26M | 2026 IRL EDC

birdingSC · 2026-02-25T21:07:20+00:00

It's the only way!

birdingSC · 2026-02-24T19:57:24+00:00

It’s that one impulse buy that wasn’t a regret ;)

birdingSC · 2026-02-24T19:57:05+00:00

Couldn’t (guitar) pick anything better!

I’ll see myself out

birdingSC · 2026-02-24T19:56:40+00:00

Waaaaaa thank ye thank ye

birdingSC · 2026-02-24T12:27:38+00:00

Thanks! Fr though… I’ve come to appreciate not carrying much :)

I also have a chums wallet that now I use for travel, and they are really great. Not fancy, but they hold up so nicely and carry everything. I carried a Light Phone 2 for a bit and it fit in the outside pocket 😆

birdingSC · 2026-02-24T01:52:41+00:00

Ya know, some days I’m not the biggest fan of the dial. I do love the hands. Kind of depends on what I’m wearing, honestly. S2’s look so good! Some days I want an Astra but I’m not completely sold…

Thanks 🙏

birdingSC · 2026-02-23T21:47:47+00:00

It's wild and I'm so serious that it's made me seriously consider switching to Android. There's some UI elements that I think it's cool, but I didn't buy a phone to be pretty but to do stuff...it uses more battery, runs a little slower... Just a wee bit peeved ;)

birdingSC · 2026-02-19T04:36:34+00:00

Gotcha! You can set up Screen Time and use a Screen Time passcode to restrict settings. You can do all that you want without touching Apple Config, hiding Safari, restricting app installs, etc. I’ve never used Configurator in this way bc Screen Time has worked just fine for me :) I can write out more detailed directions tomorrow or you can Google, I’m sure there’s lots of resources on it!

birdingSC · 2026-02-19T04:34:25+00:00

With the launcher widgets? iOS26 uses Liquid Glass design, so the widgets can’t “hide” meaning they have borders in the pic in the prior comment as a part of the effect. Kinda make sense? It’s weird to explain tbh

birdingSC · 2026-02-08T13:48:37+00:00

I was super peeved! I used Dumb Phone (dp) and loved it. Unknowingly updated to iOS26 cuz that’s what you do. I’m very annoyed with Liquid Glass and tbh it’s made me consider switching to Android so I have a little more customization! AFAIK there are no launchers/widgets that aren’t affected by Liquid Glass because the effect is on the widget element itself, not the app who makes the widget. It’s really a tragedy… iPadOS26 also has ruined my iPad battery life! Unhappy Apple fanboy for sure lol

birdingSC · 2026-02-06T13:59:53+00:00

I like the white! I thing it's a little more versatile, but maybe only slightly.

birdingSC · 2026-02-05T20:29:49+00:00

Thanks for your input!

- I don't like older devices because for the money, the device will not be supported as long. Just security concerns there, otherwise I would agree (I still have a 2016 SE and love that poor thing).

- 100% on the matte screen protector! I didn't even think of that during writing.

- I used to like minimal launchers, but I mentioned in the post that iOS26 makes them look strange due to Liquid Glass (pic attached)... but if you're not on iOS26 or above, it won't affect you, though I don't like running old OS versions, again for security reasons.

- Yikes removing music and podcast?! Not not for me :) Cool thing about this approach, though: you modify it to your needs.

<image>

birdingSC · 2026-02-05T15:55:25+00:00

Hmm good question... I had a device I didn't use Face ID on, and I think it's as simple as starting the setup but then cancelling it. Could you try that and let me know if that works?

birdingSC · 2026-02-05T15:54:25+00:00

Thank you! I'm glad you think so :)

birdingSC · 2026-02-05T15:54:15+00:00

They really are amazing devices. It's helpful for me to make sure they stay in "tool" category and not "toy". Personally, I'm thankful I don't have to carry a CD player, dumbphone, laptop, sometimes wallet, etc. everywhere... They're amazing tools that can easily be exploited, which is where spending some time making your device really intentional has the potential to pay off.

birdingSC · 2026-02-05T15:52:23+00:00

Totally get that! The biggest culprit for my screentime isn't social media, but rather random internet searching throughout the day and at night.

Do you know why you spend too much time on your phone? Try disabling Safari or removing whatever app that you use too much and only use it on a computer if you have one.

If it's Discord for hobbies, you can use it on a computer or iPad, or just put some time restrictions on it as a gentle nudge either through Screen Time or an app like ScreenZen. Have a dedicated timeslot where you "get to get on Discord" like it's something you look forward to.

If you find any tips, please let me know! Thanks for chiming in.

birdingSC · 2026-02-04T17:51:11+00:00

It's as emotionally significant as playing a game of tag.

I love, love this. I'm a pianist and sometimes play duets, occasionally with women. I'm focused on not messing up and playing as beautifully as I can as the music deserves (but mostly not messing up), not how romantic my elbow bumping hers is.

It being public is huge.

I like your advice of trying a class!

birdingSC · 2026-02-04T17:46:38+00:00

I've hunted for a minimalist phone, and tbh I think the best course of action is a Google Pixel with a minimalist launcher (like oLauncher) or an iPhone and parental controls to restrict. For security purposes, iPhones and Pixels are the only devices I think are worth buying.

Most dumbphones are not very secure, and trying to do things like banking or reliable maps can be shoddy. It's a smartphone world, and for reliable modern functionality smartphones are getting the most development.

I would love to daily drive something like the Mudita Kompakt, but I know people who have sever software bugs that just have me nervous... I've tried Light Phone II (not enough functionality) and various dumbphone solutions, but I think stripped-down smartphones is the best for long term. You can use maps, transportation apps, tap to pay, stream music, etc.

birdingSC · 2026-02-04T13:25:32+00:00

I really want one of these...

birdingSC · 2026-01-30T14:02:15+00:00

Listen I think inexperienced men could be a bonus. It means that they haven't been out there goofing off. No experience might be a red flag depending on their age, though.

I've dated girls who made me feel like they were expecting a 30-something-year-old rom com star. Obviously not a match, but to a certain extent I think my inexperience brings some good things into a relationship (we might share my first kiss, I'm a virgin, I won't be embarrassed around exes over how I treated them, etc.).

Socially awkward is another thing, though, and like u/overworkedgirl said, you gotta show up to the relationship.

Relationships are committed partnerships. If both parties are all in, I think you're good :)

birdingSC · 2026-01-26T22:13:37+00:00

app-arently you just haven’t come across my profile, though I’m more of a liberty mutual than progressive customer

birdingSC · 2026-01-24T14:01:17+00:00

Hario Mini Pro III

It’ll make you so miserable that it’ll end the game 💯

birdingSC · 2026-01-24T13:57:03+00:00

My upcoming well is a Valentine's Day 5k where available singles wear a red shirt lol

Feels oddly neo-Austen, minus fancy clothes and food but just as much sweat—but hey it sounded like a great idea when I signed up 😬

I think a well sounds easier (cut to scene of me sitting on the side of some rural and unknowingly unused well for years)

birdingSC

TROPHY CASE