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There’s no one correct way to be a mother. It’s an incredibly common experience that’s also deeply personal, and this makes motherhood ripe for discussion among many writers and thinkers. Pocket readers have devoured hundreds of articles on the subject, and in honor of Mother’s Day, we’re sharing a few of our faves.

Motherhood Isn’t Sacrifice, It’s Selfishness

Karen Rinaldi, New York Times
Is motherhood a job? Or is it a privilege rooted in the desire to further one’s existence? Author Karen Rinaldi explores the sensitive subject of a mother’s ownership over her role in procreation and family life. Whether you agree with her position or not, it’s a fascinating read.

Game of Crones

Laura Lippman, Longreads
It’s never a bad idea to refrain from commenting on a stranger’s relationship to their child. As Laura Lippman’s story proves, you just might be speaking to the parent, not the grandparent, or vice versa. Lippman shares her experience as a new mom at 51—and all the social commentary that came with it.

Kids and an Exciting Mountain Career? It’s Complicated

Cassidy Randall, Outside
Many mothers balance work and life, but most don’t do it on the side of a mountain. Outside interviewed several top female skiers and mountaineers about their decision to raise kids without giving up on their professional dreams.

How Mom Hair as We Know it Came to Be

Cheryl Wischhover, Vox
The phrase “mom hair” first came to prominence in the ‘90s and continues to work its way into cultural conversations today. What is this mythical haircut, and is it really that awful? Vox breaks it down.

A Parenting Hack from Pocket
Raising kids can sometimes mean long nights sitting in the dark, whether you’re helping an infant fall asleep or waiting up for a teenager to get home. This is where dark mode comes in handy. Click “Text Settings” within any article in your Pocket and select the black circle. It’ll change your background to black and your text to white, making nighttime reading a whole lot easier on your eyes.

It’s Cinco de Mayo, which has us thinking about the fact that more than half of the world’s population is multilingual. Though it may feel second-nature to some, the ability to understand more than one language can deeply impact one’s thoughts, feelings, and way of living. Check out this array of articles that explores the intriguing ways that language makes us who we are today.

How Language Can Affect the Way We Think
Jessica Gross, TED
Gesturing to the right or left doesn’t exist in Pormpuraaw, an Australian Aboriginal community. To speak their language, you’ll have to hone your sense of direction, learning where south, east, north, and west are at all times. This is just one of several fascinating examples, noted in Jessica Gross’ article, of the many ways in which language shapes our experience of the world around us.

The Strange Persistence of First Languages
Julie Sedivy, Nautilus
“Language is memory’s receptacle,” writes Julie Sedivy of her experience re-exploring Czech, her native tongue, in the wake of her father’s death. She dives into the impact of losing touch with one’s first language—feelings of cultural and familial disconnect—and the surprising ease with which she was able to get it back.

Babies’ Brains are Wired to Learn Multiple Language at Once
Naja Ferjan Ramirez, Quartz
All newborns enter into this world with a special gift: the ability to distinguish between the 800 different sounds that make up the human potential for language. This makes them the ideal blank slate for absorption—but, as this article explains, the clock is ticking.

The World’s Most Efficient Languages
John McWhorter, The Atlantic
Some languages are more of a mouthful than others. German, for example, is known for having words for seemingly every possible action and emotion while some languages rely heavily on context, forgoing details like tense, plurality, and gender. Take a look at just what makes certain languages denser than others—and the resulting cultural impact.

Go Easy on Your Brain
Whether you’re fluent in one language or four, your brain needs a calm, relaxing place to take in content, and that’s exactly why we created Pocket. Save these stories and anything else you find online to Pocket and enjoy them when you’re ready. They’ll be waiting for you in a clean, quiet space, free from the distractions of the noisy internet.

On the surface, sporting events may seem like a vehicle for displays of physical strength, an outlet for competitiveness and an excuse to drink beer. But deep down, athletics reveal meaningful insights that get at the core of the human condition, like a fundamental need for community and the drive to continually improve oneself, delaying the inevitable decline.

In this edition of the Sunday Reading Ritual, we’re exploring the unexpected side of the athletic world—from better, more intentional ways to practice to the side effects of being a superfan.

Is it Ever too Late to Pursue a Dream?
Matt Giles, photos by Brendan Burden, Longreads
Once most athletes hit 30, it’s time to start thinking about life after the game. But what if it didn’t have to be that way? This fascinating longread takes a look at the science behind age and sports through the lens of a 39-year-old college student who got a spot on his school’s basketball team and wound up becoming a local celebrity.

The Beginner’s Guide to Deliberate Practice
James Clear, JamesClear.com

Mindlessly performing the same skill over and over in the hopes of getting better at it might seem effective, but as it turns out, there’s much more to practicing than that. Using examples from world-renowned athletes, chefs and musicians, James Clear breaks down the steps to building your own deliberate practice, no matter what you’re trying to achieve.

Is Fandom Really Worth It?
Ben Healy, The Atlantic

Heart disease. Increased testosterone. Decreased chance of depression. Being a diehard fan can come with some potentially life-altering side effects, depending on the scorecard. This article dives into some of the surprising stats around the physical ramifications of rooting for the home team.

Why Competitive Gaming is Starting to Look Like Professional Sports
Andrew Webster, The Verge

Imagine a world in which the same number of people who watched the Super Bowl also watch a Korean gamer destroy hundreds of digital characters in an epic Overwatch battle. This reality might not be far off. Check out the Verge’s exploration of the rise of e-sports and what it means for today’s athletic landscape.

A Pocket Workout Tip
The next time you hit the gym or go for a run, try listening to stories in Pocket. Tap the headphone button and it’ll read aloud any story you’ve saved, with each story starting after the last has finished — kind of like a podcast of your list. Better yet, it works offline, so you’re free to explore the open road without using up your data.

A gossamer veil surrounds a blue and green oasis in space. It’s the only place we know of that supports life in this universe—and it’s our home. In honor of Earth Day, we wanted to share a collection of stories, photos, and videos that reflect Earth’s beauty and also the unexpected consequences of our human footprint. And we’ll even leave you with inspiration and hope from the bees, who may just have it right.

We’re also excited to share a special collection of climate change articles curated by Rolling Stone journalist and Pocket user Jeff Goodell, inspired by his recent trip to Antarctica. It’s an important look at the state of the planet today and what we can do to turn things around. For a deeper dive, pick up a copy of his book, The Water Will Come: Rising Seas, Sinking Cities, and the Remaking of the Civilized World.

Scott Kelly Spent a Year Taking Photos in Space. They’re Beautiful.
Photographs by Scott Kelly, The New York Times

In orbit aboard the International Space Station, astronaut Scott Kelly wasn’t just gathering data for NASA’s Twins Study. He also captured incredible images of Earth from the cupola of the space station—and in the process, he’s given us perspective on our own home and its beauty.

It’s not uncommon for astronauts to return from space with a transformed perspective on their home. See how seven other astronauts describe this experience courtesy of National Geographic.

Losing Earth: The Decade We Almost Stopped Climate Change
Nathaniel Rich, Photographs and Videos by George Steinmetz, The New York Times Magazine

This feature explores the 10-year period from 1979 to 1989—the decade when humankind first came to a broad understanding of the causes and dangers of climate change. This article tracks the efforts of a small group of American scientists, activists, and politicians who raise the alarm and try to stave off catastrophe. It may come as a revelation to many just how thoroughly they grasped the problem and how close they came to solving it. Aerial photographs and videos help to tell the story.

How Climate Change Is Fuelling the U.S. Border Crisis
Jonathan Blitzer, Photography by Mauricio Lima, The New Yorker

In the western highlands of Guatemala, the question is no longer whether someone will leave but when. Explore how the changing climate patterns in Guatemala are affecting families and their ability to survive. Then pull back to understand the ripple effect across agriculture, society, economic markets, and ultimately the mass migration of people who are leaving the most vulnerable parts of this country.

Want to dig deeper? This short National Geographic video reveals how climate research offers coffee farmers hope for their crops. Guatemala’s third-largest export is coffee, which thrives in a narrow climate on the country’s mountainous slopes.

Palm Oil Was Supposed to Help Save the Planet. Instead It Unleashed a Catastrophe
Abrahm Lustgarten, The New York Times

A decade ago, the U.S. mandated the use of vegetable oil in biofuels that would power the vehicles of the future. Discover how a growing appetite for Palm oil led to mass deforestation on the other side of the world on the island of Borneo—one of the only habitats of the orangutan, one of our closest cousins.

If You Want to Tackle Big Problems, Try Thinking Like a Bee
Mary Halton, IDEAS.TED.COM

When it comes to climate change, the greatest minds in the world are struggling to come up with solutions. Maybe it’s time to look elsewhere for inspiration—like the humble honey bee. This TEDx talk from beekeeper Marianne Gee will open your eyes to our interrelationship with bees—and show that thinking small, like the bee, may be the best way to think big. Watch and share this video so we can all “waggle” together and make a change for Earth Day.

Hopefully these reads give you perspective, inspiration, and something good to put in your Pocket. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to get great recommendations every day.

Happy Sunday!

March is Women’s History Month. It’s a moment to “amplify women’s voices to honor the past, inform the present and inspire the future. The stories we tell deepen our understanding of women’s contributions to America and the world, showing how far women have advanced and how we as a country value equality and the contributions of all our citizens.” (Smithsonian Institution)

At Pocket, we couldn’t agree more. We believe that stories can bring us power, insight, perspective—and can be a source of inspiration. That’s why we help you discover and read the good ones. Here are four stories that celebrate and reflect on the progress that women are making in America.

Three Michelin Stars! Meet the first woman to smash America’s boys’ club
Miranda Bryant, The Guardian

Food is a labor of love that takes passion. This is the inspirational story of Dominique Crenn,

a chef in San Francisco who has taken a place in the history books. Hailing from France with little cooking experience, she’s the first woman in the US to be awarded the top honor by the prestigious Michelin restaurant guide.

‘I am not a symbol, I am an activist’: the untold story of Coretta Scott King
Jeanne Theoharis, The Guardian

Coretta Scott King was more than the wife of legendary Dr. Martin Luther King. This story reminds the world that Mrs. King had her own beautiful and independent story and made a deep contribution to U.S. history.

The Radical Working-Class Roots of Improv Comedy
Gabrielle Moss, Bitch Media

In the mid-1900s, a new form of comedy was introduced thanks to a woman who thought outside the box. Learn about the fascinating roots of improv comedy and a woman named Viola Spolin, the founder of modern improv.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Unlikely Path to the Supreme Court
Jill Lepore, The New Yorker

Before she became a hero to feminists, Ruth Bader Ginsburg had to overcome their distrust. Learn more about the path of the second female U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

We hope you save these stories and share them with others this month. If you are someone who likes to keep a permanent archive of stories like these, get Pocket Premium and never lose an article—even if a link moves goes offline in the future.

Have a peaceful Sunday.

Travel is one of life’s great pleasures. A good trip can be transformative, shifting the way we think about the world and our place in it and making us more open to new people and experiences. It can also be restorative, breaking up the routine of day-to-day life and giving us a chance to relax and recharge.

Sometimes how we get there is just as important as where we go. So whether your idea of paradise is sailing off to a sun-soaked beach, taking a long journey by rail, or jetting off to a bustling foreign capital, here are a few great reads to get you thinking about your next getaway.

The Madness of Airline Elite Status
Gary Sernovitz, The New Yorker

The perks that frequent fliers get from achieving airline elite status are real: special airport entrances, roomier seats, free drinks. But the lengths travelers go to to maintain their status are sometimes completely out of proportion to the benefits.

Right on track
Margarita Gokun Silver, Aeon

In our fast-paced world, when the other side of the world is just a plane ride away, there remains something thrilling about traveling by train.

The dizzying story of Symphony of the Seas, the largest and most ambitious cruise ship ever built
Oliver Franklin-Wallis, Wired

Cruises used to have a reputation for bad food, cramped rooms, and retirees playing shuffleboard. No longer. Today’s cruise ships are like floating cities, complete with Michelin-starred chefs, shopping malls, ice rinks, climbing walls, go-karts, and luxury spas. And the entertainment arms-race is just getting started.

A New Word for that Feeling When Travel Makes Everything New
Liam Heneghan, Aeon

One thing Liam Heneghan noticed over the years of bringing his students to Ireland for the first time is that they pay rapt attention to the little things. This heightened and delighted attention to the ordinary, which manifests in someone new to a place, does not seem to have a name. So he created one.

One of the wonderful things about Pocket is we are able to go with you anywhere, anytime. Whether you’re at a quiet cabin in the woods or at 30,000 feet, you can access content you’ve saved from any device, even offline. It’s one of the many benefits of having a Pocket account. Tweet to us and tell us, if you could go anywhere in the world to read your Pocket, where would it be?

Look at how far we’ve come. Who remembers heading to the local video store to pick up a new-release video and grabbing a pizza on the way home? How about crowding into a theater for opening night? Now “Roma”, a black-and-white film with $0 in box office sales shot in Mexico and distributed by Netflix, is up for best picture. We were more likely to have watched “Roma” on a tablet or phone than we were in a theater.

On the eve of the Oscars, here are a few articles that offer perspective into why the movie business is changing so quickly, the inspiration behind “Roma” from its director, and a guide to all of the Oscar-nominated foreign films. And If you enjoy looking back even more than looking ahead, we’ve included a list of the best movie soundtracks.

Netflix’s Grand, Daring, and Maybe Crazy Plan to Conquer the World
Brian Barrett, Wired

Netflix is a notoriously data-driven company. That trove of data has enabled Netflix’s global expansion, by illuminating one simple fact: People are all different, but not in the ways you’d imagine.

Alfonso Cuarón on the Painful and Poetic Backstory Behind “Roma”
Kristopher Tapley, Variety

“This is not the kind of film that the studios generally release. And I’m happy with that,” says Cuarón, filmmaker and director of Oscar nominated film, “Roma.” His creations span from the semi-autobiographical road-trip saga “Y Tu Mamá También” to the big-screen majesty of space epic “Gravity” (which earned him a director Oscar). But “Roma”—named for the Mexico City neighborhood of his youth—is his ultimate personal testament.

Oscars 2019: Roma’s Success Shows There’s More to Movies Than Hollywood
Vincent Dowd, BBC World Service

Read about all five nominees for best foreign language film and how the success of “Roma,” Alfonso Cuaron’s Netflix epic, could not only take best picture but change how the foreign language category is perceived. Save this list to Pocket so you can track down and watch all of these fantastic movies.

The 50 Best Movie Soundtracks of All Time
Kristen Yoonsoo Kim, Pitchfork

A good movie soundtrack pulls you in and never lets you forget. In honor of the Oscars and all things movies and entertainment, Pitchfork has compiled a guide to the best movie soundtracks. Plus, learn about music supervisors, the masterminds behind the tunes that define modern filmmaking.

If you need to get your beauty rest for an Oscar Party tonight, save every one of these articles to Pocket. If you don’t yet have the Pocket app, now’s the perfect time to download it. Never miss the chance to capture recommendations, lists, and guides like these in your Pocket and come back to them whenever you’re ready.

Happy Sunday!

We’re not yet two months into 2019, and the year has already seen its share of viral memes: Nancy Pelosi’s State of the Union clap, Bird Box blindfolds, the #10YearChallenge. It’s more proof that memes—those ultra-shareable, customizable images and GIFs that allow different corners of the internet’s hive mind to spread and share an idea or in-joke—have become a mainstay of our social web.

But just where do memes come from and what do they tell us about how we communicate online today? Why have they morphed far beyond their goofy origins to become a tool of both protest and political disinformation? This Sunday, dive into these three smart reads on the impact of memes on our modern online lives.

When Internet Memes Infiltrate the Physical World
An Xiao Mina, The Atlantic

Deplorable frogs and “nasty women” aren’t just online for comic relief. They’re central to how people engage with political issues.

Ermahgerddon: The Untold Story of the Ermahgerd Girl
Darryn King, Vanity Fair

Meet Maggie Goldenberger, who helplessly watched an Internet meme spawn from her awkward adolescent photo. What happens when you unknowingly go viral — and how do you continue to own your story, in real life?

World War Meme
Ben Schreckinger, Politico

A group of anonymous keyboard commandos swarmed the internet for Donald Trump in the run-up to the 2016 election, helping memes from obscure message boards cross over into the mainstream. Their success could change how political campaigns target and influence voters.

Speaking of ideas that spread like wildfire, did you know you that once you’ve saved these articles to Pocket, you can share them with friends? You can also recommend great reads to those who follow you on Pocket. So whether you’re spreading ideas, or just reading about how they spread, enjoy your Sunday reading time!

Have you made progress on a resolution or goal for 2019? If not, you’re in good company. Behavior change can be hard. But fear not: This Sunday, Pocket is here to support you. Jumpstart your progress with three great reads that reveal the underpinnings of procrastination, provide new ways of thinking that can propel you forward, and help you look at a challenge in an entirely new way. Sound refreshing? Put these articles in your Pocket and charge into February with a whole new perspective.

The Ultimate Guide to Becoming Your Best Self: Build your Daily Routine by Optimizing Your Mind, Body and Spirit
Chris Winfield, Medium

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Aristotle is credited with these famous words. So rather than do what he’d always done, Chris Winfield decided to take a different path…to listen to Aristotle and establish a positive daily routine. See if the steps and approaches he offers work for you.

How to Beat Procrastination
Caroline Webb, Harvard Business Review

We can look and feel busy, while artfully avoiding the tasks that really matter. And when we look at those rolling, long-untouched items at the bottom of our to-do list, we can’t help but feel a little disappointed in ourselves. We may be programmed to procrastinate, but rest assured, there are solutions.

Inversion: The Crucial Thinking Skill Nobody Ever Taught You
James Clear, JamesClear.com

Mental models are thinking tools that can help us make decisions and solve problems. James Clear shows how you can use a mental model called inversion to upend your normal patterns of thought in order to see a situation from a whole new angle, and possibly take a different action as a result. Who doesn’t like a fresh perspective and a new way to solve a problem?

At Pocket, we aim to reveal and share great writing and thinking from across the web, so that you can benefit from it too. If you want to see even more on this topic, visit http://www.getpocket.com, sign up for an account if you don’t yet have one, and hit the Explore tab to find more great content. Sign up for Pocket Hits to get exceptional content delivered right to your inbox. And follow us on your favorite social platform to see more of what we share and let us know if it’s valuable to you!

Have a peaceful Sunday, from the team at Pocket.