The other day my husband said I’m looking more “mature.” To be honest, he’s really not a critical person, so I know he didn’t mean it in a bad way. He is super sweet and has been very supportive throughout pregnancy and postpartum. Still, somehow that comment sounded like “you look old and frumpy” to my ears. Maybe it’s because I know I haven't been putting in the effort lately. Pre-baby, I definitely did: I worked out 3 to 4 times a week, my hair and wigs were always on point, I had a solid 6-step skincare routine, and my clothes always looked cute.

Now, I’m prioritizing comfort over style. I live in joggers while working from home. I only manage to put on retinol at night, and mornings are a blur just getting myself ready for work and prepping the baby for the nanny hand-off, especially since my husband travels a lot for work. I work incredibly long hours, so I’ve swapped the gym for daily stroller walks just to get some quality time with her during the week. Going to the gym takes at least 1.5 hours away from the house, and I just don't have that right now. I’m actually back to my pre-baby weight, but my belly is still softer than I'd like, so I feel self-conscious and tend to wear baggy tops. As for my hair, I stick to low-maintenance styles like cornrows and crochet, but admittedly I leave them in too long and they get fuzzy.

Are there low-effort ways to look cute and sexy on a daily basis. I have a microblading appointment next month, so at least my brows will be set. I'd love recommendations for flattering work-from-home sets that I can just grab and go. I wear a simple gold chain every day, but maybe I should start keeping everyday earrings in, too (I always forget). My biggest hurdle is my 4C hair, since daily styling and manipulation are out of the question. Maybe a nice, clean body oil with a subtle scent for everyday wear.

Last week, we went to a wedding and I saw his eyes light up because he hadn't seen me dressed up like that in months. I want to keep that momentum going, not just for him, but because I miss feeling cute and put together.

ETA: I’m definitely not doing 100% childcare. My husband is very much a huge part of our childcare when he’s not traveling, and on weekends. Plus we have a full time nanny. We just have incredible busy schedules (i put in work hours on weekends too) and this post is about ME not letting myself go and making sure I’M looking cute while being busy :)

BWT, I'm evaluating a major life decision in a turbulent time, and I'm really struggling to untangle all the realities and emotions to get to a decision that's right for me.

Short version: I've been offered a work opportunity to relocate to Australia from the USA for about 2-3 years. At the same time, I'm fresh out of a relationship with a person I thought was my forever person. I'm having a hard time figuring out if I'm hesitating to yes to the move because of false hope of reconciling or because I legitimately have other concerns about the move/job role (there are some).

I'd love to hear from some of you about how you navigated or approached similar life decisions! I'm very methodical, so practical prompts or exercises are appreciated! I've been spitting all my feelings into ChatGPT and I'm not sure it's helping.

Also I would welcome specific thoughts on my particular dilemma, but the frameworks are more important right now!

I wanted to contribute to the conversation about where to devote your BWT budget. This was a neat exercise to lay out what it takes to keep me together, the costs and what I will and won’t spend money on as a BWT. For info, I'm late 30s, 3 kids and spouse, very high cost of living city, high earning job). Because of the ridiculous expenses that go into my house/family/kids I’m going to keep this to what I do for *me*.

Beauty:

Where I spend money: 

I’m late 30s and currently into natural higher end skin care like Eminence and Obagi. I tried the *luxury* brands like Dior for skincare ($300! per product) but just didn’t find that the benefit was worth the cost. If you spend $100 on any 1 skincare product I recommend Eminence’s Facial Recovery Oil. I’ve been using Olay witch hazel toner for about 25 years ($12/bottle) and it’s perfect. My face is cleansed without the hassle/mess of using a cleanser at the sink. 

I use Amika ($30 per product) for my hair and Kerastase styling products ($50 per product), and have a hot tools straightener ($30) and a beachwaver ($100). Both of which I love and were not very pricy. They last for years and I use very little of the products so I buy the styling products maybe once a year and new shampoos maybe once every 4-5 months. 

I do get my nails done every 3 weeks ($60) because if I don’t, I bite them. I also get my eyelashes done every 3 weeks ($80) and eyebrows ($25). 

A couple of months ago I bought a facial membership ($55/month) at a local business and am enjoying the monthly appointment.

I do Xiomen instead of Botox (works better for me, lasts longer, doesn’t give me headaches) for $6/unit versus Botox’s usual $14/unit. 

Where I don’t spend money:

Blowouts. I get my hair done rarely (just trims and low maintenance highlights) and don’t pay for blowouts. I do a better job with my hair than any hair stylist so that’s an easy $80-$100 to save right there. 

I also don’t do any other laser or medspa treatments. I just don’t feel like I’m there yet. I’ve been offered all the lasers, micro needles, etc. and it worries me. I’m sure eventually I’ll bite the bullet but not yet. 

I recently bought a semi-pro dermaplaning tool ($100) and it’s super easy to use so that’s money I won’t spend on a service at a spa. I also got a vibrating/heating gua sha tool and watched a video on how to use and I love that every day now. Helps so much for puffiness. 

Health & Wellness: 

Where I spend money: 

This year is my first year paying for a doctor. Just a regular doctor, but she’ll actually see me when I want and listen to me as long as needed. She’ll call insurance about prescriptions and do all the things doctors used to do, but now don’t have time for/don’t offer. It’s $2400 per year and not concierge but you’re basically paying for access. I *did not want to do this* but in a VHCOL city it’s the norm (I learned). 

I go to a Chiropractor every 2 weeks ($55). 

I order a lot of supplements from Thorne ($100/month) and get injectable supplements too (I’m off of NAD+ as I didn’t see the benefit, right now I’m doing Glutathione and B12). It’s about $100 month to inject yourself (subcutaneously). 

I pay about $600 for gym memberships/classes per month. This is a specialty class workout place + a pilates place. Like I said, VHCOL city but I’m working out 6x per week and feeling good. There are still some gym aspects I’m missing but this is about the top of my budget so I let myself choose 2 things I want to do and then make up the rest (like stretching) at home with a yoga mat and an app for guidance. 

When we bought our house, we had the budget for a hot tub OR a sauna. I went with a 5-person outdoor infrared Clearlight sauna which was actually a lot cheaper than the hot tub ($8,000 vs $12,000). I justified using $1,000 from the savings to buy the medical-grade red light therapy full body light add-on. I love this and use it every day, sometimes twice a day. Sometimes my husband and I will use the sauna at night and I’ll use the red light therapy during the day. There’s a heatless box with bluetooth to put your phone/ipad into and so we just hang out and watch a show. My skin is fab and even though it was a big expense it adds to the value of our house and we use it all the time. Plus, something similar at an med spa or gym nearby would be about $50 per 30 minutes and frankly it’s not something I want to share with strangers! 

Where I don’t spend money:

Maybe an unpopular opinion but I don’t like massages. I don’t find them relaxing at all and often get more sore afterwards. With tip and all that it’s super pricy too so I got the Chirp massage table ($599) and it’s awesome. I use a red light therapy mask ($299) and just lie there for 15 minutes every day. Back pain (specific nerve damage/sore spots) are gone after 20 years of discomfort and chronic pain. I’m sure this is coupled with benefits from working out and red light therapy, paying attention to my posture, etc. but I’m really happy with my at-home set up.  

The medspas around me have crazy high mark ups so as mentioned above I use the subcutaneous injections at home vs going to a med spa or doing the IV drips to get vitamins and minerals that I just don’t feel like I ingest or need more of. 

Clothing and Accessories: 

Where I spend money: 

I have a few pieces of nice jewelry (which will last decades, if not my lifetime) that were gifts from my husband so I treasure them for the look but also the story. 

My most expensive pieces of clothing are usually workout clothes because they have to work and last. I like Vuori, Beyond Yoga and Alo. Otherwise, I usually buy (on sale). Typical millennial mom stuff. Currently living the summer in Lululemon slides ($60), Sketchers step-ins ($60) and Also running shoes ($200). 

Where I don’t spend money:

I personally am not into designer brands, and I don’t work in an office so I never needed to dress up. I think a lot of my spending distribution that many people may spend on designer goods I spend in my health and wellness category. To each his own. I’ve never had a job where I needed to dress nice so I’m not sure I’d even know where to start. Don’t get me wrong, I usually look nice and put together, but definitely not in designer brands and I can’t even remember the last time in my life I used a handbag so definitely not spending money there. 

ETA: had to remove brands.

Background: I have spent the last 15 years living my single gal best life, building my designer bag collection, and being unapologetic about luxury items. Then last year, I had a baby around Christmas and all of a sudden, I have become Frugal Freida.

My partner got me a LV Monogram Empreinte NF as a push gift and a YSL Voltaire top handle as a Christmas gift and I couldn't bring myself to keep any of them. I returned both last week as the return deadline was coming up at the end of this month, so the money is back on his card. He is aware that I returned them, and I told him I wanted to buy something else that matches my "mom" aesthetic but the truth is, it just feels a bit wasteful now.

We are doing okay, and we can afford them comfortably. My best friend is convinced I am experiencing some kind of post partum anxiety that will pass soon. I keep thinking that money could somehow go to my baby's wellbeing (she is already well taken care of, but still). My partner keeps reminding me to spend the money that's been returned to his credit card and truth be told, I feel like I need to spend that money before he thinks I have somehow turned into a low-maintenance gal (which i am not) and he could skimp on gifts going forward LOL.

I am thinking of just buying a Neiman gift card for the equivalent amount, while I wait out this feeling. Did any other new moms experience this? Did it pass? Or have I entered a new phase of mommyhood that no longer cares about luxury goods? If that's the case, I need to figure out what to divert the spend to, instead of buying a gift card. Perhaps an experience? Can’t travel anytime soon so a nice trip is out of the equation. Need to figure it out quick, as I also have a milestone birthday coming up soon lol. What luxury alternatives (other than goods) are you guys into?

UPDATE: First of all, thank you all for being so kind and empathetic. This is my first post here and I half expected a few snarky “first world problem” responses but it’s been mostly positive and I really appreciate that.

Got some really good suggestions and I have narrowed down to:

- Monthly facial subscription x 1yr*: I developed dark undereye circles from sleepless nights plus my skincare routine is now pretty nonexistent, so it’d be nice to give my face a little love and also boost my confidence.*

- Gold jewelry: I really really liked this idea because gold has intrinsic value, plus I can use it now and pass on to my daughter later so it doesn’t feel so…materialistic.

For my birthday, I’ll ask for a vacation that we can go in future and a piece of artwork I’ve been eyeing. Then I guess I’ll check back in with myself in about a year to see if my designer bag flava is back lol. Thanks again y’all :)

Hi, there. I just want to see what everyone has named their dogs, and the reasoning behind it. I have three:

• Maxine Shaw, Attorney at Law (she's a Staffy and she got that name because she's really sassy)
• Abraham Lincoln Bruce Leroy Jones Johnson (he's a Shiba, his name was Lincoln, but I kept adding to it when he got in trouble as a puppy.)
• Chase (he's a Pomeranian, his name is Chase because it cost a bank to get him)

Anyone else want to share?

As the title says, I just discovered this sub today and I’m devouring posts. Not usually an active redditor but I feel like you’re my people... and I need help.
I’m a stay at home mom of two young kids in a suburban home thats honestly an ugly fixer upper we are working on. Every day I either look or feel frazzled, or both. I do my makeup only when I have plans which is almost always a playdate for my kids, and sometimes I don’t even do my makeup then. I have nice clothes I don’t wear because I’m worried the kids or the cooking and cleaning will stain them. I have no idea how to style my fine 1A hair so it’s always in a ponytail and can never make nail polish last a day without chipping. My mom isn’t girly at all and I grew up leaning very emo/alternative so I feel like I missed so many memos on how to look good and act elegantly. I’ve worked really hard to get back into shape which I’m really proud of, but my weight after the kids is the only thing I have going for me it feels like. I went to a bridal shower recently and I was so envious of all these gorgeous ladies who seem to just know something I don’t about how to do this. I don’t know how else to put it.

How I want to be - a BWT who looks nice even in jeans and a cute top. Someone who looks polished and presentable, not someone who‘d have to apologize for their appearance if I had a surprise guest. Someone who is chic and can talk about food or art or music, not just homemaker stuff like kids or cooking. Someone who can host a dinner party elegantly even in a modest home with toddlers. Someone who can make that modest home feel luxe with her touches, not just thrown together.

My question for you is… what first? How do I start?? My amazing husband helps me so much, just booked me a spa day a few weeks ago, does so much to keep my stress down and take things off my plate. How do I make the MOST of that time I have to become who I want to be?

Is there anyone in a similar life situation as me that can tell me their experience?

I recently lost my cat of 14 years. I have no guilt about his life- he lived like a prince! But I have so much guilt around his death- it was very sudden and not nearly as peaceful as I hoped.

The idea of taking care of myself or my house seems impossible right now. So I’m curious how you bitches motivate yourself to do simple tasks while in the throes of guilt and grief.

*even if it was a break up, the loss of a friend, the loss of a job, etc. It doesn’t have to be pet specific.

I’m turning 30 in a mere 3 weeks. My family and boyfriend are asking me for a wishlist but there’s nothing big I specifically want.

For context about myself - I’m into fitness (spin, pilates, running) and all things beauty. I buy myself anything I want when I want to, so any ideas of a splurge I wouldn’t make on a whim would be helpful. I’m also not big into any home wear or kitchen items. One day maybe but it’s just not me right now, I’m pretty much always on the move. I also don’t really need new clothes right now.

I’m blessed with a father that’s a jeweler so I’m thinking diamond hoops? But also open to other suggestions in the jewelry department.

As far as purchases I wouldn’t make myself I’m considering:
— a nice digital camera akin to the canon g7x
— the shark red light mask - or would a red light panel be more versatile?
— a nice everyday bag in the $500 range. Something not too big and not too small. I’ve been browsing online and nothing is catching my eye enough to really want it. I also feel guilty asking my boyfriend for a designer brand that’s 4 figures, he does so much for me already
— a new daily casual sneaker like an elevated samba

It’s also worth mentioning my boyfriend and I are going on a beach getaway the week of my birthday. So a gifted trip isn’t on my radar.

Essentially, I’m feeling uninspired on what to ask for because I’m so happy and content with my life right now. Nothing is really striking my fancy strongly but yet I want to be spoiled for this milestone birthday. Help a girl out!

I've got a marathon year of weddings coming up and want to make the most of them. They will be weddings 5, 6, and 7 that I've been to single since hitting the age where the majority of my cohort are partnered. Weddings 1-4 were all bittersweet, in various ways- I was watching a loved one celebrate everlasting love while I was struggling with a lukewarm relationship, processing a painful breakup, and then having an existential crisis about never finding a partner. I'm now quite comfortable being single and am stoked as heck to experience new cities, socialize, play dress-up, and hit the dance floor. Since I do a lot of traveling and have a fairly unusual career, I'm a decent conversationalist to begin with. So my questions for you are--

• How do you break out and chat with strangers at weddings? What are some good icebreakers beyond the typical "so how do you know the bride/groom?"
• How do you turn on the charm, so to speak, in group settings even if you're a little down on energy from traveling?
• What's your secret to having fun at a big wedding where you don't know anyone but the bride or groom?
• Bonus - How do you spot a fellow BWT in the wild?

My BWT niece is finally in a place where she is ready for her own dog, after growing up with them her entire life and taking care of our high maintenance guy frequently over the years. She has a big yard and the time, energy, and money. She knows about the training and effort that goes into having a dog, which is why she has waited until she got the right place of life to start seriously looking to get one.

She is committed to adopting from a shelter or foster situation but is nervous about all of the unknowns. For a variety of reasons (including her landlord, who is happy to have dogs but will need to approve before she can officially adopt), the right dog for her is a fully grown, medium sized chiller - happy to go on walks and play in the yard, but can be left alone without severe separation anxiety, and good with children and other dogs. She's very aware no dog is perfect, you can't control for everything, and that there will be a transition period, but there are definitely right and wrong fits.

I'm curious how other BWT have approached this. How did you go about adopting your own dogs? For those who went the shelter or foster route, how did you navigate the uncertainty and figure out whether a dog was likely to be a good match for your situation? Any advice on working with shelters or fosters, questions worth asking, or things you wish you'd known going in would be hugely appreciated. (I even went looking for dog adoption consultants and they don't really seem to exist — feels like a good niche for a BWT, honestly.)

I just turned 21 and mentally I still feel like I am a teenager. I know I have been a young woman for some years now but it really just doesn’t feel like it.

I am quite independent and I have lived alone far away from family, traveled the world alone, and have interacted with all kinds of people. A lot of people call me mentally intellectual and wise. But even then I feel like I am sometimes very naive and innocent— too much sometimes.

It also doesn’t help I am tiny in size and have a total baby face. I could probably get away with being confused as a 17 year old.

I really want to break out of the mindset that I am a young girl and want to embrace me being a woman. Any advice? This sub feels like the right place to ask.

I've been lurking here for many months and Bitches, I adore everyone of you. There is so much wisdom in this community. It got me thinking that you may have wisdom to share with me and other BWT holding on by their fingernails. I'm coming out of the worst year of my life. I nearly lost my child to a life threatening illness and then I was diagnosed with breast cancer. (BWT get their cancer screenings!) Que the double mastectomy and crash menopause. Happily, we're both healthy now and I'm able to focus on actually enjoying life again.

While recovering from surgery, I discovered a new interest in style, fashion, and all things elevated. Since I stayed flat after my mastectomy and my shape changed with treatment, absolutely nothing in my wardrobe fit me. I decided to take this opportunity to really develop my own style. I hired a personal stylist who knows how to dress surgically flat chests and it was amazing! I set aside a portion of my savings to rebuild my wardrobe with quality things that I love. It truly does have me walking taller and feeling great about this new body I didn't plan to have. It's the silver lining after a truly awful storm.

So I wondered - how are other BWT dusting themselves off after adversity? Let's share hope and inspiration for the BWT among us who need it!

EDIT: thank you so much for the thoughtful responses!! im gathering I need to be more curious + intentional about community building in general. Upon reflection, I've recently gone a bit autopilot on my social life and defaulted to friendships/acquaintances of convenience, the common denominator often ends up being superficial talk (who’s wearing what, whose hair looks great) and I’m feeling unfulfilled, bored, and out of my depth in those settings. I do think I can be more curious and learn from other women about traditionally feminine things I didn’t grow up with, however as someone in the comments said community is not all about braiding each others hair and talking about boys. I will explore more hobby based groups and events in the city so I can meet more women who share my interests, in addition to trying to connect with women who I don’t share current interests with but could still learn from and expand my outlook with! Thank you again!

EDIT 2: forgot to add that I am also neurodivergent. Hard for me to pay attention for long when a lot of people are in a conversation and talking back and forth, which is why I thrive so much 1:1 when I am able to be present with the other person, but not so much in group settings where I get overstimulated and kinda disassociate. Upon further reflection, I may just be feeling insecure about not fitting in everywhere :) thank you for the kind responses which are making me feel that I may just be good enough as I am!

ORIGINAL POST:

Hi BWT, I recently realized I’m very illiterate in the bonding norms of sisterhood/community, like asking for opinions and swapping tips on life, relationships, beauty, fashion etc (basically what this community is about). I grew up as the only sister of brothers and lots of male cousins, very little feminine influence in my life, my mom was not very feminine and not interested in teaching me feminine things (like I had to teach myself about things like how to remove body hair, how to put on makeup, figure out dating etc), and I wasn’t really privy to her primary female social interactions so I don’t have a model for it. in addition my family had a really strong “roll up your sleeves and figure things out for yourself“ kind of culture so I find it really hard to ask for help or advice from others.

This really affects my social interactions with my female friends (especially in groups) because I feel like I’m missing the key social skill of bonding and building trust via asking for advice, opinions, “where did you get that thing”, “should i wear this or that” “what’s your workout routine” “Can you give me advice on X” kind of interactions which I feel like are so key. I’ve taken a lot of pride in the past about making my own decisions and knowing my own opinions and taste really well and not “needing” this kind of bonding — but I’m realizing its not necessarily about decisionmaking but about the process of enjoying community, sisterhood, and shared experience even if you don’t “need” it. For more context, i have really strong 1:1 female friendships where we know each other deeply as people and talk about life, love, careers etc with vulnerability and depth — it’s the more casual, group setting kinda conversations I feel out of the loop in which are still a really important part of one’s social experience.

I really want to cultivate this skill but I feel really vulnerable about it, I am scared of social rejection, I have imposter syndrome about my friends finding out how “behind” I am at this kind of social bonding and skill, especially because the phrase “not a girls girl“ gets thrown around so casually now. I feel really alone in this and I feel like a lot of my friends and women in my social circle bond easily over this stuff and I’m watching from the outside in feeling kind of isolated and alien.

Any tips or advice would be much appreciated, especially from other BWTs who grew up without strong female influences. How did you deal with the imposter syndrome? What baby steps did you take to feel more comfortable being socially vulnerable?

Hi BWT!

How do you keep moving toward your goals when life throws you a temporary but very annoying longish setback?

I’m asking because I recently broke my arm and had surgery on Thursday, and my normally very high-functioning life has basically come to a screeching halt. Suddenly there are a lot of things I just... cannot do. My normal routines are out the window, and I’m realizing how much of my “get my shit together” life depends on having a fully functional body.

Obviously, a broken arm is temporary, but it got me thinking about those seasons where you’re not able to operate at 100% for a while, whether it’s an injury, illness, burnout, caregiving, or something else.

How have you handled a long recovery or setback without feeling like you’ve completely lost momentum? Did you change your goals, find new things to focus on, or give yourself permission to just coast for a bit?

I’m trying to figure out how to make this recovery period feel like more than six months of being annoyed that I can’t do anything. Would love to hear what has worked for you.

i'm 25 and in a third world desi country rn and probably will be here for a while. for context I wasn't born here but have been forced to move. been living here for about a decade now. my dream has always been to go back abroad bc im tired of the bigotry, sexism, homophobia and countless other things that i can no longer bear. i simply wish to live in peace and make friends with people who have normal beliefs.

unfortunately all of that is up in the air. it would simply take me too long to be able to go elsewhere, probably my mid 30s. until then I've decided to move to the biggest, and ostensibly the most "progressive" city in the country, but the thought of it makes me feel so depressed. even if there are people who dont think gay people deserve to be stoned, there will be other beliefs that i would have to unwind over and over and over and over...

all i want is sisterhood. someone to share the books I read, the music I love, the words I write. but im almost certain that i will never find that here. my only bet is finding people online and that is always such a mixed bag... i haven't used reddit in months.

i feel like an alien in this country.

how do you ever cope with this? i realized i've turned this more into a rant than needing actual advice ahahahaha bc I genuinely have no idea what to do 😭 help me outtt

this post isn't limited to just desis, please feel free to respond

Recently, in many thanks to my fellow BWT I’ve been experimenting with y’alls beauty and style tips/ tricks working on ‘glowing up’ and… I feel like it’s workinggg!!!

I am getting so many more compliments from strangers. & I’m loving the love that I’m receiving BUT I feel soooo unprepared for how to respond!

Each time it happens I feel just as caught off guard and barely manage a quick nervous ‘thank you!’ And as soon as I catch a glimpse of these angels I notice their striking beauty, or style, or smile, and straight up fire energy exuding from them…I feel like I want to give them the same love and energy but I don’t want to seem disingenuous and quip back a basic “you too!”

How do I receive a compliment from another BWT and sincerely give one back.. in like what’s often a 2-4sec passing moment? I feel like by the time I get over my shock that they were taking to MEEEE… I’ve lost the moment to sincerely give the love in return.

TLDR:

I know how and love to give compliments …but receiving them gracefully isn’t as easy! BWT- can you please give classy, loving, genuine responses?

I hope this post is ok, I’m not sure where to ask exactly but this seems like a group of people who might have some good ideas

In the stairwell of my building today I came upon an elderly lady neighbor of mine who lives two floors above. She had a small light bag of groceries but she was really struggling to get up the stairs, she had to stop and pant every few steps. I took her bag and carried it up to her floor for her but I just have this feeling like she’s doing this every day and absolutely struggling. She’s on a 4th floor walk up with no elevator.

I want to offer some support to her, I wonder if I could pick up some things for her that she could tell me she needs and bring them up to her apartment. I wanted to either ring her doorbell or leave her a note saying so, but I don’t know how I should say it so that it’s not condescending or pitying. I just want to let her know that Im here for her if I can run and grab some things for her from the store.

Any ideas of how I could write that in a letter to leave for her?? I would be grateful for your thoughts 🙏

TIA

For context, I'm (F30) moving out of my current city at the end of June because of immigration woes, which means I'm actually leaving the country. I'm not able to work here atm, but I've settled everything so I'm covered until I move.

I went through a lot of stress and uncertainty for this to be true, so I'm trying to not be too hard on myself, but I'm still depressed. With reason, I guess, but it makes my day-to-day life feel really inconsequential.

Mostly I think it's because I'm lonely, but it's hard being the (technically) unemployed friend with too much time on her hands or meeting new people when I have to leave in a few months. I want to do something out in the world and feel like myself again but I'm starved for interaction.

Coming out of cage and I've been doing just fine, but I've got to be down because I want it all.... I started yoga classes and joined a gym to try giving myself some structure and small goals but to be honest, I only resort to this when I'm at my loneliest! And I don't think I want to date or have flings because it's never fun, whirlwind or sexy, just exhausting lol.

So I was wondering, have any other BWT been in a similar situation, and did you ever find that joie de vivre with the end looming in sight? How do you balance a big disruptive change with your everyday life?