Somewhere between bombastic buffoonery and domestic distraction. Old enough to have shaved off most of the rough edges of youth, but with a little energy left yet. Feeling a growing urge to return to passions to create I had when I was younger; writing, working on mods or an indie game, or building a project car.

I wouldn't walk around bragging, most of the things I'm proud of aren't grand, epic accomplishments, but I'm remarkably happy and content.

6.5 hours of sleep every night and a commitment to never work 90+ hour weeks again. Diving into gaming, which serves as both a form of my escapism as well as a social space to spend time with friends.

Learning to enjoy the moment, even when things don't go as planned. Time spent with family and loved ones; being in my late 30s, I'm getting to the age where I recognize more than ever how important it is to appreciate them while they're still here.

Been on an entire kick about reading histories of game development studios. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

I'm in a phase where I'm reconciling my desires with my reality and deciding what I want my next phase of life to be like. I have a healthy orientation to work and balance it well with my personal life. But what kind of life work will be meaningful going forward? How I do I want this chapter of life to feel? It's exciting to have space and opportunity to think through the big questions.

It's good - peaceful, positive and drama free. I have friends, family and hobbies I enjoy.

Writing - creatively or in a journal, reading, learning something new, walks and laughing with loved ones keeps me sane and balanced. And when I get to travel or go to the coast it helps.

Loving family relationships, reciprocal and warm friendships, creativity and self-expression, freedom

The Equalizer is a getting a spinoff

I spent the last couple of years in what I like to call my "mid-life awakening" and currently am transitioning to v2.0 of myself. Quit corporate America after hitting coastFIRE at 36, to be stay-at-home dog mom / author. Transitioning from a go-go life to slowing down, and trying to enjoy the small things. I had a demanding job that compensated well but also required a lot of travel. I tried to fill my PTO and time-off with *doing" things - travel/concerts etc and now that I quit (thanks to my husband), want to start *being*, learning to take joy in the slow life of cooking fresh food and walking the dog everyday.

I am incredibly grateful for where I am. Childfree, immigrant, eldest daughter lucky to have a bought a house before the pandemic and happily married to an academic who loves his job. Some days I feel like I am living my dream! Looking for more local, meaningful friendships.

Good books, working out, climbing, my husband, caring friends, moving music, therapy, psychology books, learning something new, medicinal plants.

Writing seriously and fixing my muscle imbalances.

There are no bridges built across the Amazon river despite how long the river runs.

I'm 30. I'm in a hell of a better place than I was 11 years ago. I work to have a better life for me and the people around me.

It's going well. I'm in a place that allows me time to be who I am on the weekends. Work is work. But when I get home to be a nerd playing games or building gundams it's nice.

Any of my hobbies.be it building the gundams,playing video games, joining a dnd campaign....or even making soap,painting,candles...anything crafty is just as nice.

My family. Which is mostly my siblings and my niece who just came into this world not long ago.

I got into magic the gathering...somewhat addicted....

I'm in my mid-30s and mid-career in academia pondering a career change to try something new. While I feel solidly settled in Sacramento, I've lived in California for 6 years and in some ways, living in this state feels like a bit of a vacation still, which is a pretty special feeling. I bought a house in 2020 because of a change in my housing situation early in the pandemic and not wanting to negotiate COVID boundaries with someone new, I'm surprised to find that I've leaned into the whole domestic situation and fixing things up. I worked hard my first several years here to build a network of friends, and find at this stage in life I'm forming closer friendships based on shared activities, like golfing, paddleboarding, hiking, talking book recs, trivia nights, etc. I'd love to meet more folks who also like to get out and talk over shared hobbies.

I feel pretty fortunate overall. I can get a bit down the rabbit hole of wondering what else is out there to explore like I'm not doing enough, but I have a wonderful relationship with my mother and really close friends, and I really cherish that. The last few years were an unfortunate culmination of grief from the loss of a close family member plus burnout, but I'm coming out of it with slightly tentative excitement for whatever's next. Leaning into all of the fun outdoor stuff to get into in NorCal helps break up feelings of monotony.

I moved out here fresh out of a breakup and not knowing anyone, so I took up boxing. 6 years later and I still find it to be an incredible stress-reliever. That, and I'm an endless hobbyist. I love learning and trying new things.

I have toyed with the idea of quitting drinking for a while for a variety of reasons, so I'm 12 days sans alcohol and really trying to honor that as hard as it can be in social situations where it feels like you're the only one not partaking. That, and self-compassion. Recovering perfectionist over here.

That setting up drip irrigation is like adult legos, but with tubing and water. There's numerous ways to put it all together, so it’s surprisingly forgiving.

I'm at the point where I feel like it's time for me to start working on interesting projects. I just began the literature review for a nonfiction book about close-knit communities in the United States. I'm picking up photography again and meeting with new people from all walks of life to hear their stories.

It's going alright! I take care of my elderly parents, and I've been socially isolated since the pandemic, but I'm breaking out of my shell.

Reading sociological books and classic novels, listening to classical and folk music, going for walks in nature, having interesting conversations with friends and strangers, cooking comfort foods from various cultures, going on day trips.

Making sure I take care of myself, not just other people.

The best quotation I've come across recently: “Let me make the songs of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws.” Andrew Fletcher, Scottish writer

Having recently moved solo to CA from my home state of MI, I’m sitting on a land mine of potential new beginnings. I currently have no ties to much of anything and I’m devoted to spending the course of the next year to exploring possible career options, finding my place in the community here, and making brand new connections in a bit of a different social culture. I just turned 21.

Things are pretty and peaceful at the moment. New beginnings have led me to a very blank canvas view on what’s ahead which is a refreshing sentiment. I’m content with my ordinary days but srsly looking forward to filling the space I’ve created with new experiences and deeper connections. I miss my small circle back home.

When my widths are thin I know it’s time take myself on a hike. The nature here is beyond competition with what I’ve had access to before and every second I don’t get to spend taking it all in is one more second I’m waiting to get out there. If I’m not going for a walk I’m sitting outside reading or fumbling my way through the same song on guitar for the 20th time.

It’s most important to me right now to re-learn how to live for myself! Having spent my late teens in towns I didn’t enjoy living in or relationships that kept me from realizing my own potential, my days are now 100% about indulging my inner child and doing whatever feels fulfilling in the moment. My top priority is being authentic so the building blocks of my near future start to come together in a way that sets me up for longer term happiness.

“What was the first fungus?” from History of the earth. Anything Ecology or Botany related is worth time thinking about, especially in the city of trees.