I lost myself. I married someone who slowly whittled me down to nothing over ten years.
I am divorcing him. It’s been five months since I just didn’t go home. It’s been really hard, hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I’m coming back to life slowly.
I can’t wait to see who I become.
Badass.
Same, but I didn’t marry them. I became nearly completely useless. Lost almost all friends, hobbies, work, goals, dreams, and even desire. I couldn’t recognize myself in the mirror. Coming back has been incredibly difficult since I didn’t trust anyone to guide me nor myself. How do you get somewhere without direction? Lately, I think I’m on the right track, but I will never be my old self and that’s okay. My old self got me in that situation, so the new one will be better.
Below are three songs that I found validating during these times. Two are in English and one is in Spanish. If you don’t speak Spanish, I would happily translate the lyrics for you; just let me know.
Ren and Chinchilla
The Big Push
Residente
The ability to relax. I have a special needs child who constantly screams at us. We have no respite because none of our relatives are willing to deal with him anymore. All of his therapies and medical bills have nearly bankrupt me. My wife is suffering from PTSD because of it. We are on every waiting list for state resources but so far nothing.
Even as I tried to write this comment, I had to stop what I was doing because my wife went to the bathroom, and my son decided to yell at her because she left a pot on the stove.
I am completely incapable of relaxing anymore. If I do get a chance I’ll just be racked with intrusive thoughts. Like last night I was watching Stranger Things and when I saw a kid on there with braces, all I could think was, “I need to get my son braces. But since he can’t handle someone touching his face, it is going to be a nightmare. He’s 13 and I still have to monitor his teethbrushing, who knows how much it will suck with braces. It will also be way more expensive because we’ll have to sedate him, for every appointment” Then I spiral down from there. This is just one small example.
I’m in therapy and on meds for it. And so is my wife. I wish I lived in a state with legal marijuana because it’s the only thing I’ve found that will actually help me relax. At this point we are actually considering selling our house, so we can afford to send him to a boarding school that is designed for kids like him. And maybe then we can get some respite.
Man that’s rough, I feel for you. I’m also on a waiting list for support for my kid. Some days are better than others but it can be really tough. Sorry to hear you’re going through that.
Thanks and same to you.
Inclination to trust people after an abuse of loyalty.
I saw a classmate who didn’t appear to have any friends, and I felt bad for them, so I started sitting next to them at the dinner tables and we quickly became friends. I’d only known them for maybe two weeks at most, when they suddenly demanded a large sum of money from me, money which I neither had at the time, and a transaction that my family would not have approved of. I politely declined their request, and their whole personality changed after that.
They got jealous whenever I was talking with my other friends. They started to send me aggressive messages, and started to spread rumours about me, rumours which were not believed due to my good standing with everyone, lack of evidence, and also because of how bizarre they were. I even had people come up to me and tell me, "Elaine, they’re making up stuff about you, what’s going on?"I believe they may have gotten expelled because a few days later they stopped showing up to school.
I think with time it’ll get better, but I’m going to be at least a little suspicious of people. Time will tell.
I haven’t genuinely enjoyed myself in so long, that’s something I think I may have lost. I have no idea how I’ll get it back.
Are you open to people making binding suggestions? Like committo try random stuff people offer and try everything out so you have an opportunity to recalibrate or reorient?
If so may I submit the following: mushrooms
Supposing I were into drugs (not saying I’m not), my options feel limited since there are doubts that my medically challenged body would take it well.
Does the fish give you a good high? They’re easily accessible in Canada but even outside the spores are often legal if you’re down for a project.
Yes, and I’ve done a variant of this. I do a lot of art and lately have been trying a little of every art medium. Sketches, digital art, chalk art, tattooing, baking cakes, crop circles, etc. When I stop doing something, it’s like my emotional focus turns off though.
Lost my wallet yesterday. Already canceled and got new replacement cards coming in.
I didn’t realize how easy it was going to be getting a replacement drivers license. I was fretting having to schedule an appointment.
Faith in humanity
Die
My motivation. I’m not sure yet
I lost my health along the way. Two days ago,I fell ill with a cold. I can only hope that resting in bed right now will allow me to regain what I once had…
