Pulse Life issue 9 Jan _ Feb 2026

Pulse e f Li Jan / Feb 2026

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Thrive in Business, Flourish in Life

TABLEO FCO NTENTS 4

Return in g to w ork m otivated after th e ch ristm as break ... even if you'd rath er still be eatin g m in ce pies.

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How Plan n in g a Midlife Crisis Could Help Your Men tal Health

of your action s are driven by h abit, n ot th ough t 20 Most h ere's w h y th ats's n ot a bad th in g.

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Th e scien ce of w eigh t loss - an d w h y your brain is w ired to keep you fat.

Whats on Guide

32 38

Th e subscription audit : Cuttin g costs w ith out cuttin g joy.

On lin e 'brain rot' isn 't ruin in g ch ildren 's m in ds - it's a n ew w ay of n avigatin g th e m odern in tern et.

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43 e n ext gen eration CEO: W h at Gen Z foun ders are 46 Thteach in g us.

"No, Karen , W e don 't n eed an y m ore forced fun days!"

welcome The start of a new year is always a time for reflection, recalibration, and fresh beginnings. In this issue, we explore how to make the most of the opportunities? and challenges? that come with change.

For many, midlife brings questions about purpose, identity, and balance. Our feature on planning a midlife crisis shows how approaching this transitional period intentionally can improve mental health, helping you navigate life?s crossroads with clarity and confidence.

After the whirlwind of the festive season, staying motivated can feel like an uphill climb. Our practical guide on keeping momentum after the Christmas break offers tips and strategies to maintain focus, energy, and enthusiasm as you pursue your goals in the new year.

For entrepreneurs and business professionals, 2026 is the perfect time to rethink strategy. Learn why networking should be an essential part of your New Year business plan, and how meaningful connections can unlock opportunities, growth, and lasting professional relationships.

And for parents and educators, the digital landscape continues to evolve rapidly. Our insightful piece on online brainrot examines how children interact with the modern internet, providing guidance on supporting healthy engagement while navigating the constant stream of content, distraction, and digital stimulation.

This issue of Pulse Life is packed with ideas, insights, and actionable advice to help you start the year with focus, intention, and balance? because the right approach to change can transform challenges into opportunities.

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Returning to Work M otivated Af ter the Christmas Break ...

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...Even If You?d Rather Still Be Eating M ince Pies For business owners, the Christmas break can feel like stepping off a rollercoaster ? a brief, blissful pause before the next big climb. You?ve swapped spreadsheets for stuffing, Zoom calls for family dinners, and KPIs for Christmas pudding. But as January rolls in (and your inbox fills up faster than Santa?s sleigh), it?s time to switch gears and get back to business.

The challenge? Finding that elusive post-holiday motivation when your brain is still running on mulled wine and Quality Street. Don?t worry ? you?re not alone. Here?s how to bounce back with focus, energy, and maybe even a little festive spirit left over.

Don?t Expect to Be a Productivity Machine on Day One Let?s be honest ? nobody hits the ground sprinting after two weeks of cheese boards and Netflix. If you try to go from ?holiday hibernation? to ?business powerhouse? overnight, you?ll burn out faster than a Christmas candle.

Instead, ease yourself back in. Start by reviewing your priorities for the first week rather than tackling everything at once. Clear your desk, check in with your team, and take stock of what really needs your attention. Think of it as a soft launch back into work ? even high-performing CEOs need a runway.

Reconnect With Your ?Why? After the chaos of the festive season, it?s easy to lose sight of why you started your business in the first place. Between chasing invoices, managing staff, and keeping operations running, that spark can dim.

Take a step back and remind yourself of your bigger mission. Why does your business exist? What impact are you creating? A quick reflection session (preferably with a strong coffee) can reignite your drive. Jot down a few goals for the first quarter ? something inspiring but achievable ? and share them with your team. Purpose is the best antidote to post-holiday lethargy.

Rebuild Your Routine (Yes, That Includes Bedtime) Entrepreneurs are notorious for blurring work-life boundaries, and Christmas only makes it worse. If you?ve been waking up at 10 a.m. and calling leftover turkey ?meal prep,? your body clock probably needs a reboot.

Get back into a rhythm that supports productivity.

Go to bed at a reasonable hour, set your morning routine, and plan your day intentionally. Whether that?s journaling, hitting the gym, or simply having five quiet minutes before the emails start flying, structure helps you stay sharp.

And no, ?checking Slack in your pyjamas? doesn?t count as structure.

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?The new year doesn?t need a new you ? just the best version of the one who took a well- earned break.?

Reignite the Team?s Energy If you?re feeling sluggish, chances are your team is too. They?ve also spent two weeks in elasticated waistbands and are now struggling to remember their passwords.

Host a light-hearted kickoff meeting to set the tone for the year. Share your business goals, celebrate last year?s wins, and get everyone laughing again.

You could even start with a funny ?holiday highlights? round ? you?d be surprised how bonding it is to hear that your operations manager accidentally set fire to a Christmas pudding.

Motivation is contagious. When your team sees you excited, optimistic, and re-energized, they?ll catch the spark too.

Keep the Good Habits From the Holidays Here?s a radical idea: not everything from Christmas needs to disappear. The downtime probably reminded you how nice it feels to slow down, eat real meals, and spend time with people you like.

Keep some of that balance in your working life.

Block time for deep work, take real lunch breaks, and avoid booking back-to-back meetings just to feel ?busy.? Sustainable energy beats burnout every time ? and happy leaders run better businesses.

Reflect, Then Reset Before you get lost in new projects and plans, take a

moment to look back at the previous year. What worked? What didn?t? What would you do differently?

A short reflection session ? perhaps with your leadership team or over a quiet coffee ? helps identify what to double down on and what to ditch.

It?s the business equivalent of clearing out old decorations before putting up the new ones.

You might even surprise yourself by realizing how much you accomplished, even if it didn?t feel like it at the time.

Look Ahead With Realistic Optimism January doesn?t have to be a drag. It?s a clean slate ? a chance to refine, rebuild, and grow. Set strategic goals that excite you, not just ones that fill a spreadsheet. Revisit your vision, align your team, and maybe even schedule something fun (a company breakfast beats another ?all-hands update? any day).

And if motivation doesn?t hit immediately? That?s okay. Success isn?t about coming back from Christmas as a brand-new person ? it?s about showing up, consistently, with clarity and purpose.

So dust off that planner, refill your coffee cup, and remind yourself: the holidays recharged you for a reason. Now it?s time to make this year the one where you lead with energy, balance, and maybe ? just maybe ? a tin of leftover biscuits in the top drawer.

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Drew Houston

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Midlife is often framed as a time of crisis? a period of sudden restlessness, impulsive decisions, and existential questioning. Movies, media, and clichés paint it as chaotic and destabilising. But what if we reframed it as an opportunity rather than a threat? By planning a midlife crisis intentionally, rather than letting it unfold unpredictably, individuals can use this transitional phase to reflect , reset , and prioritise their mental health. Rather than a moment of panic, it can become a structured path toward clarity, balance, and personal growth.

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?A m idlife crisis isn ?t a breakdow n ? it?s a crossroads.

W h en plan n ed in ten tion ally, it becom es an opportun ity for grow th , clarity, an d better m en tal h ealth .?

The phrase ?midlife crisis? often conjures images of impulsive decisions, regret-fuelled purchases, or sudden life upheavals. Yet beneath the stereotype lies something more nuanced: a natural psychological transition. Midlife is a period when many people reassess identity, purpose, and direction. Rather than fearing this phase, planning a midlife crisis? intentionally and thoughtfully? can actually support better mental health.

At its core, a midlife crisis is rarely about age alone.

It?s about change. Careers plateau, family roles shift, physical abilities evolve, and long-held goals may feel either fulfilled or unattainable. Ignoring these internal signals can lead to anxiety, low mood, or a sense of being stuck. Planning creates space to process these feelings safely, instead of allowing them to surface in destructive or impulsive ways.

One mental health benefit of planning is regaining a sense of control. Feeling trapped or powerless is a common contributor to stress and depression. By

intentionally asking questions such as ?What do I want more of ?? or ?What no longer fits my life??, you move from passive discomfort to active self-direction. Even small, planned changes? like learning a new skill, adjusting work patterns, or prioritising health? can significantly improve emotional wellbeing.

Planning also normalises reflection. Society often pressures adults to appear settled and certain, particularly after a certain age. This can make doubt feel like failure. Treating a midlife reassessment as a planned life phase reframes uncertainty as healthy and expected. Research consistently shows that self-reflection, when constructive, improves emotional regulation, self-esteem, and long-term satisfaction.

Another key benefit is preventing burnout. Many people reach midlife after years of prioritising responsibility over personal fulfilment. Without intentional pauses, this can result in chronic stress

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or emotional numbness. Planning a ?midlife reset? allows for proactive rest, boundary-setting, and realignment with values before burnout becomes a mental health crisis.

Importantly, planning reduces the likelihood of regret-driven decisions. Sudden, unexamined changes? quitting a job without preparation, ending relationships impulsively, or chasing short-term highs? can increase anxiety and destabilise mental health. A planned approach encourages realism. It balances desire with responsibility, ambition with sustainability, and excitement with emotional safety.

A planned midlife transition also supports identity integration. People often feel torn between who they were, who they are, and who they still want to become. Planning allows these identities to coexist rather than compete. This integration is linked to greater psychological resilience and a stronger sense of meaning.

Crucially, planning doesn?t mean rigid control. It means intention. It might involve setting aside time for therapy or coaching, experimenting with hobbies, revisiting neglected goals, or redefining success on your own terms. It can be gentle, creative, and deeply personal.

Ultimately, a midlife crisis is not a breakdown? it?s a crossroads. When approached intentionally, it becomes an opportunity for growth rather than distress. By planning rather than panicking, individuals can protect their mental health, increase self-understanding, and move into the next phase of life with clarity and confidence.

In that sense, a planned midlife crisis isn?t a crisis at all? it?s preventive mental health care.

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New Year, New Connections: Why Networking Should Be on Your New Year Business Plan

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As the calendar resets, many business owners use the New Year to revisit goals, strategies, and priorities. Revenue targets are refreshed, marketing plans rewritten, and productivity tools upgraded. Yet one of the most powerful growth drivers is often overlooked or left vague: networking. In reality, building and nurturing connections should be a deliberate, measurable part of every New Year business plan.

Networking is no longer about collecting business cards or attending the occasional event. In today?s business environment, it is about creating meaningful relationships that lead to opportunities, partnerships, referrals, and long-term growth. A strong network can open doors that no amount of advertising budget or cold outreach ever could.

The New Year presents a natural opportunity to reconnect.

People are more open to conversations, reflective about their own goals, and motivated to explore new collaborations. A simple ?Happy New Year? message can reignite dormant relationships and set the tone for future conversations. These moments of renewed openness are valuable and time-sensitive? making early-year networking particularly effective.

From a strategic perspective, networking reduces risk.

Businesses that rely too heavily on a small number of clients or suppliers are vulnerable to sudden changes. Expanding your network diversifies your opportunities. New contacts may lead to alternative revenue streams, strategic introductions, or insights that help you adapt faster in a changing market. In uncertain economic conditions, this adaptability is invaluable.

Networking also accelerates learning. Conversations with peers, mentors, and industry experts expose you to new ideas, technologies, and approaches. You gain real-world insight that can?t be replicated by reports or online research alone. Often, a single conversation can save months of trial and error or help you avoid costly mistakes.

Importantly, networking is not just about what you can gain? it?s about what you can give. The most effective networkers focus on

North West adding value first, whether that?s sharing knowledge, making introductions, or offering support. This mindset builds trust and credibility, turning casual contacts into advocates for your business. Over time, these relationships compound, creating a reputation that precedes you.

To make networking part of your New Year business plan, it needs structure. Set clear intentions: how many industry events will you attend this year? How often will you check in with existing contacts? Which communities? online or offline? are most aligned with your goals? Treat networking with the same discipline you apply to sales or marketing, and track outcomes such as referrals, collaborations, or new opportunities generated.

Digital networking also deserves attention. LinkedIn, industry forums, and virtual events allow you to connect globally, often with lower time and cost barriers. When used thoughtfully? through consistent engagement rather than sporadic outreach? these platforms can significantly expand your reach and influence.

Ultimately, businesses grow through people. Skills, products, and strategies matter, but relationships are what turn potential into progress. As you plan for the year ahead, don?t relegate networking to a vague intention or ?nice-to-have? activity. Make it a core pillar of your business strategy.

Because in the New Year, new connections don?t just support growth? they create it.

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Th e scien ce of w eigh t loss ? an d w h y you r br ain is w ir ed t o keep you f at For decades, we?ve been told that weight loss is a matter of willpower: eat less, move more. But modern science has proven this isn?t actually the case.

More on that in a moment. But first, let?s go back a few hundred thousand years to examine our early human ancestors. Because we can blame a lot of the difficulty we have with weight loss today on our predecessors of the past ? maybe the ultimate case of blame the parents.

For our early ancestors, body fat was a lifeline: too little could mean starvation, too much could slow you down. Over time, the human body became remarkably good at guarding its energy reserves

through complex biological defences wired into the brain. But in a world where food is everywhere and movement is optional, those same systems that once helped us survive uncertainty now make it difficult to lose weight.

When someone loses weight, the body reacts as if it were a threat to survival. Hunger hormones surge, food cravings intensify and energy expenditure drops. These adaptations evolved to optimise energy storage and usage in environments with fluctuating food availability. But today, with our easy access to cheap, calorie-dense junk food and sedentary routines, those same adaptations that once helped us to survive can cause us a few issues.

Valdemar Brimnes Ingemann Johansen PhD Fellow in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen

Christoffer Clemmensen Associate Professor and Group Leader, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen

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"... if you've struggled to lose w eigh t an d keep it off, kn ow you're n ot alon e, an d it's n ot your fault."

As we found in our recent research, our brains also have powerful mechanisms for defending body weight ? and can sort of ?remember? what that weight used to be. For our ancient ancestors, this meant that if weight was lost in hard times, their bodies would be able to ?get back? to their usual weight during better times.

But for us modern humans, it means that our brains and bodies remember any excess weight gain as though our survival and lives depend upon it. So in effect, once the body has been heavier, the brain comes to treat that higher weight as the new normal ? a level it feels compelled to defend.

The fact that our bodies have this capacity to ?remember? our previous heavier weight helps to explain why so many people regain weight after dieting. But as the science shows, this weight regain is not due to a lack of discipline; rather, our biology is doing exactly what it evolved to do: defend against weight loss.

Hacking biology This is where weight-loss medications such as Wegovy and Mounjaro have offered fresh hope. They work by mimicking gut hormones that tell the brain to curb appetite.

But not everyone responds well to such drugs. For some, the side effects can make them difficult to stick with, and for others, the drugs don?t seem to lead to weight loss at all. It?s also often the case that once treatment stops, biology reasserts itself ? and the lost weight returns.

Advances in obesity and metabolism research may mean that it?s possible for future therapies to be able to turn down these signals that drive the body back to its original weight, even beyond the treatment period.

Research is also showing that good health isn?t the same thing as ?a good weight?. As in, exercise, good sleep, balanced nutrition, and mental wellbeing can all improve heart and metabolic health, even if the number on the scales barely moves.

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A whole society approach Of course, obesity isn?t just an individual problem ? it takes a society-wide approach to truly tackle the root causes. And research suggests that a number of preventative measures might make a difference ? things such as investing in healthier school meals, reducing the marketing of junk food to children, designing neighbourhoods where walking and cycling are prioritised over cars, and restaurants having standardised food portions.

Scientists are also paying close attention to key early-life stages ? from pregnancy to around the age of seven ? when a child?s weight regulation system is particularly malleable.

Indeed, research has found that things like what parents eat, how infants are fed, and early lifestyle habits can all shape how the brain controls appetite and fat storage for years to come.

If you?re looking to lose weight, there are still things you can do ? mainly by focusing less on crash diets and more on sustainable habits that support overall

wellbeing. Prioritising sleep helps regulate appetite, for example, while regular activity ? even walking ? can improve your blood sugar levels and heart health.

The bottom line though is that obesity is not a personal failure, but rather a biological condition shaped by our brains, our genes, and the environments we live in. The good news is that advances in neuroscience and pharmacology are offering new opportunities in terms of treatments, while prevention strategies can shift the landscape for future generations.

So if you?ve struggled to lose weight and keep it off, know that you?re not alone, and it?s not your fault.

The brain is a formidable opponent. But with science, medicine and smarter policies, we?re beginning to change the rules of the game.

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?You r m ost u n h appy cu st om er s ar e you r gr eat est sou r ce of lear n in g.?

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The Subscription Audit: Cutting Costs Without Cutting Joy The average UK household now spends over £700 annually on subscription services, and if you're a busy professional juggling Netflix, Spotify, Adobe Creative Cloud, meal kits, and that gym membership you signed up for in a moment of January optimism, you're likely well above that figure.

But here's the thing about subscriptions: they're designed to fade into the background. That £9.99 here and £14.99 there doesn't trigger the same spending awareness as handing over a £50 note.

Before you know it, you're funding a small streaming empire you barely use and a meditation app you last opened in 2023.

The New Year offers the perfect opportunity for a subscription audit, but the goal isn't deprivation.

It's about aligning your spending with what genuinely adds value to your life.

The 90-Day Rule Start by pulling up your bank statements from the past three months. Look for any recurring payments and ask yourself one simple question: "Have I used this in the last 90 days?" Not "might I use it" or

"should I use it," but have you actually opened the app, streamed the content, or worn the clothes?

If the answer is no, it's time to let it go. That magazine subscription gathering dust, the premium LinkedIn you upgraded "just in case," or the wine club delivering bottles faster than you can drink them? these are pure financial leakage.

The Value-Per-Use Calculation For subscriptions you do use, run a quick cost-benefit analysis. Take your monthly spend and divide it by how many times you actually engage with the service. A £40 gym membership used three times a week? That's under £4 per session? solid value. The same membership used twice a month?

You're paying £20 per workout. Suddenly, pay-as-you-go classes or a good pair of running shoes look rather sensible.

The Rotation Strategy Here's a liberating truth: you don't need all your subscriptions running simultaneously. Love true crime documentaries but also can't resist a period drama? Alternate between streaming services every

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few months. Binge what you want on Netflix, cancel it, switch to Disney+ for a quarter, then rotate back.

Most services are thrilled to have you return, often with a "welcome back" discount.

that premium software you rely on for work, and mention you're reviewing costs. You'd be amazed how often a better deal materializes. Loyalty rarely rewards itself? you have to ask.

The same applies to food boxes, audiobook services, and beauty subscriptions. Pause them when life gets hectic or your cupboards are full.

Resume when you're ready. Subscription services aren't marriage vows.

The Joy Filter

The Consolidation Opportunity Sometimes the answer isn't canceling but consolidating. Amazon Prime, for instance, might seem pricey at £95 annually, but if you're already paying for music streaming, audiobooks, and regular delivery fees separately, it could actually save you money while simplifying your life. Sky's or Virgin Media's bundled packages might beat paying for broadband, streaming, and mobile separately.

Negotiate Like a Pro Before you hit cancel on subscriptions you genuinely value, try the retention department. Ring up your broadband provider, mobile network, or

Finally, keep the subscriptions that genuinely spark joy. If your Sunday morning ritual involves fresh coffee and the Financial Times app, that's £30 well spent. If Spotify Premium soundtracks your commute and makes the Tube bearable, keep it. The goal isn't to live like a monk, but to spend intentionally on things that genuinely enhance your daily life.

A proper subscription audit isn't about sacrifice. It's about making room in your budget for what truly matters, whether that's saving for something bigger or simply knowing your money isn't quietly slipping away to services you've forgotten you own.

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North East Marks & Spencer (M&S) int roduced fixed pricing in t he UK, replacing haggling in retail.

Dyson invested over £500 million developing it s bagless vacuum before it became commercially successful.

Many famous UK brands are much older t han people t hink (Tesco, BP, M&S are 100+ years old).

Unilever owns over 400 brands, including Dove, Hellmann?s, Persil, and Ben & Jerry?s, and sells product s in 190+ count ries.

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On lin e ?br ain r ot ?isn?t r u in in g ch ildr en?s m in ds ? it ?s a n ew w ay of n avigat in g t h e m oder n in t er n et ?Brainrot? is what many people call the chaotic, fast-moving memes, sounds and catchphrases that spread across TikTok, Roblox and online gaming and into playgrounds. An example is the endlessly repeated chant of ?six-seven?, which still echoes through houses and schools across the country ? to the bewilderment (or annoyance) of many teachers and parents.

But if you?ve ever said ?I?ll be back? in a mock-Arnie voice or asked ?you talkin?to me??, you?ve already engaged in a form of brainrot. The instinct to repeat and remix lines from the culture around us is nothing new.

What has changed is the source material. For young people growing up in a digital world, quotable moments don?t come from films or TV but from TikTok edits, Roblox streams, speedrun memes, Minecraft mods (modifications) and the fast-paced humour of online gaming.

Hearing a child burst into the looping ?Skibidi dop dop dop yes yes? audio from the Skibidi Toilet trend, or repeat a surreal line from a Roblox NPC

(non-player character), might sound like nonsense to adults. For the younger generation these fragments slot neatly into a fast-paced, highly referential style of humour. Today?s equivalents are faster, more layered and often more chaotic, with that chaos very much part of the appeal.

Although brainrot is often used knowingly and with a touch of irony to describe these phrases, remixing and repeating fragments of media has always been part of how people connect. It creates a shared cultural code, a second language made of references, rhythms and sounds that bind groups together and turn everyday moments into opportunities for humour and social connection. In many ways, this style of communication offers lightness and playfulness in a world that can often feel slow and muted by comparison.

Changing play Brainrot is changing how children play online. Many adults grew up with video games that were built around structure. In Pokémon, Zelda or Half-Life, you cleared goals, quests and puzzles to reach

Authors : Oli Buckley Professor in Cyber Security, Loughborough University Lilly Casey-Green PhD Candidate in Computer Science, Loughborough University Patrick Scaife PhD Candidate in Computer Science, Loughborough University

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endings. Even when games were open-world, giving you nearly total freedom to choose what challenges you take on and when, there was an underlying design logic you were meant to follow.

Those experiences shaped how we thought about play, and later how we approached designing games and interactive tools in research. Structure, narrative and pacing felt fundamental.

Watching children engage with today?s digital culture, and particularly with what gets called brainrot, challenges these assumptions. Their experiences aren?t always built around long-form story arcs or carefully crafted mechanics and challenges. Instead, it?s fluid, fragmentary and relentlessly social.

They jump between Roblox games, short TikTok edits, chaotic Minecraft mods and meme-based jokes without losing the thread. What sometimes looks like disjointed overstimulation to adults is entirely coherent to them. They?re fluent in a form of digital literacy that involves stitching together references, humour, audio, images and interactions at high speed.

Brainrot and research From a research perspective, this has been a timely

reminder that how children engage online changes.

Young people aren?t abandoning meaningful play, they?re interacting with an online environment that is dramatically different from the one their parents grew up with.

There is research that raises questions about whether switching between short, chaotic bursts of content might affect attention or wellbeing for some users. For example, a recent study found associations between heavy use of short-form video apps and poorer sleep in adolescents, but also noted that higher social anxiety partly explained this pattern.

A broader analysis of a number of research studies reported similar correlations between heavier use and lower scores on attention tasks, as well as higher stress and anxiety. But these findings do not show causation. It remains unclear whether short-form content affects attention, or whether young people with particular cognitive styles simply gravitate towards media that already fits how they process information.

This shift has changed how we design games for learning. Instead of assuming attention must be sustained in a single direction, we think more about how curiosity works in shorter bursts, how play can

South West be modular, and how meaning can emerge from participation rather than instruction.

Brainrot may not be something we?d replicate directly in an educational game, but some of its qualities, its pace, its playfulness, its remixing of ideas, can offer valuable prompts for thinking differently about how young people engage. The way we learn is constantly evolving and it doesn?t always fit our older frameworks. Rather than resisting that, there?s value in trying to understand it, and in meeting them where they already are.

If we want to understand why brainrot resonates so strongly with children, it helps to see it not as meaningless noise, but as a form of social communication. These references work as inside jokes, but ones that can be remixed endlessly.

This is part of the appeal: brainrot is malleable, collaborative and playful. If you understand it, then

you can riff on it, combine it, subvert it, and use it to signal belonging. There?s a enticing level of creativity stitched into the chaos.

There is also an element of self-awareness in much of brainrot culture. Its absurdity isn?t accidental, it?s part of the joke. In that sense it has echoes of earlier artistic or cultural movements that embraced nonsense or playful subversion. One of the key things is that this isn?t something imposed on children by companies or algorithms. Brainrot is something young people choose to build together, adapting and evolving references within their own circles.

Brainrot isn?t evidence that young people are disengaged or unimaginative. It?s a reflection of how they make sense of a digital world that is fast, fragmented and overflowing with ideas.

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"No, Karen, We don't need any more forced fun day s!"

The christmas rush of the office party, dreaded 'secret santa' with colleagues you barely know, and all the 'forced fun' is now over and we head into a new year. But there's a special kind of new year dread that comes with the calendar invite titled "Mandatory Team Bonding: Escape Room Edition!" or worse, "Pizza Party & Trust Falls." These forced fun exercises, born from good intentions and HR handbooks, often achieve the opposite of their goal? turning colleagues into hostages of corporate enthusiasm.

The good news? Building genuine team culture doesn't require paintballing in February or pretending to enjoy karaoke. The best workplace traditions are the ones that emerge organically and respect the fact that not everyone bonds over organised activities.

The Power of Ritual, Not Theatre Effective team traditions are less about grand gestures and more about small, consistent rituals that people actually look forward to. Take the Leeds-based marketing agency that instituted "Brew

Roulette"? every Monday, someone's name is drawn to choose that week's biscuit selection for the tea station. It's low-stakes, takes five minutes, and sparks genuine conversation about the merits of Hobnobs versus Custard Creams. No forced participation, no awkward icebreakers, just a pleasant ritual that happens to bring people together.

Food, Done Right Communal eating is one of humanity's oldest bonding mechanisms, but the key word is communal, not mandatory. A Birmingham tech startup ditched their formal quarterly lunches in favour of a simple standing offer: if you're ordering takeaway to your desk, pop a message in the team chat. Anyone who fancies joining can chip in.

Sometimes it's two people, sometimes it's twelve.

The tradition isn't the food itself but the opt-in nature that respects everyone's schedule and social energy levels.

Celebrating Wins Without Cringe Recognition matters, but not everyone wants to be

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celebrated in front of 40 colleagues. One London consultancy created a "Wins Wall"? a physical board where anyone can anonymously or publicly post team achievements, client praise, or personal milestones. Friday afternoons, whoever wants to can gather for ten minutes to read through the week's additions. It's become a beloved tradition precisely because it's optional and authentic, not a forced round-robin of awkward compliments.

The Art of Useful Traditions The best team rituals solve an actual problem while building connection. A Manchester design studio noticed people interrupting each other constantly in their open-plan office. Their solution? "Silent Hour" every day from 2-3pm? no meetings, no calls, no desk chats. What started as a productivity measure became a cherished tradition because it demonstrated that the company respected people's need for focus. Shared relief is surprisingly bonding.

Permission to Skip Perhaps the most important element of any team tradition is the ability to opt out without guilt or professional consequences. A Bristol startup's monthly pub drinks work brilliantly because they also offer a daytime alternative? a lunchtime walk for those who don't drink, have caring responsibilities, or simply prefer daylight socialising.

Building From the Ground Up The traditions that stick are rarely mandated from above. Create space for organic rituals to develop by asking your team what small, regular things they'd actually enjoy. You might be surprised to find that the answer isn't paintballing or karaoke, but something wonderfully mundane like a reliable tea rota, a Friday playlist takeover, or simply protecting everyone's lunch hour from meeting creep.

True team culture isn't built through forced fun. It's built through respect, consistency, and recognising that sometimes the best bonding happens over the small, everyday moments we choose to share.

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Th e Next Gen er at ion CEO

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Wh at Gen Z Fou n der s Ar e Teach in g Us The corner office doesn?t look the way it used to.

Gone are the sharp suits, the rigid hierarchies, and the 80-hour workweeks that once defined corporate ambition. In their place stands a new breed of leaders ? the Gen Z founders ? rewriting the rules of entrepreneurship before many of them have even turned thirty.

Born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, Gen Z has grown up in an era of constant flux: economic uncertainty, social movements, climate anxiety, and digital immersion. For them, leadership isn?t about status or control; it?s about authenticity, impact, and adaptability. And as we step into 2025, their influence is transforming how businesses operate, grow, and connect with the world.

Purpose Is t he New Profit For Gen Z founders, business and purpose are inseparable. Unlike previous generations who often viewed social good as a branding exercise, Gen Z entrepreneurs see it as a business model. They don?t just build companies to sell products ? they build them to solve problems.

Whether it?s creating sustainable fashion lines that challenge fast fashion waste, or fintech startups focused on financial literacy for underserved communities, these leaders start with ?why? before ?how.? ?Profitability still matters,? says 26-year-old founder Amira Chen of VerdeLoop, a circular economy

startup. ?But if your business doesn?t improve people?s lives or the planet in some way, you?re already behind.?

This mindset has led to a surge in conscious capitalism ? a movement where ethics, transparency, and empathy are seen not as compromises, but as competitive advantages. Gen Z CEOs understand that in a world of informed consumers, purpose drives loyalty more powerfully than price ever could.

Radical Transparency and Real Talk Where older generations prized polished communication, Gen Z thrives on honesty ? even when it?s messy. Founders like Ben Francis (Gymshark), Melanie Perkins (Canva, though technically a millennial, still Gen Z-adjacent in ethos), and countless new voices on TikTok and LinkedIn are building communities by being open about their struggles, doubts, and failures.

They don?t hide behind corporate jargon or curated perfection. Instead, they post behind-the-scenes clips, share financial milestones ? and sometimes missteps ? and engage directly with customers in comment sections.

This culture of radical transparency has given rise to a new kind of trust. Gen Z CEOs understand that audiences today crave connection, not corporate polish. They lead by being visible, vulnerable, and authentic ? qualities once considered incompatible

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?Gen Z doesn ?t fear disruption ? th ey expect it.? with authority but now essential to it.

Redefining t he Work Cult ure Forget rigid 9-to-5 structures and top-down management. Gen Z founders are reimagining work as a collaborative ecosystem, not a hierarchy.

Flexibility, autonomy, and mental well-being are non-negotiables in their organisations.

They?re also challenging the stigma around mental health in the workplace. Instead of glorifying burnout, they prioritize rest, creative flow, and psychological safety. ?We don?t believe productivity has to come at the expense of peace,? says Leo Hernández, 25-year-old CEO of a digital marketing agency in Austin. ?If my team is happy and rested, innovation happens naturally.?

automation tools ? they?re building businesses around them.

They understand that algorithms can shape public sentiment, that virality can equal visibility, and that brand identity lives and breathes online. This gives them a unique edge: they can scale fast, pivot faster, and reach global audiences without the traditional gatekeepers.

But this fluency comes with responsibility. Many Gen Z CEOs are leading the charge in ethical tech, demanding accountability around data use, privacy, and algorithmic bias. They don?t see technology as neutral ? they see it as a tool that reflects human values.

Financial Savvy wit h a Twist

Hybrid teams, four-day workweeks, asynchronous communication, and results-based performance metrics are now common features of Gen Z-led companies. These leaders recognize that culture isn?t a perk ? it?s infrastructure.

While they?re purpose-driven, Gen Z founders are anything but naive about money. They?ve come of age in a world shaped by economic crises and student debt, which has made them both cautious and creative.

Tech-Nat ive Leadership

Many bootstrap their businesses, leverage crowdfunding, or turn to social media-driven growth rather than traditional VC funding. When they do raise capital, they seek investors who align

As the first truly digital-native generation, Gen Z founders navigate technology with instinctive fluency. They?re not just using AI, social media, and

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with their mission, not just their margins.

Lessons for All Generat ions

Their financial playbook is lean, data-driven, and deeply pragmatic. They understand that sustainability ? financial and environmental ? is the only real long-term growth strategy.

Gen Z founders aren?t just reshaping entrepreneurship ? they?re reshaping what leadership means in the 21st century. They remind us that leadership isn?t about control; it?s about connection. It?s not about being the smartest in the room; it?s about creating a space where everyone?s intelligence thrives.

Communit y Is t he Brand Perhaps the most defining characteristic of Gen Z-led companies is their community-first mindset.

Their customers aren?t just buyers ? they?re collaborators, ambassadors, and sometimes co-creators.

From Discord channels to micro-influencer networks, these founders build digital tribes around shared values and co-ownership. ?The best marketing is community,? says Tara Singh, founder of an eco-beauty startup in London. ?When people feel part of your story, they become your storytellers.?

This shift from customer acquisition to community belonging is reshaping how brands grow. Instead of broadcasting, Gen Z companies listen. They invite feedback, adapt in real time, and empower users to shape the brand?s evolution.

Older generations can learn a great deal from this ethos: that empathy is not weakness, that transparency builds trust, and that the next big idea might come from the intern, not the executive suite.

The Fut ure Belongs to t he Bold and t he Real As the world of business continues to evolve, one truth is becoming clear: the next generation of CEOs is not waiting for permission to lead differently.

They?re already doing it.

They?re blending capitalism with conscience, ambition with authenticity, and technology with humanity. And in doing so, they?re not just building profitable companies ? they?re building a more purposeful world.

In 2025 and beyond, the smartest move any leader can make is to listen to them.

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