The quiet rebellion of being happy

Why happiness feels so hard and the five rules that make it easier.

Various powers-that-be need you stressed. There’s no billion-dollar industry to be built on you quietly reading a novel with a cat in your lap*. But there’s plenty of money in doomscrolling, rage-clicking, and buying stuff you don’t need. The currents of culture are designed to pull you away from peace, play, and purpose.

Good news, though: happiness is less about resisting the tide and more about reprogramming your daily choices. Amy Lamare points to five deceptively simple rules, including:

• Drop perfectionism (it’s just anxiety in a cute outfit).

• Sync your schedule with your natural rhythms instead of fighting them.

That’s just the start. The rest of the rules might surprise you, and they’re a lot easier to try than you’d think.

* - OK, technically the publishing and pet-care industries… but I think the point remains valid.

Image of the day

GQ once called mangoes overrated

The 30-year-old list resurfaced to haunt its authors.

Have you ever looked back at an old Tweet or Facebook status and cringed so hard you wished for witness protection? Now imagine being a professional writer! We drop thousands of words a day into the collective stream of consciousness. You can't do that without occasionally committing some egregious stupidity to the permanent record.

So it is, with some guilt and a lot of empathy, that I draw attention to GQ’s infamous 1995 list of “overrated” things. Because yes, someone really put mangoes, rainforests, and the large intestine on blast.

As Neha B uncovers in this archival gem, it’s a head-spinning mix of cringe and clairvoyance. On the one hand, Ticketmaster caught shade decades before it was cool. On the other hand, “Gay comedy” and “Any British woman described as a beauty” also made the cut. Yikes.

You’ll want to read the whole list for yourself.

Should you let your dog sleep in your bed?

Two vets, one surprising rule, and a whole lot of bedtime drama.

Every dog owner knows the debate: is your pup a cozy comfort or a midnight menace? In this story by Erik Barnes, veterinarians explain why the answer isn’t as simple as “yes” or “no.” Studies show co-sleeping can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and even help you drift off faster. But it can also crank up your snoring, wreck your sleep, or spread germs if you’re not careful.

The twist? Experts say there’s one thing you have to do before sharing your sheets with a furball, and skipping it could mean restless nights for both of you.

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💬 From the group text…

It’s time for the joke of the day. “LET’S GO!” Ms. Pencilsaway has a riddle for her class.