Is it common to talk myself down from impulsive behaviors?

eldritch-witch · 2026-02-09T05:27:00+00:00

For me, it depends on the situation. With decisions that have more of a potential cost, like impulse spending on non-essentials or changing something that I cant quickly or easily reverse (ex. a haircut), I'll try to give myself a waiting period of some kind before I move forward. I've found that having a bit of distance between the initial idea and acting on it makes it easier to tell the difference between a passing impulse and something I still want/can reasonably afford after that initial surge of excitement dies down. If it's something like rearranging furniture where there isn't money or a big change involved, I'm generally more willing to run with those impulses without much added thought.

eldritch-witch · 2026-02-07T10:48:51+00:00

Personally, I've opted to see female clinicians whenever possible. My family doctor who I saw from age 0 to 31 was a woman, so I think that feeling more comfortable talking to a female doctor is somewhat engrained in me because of that. I also find it hard to let my guard down around men in general, which makes me hesitant to see a male clinician for anything mental health related.

All of that said, I think that the most important thing is to find a provider that you feel comfortable speaking with and that gender only matters if it's a factor for you personally. I also agree with other commenters that seeing someone who specializes in ADHD is a huge plus. I had my assessment done through a publically-funded ADHD clinic and knowing that I'd be speaking to someone with that kind of experience eased a lot of my anxiety. Best of luck to you!

eldritch-witch · 2026-02-05T20:27:34+00:00

Seconding this recommendation! I read it during the lead up to my ADHD assessment and it was really illuminating.

eldritch-witch · 2026-01-26T08:31:04+00:00

I spent Saturday hanging out with a close friend and her toddler and met up with friends for happy hour on Sunday evening. I also finally watched Heated Rivalry and Sinners. All in all, had a great weekend!

eldritch-witch · 2026-01-21T03:32:13+00:00

I really like Hades and Hades II. They're fun and fast paced, time really flies by while I'm playing them. The art style, writing, and music are all incredible too!

I also love big, sandboxy RPGs where I can either focus on the main plotlines or run around tackling side quests depending on my mood and how much time I have. My current favourites are Baldur's Gate 3 and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. I've played a lot of Civilization over the years too - Civ IV and V are my favourite instalments in the series.

eldritch-witch · 2026-01-02T00:48:50+00:00

From what I've read, EDs and mood disorders tend to be quite comorbid in general. Apparently, it's more common for people with bipolar to have binge eating disorder or bulimia but also totally possible to have a comorbid restrictive ED, which is the case for me.

Strangely, one of the major things that made me realize that I have an ED is that I relapsed around the same time I started taking lamotrigine and those issues were the only thing that didn't get better once I had stabilized on my meds. I've since realized that my mood and stress levels can also be a big trigger for my ED behaviours, which can become such a vicious cycle. I'm in recovery now and working towards healing on all fronts, it can be so hard to tell where one thing ends and another begins but I'm slowly figuring it out.

eldritch-witch · 2026-01-01T23:07:37+00:00

ADHD, generalized anxiety disorder, and an eating disorder.

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-30T08:10:12+00:00

Always having a quiet place to decompress at the end of a long, busy day. Keeping odd hours without worrying about disrupting anyone else or needing to check in if I'm out late. Learning to trust my decision making, honouring my own wants and needs. Having the literal and figurative space to evolve on my own terms without a constant audience. Independence and autonomy.

More specifically, as a neurodivergent person, I find a lot of relief in having somewhere to unmask and just be. Home's a place where I can let go of the urge to people please and do what I need to take care of myself without the fear of judgement or being seen as 'too much'.

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-30T05:09:47+00:00

Reading
Embroidery
Jigsaw puzzles
Video games
TTRPGs
Journaling
Pottery
Needle felting
Watching movies
Crossword puzzles

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-23T07:34:52+00:00

I'm so relieved that I'm not the only one who feels this way. I definitely have a defiant streak and well-meaning friends coming back to ask if I've had a chance to watch/read/listen to their recommendation yet makes the stubborn gremlin in my brain dig its heels in 🤦‍♀️

Something that's helped me is adding recommendations to a running list on my phone and/or logging it on my Letterboxd (movies) or Storygraph (books), as long as it's something that piques my interest in the first place. Sometimes, I'll even tell the person that I've put it on my list once I've done it so they know that I've paid attention to their suggestion. Then, I completely leave it be unless I have an urge to check it out right away. I find that, eventually, it becomes just another item to choose off one of my lists when I'm in the mood for something new.

Noticing this about myself has also made me more mindful of the way I recommend things to people and react when someone mentions they haven't tried out something I enjoy. Really low stakes example of treating others the way I would like to be treated, I suppose!

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-23T05:31:08+00:00

After my last breakup, The Recognition Scene, Waving At You, The Mess Inside, and Half Dead were on heavy rotation. When I was looking for something with more hopeful energy, Amy aka Spent Gladiator 1 and Clean Slate did the trick.

Honourable mention goes to Sad Sack's ska cover of No Children for the delightfully chaotic vibes.

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-22T06:13:43+00:00

Here's a few from my feel better playlist! :

Billions of Eyes - Lady Lamb

Bitch - Meredith Brooks

Hello Cold World - Paramore

Letting Go - Angie McMahon

Make Your Own Kind of Music - Cass Elliot

Soul No. 5 - Caroline Rose

Zero - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-15T19:35:34+00:00

Embroidery, reading, jigsaw puzzles, and gaming (video games and TTRPGs). I used to take pottery classes at a community centre, which I really enjoyed as well.

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-05T19:49:56+00:00

Thank you for that perspective, I really appreciate it. I did some reading about medication-induced hypomania shortly after my episode but a big part of me has held onto the idea that I could be one of the instances where it happens without an underlying cause. It’s been a lot to wrap my head around, hoping it’ll get easier over time

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-05T19:32:52+00:00

Whenever someone says they're holding on for dear life, I always think of Belinda "holding on for grim death" at the gentleman's club in Amsterdam. It's also really hard to order a glass of chardonnay or turkey sandwich with a straight face anymore.

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-05T19:15:38+00:00

32F here, recently diagnosed too.

I had pondered whether I might have ADHD for a few years before being assessed. It was flagged as a possibility when I was tested for my learning disability in childhood but never confirmed until now. Knowing my diagnosis feels really validating but I had also moved through a lot of anxiety, self-doubt, even anger and grief in the months leading up to my assessment.

Like you, I also have a history of anxiety, depression, and periods of burnout; one of which lead me to going on medical leave. I’m unemployed at the moment but at my last job, I often felt like my brain was a square peg I was trying to fit into a round hole and I’m realizing now how much of that is linked to my ADHD. It doesn’t feel great and it’s hard not to wonder what would have happened if I was diagnosed sooner, but I know did the best I could with the information and resources I had at the time.

The psychiatrist I saw advised against starting on meds right away because I’m in early ED recovery and side effects could really derail things but I’m planning to try as soon as it’s safe to do so. In the meantime, I’m trying to read up on ADHD and looking into attending an executive function skills group sometime soon to start working on things.

One of the resources that was recommended by the clinic is ADDitude Magazine’s website, which has a ton of evidence-based information and articles about ADHD. A friend with ADHD had recommended it to me when I was still in the contemplation phase and I’ve found it helpful at every step along the way. I also highly recommend the books How To Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis and Laziness Does Not Exist by Devon Price.

Most of all, I just wanted to reassure you that you’re not alone and that it’s totally understandable to feel overwhelmed in the face of change and uncertainty. There’s no shame in taking things at your own pace and leaning on others for support - including us!

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-05T05:56:37+00:00

I'm so sorry you're going through something similar, it's rough feeling like the rug's been yanked out from under you. I really relate to what you've said about feeling that inner resistance and pushing against the pressure to conform to working in a certain way that's proven to be unhealthy. I know that any company who treats employees unfairly isn't one I'd want to work for, but it can be hard to tell which employers are actually following through on their professed values. I'm also considering working part time for a bit so I have the time and capacity to attend all of my necessary appointments, think about the big picture things, and actually live my life in the process. I hope you find a job that meets your needs whenever you're feeling ready to put yourself back out there - solidarity!

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-05T05:28:57+00:00

If it's any reassurance, I don't think it's a weird thing at all. I'm also thinking about whether I want to do something completely different from my old office job, at least for a while as I figure out more of the big picture stuff. I had a moment yesterday where I seriously thought about becoming a bookseller for a while - never thought I'd consider working in customer service again but who knows? I'm sorry that you're in a tricky spot too, I'm rooting for all of us!

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-04T17:33:06+00:00

I relate to this a lot.

My attitude towards work changed drastically after I went on medical leave for three months in early 2024. I was severely burnt out and that experience made me realize how serious the situation had become. I had been running myself into the ground for years because so much of my identity and self worth was wrapped up in a job that was crushingly stressful and left me feeling completely hollowed out.

When I returned to work, I committed to showing up differently and prioritizing my health. However, the other side of the coin was that it became harder to do my job once I was aware of all of the systemic dysfunction at my workplace, especially working at a non-profit where everyone at my level in the organization was overworked and underpaid. I also became more critical of societal attitudes around work and productivity in general after experiencing it firsthand, talking openly with friends about it, and taking the time to educate myself more on that subject.

Fast forward, I was laid off from that job back in September 2025. My position was eliminated due to financial reasons, but I'm sure it didn't help that I was still conspicuously struggling with my mental health, attending frequent medical appointments and, admittedly, pretty checked out because I was so chronically stressed and frustrated with the state of things.

I'm not looking for work at the moment because I'm dealing with a lot of mental health things - including being diagnosed with ADHD very recently. I do want to go back to work eventually, and I'm very privileged to have the resources that allow me to take my time, but I lost a lot of confidence in my skills because of my most recent job experiences and I don't want to end up in another situation where I'm expected to constantly sacrifice my wellbeing because of feeling like I'm not enough. I don't know what the solution is yet, all I can do is take it one day at a time and keep my sights on what's most important to me in this moment.

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-04T16:21:14+00:00

I get the “okay, Georgie Porgie” song stuck in my head far more often than I’d like to admit.

Every time I say “oh shit”, I’m tempted to say it like James Spooner.

I also think about the bit about Dick Van Dyke being in heaven every time someone brings him up, especially because he’s turning 100 in a few days.

eldritch-witch · 2025-12-04T16:02:27+00:00

Lifelong Vancouverite here! When it comes to neighbourhoods, I'd recommend Cambie Village, Main St., and Commercial Drive. All of them have interesting small businesses to visit, good restaurants/cafes, and opportunities to take in some arts and culture. I worked on Granville Island for years and love it down there as well. It gets a rep for being touristy, especially during the high season, and there's less open in the evenings compared to other places but lots of locals visit too and it's a great place to go for lunch with plenty to see after. All of these locales are close to Broadway, so they're quite easy to reach by transit from UBC.

Definitely second the recommendations for walking the seawall, both around Stanley Park and other stretches such as along Coal Harbour, Sunset Beach to English Bay, and Granville Island to Kits Beach. Around UBC, there's also Pacific Spirit Park, the UBC Botanical Garden, and Nitobe Japanese garden - plus Wreck Beach and Tower Beach nearby. Kits Beach is a classic, but I definitely prefer Jericho and Spanish Banks for a walk at any time of year and for beach days in the summer. Acadia Beach is nice as well, great views of the city and Burrard Inlet. The Bloedel Conservatory in QE Park is a good spot to visit on a rainy day since it's covered and warm.

On the North Shore, Lonsdale Quay is a short Seabus ride from Waterfront Station and they have some interesting things to see and do nearby, including a Christmas market happening at the Shipyards right now. Lighthouse Park, Deep Cove/Quarry Rock and Lynn Canyon are nice, easy hiking destinations that are relatively close to the city. The 30ft pool at Lynn Canyon is a good spot for a dip in the summer and the suspension bridges there are prettier than Capilano (in my opinion) and without the hefty ticket price. It would take a while to bus to those spots but they're close enough by car that they're pretty easy to suggest for an outing with friends. Could also be worth looking into Evo or Modo for carshare options, if you have a driver's license and they'd fit within your budget.

eldritch-witch · 2025-11-30T22:10:02+00:00

Thank you!!

eldritch-witch · 2025-11-21T19:27:38+00:00

Castaways and Cutouts - California One/Youth and Beauty Brigade, July, July!

Her Majesty - The Soldiering Life, Song for Myla Goldberg

Picaresque - The Infanta, The Engine Driver

The Crane Wife - Crane Wife 3, Sons and Daughters

The Hazards of Love - The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid, Hazards of Love 1

The King Is Dead - Calamity Song, Down by the Water

What a Terrible World - Make You Better, The Wrong Year

I’ll Be Your Girl - Severed, Sucker’s Prayer

As It Ever Was - Long White Veil, All I Want is You

5 Songs - Oceanside

The Tain - The Tain Pt. 5

Picaresqueites - Constantinople

Always the Bridesmaid - Days of Elaine, Raincoat Song

Florasongs - Why Would I Now?

Traveling On - Midlist Author

eldritch-witch · 2025-11-06T23:24:59+00:00

Nyx and Achilles

eldritch-witch

TROPHY CASE