Logo_White

lede_post_card_default

lede_post_card_stacked

lede_post_card_featured_post

lede_post_card_featured_post_3:2

lede_post_card_featured_post_1:1

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero_3:2

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero_1:1

lede_post_card_featured_posts_sidebar

lede_post_card_highlighted_post

lede_post_card_horizontal_a

lede_post_card_horizontal_c

lede_post_card_related_post

lede_post_card_square

lede_article_featured_16x9

lede_article_featured_16x9_full_width

lede_article_featured_3x2

lede_article_featured_3x2_full_width

lede_article_featured_1x1

lede_article_featured_1x1_full_width

lede_article_featured_flexible

lede_article_featured_flexible_full_width

lede_article_content

lede_article_content_wide_width

lede_article_content_full_width

lede_byline_avatar_post_card

lede_byline_avatar_highlight

lede_profile_coral_avatar

lede_logo

lede_logo_banner

lede_logo_footer_banner

lede_logo_simple_header

lede_sponsorship_logo

lede_sponsorship_logo_river_card

lede_sponsorship_homepage_card_logo

lede_sponsorship_homepage_card

lede_leaderboard

Main Header Menu

Logo_2a8517

The Daily Dot

Susan is a freelance writer following humanity one UGC at a time.

Susan LaMarca

accomlishment-cake.png

Culture

Here’s why “achievement cakes” are popping up as the latest self-validation trend

Lindsey is a Seattle area writer interested in all things society, including internet culture, politics, and mental health. Outside of the Daily Dot, her work can be found in publications such as The Mary Sue, Truthout, and YES! Magazine.

Lindsey Weedston

Left: TikTok screenshot of a 2026 punch card. Text overlay reads, "How I made my 2026 punch cards" above a card reading "self date." Middle: Text reading "2026 punch cards" above a woman holding little cards reading, one of which reads "consistence @ gym." Right: Punch card reading "Drink 2 water bottles."

2026-punch-cards-tiktok-.jpg

Forget bingo cards—2026 punch cards are how TikTok is tracking goals now

Rachel Kiley is a writer who sometimes writes things and sometimes is based in L.A., but is definitely always on Twitter @rachelkiley.

Rachel Kiley

Left: Reddit text header reads "My American manager tried to write me up for "lack of commitment" because I leave at 5:00 PM sharp. I work in the Netherlands." Right: Stressed male employee getting scolding from angry irritated company boss.

dutch-worker-.jpg

“40 hours means 40 hours”: Dutch worker gives American boss a “reality check” after being chastised for logging off at 5pm every day

ways-to-improve-your-day-instantly.png

“Hot shower and a good book”: 17 methods of cheering yourself up when you’re feeling down

Charlotte is a regular Daily Dot contributor with bylines in Insider, VICE, Glamour, The Independent, and more. She holds a Masters&#8217;s degree in Magazine Journalism from City, University of London.

Charlotte Colombo

zelda-breath-of-the-wild.png

Can playing “The Legend of Zelda”  really improve your mental health? Science says yes

Ljeonida is a reporter and writer with a degree in journalism and communications from the University of Tirana in her native Albania. She has a particular interest in all things digital marketing; she considers herself a copywriter, content producer, SEO specialist, and passionate marketer. Ljeonida is based in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Ljeonida Mulabazi

baroque classical music tiktok experiment

baroque-classical-music-tiktok-experiment-update.png

“A different vibe”: Woman gives update after “brainwashing” herself with Baroque music—others chime in with their own classical music experiences

deriods-male-period-tiktok-trend.png

Wait, what’s a “Deriod”? TikTok’s take on male irritability, explained

olivia rodrigo providing therapy for touring band and crew

olivia-rodrigo-providing-therapy-for-touring-band-and-crew.png

Olivia Rodrigo’s guitarist reveals she ensured there would be “accessible and free” therapy for “all of the touring personnel” on her world tour

Anna is a freelance writer with far too much time on her hands. When she&#8217;s not writing about memes and internet slang, she can be found running TTRPGs online.

Anna Good

Model Erin Marley Klay speaks out july 4th bikini photos go viral on x

Model-Erin-Marley-Klay-speaks-out-july-4th-bikini-photos-go-viral-on-x.png

“I’m not letting it stop me”: Model Erin Marley Klay speaks out after her Fourth of July bikini photos spark discourse on X

woman shopping for deodorant at walmart(l) Walmart Store front(c) Womans hand holding up Secret Power Fresh Deodorant(r)

walmart deodorant

‘$25 for deodorant?!!!’: Walmart shopper demands answers after trying to find deodorant without ‘cancer-causing chemicals’

Tiffanie Drayton is a geek culture and lifestyle reporter whose work covers everything from gender and race to anime and Xbox. Her work has appeared in Complex, Salon, Marie Claire, Playboy, and elsewhere.

Tiffanie Drayton

Mielle Organics products(l), Back of scalp with hair loss(c), Woman talking while holding products(r)

mielle-organics-causes-hairloss

‘It all makes sense now’: Woman warns against Mielle Organics after her hair ‘started to fall out’

Black Friday Kbeauty deals JPG

‘It’s like a war zone out there’: 5 skincare warnings from TikTok dermatologists and estheticians 

Allie Hayes is an experienced pop culture writer and editor based in New England. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading a romance novel, obsessively watching pro wrestling, or taking blurry photos of her two adorable cats.

Allie Hayes

90 day dinner

‘It’s time to check in on myself’: Here’s everything you need to know about the ’90-Day Dinner’ mental health tip going viral on TikTok

Self Care