Category: rant

Finally, my dropdown chapter selector got fixed. I was wondering why, when a chapter loaded, it wasn’t selecting the current page and was just selecting the last post.

Have you ever searched for something small, only to end up pulling everything out of your cabinet? That was exactly my experience when looking for a simple stereo jack to Type-C adapter. Instead of just finding the adapter, I discovered a mix of forgotten items, including expired medicine, old stationery, outdated skincare products, and even a PS3 joystick! If you’ve ever found yourself in a similar situation, here’s a simple guide on decluttering your cabinet efficiently.

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Step 1: Take Everything Out

The best way to start decluttering is by completely emptying your cabinet. This helps you see everything you own and makes it easier to categorize items. You might be surprised by what you find—things you thought were lost, expired items, or products you bought but never used.

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Step 2: Categorize Your Items

Once everything is out, sort your items into categories:

• Medicine & Health Supplies
• Hair & Skincare Products
• Electronics & Accessories
• Stationery & Office Supplies
• Miscellaneous (anything that doesn’t fit into the above categories)

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Step 3: What to Keep and What to Toss?

Now comes the tough part—deciding what stays and what goes. Here’s how to evaluate each category:

1. Medicine & Health Supplies

✅ Keep: Unexpired medications, first aid supplies, and frequently used health essentials.
❌ Toss: Expired medications, half-used ointments, and anything you can’t remember why you bought. Dispose of expired meds properly—pharmacies or medical facilities may have take-back programs.

2. Hair & Skincare Products

✅ Keep: Products that are still within their shelf life and in good condition.
❌ Toss: Expired or dried-up products, facial creams that have changed in smell/texture, and anything past its expiration date (especially sunscreen, as SPF effectiveness degrades over time).

🔍 Not sure about a facial cream?

• Check the expiration date or PAO (Period After Opening) symbol (e.g., 12M = good for 12 months after opening).
• If it has separated, changed texture, or smells off, it’s safer to dispose of it.
• If it’s unopened and stored properly, it might still be fine within 2-3 years of purchase.

3. Electronics & Accessories

✅ Keep: Working gadgets, cables, and accessories you still use.
❌ Toss/Rehome: Broken or outdated devices, excess cables, and accessories for devices you no longer own. Consider donating or recycling old electronics.

4. Stationery & Office Supplies

✅ Keep: Functional pens, notebooks, and supplies you actually use.
❌ Toss: Dried-up markers, broken pens, and old papers you no longer need. Recycle where possible.

5. Miscellaneous Items

✅ Keep: Anything with practical use or sentimental value.
❌ Toss: Items you haven’t used in years, things you forgot you even owned, or anything taking up unnecessary space.

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Step 4: Organizing What’s Left

Now that you’ve sorted everything, it’s time to put things back in an organized way:

• Use containers or plastic bins for grouping similar items (e.g., one for medicine, one for hair care, one for electronics).
• Label everything so you can easily find things next time.
• Arrange frequently used items in easy-to-reach spots, while rarely used items can go towards the back.

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Final Thoughts

Decluttering may seem like a hassle, but once done, you’ll feel a sense of relief knowing your space is organized and functional. Plus, the next time you need something, you won’t have to dig through a chaotic pile to find it!

Have you done a major decluttering recently? What unexpected things did you find in your cabinets?

I’m not a singer—I just sing for fun, especially songs from series or anime I like. It’s just something I enjoy. But one day, I tried recording myself on Smule, thinking it would be cool to hear how I actually sound.

Big mistake.

The playback was rough. My voice sounded weak, off-key, and nothing like what I expected. I thought I was at least decent, but the recording said otherwise. Why did it sound so bad?

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The Hard Truth About How We Hear Ourselves

Turns out, we don’t hear our real voice when we speak or sing. We hear it through bone conduction, which makes it sound deeper and richer in our head. But a microphone only picks up air-conducted sound—the way other people actually hear us.

So that “bad” voice in the recording? That’s my real voice to everyone else.

Ouch.

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Why Singing in Recordings Feels Worse

After looking it up, I realized it’s not just about hearing my real voice—it’s also that:

• Mistakes are more obvious—pitch, breath control, and shaky notes all stand out.
• I can’t adjust in real time—when I sing, my brain smooths things over, but a recording plays back everything as it is.
• Even professional singers don’t sound perfect raw—they train for years, and their songs go through mixing and editing.

I wasn’t necessarily bad, just untrained and unfiltered.

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Final Thoughts

That first recording felt like a wake-up call, but I’m glad I did it. If you’ve ever cringed at your own voice, you’re not alone. Just keep singing and having fun. That’s what matters most.