Seems like a lot of work for a coffee stain. It's just a shirt, not a family heirloom. Most people would just toss it or wear it stained. The dip dye thing sounds like a whole craft project.

Heard a podcast say commission acts like a built-in seriousness check, right?

Wish I'd known that a few years ago. Spent months stressing about finding a permanent flat in Amsterdam before even applying, it was a nightmare. Honestly, that kind of official advice can really trap you. Good on you for finding a workaround and sharing it.

Totally get what you're saying. I watched that woodworking show and started side-eyeing my own coffee table, like I could spot a bad joint from a mile away. The trick for me was to actually try making something myself, a simple box, and it instantly cured the judgey-ness. Once you feel how hard it is to get it right, you stop being so critical of everyone else's work.

Oh man, @hayes.michael, it's Gary Gorman. He never really cleared it up, just said it was about the "vibe" of the place. So weird.