What do I value? What are my needs in a relationship? What do I want out of life? What are my boundaries?

These personal queries often haunt and overwhelm me, as I find myself morphing into what might be deemed “acceptable” to society.

This begs the question: How much of us is shaped by external forces and expectations? Where does our identity begin and end, and how might we draw clearer lines?

Both in therapy and along my own self-healing journey, I’ve learned more about who I am without forcing myself into a neatly labeled box. Sure, I have room to grow in this area, but my progress is a testament to honest self-reflection.

Here are some tips for getting to know yourself better—no matter how old you are.

1. Spend More Time Alone

I’m convinced the only time most of us are fully ourselves is when we’re completely alone. Perhaps that’s a depressing notion, but it has quite a simple fix.

Take yourself on solo dates or schedule some downtime to unwind without friends or loved ones around. Notice how you feel. Are you uncomfortable in your own company, or do you thrive in isolation? How are you compelled to spend your time? What kind of clothing do you wear? What type of music do you listen to? Do you catch yourself dancing or singing in your kitchen while cooking dinner? What are some quirks you pick up that you wouldn’t otherwise express in public?

The more time we spend alone, the better we get to know ourselves, and the more authentically we can show up in social situations and in our relationships. If you spend too much time around others, you might unconsciously pick up behaviors or patterns you don’t even align with. Push through the uneasiness of solitude—there’s often a lesson within that discomfort. 

2. Journal Through Confusion or Hard Feelings

I know, I know…it seems everyone recommends “journaling” nowadays, often without any sort of guidance. But through a ton of trial and error, I’ve discovered the most meaningful and beneficial way to journal for self-discovery.

Often, when faced with a difficult situation, we seek external opinions and advice from friends, family members, and even the internet. I used to scour Reddit for input from random strangers before validating my own feelings. My search history once looked like…

“Is it wrong to be upset by [valid reason to be upset]?”

“Am I crazy for wanting [valid want/need]?”

“How do I handle [very complex situation that requires personal reflection and an individualized approach]?”

In other words, I was outsourcing my own identity. I didn’t let myself have an original thought or human reaction, unless it was first validated by someone else. This disconnect is common in people with OCD, but it can happen to anyone—especially in today’s highly critical world.

Instead of looking to others for answers that only I have, I began to write in my journal. First, I’d start by asking myself how, exactly, I was feeling in that moment, and whether something triggered the reaction I was experiencing. 

Then, I would ask myself how my body interpreted the signal. What narrative was I feeding myself? Was it backed by facts, or was it just an assumption?

Usually, from here, I would find a natural rhythm, almost like a conversation between me and my “higher self.” I’d go back and forth between asking and answering questions, reassuring myself when needed—but not obsessively.

Within days, I began to notice a massive difference in how I responded to external stressors. I found clarity in myself and felt less compelled to rely on someone else’s POV. After all, who’s to say someone knows me better than I know myself? And why would I value advice from random strangers (or even loved ones leading different lives than I am) more than my own?

3. Don’t Limit Yourself

When defining ourselves, many of us feel pressured to fit into a certain box or view our roles as our identities. For example, a mother of three boys might label herself a “boy mom” as if that’s all she is. An aspiring novelist might deem himself a “struggling artist” without factoring in all the other parts of himself.

Not to mention, social media makes it seem like we must fall under certain “aesthetics” or market ourselves as “brands” to find success and community. Don’t feed into this belief. You can be whoever the fuck you want to be, changing your personal style or music taste depending on your mood, shifting in and out of different “roles” as you please.

Acknowledge yourself as the multifaceted, authentic human you are—and never shrink yourself down to fit someone else’s mold.

The post 3 Simple Yet Effective Ways to Get to Know Yourself Better in 2026 appeared first on VICE.

Writing in The Conversation, Spear describes the exact feeling a lot of us experience in the gauntlet of massive holiday meals that end every year. Specifically, she examines them through the lens of the Japanese word “betsubara,” or “separate stomach.”

The Japanese have not discovered a second cow-like stomach in humans. The term is a silly colloquial way of describing the sudden and seemingly inexplicable desire to find room for dessert when there previously was no room for anything else. The sensation is real, Spear argues, but there’s nothing especially fascinating going on in our stomachs that makes room for sweet treats.

While our stomachs find a way to accommodate any desserts we put in them, our brains play a bigger role than you’d think.

The human stomach isn’t a rigid container that hits max capacity when it fills to the brim. It’s kind of elastic-y. When you eat, it relaxes through a process called gastric accommodation and expands without dramatically increasing pressure. Dessert is usually soft and mushy, low on fiber and protein, so it doesn’t take up a whole lot of space and doesn’t require much mechanical effort to digest. Ice cream is easier to make room for than a second steak, for instance.

Hunger doesn’t shut off once you’re physically full. What takes over is “hedonic hunger,” the urge to eat for pleasure rather than necessity. This is where your brain takes over. Desserts activate the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine and temporarily quieting signals that tell your stomach you’ve had enough.

You may not need dessert, but your brain wants it — and it will perform all the complicated mental gymnastics necessary to convince you that it’s not just a good idea, but the best idea.

As you eat one type of food, your brain gradually finds it less rewarding. Switching to something sweet or creamy or both refreshes that response. That’s why someone who can’t finish their main course might still be able to find a little room for dessert. Their bellies may not be full, exactly, but they may be experiencing a kind of overstuffed sensory response that needs a little novelty to reset interest.

Fullness signals from hormones like GLP-1 and peptide YY take 20 to 40 minutes to fully kick in. Dessert decisions often happen before that system has caught up. Restaurants know this instinctively, offering menus while our natural reward system can still be exploited. Add cultural aspects, like how dessert is often seen as a celebratory act or part of a ritual, and then toss in a little bit of emotional eating when we need a sugary pick-me-up, and it’s easy to understand why, especially during the holidays, there’s always room for dessert.

The post Humans Have Grown a ‘Second Stomach’ Just for Desserts, Scientist Says appeared first on VICE.

As the first full moon of the year, the Wolf Moon carries profound spiritual significance. Wondering how you can work with this energy? Let’s dive in.

What Is a Supermoon?

Saturday’s Wolf Moon, aka January’s full moon, is considered a supermoon. A supermoon occurs when the full moon is at or near its closest point to Earth, making it appear even bigger than usual.

As NASA explains, “The Moon travels around our planet in an elliptical orbit, or an elongated circle, with Earth closer to one side of the ellipse. Each month, the Moon passes through the point closest to Earth (perigee) and the point farthest from Earth (apogee).”

A supermoon occurs when the moon passes through the perigee during the full moon stage. The moon can appear up to 14 percent larger at perigee than at apogee.

What Is a Wolf Moon?

Not only are we experiencing a supermoon this weekend, but it’s also known as the Wolf Moon, which holds significant symbolism. More on that later.

In simple terms, the Wolf Moon refers to the full moon that falls in January. Why? 

“The howling of wolves was often heard at this time of year,” The Old Farmer’s Almanac explains. “It was traditionally thought that wolves howled due to hunger, but we now know that wolves use howls to define territory, locate pack members, reinforce social bonds, and gather for hunting. European settlers may have used the term ‘Wolf Moon’ even before they came to North America.”

Of course, the Wolf Moon isn’t the only name for January’s full moon. Others include Center Moon, Cold Moon, Frost Exploding Moon, Freeze Up Moon, Severe Moon, and Hard Moon, among countless others. 

My personal favorite is “Greetings Moon,” which was named by Western Abenaki. It feels like the perfect title for the first moon of the new year.

Full Moon in Cancer

This particular full moon will occur in Cancer, a water sign known for its empathetic, gentle, and sensitive nature.

According to Astroseek, when the moon enters Cancer, “You may be prone to emotional fluctuations; you should learn to forgive and forget in order to avoid depression from thinking too much about things.” 

Additionally, you might have a more subjective view of the world. Allow yourself space and solitude, especially if you’re falling into neediness. Be intentional with your words and actions.

When a full moon occurs in a sign, it amplifies the experience even more. So, as we just covered, the full moon in Cancer might trigger dependency and insecurity. Don’t fight or avoid this energy. Rather, dive into it without any judgment. 

Be present with yourself, journaling through your feelings and any emotional wounds that might come up. If approached with honesty and care, it can help you gain more confidence and self-assurance. 

Wolf Moon Symbolism

The Wolf Moon is deeply symbolic. As the first of the year, it represents renewal, reflection, and community. Just as the wolves locate and gather pack members to reinforce social bonds, we, too, should look to our community for connection and fulfillment. 

As the moon in Cancer reminds us, it’s okay to crave external support—so long as you’re not losing your own independence. Practice gratitude, celebrate milestones, release old wounds, forgive yourself and others, and prepare for the year ahead.

The post January’s Wolf Supermoon Will Offer the Perfect Start to the New Year appeared first on VICE.

And unfortunately, many of us have also lost said person, making them “the one that got away.” These separations leave a noticeable hole in our lives and our hearts, triggering deep grief and even panic. 

Getting over someone you believed was “the one” is no easy feat. For some time following the split, you might experience denial, anger, depression, and even fear that you’ve lost your one chance at true love. But I promise you: that’s not the case.

Here are three tips for getting over the person you thought was your soulmate.

1. Challenge the Idea of ‘The One’

Growing up, I believed there was only one person created specifically for me. I’d read countless romance novels that only fueled that sentiment, hoping one day, I would meet my person and settle down for a peaceful, fulfilling life with them.

But over the years—and after experiencing different forms of heartbreak—my perspective has shifted. Call me jaded, but I don’t buy into the myth of “the one” anymore. Personally, I believe there are many people with whom we can fall in love, form a healthy attachment, and build a beautiful future.

Love might be a feeling, but it’s also a choice. And if someone chooses to betray or walk away from you, they probably aren’t meant to stay in your life. That doesn’t make them the villain, nor does it make you unworthy, and nor does it invalidate the bond you two shared. It merely means they were your person for a season—”the one” to show you how deeply you can love someone, but not “the one” to move forward with.

2. Understand that Love Does Not Equal Ownership

As I mentioned earlier, someone can be “the one” for a season. Long-term commitment is not the end-all, be-all. Life is ever-changing; relationships ebb and flow. Even if you believe the notion that “the one” is the person you will commit to spending your life with, understand that nothing is ever permanent or guaranteed—sometimes not even marriage. People divorce, spouses get sick, dynamics shift…

Of course, this isn’t to say marriage shouldn’t be your goal—I personally hope to get married and start a family one day. Marriage is a beautiful commitment, one that should be respected and taken seriously. But even a lawful union does not equate ownership over another person. Your spouse is still an individual, just as you are.

3. Know You Won’t Miss Out on What’s Meant for You

I remember going through a gut-wrenching heartbreak in my mid-20s, grieving someone I thought for sure would be the father of my kids someday. After nearly six years of dating, we’d talked of getting engaged, tying the knot, checking off all the boxes society has ingrained in us.

But ultimately, we realized we were growing apart more than together. We were still so young, and we had much growing to do individually. 

After the breakup, I thought for sure I would never find someone like him again. And I was right. 

No two people—no two partners—are the same. We all bring out different sides of each other, and I truly believe that certain people come into our lives when we need them, whether to teach us valuable lessons or to show us the kind of love we deserve.

I might not have met someone like my ex, but I have met new types of people. New friends, new partners, new connections that helped me grow in ways I wouldn’t have—couldn’t have—with him. And I’m sure he can say the same about me.

Does that take away from the relationship we once had? Of course, not. If anything, it’s a testament to how genuine our bond was at the time. 

Respect and express gratitude for the love you shared with your ex while acknowledging that your relationship didn’t work out for a reason. Trust what’s around the corner, and believe you will never miss out on what’s truly meant for you.

The post 3 Tips for Getting Over the Person You Thought Was ‘The One’ appeared first on VICE.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission maintains the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, a massive, anonymous database that tracks why Americans show up to the ER. That includes cases where someone arrives sheepish, uncomfortable, and very aware that gravity is not a valid explanation. Every year, doctors log what they find. Every year, the list gets longer.

Medical journals have been documenting the trend for decades. A study in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine estimated nearly 39,000 hospital visits per year related to rectal foreign bodies, with most patients middle-aged and male. More than half involved sex toys. The rest fall into a category best described as “how did this even occur?”

Researchers note that many cases escalate because people try to fix the situation themselves first. Pliers, tweezers, coat hangers, and other tools frequently appear in follow-up imaging, which explains why doctors beg patients to stop improvising.

So what exactly made it into the official records last year? Here’s a rearranged selection of items doctors reported removing, pulled from government data and emergency medicine case studies.

Some of the worst items found in People’s butts

• A full shampoo bottle, listed twice, once blamed on boredom
• A baseball, documented with the explanation “to see what it felt like”
• A corn cob holder
• A turkey baster
• A wine stopper
• A plastic cleanser bottle filled with liquid
• Eyeglasses
• A rock
• Two pencils
• A vape pen
• A flashlight
• A battery-powered light
• A film canister
• A rectangular travel toothbrush
• A dog chew toy
• Uncooked pasta
• An egg
• Marbles
• A sandal
• A doorknob
• Beard clippers wrapped in plastic, cited as constipation relief
• A light bulb, inserted glass-side first
• A plastic coat hanger, altered so the person could drive to the ER
• A corn-cob style pipe
• A thermos, discovered during a police body scan

Emergency physician Kenji Oyasu, who works in Chicago, summed up the situation in a viral TikTok when asked about the strangest object he’d ever removed. It was a full-size Yankee Candle. “The desktop jar,” he said. “The whole thing.” He explained that suction turns removal into a medical problem, not a pulling contest.

Doctors stress that these cases aren’t common, but they’re common enough to keep appearing in peer-reviewed journals. They also tend to get worse the longer someone waits.

This isn’t about shaming people. It’s a heads-up that, if you decide to stick something questionable where the “sun don’t shine,” the government will write it down for the world to see. 

The post The 25 Worst Items Pulled From People’s Butts in 2025, According to the US Government appeared first on VICE.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. The future, it turns out, is not all that difficult to predict. All you have to do is think about now and extrapolate a little. You’ll probably get more right than wrong unless you’re really reaching.

Case in point: back in ’98, Gallup and USA Today asked 1,055 Americans to imagine life in 2025. The result of that survey has been released, and people mostly nailed it, with a few laughable exceptions here and there.

Most Americans believed the country would elect a Black president, that same-sex marriage would be legal and common, and that a deadly new disease would emerge. That last one seems hilariously and frighteningly spot on in retrospect. What did 1998 landline-owning adults know that 13-year-old me at the time was blissfully unaware of?

So that’s three spot-on predictions. Here are some more: 1998 people were right to doubt that space travel would become routine for regular citizens, but could they have ever predicted that Katy Perry would find a way to be cringy in space? Good job, Nostradumbasses. Sticking to the space theme, the respondents also believed that we would not make contact with aliens. They were right about that, but that depends on how deep the alien conspiracy YouTube/TikTok rabbit hole you’ve gone down. If you’re one of the many who have taken that particular interstellar trip down social media, you probably think the aliens are wearing human skin suits among us.

As for the stuff that didn’t age well, about two-thirds of respondents assumed the United States would’ve elected a woman president by now. Close, but not quite. More than half expected a cure for cancer. While we were not there yet, mRNA vaccines could get us close to it. Sixty-one percent thought living to 100 would be routine. That is kind of happening, just not at a mass scale. The US centenarian population is projected to quadruple over the next 30 years, according to a 2024 Pew study, but that’s still not exactly “routine.”

Some other stuff that people from the distant past of 1998 got depressingly right: 70 percent thought that quality of life would improve, but only for the rich. Opinions were split on whether the same would be said for the middle class, and people definitely thought things were going to get worse for the poor.

Some stuff is easy to see even when you’re living in relatively good times. Nearly 80 percent predicted less personal privacy, and a majority expected less freedom overall. Check and check. Most anticipated higher crime. In reality, crime rates have been in a steady freefall for decades, a trend that there’s currently no reason to believe won’t continue.

Respondents also mostly believed that race relations would improve and that medical care would become more available. Not much to say about those other than lol.

The starkest, most telling change between now and then is in the general mood of the era. In 1998, about 60 percent of people said they were satisfied with the direction of the country.

Today, that number sits at 24 percent.

The post People in 1998 Made Frighteningly Accurate Predictions About 2025 appeared first on VICE.

Patrick Carroll, a psychology professor at The Ohio State University at Lima, studies that turning point. Psychologists call it an “action crisis,” the moment when someone starts seriously weighing whether to keep going after a long-term identity goal or walk away. In his research, Carroll describes these moments as inevitable. Setbacks pile up, obstacles start to feel heavier, and doubt begins to frame the decision about whether continuing is worth it.

His new research suggests a move that sounds too simple. When that doubt starts narrating your life, try doubting the doubt. “What this study found is that inducing doubts in one’s doubts can provide a formula for confidence,” Carroll said.

Right When You Want to Quit Is Probably When You Should Pause and Reconsider

In one study, 267 people rated how uncertain they felt about their most important goal. Then researchers nudged them into either confidence or doubt about their own thinking by having them write about a past moment of certainty or uncertainty. When participants got pushed into confidence, more goal doubt predicted less commitment. When they got pushed into doubt about their own thinking, that pattern reversed. Carroll described the punchline bluntly: “Doubt plus doubt equaled less doubt.” 

A second study with 130 college students reached the same conclusion using a physical cue. Participants answered questions with their non-dominant hand, which made their writing feel awkward and uncertain. Previous research shows that this kind of shaky handwriting can make people doubt the validity of their own thoughts, and that uncertainty ended up weakening the power of their goal doubts.

Use it as a tool, not a permission slip to grind forever. Carroll notes that the effect weakens when people become overly focused on managing their own doubt. Outside perspective helps here. A therapist, teacher, or friend can help you sort out whether a doubt reflects real limits or temporary frustration. Push the idea too far, though, and it can tip into overconfidence, trading healthy uncertainty for bad judgment.

Still, for anyone stuck in the messy middle stretch of a goal, the point feels humane. Your doubt is just a thought. Question how valid it is, then decide your next move with a little more agency.

The post Don’t Doubt Yourself or Your Goals, Doubt Your Doubts appeared first on VICE.

Her death was confirmed by Borja mayor Eduardo Arilla, who praised her as a kind, resilient woman deeply devoted to her church and community.

In August 2012, a then-81-year-old Giménez attempted to touch up Ecce Homo, a 19th-century fresco by Elias Garcia Martinez housed in the Sanctuary of Mercy Church near Zaragoza. The painting had been damaged by moisture over the decades, and, with permission from the local priest, Giménez stepped in to help restore it. Her genuine, earnest attempt at restoring this painting to its former glory quickly became a social media phenomenon.

The touchup was… interesting. The previously clear, sharp image of Christ had been replaced with a soft, hazy monkey-like Jesus who kind of looked like a Funko Pop at the midpoint between solid and melted.

The internet hivemind renamed it “Monkey Jesus,” and the image of her work went about as viral as anything has ever been, before or since.

The joke of it all became all-consuming, swallowing up Giménez’s side of the story. She would later say that the restoration work was unfinished at the time it was photographed. She had left it to dry and then went on vacation, planning to complete it when she got back. Instead, when she returned, it was the subject of worldwide ridicule. She would say that the reaction to her work hurt.

The problem is that it was a fresco, meaning it was painted directly onto the wall. She couldn’t take it off an easel and tuck it away somewhere out of sight. Anyone who walked into the church could easily spot it.

It was the ease of access that turned the meme into a touristy sensation. The quiet little town that housed it got around 5,000 visitors a year before Ecce Homo became a viral sensation. By the next year, 2013, tourist numbers jumped to 40,000, raising over €50,000 for charity. Ecce Homo’s viral impact was so intense that while those initial strong tourism numbers were never going to hold, they’ve dropped and held steady at around 15,000 to 20,000 visitors annually, all of whom come by to get a first-hand glimpse of Giménez’s work, bringing in money to a local economy and a church that never would’ve had this boom otherwise.

The world will remember her for one funny “failed” attempt at a restoration. Her parish will remember her for being so much more than that.

The post Mega Viral ‘Monkey Jesus’ Fresco Restorer Cecilia Giménez Dies at 94 appeared first on VICE.

Contrary to popular belief, this is a line in the sand for the aviation industry that has not been crossed until now, when it was forced to happen to save lives. Not many lives, but lives nonetheless.

On December 20, a Beechcraft Super King Air 200 flying over Colorado experienced a sudden loss of cabin pressure. Garmin’s Emergency Autoland system took over, flew the aircraft, talked to air traffic control, and landed safely at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport near Denver.

Operated by charter company Buffalo River Aviation, the flight had no passengers on board, just two pilots who willingly relinquished control while still maintaining control of the situation.

When the cabin altitude exceeded safe levels, the pilots put on oxygen masks. At that point, Autoland automatically engaged, as designed. Rather than disengaging it, the pilots decided to just let it do its thing while keeping their hands close just in case something went wrong. A real “Jesus, take the wheel” kind of moment.

Autoland isn’t the same thing as the autoland systems airlines use in foggy conditions. This technology is built specifically for emergencies where pilots might be incapacitated or overwhelmed. Once it’s activated, either automatically or via a very literal, very conspicuous big red button, the system takes full control. It chooses an appropriate airport based on distance and runway length, communicates with air traffic control using an automated voice, avoids terrain, and lands the plane without human input.

In this case, the system announced to controllers that it had taken over due to “pilot incapacitation,” which, as you can imagine, sparked a little bit of concern at first. Buffalo River Aviation later clarified that this was just how the system reports emergencies, not a literal interpretation of the conditions in the cockpit. The first responder video shows both pilots exiting the craft unharmed after safely landing.

Garmin says Autoland is currently installed on around 1,700 aircraft, mostly smaller private and charter planes. This was the first real-world proof that a fully autonomous emergency landing system can work exactly as intended, under pressure, without a safety net.

The FAA is investigating, but the outcome is promising. The aviation industry might finally have a true failsafe plan that, one hopes, will not panic in an emergency when there are no other options.

The post Plane Lands Itself After In-Flight Emergency for the First Time appeared first on VICE.

As someone who’s been saving money for her first true solo trip in the new year, I certainly have my fears and reservations. My brain keeps trying to intimidate me with worst-case scenarios and excuses to stay home and stick to my normal routine. But the entire point of solo traveling is to get yourself out of your comfort zone. 

Here’s how to start solo traveling in the new year.

1. Start Small

Many people assume that traveling must involve week-long or even month-long trips to luxurious resorts or expensive hotels. However, true traveling doesn’t need to break the bank. In fact, it’s smart to start small and work your way up to longer stays at more remote locations. 

Even if it’s a short overnight adventure somewhere within driving distance, it’s still a step in the right direction. For example, make reservations for one at a nearby restaurant, book that local Airbnb that’s a few towns over, or schedule a short weekend trip in a small city you’ve always wanted to visit.

Once you’re comfortable doing things alone, you can expand your horizon a bit more, extending your travels or branching out to further locations. Starting small ensures you won’t overwhelm your nervous system too quickly, which could end up turning you off to the idea entirely. It’s okay to go at your own pace.

2. Create an Itinerary That Inspires and Excites You

When you plan your first solo travel trip, make sure you have a light itinerary to follow. That way, you don’t show up unprepared or overwhelmed by choices.

For example, I’m personally turning my solo trip to New England into a mini writer’s retreat. I aim to visit specific cafes in the area, explore quaint downtowns, spend some time in nature, and cozy up in my Airbnb to write my current novel. I have a list of must-visit eateries, landmarks, and shops to try in the process. 

You don’t need to schedule every minute of every day when planning your trip, but it’s helpful to have a general idea of things you’d like to do and places you’d like to see.

3. Take the Proper Safety Precautions

Traveling alone—especially as a woman—can be intimidating. No matter how long you’ve been adventuring solo, you might still notice fear creep in when embarking on your journey. This is completely valid, but it doesn’t mean you should avoid solo travel altogether.

Instead of canceling your trip, just take the proper precautions to keep yourself safe and secure. For example, sharing your travel plans—and perhaps even your location—with loved ones can make solo trips feel less threatening. If it helps, perhaps have one person check in with you throughout the day, and if something feels off, know you can count on them to help you back home.

Additionally, choose a place you’ve researched and that you know is safe, as well as a hotel or Airbnb host you trust. Always be aware of your surroundings, take the proper precautions, and trust your intuition along the way.

The post 3 Solo Traveling Tips for People Who Just Need to Get Away for a Bit appeared first on VICE.