Posts by quiethound45

quiethound45 said:Yeah, I've always been pretty interested in human psychology too.😬

Honestly, major props to outoftheblue! 🙂

She’s being really brave here. Most people these days don't want to admit they're just being lazy or feeling unhappy, let alone dealing with a mental health struggle or something more serious... admitting that is a huge deal, and I guess it's actually a step toward a better life, since you aren't hiding who you really are anymore.🙂
We're all imperfect and have our flaws—but if you just hide them and pretend everything is fine, you'll just end up miserable. I think it's better to just be realistic and not feel ashamed of who you are.😬

ana said:I tried weed twice. The first time, I didn't feel anything at all, and the second time, I felt absolutely terrible—I honestly thought I was going to die. I guess it also had something to do with how much alcohol I'd had... I haven't touched it since because I'm pretty scared.😠

You really shouldn't drink or smoke—not at the same time. It just makes you feel sick, gives you intense nausea, and makes your head spin.🙂
It’s either one or the other...
And it can be pretty unpleasant until you figure out how to handle it. The first time I did it, I genuinely thought I was dying and wanted to call 911 and everything. Luckily, everyone else there had more experience, so things turned out okay in the end, but I think someone needs to guide you through those first few times... though most of the stuff people use these days (like that chemically processed junk that I 👎) is actually pretty weak, so you aren't really going to die. It's mostly just good for enhancing things...
But if it doesn't suit you, it just doesn't suit you. You need to be with the right group of people who can help steer you through it. That's why I usually only light up when I know we're going to be laughing our heads off... I don't laugh nearly as much in real life anymore. I guess I'm just growing up, so that's just part of it.😢

Anyway, I won't ramble on about this any longer; I'll get back to the main topic.😬

Taylor Howard36 said:Hey, I don't really feel like digging through the threads right now, so I apologize if you've already shared this. When did you and your husband actually meet? Was it before you got sick, or maybe during your recovery?

Poor girl, we're really putting her on the spot here...😳 😬
Personally, I find this incredibly interesting. I've always been drawn to studying psychology, and it’s pretty rare to find someone willing to be open about their struggles and have an honest conversation about them. So, out of the blue, kudos to you.👍 😘

briskgull27 said:I heard about this woman who took her own life recently; she lost her father and brother and was struggling with schizophrenia.

There’s just so much tragedy involving suicide when people dealing with schizophrenia have an episode... I had a relative who ended up killing himself during one of those breaks because he imagined things and jumped from a high-rise window... but he was really far gone. The medication wasn't helping at all. He’d be climbing on furniture, self-harming, tearing up the house, or acting out violently toward people... it was constant. And I guess the worst part is that when you're actually in the middle of one of those episodes, you might not even realize what you're doing, right?

briskgull27 said:I’m feeling pretty wiped out from the weed right now; everything feels heavy and I just want to sleep.
But they say doctors love to light up sometimes, too.😎

They sure do...😉
Personally, I'm not a big fan... honestly, it's the only thing I touch just to clear my head a bit. Alcohol makes me feel sick and leaves me totally out of commission the next day, and when it comes to harder stuff—thanks, but no thanks.
I actually enjoy reading up on how it works... so I was wondering how you experience it. Some people seem to go totally wild on it... getting hyper or aggressive, which always strikes me as odd because with the crowd I hang out with, I'm either laughing so hard I can barely breathe, or it just mellows me out and I relax... (and eventually, I'm either asleep or raiding the fridge).
I've even wondered if it could be a great way to help manage certain illnesses since it seems to help people unwind and slow down, so I'm genuinely curious why it doesn't sit well with you.🙂
Then again, I guess everyone reacts to it differently...

outoftheblue said:So, they're claiming that smoking marijuana can actually trigger certain symptoms😂

Are you serious? Does it make someone aggressive or lose their mind or something? I thought it was supposed to be great for relaxing and just chilling out.

Ida Bauer said:I was asking because I’ve noticed—though maybe I'm wrong—that people with schizophrenia often come from dysfunctional families (just like people dealing with other mental health issues).
I suppose the onset of schizophrenia is probably a combination of genetics and environment.

That's true..
outoftheblue, I was wondering—what do you think caused this for you? It's a bit of a silly question, I know, but we all tend to wonder at some point: why me?
If it isn't genetic, have you ever thought about what might have actually led you to this point?
My dad's cousin's ex-husband had schizophrenia, and their son ended up inheriting it... the son took his own life, and the divorce was a mess (he's started a new family now). I was pretty young back then, so I don't really remember her first family, but my dad told me some things about it... honestly, it sounds pretty grim.

outoftheblue said:I find it easier to just keep my distance from people.
I tend to have high expectations, so I get frustrated pretty quickly.

That’s honestly true too..🙂

normall said:@quiethound45

Ever heard that old saying?

Every season brings its own weight.

Those teenage years are long gone, and as you grow up and mature, you start noticing how much people's behavior shifts.
It’s not just you changing; everyone else is evolving too. Maybe you were the one being difficult back in the day, or maybe someone used to talk about you behind your back—who knows?

I guess over time, we should probably stop worrying so much about how we judge others or how they perceive us. It might be that our own self-image isn't always perfectly accurate anyway. 😉

There's some truth to that... though I can't help but feel like people are becoming increasingly unhinged because of the era we're living in.
I remember being that kid on the subway, giggling along with my friends and driving people crazy, but now those same people are the ones getting on my nerves. Everything feels different now. Today's teenagers seem way more intense than we ever were—definitely more oblivious. We actually understood where the line was.
I remember once an old man on the bus started yelling at us, calling us nothing but trouble. We were absolutely terrified and just shut up. Nowadays, kids would probably yell right back at him. Times change, I suppose. You're supposed to adapt, but I find that's easier said than done. 😬

Mr. Oizo said:Driving has basically turned into a survival sport. Traffic is just brutal, and sometimes you have to be a little aggressive if you actually want to merge into a lane. I’m usually a pretty indecisive, laid-back person, so driving actually feels a bit like therapy for me—it forces me to stay sharp and engaged. And regarding tolerance (staying on topic 🙂), there’s still something really nice about pulling over to let someone else go. When they wave thanks, it just feels human.

That’s exactly it. Those small, human moments that used to brighten your day just seem to have vanished. Have you noticed how people on the street don't feel comfortable being friendly anymore? Everyone just looks so grumpy. About ten years ago, I’d frequently catch someone's eye and share a quick, silly smile... but nowadays, if I'm in a good mood and try to share that vibe, people just stare at me like I’ve lost my mind😢... it honestly kills my mood immediately.
So, just to spite them, I'll flash a huge grin while walking through town—let them stare. It makes me feel better because I can hold onto that positive energy, even if I’m the only one on the sidewalk feeling that way.🙂
The basic politeness—saying please, thank you, or excuse me—is gone. That sense of communal courtesy just isn't there anymore 👎... everyone seems rude, shouting or picking fights, and just generally disrespectful.😢

Christian Doyle3 said:I’ve definitely dealt with people being aggressive toward my own skin before, so I don't know why we're surprised... just look at this pre-holiday madness. I was sitting in a coffee shop yesterday just watching everyone, and it was constant rushing and shopping, but you didn't see a single smile. They weren't even angry, per se, just incredibly high-strung. And why? Because they feel the need to blow through their savings for the holidays. It doesn't really matter if you can actually afford it; what matters is projecting that image of having it all. Like, "wow, look at me," so everyone will suddenly respect you or whatever...

Honestly, this whole consumerist culture is exhausting. More and more people are acting on pure instinct rather than logic. Everyone is pretending to be something they are miles away from being, so it's probably no wonder they're so frustrated. When you run into one of those people while you're just out walking your dog, they snap at you like you've done something terrible, when you were really just minding your own business...

Exactly.👍

😘

atmajian said:I guess my humble take is that these kinds of escapes are really just attempts to run away from oneself, which we all know can be a pretty difficult thing to do. Every environment—and every type of community—has its own set of pros and cons, and those are obviously entirely subjective. What works perfectly for one person might be a total drawback for someone else. I just know that from talking to plenty of people who moved from small towns to big cities, they often felt like they finally found themselves because they weren't living under that "everyone knows everyone" microscope anymore. 🙂

It’s really just two different paths: one generation moves from the countryside to the city, and the next heads back to the sticks. I was born here and have stayed my whole life, and honestly, I just crave peace. A smaller town is exactly where I belong. My sister, on the other hand, is dead set on staying in the city because she prefers the vibe there for her own reasons. I guess everything has its pros and cons. In a small town, finding work might be a bit tougher, but people don't gossip about you nearly as much, which gives you some breathing room. Then again, it can be so quiet that if you got into an accident on a backroad, nobody would even notice. It’s a trade-off. But looking at it broadly, I think human nature leans toward staying in smaller communities just to preserve a certain tradition or a slower pace of life. In big cities, everyone is under constant stress. Sure, finding a job might be easier, but you end up working like a dog. Between the commute and the overtime, you're easily gone 12 or 13 hours a day. What do you actually get out of life like that? Maybe that works for some people, but it’s just not me. It isn't about running away from who I am—I’m the same person regardless of where I stand. It’s more about moving to a place where I actually feel like myself. I don't feel right here; I love being out in nature, and to me, nature isn't just a single tree surrounded by miles of asphalt. I'm going to head out, but I suppose someone else will find their rhythm in the hustle and bustle. It’s all very individual.

Stana said:Maybe just move somewhere where you can actually find some peace. I think it’s better to start over from scratch and finally enjoy life than to spend your whole existence putting up with nonsense, only to realize later that it didn't have to be that way. At the end of the day, distance doesn't really matter if it means being happy.

I hear you. Honestly, I'm planning on moving out to the coast to stay with my boyfriend. I've never been one for crowded cities, so hopefully things will settle down soon.😬 I mostly started this thread because while I might "save" myself, so many people get stuck in these intense, crazy social circles where living together peacefully becomes almost impossible.
And who's to say this won't happen in other communities too? Though I doubt it, since in small towns, everyone knows everything—like how that one kid from Stana's family is a total jerk, and the whole town knows it.😉 People just tend to avoid him. It usually works like that in small-town America; everyone knows everyone's business, which makes it easier to just steer clear of difficult personalities. Plus, people tend to lose their minds more easily when they don't have their own space and privacy.🙂

Stana said:In the Midwest, around Indianapolis—there isn't quite as much of this happening, but it can flare up occasionally. From what I've noticed, people here either just handle it themselves or you end up getting hit...

So, you see now that you aren't alone in this situation. Just try to enjoy yourself...

Oh, and one more thing—that’s a whole different story. Enjoy your time; it sounds nice. At least you have the option to escape. Here, there isn't a single spot where you won't run into someone. Maybe that’s why people are so high-strung; you can't find a place to just be by yourself and get some peace and quiet.
When I head down to the coast, it's a completely different vibe. People are much calmer and more tolerant there. If someone starts acting up, two regular folks will usually step in and either shut them down quickly or calm things down. 😉
But in a place like NYC, it's nothing like that. Like, this guy was screaming right in front of us, and people were just walking past like nothing was happening. Everyone just keeps their heads down and moves on. In cities like this, you hear about people getting jumped or stabbed right on the street, and people hardly even bother to help. It’s pretty bad. 👎

Andrew Scott98 said:They probably won't ban you. You could always just ask them to move it over there, or see if they'll let you open it on that platform instead. 🙂 I doubt they'd ban someone for that, especially if they aren't banning people for much heavier stuff here. 🙂

I guess I'll go ahead and ask them...😉 🙂

Andrew Scott98 said:Hey, you know that phrase you probably love hearing whenever someone tells you... "don't take it so personally"...🙂

It’s not that I’m taking it personally—I was just wondering if I'm the only one noticing this shift, or if there are other people out there who tend to stay passive in social settings and just live by a "let it be" kind of motto.🙂

Andrew Scott98 said:I’ve been noticing that too and I bring it up all the time... which is why I mentioned that this topic falls pretty squarely under sociology, too. 🙂

Maybe I should start the thread over there instead, though I'm not sure if they allow two identical topics across different subforums (wouldn't want to get banned)... I guess it just depends on how much leeway the moderators give for stuff like that.😬 😁 😬

I don't know... I actually find it just as ridiculous as you do. It's not like I'm at fault here—I know I’m not the problem, and maybe it’s just because we tend to be pretty laid-back people by nature—but the sheer amount of hostility and arrogance out there really catches me off guard. I feel like I can't even relax outdoors or enjoy some peace anymore. People like that can drive you toward paranoia; you try so hard to avoid these pointless confrontations, but when you can't, you start looking over your shoulder, just waiting for someone to pop up and attack you over something stupid.
I'm not sure where you're located, but living in a massive place like New York City, you just can't escape social contact no matter where you go...

That wasn't even directed at me... I think he's just frustrated with life in general, and I guess I'm just an easy target for him to vent to. That's just how things are going lately.
And you can't really escape these situations anymore... No matter where I turn, there’s this constant, silly intolerance—whether I'm at the grocery store, driving, on the bus, dealing with neighbors in my apartment building, or even here on this forum. Everyone always seems to have something to say or someone to snap at, usually over these incredibly trivial things that I wouldn't even bother complaining about myself.

I was just using that thing with the dog today as an example, mostly because it's become such a regular occurrence for me... but it wasn't like this before—at least not nearly this much. I remember about ten years ago, maybe you'd see a random confrontation here and there on the subway or something over a seat, but nowadays, I feel like I'm stumbling into these ridiculous little incidents almost every single day. It honestly feels like people have lost it sometimes; everyone just seems so intolerant of everyone else.

Stan said:If I were in his shoes, I’d just walk right past the little cottage and keep smiling. Animals bring me joy, so I don't really get why he found it so difficult...

Well, maybe call your boyfriend and have him join you and the little dog on your walks...
Honestly, some people are just awful; they seem to be just waiting for an excuse to lash out at someone...
And that "gentleman" probably wouldn't have barked at you if you were a man. He likely feels powerful attacking a girl with a dog because he gets bossed around by his wife at home...
I have my own way of handling stuff like this. In those situations, I usually just start laughing—kind of sweetly, too—because I honestly can't wrap my head around what the problem is. Then I just ignore them. I think to myself, "Why do you even care? You aren't that important anyway." But if someone starts being insulting, I'll snap back immediately. It really gets under my skin when some know-it-all starts lecturing me in public while everyone watches. I won't stand for that...

My boyfriend isn't here right now; he's in a different city, so he can't really help me out in these moments...😳
But it wasn't actually this specific thing that upset me. It was just one more instance in a long line of things...
I used to work part-time at a local 7-Eleven for a bit—which was quite an experience...😲 ...I really respect people who work in customer service...

I realize that not everyone likes animals. That's why I'm pretty mindful about where I go. I try to pick quieter spots, avoid crowded areas, and stay away from kids so I don't bother anyone with my love for pets. But people don't seem to see that, and they still attack me. Plus, there are plenty of things I personally dislike, but I tolerate them. I don't interfere where I'm not wanted and let people live their lives how they choose. Clearly, most people don't look at it that way...😢
People are unpredictable, and so are their reactions. If I started laughing at them, who knows? They might pull a knife or something and attack me. These days, it's hard to tell where someone's sanity ends...