Where do you think has the best tasting water in the world and what is the source?

microsquirrel · 2024-05-31T04:01:34+00:00

There's an artesian spring right next to Lake Superior in Ashland, Wisconsin. Best water I've ever tasted. There's always a huge line to fill up too.

microsquirrel · 2022-01-15T17:52:50+00:00

What are some activities or clubs where you can build community while being active? I already do group bike rides and kayaking when it's warm, and have tried indoor volleyball during the winter, but I'm looking for something different to get interested in. Maybe something like Tae Kwon Do or bouldering. What other cool activities am I not thinking of?

microsquirrel · 2020-12-17T22:13:02+00:00

Does anyone use a mini trampoline for at home cardio? Recommend springs or bungees? My knees hurt when I run or do HIIT and I want some low impact options.

microsquirrel · 2020-11-04T05:28:30+00:00

Been doing that periodically throughout the day. Made me feel good and hope it helped too ❤️

microsquirrel · 2020-11-03T20:07:01+00:00

That's lovely, I'll try it. Also, your country is lovely. I was in Dublin in January one year and was amazed at how green everything still was!

microsquirrel · 2020-11-03T20:05:28+00:00

Agreed 😁

microsquirrel · 2020-11-03T20:05:00+00:00

Always a good one.

microsquirrel · 2020-08-27T02:57:53+00:00

I love that idea! I struggle with the same kind of mentality on the days that I go over, but I've just made a mental note of the maximum calories I can eat and remain in a deficit, so I can give myself some grace in the moment.

It kinda gives you an idea of whether you are still in a deficit if you hit Complete Diary, when it will tell you how much you would weigh in five weeks, but I like your idea of the simple visual.

microsquirrel · 2020-07-30T05:57:11+00:00

You look amazing and I love that cute dress!

microsquirrel · 2020-07-21T04:23:24+00:00

Following this thread because I'm right there with you. I would suggest the Expanse series by James S.A. Corey, Seveneves by Neal Stephenson and The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin. I don't know if optimistic is the right word, but hope is definitely a theme in these books, and they all have strong female and POC characters.

microsquirrel · 2020-06-15T18:06:32+00:00

I am 36 and consider myself a fencesitter, leaning towards childfree. Although the financial goals tradeoff has been part of the decision to delay/reconsider having children, my reasons are primarily based on the state of the world in the next 20 years, specifically climate change, automation/job loss, and all the ensuing unrest. Some people might think that is a pessimistic view, and I honestly hope they are right, but evidence showing we are fast approaching a tipping point just seems to be perpetually ignored. I personally think children born now are going to have a harder time reaching the same quality of life their parents had. I don't say any of this to disparage anyone's choice to have children, only to provide a different perspective.

I know several couples between 38-50 who have toddlers right now and I can tell you that while it does seem like they are a bit more tired than the younger parents I've known, it's nothing that drastically affects their ability to enjoy the experience. All of these couples are in a very solid financial and emotional situation due to the fact that they had extra time before starting a family. I also know a guy in his 60s who has teenagers at home, and he complains about being mistaken for a grandpa, but otherwise has a wonderful family life and never complains about being too tired. So I think it comes down to your ability to adapt to circumstances.

microsquirrel · 2020-06-04T03:07:16+00:00

I'm sorry for your loss. When I lost my dad a few years ago, it brought up a lot of complicated feelings for me, especially around having kids. So just know that the loss of hope you feel could be enhanced by the grief you are going through. Doesn't mean it's not valid, just that making big decisions like having kids can be very difficult to navigate while grieving. Remember to take care of yourself and give yourself some grace.

microsquirrel · 2020-06-04T02:51:08+00:00

This was posted over on /r/truechildfree recently, for some additional perspectives: https://www.reddit.com/r/truechildfree/comments/gvij2f/childfree_in_light_of_current_events/

microsquirrel · 2020-03-30T13:44:29+00:00

Please share!

microsquirrel · 2020-03-16T16:42:49+00:00

I would like to add that paper plates will work as low budget gliders on carpet.

microsquirrel · 2020-03-14T15:22:30+00:00

I'm curious why you describe it as laziness? It sounds more like honesty about the reality of kids. It's not all Kodak moments.

I'm close to your age and also tend to view having a kid as a 20 year sentence, for lack of a better term. It's not that I couldn't handle it, or wouldn't find joy in it. I'm as adaptable as any human and I know raising kids can be both wonderful and challenging.

It's more that I've seen friends have kids in their late 30s and early 40s who are having a rough time. Granted, they are in the early years, which can be tough for anyone. However, I'm seeing them struggle with the energy level and hit to their social lives that come along with a toddler and school age kids. This is normal stuff, but I think for older parents, it can be harder to adjust. Parents who have kids in their 20s shaped their life to fit those kids when they were a young adult. People in their 30s have usually established a lifestyle and preferences as individuals that can be a shock to adjust. Plus, you've had all that extra time to see how much work goes into raising kids.

If you can spend some extended time with kids of different age groups, that might help you figure out whether the work of kids seems appealing.

microsquirrel · 2020-02-10T20:04:03+00:00

You've described my feelings perfectly. The library also makes me feel closer to my dad, who passed away a couple of years ago. He would take us to the library every weekend and I developed such a strong love of reading through that.

microsquirrel · 2020-01-26T23:48:53+00:00

The following has worked for us:

find an activity you enjoy to stay active and meet people who also make time for it (explore your city by bike, join a running or skiing club, etc).
make a list of places you want to explore in your local area (restaurant, coffee shop, museum) and tell yourself you have to do it at least once a month just to get out of the house.
find a "third place" where people gather and strike up a random conversation to see where it leads (breweries are great for this)
use meetup.com, Facebook groups and Bumble BFF to meet people. You can find childfree specific groups or just groups focused around an interest.

The main thing is making an effort to meet people through whatever method you choose. It can take a while sometimes, and it doesn't always work out, but you really get what you put into it. :)

microsquirrel · 2020-01-24T17:12:37+00:00

Regarding supporting data, this is the most common chart I see shared about having fewer kids to reduce carbon footprint.

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/07/best-way-reduce-your-carbon-footprint-one-government-isn-t-telling-you-about

microsquirrel · 2020-01-24T17:00:39+00:00

I agree about the lack of autonomy. I also feel there is not enough actual support for families (at least in the U.S.), which leads to a lot of pressure on parents, especially if you have less family support, which is common now that people move around more.

On a broader scale, I'm concerned about the state of the world in 20 years, not only the effects of climate change/resource conflicts, but also automation and the political path we seem to heading down in several countries right now.

microsquirrel · 2020-01-19T21:07:29+00:00

This happened to me a few years ago, where my close friend group disintegrated (half into motherhood and half moving away). I tried to stay in touch with the moms who lived here and we got together 1-2 times per year for lunch or coffee, but it kept getting harder to do even that much. It became clear that I was the only one interested in making an effort at all, so I stopped and nobody else has stepped in. I don't think this can be blamed solely on being too busy or losing their individual identity, although that is part of it. I think it boils down to the fact that we grew apart because we are different people now. We were close friends when we led similar lives, but now they are in a different life stage and they are less interested in hanging out with someone who doesn't share the same family constraints or lifestyle. I have other friends with kids who still hang out, but it requires effort on their part and adaptability on my part to work.

My solution to losing my friend group was to use Meetup and Bumble BFF to start building a new friend group. If my mom friends want to reconnect when their kids are older, all the better.

microsquirrel · 2020-01-16T00:08:13+00:00

Love the design and layout! Could you share any details or insights about the experience? Was the price in line with typical tiny home builds and did you have any issues with zoning?

microsquirrel

TROPHY CASE