This is how my parents work, and it does fantastic for them.
My mom is very much a clean-when-you-can type person (minus floors--she hates dirty floors), whereas my dad is a clean-as-you-go type person.
My mom has made strides to be mindful, and after 30 years of marriage, they're about at the same level. My mom does the floors, the dusting, and the bathrooms while trying to maintain her spaces to a good level of clean. They split the laundry and some of the yardwork, and will work together to clean up if company is coming over. My dad does the rest, because it's automatic to him.
My brother and his wife have also established similar guidelines.
Relationships are a unity of two people, and mindful, realistic compromises are vital.

Yup.
Due to trauma, I compartmentalize so well that I make Marie Kondo look like a slob. Each box is filled with fifteen similar boxes, and all of these are tucked away neatly on a shelf that is behind a vault that only ever opens to let something in.
I can convincingly fake any emotion and go through the motions of being "normal". Like, my manager once told me I seemed happier lately during one of my worst recent episodes. She's incredibly empathetic and good at reading people; I was compensating for my shit mental health with extra external pep and pizazz.
It's overrated.
I'm in therapy and it actively concerns my therapist how hard it is for me to convey genuine emotion. Any true emotion I feel is like an assault on the senses, and I can't control it. I literally have to take an entire day to take care of myself if the vault opens up and real emotion spills out.
I hate it.
I wish I could emote like a normal person.
I think true strength comes from owning how you're feeling.

We had this with one of our cats and our first dog.
The cat was severely ill. His kidneys were dying. With the right medication, he could have lived for about three more years. But he was vomiting constantly, totally incontinent, and rapidly losing weight. The decision was made to euthanize him.
With our dog, he was showing clear signs of severe lethargy and he had this hacking wheeze related to an enlarged heart. He’d stand still for several minutes straight and not respond to us at all. We made an appointment to take him is for a check up, but we knew that a 13 year old cockapoo showing these signs meant the end was coming. We were prepared to euthanize him if it came down to it.
He died of a heart attack two days before his vet appointment.
Pets are not forever. They’re real creatures with a finite lifespan. It’s better for them to go out in peace than struggle until their body gives out.

Honestly, in my experience, the best gift is something personal. I try to think about conversations I’ve had with people and the experiences we’ve shared through the year, and that’s my launching off point. I actively avoid hobbies, due to not usually knowing enough to confidently gift them anything.
Like, my friend loves hedgehogs. I’ve gotten them a few different hedgehog-themed items over the years. One of the first experiences I’ve had with a new friend was at a cafe, and they ordered a taro latte just to try. They love boba and scented candles. I found a taro boba scented candle off Etsy. One of my friends has repeatedly commented on my mug hoard, so I bought them a mug similar to the one they always choose at my place.
Even if it misses, it’s still appreciated and shows you put active thought into them.
And, ultimately, your friends and family will be grateful for anything you gift them (or, should, at least).

Good dark roast is typically made of a robusta/Arabica blend and is usually split-batched to keep it even or dried slightly beforehand to help it get darker faster.
French roast, generally, is the “throw it in a pot and burn the shit out of it” variety. Other dark roasts aren’t typically like French roast.
Like, look at Peet’s Arabian Mocha Java. It’s a dark roast that’s smooth and slightly sweet. The smoky notes are subtle, and the cocoa helps balance everything. It’s been roasted long enough to draw out a deeper flavor, while still maintaining a mild body.
Generally speaking as well, if you notice “froth” or bubbles on top of your coffee, it’s a pretty good sign that your coffee is of high quality and the beans were properly taken care of during the preparation process.

Exactly. Never buy people things for their hobby unless they ask for it or you know the brands they use.
I craft and do make up. People are so sweet to give me supplies, but it’s never stuff I can actually use.