my dad usually embarrasses me by trying to tell the waitress jokes and he’ll spend the entire time complaining about the food. (“this coffee tastes like ass” or “what are these? pigeon eggs??”) BUT it‘ll make him happy and my dad often has very good gossip. Overall it’s a formative experience.
This has strengthened our relationship so much and his lore is always insane. Dads always be doing the most random shit, but no one ever asks them about it. Since i've been asking my dad more about his day to day he gets so excited to tell me about all of the random things he's trying and learning. It's precious.
he’s normally a reserved, quiet guy, but he gets chatty and animated when he tells stories of his childhood, and it’s literally the best thing. it makes me emotional seeing him emotional, and even more emotional that he won’t be here forever.
Sometimes you can just exist. you don’t (hopefully) need 50 hustles. You don’t need to be a writer and musician and artist and podcaster and influencer and girlboss or whatever. you don’t even need to signal how cool or smart or attractive you are. I know it’s hard cause I think our society incentives (forces?) people to be “on” all the time, but it’s probably better for your own sake to just exist for yourself and your love ones and to adjust your expectations of what a successful or meaningful life is. Sorry for being pedantic, just know a lot of friends and family my age or younger that seem to be struggling right now in all sorts of ways. Just know, regardless of what anyone says or even what you say or do, that you guys have inherent dignity and you are worth something
Eat yogurt, kimchi/sauerkraut, miso, kefir, kombucha, pickles, certain soft cheeses cause they’re good for you I never had a problem shitting I just like funky foods and pretending my gut is a nightclub where all the bacteria are dancing and having a good time like it’s osmosis jones or something