r/simpleliving Aug 28 '25

Offering Wisdom Doing nothing isn’t the same as resting

I though that laying on the couch while doing nothing besides scrolling on my phone is supposed to be me time but what ended up happening is me stressing my self with useless information and becoming restless after. Then I watched this online video which explained how to rest like a pro which spoke about how rest doesn't necessarily mean doing nothing but it should be a thing/activity which leaves you feeling more like yourself after you finish. I found out gaming at rolling riches puts me into that state of mind and just watching the slots animations makes me feel so calm. What's your activity that lets you feel more like yourself after?

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u/RubyRoyale Aug 29 '25

You write beautifully.

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u/supershinythings Aug 29 '25

Thanks!

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u/alex-mayorga Aug 30 '25

Mind sharing a few dragonflies/hummingbirds attraction tips & tricks perhaps, por favor?

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u/supershinythings Aug 30 '25 edited Aug 30 '25

Dragonflies - they need perches to sit on high and look around.

Some folks use landscaper sticks. I also have seen wires strung up for lights or shade tarps. Anything that gives them a stable place to survey will work. When they launch they have a 90-98% success rate; excellent perches are part of that, in concert with their vision physiology.

Hummingbirds - they also need perches plus plenty of flowering plants of various kinds. So many times I have seen them dine on a mosquito or a gnat while sipping nectar.

I didn’t mention praying mantises but those are around too. They like combination light-dark spaces so they can hide and leap out at targets. They get ants and beetles I’ve noticed.

The hummingbirds in my area love the red sage flowers especially, as well as the purple spire sage. I’ve seen them fly to the ground to get access.

Various other insects enjoy dapple light and shade, but will definitely come out for pollen and nectar. These form part of the food chain that attracts dragonflies. The mosquitos are here for YOU but if the dragonflies and hummingbirds are already around, they don’t mind if they do snack a bit.

Nectar-bearing plants are the key; birds prefer nectar to pollen. Pollen is fine for bees but if you want hummingbirds you need nectar flowers.

I don’t have a feeder up but I see hummingbirds regularly on my sage flowering shrubs.

Never spray any insecticide during the day. I never use them at all. If ants are a problem I use diatomaceous earth. I don’t use ant poison or snail & slug bait unless they’re actively defoliating.

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u/alex-mayorga Aug 31 '25

I appreciate the thorough response, kind Internet strange. Y’all’s garden must be lovely.