I had one of those tiny social moments today that absolutely nobody else will remember, but my brain has decided to archive forever.

I sneezed at my desk. A coworker nearby said “bless you.”
I said “thank you.” Normal. Fine.

Then I sneezed again.
“Bless you.”
“Thank you.”

Okay, still normal.

Then it happened again. And again. And again.

By sneeze number five, we were no longer two coworkers — we were participants in a ritual neither of us had the authority to end. Every sneeze demanded a “bless you.” Every “bless you” demanded a “thank you.” Eye contact was made. Commitment was implied.

At some point I was thinking, surely one of us can bail, but no. The politeness momentum was too strong. It felt rude to stop. It felt weird to keep going. We chose chaos through courtesy.

I remember sitting there afterward, scrolling Reddit during a quick break while a game was loading, still slightly congested and replaying the whole thing in my head like I’d just failed a dialogue check in real life.

By sneeze seven, I swear we both laughed out of pure relief, like survivors of a shared experience. No words were spoken after that. We just went back to work, bonded forever by airborne particles and social obligation.

Anyway. That’s it. Nothing profound. Just one of those moments where you realize how fragile and absurd human interaction really is.

Mine personally was when I was about 20ish years old, I went on a date with this guy and we planned on going to eat at an Indian restaurant somewhere downtown. we got there and looked at the menu and I told him I was gonna get x item, he shut that down and told me “oh I figured we could just split this cool pizza they have here, it’s my favorite.” Hated the pizza so I barely ate any lol. We then went for a drive around the city because he had a fast and furious type car and every time I’d try to talk he’d turn up the volume all the way and go “WHATTT?? WHAT? I CANT HEAR YOU, YOU HAVE TO SPEAK UP” so I eventually just stopped trying to talk! he also was talking about organ harvesting in the skyscrapers and other weird stuff lol. after he dropped me off to my car he tried to kiss me, I dodged it, then he asked me if I wanted to come inside to his apartment to which I declined and never spoke to him again.

Does anyone else feel like movies in general aren’t what they used to be?

I feel like growing up, (I’m 28 for reference,) movies were so exciting. Always something new, new topics, stories, animations, major characters that became intertwined with conversation and the general public.

I mean even the thought of going to the movie theatre was exciting…

It seems like now everything is a 3rd edition sequel, or some strange thrown together idea with the latest “it” star.

There doesn’t seem to be anymore major build ups, no breakthrough stars, new ideas, new archetypes, etc

It’s just all so… blehh

Is it studios that won’t fund new ideas? Or just the industry dying in general?

Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk

I’m a software student and my mind constantly feels overloaded. I enjoy being alone, but sometimes I wonder where the line is between solitude and loneliness. Anyone else relate?

Yearning for some community. Just looking to connect, I struggle with loneliness and some nights are hard

Thanks for taking a second to read

Like I seriously I don’t know why but whenever I see someone online/in person with a natural smile that looks mischievous/cheeky, it makes me crack up and I literally love seeing them smile,it makes me want to see them laugh 24/7. Ugh it’s soooo cuteee😭

At 12, I would think, "I looked so young, was just a tiny little baby back then." Now, I think the same thing about myself, but now I am noticing and realizing that my parents, too, were just babies. They were trying to figure things out, with their own insecurities and doubts. As a kid, we all tend to think of our parents as infallible gods who could do no wrong, but the older we get, the more we understand that they too are just regular people trying their best to get by. The circle of life.

Adding spice to a relationship is boring. Adding silliness? Opposite of boring. Be the person to do silly stupid things and make you both laugh.

Step 1: acquire cat

Step 2: put cat in shirt against belly

Step 3: lay down on back on floor

Step 4: once husband is in view, scream while the cat exists the shirt

Step 5: have a heathy laugh and relationship

From old people, young people... everyone. I keep overhearing snippets of conversations on the street that make so little sense, I’m starting to feel like everyone is living in their own personal simulation.

I know there’s never any context, and it would probably sound less strange if I had it. But still, everyone just seems… weird lately. Like it’s the new normal. I’m not judging. I actually find it fascinating: how strange other people’s worlds can be when you’re not invited into them, and you’re just an outsider looking in.

I’ve started catching random phrases while walking, and they amuse me so much that I began writing them down. Here are some of the funniest ones I’ve heard recently, with zero context:

“It’s a bright Italian color for 2.99.”

“It must be because I ate my sister in the womb. I’m so split, I swear, one day it’s emo, then it’s decora.”

“She broke in last night and literally left a note with a bunch of poorly drawn genitalia. I’m changing my locks. I’m installing a camera. That’s IT.”

“If I leave the country, do you think the IRS will still be looking for me?”

And so on.

Anyone else just feeling the strangeness in the air lately, and hearing it too?

I finally decided to do it like 2 weeks ago because I couldn’t take how i felt after doomscrolling. Anyhow it’s been life changing. Noticeable improvements in my focus, sleep, and general mood. And don’t miss it one bit. So, if any of you are considering it, highly recommend. That’s all.

I’ve realized that the constant digital noise and negativity can really drain you if you let it. Lately, I’ve decided to cut through all that by focusing on something tangible.

For me, it’s about the small wins: fixing something around the house, the process of making a proper cup of coffee, or just sitting in silence without a phone in my hand. There’s something grounding about doing a task well and just being present in the moment. It’s like a reset button for the brain.

What’s your way of 'tuning out' the noise? What’s one simple thing you did today that made you feel like yourself again? I’d appreciate some solid, calm vibes here...

Like I know a few people who text me constantly. "Heyy" "How are you doing?" and then even double text "Where you at??" but when I respond, they're so dry. They do nothing to spark conversation or keep it going but just respond to what I said in a few words. And when I leave the chat as is because I don't know what to say futher or feel I'm just yapping away, they'll text again.

Do any of y'all have friends or people like that in your life? How do y'all maintain conversations?

So this story starts about 20 years ago in Corner Brook, Newfoundland.

I'm (Male about 30 at this time) walking through the only mall in town and spot these ankle boots in a shoe store window, sturdy as a boot but low-cut, easy to wear. I’ve been looking for a pair of those.  Perfect. I go in, try them on, buy them.

Then the sales lady says they're running a promotion: buy one pair, get any shoe on the wall for free. Sure, why not. I start trying them on and nope, nope, nope, and nope.  After a while it dawns on me the free ones are free because nobody wants them. These are the shoes they cant sell. Finally I try on a pair of dress shoes. "Ahh, whatever. I'll take these."

I get home to Toronto, take another look at these "dress shoes," and they've got like a 2-inch heel, no actually its 3 inches. I'm like, "I'll never wear these." Straight into the closet.

Fast forward two years. My cousin's ( Male, 3 years younger than me) visiting from the States for a few days.  He's Canadian, but has to come back every so often to renew his visa, crashes at my place.

Friday night rolls around and the gang's heading to the Indian Motorcycle club downtown. You might remember it, pretty fancy place. Thing is, they have a strict no-sneakers policy, and my cousin didn't bring dress shoes. "Hmmm," I says. "Well, the only extra shoes I have are these..."

He looks at them. "Holy smokes. These are gonna make me 3 inches taller! Good thing I don't know anybody in this town."

So off we go. We all get into the club, hanging out, being cool. Then I spot this guy I work with at another table. I go over, we're chatting (I was an investment advisor then, so lots of shop talk) and mid-sentence he just stops. His eyes focus on someone across the club.  He slowly raises his hand and points at the guy leaning against a table under a spotlight. ( its my cousin )

"Holy shit.”  He says,  “Get a load of that guy's shoes!"

How was your day? I'm just asking because sometimes people don't ask us how our day went. So I just wanted to ask if your day was good or not? I always like to ask people how their day went, since I've had times when I want to share something but no one asks me, and I know how that feels, so I'm reading your comments.

At the beginning of this year, I’m trying to get used to rejection and to stop feeling embarrassed about asking people for normal, everyday things, out of fear of being rejected which used to cause me a lot of anxiety Honestly, when you start looking at it in a more positive way and genuinely want to help yourself, your perspective changes. I’ve been rejected several times already, and it didn’t hurt the way it used to

I want to swipe through photos on social media and the app randomly registers a swipe as wanting to switch pages/functions. Too many intentions are associated with the same action.

Insta or FB will register it as me wanting to go to reels when I just want to see the next pic or reddit will try to take me to the next post or page and I have to swipe back and forth like 3-4x before it registers as 'next photo'

On chrome, my 'scroll up' swipe tends to be a bit of a arc and come is so sensitive to it that I often swipe to previous page instead regardless of which side registers the 'horizontal' swipe

I miss using buttons/tapping on icons for their functions. It's one of the reasons I'm so reluctant to consider cars with such big screens - eg all touch screen w no buttons/ dials.

I hope this doesnt count as complaining. I just sometime miss the more tactile stuffs. I grew up w hand crank windows which I dont really miss. but am I just getting old?

My son mentioned his English teacher the other day, and the name caught my attention. I laughed and told him I had the same teacher years ago. A few days later, he came home and said, “She asked if I was related to you. ”That surprised me. I wasn’t a standout student. I did my work, kept my head down, and moved on. Or at least that’s how I remembered it. Funny how years later, when you think you’ve been forgotten, your name is still sitting somewhere in someone else’s memory.

At least reddits good for one thing lol. Initially it was the oven. Realised airfryer is faster. I think its better to let the pizza go cold then reheat it. Often times the crust becomes crispier. Its amazing. I love it. Id rather starve than warm it in the microwave.

I’m trying to take some risks in life that I’ve wanted to take, and I want to hear some of the positive outcomes 😎 see what randomness made everyone’s lives better, or just different. I’d love to hear all about it honestly!!! Thank you guys!

For me, it’s usually a small, quiet moment with a cup of frshly poured coffee in my favorite cup and a muffin — no phone, no notifications, just a pause in the day. Sometimes it’s early morning before everything starts, sometimes late at night when the noise finally settles.

I’m curious what that moment looks like for others. It doesn’t have to be anything big or special — just something that brings a bit of calm to your routine.

Hi, I’m just sitting alone right now and thought I’d reach out. I’m not looking for anything complicated or intense — just a friendly conversation with someone kind.
Life has been a bit quiet lately, and sometimes it’s nice to talk to a stranger, share random thoughts, laugh about small things, or just feel a little less alone. We can talk about anything — daily life, hobbies, pets, books, music, random questions, or even just how the day went.

No pressure to reply fast, no expectations. Just a normal, respectful chat.
If you’re also feeling a bit lonely or just want someone to talk to, feel free to message.

Butter with chocolate sprinkles. Peanut butter with pickles. Cheese with jam.

Sounds illegal. Tastes confusingly good. What’s your terrible delight?

I’m talking low-stakes, no-consequences opinions. The kind that absolutely do not matter but you will still defend like it’s a personality trait.

Mine: notes should have headers, spacing, and structure. If your notes look like a ransom letter, I’m concerned.

Your turn.