For me, there were several dollar store trinkets that already broke, and one toy for my kids that was a huge sparkly styrofoam mess waiting to happen, so I threw it out rather than curse anyone else with it.
My kiddo and I are having a fruit and vegetable challenge. Each month we’ll seek out a fruit or vegetable we’ve never tried and taste it. My BFF is trying to walk all the greenways in our county (that is county not country, low stakes! Attainabl!). How about you?
like, it’s still dark at 5pm, there are barely any sports on, still bitterly cold and austere and it hurts to go outside, but you’re not even looking forward to christmas or the new year. the new year is here, and it’s largely the same as last year. except you’re getting older.
We’re past the winter solstice. Take note of the sun setting a bit earlier each day. That always gives me a boost because I can look at my phone and see that condition improving. Good luck!
Sabotaged Iran hostages being released during Carter’s administration. And the stuff others said. Check Hell of Presidents on the Chapo Traphouse patreon feed. I found it super interesting (I’m a history nerd).
Make a shopping list and be strict with yourself about what you add to it. Then restrict yourself from buying anything not on the list so that you stick to it. Best way (that I know) to be deliberate about what food comes home with you.
Tangential: If the toilet paper shortage during the pan wasn’t enough to wake Americans up to the need for bidets, nothing will. We’re savages over here.
Think of three things for which you are grateful every day. I’ve been trying to get back into this mode after I’d used it for years and fell off. Example:
Got to have a nice dinner party with friends on NYE
Kitty has become a lot less anxious around strangers
Though it’ll rain later today, it won’t be raining when I go to work
Can recycle (glad I don’t have to go out in the rain is true any time it’s gonna rain), but I try to keep them unique. I also try not to focus on things related to commercialism. For example, I might be glad I got to go to a live show (an event) but I don’t list something like being happy about being able to buy a thing (especially luxury goods). But I can be happy that I have a thing that makes my life easier in a concrete way (that new toothbrush really kicks ass). I go for small things most of all, the ones that otherwise might be taken for granted. Hope that makes sense the way I wrote it.
I’m gonna sound like a dick who didn’t really address the intended question, but why use those sites? Not being on corporate social media solves the problem. I know that doesn’t work for a lot of people, so apologies to those folks.
When I was a teen, my older brother told me how he got trapped in a cycle of buying candles for light when his electricity was shut off. He thought, “I could pay this damn power bill if I didn’t have to buy so many candles!”
I got trapped in a similar poverty cycle years ago. I couldn’t replace broken dish-ware because I kept having to buy disposable plates for my meals. My mother bought me some cheap plates for xmas that year to break the cycle.
It’s the fallacy of the cheap boots. A rich person can buy nice boots that last ten years. A poor person has to buy cheap boots that need to be replaced every few years. In the end, the poor person spends more on boots with less to show for it.
What gifts that you received for Christmas this year are already in the trash?
For me, there were several dollar store trinkets that already broke, and one toy for my kids that was a huge sparkly styrofoam mess waiting to happen, so I threw it out rather than curse anyone else with it.
what are your fun, low stakes new year resolutions?
My kiddo and I are having a fruit and vegetable challenge. Each month we’ll seek out a fruit or vegetable we’ve never tried and taste it. My BFF is trying to walk all the greenways in our county (that is county not country, low stakes! Attainabl!). How about you?
Mayo, mustard or ketchup?
Choose wisely.
The transition from the holiday season back to the normal drudgery is so depressing. Is there any way to make Jan / Feb less depressing?
like, it’s still dark at 5pm, there are barely any sports on, still bitterly cold and austere and it hurts to go outside, but you’re not even looking forward to christmas or the new year. the new year is here, and it’s largely the same as last year. except you’re getting older.
What's something you'd like to leave behind in the old year and not carry into the new year?
When/how do you think capitalism will be defeated?
Hill to die on (lemmy.ml)
Mickey Mouse is now public domain (Steamboat Willie specifically). What do you think we will see this year?
Why was Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan so bad for the American people?
How to stop eating junk food?
I am eating too much junk and processed food while watching movies and youtube videos. I want to stop as it affects my health. Any suggestions.
How to start the day off strong (startrek.website)
I swear... if any of you try to ruin this meme for me... (lemmy.world)
Also, have a happy new year!
Lemmings without bidet: how do you deal with your period?
Do you regularly take half showers between tampons or you’re fine with just drying for the most intense days?
Did any coal-in-your-stocking type of things happen to you on Christmas Day?
I discovered a few carpenter ants in my abode and immediately waged war against them. I shall prevail and reclaim my territory.
What's a useful mental model you've put into practice
Inversion Thinking...
Hot earth (lemmy.world)
How to prevent link hijacking on sites like Facebook, Reddit and Twitter?
Lately I’ve noticed some mainstream sites injection tracking links into literally every link on their site....
Elderly Politicians (lemmy.zip)
Too damn high (lemmy.zip)
Pretty Much (lemmy.ml)
Indian journalists targeted by Israeli spyware again: What do we know? (www.aljazeera.com)
How an Academic Uncovered One of the Biggest Museum Heists of All Time (www.wsj.com)