u/Competitive_World_27

Title says it all, really. I was being abused by my high school sweetheart for almost five years, and even when I finally realised it was abuse I thought I wouldn’t have the strength to leave. Thanks to encouragement from a domestic violence hotline and some lovely people here (huge thank you to u/kesha_paul who helped me a lot) I did the hardest thing I’ve ever done and left him.

It was not easy even once I had left. I wanted to call him so badly, the memories of the good times kept flashing through my mind, and some days all I wanted was to be in his arms again. But now I couldn’t be more glad that I was brave enough to take the leap and listen to the part of me that knew I didn’t deserve to be treated like shit.
Now the panic attacks have subsided, I can see things clearly again and my mental health is the best it’s been in a long, long time. I have time to myself and to spend with my friends, there’s no one shouting at me or trying to control me in any way. I feel so free and happy and as if the world has colour again.

I thought I would share a positive story of how I made it out in the hopes that if you’re weighing up if you should try or not, you can see that for me it’s the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. I wish all of you strength no matter where you are in your journey, and much love to you all 🩷

I used to have mild anorexia that I just about kept under control until it faded away a few years ago, and I gained weight such that I am at the top of what is healthy. But the other day my neighbour’s son said “I can’t hear you over those thighs!’ and now I feel so disgusting and fat. I know he didn’t mean to hurt me, he just doesn’t know the line between joking and insulting yet. But I haven’t been able to get it out of my head. Everyone says children tell the honest truth. Is this what people think of me? I want to restrict so bad.

I’ve been a mild hoarder almost all my life; it started when I moved countries as a young child and was exacerbated when my memory issues became severe and I worried I would forget everything unless I held on to objects that reminded me of those memories.

But as I was dusting my bedroom a week ago, I was suddenly possessed by this trancelike urge to get rid of my stuff. I went through all of my possessions, throwing out six bags of garbage and removing for donation about a hundred books.

I can’t tell you how good it feels; I feel so free and light and finally unashamed. I know many people have far worse hoards than I did, and I can’t speak to that experience. But I thought I would share my story as some encouragement for anyone who’s hoping to make a change. There is always hope; I wish everyone reading this strength and determination <3

I have a swim test for school in a week that I need to pass but my symptoms are really bad and my doctor won’t let me try meds in time. I’m thinking I’ll just mainline salt and electrolyte drinks in the time leading up, but is it better to rest or to exercise gradually before the test? I’ll stay in the cold and not outside in the heat but I don’t know what the best way is to keep things under control when the deadline is so near. Does anyone have any other advice?

I just went to check my grades again and got ‘invalid sign on time’ error. Does anyone know what that means or how to fix it? I’ve been checking a bit obsessively so is it maybe that I’ve checked too much?