I’m 25 and have yet to have a proper drink. Most people in my country started illegally drinking at 13-15 years old while out clubbing, but I just hate alcohol so much! I never understood the hype around it. I don’t even like it when there are a couple of teaspoons in my sorbet. I’ll have a tropical mocktail or soda, thank you.
I have a question: for those of us who aren’t tech-savvy, is there a way to get away from the Material Design UI? As a designer, I absolutely hate it! I tried playing around with the settings but it still looks too Google-ish for me. I find it boring, rigid, and oldfashioned. When I open the app, I don’t feel ‘excited’ to browse through the app. I want to feel compelled into clicking a button, upvoting/downvoting, sending a reply comment, and so on. I think if the UI was made to look more fun, it would attract a lot more users. Part of the experience of an app is the appearance and interactivity.
Yeah that was a jawdropping discovery… How people just decide to shoot themselves in the foot because the media told them some fake news. I heard some didn’t even know that they were benefitting from that Act. It’s ridiculous!
And yeah, I know the jist of how it works (not!) :/ It’s not like people choose to become chronically ill… I’m just sorry for the people who still have to live with the consequences of the actions by a bunch of obese anti-vaxxers who will be dead in a couple of years. This is why I believe that the insurance companies and those who voted against the ACA are murderers. They kill innocent people with them.
Yeah sorry, we already have free and universal healthcare so I didn’t think of it 😅 But you’re right! My mind boggles at how terrible the healthcare system is in the US. I feel awful for people with chronic conditions and vulnerable situations, especially. The fact that the most reliable option is not to be insured and hope that you won’t ever get seriously injured or sick is depressing. The people who oppose universal free healthcare and those who deny healthcare to the less fortunate are evil. I know it’s obvious, but Luigi Mangione (or whoever it was) did a good thing. I wish it were all of them, but at least he got you rid of one asshole.
Oof, where do I begin?
I’m tired! 😩 We’ve normalised unhealthy, unsustainable, and elitist lifestyles way too much! There are ways to be successful, happy, stylish, and joyful without these things. Many countries are already committing themselves to such efforts, so I know I’m not asking for much. I understand freedom of choice, and I’m usually quite libertarian, but some things just bring temporary fun and no benefits at all. In fact, some harm those around us too.
Renewable energy, electric cars, second-hand retail, artisanship, fair trade, multiculturalism, science-based education based on facts and credible sources, government transparency and accountability, a true democracy where the electoral candidates actually represent their party’s base and voters don’t feel hopeless, economic equality, socialism, natural fibres in fabrics, simple and natural food, therapy, mindfulness, healthy homemade packaged food, and kids staying off social media needs to be good again!
I understand how it can be miserable, especially if one has been raised in an environment where marks and discipline.
Not exactly. I get OP’s point. I’m 25 so I’ve experienced both, and they weren’t the same for me.
School is more about the experience and the journey than the results, or at least that’s what it feels like. It’s the place where you get to spend time and joke around with your friends while developing knowledge together. Your teachers form genuine connections with you, and most of them do care about your well-being and development. If you’re lucky, you get to have a mini party on your ride home with fellow students singing and dancing on the school bus. You get to go on fun outings and field trips. You’re ultimately responsible for no one but yourself, and every day yoy learn something new.
With work, there’s a very hostile environment. Everyone has a huge ego problem, your boss makes it clear that they’re not your friend, you’re forced to collaborate and be friendly to your colleagues even though you may not like some. You can’t just decide to take a day off because clients and colleagues are depending on you. It can be monotonous and stressful. Your only social activities are probably icebreakers or eating out on a day that’s supposed to be relaxing (like Christmas holidays and whenever you’re nearby). You have other responsibilities when you get home as well, which aren’t a sports club or music lessons but chores and admin stuff.
I know not everyone’s experience is the same. For some, school is where they met their worst bully and had a miserable time whereas work was where they met their best friend and had fun. This is just me explaining why I relate to OP in our view of school vs work.
School didn’t even feel obligatory for me, it was just a planned fun day. I enjoyed most of it: the teachers, the students, the timings, the duties. I even enjoyed some of the homework (and I hate the idea of homework)! There were little tasks that seemed exciting like taking the attendance to the administration’s office, going around picking up each class’s donations and consent forms, decorating the classroom door for the Christmas competition, getting the keys for the teacher from their staffroom, going next door to borrow a marker, doing group presentations, and being my turn to read the class book, and so on. Work usually lacks these little everyday tasks and just focuses on earning the company money and being professional. It kills joy and personality.
Honestly, same. She’s not as radical as yours, but I had this idea that my mum was clever, sensible, and capable of critical thought. She used to read a lot, made better political arguments compared to my dad, and somehow managed to raise her children into smart individuals. The combination of me growing up, her getting addicted to Facebook, and the pandemic warped my perception of who my mum really was. She forms emotionally-driven opinions, she jumps to conclusions, she’s gullible, and she’s close-minded.
I don’t think she would ever justify killing someone, but she’s suddenly anti-vax, she’s anti-choice and would vote for anyone who vows to maintain that culture, she’s obsessed with drag queens and transgender people, and she gets her news from Facebook. All of her comments involve the phrase, “I’ve seen the comments on Facebook.”
In 2024, I decided to cut contact with her because she kept spreading misinformation and sharing petition links to ban gender-affirming care. And in addition to that, she was preaching about the Olympic ceremony being blasphemous and “woke.” My reason for going no-contact with her was that I couldn’t bring myself to maintain a relationship with someone who made other people’s lives dangerous. Everyone took her side and accused me of causing a drift and being immature because I couldn’t handle other people’s opinions, apparently.
I ended up talking to her again after a couple of months because I visited my family and I couldn’t avoid her. She was going through a tough time and she was crying so I gave in. I still have a relationship with her but only because I actively choose to live as if I don’t know those details about my mum. She’s otherwise a good person; she donates to charity and she cares about democracy, the environment, and her children. But whenever I remember the kind opinions that she has, I get angry all over again. It sucks because she was indeed more sensible, but her brain got rotten by social media…
You described it perfectly! I resonate so much with the feeling of the sun on your skin. When I visualise myself in a peaceful place, I imagine myself running through a field of tall grass with the sun’s warmth on my skin.
If you don’t mind me asking, how come you stopped taking them? I’m asking because I can’t imagine my life without them now that I’ve learned of the difference they make. I’ve tried grounding techniques and journalling but they never helped quite as much as the medication did, so I can’t rely on those methods.
SSRIs. I already knew this was likely going to be my conclusion, but I really wish I started the treatment sooner. So many years feeling incompetent and damaged! Months of school missed, almost getting expelled, turning down invites, awkward friendship moments, scared of my own shadow… Anxiety is mentally brutal. It’s not just being scared or exaggerating, it’s a very real struggle that can destroy your social life – which is needed to live a healthy and prosperous life. I spent so many days unable to get myself out of bed because anything outside of that area seemed like a threat.
I started SSRIs 8 months ago. I can’t say it’s been perfect, but that’s not what I’m aiming for. Some periods are tougher than others, but I’m so grateful I’m at a state where I actually feel like I’m living – not a shell of a person. I’m not self-sabotaging myself as much as I used to, and I’m gaining more and more independence and confidence in my daily life. I’m finally able to say that I’m happy and motivated.
I’m sure that therapy will help resolve some of my childhood trauma, so I’m looking forward to that, but I want to go into the sessions with a clear mind. Without the medication, I wouldn’t be able to process and live by my psychologist’s advice. I’m extremely grateful to have found a treatment that works!
Got a negative report because some students were being loud in the corridor before the teacher came in. I (and a few others) were doing my homework, but the entire class got punished 🙃 If I had more courage back then, I would have marched straight to the assistant head’s office and refused to get it signed by my mum. It was only 5 points, but I hate when quiet people minding their own business get unfairly blamed because they happened to be in the same group as those causing chaos.
Yoghurt (plain is ideal but I like a little bit of vanilla), nuts, rice cakes, homemade dried fruit oat bars, apples, and homemade protein bars.
Oh how I miss that 💔 Mine passed away two years ago, and I used to love it whenever we slept next to each other. Sometimes, mine even liked to rest on my pillow like a human. I keep having this recurrent dream about her mysteriously coming back to life (which is funny because her remains are ash) and it breaks my heart every time when I wake up. I know that you already do, but please cherish these moments with everything that you’ve got! Observe as many details as you can like the facial features, the size, the ears, the softness of the fur… One of my many fears is that I’ll forget what my dog looked like and felt like.
Sorry if this is melancholy, but I just had one of those dreams last night and your comment moved me.
I just woke up so I’ll talk about yesterday. I made a very solid self-development plan for 2026 and I feel proud of it. I have general anxiety so I tend to overthink and overcomplicate things, but I think I kept it as minimal and realistic as possible. I’m trying to focus on progress over perfection, so I feel relieved not to have the pressure to be “done” by the end of every month. I’m mainly doing this because it helps to know what comes next and that I’m waking up every day with a plan. Otherwise, I get overwhelmed with what to do and experience executive dysfunction. So I’m happy that I took some time for myself, reflected deeply, and invested in my future :)
I thought the kitten was a sticker
This cat seems young and playful so I might try playing with a toy. I love it whenever I catch the cat burying its poop 🤣 I also heard some feisty screams with my other neighbour’s cat so I know that there’s some drama going on haha
That’s true. I’ve been very tempted to feed it a few scraps of food (like breadcrumbs or leftover canned tuna), but I know some animals don’t respond well to some food and I’m not used to cats yet. I had a dog so I know not to feed dogs any chocolate, grapes, or nuts, but all I know is that [most] cats can eat tuna so I didn’t want to risk potentially making my neighbour’s cat sick, or worse.
I have been researching animal sanctuaries to start the process of getting a cat though, so eventually I’ll have some actual cat food. Maybe then I’ll try to feed this one a few bites, but I think I’ll ask the neighbour first because I don’t know if this cat is allergic to a specific ingredient or anything.
I did because I know that some cats prefer it if you wait until they get comfortable with you and that cats are really the ones who decide if you’re friends, not you. We’ve gotten as close as getting a few sniffs of my hand. Whenever I open the door, the cat happily comes inside. Lately, I’ve been leaving the door open and letting the cat roam about. It’s usually just a quick routine exploration from the kitchen to the bedroom and then the bathroom before it quickly leaves. It lasts maybe 5 minutes, but I’m just happy I get a visit. I noticed the cat is very interested in my bathroom window, which leads to the same yard it comes from but there’s a bush right underneath so it can’t jump. I once found muddy fingerprints on my bathroom sink and it felt so wholesome 🥹
My neighbour’s cat sometimes sneaks into my apartment. It has explored pretty much every inch of the apartment, including the bathroom sink, under the sofa, under my bed, the kitchen counters, the shower… but it still wouldn’t let me anywhere near it. Sometimes I let my main door open just for the cat. I’m hoping one day we’ll form some sort of bond and I’ll be able to give some pets. I’ve never owned a cat before but this one made me desperate to get one.
(I’m referring to the cat as “it” because I don’t know the sex)
Thank you for the suggestion :) it wasn’t really my style, so I looked up some others, and I found Photon. I love it! It has the clean and modern UI that I was looking for. The only minor downfall is that it’s a progressive web-app.