My Smoke Break Kit (I Don't Smoke)
I have friends who vape, so during breaks between classes I tend to hang out with them in the smoking area. And as left out as I feel, I will not be smoking just to fit in. But that doesn't stop me from feeling left out. So, me being me (as in, willing to do weird shit and already known as an eccentric), I've decided to take it upon myself to pack a little kit of stuff to do instead.
Toothpicks
A few posts ago, I talked about having Pavloved myself into being able to study when I chew on toothpicks. I'm pretty sure it's because I started doing it to not feel left out at TAFE when people smoked, and then I just kept doing it into the next class so now I link the chewing with being in class. Anyway, I think it looks kind of cool (maybe a little cringe but IDC), and it gives my mouth something to do.
Bubbles
The original idea was to get one of those cigarette bubble blowers, but those are expensive and I like free stuff, so I have a regular bubble wand I totally didn't steal from my Mum's workplace. I don't know what to say about these other than that I love bubbles and it makes me feel included. Other people love them too BTW, it's so fun to watch grown adults get excited over something I did.
Potion bottle
AKA a tiny bottle of ginger juice that I sip on for the taste. I'm a strong flavours kind of guy, so it's good stimulation for me, and I put it in a fancy little bottle because I'm extra. I don't have a juicer, though, so I have to buy the juice (I get it almost a litre at a time here), and it's quite expensive so it's something that I'll drink 30ml of at a time until it runs out, then I won't buy it until I feel like doing it again.
Snacks
This is the obvious one. I won't always snack, since I only have 1-2 breaks per day and one's for lunch. But when I do, it's a very Pinterest inspired little tin full of walnuts/pecans, chocolate, and/or stuffed dates. My favourite stuffed date variation is soy protein crisps + almond butter + chocolate chips, by the way. The crispiness really helps sell that I'm eating actual food and not just mush.
Spices
For sniffing purposes. Top hits include a cinnamon stick, cloves, or a bay leaf (technically a herb but you get it). Sometimes I will replace this with a flower I found on my commute, usually a frangipani since so many people on my street have them, but since it's getting colder those are going to get less and less common. But my plague doctor ass sachet of spices will save me from secondhand smoke, trust me.
Cosmetics
Nothing like casual hand cream usage to make you feel fancy. Sometimes I'll just touch up my perfume, other times I use lip balm or whatever, in emergencies (like if someone is already staring at me for how I dress or for blowing bubbles) I'll reapply my eyeliner. My sibling called me 'the performative male final boss', and I consider that a compliment because life is in fact a performance and I'm winning.
