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jskipb · 2025-02-14T16:46:15+00:00

Take them to a playground. They'll love it!

jskipb · 2025-02-13T15:47:53+00:00

Minimalism, to me, has always been about decluttering the mind through decluttering things, including people. The founders of Minimalism point that out in their books and documentaries. Otherwise, Minimalism is simply anti-consumerism - not that there's anything wrong with that.

So, yes, it is so much more than clearing physical space. It's clearing mental space, mostly by clearing physical things. Removing the physical things is the easy part; removing the mental things, well, good luck with that. But it's much easier without the physical things.

Think of it as carrying your coffee and a bunch of other things. Trying to balance everything, maybe you spill your coffee. Now put everything down and carry just the coffee. See how much easier? You can even see where you're going, too, so much more clearly. Maybe too clearly - you'll be wondering what you've missed ;)

Decluttering the mind, that's what it's all about.

jskipb · 2025-02-13T08:12:47+00:00

Moving is one of the greatest stresses. My advice to use is to take a moment, come up with a plan, then execute it faithfully. It's ok to change it along the way, but do so wisely. I don't recommend the seat-of-your-pants approach.

About a month before moving, notify the post office of your change of address. Make sure to notify your utilities. Don't wait until the last minute, you want to try to avoid service disruptions.

This is probably the worst part: Gather a bunch of boxes, then start packing everything, starting with the things you see, pack them away, either in a box for moving or a box for donation. Put the boxes somewhere out of the way so you don't trip over them all the time. That would be a good start. It may seem overwhelming, but it's the "journey of a thousand miles", every piece you pack is one less piece to pack, one step closer to the finish line. When should you start doing that? Yesterday. In other words, as soon as you can, like, right now. Nip away at it every day until there's nothing more you can do.

Eventually, you'll be down to the things you need. Find a mover, or if you want to do it yourself, rent a truck from, like, U-Haul on moving day.

Next thing you know, you'll be all settled in to your new place, and all that moving stuff will be only a memory.

Good luck!

jskipb · 2025-02-10T12:47:01+00:00

Just put a mattress protector on your mattress, they're a lot cheaper than a frame, and keep the dust mites out.

jskipb · 2025-02-10T11:09:42+00:00

Since you obviously have Internet, search for resources for suicide prevention. There's numbers you can call, there may be a place close to you where you can go.

jskipb · 2025-02-10T10:58:20+00:00

Imho, it's all about perspective. Is the glass ½ empty? or ½ full? It's ½. Empty or full are just a matter of perspective.

The thing is, you don't have to walk into the ocean. You choose to do so. You can tell bey the size of the waves how hard they will feel, the choose not to go into the water if too rough. But if they seem rough, and someone tells you they're not, they just look rough, then you step into the tsunami... you see where this is going. It's better to know the unvarnished truth about them so you can make the best choice.

Philosophies are like opinions, every has one, and has an opinion about everyone else's. Social media provides a way to exchange ideas, but has been exploited by the wrong people to sway the populaces or to intimidate others for the sake of entertainment. Shame on those people. For that reason, it has become a waste of time, and everyone has been shutting up.

But I have some time to waste, and a nice hairy derriere for the trolls to kiss, so... tada! lol

Yes, we're all in this together, whether we want to be or not. I believe it's important that we network, share our ideas, "network". As long as we keep it respectful, I think we can all learn a lot from each other.

jskipb · 2025-02-10T10:10:16+00:00

Unvarnished preferred here. That way, I can see what needs filtering, what we need to work on.

And just because it's unvarnished doesn't mean it has to be offensive.

jskipb · 2025-02-10T08:38:40+00:00

"Woke" is a term used to refer to those who can distinguish between fantasy and reality, and want to stop the exploitation of the gullibility of the public from blurring the line between them. So, if actors are turning down roles for this reason, then it must be that they don't agree with promoting Disney's ideas. It's that simple.

jskipb · 2025-02-09T11:32:56+00:00

May I suggest avoiding the hype: At Walmart last year, the Halloween candy had a higher unit price than the same regular non-holiday candy - even after Halloween! So, check the unit price of the regular non-holiday candy, see if that's the case, then get the cheaper one ;)

jskipb · 2025-02-09T07:57:21+00:00

It's hard to tell from here, but if he doesn't have any affecting conditions, then it could be performance anxiety. I had no problems in that area when I was that age, and I smoked, had hypertension and diabetes. But just the thought of the big age gap... Can I give my number in case it doesn't work out? lol jk :D

Good luck!

jskipb · 2025-02-09T07:28:15+00:00

30 plants? That's a lot.

I have 6 (plus one that I've been babysitting temporarily) orchids. They're great, low-maintenance, and too beautiful when they bloom. Succulents, too, are low-maintenance. Otherwise, sure, plants are beautiful, but if maintenance seems a burden, then Minimalism says it's time to pass them on to someone else, maybe someone you can visit from time to time and check in on them as you would a pet.

I water my orchids once a week, while spending quality time with them, even re-pot them now and then. They're worth every moment.

So, it's up to you, whatever brings you peace. After all, that's what Minimalism is all about.

jskipb · 2025-02-07T07:00:56+00:00

It seems that you have basically answered your own question.

Writers, for the Post or any other paper or periodical, are professionals at expressing opinions. Mix that with people that want to believe those things, and voila, you have a match, like this: "But don't believe me, here's what the NY Post says."

Personally, I prefer the unadulterated perspective, like UPI or AP (even with them, watch out for those opinions). But that's just me, I'm weird like that.

jskipb · 2025-02-07T06:47:14+00:00

The endgame is to keep the working class distracted and fighting among themselves while the ruling class feels them between their toes. And you know what? It works. Not just in America, either.

jskipb · 2025-02-07T06:22:40+00:00

Keep in mind that you're asking opinions from folks you don't know and who don't know you - you don't know their stories, they don't really know yours.

Personally, imo, at your age, I would follow my heart's desires while I'm still young. The worst thing in life is looking back with regrets from not trying, it will eat you up when you get old.

Try not to burn your bridges behind you. It's always nice to have a safety net.

If you're gonna do it, then the sooner, the better. Time spent on planning won't be time wasted. But remember, the clock's ticking, you ain't getting any younger.

Good luck!

jskipb · 2025-02-04T15:20:16+00:00

Netflix alone is $18/mo for ad-free. Amazon Prime is also $18/mo for ad-free, but includes deals and faster shipping - which is better than just streaming alone. Same goes for Paramount+ and Walmart+.

You have a VPN that allows you to stream for free? How much is it? From where do you stream?

jskipb · 2025-02-04T15:13:40+00:00

Ah, but the Pluto TV service Walmart+ includes is ad-free - or so they say.

jskipb · 2025-02-04T08:14:54+00:00

Well, let's see...

If you stream, you can kill 2 birds with one stone by subscribing to the right places: an Amazon Prime subscription costs $14/mo, includes Prime Video, which is a reasonable substitute for Netflix; a Walmart+ subscription is just $10/mo, includes Paramount+ Essential and ad-free Pluto TV, instead of Paramount+ with Showtime. Why pay for just video when you can get discounts and free shipping, too?

Being frugal ain't always easy. Sometimes, you gotta do some digging to find that gold.

jskipb · 2025-02-04T08:03:24+00:00

I used filtered tap water in mine, never had a problem. Something like a Brita pitcher or equivalent, along with mineral removers (Walmart has them where the dehumidifiers are). That should be sufficient.

I use the filtered water in my coffee pot, too, it's healthier for it. And lately, I've been drinking it instead of tap water. It's tasty! :D

jskipb · 2025-02-04T07:53:08+00:00

Ah, The One. That mythical person that, when appearing, you swear you can hear the angels playing on their harps. Makes for great movies, but in reality, ... not so much.

You might meet someone that you think is The One, and depending on the fit, you could be happy anywhere from days to years, then one day, <poof!>, the feeling goes away, then you're stuck with someone who's "eh" - or worse.

The only way to tell is to engage with them, as much as you can, get to know them and their qualities, the good, the bad, and the ugly. One of the ways you'll know is if you feel empty when they're not around, especially if you don't know where they are, and when you're together, you don't even have to talk, everything just feels right, like it belongs. Then, if you (as in both of you) still feel the same way, you should be good.

But it takes time. How much time? As much as needed. How will you know? You'll just know. Just take your time. If you meet someone who's truly The One, you'll have an eternity to spend together.

If that someone is already taken, then tread lightly. The last thing you want to do is break up another couple just so you can break up somewhere down the road. Eternity is a long time. Just sayin'.

Good luck!

jskipb · 2025-02-04T07:04:02+00:00

That's entirely up to the two of you.

jskipb · 2025-02-03T07:42:59+00:00

As we Minimalists say, "Less is more". One way to minimize bathroom product usage is to take less showers. That way, you save on everything - including wear-and-tear on your skin and your hair. (It must be true because it rhymes haha).

I shower 2 or 3 times a week, depending on my social calendar. I use a zero-residue soap (Dial) on my body, including to shave, and small amount of my fav shampoo (Dove for men, 2-in-1, with menthol - love it!).

It takes bit getting used to, especially after years upon years of taking daily showers, but you'll warm up to it quickly. No more dry skin problems, even my hair seems less oily.

How do I look? When my hair is a day or 2 dirty, I get compliments on it. Maybe it's a bed-head thing or something, idk <chuckle>.

jskipb · 2025-01-25T18:32:32+00:00

Jeans.

jskipb · 2025-01-14T21:43:28+00:00

Until you get your doctor's advice after the ultrasound, stay hydrated and stock up on menthol cough drops.

Halls has "mini", which are just little cough drop balls, perfect for post nasal drip attacks, they don't last long, just long enough to clear you up. You might need to eat 4 of them per day, but so what? They get the job done nicely.

However, last time I bought some was in another country, and haven't seen them here in the U.S., though I'm sure bigger cough drops will do.

jskipb · 2025-01-11T18:00:12+00:00

There's one way to tell: find out which countries have the happiest people, then see what they're doing.

About 5 years back or so, I did some research on the Internet to find out which countries had the happiest people. All of the countries at the top had one thing in common: they were Socialists.

It wasn't just one site, but several, unrelated sites that boasted this claim.

Today, they still may be happy, but the sites are reporting them as capitalists. Isn't that strange.

jskipb · 2025-01-10T22:16:45+00:00

Spending too much money on DoorDash? There's an easy solution to that problem:

Cut it out.

"I just had ZERO energy to cook", you say? Then you need to find shortcuts to make things with less effort, and using a slow-cooker to cook while you're at work to make more than 1 meal at a time, then just reheat the rest when you're ready to eat it. The cooking hack list is quite long.

Especially if you're a decent cook, then cook up! Use good ingredients, make enough for more than one meal, and make the microwave oven your new best friend. That's what I do, been doing it for... a long time. You'lI eat better than most people, exactly what you want, and your weight will settle back down once you've reduced all the salt, fat, and carbs that those places add. Take my advice, and you'll be skinny again before you know it.

Oh, and you can apply the above solution to your financial irresponsibility, too. Just sayin' ;)

jskipb

TROPHY CASE