Problem Taking Showers

Well, I just threw that question into the Google Machine. Which is how I found your thread lol. What I had put in there was at times I do not bathe for months at a time…

(my fiancé and I have had a discussion several times about how not one day have I ever smelled bad) WTH?! Not that I’m complaining nor is my fiancé, LMAO
😜

How do I force myself to do so. The best that I came across in the five minutes i went through until I found yours, was to break the task, bathing, down into smaller, more tangible steps… (Bite size steps, I like to say lol) Saying that breaking it down into bite-size steps would help to allow you of accomplishing your daily bathing routine.

The reason that that plan really makes sense for me, is because the main reason am I unable to get myself to bathe is because, just the idea of me getting myself into the shower, cleaning myself, washing my hair, rinsing my hair, conditioning, my hair, rinsing conditioner for my hair, shaving my legs, drying off, blow drying my naturally long curly hair (that sometimes takes 12 to 14 hours to dry naturally h
ugh 😑) and putting make up on and then finding clothes that I like is hugely, enormous and over-f’’n-welming. Just thinking about it sends me into a deeper depression. Ugh 😑

And for me at least, it really sucks for me because my fiancé whom I’ve been with for seven years now, lives with me, and when we first got together, I had bathed daily and too made myself all pretty from head2toe every single day. Wow just typing that out. Made me realize how much he really probably hates this about my depression also. LMAO 😜

Now I’m going to read through the comments in your thread and see what everyone told you. Hopefully you found yourself a solution that works for you. And too, hopefully I will find at least one here that will work for myself.

Best of all to you & stay
safe out there 🥰
Wendy Mae

P.S. Yes, I had to edit my comment, and the reason for my doing so is because I have carpal tunnel syndrome. So mostly while on me phone I will use voice to text.

Giving my really strong southern accent that I have, if I forget to check what it says for me, at least half of it is wrong. So I’m pretty happy that I did read it through. Because would have sounded like a second-grader otherwise 😉

Perhaps next time I will remember to check it before I push send. And that right there is I’ll have to say about that. Now I’m going to try and re-create comments on your thread. Lol 😂

Thank you Wendy, I really appreciate that you went to that trouble and what you said does make sense. I couldn't believe that I actually went so long but with my depression (which is in full swing and yes, I do take antidepressants) but my trouble is mostly financial and feeling isolated because I live where I can't get to many places without a car (my car died about 2 years ago). Now I have to take my cat Lola to the vet because I think she might be sick which is going to cost about $470.00 which is going to kill my checking account. I know I'm crying (not literally) : ) ,but things just seem to get more difficult. I am at the point where I don't care about doing things that I should be doing. Oh well, things will work out (I hope). Thank you again for your comments, I truly appreciate it. I took a shower last week and I felt wonderful. I will take your advice Wendy. : )

Wow, I just saw your reply to me. Thank you for getting back to me. You are very quick!! Just finished editing my comment after seeing your post I’m assuming that you saw it without me editing it. After editing it was hoping that my post was not too long. Because that there was my first post. I’m glad that you enjoyed reading it. Now I’m going to read through all of your comments. I’m gonna try to save this thread in case there’s another comment to me on it. So sorry to hear about your poor little baby. And oh yes, I forgot to mention that I also take anti- depressants. And I’m sorry that you’re struggling financially. Do you have friends or family to help you out? My problem is I have CO-PTSD, and my fiancé takes my car to work. I have no transportation and I really Rarely get out of the house at all. I am really wanting to force myself to go take the GED and get my college education. About 15 years ago, I pulled up to college and I live down south and took the pre-entrance exam right there on the spot and I passed it, so I’m going to make myself status. Which is why I really need to start bathing regularly.
Lmao 😜
Good luck to you sweetie hopefully you and I and many others will be able to get through this if anything, perhaps help will come from that for us each by sharing our pain and suffering with each other.

Wishing you the best of health and happiness, stay safe out there 🥰
Wendy Mae

Aww, you are so sweet. Here is what just happened to me which really threw me. I don't know if it's proper to discuss things that aren't related to this thread but I think this one is. The other day I was really overwhelmed thinking about the money for Lola and if I would have enough left over to buy food. I know. Well, after I left my message for my "best friend of 50 years" and didn't get a call back (considering how I was feeling) I just went on with my day and anxiety. After that I spoke with a friend who I hadn't spoken with in about 8 years which took about 1-1/2 hours. During that call I got a call from my "best friend" which I could not answer nor one from my niece. Trying to make this short, I did not get back to her that day. She called me the next day and was very upset because I didn't get back to her the same day because I made her worry so I apologized many times but she was still make a big thing of it so after a while we decided to let it go and had a great conversation and we decided that we were good and ended on a good note. Next day at 9:22 am (when she emailed me) she told me that when she was concerned I said that I thought she was overreacting a bit but she didn't like that all and told me that she was sick of listening to my problems and that they brought her down when she is happy and that I should see a therapist and that she could not take it anymore. I was shocked by this. I wrote her two more emails and in the last one I told her that I would not call her until she apologized for the nasty email. Her next email said "don't call me anymore". How about that! I have listened to her for hours about her problems and never complained and I am a good listener. I must add that Helen is a recovering alcoholic and I have always believed her when she said that she hasn't had a drink is 16 years. The only time she acts like (mean) is when she is drinking. I just don't know but this is it for me, I will not be spoken to like after being such a good friend to her. It takes a lot for me to end a friendship but I don't deserve to be treated like that. Sorry for the length of this but I know you will understand. I hope I haven't overdone it. Nancy : )

I don’t understand why you’re in debt so much but you can find $470.00 for your sick cat. What are your priorities. Becoming homeless or paying $470.00 for a sick cat. You must be able to find out what your cat has and how much it will cost. I have pets myself and I know that they are a family member who needs treatment but $470.00 dollars?
I hope you can find an empathetic vet to help you for less money although you might to pay monthly.
When I was in Vietnam I was a K9 handler and once a year I had to put him down because they become unable to handle. He was a German shepherd. You see, police k9’s can be kept until they die of natural causes.

The reason was that an army K9 goes for the throat while a police K9 went for a
suspects arm and leg. Army K9 can save you daily but a police k9 just goes to stop a suspect. Based on that logic I had to take my army k9 to a vet to be put down usually because they become aggressive so I know what it’s like. See if the vet would let you pay in installments.

I didn’t shower for over a year. I just couldn’t get it done. Besides all the work involved the steps you mentioned. I never smelled bad. Maybe because I never sweat. I’m fine except for depression and a general anxiety disorder. I don’t like getting wet like a cat didn’t.
It’s not on top of things to do.
Since I was never told to take a shower, I didn’t and I’m not sure why. So you’re not alone

Hi Andy,
I appreciate your comment. I know it's my depression but it seems like such a huge effort, like going to the dentist, and it really bothers me. I was always immaculate about myself and even though it changes a bit it was NEVER like this. I have had some issues that are adding to it but it seems the longer it takes the longer I don't and its and vicious circle. Do take care and thanks again for sharing. : )

There may be a group that helps pay for low income people to take their pets to the vet. Try looking into it.

Thank you so much for the information. What would I look under?

@nscappa There are times I feel like you do, that getting into the shower and all it involves, is simply too much to deal with. I use a peppermint liquid castile soap, and will do a "bucket bath", hitting the most important areas. The smell of the peppermint itself is a mood brightener, it seems.

Another thing we can use when the idea of a shower overwhelming, is something that caregivers and campers use. It is a soap impregnated cloth used with a little water, and simply used all over the body. There is no need to wash off the cleaning agent. I keep a package of them on hand for those challenging days. And I sent a package with my husband to use when he was camping off-grid for three weeks. He even used it as a shampoo! Here is the product I use: Scrubzz-Disposable-Rinse-Bathing-Wipes

Do you think something like this might help?
Ginger