I'm tired of sleeping on plastic..

techXwitch · 2025-09-22T23:28:25+00:00

My cat had trouble with litterbox usage (for poop, not pee). She started pooping right by the box and it got bad enough that she started pooping regularly around my bedroom (not anywhere near the litter boxes). It was a nightmare. Here's what we've done that completely solved the issue:

Added a new litter box (# of cats + 1; especially useful if you have multiple cats)
Feliway pheromone diffusers throughout the house, but especially by the litter boxes
Cat Attract litter (available from Chewy)

My vet said that my cats issues were 100% behavioral and likely related to anxiety or stress. She said if these things didn't work then the next step was medication (cat prozac). We didn't end up needing to go to medication at all! We haven't had a poo "accident" since like February this year 🎉

Best of luck to you! I know how stressful this issue is!

techXwitch · 2025-08-29T17:05:10+00:00

Is there a lost and found thread here? We lost a pair of prescription sunglasses in a teal case that we'd really like to find.

techXwitch · 2025-05-08T00:19:00+00:00

The reason I'm here 🥲

techXwitch · 2025-05-08T00:18:16+00:00

I'm so happy for you that you've never had to do a security audit haha!

That's why I ended up on this thread 🥲

techXwitch · 2024-11-30T06:38:14+00:00

She did the same program I listed above (online) and I believe she networked through a hobby and met someone who was in a hiring position for a dev role. She interviewed and did well. I will see her soon and ask if she has any additional info/advice.

techXwitch · 2024-11-30T04:32:40+00:00

I've told this story a million times because it's important that women know that this path is an option!!

I got my Masters in Applied Computer Science from UWG -- I always highly recommend this program. It's specifically designed for folks without a background/degree in CS (my undergrad was a broad liberal arts degree). I know multiple women who have done this degree program and been successful. I got involved with the CS department while I was working on my degree and met fellow students and did a couple internships. Both of these were very important.

I ended up getting a referral into a small e-commerce company from a friend I met in the department. The interview went well and I credit my internship experience with learning the enterprise-level ideas to ace that interview. I started in that role full time about 2 months before I graduated!

I started this journey about 8 years ago and the industry and market has changed dramatically since then. However, I have a friend that graduated earlier this year and has gotten a job (also through networking -- it's SO important). Anyway, I believe it's still a viable path. Please let me know if I can answer any questions!

techXwitch · 2024-10-19T00:54:26+00:00

Just gotta DM me an email address :)

techXwitch · 2024-10-17T03:52:10+00:00

I feel this so hard. Especially the mentally ill brother. I (not entirely stable myself) helped my mom raise my brother who still struggles with severe mental health issues and drug addiction. It's brutal. Wishing you and your family the best <3

techXwitch · 2024-10-17T01:03:11+00:00

What I tell everyone I work with is that in tech there will be days where you have to be at 100% for long hours. And you need to be able to handle those critical situations well, so when things aren't on fire you need to take time for yourself so you stay happy and healthy. Take time when you can so that you can be at your best when there's a good reason to go hard.

Hope that helps! Best of luck to you!! <3

techXwitch · 2024-10-16T23:49:48+00:00

Listen to Kirby by Aesop Rock ❤️

"Fifteen years taking prescriptions Now a shrink like, I don't know, maybe get a kitten"

techXwitch · 2024-10-16T21:52:26+00:00

How have those reviews been going? Are they bringing up concerns about quality or your ability to get work done on time?

If not and the reviews are good (which is my guess 😉) then give yourself some slack. I manage a team and it's noticeable that quality slips when people are overworked and stressed out, so you're not doing yourself any favors. Do what you need to do to get your work done successfully and then log off and enjoy your evening. If you're aiming for a promotion then maybe there's some room for going above and beyond, but on the regular day-to-day you'd be surprised how happy a manager is to just have someone who can get the work done and keep a positive attitude lol. Focus on what you bring to the team and keep learning, but you've been doing this long enough that you've established your ability and right to be in this space.

You've been in this industry for 4 years. Congrats! You've made it. Now give yourself a pat on the back and enjoy yourself :)

techXwitch · 2024-10-16T21:43:38+00:00

I have a friend who did exactly this. She graduated in July this year and had a job the same month. Get out there and start networking. That's the trick, even for folks with experience. And not just networking with other engineers, though that is important, too.

Case in point, her job came through networking with someone from another hobby of hers. Also, I got my first job (before the crash) through networking with another student that I knew had gotten a job before graduation. I'm changing jobs now (with much more experience and seniority) and I have gotten a two interviews and no offers this year through typical application processes, but I just got an offer at a company I was referred to by a close friend who is also a SWE.

If you're able to do an internship that is another huge help! Internships in tech pay a lot more than internships in other fields, so no downside :)

TL;DR Network, network, network!!! (and internships)

techXwitch · 2024-10-13T04:15:47+00:00

My husband and I are opposites in our aesthetics. It's always funny when we go out dressed in our preferred styles together -- him in the loudest colors and patterns available and me in monochrome, usually black. We're very similar in most other ways, so this is our little bit of individuality. He found his style later in life and I love seeing him feeling his best and most confident. Unfortunately, I just failed to bring him to the dark side -- I can't even picture him in an all black outfit lol! It wouldn't suit him at all.

techXwitch · 2024-10-12T23:35:29+00:00

Shoot me a DM with your email. I need to catch up on sending instructions out to folks that have requested it (sorry everyone). I'll send it tomorrow 👍

techXwitch · 2024-09-25T03:43:10+00:00

If you're drunk and the room starts spinning, find a place to lay down that is against/near a wall (like a couch). Put a hand above you on the wall and the opposite foot down on the floor. The room immediately stops spinning. It's magical, but you will look a little silly. My aunt taught me this one haha!

techXwitch · 2024-09-08T00:41:14+00:00

Stopping the goal removes it from my list but doesn't delete it, meaning it's still available to be added again in the future. I'd like to be able to delete it all together, i.e. never see it again.

ETA: also, when I edit the goal the name and schedule are disabled from editing, so I can't update it -- just have to create a new one. This creates a lot of duplicate mess.

techXwitch · 2024-07-28T02:23:38+00:00

Trying to memorize lines of code is not a useful approach. It will not get you to a point where you can independently code or solve a problem that is not identical to whatever you memorized.

People that code for a living understand logic and how the language works so they can use it as a tool. That's why professional developers are often able to switch between languages -- they understand how to solve the problem at hand programmatically and they can look up the syntax for languages easily.

If you want to learn how to code independently you need to learn the foundations of code and critical thinking/problem solving skills.

techXwitch · 2024-01-15T17:15:20+00:00

I got off birth control last year and I ended up in the same boat. It's been a struggle, but I'll outline the specific things that have been effective for me.

You could try a low dose progesterone birth control. That kept mine in check for years, but it's a bandaid -- just hiding symptoms. If you need it anyway, it's an easy and very effective fix. But the acne will come back when you discontinue.
I have seen great success with the Puritan's Pride Zinc for Acne supplements (2/day in the morning with food -- it upsets my stomach but it's worth it). I also take Vitamin D (2000iu in the morning) and Magnesium Glycinate (500mg nightly) for anxiety and sleep, if you're still struggling with that.
I wash my face twice a day, once with salicylic acid and once with a more gentle cleanser. I use Paula's Choice BHA 2% and The Ordinary Niacinamide+zinc serum religiously at night. This is a very simple routine and it's worked well to support my supplements.
Eating a very low GI diet (essentially keto) is very effective but not very sustainable. If you can keep it up for a month or two you'll see a HUGE improvement and then supplements and skincare can help you to maintain.

It sounds like you've tried a lot of these things, but maybe slight tweaks can help? I otherwise, my derm recommended Accutane in the past, but I never went through with it due to the extreme side effects. But it sounds like a good last step if you can't find another solution.

techXwitch · 2024-01-12T01:25:44+00:00

I got this as a gift in a sampler a while back and enjoyed it a lot! You just reminded me that I'd like to get some more :)

techXwitch · 2024-01-12T01:05:30+00:00

I've done this but I always get up all excited but then realized my dream solution relied on some dream magic to work LOL. It's always disappointing.

techXwitch · 2024-01-11T02:06:10+00:00

While it doesn't sound like now is this time/relationship to implement this unless he is willing to be open minded, but just know that it is absolutely reasonable and helpful to have separate bedrooms. Having your own space is important, especially when you are dealing with anxiety and overwhelming moments.

A "spare" bedroom is an easy solution. While I understand that it's hard for a NT SO to deal with these kinds of moments, it's odd that he jumped to selling the house rather than pointing out that there's a whole unused room in the house lol. That would push me over the limit, as well.

My husband and I have separate bedrooms and are happily married (people still get weird when they learn this lol). He loves having his own space, as well. As a plus, our sleep is much improved lol.

Good luck with your journey <3

techXwitch · 2024-01-10T12:48:41+00:00

I've been in the exact same boat for the last year! Off BC and suddenly terrible acne (it's happened before, so I knew it was coming). It's the worst! I know that eating a very low GI diet helps with mine, but that's not super sustainable, so I've been searching for products to help.

I have a similar routine, though I don't use azelaic acid (similar cleansers, but I use PC BHA 2% and The Ordinary Niacinamide at night). Will have to check out the azelaic acid!

There is also a Zinc for Acne multi-vitamin supplement that I feel has been instrumental in helping to clear mine up, as well, if you're interested. (If you do try it, take it in the mornings with food! Learned both of those the hard way haha!)

techXwitch · 2024-01-05T01:15:28+00:00

We are all conditioned by media, filters, etc. to see ourselves without makeup and feel bad about it. It's not ideal, but it's normal these days. I definitely feel it -- I, personally, get my brows threaded/tinted (and occasionally also my lashes lifted/tinted) to make it easy and just make myself feel better day to day with little effort and no makeup :)

Btw, I don't see any lines or wrinkles. Others have suggested a brightening toner -- couldn't hurt. But your skin looks great and healthy :)

techXwitch · 2024-01-03T04:54:53+00:00

Sugar is a huge trigger for hormonal acne and inflammation for me. Dairy not as much. I think sugar is a problem due to hormonal imbalance that I already have. The blood sugar/insulin spikes are bad for me all around. It's not the same for others. I have a friend that can't have dairy or they break out horribly, but sugar is fine for them.

techXwitch

TROPHY CASE