Random Life Stories and Unpredictable Moments

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about self respect. I never used to think much about it—I guess I always assumed it was just about having confidence or standing up for yourself. But now, after what happened last week, I’m starting to realize it’s so much more than that.

It started at work. I’ve been at my job for three years now, and I’ve always been the “go-to” person whenever someone needs help. Whether it’s staying late to finish a project, covering for someone who’s out sick, or just being the one to solve last-minute emergencies, I’ve always said yes. I thought it was the right thing to do—showing I’m a team player, someone dependable. But honestly? It’s starting to feel like people take advantage of that.

Last Friday was the breaking point. I had plans to finally take a half day, something I hadn’t done in months. My best friend was visiting, and I was so excited to leave early and actually spend some time with her. But right before I was about to leave, my manager called me into her office. She asked me to stay late—again. There was a “crucial” report that needed finishing, and no one else could do it.

I should have said no. I should have told her I had plans and that I’d already done more than my fair share this week. But instead, I froze. I could feel the words forming in my head, but they wouldn’t come out. All I managed was a weak, “Okay, I guess I can.”

So there I was, sitting at my desk until 8 p.m., missing dinner with my friend, and feeling this sinking pit in my stomach. As I worked, all I could think was, Did I deserve this? Am I really just someone who always puts themselves last?

That night, when I got home, my friend could tell I was upset. I told her what happened, and she said something that stuck with me. “You know, it’s okay to say no. You’re allowed to respect your own time and your own needs. If you don’t, no one else will.”

She was right. I realized I had been saying yes to everyone else for so long that I’d forgotten how to say yes to myself. I’d let people pile work on me, let them assume I’d always be available, because I thought that was what being “nice” or “reliable” meant. But somewhere along the way, I lost my self respect.

It hit me hard because, deep down, I know I deserve better. I deserve to have boundaries, to value my own time and energy just as much as I value other people’s. But knowing that and actually acting on it are two different things. It’s scary to stand up for yourself, especially when you’re so used to putting everyone else first. What if they get mad? What if they think I’m selfish?

This week, I decided to try something different. When another coworker asked me to take on their workload because they were “too busy,” I took a deep breath and said, “I’m sorry, but I can’t this time. I have my own deadlines to meet.” My heart was pounding as I said it, but you know what? They didn’t get mad. They just nodded and figured it out themselves. It was such a small moment, but it felt huge to me. For once, I chose to respect my own limits instead of pushing them aside for someone else.

I’m not saying I’ve got it all figured out. There are still moments where I catch myself falling back into old habits, saying yes when I really want to say no. But I’m learning that self respect isn’t about being perfect or getting it right all the time. It’s about recognizing your own worth and reminding yourself that you deserve kindness and consideration too—even from yourself.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re stuck in this cycle of putting others first at the expense of your own well-being, I get it. It’s hard to break out of that mindset, especially when you’ve been in it for so long. But trust me, it’s worth it. The more you respect yourself, the more others will respect you too.

I’m not sure where this journey will take me, but I know one thing for sure: I don’t want to feel like I did last Friday ever again. It’s time to start saying yes to myself. Because at the end of the day, self respect isn’t something anyone can give you—it’s something you have to choose for yourself.

“supposed to be an adult, but fuck it, i need a minute” — tate mcrae, revolving door

if there’s one think i’ve learned from being a synthographer (or ai artist, as many would call it) for 4 years and counting, it’s to ignore the mean comments that people throw at me. but honestly, it feels like i’m not learning my lessons here. especially the case of sora 2.

seriously, when sora 2 came out, i feel so ecstatic about it. anime now actually looks like anime. videos feel more lifelike. some people even share japanese commercials on youtube. it’s amazing honestly.

problem is, i can’t go to youtube or reddit or pretty much any social media without someone ranting about how sora 2 videos are soulless slops that shouldn’t have existed in the first place. i’m so sick and tired of it, especially that i have to summarize it because why bother going thru it when all they’re saying is toxic and abhorrent?

i can’t even open the comments too for the same reasons. i can’t bear all the words and topics they’re throwing around, not just criticizing sora 2, but pretty much any ai-generated work in general. “ai art isn’t art”, “ai is bad for the environment”, “ai slop”, “clanker”, “we should kill the ai artist”, my god the list goes on. i could even build a receipt or a poster series from all this if i want to. this made me hate people a little bit, even if ironically i make anime portraits with character descriptions in them.

all this constant doomscroll of anti-ai comments and posts left me wondering: am i back to square one? there are times where i work on myself so that i can create again without judgement from the peanut gallery, but i kept coming back like a revolving door. it’s so fucking exhausting. i can’t enjoy anything i like without someone criticizing bc it’s “ai-generated.” i’m living in a constant battle as a synthographer where i always tell myself: fuck all this man, i need a minute.

it made me think about quitting something that i love over the years too. it’s like they’d be happier if i just don’t share my works or erase myself from existence. i can’t take this anymore.

I feel that many people disrespect one's solitude. In fact, they see the messages one writes about it and attack it, making it seem like a shock. Indeed, loneliness isn't one's entire world; however, when faced with difficult experiences, I think it's advisable to spend time alone to reflect on it.

Many people tend to exaggerate about loneliness. They make it seem like it's everything in life. I'd like to express to many people that the world isn't just your friends, but your very life as well. It's about having a balance.

I was recently writing a story on a writers' website, and they started judging me, not the story. I feel like people sometimes get carried away when one talks about the subject; they try to find fault with the other, the origin of why I wrote this way or why I said that. They try to personalize everything. On a writers' website or in a group about it, what matters is just getting into what's at stake, not going beyond it.

Loneliness is a beautiful topic to explore given that it's not often talked about. I feel it's helpful for reaching boundaries. I used to be someone who spent time in groups and always sought to be part of one, but I reached a point where I noticed things weren't proceeding naturally. Also, when I somehow looked beyond or let myself get carried away, I always ran into trouble. I feel that loneliness is a precise time to see what I was getting involved in. I think it will give me the perspective to see where I truly belong. It's not about having a place because others make room for you; that speaks to the fact that sooner or later that will fall apart.

I still don't understand, and that's why the character's comment affects me so much, because it is so questionable. No one knows what loneliness entails at first. It's all a fear of sensations, and no one seeks tools to deal with them. If you're lonely for some reason and you don't see any other way out, in order to guarantee your integrity, I personally believe that we need to find ways to do something with what we feel, not wallow in it, or see what we're experiencing as hell. I feel that wouldn't be fair to us.

People prevent us from delving deeper into loneliness. They always want to get away from it at all costs. That's why, of course, many of us, when we were with our families, it was a segregated place, most likely, because it meant not being with others. Why should not being with others be bad? Indeed, there are times when we may feel bad, but we must take into account that sometimes people won't be there, and we can't allow ourselves to abandon ourselves in those moments. The search for others can't become an addiction; that is, the fear of falling into a situation, which could be, is present; you never know.

Many therapists radically reject this idea. In fact, you get the ambiguous idea that being alone isn't always good, but of course, one wonders under what conditions. These therapists aren't serving as guides for us to consolidate these conditions. In fact, therapy itself, for many professionals, is an ambiguous approach, which surely results in a repetition of notions. The idea is that one can consolidate facts to gain the momentum to act, in an integrated manner, not in an intellectualized way, an issue in which the therapist should support us, but many are unable to visualize, to facilitate the process, something that other people who aren't trained can't do.

I remember a therapist telling me how to think when the point is precisely to think naturally, spontaneously, to deal precisely with whatever is at stake. Otherwise, what you're doing is conspiring a kind of patch, a spectrum of things, that merely verify that what you're doing is right, according to the character's approval. It's not about exerting control over ideas, but rather about taking whatever paths we must take. Frankly, today, the idea of ​​resorting to violence is ridiculous, given that we always seek stability by inertia, always; that's what our processes—our personal processes—are based on. We may appear to be going to be violent, but in the end, let's be clear, this is a facade or at least a warning of when we are being taken to extreme situations where we are not as we always were because we are not in the same conditions as always.

With the mindset I've developed over the last few days, I feel deeply impacted by the behavior of these people and these therapists. In the end, things turn out to be completely similar: a terrible mental health professional is the same as an individual who doesn't know what to do with a certain circumstance—the same, but under a range of prejudices. I feel disappointed by the therapists I sought out because the very idea is to provide solutions, methodologically concrete answers, not something outside of them. Without methodology, then, we're doing nothing.

I feel that many therapists stick to following protocols, in a way that's completely detached from the case, applying them however they feel comfortable. This is the reason they act distantly and without delving into the case, always trying to get the person to follow the path. The aforementioned therapist always looked for ways to address the distancing she created from her; I understand that this was a symptom; to this day, I doubt that this person has realized that I didn't want to work with her. In fact, this character returned at my father's request, despite all this evidence. He simply speaks to me as someone who isn't concerned, who seeks the origin of the issue in my personality, detaching himself from the notion that if I act this way in the relationship, it's because of the pink issue in the relationship. My senses aren't disconnected from reality. Organically, I'm fine. But this being, even with a doctorate, I didn't understand this, and I highly doubt I still understand it today, and it's somewhat disappointing. Frankly, I wouldn't want to think this way because money was invested in it, and it hurts.

The person's comment affects me greatly because it makes me return to that therapist. Of course, this allows me to develop the story. In fact, I feel so frustrated that it has become a constant headache, and it has been lessening as I compose my story of interaction with the character. This is something I don't allow therapists, or other therapists, precisely because of the fear of repression. It's something that's extremely difficult to do.

Every day, I also find myself surprised by another therapist. It's that when he becomes aware of many things, it really hurts. I didn't like these considerations I'm receiving because they're hurting me. Anyway, with this other therapist, despite the disqualification he made, the establishment's entry into conflict with me to guide me through life by comparing me with others, restricting me in the expression of my feelings, and scolding me for making people outside the office look bad for me by moving things around, going beyond the purpose of the consultation, this guy had the good fortune to express that he didn't have the maturity at that moment to handle the treatment. Under the pressure I was under, I think it was only natural for that to happen. I don't know where the hell this guy was, frankly. I understand that maturity for him is the ability to give in to whatever he wants. I don't see this guy as a therapist or as a carnival.

Growing up, I always thought being part of a group meant you’d never feel lonely. But even when I’m surrounded by people—at work, with friends, or even family gatherings—I can’t shake the feeling that I’m on the outside looking in. It’s not like anyone is outright mean or tells me I don’t belong. It’s more subtle than that, but it hurts all the same.

Take last weekend, for example. A group of friends from work decided to get together for dinner. We’ve been working on the same team for years, and I thought I was close to them. But when I showed up, it felt like I was invisible. They were laughing about inside jokes, swapping stories from a night out I wasn’t part of, and talking about upcoming plans I hadn’t even heard about. I smiled, nodded, and pretended it didn’t bother me, but by the end of the night, I couldn’t wait to leave. The ride home was the worst. All I could think about was why they hadn’t thought to include me before—or why I couldn’t seem to fit in no matter how hard I tried.

It’s the same story with my family sometimes. During holiday dinners, my siblings will chat about things they’ve done together—movie nights, road trips, little moments I wasn’t a part of. It’s not like they’re trying to exclude me, but I always end up feeling like an afterthought. Even when I try to join the conversation, it doesn’t take long before it drifts back to something I can’t relate to. I sit there, smiling politely, feeling more and more like I don’t belong.

What’s frustrating is that I’ve tried so hard to be part of things. I’ve reached out, suggested plans, and done everything I can to show that I want to be included. Sometimes it works, but more often than not, I feel like I’m forcing myself into spaces where I’m not really wanted. And that feeling of not being wanted? It’s worse than being alone.

i’ve started to wonder if it’s something about me that pushes people away. Am I too quiet? Too awkward? Or maybe I just don’t have that magnetic personality some people seem to have—the kind that draws others in effortlessly. I wish I knew the answer because, honestly, I’m tired of feeling like this.

At work, it’s even harder. I see coworkers chatting easily during breaks, planning lunch together, or sharing little moments that bring them closer. Meanwhile, I’m sitting there, trying not to look like I care too much while eating lunch alone at my desk. It’s not like I expect to be everyone’s best friend, but being left out all the time feels like a constant reminder that I’m just... different.

I try to remind myself that it’s not always personal. People get busy.. They form closer bonds with certain people for no particular reason. But logic doesn’t make the sting any less real when you’re scrolling through social media and see the photos of the dinner you weren’t invited to, the group trip you didn’t even know about, or the inside joke you’re not in on.

The worst part is how isolating it feels. You want to talk to someone about it, but how do you say, “I feel left out,” without sounding overly sensitive or needy? Sometimes I feel like I’m stuck in this loop of pretending it doesn’t bother me while quietly wishing things were different.

I know I’m not alone in feeling this way. Plenty of people have probably felt left out at one time or another. But when it happens again and again, it starts to feel like a pattern you can’t break. I keep telling myself that I need to focus on the people who do make me feel included and the moments where I genuinely belong, but it’s easier said than done.

I don’t have a neat ending to this story because it’s something I’m still figuring out. Some days, I feel hopeful—like maybe I’ll find my place, my people, and everything will click. Other days, it’s harder, and the loneliness feels heavier. But if there’s one thing I’m learning, it’s that belonging isn’t always about fitting perfectly into someone else’s group. Sometimes, it’s about creating your own space where you feel seen and valued.

So, here’s to figuring it out—one awkward moment, one brave step at a time. If you’ve ever felt like this, just know you’re not alone. And maybe, just maybe, the people who matter most are waiting to find us, too.

I feel very annoyed because I feel like a nuisance to everyone I'm with. For everyone, I'm a burden, an essential element that requires going beyond their limits to make a deal. Indeed, I strive to be a good citizen and operate with the full support of the law, but for many, this is an extreme, as they base their lives on the actions of their families, where the law wasn't the foundation but rather an accessory. In this sense, it seems I'm obligated to stop being an ordinary citizen, making the law merely a way to conceal my interests, which often extend far beyond its scope.

At work, the situation is alarming. The law is treated as something to be avoided; people operate in secret, as if it were a kind of father figure acting without any feelings. Groups, for their part, act as a kind of mother figure, justifying even the most despicable acts. This is what daily life has become in the culture I'm immersed in. Personally, I may have proof of everything I do in my defense, but it seems to be more of a ticking time bomb, where others look for any excuse to exploit my slip-up and escalate it. I don't feel comfortable in this culture where the law isn't used as a basis for socialization, nor in how these interactions are rooted in the events that shape our individual selves and define the course of our lives. I feel hurt because saying these words makes me fearful, because it implies that I might observe things at work that I could use to my advantage. In other words, I'm in a job that lacks transparency.

Even in the office, people still talk about doing things that aren't something to be seen publicly, thus making the office an extension of the public sphere. Every office, by its very nature, is an extension of the public sphere, where people's limitations are solely defined by what they do within its walls, simply because it's a closed space and therefore what's happening inside isn't visible from the outside, making it necessary to keep a record. Everything that happens in an office is worthy of public knowledge, because every office, whether private or public, must provide evidence of what occurs there. In a community that has been established as a nation, secrecy is not permitted under any circumstances. In other words, everything must be transparent so that we all have access to information about what happens in our country and, consequently, its effects on us. The goal is not to control the situation, unless it results in a limiting act for the development of our potential, which is, in itself, the defense of our ability to continue our progress in service to society. The goal is simply to treat it with respect, because the law allows it, and if the law permits it and it results in an attack on that potential, then, indeed, reforms must be made.

I am surprised that these principles are not understood in that office, which is also part of a university community. I feel disappointed because it maintains a reputation for being one of the most advanced, but in reality, it seems that the research is merely a smokescreen for the utterly barbaric spirit that pervades its halls. I feel hurt. This stems from the confusion between home and office, the only real difference being that one space allows for the management of all variables by each individual, as is the case with the home, while the other does not. In fact, the office should be seen as a relationship to the home, since the home implies more care, and thus work becomes a potential agency of contribution, because that rest, that activity, leads to products that benefit others. Personally, I thought this notion of mine was more of an excuse to avoid being idle, but now I see that I was wrong. In fact, this highlights the need for less time spent at work than at home, precisely to guarantee both work productivity and the care of that which allows our integration into society, since it is through work that we generate the ideas to organize ourselves.

I'm afraid to say it, but it seems to me that things are backwards in many countries, and I'm being dramatic, but I have a feeling that it's not an exaggeration for many people. I return to a question: To whom can this be said? In my culture, the issue lies precisely in the struggle; that is, the more one struggles, the more recognized one becomes. But despite this, the consequences are not taken into account, and therefore relationships are formed where one lives in constant anxiety, that is, one lives on scraps, which is nothing more than taking life lightly.

Even in my current situation, the reason for acting stems from the fact that others are doing it too; that is, it's based on what others are doing. It's based on the premise that we all suffer equally, otherwise, production suffers. I don't understand my country and I feel truly marginalized from it, for no other reason than my own, but with good reason: I have to defend myself against it because it's shaped by leading the individual through its various currents, without allowing them to exert any resistance, precisely because of this lack of foundation, which is the cultivation of their own ideas. Indeed, I feel completely isolated, not only at work, but also from my family. I don't like it, however, nor do I like the idea of ​​not defending myself, which consists of having clear principles by which to act and which lead to constantly building my progress in society. I ask again, to whom can I explain these things?

Many of the things that are still said among others are for no other reason than to ensure that they are still part of the norm. That's what these conversations amount to; they're not constructive, but rather they interpret the rule in a way that results in actions taken out of context. This is because, in principle, the focus is on the rule itself, not the context, and therefore, for goodness' sake, they become sources of tyranny. How can one not be worried when seeing these things? What's the issue now? A psychiatrist? A psychologist? Indeed, this nervousness, this anxiety, is necessary to understand the context and therefore act with caution. There are many limitations to being a good citizen, and that's precisely what it means to develop those potentials that allow for coexistence. And that's precisely the purpose of the law—not simply to be obeyed, which is a necessary consequence, but to serve as a tool for our lives in terms of coexistence, in this sense, establishing harmony according to the facts that determine our relationships.

No society exists to create structures in and of themselves, but rather they are the means to ensure that the events that make it become something transcended, thus with all those that arise to ensure that all individuals result not only in coexistence with each other over time but also with other peoples.

ive always been different. even when i was little i noticed it. i had meltdowns at school and sometimes i would run out of the classroom. everything got too loud and too confusing. kids stayed away from me. some were scared. i got bullied a lot. it made me think something was wrong with me.

i wanted friends. i wanted to be like everyone else. but i didnt know how. it felt like i missed out on learning something everyone else just knew. my parents tried to help. they got me on meds and into therapy. it didnt fix how alone i felt. it just made me feel guilty for being a problem.

growing up i barely had any friends. most of the time i was by myself. even in high school, when it seemed like everyone had groups and plans and people to count on, i had maybe two or three people i could really trust. and even then i was scared. i felt like if they ever knew the real me, they might leave too. and if they did, i would have no one.

im bi but i dont tell people. its not because im ashamed. its because im terrified of losing the little bit of connection i have. i know if i tell the wrong person, i could lose the only friends i trust. and if that happens, thats it. im alone again. completely. and i dont know if i can handle that. id rather hide it and keep something than be honest and lose everything.

the only thing that worked for me was baseball. when i played, i wasnt different. i was just part of a team. ive played since i was a kid. no vacations, no parties, no normal stuff. just baseball.

for a while that was enough.

now i know im probably not going to make it. im not getting drafted. im not going to play pro. and i dont know what to do without it. it was never just a game to me. it was my whole life.

now im studying accounting. im good at numbers, maybe because of my autism. people say its a smart choice. they say it will get me a good job. but i dont like it. its just surviving. working and paying bills and doing it all again the next day. i hate it. i hate that dreams dont matter unless they make money.

i thought about coaching but it doesnt pay enough. so i have to give that up too.

i feel stuck most days. like i missed too much already and now im building a life that wont make me happy. people told me i was going to do great things. and now if im not the best at something, i feel like im nothing.

i dont talk about this much. i dont want to make it anyone elses problem. i dont want to just survive. i want to actually live.

basically my dad passed away almost two years ago (july 18) and the only time i have visited him was when we buried him.

he died of a heart attack cause he was drunk at the beach when it was hot. he had a drinking problem for as long as i can remember but it was particularly bad the year he passed.

i remember that back then i had just started high school. between all the shit he was pulling (i wont list them but it is pretty bad) and puberty i got very hateful and even got into drugs and hanging out with the wrong people. i really hated him back then, because i felt like he was all that was wrong with the family (very untrue).

now that ive matured and healed a little, i wanna visit him. all along, i never really hated him. i love him and i hope he knew that when he passed.

also im sober too, my drugs phase thankfully didnt last long

when he was sober, my dad was a chill guy. although i didnt get to see him sober a lot, it pissed me off how good his potential as a father was.

after a while, i grew to understand the dynamics of my family that led him down this path. he did bear a part of the blame, but ive come to understand that the alcohol was just his way of coping.

when drunk, my dad once said that when he dies, he hopes i will visit his grave because he wants to bear my 'beautiful voice'.

the reason why i have gone yet is because i didnt feel ready to fully accept the fact that hes really gone and isnt coming back. i have so many regrets that i cant even list them all

i really wanna go, but i dont know what i would say.

i love you dad, if you can see me. i miss you more than i thought was possible

Okay, so this is super embarrassing, but I really need to get it off my chest. There’s this guy I’ve been crushing on for literally forever, and now I can’t stop thinking about him even though I know nothing is ever going to happen. Like, how do you even get over someone you never dated? It feels so dumb, but it hurts just as bad as if we’d broken up or something.

We met at this summer job last year, and at first, it was just small talk. But then, I don’t know, he’d always smile at me or laugh at my jokes, and I thought maybe he liked me back? I started imagining us hanging out, going on dates, all that cute couple stuff. Except none of it ever actually happened. He was super friendly to everyone, and I guess I wasn’t really special to him, even though he felt so special to me.

I didn’t even realize how deep I’d fallen until I saw him post a picture with another girl on his Instagram last week. It wasn’t even a super romantic picture or anything, but she was tagging him in all her stories, and they looked so happy together. My stomach legit dropped when I saw it. That’s when it hit me: he’s never going to see me that way. He probably never did.

So now, here I am, feeling like an idiot. It’s not like I can call it a breakup or cry to my friends about how “we” didn’t work out. There wasn’t a “we” to begin with. But it still hurts, you know? Like, why am I this upset over someone who probably never thought twice about me?

I keep replaying all the times we talked, trying to figure out if I just read the signals wrong or if I was just imagining the whole thing. Maybe I got carried away because I wanted it to be true so bad. And now, I feel so stupid because he’s out there living his life, completely unaware of how much space he’s been taking up in my head.

I tried all the “tips” people give for getting over someone. I deleted his number, unfollowed him on social media, and started distracting myself with other stuff like school and hanging out with friends. But no matter what I do, he’s still there, popping into my head at the most random times. Like, I’ll hear a song or see something that reminds me of him, and it’s like I’m back to square one.

What’s worse is that I feel so alone in this. Everyone else is dealing with real breakups, real relationships, and here I am, crying over a guy who doesn’t even know I feel this way. If this was a reality show, I bet people would just laugh at me. They’d be like, “Why is she making such a big deal over nothing?” And honestly? I’m kind of laughing at myself too.

But it doesn’t change how I feel. If anyone else has gone through this, like crushing on someone so hard and realizing it’s never going to happen, how did you get over it? Because right now, it feels impossible. I just want to stop caring so much about someone who was never really mine.

it's been tough having my son back home... i thought he'd finally turned a corner, learned his lesson after losing everything. but now i'm not so sure. he's 30, got caught up with the wrong crowd and drugs took over. lost his house, his job, even his family. moving back in with me was supposed to be a fresh start for him to rebuild. we made plans, set goals, he seemed committed. but lately i've been seeing signs that worry me... late nights out claiming he's looking for work. excuses that don't quite add up. am i just paranoid? this is all deja vu.

some days it feels like i'm living on edge, waiting for the other shoe to drop!! the trust is fragile and it's nerve-wracking wondering if today is the day it breaks again!! he's managed to get small jobs here and there but nothing stable enough to help him stand alone financially yet... i want to give him space and let him grow but how do you when you still have those doubts? he gets defensive when questioned about his whereabouts or money spending habits... when did honesty become such a difficult subject between us?

every day i remind myself we’re in this together... we're rebuilding brick by brick, no shortcuts!! it's just hard shaking off the fear of relapse completely.. will he ever really change? can someone truly leave their old life behind or does it always linger in shadows?? although skeptical, there is hope somewhere inside me that one day he'll prove me wrong.

I have always been more of a quiet person. I used to have a really tough time speaking up. I have gotten better about it though these last few years. I don't always have something to say, but I'm not afraid of talking anymore. because of this i have been able to make more friends and feel a little bit less out of place. but lately I can't stop feeling like nobody really cares about me. they would never really notice if I was gone. people forget to invite me to events, they never think about me as an option for activities or relationships. no one has ever asked me out or for my number or anything. I realize that most of this i have done to myself by being more of a reserved person. but it still hurts. I have my friends, but nobody ever texts me or asks me to hang out. I just feel like nobody cares about me and it really hurts.

hiya! so basically i've known this person ,we'll call her Lauren I guess, for about three years now. we met during classes one day and we sort of just became friends, she wanted things I had (food, money, drinks etc.) and I wanted friends. so she convinced me to do all these things such as skipping classes, skipping meals, and other things of the like. she would tell me really sad things about herself (that I'm not even sure whether they're true anymore) and then i'd feel obligated to give her stuff, or comfort her. then she would get involved in my love life and things and ruin my relationships. she kept getting me to buy her stuff, and do stuff with her, then she blamed ME when we got caught. and so about four weeks ago, I skipped class and went downtown with her. and then when we went back to school, she was really distant and stuff. and then a friendly acquantance told me she'd went around talking shit about me after she got back. which pissed me off a little. so I messaged her that evening going

me: "heyy lauren! how was your day? yeah someone just told me you talked shit about me?"

her: "well one of my friends just pointed out we dont do good things together"

me: "you mean the things you reccomend?"

her: "well I reccomend we don't be friends anymore"

me: "no I mean you recommend and ask me to do all the things your friends are warning you about."

and so I blocked her and told her to fuck off. then the next day she went around and talked shit about me AGAIN.

and she started coming up to me asking me for shit. then one day i got called into the principals office and they said "do you know of any stealing from the gas station down the street?" so I was confused. and said I didn't know. then after the made me write down I had no idea anyone I knew was stealing. then Lauren said "oh yeah they have footage of me slipping a drink in your bag when you weren't looking. but I just said I was forced to do it." obviously I was very confused and a little pissed. because I wasn't aware she put the drink into my bag. and so then I heard from one of the teachers daughters that Lauren told them I forced her to do It. so I told the principal what Lauren had told me. and she got in a lot of trouble, and in even more trouble from the teacher for lying. so then she wasn't too happy about that, and gathered a group of people (her 'friends') to lie about me. but one of the people she asked to lie about me, told me what she was going to do, so I went and talked to a deputy principal. I told a few of my friends what had happened, and she said to anyone who would listen that I was a manipulative bitch, and started dead naming me, then said me "talking shit" about her was really getting to her. then she came into school the next day with a hangover. and started saying she had 30 shots because she was sad about me. then her friends started "Warning" my friends that IM the bitch who ruins everyone's lives. and then she still has the audacity to come up to me and talk to me.

As someone who captures weddings through the lens of a camera, I've encountered my first situation where I’m seriously considering declining to cover an event. I secured a wedding booking back in February and had a preliminary chat with the couple, where they mentioned a broad destination without pinning down the exact location. I agreed on the condition that they would update me accordingly. Similarly, they didn't provide a specific time for the event.

Over the following months, I attempted to reach out for details but my messages were left unanswered. By mid-June, with the wedding fast approaching on the 30th, there was still radio silence from their side.

Driven to find answers, I contacted another vendor involved in the wedding. Shockingly, I learned that the couple had shifted their wedding site to a spot three hours away, now planning to start the event at 5 AM, followed by a two-mile trek to the venue. All this, and still no word directly from the couple themselves. Additionally, the vendor hinted that these plans might not even be final.

Despite having received payment upfront, we had never formalized a contract detailing the agreement's specifics. Now, just five days away from the event, I find myself in a dilemma whether I should cancel. The thought of traveling all that distance only to possibly find the venue changed again is daunting.

If I cancel, I think it would be fair to offer a full or at least partial refund due to the circumstances. However, I’m open to suggestions on how to handle this professionally. I was hesitating for the category between the one I chose and the Bridezilla category... hard to choose :)

Imagine how this scenario would unfold if it were part of a reality TV show. Cameras following every tense moment as I struggle with the decision, juxtaposed with the intrigue of the wedding couple’s erratic planning. The drama of it could captivate viewers, showing the real challenges faced by wedding vendors, often hidden behind the glamour of the big day. But would the public sympathize with my predicament or see it as an overreaction? The suspense and possible conflict might make for riveting television but would certainly add another layer of stress in reality.

i have many issues with myself, im jobless and burnout too easily, i betrayed my family and im not getting them back, i dont deserve one anymore, im mentally low capacity, i do fuck up the smallest things, theres no sign of change or progress, idk what to do but shit is wrong with me and it needs fixing, fast, if it can be fixed at all, or else im a lost cause

[Translated from Spanish. Reminder: IIWIARS is English only]

Some of you may think it's absurd, others maybe not. It's something that eats at me every time I'm using (drugs), but it's very important for my life. People, I need you to give me a site where I can hack my Gmail. Do you know why?

Because I keep the nicest memories of my life there: photos of my mother who died, photos of my baby daughters, important things I need to recover — and it won't let me access them because it asks for two things I don't have: an email that the person who hacked me set up, and a phone number that doesn't exist. I have no way to recover it.

And do you know what's my outlet?

That I can't remember my daughters when they were little — I don't have a single photo. I have more things with my mom and my grandmother who passed away and only the results are there. They're very important and when I'm in this situation I go crazy.

Any solution? Any help?

Anything that can point me in the right direction?

It's not illegal — it's just something I want to recover because I'm going to live my whole life wondering what those people were like back then….

I recently got promoted at work, which allowed me to move into a new apartment in a desirable neighborhood. It's the first time I've lived on my own, and I'm genuinely proud of the independence and space I've earned.

However, things took an unexpected turn. My older brother, Thomas, who's always had his share of financial instability, found himself in a bind. He and his wife, notoriously poor with money management, were evicted from their apartment due to soaring rent prices. Now, homeless with their two children, ages 5 and 7, Thomas reached out for help.

Thomas asked if he and his family could crash with me while they sorted out their situation. But here’s the hitch: my apartment is a modest one-bedroom, barely spacious enough for me alone, and certainly not designed for a family of four with young kids. I’ve never dealt with children and the thought of childproofing and constantly monitoring the kids is daunting.

I tried to offer financial assistance instead, suggesting that I could pay for a temporary rental or a hotel stay. Despite this, Thomas and his wife are firm on the idea that staying with family is not only economical but also less stressful for their children.

The pressure from my family didn’t take long to mount. My parents and relatives began labeling me as selfish, accusing me of prioritizing my “fancy apartment” over the well-being of family. They remind me excessively that “Family helps family,” and plead me to consider my young nieces, which does tug at my heartstrings.

Despite the guilt-tripping, I've decided to hold my ground. However, it's left me isolated, with family members expressing their disappointment, making me second-guess if I'm being unreasonable or cold-hearted.

If this scenario were featured on a reality show, imagine the varied reactions from audience members! Viewers might be divided, some sympathizing with my need for personal space and understanding the limitations of my living conditions, while others might vilify me for not opening my home, dramatizing the situation with intense family arguments and emotional appeals from my brother, casting me in a less than flattering light. Reality TV thrives on such conflicts, and my situation could easily be framed to boost drama and engage viewers.

Am I really the bad guy here for wanting to maintain my personal sanctuary and my lifestyle?