As a fellow linguistics student here, completely agree. I randomly get those ‘grammar nazis’ like “doesnt that sort of stuff upset you?” like nahh man that stuff is fascinating! Don’t lump me in with you, pleaseee.

If I know my other friends are on similar goals or on similar self-improvement paths, I always try to view it as a way to extend a helping hand. Sure it’s great to share, but now that I’m here, I’m going to make sure I can help you get here with me.

Or if its just a grass is greener moment, I always try to make sure to let them know there are things I may be envious of in their lives too.

I think as long as you are posting or sharing purely to extend positivity or saying that you did something you’re proud of, it’s okay! Your friends may even use it as a positive inspiration boost (If they did it, so can I! sort of thing).

Luckily, it’s not like the interaction is over the moment you post it. Y’all can always have a back and forth, and you can always explain that nothing was meant to be belittling, and your friends could always be candid and say if it bothers them and you’d have the opportunity to apologize and patch it up if need be. Or it could be a rallying point for you and/or someone close to you to work on goals together or to share a nice moment! Honestly, as long as you’re around good people, it’ll either start out fine once you post it, or you both will have the space and communication to make it fine, and know going forward how to handle it. :)

I have a few things I like to do! In no particular order:

1. Make a pour over coffee. From measuring, grinding, pouring, and all, it takes 10 to 15 mins. It’s the perfect amount of time to make for a break for something. Then you get all the nice aromas, warm mug, and caffeine general helps stabilize my mood too.

2. Walking or sitting outside! Gets the blood moving, change in air, sometimes you hear the birds or insects.

3. Take a relaxing bath. You can go extra hard with bathbombs for fragrances and stuff too.

4. Light candles, incense, dim lights, put on jazz or some other nice background music. Dim moods and calming smells and good sounds help bring good sensory experiences to block out any bad feelings.

5. Lose myself in my instruments. Playing anything requires my focus and forces me to turn off my depression spiral thought patterns and focus on creating something wholesome and pure.