its kinda scary how your whole life depends on how well you do as a teenager
oh my god No it doesn’t don’t put this kind of pressure on people?? you can absolutely fuck up in your teen years and continue on to a good life just fine. you can drop out of school, get a GED, still go to college and finish your degree as late as you want. i know people in my school who still haven’t graduated and they’re 26. some older. you can always transfer someplace else, always build yourself up from the ground. after a certain amount of college credits, a lot of schools really don’t care about your high school GED or your SAT scores anymore. if you fuck up in your teenage years you are not a failure!! you can ALWAYS re-invent yourself, always start over. there is always a second chance.
Reblogging this for my followers freaking out over art school/college. I dropped out of high school and never thought I’d get into college as easily as I did. You will be fine!
Fun story my biology professor just told us: When he was 23 he was married to his wife and worked two jobs to support them since she was in college: gas station attendant and construction worker. He worked these two jobs because that was the only work he could get since he was at the reading level of a third grader.
One night he was writing something and his wife noticed he was writing from right to left. Since she was studying occupational therapy she realized he had a learning disability and started working with him. He slowly began to learn to read, and at 26 got his GED and went to college.
His first year of college he took the lowest level math course he could take, 001. Over the years he worked on learning what he needed to, ended up graduating with a biology degree. He then went on to get his masters and PhD, graduating at the top of his class. He is now an extremely accomplished biologist and professor.
So don’t let anyone tell you that you’re future is based on your choices as a teenager.
Seriously. Do not believe this. You aren’t even stuck with your choices you make in your 20s. I didn’t start working in my current field until just after my 30th birthday. It has nothing to do with what I went to school for in my 20s. My husband has a political science degree, and he’s a sports journalist.
You are not tied to anything. Go. Be.
My day job did not exist when I was a teenager. And the idea of trying to be an author was a distant thing on my radar. I thought I was going to be an English teacher. And then I thought I was going to be a music teacher. And then I thought I was going to be a drama teacher.
Also in there: therapist, early childhood educator, then finally: web developer–because by then it was an actual thing that existed. I didn’t actually figure out what I “wanted to do when I grew up” until about eight years ago, when I was 36. I tried pursuing writing when I was 30, stopped, then started pursuing it seriously again when I was 40.
There is always time to change. And don’t let anyone tell you that high school is “the best time of your life” either, because that’s bullshit too.
Reblogging for my followers. My high school teachers didn’t know what to do with me, and I failed everything but a low photography grade. I thought university wasn’t for me, and settled for marrying a mediocre man who spent all day on Warcraft. Then I went to community college. Now I’m in uni doing a double English and philosophy degree, just back from America. I am also single.
Also important: College is not the only option. Don’t let anyone try to tell you it is. If you’re not academically inclined, the trades are an option and they are a good option– if the only thing you think you’re good at is make-up do that. There are people who can live comfortably just doing make-up. We have this idea planted in our heads as teenagers (and younger) that not fitting into an academic mould of some sort means you’re failing at life and this is bullshit. There’s no reason to feel like you’re “failing at life” because you don’t like school or were never good at it. We need skilled workers in the world, and the thing they don’t tell you is all work is skilled work. If it’s work, it takes skill. Yes, this encompasses “service” jobs, it encompasses all jobs. Please don’t think that what you do, or what you have an interest in doing is of less value than something that requires a college education. This coming from the college-educated white girl who is a seamstress because it’s what I enjoy. If college isn’t going to get you where you want to go, than you don’t need to go! It’s that simple. Take whatever path you need to get to where you are happy and comfortable and fufilled. If you’re doing what you love you are sucessful.
i didn’t graduate with my bachelor’s until i was 26 and life took a few turns along the way but now, at 37, i have a job that makes me genuinely happy. and it’s got nothing to do with how well i did in high school.
This! This make me cry… I’m 23 and I really don’t know where I’m going, so reading this kinds of storys makes me feel hope!
listen i did everything right. i did everything i was told. i got good grades in high school and went to a good college and dated a good boy and graduated with honors and got a good job and bought a good house and a good car.
but dear god, let me tell you. there is no finish line. it just keeps going. you think you’ll feel accomplished but i just ended up working myself to death to hit a brick wall of utter boredom. i broke up with the guy. i got a few promotions but the job was still Just A Job, just a way to make money to pay for the house that i had nothing to do inside of but cook dinner and watch tv.
so yeah, go at whatever pace you want to set for yourself. enjoy every class you take, hang out with your friends, try new things and make mistakes. exercise your creativity. pursue your interests. take. your. time.
Life is not linear and it’s only in retrospect you see how the pieces add up.
The only mistake you can make is to let the pressure freeze you. Go on and do what seems like a good idea at the tube. Screw up. Try stuff out.
There’s no goal, no finish line, no objective you reach where everything clicks into place and you are an Adult and Happy. Teenagerhood isn’t a test that if you pass you get to be a successful and happy adult.
You are early in a journey you’ll spend your life making. The older you get the more perspective and wisdom experience gives you. You will realise no one thing is the last word on anything. No exam, no breakup, no change of plans will define your life.
Friends, we worked hard on this guide and we hope it helps you & those you care about. Please share with anyone who might find it helpful. Thanks to our illustrator Isabella Rotman for the lovely cover design!
this formatting is making me uncomfortable but I have to tell you something / ask you something that is vital to my career as a student.
I re-read and edited that sentence for an hour, but you’ll probably just glance over it for half a second.
thanks!
– [name]
k
-professor
I have a stock format and structure I use.
Dear Person I am Writing To:
This is an optional sentence introducing who I am and work for, included if the addressee has never corresponded with me before. The second optional sentence reminds the person where we met, if relevant. This sentence states the purpose of the email.
This optional paragraph describes in more detail what’s needed. This sentence discusses relevant information like how soon an answer is needed, what kind of an answer is needed, and any information that the other person might find useful. If there’s a lot of information, it’s a good idea to separate this paragraph into two or three paragraphs to avoid having a Wall of Text.
If a description paragraph was used, close with a restatement of the initial request, in case the addressee ignored the opening paragraph.
This sentence is just a platitude (usually thanking them for their time) because people think I’m standoffish, unreasonably demanding, or cold if it’s not included.
Closing salutation,
Signature.
People always ask me how I can fire off work emails so quickly. Nobody has figured out yet that it’s the same email with the details changed as needed.
This post was originally a lot longer, but I decided to break it down because things got complicated and intensely personal in a way I’m not ready for.
I had a disturbing exchange with a high school-aged person today that prompted this…
Beer, wine, mead, and cider are fermented beverages.
Mead is made from honey.
Cider is made from apples.
Beer is made from grains.
Beer tastes like beer because they flavor it with hops.
They used to flavor beer with dandelions.
Ain’t that cute?
All beer is either ale or lager.
Ale is fermented at room temperature.
Lager is brewed and store cold.
Barleywine, bitter, porter, and stout are ales.
Pilsner and bock are lagers.
Most of the crap people drink in America is pale lager.
Mosft of the crap people drink in Ireland is dry stout.
Butterbeer isn’t real.
(Except actually I think it is, and I heard it tastes like cream soda)
Miruvor isn’t real, either, but it probably would taste like squash.
Ent-draught isn’t real, either, but shit, it would be awesome if it were.
Wine is made from fermented fruit juice, usually grapes.
Red wine is made from red grapes.
White wine is made from green grapes.
The name of the grape is the name of the wine (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot are all varieties of grape)
Unless you live in France.
In which case, the name of the place supersedes the name of the grape.
(for example: Burgundies are made in Burgundy, France, but Burgundy wine can be Pinot Noir or Chardonnay)
Champagne is any sparkling white wine.
However, Champagne can also be wine that comes from Champagne, France.
Drink red wine with beef. Drink white wine with fish.
Act like it tastes good.
Keep a Diet Coke in your bag for later.
You’ll be fine.
Brandy is distilled wine.
Cognac is brandy aged in oak barrels.
Don’t fuck around with the French about their cognac.
Fortified wine is wine with added alcohol.
Sherry is fortified white wine made in Spain.
Port is fortified red wine made in Portugal.
Vermouth is fortified white wine plus grape spirits.
Sweet vermouth has added sugar.
Dry vermouth has added spices like nutmeg.
Liquors are distilled spirits that contain ethanol.
Liqueurs are liquors that have sugar and flavors added.
Liquors can be made from grains, fruits, or vegetables.
Grain alcohol is liquor made from grains. Duh.
Gin, Vodka, and Whisky are grain alcohols.
Vodka is grain alcohol and water.
Be careful with vodka. Homemade vodka is poisonous.
Gin is (basically vodka) flavored with juniper berries.
Absinthe is (basically gin) flavored with anise.
Whisky is grain alcohol aged in wood barrels.
Malt whisky is made from barley.
Grain whisky is made from all the other grains.
Scotch is whisky made in Scotland.
Bourbon is Kentucky whisky mostly made from corn.
Don’t fuck around with the Scottish.
Don’t fuck around with people from Kentucky, either.
Tequila is liquor made from the blue agave plant.
Rum is liquor made from sugarcane.
Schnapps is liquor made from fruit “must” (smashed fruit that still contains seeds and skins).
American schnapps is grain alcohol mixed with fruit flavors and sugar syrup.
Drink apple schnapps only while playing Tekken 2.
Sake is rice wine that’s brewed like beer. Or something.
Avoid these cocktails: Grog, Long Island Iced Tea, Manhattan, Dark and Stormy, Jack and Coke, Piña Colada, Scorpion. They contain huge amounts of alcohol and/or a huge number of calories. That Long Island Ice Tea is the worst motherfucker of the bunch. Just avoid them. Have a lemon drop martini instead.
Don’t drink on an empty stomach or you’ll puke.
Don’t drink too fast or you’ll puke.
Avoid Long Island Iced Teas. Like I said.
Don’t drink and drive because you might kill my Mom. You fuckers.
If your friend has had too much to drink and needs to crash, make sure she’s lying on her side so she doesn’t choke on her own vomit.
Don’t leave a drunk friend alone.
Passing out is a sign of being severely goddamn sick. If someone drinks and passes out? They are dying right now. Call 9-1-1.
If you are drunk, don’t drink coffee or caffeine to get sober. Sip cold water and nibble some saltine crackers.
Don’t be a fucking idiot. Don’t smash my mailbox.
Really, do you need to drink?
You probably don’t.
But now you know some stuff. Maybe.
this is awesome except for one thing: champagne
champagne is ONLY wine from the Champagne region of France. everything else is simply a sparkling white wine, such as prosecco and cava (which are made in italy and spain, respectively)
otherwise this is awesome info if youre gonna drink or if your gonna be a waiter or a bartender or w/e
This is very informative and awesome.
The information is good. The opinions…meh.
cool info !
I would like to add that a great way to not die is to not mix your shit; I mean if you’re drinking beer that night stick with beers and the like, if you start off with liquor stick with the liquor.
This is quite comprehensive and a great outline of different alcoholic beverages. My one note is that the difference between white and red wine is whether they take the skins off. You can make white wine out of red grapes as long as you don’t ferment the skins. There are plenty of white wines made of red-skinned grapes.
Oh, ALSO concerning Tequila. It has to be from the Jalisco region of Mexico to be called Tequila, anything else is Mezcal. DO NOT drink any Tequila that is not 100% AGAVE. It will make you sick, the cheap ‘Tequila’ is usually NOT 100% agave so invest in a something that is. It will say it is 100% agave on the bottle.
Know your alcohol, even if you don’t like it.
Vodka, as far as I know, can also be made from potatoes.
Here’s a resource for what you needa try to get done before January when Trump starts changing shit and how to get that shit done. It includes things like name changes for Trans folks and healthcare resources. It might be helpful for someone even if it’s not helpful to you so please pass it on. Help marginalized people stay healthy and safe!
IF YOU’RE A CISHET WHITE YOU NEED TO BE REBLOGGING THIS SHIT SO MARGINALIZED LGBTQ+ POC KNOW THEIR OPTIONS. THIS IS HELPFUL FOR YALL ASSES TOO!!!
huh. Well, Biology can cover a LOT, so I’ll start with some basics.
Edit: Spelling errors – I wrote this pre-caffeine, so there will be THINGS.
1) Your period (menses, monthly, moon-time, whatever) is only supposed to cause you minor discomfort, and unless you are extremely stressed, IS supposed to come on average around every 28 days. A lot of women whose periods are normal synch up with the moon and don’t even realize it.
So, if your period causes you more pain than minor discomfort (you need pain pills like whoa, not just maybe an acetametaphin and a heating pad); you bleed exessively in large clots; you do not have cycles that can be tracked in 28-day increments–SOMETHING IS WRONG. There are a multitude of problems that could be causing thess issues, and most of them are very, very serious. If you get brushed off by the first doctor you see, find another. And another. Don’t stop until someone listens, because one of those problems will make you infertile if not treated. (Another one an kill you, another one can make your hormones all fucked up and can also affect fertility and oh, your entire life, etc.) Do not let someone tell you that any of those things are normal. They are not.
2) There is no reliable “pulling out” method. If you have a male sexual partner who tells you this, punch him in the junk and run. Trust me; he deserved it. Condoms, gloves, dental dams, and lube. Okay? Always these things, unless you are in a blood-tested-clean and truly trustworthy monogomous relationship with someone and you’re on the pill (unless you’re trying to specifically get pregnant, then…well, your call.) Yes, even if you’re with a girl or gender neutral folk, you use birth control that fits yours and their body parts. Period. No arguing. Don’t do it.
2.5) Lube is your very good friend, even if it’s just for maturbation. Masturbation is actually an important step in your physical teenage development, because it helps to teach your body several things: What it likes; what you like; how you respond to certain stimuli; and it teach you that you can be seriously into a bit of sexing and your crotch will remain bone dry because it is a contrary piece of work. That’s what the lube is for. No shame. Everyone should have lube, ages 12-ish to Dead. Here’s a tip: DO NOT MASTURBATE INTO YOUR USED SOCKS, no matter your gender. Used socks are full of bacteria; that is fucking gross and is inviting infection. Go out and buy a stack or three of clean, 100% cotton hankerchiefs, any color. Wash them up, fold them, and keep them next to your bed with your lube (hidden if need be because of stupid parents or nosy-ass roomies). When you’re done with your daily grind (HEH) wipe yourself down with one of those. They’re clean, won’t leave paper bits behind in your bits, and they’re softer than kleenex. OR: invest in a bag/box of all-natural baby wipes. Your bits don’t need to be slathered in alcohol and misc. crap just after masturbation time. (This also apply to post-sexy-fun times, too.) If anyone questsions you about your hankerchiefs or baby wipes, tell ‘em you have allergies and they need to leave your stuff alone. Oh, and that adage that taking a piss after you’ve had sex to reduce chances of UTI? Totally true, and should be attempted whenever possible, especially with vag-parts.
3) Your birth control should not make you ill. If it does, the hormone dose is too high. If your birth control also does not actually help some of your period issues (endometriosis, hello) then the hormone dose is too low. Either way, if your blood pressure drops and you feel like you’re dying, please go to the ER. Birth control is a necessary evil if you have period problems, but it can also cause you to drop dead of a heart attack if you’re not being monitored by a doctor. That’s what that long-ass list of warnings are for.
(If you have heart issues, btw? You’re just gonna have to cope with terrible periods. I’m so sorry.)
3.5) The only time you do not need birth control: you are not sexually active AND your periods are normal. That’s it. Under all other circumstances, you need some form of birth control.
4) If you bleed excessively, make sure you’re getting your red blood cell count checked at least once a month so you’re not anemic, and if your insurance/doctor won’t allow this, take a very good Iron Enzymatic supplement. 50 mgs a day is good unless your red blood count has dropped into the anemic range, then just double it to twice a day for a while. (Mega doses will just make you fuckin’ constipated, and who needs that??)
5)
Sex should not hurt. Ever. No. Not if it’s your first time, not if it’s
your last time. (If sex hurts, it’s because some motherfucker who needs
to die is raping you–rapists don’t care about your comfort.) Safe,
sane, and consenual sex is about making sure you’re not hurting each
other (unless you want to, but that’s BDSM and variants and I don’t
quite think you’re ready to hit those waters yet, not coming in knowing
nothing), that everyone is happy, and that everyone is consenting all
the way through the act.
6) If you do not have lube, do not let your parnter stick anything
into your crotch (or ass, for that matter) until your partner has
actually done their absoulute best to make the REST of your body
conviced that it is sexy times and it needs to produce lube now. I don’t care if they’re using a pre-lubricated condom; that’s not eough. If your partner rushes it and won’t listen to you, kick their asses out of bed and
send them on their way–you do not need assholes in your life. We each
get one of our very own and that is enough. A lack of lubrication can
bruise and tear vaginal tissue, and that is EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE, and
if there is bleeding, increases the chance of STIs.
6.5) I
don’t can what fanfic says. You need a really good condom-safe lube for
anal sex. Always. To do otherwise is to risk tearing the rectum, which
means blood, which means greater chances of sexually transmitted
infections–or normal infections, which also suck for the person dealing
with them. You do not want to tear someone’s insides, okay? You want
them to enjoy the process. If they want to “feel” it? You can be more
enthusiastic about the process, but not without the right
lube/condoms/gloves. If you’ve gotten to the blood-tested monogomous point? You can leave the condoms and gloves behind if you want, but don’t abandon the lube.
6.55) ENEMAS ARE NOT NECESSARY PRIOR TO ANAL SEX UNLESS THE RECEIVING PARTNER IS ON THE VERGE OF NEEDING TO GO TAKE A SHIT. OKAY? Enemas are saline solutions which dry out that internal tissue, and that will make anal sex less healthy, NOT more. If you’re afraid that you might encounter a hint of feces that you need a magnifying glass to find, anal sex is not for you; find something else to do. A healthy anus/rectum actually does a very good job of cleaning itself out during a bowel movement unless you’re sick or backed up–whih means fix both of those problems before sex. Your butt is otherwise EMPTY unless a bowel movement is impending. Okay? EMPTY. You’re fine. If you’re still a little weirded out, go back to the gloves and the condoms.
6.555) YES, FUCKING GLOVES. I MEAN IT. (PUN INTENDED.) I AM SO SERIOUS. If you are a girl-parted person with a boy-parted person (gender aside) then that boy-parterd person can get you pregnant without ever sticking his cock in your vag. It’s rare, but semen is ejected with pre-ejaculate, and if they get near your crotch, some of those stubborn little bastards WILL make the long climg into the uterus to find an available egg.
7) Pre-ejaculate is normal. It’s the boy version of lubing up before sex. Normal pre-ejeculate should taste sweet with a hint of salt, not bitter. Bitter pre-ejeculate means your boy-parted person needs to change their diet. (Getting rid of high-fructose corn syrup helps a LOT, actually.)
Cum tastes like bitterness crawled up somewhere to breed and become the most horrible liquid to ever pass your lips…unless you’re East-Asian. (Yes, this is confirmed.) For some reason, Japanese women and others from that region of the world find cum to be the most delicious thing ever. Where do you think facial porn originated from? (They also consider it good for your skin which, well…it *is* protein, so they’re probably not wrong.)
8) You can withdraw consent from sex at ANY TIME. Even if someone’s about to climax, you’re still allowed to say No, Stop, and your parnter DAMNED WELL BETTER LISTEN or I will happen to them. Beat the shit out of them if they whine about needing to stop. Kick them in the face. Make them TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY. It’s your body; you get to decide when the sexing stops.
9) Sex toys are for everyone. If you need something basic (vibator, dildo) and have a trusted adult or adult-age friend, do some online research and then have them order what you need. (If they’re really awesome, they’ll do the whole “baby’s first sex toy” silliness and buy it for you, but be prepared to fork over money. $20 to $150 is a standard price range. (Seriously, but you can get a good vibe AND a basic silicone dildo in the $20 range.)
9.5) Buy silicone sex toys. They’re often dishwasher safe (you don’t want bacterial buildup THERE, either–btw, wash them in hot water and soap after use, please) and masturbation/explorations/sex is NOT the way you wanna discover that you’re allergic to latex. *raises hand* Believe me, it sucks.
10) Tiger balm does not make a good lube.
11) In some cultures, boobies are nothing more than food sacks. This is okay. If you are not from one of those cultures but don’t get anything fun out of playing with your tits? This is ALSO okay. Some people just don’t have that reaction. If your boobies Do work for sensual pleasure? Explore what kind of pressure you like on your nipples (if at all, which is also okay) and what touching the rest of those parts do. Also, bitten nipples hurt, but sometimes what comes before that feels really nice, but we’re right back to BDSM and variants so uh…maybe later on that.
12) Your vagina, when chemically balanced, can excrete perfectly normal fludis that will eat through your underwear. This is normal. It’s just really annoying. At worst, you’ll have stains you can never get rid of. (This is why I buy exclusively black underwear, by the way.)
Bonus 13) Your bra should fit so well that you forget you’re wearing it. If it’s always uncomfortable, it does not fit right. I don’t care what anyone else says–it is not meant to be a horse harness. The shoulder straps should stay in place all the time. The cups should be filled out but your tits should not overflow them. The body strap (which is where most of your support comes from) should be very snug, but you shoudl be able to get a finger between skin and band. If your boobs are still under your armpit, wrong size bra. Cotton is your friend but hard to find–stick with nylon whenever you can unless you have an allergy. Polyester bras are most common, but they are also the most commonly FUCKING ITCHY even without an allergy.
Bonus 14) If your underwear are too tight around the legs, they’re the wrong type, even if they feel snug and properlly fitted elsewhere. Nylon is also your good friend here, with a cotton gusset to absorb sweat and weird/normal cloth-eating fluids.
Bonus 15) If you sweat a lot from gameplay or whatever, your vag is going to be stank. Take a shower and it’s fine. That’s what normally happens when bacteria from sweat play with vaginal ph and acidity levels, and nothing is wrong.
Bonus 16) A yeast infection is very easy to identify. Yes, it really will look like cottage cheese. Gross. If a 7-day Monistat (don’t go generic) doesn’t clear it up, do NOT just repeat that same kit. There are 3 different primary OTC yeast infection kits on the market–three different drugs. Try one of each, then hit the doctor for something that works if you still have a problem. (This is also how a latex allergy can reveal itself, btw. Fun times.)
Bonus 17) DO NOT DOUCHE. IT IS BAD FOR YOU. Your vagina is supposed to have a very specific scent. It is not supposed to smell like flowers soaked in vinegar for six months. Even if you have a yeast infection—NO NO NO. You’re just making it worse. Don’t do it. No.
Bonus 18) Do not shove soap in your vag in an attempt to “clean it”. The only thing you need to do to have a clean vag is to occasionally tub soak (not a bubble bath) or reach in there while you’re showering and scoop out any excess fluid that’s built up. It will usually look milky-white, but unless it is CHUNKY milky white, it’s normal. There; clean vag.
Bonus 19) If you can’t wear even the tiniest tampons no matter what you do, something is wrong. Go see a doctor about your pelvis. Yes, I had a broken pelvis and couldn’t wear tampons until I had finally finished gowing to full adulthood size, around age 20. Even then, i stuck with the smallest stuff.
Bonus 20) If you are breast-feeding or your boobs are prepping to breast-feed by ejecting fluid, keep other people’s mouths away from there unless it’s the baby OR you’re, again, in a blood-tested, trusted, monogomous relationship. If your partner is that into breast milk, just make them leave behind enough for the baby. (No, seriously, this is a thing.)
Anyone else wanna get on this fun topic of MY BODY DOES WHAT? and add stuff? 😀
If you get welts on your skin where it contacts the elastic in your underwear, and sometimes along the crease of the thigh where your underwear runs (because there is often elastic in the legs, too), you may have a latex allergy, and want that potential tested.
Because it’s no fun to have to replace your entire underwear drawer because a latex allergy bad enough to start reacting to the small amount of latex in elastic. And it can get to that point later in life, if you have a latex allergy, because latex allergies get worse with repeated exposure.
Okay this is an awesome and well done list of biology stuff! But @deadcatwithaflamethrower, I have to know why
10) Tiger balm does not make a good lube.
got it’s own number point and everything. Oh my god, please tell me you don’t know anyone who tried it. *cringes* I can’t even imagine how much that would hurt.
*giggles and facepalms hard*
I’M the one who tried it, but it was not on purpose. It was an accident. The mate was kind enough to give me a proper “everything hurts” back rub with Tiger Balm one evening. He went and washed his hands in what he believed to be a thorough manner, and then sexy playtime began.
And uhm…let’s just say it takes grease-breaking dish detergent to get Tiger Balm truly off of your skin.
even if you get along great with your family you will get along even better with them after moving out
generic is almost always just as good as name brand. But there are some things you never buy generic, including: peanut butter, ketchup, liquid NyQuil, Chips-Ahoy chewy chocolate chip cookies
just imagine the person on the other end of the phone hates talking on the phone as much as you do. Even a receptionist. I worked as one and I hate talking on the phone
at least once in your life you will go to Wal-mart to buy something under $20 like an ironing board or something and your debit card will get rejected. No one will judge. Everyone at some point in their lives has had $2.98 in their bank account.
thrift stores
everyone else is too busy panicking about everyone else noticing every tiny thing that could possibly be wrong about them to notice any tiny thing that could possibly be wrong about you
you will screw up. a lot. you live and you learn. and when you start to think too hard about that embarrassing thing that happened and how you wish you could change it, just tell yourself that what’s done is done. There’s no changing it, so just forget it and move on. It’s the only way to stay sane.
do the dishes before the sink grows its own ecosystem
you can’t put Dawn dishsoap in the dishwasher.
if you are the only one in the aisle at the grocery store, and you need to get from one end to the other without even looking at anything in that aisle, then you should totally cart-surf down the aisle. Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional. Hold on to the little things. They make all the difference.
never try to make cake from scratch at 3am. You end up with a topographical map of Middle Earth.
15% tip.
the best way to get money for food is to tell your grandparents about how you basically live on microwaved mac and cheese. Their horror may result in twenty bucks and orders to go out and get yourself “a real dinner”.
sometimes life sucks, and knowing that it might get better doesn’t always make it suck any less, but you’ll never get to the non-sucky days without enduring the suckiness.
no seriously, NEVER put Dawn in your dishwasher
Do not buy generic brand spaghetti sauce either.
Always check the type of light bulb that goes in lamps. A 60w is not interchangeable with a 40w.
Dollar store batteries work just as well as store brand.
Reward yourself from time to time when you do things that you needed to get done. It’s a good way to remind yourself to do them. Going out to pay a bill? Get Starbucks or something you don’t get often. Rewards don’t have to be huge, they can be small things like that.
Rice, pasta, flour, sugar, cheese, eggs, milk, a pack of chicken, a pack of frozen veggies and a well stocked spice cabinet go a long way food-wise. Splurge and get the biggest container of rice you can. You don’t have to go back and buy it again anytime soon and it makes a TON of meals in the meantime.
Rice can be cooked on the stove. You don’t need a fancy rice cooker. Two parts water to every one part rice (two cups water for one cup of rice for example). Get your water boiling, add rice, put a plate or lid on it, put it on low for 20 minutes. It should be done.
Keep a calendar on your pc of bill due dates. If your bills are set up at inconvenient times, like all of the services started on the first or something, then call up the company and find out if you can get your billing date switched to something more manageable. A lot of places do try to work with you.
There is no shame in calling a company and asking for an extension on a bill. Let them know what you can pay, pay that amount, and they arrange when the rest of the payment is required. This can stop you from having services shut off man. It shows responsibility on your part.
Take time to eat, even when you don’t feel like eating. Your body needs energy to live.
Wash or rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. It prevents gross caked on junk.
“The Works” is an excellent cheap toilet cleaner.
MAGIC. FUCKING. ERASERS. THEY WORK ON EVERYTHING JUST DON’T SCRUB HARD. I took the ring out of our bathtub with one. Also generic ones work just as well.
Keep some bleach around but if you use it for cleaning? Dillute it. There’s rarely ever a case where you need to pout straight bleach on anything. A cap full or two in a bucket of water works just fine.
DO NOT MIX CLEANERS. Chemical reactions are can be very dangerous. Here’s a good list. (Note that vinegar and baking soda can actually be a good combo for removing smells from things but it’s not very good at actually -cleaning-.)
If you drink? Don’t take meds at the same time it’s just not good.
Make sure you check the dosages on your pill bottles. No one wants to accidentally overdose on cough syrup or ibuprofen.
If you have a uterus make sure you have a heating pad and ibuprofen on hand for the pain. Hot baths also generally help and Ginger Tea is excellent for any nausea.
Buy a first aid kit. It’s worth it in the long run.
You can often do your taxes online at places like TurboTax.
Petroleum jelly (aka Vaseline) is good for chapped lips and you can get a decent sized tube or tub of it (generic brand version) for cheaper/same price as Chapstick.
KEEP TRIPLE ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENT IN YOUR HOUSE FOR CUTS AND SCRAPES AND SORES.
~~Medications~~
Over the counter medications (stuff you can buy right off the shelf no prescription needed) have a name brand and a generic name. ALWAYS buy generic if it’s available it is literally the same thing and way cheaper usually.
Some names to remember when you’re looking for meds!
Acetaminophen = Tylenol
Used to treat pain and reduce fever. Do not take with Ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen = Advil, Midol, Motrin
Used for pain and fever, is an anti-inflammtory. Is good for period cramps because it is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug).
Naproxen = Aleve, Naprosyn
Treats fever, pain, arthritis pain, gout, period cramps, tendinitis, headache, backache, and toothache. Is also an NSAID.
Acetaminophen + Asprin + Caffeine = Excedrin
Usually marketed as “Migraine Relief” as a generic.
Asprin = Bayer
Use for pain, fever, arthritis, and inflammation. Makes you bleed easily so should not be used for periods. Might reduce risk of heart attacks.
Triple Antibiotic Ointment = Neosporin
Used on cuts, sores, and scrapes to reduce risk of infection and promote healing.
Also a general mutli-vitamin isn’t a bad idea and if you don’t get a lot of fruits or milk/sunshine in your diet you might want to get vitamins C and D specifically for daily use.
if you do accidentally lapse and put dawn in your dishwasher, run it empty and put hair conditioner where the detergent goes. that’ll clean it out (tip given to me by dorm custodian when roommate did the thing).
if you live off ramen, add stuff to it! add veggies you like, don’t use the whole flavor packet to cut down on sodium and msg or don’t use it at all and add your own spices.
if you’re making something with potatoes in it (beans, stew) potatoes are done when you can easily stab a fork through them.
you can microwave a hotdog as long as you put it in a microwave safe container of water. microwaves work by making water molecules vibrate. also, when reheating rice leftovers, add a small amount of water, like maybe a spoonfull, so it doesn’t get hard and crunchy.
the rice cooking advice above is for long grain rice. if you’re making short or medium grain rice, a 1:1 ratio (one cup water for one cup rice) is better, so the rice doesn’t come out too mushy.
buy a few cans of chicken. wholesale club stores like sam’s, costco, or bj’s tend to carry multipacks for a good price. they’re incredibly useful for when you forget to defrost meat.
buy meat on sale and put it in the freezer. buy vegetables on sale, and put them in the freezer. frozen veggies are often as flavorful and good as fresh ones, keep longer, and often come in microwaveable bags or with microwave directions.
soak ink stains in milk to help get them out or at least lighten them.
soak blood stains in water as soon as possible, with a bit of detergent or stain remover. scrub at them. use cold water, heat binds proteins to fabric. tbh, there’s no real need to change the washer from cold-cold setting unless the thing you’re washing says to wash in warm water.
acetone, found in most nail polish removers, dissolves super glue.
YOU’RE ALL DOING GOD’S WORK BLESS YOU
Takes pictures, have prints made and put them in photo albums. Be IN the pictures, have someone take pictures of you and your friends. Get over not looking perfect in thw picture. Someday that friend might be gone and those pictures might be all you’ll have, you will want to be in them. I made that mistake with my best friend, i always felt weird asking for a picture together… he died of cancer January of 2014 and now i have no pictures of us together. Its my only regret in life.
This is really helpful, thank you all!
I’m the newest of new adults but I’m gonna throw these little tips in there. IF YOU HAVE AN OLD CAR:
-coolant or water if your car overheats (coolant is preferable cause it won’t hurt the engine in the long run but hey i know money is tight)
-flashlight in case you break down at night and need to check under the hood and your phone is dead
-SPARE TIRE.
-jumper cables.you will at some point leave your lights on. you just will.
AAA or any other road side service is never a bad investment i swear. (try to mooch it off your parents as long as you can though)
Know how to change a tire. You’re going to need to do it at some point in time and you can’t always rely on someone else to do it for you.
Don’t be afraid to go to your local food bank. They are there for a reason.
Don’t be ashamed to ask for help period. Life is hard, everyone needs help occasionally.
You can put a LOWER wattage bulb in a lamp that says it’s for a higher one, but don’t put a HIGHER wattage bulb in. Also, watts refer to the amount of electricity used. LUMENS refers to the amount of light put out, and can vary quite a bit between brands, even though the wattage is the same. Look for the one with the highest lumens unless you actually want a slightly dimmer bulb in a certain location.
Those dollar store batteries? Fine if they’re alkaline. “Heavy-duty” batteries, however, won’t last nearly as long.
You can microwave a hot dog and bun simply by wrapping them in a toweling for a minute, less if you don’t want them scalding hot.
Reblogging to save lives.
Two adulting (kitchen-related) tips from me!
1. Buy a roll of parchment paper from the cooking shit aisle. A big roll will last you for-fucking-ever. Pretty much any time you’re using a baking pan you can line it with that stuff and save yourself A: food sticking to the pan and B: it’s a quick rinse and it’s clean.
2. Bread can get fucking expensive, so make your own. A bigass bag of flour and a bag of active dry yeast (store it in the friiiiidge!!!) works out a FUCK of a lot cheaper than buying bread at the store, and you can do so much more with it. Bread, pizza, rolls, cinnibuns, homemade pizza pockets. It seems intimidating but it’s stupid easy.
Seriously. It’s stupid simple to make, and most of the “3 hours” to make it is sitting around surfing the internet or doing whatever the fuck you want while the dough rises. If you have an afternoon free once a week to sit and play video games or surf the net, you have the time to make your own bread on the cheap. Here’s my simple-as-fuck recipe:
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (You can buy a bag of this stuff CHEAP in bulk stores, the little packets are hella stupid priced) 1 cup warm water (think a hot bath) 1 ½ teaspoons sugar 2 tablespoons oil (any kind works for the most part) 2 ¼ cups flour 1 teaspoon salt
1. Stir the yeast, water, sugar, and oil up in a bowl. Let it sit for about 10 minutes. It will foam up VERY high, this is the yeast getting happy! If it doesn’t get all foamy, the water may have been too hot or not hot enough. Remember, Yeast is alive! Treat it like a nice girlfriend!
2. Mix your flour, salt, and the yeast concoction up in a bowl.
3. Knead that shit for about 5 minutes. It will start sticky as heck, but will come together into a nice dough. If it’s still super sticky, toss in a bit more flour. Here’s how to knead it:
4. Put your dough in a covered, lightly oiled bowl and leave it someplace warmish for an hour. At that point it will have roughly doubled in size, give it a gentle punch to release the gasses that have built up inside. Cover it again and let it sit for a bit longer.
Boom. You have bread dough. Here are some baking times and uses for ya:
Optional egg-wash: Just crack an egg into a bowl, add a pinch of salt, and mix the bejeebus out of it with a fork. Brush (or if you’re like me, goop it on with said fork) that shit thinly on bread before baking for a nice crust.
Pizza: Stretch it on a pan, stab the fucker all over with a fork, add toppings, bake 425*F 15-20 minutes.
Bread Sticks: Make snake-shapes, let rest on pan 10-ish minutes, bake 400*F 10-20 minutes.
Dinner rolls: Make ball-sized (yes those balls) balls. Place on greased pan, let rest 10-20 minutes to rise. Egg-wash and bake 375*F 25 minutes.
Bread: Lightly score (cut) the top, let sit for 20-ish minutes on/in whatever you’re using to bake it, egg-wash, bake at 375*F for 20-ish minutes. It’s done when it sounds hollow if you knock on the bottom.
You bet your ass you can deep-fry this shit for cheapie yeast doughnuts. Roll that shit in sugar or dip it in whatever, it’s fucking tasty.
Bagels: YES. YOU. CAN. Form bagel-shapes out of the dough and boil them in salty water for about 2 minutes. Egg-wash them and bake them at 400*F for 10 minutes.
Cinnamon Rolls: Roll that shit out into a rectangle. Brush it with a mix of butter, cinnamon, sugar, and a pinch of salt (no exact amounts here, do it to your taste). Roll it up into a log, and cut it into discs. Let them sit 20 minutes in a pan and then bake at 375*F 15-17 minutes.
You can add whatever you want to the dough for some variety, just if it’s dried spices remember you really only need 1-ish tablespoons. I personally like making bread with about 1 tablespoon of dill in the dough. Roll it out flat, sprinkle it with cheddar, roll it into a log, squeeze the ends shut, and bake it like a regular loaf of bread. Cheesy dill bread OMNOMNOM.
*ahem* That got a bit long. But yeah. Bread’s expensive, yo. Save your wallet.
(Also it’s ridiculous amounts of therapeutic to bake, for me anyway)
Being able to bake your own bread is pretty awesome, if you got the time for it.
Reblogging for everything, especially the bread bit. It is ridiculously easy, and the initimidating preparation time is just ten inues work and letting it sit while you get on with other things. Also, great stress relief and mindfulness activity.
(I tried to make cake at 3am today. It came out as brownies. It was not a brownie recipe).
Steel Phoenix Studios 