What's a thing that increased your power?
Doesn't have to be a thing you bought. Just some thing you didn't have but then once you did it expanded your scope of actions.
The first obvious example that comes to mind is a car. Plenty of drawbacks to prevalence of cars, but being able to go where I want when I want, and far away, is very transformative.
I'm interested in other examples of things that aren't just useful, but that open new possibilities.
I had a teacher advise me to make a habit of occasionally seeking out embarrassment, to stay in the habit, and prevent being paralyzed by fear of embarrassment.
I've followed that advice for years, and it's like a super power.
I've done so much cool shit that a previous version of myself would have been afraid to try.
I don't even remember all the embarrassing stuff, even though there's plenty. The cool stuff is what sticks in my memory, even though I'm prone to remembering my mistakes.
Saw a Ted talk that said the same thing. The guy over came some social anxiety by actively putting himself in an awkward situation each day (his was asking if he could get his coffee for free at the coffee shop). Once he got use to low stakes situations where people were surprised, confused or mildly judgemental (but also amused or just disinterested) it was easier to do things that actually mattered without worrying about people's reactions. And he got a few free coffees.
I am handicapped and in early retirement. I had a hard time going on walks, got tired fast, there was always the fear of stumbling/falling again and carrying a bag was painful using a backpack made me getting tired faster.
I bought an expensive walking helper /walker with 4 wheels (not something you sit on and drive, but walk behind), a seat and a big bag for shopping. I feel like superwoman now when I am on a walk, because I can walk longer, buy stuff and just put it on the thing and it is so easy to get even heavy stuff home and whenever I get tired and no matter where I am, I just sit down, relax, power comes back and I can keep going.
The best thing I have ever bought in my whole life.
I was told this is only for very old people and that it looks ridiculous at my age and that I would not need it by everyone, fuck them. It is pure quality of life and increases my power to over 9000! I have been more outside in the last 12 months, than in the 5 years before that because of it.
Dance. Started dancing (taking classes) at 350lbs 4 ½ months ago, still going now at 295lbs. Everything is sooo much easier. First exercise I really liked, improves my flexibility, strength, and cardio. And I feel mad sexy doing it.
I'd highly recommend playing Dance Dance Revolution, if you're at all interested. Very fun way to burn lots of calories. There's an open source clone called StepMania. If you really end up enjoying it, you're going to want to invest in some high quality metal dance pads. Worth every penny though, in my opinion.
By the way, I'm 400 pounds. I know your struggle. I've lost well over 100 pounds playing StepMania before. Unfortunately I've had some bad events put me in a bad depression, which caused me to gain it back.
By the way, I'm 400 pounds. I know your struggle. I've lost well over 100 pounds playing StepMania before. Unfortunately I've had some bad events put me in a bad depression, which caused me to gain it back.
As an arcade gamer, myself, I've never seen anybody who could play a DDR game like someone who put the time in as part of an exercise regiment. It's so cool to watch. Like other game masters, but that much more impressive for the physical commitment.
When I run into an exercise gamer at the arcade, I always stick around to see what I can learn by watching. I can often spot them by their vibe - there's a recognizable patience of someone who already committed to getting their steps in, and is just waiting for the machine to free up.
Admittedly, I usually I don't learn much by watching, because I'm not anywhere near their league. But I have gotten some great beginner tips from the ones who hang around between sets.
Anyway, mad props. Playing those games for health tends to elevate it to a high art form. It's crazy cool to watch at the arcade. I suppose any sport can, but of course 'dance' is right there in the name.
Edit: Also, sorry you're dealing with setbacks. I hope things ease up for you.
I have an RO Afterburner that’s like 16+ years old and still works great. I love it.
I'm a crossfit guy, but I absolutely agree. Once you find an exercise you enjoy and look forward to life just seems better.
Internet. I've lived in rural areas most of my life and only in the last five years was able to start gaming with friends and watching unlimited video. I feel much less resentment that people don't want to visit me and am happier getting my social needs met in person by physically going out less often (I still get out once a week ish)
It's not a replacement for intimate relationships but any means, but I do think it can enhance them with healthy boundaries n whatnot. I went through a rough break up recently that's had me realizing I'd like a partner that's ok with me having space to chill with friends day to day but still making time for each other.
Money.
As sad as it is, it's true. I was broke for so many years that I even today, after years of having some, it eats at me paying so much for a car or other stuff. And I don't know if I should change. I think I'll never will anyways. Just trying to help without being exploited. First: tell no one how much money your project (or whatever) made. Wife and kid know, obviously, no one else. ESPECIALLY not "family". But it's a super power in our world that one could get lawful justice if anybody does you wrong. Without any money, you won't. From experience. And the daily anxiety is gone. Ok, not gone, but very, very small. Completely without I'd be too lazy in the long run, I presume.
Transitioning
Generator so I have power when the power goes out. Would like solar but soooo expensive.
Just FYI you also need a battery to use solar if the power is out (in my country at least)
Moving to a city with a tool library. For an annual £20 fee I can borrow any of a myriad of power tools. Currently using an orbital sander for some DIY, previously borrowed a hedge trimmer for the garden, it’s freaking great.
Literally, tyrosine and iodine, because my thyroid gland was running slow and I was feeling cold most of the year. Now my body's idling power is higher.
The first was my bike. Totally changed life. It opened up the entire county to me, though the far end was not viable time wise.
Then my first car.
After that, I suppose it was a cell phone. Gave me the freedom to travel and stay in communication on my terms. However, part of that was caller ID by default. The freedom to ignore calls and make the decision based on who was calling without having to worry about missing an important call was big time. Since I could do this anywhere my car could reach, it was the pinnacle of freedom, with subsequent iterations only expanding the use.
After that? My cane.
After my body fucked up, and I was on a walker for a while, being able to walk steadily without the walker was freedom again. It may seem like the walker was that, but it never felt like it. I went from jogging and walking and hiking freely to crawling, literally in a second.
From crawling, a walker sure was better, but it was as much a symbol of limitations as it granted more mobility.
But the cane? That's when I knew I would be able to have something resembling the life I had lost. It isn't the same as it was and never will be. But the difference between having the cane and not having it is what makes it powerful.
I really thought when the cane came up you meant taking over the world one hard smack at a time
Wellll, I have done that a few times.
Back when I got off the walker and faced a cane as permanent, I went to my old dojo and got hooked up with some lessons and sparring practice to kind of work around the issues. I'm not what I used to be, but the few times I've run into people that thought a middle aged disabled guy was a victim, there was some smacking done lol
stimulant use
Experience. Learning when it’s okay not to give a fuck, and when I definitely should.
At some point you just realized everyone is "faking it till they make it"
Getting a 3D printer.
Most things I had to replace because of being broken, the thing that broke was just some plastic bullshit; now I can just replace the broken part. Not to mention the myriad of things people have made that solve problems I never even thought of until seeing them on Thingiverse and such.
Add a soldering iron and some other tools and I can make my own electronic gadgets.
I want a 3d printer so badly. I don't have the money for it, or the set up where I currently live to have one. But I'm supposed to be moving soon, and I want to start saving for one. I'm a crafty/DIY(read: jury rig) person by nature. I love fixing shit, making shit, and creatively solving problems. If I had more money, I'm pretty much the exact target audience for a 3d printer. Lol
Man, it sounds like you'd be an awesome addition to the community! Definitely approach it on your own terms, 3d printing can be as cheap or expensive a hobby as you make it (speaking as the owner of a Thessian Enser 3).
It's incredibly powerful (and satisfying) to be able to fix the plastic bit of something and give it a new life rather than just throwing it away.
Maker spaces and libraries are one way you could get cheaper access than having to buy your own.
3d printers are getting cheaper each year. I think elegoo neptunes are $200, maybe next year it might even drop as it only recently came out.
How do you go about replacing things, is it a lot of research? trial and error? Scanning?
I think we have places nearby where you can order something printed, but I didn't get around to making the file itself
Kinda depends, if it's a popular something, there's usually a model online that someone else has been kind enough to share (generally on Printables and/ or Thingiverse). My most recent experience with that was the shift knob on my mixer cracked and fell off, a quick download, a few grams of filament, 20 minutes, a few persuading taps with a mallet, and everything was good to go.
Beyond that, it's a bit of personal preference and a bit of you're trying to do, something like a dial cluster in a car is going to be far more complex that something like a mounting bracket. The stuff I tend to fix/ replace tends to be fairly small, so personally, it's a matter of sitting down with a pair of calipers to measure the object and replicate it in CAD (Autodesk got me young, so I'm on the Fusion 360 train at the moment). One of the most amazing things about 3d printers is that you can go from design to prototype extremely rapidly, which allows you to iterate the design and make it better each pass. Got a hole doesn't quite line up, a wall that's too long, an arm that doesn't quite reach, etc? tweak it and try again. It's a little bit of trial and error, but with experience it becomes more of a controlled process as you figure out what works and what doesn't.
It’s all of the above. Sometimes it’s researching in the form of looking around on sites like printables.com or thingiverse to see if someone else has solved the problem already. Scanning is an option too, but it’s tough to get good results with DIY approaches. The barrier to entry is kinda high in terms of money or expertise. When all else fails, there’s CAD. Computer Aided Design. Make it yourself with measurements and some trial and error :)
Usually just taking the broken piece, measuring it out and replicating it. A good pair of calipers helps.
Of course if it's common enough, you can usually just find things already engineered for your needs.
Came here to say this. Really changed my life. It's amazing all the super-custom things I've designed in like an hour each for super specific applications.
Reading regurlarly, It really improved my attention time, and it definitively helps to manage my anxiety, weirdly enough.
The Dark Side.
Now I have unlimited power.
Getting proper diagnoses and treatment/medication
Tools.
Drill, star bits (make allen wrench bolts much easier), circular saw, oscillating multitool, clamps, a tiller, power washer, ladders
Self-diagnosing with ADHD in my 30s. Going for an assessment soon!
I moved to a different country driven by a wanting to become worldly rather than for economic reasons.
Facing a whole new place, with a different language, different social norms and expectations and even different living conditions, like that on your own makes you massivelly more adaptable to new environments, as a later move to a different country showed as well as living for a couple of months in yet another one.
Does upgrading my electrical panel count?
My divorce. I didn't even realize that my ex-wife was abusive until getting into the divorce process. Once I got away and started to understand, I began to take some of my power back and develop even more. I went from terrified of her to strong and confident.
I hope your new positive path continues. Good luck, said the survivor or a bad marriage.
Thanks. You too!
Lets see uh falling into a vat of acid, suffering intense radiation , getting bit by radioactive insects and a lion ?
Psychedelics. Very eye opening.
Learning another language, I guess? Besides learning English, being able to understand a few others even at a basic level is useful (if you ever get the chance to use it 😅).
Confidence.
Underrated answer here. Real, or outwardly displayed, it's a game changer.
Learned to code. Most profitable hobby I've ever had. Crazy fun.
Quitting smoking
I quit my job. Not sure if it gave me something but it sure took away a lot of asses I had to kiss.
Does that work?
Being touched by Super Kami Guru
I need an adult.
Oh. So he calls himself GOD now.
Becoming proficient with Linux (I use NixOS, btw 🤓).
A low-powered zoom microscope. I can again look at and work on tiny things, fix jewelry, electronics, remove splinters. Use it WAY more rhan I ever thought I would.
For anyone interested, just Google "stereoscopic dissecting microscope used". The 'used' part is to makes it less expensive. They can cost a lot. I used to use my lab sonicator water bath to clean my jewelry, and our dissecting scope to check the jewelry to make sure all the skin crud is gone from every crevice.
A decent GPU (rx 570). Could play any game I wanted without going through desperate measures to get it to run at minimal settings, could do more with game dev and 3d modeling, etc..
These days, integrated graphics are honestly pretty decent though. Hell, I'm pretty sure the steam deck's apu is more powerful than my machine in a few ways.
Real-time live AI captioning.
It's not perfect but more words than none.
I hold daily Scrum meetings in Zoom and everyone benefits with the transcript saved at the end of the meeting.
I raid with my guild, with Live Captions window overlaid onto of my chat box.
Relying on a basic understanding how things/situations work.
At a new school, I really messed up a math test. I was studying like crazy, learned all formulas that I would need and managed to apply them all in each question on the test, combining all off them each question. Lowest score possible (1 out of 10), as I really messed up. Next test I didn't study, I jusy flipped trough the book, checked 1 situation I didn't understood and made the test. On handing out the teacher asked what I did different then the previous test. I told him I didn't study, I just checked if it was logically to me and decided I understood as much as I could. He told me to do just that on all tests and I'd have no problems with education and gave me the result, a perfect score. (10 out of 10)
That was 34y ago and still I want to understand things and see the logic behind it. Works perfectly on almost everything. (Humans behavious still mostly eludes me though, totally illogical 🤨)
(Humans behavious still mostly eludes me though, totally illogical 🤨)
We're not rational, but there are patterns. If you're willing to do some reading Thinking: Fast and Slow is beefy, but helps to show some of the patterns of irrationality in a structured way, from one of the leading experts on human behavior. If that's too much, Thinking in Bets is a nice taster that still is well backed by much of the same research, but is shorter and more accessible.
Interesting... time to dive into those books.
Creatine
When I figured out how to run computational chemistry software on my home pc. It entirely changed how I saw chemistry because I could tinker and experiment with (virtual) molecules on a grand scale. Being able to run five maybe ten thousand simulations significantly increased my understanding.
learning from mistakes. sadly took me longer than a lot of people I know, and as a result, I've seen shit get so fucked up that I finally learned my lesson a year or so ago to have some self awareness.
Taking lithium as a bipolar, my life started there
I'm currently off my bipolar meds, against my will. Insurance change required a doctor change, and finding anyone who was available within a months time was not possible.
I need shit to get back to "normal" in my brain. I'm not doing well. I wasn't before, but yeah...
Only a couple more days until my appointment. I had one last week, and they sent me to the wrong place, coupled with a whole slew of other issues, and I said fuck em. Thankfully found someone the second time around pretty quickly.
Dude I'm always surprised how shit health services are in some countries. I'm from Brazil and never got without meds in more 2 years of treatment. Now I'm moving to Portugal and I'm scared as fuck about it. But I always have the ER card. If I ever run out of medications I would run to an ER asking for more, I dont want want to die again, this is not an option where you are?
Going super sayan.
AI as of late has helped a lot.
Power increasers.
stopped getting fussed over things outta my control
I ate a Snickers once
I was bitten by a radioactive spider
Cool, Will I get super powers?
No this is the real world, you just have cancer now.
an oscilloscope.
Speaker enthusiast?