I think no. On social media, yes, sure. But otherwise no, the past was more tightly controlled societies. Fashion had less freedom, behavior was controlled from top down more, there was way more conformity to styles and in enforcement of all sorts of things. There was always makeup, foundation garments, heeled shoes, etc.
I do think the technology has improved though, people can get closer to their ideal look. But I don’t feel like I have to participate in that world, nor do my kids. One of my sisters, and her daughter and family do live that “highlights reel” life but not many people I know do live like that, and I guess the main difference to me is I don’t feel like I have to.
I don’t know about normal, but I have more than 50 years and not jaded yet - the dish soap making bubbles still delights me, the beautiful sky makes me stop and stare, the smell of the night blooming jasmine, the world is just so incredible I don’t know how anybody can really get used to it. Like, the fact that you get to exist at all, with consciousness and a physical body, it’s not something I can take for granted.
Now if you mean am I more busy or distracted now? I think again the answer is no but I didn’t like childhood and have enjoyed being an adult.
I would suggest a dream journal and trying to lucid dream, if your waking self has lost its sense of wonder
Probably 65, as 45 was my vampire age, and I have enjoyed the time since that age. I am not sure I’d like to go back to fertility though. Think about it, say you take it at 40, menarche around 15 and menopause around 55, that’s periods for 60 years instead of 40 years, and twenty extra years you might get pregnant.
I’ve had some time to think on this, I still say probably 65. I waffled for awhile because I would like to have the build I had before the last 2 children, but keep the kids, the ten pound wonder blew out my abs and skin which happily bounced completely back several times did not make a complete recovery with the last. But the 3 additional years I spent nursing them provides additional protection vs. breast cancer, don’t think I’d want to give up their half of that. And I have literally felt better and healthier in the years after 40, so rather have more of those.
Panache is style, someone who can carry off a different look effortlessly - I had a coworker who wore the most ridiculous clothes but looked good in them, I think that is panache. A fashion sense that is individual and loud and still looks good.
Charisma I think of as magnetic personality, the person who draws your attention, does not demand it. Usually people who do thrive on attention. Stage presence is a form of charisma, I went to see Marcus King and he is not good looking and had on a most unflattering outfit but as soon as he started playing I forgot all about that, he was absolutely stunning and attractive in the way he moved, sung, and played guitar. He had charisma.
I have kids in both these age groups and they are more alike than different. I think the younger set is slightly better with technology and much more diverse in their musical taste than the older ones were at the same age. I guess they don’t have a generational difference if they are all siblings though.
500 years in the past, I’d not survive long enough to be outed. It was not a good time to be a woman.
500 years in the future, hard to predict but I’d take that option if offered. Except with none of whatever currency they use and no ID would likely starve or be arrested for trying to evade identification.
Whatever you want! When I have free time alone (a scarce commodity) I like to read, maybe have one drink, listen to music.
If it’s not by choice and you don’t want to be alone, go out and have coffee or a drink, watch people.
If you are trying to make it meaningful, do a ritual. Like write down what you want to get rid of, what doesn’t serve you (anxiety, whatever troubles you) and burn it, let it go. A time that’s unusual is a good time to make changes that you want, to interrupt habits.
I would say if you are both fluent and sometimes think in both languages (not translating when you talk) you are bilingual. So yes you are bilingual not ‘just fluent’, though in my opinion being fluent without visiting an English speaking country is quite an accomplishment.
Google Play Music still stands as the best commercial music app I’ve used, I miss it, and whatever marketing person got them to change the glorious branding of Play Music, Play Movies, and Play Store for YouTube music, Google TV and Play Store should be fired with extreme prejudice.
My stepson, the first time I was around for his birthday, asked me specifically for “mashed potatoes made from potatoes”. I don’t think most people would agree with you on this one. Instant pot whole potatoes, mash with milk and butter, salt and pepper. I never peel them. So good and so easy.
This is such a funny thread because I am only barely tall, only as tall as an average man and it always seems the world is designed for someone around 5’2". Kitchen counters just a little too low always. Mirrors too. Door handles, everything calibrated just a little shorter than I am. Except those stupid over the refrigerator cabinets, which are made for someone 7’5".
The tongs trick I have used though - no matter how long your reach, something is too far. And when my kids were short we had to arrange things for them, mostly just making sure there were stepstools around.
Bad, as a % of annual gross pay is about 25% of one year’s pay. Mostly the deficit accrued from when my ex was not working. It’s smaller than it was, but not by much. But moving in the right direction at least.
Plus mortgage on the house and a separate loan for the roof we had put on when we bought it.
Curlyhair and Tampa (dead here, and were getting a little toxic on Reddit)
Cocktails (I mod !cocktails here, it’s growing slowly and organically, doing ok, nice place)
Normal Nudes and Naked Progress (not here and I can’t figure out how to set up a community on NSFW, and honestly modding anything NSFW is a slog I don’t know if I can handle, certainly not alone)