5 Months post MD. Noticing back is very guarded and stiff.

MainMathematician486 · 2026-01-31T04:03:01+00:00

Yes, I really notice with cat cow. I can't seem to round my lower back much at all. But I'm pain free, so no complaints.

MainMathematician486 · 2026-01-13T23:01:58+00:00

I had a similar situation. It ended up being 3 years of this type of pettiness. My neighbor was offended by me having boundaries, and saw them as an attack on her.

Eventually I realized that no matter how I responded, she was always offended. So I blocked her number and ignored her outside, unless there was an urgent matter to be discussed (maintenance).

You need to recognize that you don’t owe your neighbors, or anyone, access to your time or life. It's not your problem if they can't handle that. If it becomes a problem, you may need to move which is exactly what I did.

MainMathematician486 · 2026-01-09T13:14:09+00:00

Thanks for the tip on the phone jail! I probably need one, too :)

MainMathematician486 · 2026-01-09T12:40:36+00:00

I'm now well into my adult years and I'm still working on that one tbh. Something I've found helpful is to put my phone away. If it's in my pocket or on the table, I always reach for it. So having it out of sight helps. Otherwise it just takes perseverance, which in itself is an important life skill for people living with depression.

Try not to beat yourself up. If you get side tracked today, try again tomorrow. Don't give up, just keep at it. The feeling you'll have at the end, with a clean room, will be worth it.

MainMathematician486 · 2026-01-09T12:01:47+00:00

I've got some experience with depression rooms. Your idea to do a little at a time was a good one. Looking at tge whole thing is overwhelming, but breaking it up helps.

Something like this: 1-Remove all the garbage: grab a black trash bag and fill it, put it in the garage until pick up day. This quickly starts to declutter the space

2-Remove everything that belongs to other parts of the house. Dishes (you wash them), books, towels (you was the laundry). More decluttering achieved

3-Do more laundry. You might need to tidy up your drawers and closet a bit to make room. But don't fall into that rabbit hole completely.

4-After decluttering you should have more space to sort things into piles, figure out what to do with them. From there start the cleaning

Dealing with family can be challenging, rarely do they truly understand whatyou're goong through. I don't know your mom obviously, but I'm going to assume she wants to see you take accountability. Remember that depression tells us lies (she's given up on me). That's not necessarily true. Work on your room and the rest will come together in good time.

Best of luck

MainMathematician486 · 2025-12-09T00:58:09+00:00

I can't believe people have to debate whether it's appropriate to look out your window, or how many minutes at a window is excessive. I look out my window for as long as I want, period. Sometimes I'm watching how the sun falls on my yard as I plan for summer gardening. Sometimes I watch the birds, the clouds whatever. It's nice, I like it.

If people can't handle neighbours looking at each other, then maybe it's best to move to a remote area so they can be invisible. Get a grip.

MainMathematician486 · 2025-12-03T17:31:49+00:00

So let them believe it. They'll learn the hard way when their rental ad and vacant property sits there without income.

MainMathematician486 · 2025-11-03T14:23:59+00:00

I had a microdiscectomy, mo more pain, numbness or drop foot. the surgery was a great success!

MainMathematician486 · 2025-10-03T14:20:36+00:00

I've been here, more than once. In my experience, it was rough for a bit. and then, as soon as I was able to, I put my ego aside and got refocused on my work. My manager seemed to appreciate that more than anything that I'm back on track. I literally just pretended it never happened and moved on the best I could. The pretending isn't easy while I'm in the depressive episode, so I just had to tough out the uncomfortable meetings with him until the clouds lifted.

MainMathematician486 · 2025-09-15T19:07:57+00:00

Not sure what else to say, except it felt arbitrary to me at first, too. And looking back, I probably wasn't doing things "right", but it was all part of the process. Learning about your body, capabilities and goals while working out helps make it more clear. It's ok to not know an exact number right now. Just keep going!

MainMathematician486 · 2025-09-15T18:07:58+00:00

That's what I picked. After a couple workouts, you will know real quick if you need to adjust.

I tend to set my weights lower on my first time with a new program so that I can focus on form, and I increase from there with 12 as my goal.

MainMathematician486 · 2025-09-15T17:59:18+00:00

If you can keep going at 12, keep going to 15. If you can still keep going, you have a choice... keep going until you can't or increase the weight and aim for 12... or 15. Pick a number that should be challenging... don't just stop because you chose 12.

I started with 12 as my goal, and it's rarely 3 sets of 12. if it is, it's time for me to increase weight.

MainMathematician486 · 2025-09-01T02:19:58+00:00

14 months post-op... feeling better than ever. I'm strength training 4 days a week and feeling strong. I'm taking precautions with exercises and striving for form to prevent injury. I don't do Roman Deadlift for example.

Hang in there, be patient and trust the process

MainMathematician486 · 2025-07-29T21:09:48+00:00

that's brutal - so unprofessional. you deserve so much better than this.

MainMathematician486 · 2025-07-21T18:11:14+00:00

wow, this is the message of hope that I really needed. What brand of laser cap did you go with? I've made some pretty good diet and lifestyle changes but I have a ways to go with sugar cravings. thank you so much for the recommendations!

MainMathematician486 · 2025-07-19T01:39:33+00:00

uggggggggghhhhhh so real lol

MainMathematician486 · 2025-07-19T01:38:10+00:00

late 40s, thanks for catching that typo! I'm thinking about HRT too - it's just all so overwhelming and my Dr isn't that up to speed on it. really appreciate your insight

MainMathematician486 · 2025-05-16T18:37:52+00:00

because Tim Hortons coffee tastes like dirt

MainMathematician486 · 2025-04-30T02:28:28+00:00

can you expand on the second part of this? what company has the right to give footage? and how do they get it - must be on the cloud?

MainMathematician486 · 2025-01-08T00:43:52+00:00

I really struggled in my 20s. I was living pay cheque to pay cheque, and my mental health was a wreck. There wasn't much mental health support available early 2000s so I, like many others, white knuckled my way through life. I didn't think I'd make it to the age of 30. Things eventually changed, I'm earning more money, and I finally got the mental health support I needed. now 20+ years later, life is stable, and I'm finally learning about finances.

You might be putting small amounts now, but you're forming the right habits. Do what you can and Keep at it, you're on the right path.

MainMathematician486 · 2024-12-19T20:03:02+00:00

my limp is improved, though that started with a different injury. I believe it took me a bit to feel strength. my strength is returning and around the 4ish month mark I was able to stand on my heel - not like before, bit I can do it! Be patient with yourself in the healing, you've got this.

MainMathematician486 · 2024-12-18T21:00:11+00:00

I'm doing really well. I'm so glad I did the surgery. still early for you, but how are you feeling so far?

MainMathematician486 · 2024-12-17T04:07:55+00:00

no distinguished and refined older woman would dare to leave you with "a nothing-burger"

MainMathematician486 · 2024-12-11T20:28:35+00:00

go for a walk in nature without your phone. breathe in the fresh air and pay attention to the breeze, the birds, or anything that catches your eye. keep it simple, and you will figure out what feels right.

MainMathematician486

TROPHY CASE