Sometimes I just imagine I'm slowly tuning a radio, catching snippets of conversations as a hop frequencies. Rarely a complete sentence. When you're not actively trying to imagine things your subconscious seems to take over and pretty soon after it's goodnight from me
I do the same. I've never seen anyone else talking about it. Whereas it seems like it should be a known ancient technique on how to fall asleep really fast.
I've never heard anyone else mention this - thanks for making me aware of it!
Something that sometimes works for me is to imagine something that's emotionally flat, but complicated enough that it pushes other thoughts out and it's not boring. An example might be: I imagine myself building a model train in my backyard. I'll kind of 'drift down' to thinking about how to set up, say, the grain dispenser, then how to paint it, then how the colors work together, etc, etc. The next night it's something different.
I know it sounds nuts, but I always found changing clothes made a huge difference for me.
Get home and put on a pair of shorts, t-shirt and flip flops, or at least something you would never, ever wear to work. It always made some kind of mental shift in my head.
Taking off my shoes is a key element. Even if I'm not in work, I put my shoes on so I'm ready for the day. I then can take them off and feel relaxed once the kids are in bed. It's a weird little thing I've noticed but it feels awesome in both the morning, putting them on, and taking them off in the evening.
Could you not just buy a months supply of new socks in advance? Seems like it would be cheaper. Also as a first adopter you'd have socks made from hard plastic resin. It would bring new meaning to the term bleeding edge
With you on the new socks. For me, nothing is better than a brand new pair of merino wool socks. Merino is so light, strong and breathable you can wear them two days running. Not cheap, but worth it for sheer comfort.
Thanks - Thorlo is new to me. Their page on fibres [1] is interesting, even though it doesn't mention merino it does talk about wool & silk blends. Now I want to get merino silk blend, but they're not cheap.
As wasteful as your idea sounds.. hopefully you have a plan to reuse the raw materials?.. your idea reminded me of this person that invented a sock printer and uses it to ensure new socks for the homeless
I'm the opposite. I program/type all day and the wristband bothers me because my wrists lay on the rest, so I put my watch on as soon as I'm done with work.
(Aside: anyone have a solution to that? Or maybe a strap where it wouldn't be a problem? I have a timex weekender.)
The same applies on days I work from home. It sounds corny; but, at home, I put on a navy blue Dickies work shirt. (It gives me a pocket for my phone during long meetings.) At the end of the day, I change clothes, just as I would if I was coming from the office. (I think I actually got the idea from HN a while back.)
End of the day for me is when the kids are in bed, chores done, usually around 8pm. I sit on the couch with my wife, we put something on tv and I code.
The code sucks, I'm not some kind of uber programmer, but I find it relaxing, bizarrely. Maybe its the lack of pressure to turn in something workable and on time
My productivity varies with what's on. If its something good like westworld or GoT I shut the laptop. If its the vampire diaries I'm not looking up
Just invent your own drinking game for it. With vampire diaries (or VD as it became known in our house) we drank when Caroline organised a party, Damon did eyebrow acting or Stefan started a sentence with "I've been alive for 120 years".
Queue up a handful (maybe an hour or two) of YouTube videos from my subscription box. Not that it's all that different from the typical "flop on couch and veg in from of the boobtube until you pass out" but if you have a diverse subbox you almost never run out of stimulating, fresh content that does more for you than typical Netflix-style content would.
Ha, years ago I was at a girlfriends house while she went out to dinner with an old friend to catch up.
She called me at the end of her dinner on the way back home and said "what are you doing" and I said "Watching cheese making videos on youtube"
She didnt believe me... she came into the room, I was sitting there still watching cheese making videos and she laughed and thought it was super funny.
Yes, I was literally just binging cheese videos on youtube.
I just bought an Ableton Push. I plan on cracking open a beer and learning to use it after work. I figure if I'm going to entertain myself I might as well be learning too. I find making music to be both engaging and relaxing.
I find that making music (especially on a computer) is very similar to writing software in that they require both hemispheres of your brain. I love the state of flow that you get into when you're deep in a project.
Being able to commute by train really helps me. Having a routine of a 20 to 40 min train ride home creates a buffer between work and home and puts some mental 'distance' between my evening and the work day.
You had me until Superbowl. I don't understand why people waste time watching other people throw a ball around for money, but hey its your time to waste I guess.
I'll just crawl into my downvote bomb shelter now and watch some people pretending to fight zombies, much less of a waste of time
Replying to my own comment. Ok lets face it, we all waste our time, and that is essentially what this thread is about. Most pastimes can be made to sound silly, and just because I don't share your interests doesn't mean they're less valid than my own. I code apps nobody will ever use, write books that will never be published, and I have watched 11 and a half seasons of supernatural. And I'm sitting here commenting on the internet instead of doing even any of those things.
I spent a lot of time not getting sports. And deep down I still don't care what all those millionaires do with their balls. Buy having a stake in a tense game between rivals feels awesome. Being surrounded by strangers who love the same thing you love feels awesome. And having common ground with quite a lot of people you meet is nice too. I dismissed so many things because I didn't think they were important. Granted, your followup did clarify that you don't think sports are less valid as an interest than your own things. I don't really seek out sports much, but if I get to watch a game with somebody who cares about it more, I give it my full attention and yell at the screen and/or field as needed, and it's generally a lot of fun.
It's an event in our house. The commercials. The "big deal" food we make.. The halftime. The game too... Plus I buy a box each year and lose $5 (this year I won 30!!!)
I recall my family and my spouse's family would sit down each night and watch tv. That was their unwind thing. Tv just isn't in my life.
> I don't understand why people waste time watching other people throw a ball around for money, but hey its your time to waste I guess.
I rarely enjoy football itself, but I don't understand people who can't understand (at least on an intellectual level) why it would be enjoyable. The list of things that I enjoy wasting time on is much shorter than the list of things that I don't enjoy wasting time on, and I suspect that's true for most people.
Listen to Audible and get lost in a good story. Never self help (for the purposes of the unwind - I do that during day or weekend) as it gives me anxiet so aim for good sci fi or fantasy.
I think this is a habit I might pick up. I typically play music and tinker in my woodshop, but some great sci-fi would be a fantastic substitute for the music.
Draw a really hot bath, just shy of the hottest temp I can tolerate, and crawl in the tub and sit back and read for a while. Sometimes accompanied by a cup of coffee or a bottle of Coke Zero.
Other than that, lying in bed watching Netflix/Hulu/Prime, or reading.
Work out right after work to clear my mind and reenergize, as well as get a little non-work related social interaction.
Make a nice dinner, shower and get warm and clean, then work on some side programming projects in my lamp-lit bedroom (which is the best part of my night because it's completely quiet, calming atmosphere, and I get to focus on learning exactly what I want to).
Then write down my good/bad thoughts on the day in a journal, and finally finish off the night by reading a book before I go to sleep.
First, spend some time getting home. Sweet spot is 30 mins. Preferably biking through nature (looking) areas. Unfortunately for me it's an hour of driving but still, nothing else to do than listen some music and think. Usually first 15 minutes I think about what I ended my Workday with but after it goes into more relaxed thoughts. By the time I reach home work is out, home is in. If you live within biking range of your work I would advice grabbing your bike instead of your car for once (maybe much easier depending on country you live in).
Next, eat. No TV, no devices, just family. Try to get my kid to eat her plate. After that go up and play around with her and put her to bed after reading her a book or two.
Finally, drop on the couch (if no sports) and watch some netflix or read a book. Have to say lately the first wins more often but for now I don't have real problems with that. I do notice that reading a book gives me a much better start the next day though. Probably because I can stay up later when watching TV. Books your eyes just fall shut at some point..
I try to keep working at home to a minimal (it happens, sometimes). I also try not to open a laptop for personal projects when my wife is next to me. Mainly because she likes to talk when I'm home :).
I check HN. It is an addiction. worse than weed. spend a lot of time reading through comments. Like you are doing now . Stop it , Go get some work done!
It's amazing that you're being downvoted. Heroin takes many lives daily and for someone to nonchalantly act like it's no bigger deal than having a beer is as naive as I could possibly ever imagine anyone to be.
Edit: I guess as a disclaimer, seeing as I'm being downvoted too, I should mention I was addicted to opiates for many years
one of my best friends was a heroin addict after highschool. then my ex-wife's best friend was a heroin addict as well.... I called my friend, who had successfully killed the habit (he now build super high-end guitar peddles) and asked him for advice on how to help then-wifes friend.
he said, nope - they can only help themselves.
she OD'd and died. that sucked.
however, unrelated to the sad story of ex's friend...
we are pranksters (our dads owned two competing companies and forbade us from being friends, thus we became good friends)
I took a pic of a sign from Alameda, Ca along Clement street...
The sign said:
"Tracks no longer in service"
(I SENT THIS BEFORE THE FRIEND STORY HAPPENED, just FYI)
It was a sign saying that the train tracks along that street were no longer in service.
A sign of heroin use is "tracks" (needle puncture marks on ones arrm or body where they mainlined heroin injections)
So I sent him the pic of the sign as an acknowledgement that he succeeded in kicking the habit of heroin use...
---
A band we listened to growing up, Skinny Puppy, their lead singer Ogre, wasa heroin addict... he kicked the habit, and when my friend got married, Skinny Puppy played at their wedding.
My buddy actually works for another band person we grew up listening to, from Ministry....
1. It isn't obvious — and hasn't been clarified — that was a joke.
2. Going through a harrowing experience usually toughens one up to the causing elements, sure. Being tough about X doesn't mean you should see every reference to X as a joke; quite the opposite, in fact.
130 comments
[ 6.6 ms ] story [ 178 ms ] threadhttps://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/jul/15/shuffle...
Something that sometimes works for me is to imagine something that's emotionally flat, but complicated enough that it pushes other thoughts out and it's not boring. An example might be: I imagine myself building a model train in my backyard. I'll kind of 'drift down' to thinking about how to set up, say, the grain dispenser, then how to paint it, then how the colors work together, etc, etc. The next night it's something different.
Get home and put on a pair of shorts, t-shirt and flip flops, or at least something you would never, ever wear to work. It always made some kind of mental shift in my head.
I want to come home and have a brand new pair of socks printed (woven) for me by a bot...
I looked around on the internet for "sock machine" and its derivatives - but the best I could find was one machine that was super industrial.
Nothing feels better than the first time you put on a brand new pair of socks.
SockPrinter.com!
But I am just in love with the idea of a sock printer.
[1] https://www.thorlo.com/why-thorlos/fibers
I was hated amongst my brothers at Christmas because I would always pick up a package and guess the contents... I was always right
Could always pick out the socks. As I got older it was always thorlo.
Best socks ever.
Buy them.
https://youtu.be/Kvi-0879Nuw
But I agree. Changing clothes or a quick shower helps a lot.
(Aside: anyone have a solution to that? Or maybe a strap where it wouldn't be a problem? I have a timex weekender.)
The code sucks, I'm not some kind of uber programmer, but I find it relaxing, bizarrely. Maybe its the lack of pressure to turn in something workable and on time
My productivity varies with what's on. If its something good like westworld or GoT I shut the laptop. If its the vampire diaries I'm not looking up
I'm glad it's over, but I'm also afraid of what she'll pick next.
Westworld is on my to-watch list, though.
I haven't heard her mention riverdale. Let's hope it stays that way.
Hell, I'd have to watch the show!
Here are some of my favourites:
- AvE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChWv6Pn_zP0rI6lgGt3MyfA
- Cody's Lab: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu6mSoMNzHQiBIOCkHUa2Aw
- Matthias Wandel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCckETVOT59aYw80B36aP9vw
- SV Seeker: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj_XaV1ss-qdD-lPUtTEcXw
- B is for Build: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl4-WBRqWA2MlxmZorKOV7w
and I just discovered this channel last night:
- Isaac Arthur: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZFipeZtQM5CKUjx6grh54g
- https://www.youtube.com/user/greeningofgavin
She called me at the end of her dinner on the way back home and said "what are you doing" and I said "Watching cheese making videos on youtube"
She didnt believe me... she came into the room, I was sitting there still watching cheese making videos and she laughed and thought it was super funny.
Yes, I was literally just binging cheese videos on youtube.
great sex ensued.
Edit: Here is a particular video I liked: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6xovvpuMQo&list=PLZioPDnFPN...
Extra History: stories of historical incidents — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbBHk_zLTmY&list=PLhyKYa0YJ_... Real Engineering: mostly materials science — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niVguabIhTs&t=33s - Wendover Productions — mostly transportation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlIdzF1_b5M Tom Scott: a bit of everything — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdmQp9M9jUo - Jay foreman: Urban planning and maps — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjuD288JlCs The Engineer Guy: Manufacturing — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYNX8y6lQMc Practical Engineering: Mostly Civil Engineering — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0olpSN6_TCc&list=PLTZM4MrZKf... 3Blue1Brown: Math, visualized to me more intuitive — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjBOesZCoqc
If you don't know them, check out Alec Steele, Jimmy DiResta, Laura Kampf, Wm. Walker Co., Four Eyes.
Also this is not necessarily a channel, but if you do nothing else, check out this mini-documentary. I thought it was great.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otgjdSa6ceA
Another few come to mind now:
- Primitive Technology: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAL3JXZSzSm8AlZyD3nQdBA
- Ishitani Furniture: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7FkqjV8SU5I8FCHXQSQe9Q
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll check it out tonight!
Then we talk about our day or whatever.
Nothing beats friendship and companionship.
We rarely turn on the tv - maybe for superbowl or storm coverage.
I'll just crawl into my downvote bomb shelter now and watch some people pretending to fight zombies, much less of a waste of time
Ok. I'm going for a walk
I recall my family and my spouse's family would sit down each night and watch tv. That was their unwind thing. Tv just isn't in my life.
I rarely enjoy football itself, but I don't understand people who can't understand (at least on an intellectual level) why it would be enjoyable. The list of things that I enjoy wasting time on is much shorter than the list of things that I don't enjoy wasting time on, and I suspect that's true for most people.
Probably.
Other than that, lying in bed watching Netflix/Hulu/Prime, or reading.
Make a nice dinner, shower and get warm and clean, then work on some side programming projects in my lamp-lit bedroom (which is the best part of my night because it's completely quiet, calming atmosphere, and I get to focus on learning exactly what I want to).
Then write down my good/bad thoughts on the day in a journal, and finally finish off the night by reading a book before I go to sleep.
Next, eat. No TV, no devices, just family. Try to get my kid to eat her plate. After that go up and play around with her and put her to bed after reading her a book or two.
Finally, drop on the couch (if no sports) and watch some netflix or read a book. Have to say lately the first wins more often but for now I don't have real problems with that. I do notice that reading a book gives me a much better start the next day though. Probably because I can stay up later when watching TV. Books your eyes just fall shut at some point..
I try to keep working at home to a minimal (it happens, sometimes). I also try not to open a laptop for personal projects when my wife is next to me. Mainly because she likes to talk when I'm home :).
I go out to my woodshop, but nothing I do there qualifies as work.
If that was a joke, it is in very poor taste.
If that was not a joke, I hope you get help.
Edit: I guess as a disclaimer, seeing as I'm being downvoted too, I should mention I was addicted to opiates for many years
he said, nope - they can only help themselves.
she OD'd and died. that sucked.
however, unrelated to the sad story of ex's friend...
we are pranksters (our dads owned two competing companies and forbade us from being friends, thus we became good friends)
I took a pic of a sign from Alameda, Ca along Clement street...
The sign said:
"Tracks no longer in service"
(I SENT THIS BEFORE THE FRIEND STORY HAPPENED, just FYI)
A sign of heroin use is "tracks" (needle puncture marks on ones arrm or body where they mainlined heroin injections)
So I sent him the pic of the sign as an acknowledgement that he succeeded in kicking the habit of heroin use...
---
A band we listened to growing up, Skinny Puppy, their lead singer Ogre, wasa heroin addict... he kicked the habit, and when my friend got married, Skinny Puppy played at their wedding.
My buddy actually works for another band person we grew up listening to, from Ministry....
2. Going through a harrowing experience usually toughens one up to the causing elements, sure. Being tough about X doesn't mean you should see every reference to X as a joke; quite the opposite, in fact.