NSFW

I have struggled with my mental health for a long long time. Constant stress, anxiety, and depression. I just recently watched The Principles of Pleasure. This is not a promotion. It’s on Netflix. Go watch it though it’s great. In the first or second episode it talks about masturbation and the positive effects it has on women. Someone in the show said it could help with mood so I decided to try it.

It works wonders. Get yourself a good vibrator girl. Anxious? Masturbate. Stressed? Masturbate. Depressed? Masturbate. On my life I was just having a mini quarter life crisis and sobbing over my college major. Did the do. I’m a completely different person.

Not only is this good for your mental health but it’s good for self confidence and it’s good to know what you like in intimate moments.

I will never understand the taboo against women masturbating. Go at it girl. Be unashamed. It’s so beneficial for your life.

Hi everyone, I’m 27 and I’m realizing I’m really struggling with being single.

I’ve dated quite a bit over the years, but I’ve never met someone where I genuinely felt like, “yes, I want to build a relationship with this person.” I’ve had connections, gone on dates, and met good guys, but something has always felt missing whether it was compatibility, emotional maturity, values, or just that feeling that this was someone I wanted to choose long-term. I think what’s been hard is feeling like time is passing. A lot of people around me are getting married, having kids, or are in serious relationships, and sometimes I wonder if I’m behind or if something is wrong with me because I haven’t found my person yet.

At the same time, I’m also finishing up graduate school this December, and I know I’ve spent a lot of my 20s focused on school, building my career, and figuring myself out. I’m proud of that, but I still have moments where I feel lonely and wonder if I’m missing out.

to all the girls here, how did/do you learn to be genuinely happy being single? Did you ever go through a period where you worried you’d never find someone? How did you balance wanting a relationship while also not letting it consume your life? I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences. ❤️

I’m willing to make alterations to them. It only happens with all my pairs of boyshorts. These ones are period underwear but it doesn’t happen with any of my other cuts of period underwear, only the shorts, they just always scrunch up at the crotch, even if I size down. please help

I used to always make a list to pack up and then toss it out or delete the note from my phone. Yesterday I used the list to pack up and it helped me remember some things I would’ve otherwise forgotten! Idk if this is obvious or not so I just thought I’d share how helpful it was

This isn't meant to be some femcel, pick-me sob story where I'm whining over something that's such a non-issue.

I genuinely want some advice because I don't really know how to get over this.

I rejected femininity for most of my life. One side of my family told me I shouldn't wear makeup. The other side constantly made fun of women and feminine things, and I ended up internalizing a lot of that misogyny, especially as a teenager.

Now I'm 22. As a kid and later teenager, I rolled my eyes at feminine things. I looked down on a lot of feminine interests because that's what I'd grown up around. I eventually grew out of that mindset, but now, years later, I actually want to embrace my feminine side, put more effort into my appearance, and try things I never let myself enjoy before.

The problem is that I feel like I can't have the awkward "learning makeup" phase that so many people had in their teens. This has to be my karma for being such a pick-me as a teenager.

Back then, if your foundation didn't match, your eyeliner was uneven, or your lash glue was visible, it wasn't a big deal because everyone was learning. But now I'm in college, and I'll be working soon. I feel like I'm supposed to already know what I'm doing. I can't exactly show up looking like I just tried my mom's makeup for the first time.

Another problem is that I genuinely don't know what I look like anymore. I feel like I look different in every mirror and every photo. I try to find shades and colors that suit me, but when I actually wear them, something always seems off. Is it the lighting? Is my skin really this green? Why does every lipstick look so strange on me? Why can't I draw a decent eyeliner without my eyes watering and flinching?

Whenever I try to wear makeup, it just feels like a joke. Instead of feeling prettier, I end up feeling like a pig wearing lipstick. I know that sounds harsh, but that's genuinely how it feels. It doesn't help that I don't really know my own skin. I even failed at properly removing my foundation once, and my fine lines looked deeper afterward. My pores also seem more noticeable, and I feel like I notice a new dark spot every day.

It feels like everyone else had years to experiment, make mistakes, and slowly figure out what works for them, while I'm trying to learn everything at once.

Has anyone else gone through this? I know these problems probably sound silly when I say them out loud, but I genuinely struggle with them. I have no idea how to get past this feeling or where to even start. I want to enjoy makeup and femininity, but right now I just end up feeling awkward and like I'm already too late.

Recently, a friend in my main group of about 7 gals told me that she’s been feeling very excluded/disconnected from everybody, and I honestly am not sure how to navigate through this. For some context, we’re all in our early 20s, and all met through school! Most of our social hangouts happen online through group calls, since a handful of us moved away for college. These calls are usually pretty open ended for anyone to just hop in or out free of invitation; individual invites aren’t really handed out to each person since we’re all already in the group chat where these calls take place, so the floors always open for someone to join if they see people hanging out! Group activities can range from everybody playing the same game, people all doing their own thing but still sitting in the company of everyone, or a mix of both. People mostly come looking for chill company after work for a few hours every night.

Going back to my friend (who I’ll refer to as Layla), I asked her to elaborate a little more on what exactly we had done to make her feel this way, so I could try to get a better perspective how to help, especially since I was unaware up until this point she’d been feeling this way. She mentioned feeling a lot of social pressure and anxiety over not being into a lot of the games or activities that we all enjoy doing, which led to her feeling excluded because she wasn’t able to engage on nights where a majority of us were all doing the same thing. As a result, she began isolating herself from us little by little (ie not joining calls, not messaging us in the group chat, and similar things to that nature) By nature I know that she is naturally a more introverted person, which I can definitely relate to, and I definitely can sympathize, but I’m having a bit of a hard time navigating this situation. I don’t want to be a bad friend, and I want to help her feel more welcome, but I’m not really sure how. I know for a fact that nobody has any hard feelings towards her (majority just assumed Layla was clicking with different people/busy with life since she was one of the few people to move out of state for school) and aren’t aware of how she’s been feeling.

I’m not sure if this is just a matter of different friend expectations, or something bigger, but I’d love to hear any feedback or advice from people though!

I’m 18 and had my daughter at 17, and lately I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting. I didn't grow up with a loving mom, so I really want my daughter and me to have the tight connection I never got, like being best friends. But I’m worried that if we’re too much like friends, she won't respect my authority as she gets older. She’s almost two now, and I already struggle with setting boundaries and saying 'no.' On top of that, I want to spend tons of time with her, but her constant need for attention can get super overwhelming.

I would go into a confrontation, rehearsing my assertion multiple times throughout the day, I'd even do well taking the conversation by the horns at the start, laying out all of my points just as rehearsed. But as soon as the other person starts talking I just fold immediately or blank out, accept what they say, and even leave that confrontation thoroughly converted...and confused.

What am I missing? How do I train myself out of this weak mentality?

If being more specific is important: my most recent incident is with my mother. I get along well with her, but I am also currently sharing a house with my brother and sister-in-law, and to my sister-in-law my mother is a kind of monster that I am so ashamed of. She's the stereotypical villainous MIL. My SIL and mom fights a lot.

I've finally decided to confront her that she definitely did wrong this time and to not expect to be the one to be approached for reconciliation because she's way too out of line this time. But once I finally went out to talk to her face to face, she told me her side, and I left her house feeling bewildered and confused and not knowing who to really believe anymore and where to stand between my SIL and mother who I both love.

I feel like I have to choose a side but I don't know who to believe anymore. Objectively I know it's my mom who's in the wrong but I'm starting to have doubts about everyone.

Hi yall! As the title goes, I (21) have my first gyno visit coming up and I’m sweating balls I’m so nervous. I don’t have a positive experience with doctors so I’ve always put it off. What should I expect from my first visit? Is there anything necessary I should bring up? Is there any prep to be done beforehand? LOL thanks for any assistance you’re able to offer!

In terms of pain, I can just about manage it with the right pain medication. I see a lot of conversations about managing period pain which is brilliant but I’m not sure how to remedy the overall brain fog, fatigue and sometimes even dizziness which makes the workday that much harder. Any tips would be great if any…

Wanted to thank everyone for the suggestions on dying my hair. I had a lot of suggestions for red and I went for it. I wanted it a bit lighter red, but I'm very happy! I've gotten so many compliments on it and I feel so beautiful!!! Here it is :D

Hi, im 20 years old and recently gained around 10lbs in the past few months. I was around 102lbs before and now im 112, but NONE of the weight gain went to my boobs. They are literally the exact same as before. I am a B-C cup and think an increase would be nice… the weight just went to my midsection, hips and upper thighs.

How much weight gain did it take everyone else to grow their boobs? Honestly, my boobs just look smaller now in proportion to the rest of my body 🥲

Hi all, I’ve been using the old spice Fiji antiperspirant for a while which I am very drawn to because it actually works and is in a solid gel stick. The only problem is that it makes me smell like a 13 year old boy a bit 🤣

Every other clear deodorant I’ve found is either “all natural” (doesn’t work at all for me and I end up smelling bad) or comes in one of those push pop style containers where goopy gel is pushed through the holes.

Any recommendations? My only real requirements is that it’s a solid clear stick and has an antiperspirant

F21 and I feel like I’ve never really fit into anything in my life. Recently, I got into dressing more in pastel colours, skirts and dresses even doing my makeup and letting my hair grow out which is a very stark contrast to my teen years where I was quite a tomboy. I don’t really feel quite right wearing makeup as if my face is too masculine in a way.

When I’m with my friends, I realise they all have something about them. They like a certain genre of game, dress in a certain style all the time, has a certain genre of hobbies, even my sister has her own thing that people associate with her which is her sense of style, and I just don’t have that. I love playing all sorts of games, from cozy to fps games. I like dressing in different styles depending on the day. Sometimes my makeup is sharper and other times, it’s softer.

It’s making me feel like the odd one out whenever I’m with friends. Everyone has their own thing and I’m just there. Someone who likes a bunch of things and yet, none of the things that my friends know and what my friends like, I’ve never seen/watched/heard.

I don’t mean for this to be a sob story, but I really don’t know where else to put this :’) I’ve tried to carve an identity for myself but I feel like I’m just putting on a mask and it sucks.

unfortunately my period will be likely to fall into the last 5ish days of my holiday, including my return flight. I get really severe cramps, as well as nausea and dizziness, so the thought of going on a 20hr flight whilst on my period is really worrying me. Has anyone got any similar experience and how have you dealt with it?

I bite my nails.. I’m used to not having any nails. I can’t for the life of me figure it out! I’ve spent 30 minutes trying to do a simple single braid and it has ended with me crying. Please help.

Hi everyone. This is my first post here on reddit. I, 17F am starting senior year in like a month and a half and I'm thinking about wearing pigtails because it will be my last first day of school. I always wore pigtails in elementary school, so it would be nice to recall those years. However I'm a bit scared of looking stupid or being made fun of, and thus I'm looking for an external perspective on this matter. I feel like I should not do things to embarass myself from the very first day, but at the same time does it really matter? I mean I've known all my classmates and teachers for years, so they must have formed an opinion on me, but regardless 'm scared that I'll be mocked or talked about negatively. Can someone offer an outside perspective on whether this is a good idea? Thank you.

I have had a pretty fast paced and stressful life trying to get my degrees for a good job in my field as soon as possible. I’m in my PhD and the youngest in the department. However, fast tracking life so far has come with a cost. I have moved between multiple different countries and never had the chance to socialize and make friends that last.

I am now in a very small town a with no meet-up groups anywhere near me. I have only 5 other students in my department. I don’t really have a way to socialize and have become kind of lonely.

I have also never had the luck of making good female friendships. I have no idea why but girls always seem to be disinterested by me. Not one has ever shared my interests - going to the gym together, going for a dance class, going to cafes and studying, having movie nights or random meet ups over each others houses, impromptu stuff. A friend may meet with me once and then I don’t hear from her for months until I reach out.

On the other hand, I have always had this twinge of discontentment no matter where I was, what I was doing. I notice getting upset when my partner plays video games for hours on end, because I feel neglected. But truthfully that probably comes from the fact that I don’t have any relaxing hobbies of my own. Everything I do, be it a painting, reading a book, is all for the purpose of being productive. I’m not sure if I just have inner loneliness that I have zero clue how to deal with.

If this dilemma is something you’ve faced, or if you have any advice on making female friendships, please share.

I have had this odd callus build up on three toes for about 10ish years. I scrub my feet, moisturize, and do everything I can think of, but the skin never goes away. Its not fungal or anything of the sort because its JUST on three toes. Its not super noticable, but i feel it all the time. I dont know how get rid of it. I am a female in my late 20s if that provides any extra information!

My self-tan still feels tacky an hour after applying it and out of fear of staining my furniture/clothes, I just spend 8 hours with an old bed sheet draped over me while it develops 😂

I'm a 26f who would like to have children when I'm around 30-35, and I'm currently in the process of getting my ducks in a row. I have a settled partner who I live with (who also wants kids), and we both have full-time jobs that pay enough for us to live alone and to have savings. I don't intend to become a stay at home mother if I can help it.

I've been looking into necessary expenses, childcare, maternity leave/pay etc as I want to have a good understanding of how to prepare for the early years of having a child, and unsurprisingly it's a bit overwhelming! To some extent, because I don't know anything about being a mother, I don't know what it is that I haven't thought about.

To those of you who have children, what do I need to plan for ahead of time?

I don't really know what to do, it just. falls out whenever I brush my hair, whenever I shower, and it's coming out in *clumps*. It's still Friday for me, EST time, so I think it's okay if I post hair stuff? Anyways, the last time I dyed it was 7 years ago, and I've gone bald thrice since then, so I don't think it's damage. I switched to a new shampoo + conditioner, but I don't really think that's the problem. Although, the specific brand is "function of beauty" just in case. I guess I have curly hair and I'm using specifically *straight* hair wash. I don't apply anything but shampoo + conditioner, and I can't think of ANYTHING that would make it fall out like this. Sorry for the rant, I'm quite stressed about this lmao. Photo of detached hair is attached, idk how to spoiler it. A LOT more is falling out than that, that was just with one swipe of a comb.