u/Suspicious_Ocelot445

One’s for work (13") and one’s personal (11"), is it too cumbersome having both on the desk?

- studio display (2026)

- macbook air m5 15"

- ipad pro M5 13" (mostly for work)

- ipad air M4 11" (personal, usually dont have it displayed on my desk though because my gf uses it 90% of the time)

- airpods max 2 if i’m working or airpods pro if i’m in a meeting

- keyboard, trackpad and all the blabla

Seriously love how seamlessly everything works together... Looking for ways to improve the overall aesthetic though!

Love the color

Just thought I’d share this comment from AG about working with Charli, which was posted 6 years ago. I guess they really do speak each other’s language.

Thought it’d be interesting to compare both the physical sizes and Apple’s different dark colour finishes side by side.

The colours shown are:

• Midnight: 15” MacBook Air (M5)
• Space Black: 13” iPad Pro (M5)
• Space Grey: 11” iPad Air (M4)
• Bonus: Midnight : Airpods Max 2

I figured this might be useful for anyone deciding between them, since Apple’s product photos don’t always make the size and colour differences obvious.

Thought it’d be interesting to compare both the physical sizes and Apple’s different dark colour finishes side by side.

The colours shown are:

• Midnight : 15” MacBook Air (M5)
• Space Black : 13” iPad Pro (M5)
• Space Grey : 11” iPad Air (M4)
• Bonus - Midnight : Airpods Max 2

I figured this might be useful for anyone deciding between them, since Apple’s product photos don’t always make the size and colour differences obvious.

Thought it’d be interesting to compare both the physical sizes and Apple’s different dark colour finishes side by side.

The colours shown are:

• Midnight : 15” MacBook Air (M5)
• Space Black : 13” iPad Pro (M5)
• Space Grey : 11” iPad Air (M4)
• Bonus - Midnight : Airpods Max 2

I figured this might be useful for anyone deciding between them, since Apple’s product photos don’t always make the size and colour differences obvious.

Thought it’d be interesting to compare both the physical sizes and Apple’s different dark colour finishes side by side.

The colours shown are:

• Midnight : 15” MacBook Air (M5)
• Space Black : 13” iPad Pro (M5)
• Space Grey : 11” iPad Air (M4)
• Bonus - Midnight : Airpods Max 2

I figured this might be useful for anyone deciding between them, since Apple’s product photos don’t always make the size and colour differences obvious.

Thought it’d be interesting to compare both the physical sizes and Apple’s different dark colour finishes side by side.

The colours shown are:

• Midnight : 15” MacBook Air (M5)
• Space Black : 13” iPad Pro (M5)
• Space Grey : 11” iPad Air (M4)
• Bonus - Midnight : Airpods Max 2

I figured this might be useful for anyone deciding between them, since Apple’s product photos don’t always make the size and colour differences obvious.

As an Apple tech-obsessed GenZer with adult money, I wanted to share my setup with you guys and give an honest ranking after using everything daily as a young professional.

Disclaimer obviously: I'm not a tech reviewer lol. I don't know about benchmarks or specs, and I'm definitely not going to pretend like I do. I'm just someone who really loves Apple products (and really loves to yap), use them every day for work, and figured I'd share what I think is actually worth buying.

But if you’re a tech pro or bro, your advice is always welcome.

Not pictured: my Iphone 17 Pro Max since I used it to take the pictures.

TL;DR:

Would buy again immediately

• AirPods Pro
• MacBook
• iPhone

Luxury but worth it

• iPad Air + Magic Keyboard and Pencil
• AirPods Max 2
• Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
• Magic Trackpad

Wouldn't buy again and wouldn't recommend

• Studio Display (unless money isn't really a consideration...but even then)
• Magic Mouse
• Apple Watch
• iPod Touch

Must haves if you're an Apple fan

AirPods Pro

Literally everyone recommends them and there's a reason for that. If I was going to buy one Apple accessory, I'd probably get these.

I honestly don't even know which version I have, possibly the 2 ? But I've had them for years and they're still going strong.

They're probably my most-used Apple product after my phone and Mac. Perfect for the gym, running, traveling, and meetings thanks to how small and minimalist they are. The ANC is great, and they pair well with all my devices. I honestly forget I'm wearing them half of the time.

The MacBook

Personally, I have a 15" MacBook Air with an M5 chip. I previously had the 14" MacBook Pro (M3), but the Pro really wasn't worth the extra money for what I do (mostly reading, researching, and writing), so I decided to invest in more RAM and storage instead.

I absolutely loved the 14" size, but it was noticeably bulkier than the MBA, which ultimately tipped the scales in favor of the Air when it came time to choose my next laptop.

Yes, it is an expensive for a laptop (granted I chose the 32GB, 2TB version), but it's probably the best Apple product I've ever owned.

I originally bought the 13", but exchanged it for the 15" after switching to a single Studio Display and buying an Ipad for portability.

I travel a lot for work, and having a larger screen means it can realistically replace my desktop monitor in hotels or when I'm away.

My advice: if portability is your #1 priority, get the 13". If you spend most of your day at a desk reading, writing and multitasking, I believe the extra screen real estate on the 15" makes a noticeable difference.

I'm well aware that it may not be the best laptop in the market, but hey, we're also here because we love Apple products lol.

The iPhone

I still think the iPhone offers the best overall smartphone experience in terms of UI/UX.

The phone in the picture is my old iPhone 13, since my current iPhone 17 Pro Max is the one taking the photo.

I also think the iPhone 13 is one of Apple's best designs. It was the perfect size, felt great in the hand, and somehow never seemed to heat up.

As much as I love the battery life and performance of the 17 Pro Max, it's simply too big for me. I have pretty small hands lol, and I've realized I much prefer a phone that I can comfortably use with one hand. I've also noticed that my 17 Pro Max gets noticeably warmer than my old 13 ever did.

I'm planning to switch to the regular iPhone 18 Pro as soon as it's released.... Not gonna lie, but I'm already obsessed with that Dark Cherry color.

Luxury but worth it

iPad + Magic Keyboard and Pencil

I have an iPad Air 11" (M4) and it is probably the Apple product that surprised me the most.

I'll be honest, and don't hate me, but I used to think iPads were kind of a scam. I just couldn't understand why anyone would spend almost as much, or sometimes even more, than a MacBook on a device that was less powerful and couldn't run macOS. In my head, they were the kind of things people bought because they had money to burn, used for a week, and then left in a drawer to collect dust.

Turns out... I was completely wrong. I use this thing all the time now and there are days when I reach for it before my MacBook.

It's become my go-to device for flights, trains, coffee shops, or just sitting outside on my terrace. I use it for reading documents, answering emails, watching YouTube, listening to music, browsing Reddit... basically everything that doesn't require me to pull out my laptop.

It's truly perfect when I'm traveling for work. I pair it with my 15" MBA as a second display, and having a dual-screen setup that still fits in a backpack is honestly amazing. Working from hotels is so much more comfortable now, especially with the extra screen of the 15''.

Important note though: the Magic Keyboard is what completely changed my opinion of the iPad. Without it, I wouldn't recommend an iPad to most people. With it, though, it feels like the perfect middle ground between an iPhone and a MacBook. It doesn't (and isn't trying to) replace the MacBook, but it's way more than a big iPhone.

If you're thinking about getting an iPad, my advice is this: if your budget allows it, get the Magic Keyboard too. I genuinely think it's what makes the iPad worth owning.

AirPods Max 2

I love them. Maybe I'm biased because I'm a sucker for aesthetic and good design, but I think they're one of the coolest-looking headphones on the market. They look futuristic as hell.

Do they sound better than my Sennheiser HDB 630? Not really. But do I use them more? Absolutely. I use them even more than my AirPods Pro, and that's saying a lot as someone who is constantly listening to music.

The seamless switching between my Mac, iPad, and iPhone is incredibly convenient, the build quality is excellent, and they're very comfortable to wear for long periods.They're perfect for long rides, listening to movies, and I also love the lossless audio.

They are bulkier than a lot of other headphones but you get used quite rapidly and it's like they're not even there after a certain period of time.

If you're an audiophile, there are definitely better-sounding headphones for the price. But if you're already invested in the Apple ecosystem, they're a luxury that are genuinely enjoyable.

Magic Keyboard with Touch ID

I don't think the Magic Keyboard is a must-have, but if you're trying to recreate the MacBook experience, it's the obvious choice.

As for Touch ID, I initially bought the version without it because I couldn't justify paying extra for one additional button.

Turns out, I was constantly reaching over to my MacBook to unlock it. It's one of those tiny annoyances that really adds up over time, and since I spend 10–12 hours a day at my desk, anything that makes my workflow a little smoother and optimizes my setup is worth it.

So naturally, having Touch ID built into the keyboard ended up being one of those small quality-of-life upgrades that I now use dozens of times a day. I didn't think I'd care about it, but I definitely do.

Now as for the numeric keypad: I was actually gifted the Magic Keyboard with it before buying my current one, and I absolutely hated it. It just added unnecessary width to my desk for a bunch of keys I never used. My hands were always positioned on the left side of the keyboard anyway, so it felt like wasted space. Unless you work with numbers all day, I'd personally skip the numeric keypad.

Magic Trackpad

I love it. I know it's not for everyone, especially if you've always used a mouse or don't own a MacBook. But before I bought an external monitor, I worked exclusively on my MacBook, and I still do whenever I travel, so using a trackpad just feels second nature to me.

Once you get used to it, the gestures become hard to live without. Swiping between desktops, navigating tabs, zooming, etc...everything just feels incredibly fluid and intuitive.

Also, if you're trying to decide between the Magic Mouse and the Magic Trackpad, I'd get the Trackpad without hesitation. I think it's one of Apple's most underrated accessories.

Wouldn't buy again and wouldn't recommend

Studio Display (unless money isn't really a consideration...but even then)

My Studio Display (2026) is genuinely a beautiful monitor. The 5K display is stunning, the speakers are incredible, the webcam is excellent, and the build quality is exactly what you'd expect from Apple.

I actually bought the Nano-texture version first because I was worried about reflections. I spend 10–12 hours a day in front of my monitor (and I have ADHD), so I really didn't want glare affecting my productivity. In the end, though, I just couldn't get past the slightly grainy look of the Nano-texture display. I exchanged it for the standard glass version and honestly haven't looked back.

One design choice I still don't understand, though, is having all the ports on the same side. For a monitor that costs this much, I really think Apple should've put Thunderbolt/USB-C ports on both sides. I bought the 1.8 meters chord but I hate the look, and it takes up too much place so I actually decided to rearrange my whole desk and move my Mac from the left side to the right just to make the cable management work.. It did end up working out though because I realized I naturally glance over at my Mac more when it's on the right. But for a monitor at this price, I really don't think I should've had to redesign my setup around where Apple decided to put the ports.

Also, yes, it's glossy, and yes, you'll notice reflections under certain lighting conditions (especially on dark backgrounds if you have bright lights behind you). But honestly, it has never affected my workflow. My apartment is actually pretty bright during the day, and once I'm focused on work, I barely notice the reflections.

Ironically, my previous monitor, the BenQ MA270U, was actually less reflective than the Studio Display. It was also designed for Macs, looked great, and cost significantly less. The only real downside was that the display wasn't quite as sharp as the Studio Display's 5K panel, and every now and then it would act up when waking my MacBook Air from sleep. Nothing major, just an occasional annoyance.

The Studio Display is objectively the better monitor BUT I just don't think it's worth paying more than twice as much.

If someone asked me what monitor to buy, I'd recommend an LG UltraFine or a BenQ without hesitation. My BenQ MA270U paired beautifully with my MacBook, was noticeably less reflective than the Studio Display, and delivered an excellent experience for a fraction of the price.

And honestly, even if you can comfortably afford the Studio Display, I'm still not convinced that that's where I'd spend the extra money. I'd probably invest it instead. Or buy a Herman Miller chair lol.

Magic Mouse

Mine was actually a gift, I'd never buy one myself. Compared to the Magic Trackpad (or even something like the Logitech MX Master) it just doesn't improve my workflow.

It's also very different from a traditional mouse, and not in a good way, in my opinion. If you're going to spend time getting used to a new input device, I'd much rather recommend the Trackpad.

I've also never been a fan of the design, and the charging port on the bottom still makes absolutely no sense to me. Having to flip the mouse upside down to charge it means you can't use it while it's charging, which seems like a pretty bizarre design choice for such an expensive accessory.

Apple Watch

Probably my biggest disappointment, but maybe I'm just not the target audience.

I always have my phone with me anyway, so getting notifications on my wrist never really added much.

I bought the cellular model because I wanted to leave my phone at home when I went for runs, but in reality I always forget to charge it. I've also had enough issues with it connecting to my AirPods that I've ended up halfway through a run with no music. I'd rather just bring my iPod.

I also prefer wearing traditional watches, so my Apple Watch ends up sitting at my desk most of the time.

If you love yours, though, I'd genuinely be interested to hear what makes it indispensable for you. I feel like I'm probably just not using it to its full potential.

iPod Touch (6th generation)

It was a birthday gift. It's so damn cute though.

I use it occasionally when I want to go for a walk or a run without bringing my phone, and it's a nice way to disconnect from the internet for a bit. That said, I probably wouldn't buy one myself. I already have more than enough gadgets as it is.

As an Apple tech-obsessed GenZer with adult money, I wanted to share my setup with you guys and give an honest ranking after using everything daily as a young professional.

Disclaimer obviously: I'm not a tech reviewer lol, and I'm definitely not going to pretend like I am. I'm just someone who really loves Apple products (and really loves to yap), use them every day for work, and figured I'd share what I think is actually worth buying.

But if you’re a tech pro or bro, your advice is always welcome.

Disclaimer #2: The photos are not AI-generated. I just used the Clean Up feature on the iPhone 17 Pro Max to remove the text from my textbook because I’d rather keep my profession and overall profile a bit more private.

Not pictured: my Iphone 17 Pro Max since I used it to take the pictures, and my magic pencil.

TL;DR:

Would buy again immediately

• AirPods Pro
• MacBook
• iPhone

Luxury but worth it

• iPad + Magic Keyboard and Pencil
• AirPods Max 2
• Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
• Magic Trackpad

Wouldn't buy again and wouldn't recommend

• Studio Display (unless money isn't really a consideration...but even then)
• Magic Mouse
• Apple Watch
• iPod Touch

Must haves if you're an Apple fan

AirPods Pro

Literally everyone recommends them and there's a reason for that. If I was going to buy one Apple accessory, I'd probably get these.

I honestly don't even know which version I have, possibly the 2 ? But I've had them for years and they're still going strong.

They're probably my most-used Apple product after my phone and Mac. Perfect for the gym, running, traveling, and meetings thanks to how small and minimalist they are. The ANC is great, and they pair well with all my devices. I honestly forget I'm wearing them half of the time.

The MacBook

Personally, I have a 15" MacBook Air with an M5 chip. I previously had the 14" MacBook Pro (M3), but the Pro really wasn't worth the extra money for what I do (mostly reading, researching, and writing), so I decided to invest in more RAM and storage instead.

I absolutely loved the 14" size, but it was noticeably bulkier than the MBA, which ultimately tipped the scales in favor of the Air when it came time to choose my next laptop.

Yes, it is an expensive for a laptop (granted I chose the 32GB, 2TB version), but it's probably the best Apple product I've ever owned.

I originally bought the 13", but exchanged it for the 15" after switching to a single Studio Display and buying an Ipad for portability.

I travel a lot for work, and having a larger screen means it can realistically replace my desktop monitor in hotels or when I'm away.

My advice: if portability is your #1 priority, get the 13". If you spend most of your day at a desk reading, writing and multitasking, I believe the extra screen real estate on the 15" makes a noticeable difference.

I'm well aware that it may not be the best laptop in the market, but hey, we're also here because we love Apple products lol.

The iPhone

I still think the iPhone offers the best overall smartphone experience in terms of UI/UX.

The phone in the picture is my old iPhone 13, since my current iPhone 17 Pro Max is the one taking the photo.

I also think the iPhone 13 is one of Apple's best designs. It was the perfect size, felt great in the hand, and somehow never seemed to heat up.

As much as I love the battery life and performance of the 17 Pro Max, it's simply too big for me. I have pretty small hands lol, and I've realized I much prefer a phone that I can comfortably use with one hand. I've also noticed that my 17 Pro Max gets noticeably warmer than my old 13 ever did.

I'm planning to switch to the regular iPhone 18 Pro as soon as it's released.... Not gonna lie, but I'm already obsessed with that Dark Cherry color.

Luxury but worth it

iPad + Magic Keyboard and Pencil

I have an iPad Air 11" (M4) and it is probably the Apple product that surprised me the most.

I'll be honest, and don't hate me, but I used to think iPads were kind of a scam. I just couldn't understand why anyone would spend almost as much, or sometimes even more, than a MacBook on a device that was less powerful and couldn't run macOS. In my head, they were the kind of things people bought because they had money to burn, used for a week, and then left in a drawer to collect dust.

Turns out... I was completely wrong. I use this thing all the time now and there are days when I reach for it before my MacBook.

It's become my go-to device for flights, trains, coffee shops, or just sitting outside on my terrace. I use it for reading documents, answering emails, watching YouTube, listening to music, browsing Reddit... basically everything that doesn't require me to pull out my laptop.

It's truly perfect when I'm traveling for work. I pair it with my 15" MBA as a second display, and having a dual-screen setup that still fits in a backpack is honestly amazing. Working from hotels is so much more comfortable now, especially with the extra screen of the 15''.

Important note though: the Magic Keyboard is what completely changed my opinion of the iPad. Without it, I wouldn't recommend an iPad to most people. With it, though, it feels like the perfect middle ground between an iPhone and a MacBook. It doesn't (and isn't trying to) replace the MacBook, but it's way more than a big iPhone.

If you're thinking about getting an iPad, my advice is this: if your budget allows it, get the Magic Keyboard too. I genuinely think it's what makes the iPad worth owning.

AirPods Max 2

I love them. Maybe I'm biased because I'm a sucker for aesthetic and good design, but I think they're one of the coolest-looking headphones on the market. They look futuristic as hell.

Do they sound better than my Sennheiser HDB 630? Not really. But do I use them more? Absolutely. I use them even more than my AirPods Pro, and that's saying a lot as someone who is constantly listening to music.

The seamless switching between my Mac, iPad, and iPhone is incredibly convenient, the build quality is excellent, and they're very comfortable to wear for long periods.They're perfect for long rides, listening to movies, and I also love the lossless audio.

They are bulkier than a lot of other headphones but you get used quite rapidly and it's like they're not even there after a certain period of time.

If you're an audiophile, there are definitely better-sounding headphones for the price. But if you're already invested in the Apple ecosystem, they're a luxury that are genuinely enjoyable.

Magic Keyboard with Touch ID

I don't think the Magic Keyboard is a must-have, but if you're trying to recreate the MacBook experience, it's the obvious choice.

As for Touch ID, I initially bought the version without it because I couldn't justify paying extra for one additional button.

Turns out, I was constantly reaching over to my MacBook to unlock it. It's one of those tiny annoyances that really adds up over time, and since I spend 10–12 hours a day at my desk, anything that makes my workflow a little smoother and optimizes my setup is worth it.

So naturally, having Touch ID built into the keyboard ended up being one of those small quality-of-life upgrades that I now use dozens of times a day. I didn't think I'd care about it, but I definitely do.

Now as for the numeric keypad: I was actually gifted the Magic Keyboard with it before buying my current one, and I absolutely hated it. It just added unnecessary width to my desk for a bunch of keys I never used. My hands were always positioned on the left side of the keyboard anyway, so it felt like wasted space. Unless you work with numbers all day, I'd personally skip the numeric keypad.

Magic Trackpad

I love it. I know it's not for everyone, especially if you've always used a mouse or don't own a MacBook. But before I bought an external monitor, I worked exclusively on my MacBook, and I still do whenever I travel, so using a trackpad just feels second nature to me.

Once you get used to it, the gestures become hard to live without. Swiping between desktops, navigating tabs, zooming, etc...everything just feels incredibly fluid and intuitive.

Also, if you're trying to decide between the Magic Mouse and the Magic Trackpad, I'd get the Trackpad without hesitation. I think it's one of Apple's most underrated accessories.

Wouldn't buy again and wouldn't recommend

Studio Display (unless money isn't really a consideration...but even then)

My Studio Display (2026) underwhelmed me as soon as I got it. That said, it is genuinely a beautiful monitor. The 5K display is stunning, the speakers are incredible, the webcam is excellent, and the build quality is exactly what you'd expect from Apple.

I actually bought the Nano-texture version first because I was worried about reflections. I spend 10–12 hours a day in front of my monitor (and I have ADHD), so I really didn't want glare affecting my productivity. In the end, though, I just couldn't get past the slightly grainy look of the Nano-texture display. I exchanged it for the standard glass version and honestly haven't looked back.

One design choice I still don't understand, though, is having all the ports on the same side. For a monitor that costs this much, I really think Apple should've put Thunderbolt/USB-C ports on both sides. I actually had to rearrange my whole desk and move my MacBook from the left side to the right just to make the cable management work. It did end up working because I realized I naturally glance over at my Mac more when it's on the right. But for a monitor at this price, I really don't think I should've had to redesign my setup around where Apple decided to put the ports.

Also, yes, it's glossy, and yes, you'll notice reflections under certain lighting conditions (especially on dark backgrounds if you have bright lights behind you). But honestly, it has never affected my workflow. My apartment is actually pretty bright during the day, and once I'm focused on work, I barely notice the reflections.

Ironically, my previous monitor, the BenQ MA270U, was actually less reflective than the Studio Display. It was also designed for Macs, looked great, and cost significantly less. The only real downside was that the display wasn't quite as sharp as the Studio Display's 5K panel, and every now and then it would act up when waking my MacBook Air from sleep. Nothing major, just an occasional annoyance.

The Studio Display is objectively the better monitor BUT I just don't think it's worth paying more than twice as much.

If someone asked me what monitor to buy, I'd recommend an LG UltraFine or a BenQ without hesitation. My BenQ MA270U paired beautifully with my MacBook, was noticeably less reflective than the Studio Display, and delivered an excellent experience for a fraction of the price.

And honestly, even if you can comfortably afford the Studio Display, I'm still not convinced that that's where I'd spend the extra money. I'd probably invest it instead. Or buy a Herman Miller chair lol.

Magic Mouse

Mine was actually a gift, I'd never buy one myself. Compared to the Magic Trackpad (or even something like the Logitech MX Master) it just doesn't improve my workflow.

It's also very different from a traditional mouse, and not in a good way, in my opinion. If you're going to spend time getting used to a new input device, I'd much rather recommend the Trackpad.

I've also never been a fan of the design, and the charging port on the bottom still makes absolutely no sense to me. Having to flip the mouse upside down to charge it means you can't use it while it's charging, which seems like a pretty bizarre design choice for such an expensive accessory. I don’t think Apple has any other items that become unusable while charging.

Apple Watch

Probably my biggest disappointment, but maybe I'm just not the target audience.

I always have my phone with me anyway, so getting notifications on my wrist never really added much.

I bought the cellular model because I wanted to leave my phone at home when I went for runs, but in reality I always forget to charge it. I've also had enough issues with it connecting to my AirPods that I've ended up halfway through a run with no music. I'd rather just bring my iPod.

I also prefer wearing traditional watches, so my Apple Watch ends up sitting at my desk most of the time.

If you love yours, though, I'd genuinely be interested to hear what makes it indispensable for you. I feel like I'm probably just not using it to its full potential.

iPod Touch (6th generation)

It was a birthday gift. It's so damn cute though.

I use it occasionally when I want to go for a walk or a run without bringing my phone, and it's a nice way to disconnect from the internet for a bit. That said, I probably wouldn't buy one myself. I already have more than enough gadgets as it is.

---
Edit: made a small mistake at the beginning.I listed the iPad Air under "Luxury but worth it," but I really meant the iPad in general. Whether you should get the Air or the Pro depends on your use case, but in my opinion, they both serve the same purpose aka being perfect middle ground between an iPhone and a MacBook.

Edit #2: Added a second disclaimer after someone thought the photos were AI-generated. I just realized the blurred text on the books could definitely give that impression.

Copped these basically on a whim. Wanted to see how they’d compare to my steinheiser hd 650 so was like why not, if I don’t end up liking them, I’ll gift them to my gf.

First, am I crazy or there’s a weird scratches/almost dirt ish thing on them? Maybe it’s just fog idk

But here’s where I need your opinions :

While I like the aesthetic, I gotta say that so far, the experience has not been that great.

After an hour and a half of constant use, listening to music and working, i’m already feeling nauseous. I kind of want to throw up and feel dizzy.

There’s also an uncomfortable feeling in my ears almost like suction or something ?

I’ve heard this could be a normal experience with the airpods max 1 but is it the same with the 2 ? Do I have to grow into them, or are there settings I can change to lessen these side effects ?

I have a pair of airpods pro 3 and have never had any issues with those or any other headphones with noice cancellation for that matter.

Long ass rant from an ADHD yapper™ girlie so feel free to skip but:

Some days, I’ll be sitting alone at a bar on a random Tuesday, leave a huge tip, and just laugh to myself thinking about how impossible my life would have sounded to 18-year-old me.

I grew up in a conservative Muslim family, and my brothers and I lived by completely different rules.

They could go out wherever they wanted, stay out all night, date, have sex, party, disappear for hours or even days, and nobody cared.

Meanwhile, I had a 4:30 PM curfew from the age of 11 until I got kicked out at 18. It didn’t matter if it was a school activity, a birthday party, a rehearsal, or literally anything else. If it ended after 4:30, I wasn’t going.

I was expected to clean the house, including my brothers’ rooms, do laundry, help make meals, serve the men first, clear the table, do the dishes, and clean the kitchen afterwards. My brothers and father would finish eating, get up, and walk away. The women took care of everything else.

Whenever I pointed out how unfair it was, I got the same answer every time: you’re a woman. Stop comparing yourself to men. Men and women have different roles.

If I pushed too hard, things could get ugly, and by the time I left home, I’d been hospitalized multiple times. I’ve had multiple concussions, broken bones, stitches, broke my nose three times, and other injuries which I am still suffering from to this day.

This is because the only time my family would take me to the hospital was if I lost consciousness. Other than that, the scars they’d leave on me would just get infected, which still affects me today.

When I did need to be driven to the hospital, my mother would drive me there and then would threaten me that unless I told the doctors that I’d fallen in the shower, they would do so much worse to me once I got back home.

So that’s what I always said. Every time, it was :

- I fell in the shower.

- I fell down the stairs.

- I tripped.

Looking back, the strangest part is how normal all of it felt. Nobody around me seemed shocked by any of it. It was just understood that girls had rules and boys had freedom.

My parents didn’t care much about my education either. Their plan for me was simple: finish high school, get married, have kids.

Meanwhile, I loved school and always wanted more than the life that had been planned for me.

From ages 11 to 18, I was terrified of ending up married to a man. I used to lie awake at night and cry myself to sleep because I genuinely believed it was going to happen eventually and there was nothing I could do about it.

I thought my life had already been decided for me.

If you’re a queer Muslim girl reading this and feeling that same fear, please believe me when I say it doesn’t have to happen.

I spent years convinced I’d never get to live openly, never get to fall in love, and never get to build a life that actually felt like mine. But I was sooo wrong.

Since then, I’ve had girlfriends. I’ve fallen in love. I’ve had my heart broken. I’ve gone on trips with women, spoiled them, spent lazy Sundays together, shared living spaces, made memories, and experienced all the ordinary things that once felt completely impossible.

The future I was terrified of never happened.

And tbh, it wasn’t just my family…

I know we say “not all Muslim families,” and I agree, maybe not all. But I grew up in Muslim communities in the US, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Indonesia, France, and Canada. The vast majority of women I knew lived under rules their brothers never had to follow.

Every queer Muslim woman I know has a story.

A lot of women stay in these conservative communities because leaving is terrifying. You don’t just risk losing your family. You risk losing your community, your support system, your financial security, and sometimes every person you’ve ever known.

And I 100% understand why so many stay.

When my parents found out I was a lesbian, I got kicked out at 18, which was a curse but also kind of a blessing otherwise I would still be living a complete lie. I only had a debit account with around $30 to my name.

For the next few years I survived however I could. I slept in parks, under bridges, on couches, wherever I could find somewhere safe enough to spend the night. I also did some SW to survive which I still stress about people finding out to this day.

I’m still not entirely sure how I made it through those years.

At 21, I got into law school. I paid for it with scholarships, loans, even worked full time, and eventually I landed a job in Big Law.

Today I’m financially independent. After paying my bills, I still have money left over every month to save, invest, travel, or help people.

And truly, helping people has become my favorite part. I don’t want children, don’t care about home ownership that much (my rent is less than 15% of my monthly income since ive been living in the same shithole studio apt since moving out of uni lmao), and have way more than enough (monthly investments + salary + bonuses included) to live comfortably.

So I’m not saying this to brag (and reddit is anonymous so who tf cares anyway) but any money I don’t invest (so around 2-3k a month) gets donated, whether that be through tips, charity donations, helping friends and family, etc.

For example, a friend once owed about $10,000 in tax debt and interest kept piling up. I had the money, so I lent it to them and told them to pay me back whenever they could, interest free.

I’ve paid for strangers’ meals.

I’ve covered Ubers.

I’ve left tips that made people cry.

One night I was sitting in a sports bar and noticed the staff would always give food or water to homeless people who came in asking for help. Then later, I overheard one of the employees worrying about how she was going to get around while her car was being repaired.

And it truly fucking hit something in my soul because these weren’t wealthy people helping others. They were people who were struggling themselves.

Before I left, I tipped the bar $1,000. The staff thought I’d made a mistake and kept trying to reverse the transaction.

I hadn’t made a mistake. I just wanted them to know someone had noticed.

Also, the older I get, the more I realize that the best thing money ever gave me wasn’t luxury, but rather something that as a lesbian woman growing up in a muslim household I never thought I’d get to have: complete freedom.

Financial freedom and never having to depend on anyone.

Freedom to feel safe from the men in my family who feel hartred towards me solely due to the fact that I am an independant woman who gets to live life freely while also earning more than them.

Freedom to travel where I want.

Freedom to love women openly.

Freedom to make my own decisions.

Freedom to help people whenever I want.

Freedom to never again need permission from my father, my brothers, a husband, or a mahram to live my life.

Growing up, I was told my purpose was to become someone’s wife.

Today, I am a lawyer making more than six figures annually and I am in the top 3-5% of earners in the US.

For this, I am so grateful for education : it gave me a way out, which is why, based on my personal experience, that I will never buy into people saying education is useless.

So if you’re a queer Muslim girl reading this from your bedroom (or coming from any ultra conservative religions/cults) and feeling trapped and convinced your life has already been decided for you, please don’t give up. I was in your exact same shoes not too long ago.

Focus on your education, if you can (obviously this isn’t the case for everyone)

I know how impossible it feels when you’re in the middle of it. But I promise that there is a life on the other side.

Lastly, if you are currently in this situation or have been in the past, feel free to hit my DMs. Will be more than glad to discuss our experiences and help however I can.

Food: seafood lingune and lasagna which I enjoyed with my lovely GF💕from one of the best restaurants in Rome which I got to travel to thanks to my amazing job!!

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Edit: Also, I would like to point out that more than 12 years ago, at 18, freshly kicked out, I made a reddit post (i dont remember on which subreddit it was) about my situation asking for help/advice.

A kind redditor who had gone through the same thing reached out to me and actually paid for me to stay at a hotel for 2 nights until I figured my shit out. I was broke so I didn’t end up figuring anything out, but I am so grateful for that person and their selfless act. I felt so safe for these two nights which meant the world to me. Wish I could reach out to thank them again, but it was from my old and now deleted account so I have no way to find them, but wherever you are, I hope you know how much your selfless actions meant to me and how much it inspired me to this day.

Edit #2: Thank you so much for all the love ❤️
I wrote this last night while walking home from the bar, slightly tipsy and feeling ridiculously grateful. It just suddenly hit me how far I’ve come, and I felt like sharing.

And for the people wondering, I am not religious and have been an atheist since I was like 14-15 yo.

Edit #3: I’ve been getting comments saying the photo is AI-generated and I was out here vigorously defending it 😭

I asked my girlfriend to remove her hand tattoos because they’re very distinctive and I didn’t want to dox her identity. Since she’s literally a GRAPHIC DESIGNER!!! I assumed she’d just use Photoshop.

She has since informed me that she was feeling lazy and just ran the photo through AI instead 💀

Anyway, I’ve posted the original non-AI version in the comments below

Edit #4: for the people who are saying this is fake.

Honestly, it’s Reddit, so there’s always that chance.

I know my story sounds crazy, but growing up as a woman in a strict conservative Muslim household, a lot of what I described unfortunately isn’t uncommon. And if anything, that background is part of what pushed me toward law school and eventually Big Law.

There are a lot more children of immigrants and women from restrictive cultural backgrounds in this profession than people realize.

That said, if you’re genuinely curious or need advice/help with something similar, feel free to DM me. I’m happy to chat. I’m not sharing my identity, though 😅