DVDs
I am a retrograde of sorts. And while vintage clothing, film photography, and vinyls are relatively trendy ways of being old school, DVDs are still underrated. Which means that they aren’t overpriced, unlike the stuff mentioned above. Streaming services are great and all, but I feel like I’ve already made the most of them. So, now I look for DVDs with classic old movies on Avito. I prefer them nondubbed, which makes it harder, but still possible. I’ve already purchased a box set of Audrey Hepburn movies for 350 rubles (~$4)! It’s always exciting to own a physical copy of something you love. – Kseniia
The art of game writing
This vacation, I decided to have a couple of binge gaming days, which I’d not had in a hot minute, – and my choice fell on Disco Elysium. I’d had it on my to-play list for years to only this month finally see for myself how brilliant this game is. Not only is it a top-notch RPG where you get to take on the role of an amnesic detective, but it also has some impeccable writing that makes the game world truly immersive. As a big reader, but not much of a gamer (anymore), I profoundly enjoyed every line: it makes you resonate, ponder over things, including silly and existential ones, cry, or burst out laughing. It got the Best Narrative Award for a reason. – Marina
Swimming
Recently, I got my first-ever gym membership, which became my path back to the swimming pool. As a child, I practiced regularly and even competed a little (though I never liked it), and for years I’ve been dying to get back to this sport – but it never seemed to fit into my routine. I finally made it work and it’s such a joy to rediscover my favorite training styles – and the wonderful mental health benefits: I forgot how calming it is to be in the water after a stressful day. Even though it will take some time to establish the right practice and recovery routine, I look forward to every moment of it. – Catherine
Crocs
I guess it's that time in my life when my frontal lobe has finally developed for me to truly appreciate the comfort of mundane things. That's why a new pair of pink Crocs made my month. Now I don't have to tie my laces for a short walk to the trash can or the nearby Pyaterochka, and it's an absolutely liberating experience. I got them from Ozon and suspect they might be replicas, but considering the price, the positive reviews, and their quirky look, I have no regrets.
Another fun discovery on this topic is that in the movie Idiocracy (2006), all the characters were wearing Crocs because the film's producers thought they were futuristic yet too horrible-looking to ever become popular. How ironic is that! – Elizaveta
