Jack Harris3, perhaps I didn't define my point quite clearly enough.
You're absolutely right that leeches will try their luck with anyone. However, when they encounter someone truly strong, they tend to turn tail and run immediately; instead, they choose to parasitically cling to those who are vulnerable. That is why I suggested they target the weak.
I have also observed that the very moment a weak individual finds their strength, the leeches vanish. They just leave!
1. Leeches always target those who show weakness. There is simply no chance they would bother with someone who is strong. They have a radar for vulnerability, I think.
2. What you might be describing isn't actually that type of leech, but rather a deep-seated fear of someone else's success. You see, if you become incredibly successful, the gap between you and them grows even wider. This forces them to confront the uncomfortable reality of their own lack of achievement—even if you never once bring it up! Some people follow you through certain phases of your life, but eventually, you outgrow them. They stay stagnant, and then they try to pull you back down to their level. If you truly want to move forward, you’ll likely have to leave them behind. It feels harsh, but it's just a natural part of growth, so please don't let it weigh on you. New people will come along, and perhaps there will even be times when you feel like a burden to them too...
And no, we aren't all "lone wolves"—that sounds like nothing more than an excuse for a guilty conscience! Perhaps I have "taken" something from someone at some point (though I prefer to say I learned from them!), but I believe that person benefited from the exchange as well (meaning, they gained something or learned something new in return). There have certainly been moments where I was the one gaining while the other side wasn't, but those were mentors, and I am profoundly grateful to them. I intend to pay it forward by becoming a mentor to someone else someday. And I believe they understand that.
It is my understanding that a woman's fertility begins to decline around age 27 or 28—strictly from a biological standpoint.
I believe I heard this mentioned once on an Oprah Winfrey special, though I suppose even those production teams likely conduct their own research before broadcasting such claims.
Personally, I don't find myself dwelling much on environmental factors. I tend to focus more on the underlying biology. If fertility truly does start to dip after age 30, then I suppose we all really ought to hurry...
It seems much simpler for men, as they can theoretically become fathers well into their 70s...🙂
I personally use soft contact lenses, though I have used hard lenses before and they really are quite excellent if you can adjust to them.
My current soft lenses actually contain some sort of additive from $33 designed to improve comfort, though I’m not entirely certain of the specific chemical composition.
The primary advantage of going with soft lenses is that they are much lower maintenance—you don't have to worry about them constantly sitting in solution if you happen to leave your case behind or something similar. Plus, you won't risk passing out from sheer pain if a stray splinter or debris happens to hit your eye.
Regarding the adjustment period, when I first started wearing contacts, I found that increasing my wear time by just thirty minutes each day was more effective than trying to jump straight into an hour. Maybe you could try that incremental approach if you find the discomfort to be too intense.
However, if your eye looks bloodshot, something is definitely wrong. That simply isn't normal.
If you wear your lenses for too long—specifically while you are still in that initial adjustment phase—and you try to push through the irritation, there is a risk that you might actually scratch the corneal surface. You wouldn't be able to see the damage happening, but the pain is absolutely excruciating. I would suggest being very careful and not pushing your luck, as you could cause serious damage to your eye.