you know what's useless? "mindfulness" as pain treatment.
being "mindful", being aware of my body, my surroundings & myself, avoiding dissociation - those have always been things I struggled with.
you know when they got better?
the second I got meds that reduce my pain.
you know on which days they're worse? on the days I have pain flares.
it's almost like pain is the problem here and not the tools our brains use to deal with it
I mean, yes:
there was a time where I was always dissociating my pain and telling myself what I was feeling wasn't pain at all, because I 100% believed it was all psychological.
if you are keeping one cat alone and this cat is often cranky and/or showing stress behaviour (overlicking, overeating) it's very likely that this cat needs a feline companion to be happy.
"but I don't know if my apartment can even fit two cats!"
the answer is yes. yes it can.
if you can keep 1 cat in your apartment you can keep 2.
you might need to get a bit creative about where to put the 2nd litter box, but if it absolutely won't work you can probably get away with just one.
it is better to keep 2 cats together in a cage than 1 alone in a mansion.
cats are very social.
there are some exceptions where a cat is so traumatised that it can't deal with other cats, or so well bonded to humans that it doesn't need them.
but in like 99.5% of cases, cats NEED other cats around.
are you considering getting a cat for the first time? here are some things to consider.
1. cat behaviour
2. indoor or outdoor?
3. from where?
4. how many cats?
5. older or younger?
6. general considerations
1. cat behaviour.
if you want a loyal, cuddly pet that comes with you to other places, get a dog.
yes, some cats snuggle a lot. yes, some cats can be leash trained. yes, some cats are OK with travelling.
but most don't. if these are your expectations, you will be disappointed.
cats are very independent and willful. they treat you as their equal.
most of them have learned that they need to get their human's attention when they need something, so they use this trick often. this is a good thing! they can communicate their needs.
this whole "compostable straw" thing is scaring the living hell out of me.
for myself, if I get worse again, and for my friends with severe allergies.
there's no rule to mark allergens on straws. most people wouldn't even think to.
people with severe allergies to the things compostable straws are made of - for example wheat or corn - will have to become a lot more vigilant. those who don't will simply die.
it takes only 1 slip-up.
1 restaurant doesn't bother to put up a sign, straws contain this allergen. you think you're good. you die.
1 friend forgets about your allergy and brings you a drink with a straw that kills you.
1 straw with your allergen gets mixed under the regular plastic ones. you die.