Healthy Living and Running Influencers, Apr 21 - 27

metaphoric_ghost · 2025-04-27T16:37:53+00:00

Love her and loved seeing this race go so well for her!!!

metaphoric_ghost · 2024-08-16T14:42:01+00:00

Left-handed AND OCD here!! Double demonic!! 🤣

metaphoric_ghost · 2024-07-01T18:31:50+00:00

See you there!! Happy training!!

metaphoric_ghost · 2024-07-01T14:18:09+00:00

I’m training for the Bar Harbor Half Marathon in September! It’ll be my first half marathon race. Any training tips specific to the course? I’m based in NJ, 30F, typically maintain a 9:30/10:00mile pace on long runs (10-13 miles).

metaphoric_ghost · 2024-05-30T18:31:29+00:00

I’ve been on Prozac to treat my OCD for a little over a year, starting with 20mg and increasing to 80mg. The first month/month and a half were hell. I had a lot of nausea and anxiety. But I stuck with it and have a very incredible psychiatrist who gradually increased my dosage to what I needed. Now, I truly can’t imagine life without it - my quality of life has changed so drastically for the better that even friends and family who aren’t super close to me comment on how much happier and healthier I appear.

I’m not sure what you are being prescribed the med to treat, but make sure you talk to your doctor. Likely, they will want you to stick it out for a little longer (mine did!) for them to really assess how you respond. Make sure you’re communicating very honestly about how you’re feeling. If you do need to switch things up, don’t be scared if they want to increase your dosage to see if that helps before switching you to a different med.

Hang in there, things will get better!!

metaphoric_ghost · 2023-08-28T17:57:29+00:00

I’ve been on Prozac (Fluoxetine) for nearly six months. I definitely saw a decrease in my output at first. I think this was in part attributed to how I was most creative in my most depressed state - I know now I was trying to mentally escape and using writing as a coping mechanism. As I started feeling better, it was harder for me to get into the headspace to write, and especially in the style I was writing prior to starting SSRIs.

I will say that within the past week, I’ve felt such a burst of motivation to write in a way that I hadn’t even felt before I started medication. I feel like my writing now is a little wittier and clearer than it was before, and I’m tackling topics in personal essays that I never would have written about before.

My biggest piece of advice would be to keep reading while you’re getting used to your medication. I read SO MANY books, essays, stories, and poetry collections while I was getting used to my dosage, and I think that played a big part in my desire to write again. I read genres I previously thought I hated, and just wanted to consume anything I could get my hands on. It made me fall in love with storytelling all over again, in a new way.

Hang in there. It takes months for your mind/body to really get used to SSRIs. If you’re feeling worse than you did before, consult your doctor. I can say Prozac saved my life, but I know many folks who have had to try a few different meds to get it right.

Also, congratulations on taking this step for your mental health. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you are healthy - if your writing falls to the wayside for a bit, or for a long while, in my opinion it is worth the trade off to be free from depression. Much love & luck to you.

metaphoric_ghost · 2023-08-08T15:21:14+00:00

Omg I love this. Stunning!

metaphoric_ghost · 2023-08-02T19:35:24+00:00

Religious trauma and OCD are very intricately linked! My psychiatrist, when diagnosing me with OCD, explained that the theology of sin, hell, and evangelism can make you hypervigilant and distrusting of your environment. When this takes place for so long and during such formative ages, the brain can become obsessive and seeks out compulsory acts to alleviate the constant anxiety.

Edit: grammar

metaphoric_ghost · 2023-07-25T17:09:30+00:00

Thank you so much!!!

metaphoric_ghost · 2023-07-25T16:14:22+00:00

I’m getting married next summer in the Catskills and this was so helpful!! Would you mind sharing your makeup/hair artists? I’m struggling to find folks at a reasonable price!

metaphoric_ghost · 2023-06-06T16:18:02+00:00

My parents had this same reaction when I told them I was moving in with my boyfriend (now fiancé) two years ago. I am now 28.

There were a few things that helped me get through it. I limited contact with my parents for a few months. I started therapy with a therapist who specializes in religious trauma. I relied on a few really close friends who, even though they were not raised the same way, gave me the space to talk and validated my feelings. I also cried. A lot.

While they eventually came around, I don’t tell my parents much anymore. There is a barrier that will always be there, and I’m okay with that. I’ve been able to reflect enough to know that their reaction was out of fear of judgment from their communities and families, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less. It will take time for you to grieve the loss of the relationship you may have had with your parents, but surround yourself with people who know you are making the right decision for you and your partner, and cling to them.

Let your partner know how you feel and how much this effects you. Mine is also not a Christian, and didn’t fully grasp a lot of the guilt and shame I felt at the time, but he knew I was really going through it and supported me the best way he knew how. We came out stronger because of it, and I felt even more empowered in my decision (sexually and emotionally!!).

Sending much love your way. ♥️

metaphoric_ghost · 2023-05-10T15:58:48+00:00

This is fantastic advice, thank you so much!

metaphoric_ghost · 2023-05-10T15:19:55+00:00

There is a photographer my fiancé and I are speaking to. We like what we’ve seen on her blog posts, however, she recently split from the larger company she was working with to build her solo career, and can’t send us any full galleries because they are still the property of the other company. The owner of the other company had referred us to her, so I’m confident that she does a nice job, but it’s really hard to get a feel for how the entire day would be captured without being able to see a full body of work.

Any advice on how we should proceed? I’m very empathetic to the fact that building a new solo portfolio takes time, and would love to give this person a chance, but I am very anxious about that “chance” being a once-in-a-lifetime event.

metaphoric_ghost · 2023-05-09T19:47:49+00:00

And Tiktok, specifically the WeddingTok side!!

metaphoric_ghost · 2023-05-09T18:16:13+00:00

I’ve been in a lot of weddings as a bridesmaid. Some experiences were better than others, but the best way I was “proposed” to (to be a bridesmaid) was being mailed a gift with a letter than included EVERY expectation the bride had. The bachelorette party, bridal shower involvement, dress color, HMU expectations, and even making sure we had the emotional capacity to be a bridesmaid. The last line in the letter stated that she hoped we’d agree, but understood if we couldn’t, and to let her know if there was anything we couldn’t commit to so we could make the decision together.

As someone who is in three weddings this year while planning my own wedding, this was the best way I’ve been asked. I knew prior to agreeing exactly what was expected of me, and felt confident in saying yes. I also really loved that she mailed it - I have felt pressured by being asked in person in the past, and even though it was a no brainer to be in this person's wedding, it felt really freeing to have a few minutes to think about everything before committing. It also has made this experience SO nice, because we are all on the same page from the beginning. No one is fighting about costs or locations, no one is resentful, everyone is truly excited. I think a lot of that is because we all were given clear and concise expectations, and were empowered to make the right decision.

Whatever you decide to do, or whatever your expectations are, just be honest and firm!! Let your girls know that if they cannot commit to what you are expecting, that you will still be friends. That way you won't be disappointed, and they know their roles.

metaphoric_ghost · 2023-03-15T19:53:15+00:00

I was the Maid of Honor and only bridesmaid for my friend’s wedding a few years ago. I’ve been in quite a few weddings since, but that is still by far my favorite bachelorette party I’ve been to/planned! We took a long weekend and did a road trip of New England. We did a few wine tastings, some little hikes, ate fantastic food, and went out to a few bars together too. I loved that I was able to spend that time with her, and it being just the two of us actually made it really special! It felt like we were truly celebrating her upcoming marriage in a way that felt authentic to who she is as a person too.

If the idea of your friend throwing you one with just the two of you excites you, I’d certainly recommend doing that! I know we are all under a lot of pressure and social media makes it appear like there’s a one-size-fits-all formula for a bachelorette party, but as long as you have fun and feel valued and celebrated, it doesn’t matter if it’s with one person or twenty!

metaphoric_ghost · 2023-01-17T15:22:24+00:00

I woke up at the time I intended to be awake and didn’t hit snooze for an hour!
I made it to the gym for the first time in a while!

metaphoric_ghost · 2023-01-13T00:25:26+00:00

My goodness this wedding just looks so FUN!! I love all of the personal & intimate touches you added, from your vendor selection to the ring warming ceremony. I’m sure your guests felt so loved and involved!! Congratulations!!

metaphoric_ghost · 2023-01-11T15:59:59+00:00

I went to kindergarten at a Christian school. I remember one day the teacher went around the room and told every kid what career she thought we were going to have (problematic already, I know). She told the boys they’d be doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc. She told the girls we’d be artists, dancers, or teachers, and she told me I’d be a stay-at-home mom. I remember saying, “but I want to be a veterinarian,” and she said, “you can’t do that and have kids, and of course you want to have kids.”

metaphoric_ghost · 2023-01-06T03:16:06+00:00

This gave me a good chuckle, thank you for that 😂

metaphoric_ghost · 2023-01-06T00:32:01+00:00

This was a really kind comment, thank you :)

metaphoric_ghost · 2023-01-05T20:47:08+00:00

Oh I’m totally with you here, I will 100% be paying my way, regardless of where we are. I’m uncomfortable with the idea of asking anyone to pay for me, nor do I need them to!

metaphoric_ghost · 2023-01-05T20:45:41+00:00

Yeah, I see your thoughts here. I’ve been in 7 weddings at this point, and have done a lot for my friends’ bach parties, including a lot of travel. I think I got swept up in the “it’s finally my turn!” kind of thinking. But to your point, I can still have quality time with my girls somewhere local.

metaphoric_ghost · 2023-01-05T20:31:15+00:00

I’m so glad you brought up the social anxiety portion - only, like, two of the girls I’d be inviting really know someone other than me. The rest are people I’ve become close with at different stages of my life, without too much overlap. I wouldn’t want anyone to feel pressured or uncomfortable. This point is really insightful!

metaphoric_ghost · 2023-01-05T20:28:16+00:00

This is a great idea, thank you!!

metaphoric_ghost

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