But what kind of stuff can you just do?
A phrase that has been popping up lately is: “You can just do stuff” Every time I read it a part of me goes “Yeah! You can just do stuff!”. And then I forget about it again.
Part of this is that “doing” and “stuff” are pretty vague. So, why not just do stuff, like make a list of stuff that you can just do?
This is for own inspiration as much as for the people reading it. And I’m very happy to hear further suggestions!
You can just:
Tell your dad you love him
Call your friends and suggest to meet up
Go for a walk
Tell the barista they look cute
Quit your job
Ask for help
Read a book
Hand out cookies on the street
Ask that person for their phone number
Paint your bedroom wall green
Ask the lady in the park what her wisest lesson in life is
Apologize
Dance in your living room
Hold that hug until the other person lets go
Sign up for a singing class
Call in sick
Switch off your phone
Bake bread
Invite people over for dinner
Give a compliment to a stranger
Listen to completely new music
Take a trip to the next city over
Share a secret you’ve been holding onto
Go swimming
Try a new flavor of ice-cream
Show up at someone’s doorstep unannounced
See also Things you’re allowed to do (Milan Cvitkovic, 2021) and Exercises to Increase Agency (nomagicpill, 2025).
Now someone please make a mobile application that will show you a random advice from these lists.
I think my lease might not let me paint my room green? Then again, maybe it does, or maybe if I painted it back before leaving I could get away with it...
Well, I would refrain from taking free cookies from a stranger.
I think that “bring treats to the party for everyone” is a better replacement.
Ridiculous. I have handed out cookies to strangers on the street. I have eaten cupcakes given to me by random strangers on the street. People had a good time. If there are neurotic people who feel anxious taking food from strangers then they can just walk on by. You can just do things.