Ask MetaFilter

This month I lost two friends to cancer, including my best friend of 40 years just a week ago. In a couple days I return to my apartment in Pittsburgh, where I live alone and don't know many people on account of being new. I am dreading the solitude but I don't do support groups or religion. Aside from the usual "meeting people" activities, how can I meet others who will be good supports? [more inside]
posted by mermaidcafe at 9:05 PM - 4 answers

I'd like to be a kinder, gentler, softer person to those around me and would like to volunteer in some capacity. However, I'm very much an introvert, have terrible social anxiety, and struggle with feeling trapped when I have a commitment with a set time. Can you help me figure out how I can both be of help to others, while also taking care of myself (but maybe also stretching myself a little bit)? [more inside]
posted by Sassyfras at 9:48 AM - 11 answers

I'm the caretaker for a chronically ill parent. During past emergencies, I discovered that my support network was sparser than I wanted. My friend network was great for sharing fun times but less reliable when my mom was in the hospital. What are your tips for building a stronger support network for future medical tough times? [more inside]
posted by roastbeef at 1:19 PM - 15 answers

I need to give my thoughts a little room. What can I do to make this happen ? [more inside]
posted by nicolin at 1:50 AM - 26 answers

How should I, or how should I have reacted when my Mother in Law made a comment about my wife making all the money? [more inside]
posted by ljs30 at 1:20 PM - 25 answers

26th year of marriage. 26th Christmas fight. Can the cycle be broken? [more inside]
posted by Lemkin at 11:42 AM - 91 answers

I just ended things with someone and I need some feedback and processing. [more inside]
posted by pando11 at 10:20 AM - 14 answers

I would like to stop thinking about my ex, but Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind memory wipes aren't a real thing. What's the next best thing in the real world? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:54 PM - 29 answers

You often hear about how people who didn't get enough to eat growing up will overeat - eating at every opportunity they can, even when it's not necessary, because their body is used to not getting enough and not knowing when the next meal will be. I think I do the same with rest. Does anyone else do this, and what helped you stop?
posted by anonymous at 4:55 AM - 9 answers

I'm due to visit my mum (in her 70s) at Xmas. My lovely pregnant sister has estranged from her. This has been a long time coming - the final straw being a public shaming of sisters choice of baby name. I was estranged myself for 8+ years and I totally get that people do what they need to to survive - but how do I survive being 'in the middle'? [more inside]
posted by tanktop at 7:57 AM - 8 answers

I am interested in hearing how people have adapted or coped with the loss of holiday joy and traditions due to loss and change. [more inside]
posted by fies at 11:27 AM - 14 answers

How or if to say something to a nice coworker who has to one up everything I discuss? [more inside]
posted by shaarog at 6:39 AM - 34 answers

Should I confront a long time friend who seems to have "quiet quit" our friendship? [more inside]
posted by ljs30 at 5:39 PM - 25 answers

Two months ago my boyfriend said something that completely shattered my confidence. He told me I "tasted bad," like I don’t shower, and even mentioned a specific moment retrospectively at the holidays when he was so grossed out he had to stop after just a few seconds. He said he doesn’t enjoy oral but would “compromise” and do it occasionally since it brings me pleasure. But that I have bad taste and he doesn't like the consistency. I sadly have UTI sometimes but I don't think this affects the parts below urethra. I am his fist sexual partner and I never heard such complaints from my previous partners, I am not sure how to tackle this from medical point of view or psychological? [more inside]
posted by InisMona at 9:33 AM - 25 answers

Recently I have heard of a few new couples, including cases where one or both have kids from other relationships, moving in together very early in the relationship. I think my questions boil down to these: this is not great, right? and, also, is this happening more, or am I just noticing it more? And, also, maybe, what are folks thinking, if most of us (right?) know it's not great? I know sometimes it's financial, but also maybe they're caught up in new relationship energy? (I hope this isn't chatfilter.) [more inside]
posted by woolsocks at 2:16 PM - 29 answers

My partner (49) and I (52) are considering moving in together—specifically, her moving into my house. This would be a big relationship step and life transition for both of us, especially at this age and with kids involved. So equal parts excitement and nerves. We’re looking for advice on how we could make this go as smoothly as possible. [more inside]
posted by gottabefunky at 12:46 PM - 12 answers

After some attempts to figure out why I am so consistently tired/cranky/lonely and feel better, I want to accept myself as those things. [more inside]
posted by Sophiaverde at 11:32 AM - 20 answers

How do you handle someone who is emotionally abusive and using their child as a pawn? [more inside]
posted by charlen at 7:41 AM - 17 answers

My mother tells me that when I was a toddler, I'd follow her around copying everything she did, and when she'd do something like get hiccups that I couldn't copy, I'd have an absolute meltdown. As an adult, when I'm close to someone, I still feel like I need to have the same experiences they're having. Why? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:41 PM - 20 answers

I've seen conflicting answers online about tipping ettiequte with Uber drivers, and as I rely a lot on Uber now, I wanted some clarification. [more inside]
posted by dubious_dude at 7:15 AM - 40 answers