#frugal vegan

[gynoidgearhead]

"vegan leather" should be banned

I'm not joking

it's literally fucking plastic. and bottom-tier plastic at that

the coating disintegrates within a year and comes off in disgusting messy plastic crumbles that get everywhere

and then underneath it's just like. fucking. rayon or polyester

which could most of the time be used by itself (but rayon has problems too)

it's a sustainability nightmare, its mere existence actively makes any product you can obtain today worse, and it does not and cannot stop people from buying real leather because it is miserably unsuitable as a replacement (even denim or vinyl would be better for most applications)

ban "vegan leather"

[roamingtree]

Prepping for the work week as a person who feels like she's got her ADHD finally under control, and who has multiple dietary constraints, some of which are voluntary, who grew up in a household where my mom stayed home to homeschool us kids, grow food, and cook from scratch*. For a household of two adults who both work 40 hours a week in a physically demanding job.

Frugality, digestibility, and vegan are my main constraints, and I'm also trying to increase the number of vegetables and fruits we eat. I don't count calories, because that is a whole lot of effort I've never felt the need to apply.

Weekend prep usually consists of:

Making sourdough bread

Making tempeh

Soaking beans

Double checking the meal plan on the refrigerator

Going shopping based on the meal plan on the refrigerator

I've actually gone through a lot of trouble to find recipes that I can make quickly and easily before and after work, without repeating so much that we get sick of them. I know some people prepare by making all their lunches for the week the same and cooking it all on the weekend, but if I tried that, I wouldn't be able to make myself eat lunch by the third day.

So. Variety.

I've got these recipes arranged by day, so to go shopping, all I have to do is flip through them and write down what we're low on and things that are perishable.

In an ideal world, I would feed the starter for the bread and soak the soy beans for the tempeh Friday night, cook and inoculate the tempeh Saturday morning, make dough and do the first several folds for the sourdough Saturday night then fridge it, and bake the bread and get the beans soaking Sunday morning. I also like to go foraging at least once on the weekend, and so a bit of gardening, which really helps in the whole trying to eat more vegetables while not spending gobs of money thing.

*BTW, her most repeated bit of advice to her three girls was to never put yourself in a position where you were financially dependant on a man. She didn't feel the need to tell my brothers this for some reason.

[crescentkick]

Preface

April 4th, 2024

For starters, I am not completely destitute. This blog is mostly for me to keep track of my progress. I have a degree of security in regard to housing, a little bit of money left, and things to sell if it comes down to it. On the more personal side, my girlfriend is great, my family is supportive, and I have a good group of friends. Physically, I am starting from absolutely nothing. Years of prescription ADHD medication and both a sedentary work and home life have left me skinny-fat. Not to a terrible degree, but it's definitely not healthy. I'd ideally like to get in fighting shape or maybe play hockey in a beer league.

As far as the Church goes, I haven't been to Mass since Ash Wednesday of 2020, which I believe was the last day before the lockdowns. There's not really any good reason for being separated for so long. I haven't lost faith at all. I pray almost constantly and observe certain things from the convenience of my home (abstinence, fasting, etc.). It comes down to fear of confession and repetition of sins. Easy fix, but it feels like a big hurdle. Half of you will understand and the other half will pretend not to.

I worked in the office of a steel warehouse for five years before abruptly leaving to get away from a micromanaging bitch boss. From there, I started working at a hip, millennial logistics company that fancied itself some kind of Silicon Valley tech startup. I was fired from there after a couple of months for reasons that remain unclear. I took notes and was honestly good at the job, given the short amount of time I was there. I think it had more to do with not fitting in than anything. Since there was no break between those two jobs, the 'vacation' was welcome at first. I didn't even really start applying for works until about a month in, and even then, it was fairly casual, thinking that because it was so easy to find another job before, it would be the same this time around. Well, it's been entirely unfruitful so far, and I'm frantically looking for work. lmao Luckily, the last place paid really well, so I was able to squirrel a lot of money (relatively) away in a very short amount of time and take care of my bills for a couple of months.

I haven't had health insurance in several months, so I haven't been able to get my meds. This is a good thing, as they were the cause of a lot of problems in my life. It was one of those "I'll quit tomorrow" situations for literally years. They made my anxiety unmanageable, I would drink a lot more on them, smoke/vape/Zyn, and sit on my phone all day when not working. The anxiety and behavioral changes were causing problems in other areas of my life too. They're no good for relationships, be it romantic, familial, whatever. Being off of them is one of the best things that's happened to me, and I won't be taking them on a regular basis ever again. Being off them, it was an immediate 180°. There's still a lot of anxiety, but it's under control. I drink like a normal person now (maybe ever other week or so with my friends) and have no desire to use nicotine, despite smoking since I was fourteen. I feel active. I'm working out. I feel like a cat in a canary shop. Life is pretty good, all things considered, and this is the happiest I've been in a long time. Maybe the secret to true happiness is being a lazy bum after all.

Anyway, this blog is going to be my diary for all intents and purposes. Chime in with any workout advice or opinions on anything. Alongside my ramblings and progress notes, I'll do reviews of pipe tobacco, cologne, booze, music, etc. to keep it interesting.

[sofu4world]

(Going to start posting this here! Pls bear with me while I figure out the best formatting for Tumblr<3) (all @ are for IG handles)

This week's calendar 4 SEFFS (sustainable ethical frugal (fruity) freaks)!!☀️💘🌈🫀😆💥

- foodwise, usual Food Commune and farmers' markets🥬🍅 - it's the LAST week to gather sigs for the #copcityvote referendum petition!!!!! Get out there homies!!! Canvass, meet cool ppl, fuck cop city!!!😸📝👮‍♂️🚫 -hella City of Atlanta committee meetings this week. get there, get engaged, and show some non-boomer rep!!🕺🏢 - Insomnia Cookies is doing spend $5, get 6 free cookies thru August. idk if they do fairtrade choc, so can only recc the vegan "birthday cake" cookie🍪 - @charisbooksandmore Open Mic on Thurs 🎤✨ - @thebakeryatl "If The Creek Don't Rise" Exhibition opens this week w gallery, food, and live performers!🖼️💃 - see "English" (play) at Alliance Theatre for free if u check out the library pass🎭🎟️ - Piedmont Park Arts Festival this weekend. free!🖼️🌳 - @atldemsoc Monthly General Meeting on Sat🌹❣️ - Miami Circle Gallery Stroll up in buckhead on sat. free art galleries!🖼️😎

& more to be added! Full gcal on sofusjournal.org/gcal as always💘

-

Trying out a new format so y'all can see the week's events better here. Skipped today cuz it's late and skipped Tuesday cuz it's just Atlanta city gov meetings happening and I ran out of slides so wanted to post more slay stuff 😛

Also, with college starting up again, I've added a GSU-only tab to the gcal. These are events that I think would be difficult to sneak into unless ur a GSU student. GSU events that are more open to the public will remain on the other calendar tabs 👌🐈dw I love to leach off institutions😆🌟

-

*Calendar for SEFFs is an actively updated calendar compiling Atlanta happenings that appeal to my fellow artistic, frugal, vegan, activist, car-free, queer, environmentalist freaks😛💘. gcal includes car-free/transit access info & covid-safety details

[princessfaerygia]

I did laundry. Cried all over my blanket yesterday and blew my nose on it and slept with it. I didn't go to gym for two days.

I showered which is good because I had not showered for a good four days I feel. now I am walking to the grocery store to get my boyfriend a tv dinner. He also wants a donut but they may not have his flavor available. Maple donut is his favorite flavor. I am going to buy some vegan acai berry yogurt to eat later if they have it.

I want to be more frugal with my money. My boyfriend is frugal with his so perhaps I can be frugal with my amount allowed me every month.

Sunlight shining, I am warm. I am wearing a horse tank top from mom, grey warm v neck sweater, black cardigan, fluffy winter socks(1 grey and 1 seafoam green), navy blue leggings, and dark green long scarf wrapped around my neck and clean wet hair, and same ol light grey sneakers.

Breathing out. Breathing in through my nose. It's been communicated that we should breathe in and out our nose versus our mouths. Healthier maybe. But exhaling through mouth is so relieving. It's almost like a sigh.

Removed my scarf because the sun is warming me a tad too much. Now I am overdressed in the heat. But very soon I will be under the shady bridge. For like a minute. Yay. I am in a good mood.

My mom's back was hurting yesterday but feels better now. My boyfriends back was hurting but we put extra padding on our seafoam mattress and his back is better also. I highly recommend sleeping on plain mattress or seafoam mattress with bedding, versus actual framed upward beds. Master of earth on YouTube speaks of how we misbehave as a species and sleeping on floor is most innate, evolutionary, and I personally believe its better spiritually for us.

[infinitesplinters]

Walking

When you brought black flowers to my birthday party, I lost my liquor. Time to go, time to show, time to be everything I always wanted to be. In the presence of another. Be seen, this shame rolls off like rain from yellow jackets stinging my conscience every foolish word that escaped me. You have your hope and your powers. Symmetry of rings, stones, holes in your pockets where the divine follows. Trail of breadcrumbs but reversed course, as my life, as my meaning, where any faith becomes grounded. Make shift vegan charcuterie, breakers left to the wind. Eyes to the dirt where our grasp cannot escape we. Only feels too heavy to lift. Alone, it is impossible, together, there's the potential for drowning. Water from heavy weather, flood damage looming, shit water and desire, blocks me up from what really counts. Each day, each hour of freedom, unburdened by duties and trying to be frugal in our ways. Even though the Amazon click is so near. Capsized by a look, a glance. When you acknowledged a text, I felt like I existed again. Over here, in the pit, I am biding my time. Darkness isn't bad unless you decide you must see. There's nothing worse than unknowns: mystery bank statements, unanswered calls, my mind state on a Tuesday, when this party will wind down, when this stain will wash out. Lost in the dreams, it's hard to tell which way is up. I watched you pick up your bag and keep on walking. I'm just following suit. I don't mind, I don't want anything but to follow beautiful foot steps.

[kristenbrady]

Advice From Those Who Lived During The Depression

There is a common theme running through all the following depression-age frugal ideas, and it is this: waste ABSOLUTELY nothing. In an era of scarcity, no one could waste anything. In sort of a way, it was a lot easier back then: products were built to last, and these products were built to be fixed. By the way, if you enjoy this article and want to read more articles on saving money tips please feel free to sign up here to catch every story when I publish! ⭐

Today, products are made to be wasted. However, it does not mean we need to buy into the waste/consume cycle. It merely means we must be a little savvier with how we spend our paycheck and what we do with the items we purchase. Below is a list of 38 tips from the Depression era:

1. Purchase Less — Occasionally it feels as if the more you purchase, the more that you need. Having fewer things and spending less money ceases that cycle. I have cut down on the things I buy. I now have five summer shirts, five winter shirts, two winter jackets, three jeans, and five pairs of shoes. And maybe about three nice outfits on hand for special occasions. That’s it.

The New Age of DIY

Don’t work extra hard to earn more money, learn how to save money by doing it yourself!

medium.com

3. Make all your stuff — Do you need a brand new bed frame or dining table? Why not attempt to make your own? Have you checked out the Ana White site? There are a lot of free, amazing projects showing a lady as someone capable with a saw and hammer!

4. Repair — It is much too easy to throw out what is broken and invest in a new one. However, if possible, and feasible, fix it instead of replacing it.

Video courtesy: Sustainably Vegan- 100 THINGS TO REUSE OR REPURPOSE YOU HAVE TO TRY

5. Repurpose Reuse — During the Great Depression, nothing was tossed out. Bread bags were reused as garbage bags or freezer bags. Old clothing was cut into new clothing or sewn into quilts, or cut into rags (they, of course, saved the zippers and buttons). Boxes, jars, and containers were repurposed for storage.

Priceless Blessings

Christian Historical Fiction

medium.com

6. Don’t use disposables — Disposables make you spend money on the same product every week. Reusable products mean you only have to pay for something once, which saves you money over time.

Video courtesy: Easy Sewing for Beginners- How to Mend Rips in Clothes

7. Mend clothes — Make them last as long as you can by line drying when possible and following washing directions.

8. Sew your stuff — If you make your clothes, bedspreads, linen, etc., you will be more than likely to have the desire to make them last as long as you can after putting in all of that work.

10. Use an apron — Aprons protect your clothing from stains, which helps them last longer.

11. Learn one or two handicrafts — Handicrafts make helpful hobbies, which avoids boredom and winds up with something very useful in the end.

Video courtesy: Doctor Mike — 10 Natural Remedies That Actually Work

12. Use home remedies — I am not against modern-day medicine, it is a life-saving, wonderful thing, and we use it when it’s needed. However, there is also a place for home remedies, and they complement modern-day medicine when it pertains to managing symptoms.

This Is How I Save Hundreds of Dollars on My Grocery Bill

These homemade cleaning products are so easy and cheap to make!

medium.com

13. Use homemade cleaners — Usually, homemade, natural cleaners are just as effective as chemical ones; however, they’re cheaper and decrease the toxic load inside your home.

14. Use hot water bottles — Less expensive method of warming the bed and staying warm in the wintertime.

16. Spend more time outdoors — Is it too hot indoors? Take all of your indoor work outside and sit in the shade.

17. Wear outfits more than one time — If your outfit isn’t dirty, wear it again before you wash and decrease the number of washes done.

18. Wash clothes weekly instead of daily — Having a weekly laundry day might seem a little outdated; however, during a period when folks wash clothes and towels every day, washing items such as linen and towels on a weekly basis instead of a daily basis will decrease the number of washes.

19. Bake other food while the oven is already on — Make the most of your oven and toss in something else while you are already baking some food.

Video courtesy: Howcast — How to Make Jams & Preserves

20. Preserve — Freeze vegetables and fruit or make jams and other types of preserves so that the harvest of today does not go to waste and it’s possible to make the most of everything out of season.

22. Wash dishes by hand — Washing inside the dishwasher might save water; however, it’ll cost more electricity. Instead, you should hand wash your dishes in a little bit of water to save.

23. Food foraging — Feed yourself free of charge with plants growing around the neighborhood. Before eating them, be certain that you know how to identify plants.

24. Scrape every last bit from a jar — Small rubber spatulas are the ideal tool for that. Making some jam shakes with the last little bit inside the jar is one other alternative.

25. Mix by hand — or chop or grate. Use a little elbow grease and save on the need for the gym, expensive appliances, and electricity.

Video courtesy: Frugal Money Saver — Frugal Living Learn How to Cook From Scratch! Tips for Stocking Your Pantry! Cream Of Soup!

26. Cook food from scratch — Consume healthy food that is less expensive than packaged and processed food.

27. Make your own soap — The majority of soap from the grocery store includes chemicals and is stripped of glycerine. Create your own higher-quality soap. If you use soap scraps, it’ll cost very little.

28. Always dry soaps — Whether purchased or handmade, soap will last longer if it’s dried. Put your soap in your clothing cupboard so it can dry, ward off silverfish, and give your clothing a fresh smell.

30. Curl hair using rags — Rather than using a curling iron, use rags to curl hair, which will save on electricity.

31. Squeeze the last bit of toothpaste out — Roll the toothpaste tube to use up every drop. Along the same lines, with a Q-tip you can also get out the last of your lipstick. Cut the shampoo bottle open or add some water to use the last bit of shampoo.

32. Try to shower less — Why take a shower on those days you spent all day loafing around the house? People have not always had the luxury of taking a shower on a daily basis. Sponge baths save water and are sufficient at getting clean on most days.

Video courtesy: AllMatters — How to use a Menstrual Cup — In-depth Instructional Video

33. Take advantage of reusable feminine products — Thanks to period undies and menstrual cups, it’s possible to choose products that are better for our environment, save money in the long run, and are more comfortable than their disposable versions.

34. Take advantage of the library in your neighborhood — Your local library offers so much more than books. You can stream movies, view DVDs, stream music, and listen to audiobooks, use their computers, borrow board games and puzzles, and attend classes. And more importantly, you can use those books to learn some new skills.

36. Free entertainment — Rather than spending your time at the cafes, shops, theme parks or in front of the Xbox or television, frugal entertainment involves telling stories, reading, playing board games, enjoying a day at the beach, having a picnic in the park, and hanging out with friends.

37. Grow most of your own food — Even just a couple of herbs in a windowsill can be an excellent start towards supplementing your grocery budget with your own produce. Organic food sources come at a premium; however, organic, homegrown food saves your budget.

Video courtesy: Growit Buildit — The Simplest Easy Method To Compost Piles!

38. Composting — Composting your scraps to add to the vegetable garden saves money and is the ultimate in recycling.

🌻Kristen is a contributor on Medium. Sign up here to catch every story when she publishes.

🧡Follow Kristen on Substack: https://substack.com/@kristenb

Originally posted on Medium

[yushox]

Winx Club headcanons

Specifically season 1&2 girls.

Bloom

A awkward teenager at first, not much from cannon is changed. Eventually she grows into her more confident princess status. The major change is that she is energetic as heck, possibly due to neurodivergency, she's always doing something and often infodumps topics she likes on anyone willing to listen.

Sexuality - unlabeled / queer

Gender - feminine but still queer, She/Her/Spark/Sparks

She is also polyamorous.

Later in her early adulthood after a couple of years trying out her luck with him she decides to just be friends with Sky and has a queerplatonic (w/benefits) relationship with Stella instead.

Stella

The token IT girl, all attention is on her wherever she goes. At the start of Alfea she doesn't exactly know how to properly make friends or how to fit in due to being previously homeschooled, but she quickly adapts and learns, being a social butterfly helps her with learning what it's like to have friends. She loves gossip and most definitely has neurodivergency or a learning disability of some sort. She also has a prosthetic leg (up to her thigh) due to a childhood accident that made her afraid of heights. She is albino but is naturally resilient against UV radiation.

Sexuality - bisexual

Gender - cisgender, She/Her

She is also polyamorous.

Later in her early adulthood she and Brandon get engaged, but Brandon is also perfectly okay with Bloom tagging along despite not being in a relationship with her.

Flora

The most feminine girly-girl in the group, her mother was a witch so she has some "witchy" abilities. She is also vegan and herbivorous. She comes from a relatively poor family and studied in Linphea College low-income division. Consequently she grew up with a certain resilience and frugality. Now after fighting tooth and nail to get into Alphea, she uses half of her Alphea stipend to pay for Mieles education so that her sister doesn't have as much of a difficult time with her education as she did. She is still the mom of the group, a follower of rules and very spiritual. She is neurotypical, and most definitely latina, heavily freckled and plus size.

Sexuality - Heterosexual

Gender - Cisgender, She/Her

She is monogamous and values loyalty to her partner, she also dislikes hurrying with relationships.

Later in life in her early adulthood she starts planning on settling down with Helia, she appreciates that Helia respects her not wanting to hurry their relationship. She finds much more enjoyment in a relationship by taking things slowly.

Musa

Our resident spunky party girl, a jokester that will bite back if you make fun of her short height. She is much smaller than the rest of the girls. Ironically she is introverted just like Techna, but she doesn't let that deter her from socialisation. She is the most low-income girl in the group, the only reason why she was admitted to Alfea was because her previous special education school noticed that her fairy magic was developing much faster than her peers and that she needed experienced mentors to help her learn how to control her magic before it could go awry and seriously harm her. She also likes dark magic... for some reason that would not be known untill much MUCH later in her life. She possibly has either or both anxiety and PTSD, and she is definitely neurodivergent. And it's not news that she is Asian, specifically Chinese.

Sexuality - pansexual

Gender - cisgender, demiboy, She/Her/He/Him, tomboy

She is the one who is most likely to not be serious about settling down with anyone, she generally dislikes the idea of choosing a parner for the rest of her life.

Later in her early adulthood she becomes Aishas "roommate", wink wink nudge nudge.

Tecna

The most introverted of the group, a total homebody. She largely does her own thing, she studies a majority of her lessons in Alfea online, only coming out to lessons that require physical involvement. It is very logical and can be quite insensitive at times, it also has difficulty understanding sarcasm and humor. Although being very stoic and not understanding emotions she still gets upset from being misgendered, overwhelmed or generaly hurt in anyway. It either has autism, ADHD or both. Tecna is nonverbal most of the time and can use both the sign languages of Zenith and the common English, she also incorporates technology to help her have a voice whenever she can't speak and the other person doesn't know sign language, she can't lip read as faces scare her. It is mixed race but appears as caucasian, she is also a descendant of a extinct pixie species only native to Zenith. Except for its head and upper torso nearly 40% of its body is replaced with cyborg parts that she maintains by herself. Much like all other people on Zenith Tecna has a high tolerance for cold temperatures but has more difficulty in warm temperatures.

Sexuality - aroace

Gender - agender, possibly also transgender, She/Her/It/It's/use her name/don't refer to her

Even simply friendship is a difficult concept for her, she doesn't mind romance or trying it out but any close relationships die out as quickly as they come, except for the Winx group and Timmy. It also eventually figures out enough about romance to be wildly protective of Musa against Riven and understands Aishas sadness about Nabu.

Later in early adulthood Tecna lives with Musa and Aisha in a separate room where it can spend multiple days just doing whatever technology or programing stuff, and if she feels like it then she chats with Timmy, though more than likely they would just have a gaming session instead of having any conversation, though she doesn't mind just listening to him talk.

Aisha

A sporty gym girl, she has also trained in some close combat fighting styles and incorporates this knowledge in her fairy-form battles. But most of her physical aptitude comes from more than excellent swimming capability. This has resulted in her being incredibly muscular at early age. Being a princess just like Stella and Bloom she can also be considered as the most diplomatic of the group and despite not exactly liking being a princess she understands her position well and knows her place on the grand scheme of things. She takes her princess status surprisingly seriously, caring immensely about her people. She is a siren descendant and has gills and retractable razor sharp claws. She also has fought some sea monsters native to Andros and is immensely proud of the scars gained in these battles. She is black but it must be remembered that on Andros being black is considered as Earths Albino, except on Andros these people are treated like royalty or just high status for their rarity.

Sexuality - Bisexual

Gender - Cisgender She/Her, intersex

She dislikes the concept of arranged marriages and plans to abolish this rule when she eventually gains reign on Andros.

In early adulthood she was engaged to Nabu and was halfway done with marriage planning when tragedy struck and Nabu fell into a coma with a high possibility of never waking up. Eventually after living with Musa for several years she gained some feelings for the smaller woman and started a queer relationship with her, not wanting to try settling down seriously with anyone as her heart is forever loyal to Nabu.

[suprememastertv]

Today, we have a practical tip from our Beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan):

Hi loving kids. Wishing all of you wellness, in Divine Grace. Here is something I’d like to share with you. When your skin care tube or toothpaste tube content does not come out at all anymore, this does not mean it is really empty. Just cut them in two halves and further use them. You will be surprised how much is still left inside. Take good care of yourself and the environment as much as you can. God Loves you kids.”

We love You too, Master! Our appreciation for showing us another way to be more frugal and also friendly to our environment.

🌿Be Vegan, Make Peace 🕊 Do Good Deeds 💗

SupremeMasterTV.com

SupremeMasterTV #PracticalTip #WellnessWisdom #DivineGrace #FrugalLiving #EnvironmentallyFriendly #ToothpasteTips #WasteReduction #ResourcefulLiving #SustainableChoices #LoveForEnvironment #ConsciousConsumption #AppreciationPost #GratefulForWisdom #EnvironmentalCare #EcoFriendlyLiving

[i-do-stupid-shit-online]

My biggest gripe with those kinds of counter arguments to misanthropy is that some humans are bad. It's not always about "some humans being bad" - humans collectively ARE killing the world. Or at least, to be more specific, all of nature that isn't humans themselves.

Do you guys have any true grasp on how much pollution we produce every single week? We. Are. Seven. Billion. Humans. Of course not all of them produce equal amounts of garbage or have the same needs that produce pollution. But it's even safe to say that at least a half of that does.

Honestly, I don't blame anyone for not being able to grasp the billion number. I can't really either, it's truly overwhelming.

It just takes you a bit of time to think truly how much pollution we cause by existing, even trying to live a frugal life. You can go vegan all you want (and there's nothing wrong with that, props to those who do honestly), but that won't save you from all the plastic you will use. Or not even yourself - just the plastic other humans will produce trying to get you your food in a place you'll be able to buy it.

I'd love to go deeper but it's just way too much for a single post. I don't want to convince others of being misanthropes or anything similar. The only thing I just would like from other people is to stop having babies altogether. Humanity causes and has caused way too much damage to the rest of the planet.

The worst thing our oppressive society has done, in my opinion, was convincing so many good people that humanity is garbage. They look at the ongoing destruction of the environment, they look at rude old men who blame young people for economic decline, they look at wars waged for money and cultural hegemony, and they think it's awful—correct!—and they assume that all of this is caused by human nature or our current zeitgeist or whatever. Which is wrong.

This attitude is misguided and counterproductive. The people, systems, and ideologies that are ruining the world have NAMES and we know them. "Humanity" isn't to blame. Capitalism is, nationalism is, neocolonialism is, etc. Don't you dare blame "humanity" as a whole and then sit on your ass satisfied with your individualistic misanthropy. Humans are cool! We just need to beat some of them with a stick, and then build something better together.

[awakentheoracle-blog]

Why Aren't Friends And Family Supportive of The Lightworker Journey?

Our life's journey can be described by our search for meaning, a deeper connection with the divine, and a journey toward spiritual enlightenment. We frequently encounter unanticipated opposition on this trip from the people we most expected to be our strongest allies. It's a confusing sensation that might make us wonder about the purpose of our journey and where we fit in with our connections with others. Today, we explore the seclusion, resiliency, and ultimate triumph of the spiritual seeker as we dive into the core of this challenge.

Our spiritual journey frequently takes the form of a silent symphony in which we are the only ones who can hear a tune that is inaudible to those who walk beside us but resonates deeply within us. This process of reflection and transformation is like creating a garden in a world that is only visible to our inner eye in the physical world. This garden is still an unspoiled area in the eyes of our loved ones. They witness the physical labor, the external transformations, maybe a renewed calmness in our eyes, or a change in our focus, but they miss the blooming oasis of our inward development.

Think about the basic practice of meditation, which is a cornerstone of many spiritual traditions. Some people may be inspired by your calm and drawn to the atmosphere of serenity that surrounds you. They watch you move through the world with a calm head and a loving heart, and they can't help but wonder where you get your strength and serenity from. 

Not every reflection is appreciated by others. Your behavior and the way it affects your manner may inadvertently draw attention to their own discomfort or discontent. They can interpret your introspective silences as coldness or your lack of interest in worldly pursuits as criticism of their way of life. This is especially noticeable in settings that value hustle over peace, as your calm detachment will stand out against the culture that is constantly focused on acquisition and bustle.

There may be doubt or outright hostility to living a lifestyle that is in line with one's spiritual views, whether that be through veganism, simplicity, or a dedication to nonviolence. When a seeker's decision to abstain from meat is perceived by family members as a rejection of tradition or as a needless complicating factor for shared meals, a family dinner turns into an ideological battleground.

If you are on a minimalist journey where every item in your home is a representation of your commitment to simplicity and essence, living with less in order to prioritize the spiritual over the worldly can be interpreted as a lack of ambition or a betrayal of the family's ideals. Your guests may mistake the absence of clutter for emptiness and the simplicity for frugality. Your tastefully designed, excess-free home may, in their minds, be a sign of a life of servitude rather than freedom. They doubt your aspirations, asking if you have abandoned the stated success standards of the material world because of your spiritual path.

At these times, your lifestyle decisions transcend personal taste. They are seen as subduing the comfort of existing conventions and silently criticizing the status quo. People frequently misinterpret your path, which is characterized by a yearning for a deeper connection with the world and a higher knowledge. Cultural misunderstandings and societal expectations cast a shadow on the core of your practice, which is based in love, compassion, and mindfulness.

This discrepancy between your personal ideas and how those around you see you highlights a larger discussion about values, beliefs, and the various ways we look for purpose in our lives. Whether you meditate, follow a vegan diet, or strive for simplicity, your spiritual practice invites others around you to think, question, and possibly even misunderstand.

The spiritual seeker faces a great difficulty in these times of discord: maintaining their integrity while navigating the intricate web of relationships that makes up their everyday existence. It takes a delicate balance to respect oneself and show compassion and understanding to people who have different perspectives on the world. The voyage involves mild education as well as shared experiences and personal enlightenment. Where every tiny deed of compassion and every instance of understanding builds a bridge over the divide of miscommunication.

This journey, which is laced with both happy and sad, lonely and connected moments, serves as a potent reminder of the intricacy of interpersonal relationships and the resiliency of the human spirit. Along the way, we discover things about the depths of our own being as well as the potential for development, comprehension, and love in the hearts of others around us. Furthermore, we acquire self-reliance and trust precisely in the face of such isolation and skepticism.

This path of inner conviction is not one of quiet whispers; rather, it reverberates with the force of a thunderous waterfall. Strong enough to quell the raucous criticism and doubts that frequently come from those who are unable to comprehend the breadth of your vision. Every stride you take ahead along this journey is evidence of your tenacity. A distinct imprint of a less-traveled road in the soft earth, where previously there had never been any footprints.

This journey teaches you to trust not in the echoing affirmations of everyone around you, but in your own unwavering faith in your own mission and the universe's support of it. You find the deepest connection to both your inner self and the cosmic forces guiding you during these seemingly isolated moments.

The traveler is never completely alone on this voyage, thus it is not an isolated one. The entire cosmos works in concert to uphold the intentions of the clearly righteous. Its enigmatic elements come together to open doors for people with the courage to follow their aspirations in the face of overwhelming obstacles. This divine assistance often takes the form of coincidences and fortunate circumstances rather than being immediately apparent.

These "synchronicity moments" could show up as chance meetings that provide direction or understanding just when you need it. Maybe you've been looking for a sign, wondering if you're headed in the right path, and all of a sudden you start to notice a pattern of numbers frequently—a pattern that holds special meaning for you. Or you run into someone who offers exactly the knowledge you require at that precise moment. These encounters and these coincidences serve as guiding Lights for you. They are reassuring you that forces far bigger than yourself are at work in favor of your journey. 

This divine arrangement guarantees that the cosmos will work together to support you frequently in the most surprising and miraculous ways, provided you pursue your objectives with clarity and integrity. It serves as a reminder that you are never really alone on your spiritual journey and that help will always find a way to show up, sometimes in the most unexpected ways. This is to let you know that your chosen course is, in fact, the right one for you.

Faith and independence play a part in life that goes beyond the spiritual path. It is fundamental to have faith in oneself and one's vision, especially in the face of isolation, and to have faith in the universe's assistance to open doors to new worlds where dreams serve as blueprints for reality rather than merely being fantastical fantasies. This is the soul's journey. A co-creation dance with the Divine in which the greatest aspirations of the heart are reflected in the stars and made real in the world by the unwavering power of faith and conviction.

Deep personal development frequently follows a route through the quiet dales of isolation. As you scale the difficult terrains of spiritual enlightenment and self-discovery, the journey will be characterized by the melancholy beauty of isolation. There's an increasing separation between you and others who decide to stay at the foot of the mountain.

This area of seclusion is a precious place for transformation, not a sign of abandonment. It's during these silent times of separation that your spirit starts to communicate more fully. Where the sounds of the outside world subside and the whispers of the Divine and your inner self can be heard. This isolation is a growth-promoting environment even though it may also carry the burden of loneliness. You are granted the freedom to travel the wide territories of your own being in this embrace of quiet, free from the omnipresent tug of cultural norms and the well-known chorus of voices that have long shaped your course. 

You summon the courage to inquire further and explore the secrets of the cosmos and your own existence. The quiet turns into a garden where your most profound realizations and insights are planted and grown. It is impossible to exaggerate the impact of this loneliness. It is an essential part of your journey, not just a result. You can discover the rhythms of the universe and the language of your own heart in the quiet of solitude.

The Divine appears in the smallest aspects, no longer hidden by the noise of everyday existence. The soft sound of falling leaves in the breeze. The calm, wide-open night sky. The complex patterns that your own thoughts and feelings follow. This bond is created in the peace and quiet of your isolation, in steadfast strength and clarity, and in deep insight that you bring back into the world. 

The lonely venture is not supposed to be a hardship but rather a blessing, a hallowed place where the soul is purified and where your actual self shines through with light that can reach even the most obscure regions. You get to understand the limitless nature of your spirit and the countless opportunities that exist within the silent connection with the Divine,

As we enter the light of progress, the isolation shapes and molds the very essence of who we are, bringing with us the realizations and changes that have characterized our journey. The radiance of our development and accomplishment frequently casts shadows of opposition from people around us as we advance. This opposition comes from a combination of fear and misunderstanding, not from a place of malice but rather from an absence in understanding that grows as we move past the comfortable surroundings of our past selves.

As we progress on our path, our accomplishments might occasionally serve as mirrors for others, reflecting their own anxieties and unexplored paths. This can cause reactions that cast doubt on our progress. However, this resistance indicates how far we have come on our journey rather than acting as a barrier. It is an indication that we are changing in ways that go against the grain of the status quo as we move, grow, and evolve.

In order to successfully navigate this hostile environment, we must learn to view resistance as evidence that our path is viable rather than as a barrier. It's a chance to reaffirm our dedication to the journey, make clear our objectives, and get a deeper comprehension of the realities we seek.

One way to deal with this resistance is to approach it as a teacher, listen to the voices of opposition with an open heart rather than a defensive one, and look for any nuggets of truth that might be included in the criticism. Use it as a mirror to consider how you have come to both strengthen and doubt your beliefs. Consider every period of resistance as a learning opportunity and a necessary component of your development. Allow it to hone your soul in the same way that a river forms the stones it flows over. 

This resistance then turns into an essential component in the process of your own personal development, turning obstacles into chances for growth and skepticism into increased faith. You will discover your actual power and steadfast faith in your goal by accepting and overcoming this resistance along the way.

There is a threshold, a point of great liberty, that we cross as we make our way through the opposition that signifies our advancement. Where we triumph over the constraints of ingrained ideas and the bonds of ancestral curses. This liberating act is more than just a start in the right direction. It's a step into a world of opportunity where achieving financial independence and spiritual development converge and dispel long-held beliefs and anxieties. It's a brazen proclamation of independence. A realization that we have the power to forge our own path and are not destined to follow the ones that our ancestors paved.

The universe works to introduce us to a tapestry of souls, each interaction with the opportunity for deep understanding and support, led by the light of truth and the tenacity of our convictions in this newfound freedom. These relationships, frequently with people we may have previously regarded as strangers, grow into alliances of unmatched power.

Many people have told stories of finding mentors in the most unlikely places while pursuing a life free from the burdens of their ancestors. For example, a chance encounter at a coffee shop can result in a lifelong friendship, or a comment on a social media post can lead to a transformative partnership. These aren't just random events; rather, they're the universe's method of directing us toward people who may enlighten our path by providing guidance and encouragement. The insight these new relationships bring into our own potential is just as powerful as any information or help they may give.

They act as mirrors, reflecting back to us the wisdom and strength that we may not have realized we possessed. Through their eyes, we are given newfound courage to follow our dreams with a zeal that surpasses our physical limitations and a sense of unity that goes beyond our physical limitations. These supporters and guides turn into lights on our road, letting us know that even though obtaining financial and spiritual independence and breaking free can be difficult, we are never really alone.

Moving forward, letting go of the past and seizing the opportunities ahead, we find that having the courage to take risks and being willing to make new friends are the keys to realizing our greatest potential. We find the ability to rise above our limitations and enter the fullness of our power in the synergy of connection and liberation, backed by a community of souls who understand the depth of our purpose and the fire of our spirit.

We reach a point of deep insight and empowerment when we find ourselves at a fork in the path of our spiritual development. To truly embrace our path with all its uncertainties and limitless potential, we must muster the strength to complete this journey distinguished by the challenges we have experienced and the successes we have claimed. It is an invitation to walk this path, but to do so with bravery in the heart, resiliency in the spirit, and self-belief as firm as the mountains beneath your feet.

Let this moment serve as a reminder that the path to personal achievement and spiritual enlightenment is essentially personalized, based on each person's particular experiences, goals, and beliefs. It's a path that might not always fit other people's expectations. It may not always be lit by the approval of others around us, but it is ours to tread, filled with profoundly changing and tremendously gratifying lessons and rewards.

Let us keep in mind that our path is not a solo undertaking, but rather a dance with the Divine and a collaboration with the universe, which helps and leads us even in our darkest moments. Let this journey serve as a monument to the human spirit's tenacity and the ability of faith to move mountains. Let it be one of empowerment. 

Accept your journey with open arms and a brave heart, for it is within this accepting that you will discover the real meaning of enlightenment and achievement. Keep in mind that the road you choose is exclusively yours, full of opportunities for growth, discovery, and reaching your greatest potential. Walk it with dignity, believing in your heart and soul that no matter what obstacles you face, you possess the inner fortitude to rise above them and prosper.

#lightworker

[thekimspoblog]

I THREW ⭐ THE FUCKING STAR FISH ⭐ IN THE OCEAN! ⭐

I made a one-time $80 donation to ANERA. That's going to have to be enough.

Look, I realize I am not in any position to po'mouth. Any claims that my household is hanging on to the middle-class by its fingernails, could easily be refuted by saying my family should just be more frugal with its expenses. But the reality is I don't have a lot of power to fix the problems in my own county, let alone stop a genocide practically on the other side of the globe.

I have an ageing mother who can't save up for retirement because Wallstreet and my dad both fucked her in '08.

I have a law degree I'm working towards, which I'd very much like to avoid taking out student loans for.

Chronic health problems and medical debt.

I give cash to any homeless people I cross when I'm downtown.

I attend protests when I can.

I call and write my representatives about Gaza and other issues, but most of that falls on deaf ears.

I contribute to Planned Parenthood.

I donate and participate in charities against homelessness.

I donate to the DNC because I don't want things to get worse.

I've commissioned various artists who have rattled their tin cups in my face, many of which never delivered what they promised and I never heard from them again.

I boycott MOST large corporations, even when there's no specific boycott taking place.

You can argue my grocery budget is too high, but you wanna guess why it's so high? Because veganism didn't work for me, and this is what free-range meat costs.

Could I be doing more? Sure! I could shoot myself in the head so people more deserving than me could have my organs. But I'm drawing the line somewhere!

I guess I'm just writing this post to say, there are always going to be people trying to guilt trip you for your brand of progressivism being bougie. Fascists are starting fires left and right, and if you aren't giving away every drop of your own water to extinguish the flames, there's going to be some bleeding heart telling you you're basically Hitler. It's not that the sentiment of "could you be doing more?" is technically wrong even. But it would also be nice if Tumblr considered that shaming people can only get you so far. Closing your eyes and plugging your ears is "callous" but it's also necessary to stay sane.

Gaza is an issue I care about, but it's not the center of my activism. If that means I'm complacent just because I feel my time and energy is better spent on abortion rights in my own country, I guess I'm just going to have to live with that. If I had donated earlier, perhaps people would be alive today who are not. If I had donated more, perhaps I could save more. Considering I have no income right now, $80 is the ceiling on how much I'm going to try to buy my way into heaven on this issue, and you all are just going to have to be okay with that.

[govindhtech]

Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus: Premium Features on a Budget

The reasonably priced Tecno Spark 20 Pro+ smartphone has a lot of power.

Currently seeing market expansion, the Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus smartphone is promoted as providing a mid-range experience at a reasonable cost. Because of its many outstanding features, this phone is a great option for frugal buyers. We will closely review the Spark 20 Pro+ to find whether it satisfies the expected criteria.

Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus

Design: A Budget-Friendly Head-Turner

The Spark 20 Pro Plus’s design immediately catches your attention. It has an upscale vibe to it that belies its cost. There are two finishes available for the back panel: a shiny glass finish or an unexpectedly opulent vegan leather that is smooth to the touch and exudes style. To maximise screen real estate, the punch-hole camera is discreetly positioned at the top with minimal bezels. Because it is light and thin, the phone is comfortable to handle for extended periods of time. For basic dust and splash resistance, it even has an IP53 rating, which adds a little piece of mind.

Exhibition: An Eye-Candy Treat

The Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus has a decently big 6.78-inch AMOLED screen. Displaying deep blacks, bright colours, and great contrast, AMOLED technology makes the viewing experience visually captivating. Apart from its obvious Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2436 pixels, the screen boasts a flawless 120Hz frame rate. Using this high refresh rate instead of a standard 60Hz screen can significantly increase the fluidity of daily chores like swipes. You will be captivated by the Spark 20 Pro+’s display, regardless of whether you are perusing the internet, watching videos, or gaming.

Performance: Easily Manages Daily Tasks

The MediaTek Helio G99 chipset, a strong engine for daily usage, powers the Spark 20 Pro plus below. It comes with 8GB of RAM, but thanks to Tecno’s Memory Fusion technology, that amount can be essentially increased to 16GB. This suggests that the phone can effectively multitask, allowing flawless app switching between sessions. Although it might not be the most potent phone on the market, it is more than suited for most daily chores and even some light gaming without running across any issues.

Camera: Acceptable Images, Though Still Needs Work

The rear of the Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus is equipped with three cameras. Secondary lenses are included for macro and depth photography in addition to the primary 48MP lens sensor. The camera can take passable pictures with good detail and colour reproduction under favourable lighting conditions. Nevertheless, performance in low light is a little disappointing; pictures seem grainy and lack definition.Video calls and selfies are not quite suited for the 16MP front-facing camera. All things considered, the camera system is decent for a low-cost phone; nevertheless, if your primary attention is on photography, you could wish to look at other choices.

Software: Room for Improvement in HiOS 13

HiOS 13, Tecno’s own Android-based user interface, powers the Spark 20 Pro+. Although HiOS has many features and customisation possibilities, there are moments when it feels overly packed with bloatware. Although Tecno has improved in recent versions, some users may feel the UI to be a little more controlling than pure Android.

Battery Life: Get By During the Day

The Spark 20 Pro ‘s long battery life is one of its advantages. With moderate use, the phone’s sizable 5000mAh battery will easily last the entire day on a single charge. You will probably discover that you only grab for the charger at night, even with increased usage. When necessary, you may swiftly recharge the phone’s battery thanks to its 33W fast charging capabilities.

Worth for Money: A Robust Rival

The Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus presents itself as an affordable choice, and it keeps its word. At a very appealing price range, the phone provides smooth performance, a long battery life, a luxury design, and a brilliant display. Even though the OS and camera system might be improved, given the phone’s pricing, these are acceptable flaws.

Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus price

As there is no official announcement for its distribution in other countries like India, the Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus’s price is unknown. But the feature-rich design of the Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus, priced competitively at $199, provides outstanding value. It provides rich images for both productivity and leisure on its vivid 6.8-inch HD+ display.

Smooth performance is guaranteed even during demanding operations thanks to the powerful MediaTek Helio G95 processor and 6GB of RAM. A 48MP primary sensor is part of its triple back camera arrangement, which produces high-quality images and movies. The Spark 20 Pro Plus provides prolonged usage hours and enough room for your data with its huge 5000mAh battery and 128GB of internal storage. This gadget meets a variety of customer needs by combining cost with outstanding specifications.

Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus price Philippines

Philippine sales of the Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus are currently unavailable. Despite its December 2023 announcement, its delivery date and price are unknown.

The Philippines already has the Tecno Spark 20 Pro. It costs roughly Php 2,190 for 8GB RAM + 256GB ROM.

Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus price in Pakistan

The Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus costs 51,999 PKR in Pakistan [sources]. Features like a 6.78-inch display, 256GB storage, 8GB RAM, and a strong 108MP rear camera justify its price.

Who Needs to Purchase Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus?

If you are in search of a smartphone that is both functional and fashionable, the Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus is the most suitable option. It is priced at an affordable level. It is an ideal choice if you appreciate the Spark 20 Pro+ for its eye-catching screen, potent performance, and long battery life. However, if you are a passionate photographer or want a straightforward software experience, it may be preferable to explore other options.

Read more on Govindhtech.com

[elodieunderglass]

Facebook thinks I’m a curly-haired, no-shampoo-using, ethical-shirt-buying vegan dad of about five children, who owns several horses, all of them rescue horses with annoying medical conditions (Facebook offers solutions)!and wants to document all of this carefully, but feels insecure about it (thus, much encouragement to take photography courses, biological illustration classes, and monetise the resulting blog.) Facebook sees this guy as a camping-obsessed guy, who has a tent, but really should be the kind of guy who is in a camper van, and is thus always trying to tempt him with exquisite camping vans. Facebook thinks I look like this and I don’t much want to argue:

I love this guy. His horses are STRESSED, possibly because of the pressure of eating hay from nets and wearing fashionable horse clothing.

After an exhausting day of parenting he’s always ready to make his own shopping basket before foraging the materials for his plant-based cheese.

He doesn’t shower often, but when he does, it’s ethically, manfully and frugally. He’s also very cleanly in his other habits. He buys many treatments aimed at men with long perfect curly hair. He dutifully washes off his boots after hiking. It’s okay if his toothpaste is “good enough.”

He seems so fascinating that I tap on his ads all the time and confirm Facebook in its beliefs that it really has my interests nailed down.

Sometimes it tries to sell me those algorithmic typography t-shirts that generated to be highly specific and are like

YEAH, I’m a VEGAN DAD

👉YES my hair is NATURAL👈

I love making CHEESE

And eating WEEDS

🐎 I have 10 rescue horses 🐎

My kids are my world

My clothes are made from ocean-bound plastic

I fucking love camping

I spend all my 💰 on 🐴 😛

If you wanna fight about it

✨call my wife✨

The ghost in the machine is a pretty specific fictional guy

Fascinating types of guy that Spotify's advertising algorithm thinks I am:

- Guy who is looking for kid-friendly vacation spots in Kentucky

- Guy who is deeply concerned about luxury handbag authentication in online shopping

I am creating a guy in my mind to whom every one of these ads speaks. So far he's weird.

[princehatterene]

🖊️💯🍝🤔! (@comfortingstars)

🖊️ BALLPOINT PEN — does your oc have any tattoos? do they want any (more) tattoos?

hawkin is the only one in the gang who has tattoos! he has two of those teardrop prison tattoos under both eyes. in the lore, those tattoos are used to show that you're a member of the casimir crime family, and the more you have, the higher in the ranks you are.

💯 HUNDRED POINTS SYMBOL — share three random facts about your oc that others may not know.

penelope can wield two weapons at once! but only one kind of weapon at a time, so she can only use two swords or two spears, not a sword and a spear.

i think i mentioned this in a post about the gang i made recently, but andreas' hunter companion is a dog named glen! i imagine him to be like, an all-brown border collie.

orietta had a husband before she got divorced and found out she was gay. whichever one of those things happened first is up for debate.

🍝 SPAGHETTI — what is/are your oc's favorite food(s)?

ori: those little finger foods you find at parties. would devour a cheese platter if left unattended

cammy: her dad's homemade stew, chock full of potatoes and veggies! they have a small garden that they grow carrots and potatoes and other stuff in :)

tyb: loves a good sandwich, as long as it's not peanut butter cuz he has a nut allergy

ollie: he's a vegetarian cuz hurting animals makes him sad :( he couldn't be a vegan tho, he loves eggs and cheese too much. also has a huge sweet tooth

penny: definitely the least picky out of the bunch, she'll eat just about anything as long as it's not burnt or rotten. if she had to pick a favorite, it would be glazed ham

dre: grilled game meat, especially boar and deer. doesn't eat any kind of poultry (the wind spirit would probably frown upon that)

twy: huge fan of seafood, having lived on the coast all her life. would probably love fish and chips in a modern au

hawkin (he doesn't have a nickname cuz he's no fun 😞): fruit, especially tropical fruit. would love making people angry with his pineapple on pizza opinions

🤔 THINKING FACE — what are some of your oc's quirks/mannerisms?

ori: very preoccupied with the physical appearance of herself and others. will tell you if there's something in your teeth or you have a cowlick or something

cammy: very thrifty and frugal, possibly even better at finding a bargain than orietta

tyb: has a mad case of RBF, but he's really a very sweet guy

ollie: gets really chatty when he's in a good mood. will talk your ear off about theatre and floriography and other things he likes (Autism™️)

penny: gets skittish around animals and can only suppress her fears while hunting (she's ok with glen though)

dre: an avid birdwatcher, also inspired by the wind spirit. often has to stop glen from chasing and trying to eat them

twy: loves singing little tunes to pass the time. she and oliver often devolve into full-on musical numbers while on the road together (Theatre Kid™️)

hawkin: a sore loser at any game he plays. if you beat him at poker you're on his shit list for the rest of the night