u/Substantial_Lead_346

Lately I feel I do most of nothing all day. I make myself walk the dog. I cook a little. I stretch and I go outside and sit in the sun… but I often reach for my phone or the TV.

I get obsessed with things easily. I call it an addictive personality. My therapist told me without me asking that I have ADHD. I already know I have OCD from a previous diagnosis. I don’t like these boxes and I think they can confine me into staying that way. I think I can change or at least use it for my own good. I’ve gotten addicted to things in the past and the only thing that seemed to help was complete removal. I’d rather not have to do that with everything I deem more bad than good. I was obsessed with US politics when I was young. I moved abroad. I was no longer around constant US politics. Moved back to the US and no longer care for it. I barely keep up with it and when I rarely do look into something I’m not SO emotionally invested. I used to drink a lot. I quit for 6 months many years ago. It quickly turned into a year. I got into it again due to the social circles at work, and again quit and it’s been a couple years and I have more control now. I’ll have a drink every few months or so. I am addicted to screens. Phone and Tv. Nothing but extreme things help. I had a flip phone for 6 months. It helped a lot. But it’s unsustainable. I had no TV for a bit. It was nice. But I live alone, I need a TV sometimes.

I’ve also used this for good before. I got obsessed with my finances and became really financially well versed. I got obsessed with traveling and finding little spots no one knew about, had some incredible experiences. I got obsessed with dog training, I now have a well trained dog. Years ago, I got obsessed with exercising, I became very fit. I let it go due to a relationship and got injured at work. But now that old knowledge is helping me heal my body. I also got way too invested in that relationship obviously if I dropped a big hobby of mine for it. We dated for years and I wouldn’t say I was obsessed with him but overly invested for sure.

So how do I start using this addictive quality of mine for more good than bad? Anyone else have similar experience?

How do I change my habits and be more productive?
I live alone, I just have my dog, I’m healing from a spine injury, I am trying to move abroad and sell my house but I want better habits going forward

**medication is not an option. It goes against my beliefs.

For 6 months to a few years, I’d like to go live somewhere different. Please suggest places that you think fit me.
•I lived in East Asia for a couple years so I know what it’s like to adjust to a culture completely different to my own. I am from the US.
•I’ve always wanted to learn Spanish. I have studied on and off for years and not been able to become proficient. So immersion in a Spanish speaking country would be great!
•I’ve always wanted to live in Italy. My family is from Puglia. So southern Italy would be lovely too.
•I am open to anywhere. Just throwing out the Spanish and Italy interests.
•I am studying to be a marine biologist and I want to live somewhere with warm water and coral reefs.
•I would like to get my PADI diving certifications, starting at open-water and working up. It will help me do the work I want in the future so this is important.
•I have a 80lb friendly but anxious at times dog that will accompany me. We walk daily so a walkable place is a must!
•I am the outdoors type. I do not like being in big cities or indoors for too long. I’d rather be in nature.
•I am a young woman so no cultural norm of regular harassment
•I make about 5K a month after taxes. I’d like to be able to save a lot though. I’ve recently had my life fall apart and lost a lot of money after years of saving. A life lesson I’m so grateful for!

Okay that’s everything… travelers who have seen such different parts of the world, help me find where to go!! 🌸🌊

Update: Thank you all so much for the suggestions. I am looking into all of them diligently 🥲🌸

I am looking into living into Costa Rica for at least 6 months. I’ve always wanted to live there but don’t want to make the permanent immigration jump without testing the waters first.

I’m getting my degree in Marine Biology. I have a bit to go still. I plan to finish it out online. I plan to go to dive school while in CR to add to my resume when I get done with my degree. It’ll help with landing field assignments after I graduate.

I am trying to figure out the job situation, and based on that where I will live. I am hoping to find something marine related, but willing to work remote online if I have to. Any remote job recommendations? Or marine opportunities anyone knows of? 🌊

I’m bringing my dog so I want to live somewhere that’s dog friendly, walkable, near the ocean (obviously😂), some health care if needed for me and the dog nearby ( we don’t need consistent care or anything like that so we don’t need a whole mega center of healthcare. Just a good vet and doctor.)

I am learning Spanish but I am not good YET! I grew up around Spanish so I understand more than I can speak. But I am trying to learn!! I’ve taken Spanish college classes these past two semesters to prep for this move.

Hello I am looking into living into Costa Rica for at least 6 months. I’ve always wanted to live there but don’t want to make the permanent immigration jump without testing the waters first.

I’m getting my degree in Marine Biology. I have a bit to go still. I plan to finish it out online. I plan to go to dive school while in CR to add to my resume when I get done with my degree. It’ll help with landing field assignments after I graduate.

I am trying to figure out the job situation, and based on that where I will live. I am hoping to find something marine related, but willing to work remote online if I have to.

I’m bringing my dog so I want to live somewhere that’s dog friendly, walkable, near the ocean (obviously😂), some health care if needed for me and the dog nearby ( we don’t need consistent care or anything like that so we don’t need a whole mega center of healthcare. Just a good vet and doctor.)

Addition: I am learning Spanish but I am not good yet! I grew up around Spanish so I understand more than I can speak. But I am trying to learn!! I’ve taken some Spanish classes in college these past two semesters to prep for this move.

TDLR: 85lb 4 y/o dog on 3 hr flight. Can’t drive there. Have to fly. Any advice or alternatives for dog’s safety?

Life blew up and me and my dog are good but a lot of changes have to be made. Plan is to go travel to a different country and live there for at least 6 months. It’ll help me with my career field. Things needed for stability are figured out as I have had plenty time to think about this. But I am worried about my dog. I take her traveling with me already but not to different countries, just long road trips and camping. I have talked to the vet. My dog is 4 years old and healthy to fly. I have the requirements and timelines for vaccinations for her to get in the country figured out just fine with my vet.

So what’s the problem? The country I want to go to is a 3 hour direct flight away if I drive down to the nearest airport. I cannot drive to our destination as it is over the ocean. All the flights I can find coming out of anywhere will only let her be in the cargo since she’s a 85lb dog. The dog friendly private airline flights are 10K+ and I cannot reasonably afford that. It would take too much away from our emergency funds.

I am minimizing the flight time (3HRS) by driving to the closest airport in my country. Is there anything else I can do? I am really worried about her being under the plane because of the horror stories. Can’t believe they don’t have a better solution for this stuff by now.

Hey, so my sweet girl was picked up at the pound my sweet grandparent who has since passed. I took her in after they got too ill to take care of her. She was dumped alone at a gas station in a box as a puppy before the pound picked her up.

I believe she is a purebred bloodhound. She has all the traits except the red under eye. She has deep set eyes just without the droop. Breeders these days that care purposefully breed for the eyes that don’t droop since it is healthier for the dogs. There aren’t many breeders in my state. I thought about calling and asking, but I don’t know how we would tell if she was one of theirs.

So I am considering getting an embark test to see any possible relatives.

Given the main objective of finding the breeder, what do you think I can do? Thank you bunches!!