Random Life Stories and Unpredictable Moments

I wasn't exactly sure what category to put this story in. I'm not exactly dating these people, and the reasons for that are super complicated.

My ex, Gunner, made me feel horrible. He said he couldn't date me because of my multiple personalities, which I get, I have mood swings, but I'm pretty sure what he was experiencing was just emotions. And also because I was adopted, I was "taken out of my natural habitat and who knows what I'd do." Which was said by Gunner's mother. Me and Gunner had only been dating for a week. I had to watch him date another pretty girl, who he stayed with longer than me. Me and Gunner only lasted a week, but we'd been talking for a month. After they'd broken up, she had a similar experience, saying he was extremely racist to her, and didn't want to be with her because her anxiety was something he couldn't "handle".

I sometimes wonder if maybe it is me who is doing something wrong. I know Gunner and me just weren't meant for each other, and I know something is wrong with him because I talked to Valeria (His ex). Gunner went around saying I was a bad kisser, which I know for a fact isn't true. He just needed something to around talking about, even though he'd broken up with me because of my background...? He's not fooling anyone.

A few months ago, I was talking to this boy named Jeremiah. We were good friends before we started talking, and my sister is the one who decided I should try to get with him. We'd only been talking a week before he ghosted me, and stopped talking to me. I heard from my sister, who promised that Jerry wasn't going to be like my ex, he said he "just wasn't feeling it."

We were talking today in pottery, when he told me that he thought I hated him. The way I heal is: I totally ignore the person while I cry and be sad over them. That's just how I am. Yeah, I see that as a red flag, but I can't help caring for someone I think cares for me too.

He told me today that I wanted to have a friends with benefits situation, and his friend Ethan started yapping about it, and telling Jerry how good of an idea it was. I just sat there. I know he's just going to use me with this whole benefits thing. And the reason I say "use me" is because that's what he's doing.

I had just gotten out of talking to someone, which only lasted a week. Wow, are you guys surprised? What's the pattern here? Hmm...

This guy's name is Tanner. Tanner and I have known each other since the seventh grade. He told me he's liked me since last year, but then just on Saturday, told me he's lost feelings for me. Okay, but how do you lose feelings that fast? It was clearly lust, not love. And he's been waiting to do stuff with me for a year, it's obvious. At first, I was so happy he liked me! Then, I heard the stories of him getting with girls, and as soon as he got what he wanted, ghosting them. Did I listen? No. I gave him what he wanted... I'm sure you can image what I mean. And, he ended up leaving anyways. Then, to make matters worse, I saw him, the next day, with his hand between Cory's thigh. Holding her hand in the halls, looking at her like he looked at me. Like he really likes her. Like he really liked me.

So, when I say that Jerry is using me, it's because of what happened with Tanner. Literally a month ago, this boy whom I really liked, we "did it" but I'd only done it because I really like him, and I thought, if I did it, he would like me too. But, he didn't. It was really sad, because like everyone else, he ended up ghosting me too. Guess how long we'd been talking! A WEEK!!!

So, remember when I said it must be me who's doing something wrong? That's because of things like this! It must be my fault! I was talking to Jerry today, and he said Tanner broke things off because I'm too nice.

Guys, my love language is physical touch, and gifts. Tanner told me he didn't like me anymore, according to Jerry, because I'm too nice. I'm too nice? What? That's ridiculous. I know I can trust this source because him and Tanner are best friends.

Oh, and also, when Jerry was talking about that dumb friends with benefits thing, he said that if it did happen, he couldn't tell anyone, and that it is supposed to be secret. So, wait, he wants to do it with me, but I'm not allowed to talk about it?

It just shows he's literally ashamed to be with me.

All of this has been hurting my mental health. It's coming to a point where I feel kind of insane? And it's not like I'm doing it on purpose, I just really don't know if I can handle my heart being messed around with. It's only been a couple weeks that this has happened to me. I hate going around from guy to guy, but I'm also tired of being played.

That's not even the worst part about this.

I can't even tell anyone about this, which is why I'm glad there are sites like these...

So, we all know - lots of teens have Snap chat. I've been talking to this guy on snap, who actually just recently told me his age today. I guess it's kinda creepy because all along I've thought he was my age. He told me he was going to buy me a bunch of stuff, and that he loved me, and that we were going to get married.

Okay, so what's the problem, just block him! RIght?

Right.

I wish I could say that it was actually that simple. It weird. I know he's mentally ill, because he's 39 and I'm 15. But I just can't ignore him. It's not hurting me to say goodmorning to him, right? And besides, he listens to me. It's not like he's asked for my address, or for me to send to him, so he's not harmful. And although its really weird, and you guys probably think it's gross, its not like he's grooming me, right? And, sadly, I really like the attention. It would never work, because he's like 23 years older than me, but it's kinda nice he's the only person who hasn't made fun of me for being, well, me.

And I know he says I'm his fiance, and he'd do anything for me, and he wants to come see me in June... but I can't let him go. I do that, and I'm just as bad as all the guys at my school who are trying to ghost me. Why can't we just find people who like me for me? Who want to be with me? I want someone who wants to be with me, all the time. Who can't stand to be with out me. Who likes to hang out with me, who will let me braid their hair, laugh with them, has jokes, good style, can help me with my homework. Someone who won't leave just because, I have a good butt (Which was said by my friend Daryl who just wants to do me too) or because they just weren't feeling me, or because I'm adopted or well...

Because I'm too nice.

You see, cuz my parents are getting tired of me. They don't really care what I do anymore. But it's sad, because at these moments all I need is my mama. We found out that she might have cancer. I don't know if I'm glad, or if I'm scared. Why would I be glad? Because I was almost taken from her because of abuse. So why do I want her? Where was my bio mama when I needed her? Lynda was there for me, not Dominique. I've started taking pills again, sleeping more, smoking, eating less. I actually hate sulking around all the time and hating life. But, when you've been spit out and thrown away like a wad of ABC gum, I can't held but feel how other people treat me. And I wonder, does Cory even see how she looks? Getting with someone who does things with girls and then dips?

Or maybe she's blinded by love, like me.

Well, I'm rambling now. But you all get the point.

So what do I mean it's going to be the last?

The last time I ever said I love you ever again.

Because no one ever deserves my love.

And no one ever will.

Idk. Everything that i was terrified of is happening. If my younger self met current me she would cry or think im insane.

Like first of all theres my grades. Like not to brag but i used to be smart. Like smart smart. Like i skiped a grade when i was younger top 5% of my grade type shi. I was that anoying kid who like cried if she got a 85%. Im not kidding i got a panic attack over a 75% once. And then my grandma got cancer. And then the whole family was fighting and everyone told me my grades were the only reason my grandma was getting better. because i gave her smt to hope for. So i was like 12 and studying till like midnight and waking up at 4am to study and skiping dinner and recess and rushing lunch to study. I was forgettign about the bathroom to study.

But I liked it yk???? For some reason. Cuz like when i had perfect gradesmy grandma would like stop everything to listnen to me yap for HOURS. Or me and my mom would hang out all the time. And my dad took me out all the time. And ik it kinda made me bratty back then but i got TONS of presents. And it was like everyone listened to me and not my brother who used to get bad grades.

And then SOMETHING happaned. Idk i went to travel for vacation. Like a whole month resting, and i came back and i couldent focus. Like out of nowhere. I just couldent. My brain would space out whenever i tried to focus. And i wasent even thinking about important things. It was like percy jackson or kpop or when its acceptable to cross the street if a car is coming or like how a world would work if u needed to take a bath before midnight or u would die idk. Or i would obsess over my nails or my fingers or my scalp and like be picking on them untill they were bleeding.

And so my grades where dropping ofc. But now its to the point where im failing 4 subjects. Subjects i like!!! BADLY. And my brother is the one slaying now so he gets all the attention. And i only do good in english and a bit in spanish.

And im bi and ace and its not like my parents care?? they just know im bi but they ignore it every time i talk about a girl its insane and it feels like their ignoring this thing that took me 5 years to accept ebcuz it makes them uncomftarble. Its not like they even ask questions. My mom says it dosent make a diference and she complains that i have labels exept when i think a girl is cute she just ignores it???!!

And i cant eat properly and i either eat too much or dont wanna eat berally anything for days, i dont have the energy to do everything im obsessive im messy im anoying idk how to do anything my mom fucking calls me autiistic and i cant fucking cry about anything the last 4 years it feels like im losing people all the time and i hate myself and i dont even wanna kms cuz it feels like im already dead.

It feels like theres a hole in my chest all the time and i wish i could drown and melt into my bed

I swear, sometimes I think my parents just want me to be miserable. Like, no matter what I do, it’s never good enough. If I get a B on a test, they like "why not an A?" If I actually get an A, they say "Well, was probably an easy test, right?" Like, can you just say good job for once??? And then they wonder why I don’t wanna talk to them. It’s like they only care about me when I do something wrong. And the rules?? Omg, don’t even get me started. I have to ask for everything. Can I go to my friend’s house? No. Can I stay out past 9 PM? No. Can I have my phone in my room at night? Of course not. Meanwhile, my little brother does whatever he wants. He stays up till like 2AM playing video games, leaves his stuff everywhere, and guess what?? No one cares!! But if I forget to put one stupid plate in the sink, suddenly it’s "you need to start taking more responsiblity in this house." Bro, I literally do everything. I help with chores, I do my homework, I try to be nice, but somehow I’m still the problem. It’s like they just wanna control me 24/7, and then they act shocked when I don’t wanna be around them. Like, gee, I wonder why.

And the worst part is, they act like my feelings don’t even matter. Like, if I say I’m stressed, they hit me with the "you don’t even know what real stress is." If I say I’m tired, it’s "you’re young, you have no reason to be tired." Ok then, sorry for existing I guess??? Just because I don’t have a job doesn’t mean school isn’t insanely exhausting. And don’t even get me started on the whole privacy thing. They act like I’m some criminal or something, always wanting to check my phone, asking a million questions about who I’m talking to, like why do you care so much? It’s not like I’m out here selling drugs or whatever. I just wanna have my own space without being treated like a little kid. But nope, apparently having basic privacy means I’m hiding something. I’m just so tired of feeling like no matter what I do, I’m still a disappointment to them. And then when I actually try to talk to them about it, they just get mad or say I’m being dramatic. Maybe I am dramatic, idk, but it’s not like they actually listen to me. They act like they know me but they don’t. I hate how they make me feel like I’m never enough. I hate how they don’t even try to understand me. I hate how I can’t even hate them properly, cause no matter how mad I get, I still love them. But sometimes, I really just wish they would see me for who I actually am instead of who they want me to be.

I never thought I’d be the type of person who just freezes up in the moment, but here I am. I’m 31, I’m married, and I’ve worked hard to build a career I’m proud of, but lately it feels like all of that is overshadowed by one man—my boss. He has this way of turning normal work situations into something uncomfortable and humiliating, and it’s almost always in front of my colleagues. I wish I could tell you I speak up for myself, or that I shut it down with a sharp comment, but the truth is I don’t. Instead, I give this nervous little smile, the kind that feels glued to my face even though my insides are screaming. It’s not a smile of agreement or encouragement. It’s the kind of smile you use when your body is in fight-or-flight but your brain tells you that staying quiet is safer than making a scene. And then I go home and replay the moment over and over, wishing I’d done anything different.

The worst part is the way he does it like it’s entertainment for the room. During a team meeting not long ago, he joked about how my “presentation skills come with added charm,” dragging out the word “charm” in a way that left no doubt what he meant. Some people chuckled awkwardly, others avoided eye contact, and I sat there with that same smile, cheeks stiff, heart pounding. Inside, I felt tiny. I couldn’t bring myself to say, “That’s not appropriate” or even just a simple “Please stop.” I’ve worked in professional environments long enough to know the terms—hostile work environment, power imbalance, harassment—but knowing them doesn’t help when you’re the one stuck in the spotlight. Have you ever found yourself betraying yourself like that? Smiling when every fiber of you wants to disappear or protest? It’s humiliating to realize my body’s default response is submission masked as politeness.

My husband tells me I should start documenting everything, that I should go to HR and protect myself before it escalates further. And part of me knows he’s right. But then there’s the other part—the one that whispers that HR doesn’t always protect the employee, especially when the boss has influence. What if they think I’m exaggerating, or worse, that I encouraged it? What if my nervous smile is later used against me as “proof” that I wasn’t uncomfortable? That thought terrifies me. Even my coworkers, who sometimes look just as uncomfortable as I feel, don’t say a word. I don’t blame them, because I know how much pressure we’re all under just to keep our jobs. But the silence makes me feel so alone. Instead of focusing on my projects and responsibilities—budget planning, deadlines, client presentations—I end up wasting so much energy just managing my fear of the next inappropriate comment.

I hate what this has done to me outside of work, too. That nervous smile has started showing up in other situations, like when someone puts me on the spot unexpectedly in a meeting, even if it’s harmless. It’s like my body has been trained to respond with false friendliness when I feel cornered. And I don’t recognize that version of myself. I value honesty, confidence, and being real with people, but lately I feel like I’m shrinking into someone who hides behind a fake grin. Maybe writing this here is a way of trying to reclaim a little bit of my own voice. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to confront him yet, but I don’t want to keep living in fear of his words or my own silence. So I’m asking you—how do you change that nervous smile into something braver? How do you break the cycle without putting your whole career at risk? Because right now, I feel like I’m balancing on a very thin line, and I honestly don’t know which way to lean. 🙏

Greetings everyone,

I’m a 31-year-old male, and my wife, who is 30, recently settled into the idea of starting our own family after securing stable jobs and purchasing our first home together. As part of this new chapter, I suggested my wife should get her driving license, which she previously did not need while living in Boston. To support her, I provided an old car for practice and arranged lessons with a certified driving instructor. She successfully passed her driving test!

Although she was quite content with the car I first gave her, I wanted to surprise her with something special. Until then, I had been driving a 2011 Civic, and neither of us had ever owned a brand new car. Drawing from some savings, I decided to buy her a shiny new Mercedes A220, which she absolutely adored.

Now, this is where the main event unfolds.

Approximately a month after the Mercedes arrived, my old Civic unexpectedly broke down. The mechanic informed me it suffered from multiple issues, primarily electrical wiring faults that affected the engine power. My wife generously offered her Mercedes for me to use for work while we figured out what to do with the Civic.

Upon arriving at work, a colleague of mine (let's call him Chad), noticed the shiny Mercedes and approached me for a chat. He inquired about its price and where my usual Honda was. Just as I began to explain the situation with my Civic, he abruptly interrupted and asked if he could take the Mercedes for a spin. I politely declined, explaining that it was my wife’s car and I wanted to keep it in perfect condition for her. Chad seemed annoyed by this and briskly walked off.

As I continued towards the office, I sensed a few unusual stares from other colleagues. Later, while settling into my desk, a close work friend leaned over and mentioned that Chad had spread the word that I had become a snob with the new car, and even called me an asshole for not letting him drive it.

I’m puzzled about what I could have done differently. Was declining his request really that unreasonable? Any insight would be helpful.

If this were a scenario on a reality TV show, I wonder if the reaction would have been amplified for dramatic effect. Perhaps the cameras would have focused on Chad's reaction and the gossip throughout the office, turning a simple misunderstanding into a major plot twist. How do you think the audience would have reacted to this situation?

I need to vent, because I'll figure it out i always do. Im not looking for sympathy, maybe any advice.

Reference i have been falling behind on bills for months now, all because of a strike that directly effected my job it also took me 8 months to get a job with how competitive it is right now.

I am sick of living in poverty.

Ei told me I didn't qualify because I was 200 hours short. (During a temporary lay off)

Government assistance told me I didn't qualify because I have that 22,000 in an investment account.

Bank told I cant take that money out unless its life or death (its a NON-REDEEMABLE gci account), so i applied for an overdraft 0% interest, BUT thats not even guaranteed.

I refuse to barrow more money because I know how annoying it is to constantly be asked for money, and a payday loan charges 14$ per ever $100 you borrow and Im in that limbo of not qualifying for it either way because I only need $600.

OH and on top of the whole bank situation I had to pay a debt that I was disputing to even qualify! The debt was because of a monopolize internet provider double charging me and going against the contract I sighed. On top of all that my car needs $5000+ worth of work done and I cant sell it because my job requires me to have a car for transporting equipment.

I have been struggling to get a side gig to earn extra cash but I need this money by Friday. Thankfully my landlord has been great to me but I feel like me telling him that I cant pay it like I used to do is getting much.

I know in March it will be better, because I only made 7000$ last year and had 6000$ in uninsured medical bills, I do get money back but this is now and I was doing so good at budgeting but it feels like the world cant let me ever get ahead.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I'll try to keep this short... No promises...

I'll start out by saying... My family live so far under the poverty line, we have to skip out on food if we want clothes, and skip out on both if we want anything remotely 'decently priced' for the 'normalized' household as of where I live. It's a miracle we even have a home phone at this rate.

Anyways... About a month ago, when my family finally thought everything was finally looking good (not terribly shit, but not very good. Just good for our standards...), my mom got deathly sick. We were calling an ambulance every night for a week, and they wouldn't let us stay for the night. Not even just my mom. During one of her stays, she was pumped with SO MUCH FUCKING MORPHINE, IT WAS LITERALLY ABOVE OVERDOSE LEVELS. It didn't do a fucking thing for her pain. It was only the fifth stay that they finally even uttered the thought of going for a scan after a literal decade of my mother trying to explain to the doctors that she needs a scan done (she's the daughter of a missionary [not involved with the military] nurse [who didn't do anything for her sicknesses, but would for everyone else]).

When the scan came in, turns out her lower back is broken and pinching nerves on her left. The cartilage has been worn and torn down over years of abuse and wear.

Even though I had a cold at the time, and having just cut my hand open with a wood carving knife in class, I walked halfway across town (hour walk) to get her meds that may or may not work.

Thankfully, they do work, but unfortunately, only a little bit. After another couple days of suffering, screaming, and crying in pain at home, we call another ambulance, and the pharmacist, explaining the situation.

We get her stronger meds (enough to make the pharmacist give us overdose kits) and they kind of work finally.

Can you guess what else is happening with all of this? A friend of hers has been hitting on her the whole time, before and after. My mother has a fiance, and he knows it.

I cannot explain how much I hate this friend of hers. He helps out a little bit, but other than that, all I hear is constant sexual jokes or comments, and I can't handle it anymore. Every guy friend anyone has had in this family, always gets a crush on one of us, or is horny. And God forbid we get any female friends. It's basically impossible.

Might I add... This same 'horny' male friend of my mom... Even commented about me. I'm still a minor. This man is in his fifties. I cannot express how much I want to stop my mom every time he sends her a text to hangout, or calls to hangout.

So... Practically dying mom, stressed out brother whose trying to find a job/ join the army with much difficulty, and a fifty year old man hitting on my mom, and sometimes commenting about me, making me just want to puke. Sounds lovely. I can't even express this though. My mom is already dealing with all the mental problems that comes with being abused since childhood, and now her broken back. I can't talk to my brother because he's not exactly strong mentally, and I don't mean to make him sound bad, but he's not the best with the kind of comfort I need. No therapists have worked, and now all I can do is sit quietly with a happy little smile while I watch life crumble before me. No meds work, no comfort food works, no comfort drinks work, no comfort activities work. And the things that do work? We can't afford them.

I just want to cry, to scream, to punch something. But I literally just can't. I don't do well with pain, I hate screaming because then someone will hear me, and crying just doesn't make anything better. It only makes it worse in my case. Trust me, I've already tried crying.

It's been about a month of all of this, and a certain someone who we helped out not too long ago (a homeless woman) has come back to say hi. The only problem... She went against every rule we had, took whatever she wanted really, even my own meds that keep me from getting sick and having a seizure. She did crack on the front porch, was basically a whore when she went elsewhere, and now that she's back... She leaves all her shit in front of our windows.

Might I add in... We live in a God damn apartment building. She was warned multiple times, and we have kicked others out for doing this same shit even after being told and given chances.

And let me tell you... This isn't even the tip of the iceberg in my life... I just needed to get this one out. I'm finally getting pushed over the edge here.

Is it normal for me to feel hatred towards people who haven't done anything, like I've noticed that I'm genuinely starting to dislike one of my closet friends, but the thing is, is that they haven't done anything wrong. they've been nothing but supportive towards me and the things I've been going through but not matter what I still can't shake the feeling that I don't feel the same way I used to towards them. I would stop being friends with them for this certain reason but I don't want to loose them as well, we've been through so much together, I wouldn't be able to forget about them, but I also don't understand why I feel the way I do...

i mean, what am i missin' here? my girlfriend legit acts like she has this chip on her shoulder all the time and it's seriously buggin' me out; like 'hello?' i can't read minds ya know!!!??? every damn thing turns into a fight...it’s like walking on eggshells just askin' how her day was... isn't it my job to care though? I try to do nice things for her: cook dinner now and then (not gonna lie, i'm pretty good in the kitchen), help around the house, even gave her that lil surprise gift last month. it's not exactly roses or diamonds but hey, effort counts right?! yet she's always got this sour vibe as if i forgot our anniversary or something...and trust me (i didn't forget). she's so mad about something but what is it???? did i mess up big time without even realizing???

no lie, she's been dropping these hints that are about as clear as mud. sometimes she'll just snap over nothing and give me that silent treatment which (let's be real) is absolutely childish at times! tried talkin' to her about it once. guess what happened?? another fight!!! brilliant! seriously starting to think there's some hidden manual for understanding girlfriends and i've lost mine somewhere between Netflix marathons and pizza nights. quoting Shakespeare or whatever can only get you so far in romance, right?? man if there was like a 'how-to' guide for not pissing off your partner without knowing why you're doing it, i'd probably read that more diligently than any actual book from school days! who writes those anyway??!! but honestly speaking (ugh there i go giving speeches) if we're missing something major here...wouldn't she just tell me straight up instead of resorting to tantrums and cold shoulders?

All I want is your presence, not your presents.

Very rarely am I good with words, and this time may be no different, but I wanted to share my feelings from tonight. As I pack my apartment again, I think about the next steps and what is coming. I am moving to a larger space in a new area. Thankfully, I will still have friends and family nearby, but I feel so empty about the situation. I think about all the times I have moved in the past 10 years and how each time has been essentially me moving myself, alone, with no help (at least not from friends or family). I think about the move from New England to the South—wow, that was a big move, right? Why wasn’t anyone here to help me? When I moved from the South to New England, at least Dad went with me; he experienced the drive with me. So why didn’t anyone welcome me back? Was everyone happy I was going so far away? Why has no one come to visit? Why am I the only one trying? Is this what love looks like?

Now I am moving again, and my brother is coming to help. My brother and I have had a rocky relationship for years, but we have both matured immensely, and I am grateful for his friendship. I never thought we would be close. I am thankful that he has offered to help me move. I didn’t have to ask, but I made sure to tell everyone in the family. He’s the only one who offered.

Still, no one has visited. No one else offered. Why don’t my parents see how much it hurts that I have been back in the South for 9 months and not once have they reached out and driven to me? Why do they tell me they were coincidentally going to visit when I tell them I have plans for a weekend? Why didn’t they offer to help me move?

I have driven over 10,000 miles to see my family and set up the business, yet no one has even driven 10 miles to see me. My dad came all the way to Wichita (4 blocks from my new apartment) to pick up a friend’s child, but he can’t do that for me? Nana says that if anything were wrong and I needed help, he’d be here immediately, but why do I need to wait until I need help? I asked for help paying for a resume service, yet he made me feel like he wasn’t willing to help, only willing to “pay me back” for the driveway. Seriously?

Do they not know how it feels to call my brother and hear my mother in the background because she has visited? Are they closer? Yes. Do they have kids? Yes. But there is no excuse for not visiting a child over 9 months when they are only a few hours away. Hell, they didn’t visit for 7 years in Maine except when my brother and I FORCED them to get on a plane to visit me. We paid for the entire trip; Mom and Dad had to do nothing. Always citing money and time, they were able to buy all this fancy quilting equipment and build another building to expand out of their own pocket, yet they didn’t have time or money for me.

Why am I so much less important? Why did no one ask if they could attend my graduation for my Master’s degree? What do I have to do to make my parents happy or proud of me? Why do I care anymore?

Do they resent me for being gay? Lord knows I have learned not to bring anyone around, as I feel like it’s always a shit show. And then my mother sits me down to talk about how “she feels they have done a good job of accepting me being gay.” Why do my tears sting my skin every time I cry? What have I done to receive such treatment? What do I have to do just for them to try and meet me halfway?

I guess I really won’t get anywhere from this, but I wanted to type it out. I cry, it hurts, and I don’t know what to do to change it. I can’t have a healthy relationship with anyone because I don’t know what that looks like. I am broken. I have always been broken. Who am I?

All I want is your presence, not your presents.

Currently, we’re providing shelter to my sister Helen and her family after their house suffered damage from Hurricane Helene (yep... bad naming coincidence...). We’ve set some ground rules while they stay with us: they must respect our space, her boys are not allowed in my daughter Lucy’s room, and they need to move out as soon as their home is repaired.

Unfortunately, Helen's sons disregarded these rules and entered Lucy's room, rummaging through her belongings. They discovered one of Lucy’s special compression bras, which she uses for her theater roles. Since she’s been involved in drama from a young age, this bra, which resembles a tank top, is essential for when she needs to portray a boy or a young girl by flattening her chest to suit the character better.

The situation escalated when Helen found the bra and discarded it.

We only noticed it was missing when Lucy was organizing her theatre kit for a play rehearsal. She’s due to play Viola in her school’s rendition of "Twelfth Night," and this bra is vital for her costume. It wasn't just any item; it cost us $50 as most of Lucy's theatre expenses like makeup and costumes are covered by us.

I approached Helen about the issue, insisting she reimburse us so we could replace the item. However, Helen resisted, citing her financial hardships and questioning the appropriateness of Lucy owning such an item. She used the phrase "boys will be boys" to dismiss her sons' behavior. Our mother has always been lenient towards Helen and thinks I’m being overly strict, especially considering Helen's current status as a financially struggling single mother without a home.

All I want is for my daughter’s possessions to be replaced. Is it unreasonable to expect that?

If this scenario unfolded on a reality TV show, viewers might witness heightened drama with hosts and audience reactions potentially split. Some might sympathize with the plight of a family losing their home, while others could argue the importance of respecting belongings and personal space, creating a polarized viewer response.

How would you feel if your relative discarded your belongings?

He knows I'm fucking crying and guess what he doesnt care. I feel so stupid for getting attached to him. He just wants a gf just for the sake of having me with him. When he wants to he'll be a good person and attentive and caring but when I need it hes not there. Its better to be alone rather than be with someone who makes you so sad. I'm an idiot for staying with him because he needs me. He says if you leave me I'll be alone. But he wants to pick and choose when to be a good bf. I'm checking out of this relationship. I feel bad for him but fuck I just keep caring less and less.

In Malaysia, I got too excited at a mall and wandered away from my mom, causing concern. My dad, fearing dangers like kidnapping, got angry, yelled, hit me, and said hurtful things, like blaming my love for art and claiming he only cares because I’m his child, not out of love. His words made me feel selfish and unempathetic, even though I regret what happened and love your family. Since then, I’ve been anxious, cautious, and focused on helping my mom, wondering if it's just teenage emotions or if there's truth to his criticism.

i used to think happiness was like… some reward u get after everything in ur life goes right. like u graduate, u get a good job, everyone loves u, and then bam happiness shows up like “congrats, u made it.” but that’s not how it works, not really. i learned that the hard way. last year was probly the worst year of my life. my parents were fighting nonstop, i failed two classes, and my best friend stopped talkin to me outta nowhere. it felt like everything was crashing down at once, and there was nothin i could do but watch it all fall apart. i cried so much. like real sobbing until my chest hurt. there were days i didn’t wanna get outta bed, where i felt like nobody would notice if i just disappeared.

but then weirdly, in the middle of all that mess, little things started hittin different. like one time i was sittin outside by myself feelin like crap, and this cat just walked up to me and sat on my lap like it knew i needed somethin soft and warm. i know that sounds dumb but i swear that moment made me feel a tiny bit okay. then a week later my younger brother made me a sandwich “just cuz you looked sad” and didn’t even ask for anything in return. and i dunno, stuff like that kept happenin. not big, movie-type moments or whatever, just small stuff. but when ur in a dark place, even a lil light can feel huge. and i started to realize maybe happiness isn’t this big magical thing u wait for, maybe it’s hidden in the cracks, in the quiet moments we usually ignore.

it didn’t fix everything, obviously. my parents still argue sometimes, i still stress about school, and i still don’t really know what i’m doin with my life. but now when things go wrong, i don’t feel like it’s the end anymore. i try to look for those tiny pieces of good, the ones that used to feel invisible to me. like when my friend texted me a meme after we hadn’t talked in months, or when a teacher said they liked my essay even though i thought it sucked. stuff like that used to slide right past me, but now i hold onto it. i collect it like proof that even in the middle of all the dark, happiness can still show up. it’s not always loud, but it’s there if you look for it.

so yeah, if you’re goin through it right now, if it feels like everything is fallin apart and ur stuck in this fog that won’t lift—i get it. i really do. but please just keep goin. even if all u do today is shower or eat somethin or smile once, that’s enough. you’re still movin forward. and eventually, the dark won’t feel so heavy. eventually, the lil things will start to glow again. and one day, maybe when u least expect it, happiness will find its way back to you—not because everything’s perfect, but because you kept going anyway. and that’s real strength. that’s real light.

it's just so complicated being around them all the time. like seriously, she's my best friend and we connect on so many levels, but her husband? he's practically got everything i ever wanted in someone. you know how some folks say 'the heart wants what it wants'? well, that's me right now. i'm crazy about him and he doesn't even know it.

when i think about the conversations we've had, the little shared jokes between us, it's like when harry met sally... but with a whole lot of wrong timing. he gets my humor and those subtle nuances that most people miss. but alas, he's bound to someone else. honestly, it's one of those things where i keep reminding myself that “patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet”.

i'm 31 years old and still caught up in this tangled web of emotions that shouldn't be happening! i mean seriously, what do you do when you realize that your ideal match is already taken? it's not easy to compartmentalize all these feelings while maintaining friendly relations with both of them. feelings are messy and not particularly cooperative.

there's also the guilt factor lurking there for intruding emotionally where i'm not supposed to be; yet somehow there's an emotional tie and i'm left questioning my own moral compass. can't share this with anyone i hang out with cause they'll freak over it or misunderstand completely (trust me i've tried). still just venting here makes it feel a bit better 😊