2022 DFR (Damn Fine Restraint)

HighSpeed i think your post is beautiful in it’s hopefulness and trust in the knowledge that we can change and be better despite repeated failures. I’m sorry if my post on basketball and reversion to the mean came across as hopelessness or why bother.  That wasn’t my intent, nor is it my life philosophy. I believe that no matter how many times you get knocked down or fail you have to get back up and keep in going. My patron saint is the inflatable Bozo the clown with the weighted base and the squeaky nose. No No matter how many times he got  knocked down he just bounced back up with that grin on his face ready for another one.

That's very kind of you Marko, and FWIW we've posted together too long for me to see you as jaded or mistake you for a cynic.  Any time you see somebody on a soapbox, it's a pretty good bet that they are responding to a whole lot more than whatever is before them at the moment, and I am no exception.  I badly botched making that clear, so my apologies to you.  At any rate, the "whole lot more" in my case includes what I correctly or incorrectly perceive as a sometimes veiled undercurrent of sarcasm and derision that has at times peppered this thread.  I won't elaborate on that except to say that I am not referring to the many good-natured jests that have been made.  

IIRC you and I are the only two who did complete the restraint.  IMO those who did not complete it should in some cases be applauded for their efforts, encouraged to learn from this restraint, and to try again when the time is right.  Others should be reminded that a shaving restraint is not a litmus test of character, that there are innumerable ways to live a healthy life and grow, and to find ways that work for them.  This latter group would be wiser to save themselves what would for them become the treadwear of a shaving restraint, and to focus instead on the things that life has in mind for them to succeed at.  Practices like these have to be a whole lot healthier than having folks sitting on the sidelines and belittling the efforts of those who undertook the restraint in earnest.  And having botched the first post Marko, it seems only fair to explicitly point out here FWIW that IMO there was nothing mean-spirited in your post, and you have never engaged in these unfortunate practices.

Finally, in a different world, perhaps we would all shrug off every bump in life's road, such as not completing a restraint.   I'd like to say that all here just shrugged it off, and there was no one among the brethren struggling with a sense of failure, but I have reasons for thinking that was not the case.  I won't elaborate on that either.  Nevertheless and just so you know, concern for anyone struggling was a big part of why I took myself seriously enough to get on the soap box.  I try to make the mistake of taking myself seriously as infrequently as possible, but now that the mistake is made, and since we are all good men, perhaps we can make some good come out of it in the future.

HighSpeed i think your post is beautiful in it’s hopefulness and trust in the knowledge that we can change and be better despite repeated failures. I’m sorry if my post on basketball and reversion to the mean came across as hopelessness or why bother.  That wasn’t my intent, nor is it my life philosophy. I believe that no matter how many times you get knocked down or fail you have to get back up and keep in going. My patron saint is the inflatable Bozo the clown with the weighted base and the squeaky nose. No No matter how many times he got  knocked down he just bounced back up with that grin on his face ready for another one.

That's very kind of you Marko, and FWIW we've posted together too long for me to see you as jaded or mistake you for a cynic.  Any time you see somebody on a soapbox, it's a pretty good bet that they are responding to a whole lot more than whatever is before them at the moment, and I am no exception.  I badly botched making that clear, so my apologies to you.  At any rate, the "whole lot more" in my case includes what I correctly or incorrectly perceive as a sometimes veiled undercurrent of sarcasm and derision that has at times peppered this thread.  I won't elaborate on that except to say that I am not referring to the many good-natured jests that have been made.  

IIRC you and I are the only two who did complete the restraint.  IMO those who did not complete it should in some cases be applauded for their efforts, encouraged to learn from this restraint, and to try again when the time is right.  Others should be reminded that a shaving restraint is not a litmus test of character, that there are innumerable ways to live a healthy life and grow, and to find ways that work for them.  This latter group would be wiser to save themselves what would for them become the treadwear of a shaving restraint, and to focus instead on the things that life has in mind for them to succeed at.  Practices like these have to be a whole lot healthier than having folks sitting on the sidelines and belittling the efforts of those who undertook the restraint in earnest.  And having botched the first post Marko, it seems only fair to explicitly point out here FWIW that IMO there was nothing mean-spirited in your post, and you have never engaged in these unfortunate practices.

Finally, in a different world, perhaps we would all shrug off every bump in life's road, such as not completing a restraint.   I'd like to say that all here just shrugged it off, and there was no one among the brethren struggling with a sense of failure, but I have reasons for thinking that was not the case.  I won't elaborate on that either.  Nevertheless and just so you know, concern for anyone struggling was a big part of why I took myself seriously enough to get on the soap box.  I try to make the mistake of taking myself seriously as infrequently as possible, but now that the mistake is made, and since we are all good men, perhaps we can make some good come out of it in the future.

 

I'd like to say that all here just shrugged it off, and there was no one among the brethren struggling with a sense of failure, but I have reasons for thinking that was not the case.  I won't elaborate on that either.  Nevertheless and just so you know, concern for anyone struggling was a big part of why I took myself seriously enough to get on the soap box.

Yikes.

This has been a lighthearted thread. For someone having a serious issue, this can feel just as bad as negative, aggressive comments. If that is the case, I am sorry.

HighSpeed i think your post is beautiful in it’s hopefulness and trust in the knowledge that we can change and be better despite repeated failures. I’m sorry if my post on basketball and reversion to the mean came across as hopelessness or why bother.  That wasn’t my intent, nor is it my life philosophy. I believe that no matter how many times you get knocked down or fail you have to get back up and keep in going. My patron saint is the inflatable Bozo the clown with the weighted base and the squeaky nose. No No matter how many times he got  knocked down he just bounced back up with that grin on his face ready for another one.

That's very kind of you Marko, and FWIW we've posted together too long for me to see you as jaded or mistake you for a cynic.  Any time you see somebody on a soapbox, it's a pretty good bet that they are responding to a whole lot more than whatever is before them at the moment, and I am no exception.  I badly botched making that clear, so my apologies to you.  At any rate, the "whole lot more" in my case includes what I correctly or incorrectly perceive as a sometimes veiled undercurrent of sarcasm and derision that has at times peppered this thread.  I won't elaborate on that except to say that I am not referring to the many good-natured jests that have been made.  

IIRC you and I are the only two who did complete the restraint.  IMO those who did not complete it should in some cases be applauded for their efforts, encouraged to learn from this restraint, and to try again when the time is right.  Others should be reminded that a shaving restraint is not a litmus test of character, that there are innumerable ways to live a healthy life and grow, and to find ways that work for them.  This latter group would be wiser to save themselves what would for them become the treadwear of a shaving restraint, and to focus instead on the things that life has in mind for them to succeed at.  Practices like these have to be a whole lot healthier than having folks sitting on the sidelines and belittling the efforts of those who undertook the restraint in earnest.  And having botched the first post Marko, it seems only fair to explicitly point out here FWIW that IMO there was nothing mean-spirited in your post, and you have never engaged in these unfortunate practices.

Finally, in a different world, perhaps we would all shrug off every bump in life's road, such as not completing a restraint.   I'd like to say that all here just shrugged it off, and there was no one among the brethren struggling with a sense of failure, but I have reasons for thinking that was not the case.  I won't elaborate on that either.  Nevertheless and just so you know, concern for anyone struggling was a big part of why I took myself seriously enough to get on the soap box.  I try to make the mistake of taking myself seriously as infrequently as possible, but now that the mistake is made, and since we are all good men, perhaps we can make some good come out of it in the future.

Nice thoughts Mike and I'm on board for March in earnest !!! In fact I am committed to start now thru the end of March.........at least

HighSpeed i think your post is beautiful in it’s hopefulness and trust in the knowledge that we can change and be better despite repeated failures. I’m sorry if my post on basketball and reversion to the mean came across as hopelessness or why bother.  That wasn’t my intent, nor is it my life philosophy. I believe that no matter how many times you get knocked down or fail you have to get back up and keep in going. My patron saint is the inflatable Bozo the clown with the weighted base and the squeaky nose. No No matter how many times he got  knocked down he just bounced back up with that grin on his face ready for another one.

That's very kind of you Marko, and FWIW we've posted together too long for me to see you as jaded or mistake you for a cynic.  Any time you see somebody on a soapbox, it's a pretty good bet that they are responding to a whole lot more than whatever is before them at the moment, and I am no exception.  I badly botched making that clear, so my apologies to you.  At any rate, the "whole lot more" in my case includes what I correctly or incorrectly perceive as a sometimes veiled undercurrent of sarcasm and derision that has at times peppered this thread.  I won't elaborate on that except to say that I am not referring to the many good-natured jests that have been made.  

IIRC you and I are the only two who did complete the restraint.  IMO those who did not complete it should in some cases be applauded for their efforts, encouraged to learn from this restraint, and to try again when the time is right.  Others should be reminded that a shaving restraint is not a litmus test of character, that there are innumerable ways to live a healthy life and grow, and to find ways that work for them.  This latter group would be wiser to save themselves what would for them become the treadwear of a shaving restraint, and to focus instead on the things that life has in mind for them to succeed at.  Practices like these have to be a whole lot healthier than having folks sitting on the sidelines and belittling the efforts of those who undertook the restraint in earnest.  And having botched the first post Marko, it seems only fair to explicitly point out here FWIW that IMO there was nothing mean-spirited in your post, and you have never engaged in these unfortunate practices.

Finally, in a different world, perhaps we would all shrug off every bump in life's road, such as not completing a restraint.   I'd like to say that all here just shrugged it off, and there was no one among the brethren struggling with a sense of failure, but I have reasons for thinking that was not the case.  I won't elaborate on that either.  Nevertheless and just so you know, concern for anyone struggling was a big part of why I took myself seriously enough to get on the soap box.  I try to make the mistake of taking myself seriously as infrequently as possible, but now that the mistake is made, and since we are all good men, perhaps we can make some good come out of it in the future.

Nice thoughts Mike and I'm on board for March in earnest !!! In fact I am committed to start now thru the end of March.........at least 

Thanks Dave and good luck!  FWIW my money is on you.

Still in for the year. No temptations so far, although my leaf razor for head shaving lost a magnet the other day so curious how that’s going to go. I have enough cartridge razors to probably make it through and I have clippers to trip down before shaving as I only shave it about once every 3 weeks or so depending on the mood.

I’ve also sold off most brushes that I wasn’t using also for some extra funds so the den is growing smaller. I’m perfectly content using Proraso original in the tub and Myrsol K for the rest of my life. I’ve tried a lot of soaps over the years, although not nearly as many as some guys and for me it just works, it’s cheap, and I can use it summer or winter. Still a long way to go, but this could finally be the year I make it through one of these sabbaticals.

Still in for the year. No temptations so far, although my leaf razor for head shaving lost a magnet the other day so curious how that’s going to go. I have enough cartridge razors to probably make it through and I have clippers to trip down before shaving as I only shave it about once every 3 weeks or so depending on the mood.

I’ve also sold off most brushes that I wasn’t using also for some extra funds so the den is growing smaller. I’m perfectly content using Proraso original in the tub and Myrsol K for the rest of my life. I’ve tried a lot of soaps over the years, although not nearly as many as some guys and for me it just works, it’s cheap, and I can use it summer or winter. Still a long way to go, but this could finally be the year I make it through one of these sabbaticals.

That's awesome! So glad you are doing well.

It's nice to find a setup that just works. Proraso is good stuff, indeed. I recall a desert island thread... One soap for the rest of your days. Our Dragonsbeard , Frank, chose Proraso Original (if I remember correctly)... And he makes some of the best soaps on the market. I believe his reasoning was it was his first and has sentimental value. I happen to really like the scent of the Red (sandalwood).

How old is your Leaf? Regardless, id imagine they'll take care of it for you. My experience has been they are pretty darn attentive to issues with their razors. I think they have a long or lifetime warranty, too.

Good luck for the rest of the year. It's definitely a great start.

although my leaf razor for head shaving lost a magnet the other day so curious how that’s going to go.

That is indeed frustrating. It happened to me too. A dot of super glue or epoxy in the hole will hold that magnet in place, provided it didn't go down the drain and you still have it.

It's March, the third month of restraint, and that means three whole days must pass without making a shave-related purchase. I'm trembling already, since word on the street is that Ethos may be bringing out some new soaps soon. Let's hope they don't drop before midnight Thursday.

What about February 2022? It turned out just fine, thanks. I enjoyed two full days of sabbatical, I used up about forty-six grams of soap, and I converted several creams to hand soaps, thus reducing my overall hoard by a couple hundred grams. That doesn't mean, though, that I didn't indulge on the other twenty-six days. A new razor may have shown up in the mailbox. But to compensate, I gave one of my best razors (Rockwell 6S) to a friend who had only one razor. Can't imagine how he managed to get by day to day with only one pony in the stable. 

Each month I'll continue to add another day of sabbatical, so that sometime around September 2024 I will have filled up a full month with sabbatical days. With luck, I'll stick to that arrangement from then on. I have to admit, I'm really liking this slow wean. I get to make progress without feeling much pain. But it's still early days!

1/3 of the way and hanging in there. Actually not feeling like I'm missing anything. It's just a matter of breaking the cycle of "seeing and just buying" If I remind myself of what I have and I made a commitment I immediately am like, oh yeah, not buying because I don't need it and I move on.