For those who don’t frequent TikTok, you may not know what that means. But the viral phenomenon of deciding how the day will go is sweeping the Internet. In recent weeks, millions of TikTok users have flocked to an account by Jonathan Graziano to find out if his supposedly psychic pug Noodle has bones. Yes, you read that correctly, but my colleague Charles Trepany explains further:
Every morning, the New York City resident shares his 13-year-old dog’s mood by propping him up and seeing if Noodle remains standing (bones) or flops down like a noodle (no bones). If Noodle stays upright, then congratulations! It’s a bonus day! These are lucky days for taking risks and treating yourself. But if Noodle collapses, it’s a no-bones day, a sign that it’s best to take it easy. “You’ve got to treat yourself today!” Jonathan says in one Bones Day video with over 7 million views. “Get the scallion pancakes with your take-out order. I don’t care if you finish them. Get that deliriously expensive candle. Bask in your good fortune and have a great weekend.”
And as it turns out, Noodle’s bones or no-bones shtick can teach us something about self-care, according to experts. Amid an era of uncertainty, clinical psychologist and founder of Renewed Freedom Center Jenny Yip says we should all be taking cues from Noodle by prioritizing self-care and ensuring we lead balanced lives. Noodle inspires followers to accept that life needs balance; Yip said: We can’t always give 100% or risk facing burnout. Take life day by day, as Noodle does. To read the full article, click here.
Is it a COVID fight or a more significant problem?
With heated debates about social distancing, masks, and vaccines, the pandemic has created significant opportunities for disagreement among family and friends – and for some, that conflict around COVID remains. (Hint: In many cases, these tensions are about much more than COVID.) Sara Kuburic, the Millennial Therapist, says that the pressure is partly a result of the prolonged sense of threat and uncertainty. Although every situation and relationship is unique, she identified some reasons you may still be experiencing problems with loved ones.
Pent up issues
Frustration and disagreement around the best way to navigate the pandemic are common, but these arguments have created an opportunity to release pent-up emotions for some people. COVID has acted as a pretense to release their pain or anger that may be unrelated to the pandemic.
New conflicts
The pandemic has introduced many new topics into daily conversations: ethics, human rights, duty, responsibility, freedom, and values. These conversations have shed light on the differences in views and beliefs between them and their family members for some people. The talks may start around COVID, but the divisions can remain because the involved parties may not know how to reconcile differences in belief within a single-family structure.
Lack of space
Being confined to one another and not having sufficient personal space can make anyone feel stifled. If individuals struggle to ask for freedom, they may unknowingly (or knowingly) start a fight to get the distance.
