u/sarahtheknitter

I wandered onto the shopping addiction subreddit at 3 am last night. I know I need to stop shopping. My weak spot is beauty: perfume, nails, makeup. I watch social media about it all, I am easily influenced, and I go out online and find it. I tell myself that it’s not so bad because I’m getting it second hand on a resale site (usually the makeup I want will be an older item that’s been out for years but I still want to try it).

I am also coming off a medication right now that makes any adrenaline way more impactful. I’m almost done with coming off it and it’ll be a while until things even out, but I was probably up so late last night because of my shopping high earlier. And I’m ashamed, even if it’s second hand beautiful stuff at a bargain.

I’m encouraged that I actually already really like videos about reduced consumption with beauty. “Shop my stash”, “project pan”, “no buy year”. These are some of my favorite social media videos. I need a no buy year. Or two. Or three. I'm already changing my social media consumption: I skip the showing off of new products and move forward to the "how to use what you've already got in your own beautiful similar way" tutorials. My mode is now fully embracing education and mastery of my existing product library... which is... vast. 🫣

My next hyper fixation needs to be using and enjoying what I have without seeking more. Easy peasy, right? 🫠 I came clean to my husband that I have a TON of second hand makeup coming, but I am legitimately planning on a no-buy extended period. Getting cozy with the parameters of what I've got. Let's do this.

I think I’ve found my people. 💕

Wandered onto this subreddit at 3 am on a Saturday night. Wide awake. I know I need to stop shopping. My weak spot is beauty: perfume, nails, makeup. I watch social media about it all, I am easily influenced, and I go out online and find it. I tell myself that it’s not so bad because I’m getting it second hand on a resale site (usually the makeup I want will be an older item that’s been out for years but I still want to try it).

I’m encouraged that I actually already really like videos about reduced consumption with beauty. “Shop my stash”, “project pan”, “no buy year”. I need a no buy year. Or two. Or three.

I am also coming off a medication right now that makes any adrenaline way more impactful. I’m almost done with coming off it and it’ll be a while until things even out, but I’m probably awake right now because of my shopping high tonight. And I’m ashamed, even if it’s second hand beautiful stuff at a bargain.

My next hyper fixation needs to be editing and curating what I have. And using and enjoying what I have without seeking more. Easy peasy, right?

I think I’ve found my people. 💕

I am 42/F and as I continue into middle age, I think my dysautonomia is becoming more and more apparent. Full disclosure: I am not officially diagnosed but my doctor knows of my suspicions (and agrees) and approves of my OTC remedies to help (I take both h1 & h2 blockers in the mornings and evenings, as well as 4 hefty electrolyte doses spaced throughout my day).

Lately my biggest bummer has been showers. I've always loved a nice shower with a sudsy body wash (Harry's Fig smells so good!)... but lately, when I'm done with my shower, I feel exhausted and like I need to lay down for a while. This is not the biggest deal, but it makes me feel like an old lady. If I don't do this I get clammy, sweaty, and I can even feel a little more panicky. It feels a lot like what menopausal women would describe as a classic hot flash, but I am 99% sure this is my body overreacting to a perceived overheating event and not the onset of perimenopause (yet).

I am someone who has genetically lower blood pressure and I also tend to be more prone to heat exhaustion. I have fainted over half a dozen times in my life, as well as several times specifically in the shower (thankfully with no major injuries, but my poor nervous husband likes to be aware any time I shower now). Things have improved significantly since I noticed this pattern and adjusted by seriously ramping up my electrolytes, fluid intake and taking my h1/h2 blockers twice daily.

Does anyone else struggle with cold sweats after their daily warm shower? ☹️

Also, how are we all exercising/losing weight with dysautonomia? In my 20s I used to love walking for miles (and miles). A few years ago when I started fainting more, my Apple Watch randomly warned me about an elevated heart rate, so my doc put me on a very low dose of metoprolol (12.5, I halve a 25mg pill and take that daily). Since starting that it feels like any intense cardio is not an option. I already have a Peloton and have a favorite saved low impact 20 minute class that I do like... but it's hard to feel like that is "enough", especially in today's "push harder!" climate of overachieving. I was on a GLP-1 for a while but it was a very (very) bad combo with my existing gut issues (my dysautonomia issues often manifest as IBS). I've tried a doctor-approved protein-sparing modified fast (very low daily calorie intake, high in protein, I was basically eating a big breakfast and coasting the rest of the day) but I started getting flares/dizzy if I go too long without eating anything. I used to be the queen of intermittent fasting 💔 I was kicking butt with my adjusted modified fast for quite a while (40+ lbs lost with high protein breakfasts and coasting) until my body adapted and hasn't wanted to cooperate anymore. Boo!

Thank you for letting me whine. It's so validating to have a community where we are heard and understood. 💕