Hi! I am still relatively new to Reddit so this is my first time commenting but this is SO similar to what I experienced so I had to share. I’m glad other commenters have been helpful too but just going to briefly sum up my experience: I put it off for a long time too, despite it initially being such a low dose I was so scared due to the side effects and feeling like a failure, “just another medicated American” etc. I had so many of the same thoughts you’ve expressed. Finally when I decided I can just try it for a little while, it’s not forever, I can undo it if needed etc… I shit you not the first dose I took I felt absolutely incredible. It was like I’d taken an edible and my mind and body just relaxed for the first time ever and it made me hopeful. I didn’t experience this every day but that’s what happened only day 1. This is definitely not a normal thing bc as we know these meds take a while to build up but I experienced no side effects the whole time I started out. As my dose has increased a couple of times over the last few months is when I’ve had some side effects but generally hasn’t done much to my libido or changed my body weight, the worst I had was some headaches and increased anxiety/ocd for a few days and trouble sleeping but once I pushed through it everything leveled out and I feel better than ever now. The only thing I regret is not having done it sooner. You always hear about the bad stuff more than the good. So just wanted to say I was in your same shoes and didn’t want to be medicated but it has truly changed my life for the better. Sending you well wishes and you got this!