I bought a new sewing machine with a 12” throat space, double the size of my old machine. I hate it. The extra space to the right of the needle is the only thing I like more than the features on my old machine. It has a bunch of issues plus some minor annoyances. But it also cost $4000 so anything less than perfection is unacceptable. I’m going to return it this week even though it’s a bit of a hassle. I know I’ll grow to really hate it if I keep it.

Copious amounts of whiskey.

Honestly, it used to be shitty fast food, but I kicked that and now just clean obsessively. Wouldn't reccomend either. :(

I limit my internet/tv/news time. I used to be more clued in but now I check things out once a day or once every other day. I make an effort to get some time outside. Getting myself out there is a whole mental battle, but taking a walk in the neighborhood is such a good daily de-stressor for me. I am working on doing it more often.

Getting back into birding and gardening. Just being outside in generally really helps me kind of resent and calm.

I usually can't.
When I can, I read, watch TV, or space out into a daydream.

Been trying to remember breathing exercises when the tension caused by stress starts building up in my head. Also, when I get the time to do it, I try to write down a fanfic to focus my mind on something else - mostly as a way to vent rather than create something to post later (unless its one of the few times I actually like what I've written lol).

Staying away from things that can easily induce anger, rage, or fear (ie. I don't go looking for news stuff so I don't use almost all forms of social media).

I have screenshots saved in a folder that have positive words of encouragements with gentle reminders and affirmations ("You are worthy just as you are" "ruminating solves nothing, you can stop thinking about that" "You aren't meant to solve all the problems you come across" etc.).
A younger me would have found this lame or pointless, but this tactic has helped me a lot in recent years.
I also have photo galleries of people and places that give me joy/remind me of the good things that exist in my life.

Marijuana consumption (used to smoke daily, cut way back on the smoking since I got sick at the start of the year; currently trying to lower my consumption of the edibles)

Constant work on inner monologuing; my mind is/was my greatest critic and understanding where that stemmed from and that I can work on it has helped my mental health a lot

Finding ways to be out in nature, even for a walk or just sitting outside

Taking my time enjoying media instead of treating it like some sort of marathon sport

Most do it because it’s easy money and they don’t have a conscience.

But just because your local shelter has a free event once a month doesn’t mean everyone can get their pets fixed. My area has a similar program and it’s designed to make it nearly impossible for the people who really need it to use it. You have to show up in person on a weekday morning to get the voucher. Then you’re waitlisted for the procedure. Then you have about 30 minutes to get your pet to the office when they call you. On top of that, they paused the program for three years for Covid. Oh and we’re a red state so funding disappeared; it’s all donations and volunteers now but still run with the police department oversight and approval since the shelter falls under the PD. It sounds like a great program until you look under the hood. The main beneficiaries tend to be the well to do families with stay at home moms who don’t want to pay $500 on top of the $3500 they paid for their “pure bred” doodle.

Is it possible some of those are from stray litters?

But yeah, I wish people would think before getting a pet. If one can't afford the expenses that come with pets, one definitely can't afford a pet. We had many rants on irresponsible breeders the other day, so I won't repeat myself on that part.