IT General

The next OnePlus flagship made its debut appearance on Chinese social media this week.

Specifically, a post on Weibo (courtesy of 9to5Google) featured a photo of a bunch of professional esports athletes all huddled around a phone to take a selfie, with the caption saying "Guess what they were looking at?" Pretty much everyone seems to believe that this is the OnePlus 15, and the big news here is that it looks very different from last year's model.

SEE ALSO: Samsung's Tri-Fold phone could come to the U.S. this year

Specifically, it has a square camera module on the back, as opposed to the circular one on the OnePlus 13. For context, OnePlus is said to be skipping 14 and going straight to 15 because of cultural reasons. Prominent leaker Digital Chat Station also said on Weibo that the phone has a matte texture with a ceramic coating of some sort. It's also apparently thinner than the iPhone 17, but we don't know anything else about it beyond all of that.

Last year, the OnePlus 13 launched in January, so perhaps we will learn more by then.

Believe it or not, you can transform a Linux terminal or even a WSL box inside Windows into a fully capable workspace. It’s an entirely command-line-based suite where you can track your tasks, time sheets, mark appointments and events in a calendar, and write or take notes. Here’s how you can install and use it.

The Razer Viper V2 Pro is a gaming mouse that has hit its lowest price ever, making it a deal that is too good to pass up. Right now, you can get it for just $63 on Amazon, which is a massive 37% discount from its normal $100 price.

SAVE $10: As of Sept. 23, you can grab the new Apple Watch Series 11 at Amazon for $389 instead of $399. That $10 in savings is the first-ever discount for the smartwatch, which hit shelves just a few days ago.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $389 at Amazon
$399 Save $10 Get Deal

The Apple Watch Series 11 arrived just a few days ago and is largely the same as the Series 10, but with a big step up in battery life. It even costs the same amount as the previous generation, though you can already find it at a discount at Amazon.

As of Sept. 23, you can save $10 if you grab the new Apple Watch Series 11 at Amazon. That knocks its price down to $389 instead of $399 and marks its first-ever discount. That's also the cheapest you'll find the smartwatch at any retailer. Sure, it's not much, but just like this surprise AirPods Pro 3 deal, 10 bucks is 10 bucks.

More of a minor upgrade, the Apple Watch Series 11 brings slight improvements to hardware, connectivity, and as mentioned before, battery life. Last year's Series 10 had 18 hours of battery life. Apple says the Series 11 has 24 hours of battery life — and Mashable's reviewer Stan Schroeder found it to last slightly longer than that. "It's possible to extend that to a full weekend if you carefully use Low Power mode," he writes, which is a pretty big deal for the Apple Watch.

The Series 11 also sports the same S10 chip as its predecessor, but has a tougher design with durable glass that's twice as resistant to scratches. It's now 5G-capable for quicker connectivity and features a hypertension tool designed to flag high blood pressure (but not replace a doctor).

If you're in the market for an upgrade — or you just want that extra battery life — buying at Amazon is your best bet for saving a little bit of cash on your purchase.

SAVE $100: As of August 6, get the LG 86-inch Class UA77 Series LED AI 4K TV for $798.99, down from its usual price of $898.99. That's a discount of 11% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon LG 65-inch Class UA77 Series LED AI 4K TV $798.99 at Amazon
$898.99 Save $100 Get Deal

Fall is officially here, and that means tons of new shows, movies, and games to enjoy at home. The best thing you can add to your entertainment space is a new TV, and an 86-inch display will do nicely, especially since you can get one right now for an excellent discount. That applies to this Amazon deal on an LG 4K TV, the lowest price we've seen.

As of August 6, get the LG 86-inch Class UA77 Series LED AI 4K TV for $798.99, down from its usual price of $898.99. That's $100 off and a discount of 11%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: Best TVs under $500: Low-budget, high-quality TVs in every size

Thanks to its Alpha 7 AI processor, this TV delivers vivid colors, deep black shades, and 4K UHD quality. That means improved sound, brightness, and detail, all with 4K upscaling and Dynamic Tone Mapping. It offers support for HDR10 Pro so you can get a better overall image and more satisfying colors. You can use the included picture and sound wizard for further tweaking if needed.

This display also comes with WebOS on board, which means you don't need to add a streaming device to catch your favorite on demand content. It also has over 350 free LG Channels and on demand titles that you can watch at any time.

If you're ready to pick up a new TV without spending an arm and a leg, this is an excellent pick and one that'll add some serious oomph to your living room.

While smartwatches are taking their places on the wrists of more people, I'm content to stay with a classic Casio design, the F-91W. Here's why it will take more than some fancy features to pry it off my arm.

Free gift card promos at Target Beauty and personal care deal Spend $30, get a $5 gift card Shop Now Diapers and baby wipes deal Spend $75, get a $15 gift card Shop Now Threshold decor and home items deal Spend $40, save $10 Shop Now Pet treats and food Buy two, get a free $5 gift card Shop Now Eye care deal Buy 2, get a free $10 gift card Shop Now

Target Circle Week — running Oct. 5 through Oct. 11 —  is right around the corner. But right around the corner may not be soon enough if you ran out of toothpaste, face wash, or diapers today. Target's not leaving you hanging: Ahead of Circle Week, Target is running more gift card promos at once than usual, giving you a chance snag free gift cards up to $15 just for stocking up on the pet food, treats, or beauty, bathroom, and baby essentials that you buy regularly anyway.

There's also a similar deal on home decor, bedding, candles, and more cozy home goodies by Target's brand Threshold: Spend $40 on Threshold items, automatically save $10.

The baby gift card deal covers seven pages of select diapers for various ages (including overnight options, swim pants, and Pull-Ups), plus a huge selection of baby wipes. Participating brands include Pampers, The Honest Company, Huggies, and Millie Moon.

SEE ALSO: Shark CryoGlow vs. CurrentBody mask: My skin wasn't shy about which mask it preferred

There's far more to mix and match under the umbrella of the beauty and personal care deal. Just about anything you'd ever need to stock up on is probably hiding in the 50 pages of eligible items: There's a ton of skincare, body wash and lotion, razors, toothpaste and toothbrushes, deodorant, pimple patches, nail polish, hair products, and makeup. Participating brands include Native, Crest, NYX, Dove, Byoma, Mrs. Meyer's, La Roche Posay, and Shea Moisture.

The promo will apply automatically in your cart once you meet the $75 or $30 mark (depending on which category you're shopping). After your purchase is made, you'll get your free e-gift card sent via email to use on your next Target run.

Meta has announced two new features to Facebook Dating: Meet Cute and an AI dating assistant.

The former adds an element of surprise when using Meta's free dating service. Meet Cute matches you with a random user based on its matching algorithm, and you can choose to either chat with them or unmatch. Users will start getting a weekly Meet Cute match — but you can opt out at any time.

SEE ALSO: Meta Ray-Ban Display fail wasn't the worst. These tech demos are more cringe.

The dating assistant, meanwhile, is a chat assistant within Facebook Dating that supposedly "gives you personalized help on your dating journey," according to Meta's announcement. The assistant can help find better matches and allows users to enter unique traits that they're looking for, beyond the classics of height and education. (The example Meta used is, "Find me a Brooklyn girl in tech.") It can also provide dating ideas and profile help.

The dating assistant is available in the matches tab and will start rolling out in the U.S. and Canada.

Meta announced that these new features are designed to "help address swipe fatigue," a term that encompasses disillusionment with online dating and dating apps. Daters have been feeling this for some time, and while other dating apps are introducing AI features as well, daters told Mashable they actually want to meet others in a low-tech way: in person.

SEE ALSO: How to get over a breakup

This isn't the first time that Meta has used AI to help users find a partner. In 2023, when Meta rolled out its AI characters, one of them was Carter, an AI dating coach. People soon found out that Carter kink-shamed them, like advising against swinging.

Meta deleted Carter and its other AI personalities back in January, and in August a report found that Meta's AI bots impersonated celebrities and produced lewd images. The tech giant hasn't stopped its AI push, though, debuting its "AI glasses" last week.

SAVE $24: As of Sept. 23, the EarFun Air Pro 4 earbuds are down to just $55.99 at Amazon. That's 30% off their usual list price and their lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: EarFun EarFun Air Pro 4 $55.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $24.00 Get Deal

While most solid noise-cancelling earbuds come with a steep price tag, it's not impossible to find a pair that check all the right boxes for under $100. Or, in this case, under $60.

As of Sept. 23, the relatively unknown EarFun Air Pro 4 earbuds are on sale for just $55.99 at Amazon. Not only is that 30% or $24 off their usual list price, but it's also their lowest price on record.

Mashable's resident headphones expert Bethany Allard struggled to find the flaws of these budget-friendly buds upon testing. "The EarFun Air Pro 4 earbuds may not come from one of the more well-known audio brands, but they have some of the best battery life and noise cancellation we've experienced on any earbuds, not just those in the budget price range," she writes in our best noise-cancelling headphones guide.

They pack about 7.5 hours of battery per charge with ANC on (11 or so without), as well as another 27.5 (or 41) with the charging case. For comparison's sake, the new AirPods Pro 3 allegedly last 8 hours per charge with ANC and up to 24 with the charging case. They also come with a companion app that allows you to customize touch control settings, adjust the ANC modes, and use the custom EQ tool. Although, our reviewer notes that they sound great right out of the box. They can also connect to two devices and switch between them seamlessly.

Allard's only real issue with these earbuds was the touch controls, but it's easy to overlook those (or just toggle them off) when they have so many other perks. At full price, we think the EarFun Air Pro 4s are the best budget-friendly earbuds. At 30% off, they're basically the crowned jewel.

Death Stranding 2 only just came out a couple of months ago, but it's already time to talk about director Hideo Kojima's next big game.

Kojima held a live-streamed announcement event on Monday night where most of the attention was on the first real teaser for OD, a horror game he is developing for Xbox in collaboration with Nope mastermind Jordan Peele. The 3-minute teaser doesn't seem like it includes any actual gameplay footage, as the game is surely still in the early stages of development, but you can get a basic idea of the kind of tone Kojima and Peele are going for if you watch it.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo is bringing back the reviled 'Virtual Boy' as a Switch accessory

Most of the teaser revolves around first-person point-of-view footage of someone lighting some candles at a weird, baby-centric shrine (Kojima's got a fascination with babies, I guess) while someone (or something) mysteriously knocks on a nearby door. You don't get much beyond that and confirmation that actors like Udo Kier and Hunter Schafer are involved with the project in the video. Still, it's enough to evoke memories of PT, an infamous first-person horror demo for an eventually canceled Silent Hill project that Kojima was working with Guillermo del Toro on about a decade ago.

That said, anyone who has followed Kojima's work for long enough knows that his trailers can be misleading, so we can't say, with any confidence, what OD actually is at this point. It certainly seems like it'll be creepy, though. Nothing wrong with that.

AdGuard has just released extension v5.2.77, and this marks the first time the 5.2 version has been made available to the public. It has a completely redesigned interface and an overhaul of how the extension handles filtering.

SAVE $200: As of Sept. 23, get the Breville Infuser Espresso Machine for $399.95, down from its usual price of $599.95 at Amazon. That's a discount of 33%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Breville Infuser Espresso Machine $399.95 at Amazon
$599.95 Save $200.00 Get Deal

Tired of spending time and money to go out and get an espresso every day? You don't have to head to the coffee shop anymore, not when there are so many great options you can use at home instead. Case in point: this espresso maker, which you can get for $200 off at Amazon now.

As of Sept. 23, get the Breville Infuser Espresso Machine for $399.95, down from its usual price of $599.95 at Amazon. That's $200 off and a discount of 33%.

SEE ALSO: Breville's Barista Touch Impress espresso machine is the cheapest it's ever been

This espresso machine helps you whip up the perfect drinks using its built-in pressure gauge. You can control every pour's volume with just one button and choose between 1 or 2 shots for every drink you whip up, as it uses pre-infusion and temperature control guides to get the perfect extraction.

When that's all done, you can use the included steam wand to add milk and turn it into microfoam with silky texture to simply drink or enhance your creation with latte art. Plus, it handles everything from water pressure to coffee bean dosage and more.

The results are smooth, creamy, espressos that you and anyone else you make the drinks for could swear came from a coffee shop. Plus, it comes in two colors: brushed stainless steel and black sesame, so you can choose the one that fits your kitchen decor best.

Stop spending money on daily trips out and make the best espressos you've ever had right in your own home for less.

This year marked Google Photos' 10th birthday, and to celebrate, a redesign was announced. The most noticeable changes appeared in the editor, and after initially being very against this change, it's really grown on me over time.

TL;DR: Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka in the 2025 Asia Cup is available to live stream for free on Tamasha. Access this free streaming service from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 Asia Cup is quickly reaching its dramatic conclusion, with only a few games left before the final matchup is confirmed. Pakistan and Sri Lanka both lost their opening games in the Super Four stage of the competition, so this contest is absolutely crucial if they want to have any chance of making the final.

If you want to watch Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka in the 2025 Asia Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka?

Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka in the 2025 Asia Cup starts at 10:30 a.m. ET on Sept. 23. This game takes place at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.

How to watch Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka for free

Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka in the 2025 Asia Cup is available to live stream for free on Tamasha.

Tamasha is geo-restricted to Pakistan, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Pakistan, meaning you can unblock Tamasha from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka in the 2025 Asia Cup for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Pakistan

4. Visit Tamasha

5. Live stream Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can watch the 2025 Asia Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you plenty of time to watch the tournament for free.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live streaming is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Tamasha?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for live streaming on free sites like Tamasha, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Pakistan

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2025 Asia Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

The AI Red Lines initiative launched at the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday — the perfect place for a very nonspecific declaration.

More than 200 Nobel laureates and other artificial intelligence experts (including OpenAI co-founder Wojciech Zaremba), plus 70 organizations that deal with AI (including Google DeepMind and Anthropic), signed a letter calling for global "red lines to prevent unacceptable AI risks." However, it was marked as much by what it didn't say as what it did.

"AI systems have already exhibited deceptive and harmful behavior, and yet these systems are being given more autonomy," the letter said, laying out a deadline of 2026 for its recommendation to be implemented: "An international agreement on clear and verifiable red lines is necessary for preventing universally unacceptable risks."

Fair enough, but what red lines, exactly? The letter says only that these parameters "should build upon and enforce existing global frameworks and voluntary corporate commitments, ensuring that all advanced AI providers are accountable to shared thresholds."

SEE ALSO: I tried learning from Anthropic's AI tutor. I felt like I was back in college.

The lack of specifics may be necessary to keep a very loose coalition of signatories together. They include AI alarmists like 77-year-old Geoffrey Hinton, the so-called "AI godfather" who has spent the last three years predicting various forms of doom from the impending arrival of AGI (artificial general intelligence); the list also includes AI skeptics like cognitive scientist Gary Marcus, who has spent the last three years telling us that AGI isn't coming any time soon.

What could they all agree on? For that matter, what could governments already at loggerheads over AI, mainly the U.S. and China, agree on, and trust each other to implement? Good question.

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Probably the most concrete answer by a signatory came from Stuart Russell, veteran computer science professor at UC Berkeley, in the wake of a previous attempt to talk red lines at the 2023 Global AI Safety Summit. In a paper titled "Make AI safe or make safe AI?" Russell wrote that AI companies offer "after-the-fact attempts to reduce unacceptable behavior once an AI system has been built." He contrasted that with the red lines approach: ensure built-in safety in the design from the very start, and "unacceptable behavior" won't be possible in the first place.

"It should be possible for developers to say, with high confidence, that their systems will not exhibit harmful behaviors," Russell wrote. "An important side effect of red line regulation will be to substantially increase developers’ safety engineering capabilities."

In his paper, Russell got as far as four red line examples: AI systems should not attempt to replicate themselves; they should never attempt to break into other computer systems; they should not be allowed to give instructions on manufacturing bioweapons. And their output should not allow any "false and harmful statements about real people."

From the standpoint of 2025, we might add red lines that deal with the current ongoing threats of AI psychosis, and AI chatbots that can allegedly be manipulated to give advice on suicide.

We can all agree on that, right?

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about AI companions

Trouble is, Russell also believes that no Large Language Model (LLM) is "capable of demonstrating compliance", even with his four minimal red-line requirements. Why? Because they are predictive word engines that fundamentally don't understand what they're saying. They are not capable of reasoning, even on basic logic puzzles, and increasingly "hallucinate" answers to satisfy their users.

So true AI red line safety, arguably, would mean none of the current AI models would be allowed on the market. That doesn't bother Russell; as he points out, we don't care that compliance is difficult when it comes to medicine or nuclear power. We regulate regardless of outcome.

But the notion that AI companies will just voluntarily shut down their models until they can prove to regulators that no harm will come to users? This is a greater hallucination than anything ChatGPT can come up with.

SAVE $10: As of Sept. 23, a selection of Apple iPhone FineWoven Wallets with MagSafe are on sale at Amazon for $49.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe $49 at Amazon
$59 Save $10 Get Deal

Amazon has had some excellent Apple deals available lately, even before its Prime Big Deal Days sale event kicks off. If you've had your eye on the Apple iPhone FineWoven Wallets with MagSafe to keep your cards at hand, the good news is select colors have been marked down at the retailer as of Sept. 23.

The Apple iPhone FineWoven Wallets are usually listed for $59, but the mulberry, evergreen, and pacific blue colors are marked down to $49. This saves you $10, which is a pretty nice deal to jump on. They're not the only colors discounted right now, though. For a few cents more at $49.99 you can get the taupe or black colors, and for $52.99 you can choose between the other black color, midnight purple, fox orange, moss, and navy.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Big Deal Days

The Apple iPhone FineWoven Wallets are a great way to keep your various cards and IDs close by, as they feature built-in magnets that attach directly to the back of your iPhone. They can fit up to three cards inside and are even shielded, making them a safe place to keep your credit cards stored at all times. These wallets also support Find My, so if they happen to come off your phone you can be notified of its last known location to track it down.

Why wait for Prime Big Deal Days? Save on the Apple iPhone FineWoven Wallets with MagSafe right now at Amazon. And if you're looking for even more great Apple deals available at the retailer, you can also save on Apple's 2025 13-inch MacBook Air at the moment and the AirPods Pro 2.

Breaking up is horrible. Not only are you dealing with the complicated emotions of parting ways with someone you once loved more than anyone, you're mourning the future you once pictured together and dealing with the messy logistics of disentangling your lives — both online and off.

When you're in the thick of heartbreak, it can feel like there's no exit in sight. I've lost track of the number of times I've searched "how to get over a breakup" while nursing a broken heart. So, I decided to dig deep and speak to dating experts and therapists to figure out how to move on after the end of a relationship.

The psychology of a breakup

Relationship therapist Alexis Friedlander tells Mashable that an important step in moving forward after a breakup is understanding what's happening on a psychological and even neurological level. "When you break up with someone, you’re not only letting go of the relationship itself, you’re also grieving the future you imagined with them, and even a part of yourself," he says. "Psychologists call this Self-Expansion Theory: in relationships, our identities expand into our partners, so separation feels like losing a piece of who we are."

If you're on the receiving end of the breakup, you may also be feeling a deep sense of rejection. It's normal for that to be incredibly painful. From an evolutionary perspective, our brains are hard-wired to process rejection as a threat to our survival because it was once essential for humans to remain in communities. As I write in my book The Love Fix, "fMRI studies have found that when we’re rejected, the same parts of our brain are activated as when we’re in physical pain. So much so, that one study found that paracetamol reduces the emotional pain that rejection causes." In that study, people were asked to think about painful rejection experiences from the past and those who took Tylenol (a brand name for paracetamol) reported significantly less pain than those taking a placebo.

SEE ALSO: How to separate romantic rejection from your self-worth

Breakups can reopen these old wounds, says Friedlander. "If you have a fear of abandonment, for example, the separation can trigger past traumas, making the pain feel even sharper." However, emotional pain is not a sign that you're "doing badly" or weak or pathetic. This is just what our brains and bodies do when we're going through a separation. "The key thing I always tell people is: this pain is normal," he says. "It’s not weakness (it’s your brain and body responding to the loss of something deeply important)."

Give yourself time to sit in your feelings

Relationship expert and dating coach Courtney Boyer says it's imperative you give yourself space to feel your feelings — however uncomfortable that may seem. "Give yourself time to mourn the end of a relationship and the loss of someone important to you. I cannot emphasize this step enough," she says. "You will want to skip it because, frankly, it sucks having to sit in your feelings. This is why it’s so important to have effective coping strategies."

Credit: Getty Images / Malte Mueller

Leanne Yau, polyamory educator and relationship coach at Poly Philia, tells Mashable, "Breakups are basically dealing with a form of grief and loss. Healing and growth are not linear."

Putting timeframes and deadlines on your own heartbreak just won't work. "My top advice above everything else is just to be patient with yourself… it’s going to take the amount of time that it’s going to take," Yau adds.

SEE ALSO: How to break up with someone in the digital age Can you be friends with an ex?

In the midst of parting ways, it's normal to want to hold on to some degree of connection. This person was once closer to you than anyone else, you shared everything with them, they know you on a deep level. So, once the romantic bond between you breaks, what do you do with that level of closeness? Can you really be friends with someone you once loved? When Carrie Bradshaw broke up with Big, she pondered: "If you loved someone and you break up... where does the love go?"

I've been guilty of rushing into friendship too soon and, let's be real, for all the wrong reasons. So, number one: ask yourself why you want to be friends? Is it purely because you value them as a person and don't want to lose them from your life? Or, are you hoping that by keeping them in your life, they'll hopefully change their mind and fall miraculously back in love with you again? If it's the latter, friendship is not a good idea (because it's not really a platonic relationship you want). You need to put yourself first and protect your own mental wellbeing. Listen to Ariana Grande's "we can't be friends" and park the friendship plan for now (or forever).

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Zachary Zane, Grindr’s sex and relationship expert, tells Mashable that one of the biggest mistakes people make after a breakup is trying to be friends with your ex — or even just in each other's lives — too soon. "If you’re going to be friends in the end, then what’s the hurry? Take a year before reaching out and talking. Don’t just take a month or two," says Zane.

If friendship is important to you (and it's for the right reasons), know that it will take some work. Yau says: "Staying friends after a breakup is much, much harder than a clean break — it takes effort, intention, and emotional clarity."

Remember the reasons you broke up

It's easy to look at your past relationship through rose-tinted glasses. In moments of doubt, you convince yourself that they were your perfect person, that no one will ever compare, that you'll never love again. But remind yourself of the reasons you broke up with each other. Things weren't working.

Sex educator Topher Taylor says it's really important to full accept the reality of why the relationship broke down. "It’s normal to go into romanticisation mode when we split, especially if we are the ‘dumpee’, and look at everything through rose-tinted shades. Some of us invent an entirely different reality or a person who didn’t exist."

Taylor says one of his previous relationships broke down for many reasons, one of which was an issue with communication style.

"This led to me genuinely finding him deeply boring and not enjoying my daily life. But I found myself forgiving and rewarding his behaviour, simply because it felt easier to do that than be alone," says Taylor. "So, in the early days of the split, I kept oddly specific reminders of the reasons the relationship broke down around me. Wrote a message on my phone’s lock screen, put a note on my fridge, and left notes around my home."

Writing a list of why the relationship broke down could be very useful, particularly when the romanticisation starts to kick in. I've also found it helpful to keep a list of icks about exes, to remind myself of the moments I really wasn't attracted to them.

Stop looking at their social media

In the past, I've hesitated before unfollowing exes from social media because I didn't want to seem mean or dramatic. But honestly, what about my needs? Was it helpful seeing my ex's stories and feeling like a dagger was going through my heart anytime he posted? Um, definitely not. What about when they move on (sorry, but it will happen one day), and post photos of their new partner?

Taylor says, "No looking them up on Instagram, no burner accounts, no using websites to anonymously view stories. Zero. You need to live like they don’t digitally or physically exist."

SEE ALSO: Social media dos and don'ts after a breakup

"During one breakup, I banned all of their social media URLs from being viewed on my web browser. Every time you look them up, think of it as the timer resetting."

So, though it may feel harsh, remind yourself that this is an act of self-preservation. Unfollow their Instagram, block them if you need to. Be disciplined about it. It'll feel so hard at first, but it will help you immeasurably.

Do you need closure?

The need for closure or even confrontation can hang heavy during a breakup. Do you feel you had an opportunity to speak your truth? Do you have unanswered questions? Do you both have things you need to say before you can draw a line under it once and for all?

Or are you looking for your moment in court? Are you fantasising about saying everything you've been bottling up lately — no matter how hurtful or damaging that may be? Listen, we've all been there. In these situations, talk to your friends and allies, and crucially, people in your life who give good advice (and don't just tell you what you want to hear).

In our fantasy arguments with our exes, one thing we neglect to consider is the other person's response. You might dream of a moment akin to Bridget Jones confronting Daniel Cleaver to the soundtrack of Aretha Franklin's "R-E-S-P-E-C-T". But in reality, people clap back, they say mean things when they feel attacked. You could end up leaving that conversation feeling more hurt and angry than before.

Friedlander says that closure is overrated. "A lot of people are misled by this idea that their ex holds some kind of healing power by sharing the right words or conversation. I can tell you, having helped hundreds of people dealing with breakups, these conversations are usually disappointing," he says. "And this is why it’s important to understand that closure is something you claim yourself. A lack of response is closure; not replying or ghosting is a form of communication."

Should you go 'no contact'?

'No contact' means ceasing all communication with a person. It can mean cutting off the means to contact you by blocking a person's number, unfollowing or blocking on social media, and ignoring any messages.

In bad breakups, where anger and resentment are involved, no contact could provide some breathing space. If a person has cheated or hurt you, no contact is absolutely fair. But even if you just need a bit of time to move on, no contact can be the boundary you need to move on. Zane is a big fan of no contact and says "I really think that after a hard breakup, both parties need some time to heal and move past the anger, resentment, or sadness they may feel towards a partner. Only then should you reach out, and that’s if you want to. There’s no shame in not being friends with an ex." 

In serious cases, where a partner has been abusive and you're concerned about retaliation, no contact is a must. Remove all means they have to contact you and ask your friends and family not to reveal any information about you online (or offline) for your own safety. Report safety concerns to the police and keep a record of any unwanted contact.

Spend time with people you love

Now is the time to lean on your friends and family. Surround yourself with people who love you and are on your side. Make plans, go for brunch, visit a friend you haven't seen for ages, vent to your besties, book fun activities, send long voice notes and have long phone calls. If you're really struggling, open up to people, ask for help, company, support. Get out of the house and engage with the world around you. Take joy in doing wholesome activities with pals: go to the cinema, do a wine tasting event, go to a comedy show, go to the seaside for the day. Remind yourself of the love you still have in your life: platonic and familial.

Credit: Getty Images / Malte Mueller Practise gratitude

Allow yourself to look around and appreciate what you do have. Be grateful, Boyer advises. "Yes, even in the midst of anguish, there are still things to be grateful for. You woke up. The sun. Air in your lungs. Fresh flowers. Hot cup of tea."

"These don’t have to be profound. They can be mundane. Acknowledging the small things connects us back to who we are on this planet and shows our mind that we can continue to function (and eventually thrive) without that person beside us," she adds.

As Yau says: “You can experience grief and joy at the same time. They’re not mutually exclusive.”

SEE ALSO: The lonely state of getting over someone you never dated Don't rush to move on

If your first instinct is to re-download dating apps and get yourself a new partner right away, take a breath. Yau says: "Jumping into another romantic relationship when you’re not ready to show the level of vulnerability it needs is not advisable or fun for anyone involved."

Everyone copes with heartbreak differently, and for some people, it's normal to want to sleep with new people as a means of distraction, escapism, or just for the sheer fun of it. As Yau says: "There’s a saying, ‘The best way to get over someone is to get under someone else.’ And I think there is some truth to having a bit of fun as a distraction — but it depends on the mindset you go in with."

If you're throwing yourself into some casual fun, that's fine, but make sure you're giving yourself some breathing space to reflect and grieve the relationship. Make sure you're not using sex as a way to numb the emotional fallout.

Above all: remember you're enough on your own. Your newfound singleness doesn't need to be "fixed". There's no rush to find a new partner. Now is the time to hunker down, feel your feelings, lean on your loved ones, and remind yourself how truly great you are.

SAVE $4.98: As of Sept. 23, the Pokémon TCG Black Bolt Booster Bundle is $53.97 at TCGplayer, compared to $58.99 at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Black Bolt Booster Bundle $53.97 at TCGplayer
$58.99 Save $5.02 Get Deal

Pokémania 2025 is in full effect, and big box stores are more than happy to take advantage of it. Yes, there's bargains to be had sometimes, but more often than not products are priced well over their secondary market value.

Luckily, we have TCGplayer. The Black Bolt booster bundle is currently $4.98 less at $53.97. Amazon is currently charging $58.99, and your hard earned money is better in your pocket. At a time where Pokémon TCG product is selling over MSRP whilst it's still in print, getting market value pricing is the next best thing.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

Black Bolt and White Flare naturally has every Unovan Pokémon ready to go in Illustration Rares, Special Art Rares, and Pokéball/Masterball variants. I really wouldn't recommend getting a complete set of Black Bolt and White Flare, but this dual set is a collectors dream with all the stunning artwork on display. Black Bolt is coming in more expensive in both sealed product and single cards, mostly thanks to Victini ex and Zekrom ex Black Bolt and White Flare rares. They're commanding prices of over $400 at the moment, so that's that mystery solved.

Black Bolt and White Flare marks the end of the Scarlet and Violet era, but it's also kicking off a trend of dual set releases. Of course I'm talking about the return of Mega Evolution in the highly anticipated Mega Evolution era and it's first expansion Phantasmal Flames. At first I was worried about more fluff cards being shoved into the meta, but it's straight up bigger sets with more Illustration and Secret Illustrations rares.

I don't know about you, but that's OK in my book and even better for my display wall (I need more walls).

Most valuable Black Bolt and White Flare Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

The values on Black Bolt and White Rare chase cards might see astronomical, but it will likely end up being a lot cheaper to just buy the cards you want. If you pull a Victini ex Black White rare in a booster bundle, I'd be super jealous and you'd be incredibly lucky. TCGplayer is a good place to shop for single cards, making sure they're near mint and having enough background on value history are essential for Pokémon card collecting in 2025. Here's the top 5 most valuable Black Bolt and White Flare Pokémon cards right now:

1. Victini – 171/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $425
   Market price: $455.32
   Most recent sale: $400

2. Victini – 172/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $395
   Market price: $422.12
   Most recent sale: $420

3. Zekrom ex – 172/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $401.63
   Market price: $388.18
   Most recent sale: $390

4. Reshiram ex – 173/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $349
   Market price: $373.68
   Most recent sale: $385

5. Zekrom ex – 166/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $214.99
   Market price: $212.56
   Most recent sale: $215

6. Reshiram ex – 166/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $194
   Market price: $192.33
   Most recent sale: $179.99

SAVE $200: As of Sept. 23, the 15-inch 2025 MacBook Air (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is on sale for $999 at Amazon. This is $200 off its list price of $1,199 and marks a return to its lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 15-inch Apple MacBook Air M4 $999 at Amazon
$1,199 Save $200 Get Deal

Prime Big Deal Days may be coming up in October, but Amazon already has some great tech deals worth checking out ahead of time. A few Apple products, in particular, are on sale right now. This includes the 15-inch 2025 MacBook Air (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD), which is back down to its lowest-ever price as of Sept. 23.

For those looking to invest in a laptop upgrade, the 15-inch 2025 MacBook Air is marked down to $999 right now. This is $200 off its usual price of $1,199. You can also save on the 13-inch MacBook Air, if you'd prefer the slightly smaller model instead.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime ahead of Prime Big Deal Days

This model of the 2025 MacBook Air comes with the M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD so you have plenty of storage space, whether you're using it for work or play. It also features a 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display that makes images on your screen look sharp and rich in color, alongside up to 18 hours of battery life to keep you going throughout the day.

We consider this MacBook to be the best for most people in our roundup of the best MacBooks, saying, "The 15-inch version of Apple's latest MacBook Air is beautiful, long-lasting, unexpectedly peppy, and priced very fairly, making it super easy to recommend for basically anyone wanting a near-perfect ultraportable."

Don't miss out on the 15-inch MacBook Air down to $999 at Amazon. And if you're looking for even more Apple deals, Amazon is also offering $50 off the AirPods Pro 2 and $150 off the 13-inch Apple iPad Air.

CATCH AT MARKET VALUE: As of Sept. 23, the Pokémon TCG Unova Victini Illustration Collection is $47.94 at Amazon, with the Victini Illustration Rare card soaring by over 67% in value.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Unova Victini Illustration Collection $47.94 at Amazon
Shop Now

It's hard trying to spot and get in on a trend before it takes off, especially when it comes to Pokémon TCG. Luckily for readers, I've got a hunch that I'm running with here. It's no secret that the Victini Illustration Rare from Black Bolt and White Flare is a gorgeous card, and it's a very popular mythical Pokémon to boot.

Amazon have Unova Victini Illustration Collection for $47.94. Yes, it's over list price, but it's only a dollar or so over TCGplayer's market value. Another tell for me is the value history of Victini Illustration Rare as a single card. At the back end of last month, trainers could pick up the promo for just over $7, now it's near the $17 mark. That's a 71% climb in a month and it's not slowing down.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

So what's my point? I'm putting my money where my mouth is and snapping up one of these collections before the price shoots up. It's in demand, it's in print, and you don't want to be looking for one of these when the print run dries up in 2026. I'm not here to give financial advice and I certainly can't predict the future, but grabbing the Victini Illustration Collection now is a solid place to park your money for the price of taking the family out for a burger.

Most valuable Black Bolt and White Flare Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

Looking at the other end of the scale in Black Bolt and White Flare, we're seeing some of the most expensive chase cards from the Scarlet and Violet era. Here's the top 5, which would probably work out cheaper to buy outright instead of ripping open backs long term:

1. Victini – 171/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $425
   Market price: $455.32
   Most recent sale: $400

2. Victini – 172/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $395
   Market price: $422.12
   Most recent sale: $420

3. Zekrom ex – 172/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $401.63
   Market price: $388.18
   Most recent sale: $390

4. Reshiram ex – 173/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $349.00
   Market price: $373.68
   Most recent sale: $385

5. Zekrom ex – 166/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $214.99
   Market price: $212.56
   Most recent sale: $215

6. Reshiram ex – 166/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $194
   Market price: $192.33
   Most recent sale: $179.99