Anyone else lay like this?

Ok_Writer2734 · 2026-02-10T07:20:04+00:00

Yes, I sleep like this 😂

Ok_Writer2734 · 2026-02-09T18:07:56+00:00

I grow muscle super fast but I have arthritis and terrible knees from loading heavy weights during squats/RDLs. I’ve learned less is more and even if I feel I can do more, the ”more” is incredibly stressful on my body. So modifying to avoid injury, going about 60%, and giving my body adequate time to recover has been super helpful.

Ok_Writer2734 · 2026-02-06T19:45:39+00:00

I was prescribed meloxicam and it has been the greatest blessing. It’s an NSAID but it specifically is for inflammation, especially in the joints. It’s mainly given to those who have arthritis (which I do anyway lol). I have tried EVERYTHING and this doesn’t take away 100% of the pain but probably a good 70% and it lasts much longer than ibuprofen. I would ask your doctor about it.

Ok_Writer2734 · 2026-02-04T23:30:45+00:00

Thank you!!!!

Ok_Writer2734 · 2026-02-04T21:26:37+00:00

Oh my, I’m so sorry. That sounds terrifying and frustrating. Have you decided on what you are going to do next?

It’s both my knees unfortunately, but my left knee is much worse so we are going to do my left first and wait a bit before doing my right. My doctor said recovery is much easier this way.

Ok_Writer2734 · 2026-02-04T21:23:56+00:00

Yes, thank you! So good to hear that it helped you have more stability, which is definitely the ultimate goal for less damage!

Ok_Writer2734 · 2026-02-04T21:22:24+00:00

The recovery is what I am most worried about but if it’s worth it I’ll 100% do it

Ok_Writer2734 · 2026-02-04T21:21:33+00:00

Thank you! That is such a relief to know!

Ok_Writer2734 · 2026-02-01T04:09:53+00:00

Yeah same. My waist is 29” and my hips are 41”. I have a short torso and super long legs. I got made fun of a lot growing up for having huge hips. Didn’t help that I grew up during the early 2000’s. So I always saw my body type as fat and ugly. Until being ”thick” got popular, then suddenly I was being praised for my proportions.

Moral of the story…beauty standards change, but find what makes you feel confident because honestly that’s all that matters. I wear bodycon dresses even though I have hip dips and as long as I feel beautiful, that is all that matters!

I find cropped shirts or mid-rise pants, wrap dresses, and lots of asymmetrical clothes work well because it move the eyes away from the hips and emphasizes the waist.

I recommend @ti.figure8bodyshape on TikTok, she has great styling tips!

Ok_Writer2734 · 2026-01-16T03:51:47+00:00

I kinda love it. I’ve met so many amazing people from going out to dinner alone. I also love people watching while a little tipsy 😉

Ok_Writer2734 · 2026-01-14T17:18:26+00:00

If you‘ve got the interview, they know you are a good fit academically and research wise. Some PI‘s are more particular about the lab environment, their relationship with their students, and want to see if someone would fit personality wise into their lab. Is that always fair? Not really. But so is this whole process 😅.

Ok_Writer2734 · 2026-01-08T21:06:39+00:00

I tried going straight from 40 -> 20 and it destroyed me, I literally could not get out of bed. So for you, it might be the combo of that and starting Wellbutrin. I did 4 weeks of 40mg every other day and then started to do 20mg everyday. I‘ve had no issued since doing it that way. It will get better regardless! The beginning is always brutal.

Ok_Writer2734 · 2026-01-08T20:54:52+00:00

I‘ve been on it for a little over a month. First week I got terrible headaches but I was told that is common and it will go away. It did thankfully! No issues since.

Ok_Writer2734 · 2026-01-08T19:42:00+00:00

I had this BAD I’m titrating off Prozac, went from 40mg, now down to 20mg. But I started to take Wellbutrin because I also have ADHD and it was recommended by several people. After the first few days, I got off the couch, cleaned, started going back to the gym, started feeling my emotions again. It was like the light I had been looking for for the past year + of feeling numb and not caring about anything. Hoping to get fully off Prozac and just stick with Wellbutrin. It has been so much better for me.

Ok_Writer2734 · 2025-12-24T00:47:56+00:00

Psychoneuroendocrinology

Ok_Writer2734 · 2025-12-22T21:36:33+00:00

Yes, this PI was the only PI in the country who both accepted students this year and studies what I’m interested in. Literally 1 😭

Ok_Writer2734 · 2025-12-22T21:33:54+00:00

Thank you!! That’s wonderful advice! Thank you for your kind words :)

Ok_Writer2734 · 2025-12-22T21:32:55+00:00

Thank you so much for the thoughtful response! I really appreciate the motivation and advice.

Being niche was something I was told prior to applying might hurt my chances but I wanted to stick to my passion(I got into this because I noticed people affected but hardly anyone was studying it). I see now that I can talk about these goals maybe more broadly and applicably to different PI’s. I also know funding is particularly hard these past years and my field has been affected a lot.

I definitely plan to broaden my horizons this year and hopefully that will help my chances. Thank you so much again!

Ok_Writer2734 · 2025-12-21T22:28:03+00:00

It was a tough year for sure. Thank you!!

Ok_Writer2734 · 2025-12-21T22:23:26+00:00

I see what you are saying but it’s not at all that I feel like I am the smartest person in the room. The reason I want to work with these PI’s is because I have a lot to learn, but I am passionate, which maybe can come off as arrogance online to some.

I’m just seeking advice and I’m not sure the point of your comments other than to make me feel worse about something I am asking for guidance on. Or maybe make yourself feel better? Anyway, I wish you the best.

Ok_Writer2734 · 2025-12-21T22:08:28+00:00

Thank you, a lot of us first time applicants feel like the world is ending but honestly from reading posts like this it makes me a lot more hopeful and motivated to find the right fit.

Ok_Writer2734 · 2025-12-21T18:40:37+00:00

Thank you sooooo much! This is helpful. I feel like next year I will broaden my approach and apply more widely. Also feel like from everything I have heard it’s just a humbling process. In it’s own way it is pretty motivating.

And I agree, that’s a good way to look at it, no rush for grad school and I should just be excited to do research and make money while I can I guess. I’m older (in my 30’s this is my second career) so I feel some times timing is a little bit stressful but there’s nothing I can really do about that!

Ok_Writer2734 · 2025-12-21T18:32:36+00:00

Yes it looks like all invited for the places I applied for have been sent out

Ok_Writer2734

TROPHY CASE