happify
@happify.bsky.social
To walk in an American city is to bear the collective sins of an entire culture, to be seen, simultaneously, as both pariah and saint.
// pedestrian in the wind
// pedestrian in the wind
Would love to know if there's a way to enable accepting secondhand wool socks, given the cost disparities. Could be it's not worth it given quantities needed, but the cost differences between secondhand and new vs the lack of quality difference is stark. Non-wool socks are iffy, new or not.
November 16, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Would love to know if there's a way to enable accepting secondhand wool socks, given the cost disparities. Could be it's not worth it given quantities needed, but the cost differences between secondhand and new vs the lack of quality difference is stark. Non-wool socks are iffy, new or not.
What kinds of labor/times/locations? I'm willing, but have some weird-brain constraints right now.
November 16, 2025 at 7:57 PM
What kinds of labor/times/locations? I'm willing, but have some weird-brain constraints right now.
I was hoping I was using my winter-walking and thrifting expertise to materially benefit neighbors in ways I can't do with my money, and in the ways that I would want to be helped. Warm wool socks = care and safety comfort, or at least the start of it in Minnesota winters.
November 16, 2025 at 7:10 PM
I was hoping I was using my winter-walking and thrifting expertise to materially benefit neighbors in ways I can't do with my money, and in the ways that I would want to be helped. Warm wool socks = care and safety comfort, or at least the start of it in Minnesota winters.
I buy secondhand wool socks for myself, my flame, and as gifts. I bought dozens last year for @supplydepotmpls.bsky.social (don't know if I hadn't read guidelines or if they've changed) which I'd've felt v comfortable giving as gifts to loved ones, but unhoused neighbors are loved ones too.
November 16, 2025 at 7:04 PM
I buy secondhand wool socks for myself, my flame, and as gifts. I bought dozens last year for @supplydepotmpls.bsky.social (don't know if I hadn't read guidelines or if they've changed) which I'd've felt v comfortable giving as gifts to loved ones, but unhoused neighbors are loved ones too.
@supplydepotmpls.bsky.social, is this something you'd reconsider? I 100% agree with dignity for those who are unhoused and gross socks are an insult, but so are thin or cotton/poly socks in winter especially. Choosing new socks over like-new wool socks seems actually dangerous.
November 16, 2025 at 7:01 PM
@supplydepotmpls.bsky.social, is this something you'd reconsider? I 100% agree with dignity for those who are unhoused and gross socks are an insult, but so are thin or cotton/poly socks in winter especially. Choosing new socks over like-new wool socks seems actually dangerous.
I find this pretty alarming, honestly. Last time I purchased new wool socks for myself was at Midwest Mountaineering over a decade ago and they were $15 for a pair (now $21).
Secondhand, $21 buys 10 to ~60 equivalent pairs.
Keeping our feet dry + warm is so so critical for basic survival.
Secondhand, $21 buys 10 to ~60 equivalent pairs.
Keeping our feet dry + warm is so so critical for basic survival.
November 16, 2025 at 6:57 PM
I find this pretty alarming, honestly. Last time I purchased new wool socks for myself was at Midwest Mountaineering over a decade ago and they were $15 for a pair (now $21).
Secondhand, $21 buys 10 to ~60 equivalent pairs.
Keeping our feet dry + warm is so so critical for basic survival.
Secondhand, $21 buys 10 to ~60 equivalent pairs.
Keeping our feet dry + warm is so so critical for basic survival.
The exception is daughterhood.org. They have caregiving support groups, as well as a podcast that looks great (I can't get myself to listen to it yet). Certainly being afab has shaped my experiences in that role, but the one or two groups I've attended have skewed towards much older women.
Daughterhood | Daughterhood
daughterhood.org
November 16, 2025 at 6:46 PM
The exception is daughterhood.org. They have caregiving support groups, as well as a podcast that looks great (I can't get myself to listen to it yet). Certainly being afab has shaped my experiences in that role, but the one or two groups I've attended have skewed towards much older women.
So I'm probably out for donations entirely given my current financial status and general capacity. Pretty bummed about losing that small sense of contribution that aligned with my knowledge/budget, but will keep my eyes open for possible future options.
November 16, 2025 at 6:43 PM
So I'm probably out for donations entirely given my current financial status and general capacity. Pretty bummed about losing that small sense of contribution that aligned with my knowledge/budget, but will keep my eyes open for possible future options.
I did just now double-check the @supplydepotmpls.bsky.social's donation guidelines. I see that secondhand socks are not accepted, which is really a shame given how necessary good socks are, how frequently smartwool/etc show up in absolutely new condition, and how expensive they are to purchase new.
November 16, 2025 at 6:41 PM
I did just now double-check the @supplydepotmpls.bsky.social's donation guidelines. I see that secondhand socks are not accepted, which is really a shame given how necessary good socks are, how frequently smartwool/etc show up in absolutely new condition, and how expensive they are to purchase new.
I've been looking around for post-caregiving support groups for a few years. You'd think this would be a thing, given the very high rates of CPTSD among caregivers. But so far almost nothing that I can find, and even less for younger people.
November 16, 2025 at 6:36 PM
I've been looking around for post-caregiving support groups for a few years. You'd think this would be a thing, given the very high rates of CPTSD among caregivers. But so far almost nothing that I can find, and even less for younger people.
When some people at the edges of my friend groups started having children in our early 30s, there was a way that I felt slightly less alone in the responsibilities and constraints being a caretaker. A way that that allowed me to allude to some portion of my own life without blank stares in return.
November 16, 2025 at 6:34 PM
When some people at the edges of my friend groups started having children in our early 30s, there was a way that I felt slightly less alone in the responsibilities and constraints being a caretaker. A way that that allowed me to allude to some portion of my own life without blank stares in return.
Been reflecting a lot on how I sometimes feel an unwanted flare of alienation/envy (along with sympathy and protectiveness) when hearing people (strangers) talk about how hard/all-consuming it is to have young children, whether referencing their own circumstances or others'.
November 16, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Been reflecting a lot on how I sometimes feel an unwanted flare of alienation/envy (along with sympathy and protectiveness) when hearing people (strangers) talk about how hard/all-consuming it is to have young children, whether referencing their own circumstances or others'.
I trust your understanding & respect how you navigate these issues. I'm not familiar with what specific harm they've done locally. For me, there are enough ethical lines I cannot cross currently that I am wary of further circumscribing myself until I'm in a less isolated/more healed space.
November 16, 2025 at 6:28 PM
I trust your understanding & respect how you navigate these issues. I'm not familiar with what specific harm they've done locally. For me, there are enough ethical lines I cannot cross currently that I am wary of further circumscribing myself until I'm in a less isolated/more healed space.
I won’t shop at Target or Amazon or Walmart, etc. I avoid buying socks for donation at non-bin thrift stores. I do want to materially support my unhoused neighbors. It’s imperfect action in a broken world where I can be prone to ethical paralysis.
November 16, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I won’t shop at Target or Amazon or Walmart, etc. I avoid buying socks for donation at non-bin thrift stores. I do want to materially support my unhoused neighbors. It’s imperfect action in a broken world where I can be prone to ethical paralysis.
My personal boycott was tempered also swayed somewhat speaking with an ethically aligned queer friend who’d been working for decades in disaster relief at all levels. They were very positive on the material and unique good Salvation Army did in crisis via systematic disaster response.
November 16, 2025 at 12:49 PM
My personal boycott was tempered also swayed somewhat speaking with an ethically aligned queer friend who’d been working for decades in disaster relief at all levels. They were very positive on the material and unique good Salvation Army did in crisis via systematic disaster response.
Very understandable. Goodwill is exploitative as hell towards disabled people (varies regionally). I’ve wrestled with their anti-queer politics myself, and ultimately find them no more repugnant than any corporation and perhaps less in being less directly tied in to mass manufacture of new goods.
November 16, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Very understandable. Goodwill is exploitative as hell towards disabled people (varies regionally). I’ve wrestled with their anti-queer politics myself, and ultimately find them no more repugnant than any corporation and perhaps less in being less directly tied in to mass manufacture of new goods.
I'm pretty sure a lot of us are there because we're low-income, so I have been hesitant to grab warm jackets earlier in the afternoon. But I've not really noticed other people getting socks very regularly, so I've felt good grabbing warm ones to donate. Also much easier for me to carry on foot.
November 14, 2025 at 8:53 PM
I'm pretty sure a lot of us are there because we're low-income, so I have been hesitant to grab warm jackets earlier in the afternoon. But I've not really noticed other people getting socks very regularly, so I've felt good grabbing warm ones to donate. Also much easier for me to carry on foot.
Personally, I prefer the vibe of the SA bins--the GO bins are way busier (there are 2-3 times as many). The SA bins are much more chill. People look out for each other (pointing out a matching part of an outfit, etc) + often little kids hanging out too.
November 14, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Personally, I prefer the vibe of the SA bins--the GO bins are way busier (there are 2-3 times as many). The SA bins are much more chill. People look out for each other (pointing out a matching part of an outfit, etc) + often little kids hanging out too.
The Goodwill Outlet bins just off the green line in St Paul is around $2.50/lb. The Salvation Army bins in the North Loop (basement of the store, not aware of elevator access) is $1.89/lb. Both have discounted pricing over 20lbs, I believe.
November 14, 2025 at 8:49 PM
The Goodwill Outlet bins just off the green line in St Paul is around $2.50/lb. The Salvation Army bins in the North Loop (basement of the store, not aware of elevator access) is $1.89/lb. Both have discounted pricing over 20lbs, I believe.
Goodwill Outlet is ~$2.50/lb. Salvation Army bins are $1.89/lb. (I found it difficult to manage coats, but put my pedestrian connoisseur skills to use in buying lots of quality winter socks for Supply Depot at the bins.)
November 14, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Goodwill Outlet is ~$2.50/lb. Salvation Army bins are $1.89/lb. (I found it difficult to manage coats, but put my pedestrian connoisseur skills to use in buying lots of quality winter socks for Supply Depot at the bins.)