Stick it on Craigslist for a month and maybe someone will show up to scavenge it, just to get their hands on stuff they already know about. For free, obviously.
I’ve done the same thing with some of my biggest pieces of junk. Eventually, I got tired of the hassle, so now I put a price tag on things $3.25 just to keep the weirdos and the bottom-feeders away. Then it’s simple: either someone buys it, or I just drop it off at the local recycling center.
Most people who leave behind legendary legacies were basically living off someone else's dime. They relied on wealthy patrons to foot the bill because they couldn't make a living on their own merit.
And let’s not even get started on their personal lives. Half these geniuses had multiple wives and probably didn't even know where their kids were half the time. Being a visionary doesn't mean you're a decent human being.
But whatever, I'm drifting. The actual question was about how to shift negative beliefs, and honestly, I think we might find some answers right here in these threads...
Sure, getting wasted is an extreme, but don't act like small towns are just mindless crowds. You still find thinkers out there—poets, community leaders, people who actually contribute something meaningful to the local scene.
In my opinion, those folks actually experience life. It’s a hell of a lot different than some philosopher sitting in a room staring at the walls, failing to build a life or even maintain a family. It's much harder to put food on the table for a family than it is to sit around theorizing about existence while your own house falls apart.
Like the lady mentioned earlier, some people actually live, while others just exist inside their own heads. If I had to choose, I’d take the first option any day.
Steven Brown5 said:I'm with you on this. The thing is, we are analytical creatures by nature, but that trait is way more useful when applied to stuff that actually has practical utility rather than trying to solve mental or emotional puzzles. When you run through a thought three times in your head, you've already seen the answer. Running it in circles fifty times isn't going to magically produce some superior epiphany.
A lot of the time, these "deep dives" are really just a way to dodge the things that actually bother us—the stuff that requires us to shake up our sense of security and take a real step toward better circumstances.
Like you said, obsessing over the past leads nowhere. It’s just wasted energy while taking intentional action in the present is what actually builds a better future. That’s basically how the world works.
Nowadays, this whole "self-reflection" thing is marketed so heavily that even I fell for it. It's everywhere—from endless books to so-called therapists charging a fortune to talk about it. Honestly, I think the best thing I ever did was just walk away from it all and move on. I have a friend who spent her entire life stuck in cycles of analysis, talking about problems without ever actually fixing anything. After listening to her for ten years, I realized there's no point. Her mistake became my lesson.
It took me a long time to realize you should focus on changing what you can control, and just set aside what you can't—whether you lack the bandwidth or, as they say, "it isn't the right time."
Sure, humans aren't machines; we feel things, we experience things, and we question things. But too much introspection and overthinking doesn't lead to growth—it leads to a psych ward. Moderation in everything, including this.
Digging through the past and overanalyzing everything doesn't get you anywhere. At least, it didn't for me. It was just a massive waste of time that left me more anxious than when I started.
Life is actually pretty simple and incredibly pragmatic.
If you’ve ever spent time in a real rural town—I mean a true, grit-under-the-fingernails American small town—you’ll know what I mean. There isn't much room for philosophy out there. You work, you pray, you get married, you have kids, you work, you die, and you move on. That’s it. No endless questioning, no deep-seated fears, no complexes, no anxiety. You just push forward. That’s why people moving from the sticks to the city are usually so tough. They’re often more resilient than the city folks because they don't spend their lives philosophizing.
I’m definitely in a rut right now. I feel completely weighed down by my surroundings and the people around me.
I’ve never been one for euphoria; it usually just feels like a fast track toward bipolar disorder for me. 🙂
Optimism isn't some magical gift. It’s a skill you learn and practice. It's a mindset. All that garbage about "manifesting" or "vibrations" is just insanity if you ask me.
Honestly, I’d tell anyone looking for a way out to study actual optimism. Read some psychology books—not that esoteric nonsense. 🙂
I used to practice this when I was younger, and it actually worked. Even when logic told me otherwise, it held up. 🙂
Lately, I’ve been feeling a bit burnt out, and honestly, being surrounded by such negative people doesn't help. I'm trying to refocus and boost my own energy lately. Just stay positive and things shift. 🙂
I realized I was dealing with some serious learned helplessness, so I made it my mission to break out of that cycle. I'll let you know if I actually pull it off! 🙂
If you want proof of how much mindset matters, look at me. Not long ago, I was stuck in this total lethargy—just zero motivation to move. I started running through some affirmations, and ten minutes later, I was off the couch, tackled a mountain of dishes, cleaned the entire apartment, and wondered why I was ever feeling so useless in the first place. 🙂 Bottom line: it works, as long as you're persistent and don't waste time lying to yourself about things that are clearly impossible.
The biggest win for me was when I used affirmations regarding my style and appearance. Back then, I didn't have the budget for a designer wardrobe, so I just decided to manifest a better look using exactly what I already owned. A few days later, a friend stops by and tells me, "Wow, you've really leveled up your style lately!" 🙂 Meanwhile, I was wearing the same green T-shirt I'd worn a dozen times before. That's when it hit me—it's all about the energy. Nothing else.
Honestly, what you guys are describing sounds more like anxiety than hypersensitivity. It might be worth looking into that instead.
Also, I’m pretty sure there are free counseling services for young people right here in New York City, so why not check those out?
Not to mention getting involved in stuff outside the house. Big cities have endless options—language classes, sports, creative workshops... You just have to take that first step. After that, things usually start looking up. Give it a shot.
If anyone actually has a comment on my specific take on this situation, I'm all ears.
@cosmicviper18, that’s just how the world works. Most people are too wrapped up in their own little bubbles to notice anyone else, so don't go thinking there's anything wrong with you.
Humans aren't built for isolation. Socializing matters, even when people drive you absolutely crazy. Keep at it. It beats being lonely. Honestly, try to find some interest in everyone you cross paths with—every single person has a story worth hearing. Trust me, they all do.
I actually ran into two interesting women while hiking recently and realized there are still some decent people out there. Sure, most folks are vapid and boring, but you never know where you'll stumble upon someone worthwhile. If you just sit at home, you won't meet anyone.
So, put a smile on and get out there. Go anywhere. 🙂
p.s. Value yourself more. If you don't respect your own worth, nobody else will.
Definitely let me know! Look, you can always just bail and log out. I highly doubt anyone’s going to force you to turn on your camera. If you feel like speaking up, fine, but if not, don't. Just give it a shot—I'm sure you'll be fine. And if you aren't? Just log off. 🙂
Did you see yourself in that situation? So I'm not the only one?!?! Good to know. 🙂
Look, if you get the chance to talk to someone, take it. It's not a bad idea. There are group workshops, classes, and even counseling centers for young people near Harvard in Chicago, among other things. Personally, none of that did much for me, but I believe most people find it helpful.
You probably need to find some kind of middle ground—learn how to step back into your own shoes first, then eventually lean toward the other person, but using logic instead of just raw emotion.
I was under so much stress yesterday that I could actually feel my "emotional immunity" bottoming out... I don't know.
I heard some psychotherapist arguing that people like that need to learn how to "get back into their own shoes"—basically stop obsessing over everyone else's perspective. I don't know. Maybe. But if we all just focus on our own damn selves, where does it end? That's exactly why we have global warming in the first place...
I’m just tossing out some advice here, though honestly, I struggle with this stuff every single day. It’s just how I am. But I believe people can change—and they should, especially if it means becoming better versions of themselves.
Seeing other people suffer—or what I perceive as their suffering and life's burdens—really gets to me. Maybe I feel it even more intensely than they actually do. Then again, if we stop noticing when people are hurting, what kind of people do we become?
There’s this older woman on my street who has spent her entire life reselling produce. She picks things up at the local farmers' market and sells them from a small stand. She and her son work from dawn till dusk, and it’s not like they’re living in some massive mansion. Their house is modest—not a shack, but definitely nothing fancy. They're just sun-beaten, constantly rushing back and forth.
She has a stand near Walmart, and every time I finish shopping there, I feel guilty. I didn't buy anything from her, instead handing my money over to some massive corporation that already has more than it needs, while she relies on those few dollars to survive. The other day, I bought two pounds of some specialty potatoes for $5.25. They were imported, sort of niche, and frankly, they weren't even good. For that price, I could have grabbed five pounds of decent local ones at Kroger, and they would have actually tasted good.
But I always end up right back where I started—she lives off those sales, and the owners of Kroger don't give a damn about my $5.25.
I wonder if anyone else actually thinks about this kind of thing, let alone lets it factor into their DECISIONS. I suppose I should probably just look out for my own interests and find the best deal, rather than paying extra for overpriced, mediocre potatoes.
I have a friend who is heavily involved in charity work and is very religious, but money is always her top priority. There is no way she would ever do something to her own financial detriment, even for a cent. Yet, she acts like she’s all about helping the poor.