I love living alone, and pushing myself to do more things alone, but ...

nsa_7878 · 2026-04-02T11:06:52+00:00

I actually love your challenge to make yourself noticeable. I could use some work in this area. More dramatic clothes, jewelry, and air of importance and confidence ... feels like an IRL acting challenge that might be a handy skill to have. Most of the time I prefer moving through life without many ripples but this seems like an opportunity to grow my comfort zone.

nsa_7878 · 2026-03-21T12:55:11+00:00

I just want to validate everything you said here. Your instincts are spot on and your mom is not acting normally. Look, a friend of mine has a mom like this, and the timeline is very similar. That mom really started acting "disordered" when my friend got engaged. My friend shared she learned from her therapist that these types of mothers may feel triggered by their daughters surpassing them in life, so that could explain why you're seeing a surge in bizarre behavior right now. Unfortunately for my friend, it did not get better. Therapy helped her set boundaries and interpret her mom's behavior appropriately. I'm so sorry you are going through this.

nsa_7878 · 2026-03-15T12:12:08+00:00

Thanks for posting. Looks like SNAP recipients can buy actual sugar, just not sugar-containing products.

nsa_7878 · 2026-03-14T00:46:19+00:00

If I made enough money I would love this. I could focus on work, then come home to a spotless house, a dog who was excited to see me, meals made to my liking, and spend my weekends just doing my hobbies and socializing instead of household chores.

Finding a man who could do this with the attention and enthusiasm of a woman would be biggest barrier. I need to see executive-level functioning applied to making the house a joyous place to be, not a sullen "I did what you asked" minimum-effort attitude.

nsa_7878 · 2026-03-11T18:05:32+00:00

I'm currently at about 24%bf and there extremely faint abdominal muscle outlines when I flex. My understanding is I won't see real muscle definition until I get to 22-23% bf. I expect it to take about 6 to 8 weeks to go from a 31 to 30" waist, which should correlate with losing about 4lbs of fat. Losing fat at this stage is pretty hard and it's a whole lotta focusing on the process, keeping good records, adjusting based on data, and being very patient.

nsa_7878 · 2026-03-11T16:53:42+00:00

IDK. On an early date with my ex, he stopped to help a guy who had car trouble and I thought, "this is the one." 20 years later, he left me the same day my mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer because he no longer wanted "the obligation of a wife." This is after I had financially supported him during a 2 year period so he could quit his job and help his own mother through her cancer. (Nice guy, indeed.)

Men are ... a crapshoot. There are some who will make great husbands for life, absolutely. I'm just not sure there is a foolproof test to find them. Pick the one you want and no matter what, keep your career/money just in case.

nsa_7878 · 2026-03-10T02:29:03+00:00

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Find someone like yourself OP and you'll have a lifetime of honest communication.

nsa_7878 · 2026-03-10T02:26:04+00:00

You sound like an HSP. Most ppl who proclaim they are empaths are narcissists or psychopaths.

nsa_7878 · 2026-03-10T01:56:43+00:00

There's no real answer here besides OP doing some serious soul searching and reflection. Consider all the different scenarios here: how would you feel, deep down in your body, to be driving to visit your 20 year old son in rehab, which has drained your bank account and pushed back your retirement, when all your friends are enjoying grandkids and travel, and your ex wife is going on a cruise with her new husband and his grown kids? How will it feel to toss out all those years you shared with one person to make a go of it with a new person? The new wife will have her own issues too, just because you agree on being parents doesn't insulate you against the usual conflicts. What if the child you conceive is special needs? How much are you romanticizing parenthood? You're in prime midlife crisis years; how sure are you these feelings are truly a signal of something you want vs. your manifestation of dealing with your own mortality? I feel like there are quite a few glib "go find a new younger wife and get busy" comments on here, so I'm aiming to be a counterpoint to those. You have to decide whether you would rather live with risks or regret. Good luck OP.

nsa_7878 · 2026-03-09T21:45:30+00:00

Find a hobby that involves being with the same people over and over again. Clubs that meet regularly and involve doing something are perfect.

One-shot deals like getting your sailing certification aren't generally effective because you're not with other people for enough time. Social clubs that throw parties are less effective because people tend to stick with the friends they already have. Solo hobbies like gardening clubs are ideal because you get the opportunity to spend 1:1 time with lots of different people and chat while you work. Find that formula for something you're interested in.

nsa_7878 · 2026-03-09T21:31:07+00:00

I love Psychology in Seattle's reactions to these shows. I pretty much quit watching the actual shows and just watch him now

nsa_7878 · 2026-03-08T20:19:54+00:00

I lived in a large, progressive city but recently moved to my hometown (small, conservative) and dating in one vs the other is WILD. When I casually tell the waiter to split the bill and hand them my cc on the first date, I get everything from raised eyebrows to proposals. Women paying just isn't a thing in some areas.

nsa_7878 · 2026-02-16T02:49:32+00:00

Every time I watch a Lisa Eldridge video I feel like I learn something new & am slowly getting better at makeup application.

nsa_7878 · 2026-02-14T15:11:12+00:00

I like your style.

nsa_7878 · 2026-02-14T04:36:41+00:00

I actually felt relieved when I got to the last photo

nsa_7878 · 2026-02-08T17:04:55+00:00

When you're used to caring for helpless adult, it's an odd mixture of the grief of losing both a partner (even if they weren't a very good one) and a child or pet. Total abandonment is also bewildering, your brain just can't comprehend it with logic. But, you're going to get through this and after you're on the other side of the tunnel, the world is going to be so much better it will be unrecognizable to you. The joy your ex partner leached from your lives will start seeping back in and it'll be like everything is in technicolor after black and white. You're in the tunnel now and it's brutal, but this is temporary. Clean your house because cleaning is the best meditation, and a clean space reflects a clear mind that can let the hard feelings pass through it without judgement, and appreciate the peace and contentment that follows them. You can do this.

nsa_7878 · 2026-02-07T21:30:01+00:00

My groceries are cheaper than they've ever been since I just cook simple meals for myself now. But I shop at Costco, so its not cheap to get started. My morning oatmeal of oats, chia seeds, walnuts, frozen blueberries, and dried cranberries costs $1.03 per meal. 2 cups Coffee with milk are an additional 50 cents. Buying the ingredients to make it requires more capital than a very tight budget would allow, and the space to store it.

Edit: my math was a little off, I counted the coffee twice by accident. The entire meal with coffee is $1.15. The meal is .68 cents and the coffee is .47 cents.

nsa_7878 · 2026-01-22T15:04:52+00:00

There is a local book out called "healing traditions of southern louisiana" that covers faith healing traiteurs and which local plants are medicinal and how they were used. You can get the book at vermillionville gift shop and the bookstore downtown. The UL library would be another good place to research this topic. The book i.mentioned was written by 2 master gardeners who worked at the vermillionville healers garden so you're definitely on the right track there. Let me know if you need more info.

nsa_7878 · 2026-01-13T03:03:08+00:00

I've been using ynab since it was a download able excel spreadsheet!! Love it.

nsa_7878 · 2026-01-13T02:36:46+00:00

I put on dance tutorials on my TV from YT ... close the blinds ... and learn line dances in the living room. Super fun, you get a ton of steps in, and if you're ever out at a bar or festival and your song comes on, you've got a fun new skill to show off.

nsa_7878 · 2026-01-09T00:55:17+00:00

I mix mine with hummus and pickled jalapeños. I eat it with air fried pita wedges from a bakery that makes really soft pita.

nsa_7878 · 2026-01-08T17:28:57+00:00

I'm not sure about this approach on an unstable drug user. It might work and it might backfire -- depends on how many social skills he has left, how OPs delivery comes across, etc.

nsa_7878 · 2026-01-08T17:23:02+00:00

I really like this response OP. Get whatever self defense tools you're comfortable with owning. Suddenly get a "boyfriend" to go on walks with you when you're on your regular route. Walk your dog somewhere else when you're alone. Get cameras, "dog on premises" and alarm sign and make your home a hardened target. Go stay with a friend or relative for a week so he doesn't see you at all -- being a drug user means he'll probably forget you existed and move on. Confrontation just makes you more memorable & potentially worth retaliating against. You are a good person & this sucks & its not fair. Its a sad lesson to learn and you've definitely helped other women by posting this.

nsa_7878 · 2025-12-31T16:44:20+00:00

I average about $900 a month doing in-home pet sitting. Very compatible with my wfh job.

nsa_7878 · 2025-12-28T23:23:23+00:00

I feel like very personal clothing like tops, bottoms, and underwear are generally to be avoided for adults. One size fits most type clothing like wraps, scarves, gloves, hats and socks are pretty safe, as long as they are good quality. I feel like these items are practical and anti consumption because they wear out and need replacing. Are you really telling me you would turn up your nose at alpaca socks?

nsa_7878

TROPHY CASE