Random Life Stories and Unpredictable Moments

Both of my parents have decided not to attend my upcoming wedding in September, leaving me completely devastated. I am about to marry an incredible woman, yet my mother has abruptly refused to participate due to personal grievances, and my father, estranged for nearly a decade and from a culture that does not accept lesbian marriages, is hesitant about attending due to potential discomfort.

My mother's reservation stems from having to share the space with my uncle who, in the past, reported her to Child Protective Services when my stepfather was abusing myself and my brother—a situation she had been hiding. Although the intervention was justified, my mother has harbored resentment towards my uncle ever since, and she accused me of betrayal for confiding in him. She insists on maintaining her boundaries, even if it means missing her own daughter's wedding. To me, it feels like she could set aside her grievances for just one day, but she views my upset as an overreaction.

The situation has left me both angry and powerless. I wonder if my expectations are unreasonable or if my feelings are validly profound.

Imagine if this personal turmoil were unfolded on a reality TV show—cameras rolling as each family drama layer revealed itself in front of a national audience. The viewers would likely be split, some empathizing deeply with emotional struggles and familial rifts, while others might view the conflicts as overly dramatic or fabricated for ratings. The episode would likely stir up significant discussions on family dynamics, personal boundaries, and the importance of support during significant life events.

Ok so just now i found out that my sister has been self harming with blades and cutting herself not on the veins but on her hand where she won't bleed out to death and i was really shocked because i knew about it before and i didn't take it as serious because she was going through breakup and all and i didn't knew that she was continuously harming herself and i teared up because she is only 15 she shouldn't hae to go through this. Now i am the only one who knows and it hurts so bad i am crying rn literally as i write this . I don't know i asked her why would she do this she said 'my dad won't talk to me properly' and somr thing the thing is if i tell anyone else idk how they will react and talk about trusted adults there are none they would either scold her or do something to her only. I seriously don't know what to do and i cannot tell this to anyone i just told her if she wants to self harm next time pls call me so that i can prevent it . It is really messed up , our family does not believe in therapy and if i tell any adult they would just judge her and say mean things something like that .

My whole life I've had people there to guide me, moreso control me in retrospect. I've never been independent and it's actively ruining my life. When I was young my (adoptive) family often bullied me, and I would get bullied at school. I never made friends, through elementary and all of 6th grade my friends treated me like I was a nuisance and not a single one of the people I considered my friends had liked me in the slightest. All of this has led to me being so insecure and terrified of making mistakes that I can barely leave the house. My (biological) little sister is getting a job for the summer and she's still in school (I dropped out after moving away) and I feel horrible. On the outside I'm trying to encourage her and give her support, but on the inside I feel terrible, I'm not getting any younger and I'm still just sitting here letting everyone down, including myself.

My anxiety stems more from insecurity, I sometimes spend hours before doing something as simple as going to the store with my family just trying to look nice, how pathetic is that? I don't do it for people to compliment me, but I think I just have such high standards for myself that if I don't reach them I'm uncomfortable and it ruins my whole day. I never feel good about myself and never have, whether it be my weight or how boyish I look even as a woman, I don't think I've ever caught a break. This isn't to say I haven't received compliments, but every time i have its been thanks to makeup or just unique camera angles that hide all of the bad parts of me.

I'm unable to make friends in real life due to my insecurity, I feel like I'm worthless and undeserving of love, friendship, or attention in general. I don't know what I'm asking at this point, I don't know if I need reassurance, or advice, or to be told to get the fuck over it and grow up, I don't know what, if anything, can help me, or how to live even though I'm already an adult.

Long story short ish - last month my girlfriend fucked this dude I have disliked for years and I can’t lie I’m really down about it all 🥲

Apart of me saw it coming but it still hit like a hard slap in the face and I can’t stop thinking about it all!

Sort of came to this app to try and talk about things seeing if it would make me feel better 😆 that’s the tea

After completing my master’s degree and securing a promising career, I’ve come to a challenging crossroad involving my family. Throughout my educational journey, my parents didn't offer financial support. Despite living a lifestyle filled with vacations, new vehicles, and home upgrades, they insisted if I wanted higher education, the financial responsibility was entirely mine. This stance forced me to balance part-time work with student loans to afford my studies.

Years have passed, and now as retirement looms, my parents expect financial support from me due to their inadequate savings. Recently, my patience wore thin, and during a heated conversation, I expressed my frustration. I reminded them of their financial decisions during my struggles with education and told them they should have planned better for their retirement instead of indulging in luxuries. I made it clear that I am not their financial backup plan and that they need to sort out their retirement issues as I had to with my education.

My confrontation left my mom in tears; she claimed they had sacrificed a lot during my childhood, and now it seemed like I was abandoning them. My dad labeled me ungrateful and selfish, throwing in the guilt-laden reminder of their 18 years of upbringing. My siblings have joined the fray, labeling me heartless for not aiding our parents, pointing out that I am better off financially compared to them. Regardless, I feel that they need to face the consequences of their choices.

The situation escalated further when I declared I wouldn’t provide care for them in their old age, regardless of their financial or health status in the future. This stance has shocked my siblings, with some arguing that it’s too harsh, but I am resolved to maintain my decision.

Considering if my story were to unfold on a reality TV show, the viewer's reaction could be intensely polarized. Some might view me as cold and unforgiving, while others could see me as a symbol of tough love and personal boundaries. Reality TV thrives on conflict and dramatic emotional exchanges, so such a storyline might draw a considerable amount of attention and debate among viewers, potentially making it a central theme of the show.

Am I wrong for denying my parents financial support for their retirement?

omg I don’t know why i’m on here I’m at band practice rn so I can’t actually talk face to face with someone about this but BASICALLY. a couple weeks back on my birthday my friend got PISS drunk despite me not wanting her to at this other friends house and she ended up throwing up everywhere for like five hours. it sucked. she said she’d make it up to me and hasn’t, and then half an hour ago had a go at me for being pissed at her all the time with no explanation. shes so weird. im so weird. our relationship is so fucking weird. guitarist and drummer tension ig. and she just talks like everything is normal but it’s not but how would she know??? I suck at communication and the conversation or her having a go at me ended like 30 minutes ago i cant just bring it up now and UGH oh my god I feel like an idiot. id go more into depth but I can’t be bothered. sos for terrible grammar im not reading this back

After years of diligent saving since I was 16, I recently achieved a personal milestone—I purchased my first car. It is a used model but incredibly dependable, representing a symbol of my independence which I cherish deeply. The car is essential; I use it daily to commute to my job and university, making my routine significantly easier to manage.

However, a recent incident has upset the balance in my household. My brother, Liam, caused an accident some weeks back by speeding, which led not only to him wrecking his own vehicle but also being left without any means of transport since the incident. Thankfully, he was unharmed. The problem arose when my parents demanded that I lend my newly acquired car to Liam “temporarily,” until he manages to get back on his feet financially and fix his car. Seeing as Liam’s job involves substantial driving, and I typically only travel within our local area, my parents argue this arrangement would be the most logical.

Despite understanding their point, I refused. The effort I put into acquiring my car was monumental, and it serves more than just a means of transportation—it’s my lifeline to both professional responsibilities and personal freedom, significantly impacting my overall well-being. This refusal, however, has not sat well with my family. My parents accused me of being selfish and inconsiderate, stressing the importance of supporting family. Liam hasn’t engaged much in conversation with me since, choosing instead to express his frustration through subtle coldness.

Amidst the turmoil, my parents have continued to escalate the situation, labeling me as immature and not a “team player.” There have even been threats to withdraw their financial support for certain necessities like my car insurance. This has left me torn—I understand my brother’s predicament, but I also feel it’s unjust to be coerced into surrendering something I’ve worked so hard for and need, especially considering the circumstances of how he ended up in this situation.

Considering how entrenched my parents are in their views, I’ve wondered how my stance would be perceived in a more public arena. If this drama were unfolding on a reality show, the audience could likely be divided. Some might sympathize with my need for independence and the efforts I've put into achieving it, while others could critique me for not prioritizing familial obligations over personal assets. Would the court of public opinion deem me unreasonable, or would they applaud my resilience in standing up for my principles?

Am I being unreasonable for not allowing my brother to use my car, given that our parents are so upset? Should I relinquish my car for family peace, or continue to defend my position firmly?

Several years back, a couple of years after my college graduation, I reluctantly started a job in an office. It was a position I accepted begrudgingly. Imagining a life confined to the monotonous ebb and flow of a 9-5 job was disheartening, especially since I had aspired for either graduate school or to join the Peace Corps, both of which had rejected my applications. However, reality bit with looming student loans and rent demands.

My supervisor, Kerry, noticed my lack of enthusiasm and took it upon herself to brighten my days. She learned about my fondness for Harry Potter and transformed my cubicle into a charming Ravenclaw-themed space. It featured themed decorations, blue and silver office essentials, and even included a Luna Lovegood collectible figure. Kerry's efforts meant a great deal to me, and her kindness helped make my days at the office bearable.

Sadly, a few months later, a complaint from a colleague about my themed corner reached HR, prompting its removal. It was a disheartening moment, but life and work went on. Fast forward to recently, layoffs happened in the company. Ironically, the person who had complained about my cubicle decor was one of those laid off, and the HR representative involved had long left the company.

With those changes, and feeling a bit more encouraged, I decided to resurrect my Ravenclaw cubicle. It uplifted my mood, replacing the stark, bland surrounding with something that resonated with me personally. However, this had an unintended effect; some friends of my former colleague interpreted this as me gloating over her job loss, which was not my intention at all. I simply wanted to revive a setting that brought happiness to my daily routine.

Imagine this situation unfolding in a reality show setting. The drama and misconceptions would probably be heightened, portrayed with confrontational encounters or confessionals from other cast members commenting on their views. It would certainly stir much debate among viewers, analyzing my intentions versus the perceived insensitivity my actions could have caused.

Was reintroducing my Harry Potter decorations a celebration of her layoff, or simply a reclaiming of personal joy? Reality TV would magnify every angle, possibly leading the audience to choose sides based on the emotional portrayal.

I want to knwo if am I wrong for restoring the decorations that brought me joy?

I'm a 16 year old male. I was born into a religious household, where Christianity was the most important thing for us. I won't be going into this exact part so much, but I want to offer some context. I was beaten up a lot since I was a kid. I still remember many of the things they did to me. Say, that time my mother struck me with the sharp side of a metal ruler for rolling on the ground as an 8-10 year old. I wasn't throwing a tantrum, I was just... rolling on a floor. With no one watching. And my clothes got a bit dirty for an event we had that day. I still remember that time she dropped me in an orphanage for eight hours straight after misbehaving in one of my Taekwondo classes... As an 10 year old. I still remember all of it. And how powerless I felt every time.

Since the start, they made me understand very clearly that I did not have control over my mother, neither on myself. If you're wondering where my father is, he "doesn't like to get involved" in those beatings, since then, my mother lashes into him. My mother has a history of mental illnesses (specifically, depression caused by her even sh#ttier mother). There was no fighting back. There was no chance for me to have a say in anything. My mother had the final word over everything. This only laid the groundwork for the things I'm going through now.

As any traditional christian parent, both my mother and father are extremely homophobic, transphobic, and my mother specifically is racist (and excuses herself by saying that she has black friends, but whatever. That's not the point here). As I entered puberty and started finding out who I was, I found myself liking what they deemed "girly" things. Long, fluffy hair (which, they never allowed me to have), the colors pink and red, Touhou project (a videogame saga)... Eventually, my parents suspected that I might be turning gay.

Every day, they would discuss with me. Every day, they would tell me to remove every single "girly" thing I had. I was pretty homophobic myself back then (and I apologize deeply), but I got forced into going through what a huge chunk of the queer community has to go through when coming out as something.

Every day, it was another discussion. A meaningless talk that extended for hours about my parents telling me that I was heading in the wrong path and repeating bible verses. They didn't want to change their minds. They only wanted to change mine.

Let's go to the present day. I... Don't feel well. I feel powerless and weak. I have seen first-hand that my parents would never accept me for who I truly am. I found out something lately. Every time I saw a trans woman, I could feel my blood boil. I found out... that it wasn't because I disliked transgender people. I wanted to be one.

Of course, I can admit it here. I want to be a woman. I want to be pretty, to be loved... And I know that, probably, that'll never happen. People at my school just see me as an autistic kid from which they ask homework when they need some. People exploit the fact that I'm extremely weak emotionally to their favor.

It all happened yesterday. I saw a video in Youtube of a trans woman telling her Highschool experiences with gender dysphoria. They were terrifyingly accurate with the things I was feeling... and I'll admit it. I felt so horrible while watching the video. It felt like being a wild animal in a cage, only able to watch other wild animals roam free and happily wherever they want. I can't do anything. I'm not anyone. I'm simply an insecure 16 year old.

She was able to achieve her goal, and she had other supporting her... why couldn't I...

I feel so isolated from others and myself. I have no one supporting me. No one asks me what I want. What I desire.

I desire to be a woman. and the thing I know about myself is that it's a strong feeling. I'm not making it up.

I just hate feeling like this so much. I hate knowing that, despite any path I choose to take, no one will love me regardless.

Not even my parents. I understand they want the best for me, but... they are the same ones that threatened me to never forgive me and take me out of their will if I ever come out as something. They would rather forgive me for murder than for choosing to be gay. And I'm not coming up with that, my mother told that to me.

I just... want to be a woman.

At the same time, I know I can't.

I feel like I have NO control over my own life.

I'm stuck like this for... who knows how long.

I stopped feeling comfortable with myself a long time ago.

I don't know what to do anymore. I'm myself not a suicidal person, but...

I'm here because I need advice. I acknowledge that, maybe, I'm the wrong one, and I'm willing to accept that, if it is true.

i can't believe another year has come and gone, and here i am, 54 years old, sitting back and reflecting on the events of the past year. it's been a ride full of ups and downs, hasn't it? sometimes it feels like time just slips through my fingers, like sand in an hourglass. but guess what? i survived another one, and I have my health, my family, and somehow the world feels new again. seriously though, how good is it to be surrounded by your loved ones on new year's eve, right? we were all huddled up in the living room, telling stories and laughing like a pack of hyenas. you know those moments when you're just so happy you could burst? that's what it was like. everyone was in high spirits, and looking around, i couldn't help but feel incredibly blessed. and all of them were healthy, thank God! if i'm being honest, it's challenging at times not to worry about the future. there seems to be so much uncertainty, especially with everything happening around the world. you watch the news, and it's hard not to digest all the negativity that gets thrown at you. how many times have you caught yourself thinking, "what's next?" but then i remember the quote from that one song, "life's what you make it," and i think, if i focus on the positive, maybe, just maybe, things will turn out alright. 🙂 i'm sure you can relate. sure, i've got my fair share of regrets and wish i could hit rewind on a few decisions, but that's life, isn't it? you live and you learn. i remember my parents always saying, "don't sweat the small stuff," and i'm really starting to get that now. it's like, what's the point in stressing over things you can’t change? honestly, it's been eye-opening for me to just let things be and, as the classic beatles song goes, "let it be." there's a comfort in knowing that i'm not alone in my worries and thoughts. we’re all just trying to navigate this crazy world we live in, doing our best to put one foot in front of the other. and when you take a moment to step back and look at the bigger picture, you see the beauty in the chaos. speaking of beauty, i can’t help but gush about nature and how it's been my saving grace through all of this. you ever just go outside, take a deep breath, and remind yourself of all the things you're thankful for? i try to do it as often as possible. maybe i'm just getting sappy with age, but every time i hear the birds chirping or feel the breeze against my face, i can't help but thank the earth for its never-ending wonder. there's something so grounding about connecting with nature. it puts everything into perspective for me. you ever notice how everything just feels right when you're sitting under a starlit sky, lost in your thoughts? it’s like the universe is telling you, "hey, don’t worry too much." i guess what i'm trying to say is that, through all the uncertainties, I’m grateful for what I have. i’ve been blessed with a supportive family who lights up even my darkest days and friends who are like family, who always have my back. you can't buy that kind of love, you know? it’s priceless. when you strip away everything else, isn't that what life’s about? creating memories with the people who matter the most is what makes it all worthwhile. sure, i might not have all the riches in the world, and my bank account is nothing to brag about, but feeling this deep sense of gratitude is richer than any treasure could ever make me. the question now is, as we move forward, how do we keep this mindset? how do we keep reminding ourselves of what's truly important when life throws us a curveball? i know i’ll try my best, even if it means slipping up here and there. so, yeah, thank you, earth, for everything you've given me – more than I could ever ask for. here's to another year of figuring things out, loving the people close to us, and appreciating the small joys day by day. let's keep reminding ourselves to breathe and take life as it comes because it's the only way we’re truly going to make the most of what we have. what are your thoughts? looking forward to hearing your take!

what the title says. i was over the fact that she had a boyfriend, but having this memory adds a whole new layer and reignites the fire. it's a very very deep emptiness in my chest and i feel like a total manchild reacting so much to this. please don't give me advice on this it's totally just me venting and coping with the feeling

my head hurts, I'm dizzy, I can barely breathe. I don't think I'll be able to stomach food, and I can barely swallow the special water my mom gives me every day. I draw a lot, but today the only thing I was able to draw today was Jason Voorhees because of the mask. I feel weak. Mentally and physically. Only 8 days into high school and it's already taking its toll.

Do you hear it, Bowie? The ringing. You've always been here. You can't leave.

The past few days It's been a bit harder to follow through with my habits and i haven't made much progress. And i felt stupid for messing everything up again. The past 2 days i've been trying to get back on track a bit. ( I've been Trying my best not to doomscroll and replacing with sketching + trying to reach my step count)

But not really sure If i'm getting anywhere with that. The first month of summer Is over and i'm not sure If i made any real progress. Or if maybe i'm doing well enough. Or fast enough. Or i'm doing the wrong things. Or Maybe i'm not even worth trying to fix stuff to begin with. I kept having dumb arguements with her the past few days one after the other. Honestly i feel like she does It on purpose sometimes. And i tried to ignore It, i try to make my day better and cheer myself up and be positive but i think she's right. I am selfish. I am stupid. And It's true that I can't really care about anything. I ruin and waste everything every single time no matter how much i try and want to treasure It. She's right. I'm just like him and i'm a bad person. There's really no point in trying to change anything if i'm evil to begin with.

My family was eager to have pets, so we ended up adopting a mixed breed dog from the local shelter and two kittens. While everyone enjoyed playing with the new additions, the task of actually taking care of them fell entirely on my shoulders.

Every morning at 5:30 a.m., I was the one taking the dog for walks, cleaning the litter boxes, handling all the vet visits, buying and preparing their meals, and tidying up their feeding areas. If I left any of these tasks to my partner or the kids, they would either forget or do such a sloppy job that I ended up having to redo it anyway.

The situation was similar with the house plants and the indoor herb and vegetable garden my partner decided to start. They lost interest after the initial excitement, leaving me to deal with the aftermath of neglected plants: dead leaves, spilled soil, and pest infestations. If I didn’t step in to water and care for them, no one would.

Maintaining a clean and orderly home is important to me, especially since I grew up in a household that hoarded animals, resulting in a living environment that was far from ideal. I’m determined not to let history repeat itself in my own home. Unfortunately, if I don’t keep on top of the pets’ needs, the consequences are immediate and messy—the cats will spray if their litter isn’t clean, and the dog will chew and cause havoc if not walked regularly.

Given the lack of initiative from my family, I’ve decided to move the pets outdoors for the time being. The dog now has a doghouse, and the cats are outdoor cats, until the family proves they can handle the responsibility of indoor pets. Of course, in extreme weather conditions, I’ll bring them back inside. The plants are going outdoors too.

I’M DONE.

Honestly, if my life was a series on a reality TV show, I can only imagine the chaos and drama my frustrations would stir up each episode. Viewers would probably be divided; some might sympathize with my plight while others could argue that my measures are too drastic. It would definitely spark debate.

If I were to be featured on a reality show, how do you think viewers would react to my actions?

So on Saturday I went to Solo and Ensemble (music event) (I GOT SUPERIOR) and when I went into the high school's gym to practice my friend W was in there. We started goofing off, and he connected his phone to my speaker I was using for my piano accompaniment and started playing a song called "Brain Implosion Energy".

I added the shortened version to my playlist and have been listening to it on loop.

BIG mistake.

It's stuck in my head.

Just imagine, talking to your friends, but your head is playing over and over: "brain implosion energy ten thousand grams of pure caffeine cuz you cant overthink if your heart stops brain implosion energy ten thousand grams of pure caffeine just drink and drink and drink until you drop I love my brain implosion juice it makes my brain go RRRRRRR" For all eternity. Just playing over and over in that high-pitched bubbly vocaloid voice.

IT'S DRIVING ME INSANE.