What a year for science fiction we’ve had, with epic new space operas, fascinating new worlds to explore, and the return of some of our favorite stories.
Tanner Greenring / BuzzFeed
46 Baby Names From Literature That'll Make Your Ovaries Tingle
Game of Names
From A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Pexels
From The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Pexels
From Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Pexels
From Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Pexels
Wait, WTF Is "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" Actually About?
Mommy is having an extramarital affair with Santa, right?!
Today I was browsing BuzzFeed, as is my wont, and I came across this:
It says: "until last year i genuinely thought i saw mommy kissing santa claus was actually about the mother cheating on her husband with santa, like it never occurred to me that her husband was dressed up as santa."
sylviatietjens.co.vu / Via buzzfeed.com
Wait...WHAT? It never occurred to me either, probably because that's not implied in the lyrics at all:
I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus
Underneath the mistletoe last night.
She didn't see me creep
Down the stairs to have a peek
She thought I was tucked
Up in my bedroom fast asleep.
Then, I saw Mommy tickle Santa Claus
Underneath his beard so snowy white.
Oh, what a laugh it would have been,
If Daddy had only seen
Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night!
rachelwmiller [3:37 PM]:
is the song about the husband being dressed up as santa?!
terripous [3:38 PM]:
IS IT???
rachelwmiller [3:38 PM]:
are there verses that explain this???
alanna [3:38 PM]:
wait WHAT
i never even THOUGHT about that
terripous [3:38 PM]
never thought it was anything other than a cheating song
rachelysanders [3:38 PM]:
omg you guys
yes santa is obviously the dad
emma.tyler [3:39 PM]:
i read something like this like 2 years ago and it blew my damn mind
rachelysanders [3:39 PM]:
the child is an idiot
rachelwmiller [3:39 PM]:
what do you mean OBVIOUSLY, Rachel?
rachelysanders [3:39 PM]:
like ALL OF YOU
rachelwmiller [3:39 PM]:
you just called us all idiots omg
alanna [3:39 PM]:
i thought mommy was a slut!
rachelwmiller [3:39 PM]:
same!!
rachelysanders [3:39 PM]:
i have amended my word choice
it was uncharitable
Note: Her statement now says, "The child is just mistaken."
alanna [3:41 PM]:
why did daddy dress up though
if he was never supposed to be seen
IS IT A SEX THING
Well...IS it a sex thing?!?!
Marcogarrincha / Getty Images / Thinkstock
What People On "House Hunters" Say Vs. What They Actually Mean
“We entertain a lot” actually means “we have three friends who come over once a year.”
HGTV / BuzzFeed
What they say: "I want a house with character."
What they really mean: "I want brand-new construction that has some wood beams in the living room."
What they say: "We entertain a lot."
What they really mean: "We have three friends who come over about once a year."
What they say: "It has to be move-in ready."
What they really mean: "We definitely can't afford this, but we're praying."
What they say: "It's really important that we stay in budget."
What they really mean: "We're absolutely going to pick the one that's $60,000 over budget."
NBC
What they say: "It feels claustrophobic."
What they really mean: "I'm too dramatic to just say 'small.'"
What they say: "I need an open-concept space so I can keep an eye on the kids."
What they really mean: "Either I'm horribly overprotective or my children are walking nightmares who must be monitored 24/7."
What they say: "I need a gourmet kitchen, because I love to cook."
What they really mean: "I need a gourmet kitchen so that people will think that I cook."
What they say: "I work from home, so I'll need an office."
What they really mean: "I need a room to store bins of paperwork."
What they say: "I need a man cave."
What they really mean: "Please help me get away from my family."
21 Chill Gifts To Get You Through The Holiday Season
5 Tips From A Therapist For Doing Therapy On Yourself
Haejin Park / Via buzzfeed.com
Therapy is a powerful tool for personal growth, and it can be beautiful in its own way. That being said, as a trained counselor and as someone who has been through counseling on multiple occasions, I realize that therapy is also challenging. It makes you pick apart and then put back together all of the difficult thoughts, emotions, and events in your life. When you do it wholeheartedly, it can be a massive undertaking.
Part of what determines whether therapy is successful is whether or not it “sticks;” whether you learn to use the techniques your counselor suggests to help you face everyday challenges. The biggest part of what makes therapy successful, though, is whether or not you actually go to therapy. And I recognize that not everyone is in a position (emotionally or financially) to do that.
So here are some concrete, everyday strategies I have used for myself and my clients, and that you can try when you need to manage difficult emotions on your own.
Recognize that your emotions are normal.
Haejin Park / Via buzzfeed.com
Negative feelings can be tough, but they are a part of human existence. Anger, resentment, sadness, disappointment in yourself or others, low self-esteem, feeling hurt by someone else — all of these are normal and everyone experiences them. Allow yourself the luxury of being human and just feel what you’re feeling.
In my own work as a counselor in Jamaica, I've noticed a culture of emotional bravado (which I think exists in many other places, too), that prohibits emotion in a way that, quite frankly, is very unhealthy and likely perpetuates the stigma of mental illness. Emotions do not make you weak. They make you a person, which I think all of us can attest to being.
But limit your wallowing time.
Maritsa Patrinos / Via buzzfeed.com
Sometimes it’s necessary, and perfectly alright, to wallow. It can be therapeutic to ruminate on your feelings and can help you gain a better understanding of them. But do impose a (literal) time limit on your rumination. Once your time is up, do something deliberate and counteractive to interrupt the thought patterns that are governing those feelings, and move on with your day. For example, if you’re sitting down, stand up and walk around.
Counter every negative thought with two positive ones.
Jenny Chang / Via buzzfeed.com
This sounds so cliché and simple, I know, but challenging yourself to focus on positive thoughts truly does make a difference. This is especially key for those experiencing depression, since your brain gets used to functioning without ‘happy’ neurotransmitters and begins to produce/receive fewer of them. Deliberately countering your self-doubt is a great way to steer yourself away from the inevitable snowball effect of negativity.
Turn your focus outwards, towards other people.
Charlotte Gomez / Via buzzfeed.com
This is a technique from a therapeutic approach called “Dialectical Behavior Therapy” (which is actually very practical and accessible for controlling intense emotions). And it’s a great way to put a stop to a wallowing session.
Part of what keeps the cycle of negative emotions going is our tendency to think about ourselves all the time. In times of prolonged distress, distract yourself by doing something for someone else, like calling a friend and asking how they are, or doing a favor for someone. Negative emotions are okay (and inevitable), but they don’t have to control your day.
Find a way to let your emotions out.
Jenny Chang / Via buzzfeed.com
When my mind is in a frenzy, I like to write down free-flowing thoughts on a piece of paper, and then tear the paper up. I don’t even re-read it, because that can lead to a cycle of negativity.
Some other suggestions for ‘letting it out’ include: writing in a journal, talking to someone you trust, creating art, or doing vigorous exercise. Practicing a safe way of expressing your emotions is a big part of therapy, and it’s something you can do any time you want or need to.
Jessica Thompson holds a MSc. in Counseling Psychology from Northeastern University in Boston, MA, USA. Her career goals include contributing to the normalization of mental health care and helping to make it more accessible. She lives and works in her hometown of Kingston, Jamaica.
Always consult with your doctor about your personal health and wellness. BuzzFeed posts are for informational purposes only and are no substitute for medical diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical advice.
All this week, we’re talking about mental health. If you enjoyed this post, you might also like these:
A Beginner's Guide To Starting Therapy
15 Easy Things You Can Do That Will Help When You Feel Like Shit
24 Creative Ways To Channel Depression Or Anxiety
22 Adorable Things You Need If You Love Pandas
Pandas are the cutest creatures in the galaxy.
First of all, this DIVINE panda onesie.
Found at American Eagle Outfitters.
These insanely cute knee highs.
Found at ModCloth.
This absolutely perfect little purse.
Found at ModCloth.
