It's only been 10 months since I began doing my nails. When I 1st began in December 2025, I would only do polygel underneath full cover nail tips (lazygirl method). A majority of the designs (french, glitter, halos, butterflies, flowers, ect.) were also underneath the full cover nail tips before I placed the polygel. I learned a lot of new techniques and have expanded to hand painted art, free hand 3D features, ombre, neon powders, silicone molds, foils, stamping and painting gels.
I was not very good a painting or free hand art and horrible at filing evenly. Thankfully I purchased my #melodysusie #NailDrill that helped drastically in my filing and buffing. And then I started practicing hand drawing. And watching hundreds of tutorials on YouTube.
Every nail set that I do , I attempt to add 1 new learned technique. Currently I am stuck on liquid aquarium nails, blood lava nails, and the mermaid scales with the straw and hard no stick gel (shown by MelodySusie). I still have a lot to learn and it takes me a week+/- to just get 5 nails I am 100% satisfied with.
I am currently disabled with Clinically diagnosed: homebound Agoraphobia, PTSD w/ panic disorder, major depression disorder, severe anxiety disorder, OCD, ADHD, multiple sleep disorders and that's just the psych list of problems 🙃🫠 the medical list is just as long 🥴😵💫 But designing nails have been my sanity , my escape from my reality, better than all the xanax I am prescribed. When I'm working on my nails, it is the ONLY time in my life my brain actually SHUTS TF OFF , and I lose myself for hours ... literally like 8 hours go by ....1 min it's 1:30pm and next its 8:30pm and dark outside... and i hadn't peed since 10am 🤭 and not 1 worry or negative thought crossed my mind.... no thoughts crossed my mind... I was 1000% hyperfocused on the nail art designs.
I take multiple psychiatric medications, have a CPT Trauma Therapist, a Medication Management Psychiatric Therapist, a Case Manager through my insurance, a in home Targeted Case Manager, in home RN that comes 1x/Month, and nothing helps the way nail art therapy has helps. Nail art therapy has provided me with a start to a self-care routine and desire to look better, which in turn makes me feel better and less depressed. It has given me the desire to get control of my weight and my physical health, and find out what is wrong with me. I stopped drinking completely and didn't even realize it, (from drinking every night). There is even multiple bottles of my favorite Rosé champagne in my cabinet, and I don't even want them. I did successfully advocate for my health, got on medication and lost 26 lbs in the past 12 weeks.
Doing nails has given me a hobby and a purpose and nail contests to achieve goals, being homebound limits most all activities. Gift cards for Amazon and Visa and nail products won in contests is what made it possible to purchase more nail products and the medications that medicaid don't cover.
Joining all the nail groups on Facebook has been great for a sense of community. Because I have Agoraphobia, I suffer from extreme isolation and live alone. My family all live 1500+ miles away and I don't know anyone where I currently live. It's nice to go online (since I can't even open my front door), and have something in common with a large group of women,... most of whom are very nice and supportive and helpful 😊
And last but most important, Melody Susie and the nail brands that give back so much to the nail community ❤️ You all make it possible for us little DIYers to use our creative brain 🧠 and showcase our skills and growth.... and to get products, devices and tools we could never afford if it wasn't for your extreme generosity. There are no words of gratitude I can use to express my deepest thanks, other than "you all saved my life" ... literally‼️‼️‼️ I give thanks to the universe, god, every higher power to Melody Susie, and the entire nail community 🙏 🙌 💜 #Gratitude#ThenVsNowChallenge
#MelodySusie17thAnniversary
#NailArtTherapy
#MentalHealthMatters
#Self-care
