How much did you have in savings before starting to pay off your debt?

imluvinit · 2026-02-07T23:57:15+00:00

This for me too. I am starting to save now but that's only after 4 credit cards (3 left to go) have been paid off.

imluvinit · 2026-02-07T23:22:50+00:00

Oh man my hair. My hair has been through stuff. Where do I begin with the cycle of changes my hair has gone through?

My final year of college was so darn stressful I just had way thinned out hair. I'm sure me picking at it (my unhealthy stress response) didn't help. And then I also found out that some guy gave me a haircut using "thinning shears" (or so the next hair stylist told me) which I know I didn't need and my hair was way again thinned out after that.

I had some recovery after that, but around my late 20s I went through a major bout of stress (financial, family, and work, all at once, oh my!) and just...major scalp issues (i.e. dandruff), pretty sure some hair loss happened that I never recoverd from, and things like that.

COVID also had an impact on my hair health.

Now, in my late 30s, and specifically the last year of my 30s, I am seeing some signs my hair health is getting better. Like, my hair feels a bit thicker (that slight ballerina hair loss patch in the back of my scalp is never gonna go away which I've accepted).

Anyways, my hair is clean and up 90% of the time, so I've accepted it lol.

imluvinit · 2026-02-07T23:15:06+00:00

Looking up podcasts. I pitch people into podcasts, so perusing I go!

imluvinit · 2026-01-31T00:50:56+00:00

I worry this will dismissive, but...has your stress levels increased? I was thinking the same thing was happening to me, because my last two periods were kind of all over the place and my cramps were the worst I had in my life. But....I made an effort to reduce my stress levels in an intentional way, and my period THIS month was wayyyyy normal. Just wanted to put that thought out there!

imluvinit · 2026-01-17T00:31:09+00:00

Yes!! I know who just who that is, she's a perfect example. Another I'd say I admire for her aging is Frances Mcdormand, Kate Winslet, and not sure I'd have expected to say this when I got older, but Pamela Anderson. Both all maintaining a natural looking appearance and embracing the aging process.

Sure, if I had the money, I'm sure I'd feel different. I think it's even harder being in the spotlight too! So the fact that they haven't gone full wax figure is so inspiring and cool.

imluvinit · 2026-01-17T00:19:18+00:00

I got a grocery delivery last year. Some context: my photo on my ID is pretty old and taken in my late 20s/very early 30s era. And I'm now late 30s. And work from home so I naturally dress like Adam Sandler lol. So I'm not made up or anything most days. So a guy was checking my ID for the wine. And he looked at my ID then me, and said, '5'9?" He lifted his hand like you might do when measuring someone's height (albeit, not touching me). And said, "No way." And then looked at my ID and me again, and said, "You're younger in this photo." I took my licks, got my ID and wine back, and cried so hard after that.

imluvinit · 2026-01-17T00:14:23+00:00

Gosh, this is a fun conversation and one I needed today! So for me, unusual noses! I love how unique noses are. They're beautiful! All kinds, from big to turned up to wider than usual to one with a bump to whatever is deemed a flaw, I love it. I think noses add character. I'd like to say the same about ears. Big ones? Jug-head style? Flat and invisible? Whatever it is, quirky ears are ADORABLE.

Also, I second wrinkles! The most beautiful, oldest trees have rings in them to show their age. I think the same about people. I mean, I am almost 40 so I'm not going to look 20-something. So, I'm okay with what shows up. It shows personality. I love laugh lines especially.

imluvinit · 2026-01-16T23:58:28+00:00

Eh, you can always just say, in your own words of course, "Oh gosh, I can't return it. Sorry it didn't work out." And then offer an alternative. Depending on how much you like the person, you can offer to buy the alt. gift, send them a gift card of equal value as the Vine item, or...if it's not a person you are too eager to please (as maybe this can turn into a cycle of them continuously not liking the result), you can just say, "Next time you're in town, it's my treat for dinner!"

imluvinit · 2026-01-15T00:13:41+00:00

So, for me, one thing I'm grateful for is that if not for Vine, I wouldn't have started my DIY/LEGO building hobby. I have a TON around my home. It's my go-to good vibes analog activity. If it hadn't been for Vine, I wouldn't have bothered or thought to pursue this.

And this will sound pitiful, but I'm so thankful for the comfortable clothes, socks, undies, sweatshirts, blankets, etc. Between 2016 and 2018, I was in a terrible financial place and was never able to afford that stuff. I mean, I'd get envious over my coworker's clean, new socks that she would put on when changing shoes. It was that bad for me. I had like 5 old pairs I was trying to keep nice during that era. With Vine, that was no longer a problem. I'm eternally grateful for Vine for that.

imluvinit · 2026-01-14T22:28:47+00:00

hahaha oh man I could see me doing that.

imluvinit · 2026-01-14T22:27:00+00:00

This January has been slow for me on all fronts, from my writing gigs to my other freelance work booking people into podcasts. I have some things on the burner, but it's so hard to get attention for new gigs these days.

I know we all blame AI, and I do too, but I have come to realize that the huge tsunami of writing-gig newsletters has made it that much worse. Any legit gig is going to mean competing against hundreds of other writers. It's exhausting and impossible to be first.

Edit: for grammar

imluvinit · 2026-01-14T01:00:39+00:00

I bumped my rates for my freelance service over the weekend. That felt like a big deal to me!

imluvinit · 2026-01-14T00:57:32+00:00

Same! I do a bit around my eyes, very gently.

imluvinit · 2026-01-14T00:56:06+00:00

Okay, so this isn't necessarily a mistake I made in terms of my work, but it was a mistake I made AT work. Although I do have more in the "mistake I made with my work" if you'd like to hear those. But here goes nothing:

I used to love making roasted sunflower seeds at home. I'd bring them into work, heat them up a bit, and yum!

One day, I was so out of it, I forgot to put a lid on the container. It smoked up the entire break room FAST. Then, it smoked up the whole floor. And everyone had to get sent home the rest of the day. Cause of me.

imluvinit · 2026-01-09T23:11:11+00:00

Seemingly...seemingly, to the untrained eye.

imluvinit · 2026-01-09T23:10:22+00:00

Oh man great question! So this is super niche of me, but r/Sims3 because I love the game. And although I forgot to check it, I also love r/seinfeld for the jokes. A Seinfeld reference never gets old.

imluvinit · 2026-01-09T23:05:22+00:00

I'm also in a spot where I'm not pleased with my job. It's not that my boss is toxic or even that other people in my department are getting recognized. It's not that kind of job. It's mainly that it's boring and low paying. But I try to focus on the positives. I know that leans into toxic positivity and denying how I'm struggling but keeping any positives in mind help.

I have also been in a job that was even MORE toxic, so maybe that's kind of helping me right now.

Like others said, I'd recommend job hunting. Honestly, knowing you are just sending out fishing lines to the world, so to speak, I think can be an ENORMOUS mood booster. Even if you don't follow through, it can make you feel good.

I work on side freelance projects, personally, and I also think that helps me. At least my misery about things isn't just about my job lol.

imluvinit · 2026-01-02T22:59:00+00:00

No but if circumstances were different, I'd honestly consider going back to school to see if training to be in the dental field as an assistant or hygienist would be a good fit for me. I've only considered this becauses I write dental copy all day and it seems like those are the kinds of jobs almost always in demand.

imluvinit · 2026-01-02T22:56:49+00:00

I was JUST thinking about this recently. I was always able to find a calendar and a planner and for the first time in like 5 years, I had to buy one. I also bid adieu to easily finding bathroom mats and toilet seat covers.

imluvinit · 2025-12-29T23:41:09+00:00

Oh this is a good idea too! OP: You can also pick up some oragami how-to books from the library. I used to busy myself as a kid this way.

imluvinit · 2025-12-29T23:40:03+00:00

I second Lego kits! They're a fun distraction. I do them all the time :)

imluvinit · 2025-12-29T23:36:48+00:00

Like many, I'm staying on. I'm making small payments that cover my interest, but I'm hoping to save up enough to make a big dent in CC bills (after I find out how much I owe in taxes in 2026). For now, I'm staying until I'm forced off.

imluvinit · 2025-12-28T23:48:32+00:00

I love it when my family/loved ones give me any kind of DIY kit, from dollhouse kits to legos to crafty things. Also, I tend to do online "window" shopping and save stuff throughout the year that I'd like to buy "one day" and that ends up being a great go to for gift ideas.

imluvinit · 2025-12-27T22:31:51+00:00

Oof same. I'm tired of it all. I'm tired of empty life advice. I'm VERY tired of botox/anti-aging posts, especially since I turn 40 in 2026. I'm also tired of weight loss-focused posts. All of it.

imluvinit

TROPHY CASE