Thanks! He had his checkup today and was cleared to discontinue his cone of shame so he will be a happy cat. He should be fully recovered and on the road to adoption by next week.
I don't know really, I don't always have too much to say until an interesting topic comes up, then I won't shut up. I do better in smaller groups or one on one because I'm pretty introverted and struggle socially, even online.
Of course
You're right - I think that's actually what bothers me the most about interacting in real life, how often I get misunderstood even when people are close to me.
Yeah, it is in my genes for sure, I have a parent that struggles with depression and anxiety too, but mostly it was kind of chronic, low grade, and manageable. I had an episode a few years ago that really tore up my life after I lost my ex. Before that point I was successful and had been working constantly. I thought I knew what depression was before then, but I didn't.
I have thought about medication, but I have mixed feelings about it. I feel like yes, there is a genetic and neurochemical component that I could address but I am actually depressed for a very specific reason and I feel like even if I treat my symptoms successfully I will still have the problems that led me here. That, fear of side effects, and a deep cynicism about the approach of medicating first and asking questions later. I am glad to hear it is working for you though, I know that it helps a lot of people. I read somewhere that 12% of the adult US population is on some type of antidepressant, which floors me. At some point we have to admit that we're doing something wrong for that many people to be suffering.
Yeah, that's the only way I can do it anymore. I am stuck pretty badly on the past but anytime I can forget and just be in the moment for awhile it isn't quite as hard. I am a gamer as well and that's the main reason I do it, just to numb myself and enter that flow state where I'm not thinking about anything but what's in front of me.
Yes, I foster for a local animal shelter. It's one of the only things that gives a little meaning to my days. Selfishly it is a way to get my cat fix without the responsibility of owning, and I can take breaks when I need to because very small kittens require a lot of work. Usually it is kittens that are too young to adopt or pregnant moms, and we take care of them until the kittens are a couple of months old, at which point they can be fixed and put up for adoption. Occasionally we also get medical fosters who were hurt or have other conditions and need to have medication or other restrictions until they can recover.
Thanks for the well wishes for him. Per my above reply to Dynamic he is on the road to recovery and will be leaving my care to find a home probably next week.