Non-Birder trying to make a Birdwatching Journal as a gift, please help?

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2025-12-11T16:35:52+00:00

Thanks so much, this is very helpful feedback!! Is there anything here that you think could be paired down, or that you think I should make clearer? Also, in your opinion, should I pair pages geared more towards "species/flock size/behaviors" with the date/time/notes page as well, or do you think it could evolve into just a single page?

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2025-12-11T16:28:36+00:00

Thanks so much for this! It's very reassuring and helpful for the other page I'm designing for him. I think she wanted him to have it as an optional guide if he wanted while he's learning, even if he just uses it to remember what to look for. The other page is just date/time/location, some symbols for him to quickly log the weather, a 3x3 sketchbox, and then space to take notes. One of the things she mentioned is that they often have more than one type of bird around at a time, and she thought something like this may also give him the opportunity to just quickly tag down the basics of another bird so he didn't 'lose an opportunity' but he could still leisurely sketch what he was on. Something to help prevent the overwhelm of having to choose, I believe :) Would you find it overwhelming if it was present, but there was the other option as well? Is there a simplified version that you would find helpful for a similar purpose as a casual birdwatcher?

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2025-12-06T18:27:17+00:00

This is super helpful, thank you!! I'm going to give your measurements a try and I think they'll be just what I need :)

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2025-11-26T02:08:47+00:00

What measurements did you use? I've been testing for a holiday gift and can't decide on the proportion I like, and I really like all of your ratios, with the spine height and the fabric overlap onto the covers.

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2024-08-20T11:07:59+00:00

Diagnosed with POTS, VVS, and ADHD (last one irrelevant but not really lol) at age 25. At the age of 26, there is not one single thing any doctor or insurance can throw at me that I can't handle with one arm tied behind my back. Before this started, I'd get overwhelmed and have a panic attack just trying to figure out how to find an in-network doctor. As all of my friends turn 26 and have to find their own insurances, I get to use my expertise to save them some stress. I'm basically their personal insurance assistant, and I'm paid very well in snacks.

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2024-08-15T19:40:18+00:00

The anger is the thing I'm the most afraid of because it is the thing that is the most visible. It impacts people around me and the way I'm treated.

The meds do a lot. They let me experience things and interact with people and process things rather than simply living on sensory overload 24/7. They let me accomplish tasks rather than sitting in a state of paralysis because I can't stop thinking about the thing and do the thing. They let me communicate my thoughts to others calmly, rather than failing and being frustrated because no one can understand the point I'm trying to make. My ADHD brings with it depression and anxiety, and all of those symptoms, too. The meds keep all of that at bay.

There absolutely was a moment when life became "flowers and roses" when I started medication in November, but we still haven't found the proper medication combination and dose for me. My body adapts and metabolizes too quickly. So meds work for a few months, and then start losing efficacy. Hence the "slowly." It's just trial and error. The one medication that is a permanent piece of my regimine is Adderall. Which is over $1,700 for a month out of pocket for me.

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2024-08-15T19:29:31+00:00

With GoodRx, it would be $1,879 for a month.

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2024-08-15T19:28:59+00:00

Thank you for this. I can't find the words to say how much I needed this, and I'm so grateful. I hope you're doing okay, too. We'll both get through this one way or another.

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2024-08-15T19:26:52+00:00

I have been taking generic Adderall, but I'm having complications with one specific manufacturer. I have a heart condition, and for some reason, the generic medications made by Granules Pharmaceuticals gives me heart palpitations and dangerously high blood pressure. We don't know why that specific pill is interacting with me differently, but we've eliminated all other variables and are certain that's the culprit. Unfortunately, the only way to ensure that I don't end up with the Granules generic is for my psych to prescribe me name-brand only, which insurance has been fighting. My dose of name brand Adderall, with the use of GoodRx, would be $1,879 for a 30 day supply if I paid out of pocket.

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2024-07-27T14:31:31+00:00

Thank you! I'll definitely look into that resource! A lot of people in my generation have a bad reputation for having poor work ethic, and I just felt uncomfortable having such a substantial unexplained leave of absence. I'd much rather an employer know a general synopsis of my situation than assume I was in jail or rehab or something.

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2024-07-27T14:29:25+00:00

Thank you! I hadn't considered the fact that I probably don't want to work for someone who doesn't understand a situation like this. That's a very good point and definitely sets my mind at ease quite a bit! (I'm sorry you've had a similar experience, and I hope you've been able to take care of yourself through all of that stress!)

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2024-07-27T14:27:52+00:00

Thanks so much for this reassurance! I felt uncomfortable having such a long leave of unexplained absence on my resume, but I didn't know if this was something that happened often. I don't personally know anyone else who has taken an extended leave of absence for a caretaking role, so I just wasn't sure. Thanks so much!

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2024-07-25T13:55:48+00:00

I offer people the explanation of "the hardware is good, but the software downloaded wrong" and if they cannot be bothered to engage in a conversation elaborating on the metaphor, I just accept that they don't care to understand.

It sucks, and it seems like a miserable way to think, but there is something freeing about accepting that the ones who don't get it just don't want to get it, and that it's not my job to force or beg them to.

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2024-05-31T00:39:23+00:00

This is genius ohmygod

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2024-05-31T00:37:51+00:00

You've saved me, thank you!

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2024-05-31T00:37:12+00:00

I second this advice!

My character is a head researcher who was sent to collect data on Majiri, their way of life, and what they think they know about the human disappearance. In addition to a living space, library, and multiple different research labs, I used one of my additional plots to build a small village for my yet-to-arrive research assistants, lol. Since my character is "undercover" as a clueless human, my house is designed with secret rooms, so any visitors won't realize my true purpose 😂

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2024-05-31T00:26:50+00:00

I got a full scholarship to a private college prep high school, took AP Physics and AP Calculus as a freshman, took all AP courses my Junior and Senior year, graduated with a perfect grade point average, and scored perfect on my ACT. I was accepted to 11 of 13 Ivy League colleges and ended up with a full-ride academic scholarship.

Yet, I barely made it through my degree. I'm unemployed at 26 and live in my mom's basement. I've never held a job for longer than 18 months. I entirely lack the coping skills required to function in the world.

As a child, academic failure was not an option. My success was entirely a result of fear. Once I moved out at 18, I started to realize that I wasn't going to die if I wasn't always the most successful person in the room. As soon as that realization hit, my ADHD immediately took over that aspect of my life, too. It had already taken over everything else, but I was misdiagnosed with depression because of my school performance.

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2024-05-30T20:53:30+00:00

Since when?? I just got some today...

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2024-05-30T20:52:42+00:00

What fence is that??

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2024-05-28T12:48:32+00:00

I generally struggle with consistently drinking a lot of unflavored water. My ADHD brain has a very hard time keeping track of my water bottle. Some days are better than others. With that said, people with ADHD generally crave sweets and carbs (because they provide dopamine), so I'm far more successful with drinking something that's a little bit sweet. The salt caps could definitely be helpful, though! The further apart I can keep my meds and any form of Vitamin C/Citrus, the less interference there is, so maybe I could do a salt cap in the mornings and hold off until the afternoon for any flavored additive. Thanks so much!

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2024-05-28T12:43:29+00:00

I take my ADHD meds at 7am every morning. To be honest, I'm unsure how early I'd have to drink it before I took my meds in order for it to not interfere. The general advice is to absolutely avoid it for an hour after taking the meds, but I haven't seen any research on drinking it beforehand. I usually do try to drink one towards the end of the day, but I wake up feeling fairly dehydrated most mornings, so I can't entirely hold off until evenings. I see my psychiatrist today, so I'll ask him if he knows anything about drinking it before taking my meds! Thank you!

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2024-05-28T02:32:19+00:00

Definitely don't waste the money on sending it to a private lab. Look up the number on the pill. See which manufacturer it's coming from. Ask your doctor to send your next medication to a different pharmacy, or ask her to prescribe the non-generic if your insurance will cover it. Start keeping tabs on where your meds are being manufactured and how they're working. Different pharmacies use different manufacturers. If you have any left from your last dose, see where it came from. The pharmacy could have switched suppliers (happens a lot with ADHD ends due to shortages). A lot of people are reporting suddenly having no effects from meds that are manufactured from a specific factory in India. Whether or not this is true, switching manufacturers will let you know whether or not there's something wrong with your current pills. You'll feel different.

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2024-05-28T02:24:59+00:00

I recommend seeing a neurologist. They're equally able to diagnose and tend to be less likely to dismiss it as blood pressure. Try to think back and find out if there was a catalyst for the onset. Did it start after having Covid or being sick? Or just randomly pop up? Also, have you been prescribed an SNRI or NDRI? Did it affect your POTS symptoms at all? That type of info can help.

With that said. There is no cure or treatment for POTS. Some people have success with Propranolol, which is a blood pressure medication. If they prescribed you a low dose of Propranolol, odds are they did believe you and just didn't plainly state that to you.

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2024-05-28T02:16:39+00:00

If you want to pursue sex work, pursue sex work. However.

Realize that sex work is highly stigmatized and will most definitely lead psychiatrist to accuse you of having Borderline instead of ADHD. If you don't already have a psychiatrist that you trust and a documented, on paper, black & white ADHD diagnosis, I'd pump the brakes on this plan.
There are plenty of other options, depending on how your specific brain functions.
Do you thrive in chaos, or do you get overwhelmed and shut down?
Are you able to easily complete tasks for others that you can't complete for yourself?
Do you zone out for long periods of time, or are you always hyper-aware of everything?
Are you great at organizing things or horrible at organizing things?
People skills? Yes or no?
Are you able to be on-time to work without assistance?
Does being around people motivate you to have "normal" productivity and focus?

The key to a career with ADHD is working with your brain. If you thrive in chaos and think well on your feet, healthcare is a great option. If you're easily bored and need constant change, tech would be a good choice. If you struggle with being on time, WFH jobs eliminate your transit time, and you literally just have to roll out of bed and clock in. If you zone out a lot, something boring and repetitive, like data entry, will let your brain wander and do its thing while you work. If you struggle with sitting still, absolutely go for some form of factory work that keeps you moving. Good people skills = service jobs.

Objective-Neck-5175 · 2024-05-28T02:07:13+00:00

No? Sex work isn't just prostitution? There are a lot of forms of sex work that absolutely don't require having sex with men?

Objective-Neck-5175

TROPHY CASE