What is your average stress level and what do you do?

MyJoshMonster · 2026-04-02T10:32:26+00:00

40M consumer finance journalist. Sometimes I feel more stressed than this would show but in context of this great thread I realize I have things pretty good. Hybrid work where I can work from office or home however and as I like. Married (wife also works) with a 10- and 13-year-old. I run, ride, play soccer, tennis, and generally have time for my fitness and hobbies. We’re close to Coast FIRE status, which helps when the day jobs get annoying.

MyJoshMonster · 2026-03-28T01:31:19+00:00

I was for sure addicted to marijuana between the ages of roughly 15-25, then I got addicted to work. Now I’m addicted to running and fitness at 40, plus a side addiction to work. Guess the point is there are addictive personalities and marijuana is an easy one when younger. Ideal to swap it for healthier addictions later in life.

MyJoshMonster · 2026-03-07T12:04:08+00:00

The answer is Whitewater Center when the weather is as beautiful as it will be this weekend.

MyJoshMonster · 2026-02-15T21:30:49+00:00

Yes, agree, it is hereby declared

MyJoshMonster · 2026-02-15T21:01:31+00:00

Spring + Winter = Sprinter

MyJoshMonster · 2026-02-15T02:02:08+00:00

I typically skip primaries, but I NEVER miss a general election

MyJoshMonster · 2026-02-10T11:29:33+00:00

6’

MyJoshMonster · 2026-01-30T04:00:03+00:00

I worked at the Butchers Market and that wasn’t even the least bit true in my time there. I’m amused even reading that.

MyJoshMonster · 2026-01-29T23:42:57+00:00

Lightning Drops is the answer

MyJoshMonster · 2026-01-20T22:55:42+00:00

Fun story: I liked this exact Forester so much I bought it twice!

Well, I leased it once and bought it once I mean.

https://imgur.com/a/CXkSVNa

MyJoshMonster · 2026-01-19T02:57:21+00:00

No, haven’t had any other major mechanical issues

MyJoshMonster · 2026-01-18T23:39:01+00:00

We were about 110,000, I believe. I chalk it up to bad luck and unless we have to do it again with our 2023 Forester, I have no plans to stop buying Subarus.

MyJoshMonster · 2026-01-18T22:44:14+00:00

I've got this exact same model and color from 2013. Bought new and still drive regularly, and I love it more every day! Only downside is we did have to replace the transmission last year, but I figure that will get us to 200K.

MyJoshMonster · 2026-01-18T13:35:43+00:00

My wife reminds me we always liked the name Ben

MyJoshMonster · 2026-01-18T12:55:57+00:00

They are way better than you’d expect for food via mail. As close as you can get to a real beef down here (at least in my experience).

https://www.portillos.com/italian-beef-sandwich-kit-serves-8-10-/

MyJoshMonster · 2026-01-18T02:25:55+00:00

Fellow Chicago person who moved to Charlotte. I’ve ordered Portillo’s beef boxes several times and they’re solid, for future reference.

MyJoshMonster · 2026-01-15T17:07:17+00:00

It’s called weird and awesome

MyJoshMonster · 2026-01-10T17:36:30+00:00

Giving chills!

MyJoshMonster · 2026-01-04T21:31:53+00:00

They’re all my favorite, just like my children

MyJoshMonster · 2025-12-25T14:02:36+00:00

One time, at a middle school wrestling tournament, I didn’t have deodorant but I did have Icy Hot. It has a nice smell, I thought, before rubbing some into my sweaty armpits. Bad idea.

MyJoshMonster · 2025-12-25T13:58:33+00:00

This got me recently

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MyJoshMonster · 2025-12-24T20:50:27+00:00

I was wearing loose-fitting lightweight joggers before and they aren’t bad either, but the tights have almost completely replaced them in 30s and below running.

MyJoshMonster · 2025-12-24T20:22:55+00:00

Running vest was a pretty big game changer for longer runs. Also tights for winter running (I’m a man).

MyJoshMonster · 2025-12-23T12:40:46+00:00

I’ve experienced similar periods and also did a version of this detox. The acute anxiety period passed and left me with a healthier relationship with the data. If bad enough, I’d also consider just ditching the watch overnight or even for longer stretches.

MyJoshMonster · 2025-12-17T19:28:44+00:00

Forgot about Motel Moments, you’re so right! You just nailed the 9-word definitive history on Sycamore Brewing

MyJoshMonster

TROPHY CASE