It’s Hump Day, and we’re here to keep your spirits high with stories that inspire and motivate. Let’s power through the week together with a burst of enthusiasm and positivity.
But first, let’s check out the task for the day
📌 Reflect on something you’ve achieved recently, no matter how small. Write it down and celebrate your progress
Celebrating progress keeps you motivated. When you see how far you’ve come, you’re more likely to stay driven and enthusiastic about your goals. It helps you track your growth and understand that every step, no matter how small, contributes to your overall progress. This perspective can be especially useful when tackling larger goals.
Moreover, recognizing your successes, even minor ones, reinforces your sense of accomplishment and capability. It helps build self-esteem and confidence in your abilities.
Now, let’s get started…
Pants Are Not In Fashion Anymore. Ditch ‘Em!
It looks like pants are on their way out, at least according to what we've seen at New York and London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2025. Designers are leaning into a bold, pants-free aesthetic, which has already been teased by celebs like Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and Charli XCX. Their "Big Shirt, Little Pants" look has been a popular cheat code for creating playful, imbalanced proportions, but now fashion is pushing this to a whole new level.
But this isn’t just about ditching pants altogether—there’s actually an evolution happening. Designers like Willy Chavarria and Luar aren’t killing pants outright; they’re reimagining them. We’re seeing pants sliced into leg coverings or layered to create new shapes, like Off-White's zip-off designs that blur the line between skirts and trousers. Even though a few stunning trousers still made an appearance (we’re looking at you, Burberry and LOEWE), the message is clear: pants are no longer the go-to.
It’s not just about practicality either—it’s about making a statement. Pantsless looks have instant sex appeal and daring edge, and fashion has always loved to play with the boundaries of what's acceptable. Even in colder months, the trend is catching on, showing that it's more about style than season. (More)
BTW, Americans Are Really Not That Generous
For about 20 years now, experts have been warning that charitable giving in the US is on the decline. Just when it seemed like the pandemic was going to turn things around with a flurry of donations and volunteers, a new report has dropped and... well, it’s kind of a buzzkill.
Here’s the kicker: even though the total cash flowing into nonprofits is going up, the number of people actually donating or volunteering is shrinking. Yeah, more money, but fewer people. It’s like having a giant party with only a few guests!
This fresh report from the Generosity Commission—an all-star team of nearly 200 philanthropic leaders—is one of the most thorough looks at philanthropy we’ve seen in decades. They’ve poured over $2 million into figuring out what’s really going on with our giving habits. The last time we had a report like this was way back in 1975, which led to big changes in nonprofit rules. So, the Generosity Commission is aiming to kick-start another big conversation about how we can get our giving groove back.
So, what’s going on here? Why are people donating and volunteering less?
It’s easy to assume that money is the main reason, but that’s only part of the story. Interestingly, research has shown that, historically, lower-income people tend to donate a larger percentage of their income to charity.
The Generosity Commission points out that cultural shifts, changes in habits, and declining religious participation are also playing a role. Millennials, for example, give less today than previous generations did at the same age. There’s some speculation that this might be tied to delayed life milestones like marriage and buying a home, which have traditionally been associated with charitable behaviors.
Religiosity is another big factor. Americans who are religious are much more likely to donate to charity, but only 47 percent of Americans belong to a religious institution as of 2020, down from 70 percent in 1999. While some Americans are exploring spiritual practices like yoga and meditation, which may have links to giving, it’s unclear if this will have the same impact as traditional religious involvement.
There’s also declining trust in institutions, broader social disconnection, and changes in tax incentives that have played into the trend. Many experts think that focusing on wealthy donors has sidelined smaller contributors, creating a negative cycle in which everyday people feel less compelled to give. (More)
Let’s Take A Test Now
Intelligence isn't just about how you perform on standardized tests—it's often more about how you see the world, make observations, and use your intuition.
Take the Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT), for example. This test, which has been dubbed the "world’s shortest IQ test," was created by Yale professor Shane Frederick and consists of just three questions.
Let’s check it out:
The CRT reveals a lot about how we think. It shows that we often rely on quick, intuitive answers (System 1 thinking), which can be misleading. In contrast, slower, more deliberate thinking (System 2) often leads to the correct answer. Studies on this test have shown that people with higher cognitive abilities tend to live longer, earn more, and are better at handling complex problems. (More)
So, try your luck!
BTW, if you want to do something productive during your time off, check this out 👉
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So, that’s it for today. Let’s meet again tomorrow 👋 Till then, stay safe!