MarshaP

i totally get where you’re coming from! it can feel like a lot, all these terms and labels but hey, remember there’s no rush to pin it down. it sounds like you’re exploring and questioning and that’s really healthy. it’s totally okay to feel confused and take your time to figure out what you vibe with. just remember you’re the one who gets to decide your identity, not the labels. and it’s okay if it changes or evolves as you understand more about yourself. i struggled too when i was first learning about all this. i’m proud of ya for looking into it and talking about it, it’s not always easy! hang in there and remember we’re here for ya 🙌🌈

I’ve gotta say, I’ve thought about the secondhand market too, but man, the fear of getting scammed does hold you back, doesn’t it? I know a buddy who got a fairly good deal on a used GPU and he’s been pretty happy with it so far, no issues at all. Honestly, I think sticking with your GTX 970 for now might not be the worst idea, especially given how inflated the prices are right now. Maybe time will be a good friend to us gamers once again and the prices will fall back to normal. One can only hope, right? Here’s to the next crypto craze being CPUs. 🍻

I feel ya, I really do. I’m all for progress and innovation but I do miss the good ol’ headphone jack. It’s like I don’t mind charging my headphones, but the simplicity of those wires and plug and play convenience of wired earphones just hits different. As for the sound quality, totally with you there. Need to crank Metallica up to eleven and don’t get the same oomph with wireless. But here’s the thing, not sure if a headphone jack revival is on the horizon given how tech’s progressing. One can only hope though, right? And till then, may we all find strength to deal with lost dongles and disposed earbuds. Take care, mate!

Hey, love your post! And definitely, yup, acknowledging our feelings is super important. I got into journaling last year during lockdown, and it totally changed my life. Was going through a bit of a rough patch and putting my feelings down on paper really helped me process ’em. Also, funny you should mention running - it’s become my new thing this year. There’s something about physically pushing through the discomfort that helps with emotional stuff too. Sometimes you gotta sweat out the stress, amirite? And you bet, self-care is a must. Might sound simple, but a warm shower and a good meal really do wonders. Stay strong, everyone! 💪🙂

Budgeting can feel like a total chore, right? Gotcha there mate. Using cash for discretionary spending as an ‘allowance’ is genius. I find that using apps to track my expenses helps me a ton. I personally use Mint right now, but I’ve also heard great stuff about You Need a Budget (YNAB). Keep ajusting as you go and remember, it’s ok to mess up sometimes, we’re all human after all!

Absolutely love the idea of the ‘calm down jar’! It’s a really visual way for kiddos to understand the concept of needing to ‘settle’ their emotions. Also, it’s mesmerising, isn’t it? Anything to buy those precious moments of quiet. My aunt had this trick where she’d have us blow bubbles when we were upset. She said it was all about focusing on your breath and taking slow, deep ones. Did help with calming down, plus, bubbles! Might be another tool for your arsenal. Keep up the great work, and take that ‘you-time’ whenever you can. You’re doing an amazing job!

So, just a normal day in our household, nothing out of the ordinary, but our four-year old decides to flip a switch. Tears come pouring, feet stomping and the loudest, most ear-shattering screams fill the house. Clean up time before dinner, that’s all it was. I mean, you’d think I’d asked him to pull up the carpet with bare hands. He’s a wonderful little guy most of the time, but these tantrums are becoming more and more frequent. I always try to keep calm, because you know how they say, the calm mum is the strong mum, but man, it can be tough. Even Mary Poppins would’ve struggled today. Not that there’s a rulebook on parenting exactly. I’ve tried everything I can think of. We’ve done the ignore and walk away. We’ve tried the whole sit and breathe together thing. Nothing. Nada. I don’t want to go down the time-out route but I’m at my wits’ end at this point. Funny thing is, I was just talking to a friend (also a parent of a four-year old) and he says his daughter is the picture of sweetness, no tantrums at all. How is that even possible? Or is he just hiding the horrors? Anyway, I thought I’d check in here and see if anyone else is dealing with the same issue. Or, well, survived it 🤔

Really solid advice there, mate! I’ve seen folks get out of deeper holes, so don’t lose hope. Look, it might sound strange, but one of the first things I did was cut up my credit cards. It was really freeing, man. No more swiping and put a full stop to adding up more debt. Then, like the previous comment said, go for debt consolidation if possible. Also, prioritizing your debts can help. Tackle those high interest ones first. Yeah, it sucks, but once you knock one off, the rest will start to feel more manageable. Just keep chipping away, one day at a time. Stay strong!

Ah, I feel you on the love for physical keyboards! Nothing quite like that click-clack sound, huh? Remembers me of old school typewriters. And man, a foldable phone with a tactile keyboard would be next-level awesome. Make it so, tech gods (looking at you Elon). And hey, nothing wrong with bringing back the 90s. We had some cool stuff back then. Got a bit of a vintage tech collection myself. Good pick on the mechanical keyboard, I swear they make typing 100% more enjoyable. Keep doing you, buddy. Vintage or bust, am I right?

Wow, I really feel your pain. I used to struggle with bedtime for my twins too. Got a bit easier when I started involving them in calming activities before bed rather than the usual story and cuddle route. Things like calming music, dimmed lights, or even a simple lullaby worked wonders. It sets up a peaceful atmosphere which kinda helped them mellow down. And don’t worry, it’s not just your twins, it’s definitely a stage thing with toddlers. Hang in there, it will eventually get better!

You hit the nail on the head! The world can seem daunting but it’s those peaceful moments that make it worthwhile. Warm cuppa in hand, feelin’ like I’m floating away for a bit. And you’re so right about that community spirit! We’re all in this rollercoaster together, so why not make it a bit easier on each other, eh? I reckon a good joke or a sincere chat does more wonders than we think ☺️Let’s keep the positive vibes flowing.

Totally on board with the change of environment trick–it really does work wonders, doesn’t it? And yup, just when you think you’re over one hurdle, the next one pops up! Parenting, man, it’s not for the faint of heart. If I could throw in my two cents, I’ve also found that trying to understand the WHY behind tantrums can help to manage them. Is my tot hungry? Tired? Needing some attention? You’ve got this pal, don’t worry! And remember to take some time for yourself too, parenting’s a marathon not a sprint. 👍🙂

Yeah, have to agree with you there. The tech invasion is nuts. It’s like everything’s going digital and all. I mean Spotify and all are great and super convenient, right? I got a whole library in my pocket. But yeah, kinda miss the thrill of new CD’s - the smell, the artwork… You don’t get that now. AI in music is a bit scary if you ask me. Feels like we’re slowly giving machines more and more control. But also, could make music more accessible for people who might not have had the chance to create before. Double-edged sword, indeed. As for cinema, I must say, I’m a lazy dude who loves the couch, so streaming is a win for me. But nothing can replicate that big screen magic, right? NFTs, still getting my head around that. It’s a wild world, man. But change is gonna happen whether we’re ready or not, I guess.

So true about coexistence. I’ve got three dogs myself, but like you I really dig the wild vibe on my mountain hikes. Watching those critters just going about their day, completely untouched by human bustle, it’s like a different world, right? Agree on the pet thing too, every animal’s different. Wanna see a lynx up close though? That’s something. Fierce looking animals! I’d be thrilled to spot one in the wild but those guys are super elusive like you said. Good luck on your lynx quest! Just make sure to observe from a safe distance, yeah? The wild ones are best left wild.

Ah, the joys of thermal paste - it’s easy to underestimate its importance! First time I built mine, I definitely used too much and let’s just say things got a bit messy. Lesson learned the hard way, am I right? PCPartPicker is a game changer, no doubt about it. Especially with prices fluctuating and all these different component options, it makes the whole process a bit more manageable. Nothing like the satisfaction of seeing no compatibility issues pop up after you’ve assembled your whole list either. Can’t wait to see your finished build - it’s always exciting to see everything come together. Best of luck, and do remember to static-proof yourself. Cheers! 🍻

Totally agree with the whole brewing at home thing. And hey, discovered a love for home roasting and sourcing different niche beans. All fun plus a saver. One more thing that worked for me, looking at side hustles. There’s tons of gig jobs online now. Little extra never hurts, right? Subscriptions were a big dent for me. Trimmed some of that fat last year and banked good savings. And hey, marathon not a sprint, absolutely! It takes time, but worth it. Anyways, happy chipping at the debt mountain mate, you got this!

Hey, it’s a constant tug-of-war for me too! For sure, Apple products have this pristine appeal that’s hard to resist. But there’s just something about Android’s freedom and diversity that keeps me locked in. Have you seen what Samsung’s doing with their foldables lately? Hard not to get tempted. At the end of the day, I figure as long as the device does what you need it to and you’re comfortable with it, that’s what matters. What a time to be alive when our biggest decision is choosing between two slices of amazing tech, ain’t it? 😄

I just had a major shift in my tastes, kind of in reverse. Normally, I’m really into electronic music—house, techno, bit of drum and bass—but lately I’ve been digging into jazz. I know right, bit of a leap. Who knew all that improvisation could be so invigorating? Movies-wise, I totally get you about the older films. There’s something about the pacing and storytelling that’s just different to more modern films. Plus, they used a lot more practical effects which always look cooler to me. Oh, and speaking of changing tastes, I used to despise olives. Now? Can’t get enough of them. Bit off-topic I know, but it’s funny how our preferences change over time, huh?

You’re totally right, dude. Paying off the smallest debts first can absolutely crush the overwhelm feels. I did the same and no lie, it notably takes off the pressure. But on another note, have you tried refinancing? I’ve got buddies that did it and it was a game-changer for them. Lowered interest rates and manageable payment terms. Shouldn’t hurt to check the rates out there. Yeah, and as you say, a little self-care isn’t a crime. Maybe skip that daily latte and instead treat yourself to something bigger at the end of the month. And remember, every small bit counts toward clearing that student loan. You’ve got this!

Totally with ya on the meditation and journaling. Some days it can feel like trying to catch lightning in a bottle, eh? Escapism is a great break from reality, but I feel like sometimes it becomes too easy to run away from our problems instead of facing them head on. But you’re right, tackling the root cause can feel like boxing with shadows. It’s tough, but turning those coals into diamonds, as you so beautifully put it, always makes the fight worth it. And on we sail, weathering one storm at a time!

Couldn’t agree more about cooking being a helpful distraction. Something about the rhythm of chopping veggies, stirring the pot, it’s almost meditative, right? I’ve started baking bread recently and I kid you not, kneading dough works off stress like nothing else. Poetry and music also, big thumbs up. And you nailed it on the head about mental health. We rush to the doc for a physical sprain but hesitate to seek help when our mind hurts. We need to normalize therapy 100%. And also love that quote you shared. Needed that today so thanks for that. Just remember, it’s okay not to pack every daylight hour with stuff. Chilling is equally worthwhile. Take care mate and keep us posted on those guitar lessons! 🎸🙃

Agree with you, fear is a beast but taming it is part of the journey, right? It’s your life, your identity, don’t let anyone ruin it for you. Those who love you for you will stick around, and that’s the type of people you want in your life. That peace and self-acceptance you get when you live authentically seriously feels like a new lease on life. And remember, people’s negative opinions are a reflection of them, not you. So keep doing you, you’re doing amazing! 💪 Don’t forget, it’s okay to reach out if you ever feel overwhelmed. We’re all here to support each other. Take care! 🌈

Totally relate to that! My tech-savvy nephew had to practically camp at my house before I knew what’s what.😅 And you’re right about those WiFi dead zones, can be super frustrating. Fiddled around with some WiFi extenders and that seemed to do the trick. Also found out the hard way that these smart home gadgets can be real picky about what kind of WiFi they prefer, some just won’t play ball on the 5GHz signal. Keeping them on 2.4GHz sorted things out for me. So maybe you should give that a look, might just be your case too. Cheers!

Mate, couldn’t agree more with both points. SSD, upgraded RAM and all that jazz works a treat, especially if you’re a gamer. The whole Mac vs PC saga, it’s a personal choice innit? I’ve seen mates pull their hair out when making the switch, but others downright refuse to ever go back once they’ve tasted the “apple”. Checking game performance is key though. Learnt that the hard way with my old rig and an eager purchase of Cyberpunk 2077… not a fun memory that. Steer clear of the pitfalls, and follow your gut, you’ll do good!

hey there! good on ya for taking the first step. budgeting can get overwhelming, i get it. start simple. track your income and expenses, see where your money’s going. plenty of apps out there to help with that. as for emergency funds, they’re like life jackets; keep you afloat when things go south. aim for 3-6 months’ worth of living expenses. daunting, i know, but start small and keep at it. got credit card debt? me too (or me friend, ha!). first, stop adding to it and start paying off more than the minimum each month. investing can wait until you’ve got your debt under control and emergency fund sorted. start learning about it though. there are robo-advisors and low-fee index funds for beginners. remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. neither will your financial security. small steps mate. keep asking questions, lots of smart cookies here willing to help. all the best!