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Friday, May 22, 2026

22/31

Links to 21/31 &
the 31 Vibrant Things Launch Post
I don't have much fashion sense, but there is one thing I like: odd shirts. 

See those astronauts floating around on one of my favourite t-shirts? They make me smile. But can shirts be vibrant things? Yes, I think they can. My son can't resist t-shirt sarcasm/ comedy; for his birthday this year I gave him a t-shirt with a bull logo and the text, bull shirt

Maybe I like weird shirts because I was a kid in the 70s &80s? Maybe it's because the brain loves novelty? Whatever the reason, they make me feel something...? Authentic? More confident? Playful? Yes to all. 

But mostly? It's a bit of a mental-health boost. They uplift. They spread a little much-needed happiness in this sorry world. Plus, I just realized they align with the tattoo on my right arm: sursum corda, Latin for lift up your hearts

Dear friends, wear your heart (yourself) on your sleeve, and chest.

17 comments:

  1. "Bull shirt" is an absolute classic dad-gift choice—I love it! There really is something to be said for the pure joy of a weird t-shirt. The 70s and 80s definitely set the gold standard for loud patterns and fun novelty prints, so it makes total sense that the brain craves that fun. Spreading a little happiness through a cool shirt is a fantastic mental health hack.

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    1. Thank you. It is indeed a bit of a hack. Well said.

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  2. I feel very strongly that being normal is boring, so we should all stand out and be who we want, even if it's wearing unusual shirts, have a great weekend.

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  3. I have been into bold runners lately. I just like wearing them.

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  4. Wearing a unique shirt is definitely a way to stand out in a crowd.

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  5. ...why be normal? It's merely a setting on a washing machine!

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  6. I have always love t-shirts with graphics on the front. Been wearing them all my adult life.

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  7. That’s a cute shirt. My daughter has a t-shirt with a picture of an apple on it, and then kanji letters that say ‘banana’ (in Japanese I think). Some people get the joke, some people think she’s an idiot who doesn’t know what the shirt says. And most of us don’t read Japanese and have no idea that it’s a joke.

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    1. This speaks to why it's important to be curious rather than judgmental.

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  8. I am, sad to say, a wearer of plain tees and shirts. The best I ever purchased was a blazer with my school crest on the pocket. Way back then, women students were not allowed faculty jackets. Now they are, and the women have all sorts of fine symbols on them. I did a photo collection, I was that pleased, when I went to my daughter's grad. She has since passed her jacket on to a friend's daughter studying there. I gather it gathered some interest. My husband's (same university) hangs in the basement closet to this day.

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    1. This reminds me of my school jacket; I think it was called a grad jacket. We were so hyped to wear those.

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  9. I love pairing my flamingo shirt with my Spam socks. Trust me, that's quite the fashion statement I'm making.

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