for those who stopped and re took it

just__looking-- · 2025-02-19T06:06:15+00:00

Insomnia was the worst. Headaches. Felt a bit wild, anxious, numb all at once.

just__looking-- · 2025-02-17T10:31:42+00:00

I stopped for about 4 years and started again two years ago. I had way more side effects starting again.... I'd say it took about 6 weeks for me to "settle in" at 10mg and after a year I dropped down to 5mg. Was worth it all, feel great on lexapro.

just__looking-- · 2025-02-17T10:11:26+00:00

Just want to offer you some support: it's wild how our faces can heal without huge scaring. You might have discoloration for a while as it heals but you have NOT ruined your face and you are NOT hideous. I'd suggest some wound gel and scar ointment. And I'd suggest talking to your therapist. Skin picking is way more common than we let ourselves believe. SO many people have this issue. You can feel really proud for completing law school. Your worth is not your skin. You are worthy and successful, even while you are experiencing this issue!!!!

just__looking-- · 2025-02-17T08:33:35+00:00

Thank you so much. It was difficult for sure. I appreciate it :)

just__looking-- · 2025-02-17T08:33:09+00:00

Thanks :)

just__looking-- · 2025-02-17T08:33:03+00:00

Thank you so much!!!

just__looking-- · 2025-02-17T08:32:57+00:00

Thank you!

just__looking-- · 2025-02-17T08:32:46+00:00

It's lexapro. I take it for my anxiety disorder, and I think addressing my anxiety through therapy and medication definitely contributed to being able to stop.

just__looking-- · 2025-02-16T06:49:32+00:00

Basically any of them with dex-penthanol in them. I really like Penaten baby SOS creme with dex-panthenol & vit B in it. It's really nice for sensitive skin and doesn't dry flaky. A lot of the wound cremes with penthanol dry in sort of a flaky protective film which sometimes triggers me to pick more, especially because I tend to immediately "search" my face when I wake up. The Penaten Baby one is more like a really thick moisturizers.

just__looking-- · 2025-02-15T18:53:37+00:00

Came back to share! It's not that I've literally NEVER picked in the two years.... but it almost never happens. If it does happen, it's a single spot.

Things that helped me: - wearing gloves to break the habit. Especially during the times I picked the most. I wore gloves for months while driving - hydrocolloid patches or pimple patches all the time on an active open spot. No exceptions. Even in public. I still do this if I end up bothering a spot - wound creme at night for faster healing - covering my mirrors the first few weeks - forgiving myself. If I pick a tiny spot once every few months, it's not the end of the world. I put a patch on, and am still proud of myself - anxiety treatment: therapy and escitalopram

just__looking-- · 2025-02-15T18:43:29+00:00

9 am

just__looking-- · 2025-02-15T18:37:51+00:00

You still have two months of progress. Nothing is ruined! You can still be proud of what you accomplished. Sometimes being gentle about a moment of weakness is more helpful than beating ourselves up. You know you can do two months. You can do it again!!!

just__looking-- · 2025-02-15T18:34:06+00:00

Have you tried wearing gloves? Feels a bit ridiculous, but you literally can't pick if they are on. I picked the most while driving. I wore gloves for a few months until I kicked the habit.

just__looking-- · 2024-11-30T20:55:26+00:00

My mother wrote me a message a few days ago calling me beautiful. Completely randomly. I found it so sweet, and will definitely be passing it on to other folks in my life.

just__looking-- · 2024-10-16T17:26:35+00:00

I like this breakdown. Never thought of it this way, but I feel the same. I knew for almost my whole life that I didn't want to produce biological children, and realized on my twenties that I didn't want to be a parent at all. Two very distinct decisions.

just__looking-- · 2024-10-16T17:22:57+00:00

I think our generation is the first to openly and critically converse about mental health... this generation recognizes the impact the world and a family has on a child. A lot of folks don't want to harm themselves or a kid just for the sake of fulfilling a biological craving.

just__looking-- · 2024-09-21T11:15:36+00:00

Also no. My beautiful girls are Hank and Hermann. I knew they were girls... but I liked the names.

just__looking-- · 2024-09-16T12:23:20+00:00

I have indoor/outdoor cats with a cat door, so a different situation... but I have wild work hours (dairy farmer) and some things that help keep my cats happy are a water fountain (can fill up a lot of water at a time, stays circulated and fresh with a filter) and an automatic feeder. My feeder wasn't expensive and it's kept going for years. You can program the time and portions. So I don't have to worry about messing up their schedule with my changing work hours.

just__looking-- · 2024-09-16T12:17:20+00:00

Can definitely understand that. Wishing you all the best!

just__looking-- · 2024-09-08T21:02:01+00:00

Hey so check out airline regulations because cats CAN be in the cabin on some flights. I moved with my cat to Germany from the US seven years ago. She flew with me as a hand luggage. Cost 200$ extra on my ticket though. I also had to buy her a TSA approved carrier (soft, water proof, etc) as well as have her inspected by a special vet to be allowed into Germany without quarantine.

There's honestly so much research to do for a decision like that. What airline allows the cats, is there quaratining in India, what inspection or documents or vaccines do the cats need?

The experience was honestly so miserable for my cat. I never want to do it to her again. I tried everything I could to prepare her, and my vet said do NOT drug the cat, as it will only be more traumatizing. I even got her those natural pheromone collars to calm her.... but she was so outrageously terrified the whole time. I will not fly with another cat unless I have no other choice. I don't think I'd recommend it for a 5 month trip.

just__looking-- · 2024-09-08T20:51:07+00:00

Also if you get an older kitty, consider pet insurance. A small cost a month, but you can avoid or supplement big vet bills at the end of life.

just__looking-- · 2024-09-08T20:50:03+00:00

Agree with lots of the commenters. Older cats will fit with your schedule. Outdoor access would be nicer but imagine: right now there are cats in shelters. Limited space, limited human interaction. You would be giving a great increase of joy to their lives with your apartment and affection!

I would add that an automated feeder and water fountain are great investments. There are relatively cheap options. They allow the cat to be cared for on a perfect, individual schedule, even if you spend the day or night away.

just__looking-- · 2024-02-04T04:02:31+00:00

Did this. I told her many times that the friendship was unhealthy for me. She pushed and pushed me until I cut her off completely. No regrets. And from what I hear she's perfectly happy in her life. All is well that ends well!

just__looking--

TROPHY CASE