After an incredibly emotional and difficult couple weeks, this week was a relief. I was invited to a girl's night with pumpkin painting and nostalgic Halloween movies (Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus, etc). Just soooo thankful to have some super supportive women in my life 🥹. I've started to feel oddly lonely around my normal friend group - queer men who are very supportive and who I love, but idk... there's just been this growing disconnect inside me lately. The way they talk, try to comfort, connect... I've been feeling guilty about it, but I feel worse ignoring my feelings and trying to force myself to be somewhere I don't want to be. Like, how does the girl at the coffee shop I visit throughout the week know exactly how to comfort me, pick me up, include me, and make me feel seen, but my long-time friends don't 😭

Oh! I've also been playing Infinity Nikki and losing it over how cute and cozy the story, world, and clothes are! Suuuper recommend it!!

I still really enjoy Phasmophobia and all the games which came out after that have similar mechanics/gameplay. The Dark Pictures games are all really great experiences. There's also indie games like Little Nightmares and Dredge! Alan Wake, Outlast, Still Wakes the Deep... Honestly there's been so many amazing ones which have come out. For days/nights where you want a lighter experience, the Observation Duty type games can be fun!

Honestly, it's depressing, but nothing solo anymore. Games were such a big part of my life, but now I can only focus and enjoy them with a friend. It can be the most basic game, but as long as I have a friend I'm locked in. Anytime I try playing a game just for me, it's like the dopamine just isn't generated 😭

I LOVE music anime, especially the ones you listed off. It would feel so off not having the accompanying music with their stories.

Unfortunately this is some of the best advice. I think different people are more susceptible to existential anxiety - or moreso anxiety over things that will never be able to change or control. Some people can channel that emotion into advocacy, volunteer work, etc while others mentally drown in thought loops. As rude as it sounds, sometimes it really is a 'touch grass' type of thing. You HAVE to watch out for your own mental health and oftentimes that means disconnecting from triggers and focusing on your own life and interests. Play a game, watch something, read a book, go to the zoo, meet up with friends - live in the moment and outside your head. I also recommend using the internet purposefully and not just to kill time - use social media for discovery and research of specific topics and not for just general consumption.

There's a social spectrum. There are varying levels of asocial- one being demisocial. Demisocial people want interaction, but normally with a close few people that they have a strong bond with. Put someone who is on the asocial side in a large group and they'll get overstimulated and overwhelmed. It takes time to figure out your social tolerance and what pushes you over the edge. Some people will encourage asocial people to desensitize themselves by forcing themselves into social situations, but that can be extremely unhealthy for them and lead to burnout. There's nothing wrong with anyone who doesn't like huge social settings... Some people just don't like accommodating others so they make it a you problem. Finding your people can be hard and lonely, but it's far more fulfilling when you do.

It was my go to launcher for years, but this weekend I decided it was time to see what else there was. I ended up on Niagara Launcher and have been liking it! Took about a day to get used to it- it's definitely different. There's not really an app drawer, and as far as I can tell there's only one home screen and one place for widgets (you can have more than one, but you flip through them). I like how simple it is and how quickly I can get to everything.

Up and down! Definitely lonely and can't seem to catch any of my friends when they're free. I had my first laser session for my face a few weeks ago. I was disappointed that it only seemed to irritate my skin, but on Tuesday, when doing my morning skincare routine, hairs just fell from my face; had a full shadow with a few days growth waking up, and then about 85% of it just wiped away. Not sure how much of it will be growing back, but it was sooo exciting!

Second this! I have a fair amount pre-transition when I was more active and involved in fencing. Sooo wish I had taken better care of my skin health (or more taught about the consequences).

Congrats to OP!! 🙌

Hmmm, Is the type of skirt you're looking for in this graphic?

https://www.topofstyle.com/blog/women/types-of-skirts-names-pictures/

Kind of sounds like a bustle of sarong.

That's interesting! I've not had any issues on my end. I've honestly been super thankful to be on hrt this summer- it's been sooo hot, but I feel like I'm running so much cooler now. I've never slept this well during these months; always used to wake up soaked in sweat 🥹

Kind of okay with this. I don't really want to manage/clean a huge place. 2 bed, 1 bath, 1 car garage , and a little back yard is perfect for me as a single person. If it was priced reasonably, I would jump at it- but where I live they'd charge close to a mil and everything would start to fall apart in a year or two because of cut corners 😞