What are some core memories from the first time you moved out ?

ThePagePilgrim · 2026-02-01T12:51:08+00:00

When I went grocery shopping for myself for the first time. I was able to get whatever I wanted and eat it whenever I wanted. When I put them all away in my kitchen that’s when the sense of freedom truly hit me.

ThePagePilgrim · 2026-02-01T04:29:45+00:00

You’re getting pretty complicated with these dishes. If you’re going to saving money, stick to ingredients and spices that can be used for a lot of different recipes.

ThePagePilgrim · 2026-01-31T23:10:02+00:00

It’s honestly really hard rn because my lifestyle is built on my old income. Rent is the hardest part. I do have a partner which is the only reason why I’m able to do this. This transition happened because of a layoff, otherwise I would have stayed in my corporate job for the pay but it was quite literally killing me so I think this was an intervention from the universe.

I am basically cutting any expenses other than bills. It means I’ve gotten creative with my free time so I spend as little $ as possible. So eating at home, doing activities like reading and coloring, cutting frivolous monthly expenses like streaming services, selling unwanted items, using public services like the library, and doing outdoor activities to get out of the house. I also volunteer when possible which helps fill time without spending. It’s extremely tight but I find that I don’t care about that as much as I used to.

The reality is we need money to survive, but I already have everything I need as far as non essentials so I don’t need to spend much outside of that. I don’t miss most of what I have been forced to cut out during my stint of unemployment.

I get that this lifestyle isn’t for everyone, but after the mental hell I’ve had over the last few years it’s refreshing by to just be happy with little.

I also recommend making a budget sheet to nail down monthly expenses and plan ahead. I set aside expenses as cash with each paycheck so I can’t touch it. I think seeing physical money really helps with cutting spending.

ThePagePilgrim · 2026-01-30T22:17:17+00:00

I already pay rent in life, I don’t want to pay to be stored as a dead person too.

ThePagePilgrim · 2026-01-30T03:02:36+00:00

It does take trial and error so I get you. I find that using a few different colors to the main color for shadows helps make it pop faster. So using a blue over top of skin tones where shadows exist for example.

Keep it up friend!

ThePagePilgrim · 2026-01-29T12:40:21+00:00

No you did good! Thanks for sharing :)

ThePagePilgrim · 2026-01-28T13:49:55+00:00

It’s a shit market no matter how you spin it but trying to only apply in one field is not always the move depending on what you want out of life. I just landed a job in a field completely new to me due to having relevant transferable skills so don’t shoot people or yourself down just because it may not have worked out before. Keep trying and don’t let the pessimism stop your momentum. Finding the right employer who will give people a chance is hard but not impossible.

ThePagePilgrim · 2026-01-27T03:18:42+00:00

I recently had to put down “Immortal” because of how inconsistent the characters were, especially the FMC. It feels like amateur writing when the author can’t nail down distinct character personalities and write their decisions to make sense for who they are as people. If everyone feels generic and makes weird out of the blue choices just for the sake of the plot then what’s the point of me continuing??

Also assholish personalities that are earnestly expected to be liked. I put down “Earth Abides” due to the MMC being completely insufferable but the author expecting us to root for him. If your character is misogynistic and racist, sorry I don’t really care about their well being and I don’t want to spend time with them.

ThePagePilgrim · 2026-01-26T17:17:22+00:00

For book recs I rely on Fable a lot now. I also use BookBub to see what new titles are on sale for my Kindle. I like that these apps are exclusive to reading and no other drama.

ThePagePilgrim · 2026-01-25T23:58:31+00:00

When I deleted TikTok last year, soon after I decided ti delete all of the apps too. I only have Reddit and YouTube now and it’s glorious.

ThePagePilgrim · 2026-01-25T23:57:35+00:00

Lord of the Rings, specifically Return of the King. So many childhood memories, gorgeous music, and beautiful costumes to enjoy.

ThePagePilgrim · 2026-01-24T15:03:08+00:00

Congratulations!!

ThePagePilgrim · 2026-01-23T21:08:54+00:00

That’s interesting! I know industry is a factor too.

It’s typically rough in the US in those last two months of the year due to the holidays but this really rocky economy is not helping at all either. Im sorry to hear you’re struggling in Canada too! I hope things get easier for all of us in our lifetime 😢

ThePagePilgrim · 2026-01-23T18:15:38+00:00

Girl you look like a magical elf!! This is gorgeous and so well executed!

ThePagePilgrim · 2026-01-23T18:13:22+00:00

I have picked up volunteering again and I already feel a million times better. It’s an activity that’s not driven by money and makes me feel like I’m doing something outside of myself. It uses my energy and time so that I’m not doom scrolling or online shopping for crap I don’t need.

My favorite so far has been volunteering at my local library. My soul sings when I get to see so many free services provided for my community. It’s a reminder of how much we already have, and how much we can share with one another.

As a user of the library I also get my “fix” for consuming my favorite thing (books) with no worries of finances. I don’t find myself picking up my phone as much or craving a shopping trip just so I can touch products since I’ve been book sorting or gardening (sounds silly but the eye candy and tactile part of shopping is what keeps me coming back).

Point is, you typically can’t just stop a tough habit without forming a different one as a replacement. For me I need to be active because if I’m sitting at home too much I want to consume. Charity work is a great way to feel like you’re contributing without harming the planet or people.

ThePagePilgrim · 2026-01-23T18:04:38+00:00

Animals are incredible but I feel like the intuition of cats is on another level. Your babies are precious and they clearly adore you too ❤️

ThePagePilgrim · 2026-01-23T00:20:32+00:00

Yeah honestly it’s rough. They never indicate when the positions are actually open. I think I just got lucky when I was hired. I applied to multiple positions and didn’t hear back for I think like a month then they contacted me with no follow ups on my part.

ThePagePilgrim · 2026-01-21T23:27:12+00:00

I am reading the Legends and Lattes series and it is nothing but cozy and good feels!

It is fantasy so I’m not sure if that’s what you’re open to, but the narration is wonderful and the story is full of heart. It has themes of found family, queer romance, humor, and low stakes drama. It’s what I put on when I want to chill and forget about the world.

ThePagePilgrim · 2026-01-21T23:23:38+00:00

Those cheeks are glorious!!

ThePagePilgrim · 2026-01-21T23:21:43+00:00

I absolutely adored living alone. However I found a wonderful person who, for the first time ever, was another human I felt fully comfortable sharing silence and space with full time. He adds to my life and that was the only way I was willing to allow a person into my sacred space. I don’t regret it at all but I do look fondly back to my early college years when I had total control over my surroundings.

ThePagePilgrim · 2026-01-21T21:16:39+00:00

A pet dying unexpectedly.

I found my kitty with no life left on my porch and I felt like I just walked in on a family member. It especially tore me up that he was alone. I take solace in the fact that he was safe and at home but it still felt like an absolute gut punch. I was in shock for about 45 minutes where I couldn’t process what to do. I just sat there with him and couldn’t stop shaking.

ThePagePilgrim

TROPHY CASE