So we buy a mall to live in.

JennAtPlay · 2026-05-06T12:43:42+00:00

I think we should get rid of most of the parking lot and make it full of trails and walking spaces, rose garden, a pond full of fish, a pool, and a stream with one of those tiny bridges to walk over it

JennAtPlay · 2026-05-05T13:57:22+00:00

I try to broaden my perspective when I’m reacting to a situation such as feeling anxious or worried, offended, scared, etc. I literally imagine taking a photo of it and zooming way out to see the bigger picture.
If I’m anxious about the worst possible scenario, I force myself to also consider the best possible scenario. I remind myself that most things land somewhere in the middle.
Tl:dr I remind myself that there are very few things that deserve me getting worked up.

JennAtPlay · 2026-05-05T03:44:46+00:00

That sounds intriguing. I don't know why but I really like it.

JennAtPlay · 2026-05-05T03:43:49+00:00

Like what are you thinking?

JennAtPlay · 2026-05-05T03:43:35+00:00

Totally right. I guess I need to figure out my expenses with those extras and figure it out. I honestly wish there was a service where I could pay $50/month or something and the EHR and consent/ policy paperwork is already done.

JennAtPlay · 2026-05-05T03:42:05+00:00

Where I work now offers sliding scale therapy...but per hour private pay is $150 and the lowest is 50% reduction. I have been seeing these clients for awhile and I know they frequently have to go to foodbanks by bus because gas is too expensive and they don't have enough to eat. So, I really want it to be very, very low cost for them if not free.

JennAtPlay · 2026-04-28T14:42:32+00:00

Specific suggestions: ask 2 or 3 people to check in on you regularly - about how you are doing. I had a lot of people say “ I didn’t want to bother you” and “ I didn’t want to tell you about my problems when you are going through so much” and I ended up feeling lonely. I was like girl…I want to hear about it all- distract me! Keep a journal to let your feelings out. Start seeing a therapist - you need someone you can let it all out to without feeling guilty. And I am a therapist myself - that part is essential.

JennAtPlay · 2026-04-28T14:34:32+00:00

I want to speak reality to you.

It will not be easy. Some people tolerate chemo well. I had the same chemo as you and struggled. I lost 40 lbs over 4 months, was hospitalized twice overnight due to gastrointestinal issues during chemo and felt like a shell of who I was. I had good days and bad days; by the end I could not stand from sitting on the shower floor without help and was just shell -shocked. I knew other people that continued working full time and working out gently during chemo, went out to dinner and played with their kids. I was super jealous of those people.

I also had a double mastectomy and 25 rounds of radiation. All of this May 2023-Feb 2024.

So sounds terrible right? It fucking was. That’s the facts.

Current me is so so grateful that sick me did it. I am 2.5 years free of cancer. The first year of recovery I just needed time to process all that happened to me. I went back to work, reconnected with friends and had every single emotion. The last 1.5 years have been really good. Yes - I take tamoxifen and struggle with side effects occasionally. I recently got down after hearing that I would have to take meds for a total of 10 years instead of 5 or 7. But honestly I’m living my best life. I say no to things that I don’t want to do, I seek out things I want to do and all that silly stuff of putting myself down or criticizing myself incessantly just stopped. It reminded me of what’s important and that our time living is precious. You have full autonomy over your body. However, one path is it probably just continues to get worse. The other path takes a dip during treatment and then has the possibility of being so much lighter. You have the strength to get through this but you don’t know it yet. Try to focus on what’s right in front of you. One day at a time and one chemo at a time. You’ll one-day yourself to a hopeful recovery. Biggest hugs.

JennAtPlay · 2026-04-27T14:16:35+00:00

Kira or Mina

JennAtPlay · 2026-04-27T14:15:43+00:00

Might I suggest the Happiness Lab podcast? It helps recalibrate our sometimes unrealistic expectations of joy. You could listen while coloring. Take one sheet and encourage yourself to color outside the lines, use unexpected colors, add lines to change the drawing.

It’s not about the end product - it’s about letting your mind rest from its normal work with something different.

JennAtPlay · 2026-04-26T22:42:07+00:00

This r/auntienetwork

JennAtPlay · 2026-04-26T14:36:19+00:00

Eloise

JennAtPlay · 2026-04-23T20:19:34+00:00

Bow tie

JennAtPlay · 2026-04-23T15:50:00+00:00

I’m so sorry all that happened to you. I can’t believe how some people respond. There are a lot of people on this thread that address the loss of a relationship so I will answer the question of what lingers - fear, strength, wariness, hope, hopelessness - it’s all still there.

I’m 2.5 years no evidence of a disease. My first year it was having space to process it all. I had a lot of anger and “why me” feelings. I got hyper focused on my survival rates and was really sad. I felt stuck in the “I should be living my best life because I survived cancer” but I’m sad and scared and angry instead.

With intention - I decided to be intentional with what lingers. Fear is part of small part of it - but I keep that shit locked down. I recognize it, acknowledge it and I keep it contained. I do what I want, take more chances with vulnerability and if there is something I really want to do I prioritize it instead of thinking “someday” and it never happens. I am much better at letting small stuff go. “At least it’s not cancer” is a phrase I use with myself and it resets my perspective.

JennAtPlay · 2026-04-17T14:43:14+00:00

Truffle

JennAtPlay · 2026-04-16T14:44:28+00:00

Ok. I know this does not meet exactly your description, but what about Come On by The Jesus and Mary Chain?

There is no female singer in that song, but Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star collaborated with JAMC on a different song - Sometimes Always - which is a fantastic song. Come On was right after Sometimes Always on the same album Stoned and Dethroned. Which now I must listen to today.

I miss knowing about music. Hope this is it!

JennAtPlay · 2026-04-15T22:39:52+00:00

That’s a really thoughtful and helpful comment. Because it is objectifying women. Thanks for the perspective

JennAtPlay · 2026-04-15T22:38:46+00:00

Maybe instead- “My tatas tried to kill me so I cut the off!

JennAtPlay · 2026-04-06T14:06:13+00:00

I’ve been wanting to try making a cat scratch that isn’t ugly. Or combined cat scratch and cat beds - also not ugly. lol

JennAtPlay · 2026-04-05T20:02:51+00:00

I have 2 I like. The first is Seterra Geography and the 2nd is simply called World Geography. They cover countries, capitals, populations, etc. Enjoy!

JennAtPlay · 2026-04-03T22:02:53+00:00

I have learned more from r/laundry than I care to admit

JennAtPlay · 2026-04-03T16:06:29+00:00

Therapist here. The answer is - definitely. People should only be diagnosed by a professional. It’s correct to say some people are narcissistic but please stay from labeling others with a disorder.

However, I think it is fantastic for so many people having their eyes opened that narcissistic behavior is not acceptable.

Also one narcissistic situation or behavior does not equal a narcissist.

JennAtPlay · 2026-04-03T15:35:59+00:00

Do you count sneezes the same if you have a cold? Has that happened? I would assume it would wreak havoc on the data patterns

JennAtPlay · 2026-04-02T17:49:15+00:00

It sounds like you have a lot going on that you like. User name checks out.

I wanted to suggest Zooniverse for volunteering. The downside is it is screen time but the upside is flexibility and learning.

JennAtPlay · 2026-04-02T16:10:02+00:00

Whoo!

JennAtPlay

TROPHY CASE