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Woman recreates 'Inside Out' from a neurodivergent standpoint and people are feeling seen

The video isn't just funny, it's pretty darn accurate.

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Georgia/YouTube

Woman recreates "Inside Out" from a neurodivergent standpoint.

Remember the hit Pixar movie Inside Out? Of course you do! It resonated with fans of all ages and the recent sequel, Inside Out 2, made just as big a splash after its June 2024 release. If you're not familiar with the films, they're about personified emotions in a young girl's head that allow the audience to see who each emotion is, what they're thinking, and how they work as the protagonist (Riley) grows up. It's a really sweet, funny, and deeply emotional concept that many connect with. But in February 2023, a woman who goes by Georgia Productions on YouTube took that concept and decided to recreate it using different types of neurodivergent diagnoses and features.

In the video, Georgia plays all of the characters who all interact with each other as they work on controlling what the human they're inside does. The characters are "General Thoughts," "Dyslexia," "ADHD," "Sensory Issues," "OCD" and "Anxiety."

Georgia is attempting to make dinner, but it's a pretty intense process with all of these characters getting in the way, and while General Thoughts attempts to keep everyone on track, it...uh...doesn't work out so well.

Watching how Anxiety and OCD feed into one another while ADHD drives just about everybody to the point of dysregulation is a pretty accurate portrayal of what it's like to have "neurospicy" tendencies. Commenters applauded Georgia on the accuracy and felt seen by the creative display of what it's like to live with neurodivergence.

"Omg I’m neurodivergent and I can’t describe how relatable this is both me and my mum are and we sat down and watched it together and I don’t think I’ve ever seen something more relatable xx thank you for doing things like this xx," Estella Sylvester wrote.

"As a person with anxiety, OCD, and PTSD this video made me tear up. The accurate acknowledgment of conditions that are so stigmatized or romanticized means an indescribable amount to me, especially coming from a creator I've followed since I was a kid. We're not defined by our conditions, but they follow us through every moment of every day, and that's okay. Thank you for this Georgia, we love you <3," Elle commented.

"I have autism and ADHD and my brain is literally like this... I always thought that no one would understand me. This video means everything to me and I'm so happy and relieved to know that I am not alone. Thank you and I love you Georgia," Tess Sexton wrote.

If you're neurodivergent, watch the video below to see how well Georgia portrayed neurodiversity. If you're not neurodivergent, check out the video to get the inside scoop on how neurodivergent brains work. You may find it fascinating.

This article originally appeared two years ago.

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34 broken bones, a mural, and Buddy the Elf—what these three things have in common

"I never thought I’d run again. But against the odds, here I am."

34 broken bones, a mural, and Buddy the Elf—what these three things have in common
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The Bank of America Chicago Marathon took place on Sunday, October 12th. Every runner who took on the enormous feat of 26.2 miles is truly an inspiration. We’re proud to share three outstanding stories about the power of community, giving back and crossing the finish line. Not only did they run an outstanding distance, but they each also gave back by fundraising for an organization that changes lives for the better.

Running a marathon is so much more than race day. It’s sticking to a schedule, getting enough rest, learning how to fuel your body for long distances, and—perhaps the most challenging of all—building mental resilience.


Meet Leanne: Running after 34 Bone Fractures

Leanne was only 12 years old when during her middle school cross country practice, she fractured her right tibia, the shin bone in her leg. This wasn’t Leanne’s first time breaking a bone—it was actually her 34th fracture. After many years of being overlooked as "clumsy," Leanne felt immense relief and recognition when a doctor diagnosed her with brittle bone disease, an incredibly rare condition.

Lurie Children’s provided a care plan for Leanne to build strength and start running again. And as of October 12th, Leanne ran her second Bank of America Chicago Marathon. She said in an interview, “I never thought I’d run again. But against the odds, here I am, training for my second Bank of America Chicago Marathon... all because of Lurie Children’s.”

Leanne’s impressive journey is a testament to the incredible research of Lurie Children’s, where she gives back by volunteering at the hospital and running on its behalf. Talk about being a true inspiration.


Meet Everett: Running to Inspire Through Art

Everett is an artist who creates beautiful murals around the city of Chicago. He uses his art as a tool for storytelling for community and connection.

In addition to being an artist, Everett is a runner. He ran the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on behalf of Peace Runners 773, a non-profit organization that strengthens the community of Chicago. In this video, we follow Everett on a run to visit some of his favorite murals. The run ends at Garfield Park, where Everett just finished a mural that he dedicated to the organization—symbolizing growth, strength and togetherness. Everett didn’t stop there.

While building his strength as a runner, Everett is strengthening his city of Chicago. Through his running and artwork, Everett has brought more awareness and resources to his community.

Meet Joseph: Running on Behalf of Special Olympics


Joseph ran the Chicago Marathon on behalf of Special Olympics, dedicating each mile to one of 26 friends with a developmental disability. The last 1.2 miles were extra special. It was for one of his closest friends, Matt.

In this video, Joseph runs to Matt’s house. For every mile of this training run, he tells us a heartwarming anecdote about Matt. They met at camp and soon, Matt will be a groomsman in Joseph’s wedding. The duo even sends a Christmas card every year—most notably dressing up as Buddy the Elf and sharing a bowl of spaghetti with maple syrup (spoiler: it doesn’t taste good).

As Joseph runs, he says, “Before we get to Matt, a quick note about why I’m running on behalf of Special Olympics. Matt and I love sports. And so do many of my other friends. Donations help provide year-round sports training and competition for more than 20,000 people with intellectual disabilities across Illinois.”

Joseph is the perfect example of inspiration. Not only did he run an entire marathon, but he also found inspiration in his friends who love sports as much as he does.


Leanne, Everett and Joseph are three incredible people who have shown how much strength and perseverance it takes to run a marathon. Each runner is both empowering themselves and their community. Their dedication to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon shows that the people of Chicago have a passion for the city, their neighbors and their personal achievements.

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Gen Xers share 17 nostalgic dishes they ate growing up—and still make for dinner

From sloppy joes to pizza bread, these dishes still slap.

gen x, generation x, gen x meal, gen x food, gen x family meals
Image via Reddit

A family enjoys dinner during the 1970s.

Generation X (those born between 1965-1980) grew up eating classic Americana meals. During the 1970s, comfort meals like tuna casserole and salmon roquettes were popular meals.

Gen X also grew up eating some pretty unhinged (but all the more yummy) sandwiches. These meals are steeped in childhood nostalgia.

And to this day, Gen Xers are still fond of their favorite dishes they grew up eating. Together, they discussed on Reddit their most-loved home-cooked dishes that they still whip up, starting with sloppy joes.

Here are 17 iconic Gen X comfort meals to keep in mind the next time you make dinner:


@genx_shawn

🤤😂 Top 10 Things ONLY GenX Knows the Taste Of... #genx #over50club #genxtiktok #over40 #genxcrew #generationx #genxers #genxtok #over40club #over50

"Breakfast. We will have a 'breakfast for dinner' at least a couple times a month. Yum!" - fadeanddecayed, KddKc

"Pizza bread! My mom would cut Italian bread into pieces, put butter and garlic salt on them, then pour some spaghetti sauce on them, cover with mozzarella cheese, and broil for like ten or fifteen minutes. Super easy and quick to make and so tasty. I'm sure my mom loved that I was so into something that took roughly zero effort for her to make." - hornybutired

"Grilled cheese and soup." - reincarnateme

"Meat loaf. I use 2 pounds ground beef, replace bread crumbs with minute rice, add 1 pkg beef soup flavoring, chop an entire onion for it, and mix BBQ sauce into mixture. Oh, important: do not overmix! Place all ingredients into bowl, then mix quickly 10 or 12 swirls of a large spoon. Grease loaf pan, carefully place mixture in, pat down & bake about an hour. (Extra info: for even better flavor, mix the night before, pat into loaf pan, cover with plastic, put into fridge overnight. Remove from fridge about an hour before baking. BE SURE TO REMOVE PLASTIC WRAP! [Esp. If in Pyrex glass loaf pan])" - jehardt, AbbyM1968

"White guy tacos." - najing_ftw

"Skillet dinner. Kielbasa, bell pepper, onion, spuds in a cast iron pan. One dish. Easy peasy." - UnimportantOutcome67

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"Chicken pot pie or chicken ala king." - sattersnaps

"Fried catfish, greens, and red beans and rice." - User Unknown

"Shepherds pie, technically cottage pie if it’s ground beef. Homemade enchiladas, usually made as a layered casserole instead because I don’t have time to roll them. Pork chops with mashed potatoes and veggies." - XerTrekker

"Fried rice with chicken or pork leftovers." - AlternativeResort181

"Hot hamburgers: hamburger patty open face on Texas toast thickness bread, cover with fries then cover that with brown gravy. Wife's variation is hamburger patty over rice with brown gravy." - EnricoMatassaEsq

@past_archives

American Gen X Foods That Kids Today Can’t Understand#nostalgia #childhoodmemories #backtochildhood #90s #2000s #usa #80s #90skids #80schildhood #capcutforus #capcut #capcutpioneer #America

"Stuffed peppers. I make it much more easily by cooking it all in one large frying pan 'deconstructed'. Sauté onions garlic and ground beef, add cut up peppers, tomatoes or tomato sauce, sometimes a little spinach, then add separately cooked rice, salt and pepper and serve. It comes together pretty quickly and tastes just as good as stuffing and baking peppers in the oven." - Affectionate-Map2583

"Macaroni and cheese with cut up hot dogs. Seriously, that’s what I ate tonight." - Dazzling-Walrus9673

"Homemade Stroganoff casserole. Ridiculously easy to make. Ingredients:

1.25-1.5 lbs. Ground Beef
1 each of large white onion, green pepper, and red pepper
1 can mushroom pieces, drained and rinsed
12 oz. Bag of wide egg noodles
1 can cream of mushroom soup
16 oz. Sour cream
Worcestershire Sauce
Louisiana Hot Sauce
White or Black Pepper
Panko bread crumbs

To Make: Preheat oven to 360 degrees. Worcestershire, hot sauce, garlic powder, and pepper are all to taste, depending on how much flavor and punch you want it to have. Cook noodles per instructions. Drain. Peel and slice onion (not diced), core and cut peppers into strips Brown meat, onions and peppers along with liberal amount of Worcestershire; garlic, pepper, and hot sauce. Add mushrooms. Cook until meat is fully brown, onions are translucent and peppers are tender. Drain. Combine drained meat, etc. with whole can of soup, half of the sour cream. Gradually add noodles into the mix. Add sour cream as needed to maintain consistency. Add Worcestershire, hot sauce, and pepper to taste. Dump into large, deep Corning dish or whatever. Cover too with bread crumbs. Cover and bake for forty minutes." - CynfullyDelicious

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Millennials are howling as Gen Zer attempts to wear 'historically accurate' low-rise jeans

“Darling, those are high-rise.”

low rise jeans, vintage low rise jeans, jeans, vintage fashion, fashion, millennial fashion, y2k fashion, thrifting, thrift store
Photo credit: Canva, Alejandro Páez/Flickr

Some things should stay buried in our closet.

When thrifting enthusiast @vintageprincessxoxo decided to slip into what she called “historically accurate low-rise jeans,” (cue the collective ouch from Millennials) she probably didn’t expect to trigger a generational flashback.

“I’m literally trying on actual, historically accurate low-rise jeans,” she told viewers, tugging up a pair of 2000s-era denim. The fit “looked nice,” she admitted, though she quickly added, “I hear if you bend down, things…my crack gets air.”

The video, now viewed more than four million times, sent Millennials into instant hysterics. Because anyone who lived through the true low-rise debacle of the early 2000s knows: low rise can go soooooo much lower.

@vintageprincessxoxo how much lower can these 2000s low rise jeans go? 😭😀 #lowrise #lowrisejeans #2000sjeans #y2k #y2kfashion ♬ original sound - vintageprincessxoxo

“Darling, those are high-rise with double buttons,” one commenter corrected.

“Those were our church appropriate low rise jeans,” quipped another.

For those who came of age during the Y2K years, “low-rise” meant jeans that defied both logic and gravity. Think zippers barely two teeth long, single-button flys that held on for dear life, and waistbands so low you couldn’t sit without strategic planning.

As a woman named Rachel Elizabeth explained in an Instagram response video, “Real millennial low-rise jeans? Your pubic hair was basically making a guest appearance. You could not bend forward or backward without being exposed to the world.”

Zero. Lies. Detected.

And if there was any confusion as to whether or not Millennials missed this bygone trend, hear some of their former fashion horror stories:

“This trend was a nightmare. We were ALWAYS pulling our pants up,” wrote one. Another recalled, “I once broke the side belt loop because of the constant pulling.”

Many noted that low rise jeans brought on the necessity for belts (studded, preferably), long tank tops, and of course, the dreaded “whale tail” thong.

Every generation rediscovers something the last one swore they’d never wear again. You’d probably be hard pressed to find any Gen Xer who truly longs for the return of acid wash jeans and shoulder pads. But for many Millennials, low-rise jeans are more than just an eyesore—they are the epitome of the impossible beauty standards of the time when “heroin chic” was replaced by “thinspiration,” and every single magazine featured a rail thin celeb with their “flat-abs challenge.”

Sadly, signs point towards the thin trend being back, and all the baggage that comes with it. Which might also be why folks are having such a visceral reaction to this simple try-on video.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

To their credit though, many Gen Zers are embracing low-rise with a comfort-forward mindset that would have blown 2003 minds—looser, slouchier, more forgiving—and in doing so, proving that trends can be reborn in positive ways. There are also some pretty awesome shoulder padded jackets out there, just sayin’.

Just wait til Gen Z discovers skinny jeans, and all the clumsy shimmying that comes with wearing them.

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Social skills expert shares 3 'magic phrases' that make you more likable

Sometimes, we need to overcommunicate how we feel about others.

vanessa van edwards, likability, communications skills, people skills, people laughing, good advice
via Press Release and Canva/Photos

Vanessa Van Edwards and people at a party.

A familiar misstep people make when trying to be likable is trying to impress others. They want to show they are funny, intelligent, and a great storyteller. They think being the life of the party is the road to likability. However, study after study shows that it’s a lot easier to be likable. All you have to do is show interest in others. To put it simply: If you like people, you will become more likable.

There’s a slight wrinkle in the notion that liking more people makes you more likable. Many people you like aren’t sure that you like them. The psychological phenomenon known as signal amplification bias says it best. We tend to overestimate how clearly we broadcast our feelings and intentions towards others. So, the person we like and who likes us may not know the feeling is mutual.

“We think our signals are obvious,” Vanessa Van Edwards told Steve Bartlett on the Diary of a CEO podcast. “If we like someone or if we’re having a good time, we think, ‘Oh, they for sure know it.’ They don’t.” Van Edwards is a communications expert and the author of Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People.

To help people clearly communicate their feelings, Van Edwards suggests three “magic phrases” to show you care. Check out the video below.


Phrase 1: ‘I was just thinking of you’

“You think of a lot of people in your life all the time,” she said. “If you are thinking of someone and you can text them: ‘I was just thinking of you, how are you?’ I was just thinking of you, how’d that project go?’ was just thinking of you. It has been a while since we talked.’ You see a movie, you see a documentary, you see a matcha latte, you see a mug, you see a ceramic candle, and you’re like, ‘Ah, this made me think of you,’” Van Edwards said. “My text messages, my conversations, are full of actual moments where I was triggered to think of that person, actually,” she said, noting the importance of being genuine. “If you don’t think of someone, they’re not a person you need to have in your life.”


Phrase 2: ‘You’re always so …’

"So if you're with someone and you're impressed by them or they're interesting or they're funny, say, 'You always make me laugh. You’re always so interesting,’ or ‘You’re always so great in interviews.' Giving them a label that is a positive label is the best gift you can give someone, because it's fighting that signal amplification bias,” she continued.


Phrase 3: ‘Last time we talked, you mentioned …’

“We are so honored when we get brain space—that you remembered and you’re going to bring it up,” she said. “And you specifically bring up something that they lit up with, something they were like, ‘Ah, it was great, it was exciting, it was wonderful.’”


If studies show the more you like other people, the more likable you become, Van Edwards has the next logical step in becoming more likable. She makes it clear that, due to signal amplification bias, many people you like may not even know it. When we employ her three ways to be more likeable, though, we can let people know we like them without making them feel uncomfortable, thus establishing bond to build on.

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Single people share exactly what they buy at Costco that saves them tons of money

"Honestly, the gas, wine, and rotisserie chicken are enough to make it worth it for me to keep my membership."

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Single people share what they buy at Costco.

If you have a family, a Costco membership seems like a no-brainer. When buying in bulk for lots of people, you can save tons of money when shopping at Costco.

But not everyone who has a Costco membership is married with kids—plenty of single people also utilize Costco. While some things don't make sense for singles to stock up on, there are plenty of items (and services) that Costco offers that benefit their wallets.

Single people opened up on Reddit about their Costco shopping lists. Here's exactly what single folks buy regularly from Costco to help save them money.

@paulinat

Costco run as a 1 person household/living alone! Let me know if you want more grocery shopping vlogs🥰🤌🏻 #grocerystore #costco #costcotiktok #groceryshopwithme #livingalone

"I'm single (widowed). Honestly, the gas, wine, and rotisserie chicken are enough to make it worth it for me to keep my membership. But I buy plenty of other things there as well (coffee beans, cheese, butter, soap, misc frozen foods)... The only things I can't buy are produce (can't get through it fast enough) and bulky items (paper towels, toilet paper, etc) because I don't have the storage space. I go 2-3 times a month." - LunaDog_Mom

"The membership cost is offset in protein powder alone for me." - sweetteaspicedcoffee

"A 365 day supply of Claritin almost offsets it on its own." - vapemuscle

"I'm single and not only do I have a Costco membership, I have an executive membership. So many things I like I can either only find at Costco, or are much cheaper per unit/ounce at Costco. For example, I drink a ton of coffee and the powdered Coffeemate creamer is the best price I've ever seen. Another example is the kitchen garbage bags. And then there's the toilet tissue, paper towels, egg bites, etc. When I compare what those things cost at grocery stores, buying them at Costco ends up being a good bit cheaper." - DirtyBirdDawg

"Yes. I buy bulk meat and portion and freeze it. My yogurts are so much cheaper at Costco. There also some other foods I buy consistently. The biggest thing I buy at Costco is clothes. A major of my winter gear is from Costco. I buy some work clothes there too because my job can be dirty and gross and I’m not going to spend a ton of money on clothing that going to get stained and ruined." - MeatScience1

"I join for a year, every third year. Or whenever I run out of trash bags and paper towels." - MoreFarmer4277

"Me and I just got my merino wool socks." - AdExternal964

"All the time. Heck, sometimes I head to Costco just to get an hour of walking in. And on the way out, grab a hotdog. The trick is to approach purchasing foodstuff with discipline. Mostly for frozen, canned, or freezable stuff. Otherwise I plan meals around what I'm getting. Especially for the ready-made stuff like meatloaf, stuffed peppers, etc." - Idiot_Esq

"Yeah - that chicken taco tray is really good too. staple for Friday nights around my home." - geb999

"I'm single and live in California. The prices of paper towels will forever secure my membership. Plus I get my appliances from there and tires." - LaCroixWeekend

"I am a single female. I buy toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, maxi pads, makeup wipes, laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, fabric softener, soap, body wash, frozen wild fish and shrimp, quinoa, canned wild salmon, Greek yogurt, Brussels sprouts, frozen berries and vegetables, turkey breast, protein shakes, coffee, Reynolds wrap, crackers, medicine and clothing there. ETA: totally forgot trash bags and olive oil!" - hurtingheart4me

Single woman here. Every 1-2 weeks: gas, organic baby spinach, Greek yogurt, eggs, organic bananas, cottage cheese Monthly: organic carrots, coastal cheddar cheese, hummus, unsweetened almond milk, frozen fruit (organic blueberries, organic mango, dark cherries), chicken cilantro mini wontons, canned tuna. Quarterly: probiotics, protein bars, oatmeal. Yearly: aluminum foil/plastic wrap/plastic baggies, chia and hemp seeds, spices/better than bouillon, olive oil, honey, microwave popcorn. One-off purchases: clothes, electronics (bought my laptop, mesh WiFi, TV, paper shredder, external hard drive, printer etc from them), kitchen equipment (Teflon pans, vitamix, dishwasher), linens (bedding, towels), rotisserie chicken and Mac n cheese/quiches and bagged salad (if family is coming over), flowers, glasses, windshield wiper blades, birthday/celebration cakes. Only buy on sale: babybel, laughing cow, zebra popcorn, dishwasher tabs, laundry detergent. Most of my grocery shopping is done at grocery stores since they have better deals and better quality on most produce or things like peanut butter. A big Costco is only about 15 minutes away and near where I workout, so it’s easy to get there frequently and during off-peak hours." - aknomnoms

"A hot dog, soda and slice of pizza for $3.50." - Miserable-Ship-9972

@whatkatscooking

Replying to @Paola Rodriguez How to Shop at Costco as a Single Person - I probably go 1-2 times a month, I actually enjoy going so I plan for it! ✨Costco isn’t just for big families—if you shop smart, it can save serious money for solo shoppers too! After 20 years of Costco hauls, here’s what I’ve learned: Shop Without a Membership? ✅ Go with a friend – Split bulk items (they pay, you reimburse). ✅ Use a Costco gift card – A member can buy one for you, and you can shop in-store or online. ✅ Look for membership deals – The Krazy Coupon Lady often shares discounts. 💰 Cost Breakdown: • 1 trip/month = $5 per visit • 2 trips/month = $2.50 per visit • Weekly? = $1.15 per trip Easily make back the $60/year membership with savings on groceries, gas, and more. Before You Go: Ask Yourself… 1️⃣ Do I have space? Costco items are big—check your fridge/freezer first. 2️⃣ Do I actually like this? A deal isn’t worth it if it sits untouched. 3️⃣ Will I finish it before it goes bad? If not, freeze it! What I Buy at Costco ✔ Proteins that last – Chicken sausage, tofu, canned fish ✔ Longer-lasting veggies – Green beans, broccoli, carrots - only 1 per trio ✔ Cheese (within reason!) – I buy snackable portions ✔ Frozen essentials – Wontons, fruit, veggies for easy meals ✔ Life essentials – Batteries, windshield wipers, supplements, cozy clothes. ✔ A little treat – Because why not? Shopping Tips: 💡 Check expiration dates – Especially on dairy & meats! 💡 Inspect produce – One bad piece can ruin the pack. 💡 Compare price per unit – Kirkland brand is usually the best deal. 💡 Use Costco perks – Discounted LOCAL gift cards, gas, eye care, auto services. Costco can work for single shoppers—just shop smart! Want more Costco hacks? Follow me for more tips! 🛒✨ #costco #costcofinds #costcoforsingles #budgetfriendlymeals

What experts say single people should buy at Costco

Single people can still score big deals at Costco. Here's what the experts say are the best things single people should utilize:

Allergy medication

"Allergy sufferers should consider buying the Kirkland Signature Aller-Tec medicine which includes a years worth of allergy relief for one person for only $14.99," Melissa Cid, consumer savings expert for MySavings.com, tells Upworthy. "You just have to buy a bottle one time per year and not think about it again. You will save up to 60% off compared to drugstore and grocery store prices which are smaller bottles that you would have to buy more frequently."

Salad kits

"In the refrigerated produce section, Costco’s salad kits are a single person’s secret weapon," Kristen Markel, founder of Warehouse Wanderer, a blog dedicated to Costco shopping strategies, tells Upworthy. "They’re fresh, flavorful, and perfectly portioned, so you’re not wasting ingredients. Add some rotisserie chicken or chickpeas, and you’ve got a balanced meal in minutes. The flavor options rotate often, keeping weekday lunches and quick dinners interesting."

Frozen shrimp

"The frozen food section is full of single-friendly staples, and Kirkland Signature Gulf Shrimp is one of my top picks," says Markel. "It cooks quickly, can be used in countless meals, and the resealable bag makes it easy to take just what you need. Buying shrimp in bulk this way costs far less than frequent takeout or grocery store portions."

Costco Travel

"Besides the obvious reason that Costco’s massive buying power leads to incredible deals, booking your vacations through Costco Travel is a smart move for singles," Markel shares. "Prices often include extras like resort credits or free upgrades that you won’t find elsewhere. And if you’re an Executive Member, you’ll earn 2% back on your purchases—even on travel—which adds up fast."

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People honor their four-legged friends on 'Day of the Dead for pets' and it's absolutely soul-stirring

"The rainbow bridge glows brighter than ever forming a gentle path of light."

pets, day of the dead, mexican tradition, ofrenda, love
Photo Credit: Larry Leal

Person makes his ofrenda to celebrate pets who have passed away.

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, has always been one of Mexico's most beautifully soulful traditions. On November 1st and 2nd, people honor their loved ones who have passed on from this life by setting up altars with "offerings" (or ofrendas) presenting a display of their favorite things. (For example, this year for my father, I will light a candle and display Oreos, a can of sardines, a Dodgers baseball playing card, and a Neil Diamond record.)

National Geographic Kids explains, "Day of the Dead combines the ancient Aztec custom of celebrating ancestors with All Souls' Day, a holiday that Spanish invaders brought to Mexico starting in the early 1500s."

It is a lovely offering and a wonderful way to not only remember our loved ones who are no longer here, but to open a symbolic portal to a space where, living or dead, we can all rejoice together—at least for a day.

October 27th was recently added as the Día de los Muertos specifically for pets who have crossed over that rainbow bridge. Dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, salamanders—no matter what the loved animal was, its soul matters too. In one heartwarming video, a person explains that the animals are the first to make the journey back to see us.

Reporter Nadia Cantú notes in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that, in 2019, it was a pet funeral home (Funeral Pet) who suggested pets have a designated day of remembrance. Many animal lovers took to the idea and have been setting up altars ever since (though many have been doing this for centuries).

If you'd like to take part, find a corner of your home that your pet especially loved to hang out in. This is where you can gather everything that represents this beloved pet on it's own ofrenda. Of course, the space can be shared with your offerings for human loved ones.

Cantú breaks down what different elements of this spiritual offering will do. Candles are key, she says, as "they represent the light that guides the soul back home."

Instagrammer @Finelythegoldenbear shares this lovely sentiment: "It's said that on this night the rainbow bridge glows brighter than ever forming a gentle path of light that stretches all the way to the hearts that miss them most."

Marigolds, often known in Spanish as cempasúchil, are also traditionally part of this offering. A piece in The Desert Botanical explains the meaning for this flower: "The celebration traces back to pre-Hispanic Aztec rituals tied to the goddess Mictecacihuatl, or the Lady of the Dead. The story goes that Mictecacihuatl allowed spirits to travel back to Earth to reconnect with their family members. The fragrance, which is a musky smell from marigolds, is said to lead souls from their burial place to their family homes. Throughout the years, this tradition adopted Roman Catholic aspects from Spaniards who conquered Mexico."

They also mention that other flowers, including "chrysanthemums, cockscombs, or gladiolas," are used in these altars, but marigolds—with their inviting warm color—are the most meaningful.

From there, one would put their pet's favorite, well, everything: food, treats, toys, or a bowl of water as a "symbol of purity and rest after their long spiritual journey." And of course, a photo of the pet (noting that if you don't have one, you can simply draw a picture or write their name).

My friend Larry Leal said of his altar, "There's ashes and pictures. And water because they are thirsty when they come. Plus, their favorite snacks!"

For my beautiful dogs making that trek across the bridge, I will put out blankets, their favorite squeaky toys, and, specifically for my beagle—a roll of toilet paper, as it was his favorite thing to eat.

Should you wish to celebrate, maybe take a stroll through the park on this day. Perhaps your wonderful pet, having made the long journey back to see you, might just be trotting right beside you.

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