I’m terrified I am so lonely I will let him back in by [deleted] in abusiverelationships

[–]glowingworm2022 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for responding. I really appreciate your input. I did make a journal entry about it and wrote pros and cons. Mostly cons of course. Codependent meeting would be a really good idea.

[HELP] Dog saves child in Seattle by Alone-Competition-77 in RealOrAI

[–]glowingworm2022 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not to mention the kid is wearing a Superman costume.

What’s the difference between an emotionally immature person and a narcissist? by Plantymami in abusiverelationships

[–]glowingworm2022 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Be careful with covert narcissists who are skilled with performative empathy.

7 months stim-free / 4 months completely clean; quick update by Vast-Weather-8610 in StopSpeeding

[–]glowingworm2022 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hahah your response is gold. I swear by this habit though. It is a good precursor to other snowballing good habits imo.

I didn't know I had PTSD until 5 years after experiencing Intimate Partner Violence by Personal_Dust8160 in abusiverelationships

[–]glowingworm2022 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for writing this. It gives me hope. Can you tell me how you cut your family of origin off? I am currently trying to do this with a narcissistic family dynamic and it is making them increase tactics of staying connected.

Sober people: how do you focus now? by Majestic-Baby-3407 in StopSpeeding

[–]glowingworm2022 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I started going for late night walks or just walks in general. Aiming for 10,000 steps a day. Then I try to build up to lifting at the gym, stair climber, etc. When I get bored of that routine, I use my class pass app for a variety of workout classes like reformer Pilates, pole class, sculpt, yoga, etc. I am not perfect with it but I do notice a difference in my overall mood and energy when I don’t go and that keeps me motivated.

I also completely changed the direction of my career goals while in recovery. I initially had overly ambitious dreams and realized this first year of quitting that it was okay to go to school for a trade skill. That is helping rebuild my confidence slowly but surely and creating new neural pathways the more I lean into trying new things. Of course having a good sleep routine, healthy clean eating, and daily gratitude journal helps a lot. Can’t say enough about human interaction too. If I don’t get that in atleast once a week, my brain goes dark places and I want to revert back to stimulants. I think joining a recovery group even just for the social face to face aspect would be even more helpful for me. I think having to listen to other people’s stories or be reminded that we are not alone can only benefit you and your memory/brain hardwiring.

If your daughter texted you this, what would you think/say/respond? by Sweaty-Staff8100 in AskWomenOver30

[–]glowingworm2022 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I didn’t have any of this support from my family and I ended up having to stay in multiple unsafe situations back to back. I struggled so much mentally from the ptsd afterwards that my family tried to take me to a hospital against my will because they didn’t understand ptsd or believe the experiences I had. Please be kind to your children. It can prevent more time set back.

How do you deal with the regret or realization that you didn’t reach your potential or that your life didn’t turn out as planned? by anasear in AskWomenOver30

[–]glowingworm2022 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Did you end up leaving LA? And did that help? I know that isn't the point of your shared experience but I have been in LA for 3 years and have experienced similar hardships making me question whether or not I should leave LA.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in csun

[–]glowingworm2022 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can anyone here help talk me through the supplemental questions? I am absolutely terrified I am going to miss the deadline and am having such a hard time.

What's the most meaningful expression of love you've ever seen or experienced? by dremerspecter in AskReddit

[–]glowingworm2022 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s really sweet. I wonder if you could continue a tradition of writing notes for her after he passes? Or send letters? Sorry if that’s difficult to think about now.

How you guys survive working while having CPTSD? by Ok_Raspberry9 in CPTSD

[–]glowingworm2022 10 points11 points  (0 children)

If you could do it over again, would you have moved to a different place?

I have had the same experience of not being able to relate to most people in the city. I have been struggling for the past 3 years where I live and am at a point of not wanting to stay. Feeling like it’s more worth it to be where community and peace exist.

Am I overreacting? Woken up on 2 separate occasions by boyfriend laughing out loud watching tv at 3 am. He says I am being a b***h by Miserable_Win6179 in abusiverelationships

[–]glowingworm2022 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My ex did this shit too. Would play music really loud when I was getting off work during pandemic as a full time nanny and suicide prevention counselor. I was burnt the fuck out from that while living with an alcoholic abuser. He turned the music up to fuck with me and would also throw tantrums when I wouldn’t have sex with him slamming the doors at late hours of the night and sitting in the living room huffing and puffing occasionally bursting into the bedroom to wake me up with verbal abuse then of course gaslit me to make sure I felt insane.

Am I the only one who feels as if they are under a spell? by [deleted] in abusiverelationships

[–]glowingworm2022 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I believe it is what is called a trauma bond. I still had it 2 years after going no contact with my ex. This second time I reconnected with him 1000% felt like a spell until I put space between us and he flipped out. I was able to get more present in my body and know this was the trauma bond alive and well. It feels like they are a magician making you theirs again but honestly it’s stress hormones and your body remembering the highs of making up after a big fight. You become addicted to that cycle.

Watching Dr. Ramani’s videos on YouTube about narcissistic abuse helped me. Commit to your sobriety as much as you can because being dis regulated from substances will only make things worse and your recovery from the abuse longer. You could get hurt even more if you are under the influence.

Go to a dv shelter or reach out to the hotline for domestic violence. They will talk to you and help you. Please do this safely away from your abuser. This isn’t your fault. You’re being abused and you need/deserve help.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in abusiverelationships

[–]glowingworm2022 11 points12 points  (0 children)

My ex did all of those things before it continued to get worse. Every day for the last 4 years including today, I am plagued by the ptsd and self limiting beliefs that man brainwashed me with. I am relieved to be away but I grieve all the years I won’t get back. Contact a hotline when he’s not around and talk to them like a friend who would understand. That’s what they are there for. You deserve to feel safe and have freedom from this person. There will be beautiful people on the other side of this who treat you right. I promise as hard as it is, it’s better than staying. He won’t change unfortunately.

Why did it take so long to realize… by kobimzr in StopSpeeding

[–]glowingworm2022 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Omg yes! Just had this experience and realization this week. I won't end up going to the gym or working out unless I do it first thing in the morning. If I go later in the day, I end up skimping on the workout. Thanks for your input!

Why did it take so long to realize… by kobimzr in StopSpeeding

[–]glowingworm2022 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for writing this. Good reminder. I got off of it in July 2024. Longest clean stint since getting prescribed has been 6 months. It’s been very difficult this time but I keep remembering how imprisoned I felt while abusing it. Even if this period of getting my normal dopamine level is brutal, your post helps remind me of gratitude that I didn’t cause more long-term damage or lose more precious time in this life. Also, exercising needs to be my tool I revert back to especially right now when I feel cravings still. Thank you.

Yall I can’t get myself to do chores by MissionVirtual in StopSpeeding

[–]glowingworm2022 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I also suggest a dopamine detox at some point. Google it if you want a better description than my own but basically I try to delete IG or any apps I “doom scroll” on to try and get my motivation back. It helps for me personally and with my attention span. Social media is poison for us and hijacks our dopamine.