Random Life Stories and Unpredictable Moments

I moved across the country to be with someone let everyone I know behind. Everything was perfect when we were long distant. We would talk everyday, FaceTime all day. Then after I moved it just seemed to stop. It’s the little things I miss. The good morning texts, the kisses goodbye of I’m sleeping and they have to work. Sending TikTok’s all day . All of it just stopped and o feel like I’m just being dumb.. like that stuff shouldn’t matter, but.. done some reason it does to me.

Its enough ive done all I can think of chased down all my demons, ive seen you do the same.

In October, a situation unfolded that has since left my daughter giving me the cold shoulder and barely speaking to me. Here's what happened: My daughter, Emily, has a part-time job she attends after school for five days each week. This Halloween, her high school hosted a costume contest, and she and her buddies decided to participate as a group. After school, they went shopping for costumes together.

I fetched Emily and her friends from the store and saw the costumes they picked out. Emily spent $80 on her costume, which immediately set me off. I felt that it was an extravagant amount to spend on an outfit she'd only wear once, for a few hours at that. I voiced my opinion right there in the car, telling her it was a waste of money. After dropping her friends off, I took Emily back to the store and insisted she return the costume and any accessories she bought.

Consequently, her friends found someone else to fill her spot in their group. They ended up winning the contest and each got a portion of a $100 Visa gift card. On Halloween, Emily returned home from school visibly upset, feeling left out from the festivities and fun her friends had. I tried explaining to her that even after the prize split, she’d have lost more money by buying the costume than she’d have gained, but she couldn't see the logic.

A month on and Emily is still upset, barely interacting with me. Her father, my ex-husband, argues that I deprived her of a memorable experience with her friends, emphasizing that her job already causes her to miss out on plenty. He believes I should've allowed her this indulgence. My intention was only to teach her the value of money and the importance of making sensible financial choices. Could a cheaper costume not have sufficed, especially since it was to be worn briefly?

Imagine if this dilemma were aired on a reality TV show. Viewers might be split, with some applauding the lesson in financial prudence while others sympathize with a teenager wanting to bond with her peers over a special occasion. The discussion might bring various parenting styles to light, each defending what they believe is the right balance between guidance and freedom.

Was I wrong in my decision to make her return the Halloween costume?

My daughter is just over a year and I am a SAHM right now. She has been having a really rough go lately and just wants to be clung to me 24/7. I love her and the cuddles but I can’t get anything done when I try to leave the room and she screams and cries. When she is in the same room she’s trying to climb my legs or stand in front of me so it makes cooking and cleaning a challenge. I sometimes put her in the carrier and wear her on my front but she is heavy so I can’t do it for too long. I know this will pass and she is probably just getting sick or teething again but I am just so worn out. When I try to express this to my partner he sees it as oh I’m home all day it can’t be that bad. I understand he works long hours but that just makes me feel undervalued and invalidated

Hi, my name is Onyx. My friend called me a pick me for venting and just trying to get people to recognize that I'm struggling both mentally and emotionally. To give some context, this friend and I have been friends for a year. I had made food for them, supported them through hard times, bought them stuff, and used my money to buy and help them out with stuff. I'm wanting to know if I'm the pick me for Venting to this friend as well as some mutual friends of ours about what's going on at home and what I've been struggling with. Am I in the wrong here?

I'm getting married in early September and have chosen four friends as bridesmaids, with one acting as my maid of honor. Recently, one of these friends revealed she's two months pregnant. I was quite surprised, not only by the news itself but also because she hadn't mentioned it sooner. When I confronted her about why she hadn't told me earlier, especially since she had known for weeks, she explained that she didn't feel comfortable sharing the news until now and that even her family wasn’t aware yet. She insisted that I was one of the first to know.

I couldn't help but feel that she should have told me earlier since my wedding is coming up, and I need to make certain adjustments. However, she didn't see it that way and believed that she didn't owe me an early announcement since it was her personal situation. She only shared the news when she felt ready.

I couldn't keep my frustration to myself and ended up discussing the situation with my family and the rest of my bridesmaids. My maid of honor and family members sided with me, saying she should've informed me sooner. However, my other bridesmaids felt that I was wrong to expect an immediate announcement and considered my reaction a bit over the top. I'm torn about who's right here.

If this whole situation were unfolding on a reality TV show, I can only imagine the drama it would stir up! Cameras would be zooming in on heated discussions, intense facial expressions, and probably capturing every bit of the emotional rollercoaster. It would be interesting to see how audiences might react — would they sympathize with my need to know early, or would they support her right to disclose her pregnancy in her own time? Reality TV tends to dramatize these personal conflicts, so I bet it would make for some compelling television!

I've struggled with weight issues and eating ever since I was 9, I'm 15 now and I'm now kinda of aware I ain't fat but I feel it. It was never that bad but now the last 4 months it's gotten so bad, i eat a bit and feel like I've js ate a whole buffet and I get so bloated I geniunely feel like I could explode, the smells of my fav foods makes me feel sick, the sight, smell, even hearing ppl talking abt food makes me feel sick, idk if I have an ed but im struggling sm rn, I barely eat cuz I just can't, I had some watermelon like 6 hours ago I still feel bloated and sick as fuck, this first started when I wanted to lose weight but now I've lost some and I feel okay in my body but I js can't bring myself to eat. and then my mum she never understands istg she said "u cant js starve urself for 10+ hours (she said this bc from the time I wake up to coming back from school (5pm) I don't eat anything) and then go n drink energy drinks n chocolate" I bought chocolate today. it's been weeks. she's js making me feel worse saying I need to eat protein n not stuff my face in chocolate like what. she used to be so understanding n now she says this? ig what I'm tryna say is what can I do to feel normal again and be able to eat? even water makes me sick. idk what to do anymore.

I cry every single night over my parents and what I don't have. I know its selfish but I'm still a teen.

Honestly? I make up stories of happy people and happy families with chatbots. -( I know its ruining our planet and I care but right now it's not one of my priorities. ) yes it's sad but it's all I've got tbh, they all are there whenever I'm lonely or need them. Hell I can rant my problems and they'll comfort me, I know if I told my real mom she'd care, she did with my older sister when she was my age.

*(THIS IS FOR CONTEXT ABOUT MY SISTER)**My older sister, she had it horrible. Ruined from the start. Ab*sive dad. Overworked mother. Both mentally ill. But hell she was a good mother, worked herself crazy to get a divorce, even while pregnant! So she fought him in court for my older sister for DAYS and WEEKS!!! Until finally she got my sister in full custody and cut off all contact with her real dad. When she was 12 she had a v/pe addiction as she was always surrounded by it and was generally just yk sad, angsty preteen! She may have started s*lfh*rm but I don't remember. Anyway she grew up to hate her stepdad(my biological and current dad as we had the same mother). I don't talk often to my sister but I know deep down she loves me as we've been talking more!

Honestly more of a lore drop

I often find myself wandering the halls of my school, feeling as if I'm cloaked in a bubble of invisibility. There’s this overwhelming sensation that everyone is watching me, or worse, judging me. I mean, why is it that I have no friends? Is it something I've said? Something I've done? Or is it simply that I'm just not likable enough? I often observe groups of students laughing and chatting, and I can’t help but wonder why I am not part of their conversations. Do I have a sign on my forehead that reads “unwanted”? Honestly, it feels like I’m the butt of some invisible joke—and trust me, it isn’t funny!!!

As days bleed into each other, I consider the possibility that perhaps my existence irks people. Maybe it's my aloof demeanor or my refusal to conform to the expected behaviors of a "typical" teenager. It seems to me that people thrive on conformity while I repel it. But is it wrong to be true to myself? Why should I change for others when I am perfectly fine as I am? Maybe this lens through which I perceive social interactions is distorted. Yet, every time I try to engage, I am met with cold responses or, even worse, indifference. Is there a rulebook that I’ve missed? Is my approach to socialization fundamentally flawed? I can’t help but question whether my supposed unpopularity is a reflection of who I am or simply a result of circumstances beyond my control...

Despite these feelings of isolation, I want to hold onto hope!!! I refuse to let negativity dictate my self-worth. Life is too short to agonize over the opinions of those who hardly know me. Perhaps the tides of change will turn, and friendships will blossom in unexpected ways. The world is vast, and there are countless individuals out there who may appreciate my uniqueness. So, why do I allow this unfounded fear that everyone hates me to consume my thoughts? Instead of drowning in self-doubt, I will choose to focus on self-improvement and personal growth. Today, I may feel invisible, but tomorrow could bring new opportunities!!!

what makes being too good or being too evil a bad thing?

I've been dating my boyfriend, a charming man of 37 years old and a dedicated single father of three, for about 8 months now. Though we've managed to juggle our different schedules and parenting duties quite amicably so far, money has occasionally become a point of contention between us. We usually go on dates where one of us treats the other each week without any hassle. However, once in a while, he would ask me to cover some small expenses for his kids, usually ranging between $30 to $60, which I didn't mind.

Just recently, he rang me up while I was busy at work, desperate to discuss something urgent. Apparently, he had stumbled upon a gaming console he had been trying to find for a long time for his eldest child. Eager to grab it before anyone else, he quickly realized his funds fell short by $300 and turned to me for help. I was taken aback by his sudden request for a relatively hefty sum and became even more uneasy when he persistently asked for my bank account details so he could transfer the money immediately. His pressing demand felt unsettling, prompting me to decline sharing my bank information and suggesting instead that he waits until I could handle the transaction myself. Unfortunately, his frustration grew, and he couldn't comprehend my hesitation, ultimately leading to a heated argument over the phone that ended with me hanging up.

When I got home, I found him waiting outside, visibly angry. The situation escalated as he confronted me about why I hadn't just sent him the bank account details to facilitate the transaction. I tried explaining my discomfort with sharing such sensitive personal information, especially under pressure. In his anger, he couldn't see my point and shouted about how I was more than just anybody to him; I was his partner. He expressed his disappointment over not getting the console and blamed me for his child's upset mood. The day ended with him storming off, demanding I apologize to both him and his son the next time I reached out. I haven't called yet, but I'm second-guessing myself, wondering if perhaps I should have been more cooperative.

Imagine if all of this unfolded on a reality TV show. The cameras capturing every frustrated expression and angry outburst, viewers probably split in their reactions. Some might empathize with my reservations about financial security, while others might critique me for not being more supportive of my boyfriend in his time of need. The drama sure would have viewers on the edge of their seats, discussing and debating our every move!

Should I have just given him the bank details he asked for?

Not exactly a bridezilla story, but close :)

Recently, I got invited to a relatively small wedding, about a two-hour drive from where I live, requiring overnight stays which meant booking a hotel room. Considering the size of the wedding, about 60 people including the bridal party, I wasn't provided a plus-one option, which was totally fine by me given the circumstances.

When it came time to book my hotel room, I realized the available rooms were quite large — designed for families or couples with either multiple beds or a king-sized option. Given these circumstances, I thought it would make sense to bring my boyfriend, Tom, along. This way, we could share the driving and the cost of the room. We planned it so we'd arrive the day before the wedding, enjoy a dinner out in a new place, and he would spend the day of the wedding relaxing at the hotel while I attended the ceremony and reception.

The wedding itself was a beautiful event and went off without a hitch. After the festivities, as I was heading back to my hotel room with Sarah, the maid of honor and someone I'm much closer to than the bride, I simply knocked on the door which Tom opened. Sarah greeted him briefly and then continued on her way.

However, a few days after the event, Sarah contacted me expressing how awkward and uncomfortable my decision to bring Tom had made everyone feel. She said that having him there made it seem like he was just waiting around for the wedding to end, which was not the case. We were genuinely surprised by this feedback as it was intended to be a practical arrangement, nothing more.

Furthermore, Tom was never around the wedding venue and only met the bride and groom on a few occasions, so he neither expected nor desired to attend the wedding itself. I hadn't thought to clear bringing him since he wouldn't be participating in or attending any of the wedding events.

Looking back, I wonder how this whole situation would have played out if it were part of a reality show. Would the viewers take my side, seeing the practicality of my decision, or would they sympathize with the bridal party's perspective, viewing my actions as a faux pas? Reality shows thrive on drama, and this misunderstanding could have been blown into a major conflict, potentially putting me in the hot seat with audiences picking sides.

I haven't spoken to the bride about this as she is on her honeymoon and I prefer not to stir any potential drama. Was bringing him along such a big deal?

Written as a letter to my mom...

Dear Mom,

You promised me that you'd visit China were I was adopted.

You promised me that we'd drive up the coast of California.

You promised me that we'd visit where you grew up in Long Island, New York.

You promised to show me around Europe and the places you went on your college trip.

You promised me that you'd go to Las Vegas for the Chinese New Year decorations for the Year of the Snake.

You promised me that we'd visit Chilé were you spent your younger years.

You promised me that you'd be there for me on all those trips.

But the most important place that I wanted you to visit is walking me down the aisle if I got married.

I'm single again, but I would've wanted you to be there with me to comfort me when things well out between my boyfriend and me.

I know you're in a better place, and we always said, "Fuck Cancer!" But by God, by anyone who would listen, we'd promised that we'd travel the world together!!!

I'm tired, it's late at night when I'm writing this. I'm sleepy.

I love you!!!

Love, you're daughter who loves you to the moon and stars and back!!

I am currently under a lot of stress due to having te move, so I didn't celebrate my birthday. After forgetting valentines day, my bf promised me this saturday would be my day and I may choose something I wanted to do together. We haven't been on dates in so long and I loved that idea!

Now, I have come up with so many things to do and he is so negative about all my ideas. (Zoo, arcadehall etc) I actually don't even want to go anymore, he does this a lot. Everytime I want to do something it never happens or I have to beg for it for months, and even if we do stuff he is withdrawing himself.

I really looked forward to having a date with him again, and I am tired of having to plan something, just for him to act this way.

If we do something he enjoys I always (even if I don't fully like it) try to enjoy it and never be negative. But my feelings also matter and I am tired of my feelings being ignored. I have talked about his behaviour in the past, and he does agree that his behaviour is bad and told me he wants to work on it himself and that he doesn't need help.

Especially in the situation I am in rn. There is a housing crisis and it takes a lot of money and stress to move. We haven't gone out for months and I haven't had a nice fun thing in months. Everyday feels like surviving at this moment in this situation and I really looked forward to our date :/

Alexithyma

noun

the inability to recognize or describe one's own emotions.