I read a great interview yesterday in Culture Study with @rebeccawrites that used the terms "high leverage" and "low leverage" to describe the joy or satisfaction that any particular chore gives you, and I felt like that was a more polite way of me saying there's no room in my Fuck Budget for folding fitted sheets, LOL.
Ok but FOR REAL folding fitted sheets has been one of the lowest risk, highest reward activities I’ve ever invested in. It is worth it. Find someone who knows and have them teach you tho, it’s hard to learn from a video.
This was fun! I’m 45 years and 2 weeks old, and for some reason working with 20-something, even 30-something year old children. Do they need this book?
I mean, my 39-year-old brother should probably read it… 🤷🏻♀️😂 (Seriously though, I wrote it for anyone, at any age, who could use a little help in the adulting department!)
I feel like my 50-something savvy bestie and I would have a better time giggling with the book, pointing out all the things we put up with. That would benefit my day more than gifting it to the children. 😝 😂
#3–Take the high road. In my early twenties (35 years ago!), I participated in one of those weekend group encounter workshops where we learned communication skills and whatnot. The advice that everything related back to was “Choose what works.” Sometimes, you have to let go of “right” and “wrong” and give the other person what they need so you can both move forward. It remains a guiding principle in my life to this day.
Yes, a great way to think about life in general. In one of my books, I write about what a waste of time and energy it is to play the blame game - like, in many cases, it doesn't really matter who's fault it is, whatever's broken still needs to be fixed and you may as well get going on the solution. (But I didn't come around to this line of thinking until my late 30's, so you're well ahead of me!)
Is it a good or a bad sign that the only thing here that I can confidently say out loud I am able to do extremely well is folding fitted sheets? Should I feel superior on account of this satisfying but rather impractical talent and keep ignoring my glaring shortcomings on the other 23 points? It’s a rare skill, though.
I have this skill too, after two years working two days a week during university term time at a linen factory folding sheets and pillow cases and occasionally towels. PRO. Yet...mostly they still just get shoved onto the shelf. ADHD adulting. :-D
I love this for you! Possessing rare and impressive skills is always something to celebrate. And if you have mastered the fitted sheet, I’m confident that many of the other 23 points are well within your grasp 😂
Size, shape, what it’s made from, hard vs soft seat, soft close or not, quick release or not. I swear I stared at a wall of toilet seats for what felt like an hour at Lowe’s debating these finer points 😂
Well, well, there's a world to explore there! I'm not very happy with my current toilet seat (which comes off pretty much every time I use it) but I'm too lazy to buy another one and change it. When I'm ready for that, however, all these details will be incredibly helpful 😂
Ah, yes. "Soft close" is a big win if you have an ensuite bathroom and a partner who pees a lot in the night. Waking up to the sound of the lid slamming is no bueno.
My #1 bit of advice on getting older, esp to 20-ish:
"You know how you KNOW you'll feel like an adult someday, and that will help you BE an adult? Yeah, that never happens. Ever. You will NEVER *feel older or adult*. You will always be just you. Embrace it. Make your decisions. Do whatcha need to. Do whatcha want to."
Ha: number 13 should be 'check your work - and deliveries'. A friend recently order a hoodie. And on delivery did what she always does with new clothing: put it in the wash.
Only when taking it out the washer did she realise she'd been sent the wrong hoodie 🤦♀️
Funny you should say that - the last time I was in the US I bought some things at Old Navy, took all the tags off right away, and then started wearing them. One pair of the pants was heavily creased though, so I decided to wash those *before* wearing, which was when I found out that the store clerk hadn’t removed the plastic “safer” doo-dad from the cuff. Glad I noticed before running them through the machine 🙀
A text or email is fine, but boy oh boy will a genuine piece of physical mail go a long way toward making someone else’s day. Plus, the act of writing out your appreciation is an exercise in gratitude, a practice that will serve you well in this wild and precious life.
And to your "You Asked for It" question (which I saw come in and will get to soon!), one of the worst parts for me about living abroad--and in a particular place where sending snail mail is extremely difficult--is that I can't send proper thank-you notes as often as I'd like. I miss that ritual and I miss knowing that people are getting a nice little dopamine hit from me in their mailbox.
Awesome tips especially three that’s why I also take the high road lol
Thank you!
Your welcome
OMG, yes! to all 24 of these. Adulting is hard work…
Thanks for reading!
THANK YOU for the permission to just totally give up on folding fitted sheets and to never ever ever look back. Life is simply too short!
I read a great interview yesterday in Culture Study with @rebeccawrites that used the terms "high leverage" and "low leverage" to describe the joy or satisfaction that any particular chore gives you, and I felt like that was a more polite way of me saying there's no room in my Fuck Budget for folding fitted sheets, LOL.
I think of that in terms of protein/empty calories. And there’s nothing left in my Fuck Budget, I spent it all on free range eggs.
Ok but FOR REAL folding fitted sheets has been one of the lowest risk, highest reward activities I’ve ever invested in. It is worth it. Find someone who knows and have them teach you tho, it’s hard to learn from a video.
I can see I struck a nerve with the sheets 😂
I mean it just makes you feel like a genius without fail.
This was fun! I’m 45 years and 2 weeks old, and for some reason working with 20-something, even 30-something year old children. Do they need this book?
I mean, my 39-year-old brother should probably read it… 🤷🏻♀️😂 (Seriously though, I wrote it for anyone, at any age, who could use a little help in the adulting department!)
I feel like my 50-something savvy bestie and I would have a better time giggling with the book, pointing out all the things we put up with. That would benefit my day more than gifting it to the children. 😝 😂
A lot of people have told me they want to send a copy anonymously to their ex-husbands 😆
Love it - thank you for writing it.
#3–Take the high road. In my early twenties (35 years ago!), I participated in one of those weekend group encounter workshops where we learned communication skills and whatnot. The advice that everything related back to was “Choose what works.” Sometimes, you have to let go of “right” and “wrong” and give the other person what they need so you can both move forward. It remains a guiding principle in my life to this day.
Yes, a great way to think about life in general. In one of my books, I write about what a waste of time and energy it is to play the blame game - like, in many cases, it doesn't really matter who's fault it is, whatever's broken still needs to be fixed and you may as well get going on the solution. (But I didn't come around to this line of thinking until my late 30's, so you're well ahead of me!)
These are gems! ❤️
Thank you!
Where has this been for the last 30 years? My, how things would have been different had I known all this when I was 30 and clueless!
Never too late to learn something new!
This is great advice - and a great reminder today on my 54th birthday! Thank you!!
Thank you! And happy birthday 🥳🥳🥳
Is it a good or a bad sign that the only thing here that I can confidently say out loud I am able to do extremely well is folding fitted sheets? Should I feel superior on account of this satisfying but rather impractical talent and keep ignoring my glaring shortcomings on the other 23 points? It’s a rare skill, though.
I have this skill too, after two years working two days a week during university term time at a linen factory folding sheets and pillow cases and occasionally towels. PRO. Yet...mostly they still just get shoved onto the shelf. ADHD adulting. :-D
A completely understandable outcome :-P
I love this for you! Possessing rare and impressive skills is always something to celebrate. And if you have mastered the fitted sheet, I’m confident that many of the other 23 points are well within your grasp 😂
Number 4 is next on my list. It's been six years that I have been thinking "that seat needs changing" 😅 Tackling life one skill at a time
Size, shape, what it’s made from, hard vs soft seat, soft close or not, quick release or not. I swear I stared at a wall of toilet seats for what felt like an hour at Lowe’s debating these finer points 😂
Well, well, there's a world to explore there! I'm not very happy with my current toilet seat (which comes off pretty much every time I use it) but I'm too lazy to buy another one and change it. When I'm ready for that, however, all these details will be incredibly helpful 😂
Ah, yes. "Soft close" is a big win if you have an ensuite bathroom and a partner who pees a lot in the night. Waking up to the sound of the lid slamming is no bueno.
LOL. Just make sure you get the right size and shape. There is a surprising variety out there 😂
That seat might not get replaced this year then 😂
My #1 bit of advice on getting older, esp to 20-ish:
"You know how you KNOW you'll feel like an adult someday, and that will help you BE an adult? Yeah, that never happens. Ever. You will NEVER *feel older or adult*. You will always be just you. Embrace it. Make your decisions. Do whatcha need to. Do whatcha want to."
Ha: number 13 should be 'check your work - and deliveries'. A friend recently order a hoodie. And on delivery did what she always does with new clothing: put it in the wash.
Only when taking it out the washer did she realise she'd been sent the wrong hoodie 🤦♀️
CHECK BEFORE removing tags etc!
Funny you should say that - the last time I was in the US I bought some things at Old Navy, took all the tags off right away, and then started wearing them. One pair of the pants was heavily creased though, so I decided to wash those *before* wearing, which was when I found out that the store clerk hadn’t removed the plastic “safer” doo-dad from the cuff. Glad I noticed before running them through the machine 🙀
😱😱😱
19. Sending thank-you notes is a superpower.
A text or email is fine, but boy oh boy will a genuine piece of physical mail go a long way toward making someone else’s day. Plus, the act of writing out your appreciation is an exercise in gratitude, a practice that will serve you well in this wild and precious life.
My favorite, so very true 🥰
And to your "You Asked for It" question (which I saw come in and will get to soon!), one of the worst parts for me about living abroad--and in a particular place where sending snail mail is extremely difficult--is that I can't send proper thank-you notes as often as I'd like. I miss that ritual and I miss knowing that people are getting a nice little dopamine hit from me in their mailbox.
Yes!! The mail here is terrible ~ super slow, if it ever actually arrives. 2023 was the first year I didn't send out holiday cards 😕
"6. There is an icon next to the dashboard fuel gauge that indicates which side of the car the gas tank is on. Sorcery!"
So funny, I only just discovered this myself and I will admit, it is pretty great 😆
I think I was fully 40 years old when I learned about that!
You were still way ahead of me, I'm a bit older than that! 😆