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Any one joining TCS today.
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Exotic pet thread 🐠🐍🐢
Post your non cat/dog friends

Anyone want to chat and share secrets?
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Conversation Starter
A few of my neighbors and I started doing frequent “5:01pm” happy hours at each others. Super informal and sometimes super last minute. Just a group text “5:01 at mine” means come on over, wear anything you want, byob, and any random snack. Most pop over for 30-90min then people leave to go home or a subset agree to extend it to dinner and order pizza or take out. We have at least one a week. It’s been kind of awesome. People show up in sweats. Or cocktail dress. Or anything they are in mood for.
Conversation Starter
It was one of the silver linings of WFH era for us. Really leaned into our neighbors for support/community and it stuck.
It just took one neighbor to go out on a limb and initiate the first one. We didn’t even all know each other. Then it just kind of took off.
Chief
Yes go touch some grass, breathe some fresh air, be in nature, meet people: you don’t need motivation for basic things
I agree. OP said weeks, so according to your own follow-up, this comment isn't helpful.
Enthusiast
Step 1. Shower. Step 2. Dry self, including hair. Step 3. Put on non-hermit clothes and shoes. Step 4. Go to grocery store/pet store/Target for whatever it is that you need. Step 5. Find any coffeeshop and have a beverage. Read a newspaper or something, but preferably not on your phone.
Rising Star
Join a gym or exercise class? It’s a structured time to go outside.
Enthusiast
Can you maybe work from a cafe or library from time to time to get out of the house?
Enthusiast
Yes this. Even going to get coffee. That walk or drive to the cafe can change my whole day sometimes.
You have to force yourself to get ready for the day. Get up, get dressed, do hair/makeup, eat a real breakfast, etc.
Exercise classes
Enthusiast
Start with something small. Go outside and walk to the end of the block and come back. Do that today. That’s all you have to do.
Then tomorrow, do it again.
You don’t need to make sweeping changes or sign up for big commitments. Those can be overwhelming when you are feeling stuck.
Just start with one small step every day until that is a normal thing to do. Then, do something a little bit more.
If you need more support, DM me. I go through something like this occasionally so understand.
Chief
Sign yourself up for classes or groups you have to commit to (i.e., not easy to cancel) or pay for, or buy tickets to a movie or event in advance and make a plan to go with friends. I find those prevent me from backing out last minute and “force” me to get out some evenings.
Rising Star
Do you like dogs? Don’t have to own one, but you can work with a shelter or an org to foster. They really get you out of the house 😅 I’ve been in your shoes, simply because I had no real reason to go outside other than to get food. If you can create a reason to go out, like a hobby group or volunteer org, it’ll give you that motivation. Disclaimer: I am of the hibernation camp during winter though. Also, one suggestion if you like movies is to get one of the those subscriptions and just make trips to the movie theater regularly 🍿
Get a dog and go to the gym
Rising Star
Go to the office and meet some people IRL
I can relate! It can help to break up your day and your work hours to allow you time during the week for one or two personal things, even if it's just a walk before lunch.
Otherwise, if you have work you can do elsewhere then you could shift to one afternoon in a cafe
Or try having a 'walking meeting' - they are more suitable for informal meetings
I have 'work clothes' and a specific work space in my home, then I get changed and move out of that space when I'm not working. Helps me to mentally and physically feel separate.
Tell your work team you are working at a cafe every Wednesday for example. Telling people makes you more likely to accomplish them.
Make that hair appointment today. Schedule activities that come at a cost. Buy tickets for concerts, guided tours, opera, ballet, book talks, theater, language meetups for the entire month in advance. If you have friends or are dating buy two tickets, that shall force you to find a date for that concert or invite that friend. If you already bought the tickets then have them pay for drinks after the show.
Do not get a dog.
If you can schedule a hair appointment. And then maybe no more than two days later schedule a nail appointment, whether that’s a mani, a pedi, or both. Those two things can make you feel like a million bucks. If you need to add one more go get a make over at a make up counter, go learn some new tips. Those things if that’s what makes you happy, go do them girl!!!
Try running 2 miles day and push it to 5 miles , works