I recently made the switch from being a 24/7 diaper wearer to only wearing on the weekends. Or occasionally during the week, outside of work. After roughly a full year of diapers all day every day, I discovered that the transition back to using the potty was tougher than I expected. I found that after months of going whenever I needed to, I’m forced to rush to the bathroom with very little notice and much more often than the people around me. The frequent and disruptive trips to the bathroom are almost a nuisance. Coworkers have made comments. Additionally, I typically awake after 4 or 5 hours of sleep to run to the toilet, lest I soil my bed. Falling back asleep is tough.

I don’t think I ever achieved or would ever achieve, “unpotty training.” Maybe my bladder shrank or my body formed a habit. I don’t really know what physiological changes are possible. I’ve noticed that even after a month the urge to pee comes on quickly and with a good amount of urgency. There are times where almost as soon as I’ve noticed the need to go, I’m doing a desperate dance.

I made the switch due to a career change. Instead of office work (the last few months were from home), I moved to a blue collar job that paid better and was more fulfilling. I’m happy with the career change, and I’m sure it was the right move overall. That said, I’m struggling with the bathroom. Wearing to work isn’t an option for a number of reasons. Being discreet is basically out the door. Even low profile diapers would show. Changes aren’t possible at work. I’m forced to move around A LOT. Heavy lifting, confined spaces, lots of reaching and stretching. Hell we actually do organized stretches as group, with overhead arm exercises in which our shirts all lift up and our bellies are exposed. I couldn’t even imagine how hot and bulky a diaper would feel under my jeans or work pants. The only option I possibly have would be to become the nerd who wears cover-alls. Even then, when and how would I change? There’s no private bathrooms and I’m not exactly unnoticeable out in my car.

There are jobs that I have to do where I’m stuck for an hour or more without the ability to use the restroom. I have to wait for someone to relieve me, or I’m on a lift and coming down is unreasonable.

This is really just a vent post. But I would to hear any thoughts or solutions anyone might have. Has anyone else dealt with something similar?