25 votes

Topic deleted by author

36 comments

  1. [3]
    starchturrets
    Link
    Browse tildes.net, of course!

    Browse tildes.net, of course!

    18 votes
    1. [3]
      Comment deleted by author
      Link Parent
      1. [2]
        Batcow
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        When I started out on this site a couple weeks ago, I was definitely still spending more time on Reddit than Tildes. But gradually it shifted, and I got more confident about commenting/posting,...

        When I started out on this site a couple weeks ago, I was definitely still spending more time on Reddit than Tildes. But gradually it shifted, and I got more confident about commenting/posting, getting involved in the community and content generation, and now Tildes makes up the majority of my social media time. So just keep using both and don't be afraid to get involved, if Tildes is for you, I think you'll naturally gravitate. :)

        7 votes
        1. what
          Link Parent
          Same thing here! I’m usually a bit more of a lurker, but as I’ve started spending more time on Tildes, I’ve started posting/commenting more (even on other websites like Reddit). I think the...

          Same thing here! I’m usually a bit more of a lurker, but as I’ve started spending more time on Tildes, I’ve started posting/commenting more (even on other websites like Reddit). I think the community feels much more welcoming, and as a person who considers himself not a great writer, I find myself typing long comments then deleting them much less often here.

          I guess due to the primarily text focused nature it’s also remained my how and my attention span has become, so I’ve been trying harder to get some of it back by reading more, multitasking less, and mediating.

          3 votes
  2. [4]
    demifiend
    Link
    I drive too fast with the stereo up too loud. I know these aren't healthy coping mechanisms and I don't care.

    I drive too fast with the stereo up too loud. I know these aren't healthy coping mechanisms and I don't care.

    11 votes
    1. [2]
      Torgine
      Link Parent
      Are you playing Eurobeat through the system though? That is the question.

      Are you playing Eurobeat through the system though? That is the question.

      8 votes
      1. demifiend
        Link Parent
        That depends on whether Rammstein counts as Eurobeat.

        That depends on whether Rammstein counts as Eurobeat.

        6 votes
    2. sublime_aenima
      Link Parent
      Sadly I can’t drive fast where I live, so I do the next best thing and head out to the canyon to drive off road with my music too loud

      Sadly I can’t drive fast where I live, so I do the next best thing and head out to the canyon to drive off road with my music too loud

      6 votes
  3. Whom
    Link
    I typically start a project or start learning a skill that will be the source of my next need for de-stressing.

    I typically start a project or start learning a skill that will be the source of my next need for de-stressing.

    10 votes
  4. [6]
    Torgine
    Link
    Gaming, listening to music and maybe mess around with my yo-yo. Right now I’m playing Skyrim but heavily modded.

    Gaming, listening to music and maybe mess around with my yo-yo.

    Right now I’m playing Skyrim but heavily modded.

    8 votes
    1. [5]
      teaearlgraycold
      Link Parent
      What kinds of mods are we talking about? I only ever modded Skyrim to improve its graphics and usability.

      What kinds of mods are we talking about? I only ever modded Skyrim to improve its graphics and usability.

      4 votes
      1. [4]
        Torgine
        Link Parent
        I don’t have access to my computer right now so I can’t post my mod list but here are a few highlights... Wildcat Complete Alchemy and Cooking Overhaul Immersive Armors & Immersive Weapons

        I don’t have access to my computer right now so I can’t post my mod list but here are a few highlights...

        6 votes
        1. [2]
          teaearlgraycold
          Link Parent
          Thanks! I now recall that I used an "alternative start" mod that would let you start a new game in any of the major cities. You ever use something like that?

          Thanks! I now recall that I used an "alternative start" mod that would let you start a new game in any of the major cities. You ever use something like that?

          6 votes
          1. Torgine
            Link Parent
            Ah yes, Alternate Start. I plan to once I’ve finished the base game and DLCs with my Breton Mage-Knight-Archer.

            Ah yes, Alternate Start. I plan to once I’ve finished the base game and DLCs with my Breton Mage-Knight-Archer.

            4 votes
        2. NessY
          Link Parent
          Ah yep I started with something similar to that too before jumping all the way down the "cloaks" and hypothermia survival mods wormhole.

          Ah yep I started with something similar to that too before jumping all the way down the "cloaks" and hypothermia survival mods wormhole.

          1 vote
  5. JuniperMonkeys
    Link
    Tea, podcasts, and mindless chores or dumb projects. This week I've been taking my Osborne 1 apart and cleaning/refurbishing it, and last week was TV-area cable management. That kinda stuff that...

    Tea, podcasts, and mindless chores or dumb projects. This week I've been taking my Osborne 1 apart and cleaning/refurbishing it, and last week was TV-area cable management. That kinda stuff that doesn't need much brain power but gives instant nice results.

    7 votes
  6. [4]
    rjdusk
    Link
    Gaming -- ESO, I love wandering around taking in all the ambience of the maps Exercise -- It's great having very short term goals, like I have to run to the top of this hill. Yoga I find is a...
    • Gaming -- ESO, I love wandering around taking in all the ambience of the maps
    • Exercise -- It's great having very short term goals, like I have to run to the top of this hill. Yoga I find is a great de-stresser directly after going for a run. I usually do a 6.5km run 5 times a week and listen to podcasts
    • Meditation -- This I'm just starting to try out. I've found I sleep much better, though I suspect it's because I'm away from my computer about 1 hour before bed. Need to experiment more with it
    7 votes
    1. [2]
      bhrgunatha
      Link Parent
      Aside Stress is absolutely required and without it you wouldn't do much. I think the reason people suffer from stress is they retain it after it's spurred you into action and they can't, don't, or...

      Aside

      Stress is absolutely required and without it you wouldn't do much. I think the reason people suffer from stress is they retain it after it's spurred you into action and they can't, don't, or won't let it go and it sticks around and increases over time.
      (Loose terminology to get the point across. )


      Meditation,

      I've found over the years that meditation doesn't de-stress, instead it acts as a barrier or a filter to stress. If you keep meditating you're less likely to cling on to it and let it build up (I think that's because we slowly gain control over our mental activity, through practice.)

      Someone gave me a fantastic metaphor that life is like travelling across a sea and meditation is a device that helps us float on top of the waves rather than get battered and tossed around by them

      My advice is to start with 5-10 minutes of meditation twice a day and build a habit over time. I think the best times are when you wake up, before breakfast and before you eat dinner - whatever your schedule is like.

      5 votes
      1. critter615
        Link Parent
        Can I share my meditation metaphor? Imagine your mind as a clear glass of water, with some part of it also containing sand. When you have stress, the glass swirls around and the water becomes...

        Can I share my meditation metaphor?

        Imagine your mind as a clear glass of water, with some part of it also containing sand.

        When you have stress, the glass swirls around and the water becomes cloudy with sand. Every time you dwell on the stress, or make attempts to avoid it, your mind continues to swirl with sand.

        When you actively seek stillness and perspective, the glass stops swirling. The sand slowly settles on the bottom – allowing you to watch each sediment closely as it floats downward – until finally the water above becomes clear.

        If you practice often, the stress doesn't go anywhere, but over time the glass doesn't swirl as much or as strongly.

        3 votes
    2. [2]
      Comment deleted by author
      Link Parent
      1. what
        Link Parent
        Reminds me of the classic Minecraft from years ago when servers were pretty much just free-for-all creative (with some moderation so people didn’t grief). It was incredible what some people built,...

        Reminds me of the classic Minecraft from years ago when servers were pretty much just free-for-all creative (with some moderation so people didn’t grief). It was incredible what some people built, especially back then before there were tools to help build larger structures.

        This is a reason why I enjoy modded Minecraft, and right now Sky Factory 3 specifically, I just put The Office on one monitor, and play on another. If I want I can just do simple farming or building, or I can work more actively towards a goal. It’s super relaxing, I love getting sidetracked and grinding to craft stuff, forgetting what it’s for, and coming back to it later. It’s super chill, and I love how much stuff there is to do.

        1 vote
  7. [3]
    hackergal
    Link
    Drink alcohol. My favorite drink is a lot.

    Drink alcohol. My favorite drink is a lot.

    6 votes
    1. [2]
      novac
      Link Parent
      Where our drug-dependent Tildes users at?

      Where our drug-dependent Tildes users at?

      1 vote
  8. [3]
    pleure
    Link
    Go the gym, write some fiction or poetry, make a big cup of tea and watch some videos, if it's really bad make a 4chan post venting about whatever's wrong.

    Go the gym, write some fiction or poetry, make a big cup of tea and watch some videos, if it's really bad make a 4chan post venting about whatever's wrong.

    3 votes
    1. [2]
      what
      Link Parent
      How helpful is 4chan for stuff like that? I mean, I’ve always thought completely anonymous public communication methods should exist, but from the general reputation 4chan gets, it doesn’t sound...

      How helpful is 4chan for stuff like that? I mean, I’ve always thought completely anonymous public communication methods should exist, but from the general reputation 4chan gets, it doesn’t sound like the best place for venting.

      Of course, I haven’t ever really used 4Chan, so I’d be interested in knowing your experience with it!

      2 votes
      1. pleure
        Link Parent
        4chan definitely deserves its reputation, it's filled with nazis, misogynists, racists, etc. It's not a good place by any means, the total anonymity and largely non-existent moderation ensure...

        4chan definitely deserves its reputation, it's filled with nazis, misogynists, racists, etc. It's not a good place by any means, the total anonymity and largely non-existent moderation ensure that. But that anonymity also allows a level of truthfulness and openness that I don't think exists anywhere else on the web. Amongst the muck there are some truly sensitive, caring individuals there. There's a reason the site birthed the "feels" meme. I'd speculate that part of the reason 4chan is so toxic is that it's home to many sad, deeply hurt people.

        4 votes
  9. a_wild_swarm_appears
    Link
    Ironically, I play X-COM :-D It's a different kind of stress though. But I try to have a few different things on the go, so I read some scifi, cooking with my wife and kid. I'm into low and slow...

    Ironically, I play X-COM :-D
    It's a different kind of stress though.
    But I try to have a few different things on the go, so I read some scifi, cooking with my wife and kid. I'm into low and slow bbqing, which is great for forcing you to relax; When you have a 12 hour cook going you are forced to just chill and do some gardening or read a book. It doesn't take much looking after, but you can't leave it for extended periods.
    I also like spending time in the forests, for walks, running and picking mushrooms.
    I like programming too, but my current laptop isn't powerful enough for any serious projects. So I'm saving for a new one that can handle that type of thing.
    I mess around with digital djing too. I'm terrible at it but it's fun.

    3 votes
  10. [3]
    Ghost1y
    Link
    I have some unhealthy habits that I do when I'm stressed, but the effective ones I've found are: Reading. I find reading a paper book can be the most effective, because you can turn off your phone...

    I have some unhealthy habits that I do when I'm stressed, but the effective ones I've found are:

    1. Reading. I find reading a paper book can be the most effective, because you can turn off your phone and computer, and a lot of the noise starts to fade away. Dedicated ebook readers with no browser/tablet functionality are probably great too!
    2. Play some sort of relaxing game. One thing I sometimes do is grind for gear in a game, and the repetitive nature is pretty relaxing! Can be a great time to listen to a podcast or audiobook if you want, since you don't have to pay attention anyway. But better I think is games that are peaceful. I've been playing Breath of the Wild again, and sure, there's some combat, but the exploration certainly lends itself to a relaxing atmosphere. Puzzle games are also good for this—a personal favorite is The Talos Principle! I've found that I relax more on my Switch than on my PC, because on my PC I'm often tempted to go online (which is often stressful) or play some sort of competitive game. The Switch lends itself better to single-player and coop games which are more relaxing.
    2 votes
    1. [3]
      Comment deleted by author
      Link Parent
      1. [2]
        Ghost1y
        Link Parent
        I think some books are certainly more relaxing than others. Like, I know a lot of people like them, but if you can't get into them, the Lord of the Rings trilogy is dense. It may sound kinda...

        I think some books are certainly more relaxing than others. Like, I know a lot of people like them, but if you can't get into them, the Lord of the Rings trilogy is dense. It may sound kinda silly, but one book I've liked recently is "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up." Honestly, you don't even have to follow the advice in the book for it to relax you, because I find her prose charming, and the way she appreciates things makes for a nice read. I also like "Daily Rituals," which is a book that basically explains the daily habits of many famous authors, artists, scientists, etc. which is both interesting and relaxing, as I think seeing people's habits like that both gives you some insight into their personality, and also humanizes them (we tend not to focus on how repetitive work is when other people do it!). "Letters of Note" also fits into this "relaxing book" category, with a collection of interesting letters and a backstory to the letter. Many are letters to friends or relatives with advice from famous authors, some are carefully responded-to fan mail, and some are well-written or noteworthy letters about important events.

        Another option I like is a "microhistory" book—a book on a very small (so likely something you don't know a lot about, making learning about them more enjoyable) aspect of history. One I'm reading right now is a gorgeous book called "Bitten by the Witch Fever" which is about the history of the use of arsenic in wallpapers in Victorian homes, even though they knew the dangers of arsenic! Chapters discussing the knowledge of use of arsenic as a murder tool, as a dye material, and it falling out of favor, are interspersed with gorgeous full color prints of samples of wallpaper. Another one I like is called "The Cheater's Guide to Baseball," which discusses the history of baseball and cheating, from relatively innocuous and legal things that might be seen as unsportsmanlike to those unfamiliar with baseball (players faking the tag, the hidden ball trick, tricky groundskeeping) through the illegal but not banworthy (throwing spitballs, corking bats) to the things that resulted in bans (the Black Sox scandal).

        Finally, I do find that even some books not seen as relaxing can be still good for avoiding other stresses, as you become engrossed in the book and forget about whatever the problem was. I don't think Dan Brown is a good writer, and I don't think his books are very good. However, they are page-turners, and "Angels and Demons" and "The Da Vinci Code" can certainly keep you hooked if you don't get turned off by his writing (some people do). Harder to get into, but certainly fascinating is "House of Leaves" by Mark Z. Danielewski. It's very experimental in parts (you'll see what I mean), but it involves a documentary that may or may not exist about a house that is larger on the inside than it is on the outside, and the house becomes more labyrinthine as time goes on.

        I don't particularly recommend "heavy" books for relaxing, nor much horror (House of Leaves is horror, but not in the same way that "It" is horror) because these tend to cause stress in my experience.

        3 votes
        1. what
          Link Parent
          I’m currently reading House of Leaves (haven’t quite gotten to all the crazy pages but I think I’m close), and all I can say so far is... wow. I love these kinds of weird books (metafiction?...

          I’m currently reading House of Leaves (haven’t quite gotten to all the crazy pages but I think I’m close), and all I can say so far is... wow.

          I love these kinds of weird books (metafiction? postmodernism?) and I think HOL is incredibly well-written.

          Like you said, HOL horror is a bit more subtle. For me, I love how it can turn from a little bit unsettling to scary in just a few words. Maybe it’s how fast it happens, but some parts have felt pretty scary to me.

          I also love how immersive it is; how real The Navidson Record and the entire world the book takes place in feels. I guess that’s kinda the point of the book, and it’s very well done.

          To be honest, there’s also a lot of this book that I don’t understand (which from what I’ve heard is supposed to happen?), I’m very excited to be able to read about and discuss the book when I’m done.

          2 votes
  11. Emerald_Knight
    Link
    Play a game, binge-watch a show, or--if I can afford to do so--have a good drink and listen to some good music.

    Play a game, binge-watch a show, or--if I can afford to do so--have a good drink and listen to some good music.

    2 votes
  12. [3]
    Shahriar
    Link
    Music production or going to the gym. Anything productive in a sense that accomplishes something.

    Music production or going to the gym. Anything productive in a sense that accomplishes something.

    1 vote
    1. [2]
      what
      Link Parent
      I’ve been interested in music production for a while, but I don’t really know how to get started. I know some music theory, a little bit of sound design, and how to use a DAW (FL Studio), but I...

      I’ve been interested in music production for a while, but I don’t really know how to get started. I know some music theory, a little bit of sound design, and how to use a DAW (FL Studio), but I just can’t seem to put everything together into creating an actual first song. Do you have any tips on getting started? It seems like I can find tutorials and guides on all the separate pieces, but never how to put them all together.

      2 votes
      1. Shahriar
        Link Parent
        What I did as I'm really into EDM was I tried to mimic my favourite artists, then from there I would go about to creating my own versions and eventually my own original music from the tools and...

        What I did as I'm really into EDM was I tried to mimic my favourite artists, then from there I would go about to creating my own versions and eventually my own original music from the tools and knowledge I've learned along the way. I'd recommend just going down a trip on YouTube to see how to work with your DAW and what plugins and tools that may come handy.

        2 votes
  13. novac
    Link
    Beer, weed, friends/girlfriend, video games, and internet.

    Beer, weed, friends/girlfriend, video games, and internet.

    1 vote
  14. annadane
    Link
    Club baby seals.

    Club baby seals.

  15. [2]
    Comment removed by site admin
    Link
    1. sublime_aenima
      Link Parent
      I used to enjoy whiskey a bit too much to destress and it became nightly and would turn into getting into arguments on reddit. Now I try to just smoke some pot and take my dogs for a long walk.

      I used to enjoy whiskey a bit too much to destress and it became nightly and would turn into getting into arguments on reddit. Now I try to just smoke some pot and take my dogs for a long walk.

      3 votes