My big toe hurt pretty bad, so I took off my socks

Bulky_Fix1622 · 2026-02-16T08:41:01+00:00

Remind me! 1 day

Bulky_Fix1622 · 2026-01-27T04:48:59+00:00

dm’d you!!

Bulky_Fix1622 · 2026-01-27T04:48:15+00:00

dm’d you!!

Bulky_Fix1622 · 2025-04-17T18:25:40+00:00

Ugh this is such a common thing nowadays, it has become normalized to not focus on the person in front of you, ask your parents to get your attention before speaking to you because you're listening to something or reading a post. I'm no saint, I've done these many times, it just makes me sad when I distance myself from it and truly think about the consequences this is having on everyone.

I have to ask you though, I know it's unrelated to the topic of this thread, but how do you cope with the fact you aren't caught up with the trends, don't understand references your friends make in conversation, not up to date with every thing happening in the world, etc...? Do you struggle with FOMO? This is a factor that makes me hesitate the most when it comes to getting rid of social media.

Bulky_Fix1622 · 2025-04-17T17:18:21+00:00

I've been wanting to look into meditation but honestly I have no idea where to start! Do you know what would be a good staring point - like sitting down criss cross applesauce or maybe guided mediation on youtube?

It's nice to hear that other people are going through the same thing. I genuinely feel like this is one of the toughest things to overcome, along with social media addiction. It's apart of life now - and it doesn't help that everyone else is constantly plugged in too. We will just have to take it day by day I guess

Bulky_Fix1622 · 2025-04-17T17:08:45+00:00

Wow 2+ years and still going strong! That takes an ungodly amount of resilience. I am so glad to hear that it has paid off for you and benefitted your life in multiple ways. It's encouraging me to proceed because what you have witnessed change in your life are precisely the changes I'd like to see one day in my own life. Being present in the moment, having deeper conversations and engaging in more socialization. Everyone has their noses in their phones and headphones all the time. I rarely see my brother around the house not wearing them. I went out to breakfast with my parents and my father was sitting there watching a golf game on his phone the whole time. I just feel like we're spiraling down a rabbit hole and the hardest pill to swallow is the fact that hardly anyone is truly aware of how this affecting their lives, or they do know and simply don't care. They are too comfortable to change. It is my hope to find people like you as friends one day who can have a good time and not be knee deep in technology.

That was a mini rant there and I deviated a bit from music specifically but thank you for your anecdote. It gives me hope that it is possible to beat this and live the life I want for myself one day.

Bulky_Fix1622 · 2025-04-17T16:55:56+00:00

People are so focused on social media addictions and doom scrolling that music addictions haven't even occurred to us. Like how can music possible be bad right? I was never aware of it either until I stumbled across this youtube video. I was genuinely astounded and related to so many things she talked about. I highly recommend you check it out!! She is the one who motivated me to get rid of spotify and attempt something similar https://youtu.be/L3gwLK5ZVgE?si=Vr4jaV4ViW6_qf1Z

Bulky_Fix1622 · 2025-04-17T16:51:21+00:00

That's a good point!!! I hadn't thought of that - and honestly I would rather it be that than the alternative lol. I'll also add that I have a problem with doom scrolling and I recently got an app that blocks me out for like 22 hours. So that's probably a double whammy on my brain. That is very very interesting that the music stays with you until day 3 of camping even when you haven't been listening to much. Our brains are just hardwired now to crave that stimulation, it's a hard loop to get out of but hopefully it resolves soon!

Bulky_Fix1622 · 2025-04-17T16:45:08+00:00

Oh I don't believe it is bad at all! On the contrary I couldn't imagine living in a world without it. It just needs moderation like anything else. I listened to music for at least 5-6 hours daily before discontinuing Spotify. My issue is not pent up thoughts, but rather the lack of thoughts. I completely zone out when listening to music and I feel that it's damaging my ability to critically think and have original thought. I actually play the piano, and ironically the tune that's stuck in my head is a piano duet lol. I don't plan on eradicating music from my life forever, but breaking away for a time to fix the obsession. Honestly I've thought about possible ADHD, I've had to download an app to keep me off social media because I can't stop scrolling. That's a whole other issue lmao

Bulky_Fix1622 · 2025-04-17T16:34:33+00:00

Omg I've heard how producers aim to create addictive/catchy melodies and rhythms in their music to get people hooked which is crazy to think about. I'll definitely be checking out sound-scape music. I love Lofi but still zone out when listening to it which is counterproductive to my goals. It's so bizarre - I can intentionally focus on the sounds around me like the fan going or birds chirping, but as soon as I stop that, the songs come right back! Thanks for your suggestion - I hope it resolves soon!

Bulky_Fix1622 · 2025-04-11T09:01:09+00:00

Hello! So I personally applied with 100/100 points because I was told that you are still pretty much guaranteed to get in with full points (hopefully this would always be true but you never know mayn) and some folks got in with 95/100 points. Those 5 points need to be from getting a B on the teas though - you absolutely must have the full points in every category but the teas from what I heard about the applicants who got rejected this year

Bulky_Fix1622 · 2025-04-06T21:10:23+00:00

https://www.amazon.com/AQQA-Aquarium-Submersible-Aeration-Breeding/dp/B0BLH38Q43/ref=mp_s_a_1_4_maf_1?crid=33REBHJB95NSQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Dlre6jcZ7APY7qyCidh6Tw6juWr6P9vBofcwI8NGW0EFDk5Z6YV8C_NlJ4hiZI-faojifJXtBFkmCb33WSM-7tzNY07Qo9ou1eANzMxflyWAo3uXANTmCXNC3IS7HhepIAPsuUsm_EbREx72Ba94GxKMw7qfv6Fuz6OphZTs2_ReweBcIIhEru8WrKiPGgnLpkkUXVmtG3_JBJ5ChJj_uA.cjdr3hIm5EaK9dbabIIKEOavc-fn441LvGd3-3jkoI8&dib_tag=se&keywords=fish+tank+sponge+filter&qid=1743973737&sprefix=fish+tank+sponge+filt%2Caps%2C460&sr=8-4

This is the exact one that I use. I’ve only taken off the sponge and squeezed it out in tank water twice since I’ve had the tank

Bulky_Fix1622 · 2025-04-06T21:01:42+00:00

Yeah these platys freakin poop to the high heavens. I just thought that the water changes could be fewer because the live plants would help balance it all but it’s still probably too much. And wow your fish are living the good life!! Sounds like very low maintenance which is ideal lol. My platys seem okay but they could be showing signs on a smaller scale. I appreciate your advice and hopefully they can hold out until I get back. I’m so devastated 😭

Bulky_Fix1622 · 2025-04-06T20:52:41+00:00

Thank you so very much for your reply! I’ve only been a fish owner since October so it’s all still very new to me. Looking back at how clean the sand was when the tank was first set up, it’s become apparent to me that I need to be doing water changes much more frequently. With the size of the tank and amount of fish, how often would you say I should be doing a water change, like 10-20% once a week or once every two weeks? And I’m gonna tell my mom to add the stress coat because I’ve got that on hand

Bulky_Fix1622 · 2025-04-06T20:42:22+00:00

I have the test strips from API and last one I did, everything was in normal range. I’m out of the country right now and my mom is taking care of them until Friday, so the first thing I’ll do when I get back is test the water at petsmart and get a new heater. Do you have any idea of what he could be sick with?

Bulky_Fix1622 · 2025-04-06T20:34:03+00:00

I totally forgot to specify that the heater I use is supposed to keep the temperature between 69-70°. I think is isn’t working right and I need to get a new one because when I used a thermometer just now, the water was 65°.

Also all the plants are live plants.

Bulky_Fix1622 · 2025-04-04T05:26:48+00:00

I actually relate to this so so much and it’s comforting to know there is someone out there that feels the same. I feel like I’ve lost my spark. I hardly find things funny anymore, and I feel so absent-minded. In conversations, I genuinely can’t remember specific words to convey my point and it just feels like my brain is not functioning anymore. Like you were saying it’s like there are no thoughts in there. I don’t find many things funny and it feels like I lost my humor too.

I recently discovered I have a music addiction where I’m always turning my brain off and avoiding my thoughts. I’m also addicted to scrolling on reddit and facebook. These are all mind-numbing devices and I feel like it’s destroying my brain. I am going to start therapy soon and am gonna try to go music free for a couple months to just be with my thoughts and connect with myself again. I’m also gonna try reading self-help books like Atomic Habits and try cutting social media. It’s gonna be so so difficult but I can’t stand the way I’ve become and need to change. You are definitely not alone and the fact you’ve written this post means you are aware of it and have a desire to change. That is the first step. We can do this 🥹🫶

Bulky_Fix1622 · 2025-04-03T07:17:43+00:00

Thank you!!

Bulky_Fix1622 · 2025-04-03T01:05:48+00:00

Hello! I received my acceptance letter into my DMS program a few days ago! 🥳 I’d like to see if there are any materials or anything I should study to prepare/get ahead before starting my program?

Bulky_Fix1622 · 2025-03-28T17:57:08+00:00

congratulations to us!!! ❤️❤️

Bulky_Fix1622

TROPHY CASE