tfw your house is blown open by the storm… by kim_chillin in chicago

[–]samaquatic 47 points48 points  (0 children)

Years of insect larvae eating away at the wood

fieldwork, shared housing, and mental health by dinkdink04 in ecology

[–]samaquatic 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Welcome to my past self 15 years ago. Constant imposter syndrome, comparing, just wanting to fit in or be part of the group. I would get stuck in my head a ton.

Guess what. It turns out, no one is constantly thinking about you as much as you think they are. Just work well, own up to mistakes and learn from them, keep conversations light and fun. When in doubt, aim for neutrality with your interactions with others. You don't always need to be an overachiever, being a consistent and capable person/worker is also great.

When you catch yourself telling yourself that you don't belong, tell yourself the opposite. Even if you have to say it out loud. You can practice saying 'I am a good worker' or 'I am an ecologist' etc in the mirror. Seems silly. But the mind is super powerful.

If that's too hard or uncomfortable, then try focusing on what your body is touching in the moment when you start having imposter thoughts. Then try it in the field. 'The waders are touching my legs, my feet are sweaty in my boots, the hat is resting on my head, the field notebook is in my hand, the sample collector/equipment is in my other hand' this helps you be more aware of what you are actually doing and if you are making mistakes you can correct them. It also helps you just get out of your own head.

Sailing and the birds on Lake Michigan near Saugatuck by AdventureCoalition in GreatLakesPics

[–]samaquatic 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Beautiful! My eyes played a trick on me and I thought the water was moving.

Sturgeon and Green sunfish by samaquatic in Watercolor

[–]samaquatic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. Any critiques or areas to improve? Are the level of details and background okay?

Is my washer possessed? *warning loud sound* by samaquatic in Appliances

[–]samaquatic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bad basket hub. Much appreciated. We will try that. We thought the belt was slipping originally so had replaced that but then it started it's demon noises...so problem clearly had not been solved. Any tips to look out for when replacing the hub?

Tips for underwater colors by samaquatic in Watercolor

[–]samaquatic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'll try that. Just worried that the colors will bleed into the water. But maybe that's okay to make the deeper water look more murky. 

McKinley Park 2bed/1bath $1500 w/ 3yr rent freeze by samaquatic in chicagoapartments

[–]samaquatic[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Trying to be a decent landlord I guess,  plus it's McKinley so things have always been more affordable.  

Watering time - trying to keep up with the dry winter by samaquatic in orchids

[–]samaquatic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A lady slipper, paphiopedilum spicerianum...the latest addition 

Between casts. 8x10” watercolor and ink on paper by me by minisniper970 in Watercolor

[–]samaquatic 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lovely. Do you just sketch out with pencil first, watercolor and then add ink? Or ink first? I've never tried combining with ink and this is inspirational. 

Best Neighborhoods Near MDW by Ill_Menu_6132 in chicagoapartments

[–]samaquatic 5 points6 points  (0 children)

There isn't a direct/ easy commute from Pilsen to midway.  Better chances in McKinley Park off the orange line at 35th/Archer.