what anyone else thinks.

Someone who embodied “dumbness,” as I’ve never seen before, was my brother. Not because he was stupid but because he just did. No “what ifs.” No overthinking and carefully deciding if it was practical. He just did what he thought he would enjoy. Because of this, he lived so fully. On a random summer day a few years ago, he and his friends decided to go camping. They didn’t plan anything out; they just went. As he told it, they hiked up a mountain with nothing to eat but a 30-pack of beers. They intended to go fishing, but when that didn’t work out, they didn’t panic about where to find food. They ended up finding other campers who gave them hot dogs to eat. They also roasted a bullfrog. Is that even edible? Who knows. They had an amazing time and came home perfectly okay. “Smart” people would have said, “hell no.” They would have planned their trip for weeks and brought all the proper supplies. But there’s nothing more fun than a spontaneous outing and pushing your horizons. It makes it all the more memorable. He never failed to embrace doing things like this in his life.

Besides doing “dumb” things, another aspect of living “dumbly” is thinking dumb things. We can get dulled out when we think with logic and practicality 24/7. Our dreams that seem unrealistic fade to dust, and our desires of wanting to be perceived by others favorably take over. What would you do if there was no one in the world to judge you (besides if you committed crimes or acted in toxic ways)? That is the “dumb” kind of mindset that will lead you to happiness. It might be “dumb,” but it makes you happy. So what? Be dumb.

While incorporating “dumbness” into your life, It’s important to remember to do it smartly (counterintuitive, I know). Don’t do things that will put yourself or others in apparent danger. Start small, perhaps by saying “yes” to things you wouldn’t usually agree to. Take that lastminute trip, try something new and intimidating, and allow yourself to do something fun, even if you may feel as if you are too busy. A good thing to remember is it’s not that serious. Life can be challenging, but incorporating exhilarating activities will help make it more satisfying. It’s time to prioritize your happiness.

Sometimes it’s beneficial to stop overthinking so much and just do things that bring you joy. This might not always be the “smart” way of thinking, but it will lead to a more enriching life. We often feel we need to be on the “grind” constantly. As previously mentioned, thinking like this all the time can cause a person to feel tired and empty. We may forget that allowing ourselves to partake in things solely because we enjoy them is vital to our well-being. After all, we’re here for a good time, not a long time. When it comes down to it, all that really matters is that you lived a fulfilling life. In order to do that, sometimes we may have to think “dumbly” and stop thinking about what the most logical thing is. This might not always be possible, but when it is possible, go for it. Don’t hesitate to do something “dumb” for the sake of your happiness. Take it from my brother.

In loving memory of Charlie Nelson

I have a question for the world. Why don’t women feel comfortable talking about masturbation? This is a blunt conversation; warning, awkwardness may be felt while reading. Although it’s a topic that must be analyzed. Regardless if you’re a male or female, masturbation is totally normal and comes naturally.

Undoubtedly, it feels phenomenal and is a great way to get to know your body. For men, it’s pretty simple because a penis is significantly more sensitive than a vagina— meaning it’s considerably easier for guys to have an orgasm. Not fair, I know; why is everything so difficult for women? There are so many nooks and crannies of the vagina. So, if you’re not masturbating, you’re only cheating yourself.