#BlogLife1155 - Off/on... This site or that?

A lil tip if you buy as many earbuds with cases as I do and after a while it randomly stop/starts charging or only does side..

Keep the case open and that way, you can see the red charging light come on and then see it switch to blue when it's full.

That makes such a difference. I hate connecting it and assuming, yea it's fine, connecting it and the battery low voice pipes up..

Grrr you were in the case for ages. I also try to keep the case fully powered too, that helps mostly.

Ugh the neighbours were so noisy and then someone was knocking loudly.

I don't know if it was for me or the neighbours but I didn't have my lenses on so I ignored it..

I was hoping it was a parcel but there was no note or box left.

Ugh BT wrote and said my service is going to be cut off soon so I quickly rang them and she said don't worry, it's because you haven't officially switched over yet but everything is in order for the 28th.

That's a relief. I thought something went wrong for a minute.

Somebody on Reddit set up a new blog site so I was giving feedback on it.

I don't know whether or not I want to commit to it. It's called Melody and I like that you can incorporate a song into it..

I'm not sure how good or bad that would be.. For readers, apparently only when you press play though..

Not automatic as I thought. I'm not sure how many users there are yet.

The developer is very open and responsive so I joked about a dedication page and their first million ha.

The set up was easy but I looked at the post page and went blank so I left it..

Blogger is so easy to use. I could have a secondary one for maybe notes..

I don't know. I'll see later on, how I feel about it..

It's so annoying to satisfyingly have cleaned up and then notice it's messy again..

It's probably a minimal tidy and I'm just making it a big deal..

I'm going off 7 Cups more and more. The members are fine, the admin staff are horrible.

I can't respect a site where you can't post and be heard as a woman.

I'd like to be able to express myself but I can't unlike Reddit, who let you post anything once you have Karma behind you..

I think I'm mainly using it as I told uc I volunteer there, which I do but it's not as satisfying as before..

I'm helping the same sort of unhappy people on Reddit and being able to post my own stuff easily without them being removed.

#BlogLife1039 - All things period, full stop/7 Cups hidden misogyny and censorship

I'm really struggling today with the cramps, they've hit me since waking.

I've done everything but all I wanted to do was lie down, I didn't want to be productive at all.

I'm wondering what you do when you feel like this? Do you have your own remedies?

Have you read something or have an inkling on how to make it better?

I have a few go-to things that I always do. I drink orange juice if I feel like it, it helps for some reason.

I intensely crave sugar and chocolate and it's just satisfying to munch but eating something salty always helps settle my tum.

Chomping on chips/french fries or crisps, my stomach seems to breathe easier with those.

I have anti nausea, anti cramp binaural beats videos playing in the background.

It's not always a quick fix, sometimes it doesn't help but usually the severity of it is at least lessened, over time.

I would be lost without these Youtubey videos. Heat of course, wrapped in a blankie, gives me comfort.

Whether I get a period or not, I always find it difficult to cope with the symptoms because they are ever present each month.

I have never had a regular cycle. I skip, I have double in a month, it could be light or it could be an extremely heavy flow.

There is breast pain and my body temperature drops and I put on 1-2 stones in pure bloated water retention.

The mood swings vary because I feel really sad one minute, angry the next and so impatient.

Plus the extra fatigue and insomnia is worse for some reason, I can't seem to rest properly or get cosy at night.

One second I'm chatty and talkative and the next I can't run away fast enough.

But as ever with any sort of pain, either rest or persevering and doing what needs to be done, helps me.

At least my mind is clear, the body is sore but I haven't entirely wasted the day.

I've heard drinking a lot is supposed to help with bloating, I don't find that the case for me.

I've also been told exercise is good for cramps but vigorous movement is the last thing that appeals to me in this state.

One of the challenging aspects to me is my food consumption because of the uncomfortable bloating, I can't recognise my true hunger needs.

I switch from having a voracious appetite, where I can eat everything in sight and still not be full..

To a point where I have a tiny small snack or meal and then, I can't face eating anymore but I'm not really satisfied, so a short while later, I need to have more.

It's the only time, eat when hungry, stop when full, doesn't work for me.

I always feel like I've put on weight but I haven't because it all balances out.

My belly might look as though it's going to give birth to a beach ball but it isn't.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wow, I can't even process this. I'm switching between scoffing and raging. 

This post got removed too for violating the forum terms on 7 Cups..

It's 2026 and you can't talk about periods? What on earth??!!

You can't talk about how you feel and now you can't mention periods?

Why the hell not??? What have you got against women's issues?

I read the rules and between this and the other banned post, the only crap rule I can see is something about don't be graphic, don't give medical advice.....

Oh grow up! Nitwits!! I'm not doing that, I'm sharing my experience of periods.

For the other post (BlogLife1037), the bit I put about not wanting to support anyone and focus on myself, as a Listener, was...... Questionable..

But it's still how I'm feeling in the moment and the censorship is ridiculous.

They could have said I'm concerned about what you wrote and I want to discuss it further..

But no they are hiding behind the bs rules and not explaining the reason for deleting it.

That doesn't sit right with me and I think I need a break from it.

I'm not free to speak my mind and be myself and there is something very wrong with that.

I worked really hard to find my voice, I'm not going to go backwards and be silenced again, from anybody!

I feel like this has erased all the good work I've done in helping people feel better.

Like I said before, there's no support for volunteers to share how they honestly feel without being criticised for it.

They are happy when we lend an ear or encourage someone vulnerable but the second you speak out and say I'm unhappy, you get ripped apart for being human.

I'm disgusted. The only saving grace about it, there are some spectacular people on their.

I mean just warm, funny, affectionate, intelligent and creative thinkers.

If I left, I would miss them. I'm not going to post there anymore, not my own feelings.

I might answer people but it's so one sided and this was something I had read about.. A lot.

They are aware, they are just not doing anything about it!

#BlogLife925 - Why is introducing myself so hard?

Once again I feel this dread coming over me. I'm fully fledged on 7 Cups and have been browsing through the newbies section and of course there is an introduce me bit...

Eeek can't do it. What can I say? I could piggyback an old thread full of people saying Hi..

I don't want to do that and be lost in a sea of fresh faces, nor do I want to particularly stand out.

It was hard enough trying to write a vague profile, so what do I want to say?

What should my first text say? Without overthinking, I guess it's this.

Hey lil 7 Cup world. This is difficult for me. I'm uncomfy in the spotlight.

I never was much of a talker, always a listener in some aspect or another.

At times I change this and other times I accept it.

I know what it's like to have no-one to talk too, no-one on your side and feel adrift..

So if I can be there for others going through difficulties then I'll assist them to cope easier, hopefully.

Once time passes, then I'm chattier, although I limit people getting too close.

I like gaming on my phone, cop shows and pampering.

I was a Listener on HearMe that was a mixed experience due to how buggy the platform was.

I still didn't do the intro post, instead I find myself answering forum questions, some serious, some lighthearted.

Not taken my first chat either, still on edge. I can't stop thinking about tomorrow I don't wanna call and cancel in case they say it can't be changed.

But if they call me again, then I will, I'm still sore and the pain is spreading, so will hire a professional cleaner, sod it.

Oh I thought of another way to stick it to the UC advisor, I looked for a creative writing course, no such luck, boo.

Maybe I'll find something fun other than customer service or coding, pfft.

Something I am actually invested in, not being forced to do.

Hmm so everyone thus far has been friendly and then I responded to a post about dealing with negative comments from people..

I shared I was sensitive and may take it to heart but also look at if someone's trying to help or just act mean.

The response was if I'm sensitive I shouldn't be online much and indicating what I am even volunteering for, and that I should be thick skinned and expect the worst from others..?!

I wasn't really expecting that answer, but to each their own. I just put I've always been sensitive and will always be that way.

I'm not ashamed of it as many people can relate to it and that I've previously volunteered and know there is good and bad.

Plus I choose to focus on the positives that I've helped many people feel less isolated and stuck before.

To me that text spoke volumes of someone a lil judgemental and a lot jaded.

Why are you volunteering with an attitude like that? I like to keep the peace though so kept that thought to myself.

I don't think it's anyone's place to say change yourself. There are better ways to phrase things like...

Listen as someone new, I just want to make sure you are fully prepared.

There are nice people, but also some not to nice so bear that in mind and if you ever need to vent, pop me a message..

Isn't that much more pleasant?? I tried the Chat feature it said No-one was available, that was a bust unless I wanted to pick someone specific and they were probably offline anyway.

Even though elsewhere I don't really share I found a section called diary entries and just offloaded there.

I just needed to let it out publicly. 

My summary is I agree, there is a lack of support. You're bombarded with welcome messages but everyone says the exact same thing and links to help pages.

It might as well be a bot welcoming you, I find that cold and disappointing.

At least with HearMe you were assigned someone and people jumped to help you, here, you're on your own.

I would much rather a personal message saying Hi, I'm sure you are nervous and overwhelmed is there anything you want to ask?

Also there is just a random list of mentors, you can't search by country or how active they are on the site.

I messaged one and didn't hear back but it is the weekend. I just want someone to talk too but not publicly about unsavoury chats.

Do I steer the conversation or leave? Also it would be easier if they were from the UK.

#BlogLife924 - 7 Cups alternative to HearMe voluntary text support

Well that made me roll my eyes, I got a notification from the twit advisor and he said something vague, wants to put me forward for SWAP something but didn't explain what it was, then said if not interested reply...

Doesn't he mean if I am interested, get in touch? He doesn't give me a say in anything anyway just bullies me.

Ugh I think it's one of those horrid work placement thingys in remote areas where the lifts never work and there is a ton of walking to get there.

My worst nightmare especially with the roadworks blocking access. I don't even know if the bus station is available to transfer to another bus. Dick!

Plus doesn't care I'm disabled with mobility issues and chronic pain struggling to move about freely, when the bus services are halting halfway.

Anyway I'll do what I usually do ignore him until I have to face him next week, a week earlier than usual, the tit!

Least then I would have applied for the course, finished up with the volunteering registration and done superficial cv changes.

I have to stop rambling and eat. I'm not really nervous about the volunteer training, I aced that.

The volunteering itself, I was a natural. I think it's taking on other people's stress when I'm dealing with my own, that's not pleasant.

Maybe it will be good for me, maybe helping others will make me feel useful and like I'm making a difference..

From somebody that gets no support to aiding others in their vulnerable times.

Again I think it's flexible, online or via app maybe. I didn't see a UK section, just America, maybe they just mean English language wise.

I gotta pick out a username. Hmm... QuickThinker? BrainUnscrambler? I have no idea..

I did a quick review search to see what the take on 7 cups was.. Mixed as I feared.

Some horror stories, lots of sexual harassment unfortunately, seems par for the course with these sites.

Lack of admin support for issues raised, hmmm and uncaring supporters for some, which is a real shame, when you're at your lowest, would be nice to get someone helpful.

Got to admit that was my take, on the few chats I requested to vent (via HearMe), it was like talking to myself, there was no care at all, aside from one and she didn't grasp my situation either.

I would have pride in it and be there. It's not about saying the perfect thing, it's just being polite and showing you are there, you're available to sympathise or relate or offer compassion.

I like that they say, tick off the subjects you're not comfy discussing and that only your screen name and country are visible.

I think my best bet is to limit any personal info, like gender, age, things that seem to encourage flirting..

Actually I might only take female chats. I'm remember the dread with the males ones.

The training said it was an hour but that you resume anytime, if you paused, it didn't take me that long, I just recalled HearMe's one and it was the same so maybe 20 minutes..

At first I thought it blocked my profile because I forgot about that rule of not giving advice/opinions but sometimes I found that worked really well.

I put on my profile if asked for advice I would be direct and work with them to suggest routes but quickly deleted that, ha.

I got to admit, feel apprehensive about my first chat, maybe at the weekend when I'm calmer..

Sounds weird to say but at least I always have my own back. I can encourage, pat myself on the back or try and make myself upset to release the tension..

By the way, I did look at another volunteering service but they wanted extensive training, references and somehow feels like a payment. I ran from that one.

I've already forgotten the name.

It's not trained counsellors, it's amateur volunteers, listening to others, if it's that big a deal, you should be paying your volunteers for their time.

I knew there would be after effects from all that walking, when I'm up and about now my legs are burning and then when I stand still, it intensifies.

So tidying is out, I'll see how I feel tomorrow but that's what irritates me, it's over exterion at the time, then dealing with the results that happen afterwards.

It's a prolonged body strain, even a day later, that's what tends to happen with me. It's continually building.

I'll probably skip dinner. I'm not feeling it. I only had the mini quiche and some crisps so my tum wasn't empty.

The more anxious, the less I can eat.

Now I recall the other thing I forgot to mention. I didn't end up getting a refund from the paypal guarantee for the first time ever.

The goods didn't arrive, I contacted them and then got an email saying, we haven't heard back so we closed the complaint.

Always always always they've said, is everything resolved, can we step in?

Never have they said, ok we're done. It was only maybe a fiver or so, but still, it's the principle of paying for items and not getting them.

I also couldn't leave feedback to say avoid this company because you will get scammed and rude customer service.