u/Mysterious-Image-565

Hey everyone,

I started Zoloft on January 5th this year and just hit 6 months. I wanted to share an update because things have gotten so much better.

The first improvements started around month 2–3, and it kept getting better every month after that. Now at 6 months I genuinely feel alive and happy. I can enjoy small things again — conversations, video games, music, coffee, podcasts, going outside, and just being alive. It’s hard to describe, but life doesn’t feel heavy and soul-crushing anymore.

My depression was really severe before. I had zero pleasure in anything, everything felt pointless, and I was even thinking about suicide as a last resort. That version of me feels so far away now.

I’m only on 50mg and the change has been massive. I don’t need weed, alcohol, or anything else to feel okay. I’m just… content. I wish I had started this medication years ago, but I’m grateful I started when I did.

Thank you science, and thank you Zoloft. This medication gave me my life back.

If you’re struggling in the early months — keep going. It can get so much better.

Hello everyone,

I am a 30-year-old guy living and working in Kaunas, Lithuania , and I am deeply committed to self-improvement, health, and expanding my horizons.

For the past several years, my life has been incredibly quiet and isolated. I focused heavily on stability, and survival, but it left me with a deep sense of loneliness. I’ve realized that while success is great, it means nothing if you don't have a partner to share it with. I am completely ready to break out of this isolation and find the love of my life.

About Me:

• My Background: I am a migrant from the Middle East, but I am an ex-Muslim. Leaving my past religion was a deeply personal, philosophical journey that shaped who I am today. Because of this, my worldview is grounded in logic, compassion, and free thought.
• My Lifestyle: 100% vegan. I love animals deeply (I’m currently hoping to adopt a cat soon!) and find immense peace in nature, walking by the river, and exploring the animal kingdom.
• Personality: I am an analytical thinker, direct, honest, and fiercely loyal. I am a protector by nature. I don't play mind games and I value clear, adult communication above everything else.

What I Am Looking For:
I am looking for a serious, long-term relationship that leads to a life partnership.

• The Ideal Match: I would deeply love to connect with an ex-Muslim woman (whether you are in Europe or anywhere else in the world, as I am fully open to long-distance initially and helping you relocate eventually). Sharing that specific cultural and philosophical background means we will truly understand each other’s journeys.
• Core Values: I am looking for someone who is compassionate, animal-loving, kind, and ready to build a quiet, stable, and deeply loving home together.
• Age Range: Ideally between 23 and 33.

If you are a woman who is tired of superficial connections, values loyalty and financial/emotional stability, and wants a partner who will completely commit to you and protect you, please send me a DM. Tell me a bit about your journey, your lifestyle, and what you’re looking for.

Let's start as friends, see if our values align, and build something beautiful from there.

(Note: I speak fluent English, but my Lithuanian is still a work in progress!)

Throughout my life I have deleted my Facebook account more than 15 times, changed my phone number, went distant, discontinued communication, pushed people away, judged people or got paranoid and quit volunteering positions, jobs and so on.

I have been on medications for the last 3 years and I feel better and have less delusions, but I still struggle in dealing with people or trying to make friendships that last.

I always find something wrong about somebody and then deduce that this person is bad and that I must block or cut them off completely.

I am starting to have thoughts that tell me that I will never make friends or even understand what a friend even means.

I am totally isolated and spend months and months alone without communicating.

What should I know or do? The psychiatrist is considering adding one more medication to make me social and develop connections.

I can't live like this, man! I have been isolated for years now and my mind is starting to get deteriorated and lose cognition abilities.

HELP

Thanks

Throughout my life I have deleted my Facebook account more than 15 times, changed my phone number, went distant, discontinued communication, pushed people away, judged people or got paranoid and quit volunteering positions, jobs and so on.

I have been on medications for the last 3 years and I feel better and have less delusions, but I still struggle in dealing with people or trying to make friendships that last.

I always find something wrong about somebody and then deduce that this person is bad and that I must block or cut them off completely.

I am starting to have thoughts that tell me that I will never make friends or even understand what a friend even means.

I am totally isolated and spend months and months alone without communicating.

What should I know or do? The psychiatrist is considering adding one more medication to make me social and develop connections.

Thanks

Edit: I just want to add that I am feeling happy and sad at the same time. Everything else in my life is going well except having people around, and I think no matter how good your life is, you will never enjoy it or live it to the fullest if you had to spend it only by yourself.

Hey guys,

​I’m (30M) supposed to meet up with a guy from Grindr tonight who lives in the city center. He’s a total bear, seems super chill, nice, and communicates really openly. He’s actually told me he’s anxious about STDs too and rarely hooks up, which makes me feel a bit better.

​He explicitly said he doesn’t want to do anal for the first meetup. His ideal vibe is kissing, cuddling, sucking, rimming, and handjobs.

​I really want to take the step, go out, and have fun, but my brain keeps throwing up health anxiety roadblocks (specifically regarding HIV and Hep C) and I need a reality check from you guys to calm down.

​Here is my plan to keep it safe:

​For Oral/Rimming: No condoms for oral, but I am absolutely NOT swallowing his cum. I’m going to ask him to pull out and finish on my chest/stomach/dick. I know pre-cum happens, but I'm trying not to overthink it.

​If Anal Happens Anyway: I told him I wanted to, and he said "maybe." I've already douched and prepped just in case. He has a bit of a unique anatomical shape (thinner shaft but a larger, flared head), so if we do it, I’m bringing standard condoms, using a ton of lube, and making sure he holds the base when withdrawing so it doesn't slip off.

​Mechanically, I know I've thought this through. I know the risk for HIV/Hep C from outercourse, oral, and skin contact is basically zero. I know condoms work. But the anxiety is still lingering, telling me "what if the condom breaks?" or "what if his cum touches my skin?"

​I’ve realized this date has three main anxieties: 1) Will we accept each other’s flaws (I have tattoos, wear some makeup, and I'm a bit chubby/bearish myself), 2) Will we actually enjoy the sex, and 3) Safety.

​Honestly, I know if we don't vibe or the sex is awkward, we just go our separate ways. No big deal. So safety is the only thing left sticking in my mind.

​Am I overthinking this? Are these boundaries safe enough for me to just go out, relax, and enjoy the night? Would love some reassurance or advice from anyone who has dealt with this kind of hookup anxiety. Thanks, bros.

Hey bros,

I’m a walking bear starter pack: chubby belly, very hairy ass and body, stretch marks that look like I lost a fight with a tiger, and teeth that are slowly turning into corn kernels despite my best efforts.

I’ve accepted my fate and stopped shaving. I’ve even added some very honest nudes to my album. But every time I’m about to send them I have a little voice in my head going “bro… they’re gonna run.”

I watch bear porn and see guys who look like me getting absolutely railed and worshipped, so logically I know there’s hope… but emotionally I’m still convinced I’m undateable.

Be honest with me: Is there actual Grindr hope for a hairy, chubby guy with stretch marks and questionable teeth? Or should I just accept my destiny as a forever alone cryptid?

Send help (or dick pics, I’m not picky).

Hey guys,

I’m a pretty hairy guy — especially on my ass, butt cheeks, and legs. I used to shave everything, but I’m honestly tired of it and I’ve stopped. I recently took some nudes showing my natural hairy body and added them to my Grindr album.

The problem is I still feel ashamed and hesitant to send them. I keep worrying that a hairy ass (and hairy dick area) is unattractive or a turn-off for most guys.

So I wanted to ask: Are a lot of guys turned off by a hairy ass? Or are there actually plenty of people who like it or don’t mind it?

I just want to feel more confident showing the real me instead of hiding it.

Thanks!

Hey everyone,

I started smoking at 15, and I’m 30 now. Even though it’s been 15 calendar years, I’ve quit several times before, so my actual active smoking time is about 10.5 years and roughly 7–7.5 pack years.

I’m about to quit again (this time for good), but I keep having these scary thoughts that I’m already too damaged and that I won’t get to live a long, healthy life. I know these thoughts are common when quitting, but they’re hitting me hard.

I also struggle with depression and lack of motivation when I quit. I’m on antidepressants, but smoking has been my emotional numb button for years, so it’s really difficult to let go.

Anyone else who quit in their late 20s or early 30s with a similar history — how has your health and energy been after 1, 2, or 5 years smoke-free? Did you manage to get most of your life back?

Any encouragement or real experiences would mean a lot right now.

Thanks ❤️

I am a 30-year-old independent individualist living in Lithuania, born in Libya, looking to connect with a solid, genuine person for a true one-on-one friendship. I am entirely done with group dynamics, identity politics, and collective drama. I operate strictly on a horizontal, equal footing—I don’t want anyone above me, and I don't want anyone under me.

I am looking for a real peer. Someone who has genuine self-respect, carries themselves with high morality, and knows how to listen and communicate directly.

What I am looking for:

• True Platonic Friendship: Strictly clean, respectful, text-to-voice/video communication. Zero interest in hookup culture, casual sex talk, or transactional interactions.
• Independent Minds: I don't belong to any cultural, religious, or political groups, and I am not looking to debate them. I value open-minded people who respect human dignity and don't bring hostility or ideological baggage to the table.
• Mutual Support: Someone who is nice, genuinely cares, and wants to get to know each other as individuals while helping each other grow and stay focused on the next step in life.

A little about me: I value discipline, logic, and self-reliance. I wake up early, keep a structured daily routine, and spend my time focused on technical projects, webmaster work, Linux systems, and forward-looking goals. I communicate exclusively in English.

To bypass the typical online guessing games, I value total transparency. I am happy to trade a clean, straightforward photo early on so we both know exactly who we are talking to.

If you are a direct, moral person who is also tired of the fakes and wants to build a genuine, 1:1 text or video-chat connection based on mutual value and substance, send me a message. Please introduce yourself with more than just a "hey"—let me know what caught your eye in this post.

I’m a 30-year-old omnisexual non-binary person and asylum seeker living in Lithuania (eastern Europe).

I’ve been trying to connect with the local LGBT community since 2021, but I’ve consistently felt excluded. The spaces here feel very white-dominated, and even when there are other foreigners, they often seem to stick to white Lithuanians for social validation. As someone with Arab features and visible tattoos, I’ve never really been welcomed or included in events, Pride activities, or queer centers — despite them claiming to be open to everyone.

I’m not trying to paint all LGBT people with the same brush, but after 5 years of repeated experiences, I’m starting to feel discouraged. It sometimes feels like these organizations use inclusive language mostly for funding and visibility, but don’t actually put in the effort to include non-white or immigrant queer people.

I’m wondering — is this a common experience in other countries too? Do many of you feel that LGBT spaces can be cliquey, racist, or unwelcoming toward people of color or immigrants?

Looking for honest perspectives. Thanks.

Imagine this: A police officer in Egypt opens an investigation, hunts someone down, arrests them — all because they are not heterosexual. Then the court actually prosecutes them and sends them to prison… simply for having sex with someone of the same gender.

In 2026.

I’ve been living in Europe for years now, and sometimes I still get shocked by how different the reality is in some Arab countries. Here, being gay is just a normal part of life. You can date, have sex, hold hands, kiss in public, go to gay clubs, whatever — as long as you’re not hurting anyone. If someone harasses you for your orientation, they can get in trouble.

I’m not trying to brag. I’m just genuinely baffled. How does a society in this day and age justify putting people in prison for who they love?

Would love to hear thoughts from both Arabs living in the region and those in the diaspora. How do you process this gap?

مرحبا،

أنا شاب عربي queer عمري 30 سنة، حالياً أعيش في أوروبا. أتابع هذا ال subreddit من فترة وأنا فضولي جداً أعرف كيف هي حياة المثليين وال queer العرب.

تربيت في بيئة محافظة ولم يكن لدي فرصة أتعرف على المجتمع الميم في بلدي. بدأت أستكشف هويتي بشكل أكبر بعد ما جئت إلى أوروبا، وما زلت أتعلم كثير.

أود أن أسمع منكم عن:

• كيف هي مشاهد الميم في البلدان العربية؟ هل فيه اختلاط أو لقاءات سرية في المدن؟
• كيف يتعارف الناس ويساعدون بعضهم؟
• هل الأمر يبقى سري جداً داخل دائرة صغيرة؟
• هل تعيشون بخوف يومي من التعرض أم الأمر ليس بهذه الصعوبة؟

ليست غايتي التعارف أو أي شيء رومانسي/جنسي، أريد فقط حوار صادق وفهم تجاربكم.

شكراً لكم مسبقاً، وخليكم آمنين ❤️

Hey everyone,

I’m a 30-year-old queer guy from the Arab world currently living in Lithuania. I’ve been here for 10 years, and I’m feeling quite isolated. I’m looking to connect with other Arab queer people for friendship and real conversations.

I’m not looking for anything romantic or sexual right now — just genuine friends to talk with, share experiences, and maybe build a small circle. I’m open to chatting in Arabic or English.

If you’re from the Arab world (or have Arab roots) and would like to connect, feel free to message me. I’m happy to start slow and see if we click.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Take care ❤️

Hi there!

So, 3 years ago, I tattooed my face on the forehead, cheeks, and under my eyes with black/bluish ink. After a while, I stopped wanting to go out with them, and a friend of mine suggested that I use makeup. She tried to show me how to do it. Her approach was to apply a light concealer over the tattoos and then foundation. I tried doing that at home, and the tattoos still showed up underneath the makeup after I tapped with the sponge. So, what I kept doing was to put extra foundation and not tap it on the area of the tattoos. It wasn't perfect because the tattooed area becomes muddy and dark after the foundation dries, but that's what I have been doing for 2 and a half years. Yesterday I learned a new method, which was to apply a sticky color corrector (NYX - Dark Peach) that matches my skin tone, then apply setting spray, and then apply foundation. The method works, but somehow I think I am applying a complicated approach, and that maybe there is a proper way to do it?

Also, before I tried applying the skin matching color corrector, I tried another color corrector that is also called an Eraser by Maybelline, but it was darker and more peachy than my skin tone, and it doesn't dry out and gets mixed with the foundation, making a whole reddish mess.

Please help! I can't live without makeup.

EDIT: Thanks to the people focusing on technique rather than just telling me to throw money at the problem. To the comments claiming L'Oréal, Max Factor, and Maybelline are just "cheap drugstore products" that can't work—you are missing the point. High-end brands are often owned by the exact same parent labs; you don't need a €50 specialty cake-makeup to get results if you actually understand color theory and application mechanics. Skill and chemistry beat brand snobbery every time.

I am a foreigner living in Lithuania for the last 10 years, an omnisexual non binary person. I don't have friends at the moment because I got ostracized by my own people for undisclosed reasons (I can tell you about them in private). I like to be reciprocal, meaning I don't want this to be one-sided, where I listen to you and share your pain, but you wouldn't share mine. I believe that life is about problem-solving more than it is about enjoying. However I do like to enjoy my time and I am a very happy person in general.

I am on 50mg Zoloft every night at 9PM for 5 months now, and I am so happy because of it. However, my new psychiatrist told me yesterday that Zoloft should be taken in the morning and not at night, so he told me to take my pill after the appointment, so I took it at 5PM and was planning to take the next pill the next day in the morning.

After taking the pill at 5PM I felt very bad anxiety. My body was restless, my thoughts were racing. It felt like getting a bad trip from smoking weed. I have derealization, so it got mixed with anxiety, and I had a really rough evening. It took like 4 hours for the anxiety to go away. And it felt like coming out of a really bad trip.

The psychiatrist said that if taking the pill early in the day is making me over stimulated then I could switch back to taking it in the evening. At least that's what I remember him saying.

So I am warning you guys out there with my experience, and I also have two questions:

Am I losing the benefit of Zoloft if I take it before sleep like I am doing now?
Could my happiness be caused by other factors instead of Zoloft? Because I am extremely happy and satisfied during the day.

Many thanks!