Kelly Clarke

At the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, a young macaque named Punch became unexpectedly internet famous.  Not because he was the biggest. Not because he was dominant. Not because he performed tricks. But because Punch carries around a giant stuffed orangutan. He clings to it. Sleeps with it. Holds it close when the world feels overwhelming. And the internet collectively paused. Because here’s the part that hits: Punch is strong enough to navigate a macaque troop—but soft enough to need comfort....

The clocks change, the light fades, and suddenly your motivation evaporates with the daylight. Welcome to November. If you’ve noticed lower energy, heavier moods, or that you’re sleeping more but feeling worse, it’s not in your head. You might be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or a milder form of seasonal mood change — sometimes called “fall fatigue.” 🧠 What’s happening in your brain When daylight decreases, your body produces more melatonin (the sleep hormone) and less...

The holidays are coming — which means it’s officially “boundary season.” Family time can be lovely… or it can feel like running an emotional marathon in jeans. Maybe it’s the same political debate every year, the “When are you getting married?”  interrogation, or that one relative who believes volume equals being right. Between the pressure to be cheerful, the expectations to show up, and the emotional landmines of old family dynamics, the holidays can easily go from festive to...