u/DoubleRaspberry3936

Hi all 🤍

I’ve got hair down to my tailbone, it spends all its time in oiled braids bc I can’t take care of it. All the “energy” I do have goes to hair maintenance (Currently bed-bound, with my carer doing washes).

The logical choice is to chop it, go short or shave it.

But that feels like giving up. I keep telling myself “but when u get better you’ll want ur hair” most likely, there is no getting better.

My hair means so much to me. Part of my childhood abuse was my hair being forcibly cut short - it being this long means a lot to me. Cutting it would be freeing but also triggering. I don’t want to feel that grief on top of the grief I already feel.

Suggestions? Thoughts?
Thank you.

Hi all,

I’m looking for book recommendations that have helped you navigate or process any aspect of living with your chronic illness.

I am open to different genres / styles, depending on what resonated with you.

For example, I’m looking for:

• The Medical/System Side: Books that helped u better understand the science, the healthcare system, or the realities of navigating diagnosis.

• The Psychological/Coping Side: Books (or memoirs) that provided actual mental framing, comfort, or psychological support for adjusting to a life with health limitations.

• Fiction or Metaphors: Novels, fantasy, or sci-fi that served as a beautiful metaphor for chronic illness or disability, or simply lifted your spirits and made you feel seen without using toxic positivity

If a book genuinely changed your perspective or gave you comfort on a rough day, please drop the title and a quick sentence on how it helped you.

TIA <3