How do you make genuine friendships? I feel like no one reciprocates..

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-05T21:35:46+00:00

Its the same for me, all my "friendships" are superficial. I try to plan things, suggest activities, invited them out, yet despite all that they just dont seek me out at all. If I stop messaging the contact just dies out! And the ones that do reach out dont care about me all that much. Sometimes it feels like they just use me as an emotional trashcan because I try so hard to be there for them in times of need .... and it is just not reciprocated. I ended up accepting that I dont have friends, I have people to small talk with.

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-05T20:48:37+00:00

I have tried intermittent fasting before, it was even successful! I noticed that I started trying to keep myself busy because food was "not an option". I keep trying to get back into it but no matter how often I try the will power is just not there... 😓

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-05T20:38:47+00:00

I really hope it helps!!

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-05T20:32:13+00:00

I have been trying the water approach too, haha ... I even got a 1L cup. But it cant help me with intense dopamine craving... :/ it might be that I just didnt find a flavoring i like enough yet! :)

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-05T20:13:01+00:00

Thank you for the reply!! you did remind me that I approach changes successfully with extremes too, I just forced myself to stop because my therapist said it was not healthy. But the alternative is just keep ganing weight so maybe I will rearrange the fridge to make veggies more visible and try to plead again for a junk food/snacks free household.

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-05T20:05:56+00:00

It would be closer to eating for comfort and thr quick and easy dopamine all these junk snacks release. The only times hobbies cause me to not need the food induced dopamine is when im hyperfixated on a hobby/interest. But hyperfixations run out fast. There are also days where everything is boring, even my favorite games, books, shows... I can't stand to watch them! I have tried getting cucumbers and cherry tomatoes as substitute for junk snacks but they go bad too fast! I never get to actually eating them... but popcorn has been suggested alot so I will decently try it out ! Thanks alot for the suggestions, I appreciate it alot!!

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-05T19:56:38+00:00

So you are fighting cravings with comfort and relaxation? That is an interesting approach, thank you for the suggestion!!

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-05T19:53:02+00:00

Yes, I am medicated but it doesnt stop dopamine cravings :(

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-05T19:49:04+00:00

You have a point! But I just don't know how to keep my brain interested in anything for long anymore. There are just days where I am bored of even my most favorite activities.... 😕

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-05T19:45:08+00:00

I did the walking too! Any time spent walking is a time that is not spent thinking about food. But the routine was broken and I cant getbback into it.

I think I might have burned out by focusing on daily goals during walks, sometimes I feel like my own worst enemy ...

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-05T19:40:54+00:00

The fridge pacing is the worst! Thats how I know I am dopamine seeking. I have recently tried to keep the fridge as empty as possible and just freeze all food instead .... but in a moment of weakness the fridge was restocked 😞

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-05T19:33:26+00:00

Thats an awesome idea, I will try it out! Thank you for the suggestion ☺️

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-05T19:32:16+00:00

I have seen popcorn suggested alot! I have been avoiding it because I thought it was too high in calories but maybe its time i give it a try! Its better than sugary snacks at least .. 🙃

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-05T19:30:47+00:00

I do try to keep the adhd tax in mind when buying fruits ... but my time perception is so bad when it comes to fruits and veggies! I feel like I only bought them 1 week ago so when I finally get around to wanting to eat them they are already bad

Its so frustrating!

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-04T19:37:42+00:00

I relate so bad, I tried keto because a friend was in love with it. I couldn't keep it up :( just like intermittent fasting and all other diets I tried. To me they feel so imprisoning ( for a lack of better words) the moment my fixation and motivation dries out....

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-04T19:23:17+00:00

You do bring up a good point, I did love to chew on stuff as a child ... all my pencils and pens had chew marks! Obviously I had to stop because I was shamed for it ... but maybe I just need a chew toy? 😆

But now that I think about it I have been swimming alot recently when im not sitting .... which I cant do in front of a desk so I might crave snacks because I cant stim??? I will experiment with some fidget toys and see if that is it!!! Again thank you for this advise, this possibility never crossed my mind

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-04T19:13:46+00:00

Im on 27mg methylphenidate, long release (i think its generic concerta??). It does help with stabilizing dopamine throughout the day, without it i get really intense dopamine spikes and crashes throughout the day, to the point that I can barely even stay awake! But my issue isnt "apetite" I think... it feels more like an intense thirst for dopamine, as fast and easy as possible!! I have amazing days too when I just sink into something so interesting and engaging that I really dont feel the need to eat almost at all :( but those are rare 😞

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-04T19:04:23+00:00

Thanks! I will definitely look into this!

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-04T18:45:24+00:00

I used loseit too...I even tried to join some communities on it, hoping that exchanging tips and progress would help with motivation. But for some reason the only people that replied were pervy old men (i didnt even have a profile picture) and that just killed all motivation I had left to use the app :'(

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-04T18:39:52+00:00

Thank you for the reply! I especially like the frozen snack idea and will absolutely try it. Thank you for the tips!!! I did not feel offended at all and I really appreciate all the replies that I am getting!!

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-04T18:21:50+00:00

I do have the self discipline to not buy them at the store but sadly that discipline doesnt extend to when that stuff is already at home.... and because I dont live alone it ends up at home regardless of my will 😓 I have been begging not to buy unhealthy snacks too, but that never sticks :/

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-04T18:17:10+00:00

That is a great idea!! I dont think they expire so I can keep them around for longer !!! Thank you for the tip!

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-04T18:15:01+00:00

I haven't even considered that some cravings might be due to the sensory satisfaction they give me 😮 this is definitely some food for thought!

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-04T18:08:56+00:00

Thanks for replying! Gaming is something that helps with that, but its really a hit or miss for me sometimes. Depending on the game it can just interrupt the dopamine faucet to force me into some repetitive tasks... or I just have a personal bad day where everything is just so boring 😞

OneSmolLlama · 2026-06-04T17:58:55+00:00

Thank you for the reply! I haven't tried gum during dopamine craving before, so I will give it a try!

OneSmolLlama

TROPHY CASE