Hygiene, then Clothing clothing clothing, all fucking day long.

I do all kinds of horrible self-destructive shit, I'm constantly spun, and basically live an extremely unhealthy lifestyle.

But I do three things:

1) I shave everyday and get a haircut every two weeks on the dot. I never go out without making sure I've done something to my hair to at least indicate "I did not just roll out of bed".

2) I always make sure my clothes are clean, don't smell, and don't look like they've been tossed in a corner for a month. Presentation is everything.

3) I don't skimp on the hygiene products but I also don't bathe in cologne or otherwise try too hard to alter my appearance. That raises a lot of questions. Tired, baggy eyes? "I was fighting with the ex-wife and had a rough night." Etc. But you throw makeup on there half-assedly, people will begin to notice.

I work in a field where I have to wear a certain type of outfit that implies "professional". I've had days where if I was wearing even nice jeans and a polo, the assumption would be that I was high as fuck. But when I'm in my work outfits, I am never questioned, or if I am, it is entirely supportive - "Oh my allergies are killing me too, here have this Benadryl!"

As shitty as it is to censor yourself for the approval of society, simply taking out all your piercings, avoiding any visible track marks, and regularly bathing will go a long fucking way.

Or you can go to Walgreens in your now-oversized Slayer T-shirt with your face the color of cigarette ash and sunken bloodshot eyes and try to buy some Sudafed. They're not gonna ask how your allergies are.

*none of that was directed to OP. All "yous " were hypothetical scenarios.