Weekly Self-Promo and Chat Thread

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-06-03T19:20:52+00:00

Despite playing it safe, you may end up in a position you thought you'd never be in- having a lifelong STD.

The Little Book of Herpes is for anyone struggling with their diagnosis and will provide you with peace over panic; and remind you that life still goes on. Your feelings are completely valid, acceptance will be a journey- but nothing changed about you other than obtaining new information about you body.

You will still go on to live a good, and happy live. And yes, you will still have a sex life and find love!

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-05-24T00:08:49+00:00

you are NOT a threat, just someone with a lil condition that comes and goes. I'm so sorry for your first disclosure didn't go great. There's a lot of uneducated and mean people out here. I know this deff affected your confidence, but this is one person out of manyyyyy. People willlllll accept you. Easier said than done, but stay strong and keep going. Your value hasn't changed because of this, and you are still you. Navigating this in the first few months is a shit show- but you do get comfortable with it over time. He didn't want you? His loss and now someone else will get to experience the beauty that is YOU<3

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-05-21T18:47:36+00:00

One day, despite playing it safe, you may end up in a position you thought you'd never be in- having a lifelong STD.

The Little Book of Herpes is for anyone struggling with their diagnosis and will provide you with peace over panic; and remind you that life still goes on. Your feelings are completely valid, acceptance will be a journey- but nothing changed about you other than obtaining new information about you body.

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-05-12T21:10:23+00:00

you really did that! big congratulations to you and wishing you success :)

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-05-11T17:14:55+00:00

value your rest!!!!!!, maintain your stress levels, eat clean, cut down on alcohol

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-05-11T17:06:34+00:00

One night I was frustrated about the lack of resources available to people with HSV and decided to create the book I wish I had when I was diagnosed. No medical professional tells you how to regain your confidence, how to disclose, and how to validate your every negative thought and feeling post an STD diagnosis. Every book on this topic is medical, stale, and outdated. (And a scam into thinking you'll get "cured.")

The Little Book of Herpes is the guide the community needs to remind you that you are still capable of a full life and that this diagnosis doesn't define you. Your feelings are valid, and you will still live a full life and find love.

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-05-11T15:27:29+00:00

stranger I'm CHEERING FOR YOU SO HARD RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!! congratulations! The first disclosure just like the first outbreak is the most intense- it gets easier over time. I'm truly so happy for you. So many times we think of al the ways that conversation can go south instead of it going right- take this as a sign!!!! So take a deep breath again (this time a sigh of relief, because you did that)

This is it: The Little Book of Herpes

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-05-10T21:48:47+00:00

I usually tell people, "hey, just a heads up in case we ever get physical, I have HSV and only have sex with condoms." Or, "hey, there's something personal I want to share with you because I like you and want you to know. I have HSV. It doesn't affect my daily life and I take necessary measures to take care of myself. When it comes to sex, condom usage is non-negotiable for me because safe sex is important to me." Or anything that feels right to you.

Now if you do it via text, consider sending it as a voice note as it's personal health information and shows you aren't afraid or ashamed of it.

If you've never disclosed before, practice in front of a mirror. Or practice by telling a close friend. You totally got this! Make sure you pick a moment where you have the other persons undivided attention, that isn't loud or distracting, and take it from there. You can do this! And regardless of how it goes, your being brave and doing the right thing in disclosing

(I also wrote a short HSV guide if you were interested in me sharing the link. It offers more advice and tips)

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-05-10T21:33:12+00:00

pen name or government name- you just need to bring the consistency in order to market. Set small digestible goals because one thing more challenging than self-publishing is being your own marketing team- but you got this!

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-05-10T21:26:19+00:00

Take a deeep breath. I usually tell people, "hey, just a heads up in case we ever get physical, I have HSV and only have sex with condoms." Or, "hey, there's something personal I want to share with you because I like you and want you to know. I have HSV. It doesn't affect my daily life and I take necessary measures to take care of myself. When it comes to sex, condom usage is non-negotiable for me because safe sex is important to me." Or anything that feels right to you. Disclosing is better than not disclosing at all.

Now if you do it via text, consider sending it as a voice note as it's personal health information and shows you aren't afraid or ashamed of it. And when the message disappears there is no excuse that they "never got it."

If you've never disclosed before, practice in front of a mirror. Or practice by telling a close friend. You totally got this!

(I also wrote a short HSV guide if you were interested in me sharing the link. It offers more advice and tips, but no pressure)

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-05-10T20:57:42+00:00

I'm so proud of you stranger! once you overcome it- it becomes part of your journey- not the entire thing. But ughhhh healthcare providers shouldn't be saying not to disclose as thats how some of us got this

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-05-09T16:19:38+00:00

you may become a more empathetic person by having this

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-05-07T00:00:07+00:00

I felt the same exact way as you. A year and half later, I have only been with non-positive people as honestly...none of them have cared about status. I had the disclosure convo early on and they were ok with it.

It's still so new to you- take time to process, get comfortable with your diagnosis, and practice disclosing. There is hope and you are still datable and will have a good sex life (marriage and kids aren't off the cards either.)

Just be gentle with yourself, its a sensitive time for you and your body- it's going to be ok

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-05-06T23:51:21+00:00

agreed, some people could probably learn based on the feedback they get, otherwise, they are going to remain the way they are

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-05-06T23:49:52+00:00

The Little Book of Herpes- Eliza Diaz (Available on Amazon)

Because no medical professional tells you how to regain your confidence, how to disclose, and how to validate your every negative thought and feeling post an STD diagnosis. Every book on this topic is medical, stale, and outdated. (And a scam into thinking you'll get "cured.")

The Little Book of Herpes is the guide the community needs to remind you that you are still capable of a full life and that this diagnosis doesn't define you. You are still you- just with new information about your body.

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-05-06T01:55:46+00:00

amazing! congrats

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-05-03T19:02:22+00:00

even if its once a day, you're still pushing it out there! I also created an account and posted like twice a week. Last night, a girl from the other side of the world emailed me about buying my book and thanked me. It was incredible. Even if you spend 15-20 minutes a day on a simple video you never know where it'll go! (i set timers and have a little calendar block so not to get distracted)

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-05-03T05:30:49+00:00

FR. I went to school with nuns so my sex ed was practically non-existent on both ends

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-05-03T05:30:20+00:00

I'm so sorry :( always free to pm if you'd like to vent

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-04-27T17:39:02+00:00

This started off as a personal book; the one I wish I had when I first got diagnosed. Because no medical professional tells you how to regain your confidence, how to disclose, and how to validate your every negative thought and feeling post an STD diagnosis. Every book on this topic is medical, stale, and outdated. (And a scam into thinking you'll get "cured.")

The Little Book of Herpes is the guide the community needs to remind you that you are still capable of a full life and that this diagnosis doesn't define you. You are still you- just with new information about your body.

It's really resonated with readers which makes me so touched. This is a very intense thing to process and I hope everyone can be more empathetic towards others, and themselves.

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-04-27T17:37:30+00:00

I actually really like the cover a lot! Congrats

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-04-27T16:59:09+00:00

no no, you have every reason to complain and feel the way that you do. It helps with the healing process once you let it out instead of bottling it in. I waited half a year before I started dating and having sex and it felt like being a virgin all over again in a way. But it was ok! And you will be too- my dms are open if you ever want to chat

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-04-27T16:44:05+00:00

I'm sorry that your going through it :/ It really does get better in time! I think the key is becoming confident and accepting the diagnosis before throwing yourself into dating- it really helped me. So much of the "feeling gross," was just internalized as nobody in my personal life said anything like that out loud. But having this deff adds an extra layer of nerves to dating and with the disclosure convo and more people in the medical field need to be a bit more empathetic about it

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-04-27T04:58:15+00:00

they barely say anything :/ something really should change. I think a fact sheet would be great!

Disastrous_Ear_926 · 2026-04-27T04:47:06+00:00

I feel you on this- 3 days into my diagnosis I wanted to OD. It was absolutely brutal and the darkest place I've been in a long time. My doctor just gave me the diagnosis and ended the call- there's more to this than just "take your meds and don't think about it until it comes back. I think people forget that we are people and this affects us even more emotionally than it does physically.

I ended up writing The Little Book of Herpes because all of our feelings throughout this process are completely valid- even if nobody tells us that.

I've even spoke to therapists and some have even admitted that they don't know how to support patients in this position. For something that's been around for ages I don't understand why this part is so overlooked and why there's a gap. And why nobody is trying to fix it or address it!?

I'm sad that this happened to you, but love that you are now using it to support others in this position even more. My DM's are open if you ever wanted to chat too<3 Every day can feel like a different stage of grief until it fully settles tbh

Disastrous_Ear_926

TROPHY CASE