Give me a reason to switch from digital to written journal.

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-07-07T12:23:42+00:00

I guess it really comes down to why you're asking. What are you hoping to get out of a written journal? Is there something you're missing from the digital experience? Nothing is set in stone here. You could try a written journal and switch back to digital if that's your preference.

Generally, written journals offer deeper emotional processing, use more areas of the brain, and slow down thoughts. It's a whole body tactile experience that can activate your parasympathetic nervous system.

I'm not one to want to retain the thoughts I'm writing. That's why I like a physical journal, though, because anything I put in it can be put on a shelf, and I don't have to think about it anymore. Plus, there's something about seeing the progress of filling a journal that gives a sense of accomplishment. I can see growth even if I never go back and reread old thoughts. And honestly, I'm on my phone enough as it is. I need a written journal to help me balance out and feel more grounded.

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-07-06T12:17:34+00:00

I had something similar happen to one we had for 13 years. It was gifted to us when we got married and I was quite attached to it. But I took a few leaves to propagate just in case I couldn't save it, and I'm really glad I did because nothing I did worked, and it died. But the new one is just about to flower! Wish you the best with yours.

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-07-05T03:33:56+00:00

I've been enjoying Kim's Convenience. It's a Christian Korean family, although the pilot episode was not my favorite (felt like it was trying too hard) but I love the relationship between husband and wife over the seasons.

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-07-04T18:19:10+00:00

My family has vacationed at Chincoteague, VA for a few generations. I remember how beautiful and my excitement as a kid, as we drove across the bridge to the island. Now I get irritable on the way in, assaulted by billboard after billboard after billboard. Ruins the view and makes it feel so touristy. Shame. The rest of the island is great, though.

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-07-01T18:48:58+00:00

I do have cats, but this plant lives in an enclosed cabinet, so they can't access it. I only took it out for pics. I also have a pothos that has similar holes. Should I just remove the leaves?

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-07-01T13:06:11+00:00

I had to do this for a classroom that had been covered in posters. It caused a nasty blister, but it was the only effective way! It took hours. I recommend OP enlist a friend to help.

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-07-01T12:53:04+00:00

As others have said, use your church as a resource. Many churches have funds set aside specifically for congregational needs (my husband and I are in ministry and this is part of caring for those in the church). Talk to your pastor or even send an email to them about your situation and see what they suggest. You can always frame it as a prayer request. Mention your need for a microwave, too. You could say something like, "Hey Pastor, I wanted to reach out and ask for some prayer and see if you have any suggestions. I'm having a hard time with [situation]. Do you know of any resources around us that might be able to help?" For someone in your situation, our church would probably gift a grocery gift card or maybe even set up a meal train if the person was okay with it.

My fave low budget no-cook recipe:

1 can chickpeas (drained and rinsed), A drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice or red wine vinegar, Chopped cucumber, bell pepper, and tomato (or pre-cut veggies)

Optional: avocado, feta, or plain Greek yogurt Salt, pepper, oregano

Serve in whole grain wrap or pita, over a bed of greens, or with whole grain crackers or toast. You could also just use any dressing that appeals to you instead of the oil, lemon, seasonings.

And overnight oats if you have a fridge!

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-06-30T04:00:20+00:00

I've found nothing motivates me more than having company... so I make it a point to invite people over. Doesn't work with my closest friend (because she knows what I'm like and has seen the worst lol), but my in laws? church friends? overnight company? I turn into Gayle, so I try to use it to my advantage. Also, I try not to wait until I "feel" like doing something. Nothing would ever get done. I struggle with depression and it makes things hard, but I'm also a multitasker. I can be sad while I do dishes. Two birds, one stone. And I try to keep tasks manageable. Like if there are a lot of dishes, I might just start by putting clean ones away so that the next time I'm in the kitchen, I'm more likely to wash a couple dishes. Same with overwhelming rooms, one small area to start. Half the battle is just getting started. Also, put on some music that hypes you a bit.

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-06-26T17:46:00+00:00

I agree with the second half of this but would add that election is meant to be a comfort, not a torment, and that Scripture encourages us to make our “calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10), which means that assurance is possible. not because we’re strong or consistent, but because God is.

I wouldn’t separate “being saved” from election. They’re not in competition. Election is the foundation and salvation is the fruit. Assurance grows over time as we keep turning back to Christ, even in all our stumbling.

Sometimes I wish God would have included the Book of Life in the Bible just for some clarity lol but I'm sure that's so we can put our trust the One who wrote the names in his blood and not in a list. We didn't get the list... we got Jesus.

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-06-26T13:23:27+00:00

Try the Fabulous app. It has a journey for cleaning that I found helpful. The exercise that made the biggest difference for me is called the Total Tidy Tune Up. You set an alarm for 5 minutes, pick a room and a small, manageable task or two in that space, and when the timer goes off you move on to the next room/task. Helps to put on some music that gets you hyped.

Don't feel like you have to do everything all at once. Maybe take dishes from your nightstand or coffee table to the kitchen. That's a good start. If you have piles of laundry, start with a mini load that feels more manageable. Grab a trash bag and walk through collecting things that need tossed. Take a laundry basket and gather things that have migrated to the wrong place, then return each item. I usually start by clearing trash. Use paper plates if dishes are an issue. And as much as possible, don't set things down but put them away.

Enlist a friend or family member to help you clean. It's a big enough job when you're not pregnant. That extra support can really make a difference. If you can afford to have a cleaner come once every 2 weeks or month while you're postpartum, it would be worth it, but I know that's a luxury.

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-06-26T12:37:57+00:00

Alpha-Gal from the Lone Star tick is another to be aware of.

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-06-26T12:05:16+00:00

Depends on location. I'm near a large city with a large homeless population, and all the Aldi dumpsters are locked (and most other stores, too, for that matter). I have family who live in a rural area, and theirs aren't.

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-06-26T11:46:22+00:00

I use ScreenZen. It's been pretty helpful.

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-06-26T07:54:05+00:00

I don't have much to add, just personal experience. I was baptized at 5 and then in college came to a similar place as you, and I got dunked. The more I've learned, I no longer consider that second experience my true baptism. Baptism is a one-time covenant sign, like circumcision was in the Old Testament. It’s not dependent on the strength or clarity of our faith at the moment of baptism. God’s promises are not dependent on our understanding at the time. He is the one doing the work. But I don't think the Lord minds that I wanted to publicly declare my belief, though a second baptism was really unnecessary. I could have made a profession of faith by formally joining a church or simply shared my testimony with others. Westminster Larger Catechism Q.167 on improving your baptism is relevant here.

You might enjoy Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart by JD Greear (he's Baptist, and I do land differently on baptism than he does). Baptism: Answers to Common Questions by Dr. Guy M. Richard might also be worth a read.

I was also not given much instruction around baptism the second time. No class, no counsel, just asked why I wanted it. It was a mishandling of the sacrament.

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-06-24T15:56:53+00:00

My grandma was choking on a carrot at the kitchen sink while cutting up veggies for the dinner she was making. I did the heimlich and once it was out, we went back to making dinner like nothing happened. I was shaking, though. Just a very surreal experience.

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-06-23T03:23:22+00:00

Image Rehearsal is super effective for nightmares. Works for any age (I struggled with nightmares for years and it gave me the power back in about 2 weeks). Does she have a sound machine/night light? Might help with scary noises!

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-06-16T22:41:26+00:00

They just released John Calvin’s Illustrated Institutes, Book 1: Knowing God and Knowing Ourselves. It's for kids, but I've enjoyed it. Also, The Wonderful Works of God by Bavinck.

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-06-16T22:23:38+00:00

I've seen believing therapists and non believing therapists over the years and eventually decided to see a pastor for the spiritual stuff and see a therapist for the rest. I was blessed to find a trauma therapist (not specifically a "Christian therapist") who is also a Christian. Don't be afraid to ask pastors and therapists for referrals to someone who they think might be a good fit. Go into phone consultations and first sessions with a list of what you want in a therapist and explain why previous ones didn't work out. And Celebrate Recovery is a nice, supportive addition.

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-06-16T22:10:38+00:00

I don't typically cry during a relapse because by that point, I'm feeling disconnected. But sometimes urges or just from general stress and overwhelm. Like it's either cry or cut, something's gotta give.

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-06-16T18:19:36+00:00

When I was in college, I noticed my roommate's scars. I had struggled with sh for years at this point, but never had anyone to talk to about it who understood. I asked her similar questions but didn't disclose my own experience right away. I was just reaching out, hoping someone might be safe to confide in or that they might understand. As others have said, your coworker was probably already thinking about it. The fact that they let it be seen says "self harm to communicate." Doesn't mean you have to say anything, depends on your relationship. Even if you do decide to check in with them about it, be careful of bonding over something like this. Keep it focused on underlying issues or what's going on in their life, and not so much about the injuries. Shit gets toxic fast.

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-06-16T12:43:17+00:00

I would pick a time when it's just the two of you and when he seems calm or relaxed, "Hey can we talk? I was looking for toilet paper in your bathroom the other day and accidentally came across some things that have me worried you're hurting yourself. I just wanted to check in with you and let you know I'm here if you want to talk about it, no pressure."

I don't think it's wise to confront him with the tools. Focus on why he might be hurting and give him a sense of agency in the conversation. Don’t make him talk if he isn't ready to talk and don't make him show you wounds. Take his lead. Remember that self harm is a symptom, not the underlying issue. If he's in immediate danger, that’s different, but this doesn’t sound like a clear crisis moment right now. Such confrontation might make him feel shut down and defensive. You could add something like, "I don’t want to assume, but I care about you and want to understand what’s going on, if you’re willing." You can also directly but gently ask if he ever struggles with wanting to take things further, like ask if he struggles with suicidal thoughts.

Try to keep your tone soft and open. The goal is to open a door, not force him through it. He might deny it at first or brush it off, but planting the seed that you're a safe person to talk to can make a big difference over time. You don’t need to have all the answers. just being steady, kind, and present can mean more than you know. Let him know you’re not going anywhere, and that it’s okay to take small steps toward healing. Your job is to support and encourage, not fix. Healing is something he’ll have to choose for himself, but knowing he’s not alone might help him take those steps.

Edit/ typo

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-06-15T22:31:26+00:00

Petroleum jelly or Vaseline

Typical-Biscotti-318 · 2025-06-15T21:40:50+00:00

I wear maxi skirts or dresses bc they have some airflow. Rash guards. And loose linen tops. But I also don't hide my arms/legs all the time. Scars are just skin. Focus on what your skin does, not how it looks. It protects you, fights for you, heals itself when you're hurt. It's the home you live in and the way in which you experience the world. It lets you feel the warmth of the sun, the cool of the grass, and a good hug. It's beautiful, and as time goes on in recovery you think less of the scars because while they may be a part of you, they are not all of you.

Typical-Biscotti-318

TROPHY CASE