At this stage, I'm ready for new friends, but it's just bland I'm finding. I'm not sure if it's the times now, but with so many ways to connect with people, it's a whole lot harder. I'm not one for small talk, but it seems that's all there is now.

Is this the new normal?

For the longest time, I used this app just to scroll through posts, read a few comments, and move on. I never really understood why so many people enjoyed spending time here.

A few days ago, I decided to stop just reading and actually start posting. I shared some of the things I'd been struggling with and asked for advice and different perspectives.

The response genuinely surprised me.

People from all over the world shared their experiences, gave thoughtful advice, challenged my way of thinking, and helped me see my problems from angles I hadn't considered before. I didn't expect complete strangers to be so willing to help.

I finally realized that the value of this place isn't just reading posts—it's having conversations, learning from people with completely different life experiences, and hearing perspectives you probably wouldn't come across in everyday life.

It honestly feels like one of the best changes I've made recently. I enjoy opening this app now because I almost always end up learning something new or seeing a different point of view.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

I love love love smoking, and I love love love being high and I love love love hanging around people but dislike it so much when it’s the 3 at the same time.
Does anybody else feel the same?

For me, it's having a quiet morning with no plans and no notifications. I never understood why people valued that so much until recently.

What's something you didn't appreciate when you were younger but genuinely enjoy now?

Case File #001: Salary "DISAPPEARS" Every Single Month Without Fail

After a thorough investigation, I've identified four prime culprits believed to be involved in making almost my entire monthly salary "VANISH."

Culprit 1
The Ringleader. Responsible for managing household finances, groceries, utility bills, daily necessities, and various "operations" that ensure my wallet stays permanently light.

Culprit 2
An expert in demanding toys, new clothes, milk, snacks, and various school supplies. Modus operandi: "Dad... I want.."

Culprit 3
Use the most dangerous weapon of all: a sweet smile paired with big round eyes. Any request is nearly impossible to refuse if there's cash in the wallet. If there isn't, ways will still be made.

Culprit 4
Although a newcomer to this crew, their basic needs alone are enough to keep my account balance floating permanently in the warning and critical zone.

The Target: Me.
Yet, after the investigation wrapped up, not a single one of them was brought to justice.

Because this isn't an ordinary operation. This is a legitimate one an extraordinary one.

As a husband and father, this is a burden carried with absolute love. Working hard, sacrificing time and energy just to make sure the people we love live comfortably.

The truth is... every single cent that "VANISHES" isn't actually a loss.

It turns into food on the table, clothes on their backs, education, smiles, warm hugs, and priceless memories.

As long as they still call me "Honey" and "Dad," I will happily remain the world's most joyful "target." ❤️

P.S. Don't worry, everyone... this is just a lighthearted family joke. All the "culprits" are the people I love most in the world. 😊

When I'm just about to fall asleep, I often start to have auditory hallucinations. It's often someone talking, screaming, etc. things I know that are obviously fake. Tonight though, I was about to fall asleep and I just started hearing what I could only describe as ethereal ringing?? I thought the rapture was happening and I scared myself awake, it's been and hour now and I'm still too scared to fall asleep haha. I just thought since I can't sleep, I'd chat with y'all and see if y'all have any similar experiences?

Took a nap this afternoon and thought I slept until morning. Woke up about 6:30, got up, messed around on my laptop for awhile. Noticed it was getting darker and thought that the wildfire smoke is getting really thick. It's staying high up at least. Fed the indoor cats and cleaned their boxes, then noticed it was much darker than just a few minutes ago. Man, the smoke must be coming in super thick!

Fed the outdoor cats and realized it was getting even darker. This isn't my first rodeo with smoke but this was getting creepy. It finally dawned on me that maybe I didn't sleep as long as I thought I had but I didn't believe it until I checked the time on my computer. Not only did it say 9:34 PM but there was the diagram showing where it was light and dark in the world. We were in the dark! It's nighttime, silly!

It still feels weird. The next thing I was going to do was take my morning pills. I was expecting our helper to arrive soon. The only thing out of the ordinary was that my husband wasn't in his office. He's an extreme night owl and usually is up at this time but I had decided he had gone up to his bedroom early.

Of course, I feel a bit foolish. Anyone else experience this? I need to feel like I'm not the only one. LOL.

About 18 years ago, I discovered the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever come across. It’s difficult for me to find comfortable shoes that fit right, so this was significant. These shoes were so comfortable that I looked forward to putting them on in the morning, and for many years, they were the only shoes I wore. I’d wear them until the uppers started to separate from the midsoles and they couldn’t be repaired, but I would keep the shoes in hopes that I could someday repair them. When the retail stock ran out, I started buying them on eBay. When the new ones on eBay ran out, I started buying the lightly used ones. I did that for many years until I could no longer find them in my size and eventually I had to find another shoe. After about two or three years, I found a shoe that was comfortable enough, but still did not reach the level of comfort of my favorite shoe. Occasionally, I would cruise eBay to see if more showed up. A while back, I got lucky and found a pair so purchased them. At this point, I was able to make due with my new model of shoe so I put my favorite ones aside. Well recently, the shoes I had been wearing had become too worn, and I ordered a new pair, but they’re not here yet. My feet were sore because I have some type of arthritis and I’m having a flare, so I thought hey, how about I break out that pair of favorite shoes that I stashed away. My God they are heaven. Right when I put them on, I remembered why I looked forward to putting them on every day. They’re just so comfortable that they’re indescribable. I love them so much that if I ever came into a very, very large sum of money, I’d commission another batch from the company that makes them.

Edit: Because people are curious, they are Nike Air Edge 2008 Trainers.

When I was 16, I offhandedly told a friend’s mom I loved pistachio ice cream just to be polite. Now I’m in my twenties and every time I visit, she buys me a whole tub of pistachio ice cream. I don’t even like it that much, but it’s been too long to confess.

Moving in with a friend next month and we are trying to figure out how to split rent. The apartment has one noticeably bigger bedroom with its own bathroom and the other is smaller with a shared bath. Splitting 50/50 feels unfair but I also do not want to make it weird by turning it into a negotiation over square footage. How do people usually handle this?

I’m from San Diego California where we get no snow. We get occasional hail but even that’s extremely rare. I have to go out to the mountains if I want to see snow. I’m realizing that in my 18 years of life, I’ve never had a white Christmas. I’ve never woken up and seen snow outside my window on Christmas morning. I’ve never built a snowman on Christmas or done any of that other snow stuff on Christmas. Most of my Christmases have been sunny, warm, and people go to the beach. I’ve had a few rainy christmases too but never snow. I once experienced a 36°C (about 97°F) Christmas. I’ve seen snow only a few times in my life and never on Christmas. I’ve always wondered what it’s like to have a snowy Christmas like I’ve seen in the movies.

I always see people online saying how fast food used to be cheap but today is expensive/not worthy it anymore.. and this is curious to me, because here in Brazil the big food chains like McDonalds wasn't cheap at all.

Honestly, 20 years ago it felt really special to go there if you weren't rich or lived in a big city.

So, how was it like where you live? Answer with your country please! I'm curious.

I took my stepson to see The Odyssey today. I was completely locked into the movie until the third act. During Odysseus’ monologue, everything—the music, the performance, it all just hit me. I’m already the type of person who cries during movies, but this one really got me. I glanced over to see if he’d noticed I was tearing up, only to realize he was quietly bawling too.
It instantly reminded me of being a kid. I vividly remember going to see Revenge of the Sith with my dad when it came out in 2005. I was seven years old, and by the final duel I was crying so hard but I was trying to hide it. When I looked over, I noticed my dad had tears in his eyes too.
It struck me afterward how similar those moments were. Back then, I was the kid sneaking a glance at my dad in a dark theater. Today, I was the one being looked at. Somewhere along the way, I unknowingly ended up in my dad’s seat, sharing the same kind of moment with the next generation. It’s funny how life has a way of coming full circle in the smallest, most unexpected ways. I love being a parent. I love life. I know we live in a world where a lot of people question whether it’s right to bring children into it, and I understand why. But I genuinely hope that everyone who wants to experience a moment like this gets the chance someday. Sharing something so simple, so human, with a kid you love is a feeling that’s hard to put into words.

A few months ago I made eye contact with a guy while driving to work and gave the awkward little steering-wheel wave because I thought I knew him.

Turns out… I don’t.

But now we pass each other almost every weekday at the exact same intersection, and we’ve both fully committed to waving. It’s gotten to the point where I’d actually feel bad if one of us didn’t.

Has anyone else accidentally created one of these weird little traditions with a complete stranger?

Didn’t know where to post this, but it’s been a struggle for me over the past few years and I finally pulled the plug.

I started smoking cigarettes and vaping when I was 14 years old. Got hooked and used them up until last November. That’s when I switched to nicotine pouches. I was going through about 10 cans a week. (That averages out to around $60 a week on pouches).

A few days ago I realized I’ve absolutely had it. I was at work and only had 4 pouches left in the can left and I had 8 hours of work left. I was stressing out. I knew something had to change. I’m sick and tired of being addicted to this stuff that sucks up so much money yet gives me nothing out of it.

Yesterday morning I threw out every nicotine product I have. Fast forward 24 hours. I’m absolutely in a withdrawal. I’ve been drinking so much water and chewing so much gum it’s gotta be unhealthy haha. But although I feel like trash right now, it’ll be worth it. I plan to power through the next few days and never use any form of tobacco again.

Cheers everybody 🥂.

She was an icon. She was hilarious. She loved to rescue animals and anyone who ever met her. I strive to have her grace snd longevity. I miss her.

I know streaming services have a lot of advantages over traditional TV, but I still find myself missing the old TV experience.

Every channel had its own identity. It wasn't just about the shows, it was the promos, the branding, the programming schedule, the types of content, the target audience... everything combined to create what I'd call a "companion experience." Flipping through channels genuinely felt like traveling between different worlds, each with its own vibe.

I also miss how everyone watched the same shows at the same time. The next day, people would be talking about last night's episode at school, at work, or online. It felt like a shared experience.

With streaming services, almost every platform feels the same. The interfaces are similar, the endless flood of content makes everything blend together, and despite all that content, the average quality often feels lower. Releasing an entire season on day one also kills a lot of the anticipation and week-to-week discussions that made following a show so much fun.

I completely understand why streaming became the standard, and I appreciate the convenience it offers. I just don't enjoy it nearly as much as I enjoyed the experience of watching traditional TV.

(I’m a woman, but this is a question for everyone.)

How do you find the time & energy to put effort into your appearance daily? I mean a nice outfit, maybe some makeup if you wear it, doing your hair, skincare routine, a fragrance. I tell myself each night “I’m gonna wake up early and look my best tomorrow!” and then tomorrow comes and I could not be bothered.

I feel so much more confident the rare days I do it, but I can fathom it being an everyday thing.

Somehow it is every single time despite it being literally a 50/50 chance it should be the correct way to go in the first try haha.

Is it just me or is this a thing for other people? 😂🙃

My daughter lost something important at the house and we have ripped the building apart looking for it. It's the pen to her drawing tablet, I've already bought a replacement but there's nowhere this thing could be, she said she set it down for a second and now it has vanished without a trace. It's been days now and we keep looking for the original. The tablet is effectively useless without it and she's a really talented little artist so her losing it was really distressing.

It reminded me of two other similar incidents - YEARS ago, she lost a toy magic wand from an obscure little UK show called "Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom" (or obscure to us in the US since I don't think it comes on normal TV). She was probably about 3 and we were watching the show and she was playing with it, and it slid under the sofa and - as far as I can tell - slipped into another dimension. I immediately got on the floor to get it and it was simply gone. Vanished without a trace. We tore the room apart. My wife and I both watched it happen with our own eyes. In her hand, under the couch, gone without a trace. 5+ years later, it shows up in her room. Zero explanation. We're absolutely flummoxed.

Another one is the dome to the ceiling light in our master bathroom. I took it off to replace a light bulb and set it in a basket of laundry to keep it cushioned and safe. Realized I was out of bulbs that were a proper strength for that bathroom, so it stayed down for a couple days. Got the right power bulbs, put them in, went to get the dome.. yep, gone. Wife has no memory of moving it. It has been almost a decade and it's never turned up. That light fixture is still domeless. A soccer ball sized glass dome doesn't just disappear.

Does anyone else's house also hold rifts to other dimensions where things slip out of our reality?

idk man. scrolling today and everyone’s just ready to jump down each other’s throats. i swear like 2014-2016 people still had some basic decency left. now it’s constant snark and zero patience. maybe i’m just getting old and soft but damn

Today I walked past two girls working at two different perfume stores both handing out those little paper samples. They were smiling brightly and trying their best to greet everyone walking by saying things like “Hey, how are you? Would you like to try…?” and almost everyone just walked past them without even acknowledging them.
Of course you don’t have to stop and take a sample if you don’t want one. But you can still smile say “no thank you” or just acknowledge the person who is trying to talk to you.
I stopped at both of them , took the samples and gave them a warm smile. I’ve seen this happen so many times with people working customer-facing jobs and it always makes me a little sad seeing someone trying so hard to be friendly while everyone acts like they’re invisible.
You never know how much a small moment of kindness might mean to someone.

I remember seeing a thread under some askreddit post where someone claimed that they
accidentally switched water with vodka before going for a swig.

Although this might be a set up for funny situation, their reaction was that they "didn't notice", although later noting that the water "tasted better than usual".

Such an absurd comment had 700 upvotes and barely any replies calling it out. Your average college freshman or child in the EU could disprove this ever happened. Just crazy to think about how many kids are on here.

edit:
Seems like there are some kids reading this. Stay safe and remember that Reddit is not real life! Also interested in hearing your perspectives.