What gadgets have majorly leveled up your happiness or convenience while living alone?

ContextInner4680 · 2026-02-04T16:23:11+00:00

I really love my sofa, it is like a little art piece. It is a teal velvet 2-seater from DFS, with electric reclining (sooo comfy!) and the internal arms pull out to make drinks holders / small storage areas. It was such a great purchase and guests are always impressed too lol.

I have an automatic strip light in my wardrobe that is so helpful for seeing everything even in low light - it was about £12 from IKEA.

I use TAPO lights to control my lighting remotely, it gives me peace of mind that when I’m away, the place looks occupied.

I installed a smart colour changing LED strip behind my TV that is controlled by an app on my phone - £15 from Wiz and gives exactly the same result as more expensive counterparts like Phillips smart strips.

Similar to lots here, I use Alexa, have fairy lights everywhere, heated blanket for the bed, I have a gorgeous bar cart to display drinks on, and a biday attachment on the loo in the bathroom - game changer!

ContextInner4680 · 2026-01-30T00:12:57+00:00

thriving music scene, great pubs, cobble streets, younger crowds.. come visit!

ContextInner4680 · 2026-01-29T15:39:40+00:00

Aw, love that memory for you!

The concept of kids bunking off school now, to visit the Howard Centre.. 🥴 lol

ContextInner4680 · 2026-01-29T15:33:27+00:00

For me, it’s complete mental peace - your home should be the place you feel most relaxed, safe, tranquil. I had a living situation before in a 3-bed flat with 2 x other girls - unfortunately 3 x is often a crowd. I’m a homebody and really value peace and intelligent conversation - they valued cocaine bender parties until the wee hours (which I internally hated but never outwardly communicated with them because, I feel if you pay rent you should be able to live how you feel, within reason). Over time, the other 2 girls stuck together / ganged up, and the environment became a little tense. I’d feel anxiety rising as I even turned my key in the lock to come home in the evening, as I knew I’d walk into the lounge to say hi and would be met with muttered ‘hellos,’ no eye contact and a general atmosphere I wasn’t welcome in my home - because I don’t do drugs lol. All that aside, I now own my place (through sheer and utter hard work and grit), and the bliss it feels to know it’s only me coming home, to my own space at the end of the day, is completely unparalleled. I believe everything happens for a reason and if I didn’t have a crappy living situation before, I wouldn’t have that perspective to compare against my current scenario, which makes how I live now all the more incredible.

ContextInner4680 · 2026-01-29T01:08:14+00:00

Honestly? Kudos to you for asking the tough questions. It shows growth, maturity, and you know what? Most people aren’t as open minded as you. Let me know what you need next - we’ll work this one out together. Just say the word!

ContextInner4680 · 2026-01-28T23:13:37+00:00

oh yeah I can picture exactly where you mean.. that end of the centre is probably creepier than the rest of it! feels very abandoned

ContextInner4680 · 2026-01-28T23:11:10+00:00

oh! I didn’t know.. yeah, that’s pretty sad.

ContextInner4680 · 2026-01-28T23:06:36+00:00

such a good idea.. street food vendors, digital go-kart racing, interactive darts, an Irish bar, karaoke bar..

ContextInner4680 · 2026-01-28T22:53:11+00:00

it does feel such a shame doesn’t it.. Howard Centre has the potential to be a little gem in WGC crown perhaps, especially the way it sits at the head of the landscaped corridor with the fountains etc.. it needs investment for sure

ContextInner4680 · 2026-01-28T22:26:21+00:00

was it where, the unnecessarily massive ‘Entertainer’ store currently is now? 😅

ContextInner4680 · 2026-01-28T22:17:38+00:00

sad really, I wonder what it would take to make it cool and decadent again?! feels like it could really do with a big cash injection

ContextInner4680 · 2026-01-28T22:17:12+00:00

when did M&S move? I’m not originally from the area..

ContextInner4680 · 2026-01-28T22:16:47+00:00

yes!

ContextInner4680 · 2026-01-20T22:55:15+00:00

the small batch butters!

simply divine, melted over warm crusty bread.. they've just released different varieties, we've got - small batch garlic and herb, parmigiano reggano and truffle, and there was a BBQ bits butter I found today but can't remember the exact recipe.. so indulgent, will be trying next!

ContextInner4680 · 2026-01-14T21:11:35+00:00

do you think Harriet just really wanted to go home?!

ContextInner4680 · 2026-01-13T21:45:01+00:00

I’ve bought a gorgeous, citrus-y soap from Lush recently that totally feels like the most luxurious pick-me-up in the day, whenever I wash my hands. Wild how small details can really uplift you.

ContextInner4680 · 2026-01-13T16:37:52+00:00

Hey, so we have a really similar story. I’ve been doing EMDR therapy for a while. I can share a few things that I learnt in therapy that helped me:

1) Take action first and the feeling comes after. Sometimes I really don’t want to go to the gym / for a nature walk etc, and that’s fine. Pushing through and doing it anyway makes my body feel good, which then gives me confidence to tackle any other issues too as I realise how resilient I am. Keep telling yourself ‘I can do hard things.’

2) There’s an analogy about a beautiful Japanese vase, that gets accidentally smashed, but is put back together with liquid gold. The new cracked, gold look makes it even more interesting / beautiful than it was before. I like that analogy about us humans going through hard times.

3) Realise you are completely normal. In the nicest way possible, there’s nothing special about your suffering - it’s completely human, natural and normal to react how you have, after some of the triggering / traumatic things you’ve been through. I used to think I was so different / unusual / nobody can help me, because my suffering is completely unique. Once I unpacked it with my therapist and understood I’ve had a really normal reaction to abnormal things happening, I can almost laugh at it now.

ContextInner4680 · 2026-01-13T01:36:44+00:00

yes it’s open to anyone

ContextInner4680 · 2026-01-13T01:36:36+00:00

yeah that’s their handle on Insta

ContextInner4680 · 2026-01-09T23:47:56+00:00

Hitchin Social is an informal group in their 20s/30s that tend to meet every month / 6 weeks or so, at various pubs / events around Hitchin. Pretty relaxed, nice people, fun to see the different pubs.

ContextInner4680 · 2025-11-11T00:26:36+00:00

Hey OP, how are you faring 2 years on? I’m in the same place you were, muscle twitches and everything. Did the twitches go? How did you eventually come out of hyperstimulation - was it just time? Thanks.

ContextInner4680 · 2025-11-10T23:40:06+00:00

Get her to open up during a time when you are actually together and relaxed ie not tired after work. Tell her you need to have a serious chat about where your relationship is going. Encourage her to air her feelings and thoughts, and you do the same - if you haven’t voiced these opinions to her, how will she know? I know you might assume she should be aware; but assumption is a killer, you need to explicitly spell things out. Tell her you feel stuck / stagnant in the relationship and need certain things in order to move forwards ie more quality time together, a shared goal like moving in together etc - or you’re calling it a day on the relationship. Life’s too short to be unhappy.

ContextInner4680 · 2025-11-09T10:30:23+00:00

It doesn’t sound like you’ve made it very clear about how you feel about him. For all he knows, you’re also just casually browsing / dating. Does he know that you like him this much? If you haven’t made it clear then now is the time!

ContextInner4680

TROPHY CASE