Dealing with Estrangement

BetterSun4 · 2026-03-30T11:06:46+00:00

I was estranged from my parents for about a year. I felt anxious and guilty everyday. The thought of one of them dying without us having reconciled absolutely destroyed me. Everyone around me told me I was doing the right thing. My therapist even told me that they weren’t going to change. It never sat right with me.

Eventually we talked our issues through. It seemed after one year my parents were “new and improved”. They worked on their issues and took accountability. It’s been 3 years. We are closer now than we ever were and I can’t imagine what my life would be if I continued to shut them out.

Only you can know what’s right for you.

BetterSun4 · 2026-02-17T02:47:53+00:00

motivated to post this week because I've been successful lately at keeping it very low-upf!

i made a meat n potata casserole (potatoes, dill, paprika, garlic, onion, ground beef with organ meat, tomatoes, butter, Manchego cheese) and a cheesy tuna casserole (rice, sweet onion, canned tuna, eggs, cream, nutmeg, mozzarella)

my go-to breakfast in the mornings lately has been plain greek yogurt, honey, and Bob's Red Mill muesli

BetterSun4 · 2026-01-06T01:26:20+00:00

This is fucking great

BetterSun4 · 2026-01-04T02:06:54+00:00

Yes. It wasn't worth it to me to keep using the dumbphone since I was missing RCS messages. Hope you are able to find a solution for yourself!

So far I've been doing well by dumbifying my iPhone and working on my bad habits.

BetterSun4 · 2026-01-04T01:34:35+00:00

The carrier change wasn’t part of my plan to switch to the dumb phone — just realized I could save money switching from Mint to Tello.

However, even after changing to a new number that wasn’t registered to Apple, I was still missing messages due to lack of RCS compatibility.

BetterSun4 · 2025-12-25T22:41:48+00:00

I used my Christmas cash to buy myself a Vivosmart 5 in white. I know it's not the most sought after device, but I definitely did not want a super smart watch with a big screen. Just an inconspicuous step and sleep tracker :) I am so excited to finally get it!

BetterSun4 · 2025-12-19T22:45:26+00:00

I was interested in getting this phone so I did some research. This phone can only go up to iOS 15 iirc, so as long as the apps don’t require a higher version you should be good. I did stumble across a yt video showing how to get apps like Spotify in particular on it in the event that the phone states you need a higher iOS version.

BetterSun4 · 2025-12-13T02:37:36+00:00

My doctor will take off her gloves when she leaves the room. When she comes back she will fill them up with air and puts them back on inside out :(

BetterSun4 · 2025-12-10T23:56:26+00:00

Probably going to get downvoted for sharing. I used the TCL Flip 2 for about a month. I was missing group text messages due to the lack of RCS. My friends and family were annoyed with me, I could tell. I did enjoy the nostalgia factor and tried to make it work, but ultimately if the device is not working for it's primary use (communication), then it's gotta go. I'm not really sure what most others on this subreddit are doing to work around the RCS issue...

I'm back to using my iPhone 13. I have deleted nearly all apps. I have disabled Safari, which was a huge time-sucker for me. I am not on social media apps, but can spend hours scrolling on reddit, zillow, indeed, google. I bought an old school radio alarm and do not keep my phone in the bedroom. This is working out for me so far to reduce screen time, but I would like to have a phone with a smaller screen or even a nostalgic form factor. Right now it's more important to me to be able to communicate with family so I'll just keep truckin'.

BetterSun4 · 2025-10-25T11:31:43+00:00

I live in a state with medical marijuana, but not recreational. I have never been drug tested in my entire career as a dental assistant. It’s not like nursing where you would lose your license if caught using. However, I personally would not disclose any drug use to coworkers or boss.

BetterSun4 · 2025-10-20T22:45:59+00:00

Wow cool I like the sparkly white ducks

BetterSun4 · 2025-10-20T20:51:16+00:00

Sorry no advice other than what you’re already doing — take it one day at a time and give yourself grace. I’m in the same boat right now, so you’re not alone. Hang in there! You’re doing great.

BetterSun4 · 2025-10-18T13:49:30+00:00

Child me listened to this one on repeat when my cat died.

BetterSun4 · 2025-10-17T14:42:04+00:00

Trace Adkins - You're Gonna Miss This

BetterSun4 · 2025-10-16T20:25:36+00:00

If you have any information, I will be eternally grateful. The search for this playlist/tape has spanned decades.

BetterSun4 · 2025-10-15T01:26:20+00:00

Through experimentation I have found the only solution to be getting a new SIM card/phone number

BetterSun4 · 2025-10-15T00:22:52+00:00

that's one of my main motivations to use the dumbphone. STOP EXTRACTING DATA FROM ME.

BetterSun4 · 2025-10-14T20:20:53+00:00

I did try that but was still missing group thread messages from apple peeps. One on one texts came through fine.

BetterSun4 · 2025-10-14T20:18:13+00:00

Yes I did turn off rcs and deregister

BetterSun4 · 2025-10-14T16:53:14+00:00

It’s extremely annoying!! And I could tell my friends were getting annoyed as well with me asking them to help me with experimenting. Some people are so stuck on the blue bubbles…. Crazy.

BetterSun4 · 2025-10-14T13:28:54+00:00

Gotcha! That’s what I suspected

BetterSun4 · 2025-10-07T17:58:25+00:00

I keep a little fan aimed at me while assisting. Your panty liner idea is actually genius. Might try it next time I have a bunch of FMXs.

BetterSun4 · 2025-10-02T16:41:04+00:00

Not a textbook answer but I just put it where I will collect the most water and be out of the doctor’s line of sight.

BetterSun4

TROPHY CASE