What 10 things have you stopped doing in your life?

I stopped hiding my education. I have a lot of it. Because of how I was raised, I used to not be proud of it, worried I would appear elitist. Now? Fuck it. I worked my ass off for each degree, it took years, and I deserve to be proud of those accomplishments.

I stopped sorting laundry. It's idiotic. Fabrics are color -safe now. I wash everything in cold water and literally 2 tablespoons of detergent, the recommended amount. And yes, my laundry gets clean. If there is something extremely foul or that needs bleached, I do a separate hot-water load.

I stopped struggling to put sheets on my bed in my tiny bedroom. A comforter on bottom, another on top, and I'm good.

What is the gayest experience you have seen in prison?

I stopped looking for my dream guy. It is highly doubtful he will show up. And that's okay. My life is great as is.

I stopped trying to find common ground with Trump supporters. You can not rationalize with willful ignorance and those who have happily been brainwashed.

I don't shower every day. I don't need to. I don't sweat much, never have. Two or three showers a week is enough for me.

Can I use the LEG PRESS to build muscle?

I stopped worrying about what people think of me. Nobody thinks they care about that, but many actually do. If people call me a crazy cat lady…and? What should I do, throw myself off a cliff in remorse?

I stopped buying super-cheap clothing that I didn't enjoy wearing. I deserve to feel fashionable.

I stopped trying to forget my troubled childhood and instead used it as the basis for books.

Wow! The changeover from President Biden to VP Kamala Harris as candidate could not have been more successful in just 2 days! It was as if they had been planning it. Could they have planned it? Are you excited by the positive Democratic response?

I stopped trying to find reasons to forgive people who don't deserve forgiveness. It was liberating.

Edit/Postscript: I got a couple “mansplain alerts” helpfully explaining to me that I obviously stink, and that sheets must be changed every night. I don’t know how I managed before all these helpful tips! I teach in a middle school. Students this age have zero filters. If I stunk, I would hear about it immediately and loudly with no regards for my feelings. If my bedding was gross or stunk, I wouldn’t sleep on it. As I so often have to tell students, when I want your opinion, I’ll let you know.