Posts by Ethan Fisher66

rapidmaker15 said:I’m 35 years old, and I just don't feel like I have enough emotional depth inside me. Naturally, that ends up bleeding into my personal life...
To give you some context: I’m an extrovert—I have plenty of friends and I genuinely love being social. I enjoy meeting new people, I like being noticed, and I appreciate being liked by others. I’ve got several solid, long-term friendships under my belt. Despite all that, I can't stand it when people touch me, or when they get too deep into my personal space. I'm not into kissing, hugging, or even those overly affectionate little gestures. For me, a handshake is pretty much the limit of acceptable physical contact. When it comes to romantic relationships, things are slightly better, but I just can't seem to sustain a long-term
connection. It’s hard for me to actually *like* someone enough to want something more, and even when I do find someone appealing, that feeling is never intense or strong enough to make me want to stay forever. As I've gotten older, these relationships seem to be getting shorter. It’s as if I simply lack the capacity to love with enough intensity—it feels like there’s an emotional void where those feelings should be. I don't have that urge to cuddle, nor do I feel the need to share my inner world with anyone. I love sex, but I view it more as a physical act rather than this whole "making love" process; my goal is just the physical release, which I enjoy purely for the sensation, not because I'm looking for a deeper bond—though, I suppose I could never bring myself to have a one-night stand with a stranger. Given how things are going, I’ll probably end up alone, and I’m honestly not sure if that’s what I actually want... how am I supposed to build an emotional connection with someone else when I haven't even managed to achieve that with my own inner circle?

I'm not 35—I'm actually ten years younger—but I relate to almost everything said here. Except for the part about sex; for me, it isn't just a physical act. It's a combination of pleasure and a way to express that I care about the person. That said, it's been a long time since I felt enough affection for someone to say I wanted to spend the rest of my life with them.
So, I definitely understand where the author is coming from.

Jessica Carter2 said:Hey, is it actually standard practice for a makeup artist to charge extra for a trial run?

Yes, it is.

mistybison said:From what I can gather, your husband was simply sharing his perspective on what his friend wants—or doesn't want—within his own relationship. Since neither that friend nor his partner are close to you, and they haven't asked for your guidance, stepping in based solely on your husband's take would likely create an incredibly awkward situation for everyone involved. If that friend had confided in you personally, or if his partner had shared her anxieties about the relationship with you, you might have found a subtle way to encourage them both to reflect on their options.

We often fall into the trap of believing we see things more clearly than others, assuming we know exactly how people should navigate their lives. In reality, most people are quite aware of their circumstances; they simply aren't ready to face them or make difficult decisions just yet. Whether through conscious or unconscious self-deception, people follow their own paths. Unless they explicitly seek our counsel, we shouldn't force our way into their business, especially when our information is based on secondhand accounts rather than direct experience.

I’d also point out that there’s a massive chance that by saying anything at all, you won't achieve anything useful. In fact, that friend could easily end up resenting you or your husband. As the old saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions...
Personally, I’d probably just suggest she stop wasting her breath. I’d try to hint indirectly that if she doesn't get the hint, it isn't her place to dictate how anyone else lives their life.
She’s likely smart enough to figure out what everyone's motives are on her own.

Kenneth Ramos4 said:Hey everyone,

I’m on the hunt for a makeup artist in San Francisco who actually knows how to do a "natural" look—someone who listens to what the bride actually wants instead of forcing heavy lashes and bright red lipstick on someone who doesn't even touch mascara on a normal day. 😁

The wedding is in two weeks, and honestly, I’m hitting a breaking point. I’ve wasted way too much money and sanity on trial runs where I ended up looking like a walking caricature. At this point, I'm pretty desperate. 🙂

If you have any recommendations, please let me know! 🎉

Have you checked out Helen? She’s incredible.

Time eventually unmasks everything. It’s entirely possible he’s playing games and feeding you lines; honestly, I don't quite get it. No matter how difficult or heavy things feel, if I actually care about someone, there isn't a damn thing in this world that would stop me from being with them. Unfortunately, while he might be mentally unstable, I wouldn't pin it on a specific diagnosis you mentioned—he just sounds like a textbook manipulator and a passive-aggressive type.
It’s a classic pattern: people who drag their feet when it comes to making a relationship official usually have a few other options tucked away in their back pocket. As unbelievable as that sounds right now, it's exactly what everyone says once the truth finally comes out. So, look at it this way: he isn't the only person on the planet. If he's second-guessing things, you just pivot and move on.

I began reading through this thread, but I eventually found myself losing heart, so perhaps I might simply pose a question instead. Having migrated from Windows XP to Windows 7, I find myself in a state of total disorientation; everything feels fundamentally foreign. Having grown accustomed to Mozilla, I am now confronted with Bing 😁, and my taskbar seems to have vanished entirely. Does anyone know how one might locate it? I would be most grateful for your assistance