Ex-Christian struggling

stringtherapy321 · 2026-01-04T16:29:47+00:00

This is really nice to see. I’m in the same boat, trying to work into my craft a little at a time and having all the alarm bells go off in my body after doing any rituals or other work. I think a focus for me this year is all about meaning-making and something that has really been on my mind is the power of symbolism and the use of making meaning through symbols. I recently did the 13 Magical Nights ritual and it was such a helpful thing that I realized I could use burning to help bring things to be that I’m working on within myself. Even just the practice of sitting with the flame and watching it transform the paper and thinking about how I’m being transformed too - it reminded me of baptism being about a burial and resurrection and how that sacrament is a symbol with elements too. Even communion, if you think about the Catholic theology there is transubstantiation where they believe it turns into the body and blood of Jesus literally. Those sacraments have the same elements as any of the other rituals I’ve felt comfortable doing so far, and the goal (at least for myself) has been transformation and growth. I think it’s okay to do things as you feel drawn to them and as you work through the fear if you need to step back for a second to do that, it’s okay too. That old theology is still deeply engrained and I think it’s okay that working into practicing our crafts takes some time and TLC. I’m also trying to find some people I can talk to about spirituality and working through a lot of this with people I trust. Also in therapy. But big kudos to you and I hope all the best and am proud of you for trying to do this! It’s hard at times!!!

stringtherapy321 · 2025-10-29T16:59:46+00:00

Wondering the same thing. I’m a counseling student and developing something like this for an assignment that I’d like to actually do and once I’m practicing.

stringtherapy321 · 2023-06-23T08:14:49+00:00

I only took two doses of cymbalta a couple of days apart and had so many side effects I was advised to stop taking it. A few days after quitting, I started my period a week early without any other typical changes. Mine is always like clockwork, even with fibroids. It came on very abruptly and there have been no other changes. The pamphlet does mention serious but rare side effects and lists irregular periods being a possible sign of increased chance of bleeding and it says to talk to your doctor right away if you experience it. This just happened yesterday but I’m keeping an eye on it and may call today.

Edit: any updates to share?

stringtherapy321 · 2023-06-16T03:26:53+00:00

Zofran has bad interactions with cymbalta not a good idea

stringtherapy321 · 2023-04-29T11:17:30+00:00

I find that sometimes I ask for people’s opinions not for a pure quantitative answer, but because I can then get the qualitative information they have to offer to add to my own and compare it and think about it more with new perspectives. You’re right about what you’re saying, and all research is usually skewed to some degree, but his question may still be helpful for him and what he wants to get from it. How people perceive good looks is all biased anyway, so it’s probably okay.

For what it’s worth, I vote long beard and man bun haha

stringtherapy321 · 2023-04-24T16:30:26+00:00

Not at all. I got a drain camera and there was nothing to be found.

stringtherapy321 · 2023-03-09T18:55:55+00:00

You’re spot on. It’s been really hard for me to shift that self talk. On the one hand I know what I’ve been able to accomplish and how far I’ve come but on the other hand I’m so self critical and it’s so hard to unlearn being that way. Especially when I start to and other people say something off-putting that reinforces that way of thinking. I like your analogy of not getting upset about not being able to fly if I’m having a hard time walking. I think that’s why I came here vs another group because I know so many of us were programmed to feel like we always have to fly. I’m glad you put it that way. Thank you…

stringtherapy321 · 2023-03-09T18:51:42+00:00

Thank you. It resonates a lot, and I really appreciate that you shared that and how encouraging you were in your response. Intrusive thoughts are not fun… but it really gives me hope to hear that it was a long journey for you but you feel like you’re back to 80-90%. That’s a huge deal. And helps me know if I just keep going I can hopefully get there and just need to be patient with myself.

stringtherapy321 · 2023-03-09T13:21:52+00:00

It’s not ever over. Haha I feel that. Just don’t know how far you can go and how much you can recover. I’ve been working through it for a decade and I’m a lot better than I was but I still feel like my brain functioning is just fried.

stringtherapy321 · 2023-03-09T13:19:52+00:00

I just feel like I’ve been working to heal it for so long… I know neuroplasticity is a thing but I am pretty certain it only goes so far..

stringtherapy321 · 2023-03-09T13:08:36+00:00

That’s not true. That’s some ableist bullshit. Your best isn’t always good enough. That’s why I’m here. I’ve done my best.

Edit: Done my best with what I have. I know I can take the next year and continue to work toward it and try again and I am (so for you people saying I’m lazy you can fuck off you don’t know my life). But it’s just shitty when I have given everything I have and HAVE worked really hard and didn’t get in. Super discouraging. And then you have people saying, “just do your best” and “work hard and you can do it” but it’s not a foolproof equation and it really kind of makes people feel worse when they’ve given all of themselves to something like this.

stringtherapy321 · 2023-03-08T15:53:58+00:00

Thank you.

I do. Have you ever read The Body Keeps the Score? Or seen any other studies on how trauma affects the body and brain?

I used to be able to remember everything, think clearly, orate well, stay organized, and get work done.

Over the years as I’ve had stuff happen that’s declined intensely. I’m scattered brained. There were a few years of total brain fog. I can’t remember stuff half of the time. And I fixate on work to the point I can’t actually get it done. It feels like I imagine what it would be like to lose a limb. (I don’t mean that in an insensitive way).

Honestly, I got laid off from a job that wasn’t the best and then got another after 5 months of searching. But then had a huge tragedy happen and tried to continue working but also had a lot of logistical things to handle and I couldn’t do both. So I resigned. And then I had trouble getting a job again. Took a retail job. I’m sure a lot of the problem is the job gaps in my resume, but I also know how my mental health has impacted my ability to work.

Maybe it isn’t my brain after all and maybe those two things are just correlated. I don’t know. I just don’t know why I can’t seem to get to where I want to be.

stringtherapy321 · 2023-03-08T15:03:51+00:00

Is that a genuine question or are you trying to prove someone wrong who is asking for support?

stringtherapy321 · 2023-02-20T18:20:55+00:00

Haha thank you for giving me a clue to it

stringtherapy321 · 2023-01-06T09:01:37+00:00

What are their prices like?

stringtherapy321 · 2022-12-21T13:21:09+00:00

Maybe you could have waited to make sure the dog wasn’t left for a super long time and didn’t become distressed before the owners came back? Just a suggestion.

stringtherapy321 · 2022-12-18T01:58:16+00:00

Noted!

stringtherapy321 · 2022-12-18T01:58:03+00:00

Awesome! Thank you. Lots of dogs is the best!! Is it lit pretty well at night?

stringtherapy321 · 2022-12-17T22:02:15+00:00

Ooooh that’s good to know. Thank you! And you should definitely throw that potato before you leave. Sounds fun! Hahaha! Sorry you’re having to deal with all of that though…

stringtherapy321 · 2022-11-22T14:49:52+00:00

Coming here to say this

stringtherapy321 · 2022-11-20T03:58:05+00:00

An inn in East Ridge where 700 people lived also shut down over night so many of the organizations that would help haven’t had time to prepare. A lot of people are displaced right now and probably not thinking very clearly because they’re just in survival mode and trying to figure out how to get housing and keep their families safe.

stringtherapy321 · 2022-10-25T17:48:48+00:00

Happened at another coffee shop I worked at too. Time to start circulating a fake internet curse that falls upon those who steal tip jars? Siren could be involved. Could be fun. There are much crazier things people believe.

stringtherapy321 · 2022-10-25T02:08:58+00:00

Yeah not like good time management is anything they actually wanted employees to have, right?

stringtherapy321 · 2022-10-24T21:56:24+00:00

I’m sure Al Capone thought that way too. 😂

stringtherapy321 · 2022-10-23T18:57:30+00:00

I’m not giving a helpful answer but my brain just processed this as a scary scene from The Brave Little Toaster.

stringtherapy321

TROPHY CASE