#and writing them down in a physical notebook and not stored digitally

[jusdeknowledge]

Got an email the other day with a receipt for a storage unit in Colorado that was rented in my name, along with a corresponding insurance policy. This raised alarm bells, as I’d never been to Colorado (save for one layover at Denver Int’l), nor had I ever rented a storage unit. Still, despite it being my first brush with identity theft, I’m proud of how responsible I was— called and left a message at the storage place to let them know they’d been duped, reported it to the Federal Trade Commission, and tried to place a freeze on my credit (which ended up being a fool’s errand because I’ve never had a credit card, taken out a loan, or paid for anything on credit ever, meaning that as far as the credit rating agencies know, I don’t exist). I even cancelled my debit card just to make sure, even though whoever rented the unit used a card I’d never seen, and used a Colorado local address and phone number. You’d think if my full identity were stolen, they’d’ve made some fraudulent purchases. Still, better safe than sorry.

Finally I get around to calling the storage place again, per a recommendation from the FTC, to ask them to send me a letter/email acknowledging that they knew and understood that I was not involved in any transactions with them. Come to find out, there’s a guy in Colorado whose name is identical to mine except for one letter, and the person at the storage unit place just wrote it down wrong.

[pinkacademiaprincess]

Hi! I’m about to start uni in October (law)

Can you give me a list of to-dos to mentally and physically prepare for this new journey? Like, things to bring, items to buy, notebooks etc 🥹💘

Operation Straight-A Student: A Comprehensive Guide to Prepping for a Successful Uni Experience 🎀📚💗✏️

ty for the ask! i'm not a law student, so this is gonna be more general uni advice that i hope can apply for you. best of luck in your journey, you're gonna do amazing things!!

step no. 1: plan, plan, plan!

for me, being organized & prepping ahead of time has been so helpful. even if things get a bit hectic or tough, having a routine to fall back on is key. here's how i do it!

google calendar

as soon as i have my class schedule, i input all my class meeting times on google calendar. then, based on whatever free space is left over, i allocate time for schoolwork and studying. here's the schedule i designed for this upcoming term:

make sure your study/ classwork time accounts for whatever online courses you're taking too. you should also include blocks for work, club meetings, etc. if they're recurring. i have google calendar linked to my phone so i get notifs for each time block.

planner

i recommend having a good planner. whether this is online or physical, depending on your preference, a weekly planner of your own is helpful for staying on top of work & having peace of mind.

the planner i use is the moleskine weekly planner. here is what it looks like inside:

on the left side i write all the tasks i have on each weekday (similar to the google calendar). on the right side, i list all the tasks i have to complete during that given week - i open the syllabi for all my classes and input whatever hw, assignments, projects, etc. are upcoming. i write them down in a checklist along with the date they're due. then, during my study blocks, i can check this page & decide what to work on!

note-taking & classwork

you should also have supplies for note-taking. some ppl prefer to take digital notes, so this means using your laptop or a tablet & stylus. personally, i like to take handwritten notes, so i bring loose-leaf lined paper & pencils to my lectures. i write the class name & date as the header for each page. when i'm done taking notes, i write the key topics in the top left-hand corner of the pager (in "no-man's land") so i can easily find the notes on specific topics when i'm flipping through them.

in terms of classwork, i recommend having a folder for each of your classes where you can store notes, assignments, tests, etc. i know some people use one big binder for all classes, but if you have a separate folder for each, you don't have to carry them all around on days when you only have two or three classes. i like the brand five star bc the folders are very durable and i've had the same ones all throughout uni!

for me, i've never been a huge notebook person b/c i like to keep my subjects separate so i rarely fill up an entire notebook. you can buy one to start with, and see once school starts if you think you need more!

other supplies

in terms of supplies, i'm honestly pretty minimalistic. the necessities for me are my planner, a folder & loose-leaf paper, and a pencil pouch with plenty of pens & pencils. i also bring my laptop & charger with me to school bc i use that for my online classes.

i do enjoy having cute supplies! i have a cute pink pencil pouch, glittery mechanical pencils, and fun pens. i also put stickers all over my laptop to give it a personal touch. i did a bit of embroidery on my backpack as well. you don't need to spend tons of money on aesthetic supplies, especially if it's something you won't have for long. but, finding simple ways to add a personal touch to your items can be fun & motivating!

step no. 2: make an action plan

i feel like it's easy to tell yourself you wanna do certain things or be a certain person during school. for example, i always want to be super studious, outgoing, & involved, but i used to struggle sm to actually do that. instead of only thinking of how you want to be, create actual steps/ tasks for yourself. here are my action items for inspo:

sit in the front row of every class - this can be daunting, but in my uni experience, wherever you sit in the first week becomes your (un)official assigned seat. get to class early, take a deep breath, and sit yourself down at the front! you'll be forcing yourself to stay at the front, but i promise it's fine! i really prefer this b/c if you & the prof get to class early you can chat a bit. also, when i wanna participate, i can speak at my regular volume & they'll hear me (rather than if i'm in the back row and had to scream). if nothing else, you'll become a familiar face!

attend office hours for each class at least once - i sometimes felt nervous/ anxious to go to office hours and talk to the professors & ta. but when you do it once, you realize they truly just want to help! getting to know the ppl who grade your assignments can be super useful. they might give you advice or info you don't get in lectures. plus, they are super knowledgeable!

raise your hand once per week - this forces you to be engaged with the content. i used to have such horrible social anxiety & the thought of speaking up in class & getting an answer wrong was my worst nightmare. and when i set this rule & began forcing myself to participate, i did make mistakes. but guess what... everyone moves on immediately. you might feel like the world is ending. it haunted me for weeks after 😢 but no one else cares! in the end, ppl will only remember that you were confident enough to raise your hand & speak up, not what you said. pls don't let your education suffer just b/c you're afraid some classmates might judge you! if raising your hand to answer problems is too daunting, start with asking clarifying questions & slowly build up to whatever you're able to do.

start a conversation with a classmate - having classmates that you're friendly with is so important. if you miss a lecture, need help on a concept, etc. you'll have someone you can turn to. and that's the least of it - you can end up making long-lasting friends! yes, it's scary to talk to a stranger. so, force yourself to do it as early as possible in the semester. an easy one - if you see someone sitting by an empty seat, ask if that seat is taken. if not, yay! it's go time 😊 sit by them and find something else to talk about - give them a (genuine & non-creepy) compliment, ask them if they've seen the syllabus, ask if they know the prof, etc. just something to get the convo started!! figure out their name, major, and other stuff too. once you've talked with them long enough to feel like you're getting along (whether that's after one class or multiple) ask for their number/ discord/ whatever so you can keep in touch! if they share your major, you should keep in contact with them b/c you might have other classes together in the future. but, again, in the best-case scenario, you have a new friend!

wear a cute outfit once per week - sometimes i would get a bit embarrassed or self-conscious to dress up for class. i forced myself to do it once per week, starting the first week of class, to set a precedent for myself. slowly i eased my way into wearing cute, fun outfits every day! no one is judging you as much as you are judging yourself, so have fun & be true to you.

step no. 3: study smarter, not harder

attending class is one thing, but you've got to put in the effort to study if you truly want to succeed. but, not all study methods will work for every single person. figure out how to study so you don't waste time with methods that don't work for you.

determine your learning style(s)

there are a few widely accepted learning styles. you've probably tried all of them throughout your time at school, so think back on which learning experiences have been most and least successful for you. then, connect them back to these learning styles to figure out ways you can most effectively study.

visual:  if you learn by seeing info visually, such as with maps, graphs, diagrams, charts, etc.

auditory: if you learn by getting info in auditory form, aka when it's heard or spoken

kinesthetic: aka hands-on, if you learn by doing & applying

reading/writing: if you learn info best when it’s in words, aka by writing it down or reading it

you might find that multiple of these learning styles are effective for you, maybe there's one that sticks out as the most similar to your style of learning, or maybe one that just doesn't work for you. now, you don't need to assign yourself one and forego the rest, but you can adjust the time you spend on various study methods based on how well they work for you.

for me, i've realized over time that i am NOT a reading learner. in high school i would diligently read all the textbook assignments, spending hours getting through the chapters, only to retain none of it & do poorly on assignments & tests.

on the other hand, i respond really well to kinesthetic learning - when applying concepts hands-on, such as with practice problems, i have a much better understanding of concepts & retention.

fast forward to college - i spend very little time on assigned readings. in fact, sometimes i skip them all together 🫢 b/c if i spend an hour reading the textbook but retain none of it, that's an hour wasted. especially if the content from the textbook is going to line up with the lecture, i'm much better off paying attention & taking good notes in class, and then spending my study time doing practice problems. if i really do need to read the textbook, i have to make it interactive for myself - i answer the questions at the end of the chapter, take notes, quiz myself, etc.

now, my advice here isn't to skip textbook readings!! that's not something i recommend b/c for so many people, it IS effective and helpful! when it comes to studying, play on your strengths. don't try to force yourself to learn in a way that doesn't work for your brain. make modifications & prioritize your learning! here is an awesome guide to different methods that work for the various learning styles.

find your ideal study environment

you can also maximize the effectiveness of your studying based on the environment you're in. if you can decide what factors help or hinder your studying abilities, it will help you decide where you should make your go-to study spot!

at home or in public? sometimes, studying in a public place can be unproductive. it might make you feel more stressed (like the sensation of having your teacher look over your shoulder during a test 🫣) or distracted. for me, studying in public is actually useful b/c i'm less likely to get disctracted. if i'm in my room i might get tempted to open up tumblr or pinterest, but in public i feel like ppl might see me get off topic which deters me LOL. however, studying at home is nice b/c you're in the comfort of your own personal space - you can change into pjs, cuddle your pet, grab a snack, etc. i do a mix of studying in public & at home b/c i feel like they both have their benefits

quiet or noisy? do you study better in a silent environment, or do you like some sound/ white noise? personally, i cannot deal with ANY noise when i'm trying to study, it totally breaks my focus 😭but some people like the ambient/ white noise of a coffee shop

music or silence? similar to the last one, does having music help you stay focused, or distract you? i know ppl will swear by different things - classical music, upbeat music, songs in different languages, etc. again, i personally cannot handle any sounds 😅 but if music keeps you alert, plan accordingly - have earbuds or go to a coffee shop that has a playlist going

nature or indoors? maybe you find it stuffy to be indoors all day & studying out in the open air helps you stay grounded and calm. on the flipside, being exposed to the elements might just make you more distracted. if you like studying outdoors, try public parks with benches, and also see if your campus has outdoor seating areas. some libraries do too. for a happy medium, you can study someplace with large windows/ nice view.

independent or collaborative? do you study better on your own or in groups? you can join a study group or go to office hours to get a sense of studying in a group setting vs. alone. group studying can help hold you accountable, make it more interactive, and keep you focused. that being said, i def prefer studying independently. i like to go at my own pace, and tbh i get easily distracted w/ others and will begin to just chit chat

based on how you answer those questions, you can decide what your ideal study environment is & pick a go-to place! for me, based on my preferences, my most effective study environment going to the library alone or studying in my room.

that's all for this post! i feel it got very long but i had so many tips to share. there's no "one size fits all" guide to navigating uni life. but i think everyone can benefit from prepping in advance & being mentally prepared. knowing your own strengths + having a plan of attack will guide you in stressful/ uncertain times!

overall, take the time to get to know yourself & figure out how you can be at your very best. apply whichever bits of advice resonate, and ignore anything that's not gonna serve you. this is YOUR journey!

and remember, even with all the planning in the world, things can go unexpectedly. you are more than equipped to deal with whatever life throws your way! when you are faced with unexpected things - pause & think, assess the situation, & determine your best course of action. above all, YOU'VE GOT THIS! 💗

[gohandinhand]

hi i hope you are well! for the three things: 1) favorite winter activity 2) last fic you read that rearranged your guts 3) paper notebooks or digital notebooks

hi buddy! well to be honest i am not exactly what one would call a winter enjoyer. in spite of that things are happening this winter that i’m very much looking forward to: this weekend @jtl07 and i are going to walk around the lake while it’s lit with thousands of candles (and maybe some christmas lights?) and next month @emilyjunk @whatwordsmiss and @omomoification are coming to visit and we’re all going to the aquarium for my birthday 🥰

i have a couple fics to plug! first is angie’s bishova fdau because she keeps letting me make crackpot suggestions for what should happen and then turning them into actual art. to be honest i haven’t read much fic lately that isn’t written by one friend or another but i randomly stumbled across this avatrice fic by @33-uroda the other day and had to sit down and just fucking mainline it. and then we followed each other on tumblr after so still only reading friend fic, one way or another

lastly… this is not a cop out…but this is a debate i’ve actively been having with myself and i am torn. i do write in a paper journal every night and i love the beauty & physicality of it; the feel of the leather cover, the scratching of my pencil against the paper, the practiced motion of tucking the pagemarker ribbon under so simon doesn’t try to eat it as i’m writing. it’s been cool watching my handwriting morph as i’ve settled into the habit of writing in cursive every day and also see how my mood on any one night can impact it. i write every night as a way to externalize my memory storage because my memory is one step down from neurological emergency bad and the con to a paper journal is how hard it is to search when i’m trying to find something. i’ve thought about splitting the difference and getting one of those digital pads that you “handwrite” on and then it stores a copy for you digitally for my next notebook purchase, but i’m also wary of the longevity of digital notebooks because the current state of the tech world makes it highly likely that the app you have to use to access those copies will be sunset or the company will go under and then poof. the ideal answer is to have both versions but my wrist would fuck off to cabo if i tried that.

i also keep a paper notebook for dnd but i lost it in my move :( it’s got to show up eventually, but that’s definitely another con of paper lol. other than that (all my creative writing) is digital!

[salixsociety]

Local Flora, Folklore and Medicine

On connecting with the plant spirits of your land.

As a magical practitioner of any kind, or even as a pagan, there is major value in maintaining awareness of your surroundings. Though I preach that the responsibility of 'saving the environment' is not on the shoulders of the average non-billionaire, I do think we all owe it to each other and the world to know the plants we pick, get stung by, and walk on. Those are the same plants that offer themselves as food, medicine, clothing, and magical tool, but are generally met with a blind eye. So how do we get started with learning about them?

Acknowledging

I think as children we all passively learn about the plants in our environment. Grade school, our elders, TV. Kids in northern Europe learn about acorns, amanita muscaria toadstools, and chamomile. Kids in southern North America may learn about saguaros and sagebrush. Those plants are a great place to start. We learn to take them for granted as we get older, but they were the first you learned about for a reason! Their cultural relevance has stood the test of time. You can start looking into them just by googling - the internet has a surprising wealth of knowledge both cultural and conventional about the medicinal, nutritional, practical and spiritual applications of plants, especially those who have long-lived folklore. Wikipedia is a great jumping off point for further research.

Another excellent method to start, and this one may be my favorite, is to go to a local thrift store and pick up a field guide for your area/state/province/biome. There are many different kinds! There are those with small blocks of text and little b&w scientific drawings that are purely designed to help you quickly identify a plant. There are those that have color pictures and an elaborate description of where to find the plants and what they do. There are those that focus on wildflowers, those that focus on trees, those that focus on medicinal plants, et cetera, et cetera. Choose one that suits your needs. If you're a beginner interested in folk medicine, choose one with color pictures that focuses on medicinal plants, for example. Then carry it with you for a while, or go on walks with it! Look around, listen to music, and try to identify the plants that stand out to you.

Recognizing

Of course, going around and looking at plants may not feel like a productive way to get into plants. How will I remember what they look like and what they do? That is where folklore comes in. I will never forget the moment I learned why 'Devil's Bit' is called that. I had read that folklore had it the devil, in envy about the potent medicine in the root of the flower, had come up from below and bitten off the rootstock of every single flower. The first time I dug it up I could see: it really does look like someone took off the bottom of the root. And this goes for many many plants in our immediate environment. Many native Americans refer to narrowleaf plantain (plantago lanceolata) as 'White Man's Foot' because it grows along footpaths and was brought over by European colonizers. 'Monkshood,' really does look like the hood of a monastic. Herbaria If you are dedicated to your plant related magic, a herbarium will be very much worth the effort. It's a compilation of any kind (a notebook, a google doc, a binder) wherein you can collect all the information relevant to you. It is massively helpful to write down every alternative name you know, the medicinal properties you use, et cetera. A physical herbarium can also include pressed plant specimens or cyanotypes of them, and a digital one can have pictures taken from the internet. Making your own scientific sketches of plants is also an excellent way to learn much about them.

Understanding

A basic understanding of botany may prove very useful when you get a bit more skilled at recognizing your local flora. Understanding how they reproduce, which plants threaten one another, how poisons work, what plants are native and which are not, and how to perform basic processing styles such as extractions, infusions, distillations, will be a major step in both feeling like you understand the scientific part of the plant as well as its importance in your environment.

Connecting

This is by far the most individual part of this whole process. Your religious inclinations, spiritual views on the world, et cetera, will shape how this goes. For me, as an animist, I connect with plants by acknowledging that they are alive and have a degree of sentience. I use them in my practice both intact and not - I tie off my illnesses to trees, thank plants I use to stand on or pull myself up from, and speak to living plants just as much as I work with and revere ones that I have to uproot or process to make use of them. Someone that is not an animist may not find value therein, but instead in something else. The important part is to stay conscious. Pay attention to details. Be grateful that you get to witness their beauty and make use of their applications. Marvel at the great web of interconnectedness that both we and plants are a part of. Wonder what the existence of a plant does for you, even if it just is what it is. How does the kelp in the ocean benefit you in your daily life even when you aren’t eating it? It does, somehow, I can assure you. Some great rabbitholes to dive into if you are keen to feel connected to plants are how trees in a forest are all connected, about mushroom mycelia, about how what looks like many shrubs or trees may just be one after all. Mother trees and how they sustain all the trees around them are one of my very favorite topics. 

Practicing

The fun part! There are many ways to apply your newfound knowledge, and continuing to actively do so is the best way to keep learning. Safe and fun things to start doing immediately could include: - Processing plants for their practical applications, such as making rope or fabric from nettles, making baskets from willow twigs, carving musical instruments or sculptures from dried wood; - Making decorations in moderation, such as bouquets, wreaths, flower crowns; - Using them in small-time magic you will not be consuming. Many plants were said to ward off witchcraft, bad luck or bad spirits, and you can so easily hang a strawberry leaf above your door or keep an alder twig by your window; - Making art such as sketches, dyes, cyanotypes; - Harvesting small amounts and observing: I think we all remember picking dandelions as kids, noticing the latex flowing from the stems, and tasting it carefully. And there is more. I don't suggest doing this right off the bat, as you may do more harm than good in the beginning stages, but when you have learned a fair amount, feel confident in your ability to recognize a few plants, and frequently use some of your local plants in your magic, you could start stockpiling a bit. Take opportunities to gather herbs that are not endangered, bulk dry them, and store them in jars away from sunlight for use in the future. Please be sure to educate yourself on foraging etiquette and plant lookalikes! You may also grow a wish to assist your local environment by helping to manage invasive species. I highly encourage this! Educate yourself well on what the invasive species look like, how they behave, and how they are best eradicated. Be sure to be mindful not to get in the way of greater conservation efforts, though!

In conclusion: the wealth of the world is at your fingertips. Everything you need is where the nature is. Food, medicine, building material, warmth, fun, art, music, is all hidden in the sting of a nettle, the rustle of foliage, and the cushioning of a clover field. You are entitled to it all, so long as you stay grateful and conscious. ---- If you enjoy my work, please consider purchasing or commissioning some of my written resarch, ordering a reading, or commissioning my art. Click here to see the options. Thank you!

[overdecorated-furniture]

WIP Planning - Notebooks

Today I thought I would show you where I am doing my planning, and what it looks like. I find visuals very helpful for when I want to do something, so this post will have a good number of pictures in.

The Notebooks

These are the four notebooks I use for my writing work. From right to left: Short Stories and poems, Character Info, Echoes of Eternity, the Jack of Diamonds. I’ll break these notebooks down below the cut, and look at how I use them.

Short Story Notebook

This is my most battered and well travelled notebook, having gone with me on many holidays and walks, been stained with lichen, had tea dropped on it, and so on. With this notebook, I write out any short story ideas that won’t necessarily be fanfic and make it onto AO3, do writing exercises and prompts, and jot down the occasional tentative poem. It is really helpful to have a notebook for odds and ends that you are happy to have dropped and stained, as it gives you somewhere to store ideas without worrying too much about how they look. I do like to draw/doodle in the notebook if I have space, but it is by no means good drawing, and I’m happy with hoe sketchy everything is.

Character Information Notebook

This is a reusable notebook, which means I can fill it with different types of paper, and then take out the inserts when they are full. This gives me a flexibility of usage, as I have lined and blank paper, so I have decided to use it to store character information. I already talked about how I organise my character info here, but the visual is often helpful. I haven’t started using the blank paper yet, but I mean to sketch my characters, and some of the scenes/ items from my WIPs. I am aware there are lots of digital versions of this notebook, all of which are excellent in their own right, but I enjoy the labour of handwriting, as it gives me more time to think about it, and means I can carry my characters in a very physical way.

Echoes of Eternity Notebook

Perversely, given my other novel WIP is set in London, this notebook (which has a map of mid-Victorian London as the cover illustration) is where I plan and world-build for Echoes. This is my oldest notebook, and still has the first chapters of my original ideas in the early pages. Since then the notion has undergone several changes, but the sense of continuity this notebook brings makes me happy. All my planning and world-building in here is very messy, and there is no real order to wether I have a playlist for the WIP written next to the lore creation myth, or a random character backstory prompt side by side with a timeline. It’s chaos, and I imagine all the world-building will be added to a new notebook some day to ensure it makes sense.

Jack of Diamonds Notebook

This is my newest notebook - viz my post about my outlining problem - so it hasn’t got much in it at present. However, I intend to keep outlining and research notes in here, as well as any world-building I might have to do, and possibly some drawings if I feel brave. We shall see what the future holds for this notebook.

Hope that is helpful and interesting for people. Happy Writing! 🌿

[julistationery]

Office Stationery: Essential Tools for Productivity and Organization

In a world dominated by digital devices and cloud-based work, it’s easy to overlook the importance of traditional office stationery. However, these everyday tools remain critical in maintaining productivity, enhancing creativity, and ensuring smooth communication in both home offices and corporate environments. Whether it’s jotting down notes during a meeting, marking important dates on a calendar, or organizing paperwork, office stationery plays a vital role in keeping us organized and efficient.

In this blog, we’ll explore the different types of office stationery, why they’re still relevant today, and how the right tools can enhance your workday.

The Staples of Office Stationery

Office stationery refers to a wide range of supplies that support day-to-day business activities. While the list can be extensive, some essential items are found in almost every workspace.

1. Notebooks and Paper Pads

Despite the prevalence of digital note-taking apps, the classic notebook remains a popular choice for capturing ideas, making to-do lists, and taking meeting notes. Notebooks come in various styles—lined, dotted, or blank—each suited for different tasks. Paper pads, such as legal pads or memo pads, are great for quick notes or brainstorming sessions.

2. Pens, Pencils, and Markers

A reliable pen is a staple of any office, whether it's for signing important documents or scribbling down thoughts. Ballpoint pens, gel pens, and fountain pens all offer different writing experiences. Pencils, especially mechanical ones, are excellent for drafting or sketching ideas. Markers and highlighters also play a crucial role in emphasizing key points or marking tasks on a whiteboard.

3. Post-It Notes

These small, colorful sticky notes have become indispensable for quick reminders, labeling items, or brainstorming ideas. Their ability to stick and re-stick to surfaces without leaving residue makes them ideal for organizing tasks or creating visual reminders around your workspace.

4. Staplers and Paper Clips

For any office that handles paperwork, staplers and paper clips are must-have tools for keeping documents together. While a stapler provides a permanent solution, paper clips offer a temporary way to group papers. Both tools help ensure important documents stay organized and easy to access.

5. Folders and Filing Supplies

To avoid desk clutter, folders, binders, and filing systems are essential for organizing paperwork. Whether it’s for client files, invoices, or project documentation, a well-organized filing system keeps your workspace tidy and ensures that important documents are easily retrievable.

6. Desk Organizers

To maintain a clean and functional workspace, desk organizers are essential. They help store pens, paper, scissors, and other small office supplies in an orderly manner, reducing clutter and making your desk more efficient.

7. Calendars and Planners

While digital calendars are useful, many people still rely on physical calendars or planners to manage their schedules. Wall calendars, desk calendars, and personal planners allow you to visualize deadlines, meetings, and important events at a glance, offering a sense of organization that complements digital tools.

8. Envelopes and Mailing Supplies

Mailing is still a regular task in many businesses, so having a supply of envelopes, stamps, and labels is essential. Envelopes of different sizes and materials are necessary for sending documents, contracts, or marketing materials to clients and colleagues.

Why Office Stationery Still Matters in a Digital Age

As digital tools and devices become more integrated into daily work, one might wonder why physical stationery remains relevant. Here are a few reasons why traditional office supplies continue to be valuable:

1. Tactile and Visual Learning

For many, the physical act of writing helps with retention and focus. Writing by hand stimulates cognitive processes in ways that typing cannot. Many people still find they generate better ideas or remember information more effectively when writing notes by hand instead of typing them on a laptop.

2. Immediate Accessibility

Unlike digital devices that require power and sometimes experience technical glitches, office stationery is always ready to use. There’s no need to worry about a pen’s battery dying or a notebook crashing during a meeting. This reliability makes traditional stationery an excellent complement to digital devices, ensuring that ideas or important details are captured, no matter the situation.

3. Organization and Clarity

A well-organized physical workspace can have a significant impact on productivity. A cluttered desk can lead to distraction, whereas clearly labeled folders, an organized planner, and tidy stacks of paper can enhance focus. Office stationery helps create a clean, structured environment that supports concentration.

4. Professionalism and Personal Touch

In a professional setting, handwritten notes, signed documents, and well-presented files often convey more sincerity and attention to detail than their digital counterparts. Whether it’s sending a client a personal thank-you note or signing a contract with a pen, these physical elements often add a level of professionalism and personal connection that emails or e-signatures can’t replicate.

5. Creative Freedom

Certain tasks, like brainstorming or sketching ideas, benefit greatly from the flexibility of physical tools. Whiteboards, flip charts, and paper notebooks offer a free-form way to explore ideas without the limitations of a computer screen. Many creatives find that using paper and pen can help them think outside the box and visualize complex problems more easily.

Tips for Choosing the Right Office Stationery

To get the most out of your office stationery, it’s essential to select the right tools based on your work needs and preferences. Here are a few tips to help you choose the best stationery for your workspace:

Invest in Quality: Durable, high-quality pens, paper, and organizers can save you time and frustration in the long run. Cheap tools may break easily or cause discomfort, so it’s worth spending a little extra on tools that will last and feel good to use.

Keep it Minimal: Avoid cluttering your workspace with unnecessary supplies. Stick to essential items that you use regularly, and organize them in a way that maximizes efficiency.

Personalize Your Stationery: Choosing stationery that reflects your personal style can make your workspace more enjoyable and comfortable. Whether it’s sleek modern pens or colorful notebooks, having tools that resonate with you can boost motivation and creativity.

Plan Ahead: If you rely on calendars or planners, choose ones that suit your planning style. For some, a wall calendar for long-term deadlines is ideal, while others might prefer a weekly planner to stay on top of daily tasks.

Conclusion

Office stationery may seem like a simple aspect of the workday, but it has a significant impact on productivity, organization, and creativity. In both digital and physical workspaces, these tools provide reliability, clarity, and a personal touch that technology can’t always replace. Whether you’re a creative professional, an executive, or someone working from home, having the right office stationery ensures that you’re equipped to work efficiently and stay organized throughout your day.

So, next time you reach for a pen or jot down notes in a notebook, remember the power that these seemingly small tools have in supporting your daily work and long-term goals.

[an-act-of-will]

Random tidbits of advice no one's asked for about writing but I've learned over the years

In no particular order:

Don't worry if your first draft is messy. That's what editing is for.

You won't learn anything from nitpicking the same story for years. End it and then edit.

Between edits, take a break of a specified time so the work can breathe. I do one to two months. You might need only a week or three days.

Don't be afraid to experiment, in your writing or routine. Stepping out of your comfort zone is the way to grow.

Don't worry if you can't pinpoint a precise 'routine.' I don't have one and I've written for almost a decade.

Let your characters speak, but don't let them monologue. You will need to play God to wrangle them into place. If you can't get them to behave, you might need to make a new character.

Don't delete anything permanently. If you really like a scene/chapter/character/whatever else, but it doesn't work in this story, put it in a separate document for future inspiration. You'll be surprised when you can re-use it with some tweaking.

Number your drafts. Please. Just do it.

Back up your work.

Back it up again.

Save your work before you close the program if it doesn't do it automatically. If it does, save anyway, then refer to previous two pieces of advice.

Don't be afraid to try silly writing 'hacks'- the 'writing in comic sans' one works well for me.

Get someone else to read your work and see where it needs some love. Prepare specific questions for them so they know what you want from them.

If you've been stuck for quite a while, the problem is in your last sentence. Don't delete it- I put it in brackets and move on as if it doesn't exist. You can also turn the text white on a computer, or cover it in a dark highlight color on the computer, or cover it with your hand if you're writing longhand.

If you write longhand, I salute you.

If you think the problem is in the last sentence, it might be the last scene. Do the bracket trick and move along.

Momentum is key. Don't stop to research when paper clips were invented (1867, for those wondering, by a gentleman named Samuel B. Fay. They were originally used to attach tickets to fabric.). If you know you need to research something later, put the item to be researched in brackets. Something like [CHECK DATE OF INVENTION OF PAPER CLIP]

Don't feel bad if you can't think of a specific or common word. I've forgotten the word 'lunch.' It happens. Put the approximate definition in brackets like [WORD FOR MIDDAY MEAL] (As you've noticed, I use a lot of brackets).

When it's time for editing, read through it first and take notes either on the manuscript or in the document. I color code mine, then include a key because I'm forgetful. For example, green is often a continuity error, red is something that can be cut, blue is where a scene can be added. I use changing the color of the text, highlights, and adding notes in my writing document.

Don't shell out money for expensive writing tools if you're not sure if you'll use it. Free word processors and office supply store notebooks are fine.

If you're well and truly stuck, move to the physical world and write longhand, even if you write digitally the other 99.99% of the time. I've found that it almost 'unlocks' parts of my brain that are understimulated.

If you do take the physical world approach, school notebooks and index cards are your friend. The notebooks are great for rambling and figuring things out, and index cards are amazing for writing short descriptions of scenes and physically moving them to see where they fit best.

If those don't work, you can always try the rubber duck technique I've heard coders use- use a rubber duck (or a stuffed animal, or a picture, or anything else) and talk your problem out. You'll probably see the solution once you articulate it. I use a wolf stuffed animal and record on my phone. You'll feel ridiculous, but it works.

Don't be afraid to feel ridiculous. It's a hobby that takes you down rabbit holes.

When I'm done with a chapter, I often use my text-to-speech function on my computer and listen to my story. It helps me catch typos that are other words. For example, 'bed' typed as 'bet' instead.

Your word processor isn't perfect. It will miss mistakes, and it might make new ones. To, too, and two and your and you're can be tricky for them.

Research your made-up names thoroughly to make sure they don't exist as other things.

If you have an idea unrelated to your current session, make note of it. You will forget it and you know you will.

Don't forget to take care of yourself- drink water, eat, and take breaks even if you're worried you'll break your groove. The words will still be there when you get back.

[studyvibesonly]

Say Goodbye to Pocket Notes: Create Smart Flashcards with StudyHobby

In today’s fast-paced learning environment, keeping track of important concepts can be challenging. Many students rely on traditional pocket notes or small booklets to jot down key points. But what if you could take this a step further with a smarter, digital approach?

Why Use Flashcards Instead of Pocket Notes?

Flashcards are a powerful tool for active recall and spaced repetition—two scientifically proven methods to improve memory. Instead of flipping through random notes in a small notebook, digital flashcards help you quickly revise key concepts and quiz yourself.

How StudyHobby Helps You Create & Save Flashcards

With StudyHobby, you can easily create flashcards as part of your study process. Here’s how it works:

Capture Key Information: Instead of writing long notes, summarize important details in short, concise points.

Save for Future Use: Unlike paper notes that can be lost or misplaced, StudyHobby lets you save flashcards digitally for anytime access.

Use Voice-to-Text for Quick Notes: If you prefer speaking over typing, use StudyHobby’s voice recording feature to generate flashcards effortlessly.

Organize & Retrieve: Categorize flashcards based on subjects or topics, making it easy to find what you need when revising.

Share with Friends & Study Groups: Collaboration is key to effective learning. StudyHobby allows you to share flashcards with others, making group study sessions more productive.

Real-World Use Case: Exam Preparation Made Easy

Imagine you’re preparing for a history exam. Instead of flipping through pages of handwritten notes, you create flashcards with key dates, events, and figures. When revising, you go through each card and quiz yourself, reinforcing your memory with active recall. Since your flashcards are saved in StudyHobby, you can access them anytime—whether on your laptop at home or your phone while commuting.

Why Choose StudyHobby for Flashcards?

✅ Easy to Create & Save – No need for physical cards; everything is stored in one place. ✅ Accessible Anywhere – Study on your phone, tablet, or computer. ✅ Better Retention – Active recall helps strengthen your memory. ✅ Shareable & Collaborative – Exchange flashcards with friends for interactive learning.

Switch from traditional pocket notes to smart digital flashcards with StudyHobby and make your study sessions more efficient. Try it now at StudyHobby! 🚀

Explore More Features:

Image Summarization-

click here

click here

Youtube summarization- click here

Voice Note - click here

[uniathena7]

Top 10 Must-Have Essentials for a Successful Job Interview

Interviews can be nerve-wracking, but being well-prepared can ease your worries and boost your confidence. Whether it’s your first interview or you’re a seasoned professional, having the right items on hand can make a big difference. If you’ve found yourself Googling “what documents to bring to a job interview,” this guide will provide you with a comprehensive checklist to help you stand out and make a great impression.

1. A Hard Copy of Your Resume

This might seem obvious, but it’s crucial to bring a printed version of your resume. Use high-quality paper and store it in a folder to keep it crisp and professional-looking. A soft copy on your phone or email is also handy, as you may need to share it digitally.

2. Educational and Professional Certificates

If your resume lists certifications or degrees, interviewers may ask to see them. Be prepared by carrying originals and photocopies of these documents in an organized folder. Having these on hand showcases your professionalism and readiness.

3. A Portfolio (if Applicable)

For roles in creative or technical fields such as graphic design, photography, architecture, or writing, a portfolio is essential. Whether it’s a digital presentation or a physical booklet, ensure your work is well-organized and highlights your best projects.

4. Copies of Important Documents

Beyond your resume and certificates, include documents like your cover letter, reference letters, and past employment verification. Contact the HR team in advance to confirm if any specific paperwork is required.

5. A Reference List

Prepare a list of professional references who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. Include their full names, designations, companies, contact details, and a brief note on your professional relationship. Make sure your references are informed and willing to provide feedback if contacted.

6. Office Address and Contact Information

Plan your route to the interview location. Write down the address and contact number of the office to avoid last-minute confusion. In case of a technological glitch, having this information on paper can save you stress.

Pro Tip: If you’re using public transport, leave home 15–20 minutes earlier than planned. This cushion time accounts for any unforeseen delays and ensures you arrive relaxed and on time.

7. Government-issued ID Card

Many office buildings require identification for security clearance. Carry a government-issued ID like a passport, national ID, or driver’s license to avoid any inconvenience at the entrance.

8. A List of Thoughtful Questions

An interview isn’t just about answering questions; it’s also your opportunity to learn about the company and role. Prepare a list of insightful questions to ask the interviewer. For instance:

What does a typical day in this role look like?

How does the company support employee growth and development?

What are the key challenges for this position?

9. Hydration and Sustenance

Traveling, waiting, and interviewing can be exhausting. Carry a small water bottle to stay hydrated and a light snack to keep your energy up. Avoid messy or strongly scented snacks, as these could be distracting.

10. Confidence and a Positive Attitude

Finally, the most important things to bring to an interview are your confidence and positivity. Remind yourself that you’ve earned this opportunity. Take deep breaths, maintain good posture, and engage in positive self-talk. Remember, interviews are a two-way process — you’re assessing the company as much as they’re assessing you.

Other than that we have also explored the use of ChatGPT in your interview preparation process in a different article, so do check that out too. All the best!

Bonus Tips for a Seamless Interview Experience

Carry Stationery: A pen and a small notebook can be useful for taking notes during the interview. This shows attentiveness and preparedness.

Dress Appropriately: Find out about the company’s dress code in advance. When in doubt, opt for formal attire to make a polished impression.

Use a Neat Bag: Choose a professional-looking bag that can hold all your documents and essentials securely. Crumpled papers or disorganized items can leave a poor impression.

Research the Company: Familiarize yourself with the company’s history, values, and recent accomplishments. This knowledge can help you craft tailored answers and demonstrate genuine interest.

Conclusion

Preparing for a job interview goes beyond practicing answers; it’s about presenting yourself as a well-rounded, organized, and confident candidate. By following this checklist, you’ll be equipped with all the essentials to make a lasting impression.

If you’re based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, these tips are especially crucial in competitive job markets. Whether you’re attending an interview in Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, or Goma, being prepared with these items will set you apart from other candidates. Good luck with your job search, and may your next interview be the first step toward your dream career!

[nsfwmiamiart]

ChatGPT Part 1 - Fun Fact for Author @YesJulz:

Here's the official Instagram handle for Samsonite: (@mysamsonite) and also (@samsoniteusa). You can check out their latest products and updates there.

Question:

"If YesJulz writes down her ideas in a book dedicated to her creative concepts, how can she protect that book? Should she invest in a special Samsonite case to safeguard her ideas, like one would protect a gold reserve, considering that intellectual property is often as valuable as gold?"

ChatGPT Answer:

When we talk about intellectual property (IP) being as valuable as gold, what we're really saying is that ideas—when they're original, unique, and potentially profitable—have immense value. Just like gold, great ideas can be mined, polished, and used to generate wealth. However, unlike physical gold, ideas are intangible. This makes them vulnerable to theft or duplication unless they're properly protected.

Now, how do you protect something intangible like an idea? The answer lies in copyright and other forms of IP protection, such as patents, trademarks, and trade secrets. These legal tools allow creators to claim ownership of their ideas, and prevent others from using or profiting from them without permission.

Copyright and Intellectual Property

A copyright grants legal protection to original works of authorship, like books, movies, music, art, and even digital content. The moment you write down your ideas—whether it’s in a notebook, on your computer, or anywhere else—they’re automatically protected by copyright in most countries. This means no one else can legally reproduce, distribute, or sell your work without your permission.

However, to fully enforce this protection and make it easier to prove ownership, many creators register their work with the appropriate government body, like the U.S. Copyright Office. Registration strengthens your legal rights, especially if you ever need to go to court to defend your work.

Why is IP Considered as Valuable as Gold?

IP is valuable because of its potential. A brilliant idea, like a unique business model, a song, or a movie script, can generate enormous financial rewards—just think about the royalties from a bestselling novel or a hit movie. That’s why it's often likened to gold: while an idea in itself might not have physical form, its potential value can be immense. Companies often treat IP as one of their most valuable assets, even more valuable than physical property.

Protecting Ideas: Samsonite Case Analogy

Now, the question of physically protecting ideas in a Samsonite case highlights the need for safeguarding the physical representation of those ideas, like notebooks, manuscripts, or even external hard drives. A Samsonite case might protect your physical book of ideas from damage or theft, but it’s the legal protection—through copyright and other IP laws—that protects the ideas themselves.

Imagine you have written down groundbreaking ideas in a notebook. If someone steals that notebook, it’s a bit like stealing gold—suddenly, someone else could use your ideas for profit. That’s why creators often treat their notes and ideas as valuable, locking them away, and sometimes even storing them in fireproof safes. However, the real protection comes from the legal ownership you establish through copyright.

In Summary

To truly safeguard intellectual property:

Copyright your ideas once they're in a fixed form.

Consider registering your work for stronger legal protection.

Use physical measures like a Samsonite case to protect the physical manifestations of your ideas (like notebooks), but remember that the most critical protection is legal, not physical.

The value of an idea grows as you develop it, and with legal protection, you ensure it remains yours to control—just like gold.

Understanding and utilizing intellectual property law is essential for maximizing the value of creative work, much like how owning and protecting gold reserves is critical for wealth management.

[dot-mirror]

Finding the Perfect Notebook Supplier: A Comprehensive Guide

In today's digital age, the timeless allure of a physical notebook still holds a special place in our hearts. Whether you're a student, a writer, an artist, or a professional, a good notebook is an indispensable tool. But the quest for the ideal notebook begins with finding the perfect notebook supplier. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the steps to identify the right notebook supplier to meet your needs.

1. Introduction

In this digital era, the humble notebook remains a powerful tool for jotting down ideas, sketching, note-taking, and organizing thoughts. Choosing the right notebook supplier is crucial to ensure you get the quality, style, and functionality you need. Let's delve into the process of finding the perfect notebook supplier step by step.

2. Understanding Your Notebook Needs

Before you embark on your quest for the ideal notebook supplier, it's essential to understand your specific requirements. Are you looking for a notebook for personal use, professional work, or as a gift? Consider factors like size, paper type, binding, and cover material.

3. Researching Notebook Suppliers

Local Suppliers

Local stationery stores and boutique shops often carry a variety of notebooks. Visit them to see the options in person, feel the paper quality, and assess the available customization options.

Online Retailers

Online retailers provide a vast selection of notebooks, making it easy to compare prices, styles, and reviews. Popular online marketplaces offer convenience and a wide range of choices.

4. Quality Matters: Choosing the Right Paper

The type of paper in your notebook significantly impacts your writing experience. Consider factors such as paper weight, texture, and color. Premium-quality paper enhances the pleasure of writing and sketching.

5. Eco-Friendly Options

If sustainability is important to you, look for notebook supplier that offer eco-friendly options. Recycled paper, biodegradable covers, and environmentally conscious manufacturing processes are essential aspects to consider.

6. Customization and Personalization

Personalized notebooks make excellent gifts or branding tools. Look for suppliers that offer customization options, allowing you to add your name, logo, or a special message to the cover.

7. Pricing and Budget Considerations

Set a budget before you start shopping for notebooks. While quality is essential, there are options available to suit various budgets. Compare prices across different suppliers to find the best value.

8. Customer Reviews and Testimonials

Reading customer reviews and testimonials can provide valuable insights into a supplier's reputation and the quality of their notebooks. Look for reviews that specifically mention the factors that matter most to you.

9. Delivery and Shipping Options

Consider the supplier's delivery and shipping options, especially if you need your notebooks by a specific date. Check if they offer express shipping or international delivery if needed.

10. Warranty and Return Policies

Unexpected issues can arise with any product. Ensure that the supplier has a clear warranty and return policy in case you receive a damaged or unsatisfactory notebook.

11. Bulk Orders and Discounts

If you need notebooks in bulk, inquire about discounts for large orders. Some suppliers offer special pricing for wholesale purchases, making it cost-effective for businesses.

12. Comparing Supplier Reputation

Before making your final decision, compare the reputation of different notebook suppliers. Look for feedback on their reliability, customer service, and overall experience.

13. Making the Final Decision

After thorough research and consideration, choose the notebook supplier that best aligns with your needs and preferences. Place your order with confidence, knowing you've made an informed decision.

14. Conclusion

Finding the perfect notebook supplier requires careful consideration of your unique needs, thorough research, and an understanding of the options available. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently select a supplier that delivers the ideal notebook for your requirements.

15. FAQs

Q1: Can I return a personalized notebook if I'm not satisfied with it?

Yes, most suppliers have return policies even for personalized items. However, check the supplier's specific policy before ordering.

Q2: What is the most popular notebook size for general use?

A5 notebooks are a popular choice for their versatility and portability.

Q3: How can I determine the paper quality of a notebook when shopping online?

Look for product descriptions that mention paper weight and texture. Customer reviews can also provide insights into paper quality.

Q4: Are there any notebook suppliers known for their sustainable practices?

Yes, several suppliers prioritize eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes. Look for those with certifications like FSC or use recycled materials.

Q5: Can I order notebooks with custom artwork or designs?

Yes, many suppliers offer custom artwork options. Contact the supplier to discuss your specific design requirements.

[zenruption]

Technology Distrust or How to Navigate The Digital Password Fortress

I don’t trust technology. Why would I anyway? I still remember the days when people could communicate comfortably without needing to remember a ton of passwords. But things have changed, and having passwords makes you more vulnerable to breaches. 

Did you know, for instance, that the average person must remember at least 100 passwords? Ultimately, when you think about it, we all use emails, planners, productivity apps, shopping apps, social media, fitness and health apps, collaborative tools, and many many more. So, at the end of the day, it makes sense why we may be using 100 passwords at any given time. 

According to NordPass researchers, this is a problem because the more passwords we need, the least secure they tend to be: 

“We now partly understand why people use easy-to-guess passwords — they simply have too many to remember. So, it’s hardly surprising that people use either very simple passwords or have a few and reuse them for all accounts”

If this sounds familiar, this article might give you some food for thought about creating and managing secure passwords in an era where technology advancements can be both overwhelming and empowering. Techno fear has become, unfortunately, a common answer to its fast evolution pace. Yet, it is time for us to learn and recognize that technology can also be an ally in our quest for better password security. 

Unsplash - CC0 License

Embracing secure password practices

Technology moves fast, but it never moves silently. It always shares newtools and knowledge. The question you need to ask yourself is: Have I been paying attention? 

Creating passwords that are meaningful to you is the best and easiest way to remember them. Yet, beware of obvious and simple passwords, such as the name of a loved one or a date of birth. If you are not au fait of the latest recommendations for generating passwords that are memorable and also hard to crack, it can be a good idea to turn to Ai. While artificial intelligence, and ChatGPT, can make us feel uneasy, there is one thing it excels at. It can extract pre-existing knowledge and summarize it in an easily digestible format. For instance, you could ask ChatGPT for tips on how to create a suitable password. Bear in mind, the tool cannot generate a password for you. But it can certainly help you implement password best practices. 

Storing your passwords somewhere safe

The idea that you shouldn’t write your password anywhere is inaccurate. Many people have been told that writing passwords down could increase security breaches. In reality, hackers are far less likely to go through your physical possessions as they are to enter your digital sphere. 

Nevertheless, there is still a risk remaining. That’s why you want to use smart notebooks for your passwords, such as Shieldfolio, which has been designed specifically for crypto passwords. This could be a great tip to store your passwords in a physical location. 

There are also tech alternatives for password storage and management. Indeed, tools such as LastPass can provide a great solution to keep all your passwords in one place online. Similarly, if you are an Apple user, you are probably familiar with the iCloud Keychain, which can keep your passwords and other information secure and updated across all your Apple devices. This idea is to create a secure vault that will hold all your passwords, and therefore also remember them for you. 

This is where technology can make things a lot easier for general password holding. While you want separate storing options for crypto activities (as your SEED password, for example, needs to be kept separately), most passwords can be safely stored in a digital vault. That being said, each digital vault, regardless of the tool you are using, will require some protected authentication mechanism for access. In other words, you will still need to remember one password, the one that gets you into the vault. 

The advantage of password managers

Password managers can make it not only easier to remember those infamous 100 passwords, but they also serve another important purpose. Many password managers are able to generate random and secure passwords for you. 

Apple users on Safari have probably seen this feature before. When using Safari on an Apple device, users can receive a strong password suggestion. 

Alternatively, LastPass and similar password management tools also have a generator function. Typically, the strong password consists of:

A long string of characters (much longer than typical human-generated passwords)

A combination of numbers, letters, and symbols

The inclusion of randomized capital letters

These passwords are much harder to crack. They are also tricky to write down if you wish to keep them on paper. That’s precisely where technology can help you. It can create and remember secure passwords for you. Is it entirely safe? Technically, the first password, the one giving you access to your vault, is likely to be the only weakness as it is human-generated. 

So what do you think? Will technology solve once and for all the challenges of digital passwords? 

[commodorez]

Operating on files purely in the cloud is not always going to be an option to get work done on a computer, and it may not give you the above tree structure.

We all have to get work done on a computer, be it for our dayjobs, school work, and of course general paperwork for surviving in today's modern existence. Paperless society or not, paperwork persists.

Not every document can be filled out in an online form, and even if they did, you probably want digital and physical copies of important documents that you will need later. Tax paperwork, your syllabus for each class, resumes, rental applications, car payments, loans, mortgages, insurance, etc.

You can't always rely on "show recent files" feature of an application to give you a clear indication of that file you just saved [gestures vaguely] somewhere.

You can't always trust that the file search feature is going to be helpful at finding the things you're after.

If you come to rely on these tools, and one day they break after a migration to a new computer or operating system, suddenly you can't find that one PDF talking about your health benefits from when you got that new job 5 years ago.

I know some folks prefer metadata tags on things rather than hunting for the files in question, but that isn't always going to be possible on some systems. Corporate/school environments won't necessarily give you this option. If they want you to go find a file that's kept in shared drive X:, you will need to understand how to traverse their folder structure to go find it. File searches in these situations tend to fail spectacularly, or they go slower than molasses because they aren't all pre-indexed. Up until recently, we had a networked Google drive at my job that Windows file search could not find anything in sooner than 10 minutes.

-

I should define the concept of the desktop (I don't mean like desktop vs. laptop). Much like my file cabinet/folder analogy from before, we'll use a desk concept. Pretend I'm at a school desk and it's the 1960s. I've got a few things in front of me, maybe some colored pencils for drawing. Maybe a nice pen for writing. A calculator slide rule for doing math. Maybe a notebook, a tiny calendar, and a book from the library.

Each of those items are arranged on the top of my desk for easy access. Each one serves a specific purpose, and with my desktop, I can have a few of them out at once if I'm doing work that needs more than one at a time. Maybe I want to read a section in the book to write down notes on paper. Maybe I want to draw a graph with the colored pencils. The idea is that all of these tools are at the ready, easily visible and arrangeable for the task at hand.

So too goes for a computer desktop. I've got icons that are shortcuts to let me start a web browser, a media player, a video game, a text editor, a drawing program. I've got a taskbar at the bottom to keep track of all the things I'm actively doing. I can manage not only my workload, but the computer's workload. All from my desktop! I can even make shortcuts (we'll get to those) to places that I frequently want to visit that have files relevant to what I'm doing.

But more importantly, I can store things on the desktop. It's a just a fancy folder like before. However, I highly recommend against getting into that habit. You could pile every song, picture, and pdf you had on the desktop. And that'd be fine for 10, maybe 50 files at most but if you've got 1000 files? That ain't gonna work.

You especially do not want to store most of your files on the desktop (even in folders you made on the desktop) if you're using a networked domain Windows account (like what you would be issued at work or school). Because it's slow. Every file you save there has to be loaded again on login, which has to come from a central server across a building, or maybe even miles away to get to you. If you aren't always using the same computer each time like I did in college, each time you log in, all of those files may have to be locally cached on that computer before you can start to do anything. I've seen this first hand at my old job, some employees waited like 5 minutes from logging in before they could start doing any work. They had a bad time, until I showed them a better place to keep those files.

Standby for part 3.

Zoomer here, and I do indeed have questions about computers- how do filesystems work, and why should we care (I know we should, but I'm not exactly sure why)?

So why should we care?

You need to know where your own files are.

I've got a file on a flash drive that's been handed to me, or an archival data CD/DVD/Bluray, or maybe it's a big heavy USB external hard drive and I need to make a copy of it on my local machine.

Do I know how to navigate to that portable media device within a file browser?

Where will I put that data on my permanent media (e.i. my laptop's hard drive)?

How will I be able to reliably find it again?

We'll cover more of the Why and How, but this will take some time, and a few addendum posts because I'm actively hitting the character limit and I've rewritten this like 3 times.

Let's start with file structure

Files live on drives: big heavy spinning rust hard drives, solid state m.2 drives, USB flash drives, network drives, etc. Think of a drive like a filing cabinet in an office.

You open the drawer, it's full of folders. Maybe some folders have other folders inside of them. The folders have a little tab with a name on it showing what's supposed to be in them. You look inside the folders, there are files. Pieces of paper. Documents you wrote. Photographs. Copies of pages from a book. Maybe even the instruction booklet that came with your dishwasher.

We have all of that here, but virtualized! Here's a helpful tree structure that Windows provides to navigate through all of that. In the case of Windows, it's called Explorer. On OSX MacOS, the equivalent is called Finder.

I don't have to know where exactly everything is, but I have a good idea where thing *should* based on how I organize them. Even things that don't always expose the file structure to you have one (like my cellphone on the right). I regularly manually copy my files off of my cellphone by going to the Camera folder so I can sift through them on a much bigger screen and find the best ones to share. There are other reasons I prefer to do it that way, but we won't go into that here. Some people prefer to drag and drop, but that doesn't always work the same between operating systems. I prefer cut and paste.

Standby for Part 2!

[supermohit30universe]

Journaling Prompts For Mental Health: Top 20 List

As more individuals become aware of how their mental health affects them and begin sharing their coping mechanisms for dealing with the stress of daily life, mental health has become a hot topic on the internet. There is a tonne of new and creative methods that we may learn to process our emotions and healthily cope with them, from anxiety-management apps to various forms of counseling.

However, one tried-and-true method sticks out: journaling. A quick and easy technique to practice mindfulness and enhance your mental health is to write down how you're feeling. If you're unsure if writing anything down would be beneficial to you, For more information on the advantages of journaling and how to start, continue reading. Check out the therapy journal prompts for mental health below if you need some ideas if you don't know what to write. 

How to Keep a Mental Health Journal

The first guideline for keeping a diary is that there are none. Although you should select what works best for you in your diary, here are a few pointers to get you started:

Journaling on a Smartphone compared to Handwriting in a Journal:

A pen and an open journal

There are various things to think about before deciding whether to write it down or keep it electronically, including how you want to save previous posts, how concerned you are with privacy, and what you want to write about. If you prefer to express yourself via writing, don't be afraid to experiment with various lined diaries or writing implements. It may significantly affect how you write and how frequently you write if you use a pen that feels good in your hand and a diary that you enjoy using. Try out several notebook sizes to see which one works best for the way you intend to store it. Consider switching to a digital journal or obtaining a lockable journal if privacy is an issue. There is a tonne of various programs for journaling on a computer or smartphone, or depending on what program you use, picking whichever device fits you most at the time, for those searching for an electronic solution. You can write from any location with a device if you save your diary on the cloud.

Making Writing Time and Being Reliable

Make journaling a new habit; this is the second guideline for doing so. It could be simpler for you to block out 15 minutes every night before bed but don't push yourself to keep a notebook every night if it doesn't work for you. Find a journaling routine that suits you, then write whenever you like. This will enhance your physical health and assist in reducing unpleasant feelings.

What to Write

What goes in your journal is entirely up to you. While some individuals may just open a new blank page and begin writing, if you're stuck for ideas, journaling prompts can help you get started. Choose some writing questions that are specific to the aspects of your life you wish to reflect on, whether you need help getting started or want a change of pace.

20 Mental Health Writing Prompts

To get you started, consider the following journaling questions for mental health:

What parts of your day brought you joy?

What events throughout the day caused you to have a bad emotion?

What can you be thankful for right now?

For whom are you thankful today?

Which areas of your life do you believe you are succeeding in?

What areas of your life do you believe need the most work?

At any time in the past, write a letter to yourself.

Send a letter to yourself in the future.

What can you do tomorrow to improve your happiness in the future?

Are you content?

Complete the sentence: I'm sorry...

Complete the sentence: I'm proud of myself because...

What features about myself do you like?

What about yourself do you dislike?

What would the perfect day entail for you?

What motivates you?

What does the future you envision look like?

Why do you feel secure?

What emotions do you have towards the people in your life and the connections you have with them?

Create a letter that you can read when you're having a terrible day.

Conclusion

Starting a thankfulness book or a mental health journal is one of the greatest strategies to deal with mental health problems, or even just get through tough times. It's a secure place where you may let go of any bad emotions or consider a challenging circumstance you may have encountered. It may improve your everyday routine and is a good approach to getting outside of your comfort zone. Think about the therapeutic advantages of concentrating on the good. You can reflect on long-term objectives and the potential for personal growth by recording your deepest thoughts in a diary entry. It might serve as a springboard for daily writing that focuses on good news, your favourite spot, and the reasons you're a nice person, and, in general, is a potent tool for bringing out your innermost feelings and best self.

[rackartyg]

it continues to astound me how people my age … just kinda don’t know how to use computers. like, i was born in 2001, right? i’m an “older gen z”. what is it they say, “digital natives”? there is a significant portion of my age cohort that is proficient with computers, but the rest just aren’t. and the non-proficient share goes up and up and up the later the birth years get. it’s not that they don’t use information technology, they use it every day, but it’s phones and tablets and, at most, for school, chromebooks, which are computer-shaped but not much else. like, mostly i’m thinking about file systems. people don’t understand them.

i probably wouldn’t either if it weren’t for the fact that since i was a small kid i’ve been into (1) pc gaming and more importantly installing mods for pc games, and (2) writing, starting out with word 2004 as my primary word processor, because my dad had an old license lying around around the time i started writing longer stuff that wasn’t practical to keep in physical notebooks, and only moving on to google docs and cloud storage in my teens, when school forcibly assigned me a chromebook that i HATED because it is literally just a glorified internet terminal. that’s all it does.

like, it was modding minecraft back in 2012 when it was actually a bit difficult that taught me the basics of How Puter Work. so i was wrangling files and directories starting at, like, nine or ten years old. i used the family desktop and it sat at windows xp for so long we skipped vista entirely, because xp was fine and upgrading cost money, until i modded minecraft too hard and it caught fire and we had to replace it lmao

so i’ve always just assumed everyone else my age knew roughly as much as i did, that i wasn’t particularly adept, just kinda lower end of average. but nope! for my age cohort, i’m actually a genius! just the fact that i sometimes have intuitions about what might be wrong, and don’t need to consult the kinda arcane manuals every time, because i’ve troubleshot PCs enough times on my own, makes me a god among mortals. and i’m only slightly exaggerating.

this effect is even more pronounced for my little brother (2004). he knows more than me tbh, especially hardware-wise. and on the software end he has more practical knowledge than me, i’ve gotten kinda complacent. back in the day, i modded our minecraft clients and he set up servers for us on our raspberry pi. (we had to limit the world to a like 500x500 block square otherwise it would melt lol.)

meanwhile his friends can barely manoeuvre chromeOS because they’re used to the even more locked-down iOS. if a program isn’t on the app store, they have no idea how to install it. what’s the ‘downloads directory’. and my friends are like this too! even the very online ones! especially the very online ones! it’s so fucked!

[mintylilacs]

❤️❤️Let’s do some intermediate witch exercises!❤️❤️

So you’re done with beginner witchcraft... what now?

Pick something from this list:

Learn a new physical skill! Embroidery, watercolor, baking pies, baking bread, digital art, violin, jewelery making, etc. these are all things you can apply to your magical practice in various ways. Take knot magic and sigil magic and combine them into an embroidered divination mat! That’s something I did!

Explore some random object in your house and apply it to your practice. Examples: dry erase marker, deodorant, hand lotion, shoelaces, a humidifier, graph paper. See how similar tools change your spells: does writing a sigil in sharpie vs a colored pencil change how the effect manifests? Write down how your experiments go and integrate the results going forward! Figure out what works, and why it works

Do that one thing you’ve been too scared to try. That thing you tried once and failed at. For me it was growing herbs in pots. For you it might be energy work, or glamours, or sewing, or anything! Revisit the thing you couldn’t do earlier in your practice, think about why you failed the first time and how you can do better now that you’ve gained more experience

Make something basic that you’ve never made! Was it too messy? You didn’t have time? Didn’t think you’d do it right? Try things like Eggshell powder/chalk, using leftover wax and a wick to make a new candle, make a candleholder out of air cry clay, and don’t be afraid to mess up! It’s gonna suck the first couple of times! My latest leftover wax candle didn’t even want to burn once I finished it! That’s okay!

Revisit your goals and aspirations! What do you think your practice ads to your life, and are you satisfied with it? Write it down! How have your previous goals changed?

Start thinking about what you buy, where you get your supplies, and how you can acquire them for the best effect. You have enough base stuff to get by and focus on quality over quantity now For example all the crystals, candle holders, and shells I buy now are from second hand locations (more often than not this specific antique store I really like) I find that distancing them from the like... source I guess helps with the character of the pieces. They work better and surprisingly have less baggage than objects straight from a retailer!

Pare down!!!! Look through, find things that don’t work! It’s easier to start big and take things out! Do you like working with days of the week but don’t like keeping track of the moon phases? Toss it! Like working with herbs but some correspondences don’t make sense? Toss them! Wish you were one of those people who do complicated circle castings but you just don’t like doing it? Don’t! Of change it until you find a method that serves you! Toss out the things weighing you down!

Freestyle!!! Combine spell types! Write down a bunch of ingredients and spell types in a jar and pick out 2-3 and just GO FOR IT! You might draw out “binding, poppet, crystal grid” or “spell jar, ward” or “glamour, candle spell” write down what you did, the specifics and conditions, and keep track of how it works! Refine! Refine!!!!

This is the time to start a nicer grimoire! You have a messy workbook already, a place to work and worry and try things, but now you’re ready to get a slightly nicer notebook to record things carefully, list out your favorite spells and rituals, color code (and be able to show it to other people and they can actually read your handwriting). It doesn’t have to be absurdly fancy, mine isn’t! But it’s something that visually shows my progress and is so much easier to reference back to for spells I need to re-do often like my room wards.

(I use this thing called a travelers notebook, it basically has smaller notebooks inside it and you can add or remove sections as you like and they come in lines, dot grid, and blank paper!!!! Plus they LOOK like grimoires without the unnecessary decorations with religious connotations that most advertised grimoires have!)