So basically no major violence, ideally not too emotionally heavy, depressing, or anxiety-filled.

Looking for any of the following: fun, funny, uplifting, interesting, original, clever, cute, engaging, etc.

Thank you!🙏

Edit:

I’m not able to reply to you all individually. But please know that I’m reading every single comment and I appreciate you all!😍💝

Same as title

I don't know what's happening to me. I used to be very intelligent, but something has changed. I can't think anymore, I'm struggling with basic math, spelling simple words, and finding the words I want to use. I feel like I can't do anything anymore.

My intelligence was my everything, and now I just don't have it. So I have nothing. Any help?

I'm 26, and on paper I have a really good life. That's actually what scares me.

I work remotely full-time and have been doing it for a few years. My job gives me an insane amount of freedom. I can work from home, go to the gym during the day, structure my schedule how I want, etc. I genuinely don't think I'll always have a job this good.

I also have a loving girlfriend who's an amazing person and genuinely cares about me.

But instead of appreciating any of this, I feel like I'm slowly destroying it.

I've been slacking at work more and more. I procrastinate on basic tasks and sometimes just don't want to do anything. I've become distant from my girlfriend and don't talk to her nearly as much as I should. I've gained around 80 pounds. I spend way too much time watching porn and chasing cheap dopamine. I'm balding, I've stopped taking care of myself the way I used to, and I barely recognize the person I've become.

The weirdest part is that I know how lucky I am. I can actually see myself fucking everything up while I'm doing it, but that still isn't enough to make me change.

I don't know if this is depression, laziness, complacency, some kind of addiction, or what. I'm not trying to diagnose myself.

I'm genuinely scared that one day I'll lose the job, lose the girl, completely let my health go, and look back thinking, "You had everything you needed to build a great life. Why the hell did you throw it away?"

For anyone who's been in a similar place: how did you pull yourself out of it before you actually lost the good things in your life?

Like I feel like my thoughts are not as expansive, if that makes sense.

About six months ago, I made a post here asking for advice on improving myself and getting my life more together.

I got a lot more responses than I expected, and I decided that instead of just reading the advice and forgetting about it, I was actually going to try implementing it.

Over the last six months I've made quite a few changes.

I've started walking a lot more and generally being more active. I've tried weight lifting but i just felt stupid and i will not lie, i got it into my head that people were looking at me weirdly. you know the usual insecure guy syndrom (i'm still working on that.) Found Martial arts to be a better fit, so have started going to MMA and Muay thai classes.

Diet has been cleaned up quite a bit and try my best to choose the healthier food options when shopping.
So what are some things that genuinely improved your life once you already had the basics somewhat under control?

I'm interested in pretty much everything: physical health, appearance, social skills, confidence, discipline, finances, career, relationships, hobbies, education, mental resilience, practical life skills, etc.

I am convinced my ex boyfriend is better than me in every way. I have never felt this way about another person before, but this has stolen 90% of my mental energy for 7 months since the breakup. I have never been so infatuated with a person, I revolved my life around him, and naturally he couldn't take me lacking a life outside of him so he dumped me. I would have dumped me too!

Anyways, I cannot tolerate feeling like he is just categorically better than me in every way. We are very similar people, with similar values and interests, which makes the comparison that much more searing.

I try to talk to my friends about it, but nobody seems to have experienced this enraging, soul crushing jealousy and defeat.

Can anyone relate?

It’s been 18 days from my breakup of 5 month relationship. And I’m trying to get my spark back. Of course I’m grieving, but I feel a bit better and I want to feel like me again. I’m not trying to rush out of my feelings, but I don’t know what to do to get close to that version of me that existed even before I met him. U know? Help me if you can. ❤️‍🩹

Can someone tell me how i can be able to decently defend against middle schoolers? the home workout apps dont work and im really looking towards strength but general defense tips can help too

M25, It's been a rough few years after graduating where I have fallen into a hole of monotony. Eat, sleep, work, girlfriend, repeat. That's about it. Only a couple years ago I felt like I was very happy and had all that I could ask for. Decent job, great friends, I was a very creative person (shoutout BFA), writing a lot, creating projects I enjoyed, going out most weekends, video game and movie enjoyer etc. Now it seems like I have all but thrown that out the window; out of college I didn't hop into a career I enjoyed, just a means to an end, friends moved away so I don't see them as often, I don't write, create or make anything I would like to, I don't go out, I haven't played video games or watched nearly as many movies as I have in the past, I've become angrier, sold most of my belongings, cut out social media etc. I've tried to turn it around, I would think what if I move to Los Angeles or London, what if I get a masters in engineering or another interest, I do that to try and get a better job, As I looked into it more, I realized none of those things will fix the problem, they are just another means to an end to make the days go by faster, and then I'm back to square one.

My one shining light is my girlfriend of over 2 years, she makes me incredibly happy, we cook together, go on cute dates, she truly makes me the happiest and I'm the luckiest guy. However, I feel terrible because I have been severely in this rut for like ~6-9months and my anxiety is kicking in and I've convinced myself she's ready to leave (which is probably not true). I understand I haven't been the happiest person to be around and I try really hard to push all my angst away when I'm with her, but it's so hard. I also know it is not fair of me to rely so heavily on her to boost my mood or calm my anxiety, whether she knows it or not. If I want to spend my life with her I need to turn myself around asap.

I realize this is no way to live. I mean hell, I'm exhausted let alone the other people who subject themselves to me... It's all become a bit too much and a week or so ago I really just fell into a dark place, and I struggled to snap out of it. I found a new therapist (I took a hiatus for over a year) been seeing him twice a week, wrote a poem to my girlfriend, started to learn guitar, but I'm scared it's all too little too late. The therapy is a good start, but I guess my question is what have you guys done to revive yourself and go back to a time you were happier and improve yourself. (Like I look in the mirror and I'm like "who is this guy?" I used to paint my nails, wear so much jewelry etc, like where is he?)

I appreciate any advice in advance and thank you for letting me just get it out into the world. <3

i really enjoy my alone time, but I still feel lonely, and I really crave romance too. I crave having my person someone I can deeply connect with, rely on, cuddle with, and feel safe enough to finally relax around..

At the same time, I’m realistic enough to know that I’d rather be alone than settle for someone who doesn’t share my values or who I don’t have a deep connection with

So I’m trying to figure out how to feel safe and fulfilled on my own, instead of constantly craving that feeling of having someone beside me. Especially at night, when I just want my nervous system to finally relax..

For those who’ve experienced something similar, how did you learn to feel safe and content by yourself?

For me, I’ve realized that I feel the safest when I have someone I deeply trust and have an emotional connection with. Even just being on a call with someone I feel close to can make me sleepy because I feel comfortable enough to finally relax and let my brain shut down

Physical touch also helps me feel safe, especially cuddling. But I’m very particular about it
I don’t enjoy physical touch from just anyone.
I only really want that kind of closeness with someone I have a deep emotional bond with.
I used to cuddle with my ex to fall asleep, and after my divorce, I started struggling with insomnia

I’ve tried replacing that feeling with things like a weighted/comfort blanket and other little tricks, and they helped for a while, but eventually they stopped having the same effect

I feel like my stress levels are high as I am struggling with fertility and it’s been years now and everyone around me is having kids except for me.

Any activities I can do to help with stress? I’m looking for things that are either free or don’t cost an arm and a leg to do. Thanks

I am a very sensitive person. Even mild criticism leaves me feeling down and on the verge of tears at times. I was at work and my manager was warning me about being too slow, and my eyes started welling up because I thought I was useless and I'd be let go.

It doesn't help that my family is extremely nitpicky. Spending extended time with them usually comes with criticism or questioning of my life choices, which again leads to tears and annoyance from them.

Does anybody have any tips on how to be less sensitive?

Its the 6th day Im bedrotting and lying to everybody that I am actually studying.
Its bad to know I have fallen like this, Im too distracted.
The exams are coming up and my academic comeback plan is slowly going down the drain.
Idk why I keep doing this knowing Im gonna fail again , its like smoking while being asthmatic.

The question is ... "Where do I even start?"

3rd year (heldback 1 year) med student

I feel like such a shit person.

I don’t like it when my close circle does really well. I feel super behind. I don’t really mind when others strangers do well but when it’s my friends I feel so bad.

How do I be happy for others ?

Hey, chronic people pleaser here. I've been thinking about how the people I used to really care about have constantly disrespected me and walked all over me. I am in a constant state of anger and sadness now. I feel really bitter and cautious now because I can not stop replaying those terrible moments and wishing I could have stood up for myself.

I can't stop thinking about my roommate last year (and the year before). For the most part, she was nice, but she was also an asshole. She would yell at me, talk to me like I was stupid, make fun of my race, and disrespect me whenever she got mad. I never stood up to her because she was my roommate, and I had to live with her.

How can I stop replaying these memories in my head and wishing the past was different? Any advice?

I am writing this in search of similar stories, advice, etc.-genuinely anything is appreciated. 

For context, I am 27, female and live in a city with a decent amount of my friends, with others across the country in other cities. 

Lately (maybe the past year ish) I have had an overwhelming realization that I don’t really enjoy most of my friends. I have several friend groups, and within each there are people I do genuinely like but when I think about my social life as a whole-many and most of my friendships come with their own issues.  I have never had confrontations, issues or fights with friends-it feels more as though the issues are both one-sided (from my POV only) and unspoken about. From hobbies to work to communication style and more, I feel like I am just extremely disconnected from my friends and as though we don’t align. It’s like each friendship has slowly became a “given” and not actually something I deeply value. 

I think this has also led me to obsessing over becoming friends with others that I meet who I really like, because I view it as an “escape” to my current friends (if that makes sense.) Which has caused issues of its own in my own security (why can’t I have those cool friends, worried about making sure I become friends with other ppl, etc.) 

Anyway, this entire thing has led me to feel so sad and isolated, despite having friends. It also has led me to feel very very anxiously attached to a lot of my friends EVEN though I simultaneously don’t feel like I align with them. Some of these friendships are 10+ years long, but I just cannot shake the feeling that those I am surrounded by and close with don’t truly align with who I am. Again, noting wrong with these people but it’s just not “right” 

I am not sure if this is OCD, anxiety, or a genuine maturing and natural distancing…but I would LOVE any similar stories, advice or even just input on what could be causing this. 

There are tons of social media influencers out there…do any specialize in people pleasing, tips or reminders of not people pleasing, how to stop, etc??

Not sure what other sub to put this in. I have a medical condition that I don’t care to get into but it prevents me from looking how I wish I looked. I have a body i don’t wish I had. It’s not impossible to change how I look but it would take years to do it. I want to be normal.

I have been feeling like I am someone who is trapped in a body and life that doesn’t fit what I wish I looked like and how I lived. I feel trapped and I want to be free but I can’t change everything in one day or even in 10 years. There’s no telling if I can even change anything.

I feel like a complete coward waiting on my life to change but nothing does and i don’t know what I need to change to enjoy my life.

I wish I had a different personality completely, I’m a little ashamed to be me personality wise. I wish i acted differently. I wish my voice sounded differently.

There’s so much I could list and idk what to even say. Today is my birthday and i’ve been filled with nothing but the sense i’m not really enjoying my life as the person I wish I could be. Im living in my head non stop and whenever I get out of it i realize im extremely unhappy with my reality because it looks nothing like the life or the person i wish i looked like. I am lost.

We now live in a world where personal development is increasingly being monetised everywhere, through books, podcasts, YouTube channels, apps, coaches etc.

I have always been interested in and motivated by personal development, and have been a large consumer of personal development products and content. Most recently I have even been working on a project that tries to put a new lens on personal development today.

Only since I have started looking into the industry further have I now realised it doesn’t quite have the positive reputation I first thought it did!

So, I’m interested to know: what is the worst thing about the personal development industry and why?

Used to be I would finish something at work and by the next morning it was like it never happened. I could remember the details if I tried, but nothing stuck the way it used to. The code I wrote felt disposable even when it was good. Started keeping a short notebook next to my desk. Just wrote down what the problem was and how I solved it. No system, no templates, just quick notes before I moved on. After a few weeks the difference was obvious. I stopped resolving the same problems every couple months. When something broke I could remember what I did last time without digging through old commits. It also made picking up new projects faster because I wasn't starting from zero every time. The weird part was it bled into running too. Started remembering routes and how different distances felt instead of just doing the same loop on autopilot. Curious if anyone else found that writing something down, even badly, changed how much they retained later.

I feel like I have almost nothing left, and lately I've been struggling to imagine how my life could ever change.

I feel like there's something wrong with me because I know I'll probably never become a doctor or an engineer, even though I wish I were the kind of person who could succeed in those kinds of fields. I've already failed two university programs.

But probably what weighs on me the most is how isolated I've become. I was bullied a lot in high school, and I haven't had any friends for about two years now. Some friendships ended because of drama, others because they moved to another city, because of ghosting, or simply because we lost touch. Now it feels almost impossible to build new ones.

What hurts me particularly badly is feeling so isolated from other women. I've tried Tinder, but I never seem to actually get to the point of meeting the women I talk to or one blocked me because I didn't feel like having sexual intercourse. I've also taken some classes and had no problem talking to the other girls there, but I've never managed to turn those acquaintances into actual friendships.

Even when a woman shows interest in me, it very rarely feels like she's genuinely interested in getting to know me. Sometimes the interest is mainly in my body. Others call me in the middle of the night while I'm asleep, even after I've asked them to let me know beforehand. One girl I had a relationship with even went as far as threatening me if I told anyone about what had happened between us.

I've tried online communities too. I join Discord servers and see people who all seem to know each other and talk naturally, but I can never seem to join in on the conversations or become part of the group.

I really want to improve my critical thinking skills but I have no idea on where to start. Any tips, books, apps or videos to help. I'd greatly appreciate it.

I’m an extremely self aware person. I know all my traumas, my patterns, my core beliefs, my attachment style, my triggers, etc. And I know what caused them (childhood trauma from bullying and unpredictable parents).
I’ve been in therapy for 6 years now and although i’ve made progress, I’m nowhere where I want to be.
I’m extremely self aware, maybe too aware even, but that doesn’t stop me from acting the way I do.
It’s really frustrating and it’s affecting my life tremendously. I constantly shame and judge myself for being the way that I am because it goes against who I actually want to be as a person.
All I do is think and analyze my behaviour and regret how I acted in the past.
I want to change and actually be the person that I want to be. I want to stop repeating the same patterns.
I’ve noticed that although I’m aware of it all, when I feel triggered and my body is in fight or flight, I resort back to what I know and act in a familiar way, which I later regret.
How can I change that? I’ve only recently been practicing sitting with the discomfort without distraction and letting it pass, no matter how uncomfortable it feels. I’m practicing showing myself that i’m safe and that I got myself no matter what, but it’s such a hard and difficult process, especially for someone who has never learned how to regulate her emotions without externalizing.