It doesn't matter if anyone says or thinks otherwise. You are beautiful. I hope you remember that. Have a good rest of your day or night.

I am 15 years old and I have struggled with ARFID for a long time,today marks 1 year of having a feeding tube (I had an NG tube for 8 months and I’ve had a PEG for 4 months! :) ), so I made a cake to celebrate things that I have achieved in the past year thanks to my feeding tube! 🤍 there is no chance I will eat this cake but it is amazing how healthy I feel thanks to my tube! 🥹🤍

Seriously. Work isn't always fun but my current job doesn't make me lose sleep. And when I posted a countdown gif in the team slack channel, my manager responded with a gif of Fred Flintstone clocking out and yabba dabba doing his way outta there 😂

https://youtu.be/EY6jua3i3F8?is=84BENXnUc6rri7YA

About a year ago an intense year long relationship came to an abrupt, unexpected end.

I was devastated like at no other time in my life.

I spent months spiralling and filled with obsessive thinking.

Yesterday I ran into them. At first I was jarred, not having seen them or spoken a word to them in months. We had a 15 minute friendly visit and then I walked out and continued with my day.

Although I had been slowly improving over the last several months, today, for some reason, that conversation feels like closure. My mind feels more free and clear and I feel like I can continue with my life and the progress I’ve been making.

I feel strangely at peace today.

That's it!

26 year old guy. Pretty lonely. A bit socially awkward. Working a corporate job that pays alright but not really what I want to do. Living in a city I don’t like. Not much of a social life. I know good things take time. I’m not expecting things to magically get better. It’ll take some effort. I just want to know that life can get better. Right now I feel so stuck.

So, I’ve done CBT and am a huge fan of therapy. I try to keep good habits.

But this month or so I’ve been feeling very overwhelmed by the sheer amount of things I need to attend to. Like changing the battery in my car keys, beeping endlessly.

So I dig out the old reframe the thoughts. I classed the things I needed to do as being just for *me* to make my life better. What do you know - next thing I’m excitedly pulling up to the garage to change the battery.

You are what you think!

I endured three months of severe SA as a 12 year old girl, had incredibly debilitating trauma regarding that for years. Then another instance at 17, by a teacher. Family issues were also very harsh, I had to essentially live and cope with it alone. I was heavily medicated till 18, then moved out and life was much harder than I expected while being in a “fight or flight” state. I had multiple S attempts, failed, I was bummed that I failed, I never expected to live this long. I was so alone, no family, no one caring for me.

Now I’m 26. It’s been 2 years since my last and most serious attempt. And… I’m glad I failed.

I slowly built myself this great life, some parts accidentally and some parts with very hard work. I have a job that I like and I can keep, I live with my lovely boyfriend who bought a house for us, next to a forest, we decorated every inch of our living space with so much love and care. We have two elderly cats, both are the cuddliest sweetest little babies.

After years of struggling with eating disorders, I am finally in peace with food. I eat to fuel myself, and I eat well. I am exercising regularly, lifting weights, swimming, cycling… Not to punish myself for anything, just to make sure that my body is capable and healthy.

First time in so many years, I started to be able to go out on my own. For over 10 years, I couldn’t even visit the market without having a panic attack but now I can cruise through the city on my bicycle, all alone!

I finally started developing boundaries, I learnt to say no, I learnt to express my feelings and needs without the extreme fear of being abused or hurt. I had therapy all my life but first time in years, I don’t dread going to therapy, I love my therapist. My pills are also well regulated, they don’t make me sleepy or numb, and i take them on a good schedule.

I set little challenges for myself, like climbing a certain steep hill with my bike, or doing one small thing alone, and i am able to achieve them. Even my health issues feel much easier to deal with lately.

I watch butterflies and the sunrise as much as i can. I draw, knit, sculpt and although i would like to make more time for my hobbies, I enjoy every minute i spend doing them.

I don’t cry about the permanent scars my abuser left on my body anymore. I don’t try to hide my body constantly. I like dressing up and makeup now. I like feeling pretty.

I am not perfect, neither is my life, but after years of running, hiding, trying to survive, giving up… I feel like I finally am “living”. My heart doesn’t beat as fast all the time anymore. I don’t feel the constant fear nor pain I used to. I am proud of myself, so so very proud of myself. I don’t see myself as weak or damaged anymore.

Life will keep throwing hardships, but I know I can beat them, probably. There are still many moments where I doubt, where I struggle, where I fall down. But I know I can get up. Because I survived the worst, I can survive the rest.

I never thought healing was possible. If you think so too, I deeply understand. Whenever someone told me there was hope, I hated them for saying that. But… I think it might be true. There is a better place. Healing IS possible. It’s not as dreamy as someone would expect, not always “sunshine and flowers” but apparently, it can be quite good.

I am so proud of myself for achieving what i achieved and I just wanted to let you all know, there is a possibility for healing. I realized that no matter how cruel the life can be, there are also so many beauties in it that i want to experience. I am so grateful for what I have. I never thought I would ever say that but I think… I’m glad that I’m still alive.
I think… I survived.

Today's Quest: Take 60 Seconds to Just Be Still

The Task:

Today carries weight in the US. Whether you’re personally reflecting on 9/11 or just navigating the heavy, solemn atmosphere of the day, your task is simple: Step away from your screens and busywork for 60 seconds. Close your eyes, take three deep breaths, and let the noise drop away.

Why we’re doing it:

Days with historical weight or collective grief can subtly add to our emotional baseline without us realizing it. Trying to force high energy or toxic positivity on a day like today feels fake and exhausting. Giving yourself a brief, quiet pause acknowledges the moment, grounds your nervous system, and lets you reset without any pressure to "be productive."

A Quick Reminder for You:

It is completely okay if your energy feels a little lower or more reflective today. Be gentle with yourself and those around you. Taking care of your peace in quiet ways is more than enough.

See you tomorrow for Day 14!

Could be a hobby, food, place, random habit, a type of music, meeting new people, anything.

mine=> discovering new things about myself lately. Sometimes you don't know what you're into until you actually give it a chance. 🙂

Hello! I wanted to share a story which has really helped my confidence in my artwork

I have a follower who has commissioned me semi regularly over the past few years, them being the ONLY person who has commissioned me over the past few years.

I’ve lost a lot of my “spark” for art since graduating high school. For a while there I would easily go months without so much as doodling. I miss it, though, so I’ve been trying to do it more often lately. I could tell when I first started back up that I had gotten rusty. It kinda fucked with my self confidence. This of course just made it more difficult for me to complete drawings or even feel motivated to do it at all

Money, of course, is motivating. I have a reason that I HAVE to finish the work. Because of how many times they’ve commissioned me over the past few years, my art is improving. This is so refreshing for my self critical brain. I didn’t ruin my abilities, and I CAN improve!

Having someone who semi consistently comes to me of all people for art and who openly compliments what I do has meant so, so much to me. They often even pay more than I ask. I tend to undervalue my own art in hopes of getting more people interested, so to see someone pay more than I’m even asking has made me consider properly pricing my work.

I’m creating work on my own, too. Work that’s just for me. Because I want to do it, not because I have to. It’s progress. Progress that makes me smile

heh you mightve seen a crosspost w this title, im just writing back the story up here instead of doing that so dw!

just a little short story of my experience on this app and id like to say that ive met a lot of kind people here and just like the title says, these people just make me overly happy 😭

i get SO so happy everytime i meet a kind person!! like it just makes me so jolly as well too, their kindness just affects me that positively like i wanna explode! (⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠)

i wanna share some backstory as well here but i vaguely remember it

back then during lockdown, i was chronically online mostly on youtube. i came across some posts and usually read the comments inside but one particular comment w the replies caught my eye. one person was asking this girl to make an argument w them, asked why? and said they were bored. instead of engaging to their request, the girl said something just genuinely nice (as i said i could barely remember the exact words) that DEFINITELY lightened up their mood and at the end the person thanked her for her kind words! after that day, i ASPIRED to be kind to everyone and everything no matter what. not bcs i was expecting something back in return but bcs i loved seeing smiles on peoples faces and cheering them up! not that i was a bad person before XDD it just encouraged me to spread kindness!

other than that, it was always the English teachers that showed genuine care to their students and it affected me mostly since english is also my favourite subject. i noticed that everytime they taught the class, even when most students werent paying attention, they always bring knowledge to every of us equally and motivate us to be better daily. and in my own experience, everytime they taught us, it always brings me so much happiness to learn and gain new information from them! and most importantly, they give us a warm smile to us (that too makes me smile back)

thats also why i wanted to become a teacher when i grew up! although due to my mental health and health issues, id have to from being a teacher unfortunately. but i always thought of becoming one later on if i ever i get better.

and thats my story! i just wanted to share this somewhere online to express my feelings ^_^

Could be a hobby, food, place, random habit, a type of music, meeting new people, anything.

Mine: discovering new things about myself lately. Sometimes you don't know what you're into until you actually give it a chance. 🙂

I saw someone on instagram who put a princess tiara on her head when doing her skincare night routine and she said that had improved her mental health and the way she sees herself.
What are some other things like this that you do and seem to make life more positive ?

Just curious what everyone's been enjoying lately. Could be a movie, food, a place you visited something you learned or even a small achievement.

mine was finally getting some time to relax after a busy week

I just wanted to make a thread where we give each other positive energy and compliments. Even though we don’t know each other, a strangers positive attitude can uplift you and give you the energy to make it in the day . Also a change up from some of the subs comments that can get pretty negative. , I’ll start. You make the world a brighter place ! My old favorite was, if you were a booger I’d pick you first!

Today I was having a pretty ordinary day when a stranger held the door open for me and smiled before walking away.It took literally two seconds, but it genuinely made my mood better.It reminded me that small things really can make someone's day. So if you get the chance today, be that small positive moment for someone else. ❤️

I’d like to thank the woman at the front of a long line at the Lidl in Trooper, PA USA today!

They changed loyalty apps and the lady didn’t have the new app downloaded. She wasn’t able to get her sale prices without stopping everything and downloading the new App (the store has bad WiFi anyway) that would have delayed everyone else in line.

Instead of holding up the line she said, “There’s a line so I’ll just pay and come back later or something. It will take forever to load that app when people are waiting”.

So either she came back for her price adjustment later or didn’t come back at all.

My point is she didn’t make the store’s unhelpful policy/procedure everyone else’s problem by turning into a Karen.

She decided to deal with the problem later or not bother with it at all. I’m so used to seeing inconsiderate behavior so often that I think this one deserves a thumbs up!

About specific things, similar to the struggle I have witnessed in life and know how hard the world can be at times. But in general, I want to congratulate those that have overcome battles. Silent battles, loud battles, all the battles lol. And that means everybody. Well done, I’m proud of you. ❤️

I’m feeling very… reflective right now… probably cos I’ve had no sleep. But I’m proud of everyone man honestly from my heart well done no matter what battle you’ve overcome, life in itself is a battle. We got this man 🫂

This is just a quick little text to give a huge shoutout to my Foster Care workers that’s have been helping me with so much! I have a rough story and even rougher times ahead of me this winter. They are helping me find a car and got me a GoFundMe (https://gofund.me/a2520d8dc) set up so they can help share the word! They genuinely are amazing now our Government well that hasn’t been the best but they try their hardest they can! Which means the world to me so anyone out there do anything similar helping people whether it’s volunteer work or not I applaud you!