Ever feel like you're the only sane person in this place?

wiredrider2 said:Over the last three years, I’ve dealt with some of the absolute worst stressors of my life—at least according to official psychological scales. Two massive career shifts, moving houses and changing cities, plus dealing with illness and the death of someone very close to me. And somehow, at the end of all that, I'm still standing. I haven't killed anyone, I'm working, I'm not in jail, I don't have crushing debt, and I'm not checked into a psych ward. Sometimes I just don't feel particularly happy, because, I guess, after everything I've been through, it might actually feel weird if I were.

stress is an experience... not an event...

And yeah, everyone else stays screwed because they make such a huge drama out of things that you wouldn't even blink at...

Why don't you love me?

You all gave such incredibly fascinating answers! Honestly, I think everyone should take a moment to look back at what they wrote and see what it reveals about themselves. 🙂

As for the whole idea of "normal"—well, I don't think it actually exists, because reality is really just a matter of how we perceive things, right? But man, what a great topic to dive into! 🙂

wiredrider2 said:Well, you all certainly gave some... interesting perspectives here. I suppose everyone should take a long look at their own answers—maybe learn a thing or two about themselves in the process. 🙂

Thanks for the advice, Doc. 🤣 🤣

wiredrider2 said:Regarding this whole "normality" thing—it doesn't really exist. I mean, there isn't such a thing as objective reality, just our perception of it. But hey, it's a good topic for discussion, right?

NORMALLY SPEAKING, IT EXISTS—normality is just the standard, socially accepted behavior within a community.

AND REALITY EXISTS—it's basically defined the same way as normality, and it's a DISTORTED PERCEPTION of reality that actually leads to ILLNESS.😛

Honestly, some fool decides to declare something "normal" or socially acceptable, and then—the moment a single person refuses to play along or disagrees—they’re immediately branded as mentally ill. I wouldn't say that's how things work... though I suppose I should agree that "normalcy" is nothing more than a perception—it doesn't actually exist. It seems to me that dealing with those deemed "unhealthy" or "socially unacceptable" is just a wonderful, generous way of saying we fear anything different, so let's just systematically neutralize them. I have a profound distaste for norms, rules, boundaries, and especially those people who take it upon themselves to act as the arbiters of what is considered "normal."

This is such a great topic 👍, and honestly, I think we all deal with that weirdly blurry perception of ourselves and everyone else. It’s that constant sense of confusion—like, am I losing my mind? Is the world going crazy? Or is it just all of us at once? In my experience, you don't really start seeing through the nonsense until life gives you a bit of a reality check. People spend way too much energy stressing over things that don't matter, dragging themselves and everyone else down into this collective pit of misery. Based on my own observations, about 80% of conversations I hear are just people venting negatively about every possible problem. It seems like it’s just easier for people to stay miserable than to actually do something to find their own happiness.🙂 And by the way, you aren't crazy 😉 !

Well, I’ve clearly been played for a fool again—it seems my grasp on the situation remains predictably tenuous. Perhaps I simply require a few more blunt reality checks—a metaphorical slap in the face, if you will—before the pieces finally start to align...🙄

hiddentrucker16 said:Man, I got totally played. I'm still lost, so maybe I need a few more reality checks before things actually click..🙄

Haha, "obviously"... 😉 !!

crimsonhound80 said:I appreciate the insight, Doctor. 🤣 🤣

NORMALITY EXISTS—think of normality as the collective standard of behavior that an individual adopts to fit within the fabric of their community.

REALITY EXISTS—it follows a similar logic, yet when one’s perception of that reality becomes warped, it is precisely then that illness begins to take hold.😛

🙂

Name one thing in this world that is considered "normal."

Name one "reality" that exists.

Name one "illness" that exists.

Name one "warped" perception that exists, provided it isn't your own.

I think everyone I meet is perfectly fine, but we’re all unique, and that’s what makes it great. Maybe I just don't know the others very well yet!

wiredrider2 said:Basically, does anyone else ever get the feeling that everyone else is losing their minds and you're the only sane one left? Or am I just actually crazy? 🙂

I remember sitting in a psychiatrist's office once, trying to work through some issues.
The doctor actually tried to comfort me by saying I wasn't the problem—it was just the absolute trash people everywhere else. Then again, looking at your post, you might actually be out of your mind. :-)

And who exactly are you to be thinking anything at all about me? 😉

wiredrider2 said:And who exactly are you to think you can judge me? 😉

See, she wouldn't have even asked that if I’d just told her how brilliant, grounded, and attractive she actually is. Regardless, that whole bit about her was nothing more than a joke. In all seriousness, though—I actually find her incredibly sharp, perfectly composed, and quite charming. :-)

Rachel Martinez11 said:Look, she wouldn't have even asked if I'd gone ahead and told her how incredibly brilliant, down-to-earth, and—let's be honest—sexy you are.

Well explained, I suppose... 👍

Sometimes I think about it... mostly when I'm alone... haha... because if I actually claimed to be the smartest person in the room, everyone would just try to prove me wrong. I can only say it to myself. Yeah, I'm the smartest one here.

It doesn't really matter anyway.😬

In any given group, you’ll find one or two people who actually have their act together, while everyone else is just... off. But from what I've seen, there isn't a single social circle out there where everyone is truly sane—not even the majority. And if that's the case, then obviously those few "normal" people can't just exist on their own terms; they're forced to bend and adapt, otherwise, the rest of the crowd will just label them as the weird ones.

I'm just too normal, and honestly, that isn't normal at all. 😵

Robert Stewart28 said:I am far too normal—which, quite frankly, isn't normal at all. 😵

😂 😂 😂

Good grief, this is actually hilarious...

While I suppose nothing in excess is ever truly healthy, I would give just about anything for a little sense of equilibrium and balance in my own rather chaotic life...

Lisa Rodriguez84 said:In any given community, you might find one or two people who actually have their act together, while everyone else—on average—is just... off. But from what I’ve seen, there isn't a single society out there where everyone is truly sane, let alone a majority. So, naturally, that tiny minority of level-headed people can't just live their lives normally; they're forced to conform, otherwise, they'll just be labeled as the "weird ones" themselves.

So, what you're saying is, some people drink constantly, and those who don't "have to adapt" to the drinkers just to be considered "normal."

Lisa seriously, why don't you take your little philosophy lesson back to a music forum😉 😉 instead of being here trying to nudge kids toward a bottle.😁

Wait, who am I again? Heh, look, I’m not out here trying to peer pressure anyone into grabbing a drink—well, at least not everyone. You actually run into people at places like Kazan who don't touch the stuff. It's rare, sure, but it happens. My point was about someone's actual personality, not their drinking habits.
For instance, gossip is basically the lifeblood of every social circle. If someone refuses to play along—using the "excuse" that meddling in other people's business is pointless and tacky—the rest of the group will just tear them apart. That person ends up looking like a total outsider or an idiot, when in reality, they’re probably the only sane one in the room.
Is that you, Kuište?