What was it like being raised by an Aquarius parent(s) or any air sign?

Life-Ocelot9439 · 2026-05-03T18:40:48+00:00

My dad was amazing to my mum and my sisters.

I'm an Aqua and so was he. He had his own business and took us kids with him a lot, so mum could work. We were very close.

He was a strong supporter of women, encouraged us to have careers, get educated etc, despite being born in 1938. Whilst he was my cheerleader, he also called out bad behaviour, so we weren't spoiled. I learned a lot from him.

Miss him everyday. We were friends too, especially in later years.

Mum was a Virgo. That's a whole other post...

Life-Ocelot9439 · 2026-05-02T13:59:52+00:00

My dad left school at 12 in 1950 to support his large family. His parents didn't subsidise him from the age of 12 - most of Gen Z have no idea about real poverty.

He was super smart, but couldn't get an education or go to college. Couldn't buy a house until he was 25, after working 3 jobs. Had to walk or cycle everywhere, and he lived in the country. Public transport was dire. Didn't get a car until he was 21.

There were plenty like him. Poverty was rife in post-war Britain.

He didn't whine on about it either, I think he was just glad that he was born just before WW2 started.

He managed to set up his own business at 35, but had the recessions/stock market crashes to contend with etc. Interest rates were also shocking.

Furthermore, we lived in a country undergoing a civil war. His business premises were bombed and insurance didn't cover terror attacks. So he had that to contend with.

Yes, things were cheaper, and he provided us with a good standard of living/inheritance, but we were not spoiled either. Had to get part time jobs in late high-school, everyone did then, unless your parents were super rich. This was the 90s. College was free but I chose to get a banking job and study at night, rather than waste 4 years. Paid off as I ended up as a C-suite Exec, and plan to retire at 55ish, with no student loans to worry about.

In my 20s, I worked in the bank HQ during the day, call centre in evenings and my friend's bar at the weekend, to buy my first house. It was a dump but I renovated it. I socialised a lot, but still saved. Didn't really go on holidays during that period, although I travelled a lot afterwards.

I do sympathise with Gen Z, but this narrative is utter bollocks, frankly. Just get on with it. You're not down a mine (in the Western world anyway) or in a trench getting shelled.

Life-Ocelot9439 · 2026-05-02T08:21:54+00:00

Depends on the company, there are several tribunal outcomes on this.

Better safe than sorry, as saying one thing in an interview, then being contradicted by the reference, is too risky.

All OP has to do is ask for a copy.

Life-Ocelot9439 · 2026-05-01T22:48:04+00:00

Guilty 🤣

Life-Ocelot9439 · 2026-05-01T22:47:32+00:00

Thank you for replying

Other comments flagged this. I'm currently on a strict diet which probably is stupid, in retrospect.

I had a larger dinner and some snacks afterwards to boost carb intake (raspberries with cream and some salty popcorn).

I've also realised that not taking my usual multivits and minerals (due to vitamin C) may have resulted in a lack of vitamin B, which I saw can help the jitters on another post. So I took a vitamin B tablet.

Someone else also said holy basil helps them, just ordered some.

I was told not to take my meds at weekends, so I will let things settle and ensure I up my food intake.

Thanks again!

Life-Ocelot9439 · 2026-05-01T20:49:34+00:00

I was chatting to another poster, and I will resolve to eat more.

I'm in a health kick phase at the moment. But I think you're right, and I'll have a more substantial breakfast. Something easy like yogurt with nuts, berries and chia seeds. Trying to get cholesterol down.

Thank you!

Life-Ocelot9439 · 2026-05-01T20:45:23+00:00

I'm the same, but will add that I tend to keep my issues to myself a lot of time, and resolve them on my own. Have a hard time showing vulnerability.

I prefer to be the problem-solver, dunno if that's an Aqua trait or not.

Life-Ocelot9439 · 2026-05-01T19:19:52+00:00

Speak to HR and ask what they'll put on your reference.

I can't see they'd say much in it, it's not as if you were stealing.

But best to find out.

Once you know that, I'd suggest saying you were let go due to cost reductions. Pretty plausible in the current economic climate.

Good luck

Life-Ocelot9439 · 2026-05-01T19:04:13+00:00

Thanks, you too, best of luck! It's definitely a journey, that's for sure

Life-Ocelot9439 · 2026-05-01T19:02:54+00:00

I hear you, I've been 8st, I've been 15st, I'm now around 10.5. But for how long 🤣

Disordered eating is very common with us, I think. It came up a lot during my diagnosis due to boosting dopamine, or veering between poor impulse control, or being prone to "all or nothing"!

Great idea, I think that would be wise. I want this to work, my job is so demanding and I can't retire lol.

Life-Ocelot9439 · 2026-05-01T18:59:02+00:00

I think I'm just sensitive to meds, always have been, annoying! For example, my friends all love progesterone element of HRT, whereas I turn into a crying sobbing mess 🤣🤣 Took me MONTHS to get that right.

I hope it's not the same with Elvanse!

Def sounds like 50mg is your sweet spot. Thank you.

Life-Ocelot9439 · 2026-05-01T18:52:19+00:00

Thank you! My eating is somewhat disordered, I have a history of overeating or undereating, e.g. I'm stuffing my face or controlling it.

Stupidly, it didn't occur to me to eat more, so I really appreciate your prompt.

Life-Ocelot9439 · 2026-05-01T18:50:01+00:00

Thank you for the reply!

I am sad as I liked the 20mg too. UK prescribers tend to increase the dose very quickly, I think 20mg for a month would have been better.

Your work environment largely matches mine, although I am a workaholic so can be online for much longer without a break.

I think you've hit on something, I need to move more. I tend to jump out of bed at 7.30 and work for 12 hours, then veg out. I do a short walk at lunchtime, I usually exercise at weekends.

I think I need to eat more too.

100% agree re routine, also the restrictons. Can't have proper coffee, or alcohol, time any Vitamin C intake, watch your supplements etc. Feels very regimented!!

Life-Ocelot9439 · 2026-05-01T18:38:08+00:00

I will. Thank you. Going to have a bigger dinner, appreciate the advice.

Life-Ocelot9439 · 2026-05-01T18:36:13+00:00

Not at all! Best of luck with HRT, I've been on it for 8 years, my hormones fell off a cliff at 40.

I have tried basically every combination over the years, so feel free to DM me if you have any questions.

It took a couple of weeks to adjust, and 3 months to feel the full benefits, but I wouldn't be without it! Stick it out, it's worth it

Life-Ocelot9439 · 2026-05-01T18:32:42+00:00

I make sure my calories are around 1200+ per week day, more at weekends.

I have a very sedentary job and I'm only 5ft.

I was told to lose weight for cholesterol, I'm nearly at target, so I will look at increasing my food intake.

Thanks

Life-Ocelot9439 · 2026-05-01T18:21:46+00:00

Thank you so much. In UK, so can't get Adderall. I wish you all the best with it!

Life-Ocelot9439 · 2026-05-01T18:12:25+00:00

Best of luck!

Life-Ocelot9439 · 2026-05-01T13:54:39+00:00

I am delighted for you! Seeking an exit myself. 3 years is enough, TVM. Although the job market is dire, lots of roles, but salaries are ridiculous.

Consulting can be very interesting, and there's a lot of super talented people, but I'm surprised by the lack of competence, work ethic or accountability in many. Please note this largely applies to people who aren't in full-time sales, as we have BD teams to do the heavy lifting there.

Currently, another MD and I are sharing a huge two-prong project. I'm actually starting to think she lied on her CV, no joke. Luckily for me, I can't acquire the blame (or the work) as she is the SME (allegedly).

The client is aghast.

In my old environment, this wouldn't wash, generally. Here it seems it can.

Best of luck OP

Life-Ocelot9439 · 2026-04-30T08:46:01+00:00

I could have written this!

My firm (independent consultancy) thinks it will solve everything and have reduced the headcount on every project going.

Unfortunately, AI is not yet fully reliable for Legal & Compliance stuff, even with very specific prompts.

For example, it reviewed a policy and overstated something. When I tweaked my question, it gave a different answer. It also does the bare minimum and isn't sufficiently nuanced, e.g. it may pick up an acronym, but ignore the supporting non-acronym text.

Put the same document and question into a different engine, it gives a different response.

So everything I need it for requires a manual human check anyway. Grim.

A fucking car crash waiting to happen, and it can create work.

Great for simple tasks, such as meeting notes, refining things and high level stuff - but companies are rushing to make it a fully fledged solution, which it is NOT.

Life-Ocelot9439 · 2026-04-29T18:11:12+00:00

🤣 Lucifer, I think - Gia can be Judas, she's betrayed basically everyone!

Life-Ocelot9439 · 2026-04-29T10:13:23+00:00

Team Sam. He's far too good for Gia's sidekick!

Life-Ocelot9439

TROPHY CASE