r/TheGirlSurvivalGuide

I don’t know if it’s just me, but lately I feel tired even when nothing big is happening.

Like I still go to work, do what I need to do, but inside I feel drained

and it’s not the kind of tired where you can just sleep it off.

Sometimes I try to relax, but my brain still feels busy.

How do you deal with this kind of feeling without completely shutting down?

Hi, I have been up since 2 AM with a stomach bug - I haven’t thrown up but have almost a couple of times. I’ve been hanging out in the bathroom and get hot flushes and then cold shivers. I messaged my boss to let them know and they said that they can’t find any cover as I work for a small business with a very small team. If i throw up, I’m not allowed in- if i don’t, I have to go. I work from 5-10:30 PM, so late-ish hours with no breaks, but not too long a shift. I can’t eat much and can stand but my stomach is in pain when I do. I don’t think I’m going to throw up, but it won’t be a pleasant shift. How would you get through it?

TLDR: i’m sick but HAVE to go into work, how do i survive?

So my cousin “Kelsey” (20F) and I (19F) are really close, and we’ve both been friends with our friend “Layla” (20F) for years. (We all met in the same kindergarten class so go wayyyy back), Kelsey moved away about a year ago (though she comes home occasionally), so now Layla and I hang out more and also text more often. Kelsey has understandably gotten a bit out of the loop on things going on in Layla’s life that she usually hears from me.

Lately, though, I’ve started feeling a bit uncomfortable when I hang out with Layla, because it sometimes feels like she mildly criticizes Kelsey or is judging Kelsey. For example, she was once commenting on Kelsey’s relationship with her girlfriend (I won’t go into detail), and mentioned that she told a friend about it and that her friend thought it was “super weird.” I didn’t really know how to respond, so I just said, “Oh, okay.”

Kelsey also struggles with anxiety, and sometimes Layla brings it up in a way that doesn’t feel very sincere, like, “How’s she doing? My mom said she’s been really anxious—I just feel sooo bad.” She’ll also speculate that Kelsey’s anxiety is affecting her relationships, or say things like she feels bad for not telling Kelsey about the guy she’s seeing because she feels like Kelsey's relationship is tanking and doesn't want to "make her feel bad". I usually just respond something like, “Kelsey would actually be really happy for you.”

When I mentioned that Kelsey was coming home for a visit right around Layla’s 21st birthday and suggested we all hang out, I expected her to be excited, but she didn’t really respond and made a joking comment like, “I’ll pass.” We FaceTimed again recently and I brought it up again, saying Kelsey would be driving down on Tuesday and we were all free Wednesday, so we could do something together for her bday, which seemed like a no-brainer. Layla went quiet (Kelsey did too, though she was at least smiling). I rambled a bit afterward and eventually said, “Or we don’t have to,” which made things kind of awkward.

I’m starting to feel frustrated being stuck in the middle. My stepmom has told me to just let things go, but I honestly feel like I go into defense mode when I’m around Layla. She also tends to ask me about Kelsey instead of talking to her directly, and I’ve realized they don’t really text each other separately anymore. I understand distance plays a role, but it still feels a bit off.

Kelsey is very drama-free and usually just says things like “yeah, the vibes were a bit off on that call,” and doesn’t put pressure on me when I mention things. She has no idea about a lot of the things Layla has said to me.

BUT.... I LOVE Kelsey and enjoy spending time with Layla! Things used to be different and I'm sure Kelsey moving a couple hours a way didn't help

I’m looking for English-speaking female TikTokers who post quite often and feel actually real/authentic. Not ones who mostly do makeup, hauls, constant promos or super polished influencer content.

I mean girls who actually talk, storytimes, thoughts, feelings, what’s going on in their life, random life chats, maybe some deeper or more personal videos too. Just people who feel genuine and easy to listen to 💕

Hi ladies. We're a group of female undergrad students from the Stanford d.school, and we've been building something we'd love to hear feedback on. It's called Full Circle — a holistic wellness tracker that makes how you're living visible. 

With Full Circle, we aim to provide users with a physical holistic wellness tracker that encourages pursuit of a balanced lifestyle and makes progress visible. Moving, creating, exploring, enriching, resting – each one shapes the quality of your life in ways that are easy to miss until you can see them all at once. Every habit or activity logged from our companion mobile app adds to a personalized color mosaic on a circular calendar, rendered on a physical LCD display. It's part tool and part art, designed to keep your wellbeing front of mind.

No streaks to break. No guilt. Over time, this circle becomes an honest record of how you’ve been living.

We're deep in prototyping and would love your honest thoughts since women are our target audience. Does this resonate with you? Is this something you'd want in your home? What would make it more useful?

Any feedback — critical or kind — helps us build something worth building.

#WellnessDesign #Stanford #Dschool #FullCircle #DesignThinking

At home recovering from an injury and am worn seeing if there are any virtual groups that anyone knows of that meet and chat could be like a book club or open to anything

Hello,

I have been depressed for a little over a decade, and I am sick of it. I want to have fun this summer (not just working), and I need some ideas. I have so many cute summer clothes I never wear because I don't do anything, but I want to change that. I'm looking for some things just to do to get out of the house.

I feel like no one really talks about this part of your 20s, and I've been thinking about it a lot lately.

The part where you outgrow something that also built you.

I spent the last 6 1/2 years in a job that shaped so much of who I am. It gave me financial stability, real experience, and helped me figure out that I’m actually good at accounting. It’s the reason I’m able to take the next step I’m about to take.

But it also showed me what doesn’t work for me.

There was a point where the stress started showing up physically. I began having panic attacks. I was overwhelmed, falling behind, and instead of being met with support, I went through a situation where my integrity was questioned. Eventually, it was cleared up, and support was offered, but something in me had already shifted.

Even after things calmed down, my body didn’t forget.

About a year later, I was confronted again, this time in a way that felt hostile, and something in me just… stopped.

It wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t a breakdown.

It was clarity.

My mind and body finally said, “this is enough.”

And the next day, I turned in my resignation.

For a long time, I thought this was just what I had to do. It was “good for my career.” I was learning. I was responsible. I was trusted, at least in some ways.

I told myself that should be enough.

So I ignored the voice that kept telling me I was struggling. That I was carrying too much with too little support. That going years without real rest, without backup, without space to breathe, wasn’t sustainable.

I kept pushing past what I actually needed.

Until I couldn’t anymore.

And when I finally stopped long enough to listen, I realized something simple but important:

There are environments where you can grow and still feel supported.
Where you can excel without constantly feeling like you’re barely holding everything together.

So I chose something different.

I chose to go back to school.
I chose to find a role that supports me while I learn and grow.
I chose to believe that I don’t have to sacrifice my well-being to build a career.

And I’ve also had to make peace with this:

I wasn’t perfect. I made mistakes, like anyone does.
But I showed up for years. I carried more than I should have.
And I did it well most of the time.

In the end, I finally chose myself.

I don’t have everything figured out. I’m still learning.

But I do know this now:

You’re allowed to choose environments that don’t make you feel sick.
You’re allowed to change direction.
You’re allowed to take what something gave you and still decide it’s not where you’re meant to stay.

If you’re in your 20s and feeling lost, stuck, or like you’re supposed to just “deal with it”… you’re not alone.

And it’s okay if your next step is just choosing something that feels a little bit better.

I’m stepping into something new, and for the first time in a while, I feel hopeful.

Erm so basically I didn’t realise I was lonely until a friend pointed it out to me and I had a realisation moment, I guess I’ve always been pretty quiet and introverted, she suggested I point myself out here so any help or tips please say Hi 👋

Hi! I’m trying to look for a new bikini for the summer and am having trouble finding a bikini that doesn’t dig into my love handles or my thighs while also not having my whole butt hanging out. I know side tie bikinis are great but I can’t find any that doesn’t show your whole butt. Does anyone have any suggestions of brands? Thank you in advance!!

I often just get really emotional and cry for dumb reasons like when people criticise me or when I get frustrated, when people don't understand me. I'm probably just childish and that's why but I'm sick of crying over everything because it's annoying others and I want to think that I've changed from when I was younger and everyone hated me (for good reasons) but I still keep crying just like when I was little and I don't want to be like that anymore. Does anyone know what will help? Also, I can't do therapy or medication.

F20. I’m not really complaining about that, but I noticed some people (including me) no matter the gender, keep having this teenager look to them. But it’s beyond looks, it’s something about the demeanor, mannerism etc.

I know that at 20 you’re still biologically a teenager, and blah blah blah, but I often feel distance between me and other people of my age. I feel like a girl among men and women. Funny enough, I got my puberty at 10 years old.

But what’s interesting, I noticed social bond and romantic interest is often based on this mannerism. Socially awkward folks pair up.

Hey all, I'm 23F and I am kinda clueless when it comes to grooming my pubic area, and it's not something that I can ask my mom to because that would raise unwanted questions. I know there should be no shame in body hair, but this is just a personal preference and something I have been wanting to do recently.

I've seen the following common methods for grooming: trimming, shaving, and waxing, and out of all of these, I am leaning the most towards trimming, and maybe waxing (shaving with blades is a big no because I'm clumsy and will probably cut myself, so I'd rather not).

When it comes to trimming, i tried looking up on Google but it didn't really give me any answers, so I'll forward and list them down:

1. Do I need to use scissors first to reduce the hair length?

2. What direction should the razor go while trimming? From head to toe, or from toe to head?

3. Should the guard be used on the trimmer head, or not putting it on is okay?

4. Are there any pre and post trimming tips that I need to be aware of?

5. How good/bad is the regrowth? Is it unbearably prickly?

What is the overall proper prep/post care? I know to use non-scented products and wear loose/soft underwear afterwards. But beyond that, I don't know for sure what I should be doing to prevent irritation and ingrown hairs.

There are so many ways to go about this and it's too much. Any advice would be so awesome ❤️🥹

I am a heavier set 25F with PCOS & labial hypertrophy as well as other medical issues, PCOS & labial hypertrophy just the ones I feel matters most for context in this…..

I have a lot of sweat & discharge constantly… I have tried SEVERAL different kinds/brands/types of undies. I cannot find something that doesn’t make me have a “flare-up or break-out”… I am strugglingggg…. I haven’t been able to wear jeans comfortably for so long because of this issue. (I typically wear leggings and commando)

If anyone can give me some recommendations to undies that seem like they’d work for me, it would be amazing! *links are a bonus

TIA! 🤭

hello, i know there are lots of posts about this topic but ive been trying to find an answer to my question but i couldn’t find any. so i usually clean under my hood with water because i get smegma buildup under there. i can retract the hood easily but sometimes smegma get stuck under some crevices that i cant rlly reach with my finger and if i do it feels uncomfortable. as i mentioned i usually clean the area with water and my finger but i feel like it doesnt clean the area properly. i usually clean it every other day and i always find smegma buildup, its not much but still there would be some. i was looking for another way to clean the area and i saw some ppl suggesting gentle soap/coconut oil. i got the QV gentle wash but i was afraid to use it because i was worried that it might sting/burn especially because that area is so sensitive and also it might dry out my clit. i dont know if its ok to use coconut oil in there since it wont be washed out. i would rlly appreciate any advice that could help me in this situation.

I used to post frequently but went through a bad self-image episode and havent posted anything but birthday stories on snap for my friends in two years 😭

I really want to be more digitally active but its so awkward to make a first post...

my main three socials are snap, tiktok and Instagram. I want to post small daily fun things on snap, funny/niche videos on tiktok and aesthetic/monthly photo dumps on insta, but i feel so corny and annoying trying to make myself "look pretty".

I also have a bunch of people who im not close to and am high-key scared of cause i know theyre really judgmental...

as a girl who grew up not knowing "how to be a girl", can someone give me some tips?