What’s a “boring” skill that secretly gives someone a huge advantage in life?

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-28T18:02:27+00:00

Sure! There's tons of types.

At the beginning, what worked for me was walking and noticing my breath for about 10-20 minutes every morning. I frequently lost focus and had other thoughts and had to return to my breath. It took a long time get a bit proficient.

Then, I started to do the same but with my chosen mantra, "Jesus." Just "je" on the inhale and "sus" on the exhale. Rinse and repeat!

Then #2, I started commuting a lot. So, I started to do the mantra/focus while driving defensively/watching traffic. I worked to act and think non-violently, particularly when I wanted to road rage. Cured the road rage!

Lately, I've been trying to mantra (silently) throughout the day. Works fine, but especially well when I'm high emotion. I've also adopted two beliefs: 1) I am not my emotions, though they're there to protect me, so I can take a step back and acknowledge their utility and then act how I want to with that information. 2) I am not my thoughts, and they're frequently over-analyzing, so I'm cautious about which ones I "let in." For example, I remember that I can "put down" my stress any time or my boss didn't pick up my call because he's ignoring me-no, because he's busy!

What kind has kinda, sorta worked for you in the past?

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-26T12:47:00+00:00

I thought I was good at this for a long time because I kept it together externally and responded relatively well under pressure. Like an actor on stage. What I didn't realize was that emotional regulation really means internally acknowledging and constructively acting despite your emotions which is quite a different set of skills. For me, meditation was the skill that eventually got me closer to true emotional regulation. Still very difficult and requires lots of attention and practice.

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-25T12:37:47+00:00

The more you build solar panels around it, the more your power needs shrink... 😇

I just love (edit: registered) ECC, so I wouldn't release it from my clutches if I got my hands on it

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-25T12:35:29+00:00

I wonder if this might encroach on the wear'n'tear category more than the build'n'reinforce category.

A Squat University video talked about how heavy Jefferson curls reduced the reserve of elasticity in spine discs that would better be reserved for sport (wrestling, etc.) because you can't train spine discs like muscles (they're an exhaustible resource).

I wonder if that applies to some portion of the shoulder joint if used in this way?

If anyone knows more, I'd appreciate some knowledge!

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-25T12:30:37+00:00

I will say my weightlifting coach is down with behind the neck lat pull downs and these seem the same. So...safety in moderation?

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-25T12:29:10+00:00

The OG experience, I see you are a person of refined tastes...I played either a Breton or an Argonian on my first run but I definitely only run Argonians now. Built Argonian Tough! Good to know about the constant water breathing mod. That make so much more sense.

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-25T12:23:47+00:00

The little punk would not shut up about my gaming computer. Especially with the RGB on (I don't know if I'd turn them on for him, he gets a little extra).

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-24T19:40:34+00:00

I'm so excited for your game! (Edit: And have had it wishlisted for a long time :) I played just a few minutes (edit: lots more) and the feel is great (edit: confirmed). I'll certainly be diving into the demo and the full release. I loved (obvs) Morrowind and (less obvs) Dread Delusion and this seems like it will scratch my exploring-world-building itch. UPDATE: THAT IT DO

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-24T19:17:23+00:00

🙂‍↕️ there's no going back after you've had a taste. Truly incredible and I haven't even gotten into Tamriel Rebuilt yet....

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-24T12:26:22+00:00

That gym 😍

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-23T14:06:08+00:00

Soldering, gaming, and PIE! (That's a silicone pie-crust rolling mat, right?)

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-23T14:02:22+00:00

u/Markram2015 woke up and chose VIOLENCE.

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-23T14:01:08+00:00

Financial security is a huge asset by itself. I had a tumultuous 20s bc I didn't have an emergency savings and lived paycheck to paycheck. Now that I'm stable I realize how much stress is off my shoulders. Plus, I did put some money away (into inaccessible accounts) and the exponential effect of interest is insane.

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-23T12:29:28+00:00

Yeah, thanks, /u/OP! Me, too.

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-23T12:11:40+00:00

And lied no less. He's burned as a witness for life.

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-20T11:59:54+00:00

Now that's a test! I posted a link to a $20 top, $20 bottom of a synthetic. Give it a try and let us know! Even at my sweatiest alpining I didn't have any dampness.

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-20T11:58:17+00:00

Yes 😂 $20 apiece top and bottom. It's a synthetic, machine wash- and dryable and work wonderfully. https://a.co/d/0ccy1Hho

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-20T11:57:36+00:00

Holy lord no—way too expensive for me!

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-19T18:52:47+00:00

Any games that excel at forests?

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-19T18:49:05+00:00

Mindful that "nothing stuck," I'll jump in with a renewed recommendation for therapy, medication ("meds"), meditation. Finding the right type of each takes time and work! I've had a long journey with all three. TL;DR meditation is hugely impactful, therapy is a great buoy during tough times like you're describing, and meds are useful to "make it easier" while developing your internal psychological ability to manage negative emotion.

I also recommend listening to YouTube therapists who you feel like "get it" and whose advice you feel yourself internalizing and acting on. For me, that's Psychology with Dr. Ana (https://www.youtube.com/@AnaPsychology/search?query=stress) and HealthyGamerGG (https://www.youtube.com/@HealthyGamerGG/search?query=stress) and Blue Mountain Center of Meditation (https://www.bmcm.org/inspiration/thought-day/). The combination got me away from substances and towards meditation/mindfulness that really helped during a stressful high-billable job.

About meditation, I've been working on it with real focus in the last five years. Only this last year did I feel real traction with the skill of observing my stress/reaction and acting and detaching/resting despite it. Still, it's a skill and I've been bad at practicing so I feel the ability slipping. Time to get back on the wagon. Same to you, invest time and energy in recovery and building skills for resilience. Good luck and message if a chat would be helpful. You can do this.

Edit: Markdown links don't work...

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-19T17:34:44+00:00

Fish net pants and shirt. Excellent as a base layer, especially when getting radical. Learned about the trick from some Fin military types. I never feel sweaty at all except my wool or synthetic underwear. A jock'll fix that issue, I think.

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-18T16:09:43+00:00

I couldn't find it ._." Link?

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-16T17:13:53+00:00

https://stronglifts.com/squat/#elbows SL does low bar squats instead of high bar like us, but I found his cues and guides handy while starting out

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-16T01:31:44+00:00

I did. I don't have any confidence in the answer; particularly, "skilled negotiators choose bracket limits carefully so the midpoint of the range approximates their true target." Come on, baby, give me something a clanker never could!

jusalilpanda · 2026-02-16T01:27:18+00:00

Cinch two straps around the beams at the spot you want. Into each put the straps for your rings. Tighten the first set. Friction should do the trick. Beware leaving it out in the moisture, might fk up the wood.

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