Written & Posted 12/07/25

Another good week of socializing, the event I ran at the store and the ones I attended elsewhere went well. It was good to get a test run on running the event last week because now there’s a bigger and more seriously competitive event I’m running tomorrow. I do have some mild anxiety about the event since getting specific communication from the store is a bit difficult. However, the event was scheduled long before I began to help so it was happening w/o me anyway, so my stake of responsibility is low. Just going to show up and do my best.

It’s been going well, but I’m starting to realize how truly hard it is to make friends as an adult. For the first time I’ve been putting myself out there and inviting some of the people I’ve met at these events to either play with me either in person or online. So far, there have been zero takers lol. But surprisingly that hasn’t discouraged me…yet. I put the options out there and if nobody answers then I’m at the same spot as if I hadn’t, so little reason to be discouraged.

I’ve also realized that I can’t write two pages of something poignant or deep every week, and I’m not going to force it either. This is just a weekly journal after all, so there will be plenty of shorter more mundane posts. I need to think throughout the week for the longer specific posts. If I haven’t done that and just come into the café Sunday morning and freewrite, these are the types of posts I put out.

So, I’ll finish this post with a lead-in for the next topic I’ll be writing on, minimalism. I’m nearing my move back in to my parents and in the process, throwing away or donating a lot of stuff.  Part of this journey is focusing on what I truly need, as opposed to wants. The consumerism we exist within, wants are always being shoved in our face and are one-click away at any time. But needs, at least mine, are truly minimal. I want to move toward focusing all possible purchases on three primary basis; cost-effectiveness, quality, supporting small local businesses. I’ll be going into more detail on my thinking next week. But the idea is the drill-down my consumerism to the bare necessities.

Be well, be intentional, and make something,

Uncle Dump