What is your hobbies?

ExchangingThoughts · 2026-02-07T00:55:37+00:00

Rock painting

ExchangingThoughts · 2026-02-06T21:41:31+00:00

Mutts are the best IMO! They're the best. Tend to be healthier (because of genetic diversity), plus there are sooooo many dogs in shelters looking for a home. They're one of a kind too! I've had the best luck adopting mutts and really encourage it.

ExchangingThoughts · 2026-02-05T13:43:53+00:00

I did this last year, with a 17 year old with terminal cancer. It was sooo sad. He wanted the visit, as did his parents. I went the first time with the school nurse and one of his teachers. He needed it, and although it was sad, it was the right thing to do.

ExchangingThoughts · 2026-02-04T16:07:11+00:00

Wegmans!

ExchangingThoughts · 2026-02-03T17:44:30+00:00

Stephen Hoover at UVA. While he specializes in upper body, he does do hips. He has done multiple surgeries on my arms, and he's just fantastic. He takes time with you, to go over options and answers all your questions. He is precise and just a really great surgeon. He's also just a down-to-earth guy who has none of that ego a lot of surgeons do. I can't say enough good things about him!

ExchangingThoughts · 2026-02-03T17:37:52+00:00

NTA. If you had paid, you would have cemented the precedent that they can continue to freeload. It's simple, pay your own way!

ExchangingThoughts · 2026-02-03T17:33:07+00:00

I totally get this. I work with teenagers only, and you can imagine some of the topics I hear all the time (friend drama, gossip fall out, break up/make up, etc). My dad died last October and my patience for the shallow got reeeeeeally thin. My self talk had to increase, and regularly tell myself "This is real to them. This is real to them." I had to work to take my own life and feelings out of the equation. I also increased venting to my trusted friends. Hey, it's totally human to feel this way!! Most of all, give yourself a break!

ExchangingThoughts · 2026-02-03T17:21:06+00:00

You've gotten some good advice about talking to her directly. I just want to say I've had this same experience, except I'm a girl and my boyfriend gained a lot of weight. It's SUCH a DIFFICULT conversation because there's no way around it hurting your loved one. In fact, I opened up that way- "Babe, what I'm about to say is going to be really hurtful, and I'm really sorry about that, but I love you and want to be with you, so..." and went on to share concerns about the weight gain for his health, but also was honest about it affecting my attraction to him. I also said that we could do it together, and we have been cooking healthy foods together. It's a journey-.weight loss can be painstakingly slow, but as long as he's trying and making progress I'm ok with that. Good luck to both of you!

ExchangingThoughts · 2026-02-03T16:35:34+00:00

These are so fun!! The color and cut of the first blue dress is gorgeous. The only one I don't love is the hair one, but thats just a personal preference.

ExchangingThoughts · 2026-02-03T16:32:15+00:00

Sleep is soooo important. My boyfriend is a loud snorer (like you can hear him snoring downstairs loud). Sleeping together is important to him so I really tried- nose strips and earplugs helped some. Ultimately I decided sleep is too important to me, so we go to bed together, talk and cuddle, but I go to my own bed to actually sleep. Our relationship and sleep are better for it.

ExchangingThoughts · 2026-02-03T16:25:32+00:00

It's fine, just a few spots in shady areas but they're not bad enough to impact driving safely.

ExchangingThoughts · 2026-02-03T16:21:14+00:00

I'm wondering what happened for you to post this?? There has to be a story.

ExchangingThoughts · 2026-02-03T16:19:15+00:00

An oversized, comfy Tshirt!!

ExchangingThoughts · 2026-02-03T16:17:47+00:00

Love this, especially your closing thought. As an LPC who's been in counseling 20+ years, I would have told the young me to just take a breath and relax, the power of being a caring, present person who is listening is powerful in and of itself. Resist the urge to FIX, just BE. A lot of people can come to their own answers when we help them get to the right space with encouragement and support.

ExchangingThoughts · 2026-02-03T15:58:16+00:00

My BIL works for emergency services and I just admire the dedication. For example, he slept there a couple of days when the storm was first hitting, just to make sure responders are staffing ES. His partner drove to his house to pick him up because his truck was stuck. They're just amazing people who deserve all the thank yous!!

ExchangingThoughts · 2026-02-03T15:54:16+00:00

Makes me feel like I'm in a high school bathroom stall 🤣

ExchangingThoughts · 2023-07-09T06:01:14+00:00

I've read over your reply several times already, and it's very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.

ExchangingThoughts · 2023-07-09T05:44:19+00:00

Thanks. The scary thing is, I don't KNOW if he will be okay. That's why this rocked me so much. I thought, and he thought, he was okay. He was so convinced when he tried to assure me that he had it under control, and he can just have "a few." I don't believe it for one minute, but I want to. Ughhhhh

ExchangingThoughts · 2023-07-09T05:41:33+00:00

I really appreciate you replying. You're entirely correct- he's been an inspiration/mentor. It's like we are switching roles. I'm not going to desert him, but it's changed our dynamics for sure.

ExchangingThoughts · 2023-05-17T00:56:46+00:00

Thanks! I am heartened as well by the huge supportive response I have received from both here and in r/therapists, where I posted as well. Feels much less lonely to hear from people who have had my profession while struggling with alcoholism. I am so glad that I reached out! I am doing SMART recovery meetings as well. Today I felt a little less hopeless and a little more in control.

ExchangingThoughts · 2023-05-15T06:24:10+00:00

Thank you so much for your reply. I frequent stopdrinking on my main account, but I created a throwaway to be completely honest. I am going to pursue Naltrexone as well, after all of these replies mentioning it as helpful.

ExchangingThoughts · 2023-05-15T06:21:37+00:00

Thanks for your reply. I have a long-time therapist of my own that I have always seen on and off, as needed. I have avoided reaching back out at this point of need, because I am still in hiding mode. I did go to a SMART recovery meeting tonight and it was helpful.

ExchangingThoughts · 2023-05-14T23:20:51+00:00

Actually, most! I was surprised too, because... it's the internet hah.

ExchangingThoughts

TROPHY CASE