Since childhood I've been a rather sensitive and justice-obsessed person, but also pretty interested in / attentive to the well-being and inner lives of other people. But I feel increasingly drained. In my field of work there is a lot of getting-ahead through nepotism/ingratiation rather than ability/ passion/effort, and it bothers me. In my life I have people whom I generally like and have opened up to, but who, at critical junctures, exhibit such self-absorption that I'm left feeling not only outraged but injured. I want to change the intensity and duration of my reaction to these things, as it's a huge waste of time, and sometimes upsets my own self-esteem. Please help me stop thinking about other people without becoming alienated and alienating.
posted by taramosalata on Nov 18, 2009 - 9 answers

Please help me analyse this workplace drama. I feel betrayed by my friends and discriminated against for being pregnant. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 17, 2009 - 34 answers

How to write a brief email to a disrespectful parent who stole money to try to get it back? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 20, 2009 - 18 answers

How do you start over, with a new love or without one? Heartfelt, soul-searching soap opera of my life and love inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 9, 2009 - 31 answers

How do I face the Other Woman? [more inside]
posted by deadlypenguin on Jun 29, 2008 - 34 answers

We put blood, sweat, and tears into our Canadian apartment. We moved to Chicago for school, and roommates are leaving earlier than agreed. Looks like we might lose a place we cherish and need. Help? [more inside]
posted by Lieber Frau on Feb 22, 2008 - 36 answers

I'm Jewish. My wife converted many years ago. I found out that my Mother-In-Law secretly baptized my children. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 27, 2007 - 114 answers

2 months before the wedding. Fiance kissed another man while drunk. Told me about it. Now what? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 17, 2007 - 76 answers

How do I get past the trust issues brought about from an abrupt, unexplained end to a close friendship of three and a half years? [more inside]
posted by WCityMike on Oct 28, 2007 - 34 answers

Betrayal - I've betrayed my girlfriend, yet we are still together, trying to heal, and work through the mess I created. Should we even bother? Is this relationship salvageable? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 26, 2007 - 40 answers

I did something effed up and now I'm paying for it. [more inside]
posted by reallygoodgirl on Aug 12, 2007 - 33 answers

My wife had a months-long affair and I've given her another chance. Any suggestions for getting rid of these awful feelings? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 2, 2007 - 51 answers

I am starting to hate my cousin and best friend. Please help me forgive her. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 3, 2007 - 33 answers

How do I regain my husband's trust? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 30, 2006 - 48 answers

What can I do about a business partner who ran off with an idea? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 17, 2006 - 13 answers

I messed up. Roommate, girl, me. Things go boom. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 7, 2006 - 30 answers