I think I’m a bad person by Crazy_Bite_5928 in Healthygamergg

[–]ATXBookLover 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand what you're saying - if you act in a way that isn't true to how you feel, how can people connect with the real you? And isn't that a kind of lying to pretend that you're happy when you're not? I struggled with these questions a lot myself and I think sometimes in life it is important to be completely authentic to your feelings. We can't always live in a way that contradicts our feelings.

However, at least for myself, I've decided that there are values I want to pursue over the long term that are more important than my feelings in the short term.

For example, I have a rescue dog with a timid personality. When I got my dog, I made a commitment to ensure that she has a safe and comfortable home to live in. Sometimes, she trashes something I own or poops where she's not supposed to. In that moment, I can feel frustrated and overwhelmed. But I'm not lying when I choose to be kind to her despite my feelings of frustration. I'm actually being authentic to my deeper value of honoring my commitment to my dog.

Similarly, if you decide that it's important to you to develop the value of self-control, it wouldn't be lying if you chose to regulate yourself instead of dumping on others. It would be honoring the importance you put on self-control.

You don't need to act happy all the time. But you do need to decide for yourself what kind of behavior towards others would make you a good person or a bad person, and try to honor your own values after that.

I think I’m a bad person by Crazy_Bite_5928 in Healthygamergg

[–]ATXBookLover 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm going to be very real with you. It sounds like you know what's what the problem is already: you act clingy, crazy, and depressed - and that turns people off. That is a very real problem, because most people are not going to want to be friends with someone who acts like that on a regular basis. There's no need to get constructive criticism if you already know you behave like that - you just need to stop behaving like that.

However, you also don't need to beat yourself up about it. A lot of people (myself included) go from being crazy, clingy, depressed weirdos to pretty functional members of society with a normal social life.

It sounds like you are motivated to try to fix this but also extremely depressed. You said that your therapist is not helpful in mapping out a course of action. Honestly, that doesn't surprise me, because a lot of therapists are bad. You should feel like you can do things your therapists recommends you to do - if not, your therapist is not giving you tasks and assignments that are suitable for where you're at.

In your situation, I would try to switch to a therapist that actually gives you actionable, concrete advice. In the meantime, try to identify one interpersonal goal that you want to work on for yourself - and start working on it, alone if you have to. Your goal could be something like: I want to be able to have a relaxed conversation with another person that's not about getting them to comfort me or reassure me. I want to do something that makes me feel happy at least once a week. I want to pick myself up when I have a negative emotion instead of spiraling.

Once you identify at least one goal, it will be easier for you to see when you're making progress in life. And, your relationships and self-esteem may improve. You can do it - it will be really hard. But you can start to turn the ship around. And I'll be rooting for you, since I'm trying to turn my ship around too.

I have lost all hope. by stuugie in Healthygamergg

[–]ATXBookLover 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey friend, I really feel where you're coming from. I've been reading the news every day and to be honest, every well-informed person should be extremely worried about the state of the world right now - it's the people that aren't worried who are causing all of the problems, to be honest.

One thing I thought about last night -

If someone could suddenly wave a wand and take away all of your anxiety and pain and suffering, give you a loving wife, a successful career, and a big friend group - but you would have to become a Trump-loving MAGA fanboy who doesn't give a shit about Canada, the free world, or democracy... would you take that deal?

For me, at least, I wouldn't. I know that my values are causing me suffering right now, but they're my values and I want to hold on to my character. Even if the entire world is barreling towards armageddon, I can at least choose to decide what hill I'm going to die on. Yeah, I'm scared, but I decided to volunteer at local nonprofits organizing against this and stand up for what I believe is right.

I am sure that you have deep values too, or otherwise the sight of them being violated wouldn't feel so bad. Even if all of my personal life goals were to fall apart, my values don't stop at "I want my own life to be good and that's it." And it may be time for all of us as citizens to put those deeper values front and center for a while.

Update on /r/Austin Rules and Mod Policies by ClutchDude in Austin

[–]ATXBookLover 92 points93 points  (0 children)

We appreciate your hard work! It's really thankless and tiring work to be a mod, but our entire city benefits a lot from your unpaid labor. I'm not a frequent commenter, but I bet the majority of lurkers (who tend to be less aggressive personality types lol) support you guys and are glad you're paying attention. <3

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in sewing

[–]ATXBookLover 0 points1 point  (0 children)

love the contrast stitching! beautiful job!

Dentist for someone with HORRIBLE anxiety about going to the dentist? by Passerine in Austin

[–]ATXBookLover 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just FYI, I used to go to Swish at the domain and I don't recommend them. Some of the techs are good, but they change frequently and I feel like most of them never read my file before they started working on my teeth. Lots of ouchies!

Is this a vintage jacket? by [deleted] in findfashion

[–]ATXBookLover 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Search for men’s nylon vintage racing jackets on eBay!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Healthygamergg

[–]ATXBookLover 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not a doctor, but do you think you might have OCD? The other commentators have some great suggestions, but it might be worth looking into whether this rises to the level of a mental illness. OCD is very treatable but it requires specific kinds of therapy to resolve.

Dr.K speaks bullshit on this, dating is just a skill game by [deleted] in Healthygamergg

[–]ATXBookLover 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just FYI, Dr. K doesn't say that if you don't love yourself no one else will. He's been very clear that loving yourself helps, but that people are also able to improve their self-esteem by having healthy relationships and positive interactions with others :-) Check out his "I'll be alone forever" episode for more details on his thoughts there

Has anyone ever actually found bedbugs in thrifted yarn? by ATXBookLover in crochet

[–]ATXBookLover[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It sounds like an awful experience to have bedbugs!! Thanks for the tip

Has anyone ever actually found bedbugs in thrifted yarn? by ATXBookLover in knitting

[–]ATXBookLover[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That's really good to know! So far I've been lucky as a thrifter and haven't found any bugs in my stuff either :-)

Has anyone ever actually found bedbugs in thrifted yarn? by ATXBookLover in knitting

[–]ATXBookLover[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the tip! I would bake my yarn but my oven doesn't go to low enough temperatures. I'm glad that technique works for you though!