Posts by Kate Flores4

Karen Rivera71 said:Because it’s just garbage.

Look, I get it. A lot of things are terrible, yet people still do them.🙄

Rachel Wilson44 said:Haha...😂 Some women just aren't on my level. I still have a healthy sex life even during my period, and I feel perfectly fine. 😉 Hehe.

Yeah, I think it’s pretty obvious what he's wondering—whether she's actually disgusted or not. She just stood there acting all offended and dramatic, like I was somehow forcing her to have sex with me. 😂

Honestly, doctors these days... they really let themselves go. They'll allow just about anything. 🙄

Karen Ross98 said:So, did you take the pill afterward? I wanted to, but my doctor—who was being a total jerk—told me not to because it would mess up my cycle and cause other complications.

Well, he might have been right. Maybe. It won't wreck every woman's cycle, but if yours is already irregular, there's a high chance the pill will just make things worse. There are other ways those pills can harm you, too. Personally, I think they're gross. Even a top-tier specialist told me she thinks the whole invention is disgusting, though she still takes them despite the side effects.

Paul Morales3 said:When you're dealing with something deep-seated in your own psyche, physical distance isn't going to fix a damn thing. 😉

I disagree. You can cut the power supply. I'll admit, if you're just running away without dealing with the internal issues, it’ll eventually catch up to you. But if someone’s influence is that heavy, their actual presence can hold you back from moving forward in life. That is a massive difference. Everyone needs to move out of their parents' house sooner or later; if those parents are negatively shaping who you are and how you live, then you need to get out as fast as possible.

Jessica Harris24 said:The start doesn't matter much... but during those last two days, my drive is through the roof. Been there, done that, and I've got two kids at home, haha. It hits me hard during those final two days.

Is your cycle super short?

Honestly, nobody cares about the first two days when it comes to intimacy... by day three, my libido is through the ceiling. 😕It’s like my body just wakes up.🤷

Brenda Wright36 said:It’s not strictly true that you can't get pregnant during your period—it is possible, though those cases are incredibly rare. I highly doubt you fall into that tiny percentage, so don't worry about it. Plus, the environment during menstruation isn't exactly ideal for sperm survival, especially if there wasn't even an ejaculation involved.

I hear stories like that too, and I honestly can't believe them. Does anyone have a link explaining that logic? Besides, you can definitely get pregnant outside of your fertile window. Double ovulation does happen; it's not super common, but sometimes the pituitary gland stimulates a second ovary after the first one, meaning a second ovulation can occur on the other side about 6 to 10 days later. This often happens in the summer when we're getting more sun exposure or when we're feeling particularly romantic.😉

Also, ovulation timing varies wildly from person to person. Even if there's only one ovulation per month, it doesn't always happen right in the middle of the cycle; it could happen on day 20, for example. There are so many variables, but this whole "period" theory is exhausting. It feels like we can't catch a break.😢

I actually asked my OB-GYN once if it was okay to have sex during your period. I didn't get a helpful answer because she just acted disgusted, acting like it was gross and bloody, which honestly left me feeling totally embarrassed. You really never know who you're going to get working at a university clinic.🙄

wiredmaker18 said:Look. These debates always split into two predictable camps. One side wants a total ban because drugs are "evil"—whatever that even means—and the other side fights tooth and nail for the freedom to use, mostly not because they're trying to reach enlightenment or save the whales or whatever "love thy neighbor" nonsense people spout. They just want to get high. Period. The fact that it might have some positive or weird effects on your brain is secondary, even if it makes for a convenient excuse. It’s way too easy to wrap those experiences in this pseudo-intellectual ego trip where you pretend you’re some chosen genius who was destined to meet Marijuana at the perfect moment. I hate that cult-like, wannabe artist vibe just as much as I hate the idea that drugs are pure evil and anyone who touches them—even accidentally—deserves the same punishment as a major cartel boss. What does that actually achieve? We'll just end up filling jails with kids who smoked a joint after graduation while the actual dangerous dealers walk free...
Like everything else, we need to find some middle ground. It's honestly hilarious when someone gets high and immediately thinks they've unlocked the secrets of the universe. If I'd known it was that easy, I wouldn't have wasted my time in school; I would've spent it at carnivals and dive bars instead.

Thanks Anna!

Of course it’s funny. That’s the whole point, man. 😁 We become incredibly sharp yet completely unserious all at once. That’s the philosophy of the Marijuana Party—staying lighthearted while still touching on life's greatest depths or heights. You don't fall into intellectual snobbery because you realize that wisdom and insight are accessible to everyone. School is a different thing; that’s just raw data, and you definitely need that.

Just because something is intense doesn't mean it's the only thing that matters or that it should be dismissed. Sex is intense, too, but it isn't everything.

Elizabeth Castillo4 said:I was watching this incredibly witty pseudo-philosopher who put together some lectures for the MTA, and he mentioned—in his trademark quirky way—that religion isn't really the opium of the people anymore. Instead, he argued that actual opium has stepped back into that role long ago.

I mean, marijuana is an opiate, right? Honestly, I don't care how enlightened you think you've become by smoking it; most likely, you're just temporarily jamming a repressive mental mechanism that usually keeps certain ideas from ever reaching your conscious mind. It’s kind of like how alcohol works—it’s technically a depressant, but in small amounts, it feels almost opposite because it suppresses those internal "rule-following" mechanisms before it actually starts depressing your ability to think clearly.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it can't be helpful—by blocking those aforementioned mental barriers, it might allow something we've been trying to push down to finally surface (and yeah, someone is probably going to call me out for sounding like a psychoanalyst, but I really don't care)—but there aren't any genuine "religious" or "transcendental" experiences happening there.

Speak for yourself. You don't need weed to experience something religious or transcendental. You can reach those same insights about yourself or the world through other means; marijuana just acts as a shortcut to get you there faster. Besides, for some people, all the weed in the world won't help at all. 🤷

The only real issue with what Jeremy Palmer is saying is that if it weren't for that one factor, we'd all be finished. 😁 🎉 🙂

It really gets under my skin when people refuse to admit they have a problem. It’s not just about them anymore; they're dragging everyone around them down too. They won't stop because they're hooked or simply refuse to grow up. At that point, it isn't even about the lifestyle anymore—it's just pure stupidity. It has nothing to do with being passionate. Marijuana is the law. 👍

Way to go, Diego! 👋 :clapping: 🎉

I knew you wouldn't quit. You're a good man. 🙂 When things get heavy again, just remember that you've already climbed out of the hole once. You can do it again, and you'll come back even stronger every single time. Getting back on your feet isn't easy after a long setback, but the key is staying persistent and refusing to let the negativity take over. 👍

Look, maybe those doctors had the wrong approach or used flawed methods. Maybe some of the medications did more harm than good, or perhaps there's an advanced therapy out there you just haven't discovered yet. When you're young, it's easy to trust authority figures over your own gut, especially given your situation with your parents. Don't give up on yourself or the idea of being happy. Did you have a hobby as a kid that made you feel alive when things were tough? Some big dream that made you look forward to growing up? Let that be the thing that pulls you out of this depression so you can actually achieve it. Who you are right now isn't the real you. This is just a dark reflection caused by parental irresponsibility and immaturity. You have to leave that behind and find your true self. Have you tried getting out into nature, maybe hitting the coast for some sun when things get dark? For me, nature helps way more than people do. Being in the ocean and swimming is everything—the water cleanses you, and swimming itself is a metaphor for energy, control, and the ability to perform. Plus, you'll end up looking great 😉

Also, try experimenting with your diet. It’s huge. Cut out the foods that mess with your head and focus on the ones that actually lift you up

Then, try finding a part-time job. Take it one step at a time, and eventually, you'll be able to get back to your studies. School is hard; it requires massive willpower and concentration. If you're struggling right now, it makes sense—I've been there, and failing to hit your marks while depressed just pushes you deeper into the hole. People dealing with depression or any illness often find relief by indulging their impulses, even if those emotions seem childish or irrational. It’s basically regression. But after that, you come out emotionally stronger and gain better self-control

Come on, there is still so much you haven't tried. The best revenge against everyone who hurt you is simply being happy and being yourself

Based on what you’re describing, you went through some truly horrific things. Compared to that, I actually had it pretty easy, and I think you’ll need a lot of time to heal—especially since you were abruptly separated from your biological mother. Anyone would end up wetting the bed after something like that. I struggled for a long time too, even though I had my mom around. But look, you’re only 19; you have time on your side. You still have her love to lean on, or at least as much as her illness allows. If she hasn't let you down as a person, you can always love her without limits. I can't love mine the way I used to. Lately, I've had to face the fact that it isn't just a problematic father I'm dealing with, but my mother too, since she played a huge part in everything. Hopefully, we’ll find a more stable kind of love once things are forgiven. At the end of the day, a mother is a mother. Neither of our parents were exactly normal, especially Dad.

Always look for the best therapy possible—the kind that will eventually set you free. Always trust your gut and get a pet; they are incredible for treating depression and bringing healthy emotions back to life.👍 Things will get better and better for you.

Hmm, Mercury is in retrograde in Cancer this month, so no wonder we're all talking about childhood and parental love.🙂 Due to circumstances, I've moved back into my parents' house recently, but I don't act like a hysterical PTSD survivor around them anymore. Now, I carry myself like a soldier. I intercept every outburst right at the start. Even though they never stop, I feel like I've moved past wearing a mask and am finally using a shield.😉 It sounds the same, but it really isn't.

You're right, Harold Anderson3. I really wish I had realized sooner that you can't run from or deny a rough childhood. You can't just pretend nothing happened and act like everything was normal just because of the shame involved.

Kyle Nelson2 said:Alright... let me try to explain my "findings" on this path:

1. Growing up in a broken home mostly leads to a total distrust of your own emotions. I mean, when you're watching your parents scream at each other, or feeling like you're just being used as a pawn in their guilt-tripping games, or just dealing with a constant stream of bad stuff... you basically get the message that you aren't allowed to trust how you feel. Why?
because:
- Your feelings aren't valid, because apparently they know better than you do.
- Your feelings are wrong, because you're stupid, or too young, or blame your dad, or your mom, etc.
- Because you're chronically pissed off, so how could those emotions possibly be right?
- Because if you actually admitted what you were feeling, you might grab an AK-47 and turn some prom into a bloodbath... so let's just shut up.

But honestly, that pattern follows you long after you finally leave that house behind.
The big thing is that once you move out and start a new life, you have to begin relearning things. You have to shed those old layers of armor that you don't need anymore (though, I guess, you'll eventually need different kinds of armor later on).

That’s when all those emotions, memories, and flashbacks start hitting you out of nowhere. It’s basically a sign that what happened was real—that the pain you felt back then was legitimate and JUSTIFIED.

You have to learn how to acknowledge your own feelings and live by your own beat... if you're angry, just be angry. You just have to find ways to let things out and, I don't know, actually listen to yourself and your own gut.
In my opinion, this is huge, because people from homes like that can end up trapped in this state where they feel nothing, totally detached from themselves... and that isn't really living.
You can usually spot these types by how calm or composed they are—sometimes it's even unnerving, almost fake (I call them "glass-faces") because they show zero signs of emotion. It just shows how far gone that defense mechanism went.

Besides, this matters for guys, too, because women tend to be wary of men who don't show any emotion. They’re instinctively afraid of that kind of guy, even if they don't know why, and eventually, that emotional distance comes back to haunt you like a boomerang.
At some point, you're just going to have to face everything and everyone inside yourself...

(That's just... well, one of the lessons, I guess)...

Learning to recognize my own feelings and temporarily letting myself feel them helped me immensely. I held onto that armor until I was 30, even though I dealt with psychosomatic issues and an incredibly toxic relationship with a guy who was even more unstable than my father. At 30, I developed hyperthyroidism at a job where I was constantly torn down and criticized for being too slow. Because the health issues took such a toll on me physically and mentally, I was forced to confront my own emotions, my tendencies toward self-sabotage, perfectionism, and my lack of self-love just to rebuild myself (honestly, I've gotten a bit soft and lazy lately 😁). However, I realized that the job was just the breaking point. Looking back at old photos, I didn't look relaxed or normal at all. Even when my hormone levels were fine, I think my thyroid was under constant stress because I was never truly at peace. I always heard those internal criticisms telling me it was never enough. Most of the choices I made in life were just attempts to copy others or find ways to impress my parents. My family only functions on an intellectual level; we express emotion through shouting matches or sarcasm. I've carried that stress my whole life and had to hide my true self. Like Taroth said, you can't suppress your natural emotions or needs, and you won't be able to recognize happiness if you've spent your life making bad choices just to please others. I probably rejected a lot of good things about myself in favor of the wrong ones.

The bottom line is that there’s so much more I can actually accomplish now. I might not have that relentless drive I used to have—back when I was walking around with a thick layer of armor, constantly pushing my body to the breaking point—but at least I’m at peace. I’ve learned to be gentle with myself. I’m being incredibly disciplined about what I truly want and need. It’s a start.

restlesshound27 said:I’ve got a similar situation going on in my family, starting with myself and then moving through my relatives... basically just a bunch of dysfunctional people who are all grown up now. And why? Because they were constantly getting torn down by their parents or held back in one way or another... whether it was mental warfare or straight-up physical stuff.
It was always "you can't do this" or "you're not cut out for that"... god, or just "look at yourself, you look terrible." Like, "look how ugly your hands are," or "she's so much better at school than you are," or "she's just better overall." Just non-stop criticism and put-downs, with zero praise for anything actually achieved and zero interest in what anyone was actually passionate about.

I mean, you get what you get. You end up with a kid who has zero self-confidence, someone who feels totally lost in their own world and just struggles to get by in life. Honestly, sometimes it's better if some people just never have kids. Period. 👎

Same here.😠

And don't even get me started on how they stifle your interests. They won't sign you up for dance or music lessons because "it's not for you" or "you'll just quit in a few months" or "it's not worth buying a piano." They'll push you toward a mediocre high school because you didn't pull straight A's, claiming it's better to go somewhere easier, while all your friends—regardless of their grades—get into the top schools. They only see your flaws and kill any potential you might have. They refuse to actually raise a child constructively; they think kids just raise themselves and that their only job is to listen to them and their senseless bickering. Instead of offering emotional support, they throw money at you or buy you things to make you "happy," but you still aren't happy, and then you're labeled ungrateful and disobedient. Then they spend forever bragging about how a cousin won a competition or how successful everyone else became while you achieved nothing special. They are never on your side. You're always the problem. They tell you that you'll never marry or have kids, but how are you supposed to find a decent partner when your father is constantly yelling at you or hitting you over every little thing? He just wants peace at home and everything in its perfect place because he thinks he's the king of the household. They even mock your struggles as you get older; the lack of heart and responsibility they showed during your development turns into open ridicule and contempt once you're an adult. So, Harold Anderson3, start loving yourself and working on your own growth immediately. Take that default inner critic and replace it with the encouragement and kindness you deserved. It isn't easy, but it saves you from further destruction and mental or physical illness. Look, we aren't alone. There are plenty of us, which proves the problem isn't us—it's them. Some people truly shouldn't be parents.👎

Jessica Cox5 said:The title of this thread is nothing short of an absolute truth. Personally, I have zero issues repeating myself indefinitely to people with sub-standard IQs just to ensure they grasp my point once their limited cognitive capacity suffers a total syntax overflow. Honestly, while performing this tedious service, I occasionally manage to avoid descending into pure, unadulterated cynicism—perhaps because I harbor a shred of sympathy for those who weren't cursed with my particular brand of genetic recombination—but most days, it is incredibly difficult not to let my true feelings bleed through via aggressive gestures or a pointed glare. To wrap this up: modesty is strictly relative to one's standing on the evolutionary ladder, and given my circumstances, I am disproportionately modest. Those narcissistic low-IQ types are the ones currently holding positions at the Department of State.

Narcissism can develop in anyone if they suddenly land a high-prestige job or hit a sudden windfall of wealth. Usually, it’s the people with lower IQs who get intoxicated by it, though highly intelligent people are just as susceptible. This isn't necessarily the pathological narcissism caused by childhood trauma; it's often just ego, and it tends to vanish once a person is brought back down to earth. Honestly, I think this thread is off-target. People with very high IQs are definitely different, and they often display the kind of arrogance this little Iža guy just showed. That arrogance often stems from the massive gap between them and everyone else; it leads to intolerance and defensive mechanisms when both groups clash. In many cases, it's the low-IQ individuals who are at fault, feeling threatened and unable to see that these "geniuses" aren't actually smarter than them. Similarly, the "modesty" he mentions likely refers to how people with low IQs will try to lecture you or act superior as they climb the career ladder, even when they know they'll eventually be working under someone much sharper. They seem to think intelligence is something you can acquire through effort, like any other skill. It's like beauty: if you don't have it, you strive for it, and if you happen to fix it with a medical miracle, you feel untouchable. Why so many threads about intelligence? Why are people so obsessed with it? It doesn't actually help you in life, especially not here in America.

Regards to the little Iža!

So, what am I dealing with here then? When this first started happening, I actually almost went to my local priest to request an exorcism. Eventually, I just got used to it—I even experimented with it a little bit myself. I heard that these episodes happen when you're under extreme stress. I read in a book once that it’s classified as a "false awakening type 2." It hasn't happened to me in a long time though.

quietranger14 said:Look, I get that it's stupid and self-destructive—I really do—but I'm working on it and hoping for the best.

That’s exactly my situation. Everything feels fine when I'm performing at an acceptable level, but the second I dip below that threshold, everything goes south.
In our session today, we talked about measuring self-esteem and who we end up comparing ourselves to.
So, the goal is to stop looking at everyone else and start comparing myself to who I was yesterday?

And that's what I'm trying to do... I really don't want a repeat of last month when finals rolled around.
It takes me longer to pick things up from others because I tend to obsess over the details—I can't walk into an exam unless I'm 95% sure I've mastered the material. Other people have different study habits and seem to breeze through it faster. I know logically that needing more time doesn't mean I'm slow, but I spent the whole previous month convinced I was an idiot just because I process things differently.
I've decided to stop telling myself those lies... hopefully, it sticks.

Then you're already on the right track.🙂

Compare yourself to your own standards for how things should be done, but keep in mind that you can't apply those exact rules to every single situation. You have to be objective about why something didn't work out and adapt so the outcome favors you, rather than obsessing over perfection.

I think it’s fine to compare yourself to others occasionally. Sometimes seeing where we excel compared to others can give us a little boost in confidence.😉 However, there will always be people who are further ahead, and you shouldn't let that get to you. Instead, try to learn as much as possible from them. There are seasons when we push harder and become more self-critical—though not destructively so—and that effort leads to better results during the periods when we plateau and allow ourselves to relax. The key is balancing hard work with proper rest.

Man, is that what it feels like when some hairy beast pins you down and tries to overpower you? Like being spun in a centrifuge or getting swept away at high speed to who knows where? Why on earth would you purposely put yourself in that kind of situation? 😲

Look, once you hit your 30s, things change. If you're already running a calorie deficit now, you’re going to find it even harder to maintain your physique later. In your 30s, people who used to gain weight easily tend to put on more, while those who are naturally thin start to lose muscle mass. If you have a leaner build and need to fill out your frame, you need to focus on yin foods. Chocolate and anything containing chocolate is considered yang food, so don't expect it to help you gain weight.

The opposite of losing weight: stop eating salad with lunch and dinner until you hit your goal weight. Eat more carbs—pasta or toast with diet jam is actually quite healthy—and cut back on the protein and veggies. It slows down your metabolism. Just rest more and get out more. Eat some fruit before lunch so you can eat more during the meal. Don't walk; just wait for the city transit to pick you up, even if walking one stop would be more efficient. Lie in the sun. Exercise lightly.

But the trap is exactly the same as when you're dieting: once you stop, is it easy to stay stopped, especially after your metabolism has significantly slowed down or sped up?

Kimberly Brooks29 said:Hey everyone!

I'm getting ready for a major body detox—a seven-day fast consisting only of water, juices, and herbal supplements to clear out my digestive tract and flush my kidneys. I was wondering if anyone here has tried this before? What were your experiences like?
Thanks!

A friend of mine just finished something similar. She claimed she was doing it for a "spring cleanse," but secretly she was hoping to lose weight. She did drop about 4 pounds, but she wasn't satisfied because she wanted to lose more, and she has no idea how to maintain the results. On day four, when I saw her, she looked great—really lean and refreshed, though she had dark circles under her eyes. By day six, she looked terrible. Her face looked puffy, and none of her clothes fit right. Since she's over 30, rapid weight loss and starving yourself like that can be really destructive to your system. She couldn't concentrate on anything and was in a genuinely bad mood. That's because when you're doing this, you have to minimize housework and stay indoors, otherwise, you'll just faint. She insists she didn't feel weak once, though. By day seven, when she could finally eat again, she was incredibly cranky and argumentative. She acted like a hero for enduring it, implying the rest of us are just ordinary people who can't go a single minute without food—basically calling us ignorant for not performing these "barbaric" spring cleanses. She was constantly condescending and frustrated, likely just because she was starving. I'm not sure if she actually "cleansed" anything. She’s still full of negative energy, which has always been an issue for her, and now it's even worse because she doesn't look the way she wants to after all that struggle.

I think the concept is fine, but the duration is too long. A quick one-day cleanse every so often is okay, but fasting for seven days seems excessive to me. Plus, if you have to stop all physical activity just to pull it off, it isn't practical.