Posts by Mark Hughes36

It shouldn't be this way. If someone actually had the time and the stomach for it, they should be able to file a lawsuit to get a profile permanently wiped from the system.

Not just to prevent anyone from ever hijacking that username again, but to ensure those old posts don't keep showing up under that name either.

I’m requesting the ability to permanently delete my profile on Reddit.

If an option like that exists on Facebook—even if it takes a while to process—it really should be available here too.

Is there actually anywhere to pick up those damn chemicals? 😁

Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy
That's all they want to offer me
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy
All they ever want to give me

🙂

Pain isn't felt equally by everyone.

There are even theories suggesting some people are essentially "hardwired" to only fall for more attractive individuals. It's a way of limiting their pool, I suppose—fewer partners means fewer chances to get hurt. 🤷

Walter Peterson said:YOU DON'T HAVE THAT RIGHT. However, you do have the right (and indeed, the obligation) to prioritize yourself by sorting out the mess in your head and exorcising those demons first. It’s easy to just say, "Someone broke me; I'm damaged goods, my luck has run out, and all I can do now is ruin someone else."

I'm not just saying this to you, but to everyone facing similar struggles: stop playing the victim! I categorically refuse to be a victim. I am not some object that random passersby in my life can crush so thoroughly that I become useless or nothing more than a burden to others. I am not a broken toy.

When a person views themselves as having inherent value, they realize that temporary failures don't define them. I leave those broken toys to someone else. I approach people with positive expectations and a smile; I give people the opportunity to be good, and if they miss it, it's their loss, not mine.

In short: less self-pity, more action.

That sounds fine in theory—everyone has flaws, it’s common sense.
But it's much harder to swallow in practice when someone, despite having the 😉, decides to hire a new plumber instead...

Leah was clearly more focused on figuring out if she was making some kind of mistake herself—maybe something fixable—by picking guys who turned out to be total busts later on. 😉

Humans weren't built to live in isolation.

No one is claiming it’s impossible to pull off; it’s just that such a fate doesn't look particularly inviting.

It’s certainly easier to dream it up than to actually pull it off 😁

copperfox22 said:I couldn't agree more. Absolutely. 🙂

Just to be clear, I'm strictly theorizing here.
If only I had actually managed to get that far in real life. 😁

🤣🤣🤣 Man, oh man... 🙂

Well, at least you've confirmed—or rather, you have—that I'm not being selfish, 😁 which is something some people seem to take personally.
But we always end up circling back to the first point: why is it always 🤣 😬

Anyway, I have to run... I've started philosophizing again, and that never ends well. 😳
You guys figure out a meaningful answer.

At least I'll have enough chocolate to last me several lifetimes.😁

Walter Peterson said:I can certainly agree with that, though I suspect it only holds true when we’re dealing with people who actually fit our own mold. Some individuals are simply fundamentally incompatible with us—personality-wise, there’s just no way to make it work, regardless of the circumstances.

Agreed, obviously.
I was trying to cover all bases with a single statement (added the parentheses just to account for temporary friction versus a fundamental mismatch)

copperfox22 said:Mine are... quite significant, actually. 😁

Should I even start listing the classics, or should I jump straight to the ones that feel unique and essential to me? 😍

I'm not sure I follow—what exactly are you getting at with that question?

It's about that moment when you realize just how flawed this "beloved soul" of yours actually is. When you see all those shortcomings that you usually wouldn't tolerate in anyone else, yet you still love them and find it impossible to walk away. 🙂

In my view, it's pure ego: "How is it possible that someone I love this much doesn't see me as worthy of their devotion?"

copperfox22 said:I definitely agree with the sentiment, but doesn't it feel like by adopting that "I don't care" attitude, you're actually just throwing in the towel and walking away from everything?

That’s how it feels to me. That's the exact mindset I've been operating under—acting self-assured and untouchable, like I'm "shielded" from all the bullshit. But then there comes a moment where you realize you're just lying to yourself. You actually do care, and this supposed unavailability to everyone else's advances ends up doing more harm than good. In reality, it hurts only you.

I'm sitting here in my own little fortress, and at the end of the day, what does that get me? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Just loneliness and isolation.

The whole point is just reaching that state where you truly don't give a damn.
Whatever. You'll live.
It seems like that mindset pays off. At the very least, you stop questioning your own sanity every time things fall apart, or obsessing over all those "what if" scenarios.

I’ve come to believe the healthiest approach is to accept that there is no such thing as justice or blame in relationships. It all just boils down to a matter of compatibility—or the lack thereof—at any given moment.

Just to be clear, this is purely theoretical.
It’s a relief to see how much ground I've actually covered during this internship. 😁

copperfox22 said:I definitely agree with the sentiment, but doesn't it feel like by adopting that "I don't care" attitude, you're actually just throwing in the towel and walking away from everything?

That’s how it feels to me. That's the exact mindset I've been operating under—acting self-assured and untouchable, like I'm "shielded" from all the bullshit. But then there comes a moment where you realize you're just lying to yourself. You actually do care, and this supposed unavailability to everyone else's advances ends up doing more harm than good. In reality, it hurts only you.

I'm sitting here in my own little fortress, and at the end of the day, what does that get me? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Just loneliness and isolation.

And that's just a glimpse of what fate has in store for us.
The truth, though nobody's exactly lining up to hear it. 😁

Look, we've all heard the endless chatter about what defines a "real man."

However, many would argue there's no guarantee a woman can actually spot one when she sees him. 😉
It’s also incredibly common for people to be fooled by appearances—fake confidence and manufactured charisma, which works far too often in this superficial era we live in.

For instance, it’s not rare for a girl to think she's met the next big thing, only to find out he's married, or some guy who hits the gym hard only to vanish the second things get real—leaving her to deal with a crisis alone without a shred of support.

Honestly, there isn't a single thread on this forum that hasn't touched upon this "crucial" question.
Don't you think it's a bit pretentious to expect us to find an answer right now? 😉

As for me, I've stopped searching for the Holy Grail of dating.
I’m trying to convince myself that I simply don't care who wants or expects what kind of worldview someone else holds. Luck usually only strikes when you stop overthinking these things entirely.

It won't be easy, but I'll try. 😁

Look, copperfox22, you're asking the million-dollar question right there. 😁

Honestly, there are probably hundreds of millions of guys out there wondering exactly what those damn plumbers have that they don't.

That’s one secret that’s staying buried forever.

copperfox22 said:It’s not him who’s an idiot 🙂...long story, doesn't really matter anymore. Just bad luck, I guess. 😁

The main thing is that I’ve been feeling pretty shaken up lately. Everything seems to be piling up at once. But what you're saying makes sense. Maybe this was just the final straw after a long stretch of bad luck. Honestly, I feel like my life is experiencing some kind of delayed reaction to everything that's happened recently.

I usually consider myself a "rock"—someone who can handle anything, even the chaotic stuff. I often forget that I'm made of flesh and blood just like everyone else. 🙂

The second to last one was definitely an idiot 😳 😁

It'll pass, eventually.
Everyone hits a breaking point sooner or later.

copperfox22 said:It’s not him who’s an idiot 🙂...long story, doesn't really matter anymore. Just bad luck, I guess. 😁

The main thing is that I’ve been feeling pretty shaken up lately. Everything seems to be piling up at once. But what you're saying makes sense. Maybe this was just the final straw after a long stretch of bad luck. Honestly, I feel like my life is experiencing some kind of delayed reaction to everything that's happened recently.

I usually consider myself a "rock"—someone who can handle anything, even the chaotic stuff. I often forget that I'm made of flesh and blood just like everyone else. 🙂

The second to last one was definitely an idiot 😳 😁

I buy into those theories.
Everyone has a different breaking point.
Some people think they can handle anything until they realize they can't.
But even then, the cup overflows when enough nonsense piles up.😁

Nobody's bulletproof.😉

I have zero doubt you’ll stumble upon someone interesting again soon—since you're such an incurable optimist and dreamer. Maybe this time they'll actually share your worldview... 🙂

copperfox22 said:I’m not sure if we’ve covered a topic like this before. If we have, mods, feel free to lock this thread.

After reading through some of the discussions here and doing a bit of my own reflecting, I’ve been thinking about those "ghosts from the past" and how much weight they actually carry for us. Obviously, everyone is different—some of us are tougher, some more sensitive, some more confident—but I think there’s a common thread we can pull on. So, here’s my question: how much are your past romantic failures and poor choices subconsciously (or even consciously) holding you back when you try to move forward?

To kick things off, I’ll be honest about myself. I’ve started wondering if I’m just making excuses under the guise of "life getting in the way," essentially sabotaging my chances at finding a real connection. It’s not that I’m shy or confused about what I want, and I don't really deal with massive complexes (at least nothing that feels like a major issue)... I tend to march to the beat of my own drum and don't always follow social norms, though I wouldn't say I'm a rebel, since I generally fit in just fine with society.

To cut to the chase, as much as I try to convince myself otherwise, I think I still carry some baggage from my past that’s starting to cause friction. Instead of throwing myself into meeting new people or experiencing new things with an open heart right from the jump, I find myself internally telling myself, "Don't bother, it’ll just be another bust... stay guarded, keep your distance."

I can't tell if my brain is doing this because it genuinely believes I have a knack for picking the wrong people, or if it’s just a defense mechanism—a fear that if I actually dare to trust someone, I’ll just end up disappointed all over again.
Sometimes I catch myself wondering if there's a reason I'm perpetually drawn to the wrong crowd. Why does that happen? Because, honestly, the "perfectly stable" types usually don't interest me at all 😕... they're always these eccentric characters, slightly off in one way or another. Now, combined with everything else, it’s creating a total mental block. It’s like the moment I find someone attractive, there's always some glaring, dangerous flaw 😬

Anyway, bottom line: how much are your failed relationships and past mistakes actually messing with your head? 😁

It’s clear you have a need to second-guess everything.
Honestly, I think you're heading down the wrong path here. If you want a more accurate take on what just happened, it’s simple: you just didn't get lucky. You failed to run into someone who actually wanted the same thing you did.
I didn't see it that way. I don't think you're self-sabotaging at all. 😉)

copperfox22 said:I’m not sure if we’ve covered a topic like this before. If we have, mods, feel free to lock this thread.

After reading through some of the discussions here and doing a bit of my own reflecting, I’ve been thinking about those "ghosts from the past" and how much weight they actually carry for us. Obviously, everyone is different—some of us are tougher, some more sensitive, some more confident—but I think there’s a common thread we can pull on. So, here’s my question: how much are your past romantic failures and poor choices subconsciously (or even consciously) holding you back when you try to move forward?

To kick things off, I’ll be honest about myself. I’ve started wondering if I’m just making excuses under the guise of "life getting in the way," essentially sabotaging my chances at finding a real connection. It’s not that I’m shy or confused about what I want, and I don't really deal with massive complexes (at least nothing that feels like a major issue)... I tend to march to the beat of my own drum and don't always follow social norms, though I wouldn't say I'm a rebel, since I generally fit in just fine with society.

To cut to the chase, as much as I try to convince myself otherwise, I think I still carry some baggage from my past that’s starting to cause friction. Instead of throwing myself into meeting new people or experiencing new things with an open heart right from the jump, I find myself internally telling myself, "Don't bother, it’ll just be another bust... stay guarded, keep your distance."

I can't tell if my brain is doing this because it genuinely believes I have a knack for picking the wrong people, or if it’s just a defense mechanism—a fear that if I actually dare to trust someone, I’ll just end up disappointed all over again.
Sometimes I catch myself wondering if there's a reason I'm perpetually drawn to the wrong crowd. Why does that happen? Because, honestly, the "perfectly stable" types usually don't interest me at all 😕... they're always these eccentric characters, slightly off in one way or another. Now, combined with everything else, it’s creating a total mental block. It’s like the moment I find someone attractive, there's always some glaring, dangerous flaw 😬

Anyway, bottom line: how much are your failed relationships and past mistakes actually messing with your head? 😁

Your desires are perfectly normal and legitimate.
I don't buy the idea that change is mandatory.
All you really need is to find someone who sees the world through the same lens as you do.

Just to be clear, there’s no hierarchy here: every way of looking at life holds its own weight. If you aren't weighed down by obligations, you have every right to choose exactly how you want to live.

copperfox22 said:I’m not sure if we’ve covered a topic like this before. If we have, mods, feel free to lock this thread.

After reading through some of the discussions here and doing a bit of my own reflecting, I’ve been thinking about those "ghosts from the past" and how much weight they actually carry for us. Obviously, everyone is different—some of us are tougher, some more sensitive, some more confident—but I think there’s a common thread we can pull on. So, here’s my question: how much are your past romantic failures and poor choices subconsciously (or even consciously) holding you back when you try to move forward?

To kick things off, I’ll be honest about myself. I’ve started wondering if I’m just making excuses under the guise of "life getting in the way," essentially sabotaging my chances at finding a real connection. It’s not that I’m shy or confused about what I want, and I don't really deal with massive complexes (at least nothing that feels like a major issue)... I tend to march to the beat of my own drum and don't always follow social norms, though I wouldn't say I'm a rebel, since I generally fit in just fine with society.

To cut to the chase, as much as I try to convince myself otherwise, I think I still carry some baggage from my past that’s starting to cause friction. Instead of throwing myself into meeting new people or experiencing new things with an open heart right from the jump, I find myself internally telling myself, "Don't bother, it’ll just be another bust... stay guarded, keep your distance."

I can't tell if my brain is doing this because it genuinely believes I have a knack for picking the wrong people, or if it’s just a defense mechanism—a fear that if I actually dare to trust someone, I’ll just end up disappointed all over again.
Sometimes I catch myself wondering if there's a reason I'm perpetually drawn to the wrong crowd. Why does that happen? Because, honestly, the "perfectly stable" types usually don't interest me at all 😕... they're always these eccentric characters, slightly off in one way or another. Now, combined with everything else, it’s creating a total mental block. It’s like the moment I find someone attractive, there's always some glaring, dangerous flaw 😬

Anyway, bottom line: how much are your failed relationships and past mistakes actually messing with your head? 😁

You're exaggerating a bit. Though, I suppose the idea that "nice guys aren't interesting" isn't entirely without merit. 😁)
Honestly, this kind of exaggeration acts as a defense mechanism—a way to lean on stereotypes to justify failure. 😉

Since we’re already touching on this stereotype, I have to say I agree with cimmerian—a good number of men don't actually have an issue with curves.
I don't follow.

Is it possible that online extortion exists too?
If you don't pay up, they hack your site.😁

I thought I finally had my computer running smoothly
but then the issue reared its head again...

You clearly missed the point: the Microsoft Community wasn't working immediately after I wiped the drive and reinstalled Windows.
So, all this talk about browsers, cookies, or registry tweaks is completely irrelevant—everything was at factory settings and couldn't have been corrupted by anything.

If Reddit is the only site getting blocked, and it still wouldn't load even after a clean install, then it’s pretty obvious where the problem lies.😉