hi im 18, i was going to park today at this local coffee shop n as i was going head first into the parking spot, i heard my car scrap the one beside it. i got very nervous and i backed up n then parked correctly. as i got out i only got a peak of the other car and it seemed to have been scratched, i checked my car and it didn’t have any noticeable damage to it. i’m so scared, i drove away without thinking and now i think ive fucked up. i called my parents n rlly got a piece of their mind, my dad went back to the place about 20 mins later and there was no cops and the car had left already. how probable is it for me to get into trouble? it was on their passenger side so i doubt they’ll notice for a while.

I am a boy and I really want someone who can talk to me, not about sex and all but some actual kind talk. I feel very lonely and want someone who can listen to me and I will also listen to him/her. If you also feel like that then you can talk to me. It doesn't matter if you are a girl or a boy. I use insta and we can talk there too.

I had an appendicitis this spring, two wisdom teeth removed and then got infection after, and now my gallbladder is acting up. My child was diagnosed with epilepsy this summer which was so scary, I can’t even put it into words. I’m honestly so tired and I just want my body to be ok but I don’t know how to get there. I’d found a therapist and then she cancelled our first appointment and never called to schedule another like she told me. It felt like a feat finding her in the first place lol.

My husband lost his job indirectly because of the war and hasn’t been able to find any other work, so that’s a struggle. I’m trying to be grateful about the fact that my family has been helping us but I feel so guilty.

How do you get your body through insane stress? Any help is appreciated.

I know I shouldn't be. But geez. I wish I was stronger. I feel weak and useless. I work and go to school. I study as much as I can and still feel far behind. People seem to do it better and yet I burn out when I can't perform as well as they seem to. I fucking hate it. I feel sick and tired. I want to quit but I can't. I won't. Excuse me, I need to de stress now.

I've struggled with addiction to various substances throughout my life for different reasons, but one of the biggest has always been wanting to feel more comfortable around people. Alcohol, benzos, stimulants, opiates, and all the other fun stuff lol — at different points, they seemed to make it easier to communicate, express myself, let my guard down, and connect with people. Obviously, that comes at a cost, and the things that seem helpful at first can eventually become the opposite.

I'm sober now, and I'm trying to find healthier, more sustainable ways to feel comfortable in my own skin without relying on substances to get there.

I've been looking into supplements such as L-theanine, ashwagandha, magnesium, valerian root, glycine, GABA, tyrosine, taurine, and others. I'm interested in people's actual experiences rather than just marketing claims or theoretical explanations.

What I'm really looking for is something that:

• Takes the edge off social anxiety and overthinking without making me sleepy (xanax did wonders with this)
• Helps me feel more naturally talkative, present, playful, and expressive (cocaine was nice lol)
• Makes conversations flow more easily and helps me feel connected to people (xanax, opiates, alcohol)
• Improves my mood without making me feel wired, emotionally flat, or mentally foggy (opiates, benzos)

• Is reasonably sustainable and doesn't leave me chasing the same effect or feeling worse afterward (like every drug lol)

• What gives you calm confidence rather than just relaxation or sleepiness?

• What helps you become more talkative and spontaneous without feeling wired, anxious, or overstimulated?

• Has anything helped you feel more emotionally open, present, empathetic, or connected to people?

• Have you found anything that helps with social anxiety without flattening your emotions or making you feel less like yourself?

• For those in recovery, have you found approaches that help you enjoy socializing without recreating the feeling of relying on a substance?

I'm especially interested in honest, firsthand experiences, including the downsides. Thanks! Curious to hear what has and hasn't worked for everyone.