upworthy

Here's what happiness looks like when you buy it. Don't be that person.

After watching this video, I really wish more people would try to approach life this way.

"Alan Watts" isn't exactly a household name.

Recognize this guy? Yeah, neither did I.


Watts was a British philosopher. The website dedicated to his memory lists him as "a foremost interpreter of Eastern thought for the West." He died in 1973.

But I hope most households will one day tune in to his way of life.

The ideas are a little shocking, but hear them out. These GIFs show just a taste.

You hear that?

"Making plans for the future is of use only to people who are capable of living completely in the present."

Cheers to that.

If you wanna listen to Watts' full six-minute spiel, hit play on the video below.

<span class="redactor-invisible-space"></span>

It's important to note that what Watts came to believe and preach did NOT happen in a vacuum. Watts wouldn't have risen to success the way he did had it not been for the works of multiple Buddhist, Hindu, and Taoist philosophers that heavily influenced what he later relayed to audiences in the U.S. and Britain. With that aside, the ideas he gives voice to in this recording still stand.

If you agree that we should try to make our lives about more than just money and ambition, give this post a share.

Planet

Enter this giveaway for a free, fun date! 🌊 💗

It's super easy, no purchase or donation necessary, and you help our oceans! That's what we call a win-win-win. Enter here.

True

Our love for the ocean runs deep. Does yours? Enter here!

This Valentine’s Day, we're teaming up with Ocean Wise to give you the chance to win the ultimate ocean-friendly date. Whether you're savoring a romantic seafood dinner, catching waves with surf lessons, or grooving to a concert by the beach, your next date could be on us!

Here’s how to enter:

  • Go to ocean.org/date and complete the quick form for a chance to win - it’s as easy as that.
  • P.s. If you follow @oceanwise or donate after entering, you’ll get extra entries!

Here are the incredible dates:

1. Staycation + Surf Lesson

Hang ten on the ultimate ocean date! Whether you're beginners or seasoned surfers, a cozy stay by the ocean and surf lessons will have you riding the waves and making unforgettable memories together.


2. A Year of Netflix

Get cozy and explore the wonders of the ocean right from your couch! Whether you're diving into breathtaking documentaries or finally watching My Octopus Teacher, enjoy a full year of streaming on us.

3. BeachLife Festival Tickets

Soak up the sun and enjoy Lenny Kravitz, Sublime, Alanis Morissette, and more at BeachLife Festival May 2-4, 2025. Celebrate your love for music and sea at the LA’s Premier Beach Music Festival!

4. Private Cooking Lesson with Michelin-starred Chef

Learn how to make a delicious meal with Matthew Kammerer who has earned a Michelin green star due to his commitment to sustainability in addition to two Michelin stars for his restaurant - Harbor House Inn.

5. Dinner for Two at Wrench and Rodent

Sustainable seafood isn’t just delicious, it’s an excellent way to combat overfishing. Enjoy dinner for two at the incredible Wrench and Rodent, courtesy of Chef Davin Waite in San Diego, California. Wow your date with both a delicious meal and the knowledge you’re supporting a healthy, thriving ocean!


Giveaway ends 2/11/25 at 11:59pm PT. Winners will be selected at random and contacted via email from the Upworthy. No purchase necessary. Open to residents of the U.S. and specific Canadian provinces that have reached age of majority in their state/province/territory of residence at the time. Please see terms and conditions for specific instructions. Giveaway not affiliated with Instagram. More details at ocean.org/date

Health

We asked people what they really enjoy that others can't understand. One answer dominated.

Interestingly, research shows that these people are particularly unlikely to be neurotic.

Canva

Some people really enjoy being alone.

We recently asked our Upworthy audience on Facebook, "What's something that you really enjoy that other people can't seem to understand?" and over 1,700 people weighed in. Some people shared things like housework, cleaning and laundry, which a lot of people see as chores. Others shared different puzzles or forms of art they like doing, and still others shared things like long car rides or grocery shopping.

But one answer dominated the list of responses. It came in various wordings, but by far the most common answer to the question was "silent solitude." Here are a few examples:

"Feeling perfectly content, when I’m all alone."

"Being home. Alone. In silence."

"That I enjoy being alone and my soul is at peace in the silence. I don't need to be around others to feel content, and it takes me days to recharge from being overstimulated after having an eventful day surrounded by others."

"Enjoying your own company. Being alone isn’t isolating oneself. It’s intentional peace and healthy… especially for deep feelers/thinkers."

Spending time by ourselves is something some of us relish, while some of us hate being alone. Naturally, this points to the common theory of introversion vs. extraversion, but in some ways, that's overly simplistic. Even the most peopley people among us can enjoy some quality alone time, and not all introverts see time alone as truly enjoyable. (It might be necessary for an introvert's well-being, but not necessarily something they truly revel in.)

Interesting, studies have found that people who enjoy being alone are not any more or less extraverted than those who don't, though they do tend to be less "sociable." They are also less likely to be neurotic (tense, moody, worrying types) than the generally population and more likely to be open-minded. Those characteristics are the opposite of what social norms often tell us about people who want to be alone.

"If our stereotypes about people who like being alone were true, then we should find that they are neurotic and closed-minded. In fact, just the opposite is true," writes Bella DePaulo, PhD.

There may be lots of reasons some people like to spend time by themselves while others don't. We are naturally social creatures and need social interaction, but some of us find ourselves overstimulated by being around other people all the time. On the flip side, some people find being alone not just unenjoyable, but extremely uncomfortable, which can be a problem.

"Ideally, we should be comfortable with ourselves, alone or with others," writes psychologist Tara Well Ph.D.. "If you are uncomfortable being alone, it means you are uncomfortable being with yourself without distraction, engagement, or affirmation from others. This can be a liability in life. If you cannot be alone, you may stay in situations or make life choices that aren’t good for you in the long run, like staying in a job or a relationship, mainly because you can’t tolerate being alone while transitioning to a better situation."

Dr. Well also points out that people can make the most of their alone time, even if it's not something they naturally enjoy. One way is to make it purposeful, setting aside a little time daily to write in a journal, meditate, go for a walk or otherwise engage your mind and body in some form of reflection. Another is to pay attention to self-judgments that might make alone time uncomfortable and challenge them with some compassionate confrontation and counteraction with positive thoughts about yourself.

Alone time can be refreshing and rewarding, especially if it's something you naturally crave. Some people even like to take themselves out on dates or enjoy traveling by themselves. That kind of self-care can be just as important as connecting with others for our overall health and well-being. Being alone doesn't mean being a loner and it doesn't mean being lonely. Some of us genuinely like having quality time with ourselves, whether it makes sense to other people or not.


This article originally appeared last year.

Courthouse wedding photos are glamorous on a budget

Weddings are personal. While many weddings have a style or theme that is popular during whatever decade they tie the knot, most people add their own unique touches. For some a large wedding in a beautiful historic venue is the only thing that will feel like them, while others may go for something much smaller.

But it doesn't matter the size of the wedding, they can be bank breaking, even if things don't go over budget. According to Zola, a wedding planning website, the average wedding in 2024 cost $33,000. That's clearly not the most expensive wedding someone could have, but that price tag is outside of a lot of people's budgets. But large wedding parties and fancy venues aren't the only way to commemorate the big day.

One couple decided to skip the fanfare and go small–really small by skipping all the fanfare involved with a long guest list and heading to the courthouse. Their decision to buck the traditional wedding march and opt for a tuxedo and bridal gown in front of a judge likely saved them tens of thousands of dollars. It also ended with absolutely stunning wedding photos.

Happy I Love You GIF by LifetimeGiphy

Many courthouses are beautiful, some being there just as long as the town making the architecture a historical focal point. Bride Chelsey McAllister and her husband just proved that with a dress, suit and the right photographer, the day can be just as glamorous. A wedding photographer can run between $2,000-$3,000 according to The Knot, and if you're planning on courthouse nuptials this may just be the area to splurge.

In the video uploaded to Hock Pro Weddings videography page, you get to see a glimpse into how the couple got these amazing photos. You see the bride beaming running through the court building donned in a mermaid style white gown holding the hand of her husband who is wearing a tux. The photos that followed are pure magic. If a stranger saw these images hanging from a wall they would never guess there wasn't an extravagant wedding that made capturing these photos possible.

"There is something so beautifully nostalgic and romantic about the simplicity of a civil wedding. So many courthouses are archeologically beautiful to capture such perfect moments like this," one person writes.

"This man’s pictures are a canvas to many of our hearts… there is so much beauty in all your pictures," another commenter says.

Every single shot gives the feel of luxury and the couple didn't have to spend upwards of $30k to make the day perfect. In today's economy more couples are refocusing where they spend their money on their wedding. Some people choose to elope on an island, others go to the magistrate and spend their money on a reception, while some couples decide it's best to put a downpayment on a home instead of a wedding.

Season 1 Wedding GIF by NBCGiphy

"Beautiful. Better then my way overpriced wedding. Don’t get me wrong it was amazing but these photos are fire. Not sure I have anything as authentic and beautiful as any one of these," someone shares.

There's no wrong way to have the wedding of your dreams. That special day is supposed to be about you and your future spouse, so have a destination wedding in Paris or have your uncle marry you at a family barbecue. Whatever you decide, will be perfect for you because it's your day and this couple proves you don't have to have a million dollar wedding to have photos that look like you did.

A happy mother and her smiling child.

Parents of newborns know they are in the middle of a joyous and stressful era. But far too often, the people they run into choose to frame things negatively when talking to them about their young child. They’ll say things like, “Don’t worry, it gets better” or “Boy, do you have your hands full.”

That’s why Steph Morrison's video on TikTok touched so many hearts. It’s about the fantastic things that can happen when people choose to see things in a positive light instead of a negative one.

“The sweetest thing just happened,” Morrison begins in her video. “I was just finishing my walk and we were just pulling down our street and this old man, he stopped so we could walk by because we’ve got the double-wide stroller that takes up the whole space, and he goes ‘Wow! You’re going to have a lot of fun.’"

The comment blindsided Morrison because it reframed how she looks at being a parent.

@_stephmorrison_

I never would have guessed what the man would say nor did I ever predict tears would roll down my face like they did. Thankful for this sweet glimmer from God 🫶🏼✨ #momspiration #momsoftiktok #momsover30 #quotesforyou #momquotes #postpartumjourney #postpartumlife #happywords #happinessbegins #creatorsearchinsights

“I don’t know why I’m getting emotional telling you now. But most people say, ‘You’ve got your hands full’ and it’s my biggest pet peeve, but he was so sweet and I could, like, see the memories flash through his eyeballs as he said that to me: ‘You’re going to have a lot of fun.’”

“Like, dang! That’s the type of vibe and energy I’m going to bring to motherhood,” she continued. “I was having a really great time with the kids already, so I don’t know why I’m crying while telling you this. But if you’re a mother out there, I hope you’re having a lot of fun, too, because why not?”

Everyone knows that parenting can be hard. But it’s also filled with joy, laughter, hope, possibilities and new experiences. The elderly man’s comments were a great reminder to Morrison and her followers to focus on the joy and possibilities of being a parent instead of the challenges and hard work.



The video struck a chord with mothers in the comments who shared similar experiences.

“An older man in the grocery store stopped me when my son was 8 months old and said, ‘Young enough to still talk to the angels, put in a good word for me!’” Rachel wrote. “My only son is 7 months old. I can’t have any more kids due to life-threatening complications at birth. The other day, a man said to me, ‘He gets to have you all to himself. Isn’t that so special?’” Happy_Gilmoree added.

CaitlinPrice25 hit the nail on the head. “Society makes us feel like kids are a burden,” she wrote. “Just a little change of perspective can make all the difference.”

A positive mindset can make life much easier for parents, but it’s also great for their children. Children look to their parents and model their behavior; those with a positive attitude are likely to raise happy, optimistic children. “A mother’s ability to model positivity becomes a powerful tool in shaping a child’s character, fostering qualities such as kindness, compassion, and a positive outlook on life,” The Motherhood Center in Houston, Texas, writes.

The story also reminds everyone, whether they are parents or not, of the importance of leading with positivity when dealing with others. The man could have said something cliché such as “I hope you’re getting enough sleep,” but instead, he reminded Morrison of the joy of parenting, and she made his remark her north star. That’s the power of positivity.

This article originally appeared last year.

Barbara and Anne have known each other since grammar school.

Friendships often come and go in life as we move to new places, enter different life phases, or grow and change as people. But some friendships last through it all, weaving threads of connection and support throughout the decades. These treasured relationships give us countless shared memories—experiences, joys, and challenges—and sometimes they end up lasting longer than any other relationship a person has.

Take Barbara and Anne, for example. These two 87-year-olds went to grammar school and high school together and have been friends for 75 years. They're now both widowed and live next door to one another, and they shared with Kalina Silverman of Make Big Talk the key to seeing their friendship flourish over the years.

"We both lost our husbands. and that even brought us even closer together," shared Anne. "Now Barbara lives right next door to me, so we're hooked into each other every day, which is a good thing because in old age? Nice to have friends around you."

When asked what key is to sustaining a friendship, the women cited two things: travel and lots of laughter.

"You know, the true test of a friendship or any relationship is: Can you travel together?" said Anne.

"We laugh at the same things," said Barbara. "For instance that car right there that doesn't have a driver that's going by. I mean, we can never get over that. We just laugh so much, you know? We just do. We get a kick out of each other. We get a kick out of the people we meet, and we have met quite a few people, too, with our walks."

The women said that people will honk their horns and wave at them when they're out walking, and they'll look at each other and ask if the other knew who it was, and they have no idea.

"We can laugh about all of this," said Anne. "And we do," added Barbara.

Barbara and Anne are two of the strangers that Kalina Silverman has spoken to as the creator of Make Big Talk. So often, we engage with people only on a surface level—making small talk—but most of us yearn to engage on a deeper level. Big Talk is a way to do that.

"Big Talk is a communication approach for skipping small talk to make genuine, meaningful connections with those around you – loved ones, colleagues, classmates, teammates, community members, or even total strangers," Silverman writes on her website. "By prompting deep, open-ended questions, Big Talk conversations allow people to share life stories, lessons, and experiences, enriching relationships profoundly."

The Big Talk journey started with Silverman's desire to connect with people on a deeper level. She started experimenting conversing with strangers, which led to a TED Talk, a Fulbright scholarship, the Big Talk Question Card Game and app, workshops, an Instagram page and now an upcoming book slated to come out in the spring of 2026.

Silverman points out that Big Talk can help combat the epidemic of loneliness that so many people feel. "While technology connects us globally, it often hinders our ability to engage meaningfully in face-to-face conversations. Learning to make Big Talk not only combats feelings of isolation but also boosts communication skills, strengthens relationships, and fosters a greater sense of belonging within our communities at work, home, and school – and in the broader world."

What are some examples of Big Talk questions? Here's a handful:

What is your greatest strength?

How do you show love?

What is your next great adventure?

What idea has intrigued you lately?

What are the most beautiful sights you've seen?

If you had the freedom to do anything right now, what would you do?

Big Talk questions are open-ended (not yes/no) and designed to be answerable by anyone of any age or background. Questions like these often inspire people to share their personal stories and help build more authentic relationships. In a world where people are more technologically connected than ever but where many still feel disconnected and lonely, Big Talk questions might help bring people together in meaningful ways, forming bonds that lead to a greater sense of community.

You can see these questions in action on the Make Big Talk Instagram page and learn more about making conversations more meaningful at makebigtalk.com.

Microchipping your cat is one of the best ways to ensure you can find each other if they get lost.

When a pet goes missing, it's a worrisome time for any pet owner. Having no idea where they are, if they're okay, if they're even alive—so many worst case scenarios can cross your mind on top of simply missing them. Many animals are found fairly quickly, as neighbors discover a stray cat or dog at their door, but on rare occasions pets are found after being missing for months or even years.

That's what happened to children's author Anne Twist—who also happens to be the mother of pop star Harry Styles—when a shelter contacted her saying they had her cat. Her black-and-white floof Evie had been missing for two years, but someone had taken her in a few days before.

Twist wrote:

"The most incredible thing happened today .. I got my little Evie back! Two years ago she went out and never came back. After months spent searching I was resigned to having lost her. 😞

"Last night I got a phone call .. a little rescue centre @willowsway_cat_rescue had her! She’d been taken in by a lovely lady who had fed her for a couple of days in her greenhouse. Although I have no idea where she has been for the past two years I am immensely grateful to have her home🙏 From June last year it became the law to have your cats microchipped .. something I have always done since I started having them in my life … keep your details updated, miracles can happen. 🥰"

Surely Evie was happy to be back home after her two year adventure, wherever she was, as well.

The law Twist is referring to is in the U.K. "With more than 9 million pet cats in England, the introduction of mandatory microchipping will make it easier for lost or stray pet cats to be reunited with their owners and returned home safely," says the U.K. government website. "Microchipping is already compulsory for dogs and is proven to be the most effective method for identifying lost pets, with microchipped dogs more than twice as likely to be reunited with their owner."

What does microchipping a cat mean?

Vets can insert a microchip, about the size of a grain of rice, under the skin of a cat or dog on the back of its neck. The microchip contains a unique identification number that matches up with the owner's contact information in a database. It's not a GPS tracker and doesn't actively transmit any information, but the ID number can be read from the chip with a special scanner. Microchips are painless for the animal but super helpful for rescues and shelters to find owners when they find a pet that has one.

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

Aren't cats good at finding their way home?

Cats are actually quite adept at getting themselves home after they've wandered. We don't fully know how they do it, but there is some evidence that cats use a combination of scent cues and the earth’s geomagnetic fields to locate their homes. It's called a homing instinct, and scientists figured out the geomagnetic field element in 1954 when they put magnets on cats, which seemed to make it harder for them to find their way home.

Cats have been known to even find their way home from dozens of miles away, though most missing cats are found within a few miles of home. When a cat comes back after going missing for years, it's likely someone took them in during that time, though who knows for sure? It's not like Evie can tell Anne Twist what she's been doing for the past two years, and its unlikely she was on tour like her big brother (wouldn't that be quite a show). But Twist is happy to have her back, regardless of what she's been up to.

Congrats on your reunion, you two. And thanks for the example of why microchipping our beloved pets is so important.