What do you swear by?

Brand, thing, behavior, method, advice, mantra, etc.

I swear by Blackwing pencils.

Also, the ‘two minute rule’, which has really improved my life: “if it takes two minutes or less to do, just do it now; if it takes longer, schedule it.” I’ve got untreated attention issues and it’s very easy for me to notice something needing done, and overlook or procrastinate it because it seems inconvenient in the moment. Having a totally painless rule that forces me to acknowledge that thing I should pick up, that trash bag I should change, etc, or, to at least put on my calendar anything I mustn’t forget in the long run has been great for me.

Laila,

Otterbox phone cases are legit.

If you cook, invest in good knives and keep them sharp.

Psythik,

Not of you have a foldable, they aren’t. Otterbox cases used to be good, but they can’t seem to figure out proper hinge protection like the other case manufacturers have. So they just leave the hinge exposed.

Already broke one foldable when my phone landed directly on the unprotected hinge and shattered the inner screen. Thankfully the phone was insured, but I’ll never buy another Otterbox again. The $20 generic case I purchased is built much better and actually protects the entire phone, hinge and all.

Laila,

Good to know, I don’t have any experience with the folding phones.

Dubious_Fart,

Folding phones are just status symbols for people who like to buy expensive trash.

Much like anything with an apple logo.

Psythik,

It’s actually very useful. I can bring a tablet everywhere I go without having to charge and carry two separate devices. And it fits in my pocket!

A foldable is worth it for restaurant menus alone. Videos are so much better too.

Hyperi0n,

Folding phones are trash and not a Metric to decide the status of Otterbein as a whole.

Bronzie,

Aye!

I bought some stupid expensive Japanese cooking knives and a grinding stone and I am never ever going back to the cheap stuff.

Silviecat44,

Underwater Hockey. Actually an amazing sport and I am so glad I found it.

databender,
@databender@lemmy.world avatar

Weber grills and smokers.

staceybassoon,
@staceybassoon@lemmy.world avatar

Good shoes and a good mattress. Those things can really have a profound impact on quality of life.

Lemminary,

I discovered the mythical and magical power of a great mattress. One day I’ll be able to afford one, once I grow a spare kidney.

Navarian,

uBlock Origin forever and always. I’ve recently reinstalled Windows within the last 30 days and thus have a fresh installation of my browser and uBlock Origin – I have already blocked 609,521 ads, wild.

https://ublockorigin.com/ (Platform links at the bottom)

ieightpi,

I remember hearings about this few years back when AdBlock started getting shady. Haven’t looked back

simple,

Amen. I occasionally use other people’s phones or laptops and browsing the internet without an adblocker is an abysmal experience. I was surprised to see how many ads YouTube is pushing now. It’s a shame they aren’t accepting any donations.

kucing,

I fucking love ublock origin. It really pains me that I cannot use it on my ipad.

kebabslob,

Is Firefox not available for iPad? Cuz if it is you can install Ublock Origin on Firefox Mobile, too

Synthead,

Apple has some insane policy where every browser on their mobile devices (iPhone and iPad) must run Safari’s Webkit browser engine. So even though desktop and Android Firefox runs Quantum (including Mac OS), it’s actually running Safari Webkit on iOS devices. The Safari Webkit engine doesn’t have the option of running add-ons, much like your Safari browser.

Feel a little violated? I would feel that way, too. It’s just one of the many fabulous ways Apple decides which angles of freedom you’re allowed to have. If you don’t want this, vote with your wallet on your next device. Money is the only motivating factor for Apple, it seems like.

spacedancer,

I wonder how browsers like Orion work on IOS. You can install FF extensions like uBO and Privacy Badger on Orion.

kebabslob,

Oh wow I had no idea! That’s crazy! If only our legislators could recognize monopolies in tech like that. The inability to install your own desired browser without Apple seems like they have a monopoly on iOS browsers…

LucidNightmare,

Thank you so much for bringing Orion to my attention! I have installed a few Firefox extensions to test it out. 👌

kucing,

Yeah i might buy an android tablet if my ipad breaks.

azura,

While I agree that forcing an engine is really terrible, as a browser dev you do get the ability to do things with the web view. So in theory your browser could support addons. I think. Also isn’t the EU kinda talking about this? Or am I misremembering

BlitzKrieg2552,

Try using Safari and an extension called “AdGuard”

It’s not the exact same, but it’s better than nothing.

azura,

AdGuard works well. Can recommend.

mog77a,
@mog77a@lemmy.ml avatar

600K in a month sounds about right. I have an install that’s above 13 million, which is a little over 1 year of daily usage.

I also insta-install it when I see an ad and then remove it if it’s not my device. The modern internet is shockingly bad without adblocking.

penguin,

Make sure you use it with Firefox. It works better.

rm_dash_r_star,
@rm_dash_r_star@lemm.ee avatar

uBlock Origin forever and always.

Haha, most important program on my computer. My browser is a uBO support system.

Dubious_Fart,

People are assholes, who greedily eat up kindness and never, ever return it, no matter how much you need it in the moment.

They’ll trauma dump on you, and not even listen to a word of your problems.

They’ll beg you to help them push their dead car half a mile home, and guffah hard and say they arent your slave if you ask them to pick something up when they’ll already on their way to your place… something important for the favor you’re doing for them.

They demand respect, but the second you expect it in turn you are worthless trash.

Its not a matter of if they hurt you, its simply a matter of when.

Bronzie,

This made me surprisingly sad to read and I hope you will find people who are not like this in your future.

I don’t think I have anyone like that in my life. Not because they don’t exist, but because I choose who I wish to spend my time with.

I firmly believe we should all strive to be the change we wish to see in this world, and I also believe it rubs of on others. Don’t be a afraid to cut cancer out of your life my friend. It hurts while you cut, but it’s better for you in the long run.

Enigma,

When it comes to food: Try everything once. You never know if you like it if you never try it.

I’m not talking get a whole plate of the food, but just try a small bite.

scrubbles,
@scrubbles@poptalk.scrubbles.tech avatar

Great advice, pre judging something is only hurting you. I don’t get people who refuse to try, what really are you gaining? What is a few seconds to try something new vs a lifetime of missing out on your new favorite food? If you don’t like it then drink a bit to wash the flavor out and move on!

My mother is especially bad at this. If it’s not in a Midwest form she won’t eat it. We went to an amazing dim sum place with her, we ordered dumplings, buns, vegetables, cuts of meat, everything. She ordered specifically chicken and noodle soup and only ate that, refusing to try anything else. I really pity her for not being able to even try anything.

supper_time,

Missing the real amazingness that is dim sum!

charlytune,
@charlytune@mander.xyz avatar

I had an ex who wouldn’t try anything, it was infuriating. I asked him once whether he liked a vegetable, he said no, I asked how it had been cooked when he had it as maybe he’d like it if it was done a different way, and he said he’d never tried it. The only vegetable he’d eat was broccoli. He got upset when I said he had the eating habits of a toddler but I stand by that.

supper_time,

Well, you were right!

Duplodicus,

At least his one veg is a cruciferous veg as opposed to something like a potato which some think counts as one.

charlytune,
@charlytune@mander.xyz avatar

Oh we did have that argument. Also cereal. I’m amazed I lasted a year with him.

Duplodicus,

Cereal as a vegetable?

charlytune,
@charlytune@mander.xyz avatar

Yup!

God he really was a knobhead.

TurtleTourParty,

I would add to this: if there’s a food you don’t like after trying it, still try it again if you end up somewhere famous for it.

pineapplelover, (edited )

Dr Bronner’s liquid castile soap

Alba botanica maximum lotion (I got very dry skin)

Rotring, Staedtler, Pentel for writing utensils

Lenovo Thinkpads

TheButtonJustSpins,

ThinkPads are great. I’m going for a Framework for my next laptop, though.

theshatterstone54,

Yeah, but newer ThinkPads aren’t as good. That’s why I would go for a Framework as well.

TheButtonJustSpins,

I’m still using my P50. What’s up with the newer models?

theshatterstone54,

Far less replaceable and repairable. As for the older models, they can only be upgraded to an extent. That means running any modern software or gaming is basically impossible.

black_shirt,

If you booze often, B1 vitamin will make you feel like a relatively normal human. You will still piss out your ass, but strength and endurance gains are still achievable. The only thing holding back this functional alcoholic is sleep. Booze destroys my sleep so I should prob quit, it’s aging me.

Ascend910,

Linux

littlecolt,

Zipper cases. These are thin pillowcases that close with a zipper. You then put the normal pillowcase over the zippercase.

Why? Because it extends the life of your pillow. A normal pillowcase can slide while sleeping, etc… which can cause your face, hair, head, body, and all the oil it produces to get on the pillow itself. With the zippercase, you have a second line of defense to keep the pillow fresh.

Sure, you can clean the pillow, or run it through a gentle cycle in the wash, but it is way better to just avoid that. Let the double layer of protection do most of the work and absorb that body oil.

Change case 1 or 2 times weekly, change/wash zippercase weekly. Your pillow will stay fresh and clean and much more pleasant for longer, for a minimal amount of added work of putting that second case on.

Anyway I hope you are sold.

Multech,

Sounds smart. Might look into this, thanks!

kite,

And to add on to this - curly-haired people, put a silky case on your pillow. It will not snag your hair nearly as badly as a non-silky one does, which means less frizz when you get up in the morning.

EssentialCoffee,

Zipper cases. These are thin pillowcases that close with a zipper.

For people googling, I’ve always seen them sold as pillow protectors.

RBWells,

CeraVe unscented lotion punches way above it’s class. Cheap enough to use as body lotion, good enough to use as face lotion. Apparently even the unimaginably rich Bryan Johnson, who does nothing but take care of his body and spends thousands a month on it, still uses this drugstore lotion because there really isn’t much better at any price.

EssentialCoffee,

Would recommend. I stopped using it because it never played nicely with my sunscreen, but if you’re looking for an inexpensive face moisturizer, CeraVe’s moisturizing lotion is really good.

lemuria,

Not writing “Mr.”, “Mrs.”, or “Ms.” in documents. Waste of ink, typing time, and reading time.

Hexarei,
@Hexarei@programming.dev avatar

“what do you want from the store?” “I’m in the mood for chocolate, I’ll take some M&”

lemuria,

shit i think i need to update the regex again

JimBeann,

A few years ago I read a post about self improvement where someone wrote about the concept of no-zero-days to form habits. It basically means you just need to do something meaningful every day to make it count, even if it’s something very small. Read one page in a book - no zero day, do 10k steps - no zero day…

Of all the things I read and tried in the past to change my behavior, get more active, learn new things etc, this by far worked the best for me and basically changed my life.

Right now I have 18 different habits I’m tracking on my phone. Things like reading, learning Spanish, doing chores, solving a puzzle on lichess, taking a cold shower, learning something about world affairs/history, taking care of my finances, meditating etc…

I don’t need to do all of them, one is enough. But because they require so little effort I quickly started to do more and developed habits I don’t need to force myself to do.

Now I have a 1500+ day streak on Duolingo and do 2-5 minutes of Spanish lessons every day. For more than 4 freaking years. This eventually ended up in visiting a language school in Spain last summer. One of my best vacations ever.

I read almost daily and found interest in new genres. I get enough exercise at least a few times a week. I educated myself about finances and now I don’t live paycheck to paycheck, paid off my debt and started to save something.

I later read about this concept in the book Atomic Habits and found variations of it in songs like Little Acorns by the White Stripes. In the end it’s about breaking things up into small, easy pieces so you don’t get overwhelmed or give up before you even start.

If anyone asks me what I swear by it’s this. It’s like magic.

ubermeisters,
@ubermeisters@lemmy.world avatar

No zero days + removing possessions that don’t bring you joy

JimBeann,

Good point. I guess I have a lot of stuff I can get rid of, donate, sell. I’ll focus on that in the future

SummitGnome,

deleted_by_author

    •
    JimBeann,

    Thanks, I’ll check that out. Currently I’m using the app Loop Habit Tracker which is not perfect but has widgets for every single habit which I can check off directly on my home screen

    CloverSi,

    Little Acorns! That was my first exposure to this concept. Could you tell me a little more about your experience starting out, and what sort of systems you use to help? Or point me in the direction of a post for further reading (would you recommend Atomic Habits?)? I’m overdue for a big change in my life and I’ve been thinking about how to approach things as someone terrible at following through, so this has me interested. I’m not quite sure where to start though.

    JimBeann,

    I think the reason why it worked so well for me from the beginning is because I really focused on the no-zero aspect. Make that your goal. You say you are ready for a big change. Break that up into the tiniest pieces. Be like the squirrel. If you haven’t already, make today a no-zero. If reading is something you want your future self doing regularly, grab a book and read one page. Done. If you want to be more educated look something up on wikipedia that you heard on the news but have no concept of (today for me that was austerity). Done. I guess that’s the secret. 0.01 is not zero. It’s not the big change you have in mind but it’s easy and doable. And over time these things become part of your identity. In a few weeks you are someone who reads regularly. Or someone who eats healthy stuff regularly. It’s not something you dream about it’s already who you are, no matter how much it is. Start with a few tiny things so you have different options to make it a no-zero and make sure to check at least one of them every day. Extend that pool of habits over time if you find new areas you want to improve on.

    It was also very helpful for me (at least for some habits) to not focus on certain actions but be a little more open. The 18 things I’m tracking in the app right now are represented by emojis. The house emoji means I do something in the household. Making my bed, doing the laundry, whatever. The credit card emoji means it’s about my finances. Putting some money to the side, investing in an ETF, reading something about budgeting… it gives me more options to check off that item and extends my habits over time.

    And I think it’s important to be kind to yourself. I have a few things I aim for but don’t check off a lot. Like writing a journal. I don’t feel bad about it. I can come back to it later when other things have become more automatic. I still improve in other areas and that’s fine.

    What I quickly stopped doing is tracking the ‘negative habits’ I see regularly in these apps. Like not watching netflix, not smoking, not eating junk food. In my opinion it’s way better to focus on the positives and more importantly it’s much easier. If I take a cold shower in the morning or do my Spanish lesson then that’s done. I’m already at no-zero and can focus on other things which is very rewarding.

    Yes, I can recommend the book. It goes more into detail about how habits are formed and about tactics how you can make it easier to develop them.

    But don’t wait for the book. Do the 0.01 today. One acorn at a time. Be like the squirrel.

    CloverSi,

    Thank you. I really appreciate you taking the time to go into detail for me.

    It’s not something you dream about it’s already who you are, no matter how much it is.

    I like this a lot. I’ll be getting that book - but today’s my first official no-zero day. Thanks again, wish me luck in gathering these acorns.

    PsychedSy,

    You can boost it a bit by tracking a few things that made you happy that day.

    HobbitFoot,

    If someone can’t explain how something works, they either don’t know how it works out don’t want you to know how it works.

    Things can be complicated and have nuance, but there should be a general basic theory.

    emptyother,
    @emptyother@lemmy.world avatar

    I tend to explain stuff to myself to figure out if I think I got it. Sometimes I try explaining stuff on reddit and hope anyone corrects me if I’m wrong. Works great imho.

    theshatterstone54,

    The thing is, sometimes you just can’t find the right words to explain it in a simple way. It happens to me all the time.

    HobbitFoot,

    I usually forgive not knowing the right vocabulary as long as it is close enough.

    CloverSi,

    Finding vocabulary at all can be a challenge in and of itself. If I get too lost for words I sometimes can’t find any - it’s not that I don’t know how things work, I don’t know how to say it.

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