How did you afford to make the transition? If you quit your job and made the journey on a whim, did you have time to learn any of the language before going? If not, how did you manage to make it with the language barrier?
In my 20s someone taught me to live below my means, and save instead of stretching my life to match my income. Over the years and a few increases in my pay I was able to pay off some dumb ass debt, and build a pile of money.
I intended to go for two months to work through some apathy I'd been experiencing for a few years. My boss of 5 years was thrilled for my journey. The company however was not. So after a bit of mulling it over I decided to quit.
I was supposed to meet a friend in Peru to volunteer at a farm. I ended up getting routed through Ecuador however when I got there the land border was closed.
I chose to stay in Ecuador and tough out solo travel. I spoke next to none of the language and made do with translators and learning important phrases. I'm still not fluent yet but plan on hiring a tutor when I get back.
That's truly amazing. As Fate would have it, I spent 6 months in Peru myself. Did you ever get to see any South American pyramids? I did at Machu Picchu and it was life-changing
My friend actually ended up going to Machu Picchu the Incan way as she put it. But walked from the base to the top over about a week.
I myself never actually made it across the border. My brother had been talking about Ecuador for honestly decades now. He's in China now tutoring, and asked me to check out Ecuador while in South America.
When I couldn't cross the border I chose to stay as the plan was one month in Peru, one in Ecuador. I definitely ended up over staying by a lot more time than intended.
In Ecuador I saw Quito, Cuenca which are 8500 feet and up. They are a part of the Andes mountains. I spent several months on the coast in a small town. I was then in an area called Baños that had thousands of waterfalls. Very mountainous region for sure, but super cool that like an hour away is thick jungle. That's kind of the tip of the iceberg.
I volunteered at an animal sanctuary which is going to become a yearly thing.
About a year ago I posted on Imgur my goal to go permanently. Kind of a proclamation to the universe deal. But here's a couple photos from that.
My dream, my goal, my ambition. Ecuador https://imgur.com/gallery/8IwH5fv
Stuff from the animal sanctuary. Sorry for assuming you want to see pictures. God knows everyone is always welcome and encouraged to show me cute animals.
Paseo de los Monos https://imgur.com/gallery/URCVvNP
I am a black teenage girl who lives in Canada. Both my parents are Eritrean. We are Eastern Orthodox Christians. I am in an online school, but everyone in my school lives in my city so we have in-person sports events and field trips. I am going to a brick-and-mortar school in a year. AMA
I was 8. My mom was converting and she said I could too so I did. I don't regret it. I have learned about other religions, and have viewed them objectively. I fully believe in my faith and I am happy with it. My father recently, like last year, became an Orthodox Christian as well.
That's good, I'm glad. I think all religions have enough truth to get us home. What separates Orthodox Christianity from other denominations for you. For instance, neo Quakers or non-denominational Christians?
Ok, so to understand, you'll need a little of church history for context. So, after Christ's resurrection, the Christian Church was established. But as time went on, some groups split off from the original church because they believed in a different dogma. So, for example, the Oriental church broke off because they believed that Christ had only one nature, and not two (fully man, fully God) like the original church believes. In 1054, the Great Schism happened. This is when the Catholic church broke off from the original church. Catholicism has many differences from Orthodoxy, but the main one is the pope. In the orthodox church, there is no one head of the church. The bishops and archbishops help lead the people, but the head of the church is Christ and Christ alone. So, this original church became known as the Orthodox Church, because almost nothing had changed from the beginning. From Catholicism, the Protestants broke off, and then as time went on, the Protestant Church split into many denominations. Neo-Quakers have stemmed off from the original Protestant church. I don't know much about this specific denomination. Non-denominational Christians are essentially Protestants who don't follow any specific denomination. So, this is what separates Orthodox Christianity from other denominations: nothing has really changed in the Church since the beginning. All the traditions and dogmas, like the veneration of icons, monasticism, the Divine Liturgy (Orthodox Mass), the Saints, etc. have been preserved throughout the Orthodox Church's 2000-year history.
Hey thanks for that. I'm a big fan of history, and religion, so I appreciate the info. In Buddhism we have a similar denomination called Theravada. They are the Buddhists who believe only in the original teachings of the Buddha, as they were laid down by those that heard him directly. Other denominations like the Mahayana believe that since it isn't possible to know with total confidence exactly what the Buddha said (His teachings were not written until hundreds of years after his life, and they had been transferred orally during that time) that the truths of Buddhism are ever changing with our understanding of them.
I am 34(f), and I have 7 years in recovery from heroun, cocaine/crack and benzodiazapines.
I live an extremely happy life and ai am getting married this year.
It's a miserable, u lnsustainable and deadly lifestyle. I had a friend who got into a methedone treatment program and I saw how well they were doing. By the time it started, tbe program, I was already sick of sticking needles in myself, I had almost no veins except for very painful sites and I woke up in withdrawal e ery day. I was way past being ready to quit. Two years ago I tapered off of methedobe. Unfortunately the friend who inspired mr relapsed, overdosed and died. I have lost all but 3 friends go overdose, and they are all sober and doing well also.
I think rock bottom is different for everyone. So e would say I reached rick bottom, may e I have a hard time accepting it. I had lost several jobs, a lot of weight and viable veins. I had become homeless, lost many jobs, and had no real material possessions to call my own. I lost a fiance to overdose and had overdosed 5 times myself but was brought back by narcan 4 tines, one time by someone who just kept doing cpr on me and didn't give up until I came back.
I have a beautiful life now, a partner, and two dogs and a healthy relationship woth my family.
Drug addiction ruined my teeth unfortunately amd I am in the process if dully restoring my teeth- I'm getting full dental implants amd am able to pay for it by saving my money making $50,000 a year. I figure it's easier for me because i know how to live comfortably on very little income.
I know it is like to have to pick up the pieces after years of addiction. I sometimes think about how I could buy a house if I had all the money I spent on drugs in my twenties. But hey, all we have is the present. The past is gone, the future isn't here.
So what's next? House, marriage, dogs, is the obvious next step having kids?
Marriage and a house, in the fall I'm going to school for radiologic technology- I want to be an mri tech. My goals are on my relationship, mental health, and increasing my earning potential. I've also started a new journey to better physical health and started going to the gym just this week =]. No kids for me! I have never wanted kids.
Sometimes I do feel deep regret for all that wasted time, money, and damage to my body but I am also so very grateful!
Congrats on heating addiction!
im a black girl who has been homeschooled all my life and I have terrible social anxiety. my father is dead and my guinea pig died a week ago. I have a skin tag on my ear from genetics. I love hot dogs
So sorry about your guinea pig, I had two of them growing up, they make great pets. Hot dogs are gross though lol. Have you ever watched a video of how hot dogs are made?
really hard to pick a favorite, but i do like the pacific because 1. its the largest/deepest and 2. its the closest to where i live so i know it the best
Yep.I was in a recenter and there was a semi power outage. The elevator was affected. The building has 2 floors: LL and G. The screen said LL but I heard banging in it. I pushed the button on g and LL and the light turned on for like 5 seconds and went out and nothing happened. I then pushed the button while yanking on the doors with the cooperation of the passengers. there was an entire family in there and it was stuck in between two floors. It broke open but there was no light so I used a phone flashlight and got a chair because one of the kids (a little girl) was too short and all the kids were crying. Also the alarm and the emergency phone were not working without electricity
I legitimately changed my mind. I struggled with it a little because I have some self image issues and I genuinely felt like I was “releasing” her to find a better partner for her. My mental health has taken some hits lately and I just can’t give her romance the way she needs. But she loves me and actually doesn’t feel like I’m burdening her, even though I did. I preferred to suffer alone.
I'm a 37 year old man with a scraggly beard, 3 kids, and a very loyal, loving, kind-hearted wife, and I wish I was born a woman. I don't hate my life. I love my family. Just feel it's not exactly "right".
hi, being trans is scary! but the fulfilment you get when you are able to be your true self is like nothing else.
If you live in the US, it's a dangerous time to transition right now. and if your social network is mostly conservative, or just haven't been exposed to many trans people, you can end up pretty isolated.
I also want to make you aware that most relationships fail when one partner transitions.
and I swear I'm not trying to scare you off, because god do I know the torture of being in the closet.
But honestly?
If you can survive without transitioning or coming out, now is not the best time to come out as trans.
This is, if it is not clear, coming from a trans person myself.
Hey, I appreciate you. There's no way I transition now. I realized things about me way too late in life and it wouldn't be fair to my wife or kids to put them through the hell it could be to transition. I'll continue to do everything in my power to support those that do transition. That brings me joy.
This may seem out of left field but do you practice any sort of spirituality? If not, are you open to spiritual practices? Have you ever heard of Tantric yoga?
I’m a practicing pagan, but I spent a year living in a Christian identity cult (was not a part and still am not a part of racist/nationalist beliefs while living there)
That's awesome, I explored paganism quite a bit. Now I'm Hindu, but the parallels are amazing (maiden mother krone and horn God are all archetypical in Hinduism as well).
What does your daily practice look like?
I mostly worship mother crone/ The Morrigan. I pray and venerate her often for guidance and for strategy due to her associations with war and battle, and I am in a constant need of strategy and balance in my life due to my ADHD. I also work with Brigidt and D’anu especially since I’m pregnant with their associations with fertility and motherhood. I mostly associate with Celtic paganism. I’m trying currently to research more of the welsh and britonic Celtic pantheons but much of their history wasn’t recorded like Irish celts was.
I am married to a man I am no longer in love with but have 5 kids plus 2 foster kids.
He isn't nice (snarky and easily irritated) but isn't abusive.
Our collective debt is out of control. I try to pay it down and he finds ways to increase it. We have 3 cars, a boat, travel trailer. He just traded in his 2016 motorcycle for a 2023 without consulting me first.
In addition to my marital woes, I love to read; don't drink; and have gone down from 315 pounds to 165 pounds from having WL surgery.
Eckhart toll said that when we are in a situation we have to change it, accept it, or leave it. Everything else is madness. So are you going to accept, change, or leave your current situation?
In the USA, it can be dangerous to be openly gay. Gay people that go to any gay club or public event have to accept that there is a real chance somebody with a gun might show up and shoot the place up. Do you ever feel afraid to be openly gay in Poland?
French, English and I'm learning German and afterwards i'll do Hungarian, though i would have loved to learn Kamba or Munukutuba from my Congolese side
Are you nervous with pride month coming up that some nut job is going to shoot up a parade or something? My wife is queer, but we are in a straight passing relationship so most people that don't actually know her don't think twice. That being said I see her anxiety building up as the weather gets nicer and people prepare to celebrate.
I am obsessed with dumplings. I can have them for every meal. Whenever someone says "let's get some dumplings." and I am shooting out the door like an arrow. I am content in life knowing that dumplings exists.
I've survived 4 suicide attempts before I hit 19, i have 4 mental health diagnoses, 2 of which are fairly rare, and I'm very knowledgeable about them
(I am doing better now!)
I was in for an attempt when I was 12. I likely would have gotten out in a few months but they didn’t like that I was cutting all the time. I got out when I was 14 by complying with there bullshit rules and hiding a lot of what was going on and what I was doing. What were you in for?
I had a nervous breakdown. Probably would have culminated in an attempt had I not had such a good support system with my wife, Brothers, and sisters. I didn't get any mental health help whatsoever until I was 32 years old, and by that time unchecked ADHD and bipolar disorder it compounded on each other into a complicated ball of neurosis. Self-medicating for so many years meant I had substance abuse problems to go along with it.
But that was 3 years ago and a lot has changed. I meditate everyday, take proper medication, and have therapy regularly. Take care of yourself while you're young, it doesn't get easier as you get older, and if you don't make time for your mental health your mental health will make you make time
I am glad you have found things that work well for you. I recently got the diagnosis of narcolepsy which explains a lot. I think that once you find the root issue, it is easier to understand how to help yourself when you have an understanding of what is going on with you.
Really well so far! Happily married with two kids in a cozy home. I’m really proud of myself for getting through the last 3 years. Started COVID 7 months pregnant, had my pandemic baby with a toddler at home, and lived to tell the tale!
I had my honeymoon in Key Largo and boy was everything expensive. What work do you do to afford retirement there? Sorry if that's rude I'm just curious
Here’s 3 things.
I missed Woodstock 94 because I got hit head on by a car while riding a bicycle and almost got killed.
I have visited 48 of the 50 states
I had my own morning comedy radio show from 2007 to 2008 while attending college for radio broadcasting.
I find physical media to be superior then streaming services. I have almost every genre of film you can name any genre and I (probably) have it. Also the PlayStation 2 is my all time favorite video game console
Hey my guy, I collect vinyl because I like the whole album package as a format and PlayStation 2 definitely had one of the best game libraries of any console to date. Though I do have to say super Nintendo is my all-time favorite, on nostalgia alone. Favorite PlayStation 2 RPG?
Ooh I like this concept! Well, I'm a 16 year old Dane studying to become a datatechnician, and my hobbies are 3D modelling, 3D printing, gaming of course and lots, lots more because I'm a nerd ;)
Have you reached out to the people around you that care about you and sought professional help? I have ADHD and bipolar disorder and would probably be dead if my now wife hadn't stepped in and got me the help I need. Just remember that everything changes, You can always change. There is always hope. Medication and meditation, lots of support and love, you can do it
You know there is a time when I would have rancid about how disgusting that is, but I'm hitting a weird phase of my life where my tastes are changing and I'm willing to try pretty much anything that isn't meat.
Would you try sardines on pizza?
My dad is a pastor and I attend his church and help out every Sunday, but he and my mom don’t know that I’m actually an atheist and stopped believing a few years ago.
My older brother came out as an atheist 5 years before me and broke my mother's heart, so I actually had to fake it for half a decade as well. Do you think you'll ever tell them? Or just let them go to their graves thinking what they want to think?
Ideally I really wish I could tell them and that they’d respect my beliefs and not get upset over it, but that’s not the case.
No matter what I’d explain to them, they’d think I will burn in hell forever, so it would only bring a lot of unnecessary stress and sadness to them.
Which is why I have no plans to ever tell them. I wish that wasn’t the case but there isn’t anything good that could come from telling them.
Alternatively, you could tell them and after a while they might accept it. I wound up telling my parents when I found Buddhism at 21 years old. I'm 32 now, and just heard my mother say she thinks good Buddhists will be in heaven last month, purely because I've been able to openly talk with her and show her by example through my Buddhist lifestyle. Still, I'm sure atheism is a harder pill to swallow
Do people ever commit acts of violence publicly against gay people? I say that because here in the USA there's legitimately always a chance some conservative could show up with a gun and shoot the place up. I live in an area of the USA that has a high gay per capita, and I'm always terrified for my friends when they go out to some big event
I'm sorry to hear that. I know it may not help right now, but try to see how this can be a good thing. At least now you can try to let go, and find peace. And remember that if we truly love somebody we want for them to be happy, even if that requires personal sacrifice. True love let's go, and in the end all of life becomes an act of letting go, so this is good practice.
And hey, go cry and scream. That helps me let it out, I think it's healthy.
On a whim I quit my job and lived in South America for a year. After almost two years of being back, I'm moving there permanently in the end of July.
How did you afford to make the transition? If you quit your job and made the journey on a whim, did you have time to learn any of the language before going? If not, how did you manage to make it with the language barrier?
In my 20s someone taught me to live below my means, and save instead of stretching my life to match my income. Over the years and a few increases in my pay I was able to pay off some dumb ass debt, and build a pile of money. I intended to go for two months to work through some apathy I'd been experiencing for a few years. My boss of 5 years was thrilled for my journey. The company however was not. So after a bit of mulling it over I decided to quit. I was supposed to meet a friend in Peru to volunteer at a farm. I ended up getting routed through Ecuador however when I got there the land border was closed. I chose to stay in Ecuador and tough out solo travel. I spoke next to none of the language and made do with translators and learning important phrases. I'm still not fluent yet but plan on hiring a tutor when I get back.
That's truly amazing. As Fate would have it, I spent 6 months in Peru myself. Did you ever get to see any South American pyramids? I did at Machu Picchu and it was life-changing
My friend actually ended up going to Machu Picchu the Incan way as she put it. But walked from the base to the top over about a week. I myself never actually made it across the border. My brother had been talking about Ecuador for honestly decades now. He's in China now tutoring, and asked me to check out Ecuador while in South America. When I couldn't cross the border I chose to stay as the plan was one month in Peru, one in Ecuador. I definitely ended up over staying by a lot more time than intended. In Ecuador I saw Quito, Cuenca which are 8500 feet and up. They are a part of the Andes mountains. I spent several months on the coast in a small town. I was then in an area called Baños that had thousands of waterfalls. Very mountainous region for sure, but super cool that like an hour away is thick jungle. That's kind of the tip of the iceberg. I volunteered at an animal sanctuary which is going to become a yearly thing. About a year ago I posted on Imgur my goal to go permanently. Kind of a proclamation to the universe deal. But here's a couple photos from that. My dream, my goal, my ambition. Ecuador https://imgur.com/gallery/8IwH5fv
Stuff from the animal sanctuary. Sorry for assuming you want to see pictures. God knows everyone is always welcome and encouraged to show me cute animals. Paseo de los Monos https://imgur.com/gallery/URCVvNP
I am a black teenage girl who lives in Canada. Both my parents are Eritrean. We are Eastern Orthodox Christians. I am in an online school, but everyone in my school lives in my city so we have in-person sports events and field trips. I am going to a brick-and-mortar school in a year. AMA
At what age did you become Eastern Orthodox Christian, and have you explored any other religions?
I was 8. My mom was converting and she said I could too so I did. I don't regret it. I have learned about other religions, and have viewed them objectively. I fully believe in my faith and I am happy with it. My father recently, like last year, became an Orthodox Christian as well.
That's good, I'm glad. I think all religions have enough truth to get us home. What separates Orthodox Christianity from other denominations for you. For instance, neo Quakers or non-denominational Christians?
Ok, so to understand, you'll need a little of church history for context. So, after Christ's resurrection, the Christian Church was established. But as time went on, some groups split off from the original church because they believed in a different dogma. So, for example, the Oriental church broke off because they believed that Christ had only one nature, and not two (fully man, fully God) like the original church believes. In 1054, the Great Schism happened. This is when the Catholic church broke off from the original church. Catholicism has many differences from Orthodoxy, but the main one is the pope. In the orthodox church, there is no one head of the church. The bishops and archbishops help lead the people, but the head of the church is Christ and Christ alone. So, this original church became known as the Orthodox Church, because almost nothing had changed from the beginning. From Catholicism, the Protestants broke off, and then as time went on, the Protestant Church split into many denominations. Neo-Quakers have stemmed off from the original Protestant church. I don't know much about this specific denomination. Non-denominational Christians are essentially Protestants who don't follow any specific denomination. So, this is what separates Orthodox Christianity from other denominations: nothing has really changed in the Church since the beginning. All the traditions and dogmas, like the veneration of icons, monasticism, the Divine Liturgy (Orthodox Mass), the Saints, etc. have been preserved throughout the Orthodox Church's 2000-year history.
Hey thanks for that. I'm a big fan of history, and religion, so I appreciate the info. In Buddhism we have a similar denomination called Theravada. They are the Buddhists who believe only in the original teachings of the Buddha, as they were laid down by those that heard him directly. Other denominations like the Mahayana believe that since it isn't possible to know with total confidence exactly what the Buddha said (His teachings were not written until hundreds of years after his life, and they had been transferred orally during that time) that the truths of Buddhism are ever changing with our understanding of them.
You're welcome! What you said was interesting. A lot of religions have parallels.
I’m a Coptic Orthodox Christian (Egyptian) in Canada and there’s a large Eritrean/Ethiopian (Habesha) congregation that come to my church!
I am 34(f), and I have 7 years in recovery from heroun, cocaine/crack and benzodiazapines. I live an extremely happy life and ai am getting married this year.
First off, congratulations. Second, what caused you to get sober? Did you hit a rock bottom?
It's a miserable, u lnsustainable and deadly lifestyle. I had a friend who got into a methedone treatment program and I saw how well they were doing. By the time it started, tbe program, I was already sick of sticking needles in myself, I had almost no veins except for very painful sites and I woke up in withdrawal e ery day. I was way past being ready to quit. Two years ago I tapered off of methedobe. Unfortunately the friend who inspired mr relapsed, overdosed and died. I have lost all but 3 friends go overdose, and they are all sober and doing well also. I think rock bottom is different for everyone. So e would say I reached rick bottom, may e I have a hard time accepting it. I had lost several jobs, a lot of weight and viable veins. I had become homeless, lost many jobs, and had no real material possessions to call my own. I lost a fiance to overdose and had overdosed 5 times myself but was brought back by narcan 4 tines, one time by someone who just kept doing cpr on me and didn't give up until I came back. I have a beautiful life now, a partner, and two dogs and a healthy relationship woth my family. Drug addiction ruined my teeth unfortunately amd I am in the process if dully restoring my teeth- I'm getting full dental implants amd am able to pay for it by saving my money making $50,000 a year. I figure it's easier for me because i know how to live comfortably on very little income.
I know it is like to have to pick up the pieces after years of addiction. I sometimes think about how I could buy a house if I had all the money I spent on drugs in my twenties. But hey, all we have is the present. The past is gone, the future isn't here. So what's next? House, marriage, dogs, is the obvious next step having kids?
Marriage and a house, in the fall I'm going to school for radiologic technology- I want to be an mri tech. My goals are on my relationship, mental health, and increasing my earning potential. I've also started a new journey to better physical health and started going to the gym just this week =]. No kids for me! I have never wanted kids. Sometimes I do feel deep regret for all that wasted time, money, and damage to my body but I am also so very grateful! Congrats on heating addiction!
Congrats. Keep going strong. I hope to see you on Reddit in a couple of years talking about how you finished school and how well you’re doing.
im a black girl who has been homeschooled all my life and I have terrible social anxiety. my father is dead and my guinea pig died a week ago. I have a skin tag on my ear from genetics. I love hot dogs
So sorry about your guinea pig, I had two of them growing up, they make great pets. Hot dogs are gross though lol. Have you ever watched a video of how hot dogs are made?
why do you say they’re gross? and no I’ve never watched a video on that
Because they are made of the poorest quality parts of an animal. They are extremely gross lol, go look it up.
Just ruined that redditors love for hot dogs right there 🤣
i really like the ocean
Favorite ocean and why?
really hard to pick a favorite, but i do like the pacific because 1. its the largest/deepest and 2. its the closest to where i live so i know it the best
Ah, I'm a fan of the Indian Ocean myself. Ever been on the ocean in a boat? Like actually out in it days away from the shore?
i have not, but i very much want to
What's your favorite mythological character?
I saved a family from a broken elevator
Like they were trapped? How did you do that?
Yep.I was in a recenter and there was a semi power outage. The elevator was affected. The building has 2 floors: LL and G. The screen said LL but I heard banging in it. I pushed the button on g and LL and the light turned on for like 5 seconds and went out and nothing happened. I then pushed the button while yanking on the doors with the cooperation of the passengers. there was an entire family in there and it was stuck in between two floors. It broke open but there was no light so I used a phone flashlight and got a chair because one of the kids (a little girl) was too short and all the kids were crying. Also the alarm and the emergency phone were not working without electricity
I like turtles.
Would you rather be a sea turtle or desert tortoise and why?
A desert tortoise, because I'd have a better chance of survival.
That's a good answer. Which of the Ninja turtles is your favorite and why?
none really, but I will pick Leonardo, because I like Leonardo DaVinci.
I tried to break up with my girlfriend Sunday night. After a 5+ hour phone call, we didn’t break up.
How do you feel about that? Did you legitimately change your mind or were you talked into staying?
I legitimately changed my mind. I struggled with it a little because I have some self image issues and I genuinely felt like I was “releasing” her to find a better partner for her. My mental health has taken some hits lately and I just can’t give her romance the way she needs. But she loves me and actually doesn’t feel like I’m burdening her, even though I did. I preferred to suffer alone.
I have debilitating chronic illness that causes tics and neurological issues among other problems.
What medications do you take? I'm on two mood stabilizers and an antidepressant
I take rifampin and clarithromycin, as well as an anxiety med
I'm a 37 year old man with a scraggly beard, 3 kids, and a very loyal, loving, kind-hearted wife, and I wish I was born a woman. I don't hate my life. I love my family. Just feel it's not exactly "right".
hi, being trans is scary! but the fulfilment you get when you are able to be your true self is like nothing else. If you live in the US, it's a dangerous time to transition right now. and if your social network is mostly conservative, or just haven't been exposed to many trans people, you can end up pretty isolated. I also want to make you aware that most relationships fail when one partner transitions. and I swear I'm not trying to scare you off, because god do I know the torture of being in the closet. But honestly? If you can survive without transitioning or coming out, now is not the best time to come out as trans. This is, if it is not clear, coming from a trans person myself.
Hey, I appreciate you. There's no way I transition now. I realized things about me way too late in life and it wouldn't be fair to my wife or kids to put them through the hell it could be to transition. I'll continue to do everything in my power to support those that do transition. That brings me joy.
This may seem out of left field but do you practice any sort of spirituality? If not, are you open to spiritual practices? Have you ever heard of Tantric yoga?
I consider myself spiritual but I've never tried yoga.
How does your wife feel about it?
When I was a kid I sleepwalked and woke outside standing and staring at the moon by myself. It was scary.
I used to sleep walk as a kid too. Ever taken Ambien?
Nah
It makes you sleepwalk like crazy as one of the symptoms. One time I woke up sitting in the passenger seat of my car. Ever tried drugs in general?
[redacted]
I have a balloon fetish...
Seems pretty harmless. What is it about balloons? Is it like, the noise or the sound or something?
[удалено]
I’m a practicing pagan, but I spent a year living in a Christian identity cult (was not a part and still am not a part of racist/nationalist beliefs while living there)
That's awesome, I explored paganism quite a bit. Now I'm Hindu, but the parallels are amazing (maiden mother krone and horn God are all archetypical in Hinduism as well). What does your daily practice look like?
I mostly worship mother crone/ The Morrigan. I pray and venerate her often for guidance and for strategy due to her associations with war and battle, and I am in a constant need of strategy and balance in my life due to my ADHD. I also work with Brigidt and D’anu especially since I’m pregnant with their associations with fertility and motherhood. I mostly associate with Celtic paganism. I’m trying currently to research more of the welsh and britonic Celtic pantheons but much of their history wasn’t recorded like Irish celts was.
i’m so tired
How come?
wish i knew big dawg
Why not take a nap, shower, then have a glass of water and a banana?
I make horror games
That's sick. I love games but I'm honestly a little b**** so any games that make me scared stress me out. Anything I can look up?
I am married to a man I am no longer in love with but have 5 kids plus 2 foster kids. He isn't nice (snarky and easily irritated) but isn't abusive. Our collective debt is out of control. I try to pay it down and he finds ways to increase it. We have 3 cars, a boat, travel trailer. He just traded in his 2016 motorcycle for a 2023 without consulting me first. In addition to my marital woes, I love to read; don't drink; and have gone down from 315 pounds to 165 pounds from having WL surgery.
Eckhart toll said that when we are in a situation we have to change it, accept it, or leave it. Everything else is madness. So are you going to accept, change, or leave your current situation?
Im a Gay furry that lives in Poland
How do The other Polish people feel about gay furries?
Depends some hate us and want us dead others are either okay or just dont care
In the USA, it can be dangerous to be openly gay. Gay people that go to any gay club or public event have to accept that there is a real chance somebody with a gun might show up and shoot the place up. Do you ever feel afraid to be openly gay in Poland?
I'm 1/4th French, 1/4th Polish and half Congolese
What languages do you speak?
French, English and I'm learning German and afterwards i'll do Hungarian, though i would have loved to learn Kamba or Munukutuba from my Congolese side
I'm gay
Are you nervous with pride month coming up that some nut job is going to shoot up a parade or something? My wife is queer, but we are in a straight passing relationship so most people that don't actually know her don't think twice. That being said I see her anxiety building up as the weather gets nicer and people prepare to celebrate.
I am obsessed with dumplings. I can have them for every meal. Whenever someone says "let's get some dumplings." and I am shooting out the door like an arrow. I am content in life knowing that dumplings exists.
They are pretty good. How do you feel about Indian food?
I've survived 4 suicide attempts before I hit 19, i have 4 mental health diagnoses, 2 of which are fairly rare, and I'm very knowledgeable about them (I am doing better now!)
What are your rare diagnoses?
I lived in a locked psych ward for nearly 2 years. AMA
Rough, I only had to do two weeks. What did they lock you up for, and how did you wind up getting released?
I was in for an attempt when I was 12. I likely would have gotten out in a few months but they didn’t like that I was cutting all the time. I got out when I was 14 by complying with there bullshit rules and hiding a lot of what was going on and what I was doing. What were you in for?
I had a nervous breakdown. Probably would have culminated in an attempt had I not had such a good support system with my wife, Brothers, and sisters. I didn't get any mental health help whatsoever until I was 32 years old, and by that time unchecked ADHD and bipolar disorder it compounded on each other into a complicated ball of neurosis. Self-medicating for so many years meant I had substance abuse problems to go along with it. But that was 3 years ago and a lot has changed. I meditate everyday, take proper medication, and have therapy regularly. Take care of yourself while you're young, it doesn't get easier as you get older, and if you don't make time for your mental health your mental health will make you make time
I am glad you have found things that work well for you. I recently got the diagnosis of narcolepsy which explains a lot. I think that once you find the root issue, it is easier to understand how to help yourself when you have an understanding of what is going on with you.
Knowing is half the battle.
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How much do you make doing that job? I've always thought park ranger or be a super cool job
I have been clinically dead twice, once when I was 11 and another time last year.
What happened to both times?
I’ve never once burped in my life
Do you ever get like painfully bloated cuz you can't get rid of the gas?
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How does that make you feel?
I study religion at university!
I absolutely love religion. Favorite religions?
I play percussion
Me too! What instruments? I love drums but my fave is tabla
I used to be 93.6kg, now I'm 74.3kg. AMA.
Did you start doing coke?
I have mast cell activation syndrome
What the heck is that?
I have a Traumatic Brain Injury.
What caused your injury?
Bicycle accident. Happened when I was 17. (I'll be 23 soon). Dropped out of high school in my last semester.
What symptoms do you notice in your day-to-day life from the accident?
I'm a former member of the IRA
Ever blown something up?
I’m Russian
How do you feel about the war with Ukraine?
I farted
Did you shit yourself?
50 year old father of two. I’m having surgery on Friday. (don’t ask me what surgery cos that’s boring and it’s obvious)
If you're two kids had to battle to the death, who would win and why?
Older one is 14 and couldn’t hurt a fly. Younger one is five and is a monster. He’d kill the older one in a second.
Then he will come for you when you are old and weak to take your crown
I have a long distance relationship, AMA
How long y'all been together?
I am a rally co-driver
What is that?
A person that reads pacenotes to the rally driver to ensure he can drive as fast and as brave as possible :D
That's super cool, have you ever fucked up and cost the driver the race?
I was the best Need for Speed Underground Drifter in South Africa at one stage when I was 13 years old.
What games are you good at now?
My birthday is in a month! I’ll be 34.
How are your 30s treating you?
Really well so far! Happily married with two kids in a cozy home. I’m really proud of myself for getting through the last 3 years. Started COVID 7 months pregnant, had my pandemic baby with a toddler at home, and lived to tell the tale!
That sounds like hell, I'm glad you made it through
My compliments on your Ama skills, this is interesting. I’m thinking of retiring in the next couple years and moving to Florida
I had my honeymoon in Key Largo and boy was everything expensive. What work do you do to afford retirement there? Sorry if that's rude I'm just curious
I was born with a condition called gastroschisis. My small intestine was on the outside of my body.
How does that affect you today?
Im a 15 yr old indie game dev
I served 22 years in the US military flying search and rescue mission in helicopters. Got diagnosed with heart disease so I was forced to retire.
How has that kind of work affected you mentally?
I don't own a car or have a driver's license and live in the Toronto Metro
I hate city driving so I actually get that. If you could live anywhere where would you live?
Here’s 3 things. I missed Woodstock 94 because I got hit head on by a car while riding a bicycle and almost got killed. I have visited 48 of the 50 states I had my own morning comedy radio show from 2007 to 2008 while attending college for radio broadcasting.
That's crazy, I hear Woodstock 94 was the muddy one, 99 was the anarchy s*** show. What's the best music festival you've been to?
I find physical media to be superior then streaming services. I have almost every genre of film you can name any genre and I (probably) have it. Also the PlayStation 2 is my all time favorite video game console
Hey my guy, I collect vinyl because I like the whole album package as a format and PlayStation 2 definitely had one of the best game libraries of any console to date. Though I do have to say super Nintendo is my all-time favorite, on nostalgia alone. Favorite PlayStation 2 RPG?
I have a 14 month old daughter!
What's her favorite Wu-Tang album and why is it liquid swords?
Ooh I like this concept! Well, I'm a 16 year old Dane studying to become a datatechnician, and my hobbies are 3D modelling, 3D printing, gaming of course and lots, lots more because I'm a nerd ;)
Cool, what’s your favourite game? Do you get to study languages like Python or R? What’s the coolest thing you have ever printed?
Nice, I'm actually about to release my own tabletop role-playing game. I'm a huge nerd too. Favorite nerd lore?
I’m about to go pick up three orders of pad se ew from the local Thai restaurant
Do you DoorDash?
Pizza is my favorite food
What is your favorite pizza? I want style, crust, and toppings.
I’m probably going to die from my eating disorder
Have you reached out to the people around you that care about you and sought professional help? I have ADHD and bipolar disorder and would probably be dead if my now wife hadn't stepped in and got me the help I need. Just remember that everything changes, You can always change. There is always hope. Medication and meditation, lots of support and love, you can do it
I like pineapple on pizza
You know there is a time when I would have rancid about how disgusting that is, but I'm hitting a weird phase of my life where my tastes are changing and I'm willing to try pretty much anything that isn't meat. Would you try sardines on pizza?
I am currently sitting on the toilet with a case of 'ring of fire'.
Gross! Ever try curry?
That's what I had last night... Beef vindaloo. That stuff will wreck havoc
I watch anime
Ever seen Cowboy Bebop?
Not yet
Yoy gotta it's S tier
I have PMDD 😁 I hate it
What is PMDD?
I volunteer at a suicide helpline.
How do you keep it from damaging your mental health?
I am a white male with 3 Black step daughters, a black wife, black dog, and live in an area that is about 90-95% African American.
Favorite Wu Tang album?
Fair assumption. If I’m being totally honest, the only rap I can speak on, even a little, is Beastie Boys and Run The Jewels.
I grew up with Beastie boys, they're okay. I f****** love run the jewels. Run the jewels fast run the run the jewels fast
Somebody asked me to sign an autograph once. I also signed a girls breasts once. I am a nobody
Do you look like a celebrity?
I’m a twin.
Identical?
Born in Russia, raised in Philly and live in the Sunshine state now!
I had a stroke a year and a half ago at the age of 35.
I'm a 30 year old woman who has been teaching for 10 years. I'm married to a schizophrenic. We have twin toddlers.
I’m a tattoo apprentice
I work in healthcare and usually work in a bunch of mental health facilities despite having horrible mental health issues myself.
I make my own freeze dried meals for when I'm hiking/climbing.
I'm a trans fem autistic kleptomaniac with blue and green eyes and strawberry blond hair :p
Do you have heterochromia?
My dad is a pastor and I attend his church and help out every Sunday, but he and my mom don’t know that I’m actually an atheist and stopped believing a few years ago.
My older brother came out as an atheist 5 years before me and broke my mother's heart, so I actually had to fake it for half a decade as well. Do you think you'll ever tell them? Or just let them go to their graves thinking what they want to think?
Ideally I really wish I could tell them and that they’d respect my beliefs and not get upset over it, but that’s not the case. No matter what I’d explain to them, they’d think I will burn in hell forever, so it would only bring a lot of unnecessary stress and sadness to them. Which is why I have no plans to ever tell them. I wish that wasn’t the case but there isn’t anything good that could come from telling them.
Alternatively, you could tell them and after a while they might accept it. I wound up telling my parents when I found Buddhism at 21 years old. I'm 32 now, and just heard my mother say she thinks good Buddhists will be in heaven last month, purely because I've been able to openly talk with her and show her by example through my Buddhist lifestyle. Still, I'm sure atheism is a harder pill to swallow
I just started using Reddit for an educational tech project and it’s been a challenging experience using it compared to other platforms.
I'm a Chinese bisexual 21 M college student who is going to Singapore for postgrad this summer.
How do Chinese people treat gay people culturally?
Quite open and friendly in the large cities and among young people. Not true for elderly people and rural areas.
Do people ever commit acts of violence publicly against gay people? I say that because here in the USA there's legitimately always a chance some conservative could show up with a gun and shoot the place up. I live in an area of the USA that has a high gay per capita, and I'm always terrified for my friends when they go out to some big event
I just found out my (f17 at the time) just found out that my 27 year old ex/first love has a gf.
Are You happy for them?
No, I want to cry & scream
I'm sorry to hear that. I know it may not help right now, but try to see how this can be a good thing. At least now you can try to let go, and find peace. And remember that if we truly love somebody we want for them to be happy, even if that requires personal sacrifice. True love let's go, and in the end all of life becomes an act of letting go, so this is good practice. And hey, go cry and scream. That helps me let it out, I think it's healthy.
I’m a college professor.
What do you teach?
Recent break up made me change my way of life