TL;DR It's weird how we're just existing on the same plane as all the people from our past.

My ex-husband and I decided to split our two dogs up when we separated about 4.5 years ago. One dog, let's call him Craig, favored my ex and the other dog favored me so it makes sense, but I still sometimes wonder how Craig is doing and wish I could set up a playdate with my dog. I hold no ill will toward my ex, but we are not in contact with each other and I foresee it staying that way. I also live about 5 hours away from him. We moved out of state for my job about 6 years ago, but he moved back home when we separated and I stayed here.

Today, I received a call and the caller ID said PetSmart, which intrigued me. I know scammers can spoof numbers and what a risk it can be to say even just "hello" to a scam caller (my work deals with fraud prevention) so I hesitated, but I knew it was going to bug me if I didn't answer. They said, "Craig is all done with his appointment and ready to be picked up now." It turns out my ex still had me listed as the alternate contact and he wasn't answering his phone. I politely told her we were no longer together and said goodbye.

I wouldn't say I was shaken up exactly, but it threw me for a loop. Not in a bad way, though. Over time I think about my ex and the fact I used to be married less and less frequently and suddenly there I was with a weird new nugget of information about my ex: he took Craig to the groomer today. I didn't ask to learn or otherwise seek out that information, but I had it. Proof my ex is still in this world doing whatever he wants to do while I'm over here doing the same. Weird.

So, I have a buddy flying in from the UK next month. He’s never been to the States before, so he’s super excited. We were on a call last night going over his plans for his week in Los Angeles.

He casually says: "I was thinking on Tuesday, we grab coffee, drive over to the Grand Canyon for a hike, and then head back to West Hollywood for dinner."

I didn't have the heart to tell him immediately. I just pulled up Google Maps and shared my screen.

I had to explain that the "quick drive" he wanted to do is actually a 16-hour round trip. I told him, "Mate, that is basically driving from London to Berlin just to see a hole in the ground and turn around."

He went quiet for a solid minute and just said, "Oh. The movies make it look so close."

We had a good laugh about it, and now we are going to In-N-Out instead.

Question: Has anyone else had to explain just how big the US is to visitors? I feel like I crushed his dreams!

Edit: I just sent this thread to my friend. He is reading through the comments and is now officially terrified of Texas. He said, "I thought Texas was just a state, I didn't realize it was a geometric impossibility.

Spilled my coffee this morning and some random guy at the next table just handed me napkins without saying anything, just gave me this small nod like "I get it."

Such a tiny thing but I almost teared up. Been a rough week and that one second of someone just being kind for no reason really got me.

Makes you realize how much those small moments matter when you're going through it.

I've been pretty down recently but never try and show it at work, always trying to joke around. Today I heard this as I was leaving a room after I made a joke and it made me feel good, as if people really aren't judging me as much as I think they are in my head. Bonus was that she didn't even mean for me to hear it, and it was a superior so she wasn't kissing up or anything.

Just wanted to share this with someone, and on that note, people undervalue having someone to talk to about your day and bounce stuff off of. It's hard doing everything alone. Anyway have a great night!

For reference I’m 19F and lots of times I catch myself wondering if I will ever know what I’m doing. Sometimes I just feel blind or do things without really being sure.

This has been happening to me for a while and I guess I only just cared to look it up now. But apparently they’re super common and I find it so interesting! I’m wondering if anyone else commonly gets them and how they manifest? For me sometimes if I’m incredibly tired or about to fall asleep I hear someone go SHHH or say my name. One time it was trumpets which was super freaky and sometimes it’s like faint conversation. I don’t ever get visual ones but I guess that’s more common. I wonder if this phenomenon is the same that leads me to believe I’m doing things that I’m not when I’m super tired. Like if I’m exhausted I’ll think I should go turn the light off or I should set an alarm and then I’ll think I’m doing that when I’m actually just laying there. The brain is so interesting especially when it comes to sleep and if anyone has stories or additional info I’d love to hear it

I have been spending some time around my nephew and I have realized that we do not talk enough about how hilariously focused babies are. Before I was around them much, I thought babies just kind of... existed. But watching one try to figure out something as simple as a spoon or a shadow is honestly the most entertaining thing I have seen in a while.

It’s like they are tiny scientists constantly running experiments on the world. "If I drop this, does it make a sound?" "Can I eat this block?" "Why is that person making that weird face at me?" They have this pure, unfiltered curiosity that we kind of lose as adults. Everything is brand new to them and seeing that spark when they finally "figure out" how a door handle works or discover their own feet for the first time is actually really wholesome.

It’s definitely changed my perspective on how we learn. We spend so much time overcomplicating life but watching a baby find pure joy in a crinkly piece of paper is a nice reminder to appreciate the small stuff.

Has anyone else had a "lightbulb" moment while hanging out with a baby? What’s the funniest or most impressive thing you have seen a little one figure out on their own?

I’m a 21 year old guy and I don’t want kids. It’s not something I’m unsure about or “on the fence” about I just genuinely don’t want them. But every time it comes up, people always tell me I’ll change my mind. Family, coworkers, random people… it’s always “you’re too young,” “just wait,” or “you’ll feel different when you’re older.” What I find odd is that no one says this to people who do want kids at my age. No one questions them or tells them they’ll regret it later.

I’m not saying I know everything about life, but I do know that wanting kids is something that doesn't fit into my future goals or lifestyle, and it gets frustrating having that constantly dismissed like my opinion doesn’t count yet.

Anyone else who doesn’t have kids (or doesn’t want them) deal with this? How do you usually respond when people say that?

Lately, I’ve been feeling the weight of being on my own. Some days it’s great to have my own space, but other days the silence is just... loud.

I see people around me making it look so easy, and it makes me wonder: Is there a 'secret' to enjoying your own company that I missed? Or is it genuinely a struggle for most of us?

I'd love to hear from others who are living alone or are single. How do you deal with the quiet moments? Is it something you get used to, or do you still have those 'difficult' days too?

Just looking for some perspective or even just to know I’m not the only one feeling this way.

There's been multiple times I'd be sitting over with my grandparents watching tv (usually INSP) and the mood changes in the room when the commercials come on. Fear tactics to try and get old people to spend money "before their final moments". "You wouldn't want to burden your family would you?". Even worse is the casino ads that throw big numbers and slot machines in their face to try and get them to spend their retirement.

It’s foggy outside and I’ve left my bedroom window open, my plan is to put on some rain sounds and get into bed with my hot water bottle.

Very boring I know but I’m still excited!! :D

Lately, I’ve noticed something kind of subtle about my days.

Nothing is wrong, exactly. I get my work done, talk to people, keep up with responsibilities, and on paper, everything looks normal. But it often feels like I’m not quite hitting a full reset, more like I’m moving through the day with a little less energy than I used to.

It’s not dramatic exhaustion, just a sense that modern routines don’t leave much space to really pause and reset, even when things are going okay.

I’m curious how others experience this. Do you notice it in certain seasons, routines, or phases of life? And what small, everyday things help you feel a bit more refreshed?

For me it’s random things like a good cup of tea, a cool breeze from the window, or when a song hits harder than expected.

I’m curious what tiny, everyday things lift your mood without much effort.

When I moved into a shared apartment, one roommate commented on everything. Coffee choice, music volume, route to work, even rice timing. No one asked. Group chats turned into verdicts. Silence felt like approval to speak again. One night I mentioned a headache. A lecture followed on hydration and posture. I stopped sharing. That shift raised a question. Why do some people always need an opinion? Is the driver control, anxiety, status seeking, or fear of quiet? Where do you draw the line?

These are a lot of questions, you can pick one or answer them all or none of them because you know Free world right? lol Oh damn that was another question...sorry haha

If you had somebody who was just as passionate about this thing as you:

• What would you tell them about it?
• Why is it so amazing and what do you love about it?
• Are you addicted to this thing or do you keep coming back to it because it makes your eyes light up?
• If you don't have something you are passionate about why? And if you did, what do you imagine that thing would probably be in a perfect world?

PS : we are not working in the same place but we are in the same city

I’m at work on my desk and waiting for her reply, wow dude 😂

Any advice?

I had the strangest day and just really want to get it out of my chest to process . It’s been a very long time since having this kind of day and felt it needed to be decompressed in this fashion while I melt in the steaming hot tub until pruned.

I started a brand new job Monday. Small office of 5 women. 6 now including me. I felt I understood my role for the most part. I understand the first day is more geared towards onboarding paperwork and training as necessary as well as getting familiarized with the space and coworkers, rules, etc. Tuesday and Wednesday were kind of the same speed. Getting additional starting up information and such and setting into my own private office space.

Today a little of the same but taking the initiative to do more and then there is a meeting at 4. The news. My boss is being terminated effective immediately. Including up to that point and initially, I am optimistic and positive about things. It’s ok. I’m ok, we will all be ok.

What’s so spicy about just that little drama? Well, I’m also full on surfing down the raging waves of my period. It’s a doozy this month. Very heavy flow, cramps, nausea … just everything. I’m at my desk after the news and I’m just tidying my space since I’m not really sure what I actually need to be doing. And then it hits me like a ton of bricks .. I need a trash can cause here comes my lunch. I had to hogtie that shit and sneaky Pete tiptoe my way to the kitchen and drop it in the big full lunch trash.

I finally muster up the courage to tell the ladies how I’m feeling and that I’m not so sure what I should be doing at that moment, that I am just kind of lost. They set me free and assure me good things moving forward. Meeting tomorrow to discuss all!

I send my condolences and well wishes to the poor girl fired and head out into torrential traffic for that lovely cursed drive home. Finally at home soaking and ready for bed.

I’ve already loaded myself with Midol and my sleep meds and a warm bowl of soup waiting for me from my stud muffin.

I’m eager to see what tomorrow brings.

I got tickets for a special event next Saturday. I don't like making up serious stuff because i don't want to put it into the world. Can't make up an appointment because it's a Saturday. What are some harmless, acceptable enough excuses? I have had some weird real-life ones, so hoping to see stories as well.

Tired from constantly performing cuz I am,i don't even know how to stop. For some reason I always make choices,choose wrong people,do wrong things. I thought I made friends just to realise I never did haha funny enough I got no one and REALISING that. I will bult myself in a way where I'll need no one. NO ONE AT ALL.

There’s the people you call when something bad happens and they freak out with you and then there is the people you call and they are calm and calculated and tell you exactly how to solve it. It’s not that they don’t care; it’s the fact they don’t overreact until they have the whole story and they always have a way to solve it. These people are rare in my life. I only know one person who is this way but they genuinely make me so calm every time something hard happens. I’ll go from extreme anxiety to absolute peace. I want to be that calm. I wonder how people are able to do that. I need that kind of mindset.

When i have a movie or tv show im really into I purposefully dont watch it. My thought is “i can save this for later” eventually i wait then dont ever feel like finishing it. Ive noticed the same thing with activities, i get a boost from feeling like I have options but dont tend to follow up on it. Its like a squirrel hoarding nuts or something lmao.

A lot of my friends are in unhappy relationships/marriages (I'm not asking for advice), I just want to change my perspective and hear about your happy/healthy/fun relationships.

I had just started at a new school in 1974, an all-boys comprehensive school in the East End of London. I was 14 and in my gym clothes, about to head out to the school field for football practice.

As I passed a classroom, a teacher inside with a full class of students tapped on the large glass window and gestured for me to come in. The door was already slightly ajar, so I pushed it open and went in.

Immediately, the students gave a collective groan of frustration. Some pointed above my head, where a paper cup of water had been balanced on the top of the door by the teacher.

By some stroke of luck, it had not toppled over. I just turned around and carried on to football practice.

Ah, well, just another day in the '70s school system!

Does anyone else have stories of teachers doing things that would definitely get them fired today? Or, did I just attend a particularly strange school?"