Dispatch no. 16 - Updates Podcast

One more thing! (I am Columbo) Bring home some of those fixed price mailers from PO and try and see which one your Etsy merch will fit in when you are doing all the admin of posting. Then you know what the postage is for most items. You’ll still have to guess for a few things. I think there are apps that can help you figure out postage…

PMDD sounds a lot like the last few weeks of being pregnant… so sorry you are dealing with that 🖤

You can see the giant Marilyn statue’s panties in Palm Springs!

So happy to hear you are getting help soon! All the best with that 🙏 about the productivity point, I kinda also think that if you are “officially” diagnosed and supported, you free up space mentally to chose what you want to do. You know, not just being “more productive” but also having the capacity to think about and choose to do other things you want to do. I hope that makes sense :)

I was completely unware that PMDD was a thing until a few years ago! It's really concerning how completely we dismiss menstrual/reproductive health as being 'normal' and 'not that bad' when for a lot of people... it's such a burden.

As another delayed sleep person, I feel you! Mine is connected to ADHD, so not sure if I can give any tips to help. Except maybe just accept you sleep weird and plan accordingly? Also, you are an Etsy queen! I bought a bag as a gift, and was shocked when I saw how quickly it delivered. Irony was the recipient brought it in, as she was cat sitting for us that day. :)

My husband seems to like B&H for audio equipment. I haven't heard anything bad, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything.

Well done for seeking help, Bianca! I know it's doubly hard when it comes to mental health. I hope things start improving soon.

Am hoping you get good results from the Dr's visit. You are too precious not to look after yourself. I have wanted to say the following for quite some time. Re sponsorship: I know it goes against your grain, and I really get. I've noticed that nearly every other 'youtuber' has sponsors. They say, "...and this week's sponsor is..." or "over to our sponsor xxx". Please think about taking sponsorship with a company you feel comfortable with. It can help to pay some of those darn student loans and take you closer to your dreams. I, like your other Patrons, just want the very best for you. Yep, we are your Patron family 🥰 Excited for you for your trip coming up. That sounds like it will be fun 🚙 Am going to take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy Birthday for your special day. 🍾🥳 Sending good vibes and best wishes from Down Under 💚💐📚🇦🇺😎

I agree with Josie and clearly there are people here who care about you. I can remember feeling that I was way behind other people my own age, people who were having kids and grownup jobs, houses, cars while still in their twenties! But in many ways, their lives seemed boring to me and, other than the car and the house (and a grand piano which finally arrives next week) I’ve never wanted any of those things. All I’ve ever really wanted was to be able to perform at the piano, to teach, study, write and just plain lose myself to that wonderful world where the hands become magic. I just turned 43 and finally have (well, rent) a small house. It is nice having one’s own place, although there’s a lot of “stuff” that really cuts into one’s time, things like cutting the grass, shovelling, raking, etc., but I don’t mind, I feel fortunate to be fit enough to do it myself. I do sometimes feel like being a classical musician is a bit of a curse, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything and, like you, I’ve been fortunate to have supportive parents. I’ve also had a crapload of student loans, which weren’t paid off until well into my thirties. I get you on so many levels and I guess I am here to say that it just takes some of us a bit longer than others to get where we are going and that’s ok! You really are incredibly gifted, Bianca and I marvel at how you do everything yourself, I really find it compelling and even endearing. Somehow, I think it makes you seem closer to us, the fact that it’s literally just you doing everything. I think that’s why your appreciation comes across. For the sleeping issues, perhaps going for a walk each day will help. I do that and I find that it really helps air me out. It doesn’t solve one’s problems, but it is rejuvenating and helps with sleep, although I have a feeling that the chunk of time you’ve set aside for writing soon will work like a tonic!

I'm so proud of you for taking time out for a dr visit! Life is too hard and too short not to take care of your health! Don't feel shameful about living at home with your parents. You get to spend precious time with them while you work on yourself. Great job on the videos this month 💙💙💙

Bianca, I got my Etsy order yesterday, and I’m so thrilled with them! Thank you for your expeditious service and care for these garments. I’m so glad that you have an appointment to better learn what’s going on. I hope your sleep/wellness improves!

Concerning PMS or anything like it, here are some non-medicine remedies....stop all salt intake at least 3 days before your period, if you have regular periods, don't take hot showers either. Cut back on chocolate and eat fruit instead for their natural sugar content. Stop drinking anything with caffeine in it. All of these things contribute to inflammation, which then causes some personality changes including anxiety, lack of sleep and general good mental health well being. Inflammation can also be relieved by the use of anti-prostaglandins which reach their peak just prior to the onset of a period and also contribute to inflammation. I found that it was inflammation that really contributed to my mental downfall just prior to my periods. I would lose patience easily, cry easily, feel depressed when I normally didn't. I found that it was the general inflammation that caused pressure against my spinal cord, which in turn put pressure on the majority of my nerve centers that sent messages to my brain that something was wrong and it caused alot of pain and anguish prior to my period each month. If you can take Ibuprofen, taking 2 tablets twice a day for 3 days before the period helped me tremendously. Ibuprofen is an anti-prostaglandin ( a hormone) and that helped so much with the cramps too. There is a prescription med called Anaprox that will do the same thing. The inflammation literally swelled my whole body, not just making my abdomen/breasts swell. I found tremendous relief by doing all of the above things for 3 days before my period and I returned to my normal happy self. Now that was just my experience, others may have had different outcomes. I was lucky in that one of my co-workers heard me complaining of the changes I felt and she had experienced the same thing and told me about the above info. I saw my Dr. and he agreed that all of those/these steps made sense to him. I remember interviewing a woman who had such horrible PMS that she threw a chair through her livingroom window. I told her to get in touch with her Dr. and tell her what I was doing and get her opinion as to whether she thought it might work. Her Dr. agreed it was worth a try and it did make things much better for her. This is a very real issue for women and it needs to be taken very seriously by doctors, not just written off as...oh well, she is exaggerating like most women do and it's anxiety so we will just give her valium and she will be better. That is not useful advice and won't treat the real physical issues that are happening. I wish you the best in your quest to get answers that will help you through this journey. Please remember that you know your body and yourself better than any doctor does and sometimes you need to be very insistent on being taken seriously. Sending you hugs OOO

I really like the brooches you use, I would like to buy them in your store. And you should also scan your patterns and sell them.

I'm going to get very personal here, but...for many years, I had no idea that being super depressed during the week before my period - including experiencing suicidal thoughts that weren't present at any other time - wasn't just normal PMS. Then, after I had my first child, my doctor changed my birth control pill to one that was compatible with breastfeeding. Suddenly, the cyclical depression just disappeared. When I mentioned it to my health care provider, they were like "Why on earth did you never mention your symptoms before?!" and proceeded to tell me about PMDD. That was the first time I had ever heard of it; I didn't even realize that I should have mentioned it at all! So ANYWAY, definitely discuss your cyclical depression with your doctor to find the best solution for you; it's something that isn't often talked about, but it can have such an effect on your quality of life, and it is very treatable (or at least, it has been in my personal experience). And yes, I am much more productive now. ;-D

Dear Bianca, as a mental health professional I find it so nice, when public figures disclose mental health issues and try to normalize this things! Thank you for that! If you have nothing against it, I would like to recommend a free information source on the subject: Prof. Hubermann from Stanford has a podcast, it's called 'Hubermann lab' and has dedicated the whole month of January to sleep/wakefulness. I find his podcasts though very long also very clearly explained and he has lots of practical tips. I suggest people with sleeping issues give it a try. Also good for you for taking care of yourself!! Can't wait to see what you worked on off camer. I just finished watching the silk pastel dress with gathering. I just looove how it turned out and can't wait to give it a try myself. Thank you so much for that too!! And the third thing (I can't brake this comment as I would like to) I am very happy that you decided to take us with you on the road trip, since I don't think I will have the opportunity to see those places any time soon otherwise. Have a nice one 😘

Hi Bianca, I hope the appointment at the doctors goes okay. I think it is always a good idea to talk to someone about things.

I LOVE Palm Springs; I do a long weekend there at least once a year for over 10 years now. I have a ton of suggestions for you! I’ll round up my thoughts and send you a message 🌴🌵

Also, I wonder if you could interview Marsha Hunt. Like you say, she’s 103 and oh what an experience that would be!

This is such a cliché thing to say, but I'll say it anyway. I feel a lot of the issues you're facing, it may be a different jigsaw puzzle picture, but it's the same pieces not wanting to fit, you know? But just take a step back and look at how many pieces of the puzzle are in place!!! 😊For what it's worth (and I've found it helpful) the past month or so has been a time of eclipses (2 of them), plus Mercury has been in retrograde. Ah! You are a moon sign and so are more effected by eclipses, so they say. A friend told me about Susan Miller's Astrology page and she puts out a monthly outline for each of the signs. She writes well and while I'm only vaguely interested in astrology, I do find her insight helpful for coping with things. Your Cancer sign she has written about and it touched on so many of the things you talk about here, including this being the ideal time for talking about mental health. I do hope your appointment will be a positive experience. Gee, I sure would love to be your road buddy for your September trip. Palm Springs and the Mohave area sound wonderful. My Mom and I used to visit my grandparents in Tucson over spring break, years ago, and we would go for drives looking at the mountains, golfing, shopping and then more driving/sight-seeing. Ah memories... Thank you for mentioning the Marsha Hunt doc, I'll watch it for sure, actually, after I first heard you mention her book, The Way We Wore, several months ago, I promptly went to our public library and checked out a copy. It's a wonderful book! Thank you for sharing so much of yourself, Bianca, personal stuff and all and for thinking of us in such a close and special way. Your appreciation totally comes through, like a ray of sunshine. I maybe shouldn't say this, but I do think you give us much more than our money's worth (although I am here for the content and love the frequency of it all.) BUT...take care of YOU. ❤️

I would be interested in purchasing PDF patterns of your original designs, if that kind of thing is up your alley.

Shipping Option: I used PirateShip.com which saved me a ton on shipping via USPS. It's a free service, allowed me to package and print labels at home, and then just drop the packages off at the post office without having to wait in line. It's one of my favorite tools.