Hard Things

[ysabetwordsmith]

Life is full of things which are hard or tedious or otherwise unpleasant that need doing anyhow. They help make the world go 'round, they improve skills, and they boost your sense of self-respect. But doing them still kinda sucks. It's all the more difficult to do those things when nobody appreciates it. Happily, blogging allows us to share our accomplishments and pat each other on the back.

What are some of the hard things you've done recently? What are some hard things you haven't gotten to yet, but need to do? Is there anything your online friends could do to make your hard things a little easier?

Comments

[jtthomas]

Getting through this semester means graduating. Convincing myself to do the work, all on the computer, when that much computer time equals a migraine, is rather difficult as of late. I'm very thankful I didn't dare to do it for my entire college career.

guuuuh

[(Anonymous)]

Furloughed from COVID while on short term disability. Developed a mystery seizure disorder that has been causing problems and still trying to get it under control. Stumped neurology all tests normal so far. Talking about specialist neurology next, only upside is have not lost insurance coverage.

[erulisse]

I've been having a lot of trouble managing my anxiety lately due to the world being on fire. My nesting partners are not being helpful in this regard- they have decided we are all doomed (on a short term kind of basis, though living in Texas who the heck knows....) and the way to take care of this for ourselves is to put in as much of a vegetable garden as we can possibly manage.

I don't think the food supply situation is as dire as all that and am much more concerned about our finances - which getting the tools and supplies for the garden will strain considerably.

Meh.

[pronker]

I'll stick with "tedious," because with the years advancing as they do I find yardwork tedious where I used to find it good exercise. For instance, Downstairs Tenant is bored with staying home for over 1 month now from work and volunteered to mow the front and back yard, yay! What's left is a golden crop of foxtails, quickly drying out in the warmer temps and looking like tow. I need to rake them ... bleurgh ... or they'll get into everyone's shoes and socks, dorky little pests. :/ How I wish suburbia would let me have a goat! :)

Well ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

Not as good as having your own, but useful to know: there are more and more landscaping services that use goats to remove noxious weeds and brush. Check your phonebook to see if anyone offers this in your area. Presumably you also get to keep the fertilizer they deposit.

Compound problems

[dialecticdreamer]

Being an American living under the poverty line, I'm dealing with a compounded, confusing octopode of a problem involving money and the so-called stimulus check. The stress alone from typing that SENTENCE is almost more than I can bear.

Re: Compound problems

[ysabetwordsmith]

That sucks. :(

We are seriously considering using my partner's check to buy a new television that he can put in a room upstairs, allowing him to enjoy musical shows when I am working in my office (which is right next to the living room with the current TV). This would improve work and recreation for both of us.

Re: Compound problems

[dialecticdreamer]

I put old television shows on another tab on my computer as background noise when writing. I can't put in new to me media of any kind, or it pulls my attention away from what I'm doing. Totally. Like slamming into a brick wall. Television in another room OR, if you can use them on the current TV, a set of wireless headphones for the current machine will be a TREMENDOUS help if you have a similar frustration. And hopefully much cheaper than another television.

Re: Compound problems

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> I put old television shows on another tab on my computer as background noise when writing. <<

Television doesn't work as background noise for most purposes for me.

>>I can't put in new to me media of any kind, or it pulls my attention away from what I'm doing.<<

Same here.

>> Television in another room OR, if you can use them on the current TV, a set of wireless headphones for the current machine will be a TREMENDOUS help if you have a similar frustration.<<

I tend to scramble wireless things. A wire has a plastic sheath that protects it from my energy field.

Re: Compound problems

[dialecticdreamer]

Hm. I wonder if your partner could use the wireless headphones, thus using the current television and leaving more stimulus money for other things... legos, for example!

Re: Compound problems

[ysabetwordsmith]

The current television is old. I don't know if it would even work with wireless headphones. In any case, wireless things don't last long in this house. The phone we're using for partial internet access? It only really worked as a mobile hotspot for a day or two, then stopped working for anything it wasn't tethered to.

My partner has been wanting a new TV for a long time. I don't, because all the new ones are the wrong shape now. But if it makes him happy, fine.

Re: Compound problems

[dialecticdreamer]

Then you've solved 90% of the problem already. The rest is just minor details. I hope that he enjoys the television when it arrives!

Since I'm the only one messing with media, headphones solve my problem, for a lot less money, weight, and space.