So I just turned 40. Rather than treating it like a midlife crisis, I'm viewing this as a new opportunity to get my second wind - to kill old habits that have left me sedentary and overweight, and to start new habits that will help me live a healthy and enriching life. [more inside]
posted on Sep 26, 2008 - 16 answers

Are there any artists/back to the landers/punk rockers/non-traditional folks out there that bridged their work with the "real world", made enough money while also doing their own work, and/or had satisfying careers? (I just left my grad school program & I'm going through a lot of big changes and soul searching!) [more inside]
posted on Aug 24, 2008 - 8 answers

Rather than go into the American Dream or the New American Dream, I would like to find out about the real or philosophical "...Dream" of other countries, like what is the New Dutch Dream and the Chinese Dream? Note: don't tell me about sagas! dreams only, please.
posted on Aug 8, 2008 - 20 answers

If you had the task of conducting interviews with people meeting one or more of the criteria listed below, what kind of questions would you ask them? - People who have dropped their 9 to 5 or a high pay/high stress job in order to follow their passion. - People who have started their own unique small business. I'm thinking along the lines of something progressive and sustainable. - People who live unique lifestyles or combine their lifestyle with their job. For example, a person who turns a hobby into a profession. - People who have beaten the odds to achieve something extraordinary. - People who have taken risks in order to achieve their ideal lifestyle. Thanks!
posted on Aug 6, 2008 - 14 answers

What is "living life to the fullest"? How to do it? [more inside]
posted on May 23, 2008 - 18 answers

How did you change your life? What small-ish changes have you made that greatly impacted your life? [more inside]
posted on May 20, 2008 - 47 answers

I am a web developer, and was working for 9 mos for a large corporation as an outside contractor paid through an agency. Good company, great job and better still, they hired me a month ago as a full time employee, with benefits, corner office--all the trimmings. The Employee handbook says new hires get to fill a cup with their urine since its a "drug free workplace" but rehires don't. After that an existing employee can only be (re)tested for just cause. In short: I was given a job offer and I accepted. I went through orientation a leisurely 3 weeks and 1.5 paychecks later, but its now been a month and they still haven't asked me to fill the cup. My urine would be clean as of today. When can I safely assume the time to appropriately ask me to fill the cup has expired? I really miss burning the rope...
posted on May 19, 2008 - 2 answers

Ten days ago I learned I have a celiac disorder. I have lost almost 15 pounds and my eating patterns have drastically changed. Help me fill the void... [more inside]
posted on May 12, 2008 - 30 answers

Someone close to me has a D/s lifestyle. Are there readings/websites I can check out to give me a better understanding of these things and help me come to terms with my worries? [more inside]
posted on Jan 25, 2008 - 24 answers

Monaco: can anyone currently living there or who has lived there shed some light? [more inside]
posted on Nov 27, 2007 - 8 answers

How much free time do you get each day?? [more inside]
posted on Nov 10, 2007 - 43 answers

How much money would I need to live in the U.S. without having to work for the rest of my life? [more inside]
posted on Oct 8, 2007 - 48 answers

Where can I find affordable trendy/modern furniture in the UK? [more inside]
posted on Jul 5, 2007 - 7 answers

What's life like for someone working in corporate real estate in new york city? [more inside]
posted on Feb 13, 2007 - 1 answers

Midlife crisis? So, my husband and I have spent the past few years working to live more simply. We recognized that we did not want to spend our lives working very hard to have more stuff. So, we have simplified and are thinking about what to do next. [more inside]
posted on Jan 28, 2007 - 21 answers

What is it like to be a large animal/rural veterinarian? [more inside]
posted on Jan 2, 2007 - 5 answers

How can I start being a source of inspiration rather than envy? [more inside]
posted on Dec 14, 2006 - 76 answers

Help me find that medical book dispensing advice for "living on the edge". [more inside]
posted on Dec 7, 2006 - 1 answers

What the hell is wrong with me? Why do I tend to fill my spare time with brainless crap? There's [more inside]
posted on Nov 12, 2006 - 23 answers

Help me come up with some easy, small changes to make to my lifestyle to help me lose weight while dealing with other life issues (e.g. depression). [more inside]
posted on Jul 19, 2006 - 55 answers

Have you ever been to an orgy? [more inside]
posted on Jun 6, 2006 - 24 answers

I have had a pretty unhealthy lifestyle for several years - too much alcohol and coffee, not enough sleep and exercise and its all catching up with me - I feel old and knackered. I know long term changes are needed but I'm also looking for some quick fixes to get me motivated. Any tips for quick and easy changes that will have a big impact?
posted on May 10, 2006 - 28 answers

Help me get in shape & learn what I need to know so I can start biking the seven miles to work (and seven miles back)! [more inside]
posted on Apr 23, 2006 - 23 answers

How do I stop eating before I go to bed? [more inside]
posted on Jan 19, 2006 - 22 answers

Portland, Maine: My wife and I are thinking about moving out of NYC to somewhere, well, more relaxing. (First kid due in a couple days.) Do any Mefi's live there and have any opinions on the matter? [more inside]
posted on Dec 30, 2005 - 22 answers

Help me shake away the morning foggies and become a morning person. [more inside]
posted on Dec 1, 2005 - 42 answers

Thinkingaboutmovingfilter: We're thinking about moving to LA, right now we're in suburban DC. We've done most of the usual research, but LA just seems SO different I'm sure there's stuff we haven't even thought of. For example, I keep wondering how much of a difference things like the increased number of poisonous things will actually make to daily life. Just how different will it be and why? [more inside]
posted on Nov 13, 2005 - 28 answers

Moving to Toronto-filter. I'm trying to decide between Midtown, Yonge and Eglinton, Yonge and St. Clair; or something more in the West end, like Queen and Dufferin, King and Dufferin, etc. If any Mefites live in the area, what are your experiences? How livable is the West end, really? [more inside]
posted on Oct 24, 2005 - 27 answers

Help me determine how these cities would be to live in. [more inside]
posted on Oct 20, 2005 - 38 answers

What do rich people have that we don't? To be more specific, what are the little inconveniences that the middle class/lower class/middle-rich/foo/bar have to deal with, but when you have enough money you can get around easily. I don't mean the obvious ones, I mean things like showers that you have to fiddle with to get the temperature, or razor burn. [more inside]
posted on Aug 20, 2005 - 45 answers

I would like to change my style. [more inside]
posted on Jul 14, 2005 - 41 answers

My father passed away from a rare cancer last week. I'd like to send my mother regular "care packages" to ease her through this transition and let her know I'm thinking of her. [more inside]
posted on Mar 8, 2005 - 9 answers

After twenty years of twice-weekly migraines, Topamax has halted them completely for me; nary even a minor headache in three months. People with narcolepsy (and others with less severe sleep issues) have found a wonder drug in Provigil. Severe snorers, suffering from sleep apnea, arise from sleep studies on CPAP wondering what this strange "awake" feeling is. Cataracts disappear and vision returns. And then there's that other drug, so beloved by spammers.

What happens when a medical treatment truly changes your life? How does your life change when you've grown used to a condition over the span of years, and then in a matter of days it lifts? Any stories?
posted on Jan 15, 2005 - 22 answers

Affordable, but cool places to live as a career/lifestyle choice: If your work/career/next life project is portable, could you find a place where a two-bedroom apartment is $300 a month? Houses for under $50 grand? Cultural opportunities a resonable drive away? Would you do it this way? Why or why not? [more inside]
posted on Dec 8, 2004 - 46 answers

So, I need to stop drinking. I'm used to drinking 8-12 beers every night, more on the weekends, so this will be a significant lifestyle change for me. I'm not interested in AA and would prefer to do this on my own. Any Mefites been through this process? Insights?
posted on Dec 6, 2004 - 28 answers