TODAY I WILL:  

Lead my life like it’s a love letter to myself.

A little pop culture speculation, a little lifestyle audit, and a gentle reminder to check your auto-renew.

• Podiatrists have thoughts on walking around barefoot.

• 2026 has ushered in a new piercing trend.

• The internet is connecting the plotlines of these two popular shows.

• Experts weighed in on how we should be storing fruits and vegetables.

• Everyone is calling out the subscriptions that won’t leave them alone.

Try-Hards Are Hot Again.

For years, playing it cool was the vibe—nonchalant, unbothered, spontaneous.

Recently, however, the call to put an end to nonchalance is being heard. On TikTok, creators are urging followers to try to put themselves out there. Welcome to the era of chalance. 

Effort is a flex in life and in dating. New data from Hinge surveyed 6,000+ daters and confirmed what many of us have been quietly craving: intentionality. In its survey, Hinge found that 72% of women say they care more about a potential partner putting effort into building a relationship than earning a higher income. Translation? The bar isn’t “rich.” It’s “thoughtful.” And effort doesn’t mean grand gestures. It means consistency, planning, and showing you’re paying attention.

Survey participants said that planning is the new love language. When daters say “effort,” they mean specifics: 74% say making concrete plans shows effort, 84% say a thoughtful date matters more than the price tag, and 60% of men say planning consistent dates is important in their relationships. 

Nonchalance used to signal confidence. Now it reads as indifference. Searches for “chalant”—aka the opposite of nonchalant—are up 217% in 2025, proving this isn’t just about dating apps. In careers, friendships, wellness—putting in effort is no longer “trying too hard.” It’s self-respect. We’re in a post-irony era where caring is cool again. Showing up is cool. Planning ahead is cool. And honestly? So is being the person who texts first.

The Bottom Line: The hottest thing you can be right now is invested, because the new status symbol isn’t detachment, it’s effort.

Shift Workers, We See You. 

If you don’t have a 9-to-5 (by choice or not), you’re likely already familiar with shift sulking even if the term is new to you. The phenomenon is when hourly workers arrive at their shifts already exhausted and burnt out because the conditions surrounding their work, like “unpredictable schedules, inconsistent hours, and rising demands,” are not sustainable. 

And according to data from Deputy, stability can be the key to solving the issue. When workers have stable schedules, happiness reaches 98% (versus 60% when they’re unpredictable). The problem is that it’s usually employers that dictate that, rather than the employees who are most affected by those decisions. 

What to try: Ask your boss if you can tighten up your schedule so you work more consistent hours. You might be able to sweeten the deal by suggesting a time others don’t love working, but would offer you stability (like opening every day or clocking in right before the rush). If they’re not amenable, start looking for a gig that offers more set hours. It’s not immediate, but even some non-traditional gigs have stable scheduling. In your off-hours, stick to a consistent bedtime and wake-up time to at least keep your circadian rhythm in check.

On Friday, we asked: What is your current routine giving?

Let’s just say, the reset energy is strong. The majority of you (38%) said you’re in your declutter era, while almost a quarter said they’re still testing everything. Twenty-two percent said they are locked in with a tight edit and no extras (impressive). Just 16% said they’re vibing with some cute chaos.