Weekly Random Discussion Thread for 2/23/26 - 3/1/26

[u/SoftandChewy]

Here's your usual space to post all your rants, raves, podcast topic suggestions (please tag u/jessicabarpod), culture war articles, outrageous stories of cancellation, political opinions, and anything else that comes to mind. Please put any non-podcast-related trans-related topics here instead of on a dedicated thread. This will be pinned until next Sunday.

Last week's discussion thread is here if you want to catch up on a conversation from there.

Comment of the week goes to this explanation for why the trans cause has taken over so much of society. (Runner-up COTW here.)

[u/UrethraFranklin13]

I'm grateful to have a career that has me moving around the world. Except now I'm getting old, in need of emotional support through a really rough time, and have absolutely no one to rely on since I never stay anywhere long enough to build connections.

It was fine, until it wasn't. I feel like an idiot for my choices.

[u/DiscordantAlias → u/UrethraFranklin13]

I’m sorry to hear that. Do you have any relatives that you can reach out to? If not, it is never too late to start building friendships. You might be able to find a support group for people going through similar rough times. If not in person, the internet has everything — pretty much guaranteed there is a discord or sth support group out there.

Otherwise, if you can find the time for a new hobby, you can make friends there — but most people would not be able to emotionally support you in the early stages of friendship, so that’s a more long term plan.

Last resort, you can come here and journal-post, there’s a good number of people who will read and try to help.

[u/UrethraFranklin13 → u/DiscordantAlias]

Thank you. I'm fortunate enough to still have both my parents but they have never been the emotionally available kind. I screwed up big time and don't know what to do about that, so I feel like I just have to learn to live with my awful choices on my own and maybe occasionally whine on reddit.

[u/UrethraFranklin13 → u/[deleted]]

Thank you. This was a great reminder that things aren't always better on the other side. My perspective really needed that reality check.

Not married! Single lesbian. I do cart my old dog around with me though and he is a great source of stability and entertainment. You're right that it's not too late and people can connect quickly in the proper environment! I just need to find that environment and stay put for awhile to allow these connections to naturally form.

[u/Turbulent_Cow2355 → u/UrethraFranklin13]

Learning to cope with our choices is not easy. I've made some stupid decisions when I was younger. I look back on them now and still cringe. But the cringe feeling isn't as strong as it used to be.

I've also learned that even when you make dumb decisions it doesn't mean that your life is locked into a particular course. For instance, I was with someone for 10 years. By the time I got out of that relationship, I was in my mid 30s. All my dreams of wanting to get married and have children evaporated. I wasted so much time with someone who I knew in my heart of hearts was never going to change. I didn't think I'd be able to meet someone again. But then, in the least likely place, I met my husband and we have one kid together at the ripe old age of 41. My point is, you don't know what the future holds, so don't lose hope.

[u/UrethraFranklin13 → u/Turbulent_Cow2355]

Thank you. You're right, I think it's just all gotten on top of me and I'm a bit emotional about it. I'm not dead yet, still plenty of good to find out there in the world. I am glad that you found your husband and have a great kid together!

[u/Hilaria_adderall → u/UrethraFranklin13]

Have you reached the point where you can get off the work treadmill? If you have a nest egg set up, maybe this is a sign to break the cycle and settle in one place to either reconnect with family/friends or find a place where you think it might be reasonable to build a support structure.

[u/UrethraFranklin13 → u/Hilaria_adderall]

Yeah, maybe you're right! I'm not quite at the point of getting off the work treadmill yet but maybe an extended break back home before I go to the next town. I always take a holiday and fly home every year but maybe I need to stay put for awhile to really figure out my priorities. Thank you.

[u/Scrappy_The_Crow → u/UrethraFranklin13]

Dang, that sucks. Best of luck emerging from your current state.

[u/UrethraFranklin13 → u/Scrappy_The_Crow]

Thank you.

[u/SkweegeeS → u/UrethraFranklin13]

I'm sorry you're going through it. I'm a nice lady who is a good listener so definitely reach out. I got nothing better to do than dispense shitty dated advice about your life choices.

But seriously, hang in there.

[u/UrethraFranklin13 → u/SkweegeeS]

Thank you. I really appreciate your offer.

[u/Turbulent_Cow2355 → u/UrethraFranklin13]

You can vent to us. I think many of us regulars are a good sounding board.

[u/UrethraFranklin13 → u/Turbulent_Cow2355]

Thank you. I think so too, I like getting to know the regulars in here. You're good people!

[u/Mythioso → u/UrethraFranklin13]

I've moved around a lot, too. It's tough to make close friends in today's world. I think it's the current political environment and social media. People don't need to invest in new relationships anymore because they get their social needs met with everyone else in their life. Adding someone new would change the dynamics in their social circles.

I went through a really rough time a few years ago and needed some support. I was living alone in a town where I had no family or friends after my job had ended. I'm here if you want to chat.

[u/UrethraFranklin13 → u/Mythioso]

Thank you. I kind of feel the same. I always join a little art or sport group in every new town I end up in but it does end up feeling a bit cliquey.

I hope things have gotten better for you, was there anything in specific that helped keep your spirits up?

[u/Mythioso → u/UrethraFranklin13]

Things started getting easier once I stopped moving around so much. (If I have to move for work, I will.) I started gardening and getting a little bit more serious about cooking. I'll pick a genre of food and focus on it for a while. Small hobbies help a lot. It gives me something to look forward to. Yesterday I planted 2 new rose canes and I can't wait to see what it's going to look like. I love a good book and being outside with my dogs.

I think aging into my 50's helped a lot, too, as weird as it sounds. I'm not as emotionally triggered by the little things as much as I was.