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Author: Theodore Lee

Theodore Lee is the editor of Caveman Circus. He strives for self-improvement in all areas of his life, except his candy consumption, where he remains a champion gummy worm enthusiast. When not writing about mindfulness or living in integrity,  you can find him hiding giant bags of sour patch kids under the bed.
Life Advice

Why I Still Feel Guilty for Inconveniencing People — Even When I Haven’t Done Anything Wrong

Let me tell you where this all started.

A few days ago, my fiancée asked me to return a handful of things on Amazon—nothing major. Some of it was already unboxed, which, by the way, is totally fine under Amazon’s return policy. But as I gathered up the stuff, I could feel that old anxiety stirring in my chest. I started thinking, “What if the shop owner gets annoyed? What if they think I’m a hassle?” My brain spiraled into this weird, familiar shame storm, and suddenly, I was a little kid again, desperate not to make anyone mad.

Read the rest: Why I Still Feel Guilty for Inconveniencing People — Even When I Haven’t Done Anything Wrong
Links

Linkage

The 150 Best Albums of the 1990s – Pitchfork

Unlock Old Memories With These 25 Nostalgic Photos – Ned Hardy

What to Do If Your Parent Is Being Scammed by an Online Impersonator – Shield and Fortify

This $20 foam sprayer is a game changer when it comes to washing your car – Amazon

Girls Do Porn Ringleader Pleads Guilty, Faces Life In Prison – 404

Beware of this silent, seething relationship-killer – VOX

How Social Media Brings Out the Worst in Us – Greater Good

Inside the Brave New World of Streetlifting – Mens Health

Drug deaths plummet among young Americans as fentanyl carnage eases – NPR

Pictures and Videos of the Day – Ned Hardy

If you want to go all in on a coffee maker that is an absolute workhorse, get this. It’s the kind of machine that just gets the job done, day after day, cup after cup – Amazon

11 Things Totally Uninformed People Say – Linkiest

Mark Zuckerberg Personally Hiring to Create New “Superintelligence” AI Team – Bloomberg

This Is What It’s Like to Be a Tourist in North Korea – Fodors

This Is What Happened When A Honda Civic Was Run Without Oil – Jalopnik

People share 19 everyday things from the 90s and early 2000s that are now considered ‘luxuries’ – Upworthy

Advice Column

“I’m stuck paying for my sibling’s bad life choices”

My younger brother (29M) has always been a disaster. He’s creative and “finding himself,” but he can’t hold a job for more than a year, racks up credit card debt, and bounces between short-term apartments and random “business ideas.” My parents constantly made excuses—“He’s got a good heart,” “He just needs more time”—and let him get away with everything.

Read the rest: “I’m stuck paying for my sibling’s bad life choices”
Advice Column

“Boyfriend doesn’t want to propose after 8 years”

I’m a 30F who’s been with my 39M boyfriend for 8 years. We don’t want kids and have both always agreed on wanting to get married. We’ve lived together for 4.5 years. I brought up getting engaged at the 4-year mark, but he said it wasn’t the right time due to work and wanting to marry within a year of getting engaged. Each year since, I’ve brought up engagement, and he always has a reason to delay—work, timing, pressure about the proposal, etc.

Read the rest: “Boyfriend doesn’t want to propose after 8 years”
Advice Column

“I’m pregnant and want to date again”

I am a F (39) who became pregnant in my last relationship due to birth control failure. That relationship has since ended, and I am ready to enter the dating scene again. I’m not getting any younger, after all! And admittedly it would be nice to not go through this pregnancy and new baby phase alone.

I just don’t know if there’s any point in putting myself out there while I’m still pregnant… should I wait until after the baby is born and recovery is finished? Or would you date a woman who was already pregnant when you met?

Read the rest: “I’m pregnant and want to date again”
Life Advice

Courage Is Not the Absence of Fear

Listen, we’ve got this whole thing backwards about courage. Somewhere along the way, we started believing that brave people don’t get scared. That heroes wake up feeling bulletproof and confident, ready to take on the world without a tremor in their voice or sweat on their palms.

That’s garbage.

Real courage isn’t about not being afraid. Real courage is being absolutely terrified and doing the right thing anyway. It’s your heart pounding out of your chest, your hands shaking, your mind screaming at you to run – and you plant your feet and stay.

Read the rest: Courage Is Not the Absence of Fear
Links

Linkage

Why Feeling “Behind” Makes You Easy Prey for Scams and Bad Investments – Shield and Fortify

A Damn Fine Collection of Fascinating Photos – Ned Hardy

Yes, you need a mattress protector—it protects against spills, accidents, stains, dust mites, and allergens – Amazon

What the Heck Is a Time Crystal, and Why Are Physicists Obsessed With Them? – Popular Science

The Worst Thing to Say to Someone Who’s Depressed – TIME

The Best Way To Determine If You Have Enough Money – Financial Samurai

Hype or helpful? The truth behind devices that monitor your blood sugar – NPR

The U.S.-China leverage game – Axios

How to Ensure Your Dishwasher Outlives Its Standard Life Expectancy – Eater

3 Big Questions From Psychology, Answered – Ned Hardy

This is the perfect electric toothbrush to take with you while traveling – Amazon

The Dad Instinct: How Fathers Prepare Kids for the Wider World – Art of Manliness

10 Practical Answers to 10 Powerful Questions – Darius Foroux

Wait, We’re “Fibermaxxing” Now? Here’s How Much Fiber You Actually Need – PS

Visualizing America’s $1.8 Trillion Federal Deficit – Visual Capitalist

The Most Under-Rated Super Villains – Linkiest