Today’s Solutions: January 19, 2025

Arts & Culture

Here we cover the latest and most uplifting exhibitions, creative movements, and imaginative design to keep you inspired throughout your day.

Snapshot from the documentary “My Name Is Pauli Murray.” She sits with a blue jacket wearing glasses writing.

3 inspiring Black LBGTQ+ pioneers

Part of the cultural reassessment that's been occurring over these last few years has been the recognition that many contributions of both the Black and LBGTQ+ communities have been pushed under the rug for too long. In honor of Black History month, we wanted to shed light on three incredible Read More...

Art Changes Minds by changing hearts

Tapping the creative force, art changes minds in a changing climate

“The arts matter because we matter, and our stories matter. We are moving miracles, walking creators engaging in a cosmic dance. The art we express is timeless.” –Mohammed Sheriff, Division Coordinator at the National Endowment for the Arts (USA) By Oliver Kammeyer At The Optimist Read More...

Amos Rex art museum Finland

These urban playgrounds might be why Scandinavians are so happy

We’ve written a good deal about “what makes people the happiest” at The Optimist Daily. We’ve enjoyed examining the lifestyle aspects of the Blue Zone countries or the joyous aspects of Finnish culture. While looking into Scandinavia, though, it’s important to check out their notion of Read More...

Back view of young businessman in casual clothes and eyeglasses reading a book while lying on couch at home wearing blue shirt with glasses.

4 Tips for becoming a more ferocious reader

We've previously brought indoor hobbies that are great for your wellbeing such as puzzling and knitting to our readers attention. So this time we thought we would provide you with some motivation to get you going on another great activity to enrich your free time with, reading. From Bill Gates to Read More...

Two children cutting out paper hearts for valentines day craft

Three fun valentine's day arts & crafts to do with your kids

Valentine’s day is just around the corner, and for parents with young children, this could be a great opportunity to carve out some quality time and get crafty together! Plus, if you’re trying to limit processed sugar in your family, doing arts and crafts with your kids is a much healthier Read More...

Lunar New Year illustration of Tiger

Year of the tiger: Bringing in the Lunar New Year

On Tuesday this week, almost two billion people all over the world celebrated the Lunar New Year which is also called the Chinese New Year (or the Spring Festival in China). Traditionally, it’s a time to get together with families to honor ancestors and deities and to enjoy the exciting street Read More...

someone playing Wordle on their smartphone

The psychological reason we're so taken with Wordle

If you use any kind of social media platform, you may notice the sudden appearance of gray, green, and yellow boxes in grids cluttering up your news feeds. This is because of the latest online craze, a game called Wordle. What's Wordle anyway? If you’re unfamiliar with this online game, let us Read More...

Luthier holding violin made from vegan materials

Using berries and pears to create the world’s first ‘vegan violin’

An Irish master violin luthier has unveiled a set of violins that are made from 100 percent plant-based products. The animal-free violins are the first in the world to be registered with The Vegan Society’s Vegan Trademark. What makes traditional violins non-vegan? Currently, most violins Read More...

close up of Black man's hands knitting

5 benefits of knitting and crocheting—Stitch your stress away

At The Optimist Daily, we’ve written about the benefits of various indoor hobbies like tackling a jigsaw puzzle or getting crafty with painting. However, if puzzles confound you and painting doesn’t call to you, then perhaps you can stitch your stress away instead by trying out knitting and Read More...

hands holding paint brush painting with many different color paints

10 Reasons to pick up a paintbrush: Good for your heart and soul

The cold winter weather combined with continuing concern for our health and safety during the pandemic may mean that many of us are opting to spend more time indoors these days. To keep boredom from taking hold, try to see this as an opportunity to delve into some fun hobbies that are not only Read More...