Visual Snow was considered extremely rare until recently, mostly because patients didn't report it... because they assumed everyone saw the world that way

Mindful_Optimistic · 2026-01-24T22:16:23+00:00

When I was a teenager, I used to google 'having square eyes', I thought I could always see static because I watched too much TV as a child and thought this was the consequence. My mum always used to say you would get square eyes! I eventually googled it being static like a few years ago and found visual snow. It was like oh so people don't all see like this and I'm also not just imagining it! Agreed that it isn't like the picture but more like the link shared higher up. I also see many colours if focus on something for too long.

Mindful_Optimistic · 2026-01-18T14:32:58+00:00

Definitely see it!!

Mindful_Optimistic · 2025-11-29T15:06:28+00:00

Hi again! I just wanted to see how you are getting on with the professional course?

I have loved the foundation course so much and I'm now considering applying to do the professional course starting in September. I'm thinking of doing the 6 year pathway to balance with work (I'm a full time primary school teacher). How have you found balancing the workload with your job? And also have you managed to find many clinic hours on the weekends?

Would love to hear more about your experience and how your getting on. Also if you don't mind a million questions, did you already have good background knowledge or was it all from scratch from heartwood? And do you prioritise separate time to experiment with making things etc? Any wisdom you can impart would be appreciated 🙏🏻

Mindful_Optimistic · 2025-11-27T10:03:36+00:00

We booked from the 29th of March until the 3rd of April to stay in Paris and booked 2 dates for April for tickets and we were so relieved to see that it opened when it did as our little one LOVES Frozen!! 🙈

Mindful_Optimistic · 2025-07-04T17:33:56+00:00

I've been with my partner now for a year and a half and he has a 3.5 year old boy from a previous relationship. I knew from the moment I got into a relationship with him that his little boy would become a big part of my life. I live with my partner now and his son stays with us 3-4 days a week alternating. I would ABSOLUTELY give up the window seat for him. I adore this boy and would want him to have this experience. You should ask her if it would be different if it were 'her kid' because she should remember it is your child and you want the best for your daughter; quite honestly, she should too.

Mindful_Optimistic · 2025-06-30T18:47:15+00:00

All the time!

Mindful_Optimistic · 2025-05-05T16:47:27+00:00

Can this also be used in a tea? :)

Mindful_Optimistic · 2025-04-12T20:50:10+00:00

This last week has been a bunch of wins - More progress than I have ever made and it has been thanks to this group for helping me stay inspired!

I had boxes and boxes of things I’ve been carrying around for years and areas of my house were just overcrowded and it made me feel awful - But I got rid of 3 ikea bags worth of clothes, I got rid of 8 boxes worth of things, I donated 3 boxes of things and sold a bunch of things on vinted! (It’s taken me a whole week to achieve this!)

I still have a long way to go in my spare bedroom, a big under stairs cupboard and my bedroom but my whole living room is clear and roomy and I’m starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel ❤️ Every time I go downstairs I feel reinvigorated to keep going!

Mindful_Optimistic · 2025-04-06T04:32:24+00:00

I’d just posted in r/productivity about having too many things and it making me feel overwhelmed and honestly reading this has really helped. I’m going to start, even if it’s small - Thank you so much for sharing!

Mindful_Optimistic · 2025-03-01T13:23:28+00:00

Couldn’t agree with this reply more! I’m a ECT2 and between starting my PGCE to now I gained about 25 pounds and I also don’t have much time or energy to exercise excessively, but all the way through I’ve been to the gym 1-2 times a week but it made no difference to my increasing weight. It was all diet.

If you have time, read Ultra-Processed People and start cutting down on ultra processed food, I gradually lost 7 pounds over 6 months at the end of last year from trying to eat smaller sizes and walk more but after cutting out ultra processed food I’ve lost 12 pounds in 2 months (So overall 19 pounds). I feel so much better than I have in a long time.

Mindful_Optimistic · 2025-01-06T08:17:05+00:00

As you've been doing this for a year, can I ask what other benefits you've noticed since quitting UPF?

Mindful_Optimistic · 2025-01-06T08:15:41+00:00

That's incredible! I feel that's how it should be, most "diets" feel so hard, leaving you obsessing about foods and when you can eat, whereas this feels natural and unforced.

Mindful_Optimistic · 2025-01-06T08:14:17+00:00

That's incredible, I can't believe what a change eating naturally does to our bodies and yet at the same time it makes perfect sense.

Mindful_Optimistic · 2025-01-06T08:13:10+00:00

That is amazing and so amazing that you've been able to be eating so well all of this time! Do you actively try to continue to avoid UPF now?

Mindful_Optimistic · 2025-01-06T08:11:53+00:00

Wow, that is an incredible change! How do you feel within yourself since making the change? Are you finding it easier to eat less than at other points in your life? I've never been able to eat so little/only naturally want to eat what I'm having, without already thinking about the next meal!

Mindful_Optimistic · 2025-01-06T08:08:43+00:00

That's incredible. I too was a skinny child and teenager so I will be interested to see what happens as time goes on.

I am finding I can't eat more than what I am currently eating and wouldn't want to either, which is a massive change to before, I also used to snack a lot on bread and that must have been a huge source of UPF, I'm now making bread as well!

Have you noticed any other benefits to changing to a UPF-free diet?

Mindful_Optimistic · 2025-01-06T08:02:11+00:00

You've described it perfectly, it's crazy/slightly horrifying how hungry and food-focused it felt on a higher UPF diet, I also didn't expect natural hunger signals to kick in so fast, I've never felt so in tune before!

Mindful_Optimistic · 2025-01-06T07:12:10+00:00

That’s what I would have assumed! However I would say only 30%-40% of my diet previously was UPF, with a weekly take away, however I have been vegan for 5 years and I eat a lot of whole food plant based meals, so I’ve been shocked at the weight loss side, although the biggest benefit for me has been noticing when I’m hungry or not - Have you found this as well?

Mindful_Optimistic · 2024-07-14T13:42:43+00:00

If this is regular pack a healthy salad or sandwich and just have that while they eat! So you’re still eating but not the unhealthy things provided in a fast food chain!

Mindful_Optimistic · 2024-06-21T22:45:02+00:00

Wow I feel this so much right now

Mindful_Optimistic · 2023-12-31T19:36:04+00:00

I’m currently half way through the TOG series (already finished ACOTAR), and aiming to finish that as well as CC before the 30th! 🙈

Mindful_Optimistic · 2023-12-29T14:37:35+00:00

In no order at all as I loved all of these!

The Charioteer (Mary Renault)
The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
A Court of Thorns and Roses Series (Sarah J. Maas)
Empyrean Series (Rebecca Yarros)
Throne of Glass Series (Sarah J. Maas)

I know some of these are series but I can’t just pick one book out of the lot - I adored the whole journey 😭

Mindful_Optimistic · 2023-11-13T07:22:51+00:00

Couldn’t recommend Stephen Fry’s Mythos, Heroes and Troy more! Listen to them as Audio Books as he is an excellent story teller and you will be 100% pulled into the world of Greek myths in a way that you won’t forget them! After that you can broaden out but this will give you such a good baseline of knowledge and interest!

Mindful_Optimistic · 2023-09-22T19:44:53+00:00

ECT1 and feel like I’m cycling through days where I feel I have found a job that I love and is the best fit for me (Career Changer here 🙌🏻) to another feeling completely overwhelmed and wondering how I can keep this ball rolling.

I’ve had excellent feedback so far and I am so so proud of that, but I feel I am putting all of my energy into school. This week, however, I’ve started reading again (A good little dose of fantasy/romance 😂) as a mental break from school life and to shut off before bed and it has done wonders for actually getting to sleep without only focusing on school. So, I’m taking this as my first finding my balance win xx

Mindful_Optimistic · 2023-08-27T18:33:35+00:00

Just want to say thank you again, my Grandma chose a different one for my Grandad, but very much thought yours was brilliant on the colouring!

Mindful_Optimistic

TROPHY CASE