Personal Experiences, Struggles and Setbacks Around Health

Health and wellbeing rarely improve in a straight line. In these stories, people share what they went through while trying to take care of their body or their mind: a fitness routine that didn't hold, a diet that backfired, a recovery that took longer than expected, a complicated relationship with their appearance, or simply the exhaustion of trying to do everything right.

Some stories are about setbacks and frustration, others about small victories. Many ask the same question: is it just me? Reading how others lived a similar situation can make it feel less isolating, and sharing your own can help you put words on it.

These stories are personal experiences and opinions, not medical advice. For a health problem, a doctor or another qualified professional remains the right person to talk to.

Been through something similar? Share your own story or read the most discussed stories.

Go to the gym
Health and Wellbeing Stories

so i decided, like many people, to start going to the gym this year; you know, new year, new me kind of thing. but man... it's a whole circus in there!!! seriously, i walk in, and i'm greeted by this gigantic maze of machines that look more like torture devices than fitness equipment!!! there are so many knobs and…

Is it normal to hate yourself?
Health and Wellbeing Stories

I've been feeling this overwhelming sense of self-criticism lately. Every task I complete at work seems to come with this inner monologue pointing out what I could've done better. Even when I'm chatting with friends, there's a voice in the back of my mind picking apart every word I've said. It's exhausting! You'd…

can you faint from a panic attack?
Health and Wellbeing Stories

so there I was, just minding my own business in the middle of a crowded grocery store. heart pounding like it's trying to burst outta my chest. thoughts racing all over the place. it felt like an out-of-body experience or something like that, y'know? at one point, I'm convinced I'm about to just keel over and pass out…

Why do i keep tossing and turning at night?
Health and Wellbeing Stories

can't sleep at night anymore. i don't know why, it's like i've tried everything: different pillows, sleeping on my left side or my right side. i even counted sheep last night 🐑 but nothing works. whatever position I get into it starts with a little wiggle and before you know it i'm a full-on tossing-turning mess.…

im ugly
Health and Wellbeing Stories

so i was scrolling through my phone and stumbled on this old picture of myself from a few years back. it got me thinking....Wow, I look different now. it's not just the hair color or weight changes; it's something else. maybe age has made its subtle marks, but there's that nagging thought... am i less attractive now?…

Can anxiety tingling last for days?
Health and Wellbeing Stories

Hey there everyone! 😊 I just wanted to share something that's been bugging me lately, and perhaps get some insight if anyone else has gone through this. So, for the past few days, I've been experiencing this persistent tingling sensation in my hands and feet. It's not painful or anything, but it's like that feeling…

I hate myself so much it hurts
Health and Wellbeing Stories

i hate myself so much it hurts. every small mistake feels like a mountain i can't climb over, no matter how minor it is. the other day, i spilled my coffee and could hear this voice inside screaming at me about how careless i am. it's ridiculous because everyone spills coffee sometimes, right? but when i do, it's like…

Last night, I found myself once again waking up abruptly from a dream of falling. It's peculiar really, how these dreams seem to latch onto my mind in the morning whereas others slip away without much trace. You see, I'm not one who generally remembers dreams vividly. Yet, there's something about the sensation of…

Not wanting to leave the house or do anything
Health and Wellbeing Stories

I've been stuck in this weird rut where every time someone invites me to hang out, I find myself making up excuses to stay home. It’s like my brain has this automatic response to retreat into my little bubble. Even the thought of doing something fun, like going out for dinner or catching a movie, feels like an…

Anxiety plush
Health and Wellbeing Stories

cleaning out my childhood bedroom recently, I stumbled upon something pretty unexpected. There it was: my long-lost anxiety plush. Back in the day, this little fella was a staple in providing comfort during tough times. Now as an adult juggling workloads, deadlines, and constant client emails, I can't help but wonder…

Anxiety while driving
Health and Wellbeing Stories

I've always been pretty comfortable driving my own car, but recently I had to borrow a friend's vehicle. It was a simple task at first but soon turned into something much more nerve-wracking. The unfamiliarity of the controls and seats made me anxious at every single intersection! I couldn't help but feel panicked…

sometimes, i can't help but feel like i'm drowning in a sea of social obligations. you know that feeling? it's like everything around me is just begging for my attention and all i want to do is retreat into my quiet little bubble. i mean, i don't hate people or anything! quite the opposite... i have some good mates…

adhd coping mechanisms
Health and Wellbeing Stories

sometimes i feel like my brain is a browser with way too many tabs open. you know what i'm talking about? some days are chill, i'm on top of things and bam, no issues at all. then there are those days when i can't keep track of anything, and it feels like my mind’s in a pinball machine bouncing all over the place.…

Why do i cry all the time?
Health and Wellbeing Stories

Lately, I've found myself in a troubling predicament: despite leading an ostensibly ordinary life, I am plagued by these pervasive emotional episodes. The most recent incident transpired quite unexpectedly during a routine trip to the grocery store. As I was perusing the aisles, grappling with the mundane selection of…

why do i like being sad?
Health and Wellbeing Stories

Walking home after another long day at the office, I find myself sinking into that familiar pool of sadness. Somehow, it’s comforting. The streetlights above flicker on as twilight paints everything in shades of grey, and there’s something reassuring about it all. Like a gloomy, predictable friend who arrived without…