Anonymous Venting for Mental Health and Emotional Support

I’m 16, a boy, and I’m writing this because I don’t know where else to put it. My parents are ALWAYS yelling at me, like all the time, and it feels nonstop even when I’m doing nothing wrong. I try to stay polite and calm, I really do, but it still gets loud fast and my head just shuts down. I stand there listening, nodding, waiting for it to end, and I dont even remember half of what they say after. It makes me feel completly worn out, like I’m already tired before the day even starts. I’m not trying to be dramatic or blame them, I’m just explaining what happens. The yelling isn’t one big moment, it’s small stuff adding up, over and over, until it feels heavy. I go to my room after and sit there staring at the wall, feeling depressed and quiet, wondering how something so normal can hurt this much. I keep telling myself to breathe, to be respectful, to not react, becuase reacting only makes it worse and longer. I know they probably think this is helping me, and I try to look at it objectively, but it still sinks into me slowly;

I don’t think my life is terrible, and that’s part of what makes this confusing. From the outside everything looks fine, and maybe it is, but inside I feel tense all the time. The yelling follows me even when the house is quiet, and it makes me doubt myself alot. I do my school work, I clean, I listen, and I stay out of trouble, yet the volume never really changes. I’ve learned to measure my days by how loud they get instead of how good they feel, and that feels sad to admit. Still, I’m trying to stay hopeful in a low key way. I take short walks, think about the future, and remind myself that this won’t last forever. I believe that having my own space one day will matter, and that I can choose to be calmer than what I grew up with. There are moments when my parents talk normally, and those moments show me that change exists, even if it’s rare. I try to stay polite, stay neutral, and not let thier voices become my inner voice. If you’ve dealt with parents yelling like this, how did you get through it without losing yourself? I’m honestly asking, not for attention, but for perspective. Even feeling depressed, I still think patience and consistency can lead to something better, and I want to believe that staying respectful now will help me later, when things are quieter and I can finally breathe.

so, I'm a 21-year-old guy at uni, right? and I already know I'm gay. I've figured that part out. but here's the thing: I can't really tell if other people are gay too. like, is there a secret sign or something I'm missing? I mean, people throw around stereotypes, and sure, they might give a hint sometimes, but it's not really reliable, you know? some dudes dress really nicely and take care of themselves, but that doesn't always mean they're gay. and then there's the whole voice thing. people say if a guy has a certain kind of voice, it might mean he's gay, but I've heard all kinds of voices, and it's just confusing, man. people are all different, and you can't put them in boxes just like that.

being at uni doesn't make it easier, though. I mean, everyone is like, super diverse and from all places, so there's this melting pot of cultures and personalities. it's like, you walk into a lecture, and there's a rainbow of identities, but at the same time, it gets difficult to just ask someone point-blank if they're gay. it's like an unspoken rule or something, to not just start a conversation with, "hey, are you gay?" unless you're in a setting where that's a normal question to ask; but mostly, it's kinda awkward. and let's face it, people might get the wrong idea or get offended, and that's not cool. so, it's more about picking up small clues and stuff, but how do you even figure those out when everyone's just doing their own thing?

if you've ever thought about this, you're probably wondering the same stuff. like, do you wait for them to say something, or do you drop hints yourself and see how they respond? I guess part of it is just being open to conversations and respecting boundaries. it's about being chill and not jumping to conclusions based on first impressions. maybe it's just better to let people reveal themselves at their own pace. have you ever noticed when someone casually mentions a partner and doesn't specify a gender? that might be a soft clue, but again, who knows? at the end of the day, everyone will just reveal what they want when they're comfortable, and it's all good.

i am a girl with a problem that feels basic and annoying, and i hate how predictable it makes me look. i have a biiiig crush on my best friend, the kind that leaks into every interaction like a system failure you can’t debug. we talk every day, share meals, share silence, share the boring logistics of life, and my brain keeps running a risk assessment that always ends in the same useless conclusion. i monitor my tone, manage boundaries, and pretend this is just normal friendship maintenance, when really it is emotional labor i never agreed to. the attachment feels asymmetrical, like i am over-invested in an asset with zero guarantees, and i am aware of it in a cold, technical way. i can label the feeling, map the triggers, and still not shut it down. i hate that i replay conversations for signal-to-noise ratio, searching for proof that i am not delusional. i hate that i am this careful, becuase careful people don’t fall this hard, or so i thought.

the worst part is that nothing is actually wrong, which makes it harder to justify my irritation. she is kind, consistent, and emotionally literate, which somehow makes the situation worse. there is no villain, just me quietly failing at self regulation. sometimes i catch myself acting like a product manager of my own feelings, prioritizing features like closeness while postponing the obvious bug fix. i keep thinking i can optimize my behavior, that if i tweak the inputs i will get a different output, but that is not how humans work. i know the standard advice about communication and honesty, and i know the potential fallout, and my brain runs through the scenarios like a compliance checklist. i don’t want to contaminate the friendship pipeline, but i also don’t want to keep investing in something that is draining my bandwidth. i feel stupid for wanting more, and i feel rude for resenting her for not magically knowing, which is unfair and definately on me.

so here i am, venting like this is a controlled environment instead of a mess. i keep things factual, almost clinical, to avoid admitting how much it hurts. i don’t romanticize it, i don’t write poems, i just log the data and feel tired. part of me wants to disclose and accept the consequences, part of me wants to de-escalate and reclaim my autonomy, and both options look bad on paper. i wonder if this is just an attachment style issue or if i am ignoring a clear internal warning. i don’t know how long i can keep pretending that my best friend is not the central variable in my emotional equation, and i am starting to feel a little bitter about it 😐. have you ever stayed silent in a friendship like this and called it maturity, when maybe it was just fear and alot of avoidance dressed up as logic?

High school is supposed to be the best years of your life, right? Well, not for me. I'm 17 and if there's one thing I've figured out so far, it's that I really don't like people..... I'm not even trying to be rude or anything, it's just a simple observation!!

It's like, everywhere I turn, there's someone doing stuff that just gets on my nerves. Take school, for example... ugh, don't even get me started. It's like a never-ending drama scene. Cliques everywhere, people pretending to be someone they're not, gossip flying around like confetti at a parade. How can anyone enjoy being around that? Like, really. And don't get me started on the teachers!!! They're supposed to be guiding us, but half the time, it seems like they don't even care. I feel like I'm just another number to them, rather than a real person with real thoughts and feelings. Then there's my family. They mean well, I guess, but it always feels like they just don't understand me or want to understand me. Like, I'm just there, the moody teenager who's around but not really involved; know what I mean? My parents ask me the same questions every day; "How was school?" "Do you have homework?" It's the same ol' routine and it feels like we're just going through the motions. My siblings are younger, and while they're okay sometimes, other times they're just annoying. They don't mean to be, I know, but still. Living with other people is tough, you get me? And then there are the neighbors, those people who live near you but you barely know them.

Our neighborhood is filled with all types of characters, and honestly, they're mostly just noisy and nosy and always trying to know too much about our business. It's like they have nothing better to do than watch other people's lives unfold! It's kinda creepy if you ask me. My friend's parents are the worst, though. It's like they're constantly judging, comparing, and acting all high and mighty. And I can't get away from them because they're always around when I go over to hang out with my friend. It makes me wonder if adults ever stop and really think, like, why are they so extra all the time?! I feel stuck sometimes because it feels like nobody gets it or wants to get it. Like, I'm trapped in this world full of people just doing things that bug me... where's the escape button on life, right? And I know that sounds dramatic, but man, that's just how I feel. Maybe it's just me being young and thinking I know everything, but it honestly feels like everyone around me is just in their own world, and I'm just trying to find mine. I mean, does anyone else feel like that? It sometimes gets me to question if there's something wrong with me, like, am I the odd one out because I'm not fitting into this chaos. I'd rather be alone most of the time because at least when I'm by myself, I can think straight. Some people like to say that you only grow up and realize high school wasn't as bad as it seemed, but is that really true??? Can't say I'm buying that just yet. They say you'll find your people eventually, that you'll connect with someone who just gets you. But I'm like, when? Because so far, that's not been my experience. Don't get me wrong, I have friends, but even with them, sometimes it feels like I'm just going through the motions. Do you ever feel like you're just playing a role you're not even sure you like? It's all so tiring.

Social media doesn't help either; it's just another platform for people to play their games and put on their masks. I don’t know, maybe I just need to find a different perspective, or perhaps it's just the people near me that make me feel this way, who knows? It's a small world in my head, but the real world feels way too big and complex sometimes. So here I am, venting about how I just don't like people. It's not all people, but a lot of people, and it's not all the time, but it sure feels like it most of the time. Does that make sense? It's hard being 17 and feeling like you're just wandering through the maze of life with no real direction. Maybe one day, it'll all click, and I won't feel like an alien in my own skin, but until then, I guess I'll just have to navigate this craziness in my own way. Can anyone relate to how confusing it is trying to understand not just everyone else, but yourself too?! It's like one big mathematical equation that just doesn't add up. Here's hoping that maybe, just maybe, high school is the problem and not me. Or is it hopeful thinking? Who knows...

I wanted to put some money in my bank account because I had a phone bill due and my bank account was getting low my job is biweekly pay anyway I asked my grandma if she wanted to go with me which then turned into her questioning me on what I spent the money on ect questions along those lines and she also grounded me from my debit card. Im nearing 25 in october and I did buy some games with my own money which is why my bank account was low but my brother is allowed to buy whatever and get away with it so I thought I would be up front and honest only to be sent into a lecture over how Im a grown women and I dont need stupid things. Im not sure if Im in the wrong for being mad and wanting freedom or if my grandmother is right.

Hey everyone, I’m not usually one to air my personal stuff, but I really need some advice here. For the past few months, I’ve had this gut feeling that my wife might be cheating on me, and it's eating me alive. I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but the signs are starting to pile up, and I’m just not sure what to do.

It all started when she began staying late at work more often. At first, I didn’t think much of it—she’s always been dedicated to her job. But then, she became super protective of her phone. She used to leave it lying around, but now she keeps it close and seems to be on it all the time, even at odd hours. And when I casually ask about her day, her answers feel...vague? Like she’s hiding something.

Then there are the little things. She started dressing up more than usual, even just to “run errands” or meet friends. It’s almost like she’s trying to impress someone. I’ve tried to brush it off, telling myself I’m being paranoid, but every time I bring it up, she gets defensive or says I’m just being insecure. It makes me feel like maybe I’m overthinking, but part of me feels like my concerns are valid.

To make things worse, I found a receipt for a fancy dinner that she said was a "work thing," but I know her company usually doesn’t do dinners like that. I keep second-guessing myself, and now I’m stuck in this loop of anxiety. I don’t want to accuse her without solid proof, but I also can’t keep living in this uncertainty.

So here I am, asking for advice. Has anyone else been through this? How do you confront someone you love without it turning into a huge fight? Should I even bring it up again, or am I just being paranoid? Any advice would be appreciated—I feel like I’m losing my mind here.

I've come to the harsh realization that perhaps, I'm not the nicest person around. In my mid-thirties, I find myself surrounded only by a single friend and a girlfriend, yet I can't shake the feeling that I'm somehow superior to others. My lifestyle is quite reclusive; I shy away from any social gatherings related to work, and most of my routine revolves around my job, hitting the gym, smoking weed, and cycling. Traveling and cycling in the forest are my escapes, the rare times I don't feel swamped by depression.

Interacting with people, especially in groups, is a daunting task for me. The fear of turning red-faced and being judged negatively is always lurking. Thus, I avoid such situations altogether. There's a worrisome intensity in the way I live; I indulge too often in alcohol or getting high, viewing people merely as elements that enhance my own existence. My eyes wander too freely, admiring every attractive woman I come across, often blatantly flirting in the presence of my girlfriend. Even though these thoughts are never vocalized, I often catch myself belittling others or feeling utter disdain towards them internally.

I confess to being a staunch atheist, holding a disdainful view towards those who are spiritually inclined, believing myself to be smarter, better-looking, and stronger. The resentment builds whenever I see someone possessing what I desire, although I manage to keep this anger bottled up within.

Dominating these emotions is a profound sense of isolation, mixed oddly with a perverse comfort in wallowing in my misery. Sometimes, hurting my own feelings seems like a twisted form of pleasure, perhaps because it means feeling something at all.

My family background does little to lighten my outlook. My brother lives with the dark shadow of being a murderer and a former heroin addict. My father was a violent man, devoid of emotions, who ultimately took his own life. My mother, afflicted by illness so severe that she has been bedridden since my childhood, sparks a guilt within me for not taking care of her. However, I've chosen a path of self-preservation as dedicating myself to her care would consume my own existence entirely.

This life I've crafted for myself is one I despise, yet a part of me feels I shouldn't. With a good education, a well-paying job, and an undeniable appeal to women, I should feel fulfilled. Instead, I’m left feeling empty and, frankly, disgusted with myself for sounding like a self-pitying fool. What the hell is wrong with me?

Despite my efforts not to belittle others overtly, the impression that people don’t like me is hard to shake off. Loneliness is a constant companion.

If I were to join a reality show, my character might be polarizing. Would the audience appreciate my brutally honest introspections, or would they be repelled by my self-confessed arrogance and emotional detachment? It's intriguing yet terrifying to ponder how my persona would unfold under the constant scrutiny of cameras and a public audience.

I chose the friendship stories category but yeah it's related to friendship, love, family, work... I am like that.

For the longest time, I’ve been stuck in this cycle of excuses. I’d wake up every morning telling myself I’d make changes, that today would be different, but by the time the day ended, I was back to square one. Whether it’s eating healthier, exercising, or even just cleaning my space, I keep putting it off. I’d tell myself, "I’ll start tomorrow," but tomorrow never seems to come.

Yesterday was my breaking point. I was scrolling through social media and saw an old friend post about running their first marathon. I remember how we used to run together, how much I loved it back then. And now? I can’t even jog up the stairs without feeling winded. It hit me like a ton of bricks—what am I even doing with my life? Why do I keep finding reasons to avoid what I know I need to do?

I looked around my apartment after that. Clothes piled up on the floor, dishes in the sink from who-knows-how-many days ago, and a gym membership card collecting dust on the counter. That’s when it finally clicked—it’s time to stop. It’s time to stop avoiding the hard stuff, time to stop pretending everything will fix itself, and time to stop being my own worst enemy.

I don’t have a perfect plan yet, and honestly, I’m scared I’ll slip back into my old habits. But I know I can’t keep going like this. If I don’t make a change now, when will I? Maybe writing this out will help me stay accountable. I don’t know who needs to hear this, but if you’re feeling stuck too, maybe it’s time to stop and take the first step. We’ve got this.

Got lots of love to give but no one wants to have it. They want the toxic ones.

I grew up in a very religious family where our faith has always guided our lives and choices. The teachings I’ve known my whole life tell me that being gay is wrong, and yet, I feel these undeniable attractions that make me question everything. I’ve tried to push it down, to change, to pray it away, but it’s always there, a part of me I can’t ignore.

I don’t know how to reconcile my beliefs with who I am. It feels like every day, I’m torn between two worlds: the expectations of my family and faith, and the reality of my own heart. Am I wrong for feeling this way? Is this something I can change, or should I even try? I’ve heard so many opinions, but deep down, I just want to know if I can truly be at peace with both my faith and myself.

If anyone has gone through something similar, or if you have advice, I’d really appreciate hearing from you. I feel so lost and alone in this struggle, and I just need someone to help me see a way through this.