16 replies to this topic

[Maeve]

My stuff also isn't the most serious stuff out there, but my inbox is open if anybody wants a new friend or just somebody to talk to. I have friends and family members with more serious conditions than I have, so a lot of my coping mechanisms come from listening to and learning from them - none that I know of identify as a little, but the biggest take away for me has been to just make peace with where you are and try and treat yourself right.

 

I think in some ways I feel more vulnerable when I'm in pain, so being little helps me embrace that vulnerability and stay positive. There are times where all I can do is try and find ease, so I try and get as cozy as possible, even with the pain, and accept that some days are going to be rest days. Going with the flow really helps me mentally, but I still sometimes struggle to not fight against the pain. (By fight, I mean pretending I'm feeling better than I am or refusing to take care of myself because I don't want to feel vulnerable/less able. Neither of those things help me and only leave me more drained, but it's still hard sometimes to accept my reality.) So instead of being frustrated because I can't do the stuff I had planned, I'll try and focus on curling up with a soft blanket and do something I like, like watching Disney movies and coloring or reading a good book. I also usually wear comfy pajamas or a onesie on these days, depending on if I want to wear something tighter or looser.

 

I'm pretty introverted, so I'm not super outgoing in general, but the friends I have are comfortable meeting me at my level and interacting with me how I'm comfortable. Sometimes that means watching a movie at home at the same time and texting about it (or phone calls after if that's easier), or having a more relaxed time if there's an in-person visit involved; if we're going out, they know I'm probably not going to be the most energetic person in the group. I don't have a whole posse of friends, but the ones I do have are understanding, kind, and compassionate. That's about all I know how to do on the social front - find good people who can be patient and undemanding.

[Sugar Bunny]

I have anxiety disorders .  . . I'm home most of the time. Being little helps me cope with the fears .  . . I don't have any friends offline. It's really hard. I haven't had a friend offline for like 15 years. I try to go places with my bio mom but I just don't meet anybody nice really. I worry what will happen to me when my bio mom and dad die because I can't even go to the store by myself to get food and stuff. I am in therapy and it helps but I just don't do well alone and I have no siblings or other family, the future is really scary for me to think about. I've tried really hard to make friends when I could go out before and was in college and stuff but nobody seemed to liked me much or at least they didn't talk to me outside of class. I feel so left out of the world like society just doesn't want me . . .I like me . . . it's just nobody else seems to . .  . I try to be super nice and stuff but I feel awkwards around people because I don't have good social skills. My therapist says I'm doing good but I don't know why nobody will be my friend.

[ScarletBaby]

I have Crohn’s and have yet to have this problem since I’m new to being Little, but I find when I’m in any pain so far my mind get younger, especially when I’m tired. I find despite remission I’m still fatigued a lot and the more fatigued I am the younger I get. I find distractors to help with the pain and then it’ll probably be easier to regress with some stuffies and a nice soft blanket.

[jelloprincess]

Something that helps me is having cute ice packs, heating pads, etc., to help with my pain. I've seen a lot of cute ice packs at dollar tree (I got a heart one that says 'Princess' there!), but here's some (SFW) on Amazon since you're outside of the US. I've been looking at getting heatable stuffed animals too (here's 1, 2, 3 SFW examples from Amazon). Sometimes being in bed is all that helps me, and when that's the case I wear my cute and comfy jammies that make me feel little and put on a little show. I also recently got a weighted blanket, which helps me with joint pain (compression) and is just a comforting feeling in general. Here's one on Amazon (SFW). You're supposed to get one that's about 10% of your body weight, so if you're 150 lbs get 15 lbs, etc. It's okay if it's a bit more than 10%, but don't crush yourself! One other thing that helps me when I'm in pain is a warm bath. If that helps you, then take a warm bubble bath with some bath toys.

 

I'm sending you a friend request. If you need to talk to anyone about being chronically ill, I got you. <3

[Arenvos]

Ummm, not chronically I don't think? And while I think it's not IBS or Chrohns, I do have poopy problems, and need to wear diapers or pull ups to go out and do things, anyway.. the only thing I can think that will help, is just make as many friends as you can, and just look for a caregiver that also knows you are Little, that is will to help you too

[Sugar Bunny]

Thank you LittleSnowiii and BrattynSweet. I try to focus on just each day, and not think too much about the future. I try to hope something really good will happen soon to help me. I'm not a lazy person who thinks I'm entitled, but my brain just won't let me live a 'normal' life.

[catmaskedlil]

Bipolar little with OCD here. I tend to go into my little state when things just get too rough, when I'm having an episode and just need something to hold me to this earth. It helps calm the ticks, silence the urges and calm down an episode. Honestly, going into little space helps keep me grounded. I don't really get out all that often, mainly because I'm never sure if I'm going to have an over whelming thought. It's rough, and half the time I don't know what I'm doing. I'm trying to find online spaces to socialize but that can be very hard when your so shy its hard to initiate conversation. 

[Hopeisreal]

I have pretty bad anxiety and gastroparesis. I think being sick so often makes me feel little because I want to be taken care of. Though mostly it’s just me taking care of myself which is life and being an adult. As part of the gastroparesis I actually eat a lot of baby food and it’s not really questioned. Most people that are in my life see the baby food and know my stomach hurts.

[GalaxyPrincess227]

I have severe Fibromyalgia and pretty horrible ME/CFS. They cause chronic pain, I'm always tired, and feel like I have a permanent flu. I have days that are worse than others, but they are bad enough that I haven't been able to work a job in 4 years and am not allowed to drive (says my doctor). So, I pretty much live at home on my couch. I find that I have a lot of time to feel comfortable in little space, but I find that the pain can make me really fussy. So, it's a double edged sword from time to time.

 

I'm down to be friends with other littles who have similar experiences, because I think it's important to have people in your life that get on some level what you're going through. <3

[NymphKitten]

Any littles that are chronically ill? How can you regress with the pain? And how do you manage to socialise?

Is taking over my life and not sure what to do. My conditions are not even the worst out there, but I still feel like crap

 

I have lived diagnosed with fibromyalgia for close to 20 years now, though I have had it for much longer.  I also suffer from depression, anxiety, anemia, and a few other things.  These things can make life difficult, but not impossible.  My Daddy and I spend a lot of time focused on self-care for me, and over time we have come to realize my limits.  Chronic illness is a fight every single day, but when you learn your triggers and try to avoid things that make your condition flare it makes it easier to manage.  

 

I don't like taking all the pain medications that the doctors try to put me on because my quality of life suffers.  I want to live my life, not be stuck in bed asleep every single day.  Ultimately this means that I spend a lot of time just dealing with the pain, and my baseline is about a 4 on a 1-10 scale, it only gets worse from there.   I have learned that if I am going to go to an event where I have to socialize, that will take so much energy that the next day or two I need rest and recovery.  I have to go to Florida for work a couple of times a year, and when I return, I usually need a week off just to recover my health.  

 

On a day to day basis we really try and put my self-care needs before other things.  This allows me to get regular life stuff done.  I consider myself a Princess more than a little, and I don't regress very much.  I can feel small and secure in my Daddy's arms, and enjoy feeling young and cared for.  In fact having my Daddy with me to redirect the pain often helps to take it away.  Daddy will rub my back or even just lay a hand on me, this gives me something to focus on that is beyond the pain, and is pleasurable.   

Edited by NymphKitten, 13 August 2019 - 03:30 PM.