Don’t give up. How many times have we all heard that throughout our lives? While the motivating mantra has its place, sometimes giving up is actually the right move, according to a new analysis. “Sticking with impossible goals can take a real toll, with previous research suggesting it can lead to higher stress, poorer well-being, and even physical health costs such as illness,” study author Hugh Riddell said. Learn more about the benefits of quitting.
What do marry me chicken, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the U.K.’s Royal Botanic Gardens have in common? They’re among the world’s top trending queries of 2025, according to a recent report from Google. Using data from Jan. 1 through Nov. 25, the 2025 Year in Search “compiles the moments, people, topics, events, and places that captured the world’s attention this year,” the tech giant said, per USA Today, adding: “By looking at top trending searches, we’re identifying topics that saw huge spikes in 2025, which means they’re unique to this year compared to last year.” Google clarified that the results are distinct from the top searches by numbers, which tend to change very little each year. Other notable trending searches that made it onto one of the various categories’ top five lists include the Los Angeles wildfires, Apple TV+’s Severance, Pope Leo XIV, and Alex Warren’s hit song “Ordinary.” Click here to explore more global trending searches and here to see what people in the U.S. Googled.
Humanity
Why a Belgian Region Elects Random Citizens to Positions of Power
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Ostbelgien is known for its idyllic landscapes, regional “terroir” cuisine, and now, political innovation. In 2019, the parliament in the eastern Belgian region established a lottery giving 30 random citizens the opportunity to help make decisions, a bid to restore trust in government. Six years later, the citizens’ assembly — known as the Ostbelgian Model — seems to be working. Every year, 1,500 residents receive letters inviting them to participate in the council. Of those who confirm interest, 30 are selected. Every week for around two months, the chosen council members discuss governmental matters regarding topics like housing, education, and social services, Good Good Good reported. Lawmakers don’t have to enact the council’s recommendations, but they must consider them. Since its inception, the assembly has played a part in changes like passing cell phone bans in schools and expanding low-income housing accessibility. It has also inspired larger municipalities, like Paris, to develop their own, similar councils. “As trust between citizens and government is faltering, these new institutions embody the potential of democratic renewal,” Claudia Chwalisz, one of the Ostbelgien Model’s creators, wrote in 2022. “We need more citizens to demand this change as well, to imagine and fight for another kind of democratic future. If they do, another democratic system is possible.”
Science
Writing Builds Resilience by Changing Your Brain, Helping You Face Everyday Challenges
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This article was written by Emily Ronay Johnston, an assistant teaching professor of global arts, media and writing studies, at the University of California, Merced, for The Conversation. Ordinary and universal, the act of writing changes the brain. From dashing off a heated text message to composing an op-ed, writing allows you to, at once, name your pain and create distance from it. Writing can shift your mental state from overwhelm and despair to grounded clarity — a shift that reflects resilience. Psychology, the media, and the wellness industry shape public perceptions of resilience: Social scientists study it, journalists celebrate it, and wellness brands sell it. They all tell a similar story: Resilience is an individual quality that people can strengthen with effort. The American Psychological Association defines resilience as an ongoing process of personal growth through life’s challenges. News headlines routinely praise individuals who refuse to give up or find silver linings in times of hardship. The wellness industry promotes relentless self-improvement as the path to resilience. In my work as a professor of writing studies, I research how people use writing to navigate trauma and practice resilience. I have witnessed thousands of students turn to the written word to work through emotions and find a sense of belonging. Their writing habits suggest that writing fosters resilience. Insights from psychology and neuroscience can help explain how — get research-backed tips to help you develop a writing practice conducive to resilience.
In Other News
The American Cancer Society released its updated cervical cancer screening guidelines (read more)
A new jaguar sighting in Arizona signals hope for the endangered species (read more)
Ralph Lauren will once again outfit Team USA for the Olympic ceremonies — see the 2026 looks (read more)
This gorgeous timelapse video shows a full moon rising behind a lone tree in California (read more)
Meet the “fairy lantern”: a rare, fantastical plant species discovered by scientists in Malaysia (read more)
Something We Love
Happytecture This book is on my holiday wish list. It came out a few years ago, but I only recently discovered Anna Devís and Daniel Rueda’s photography (the duo is also known as “annandaniel”). I love how they see the world — with lots of potential for smiles and play. Even just the title Happytecture sparks joy. – Marika Spitulski, Writer
Christmas is coming early for Ed Bambas, an 88-year-old Army veteran and widower who lives in Michigan. Although Bambas had retired in 1999, he lost his pension, health care coverage, and most of his life insurance in 2012 when his former employer went bankrupt. His late wife was ill at the time, and medical bills mounted. Unable to make ends meet, Bambas returned to work full-time at a supermarket in 2020, where he shared his story in a now-viral video by Australian influencer Sam Weidenhofer, who uses his platform to help people in need. Thanks to an outpouring of support, Weidenhofer has collected over $1.5 million in donations for Bambas. “I don’t know how to thank everybody for what they’re doing for my dad,” said Bambas’ son Michael. “It’s just amazing, words can’t describe.”
Photo of the Day
Sean Gallup—Getty Images News/Getty Images
Berlin’s Pergamonmuseum, which has been closed for renovations since October 2023, will partially reopen to the public in 2027. Although work on the UNESCO World Heritage Site may continue until 2037 or later, some of the institution’s most famous attractions — including the Pergamon Altar and Mshatta Façade — will be back on display sooner, offering visitors a glimpse of ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, and more.
Take Care of Your Gut With Pendulum
Scientists from Johns Hopkins, Harvard, Berkeley, and Stanford figured out that Akkermansia is a beneficial strain for improved gut health. And now, Pendulum has pioneered its use in a probiotic supplement recommended by more than 16,000 medical professionals. This one-of-a-kind formula strengthens the gut lining, improves metabolic health, and boosts GLP-1 production* so you feel your best every day.
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Odds & Ends
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Quote of the Day
“A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down.”
