along the way, Chase starred in a number of downright clunkers. Christmas Vacation surprised audiences with its sweet, naughty and yes, funny, moments that have made it become the most-viewed in the series. Co-star Beverly D’Angelo is there to humor Chase’s Clark Griswold character and their characters have become prototypes for two generations of comedy families. There’s additional star power in tow with Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki showing up as the ever-changing roster of Griswold children.

Watch it Now: Christmas Vacation, $14.99; on Amazon

2. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Sure, we could have gone with any number of traditional classics here like A Christmas Story but The Lord of the Rings is quite possibly the best movie, or rather, series of films, to binge watch during the holiday season. Fire up Fellowship of the Ring around Thanksgiving, move on to The Two Towers around Christmas and then wrap up with the epic finale Return of the King right before the New Year. You won’t be disappointed. And while this series literally has nothing to do with the holidays on the surface, its absolutely driven by themes that personify the holiday season: family, resurrection, quiet heroism, magic and the power of tradition. There’s not much else that needs to be said about this absolutely incredible series of films.

Watch it Now: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, $6.99; on Amazon

1. It’s a Wonderful Life

The most obvious, traditional choice is suddenly the most revolutionary in some senses. While Gremlins gets tagged as the ultimate “anti-Christmas” Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life truly embodies the simple morality that is the best of the holiday season at its core. There’s nothing cynical or winking here. It’s all heart. The difficult personal themes explored throughout the film held it to being a modest success upon its release. But it’s been an absolute juggernaut for decades now. We’re recommending the more recent black & white restoration of the film, and especially the 4k version if you have the capacity in your home theater system. But like the film itself stresses, humble and simple is often best and you don’t need a killer screen or sound system to absorb every ounce of depth from this one. When you’re sitting around with those relatives or friends that we often take for granted, hold out for the inscription George finds at the end of his journey: “Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.” Life is all about relationships and the holidays are a great time to rekindle and deepen the bonds that bring us true happiness.

Watch it Now: It’s a Wonderful Life (Black & White version), $7.99; on Amazon

Upowrthy may receive a percentage of revenue from items purchased that are mentioned in this article

This article originally appeared on 12.29.19

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In Partnership With Habitat For Humanity →

Homeowners celebrate the completion of their new home in Cambodia's Siem Reap Province alongside Habitat for Humanity volunteers and staff.

Culture, Family

A safe, stable home can change lives for the better. Here’s how Habitat for Humanity wants to make that possible for everyone.

Better health, better jobs, and a brighter future all start with access to a safe, affordable home.

Sarah Watts

3/25/2026
A single door can open up a world of endless possibilities. For homeowners, the front door of their house is a gateway to financial stability, job security, and better health. Yet for many, that door remains closed. Due to the rising costs of housing, 1 in 3 people around the world wake up without the security of safe, affordable housing.

Since 1976, Habitat for Humanity has made it their mission to unlock and open the door to opportunity for families everywhere, and their efforts have paid off in a big way. Through their work over the past 50 years, more than 65 million people have gained access to new or improved housing, and the movement continues to gain momentum. Since 2011 alone, Habitat for Humanity has expanded access to affordable housing by a hundredfold.

A world where everyone has access to a decent home is becoming a reality, but there’s still much to do. As they celebrate 50 years of building, Habitat for Humanity is inviting people of all backgrounds and talents to be part of what comes next through Let’s Open the Door, a global campaign that builds on this momentum and encourages people everywhere to help expand access to safe, affordable housing for those who need it most. Here’s how the foundation to a better world starts with housing, and how everyone can pitch in to make it happen.

Volunteers raise a wall for the framework of a new home during the first day of building at Habitat for Humanity’s 2025 Carter Work Project.

Globally, almost 3 billion people, including 1 in 6 U.S. families, struggle with high costs and other challenges related to housing. A crisis in itself, this also creates larger problems that affect families and communities in unexpected ways. People who lack affordable, stable housing are also more likely to experience financial hardship in other areas of their lives, since a larger share of their income often goes toward rent, utilities, and frequent moves. They are also more likely to experience health problems due to chronic stress or environmental factors, such as mold. Housing insecurity also goes hand-in-hand with unstable employment, since people may need to move further from their jobs or switch jobs altogether to offset the cost of housing.

Affordable homeownership creates a stable foundation for families to thrive, reducing stress and increasing the likelihood for good health and stable employment. Habitat for Humanity builds and repairs homes with individual families, but it also strengthens entire communities as well. The MicroBuild® Initiative, for example, strengthens communities by increasing access to loans for low-income families seeking to build or repair their homes. Habitat ReStore locations provide affordable appliances and building materials to local communities, in addition to creating job and volunteer opportunities that support neighborhood growth.

Marsha and her son pose for a photo while building their future home with Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity in Georgia.

Everyone can play a part in the fight for housing equity and the pursuit of a better world. Over the past 50 years, Habitat for Humanity has become a leader in global housing thanks to an engaged network of volunteers—but you don’t need to be skilled with a hammer to make a meaningful impact. Building an equitable future means calling on a wide range of people and talents.

Here’s how you can get involved in the global housing movement:
- Speaking up on social media about the growing housing crisis
- Volunteering on a Habitat for Humanity build in your local community
- Travel and build with Habitat in the U.S. or in one of 60+ countries where we work around the globe
- Join the Let’s Open the Door movement and, when you donate, you can create your own personalized door
- Shop or donate at your local Habitat ReStore
Every action, big and small, drives a global movement toward a better future. A safe home unlocks opportunity for families and communities alike, but it’s volunteers and other supporters, working together with a shared vision, who can open the door for everyone.

Visit habitat.org/open-door to learn more and get involved today.
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Photo credit: Instagram/@autumncollette_ (with permission) – Grandma battling terminal cancer Pauline Monk, 86, is first customer at Taco Bell in Sissonville, West Virginia.

Culture, Wholesome

Grandma battling cancer has wish granted by becoming new Taco Bell’s first patron

“Taco Bell opening in their hometown might not be a big deal to most. But to us, it was an answered prayer.”

Emily Shiffer

5/9/2026

Pauline Monk, an 86-year-old grandma from Sissonville, West Virginia, is a Taco Bell stan. And Mawmaw Pauline (as she’s called by her grandkids) recently got the opportunity of a lifetime: to be the first patron of a brand new Taco Bell location in her hometown.

“Taco Bell opening in their hometown might not be a big deal to most. But to us, it was an answered prayer that she made it to see that day,” her granddaughter Autumn Collette, tells Upworthy.

Autumn Collette shared a behind-the-scenes video of her Mawmaw Pauline being interviewed by local news station WOWK 13 News, where she shared her excitement over being the first customer to step foot in and eat at her favorite restaurant.

View this post on Instagram

Mawmaw Pauline’s Taco Bell experience

Autumn Collette posted a touching video of Mawmaw Pauline soaking up her Taco Bell experience on opening day, adding that she “got to be the first patron inside. First person to sit down. First person to place an order.”

She explained how MawMaw Pauline was able to have her Taco Bell dream come true.

“My uncle is in the House of Delegates for West Virginia. He rallied hard to get that Taco Bell there,” she shares, adding that he helped his mom attend the opening. “There were a lot of people inside wanting to order and every single person agreed she should be first. It was the sweetest thing. We didn’t even ask for her to be first to order. They just came up to me and asked if she’d want to be first because she deserved that. They also wouldn’t let her pay.”

Mawmaw Pauline got her moment in the spotlight.

During an interview with WOWK 13 News, she said, “Oh, I’ve wanted one for all the time. It’s one of my favorite restaurants. It got here, and then I found out I had terminal cancer, and I didn’t think I’d live to see it built, but thank the Lord that I am here today to open it up! I’m the Queen of the Taco Bell of Sissonville!”

Mawmaw Pauline’s cancer battle

She tells Upworthy, “She beat breast cancer over 20 years ago. She was a blue collar worker who also owned her own businesses and worked hard her whole life. Any time someone in the community was down she was there to lift them up. You’ll never meet someone with a negative thing to say about her.”

In the video’s overlay, Autumn Collette shared that her Mawmaw is unfortunately battling cancer again.

“She was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung and liver cancer in November of 2025. She was given a life expectancy of 2-3 months,” she wrote. “On May 6, 2026: 6 months after her diagnosis…she made it to see the Taco Bell open in her hometown of 70-some years.”

View this post on Instagram

She adds, “My Mawmaw is just an angel on earth. And I know everybody says that about their mawmaws.. but I am for certain that mine really is. She is the most wholesome woman.”

Viewers respond

Many people were touched by this win amid Mawmaw Pauline’s cancer battle and the love and joy she exudes for Taco Bell:

“She should NEVER have to pay for another Taco Bell meal EVER! Free Taco Bell for Life. This brought tears to my eyes ❤️.”

“Baja Bless this woman 🙏🏻.”

“I love her🥹 I’m so happy she got to get her nacho bell grande!!”

“All hail THE Queen of the Taco Bell. 👑👸🌮🔔.”

“Grandma chose to live más.”

“Aww the Taco Belle of the Ball!!!”

“Give her everything she wants off that menu!”

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Photo credit: The Holderness Family/TikTok (used with permission) – The Holderness Family's "It's Bright Outside."

Culture, Generations

Funny ‘Mr. Brightside’ parody has Gen Xers celebrating the joy of going to bed while it’s still light out

“Coming out of the meal, and we are doing just fine. We look at our watch, and it is 7:09…”

Tod Perry

5/9/2026

One of the biggest differences between being 25 and 50 is the idea of going out and partying past midnight. A 25-year-old can do that a few nights a week, whereas someone in their 50s would need three days to recuperate from one night out. As we age, our bodies change, we appreciate a good night’s sleep a lot more, and a quiet night with a good book feels a lot more appealing than it did two decades earlier.

Gen Xers are entering the curl-up-with-a-good-book phase of their lives. Those born between 1965 and 1980 are somewhere between 46 and 61 and have probably had more days than they want to admit when going to bed before nightfall seemed like a great idea.

Kim and Penn Holderness, the husband-and-wife duo behind The Holderness Family, frequently go viral for their hilarious parody songs. Now, they’ve done it again with a funny send-up of The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside” called “It’s Bright Outside,” about getting the urge to knock out while the sun’s still up.

In the video, the couple goes out for a glass of wine, which quickly takes the wind out of their sails, and they head home to curl up in bed. But they have to close the blinds because “it’s still bright outside.”

The Holderness Family’s “It’s Bright Outside”

@theholdernessfamily
We’re already in the bed ☀️#genx
♬ original sound – The Holderness Family

The video touched a nerve with many Gen Xers in the comments.

“Damn, this hits hard tonight, Hubs and I split onion rings, had 2 drinks, and we’re home by 7,” Julie wrote.

“Yesterday we went out at 5, ate dinner at a restaurant with our kids at 6, came home at 7, cut cake to celebrate the anniversary, walked the dog, and were in bed by 8,” Eye Snap added. “This was the most excitement we had on a Saturday night in like 5 years.”

Why do older people go to sleep earlier?

The biggest reasons people go to bed earlier as they age are physical. As we age, our bodies begin producing melatonin, the hormone that signals it’s time to sleep, earlier in the evening. Our bodies also become more sensitive to light, which affects our circadian rhythms, or natural sleep-wake cycles. Finally, as people age, they experience a decrease in energy production, making going to bed much more desirable than it was when they were younger.

A couple asleep during the daytime. Photo credit: Canva

Lyrics to “It’s Bright Outside”

Coming out of the meal, and we are doing just fine

We look at our watch, and it is 7:09

We had one glass of wine. We’re running out of gas. It was only a glass. It was only a glass

Now we’re falling asleep, and she’s calling a cab because we are Gen X and we still call cabs

And we’re back at our house, and the sun is still out

Are we staying up late now? There’s zero chance now

She puts on sweatpants now

Face cream, go

Our neighbors are just going out

And we’re taking our very specific collection of sleeping medication

Jealousy, don’t you wish that you were me

Could have gone out late, instead

We’re already in the bed

Don’t you want to stream TV? Pluribus is calling me

We should probably close the blinds

Cause it’s still bright outside

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Small everyday actions can make the world a better place.

Culture, Uncategorized, Wholesome

8 small, simple acts of kindness you use to brighten someone’s day

Don’t hold back on compliments. Give them freely.

Heather Wake

Upworthy Staff

5/9/2026

Acts of kindness: we know they’re important not only for others, but for ourselves. They can contribute to a more positive community and help us feel more connected, happier even. But in our incessantly busy and hectic lives, performing good deeds can feel like an unattainable goal. Or perhaps we equate generosity with monetary contribution, which can feel like an impossible task depending on a person’s financial situation.

Have you ever felt guilty because you don’t spend enough time volunteering? Or maybe because you can’t or don’t give much money to charity? It’s not a good feeling, and you can sometimes feel stuck not knowing what to do about it. But being kind and generous to others doesn’t have to be hard, or take much time, or cost anything at all.

One social media user posed the question: “what’s a small act of kindness that literally anyone can do/practice everyday?” and people gave some brilliantly simple ideas.

Eight small acts that actually make a difference

Here are eight easy-to-accomplish crowdsourced answers that might bring us one step closer to a more peaceful world:

1. Be aware of your surroundings

“Either move with the flow of traffic or get to the side if you have to situate yourself.” – @JoeMorgue

Americans, in particular, seem to get obsessed with the idea of “winning.” Walk around and/or faster than the next person, or refusing to give way. It’s a really kind and considerate move to make space for other people to exist comfortably.

2. Use headphones when taking public transport

“If you don’t have them – you can go 20 minutes without making excessive noise while sharing a small space with other people.” – @cynthiayeo

Often there’s no law or rule in place that “forces” you to do the polite thing, like minding how much noise you make on an airplane or public transport. But it’s a simple thing to do that goes a long way for the people around you.

3. Give compliments

“If you have a charitable thought about someone, even a stranger, say it out loud to their face. It is free, it is easy, and it might be the best thing that has happened to that person all week. Nothing creepy or overtly sexual or flirty, just kind words. ‘That shirt is really your color! Your haircut is beautiful. I appreciate your help, you were a real lifesaver!’ It doesn’t cost you anything and it means the world to the people you are talking to.” – @Comments_Wyoming

Everyone loves receiving genuine, no-strings-attached compliments! In fact, we often think about them all day, or even for longer. Don’t withhold praise. Give it freely and openly, when you really mean it.

4. Hold doors open for people

“Makes a big difference in one’s day.” – @sconnie64

Holding doors isn’t just for gentlemen out on a date. Hold doors for everyone equally; it’s a really sweet and polite gesture.

5. Don’t act on road rage

“After several years of commuting I came to the realization that with a few exceptional days, I always got home at the same time. Regardless of how many people ‘cut me off’ or drove too slowly and whatever. I started to just ‘go with the flow’ and always let people in when needed, always give extra room, and just enjoy my music/podcast. Life changing.” – @CPCOpposesAbortion

Who knows what it is about being in a car that just gets our blood boiling. Maybe it’s the slight anonymity, a little like being in an internet comment section? In any case, don’t indulge. If someone cuts you off, give them the benefit of the doubt and just move on. It was probably an accident anyway.

6. Have patience

“You never know what someone else is going through. Could be a breakup, their dog just died, granny finally made it to heaven, or maybe mom just broke the news that she’s got end stage cervical cancer and has weeks left to live. You never know, so be patient. After all, wouldn’t you want someone to be patient with you?” – @mamalion12

Assuming the best in people is a really good start when it comes to kindness. Most people aren’t out to be difficult or rude. Give them a little grace and there’s no telling how much they’ll appreciate it.

7. Thank the people you live with for taking care of things around the house

“It doesn’t have to be over the top, but everyone feels better about doing chores when it is noticed and appreciated. ‘Thanks for folding my laundry’ or ‘thanks for always keeping track of our bills, you’re awesome at managing money!’” – @Mrshaydee

This goes for kids, too! When they remember to pick up after themselves, reinforce the behavior with praise. Make time to appreciate your partner and family members, too, no matter how small their contributions.

8. Leave a place you visit just a little bit nicer than when you found it

“Pick up a piece of litter at the park. Give that mat with a pucker ready to trip someone a little tug to get it to lay flat in the business you’re at. Let an employee know when you spot a leaky dairy product on the shelves so they can deal with it. Return someone else’s grocery cart.” – @BlueberryPiano

Don’t be the “Someone else will deal with it,” person when you can be the someone else! It doesn’t take any effort at all most of the time to grab a piece of litter. And don’t even get me started on returning the grocery cart. It’s a basic test of human kindness that too many people fail. It’s the easiest thing in the world and saves both employees and the next customer time.

So why aren’t we doing this already?

Perhaps surprisingly, the main reason people don’t offer more acts of kindness is the fear of being misunderstood. That is, at least, according to The Kindness Test: an online questionnaire about being nice to others that more than 60,000 people from 144 countries completed. It does make sense having your good intentions be viewed as an awkward source of discomfort is not exactly fun for either party. You can imagine that complimenting a stranger could easily be interpreted the wrong way, for example.

However, the results of The Kindness Test also indicated those fears were perhaps unfounded. The most common words people used were “happy,” “grateful,” “loved,” “relieved” and “pleased” to describe their feelings after receiving kindness. Less than 1% of people said they felt embarrassed, according to the BBC.

So, maybe with kindness, we need to put our social anxieties away and act without overthinking (to a certain point, of course). Perhaps it’s best to find the simplest actions we can commit to on a daily basis, rather than formulating some grandiose gesture.

This article originally appeared four years ago. It has been updated.

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Photo credit: Wikipedia/YouTube/British Movietone – Winston Churchill turned to bricklaying to combat depression.

Culture, Identity

Winston Churchill battled his depression by staying busy, laying ‘200 bricks’ every day

“…200 bricks and 2000 words a day,” Churchill wrote about his antidote to depression.

Emily Shiffer

5/8/2026

Winston Churchill, former prime minister of the United Kingdom, referred to his depression and dark moods as the “Black Dog.” He never hid his struggle, and those close to him knew about it.

In a personal letter to his wife, Clementine, Churchill wrote:

“Alice [Guest] interested me a great deal in her talk about her doctor in Germany, who completely cured her depression. I think this man might be useful to me—if my Black Dog returns. He seems quite away from me now. It is such a relief. All the colours came back into the picture. Brightest of all your dear face—my Darling.”

Churchill turned to physical activity to help subdue the “Black Dog,” including painting. Another pursuit that helped him was bricklaying.

Churchill becomes a bricklayer

His passion for bricklaying took center stage at his family’s estate, Chartwell, where he constructed many new additions. His daughter, Mary, wrote:

“While my father was constructing the red-brick walls which now surround the garden, he had the delightful idea of building a little one-roomed cottage in the line of the wall for Sarah and me: it was meant for us both, but Sarah, who had started at boarding school in 1927, outgrew its pleasures fairly soon, and this charming dwelling became known as the Marycot.”

Churchill became such a prolific bricklayer that he officially joined the Amalgamated Union of Building Trades Workers in 1928 while serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer, according to The New York Times.

Churchill also wrote in September 1928 about his bricklaying at Chartwell: “I have had a delightful month building a cottage and dictating a book: 200 bricks and 2000 words a day.”

He continued bricklaying through the 1950s, according to the International Churchill Society.

Winston Churchill fought his depression with bricks. He'd lay them for hours at his country home in Kent. He joined the bricklayers' union. And in 1921 he wrote about why it worked. It took psychology another 75 years to catch up.

He called his depression the "Black Dog." It… https://t.co/QfAsWvT9KB
— Anish Moonka (@anishmoonka) May 5, 2026

Churchill’s mental health theory

In December 1921, Churchill wrote an essay for The Strand Magazine titled “Painting as a Pastime.” Churchill also used painting as a way to cope with depression, and he created more than 570 paintings during his lifetime.

He fully explained his theory on restoring the mind through activity in this excerpt:

“Many remedies are suggested for the avoidance of worry and mental overstrain by persons who, over prolonged periods, have to bear exceptional responsibilities and discharge duties upon a very large scale. Some advise exercise, and others, repose. Some counsel travel, and others, retreat. Some praise solitude, and others, gaiety. No doubt all these may play their part according to the individual temperament. But the element which is constant and common in all of them is Change. Change is the master key. A man can wear out a particular part of his mind by continually using it and tiring it, just in the same way as he can wear out the elbows of his coat. There is, however, this difference between the living cells of the brain and inanimate articles: one cannot mend the frayed elbows of a coat by rubbing the sleeves or shoulders; but the tired parts of the mind can be rested and strengthened, not merely by rest, but by using other parts.”

The modern-day phrase “depression hates a moving target” was certainly something Churchill would have subscribed to.

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Photo credit: Youtube – Sally Field and Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire.

Culture, Pop Culture

Sally Field recalls Robin Williams trying (and failing) to make her laugh on ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’

Their onscreen dynamic makes even more sense now.

Heather Wake

5/8/2026

Robin Williams was notorious for making his scene partners crack up and break character with his off-the-cuff antics. However, one costar remained eternally stone-faced: Sally Field.

In an interview with Stephen Colbert, Field recalls working with Williams on the set of Mrs. Doubtfire, where he would constantly try, and fail, to elicit even a polite giggle from her.

Much to his disappointment, “I would never laugh, ever,” quipped Field, even when “ everybody else was laughing and carrying on.”

One might assume that a consummate professional like Field perhaps felt the constant jokes were inappropriate or overly distracting. But no. They just weren’t her cup of tea.

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“It wasn’t funny. It just wasn’t funny,” she told Colbert while chuckling. “Robin was always trying something different to make me laugh. It was so unfunny. I can’t begin to tell you.”

The one joke that actually made Sally Field break

Field remained Williams’ white whale throughout the entire production, which “drove him mad.” And to really add insult to injury, Pierce Brosnan successfully made her lose it with a simple fart gag.

“We were sitting at a table at the restaurant, and [Brosnan] made a fart noise on his arm. And I was gone. That was it. I laughed so hard they had to redo my makeup.”

Why their chemistry in Mrs. Doubtfire still feels so real

Knowing their behind-the-scenes dynamic adds a whole new layer of authenticity to Mrs. Doubtfire, doesn’t it?

In the movie, Field and Williams are a divorced couple. Miranda, portrayed by Field, constantly feels like she is having to bear all the responsibility of raising their three children while Daniel, played by Williams, seemingly never takes anything seriously.

That said, Williams and Field still seemed to have a genuine friendship.

In 2024, she told Vanity Fair that her father had passed away during filming.

The Mrs. Doubtfire movie poster IMDB

“I was of course beside myself,” Field shared. “I came on the set trying with all my might to act. I wasn’t crying. Being extremely “sensitive and intuitive,” Williams picked up that something was wrong, and even made arrangements for Field to leave filming to make arrangements.

“Robin came over, pulled me out of the set, and asked, ‘Are you OK?’” she told Vanity Fair. When Field answered, Williams replied, “Oh my God, we need to get you out of here right now. And he made it happen—they shot around me the rest of the day.”

So, while Williams might have never made Field chuckle, it feels safe to say that he nevertheless won her respect and admiration.

Field stars in the upcoming film adaptation of Remarkably Bright Creatures. While she hailed her costar Lewis Pullman as “one of the best leading men” she’s ever worked with, she didn’t say anything about him making her laugh either. Regardless, her warmth, humor, and emotional depth are just as magnetic today as they were during her unforgettable run alongside Williams.

Watch the full interview below:

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Photo credit: Image credit: @mrs.jamiesonskinders/TikTok (used with permission) – Mrs. Jamieson's reaction to her student's "secret good news" was so pure.

Culture, Identity

Student tells teacher her ‘secret good news’ and it’s delightfully unexpected

Teachers really do have to be prepared for anything.

Annie Reneau

5/8/2026

It’s no secret that teaching is tough, and educators deserve all the dollars we can throw at them. But that doesn’t mean the job doesn’t have its perks. Working with kids means witnessing all the wild, weird, and wonderful ways their brains work, which can result in some moments worth memorializing.

Case in point: this video from kindergarten teacher Mrs. Jamieson, in which a student told her she had some “secret good news” to share with her.

If you’ve spent much time with children, you might hold your breath waiting to hear what comes next. A phrase like “secret good news” could go in literally any direction, but no one expected the way this one would go.

@mrs.jamiesonskinders
This moment melted my heart!! 🥹🩷 #teachersoftiktok #kindergarten
♬ original sound – Katelynd

“Tell me your ‘secret good news,’ please,” Mrs. Jamieson said, undoubtedly bracing herself for whatever this little angel was about to say.

“I’ve never told you I was an African-American,” the girl said, her smile obvious even though we can’t see her.

Mrs. Jamieson, to her credit, made an incredulous face and said, “What?!”

“I was an African-American this whole time!” the student said, giggling. Oh, what a darling. And wow, what a “secret” for a teacher to respond to.

“Baby, I knew!” said Mrs. Jamieson. She asked the student if she had just found out she was African-American, and she said yes, her sister had told her. But the girl seemed utterly shocked that her teacher already knew.

“Yeah,” Mrs. Jamieson said. “You’ve been African-American the whole time! Beautiful! So beautiful. I knew. And I knew you were beautiful.”

Kudos to kindergarten teachers everywhere. Photo credit: Canva

The student giggled, then came around the desk for two big hugs. As the girl embraced her teacher, we can see her hands, which had some commenters cracking up. It was definitely no suprise to her teacher that she is African-American.

The delight in the video isn’t just this child’s innocence, though. It was the way Mrs. Jamieson filled this little girl up with so much love.

“I love you,” she said. “You bring so much joy to me. You fill my bucket, do you know that?”

A teacher’s words hold a lot of power, for better and for worse. What a prime example of using that power in the best way.

Kindergartners say the darnedest things. Photo credit: Canva

“I started recording when she first told me she had ‘secret’ good news because I didn’t know what was going to come out of her mouth, and I’m so glad I did!” Jamieson tells Upworthy. “This year has been a tough one, but in teaching, there’s always the ‘why’ moments. The moments that remind you why you do what you do, and the fact that I caught one on camera was amazing. When I watched it back, it brought me so much joy I couldn’t keep it to myself! The outpouring of love has been incredible.”

So many commenters praised Mrs. Jamieson for the way she handled the totally unexpected revelation:

“I was nowhere near prepared for that to be the secret. Your reaction was EVERYTHING though.”

“Small children are the best 😭😭😩 Thank you for telling her you seen her the entire time and that she’s beautiful. 🩷👏🏾”

Happy Teacher Appreciation! 🍎✏️⁠
Great teachers don't just teach. They show you how to think, how to grow, and how to believe in yourself! https://t.co/DGWtHeZTUp pic.twitter.com/UxGTiHigFW
— Natural Life (@Natural_Life) May 5, 2026

“Thank you for not pretending like you didn’t know and ‘don’t see color.’ Thank you for pouring into her by saying hey, I already knew that AND, I already knew you were BEAUTIFUL. As a darker skinned black woman who has been in these spaces, I would have killed to have a teacher pour into me this way at such a young age. I am also a former long time educator and have so much respect for how you loved on her, including the hug(s). Way to go!”

“Can I say I love that she called it ‘good news.’ When I was her age I was teased for being black and teased for my hair that for a while I wanted to be anything other than black. I love how proud she is and you affirming her.”

Little kids and excellent teachers really are the best of us, aren’t they?

You can follow Mrs. Jamieson on TikTok.

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Photo Credit: Lloyd Arnold/Wikimedia Commons and Studio Photographer/Wikimedia Commons
A letter from Ernest Hemingway in 1934 is the perfect antidote to imposter syndrome.

Culture, Wholesome

Letter from Hemingway to F. Scott Fitzgerald holds the tough love on imposter syndrome we all need

“All you need to do is write truly and not care about what the fate of it is.”

Evan Porter

5/8/2026

People have been struggling with imposter syndrome, or the deep fear that others will discover you’re a fraud, forever. The fear says that despite all the evidence to the contrary, you are a failure and are faking competence at all times.

Though the term wasn’t coined until the 1970s, even one of the greatest American novelists of all time suffered from severe self-doubt: F. Scott Fitzgerald.

It took Fitzgerald nine years after the release of The Great Gatsby to publish another book, and even still, he wasn’t confident in it. So, he wrote to a friend for advice: None other than Ernest Hemingway.

If you’re looking for advice on how to defeat self-doubt and imposter syndrome, look no further than the words of wisdom written between two of the greatest literary minds of the 20th century.

Hemingway gives Fitzgerald some much-needed tough love

Ernest Hemingway in 1950. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Great Gatsby, today, is considered one of the great American novels. However, when it was published in 1925, the reception was lukewarm.

“Fitzgerald’s Latest A Dud,” one newspaper headline read.

Partially as a result, he fitzed and fussed over his next novel for years. He also struggled with mental health, his marriage, and alcoholism during that time. Finally, though, he followed up Gatsby with Tender Is the Night in 1934.

By all accounts, Fitzgerald was not happy with the book, even though he had wanted it to become the best American novel of all time—an awful lot of pressure for anyone to put on themselves. He worried he’d never write anything as good as Gatsby again. He asked Hemingway for his opinion, which Hemingway gladly delivered in a way that only he could:

“I liked it and I didn’t,” Hemingway writes, bluntly. He goes on for paragraphs about all the ways the book is lacking before softening. “It’s a lot better than I say. But it’s not as good as you can do.”

Hemingway’s advice to F. Scott Fitzgerald on how to ignore the critics, including himself

Though Hemingway chastised Fitzgerald for taking too many liberties with the story, “cheating,” and stuffing the novel with “good stuff… that it didn’t need,” he ultimately writes to console his friend.

Or, as some would say, his “frenemy.”

“For Christ sake write and don’t worry about what the boys will say nor whether it will be a masterpiece nor what. I write one page of masterpiece to ninety one pages of shit. I try to put the shit in the wastebasket. You feel you have to publish crap to make money to live and let live.”

It’s brilliant advice. One way of conquering imposter syndrome is positive thinking and affirmations: “I do belong.”

Another is to realize that everyone else around you is just making it up as they go, too. And that’s the point Hemingway is getting at. Even he, who had written The Sun Also Rises and A Farewell to Arms by this point, admits that most of what he writes is trash.

A wonderful, if harsh, pep talk. But Hemingway isn’t finished:

“Scott, good writers always come back. Always. You are twice as good now as you were at the time you think you were so marvellous. You know I never thought so much of Gatsby at the time. You can write twice as well now as you ever could. All you need to do is write truly and not care about what the fate of it is. … Go on and write.”

A young F. Scott Fitzgerald. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Modern psychologists’ advice has plenty of overlap with Hemingway

In parts of his letter, Hemingway urged Fitzgerald to stop feeling bad for himself and to channel his pain into his best work.

“Forget your personal tragedy. We are all bitched from the start and you especially have to hurt like hell before you can write seriously. But when you get the damned hurt use it.”

One evidence-based strategy for overcoming imposter syndrome is coming up with what psychologists call a “post-mistake compassion plan.” It’s a strategy for moving forward with confidence after screwing up. That’s what Hemingway was trying to help Fitzgerald do; recognize that Tender Is the Night was perhaps not his best work, but that he was more than talented enough to get off the mat and come back stronger.

No one is perfect, and falling down doesn’t mean you don’t belong.

In the end, it’s hard to say if things did get better for Fitzgerald. LitHub writes, “he ended his too-short life doing Hollywood hack work to make ends meet before dying, largely forgotten, his final novel left unfinished. His life has long been viewed as a classic tragedy—glamorous rise, brutal fall.”

But the result was not for a lack of his friends, like Hemingway, trying to help.

“[I] was always trying to get him to work and tell the truth at least to himself,” Hemingway wrote. “Well, the hell with all of it.”

We should all be so lucky as to have someone in our lives who will, harshly if need be, insist on reminding us of our own talent and worth.

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Photo credit: Images courtesy of Candace Eng and Diana Prince – Diana Prince and Candace Eng have been best friends for 50 years.

Culture, Wholesome

Strangers have donated more than $125,000 to best friends who shared their heartfelt breast cancer story

“I want to pass on to others in need just how much total strangers have buoyed my spirits,” Candace Eng tells Upworthy.

Emily Shiffer

5/8/2026

When Candace Eng and Diana Prince met in college 50 years ago, they had no idea they would become besties. It’s a friendship that has been both life-changing and life-saving for them.

The friends were recently walking in New York City when they were asked whether they were best friends by Seth Clayton of Besties NYC. Candace revealed her breast cancer diagnosis and the support Diana has given her throughout it in the now-viral video. The emotional clip reached millions of people, inspiring many to donate to Candace’s cancer treatment.

“We have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support and kind comments,” the friends tell Upworthy. “Total strangers come up to us saying how much they have been touched by our genuine friendship. It’s amazing how many people just hug [us].”

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The story of Candace and Diana’s friendship

“We met in September 1976 at Manhattan Community College, in an English class,” they tell Upworthy.

They sat next to each other and exchanged numbers to keep in touch. Food brought them together after Candace and her mom invited Diana to lunch, where she was introduced to Chinese food for the first time. From there, their friendship grew.

Candace began modeling and introduced Diana to the process. With shared modeling experiences, the two decided to start a tradition of spending holidays together. They both eventually married, and Diana moved to Connecticut. Candace had her son in 1989, with Diana following with her first son in 1992. Although their lives were busy, they still saw each other for the holidays.

Diana and Candace at Candace’s baby shower. Photo credit: Image courtesy of Candace Eng and Diana Prince

“As the boys aged, we started to get together more often and were always on the phone,” they share.

Candace’s breast cancer diagnosis

When Candace learned she had breast cancer, she immediately called Diana. Diana’s mom had cancer and suggested Candace get a second opinion. She learned her cancer was worse than the original diagnosis, but it was still in an early stage.

“We went to all appointments together,” they share.

After Candace’s mastectomy, she spent her time recovering at Diana’s apartment. Her treatments have included chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy, and Diana has been by her side every step of the way.

“I know that if the tables were turned, Candace would be there in a heartbeat. Her love and friendship are totally unconditional,” Diana says. “Candace is a very giving person, to a fault, never thinking of herself.”

Diana supports Candace during a cancer treatment. Photo credit: GoFundMe

Strangers raise money for Candace

Many people were touched by Candace and Diana’s friendship, and a GoFundMe was started by Diana’s husband, Kevin, to help cover Candace’s care and treatments.

“She is facing all of this from public housing, on government assistance, food stamps, and Medicare,” he wrote in the GoFundMe. “She has spent her life on the bottom rung, and now she’s fighting the hardest battle of that life with almost nothing in her pockets.”

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Thousands of generous people donated, raising more than $125,000 to help support her.

“I want to pass on to others in need just how much total strangers have buoyed my spirits,” says Candace. “I am a changed person who has gained self-confidence and believes in herself now. If we can change people’s lives, we will be happy. The experience of strangers wanting to have or give us a hug is amazing. We both realize how important touch is and how healing a simple hug or touch on the arm is to all of us.”

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