It's All So Peachy

Go to Costco/Sams Club/WalMart - wherever they’ve got that $58 eye exam. That’s with no insurance, btw. Just $58 cash on the counter, you get your eyes examined.

They’ll give you a copy of your prescription. ASK THE DOCTOR TO MEASURE YOUR PUPIL DISTANCE. If they don’t it’s not a huge deal, you just have to have a ruler around that has millimeters so you can measure it yourself and it won’t be as accurate but being off by as much as a centimeter isn’t a problem.

Make them give you a copy of your prescription - you are allowed to have this, they have to give you it, you don’t have to buy glasses there. If anyone challenges you say you need a copy for your records and you’re not going to buy glasses today.

Go to https://www.zennioptical.com/ and start looking at frames/glasses that you like. If you create an account it’ll let you upload a photo and based on your pupil distance the site will estimate how well various frames will fit you.

Add the frames you like to cart and start checking out - the checkout process will ask you for your RX details that will be written in the boxes on your RX page. It’s pretty intuitive to copy it over but if you get lost use the livechat feature on the zenni page.

Start selecting your glasses details. Your RX will determine what kind of lens you get (go with the one zenni recommends for materials and thickness) but your needs will determine the other stuff. I make sure to get the fancy oleophobic coating because I’m a slimy bog monster. I also get the cheapest pair of sunglasses possible because bog monsters hate the sun. You can get transitions lenses or anti-scratch coating or super lightweight lenses or whatever works best for you. The extras will add up in cost but you gotta do what you gotta do - my life is much better with a pair of sunglasses than it is with some clip-ons for my regular glasses; your life may be better with transitions lenses instead of carrying a second set of glasses. DO WHAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU.

Don’t bother paying the rush shipping, this is going to take two weeks regardless.

GLASSES ARRIVE. WEAR GLASSES.

If the fit isn’t perfect see if the place that did your eye exam will adjust the fit for you. They often will free of charge.

GLASSES. GLASSES. I CAN SEE.

PROGRESSIVE BIFOCALS THAT COST $40 WITH CUTE FRAMES AND NICE COATING.

SUNGLASSES.

FUCK

It costs less for me to get two pairs of bifocals, one tinted and one clear, with special coatings and nice frames than it would cost me to get one pair of single-vision glasses from Warby Parker.

The cheapest frames available for adults on Lenscrafter’s site is $69.95. That is JUST the frames, not the lenses. The lenses are like $200. The anti-glare coating is like $70. THE ANTI GLARE COATING IS FREE AND INCLUDED WITH YOUR PURCHASE AT ZENNI. Just the frames and the coating at lenscrafters costs more than my two pairs of glasses AND my eye exam.

Some of us can’t get a job, even with a college degree.

Some of us couldn’t go to college or finish college because of all the shit we’re going through, and our opportunities have been limited by that.

Some of us have jobs and still can’t afford to live.

Some of us are too broke to go out and have fun.

Some of us are too broke to settle down.

Some of us are managing mental health problems.

Some of us have disabilities that make every day tougher to get through.

Some of us are dealing with loss, grief, and disappointment.

Some of us are just now figuring out who we are and are dealing with the repercussions of finally expressing that to others.

Some of us are learning that the society we live in is functioning in a way that puts us at a huge disadvantage.

And I want you to know that you don’t have to have all the answers or know what you’re doing with your life even though there’s so much pressure to do so.

We’re being told at this point to go to college, get a job, get a house, get married, and have kids.

Some of us don’t want or can’t do any of those things, and the expectations for when or if these things are supposed to happen can feel like a giant weight on your shoulders.

There’s no one-size fits all linear path for every person.

Just take everything one day at a time and do whatever you can to ensure your own happiness regardless of what others say you should be doing.

You matter even if others make you feel like you aren’t who they want you to be.

Your life matters even if others tell you that you aren’t living it how you should be.

These may not be the best years of your life, and you may have only known struggling for all of your previous years.