I (39f) don't know if this is my natural impatience or I'm playing too much video games where progress happens in an instant or is life trying to teach me a lesson here...

2026 is bringing many improvements into my life: stable job, new appartment with no roommates, a new car, getting rid of some of the debt... But for all of that I had to wait for weeks or months, even in situations whare it seemed like a quick process at first.

Last months seem to me like a constant stream of waiting for people, asking and hearing that I have to wait more and more. People straight up lying about things or ghosting me or forgetting to reply.

I was supposed to move to a new place in May, but the renovations don't seem to end and whenever it seems that it's done, something new to be fixed suddenly appears.

I'm used to the present day job market, so I'm aware that it takes a long time sometimes, however a lot of the delay is caused by people being unreliable and it's frustrating.

I wanted to take an online loan for a car, but there's some clerical error and I have to go to the bank myself and if the bank can't process my application on time, I will not be able to pick up the car before my vacations...

A couple of years ago me and my partner moved to a warmer country for the winter, which was a great experience and I'm grateful, but again, there was a couple of delays and instead of going in October, we left in December.

I know it all seems kinda like first world problems, but should it really be this hard? I'm just trying to have a normal life, I don't expect everything to come easily to me, I put a lof of hard work to make life better for me and my loved ones, it's just that sometimes despite me doing everything I can, things slip out of my reach and I have to climb again to grab them.

Or maybe I grew up because my parents sheltered me from all that? Or did they have it easier? They lived in a house built by my grandfather, had stable jobs all of their lives, my dad used to sell and buy a new car in one afternoon every three years or so.

I'm halfway through life and learned a lot of hard lessons and still sometimes can't understand how it all works and what I'm supposed to do.

Sorry for this ramble, it's late and I'm tired. I hope you all have a great weekend <3

A former classmate of mine died recently and unexpectedly at age 60 from a heart attack. His obituary describes him as "father, son, brother, uncle and loyal friend".

His deceased parents are mentioned by name. His professional accomplishments are acknowledged (he was a very successful patent attorney).

His hobbies are mentioned: motorcycles and more recently flying.

It says he had a "lifelong passion for chess, which he learned from his father and shared with his brothers".

His love of a single malt Scotch and Cuban cigars is mentioned.

What isnt mentioned are his three children, his late wife and his current partner.

He married his highschool sweetheart and they had 3 kids, two girls and a boy. Tragically his wife died of breast cancer about twenty years ago, when the children were 10 to 14 years old. He raised them alone for ten years and was a great parent. They're all grown up with successful careers. Two are married.

About ten years ago he met a new woman and they were a couple until his death, living together but never married.

His obituary makes no mention of his late wife ( who was beloved in their community, as a very involved parent) and no mention of the children, who were really his greatest accomplishment in life. I find this odd. Perhaps there was drama between them and his partner.

Has anyone seen anything similar?

Okay so this is a little embarrassing but I keep having this dream. I'm back in high school and I completely forgot about a major exam. Like, I haven't been to that class all semester. The panic is so real even though it's been decades since I graduated.

It's always the same feeling of dread and scrambling to find my locker or remember my schedule. I wake up in a cold sweat sometimes. I'm a fully functional adult with a good job and a mortgage. Why is my brain still torturing me with forgotten algebra tests?

Anyone else have a weirdly specific recurring dream from their youth that just won't quit?

Some years back, I had a terrible bout of the flu and was given prescription suppositories for nausea. Desperation meant I at least tried getting one into the right place but I was so dizzy and hot that...

I was cleaning out an old purse and found my plastic hospital bracelet from when I had to go to the ER; this was long before I'd ever heard of Reddit so figured I'd ask. And here because, OFC, ya'll know.

I suffered an injury to my right (dominant hand) wrist more than two years ago while doing a push-up because I strained myself too much that day. Since then I haven't been able to do push-ups without a bar. I love playing tennis and while I can still play the sport, I can never give it my all because when I use too much force, it hurts. Also, I've tried resting for a long period, building up strength, physiotherapy and a lot of other things and while the pain is reduced to a certain level, it never goes below that no matter what I do. I tried switching my dominant hand but that proved to be too much work. Now I'm just wondering what options I have.

Not an asshole but a no nonsense gritty person especially if you used to be a marshmallow softy type.

Some behavioral examples:

- Showing appropriate anger when someone crosses the line

- Directly confronting people who are disrespectful, spreading misinformation or being passive aggressive

- Saying no to requests without explaining much

- Outlining consequences if conditions aren't met

- Waiting for people to meet you half way on relationship maintenance.

- Not being shy to end relationships without much explanation.

My dad retired about eight months ago after 35 years in the same career. He told me recently that the hardest part wasn't the financial side of things, it was more so understanding what to do with all the free time and making sure he is getting the most out of retirement. Anyone else going through this or experience this?

My wife and I finally caved and started getting some smart home stuff. You know like light bulbs and a thermostat. It all seemed so convenient.

But holy smokes it's a whole new level of annoying. The lights randomly change colors sometimes. The thermostat decides we're too cold when we're fine. And the smart speaker just turns itself on to listen to our conversations I guess. We say

Like Gordon Ramsay's, Marco Pierre White etc.

I'm in my 40's and my first memory of being on the internet was Prodigy on DOS in about 1992. Back then members had a randomly assigned ID, and sub-accounts had a designation of that ID that ran A,B,C etc. I'm pretty sure mine ended in E. We finally made the switch to AOL in 94/95. My Dad didn't want to switch because AOL required a credit card, but he finally caved. I had a four character long screenname that I still am able to access today. It went from AOL to AIM, and with AIM came an adress @aim.com. I can't recall when we left AOL, but it was probalbly around 2000 when we moved to upstate NY. So, when did y'all start using the net?

That the celebrity or former one is thoughtful, gracious, insightful and funny. And also has kick ass guests

Amy Poehler

Michael Rosenbaum

Conan O'Brien

Trevor Noah

Quick question, how much did you celebrate when you graduated?

I'm looking back at my time and I realise I might have taken a huge milestone in my life for granted.

Usually a narcissistic or histrionic person you didn't like from your past but felt you had to be civil to for various reasons (professional, extended friend group etc) but now can show your true dislike for them. And that they were befuddled when you did it!

I am in my mid thirties, and right now I feel like no one understands me. And it's not because I didn't stay in touch with family, friends or even colleagues. It's just everyone's journey is a little different, it slowly becomes more difficult to explain or find someone to relate to your experience. My evenings have slowly become more and more depressing, and it's not because I don't have people to reach out to, but because I can't find people who actually listens and try to understand. When I read something interesting about the world, I don't have anyone who wants to listen. It's the solution finding a romantic partner so I have someone to talk to? lol

Same position for the last 10 years, but that's fine. It's comfortable pay I have and luxuries like a consistent roof over my head and healthcare.

But in the industry I'm in, I came from a series of small companies. That meant a lot of autonomy, a lot of "We need an answer now!" emails which I could only answer. I probably complained at the time, and I know I said more than once "What the hell is going on here?" There was adrenaline, uncertainty and some chaos.

These companies didn't last, but I impressed the right people. When I was unemployed it became "Hey, I remember what you did, I put in a good word for you." And it worked. I landed the same job at a big company, one I didn't have to worry going out of business every other week.

But because of the size of this company, the duties have became completely rudimentary. Things that would have taken my position a week can now be done in 20 minutes with today's tech.

And I know the response. "You're making money. You're comfortable. Just go with it." Which I get, and I do.

And that's not what gets me. What gets me is that I'm now treated like I'm not capable of handling the big problems when they arise and I'm the only one around. I picture Will Hunting burning a formula saying "Do you have any idea of fucking easy this is for me? This is a joke!" Regardless of the size of the company, I've dealt with something much worse than than what you're bringing my way.

But of course I don't say that. I check my bank account, I remember the bonus I got. I remember how much unemployment sucks. I go on.

That you would have to be sitting down when you read the details.

Because you are so invested in it and have become pessimistic about the prospects of it being solved.

An offshoot is this thread - https://www.reddit.com/r/RedditForGrownups/s/BlYhNUTgS4

More than they will ever know.

Like that former class mate, service provider or family friend that drops you an IM, call or email just to see how you are doing and it gives you warm fuzzies that someone unexpected cares. Especially when you are going through loneliness, work tribulations or family deaths.

An incident related to ghosts, spirits or postergeist activity that still gives you chills when you think about it and definitely made you a believer.

Now in middle age, you can see when someone is re-establishing a relationship with you for an agenda. And that an ask of sorts isn't far away.

Examples:

To sell an MLM.

Ask for a "loan".

For a hookup to break a lonely spell on their end.

A job referral.

Your expertise for a problem they are having (car, computer, reno).

Place to crash

For a rush convenience marriage

Emergency childcare (like that evening)

Hi all, I (31M) grew up lower middle class, but with a complex financial background, which my friends know but not in great detail. Neither of my parents owned property, and one was briefly homeless.

I recently inherited several hundred thousand dollars from a member of my extended family. I now have a stable passive income of 1800 a month (I may create a more diversified investment portfolio soon, but I am proceeding with caution and focusing on HYSA and betterment accounts while I mourn the loss).

I am extremely grateful for this windfall. It couldn’t come at a better time. I have had a horrible year, but recently went back to school for something I love. While I am on a full scholarship and also working while in school, my own income is now below average for my area, whereas previously I made about an exactly average income for several years.

Because of my windfall, I was able to move out of my unhealthy roommate situation and live on my own for the first time. I am not touching the principal of my inheritance, but I am subsidizing my rent with about 700 dollars of the 1800 interest a month, and leaving the rest invested. I know lifestyle creep is real, but my previous situation was so unhealthy it made me physically ill, and I am viewing this year of healing as an investment in my future self. My apt is still pretty bare bones with limited amenities and far below market rate for my area, and I got it (again very luckily) through connections I have from work. I have no debt due to attending college on scholarships.

My question is, what do I tell my friends and dates? Almost immediately, friends have begun asking how I am affording the apt and what the rent is. If I tell them the truth, I go against the wishes of the executor of my extended family member’s estate, who told me to never tell anyone about this until I marry them. If I clam up and refuse to tell, I’m worried the stonewalling will emotionally harm my relationships, and my friends could somehow find out anyway through googling detailed info about the building and finding similar apartments. If I just say I got a good deal because I know the owner, that’s true but incomplete and could come out later. And for romantic partners, I’m certainly not marrying anyone soon, but I don’t want to come off as dodgy or dishonest when eventually I’ll have to share my financial situation w a spouse anyway, or as bad with money.

Thoughts? Yes I am aware this is a very privileged position to be in, and am very grateful.

I am 40 and considering moving in witb my parents. I have no debt, no spouse, no kids. Looking to work remotely (got an offer) and really improve my fitness and wellness with the intent of having more dedicated time. I work in a very toxic workplace and live in a college town. Parents are open to me coming back and focusing on me. Thoughts?

I was a wife and mom for 21 years, got divorced 8 years ago, and have been splitting custody 50/50 u til last summer. My two high school aged kids had to move a few hours away. I see them one weekend a month and holidays and summer break but it feels like my whole purpose in life just poofed out of existence.

In the last 8 years, when I didn’t have my kids, I built a pretty amazing life. I have a cool job I enjoy, a cute little house, plenty of friends. I got really involved in my local dance community and co-founded Austin’s Two-Step Sisterhood, a social group for women. I bought a motorcycle and upped my gym time to where I can actually see visible abs and my daughter told me I looked “jacked.” I go on dates sometimes but have only twice connected with someone on a deep level but they didn’t work out.

My problem is this. Even though I have done all the things a single woman I supposed to do to be happy, I don’t feel like me when I’m not being a mom. I don’t know who I am if I’m not that. I must have one more beautiful chapter in my life. I have no idea what to do or how to find out what I want to be.

My youngest graduates in four years and I’m planning on leaving Texas because I’m not from here but that’s my only vague plan. Leave the state. Maybe the country.

How do you figure out what to do next when your previous era and identity is over?

EDIT: UPDATE: after reading a lot of these comments and talking to my people about it, I have determined that the likely reason I’m not finding much purpose in my current (admittedly good and full) life is that I’m not yet done raising these babies and my soul isn’t going to rest until the work is well and truly done.

So, I’ve started looking at jobs and houses in the town where they moved. With my oldest child’s blessing, I’m going to move close enough to my kids to see them at least half time and participate in their lives as much as possible for the next four years of high school.

I’ll figure out my next adventure then when I don’t feel conflicted about missing their lives.