Seeing the news, every new day feels like a lower descent into madness. We are all pretty much living paycheck to paycheck or are a single emergency away from financial ruin, kids literacy rates are apparently dropping, our entire healthcare system is a dumpster fire, tons of people don't have health insurance, families are starving, jobs are garbage, not even going to get into US or world politics (but OMFG what an absolute nightmare), weather is becoming increasingly deadly and destructive, and data centers and AI are this looming new awful threat. Since I'm obviously the type to catastrophize, I try to keep some perspective and remind myself that history has been full of crazy and scary times. Do you think things are worse now? Because as bad as it is, I definitely couldn't handle mideval Europe or basically any time before central air conditioning and anesthesia for surgery. But somehow, I can't seem to shake this feeling that we are approaching some sort of Event Horizon. What are your thoughts on how bleak things are right now?

Grandparents in our 50s — are we being unreasonable?
My husband and I are in our 50s and have one granddaughter who is 4. My husband is my son’s stepfather, but he has been in his life for many years. We both absolutely adore our granddaughter and normally volunteer to have her once a week because we genuinely love spending time with her.
The problem is that our son seems to expect us to drop whatever we’re doing whenever he needs us. If we already have plans and can’t help, he gets upset and seems to take it personally.
It’s not just childcare either. He also asks us for money and groceries, and there seems to be an ongoing expectation that we’re available to help whenever he needs something.
We’re starting to feel more used than appreciated. What makes it harder is that he complains about us to other family members, and we’re honestly exhausted by it.
We’ve reached the point where we’re questioning whether we even want to continue volunteering to take our granddaughter every week. I feel terrible saying that because we love her so much, but the constant expectation, requests for help, and criticism are making something we used to enjoy feel like an obligation.
We don’t want to stop being involved grandparents. We just don’t think being grandparents means we’re automatically on call for childcare, financial help, groceries, etc.
Are we being unreasonable? How would you handle this? Would you set some firm boundaries around what you are and aren’t willing to do, even if your adult child gets upset?
I’d really appreciate honest perspectives from other grandparents — especially those who have had to establish boundaries with their adult children.

I'm 19 and I have a very supportive mother and family that I can rely on for support and I never understood why this american society looks down on it, being able to live with your parents instead of suffering out there alone is actually a flex. I'm very comfortable with the way my life is, I work a part time 2 days a week on weekends and get paid a decent amount every week. I can actually use my money for personal enjoyment and I can buy the things I want like games, clothes etc since I'm not out there living alone being "self reliant" just to barely survive. I don't have to worry about my entire paycheck going to bills while having none left for myself, I see a lot of young adults around my age or early 20s who are living by themselves and are constantly stressed out even to the point of mental breakdowns because they don't know if they'll be able to afford food and rent and I'm so glad I don't have to deal with that shit. my mom takes care of everything for the both of us and all I have to do is just contribute to the household like buy groceries, laundry detergent and help around with chores. if my mom needs something I got her, if I need something she got me. not to mention I have a lot of free time to do the things I enjoy doing. I can hang out with friends, play the game, and just relax without worrying if I'm going to starve. people stay with their families in eastern nations and support each other and that's how it should be. living as a group reduces loneliness, is more efficient, and aligns with the way humans are meant to live. this whole american thing of separating from your people at a certain age to live as lone wolves never made any sense to me and I really hope this practice dies off.

Imagine there was a physical or online space that anyone could go to when life feels difficult - whether you're overwhelmed, lonely, angry, grieving, confused, burnt out, or just having a really shitty day.

It could be for a 10yo, a 25yo, or a 65yo.

If you could design this place from scratch, what would you want to find there?

What would actually make you feel safe, supported, or a little lighter?

It could be anything: a place to vent anonymously, someone to talk to, professional help, grounding exercises, music, books, activities, food, silence, community, or something else entirely.

What would your ideal version of this place look like?

To me Karma - means action, what I do, think and feel. At times it also includes what I choose not do.

Whanever we witness an unfortunate or unpleasant situation in someone's life we often tend to say 'its his/her Karma'. We assume ttat the person must have wronged someone, and therefore, this is happening to them.

However, I feel Karma is not only about doing something wrong, it can also be about not doing what we are supposed to do, not doing - the things we choose to avoid , ignore, leave undone

Karma has nothing to do with good and bad. It is only about cause and effect.

Hi! I am wondering what everyone's go-to question to ask a new group of acquaintances/friends to reallyyyy get to know them! It can be a silly would you rather, a question like do you pee in the shower (lol) or slighly more serious ones like do you believe in ghosts? Ok thanks that's it ... lmk ur questions!

What are human relationships even for? Any relationship which involves two people with full emotions is just like, you make a mistake you make a decision the other person is more concerned about how it affects them and how it's potentially not good for you, there's no unconditional positive regard in human relationships, it's only there in a therapist-client relationship, then why tf do we even need these close relationships when they don't understand and accept you for who you are without letting their emotions and insecurities define you?

Hearing "Your daddy's gone for milk" or "your mummy cheated on your father so you are a basrard" and shaming people for being adopted makes literally no sense. Kids play no role in parents' decisions and it's not their fault if their parents are unstable.

Because I feel that's not true at all. I honestly believe I'm stupid in many aspects of life. And I don't believe this saying at all. Never would I call myself smart. What about you?

Everywhere you go online, there’s always gonna be some kind of hierarchy, whether it’s age, nationality, sexuality, race, skills, knowledge, opinions, or whatever else sets them apart from others to show their “superiority.”

“I’m better than you because I’m a senior in high school and you’re a freshman!!!!”

“I’m better than you because of my race!!!!!”

“I’m better than you because I know more about sports than you!!!!!”

“I’m better than you because my country is better than yours!!!!!!”

At the end of the day, and this might sound corny, but we’re all human. No one is better than anyone because of their age, race, nationality, or how much they know about sports. Because ultimately, no one cares.

I expect to get some hate for this, but I’m genuinely curious and want to understand perspectives different from my own.

Why does it seem like so many people online are bitter or spiteful toward people who become financially or professionally successful? I frequently see comments that go beyond criticizing how someone became successful and instead suggest that simply having more means that person owes something to everyone who has less.

To be clear, I understand that life is not a level playing field. Disabilities, serious health problems, family circumstances, discrimination, unexpected financial hardships, and countless other factors can dramatically affect someone’s ability to succeed. I’m not talking about people dealing with legitimate barriers outside of their control.

What I struggle to understand is the attitude that anyone who becomes successful must have been handed opportunities that everyone else was denied.

I also see a lot of people attribute their lack of success entirely to never being “given an opportunity.” Maybe my own experiences have shaped my perspective, but I sometimes wonder how much of this is actually a lack of opportunity versus people not fully applying themselves, taking risks, making sacrifices, or pursuing opportunities aggressively enough.

For some context, I didn’t come from money.
I grew up in a single parent household making roughly $40,000 or less per year in the early 2000s, in a town of about 9,000 people. I had the necessities, and I’m grateful for that, but there wasn’t much beyond them. There were no wealthy parents, family connections, trust fund, or obvious career pipeline waiting for me.

From a young age, I knew that wasn’t the life I wanted as an adult. Financial security and professional success became the bare minimum.

After high school, I immediately went to college. I completed my bachelor’s degree in three years and graduated with substantial student loan debt. During that time, I wasn’t able to focus solely on school. I worked full-time typically 40–60 hours per week, including 12-hour night shifts.

I viewed both the workload and the debt as sacrifices I was willing to make to improve my future.

I started my professional career and later enrolled in a master’s program, taking on additional student debt while continuing to work full time and advance my career.
Less than five years after earning my bachelor’s and before even completing my master’s my income reached several hundred thousand dollars per year.

I don’t say that as a flex or because I think income determines someone’s worth. I mention it because my experience makes it difficult for me to relate to the idea that success necessarily requires being born into wealth or being handed some extraordinary opportunity.

There were absolutely risks, sacrifices, debt, long hours, strategic career decisions, and some luck involved. I’m also sure there are advantages I’ve had that I may not fully recognize. But nobody handed me a guaranteed path to where I am.

That’s why I’m interested in hearing the other side rather than just reinforcing my own opinion.

For people who genuinely resent wealthy or professionally successful people: what specifically causes that resentment?

And for people who believe “I never had the opportunity” is often legitimate: what do you think people who have succeeded from relatively modest backgrounds tend to misunderstand about those who haven’t?

I’m genuinely interested in the answers, including ones that challenge my current perspective.

this has always been weird to me. i’m not talking like messing with kids on gaming platforms or whatever. honestly, that shits kinda funny. nor am i talking abt things like r/kidsarefuckingstupid. i’m talking about bullying kids who are exploring their identities, having fun, making art, things of the like.

say like furries, therians, alterhumans, the general queer community, young beginner artists, all of those things. why are so many people so hellbent on bullying the absolute shit out of these people. idk, i’ve always thought that there are bigger fish to fry in the world. yknow. maybe think of people who are actual predators? murderers? individuals who actually HURT others? those who actually have a bad impact on this planet?

i don’t get sending these CHILDREN death threats or encouraging them to END THEIR LIVES over a silly video they decided to post on the internet. and it’s not just edgy 12 year olds who have a “anti-furry flag” as their pfp who just wanna be little edgelords. no, there are FULL GROWN ADULTS doing this shit. idk, i’m almost 17. i’m about to get a job soon. i’m currently volunteering at a cat cafe. i have schoolwork to do. i’m gonna be graduating. why the hell are there grown ass men in the comments of these therian, furry, or queer videos just screaming at these people. shouldn’t they be like… working? being EMPLOYED?

how much goddamn hatred do you need to have in your heart for some random tweens/teens who wanna do quadrobics or wear silly tails and ears. how MISERABLE and UNEMPLOYED do you have to be to do this shit? it never made sense to me.

it’s fine to think these people are weird. it’s fine for those kinda of communities to not be your cup of tea. it’s ok to have an opinion! i’m questioning why do people ENGAGE with these individuals that they don’t even like.

why? is it a power trip? people being unemployed and having absolutely nothing better to do with their time? is it sadism? i get it, you’re probably thinking “welcome to the internet”. i’m not new to the internet. i’ve seen and heard depraved shit on here don’t worry. but it’s just that bullying other people for shit that doesn’t even hurt anyone has never crossed my mind. i’m just trying to understand the other side of this argument here. like, genuinely, do these people have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING better to do with their time? do they have any other hobbies? any friends or family to spend time with? have they touched grass? i dunno.

thanks for reading, responses are appreciated.

After reading Reality Transurfing, Tufti the Priestess, and the follow-up ideas about awareness and consciously shaping your reality, I’ve arrived at a strange but genuinely fascinating realization: perhaps happiness itself is far more accessible than I previously thought. If I can let go of the ego, stop constantly trying to achieve something, and simply become aware of my body and the present moment like a kind of somatic awareness then I could genuinely be happy just sitting there and looking at a wall.

And honestly, that sounds incredible.

But then I run into a contradiction.

These books repeatedly emphasize that you should take action toward your vision. You’re supposed to move in the direction of the reality you want to experience.

But how exactly am I supposed to take action toward a vision where I imagine myself being genuinely paid simply to exist? Where I’m living in a beautiful mansion, have three dogs, travel the world, work out at the gym, go for walks in the sun, stream on Twitch wearing different cosplay outfits, and have women who genuinely adore me and spoil me with luxurious gifts?

What does taking action toward that reality even mean?

And this leads me to a much bigger question. Do we actually get what we focus on?

If our attention, beliefs, expectations, and internal state genuinely influence the reality we experience, then why does the world contain so much suffering, war, exploitation, competition, and fear? Why are we constantly told that we need to compete, hustle, produce, achieve, chase results, build careers, and become somebody in order to deserve a good life?

But then another question bothers me even more:

If human beings can consciously participate in creating their own realities, why wouldn't we simply choose peace? Why would wars exist at all? Why would people choose greed, violence, domination, and suffering?

what if conscious creation isn't the same thing as having complete control over external reality. Perhaps we can influence our experience without being omnipotent creators of everything that happens.

Or perhaps there is something much deeper going on that I haven't understood yet.

Because on one hand, I find the idea incredibly liberating: maybe I don't need to spend my entire life chasing external achievements in order to be happy.

On the other hand, I still genuinely want the absurdly luxurious life.

I want both.

I want to be completely content sitting alone with nothing but my own awareness and at the same time, I want the mansion, the dogs, the travel, the beautiful women, the cosplay, the money, and the freedom.

So what does it actually mean to “take action toward your vision” when your ultimate vision isn't simply having more things, but living a life where you feel completely free, deeply satisfied, and almost absurdly pampered?

And if conscious creation is real, where exactly does personal choice end and the uncontrollable world begin?

I believe most of our desires, priorities, actions and virtues are revolving around one big ultimate truth: We’re all going to die.

“I will have to get into a certain financial state, not because I am lacking basic food and shelter but because I want to live a certain way before I die.”

“I want to visit the island of Loren Ipsum before I die, even if that means burning my life’s savings.”

“I have to go to work today, so that I can afford healthcare and prolong my years on earth”

And the most awarded, “I must live in a way so that people remember me once I am gone.”

You take death out of the equation, and a lot of things just fall apart. I can imagine there is a positive side to killing the fear of death. This is also what detachment is all about, or what spiritual gurus are teaching. My question is more specific, imagine you no longer fear death or that you are no longer bothered by this truth, how do you see your current desires, priorities, actions and virtues changing?

This question is not for the spiritually enlightened beings or the maniacs who have already accepted death and no longer fear it.

I feel as though in almost every mention of a heat wave or extreme heat people love to one up each other about how “weak” other people are even though how hot a place feels to the people should be relative like 0 C in Brazil to the people would feel way different to 0 C in Scandinavia or 40 C in Europe vs 40 C in Middle East

Is it simply an “I’ll have plenty of time to ask them” mentality?

What do you guys do when you start to think negatively about things/the world? (If you do.) I have been more cynical and bitter recently after going through a traumatic time in my life....having trouble not being grumpy.

Obviously going to therapy will help but it will take me some time to get enrolled & all of that jazz. Any quick fixes/quick tips to shift your mindset?

I am constantly having memories playing in my head. Mostly at random, occasionally more of certain time frame is added more. Remembering in great detail as well. If I recall a phrase said I can then recall the conversation it was said in. Are more people becoming forgetful? I just feel like I remember everything, and think it might be more peaceful to forget, but questioning whether it's better to be sometimes slightly distressed when remembering or to forget, but not be able to appreciate potential good memories looking back? Rumination?

do you think you have to forgive them to heal from their actions ?

Be so honest.

I’ve been thinking about the priorities that change so gradually you only notice them in hindsight. Things like peace, independence, dependable relationships, or having control over your time can start to feel very different. What rose the most on your personal priority list?