We already know all about Bryan Johnson’s girlfriend’s vaginal microbiome. And now, for some ungodly reason, we know how many “female erections” she’s getting every night. Why? Because we live in a crazy world, people.

Kate Tolo, 30, Johnson’s girlfriend and business partner, has been sleeping with a tampon-shaped light sensor inside her vagina to measure blood flow overnight. The equipment costs a whopping $15,723.68 and involves a wire taped to her leg, a monitoring device, and a laptop that has to stay awake the whole time. “The laptop can’t fall asleep, or we lose the data. I sadly learned that through experience,” she told the New York Post.

Johnson, the millionaire biohacker who’s made a career out of trying not to die, already tracks his own nighttime erections with a $275 gadget connected to his phone. And, naturally, he wants women involved, too. “Women have erections too. This is news for most women,” he wrote on X, explaining that the clitoris contains erectile tissue just like the penis.

Bryan Johnson’s Girlfriend Is Measuring Her Nighttime Erections, Because Apparently That’s a Thing

And he’s right about the anatomy. During sleep, specifically REM sleep, blood flow increases in the clitoris and vaginal tissue. Researchers have known about this for decades, although, surprise, surprise, no one is exactly rushing to develop affordable gadgets to monitor it. One older study even found that women who described themselves as highly arousable had similar nighttime vaginal blood-flow responses to women who reported much lower arousability.

That’s interesting because it raises questions about what nighttime responses can tell us about sexual function during the day. Low desire can have all sorts of contributing factors, including stress and relationship difficulties, although sleeping measurements by themselves can’t explain why someone isn’t interested in sex.

There’s also the cardiovascular angle. Erectile dysfunction in men can be an early warning sign of heart disease, but researchers haven’t established whether nighttime genital blood flow in women could provide similar information.

Tolo has argued that women’s nighttime erections have received very little scientific attention. If researchers eventually find a medical benefit to tracking them, she’d like to see someone develop a device that doesn’t require a small fortune and a laptop next to the bed.

And she’s got a point about the research imbalance. Urologist Rachel Rubin told PBS NewsHour that 27 fellowships focus on men’s sexual health. “We have one that even acknowledges women’s sexual health,” she said.

Of course, Tolo is one woman running an experiment on herself, and no established clinical test interprets these nighttime measurements. Still, if a millionaire biohacker and his girlfriend want to spend $16,000 investigating an overlooked aspect of women’s sexual health, there are certainly worse ways to spend their money.

Everyone else’s clitoris can keep doing its thing overnight, unmonitored and blissfully offline.

The post Bryan Johnson’s Girlfriend Has a $16,000 ‘Techno Tampon’ to Track Her ‘Female Erections’ appeared first on VICE.

Nothing takes the sexy out of a sexy nurse costume quite like getting patted down by a TSA agent named Gary while 40 irritated travelers watch. Halloween costumes are already ridiculous enough without having to explain to airport security why you’ve got fake blood on your face and a plastic machete in your carry-on.

Despite what some Halloween headlines suggest, TSA hasn’t introduced any new costume bans. The same security rules apply year-round, although they become a lot more irritating when you’re dressed as a medieval knight or carrying something that looks like a murder weapon. TSA recommends changing into your costume after security to avoid an unexpected pat-down.

Wearing a Halloween Costume to the Airport? Here’s What TSA Wants You to Know.

Metal can also be a pain at airport security. Chains, armor, studded belts, and other accessories can set off the scanners, leaving you to remove half your costume before you’re allowed through. And if you’ve spent three weeks putting together a historically accurate suit of armor, you probably don’t want to dismantle the damn thing at LaGuardia.

Costume weapons are another story. Fake swords, pitchforks, lightsabers, and even witch brooms generally belong in checked luggage, according to travel experts. TSA officers have the final say, and anything resembling an actual weapon could be an issue.

Replica explosives are an exceptionally bad idea. TSA prohibits realistic fake bombs and grenades in both carry-on and checked bags. And yes, somebody has tested this policy.

In 2025, officers at Boise Airport discovered what looked like a pipe bomb inside someone’s checked suitcase. It consisted of PVC pipes, wooden blocks marked “C4,” and wires sticking out. The passenger reportedly explained that the objects were training aids, although TSA wasn’t impressed.

Masks and elaborate face paint can cause problems, as well. Officers need to verify that your face matches your identification, so your Ghostface mask has to come off. TSA also discourages full-face makeup at checkpoints, meaning your zombie transformation might have to happen after you’ve made it through security.

Fake blood and liquid latex are going to get the same treatment as your shampoo and toothpaste. Under TSA’s 3-1-1 rule, you’re limited to 3.4 ounces per container, and it all has to fit in a single quart-size bag. Any bigger bottles need to go in your checked luggage. And if your Halloween makeup kit includes more than 12 ounces of powder, TSA might want to take a closer look at that, too.

At least the candy is safe. Solid Halloween treats can go in your carry-on, but TSA can still inspect them if necessary. If you’re unsure about a costume accessory, send a photo to AskTSA on X or Facebook Messenger before packing.

Otherwise, save the full costume for after security. Gary’s got enough to deal with without trying to figure out why you’ve got a fake sword strapped to your thigh.

The post Flying for Halloween? These Costume Accessories Could Get You Stopped by TSA. appeared first on VICE.

A like is about the smallest thing you can do on the internet. It takes half a second to double-tap someone’s photo, and you probably won’t remember doing it five minutes later. Your partner, however, could have a few questions about why you’re liking someone else’s half-naked pictures.

Australian fitness influencer Steph Claire Smith recently discussed it on her podcast, saying she couldn’t care less if her husband, Josh, likes pictures of other women in bikinis. “He thinks I’m the hottest thing in the entire world,” she said. The internet, as always, had thoughts. Some praised her confidence, while others called her a “pick me” girl.

That’s the thing about social media likes. One person sees a harmless double-tap, while another wonders why their partner is giving so much attention to someone they find attractive. Neither necessarily knows what the other person is thinking.

Why Liking Someone Else’s Thirst Traps Can Be a Bigger Deal Than You Think

A survey of 2,000 British adults found that only 6% considered liking another person’s social media post a form of infidelity. But when Bustle asked 283 readers what they considered cheating, Instagram likes were among the behaviors people couldn’t agree on.

One reader explained that liking someone’s photo could be an attempt to get their attention or something completely innocent, “and there’s no way to know which one it is.”

That’s how a mindless Instagram like can become an argument about trust. Your partner could be scrolling through photos on the toilet and barely paying attention, or they could be hoping the ridiculously attractive person they’ve been following for six months notices them. From the outside, both look exactly the same.

Intent matters here, too. As Psychology Today explains, flirting online can fall into what’s called micro-cheating. And if you’ve already caught your partner sneaking around in someone’s DMs, seeing them liking that person’s half-naked photos is probably going to piss you off.

Curiosity can get the better of you, too, especially when Instagram gives you so many opportunities to snoop. Researchers found that spending more time on Facebook was associated with greater romantic jealousy, which encouraged people to check up on their partners even more. Co-author Amy Muise described it as a “feedback loop.”

Anyone who’s spent too long scrolling through their partner’s following list knows how easy it is to get carried away. As awkward as it might be, you could just ask them straight up.

Couples therapist Biannka Brannigan told Body+Soul that “something that felt perfectly acceptable yesterday might feel uncomfortable today.” So if your partner’s Instagram habits are bothering you, there’s nothing crazy about bringing it up. Just be prepared to hear that they might see things differently.

Some couples couldn’t care less about bikini photos. For others, liking them crosses a line. The important thing is that both people know where the other stands.

The post Is Liking Someone Else’s Thirst Traps Cheating? Here’s What Relationship Experts Say. appeared first on VICE.

Few topics get men online as heated as what happened to their penis when they were a few days old. Circumcision has inspired years of arguments over sexual pleasure and sensitivity, with both sides convinced they’ve got the better deal. Now, researchers have revisited the science, and the bad news is the findings probably won’t settle the debate.

A 2025 analysis of 15 studies involving nearly 15,000 men found something that might surprise people on both sides. Circumcised men reported slightly higher sexual satisfaction and erectile function scores, along with less pain during sex. But as Psychology Today reported, the differences were small, and researchers couldn’t say whether they’d make any noticeable difference in someone’s actual sex life.

The findings aren’t exactly a reason to run out and get circumcised. The differences were small, and the studies didn’t always agree. Even the researchers weren’t sure how much those differences would mean during sex. A guy who’s perfectly happy with his sex life isn’t going to learn about his own experience from a statistical average.

Circumcised Men May Have a Slight Advantage in Bed, New Research Suggests

Earlier studies have been inconsistent. Some men reported problems with sexual pleasure after circumcision, while others noticed little change. Depending on how researchers recruited participants, they may have heard disproportionately from men with strong opinions about the procedure. That’s a pretty difficult thing to account for when you’re asking people to rate something as personal as sex.

Sensitivity has been another source of argument for years. In 2016, researchers at Queen’s University tested 62 men to see how their penises responded to touch and heat. They checked several areas, including the glans and, where present, the foreskin, but didn’t find significant differences in the sensitivity measures they compared between circumcised and uncircumcised men.

“It was my hope that this study would calm people’s fears,” researcher Jennifer Bossio told VICE. Critics questioned whether 62 participants were enough to detect differences. And even if you can measure how sensitive someone’s penis is to heat or touch, that doesn’t necessarily explain how much pleasure they experience during sex.

The American Academy of Pediatrics weighed in back in 2012, saying that circumcision has certain health benefits, although they weren’t significant enough to recommend it for every newborn boy. That policy has since expired. For many families, the decision has as much to do with religious or cultural traditions as with medical advice.

For most men circumcised as infants, somebody else made that decision years ago. And for men who weren’t circumcised, there’s no reason to look at these findings and assume they’re missing out on something. The research doesn’t establish that either group is guaranteed a better sex life, and having a foreskin certainly isn’t a sexual disadvantage by default.

If you’re happy with your sex life, there’s no reason to start questioning your penis because some dude on Reddit thinks theirs is better.

The post Does Being Circumcised Make Sex Better or Worse? Here’s What Science Says. appeared first on VICE.

Two long-awaited payoffs arrive together. Pluto turns direct after months of retrograde, so inner growth steps out into the world. At the same time, Saturn and Mars reach their peak trine under a practical Capricorn Moon, turning effort into results. Saturn also opposes Makemake, stargazer, asking you to balance personal ambition with care for your community. A Moon-Neptune square could leave minds wandering as the workday winds down, so tackle anything important early. Later, the Moon sextiles Venus, softening the edges and setting up a sweet, unhurried weekend. Mars and Venus are one day from ending their long square, and Jupiter’s sextile to the Sun keeps spirits high. Celebrate what you’ve built, then rest.

Read your horoscope for the week, and see what the stars have in store for your sign today. 

Aries: March 21 – April 19

Cue the confetti. Saturn’s trine to Mars hits its peak today, and the grit you’ve poured into a big goal is finally paying off, Aries. Before you sprint to the next challenge, pause long enough to enjoy this one. Mars is shaking off its square to Venus, so treat yourself to something nice. Take the victory lap. You earned every step of it.

Aries monthly horoscope

Taurus: April 20 – May 20

Turn off tomorrow’s alarm before you forget. The Moon sextiles Venus tonight from earthy Capricorn, setting the stage for a slow, cozy weekend, Taurus. Mars is loosening its grip on Venus, so restlessness fades. With Pluto now direct and squaring Venus more tightly, closeness with your favorite person could feel extra intense. Sleep in and let the world wait. Your bed missed you.

Taurus monthly horoscope

Gemini: May 21 – June 20

Of course you said yes to every invite this weekend. Jupiter’s square to Mercury is getting stronger, and it convinces you that one person can be in three places at once, Gemini. Spoiler: you can’t. Pick the plans you’re most excited about and send kind regrets for the rest. Your friends will understand. You’re the most fun when you aren’t rushing.

Gemini monthly horoscope

Cancer: June 21 – July 22

Blame October for the itch to rearrange your living room. The Capricorn Moon across from your sign has you thinking about home base, Cancer. Its square to Neptune might have you scrolling decor ideas instead of moving furniture, and that’s fine. Later, the Moon sextiles Venus, making everything look prettier. Hang the art you’ve been meaning to. Make your space feel like a hug.

Cancer monthly horoscope

Leo: July 23 – August 22

Behind every star stands a crew that helps them shine. Jupiter’s sextile to the Sun is past its peak, but the afterglow lingers, and generosity comes easily, Leo. Spend some of that glow on the people who’ve had your back lately. Send a heartfelt thank-you to the friend who kept you sane this past week. Royalty remembers who helped them rise.

Leo monthly horoscope

Virgo: August 23 – September 22

Out of a hundred things you nailed this week, your brain keeps replaying the one flub. Mercury’s square with Jupiter is blowing that tiny mistake way out of proportion, Virgo. The Capricorn Moon trines your sign, offering a grounded reality check: the bigger picture looks excellent. Give yourself the grace you’d give a friend. Let the flub go. Everyone else forgot it already.

Virgo monthly horoscope

Libra: September 23 – October 22

Someone else’s castoffs might hold your next signature piece. Venus is retrograde, giving vintage and secondhand finds extra charm, Libra, and tonight’s Moon-Venus sextile heightens your eye for beauty. The Capricorn Moon squaring your sign keeps your budget in check, while Pluto’s building square to Venus favors a bold style change. Hit a thrift shop this weekend. Your best look might cost twelve bucks.

Libra monthly horoscope

Scorpio: October 23 – November 21

Heads up: people are about to notice you’re different. Pluto turns direct today, and the changes you’ve been working through privately finally surface for everyone to see, Scorpio. Pluto’s square to Venus is building, so a few relationships may need to adjust to the new you. Let them. The right people will catch up. Everyone else can wave from the old chapter.

Scorpio monthly horoscope

Sagittarius: November 22 – December 21

By Sunday night, you’ll probably have drafted a detailed plan to reinvent your entire life. Jupiter’s square to Mercury is pumping up your ambitions, Sagittarius, and every goal sounds equally urgent. Jupiter’s sextile to the Sun is fading, but enough optimism lingers to make change exciting. Circle the two goals that light you up. Save the rest for later. Growth is a marathon.

Sagittarius monthly horoscope

Capricorn: December 22 – January 19

Patience has been your middle name all year. The Moon sits in your sign while Saturn and Mars hit their peak trine, Capricorn, so it’s a great moment to cash in on that discipline. Saturn opposes Makemake, though, which might pit treating yourself against helping others. You can do both. Splurge on what you saved for, then give a little to a cause you love.

Capricorn monthly horoscope

Aquarius: January 20 – February 18

Rumor has it you’ve got a fresh theory about what’s secretly happening behind the scenes. Uranus’s sextile to Mars burns bright before it ends tomorrow, fueling your inner investigator, Aquarius. With Uranus retrograde, the best clues come from your own intuition. Spend the weekend down the rabbit hole guilt-free. Then find a friend who loves a good debate. Weird ideas need sparring partners.

Aquarius monthly horoscope

Pisces: February 19 – March 20

Halfway through someone’s sentence, your mind might float off somewhere lovely. The Moon squares Neptune today, making focus a tall order, Pisces. With Neptune retrograde, those daydreams carry clues about what your heart wants. The no-nonsense Capricorn Moon still expects you to finish the basics, so handle the must-dos first. Then let your imagination roam wherever it likes. Call it creative research.

Pisces monthly horoscope

The post Daily Horoscope: October 16, 2026 appeared first on VICE.

Anyone who grew up riding wooden roller coasters or getting tossed around on a county-fair Zipper knows that a little “harmless terror” is half the fun. Today’s rides are taller and faster, but expectations haven’t changed. You strap yourself in and trust that the people responsible for your safety have done their jobs.

On Monday, October 12, Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, died after falling from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia while riding with his son. According to Cobb County police, Kariem struck other riders before falling beneath the ride, injuring four people.

Investigators are still determining what happened aboard the coaster, which travels at 70 mph and uses lap-bar restraints. Six Flags has since temporarily closed nine similar coasters at six parks as a precaution.

Why Permanent Amusement Park Rides Fall Outside Federal Consumer Safety Oversight

The tragedy comes shortly after Six Flags Magic Mountain in California retired its X2 coaster amid allegations that more than 100 riders suffered serious injuries, including brain trauma. There’s no established connection between those incidents and Kariem’s death, but the recent events have renewed questions about who oversees roller coaster safety in the United States.

The federal government hasn’t regulated permanent amusement park rides since 1981. Instead, each state sets its own inspection and safety requirements, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission remains responsible for traveling carnival rides. Critics have been calling this uneven system the “roller coaster loophole.”

What happens after an inspector discovers a safety issue also depends on where the ride is located. Some states require regular government inspections, while others rely largely on park operators and private inspectors. David Bertozzi, president of the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials, told the New York Post that when he discovers a safety issue in a state without mandatory inspections, “I have no authority to shut them down.”

Sen. Ed Markey has pushed to close the loophole since 1999, but the amusement industry has continued to oppose federal oversight. He’s also criticized Congress for losing interest in ride safety once the summer season ends, once remarking that “as the weather cools, so does Congress’s interest.”

The chances of getting seriously hurt on a ride at a permanent amusement park are low, with industry estimates putting the odds at about one in 15.5 million rides. But injuries still happen, and a National Safety Council report counted an estimated 652 roller coaster injuries across North America in 2024, up from 458 in 2023.

For Kariem’s family, those numbers cannot begin to explain the loss of a husband and father who went to an amusement park and never came home.

Riders can look into their state’s inspection requirements before visiting a park, but keeping people safe is ultimately the responsibility of the operators, inspectors, and regulators overseeing these rides.

The post The 45-Year-Old Loophole That Keeps Roller Coasters Off the Federal Radar appeared first on VICE.

Ask a woman in her mid-40s how she slept, and she’ll probably laugh at you. Then she’ll tell you the exact minute she woke up, because it’s been the same one for months.

For many women, that hour is somewhere around 3:30 a.m. There’s even a name for the unfortunate experience now: Club 330. Membership is free, nobody wants to belong, and you’re probably reading this after getting four hours of sleep. I feel you. 

Mattress company Simba surveyed 1,000 British women over 40 and found that 84% regularly wake up during the night. On average, it takes nearly 34 minutes to fall back asleep, although 27% spend at least 45 minutes lying there contemplating their existence. 

Women have been discussing these middle-of-the-night awakenings online for years. One woman on X asked, “How did 3 am become the universal perimenopause wake-up time?” The replies were full of women who’d apparently been keeping the exact same miserable schedule.

Why So Many Women Over 40 Keep Waking Up at 3 A.M.

Perimenopause likely explains many of them. Estrogen and progesterone fluctuate during the transition, interfering with sleep and making it harder to stay asleep. And, of course, there are the night sweats, because who doesn’t love waking up at 3 a.m. in soaking wet pajamas?

The second half of the night is also when sleep naturally becomes lighter, so interruptions are more likely. Hormones don’t cause every 3 a.m. awakening, but they can make an already frustrating situation worse.

According to the University of Texas Medical Branch, up to 70% of women experience sleep disturbances around menopause. Researcher Emily Lantz, Ph.D., said nighttime hot flashes were among the biggest complaints women raised during sleep interviews.

In her team’s 2026 study, 43 women received either menopause education or cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) that included help managing hot flashes. Women in the therapy group slept better and had fewer nighttime hot flashes. It’s a small study, involving 43 participants, but the findings offer another option for women tired of spending their nights staring at the ceiling.

One thing you can try tonight is resisting the urge to check the time. Sleep expert Dr. Zoe Gotts told Metro that checking the time can increase alertness, making it harder to fall asleep again.

And if this has been happening for months, bring it up with your doctor. There’s no prize for making it through perimenopause on four hours of sleep.

The post Club 330 Is the Club Nobody Wants to Join, But Women Over 40 Know It Well appeared first on VICE.

You’ve got 47 unread messages in the group chat, including one from a friend asking if anyone wants to get together this weekend. You saw it. You even considered answering. But you’ve had a long week, and making plans sounds exhausting, so you mute the conversation and go back to scrolling. You’re “protecting your peace,” after all.

That little phrase has been all over the place lately. It made sense when we were talking about manipulative exes and people who made your life miserable. Now, though, it also applies to friends who have the audacity to invite you to dinner.

Vox reporter Allie Volpe has written about the problem, arguing that “people are not problems to be rooted out and then discarded.” We’ve gotten awfully comfortable calling it self-care when, actually, we just don’t want to deal with other people. 

Clinical psychotherapist Julie Sweet told Body+Soul that we’ve gotten carried away with therapy terms like “toxic” and “boundaries.” Taking some time to yourself is one thing. Ignoring your friends for a month because you can’t be bothered to answer a text gets old for everybody involved.

And I get it. You’re exhausted, and the last thing you want is another notification demanding your attention. A few days go by, and now you feel like a jerk for ignoring everyone. By the time you think to answer, it’s been three weeks, and you’re trying to rejoin the conversation without explaining your silence.

Why ‘Protecting Your Peace’ Could Be Making You Lonelier

Sweet warned that the temporary relief of withdrawing from social obligations can leave people feeling lonelier over time. And making new friends as an adult is already enough of a pain in the ass.

University of Kansas researcher Jeffrey Hall found that developing a close friendship takes over 200 hours together. That’s a lot of dinners and weekends spent hanging out. Given how hard it can be to coordinate an evening with three adults with jobs, maintaining those relationships will take effort.

For friends wondering why you’ve disappeared, Sweet recommends checking in without sounding accusatory. Something like, “I’ve noticed we haven’t connected as much lately, and I miss you. Is everything okay between us?”

If you’ve been the one doing the avoiding, you can admit you’ve been overwhelmed and make plans to see them. You don’t need a lengthy explanation about your emotional capacity. 

You’re allowed to want time to yourself. Your friends are also allowed to get tired of being the only ones making an effort. Just know that the dinner invitation might stop coming.

The post The 3 Words That Could Be Giving You an Excuse to Ghost Your Friends appeared first on VICE.

If you asked men what they think women want, you’d probably hear some overgeneralized crap about money, being at least 6’2″, having a nice body, and probably money again. The actual answers women gave are cheaper than any of that and much harder to fake

Licensed counselor Suzanne Degges-White, Ph.D., asked 108 women what they wanted from the men in their lives. It was a small, informal survey, but the answers were remarkably consistent. Women kept coming back to one request: listen to us. They also wanted respect and emotional support. Very few had anything to say about looks or the size of a man’s paycheck.

Some of it really shouldn’t need explaining to grown men, but alas.

1. Put the Toolbox Down

One woman said she wanted “understanding and empathetic listening without trying to fix things.” Basically, she wants to complain about her day without her boyfriend explaining how he would’ve handled it better.

You’ve probably seen the viral video It’s Not About the Nail, where a woman has an actual nail sticking out of her forehead while her boyfriend keeps trying to explain the source of her discomfort. It’s an exaggeration, sure, but the point is that sometimes we don’t want to hear anything other than “I’m sorry that’s happening to you, that really sucks.” We know there’s a damn nail.

2. Help Out Without Being Asked

Women also wanted partners who shared responsibilities and participated in decisions. And we’re talking about all the boring stuff that is life. 

Remembering to schedule that oil change appointment, for example. Or noticing you’re out of toilet paper and buying more before the other person has to ask. After a while, if you’re the only person responsible for remembering everything, it gets old, especially when you’re living with another full-ass adult.

3. Respect Shouldn’t Be This Difficult

Respect was another big one. Women consistently mentioned wanting their opinions and goals to be taken seriously. They wanted to be treated as equals, plain and simple. 

One respondent described wanting “to feel heard and respected,” and another emphasized loyalty and accountability. You should be able to disagree with your partner without insulting her intelligence or acting like you “know better’ than she does. 

4. She Wants to Feel Comfortable Being Herself

Feeling safe with a man was another recurring theme in the survey. And women were mostly talking about emotional safety. They wanted to be able to tell their partners what was bothering them without getting laughed at, criticized, or having it thrown back in their faces during the next argument.

One respondent wanted the freedom to pursue interests without being discouraged by her partner’s expectations. If your girlfriend decides at 45 that she’d like to take up roller derby, it doesn’t matter if you think her knees can’t take it. Become her cheerleader and amp her up. 

5. It’s Not Necessarily About the Money

Women get labeled as “gold-diggers” all the time. And there are certainly women who are after that. But overall, women just want to feel that sense of security. In a large 2020 study spanning 45 countries, researchers found that women generally placed greater importance on a potential partner’s financial prospects than men did.

But there’s a difference between wanting a wealthy partner and wanting one who’s motivated to do something with his life. Ambition, a decent work ethic, and the ability to support yourself can offer a sense of security that has very little to do with the size of your bank account. A guy who’s working toward something is far more attractive than one with a trust fund and absolutely no desire to get off the couch.

And judging by Degges-White’s survey, all the money in the world won’t make up for being an awful partner.

The post What Women Really Want From Men, According to 108 Women appeared first on VICE.

Attachment styles have become the zodiac signs of modern dating. People are identifying as anxiously attached or dismissive-avoidant before they’ve even exchanged last names. Knowing your own attachment style is great, I guess, but understanding your partner’s could explain why you keep rehashing the same argument.

Psychologist Hal Shorey, Ph.D., recently wrote in Psychology Today that relationship issues can come from assuming your partner is deliberately trying to hurt you. He sees this in couples therapy all the time, especially when one person is anxiously attached, and the other is avoidant. As Amir Levine and Rachel Heller wrote in Attached, “Anxious and avoidant people can bring out the worst in each other.”

You can probably picture it. One person wants to talk right now, while the other would prefer to spend six hours doing literally anything else. The anxious partner gets upset, the avoidant partner withdraws, and both are convinced they’re dating an a**hole.

Shorey says knowing your partner’s attachment style can help you recognize what’s happening before an ordinary disagreement becomes a three-day ordeal. He also emphasizes that understanding someone’s behavior “does not mean you excuse, ignore, or accept that the behavior will continue.” Being avoidant isn’t permission to disappear whenever your girlfriend asks a question.

5 Ways to Keep Your Attachment Styles From Taking Over Every Argument

• Stop assuming they’re trying to piss you off. If a partner goes silent during an argument, it can feel insulting, but they may just be overwhelmed. You can still tell them how their silence affects you.
• Take a break without disappearing. Marriage and family therapist Laura Heck told HuffPost that taking at least 20 minutes to cool off can help when emotions run high. Agree to finish the conversation later. 
• Reassure the person who’s worrying. It takes literally two seconds to send a text that you’re running late. That small gesture can do wonders for an anxious partner whose brain jumps to the worst-case scenario. It also reminds them you care, even during arguments.
• Pay attention to your own reactions. It’s easy to blame your partner for every argument and not take accountability for your own contributions. Levine told CNN that recognizing your reactions when a relationship feels threatened can help you become more secure.
• Don’t diagnose yourselves with a five-minute quiz. Shorey recommends an assessment by a psychologist trained in attachment. An online questionnaire shouldn’t decide your personality.

Attachment styles aren’t permanent assignments, either. Sex therapist Todd Baratz told Nylon, “People often talk about attachment in a very reductive way, in a very oversimplified way.” People can change how they respond to closeness and conflict as they get older.

Knowing why your partner shuts down during arguments could save you both some frustration. You’ll still have to learn how to talk to each other, though. Memorizing a few psychological terms won’t do that for you.

The post Why You Keep Having the Same Fight With Your Partner, According to a Psychologist appeared first on VICE.

If the week had a favorite child, this would be it. Jupiter’s sextile to the Sun reaches its peak, and the Sagittarius Moon trines Jupiter too, so optimism and abundance are practically spilling over. Big asks and long shots have a much better chance than usual, stargazer. By evening, the Sun sextiles the Moon, so what you want and what you need finally agree. Two drawn-out squabbles in the sky come to an end as well, with Pluto releasing Mars from its opposition and Mars ending its square to Mercury. Saturn and Mars hit their peak trine tomorrow, while Pluto turns direct. Go ahead and ask the universe for a little more.

Read your horoscope for the week, and see what the stars have in store for your sign today. 

Aries: March 21 – April 19

Long-running feuds eventually bore you to tears. Whoever started it, you’re ready to move on. Pluto’s opposition to Mars and Mars’s square to Mercury both end today, so the power struggle and the bickering lose steam, Aries. Saturn’s trine to Mars peaks tomorrow, pointing your fire toward goals instead of grudges. Extend an olive branch. Peace looks good on a warrior.

Aries monthly horoscope

Taurus: April 20 – May 20

Old passions have a funny way of resurfacing. Maybe it’s the guitar collecting dust or the paint set you swore you’d use again, Taurus. Venus is retrograde, pulling past pleasures back into view, and Pluto’s building square adds an all-or-nothing intensity. Mars is finally letting Venus off the hook, so you won’t need to force it. Give it twenty minutes tonight. Joy counts as productive.

Taurus monthly horoscope

Gemini: May 21 – June 20

Conversation is a two-way street, and you might be hogging both lanes. Jupiter’s square to Mercury keeps your stories coming, Gemini. With the Sagittarius Moon opposite your sign, someone has a tale of their own to tell. Mars’s square to Mercury ends today, so the urge to interrupt fades. Ask a follow-up question and let them run with it. Great talkers make better listeners.

Gemini monthly horoscope

Cancer: June 21 – July 22

For a few hours today, let someone else do the caretaking. You’re always the one checking on everybody, Cancer, so help from others might feel awkward. The Moon trines Jupiter, opening the door to generous gestures, and its sextile with the Sun keeps your heart and head on the same page. Say yes when someone offers. You make a lovely guest of honor.

Cancer monthly horoscope

Leo: July 23 – August 22

Lucky you. Jupiter’s sextile to the Sun peaks today, and fortune seems to follow you around, Leo. A last-minute invite or a surprise upgrade could pop up out of nowhere. Keep your evening wide open. The Sun also sextiles the Moon in adventurous Sagittarius, so excitement sounds irresistible. Say yes before you overthink it. Main characters don’t wait for permission.

Leo monthly horoscope

Virgo: August 23 – September 22

That brain of yours hasn’t had a day off in ages. Mercury’s square with Jupiter keeps piling on new thoughts, Virgo, but the Mars-Mercury square wraps up today, so the mental treadmill finally slows. Take a long walk with no headphones in. Let your mind wander wherever it wants. Some of your best ideas arrive when you stop chasing them.

Virgo monthly horoscope

Libra: September 23 – October 22

“Sure, sounds fun!” has signed you up for a lot of plans you dreaded. Pluto’s square to Venus is building, making it harder to ignore what you want, Libra. Mars and Venus are nearly done sparring, so a polite no won’t start a war. Luckily, the Sun in your sign sextiles Jupiter, adding charm to the delivery. Decline graciously. Your free time is precious.

Libra monthly horoscope

Scorpio: October 23 – November 21

Back in the spring, you were wrestling with questions you couldn’t answer yet. Pluto has been retrograde ever since, doing slow renovation work on your inner world, Scorpio. Tomorrow it turns direct, and its opposition to Mars ends today, so the internal tug-of-war eases. Some answers make sense now. Take a minute to admire how far you’ve come. Growth doesn’t always look flashy.

Scorpio monthly horoscope

Sagittarius: November 22 – December 21

Every so often, someone calls you “a lot,” as if that’s a bad thing. The Moon in your sign trines Jupiter while Jupiter’s sextile to the Sun peaks, so your big energy is a gift, Sagittarius. The right people find your enthusiasm magnetic. Jupiter’s square to Mercury might make you second-guess a comment or two. Let it go. Stay at full volume.

Sagittarius monthly horoscope

Capricorn: December 22 – January 19

Anyone who doubted your side hustle is in for a surprise. Saturn and Mars are a day away from their peak trine, so your drive to push the project forward is at full strength, Capricorn. Uranus’s sextile to Saturn sparks a creative fix for whatever has been holding you back. With Saturn retrograde, lean on lessons from past attempts. Put in the hours tonight.

Capricorn monthly horoscope

Aquarius: January 20 – February 18

At your next outing, someone will ask what you do, and the one-line answer will feel impossible. Neat little labels never fit you anyway, Aquarius. Uranus is retrograde, encouraging you to define yourself on your own terms, and its sextile with Mars lets you answer creatively. Try something unexpected, like your favorite obsession instead of your job title. Mysterious works for you.

Aquarius monthly horoscope

Pisces: February 19 – March 20

Nothing says romance like ink on actual paper. A handwritten note to someone you adore could mean the world to them, Pisces. Romantic or platonic, it counts. Neptune is retrograde, bringing feelings you’ve tucked away back to the surface. Jupiter, your old-school ruler, is radiating luck and generosity today, so your words will be received warmly. Skip the spellcheck. Write from the heart.

Pisces monthly horoscope

The post Daily Horoscope: October 15, 2026 appeared first on VICE.

As you get older, you get a running list of things you can’t do anymore, like pulling an all-nighter or eating a gas station burrito without regretting it for two days. How much that list ruins your mood might come down to one thing.

That thing is control, or at least the feeling of having some.

Researchers Maria Wirth, Anna Elena Kornadt, and Klaus Rothermund studied 268 adults between 50 and 91 to see how getting older affects happiness. They focused on perceived control, or the belief that your decisions can still influence what happens in your life.

This One Belief Could Shape How Happy You Feel as You Age

The people who noticed themselves losing abilities were less happy when they also felt powerless to do anything about it. Those who believed they still had some control were far less bothered by the same age-related losses.

Think about developing a bad knee. You could decide your hiking days are over and retire your boots permanently. Or you could find another way to stay active, even if that means trading the mountains for a swimming pool. The researchers warned that avoiding activities out of fear of injury can lead to further physical decline. And being stuck at home because you’ve stopped doing things you enjoy won’t improve your mood.

There’s also a strange upside to aging that researchers have been discussing for years. Stanford psychologist Laura Carstensen has studied why older adults often report greater happiness than younger people, despite more physical limitations.

“Older people are happy. They’re happier than middle-aged people, and younger people certainly,” she said during a TED talk. Her research suggests that as people become more aware of how much time they have left, they get better at deciding what’s worthy of their attention.

Your attitude toward aging could even be connected to how long you live. Yale researcher Becca Levy found that older adults with positive beliefs about aging lived, on average, 7.5 years longer than those with negative ones. That’s an association, of course, but a fascinating one.

So what can you do with all this? The research suggests that maintaining some independence and finding ways to adapt when your body stops cooperating could help. You can learn something new at 65. You can change your routine at 80. And you can certainly stop assuming that every new birthday means another thing you have to give up.

The burrito is probably still a bad idea. Nearly everything else is negotiable.

The post This Is the One Thing That Helps People Stay Happy as They Age, According to Researchers appeared first on VICE.

Harmony had just stepped off a four-hour flight when she finally heard from the guy who’d blown off their coffee date that morning. He didn’t text. He sent a voice note, and it was so ridiculous she had to play it for a friend on camera.

The Australian TikToker, @harmonys_homee, had arranged to meet a guy from Hinge for coffee at 8:30 a.m. at Gather & Grounds. At 7:38, she texted to confirm they were still on. No response. She went anyway, had her coffee without him, and just before 11 a.m. sent a message that said, “Coffee was great this morning if you were wondering!”

A little passive-aggressive? Maybe. But after being stood up before 9 a.m., she was entitled to a little sarcasm.

@harmonys_homee

Farrrrk, what a shame bro slept all the way in @summerswrld #stoodup #datingapps #hinge #coffeedate #coffeedate

♬ original sound – harmony

Man Apologizes for Missing Date by Saying He’s Jealous She Attended It

“F***, I’m so sorry,” his voice note began. He’d slept in, hadn’t looked at his phone, and had a 10 a.m. jiu-jitsu session where he’d promised to help someone train for a competition. He described the whole thing as a “very rushed and silly morning for myself,” which is one way to describe forgetting you had a date.

But then came the best excuse of all.

“I’m jealous because I wanted to go to Gather & Grounds before you flew out,” he said. The man who failed to attend his own date was jealous that Harmony had gone without him.

And because the apology hadn’t gotten strange enough, he interrupted himself to mention, “I’m having lunch by the way.” At least that explained the chewing.

Harmony played the recording for her friend Summer, who couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “I’m jealous that you went to our date and I didn’t turn up,” Summer repeated, impersonating him. Then she asked a fair question: “Why does he talk like that?”

Harmony seemed more amused than upset. She figured that even if they’d managed to have coffee, the worst outcome would have been never seeing him again. She also kept his identity private, telling viewers, “No name, no face.”

The comments had opinions. “The way he’s acting like he didn’t stand you up,” one person wrote. Another said they were borrowing “Appointment with jiu-jitsu” as an excuse for the next time they needed to get out of something.

He missed the date, but at least he made it to jiu-jitsu and lunch. Good to know the important appointments were covered.

The post WATCH: This Guy’s Apology for Missing a Hinge Date Just Kept Getting Weirder and Weirder appeared first on VICE.

Japan has a word for falling asleep at your desk, on the train, or halfway through a meeting, and depending on the circumstances, no one bats an eye. Now there’s an actual competition where people get paid to sleep. And the prize money beats what some people make while they’re awake.

The word is inemuri, or “sleeping while present,” as Cambridge researcher Brigitte Steger explains. In Japan, nodding off in public isn’t necessarily embarrassing. At work, it can even suggest you’ve been putting in so many hours that your body has finally had enough. Social rules still dictate when it’s acceptable, though. 

On October 5, mattress company Koala Sleep Japan decided to make an official sport out of sleeping. The competition, aptly named Matt Race, drew dozens of people to Tokyo to see who could fall asleep fastest and stay asleep the soundest.

A Sleeping Competition in Tokyo Paid Its Winner About $14,000

According to AFP, contestants stretched out on mattresses in a dimly lit room with sleep monitors attached to their heads. Some brought stuffed animals. They had up to 90 minutes to sleep, and the winner was determined by how quickly and how well they did.

First prize was 2.22 million yen, or around $14,000. That’s a damn good payday for an afternoon nap.

Riichiro Nakama, the event’s creative director, told AFP he wanted people to think more seriously about getting enough rest. Japan has a reputation for long working hours, and its residents don’t get much sleep.  One contestant, 32-year-old Chisato Honda, seemed disappointed when his time was up. “I almost wish I could have slept a little longer,” he said. 

Japan could certainly use the extra sleep. According to 2021 OECD data, Japanese adults averaged just seven hours and 24 minutes a day, putting them dead last among the countries surveyed. Between long workdays and lengthy commutes, they have little time left for sleep, let alone a leisurely afternoon nap.

And the lack of sleep is expensive. A RAND Europe study estimated that insufficient sleep could cost Japan as much as $138 billion annually, equivalent to 2.92% of its GDP. That’s an enormous amount of money lost because people aren’t getting enough rest.

The winner, known as Suimii, told AFP she planned to use her winnings to move into her own place. She also wanted to buy herself a princess-style bed.

If sleeping earned me $14,000, I’d probably upgrade my mattress, too.

The post Japan Just Held a Napping Contest, and the Winner Took Home $14,000 appeared first on VICE.

Switching hands mid-masturbation feels kind of like driving on the wrong side of the road in London. You know the rules in theory, but you’re still convinced you’re about to hurt somebody, possibly yourself.

But according to the internet, jerking off with your non-dominant hand might be good for your brain. The theory centers on neuroplasticity, your brain’s ability to adapt when learning something new. Apparently, using the hand you can barely use to operate a toothbrush is supposed to give your brain a workout. 

Most people are creatures of habit when it comes to getting themselves off. A 2022 study involving 406 adults found that 79% always or usually used their dominant hand. Left-handed people were a little more adventurous than righties.

Is Masturbating With Your Other Hand Good for Your Brain? Here’s What Experts Say.

Psychologist Paul Rodway, one of the study’s authors, told Cosmopolitan that people generally prefer their dominant hand because it’s easier to control and feels more natural. Understandable. Most of us have spent years perfecting our technique, and relearning it with the other hand sounds like unnecessary work.

The study also found that 75% of women used sex toys, compared with 33% of men. So for many people, the whole hand debate is irrelevant anyway.

The brain research gets interesting, though. In a study involving 22 right-handed adults, researchers had participants practice drawing with their left hands for 10 days. Their speed and accuracy improved, and brain scans showed changes in the connections involved in controlling movement.

The catch? They got better at drawing with their left hands. Researchers haven’t demonstrated that this translates into improved memory or intelligence. If it did, every left-handed person forced to use right-handed scissors in elementary school would presumably be a genius by now.

Psychosexual therapist Michael Stock was equally skeptical when VICE asked him about the technique. He doubted switching hands would make much neurological difference, though he suggested people might enjoy the “novel physical stimulation.”

And there’s something to that. Using the other hand feels unfamiliar, and novelty can be fun when you’ve been doing things the same way for years. Some internet circles even have a name for the technique: “the Stranger.”

Sex therapist Catherine O’Dowd told MEL Magazine about a client who enjoyed switching hands simply because it felt different. Which is a perfectly good reason to experiment, assuming you’re interested.

So if you’re bored with your usual routine, go ahead and try the other hand. You could discover something you enjoy. Just don’t expect to finish with a higher IQ.

The post Can Jerking Off With Your Other Hand Actually Make You Smarter? Here’s What the Science Says. appeared first on VICE.

Hollywood has given us all sorts of aliens over the years, from the little guy who wanted to phone home to the ones who vaporized the White House. But one of the few humans who’s actually walked on the moon has another explanation for what’s flying around up there, and it involves Satan.

Charlie Duke, the Apollo 16 astronaut who became the youngest person to walk on the moon at 36, is now 91 and convinced UFOs are the work of the devil. “The Lord says what we’re seeing is real, but the devil can appear as an angel of light, the Bible says,” he told the Christian Broadcasting Network.

And he’s been trying to convince people of this for years, with mixed results.

Duke recalled discussing his theory at Rotary Club events, where “people were laughing me off the stage.” Eventually, he asked God to confirm it. His request was oddly detailed: If a businessman friend who never discussed UFOs brought them up the next morning, Duke would consider that proof.

An Apollo Astronaut Thinks Satan Is Behind UFOs. Here’s His Explanation.

According to Duke, that’s exactly what happened. His friend brought up UFOs over breakfast, and Duke took it as the answer he’d been looking for. He also cites 2 Corinthians 11:14, the biblical passage warning that Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light.

Duke has said, however, he never saw a UFO while he was in space. He did notice some strange flashes, but those have been attributed to cosmic particles. For a man who’s actually walked on the moon, it’s funny that his strongest evidence for demonic UFOs comes from a conversation with a businessman over breakfast.

And this is a man who helped make history. During Apollo 11, Duke was the voice in Mission Control who famously told Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin they had “a bunch of guys about to turn blue” while waiting for confirmation that they’d landed safely.

He’s also got some company in the demon theory department.

Vice President JD Vance told podcaster Benny Johnson in March that he believes UFOs are demons. Meanwhile, Monsignor Stephen Rossetti, an exorcist with the Archdiocese of Washington, was removed from that position in June after claiming that many UFO sightings were demonic. Catholic officials weren’t thrilled with his public comments.

Religion scholar Diana Walsh Pasulka sees a fascinating connection between the growing interest in UFOs and people’s religious beliefs. “Belief in UFOs is really one of the best things that’s happened to religion in a long time,” she told the Associated Press.

For Duke, though, the question seems settled. “You can laugh at me if you want to, but that’s what God showed me, and I’m sticking to it,” he said.

And considering he’s been laughed off actual stages for saying this, I doubt another round of skepticism is going to change his mind.

The post Astronaut Who Walked on the Moon Says UFOs Are Actually Demons appeared first on VICE.

A second wind is blowing in, and it’s a warm one. The Sagittarius Moon opposes Uranus early, so restlessness might have you itching to toss the routine out the window. Hang tight, stargazer. As the day goes on, the Moon trines both Mars and Saturn, forming a grand trine in fire that matches enthusiasm with discipline. It’s the ideal setup for tackling something ambitious and actually finishing it. Neptune’s trine to Mars wraps up today, so dreamy procrastination loses its excuse. Saturn and Mars are still building toward Friday, and Jupiter’s sextile to the Sun peaks tomorrow, keeping luck on standby. Light a fire under one goal and watch it catch.

Read your horoscope for the week, and see what the stars have in store for your sign today. 

Aries: March 21 – April 19

Double-dog dares still work on you, and everyone knows it. Today, try daring yourself instead, Aries. The Moon trines Mars from Sagittarius, completing a grand trine in fire with Saturn, so your courage comes with staying power. Pick the goal you’ve been circling and challenge yourself to finish it by Friday. Saturn’s trine to Mars peaks then. Bragging rights are yours.

Aries monthly horoscope

Taurus: April 20 – May 20

Mirrors can be awfully rude sometimes. With Venus retrograde in Scorpio, you might be nitpicking your reflection harder than usual, Taurus. Pluto’s square to Venus is building, dredging up old insecurities, but Mars is easing off its square, so the harsh inner commentary should soften. Put on the outfit that makes you feel cozy and confident. You look great, I promise.

Taurus monthly horoscope

Gemini: May 21 – June 20

Half-read books keep piling up on your nightstand, each one abandoned for something shinier. The Moon opposes Uranus in your sign early, kicking up restlessness, Gemini. Jupiter’s square to Mercury makes every new topic seem irresistible. Curiosity is a gift, though even gifts need follow-through. Pick one and see it through to the last page. The ending might surprise you.

Gemini monthly horoscope

Cancer: June 21 – July 22

Every great tradition started as somebody’s random idea. Why not yours? The Sagittarius Moon trines Mars and Saturn, lighting up your adventurous side and helping plans stick, Cancer. Gather your favorite people for a fall outing and promise to repeat it every year. The Moon’s opposition to Uranus might throw in a surprise. Roll with it. That’s how legends begin.

Cancer monthly horoscope

Leo: July 23 – August 22

Applause is lovely, but a raise is lovelier. Jupiter is nearly locked into its sextile with the Sun, so luck is firmly on your side, Leo. The Sagittarius Moon trines your sign, too, adding a confident glow. Gather proof of your biggest wins and ask for the promotion or pay bump you’ve earned. Let your track record speak for itself.

Leo monthly horoscope

Virgo: August 23 – September 22

Few things test your patience like someone loading a car trunk all wrong. Your spatial genius is begging to take over, Virgo. Mercury’s square with Jupiter could turn helpful tips into a full lecture, and the Sagittarius Moon squaring your sign won’t help your tone. Offer one pointer, then step back. Their way might work out fine. If not, you’ll get your turn.

Virgo monthly horoscope

Libra: September 23 – October 22

Alone time might scare you worse than any horror movie this October. Venus is retrograde in Scorpio, inviting you to get reacquainted with your own company, Libra. Pluto’s square to Venus pokes at the fear of being left out, but the Mars-Venus square is cooling, which takes the pressure off. Take yourself to a museum or a matinee. You’re excellent company.

Libra monthly horoscope

Scorpio: October 23 – November 21

Half the people in your life still can’t tell when you’re kidding. That mystique is part of your charm, Scorpio, but Pluto’s growing square to Venus means a dry joke could sting someone sensitive. The Moon sextiles Pluto early, giving you the emotional courage to check in. Add a wink or a smile afterward. Let people in on the joke.

Scorpio monthly horoscope

Sagittarius: November 22 – December 21

Shelter photos might have you filling out adoption forms within minutes. With the Moon in your sign, your heart is wide open, and your impulses are, too, Sagittarius. Jupiter’s square to Mercury makes every big decision sound simple. Luckily, the Moon trines Saturn later, asking you to look at your schedule and budget first. If everything checks out, bring home your new best friend.

Sagittarius monthly horoscope

Capricorn: December 22 – January 19

Kid-you was probably already balancing a checkbook. The Sagittarius Moon trines Saturn today, joining Mars in a fiery grand trine that makes room for fun without derailing your goals, Capricorn. Uranus’s sextile to Saturn adds a dash of spontaneity. Your ambitions will still be there tomorrow. Go play mini golf or ride a go-kart after work. Responsible adults need recess too.

Capricorn monthly horoscope

Aquarius: January 20 – February 18

Pointless rules give you hives. That outdated policy at work or in your building has you ready to stage a protest, Aquarius. The Moon opposes Uranus early, cranking up the urge to rebel. Uranus’s sextile to Saturn suggests a smarter route: propose a better system in writing. Gather a few allies who feel the same way. Organized revolutions get results.

Aquarius monthly horoscope

Pisces: February 19 – March 20

Memory and imagination share a wall in your brain. You could swear a friend promised to help this weekend, but the details are fuzzy, Pisces. Neptune is retrograde, making it easy to mix up dreams and plans. Its trine with Mars ends today, giving you one last push to sort it out. Send a quick confirmation text. Your weekend self will thank you.

Pisces monthly horoscope

The post Daily Horoscope: October 14, 2026 appeared first on VICE.

If you have a phone, you’ve done it. A friend asks if you’re still on for the weekend, the text sits unanswered for three days, and then you fire back, “Sorry, just seen this!” as though you’ve been off the grid at a meditation retreat. Your friend isn’t stupid and knows you were posting stories the whole time.

British etiquette expert William Hanson has had enough of this particular excuse. On his podcast Help I Sexted My Boss, he called the phrase a pet peeve. “You don’t need to pretend you’ve only just seen it. I think that makes it worse,” he said.

And he’s got a point. Most of us have ignored a message because we were busy or didn’t feel like answering. Three days later, admitting that you saw it while doing absolutely nothing and chose to deal with it later feels a little rude. So we pretend the message somehow slipped past us.

As always, the comments were divided. One Instagram user said the phrase basically translates to “Sorry, I saw this but ignored it.” A TikTok commenter said Hanson’s advice “feels like a personal attack,” while another argued that disappearing for days and then responding without an apology is just straight-up rude.

‘Sorry, Just Seen This!’ Might Make Your Late Reply Worse, an Etiquette Expert Says

Anxiety around replying has persisted for years. A 2018 Google study found that some people considered a response arriving after 20 minutes rude. Twenty minutes! That’s barely enough time to shower and put on pants.

Licensed clinical social worker Kelley Kitley told Refinery29 that people judge other people’s response times based on their own habits. “We figure that since we are someone who would text back immediately, that everyone else should, too,” she said.

Hanson suggests a simple “sorry for the delay in replying” before answering. Rupert Wesson of Debrett’s Etiquette Training recommends “I am so sorry to be getting back to you so slowly.” A little formal for telling your friend you can’t make brunch, but alright.

Some people really do forget, too. One commenter with ADHD explained that messages can get lost when they’re distracted. And organizational psychologist Adam Grant has argued that apologizing for every delayed response contributes to the ridiculous expectation that we’re all supposed to be available at all hours.

Which brings us back to your friend asking about the weekend. After three days, they’re probably less interested in your excuse than in knowing if they should make other plans.

A quick apology is fine. An elaborate story about how you somehow missed their message while posting happy hour pictures is probably unnecessary.

The post This Common Texting Excuse Isn’t Fooling Your Friends. Say This Instead. appeared first on VICE.

The spouse who “suddenly” wants a divorce has probably been thinking about it for months, sometimes years. Meanwhile, the other person is still making vacation plans and assuming everything’s fine. Sadly, you’ve been having two completely different experiences in the same marriage.

Marriage therapist Michele Weiner-Davis has written that people sometimes spend years preparing to leave a marriage. Looking back, there might have been signs. Unfortunately, those signs are harder to recognize when you think everything is fine.

1. They’re Making Plans Without You

A separate savings account or major financial decisions made without your input could warrant a conversation. A recent Psychology Today article identifies growing independence as a possible sign that a spouse is preparing to leave.

Your partner can have their own goals. But discovering they’ve been making major life decisions without telling you is an uncomfortable way to realize you’re no longer included in their plans.

2. They Stop Doing the Little Things

Remember when your partner used to bring you coffee or make sure you had dinner if you had to work late? Those gestures can become so routine that you hardly notice them. Until they disappear.

The Gottman Institute found that couples still married six years after their wedding responded to each other’s attempts at connection 86% of the time, compared with 33% among couples who divorced. The coffee seems insignificant, but the attention behind it matters a lot.

3. They Don’t Seem Interested in Touching You

Any marriage can go through dry spells without anybody considering divorce. But when an affectionate partner starts avoiding physical contact altogether, it’s not insane to wonder what’s happening.

Marriage and family therapist Laura Heck told HuffPost that a withdrawing partner’s “body language may be closed off and they may offer zero verbal feedback in conversation.” If there are too many unanswered attempts at affection, you might stop trying, too.

4. You Don’t Even Fight Anymore

After years of arguing about the same things, your partner has stopped putting up much of a fight. You might even feel relieved that you’re finally getting along. But really, they’ve grown so tired of asking for things to change that they’ve given up trying to convince you.

Licensed marriage and family therapist Sharon Yu told Scary Mommy that an unhappy spouse might initially raise concerns gently, then become more direct, and eventually stop bringing them up altogether. If your partner has spent years asking for changes and now seems indifferent, it’s probably time to ask why.

5. They Start Asking if You’re Happy

Sometimes your spouse practically hands you an opportunity to talk about your marriage, and you miss it.

A question like “Are you happy with us?” might catch you off guard if you thought things were going well. But there’s a reason they’re asking. A casual “Yeah, we’re good” could be discouraging if they’ve spent weeks working up the nerve to say something.

Work stress or exhaustion can also affect how affectionate and communicative people are. But several changes happening together could be a big warning sign. As licensed marriage and family therapist Lisa Brookes Kift told Fox News Digital, “If one has fully checked out, they will not be open to repair.”

It’s hard to work on a marriage when you have no idea the other person has been unhappy for years. By the time you find out, they might have little interest in trying again.

The post 5 Signs Your Spouse Is Mentally Checking Out of Your Marriage appeared first on VICE.

Feelings come super-sized out of the gate. The Scorpio Moon squares Jupiter early, so small annoyances might seem huge until you’ve had a minute to breathe. The mood lifts once the Moon moves into Sagittarius, bringing optimism and a craving for adventure. Mercury begins a long square with Jupiter, stargazer, so conversations may lean toward big promises and bigger opinions. Keep your word modest and your effort generous. Saturn’s trine to Mars and Jupiter’s sextile to the Sun both keep building, teaming hard work with good fortune. Meanwhile, Venus and Mars are making peace after this past weekend’s showdown. Pluto prepares to station direct Friday, too. Give yourself room to recalibrate, then aim high.

Read your horoscope for the week, and see what the stars have in store for your sign today. 

Aries: March 21 – April 19

Somebody needs to grab the wheel, and your friends are hoping it’s you. Saturn’s trine to Mars keeps strengthening, pairing your fearless streak with a solid game plan, Aries. Once the Moon moves into Sagittarius and trines your sign, people will follow your lead. Mars’s square to Venus is cooling, too, so you can steer without bulldozing anyone. Take charge kindly. Captain suits you.

Aries monthly horoscope

Taurus: April 20 – May 20

The people you love keep evolving without asking your permission. A partner picking up a new hobby or a friend talking about moving can rattle you, Taurus. Pluto is building a square to Venus, turning these changes into a test of trust. With Venus retrograde in Scorpio, you’re rethinking what loyalty looks like. Cheer them on anyway. Love that grows lasts longer.

Taurus monthly horoscope

Gemini: May 21 – June 20

By the third retelling, your weekend story had picked up a few extra plot points. Jupiter’s new square to Mercury has you exaggerating for laughs, Gemini, and the Sagittarius Moon opposing your sign later means someone might call it out. Own it with a grin. Everyone loves a great storyteller, but they trust the one who admits the fish was smaller.

Gemini monthly horoscope

Cancer: June 21 – July 22

One offhand comment can echo in your head for hours. The Moon squares Jupiter while still in Scorpio, so a tiny slight might feel enormous, Cancer. After the Moon slips into Sagittarius, your sense of humor returns, and the whole thing looks a little silly. Give yourself until then before replying. Most molehills shrink with distance. You’ll probably laugh about this one.

Cancer monthly horoscope

Leo: July 23 – August 22

If you’ve had your eye on someone, consider the door wide open. Jupiter’s sextile to the Sun keeps growing, giving your charm a serious boost, Leo. The Sagittarius Moon trines your sign later, so playful banter comes naturally. Mars and Venus are easing off their standoff, too, which makes flirting easier. Make the first move. Confidence is the best accessory.

Leo monthly horoscope

Virgo: August 23 – September 22

Breaking news: even you have a limit. Mercury’s fresh square with Jupiter makes every deadline sound doable when someone asks, Virgo. Later, the Sagittarius Moon squares your sign, and that ambitious timeline may start to wobble. Pad your estimates before you agree to anything. Promise a little less and surprise everyone with more. Your reputation for reliability stays perfectly intact.

Virgo monthly horoscope

Libra: September 23 – October 22

Referee duty is calling again. Two people you care about are feuding, and both keep asking whose side you’re on, Libra. Venus’s growing square with Pluto could turn their power struggle ugly if you stay in the middle. Mars is easing its square to Venus, opening room for peace. Suggest they talk directly. You can love them both from the sidelines.

Libra monthly horoscope

Scorpio: October 23 – November 21

Before you write anyone off, consider that they might just be having a rough week. Pluto is closing in on a square with Venus, dialing up your suspicion in love and loyalty, Scorpio. With Pluto’s opposition to Mars almost gone, the urge to retaliate is fading. Ask what’s going on, then decide what it means. Some mysteries have boring answers. That’s good news.

Scorpio monthly horoscope

Sagittarius: November 22 – December 21

Someday has a way of turning into never. That trip you and your friends keep hyping needs a date on the calendar, Sagittarius. The Moon moves into your sign today, firing up your wanderlust, and Jupiter’s growing sextile to the Sun lends some luck to the planning. Jupiter’s square to Mercury could inflate the budget, so price it out first. Then book it.

Sagittarius monthly horoscope

Capricorn: December 22 – January 19

Personal bests were made for people like you. Saturn and Mars are inching toward a trine, pairing discipline with raw physical energy, Capricorn. Pick a challenge, at the gym or anywhere else, and chip away at it. Uranus’s sextile to Saturn might inspire a smarter way to train. With Saturn retrograde, revisit a goal you shelved. Yesterday’s you is the only rival.

Capricorn monthly horoscope

Aquarius: January 20 – February 18

Only you could answer “How are you?” with a lecture on the human condition. Uranus is retrograde, inviting you to explore the parts of yourself you usually intellectualize, Aquarius. The Sagittarius Moon sextiles your sign later, making openness feel less awkward. Uranus’s sextile with Saturn helps you find the words. Next time someone asks, give them one honest sentence. Then let them hug you.

Aquarius monthly horoscope

Pisces: February 19 – March 20

Leave it to a well-meaning realist to poke holes in your big dream. The Sagittarius Moon squares your sign later, so feedback could come out blunter than intended, Pisces. Keep the helpful parts and toss the rest. Neptune’s trine with Mars wraps up tomorrow, so use its last push to make tangible progress. Retrograde Neptune keeps you grounded. Dreamers build things too.

Pisces monthly horoscope

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