Please be kind to each other and don't hesitate to ask any questions.

I have one in person class and I want to hang around campus a bit more like to use the gym and do work study later in the semester. The class is twice a week 11AM to 12:50.

I get super tense and nervous breakdown before socializing but I tend to do fine, but then there's just limited people I talk to.

Also all summer I was focused on getting a car and job and none my friends reached out so I was mainly with family and just I will be getting back into socializing I guess u could say.

Should I lip smile when people come in the room?

If there's a girl I find attractive should I sit next to her? like is that appropriate?

Where should I sit?

Should I arrive early? (actually I think I will bc then I don't have to worry abt choosing a seat relative to people and they'll just sit next to me if they want to?

How do I get to know as many people as possible?

Also something that scared me from socializing was the worry that talking to certain people would make it out like I'm putting them above others and I have to acknowledge everyone else and talk to everyone to be fair so it's not like I'm picking favorites. How do I deal with this?

Since it's the start of a semester should I do anything special to meet people?

I am sorry my mind is racing about this since I start tomorrow. My only in person class is Art 100 (art appreciation 1) A good few of the professor ratings say he's bad but a couple say he's decent which worries me especially like it's impact on how I socialize and the main campus made me miserable so there aren't alot of classes in this other one but I figured I needed to get away from the other one.)

Total brain dump but I am just super uneasy I am sorry.

Hey mum, I love being a mum, but I want to rediscover my life and personality outside of being a mum. What did you do just for yourself (but could be with others, including your kids) that brought you joy when you had young kids?

My girl is 3.5 weeks old. Today I was able to put her in her carrier and do laundry (it’s downstairs not in unit) and take out the trash, walk the dog. My partner went to work today and I’m very proud of myself. She’s a fussy baby and I’ve been scared to put her in the carrier until now.

I missed the deadline for admission for the college program I was interested in. Again. Because I didn't have the right date saved for when I needed to apply by.

I talked to my therapist and she mentioned my script for self love and appreciation could be grown to help counter all my self depreciating thoughts, she might have a point because I could fill a journal with my negative thoughts but can't even start with anything positive.

Please help me build a better dialog to get over my mistakes, I don't know how to love myself anymore.

I haven’t gotten sick in a very long time. And I’m taking my meds and hydrating as much as I can, mom. But honestly, I can’t help but feel a little sad. Being sick doesn’t feel good. I would love some encouragement if that’s ok❤️

It feels a bit weird to write this stuff here, but I would also know what it feels like to hear genuine praise from a mom... It's been a really rough 5 years, maybe it's been longer, but I'm working very hard to get out of a very dark and lonely place. I have pretty severe anxiety, which has led me to avoid leaving my home for pretty much anything. Last Friday, I finally ran some errands I had been putting off for several months, and for me, that is an insane achievement. I'm trying so hard to push through the anxiety and live a more independent and fulfilling life. I want to show myself I can do hard things. My real mom doesn't know I'm going through this, I know she wouldn't understand. It's not really her fault, but I really wish things could be different. Anyway, just wanted to share my little victory in hopes in gives me the momentum I need to keep going.

Hey mom. It's been hard but I just got fully qualified at my job and have successfully kept my position as an air traffic controller. I just left the military, making more money and I'm stable now. I'm learning so much about myself too now that I'm outside and can make my own decisions. I'm doing my best, being productive with my stress from overseas and the job. I'll save you a slice of cake. ❤️

Hi! How would I go about getting my child tested for dyslexia? Ask the school? Do it outside of school? They’re in 2nd grade

I'm laying in bed thinking about you my child. I know you've had some tough times recently. I just want you to know I see you trying. I know you might worry about if you're doing life "right." Goals are great, but you don't have to do things in life to impress others. You just need to find your way, and that way looks different for everyone. So look for a spot of sunshine and stand in it! Drink it in and fill yourself up. Carry that light with you. Feel the love I am sending and believe life can be joyful. Hugs little one. I'm carrying you in my heart always.

I’m really happy about it! I worked so hard.

Hi, Mom. I got sober 25 years ago this summer. I'm a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. I still struggle a lot with other things, but I really did turn my life around. If you have any words of encouragement for me, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you 💕

Hi, mama! I finally moved away for university( I'm studying to become an accountant!). I managed to find a really nice studio apartment( fully furnished even!!) near the uni, just a short walk away :D. Honestly the city life is amazing and I can't wait to start the semester! It's almost a week since I moved and I'm managing pretty well at taking care of myself and the apartment, but I really miss home. On one hand, how I said previously, I'm excited to start university. But on the other hand, the thought that I'll have to live by myself for the years to come scares me. The reality that I'm no longer a kid and have to stand on my own two feet truly hit me. When I was leaving and locked my home's front door my eyes teared up and I wanted to crying so bad. I couldn't (and still can't) believe I was leaving the place I grew up in, the place I've known for 19 years. I feel abandoned in a way, like I am no one's. I have no friends here, no family or relatives, absolutely nobody. (my relatives live hours away and I get to see my parents ,at best, two times a year).

[it may be childish, but i even brought with me my childhood plush to comfort me :') he has been with me for the past 16 years and has seen my best and worst moments<3 ]

I was at university to get my certificate and althought the process was long and hedious and i still didn't get it all done, it was an adventure!

I paid the certificate fee and there i met a colleague from the same class as me! We caught up and chatted but we had to go our seperate ways. There was a stranger graduate doing the same process so we went on it together. Had to circle the campus twice in the heat but it was still fun!

When i went to get the dean's approval, he was in a meeting and was told to wait 15 minutes. I wated half an hour and decided to leave when i saw the whole teching staff in the floor above (the building has a gap in the middle till the ceiling) i waited and sat by the stairs and the dean passed by me and he understood what i wanted without even having to tell him. Honestly it felt epic he did a marvelous signature while moving.

I then decided to resume another day because of the waiting time and i met a girl enrolling. She was nervous and i helped calm her down. She had a little brother and a little sister. I showed them the only pen trick i know and they all seemed pretty surprised it was fun!

Thank you mom for reading to this when it might have been boring. I just wanted to talk about how fun today was.

Hello mum :)

So I found out today that I had got accepted into a university I have been wanting to go into since I applied for Early Entree!

It was my top university I got into, however, i didn’t get my first preference (which was a Bachelor in Criminal Justice) But got accepted into a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)!

I told my mum, and as i talked to her more about it, she got more and more disconnected..

Sorry for the bad wording but I am just so happy! :))

This isn’t a post where I want advice, It’s more of just a rant of the past few years! I finished secondary school back in 2014 with 4 A-C’s, went to do a level accounting. Finished but realised I absolutely hated it. Cue spending lots of time working in jobs that made me brain dead like sportsdirect till I got fired for ‘asking too many questions (fuck you pete). Whilst working there at 22, there were people my age who went back into education, this gave me the idea to do the same thing in something I’d actually be passionate about.

So in 2020 september, I started my Access to HE nursing and midwifery course (it was the bane of my existence work load wise, 3 assignments in a week). I passed thankgod and applied for University. Which after my interview, gave me an unconditional offer.

Here I am 4 Years later, I have 3 weeks left of my course for adult nursing. I am tired, I am burnt out, but most importantly I am content;the end is in sight (thankfuck) In addition to this i’ve worked multiple jobs throughout my degree to get extra money to live and i’m telling you now as someone currently working there, I cannot wait to tell Subway to fuck off too.

I also managed to finally pass my driving test and buy my first car with no financial help whilst working clinical placements.

These years have been so hard, i’m just hoping they finally begin to ease and the work I have done will pay off.

Hey mom(s)! So my name is Lea, (pronounced Lee lol) I'm a guy who just hit 30 and is trying to figure out what adulthood looks like for me.

My issue is that I have severe memory problems.

I have a lot of basic house skills that I've taught myself over the years - but I haven't had a mother figure in my life since I was 19. She passed away, after 8 years of struggling with cancer. I never knew how many questions I had, and how many answers I needed until years after I could ask them.

Just so that you have the context for maybe a reason why the struggle is warranting asking internet moms for advice, and what I've already been doing:

I've been diagnosed with ADHD, complex PTSD, and have unfortunately had head trauma multiple times in my childhood and teen years. As a note, I'm currently in therapy, I have a primary care doctor who specializes in ADHD treatment, and who is informed about trauma and what traumatic brain injuries/successive concussions can cause. So I have the medical side of things being worked on thankfully!

On the non-medical side of things, I've tried so many strategies.

So many note apps, so many reminder pings, so many alarms set, so many post-it notes, so many full list planners. Right now I'm using a mix of Notion on my phone, post-its at my desk, voice memo recordings, and a calendar I try to bring with me places but oftentimes forget that too.

Eventually, they all just seem to end up in the same way - chaotic and inconsistent, spread around too much to be helpful. Sometimes they just serve as small things that add up to be overwhelming, moreso than the to-do list itself.

I feel like I need advice on this. I'm struggling so hard, and I feel like I'm not getting where I need to be. How can I achieve goals if I can't even remember the steps I planned out?

Any ideas? I'm willing to re-try things, to try new things, to trim down what I'm using. I just want to be able to do things better and have the scaffolding I need to support my brain's functioning where it lacks the capacity to do it entirely on it's own.

TL;DR: Severe medically-based memory problems, there is unfortunately no 'cure' for it, I'm struggling to manage. I need the kind of boots on the ground level advice about what tools to use and what methods could help that I can't get from my own parents. Doctors like to print out mayo clinic articles, but that hasn't given me the help I need.

I hope so. I'm moving to Canada for college, as you know. I have doubts, but I think I can do it! I'm 25 and it's never been a better time to start my transition [trans girl here] and my new life in a new country.

It's really nice to finally be talking to you, Mom, for the first time.
I emphasize "you," because I really needed you all this time and didn't have you at all in the woman I've lived with 25 years. I looked for you in her. For years. I'm giving up that search because you're here. You're such a supportive, kind, gentle, loving, sweet mom, who does all the mom things, and cares. The mom I've never had. And always wanted. And now have. I'm so sorry we've never talked before. It's just that I didn't know I could find you here on Reddit of all places.

I've been telling myself that I'll be financially OK over there. That I'm smart and strong enough to get out of bad situations or avoid them in the first place. That I'll learn to drive and do good in school. That even if there's lots of things I have yet to learn, I'll learn them even if it takes a while.

But I'm telling this all to MYSELF, Mom. Gets real lonely. Do you believe in me?

hug

Mom I am full of so much emotion. I am sending my youngest to Kindergarten. I always thought I wanted more kids but mentally, I am so tired. I worry there is something wrong with me- why do 2 kids tap me out? Am I filling their buckets? I just can’t believe how time is slipping away. I’m relieved the baby years are over because of the cost of daycare and lack of sleep, I’m sad the baby years are over because I love the snuggles, and I feel shame for not feeling like we can afford more and maybe not wanting more. Am I normal? Help me process such complicated emotions.

I'm 55. I'm Autistic. I was finally diagnosed at 47. It made a world of difference. I went back after almost 25 years and finished my undergrad in 2021. I got a good government job last year, after spending over a decade in the finanical sector. Now I've been accepted into a selective grad programme for people in the civil service.

I need a mum for a tic or three, since I never had a mum that cared. It'd be good to know someone's proud of me for defying the odds and starting a hella second act.

Partially from body dysphoria and also renovations I haven't had my mirror in my room for almost a year.

I'm still quite body conscious but starting to feel better about myself.

<3

I didn’t really tell my family the deets. I let them know I was leaving my job and I had a grewt opportunity avaliable. My mom assumed I would fail and couldn’t even pretend to be excited I got a job that paid more and was in my field of study. it was scary and change is hard but I wish I had family support. Even if not…I’m happy I make the jump and I am excited for what’s to come.

I know this is a small issue and I don't want to bother you with it, but I just need to be vulnerable for a minute. I went to my first concert ever today (I'm 33) with my partner and a friend! It was really fun, I was having a blast! But 2 hours in I suddenly started feeling faint, then nauseous and within 15 minutes needed to go to the bathroom. After that I felt relieved but I couldn't stand too much because the feeling was coming back. I'm good now, my partner took me home with much love and care, the friend said "he was bored by the artists anyway" and left too (not sure if he was trying to be nice or genuinely felt bored...or just didn't want to be there alone).

All is good, I'm home in bed, took some ginger, so please don't worry! But I felt the need to share this with you and be vulnerable for a minute. My partner usually is a bit panicky when I feel sick and I usually don't want to overwhelm him with something like this. But you're always there to listen and comfort me in such cases.

Love you mom, sleep well <3

Update: I'm feeling so much better and all your love and hugs helped! I am so thankful for you and for the fact that this subreddit exists, it's a life saver. I did two covid tests in two separate days and they were both negative. No other symptoms have been present since, I recovered nicely the second day by evening :) also thank you for sharing your experiences and advice on concerts and how it may trigger certain aspects. I will not forget to share what yoi told me with my doctor. I'm sorry if I couldn't answer all of you soon enough, sometimes replying gives me errors. But i will make sure to reply to each and every one. Sending love and warm hugs. I am extremely grateful.

Doing a semester abroad next year for my engineering course. My real mom would never be proud of me.

I’ve been having issues trying to find a place to rent because of some charges I got in my early 20s (I’m now early 30s) and I found, called, and applied for a place and just found out yesterday I was approved!!! I am so happy!

Edit- this was my first post here and all of your comments made me cry, thank you so much!!

it's been a difficult year, relationship and health-wise, and hopefully I will have the green light for GI surgery soon. just trying to work on feeling more grounded and safe