u/Horror_Speaker_5160

Looking for smoothies that have a high amount of veggies but still taste good. I want to increase my intake of vegetables but have sensory issues with textures.

Tdlr: my life is a mess but I want to start a business from my art

I’ve been wanting to turn my art into a career my whole life. I went to art school for animation and graduated a year and a half ago. I’m 23F and am currently struggling with what to do with my life. For context I have adhd and autism so I really struggle with stuff sometimes. My mental health is not doing so great right now so overall I’m a mess. I’ve been trying out some adhd meds for the first time but my insurance is being a pain about it rn. I work a part time retail job that’s causing me to burn out even more. I’m being kicked off some of my parents insurance soon so thats going to add even more stress. How does getting insurance work if you’re self employed anyhow?? The job market is so miserable to even look at that I don’t even try looking for a job in my field. Everything is ai this and ai that, and I don’t want to train ai or use it in my creative process!!

So… things are not looking great.

BUT I WANT TO DO THIS

My main goals are: to start up an online shop for my art, figure out how to market myself, start a monthly mail club that sends out art and writing excerpts. I want to publish books one day as I am also an aspiring author so I want to use online presence/ mail club/ website to help build up lore and create an interested following in my work so when I do publish I have an audience already.

What I want to sell includes:
Stickers, prints, hand bound sketch/note books, maybe products with my art on them?? Thinking the basics like postcards, mugs, etc?? Unclear about that part but I know putting your art on everyday items helps to sell more apparently. And maybe little clay trinkets as I love sculpting.

I know that’s a lot so starting with stickers and prints is going to be the best first step?

I’m planning to make my website with readymag right now as I felt creatively limited using square space and don’t like wix. I’m all over the place though.

I know my life isn’t going to magically improve or that my adhd isn’t going to ever go away but I know if I keep waiting for the right moment that it’ll never come. So I’m looking for advice, how did you get started? And especially, if you’re like me and struggling mentally, how did you find the strength/motivation to get this done?

How do I achieve my dreams when the world is so against me?

I went to art school with the knowledge that it could burn me out. And unfortunately it did. I graduated with a degree in animation a year and a half ago.

I struggle with mental health and college made that worse, I was really going through it my senior year. Then after graduating I got diagnosed with autism and adhd. Turns out it wasn’t just depression lol. I’m trying out adhd meds but that’s gonna take a bit to find a good one for me. I haven’t really touched my drawing tablet in a while. Aside from the occasional doodle. The idea of creating a fully rendered drawing is exhausting to me. I started to only draw and produce art for assignments when I was in school.

I recently upgraded my drawing tablet to a screened one and am really trying to get back into art. I want this to be a full time career. My current job is burning me out bc it’s retail so I’m tired all the time.

Anyways I’m getting back into drawing but I’m finding that I don’t know who I am anymore when it comes to art. I want to evolve my art style but I don’t know where to start. I’m rusty I guess?

Tdlr: what are some things I can do to regain my confidence and ability after taking a break from my art?

I went to art school with the knowledge that it could burn me out. And unfortunately it did. I graduated with a degree in animation a year and a half ago.

I struggle with mental health and college made that worse, I was really going through it my senior year. Then after graduating I got diagnosed with autism and adhd. Turns out it wasn’t just depression lol. I’m trying out adhd meds but that’s gonna take a bit to find a good one for me. I haven’t really touched my drawing tablet in a while. Aside from the occasional doodle. The idea of creating a fully rendered drawing is exhausting to me. I started to only draw and produce art for assignments when I was in school.

I recently upgraded my drawing tablet to a screened one and am really trying to get back into art. I want this to be a full time career. My current job is burning me out bc it’s retail so I’m tired all the time.

Anyways I’m getting back into drawing but I’m finding that I don’t know who I am anymore when it comes to art. I want to evolve my art style but I don’t know where to start. I’m rusty I guess?

Tdlr: what are some things I can do to regain my confidence and ability after taking a break from my art?

I’m just confused… what is considered a normal period? I’m mostly asking about pain levels. I feel like period pain has been so normalized that I always thought I was within “normal cramps” level and that was that. I’m not dying or anything. I just sometimes feel like I am lol. But I can’t tell if I’m being dramatic.

I think I have bad period cramps though. But when I look up what a normal period is it says that normal period pain ranges from 1-6 on the pain scale. Idk how to number mine is honestly. 6 seems high for that to be normal pain to me though? I guess duration also plays into it.

Anyways can some people with normal healthy periods describe what they feel like in the comments? I’d really appreciate insight from people who don’t have any issues with theirs. Do you experience pain and you just deal with it easily? Is it just supposed to be “mild discomfort” or is pain really just normal?

I’m really tired.

I struggle to brush my teeth routinely and it’s not great. I’ve been looking to get an electric toothbrush for a while as I’ve never had one before. I keep getting ads online for this thing called the autobrush- it’s a u-shaped brush and apparently helps brush your teeth easier. It says it’s designed with neurodivergent people in mind. Taking recs from ads on Instagram is a little risky sometimes I think so I’m not sure. It does sound appealing but at the same time idk if I should just go with a traditionally shaped toothbrush.

I’m also terrible at flossing regularly and wearing my retainer. I want to do these things but it’s just hard for some reason. I do use a strawberry toothpaste made for adults and kids which does help a little since the mint flavor of a lot of adult toothpastes is so strong. I want my teeth to be healthy and look nice ofc. They’re a little yellow and I’d like them to be a bit lighter someday too. I’ve considering getting a waterpik too one day? That seems easier than flossing.

I want some other opinions on this since it’s a little expensive to buy. Thanks!

What the doctors I’ve seen have basically said. My primary care doctor at a yearly appt seemed surprised I brought endo up bc it means I’d have to get surgery done to be diagnosed and that’s crazy that I would want that. And don’t get me wrong, I don’t *want* surgery, but it’s a possibility I’m considering once other testing has been done. I’m 22F and there’s a strong possibility I could have endometriosis. Been having some worsening issues for more than a year and I’ve reached the conclusion myself that endo is the most likely thing due to multiple factors.

When I bring it up I get told that birth control will solve my issues. I’m not against going on birth control at all but I’m just hesitant. I don’t want to add another medication to my routine and the potential side effects make me nervous. Also it feels dismissive to be told this over and over again. I am considering doing a trial period but I’m just tired of no answers, of living in this limbo of not knowing what’s wrong.

One reason I would like to know for sure is just a personal preference. I like labels. I like to be put into a box. It makes it easier for me to understand things. Other reason is I know endo can spread and that it acts similar to cancer. I want to know how bad it is if I do have it. I heard birth control helps reduce its progression.

I’m not really interested in having sex and never have before. I think I’m demisexual maybe. I’ve tried masturbating ofc, but anything going inside my vagina makes me feel ill the day after. I want to keep experimenting with that but it hurts. So I don’t have a sexual reason to be on bc.

I’m going to see a different obgyn eventually too but for now I’m in limbo of tracking my symptoms and questioning if there’s even something actually wrong me.

Should I just try birth control for a few months and see what happens?

Long story short: I’ve been thinking of pursuing testing for endo but now I think I’m going to put it off unless things change again. April was a very bad month for me and I feel bad like 75% of the month. The months before that were filled with similar symptoms for about half the month. But these past few months I’ve had tolerable, “regular” periods without many issues and minimal symptoms outside of that week of bleeding too. I haven’t done anything super different I don’t think. I’ve been working a little bit less and I started an adhd medication in May, but other than that nothing is different. I don’t know what I’m doing. I think I’m just going to monitor symptoms and see if things change for the worse again.

For people diagnosed with endo, do you have times where you feel fine? Or is it always bad?

I’m 22 and I just shit my pants 😭😭😭😭

Wtf. Idk if this kind of confession is allowed in this community but I’ve been kinda been having diarrhea today and I thought I had to fart, nuh uh, turns out nope diarrhea. I was sitting down on my bed and it only got on my underwear and slightly through my pants. Not in the bed thank god. Still kinda ew though. I’m flabbergasted. I don’t think I’ve pooped my pants since I imagine I was a kid.

Anyways, needed to tell someone bc ew. I washed out my underwear and spot on my pants with some soap and water but there’s a stain on the underwear now. Hopefully it’ll come out in the wash??

Anyways, they say hot girls have stomach issues and that’s so true <3

Hi! I’m looking for places to get cute swimwear that fits the aesthetics of whimsigoth. My favorite color is purple and I love anything with magical witchy vibes. Celestial, fantasy, nature, etc.

The swimwear I prefer to wear is two piece but not super super revealing. Not bikini style I guess? I’m okay with something that is like a pretty bralette and covers the areas that an average sports bra would. I prefer shorts or skirts for bottoms bc my pubic hair and I find it more comfy. Idk if any of this context matters, but it’s what I usually look for style wise.

Overall, I just want something pretty and that feels me! I find a lot of swimwear is a lot of bright patterns and colors and stripes. And that’s not super me. I want something more unique, as is the rest of my wardrobe.

I’ve struggled with constipation my whole life. I’m 22 now. As a kid I was on MiraLAX because of that up until high school. I also took dulcolex (idk spelling) for a year or two during that time.

I was diagnosed with celiac disease at 8 years old. Treating my celiac did not help my constipation though and it is not one of my symptoms if I get sick. I’m generally very careful with my celiac bc I don’t like jeopardizing my health.

I went off MiraLAX because I thought I was getting better. Also I found it embarrassing throughout my teenage years and had made a goal to wean myself off it by college. I’m done with college and still struggle with constipation. So I started taking it again. Normal dose everyday. It helps mostly.

I know I need more fiber in my diet. I’m neurodivergent and struggle with eating vegetables and am just bad at habitually eating fruit. I know the best way to get fiber in your diet is from everyday meals. I hope to get there eventually. But right now, I can’t do it.

I decided to try fiber bars this month to see if it helps. I stopped taking MiraLAX and have been eating half a bar a day (full bar is 13-14g) and trying to drink more water. It’s helping. I don’t need the MiraLAx if I do this.

My question is do I go back to MiraLAX or keep eating the fiber bars. Which is better for me? Also the fiber bars are more expensive than the MiraLAX so that’s something I have to consider.

I have celiac and recently have been showing some major signs of endo. Not sure if I actually have it but it’s definitely a possibility for multiple reasons.

My question here is for people with both, do you have trouble distinguishing between symptoms for each. I try to be a very good celiac and avoid getting glutened but things happen occasionally. Mostly cases of small CC.

My celiac presents as: joint pain (mostly in knees), stomach cramps, rash on elbows, chest pain, fatigue, brain fog, weird poop, etc.

My possible endometriosis presents as: cramping in the pelvic region, leg pain that radiates down from hips, nausea and lack of appetite, fatigue, pain and more pain, pain with pooping on period and sometimes not on period, constipation, just weird zappy pains in pelvic region, the list goes on.

Some of the symptoms are very similar and I find myself questioning which is causing what. Like right now I am currently in pain. I got glutened on Sunday from I assume cross contamination. It sucked but yesterday I was doing pretty good. Today I feel blehh but it feels more like what I’ve been associating with the “endo” stuff. So idk if I feel bad from Sunday still or if my possible endometriosis presents is flaring up. I’m curious if anyone else is similar to me.

Don’t you love life 🫪

Currently in the process of figuring out if I have endo. I have so many questions, so if you’ve seen my username pop up before hi, it’s me AGAIN lol.

I (22) went to the GI doctor and told her what was going on. She was like “yeah there’s no tests we can really give you to see if you have any gi conditions going on unfortunately” and told me to try the low fodmap diet to see if that helps, then comes back if it doesn’t.

I already have a limited diet because I do have celiac disease and strictly eat gluten free and also lactose free most of the time. Which I’ve are both things I’ve learned can help endometriosis actually.

Also I eat relatively low fodmap already apparently based on a look at the diet. I do want to eat more vegetables and fruit consistently as it’s something o struggle with bc of texture. That’s the main area of my diet that’s deficient.

I’ve had chronic constipation basically my whole life. So that’s not a new issue by any means. I take MiraLAX everyday to help with that and it does for the most part.

I’ve been feeling ill for about half of every month with cramps in mostly the pelvic area but sometimes higher, nausea and without throwing up, lack of appetite, leg pain, pain with pooping (mostly happens during period but sometimes happens not on it too), pain with farting (why??? - also usually a period thing), this zappy lightning kind of pain that I call the triangle of pain lol - this I think is more gi since it happens with gas? And more symptoms yay!

So since I have a condition that affects the gi system, I made sure everything is good with that and it is. I had an endoscopy that looked really good in march. My celiac isn’t causing this. All these symptoms aside from the constipation are newer as are my worsening menstrual issues. They coincide but I know that doesn’t mean they are related necessarily.

Anyways for the actual question!! For those that also have gastrointestinal issues caused by endo, did you pursue testing for things like crohns/uc or other gi conditions before deciding whether or not you wanted a laparoscopy?

Long story short: I’m 22F, always had a history of painful periods but not always too painful. Sometimes they are genuinely not that bad. Other times they are. My main concerns are symptoms that happen while not on my period that feels like I’m on my period. I get a period usually every two months now. Currently don’t meet the criteria for PMOS/PCOS. I feel ill about half the month every month with cramps, lower back pain, nausea, appetite issues, chronic constipation, sometimes leg pain, bloody noses, and back pain. Pain with bowel movements usually only happens actually on my period.

I’m hesitant to do the surgery because it’s… surgery lol. Also scared they won’t find any answers and I’ll be back to square one. I have a maternal aunt who had endo so there’s a little family history.

I still need to find a better doctor to help me, as my current one isn’t a good fit. I did ask about pursuing endo testing and she immediately jumped to surgical consult first. I think I’d like to get some more testing done such as an MRI and things first.

Has anyone else been in this situation? Should I take the risk, even if I might not have endo? Is a larposcopy (how tf is this spelled) covered by insurance usually? Idk what to do and this is scary to navigate.

I called out of work today. It’s the second time this month that I’ve done this. Both times I didn’t really have a “reason” to not go to work. The other thing is that I only work part time, like 20 hours a week usually. That’s not very much. And that only makes me feel more guilty. The shift I called out of today was a 5 hour shift, something I could’ve easily gotten through bc it’s short. It would’ve started at 7 am which is difficult because I’m not a morning person lol. I work in retail, kinda customer facing as I’m out in the store doing markdowns and merchandising but I don’t work registers and tend to avoid speaking to customers lol. I’m a level 1 on the spectrum and recently diagnosed at 22 years old.

Now I do have some job protection through an FMLA due to some physical health issues. Last month I called out 4 days, two of those times were because I was not feeling well BUT I know I could’ve done to work bc the pain wasn’t *that* bad. I feel like I’m abusing my FMLA by calling out more than I really need it. I told my boss when the FMLA started, which was recently, that I probably wouldn’t need to use all the given time so he didn’t need to worry. I’m a people pleaser… but I’m approved to use leave 3 times a month for 3 days each. So technically I haven’t done that but still, I feel guilty.

Today I woke up and felt fine but I couldn’t get out of bed. Time kept ticking and I just laid there. I do have adhd as well. For more context, yesterday I was in the car all day driving home from a 3 day trip. I had meant to ask for today off too, that way I could have a day to “recover” from the trip. I forgot and I have tomorrow off so I thought I’d be fine.

I feel irresponsible and flaky doing this. I get the vibe that my boss doesn’t love the fact that I have an FMLA now. Whenever I call out, I make more work for my team and we’re already a bit overwhelmed bc they cut everyone’s hours due to budget. Idk how to stop doing this. It makes me feel weak and silly that I’m not going to work because I feel… tired, a little depressed, etc?

Please be nice and maybe give me some advice or comment if you’re in a similar situation.