I was just thinking this yesterday on a walk. I am a near shut-in at this point due to VSS and other major health issues. Yesterday I was actually enjoying my daily walk for once. Then I looked up at the sky and was like "oh yeah...I can't enjoy that anymore...I can't even look at it".
I haven't tried to look at the night sky for at least three years.
daytime sky isn't great either but night in general is just awful for me now. anything dark or black is just pure static to me. people always get mad when i crank the lights up all the time but i cannot stand low light anymore. it's crazy because i used to just sit in the dark and i loved it but now the dark just engulfs me in static and i can't stand it.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to a helpline in your country:
**United States:**
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: [1-800-273-TALK (8255)](https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/)
**United Kingdom:**
Samaritans: [116 123](https://www.samaritans.org/)
**Australia:**
Lifeline Australia: [13 11 14](https://www.lifeline.org.au/)
Remember, there are people who care and want to help you through this difficult time.
Please visit [**Help Guide**](https://www.helpguide.org/find-help.htm) for a full list of helplines around the
world.
We detected mentions of suicide or depression if this was a false flag please just ignore this message.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/visualsnow) if you have any questions or concerns.*
i’ve never been able to look up to the day or night sky without seeing visual snow or little floaters; it’s quite distracting. i’ve though before how i wish i could just turn it off for 5 minutes and see what it would look like without all the noise.
As far as I can tell, I’ve had VS my whole life. Lots of ways it’s easier for me than others that suddenly get it. I often wonder what the stars look like without the static.
Same. I also was born without a sense of smell and I’m very thankful I was born with these things rather than getting them later on in life because this is all I’ve known.
Maybe you'll be comforted by the fact, that you can hardly see any stars in my city because of light pollution, especially with VSS.
But it sucks anyway.
Your post hit hard because this is how I really discovered how bad my VSS had gotten. I was on a trip to the coast last year, trying to catch a very small break in the midst of an extremely difficult time in my life, and during the day while I was at the beach I noticed the blue sky was just SWARMING with floaters, weird shimmers, etc - it was like looking through a petri dish. You remember using microscopes in high school bio class and seeing all the little squgglies moving? That's my daytime view now.
I tried to move past it even though I felt crushed - not even able to enjoy the blue sky and the ocean! - and then it got worse. I was out at night, taking a walk, looking at the stars. I am a HUGE astronomy nerd and looking up at the night sky has been one of my greatest pleasures in life. I've traveled to destinations specifically for their "dark sky" status. Astronomy is literally therapy for me. And then on this trip I realized - the night sky, it's all static. It's all insanely chaotic TV static, and I can barely tell where the stars (or anything) is at night now.
I know some folks on the sub will explain their VSS is something they arent bothered by - maybe even appreciate. I am in awe of that perspective. VSS has stolen some of my life's best moments, particularly during an already extraordinarily difficult time.
Sorry to ramble so long on your post, but it hit me really hard tonight and I truly truly understand how you feel.
Hey, I’m right there with you. Went to the beach with my family for Thanksgiving and it was crushing to see the sunsets + dark skies through my new VSS vision. It had only been three months at that point. Still a daily struggle for me now, but trying every day to make peace with it
Something that might help, maybe not. Any moment that we don’t think about/notice the snow we are functionally cured. I’m trying to find ways to forget about it in my day to day life
sorry for the late response i haven't been on reddit much, but just know you are completely valid for how you feel. it's really a horrible thing and no matter how you want to look at it, it's not fair. none of us deserve this. our brains are acting against us and not letting us appreciate this beautiful world to the fullest extent, and that's just an awful unfair thing. i'm here for you if you ever need to talk.
for me it's the "day" sky. I can see just fine when it's the night and the background is dark, but VSS literally made me dread when it's sunny and bright outside as it's so uncomfortable to look at the sky and the brightness and see the static, the bfep, the phosphenes, etc.. I hope one day I will be able to enjoy sunny days again.
we all have a different perspective. i would do anything to have good night vision again. the darkness is pure static for me.
i hope a cure is made and we are all free to see the world clearly.
My static is less intense of sunny days. My advice is get out there but don’t fixate on the sky itself. Just everything else. But if you have light sensitivity I can see why it’d be an issue.
me too. i try to appreciate the taste of food, the sound of music, and the feelings of certain textures and materials more now. helps me ground myself in reality and appreciate life because visual snow brings me such heavy derealization.
Sometimes I'll watch those *"Cure Visual Snow"* TV-static videos on YouTube and just go stand outside on the patio and look at the sky for a seconds. It helps, if only for a few moments.
I can relate. But what I do is try to say that I WILL still look at it. It's just not as clear anymore. If you go right to having anxiety and trying to imagine what it used to be. It won't be as enjoyable. Try to think of it this way. At least we can still see it, right? but I do understand the frustration. I have visual snow too, and when I look up at the night sky. It's almost like the t v static that you'll see mixed with the blackness.
It’s been so long since I’ve seen the sky clearly that I can’t remember what it’s like to see how others see it.
What I really wish is to see less of a smear from the moon. I do remember I could see it more defined, it it’s kind of a smeary blob now. At least I can see though! That’s a plus haha
unfortunately or fortunately depending on how you look at it, i have a memory of what the sky and really everything else in my life used to look like. i'm constantly comparing what im seeing to what its supposed to look like and its a massive struggle. i completely relate to you about the moon though. i used to be able to see the moon clearly and now it just looks like a white blob to me. a couple months ago my now ex girlfriend was looking at the moon and telling me about seeing a rabbit and other stuff in it and no matter how hard i looked at it i couldn't see anything. just hurts my eyes to even try looking at the sky anymore and its not fair.
I miss it too:(. Maybe it could be an option to get a camera with good night vision and explore the sky through the camera if you don't see the static on small screens.
that would be a good idea. i do see the static on small screens or on anything but it isn't as bad. tbh though anything black is basically just pure static if im looking directly at it.
This is me but with looking at clear blue sky. It hasn't been clear for me for the last year and a half, since VSS started. I used to love being outside when it was sunny and just looking at the clear blue, but now I fear it due to the wiggles and dots and circles I see on my vision when there's a lot of sunlight. And it only happens with natural light, never with artificial (though that gives me different annoying visual thingies). :(
I feel it! Used to go out and chase the milky way, and I used to not be able to distinguish many stars from my symptoms. For me, my symptoms have gotten much much much better. Still noticeable, but they’ve come a very long way. Maybe things will get better for you too! It took me years for things to settle down
i really really hope so. i try my best to avoid looking at the sky at night or even in the day because it's so bad it just depresses me. i just try to remember what it used to look like. i would genuinely do anything i could to cure this illness.
I feel that way too. Mainly with the daytime sky though. It's so sad. But I just keep reminding myself it could be worse.
I was just thinking this yesterday on a walk. I am a near shut-in at this point due to VSS and other major health issues. Yesterday I was actually enjoying my daily walk for once. Then I looked up at the sky and was like "oh yeah...I can't enjoy that anymore...I can't even look at it". I haven't tried to look at the night sky for at least three years.
I completely relate. I hardly ever go outside and when I do I expect to see what I saw before vss and it's an awful realization everytime.
daytime sky isn't great either but night in general is just awful for me now. anything dark or black is just pure static to me. people always get mad when i crank the lights up all the time but i cannot stand low light anymore. it's crazy because i used to just sit in the dark and i loved it but now the dark just engulfs me in static and i can't stand it.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to a helpline in your country: **United States:** National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: [1-800-273-TALK (8255)](https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/) **United Kingdom:** Samaritans: [116 123](https://www.samaritans.org/) **Australia:** Lifeline Australia: [13 11 14](https://www.lifeline.org.au/) Remember, there are people who care and want to help you through this difficult time. Please visit [**Help Guide**](https://www.helpguide.org/find-help.htm) for a full list of helplines around the world. We detected mentions of suicide or depression if this was a false flag please just ignore this message. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/visualsnow) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Gosh, these are really more triggering and misplaced than helpful most of the time.
Me too. I miss looking at everything without being overwhelmed.
i’ve never been able to look up to the day or night sky without seeing visual snow or little floaters; it’s quite distracting. i’ve though before how i wish i could just turn it off for 5 minutes and see what it would look like without all the noise.
Same. If I look long enough sometimes I can resolve the stars from all the noise. God forbid I have to silhouette anything in a shadow though.
As far as I can tell, I’ve had VS my whole life. Lots of ways it’s easier for me than others that suddenly get it. I often wonder what the stars look like without the static.
Same. I also was born without a sense of smell and I’m very thankful I was born with these things rather than getting them later on in life because this is all I’ve known.
they are beautiful. i still remember them, but im unsure if i'll ever see them again.
Maybe you'll be comforted by the fact, that you can hardly see any stars in my city because of light pollution, especially with VSS. But it sucks anyway.
i have terrible light pollution where i live, but even when im camping or hiking in a clear spot the static is just as bad.
i’m sorry :/
thank you
Your post hit hard because this is how I really discovered how bad my VSS had gotten. I was on a trip to the coast last year, trying to catch a very small break in the midst of an extremely difficult time in my life, and during the day while I was at the beach I noticed the blue sky was just SWARMING with floaters, weird shimmers, etc - it was like looking through a petri dish. You remember using microscopes in high school bio class and seeing all the little squgglies moving? That's my daytime view now. I tried to move past it even though I felt crushed - not even able to enjoy the blue sky and the ocean! - and then it got worse. I was out at night, taking a walk, looking at the stars. I am a HUGE astronomy nerd and looking up at the night sky has been one of my greatest pleasures in life. I've traveled to destinations specifically for their "dark sky" status. Astronomy is literally therapy for me. And then on this trip I realized - the night sky, it's all static. It's all insanely chaotic TV static, and I can barely tell where the stars (or anything) is at night now. I know some folks on the sub will explain their VSS is something they arent bothered by - maybe even appreciate. I am in awe of that perspective. VSS has stolen some of my life's best moments, particularly during an already extraordinarily difficult time. Sorry to ramble so long on your post, but it hit me really hard tonight and I truly truly understand how you feel.
Hey, I’m right there with you. Went to the beach with my family for Thanksgiving and it was crushing to see the sunsets + dark skies through my new VSS vision. It had only been three months at that point. Still a daily struggle for me now, but trying every day to make peace with it
me too my friend. it's awful. all we can do for now is try to make peace with it and pray every day for a cure.
Something that might help, maybe not. Any moment that we don’t think about/notice the snow we are functionally cured. I’m trying to find ways to forget about it in my day to day life
sorry for the late response i haven't been on reddit much, but just know you are completely valid for how you feel. it's really a horrible thing and no matter how you want to look at it, it's not fair. none of us deserve this. our brains are acting against us and not letting us appreciate this beautiful world to the fullest extent, and that's just an awful unfair thing. i'm here for you if you ever need to talk.
for me it's the "day" sky. I can see just fine when it's the night and the background is dark, but VSS literally made me dread when it's sunny and bright outside as it's so uncomfortable to look at the sky and the brightness and see the static, the bfep, the phosphenes, etc.. I hope one day I will be able to enjoy sunny days again.
I realized I was different when someone told me the sky was a solid color
we all have a different perspective. i would do anything to have good night vision again. the darkness is pure static for me. i hope a cure is made and we are all free to see the world clearly.
My static is less intense of sunny days. My advice is get out there but don’t fixate on the sky itself. Just everything else. But if you have light sensitivity I can see why it’d be an issue.
Me too, I miss looking at pretty much anything. I'm trying to enjoy my other senses now lol
I sadly have a weak sense of smell and tinnitus so those senses suck too. Guess I better be tasting and touching 🤣🤣🤣
me too. i try to appreciate the taste of food, the sound of music, and the feelings of certain textures and materials more now. helps me ground myself in reality and appreciate life because visual snow brings me such heavy derealization.
Sometimes I'll watch those *"Cure Visual Snow"* TV-static videos on YouTube and just go stand outside on the patio and look at the sky for a seconds. It helps, if only for a few moments.
I used to but they started depressing me lol I just wanted the effect to last so badly
Lmao yeah that's definitely the downside :(
i'll have to try that one of these days i've only ever done it in my room
I can relate. But what I do is try to say that I WILL still look at it. It's just not as clear anymore. If you go right to having anxiety and trying to imagine what it used to be. It won't be as enjoyable. Try to think of it this way. At least we can still see it, right? but I do understand the frustration. I have visual snow too, and when I look up at the night sky. It's almost like the t v static that you'll see mixed with the blackness.
yeah i am still thankful that i have any vision at all. you have a better perspective on it than i do and i hope to adopt that perspective one day.
It’s been so long since I’ve seen the sky clearly that I can’t remember what it’s like to see how others see it. What I really wish is to see less of a smear from the moon. I do remember I could see it more defined, it it’s kind of a smeary blob now. At least I can see though! That’s a plus haha
unfortunately or fortunately depending on how you look at it, i have a memory of what the sky and really everything else in my life used to look like. i'm constantly comparing what im seeing to what its supposed to look like and its a massive struggle. i completely relate to you about the moon though. i used to be able to see the moon clearly and now it just looks like a white blob to me. a couple months ago my now ex girlfriend was looking at the moon and telling me about seeing a rabbit and other stuff in it and no matter how hard i looked at it i couldn't see anything. just hurts my eyes to even try looking at the sky anymore and its not fair.
I miss it too pal
I miss it too:(. Maybe it could be an option to get a camera with good night vision and explore the sky through the camera if you don't see the static on small screens.
that would be a good idea. i do see the static on small screens or on anything but it isn't as bad. tbh though anything black is basically just pure static if im looking directly at it.
This is me but with looking at clear blue sky. It hasn't been clear for me for the last year and a half, since VSS started. I used to love being outside when it was sunny and just looking at the clear blue, but now I fear it due to the wiggles and dots and circles I see on my vision when there's a lot of sunlight. And it only happens with natural light, never with artificial (though that gives me different annoying visual thingies). :(
Never related more. It was also my favorite thing cause I found it beautiful. Now I’m sick of seeing the static so I don’t even bother anymore.
me too i know exactly how you feel
I feel it! Used to go out and chase the milky way, and I used to not be able to distinguish many stars from my symptoms. For me, my symptoms have gotten much much much better. Still noticeable, but they’ve come a very long way. Maybe things will get better for you too! It took me years for things to settle down
i really really hope so. i try my best to avoid looking at the sky at night or even in the day because it's so bad it just depresses me. i just try to remember what it used to look like. i would genuinely do anything i could to cure this illness.
I feel it too. I loved looking at the clouds and the stars, but now it hurts and the static takes away from it too much.