I’ll split my adult life into three parts.

When I was younger, I was decently attractive. I was an ideal weight, and I didn’t look tired all the time. I had the energy to groom myself and wear decent clothes. Most people seemed to want to help me or were nice to me. However, some people were just plain vicious to me. It was like I did something horrible to them, but as far as I know, I did not.

When life and my chronic illness kicked my ass, I was plain and somewhat unattractive. I became overweight. I had the energy for basic hygiene and to wear something that fits, and that’s it. I was told I had “stress in my face.” I was invisible. No one bothered me. No one wanted to talk to me.

When I had more energy to put into my appearance, I was maybe a 5, maybe a touch over. Still overweight, still pretty tired. (Been getting it medically checked out… No answers yet.) Getting a little more personal grooming and got some clothes that look pretty nice. Some people are a little nicer to me. No one has outright bullied me.

Granted, I am a woman. It might be different for men. I’m also not sure if someone is just angry at everyone if what you look like really matters.

It always warms my heart to see actionable lists.

You mean to tell me those women don’t just naturally have clear, moisturized skin and sparkly eyelids? What next, are you going to tell me that their clothes are carefully selected and not just the first thing that fits from the store? Pfft.

I also have no idea why they take so long to get ready. Women, amirite?

Also cockroaches.

My first thought was that of the cost of storing it. You never know when something will happen and all of your effort to store it is moot. Like if a natural disaster occurs and destroys your stash, or something happens and you must leave everything behind. Not a huge deal if you only have a few years of it, but a lifetime’s worth?

I’m disabled, so unfortunately I’ll be a burden. Sorry folks.

Yes, neighbor kids. Different neighborhoods have different feels, but I’ve noticed as long as the neighborhood isn’t constructed in a pedestrian-hostile way, kids will be out. Even today.

I will say that neighborhoods have increasingly become more pedestrian-hostile though, so I’ll give you that.

I found that in general, young people are able to connect with their peers more. It was easier to spontaneously go with your friends someplace and spend time together. (The mall, the woods, each other’s houses, or many other possibilities.)

Contrasted with being an adult, where it may be more difficult to be able to do that. I’m American, so it is geographically harder. But even if you don’t live in a car-centric area, you might still run into difficulties with scheduling and responsibilities that you didn’t even have to consider when you were young.

I remember the good times, but there was a lot of bad, too.

As a former 20-year-old, 20-year-olds are dickheads.

I knew a guy like this, even in his 40’s. He was active and he smoked a lot of tobacco. His mom is the same way, in her 80’s.

His brother, also in his 40’s, is overweight. Same habits that I have observed.