Hi folks! I’m trying to become more independent/less dependent on my partner and more autonomous with my hygiene, any tips? I found out I was trafficked two years ago and the overall toll on my mental health has been massive, along with being physically disabled. I fell into the habit of asking my partner to get me food (cookless food suggestions needed!! I’m so tired of eating chips!! ) and since leaving college my shower schedule has been less than stellar because I have no daily obligations, and it’s very triggering for me as well as physically taxing. I’m having trouble adulting in simple terms. Please be gentle, I beat myself up over this as is, thank you so much in advance!!
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Put an alarm clock in the bathroom. When it goes off, go to turn it off and while you’re there, take a shower. Always keep your bathrobe and clean washcloth and towel in the bathroom. There you go. You’re ready.
Look up the book, “sad bastards last”. It’s a cookbook for people with depression, so all the meals are really low effort – like “eat a spoonful of peanut butter” or “chuck an egg and spices in a mug and microwave it and let it soak after”.
Also if you hate showering, baby wipes can help you get by in between.
Getting into and out of the shower can be a whole ordeal, so sometimes it’s OK to not get in at all, just get a damp wash cloth with some soap and wipe the important bits (face, armpits, genitals). Then wipe the soap off. You can do other parts of your body if you want but this makes it a lot easier imo.
It’s kind of a shower, but less of an Ordeal.
Maybe play really happy music, ABBA, anything HIGH ENERGY or “Superhero” type high motivation music ( Superman / Rocky, etc. )
in the bathroom when it’s time to shower.
Or use some sort of plastic bowl, shoe box, etc and put warm water in it, swish around some nice smelling body soap, and use a real washcloth to wash up. BE CAREFUL.
Use a Gatorade size bottle (clean one) to pour warm water over your privates while you sit on the toilet. Do a couple of times and friction scrub, and dry really well so you don’t get a rash.
Keep a stack of clean underwear and washcloths and towels in the bathroom, so it’s easy. Make sure to put a towel on the floor, so you don’t slip.
Wash clothes once a week.
Showering doesn’t have to be a marathon event. You can get in, soap up, rinse off, leave. You can wash your hair in the kitchen sink, use an electric razor to shave (if you do shave). I’m on autopilot when I shower, I do the same routine every time, and it never takes me more than 7 minutes. And the days I don’t feel like showering, I skip washing my hair and tell myself 4 minutes max and it’s over 🤍
I’m reading all of these by the way! Upvoting them all! I’m just bad at holding conversation so use this comment as an overall cry of Gratitude!!! Thank you!!!