u/__cliterally

Hi all,

I think I might be looking for reassurance mostly, or perhaps for those who might be able to commiserate.

I really, really struggle to maintain my living space from late June - mid/late September. My body does not bode well with heat, doubly so because I’m on psychiatric medication. Oddly enough, my depression exacerbates during the summer season.

I appreciate there are cooler windows - from early morning to late evening - but, even then, the thermostat reads 25 degrees. My appetite is suppressed by the heat, so it isn’t uncommon for me to eat only one small meal a day in summer months. I’m in a maisonette on the highest level.

I haven’t done laundry, or put things away. Rubbish piles up.

I’m feeling a bit rotten about it.

I see it all the time on here, TikTok, Facebook.

I understand these people are miserable and have sad, sad lives, but it still sucks. I ran 4K in 34 minutes. It isn’t impressive, granted, but I did it. What do I get when sharing this?

“Walking pace.”

Let people suck at things, I am begging you. Anyways, my confidence has taken a hit and I’ve been slacking on doing runs, so that sucks.

Edit: Hi all - thank you for your support. I see a lot of it to me, as well as to other users, and it’s really sweet. I’m struggling to reply due to a flare up but please be assured I’m reading everyone’s answers and appreciating the insight they’re offering. Thank you!

Managed to run 20 minutes straight! And I didn’t get any pain/shin splints.

I did some warm up exercises before going. I tried doing leg day in the gym yesterday, but I felt really stupid because of my form.

Nevertheless, I did it. I got a slight runner’s high (is that possible?) after the 20 minutes. The scenery was lovely. I might have to practice the runs more than once, and likely on a treadmill as the shoes I have aren’t appropriate for outdoor wear (they’re not well cushioned; cheap Sketchers!), but nevertheless. I’m really pleased with myself.

One thing I’ve noticed is that I tend to speed up without realising. Not sure if this is common? Saliva gets really thick in my mouth/at the back of my throat. I did the 2:2 breathing pace, and it helped somewhat. I think my form has improved a little. Perhaps I need to do some core exercises.

I’m training for a 5K in October, so I want to be able to do it.

25F. UK-based, so I’d appreciate UK-based advice, more so, if that’s okay? Only because I appreciate that services differ depending on where you are.

I'm on disability. I have been for several years. I want to get back into work, genuinely, but my confidence is shattered.

People recommend asking for adjustments. Whenever I’ve disclosed my disability after getting the job, that’s when the shift in attitudes becomes more concrete, and less in my head. Managers reduce hours, I’ll be reprimanded more often, and eventually I’ll fail probation. I’ve seldom had a job that’s lasted three months.

People might recommend not disclosing it at all, but unfortunately, it does affect me. I can seem “normal” for the interview. But I’m a quiet person. Very quiet. I’m not impolite. I’m not rude. I’m just quiet. I like to get my head down, do the work, and go home. Every time I have talked to co-workers, it has always backfired. For example, when I was 16, I was asked what I thought about a co-worker. I naively commented that I found their volume a bit intimidating, but otherwise I didn’t have much of an opinion. I was then cornered by said co-worker and accused of being racist. My other colleagues laughed, and I felt awful. I didn’t understand the insinuation, though, in hindsight, I appreciate it wasn’t the kindest thing I could’ve said.

This isn’t a one-off event. I’m also very slow, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t pick up the pace. Even the easiest jobs I’ve failed at. Subway. Call handling. It’s incredibly embarrassing.

I feel I’d do better in more “in-depth” jobs, but the catch-22 is that my CV looks awful as a result. I’ve applied for care work, support work, even cleaning — but I’m not hearing anything back, and I don’t blame employers.

I’m tired of being seen as lazy, as unambitious, as stupid. I have aspirations. I’d love to become an OT, but I can’t drive, and I can’t afford consistent lessons. No nearby university offers it. I’ve reached out to services to help with employment, particularly due to disability, but the backlog is so extensive.

Does anyone have advice? Is there a path through this?

Hi,

I interrupted my course in October 2025 due to health reasons. I've used 1.25 years of funding, meaning I completed the first year, continued to the second year, and then suspended my studies.

I understand you need to write a statement to SFE for CPR. I'm not sure how to structure this, however, or whether there's a template of sorts to follow. I've requested evidence from the Personality Disorder Community Service, as I was under this service for DBT and MBT, but it was said there's no guarantee they're able to help. Is it worth paying £50 for a GP letter?

I apologise, I'm likely overcomplicating this. Ideally, I'd like to get that year of funding back to support studies at the OU. Any help would be greatly appreciated.