sorry im in a foul mood...only got 2.5 hrs of sleep last night....thanks to work....

Well, you made an excellent point: you are overworking yourself, trying to take on "Superwoman" abilities.

Well-known English saying: "All work and no play makes Jack/Jane a dull boy/girl."

And Missy, I understand your frustration. I actually did work that much and go to uni full-time, so I truly know how any small bit of "free time" is spent sleeping or doing the basics.

But honestly, taking time for yourself is vital. Otherwise, you can and will work yourself to death.

I certainly can understand why you would rather be by yourself ... and yes that is isolating. If you look the word up in the dictionary you will see a big picture of me. I am horrible when it comes to giving excuses just so I can stay home. You just need to be so careful with isolation. It can be dangerous ... and could cause you to fall into a dark depression or deep into your eating disorder. Because of isolation ... it nearly killed me. Thank God I was able to finally get into a decent IP program and am doing a million times better now. Just keep in mind that its important to have time to yourself, but leave some time to getting out as well.

lily i have to work as much as possible...i have college to pay for (my parents arent gonna help me pay off the loans) gotta keep gas in my car....pay my cell phone bill....soon im gonna be resposible for a cable bill...gonna have a cat to feed and keep in litter...so i really dont have much of a choice...its either work...or dont get school books ya know?

i have the same problem, i even do it on ds when i get in a funk and delete all my friends

At times, you must choose to take less on- you have to say "look, it's either I live or die." You don't have to go to college right now, don't have to have a cell phone, don't have to have a cat. Trust me, I know what you're going through, and I know it's hellish.

I don't think you know this, but for years, I was the one that supported my husband and I. I worked two jobs, because Kevin could rarely find work, and when he did, the company wouldn't pay him on time. I nearly died in the attempt (which didn't work) to stay out of debt. By working constantly, going to school and getting straight As, and paying for everything while struggling with an eating disorder, I nearly died.

But I've realised that fighting your body and health so much is truly not necessary in order to do well in life. There's a reason, for example, that most of Europe have laws that mandate that you can't work more than 30-40 hours a week. College will always be there for you to go back to when you're in a better place. If you continue to push your body to the very edge, to the very limits...you, on the other hand, will not be.

It's important to take time to yourself. I know that you have limited funds, hence why I suggested free activities at the community centre. I've enjoyed really learning about my creativity through artwork, collaging, beading, and writing letters. Obviously, getting all artsy fartsy isn't everyone's idea of fun, but it's really important for you to learn to relax. I'm sure you already know, but EDs are DRIVEN by stress and the obsession with "trying to do it all."

Well Missy at least when you're at work you're not really isolating. You do fun things with your friends and have a good time taking your "guys" shopping, so I think that's a plus anyways. xo

patricia i dont know who pulled this post up...but as u can see...i made it 2 years ago!

Not to be confrontational or mean/accusing in any way, Missy, but isn't it something you still struggle with?

(That is weird that it got pulled up again, though...)

i think u pulled it up lily

im at work all the time or school....so im around people aLOT...just not around my family or friends much....so no im not isolating persay

Nope, I didn't. I saw it on the front page, and didn't realise it was such an "old" thread until you said something just a couple hours ago.

I dunno, I'm not going to argue semantics with you, obviously. You, and only you, know if you feel isolated or not. But I will say: I have a husband and I get out of the house (around people at the store, etc), and I still feel very alone and in isolation Just my own view on it, though.

It turns out that it was Gab who brought it up again recently, stating that it was an awesome reminder to get out there and be with people. I posted a good dozen posts later.

Yeah it was me who found it and pulled it up. I love looking through old posts, and even though it was 2 years old I just thought it was a good post. I found some I posted 2 years ago too but they sucked, ha. xo

mystery solved! lol...it was patricia with the fork in the kitchen!