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Is this the time for my Glow Up?

3 replies

SewhereIam · 13/09/2022 17:37

Dd1 left for university last week, dd2 has gone back to school (year 1). I am starting a maths degree next month (part time, 3 modules a year for 4 years).

I'm a single parent, and after 2 stints on psych wards have been diagnosed with Bipolar and Schizophrenia. I have no family back up, but dd2's Dad sees her every second weekend.

I was taken off the anti-psychotic meds cold turkey a few months ago due to supply issues, but am being put onto a new one in the next few weeks which will hopefully help. I'm also being discharged from services next month which is a big thing!

Due to the anti-p meds I gained 65 lbs last year, and due to pregnancy and other meds I have had 8 teeth removed (and not replaced-apparently because an emergency dentist took most of them out my dentist said he can't bridge them) and have had 4 root canals in the past 2.5 years. I also lost all my hair, but it is now growing back. So I look rough and yukky and feel v self conscious and rather disgusted by myself.

In my "old" life (pre-diagnosis) I gained a law degree from Oxbridge and had a nice job, but lost everything when I became ill and have been out too long now to go back into Law. Am I being ludicrous to hope that if I do well enough in my degree I could make it back to Oxbridge to do a maths MSc, and hopefully a PhD? Am I absolutely ridiculous? Am I too old/mentally ill to harbour such hopes? Will I ever be able to deflate from a size 18 back to a size 10? I am so excited and so scared of botching it all up. Please send well wishes!

OP posts:
picklemewalnuts · 13/09/2022 17:50

You can definitely focus on yourself and getting better! What that will actually look like is yet to be decided, but that's ok. One step at a time.

Have you got a good friend to give you a nudge if they see you getting a bit lost?

I have a friend I check in with. We do reality checks and congratulations! Sometimes you need someone else to tell you!

SewhereIam · 13/09/2022 18:19

@picklemewalnuts thank you. I do have a lovely friend, and my daughter studying will keep the impetus up too as we are friendly-competative with each other. I'm just a bit nervous as the wheels fell off the cart for so long that I'm almost scared of things seeming to be slotting into place!

OP posts:
picklemewalnuts · 13/09/2022 19:27

I get that. Lockdown helped me. I got the rest and reset I needed.

I lost weight and got into better self care routines.

It's needs constant attention though. I find it can be '3 steps forward, 2 back' at times. It's still progress!

Do you use a bullet journal? I think they can be good for healthy habit tracking.

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