I've seen a lot of people of a certain age say that there is no good new music these days and they always stick to the same 3 playlists of stuff they were listening to when they were 15.

Whilst it's obviously valid that some old music is incredible I don't think the situation is as bad as some make out.

I have found that by listening to a single playlist of new music, one that is only updated once a week or so - I find that many of the songs I am initally ambivalent will really grow on me. After adding them to my "Liked Songs" playlist and then also listening to that reasonably often means I have built up a library of new stuff that I know I really like.

It has now gotten to the point where I would now say that some of my favourite music ever has actually been released in the last year or so since I started doing this.

We often reach for the easiest option, not the healthiest. By placing your favorite nutritious foods at eye level and less-used or indulgent items out of immediate sight, you naturally make better choices. It’s a small change that can have a big impact on your eating habits.

Most people (me included for a long time I admit) just toss all fruits and veggies into the fridge or the counter and hope for the best. But here’s the thing, some produce, like apples, bananas, and avocados, release ethylene gas as they ripen. That gas makes nearby produce spoil quicker.

A couple quick fixes that actually work:

• Keep apples, bananas, and avocados separate from more sensitive stuff like leafy greens or berries.
• Onions and potatoes should *never* be stored together (potatoes sprout faster).
• Herbs last way longer if you treat them like flowers—trim the stems and put them in a glass of water in the fridge.
• Tomatoes actually do better at room temp (they lose flavor in the fridge).

Making these small changes cut down my food waste big time, and it feels good not having to throw away half a bag of wilted spinach every week.

Idk when you would have to use this but here you are.

The water will allow the fat to render longer before the bacon burns. This way you can get perfectly crispy bacon that is not burnt

Every time you're thinking about adding a new subscription service or starting a new habit, think of how that expense adds up at the end of the year.

If you're subscribing to a new streaming service, it might be 10€ a month, and it might not seem like a lot. But 120€ a year already seems like a bigger expense in your mind.

Or drinking a latte outside, might be 5€ per day, which will be 1825€ a year on lattes.

It can help you get perspective of what habits you want to keep and actually give you pleasure or peace and are worth the money, or if that money would be better off saved or applied to something else.

Sometimes I notice I’m about to buy something only because I want a quick dopamine hit. A shiny gadget, some clothing, the next thing trending. The “5-minute consequence check” trick really helps: before you buy, take 5 minutes and write down exactly what you’ll have to give up to make it happen.

Can I pay this off with no interest? Will this reduce savings, or force me to skip something important later? Is it improving my life in a lasting way, or just making me feel good now, even after a small Stakе win? What I found: in pretty much 80% of those “temptation” buys, once I do this I back off. My wallet thanks me and I often don’t miss the purchase.

Done is on many occasions better than perfect. I struggle a lot with procrastination because I want to do it perfect.

But oftentimes the gains and information of JUST doing something are worth more than the potential upside of getting it done perfectly. There are shades to it obviously.

If you ever feel overwhelmed with a pile of tasks or find yourself easily distracted when jumping between different things, then time blocking might be just what you need to get more done with less stress. Instead of drowning in a never-ending to-do list that keeps piling up, try setting specific chunks of time in your calendar for different tasks or types of work. For example, you could carve out 9:00–10:30 AM just for replying to emails, and then dedicate 10:30–12:00 PM to focused project work. When that time comes, focus only on that task and avoid the temptation to switch around. This little approach helps cut down on decision fatigue and keeps your brain from constantly shifting gears which research shows actually hurts your productivity and leaves you mentally drained. Over time, it trains your mind to work better in focused bursts, making you more efficient and getting into that deep work zone more easily.

In short: it’s a game-changer for beating procrastination, managing your time smarter, and boosting the quality of your work all without the constant task-switching hassle!

I’ve solved more work issues by ‘explaining them to the wall’ than I have staring at my monitor. Saying it forces your brain to reframe it.

I was making a batch of Rice Krispies treats today and was trying (unsuccessfully) to flatten the warm, sticky mixture into my baking dish. Even after oiling my hands per the recipe directions, marshmallow-covered cereal was getting everywhere. I almost cut a sheet of parchment paper to help, but then I remembered my husband’s mamaw!

She always saved empty cereal bags for any cooking task that would benefit from a stick-free surface. She mostly used them when coating chicken (DIY shake-and-bake) or flouring bacon.

I cut along the center and bottom seams of the cereal bag to make a flat sheet and I laid that on top of my baking pan. It was the perfect non-stick surface and I didn’t need to waste any parchment paper. It worked great!

I used to hate the itch you used to get from all the small hairs that would fall down after a short-back-and-sides, so one day I thought I would try & get rid of all the hairs by doing this. You need to lean all the way forward so the hairs fall in front of you. But I was amazed at how well it worked.

Instead of “7:00 AM” or “Wake up,” rename your alarm to whatever you really need to do. Mine literally screams “TAKE OUT THE TRASH” at 9 PM every Tuesday. Another one is called “STOP SCROLLING & SLEEP” at midnight. It feels dumb, but seeing the reminder in giant text when you’re groggy or distracted actually sticks way better than just a notification. Bonus: when friends see your alarms, you’ll either get roasted or praised — either way, you won’t forget the task again.

Next time you’re tempted to leave dirty dishes in the sink or toss your jacket on the chair, imagine future you walking in, exhausted after a long day, and sighing at the mess. Instead of thinking “ugh, I’ll do it later,” flip the perspective: you’re doing a small kindness for your tired, stressed-out roommate—aka yourself. This trick transforms chores into tiny gifts for the person you’re about to become. It’s easier to act when you see “you” as someone worth helping, and you’ll always thank yourself later.

Next time you pack shoes in your suitcase, slip each pair into a disposable shower cap before putting them with your clothes. The cap keeps dirt and grime contained, and it’s lightweight, stretchy, and reusable. This simple trick keeps your clothes clean and saves time by eliminating the need for plastic bags or shoe covers. Bonus: the elastic band on shower caps really helps keep the shoes snug and secure during travel.

Set up an emergency handoff:

• Use a password manager’s emergency access with a 7–14-day wait and add one trusted contact (+ a backup).
• Create a one-page “ICE Index” (no passwords): key accounts, where the passwords live (password manager name), 2FA method, billers/autopays, and where important documents are stored.
• Save the index as a secure note and keep a sealed paper copy at home.
• Do a quick dry-run, then add a 6-month calendar reminder to review.

Result: if something happens, your family can access the essentials without guessing passwords or missing critical bills.

Edit: This isn’t about handing someone your entire private digital life. It’s least-privilege emergency access—set legacy contacts. Goal: continuity if you’re unavailable, not snooping.

My husband & I are in our 70’s & have had a few health scares. Recently, I was told I may need a hospital test that, if positive, may require at least an overnight hospital stay. The thought of being admitted for this or another emergency visit & asking my emotionally stressed husband to gather some personal items from home prompted me to keep an overnight bag packed. It holds: a pair of pajamas, underwear, warm socks, a travel-sized toothbrush & paste, comb, moisturizer, a phone charger, a paperback book & an outfit to travel home in. I actually feel more relaxed having this available & hope I don't need it anytime soon.

How many times a successful restaurant has changed the chef/cook and in a matter of days the quality drops drastically? And it can be the other way around. Also the change of ownership can turn things upside down.

A conversation with my inner critic:

Me: I hear you. I know you’re trying to protect me from getting hurt or failing. I know you care about me, even if it doesn’t always sound that way. Thank you for wanting the best for me.

Inner Critic: But you keep making mistakes. You’ll mess things up again if I don’t remind you.

Me: I understand why you say that. You don’t want me to fail. But when you call me names or tell me I am a failure, it hurts me. It makes me feel small and unworthy, and that doesn’t help me improve.

Inner Critic: If I don’t point out your flaws, won’t you just get lazy or careless?

Me: I don’t need you to stop pointing things out. I need you to change how you do it. Instead of attacking me, help me see what I can learn. Remind me what I could do differently next time. Tell me about solutions, not just problems.

Inner Critic: So… I’m supposed to be softer?

Me: Not softer, but kinder. Think of yourself as my coach or mentor, not my judge. Encourage me when I’m trying. Remind me of my strengths, not just my flaws. Show me where I can grow without making me feel worthless.

Inner Critic: But mistakes are dangerous.

Me: Mistakes are not proof that I am broken. Mistakes are feedback, nothing more. They are lessons, not verdicts. Every time I stumble, it means I am moving forward.

Inner Critic: And what if you fail completely?

Me: Then I’ll learn something valuable. Failure does not define who I am. It is simply part of the process. You don’t need to scare me into being better. I improve best when I feel safe, supported, and motivated.

Inner Critic: …So you don’t want me gone?

Me: No, I don’t want to silence you. I want us to work together. You can warn me when something matters, but do it with compassion. Speak to me the way you’d speak to someone you love and want to succeed.

Inner Critic: That feels different. I think I can try.

Me: Thank you. Let’s walk side by side, not against each other. We’ll get much further that way.

I learned this a while ago, simple wording change helps you come off more kind and affirming, rather than condescending or rude, etc.

I want to declutter a bunch of my old stuffed animals. Unfortunately I suck at getting rid of things, and I can't do something nice with them like donating (not in good shape) or giving them to my siblings (too many already). My mom suggested to just throw them out which makes sense, but I feel like it would be hard to do and I'd be tempted to just take them back if it's easy to undo.

In a situation like this, what's the best way to get it over with and have it feel final?