this post was submitted on 15 May 2025
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I'll go first...after 10 years of speculating in the market (read: gambling in high risk assets) I realized I shouldn't ever touch a brokerage account in my lifetime. A monkey would have made better choices than I did. Greed has altered the course of life many times over. I am at an age where I may recover from my actions over the decades, but it has taken its toll. I am frugal and have a good head on me, but having such impulsivity in financial instruments was not how I envisioned my adulthood. Its a bitter pill to swallow, since money is livelihood of my family, but I need to "invest" all I have into relationships, meaningful moments, and fulfilling hobbies.

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[–] tamal3@lemmy.world 13 points 1 day ago

I realized at about 20 that I can really hurt people by trying to whitewash reality and sweep the bad away.

I also have a hard time making friends and then maintaining those relationships. Would like to get better, but apparently not enough to actually do so? We'll see. Life is searching.

[–] aceshigh@lemmy.world 14 points 1 day ago (2 children)

That I come from a highly dysfunctional family and my entire personality is a reaction to them. I knew they were dysfunctional but I was in denial about their impact. Connecting with my true self had been a bitch.

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[–] lightnsfw@reddthat.com 27 points 1 day ago (3 children)

I'm a bitter, angry, mfer and I need to chill out sometimes

[–] DaedalousIlios@pawb.social 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Relatable tbh. I think a good part of it was depression in my younger years, but, I used to be an incredibly angry person.

It took a long time for me to accept that the truth is, you don't get angry about shit you don't care about. Hard to accept that half the things I'd get angry at weren't worth it. The other half anger just wasn't a helpful response. Been a long process of learning to have a better reaction for me.

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[–] rainrain@sh.itjust.works 7 points 1 day ago

You are me.

I play shitty passive-aggressive mindgames. When I bleed, scorpions and stinging-flies spawn from the puddles.

[–] SocialMediaRefugee@lemmy.ml 8 points 1 day ago

Same here. I lose my temper too easily then I get back to normal quickly and wonder why I was so upset.

[–] jsomae@lemmy.ml 13 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I gotta spend less time on lemmy

[–] Kirk@startrek.website 11 points 1 day ago (1 children)

TikTok → Reddit → Lemmy → ...grass?

[–] UltraGiGaGigantic@lemmy.ml 12 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Screw grass, touch moss instead

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[–] Zenith@lemm.ee 4 points 1 day ago

I was causing most of my own problems by having too many expectations that weren’t actually necessary

[–] Wahots@pawb.social 18 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I've started noticing that I'm echoing some of the bad habits of my father, either behaviorally or genetically, I'm not sure which. I'm determined to never go down that path because I've seen what it's done to our family. I've made some changes that will hopefully head that off. If those don't help, there's always professional help.

Still, depressing to realize.

[–] whelk@lemm.ee 7 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Similar boat. It helps to have someone who is willing to (kindly and patiently) call you out on it, with the understanding that it's what you want them to do. Good luck, stay strong and be confident that acknowledging the issue and wanting to change are huge steps you've already taken

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[–] SocialMediaRefugee@lemmy.ml 16 points 1 day ago (3 children)

I need to get a grip when driving and not let others upset me so easily.

[–] Truffle@lemmy.ml 9 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

7Hey fellow road rager! I too suffer from this aillment while knowing at the same time that it could be life threatening if I cross paths with an armed short fused a$$hole. I live in a very high traffic city with stuff to do on both sides of it, taking my kid to some classes results in a two hour commute and then two hours back home. Not easy and it makes me want to light my hair on fire sooooo me and my kid play the "maybe" game:

Maybe that guy cut me off because he is pooping in his pants (Kid laughs and it Takes the edge of me bursting into flames)

Maybe that lady trying to pass me in a not so nice way is late for her flight to (insert whatever place you/your kid think of and talk about what things you'd like to do there. While in Italy, for example, we thought about asking for a pizza with pineapple on it and putting a clown wig on the David)

I could go on and on (I won't) but the main thing is to redirect my anger as energy to somewhere else.

I find it amusing when I do it with my kid because it helps us connect while spending time together. When I am by myself I play it too, but the NSFW version: This guy is tailgating me because he cannot wait to get pegg3d when he gets home. Etc etc. I chuckle for a bit and let it pass. Not kink shaming anyone at all.

Maybe I am a bit insane but this has helped me tremendously.

[–] Amanduh@lemm.ee 4 points 1 day ago

Great outlook i need to try this

[–] grumpusbumpus@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I read somewhere that if you're angry when you're driving, you're actually angry about something not driving-related. It's just manifesting while you're behind the wheel.

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[–] UltraGiGaGigantic@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 day ago

Stay in the basement. No driving required.

[–] pikanut@lemmy.ml 18 points 1 day ago

The realization of how truely alone I am when everything started collapsing after our house was sold and how my parents who supposedly were suppose to love me, don't love me and how I do have daddy issues because of this and I am not exactly as strong mentally as I thought of myself to be.

[–] ArgumentativeMonotheist@lemmy.world 27 points 1 day ago (2 children)

That I actually do have a bad temper and do get angry very easily, that my anger does not justify my verbal/physical reactions (nor was I 'right' just because I was angry) and that these reactions will hurt those I care about/those I don't care about but still didn't deserve my violence, which is a surefire way to end up in jail (perhaps) and in Hell (more likely).

For everyone who has similar issues, try to remember two things:

  1. Ambiguous behaviour does not mean aggressive behaviour.
  2. The flesh is weak. If you, in your anger, start a fight and perhaps just push someone and they crack their head and die/lose function, you'll never live it down, you will always be the guy who killed someone in anger (and not even righteous anger, you're just temperamental). And it can happen very quickly too! A good man cannot live with that, only a hell-bound one can, so either you'll be oppressed by your guilt or you'll realize you've lost your humanity and you're a full on psycho.
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[–] loaf@sh.itjust.works 88 points 2 days ago (11 children)

For me, it was “saying no doesn’t make me a bad person.” I was raised around extremely Christian people who emphasized that you should be there for everyone, even at the expense of self.

The problem is, people eventually take advantage of you. Also, when you finally say “no” to them, they act as though you’re a terrible person.

[–] plyth@feddit.org 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Also, when you finally say “no” to them, they act as though you’re a terrible person.

To them, it looks like they are the only person to which you say no. This means that you say no because of them. People don't like being questioned like that.

Add some assurance that the no is not personal.

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[–] keepcarrot@hexbear.net 22 points 2 days ago (7 children)

I dissociate and fawn pretty much constantly in most social situations. I do not feel in control. What most people know me as is a bunch of trauma responses. I feel like I'm watching myself have conversations and making "decisions" from another room.

It took me a long time to admit this to myself.

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[–] folaht@lemmy.ml 17 points 1 day ago (6 children)

My ADD is far worse than I thought and I should have noticed that decades ago.

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[–] pastermil@sh.itjust.works 27 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (6 children)

That life is truly a neverending struggle. Sure, you get to enjoy some of that struggle, and you can take a break every now and then. Nevertheless, the only time you're truly free from it is when you're dead.

No, I don't plan to end it immaturely. Please don't put me on suicide watch. I still have my people to take care of. 😅

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[–] bulwark@lemmy.world 67 points 2 days ago

I once had an Excedrin get stuck in my throat sideways. That was a pretty uncomfortable several hours of my life.

[–] daniskarma@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 points 1 day ago (4 children)
[–] UltraGiGaGigantic@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 day ago

So what? Sing all you want. Take a big fart in every kareoke bar you visit. Who cares?

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[–] tisktisk@piefed.social 42 points 2 days ago (8 children)

It's easy to do when we're all surrounded constantly by the paradox of money meaning nothing at all, but also the only material thing that dictates the action and activity of everything past and future

Biggest Pill I've had to swallow is that no matter much I love programming and will continue my computer hobbies for life. I will never make a profession out of it. I'm slowly coping with the fact that all my work will ultimately influence very nearly nothing at all...

[–] SorteKanin@feddit.dk 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I love programming and will continue my computer hobbies for life. I will never make a profession out of it

Why do you say that? Is it by choice or do you not see how you could make it a career?

I’m slowly coping with the fact that all my work will ultimately influence very nearly nothing at all…

What kind of impact were you hoping for? I mean lots of jobs have little "influence" - I would actually say almost all jobs. But that doesn't mean we are not all part of collective progress.

[–] tisktisk@piefed.social 6 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Could certainly be argued as a choice ultimately. I didn't quite finish my BS in CS, I'm entering my 30s with a wife that depends on me not leaving my decent and steady warehouse mgmt job atm. I've tried a couple of times--last time I was building a great portfolio maintaining a hobbyist arch distro, but I just never got past the interview stages. My network is too small, and the job market seems to be a dumpster fire with no upturn in sight.

I know these are excuses and ultimately it is a choice that I shouldn't give up on my dreams the way I am, but I wanted to answer your question as honestly as possible for some reason. As far as impact, it's basically been a lifelong dream of mine to just make software that helps improve the quality of life of as many sentient beings as I possibly can. I know it's immature and overly idealist, but I can't shake it

[–] SorteKanin@feddit.dk 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I don't think it's immature - I wish more people had that kind of motivation.

But you say you're entering your 30s. I'd just like to remind you how long time you actually still have. I studied computer science myself and I had multiple friends at the university in their 40s. People do switch up their careers if they want it enough. It is possible.

[–] tisktisk@piefed.social 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

These are the comments that do me in. Time to repolish the resume and my most practical projects. I can't believe I'm getting serious about this again, but I do believe in my drive, determination, and earnest passion to be the change I want to see in the software world. I know it's pointless, and I will almost certainly fail quite miserably, but I also know I have to go down swinging or my soul will rot from the regrets. I just have to fail better--I have to do it despite the pointlessness.

[–] SorteKanin@feddit.dk 3 points 1 day ago

There is nothing pointless about following your passions - in fact I'd say that is the only point of life. It's the opposite of pointless.

Maybe you need to reframe it as not failure, but progress. See how you get better and closer, not how you didn't reach the goal. It's about the journey.

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[–] Didros@beehaw.org 15 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Intelligence and depression go hand-in-hand. Thank God for drugs.

[–] SocialMediaRefugee@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 day ago (1 children)

My brother is so smart he can rationalize his way out of seeking help for his chronic depression. I once told him about a FREE depression meds trial and he said "I don't want to be artificially happy." I responded "So you'd rather be naturally miserable?"

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[–] hoshikarakitaridia@lemmy.world 35 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

You can do everything right that people taught you. But you only start living when you make mistakes, fuck up, and find the places where you belong, and a picture perfect life doesn't bring you happiness; it's rather shallow and lonely.

That paired with the realization that my mental disabilities will make me lonely for the rest of my life and there's only so much I can do about it without having breakdowns.

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[–] Ciderpunk@lemmy.world 38 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Since no one on here will ever know me…

It’s accepting that I have autism and that having autism is ok. My mom used “autistic” as an insult against me, the first time I remember was from age 5 as an attempt to control behavior she saw as undesirable. Running circles outside until I wore the grass out and flapping my hands about was something I needed to feel ashamed about according to her. And so I hid that and everything else she criticized so hard that I couldn’t accept that the reason I struggled so hard with a lot of things in my life wasn’t because I was just some innate failure but because I had an unaddressed condition that was she not only refused to help with but actively made worse.

To this day I still cannot do things like make eye contact, or tolerate being touched. But I’ve learned to not only accept myself for who I am, but accept that little boy who never understood why his own mother never seemed to be able to love him.

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[–] Shotgun_Alice@lemmy.world 11 points 1 day ago

Anxiety and taking care of others before I take care of myself.

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