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when you've had a really good crush, what made it fun? what things did you do / choose to focus on (or NOT focus on) that made it fun and good? Asking from the perspective of someone prone to anxiety and overly categorical thinking, which can easily infect otherwise lovely mindsets and times of life. purposely keeping this very open-ended and general, any input welcome! [more inside]
posted by seemoorglass at 6:55 AM - 11 answers

About a month ago, I inadvertently caused a car accident: an elderly couple swerved to avoid me, and totaled their car. Because it was weather-related, the police reported that it wasn’t my fault. I drove them and their belongings home and arranged for a free tow for their car, because I felt so bad about the situation. Upon reaching their house, I saw that their flagpole flew the An Appeal to Heaven flag, and their totaled car had a large Defend The Constitution in the '24 Election sticker, though they didn’t display any signs that specifically mentioned Trump. And then... [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:09 AM - 13 answers

I have developed an inappropriate and very painful psychological attachment to a co-worker—but cannot for the LIFE OF ME understand what the nature of the attachment actually is, and therefore am completely stuck in my attempts to get over it. This has NEVER happened to me, and it is making me insane. How do I rid myself of this feeling and prevent it from happening again? Attempts to work this out via therapy, meditation, and parallels with various weird relationships in media and literature have so far been useless. Blizzard within. Note: non-N. American working culture [more inside]
posted by blessmycottonsocks at 6:39 AM - 24 answers

How have you experienced being close with someone who has a really bad memory? Or, if you're a person who has such a memory, what is your internal experience of building friendships/relationships? [more inside]
posted by wormtales at 10:34 AM - 20 answers

My parents are in their mid-to-late 70s and are slowing down. They have lived in the same house for almost 50 years (300+ miles from where I am now) and have "new" neighbors in the last 18 months who are exceptionally nice and I want to show them some appreciation without making it weird. [more inside]
posted by AgentRocket at 10:30 AM - 6 answers

I resigned from a position recently and I'm feeling huge guilt. How should I process it? [more inside]
posted by starcrust at 11:39 PM - 24 answers

I am feeling spread way too thin in my life these days and struggling for how to respond to people who are pushing (in a kind, friendly loving way!) for more time with me. I'm too exhausted to even look at the situation clearly or figure out what I need, apart from a seven-year nap in a cave under the sea. So I thought I would kick it to the thoughtful folks here. [more inside]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 8:44 AM - 25 answers

I know pretty clearly what I’m looking for. I have no interest in settling. I’m happy being single. I’m feeling hopeless about ever finding what I’m looking for, though. [more inside]
posted by cruel summer at 9:42 PM - 12 answers

My job is requiring me to return to office full-time, 5x a week, from my current 100% remote status. I have Stage 4 cancer and asked my oncologist for a reasonable accommodation (RA) letter, but was told no. Suggestions on next steps? [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 10:04 AM - 17 answers

I’m a federal employee in DC and almost all my friends, neighbors and several relatives are too; and of course my coworkers are all terrified every day at work. My question is - how do we cope collectively when we are all falling apart? I am trying to keep from spiraling but unlike other crises in my life, everyone is going through exactly the same thing and we mutually freak each other out instead of being able to support each other. Right now this feels worse than Covid - maybe because the worst in the scenario has already happened to many people I know? I know that’s logically wrong but just saying that for reference about the atmosphere here in DC.
posted by anonymous at 2:44 AM - 12 answers

My organization went through a very tough 2023-24. At the end of 2024, several of my colleagues lost their jobs, while my job and a few others went to part-time. It was very stressful and we had a long period (four months or so) in which we all knew how our jobs were ending - or not. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 3:52 PM - 13 answers

I have lots of relatives of varying ages from 2 to early twenties. Nieces and nephews. Halp. [more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 5:21 AM - 18 answers

My partner has chronic, fairly intense depression with a potpourri of other challenges. I have my own bundle of lifelong mental illness stuff that is less acute but still pretty draining. Looking for resources about having a depressed partner - not "how to support them" [although that is of course important] but about processing/dealing with the effects it has on me and on our relationship.
posted by needs more cowbell at 3:56 PM - 5 answers

My mom has been living separately from my dad who is domineering and harsh. As she's learning to do things for herself, she sometimes makes mistakes and then feels regret and anguish. I have an urge to swoop in and prevent the mistakes, so that I don't have to watch her lament. Can you share wisdom about letting her learn by making her own mistakes? [more inside]
posted by cheesecake at 5:13 AM - 25 answers

I’m looking for a therapist who specialises in relationship OCD or relationship anxiety/indecision. I’d like to do telehealth/Zoom consults, so they could be anywhere in the world. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 9:33 PM - 4 answers

My in-law Beth approaches money in a way that I can't imagine myself doing, and I'd like to understand her mentality. Also, she insistently invites me to be a houseguest for several days, but then makes demeaning comments about my life. That's not something I would do either. Can you help me understand her better? [more inside]
posted by cheesecake at 5:48 AM - 32 answers

Any tips on finding family therapists licensed to practice in both NY and CA? Psychology Today, web searches, and Reddit have not helped. [more inside]
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 11:07 AM - 5 answers

I often feel like I say the wrong thing or am just generally unhelpful when a friend looks to me for support about something they feel insecure about, whether in their work or romantic life or whatever it might be. I really want to be there for my friends, and I try to follow along on the details and am often responsive when they want to talk I think, but then I don't always do well on building them up and helping them leave the conversation feeling better. [more inside]
posted by justsomebody at 9:04 AM - 14 answers

Who's this actor? It's on the tip of my tongue, and I can't remember his name. I know I've seen him in a few things, but this is from a reality show where he's not credited. [more inside]
posted by Carillon at 12:44 AM - 6 answers

Long story short, I have to leave my boyfriend soon for my own sanity and emotional and mental health, though I am deeply reluctant, but I know I just have to soon. Is it my duty to tell him that I am really concerned for him? His life is a mess and I am seriously concerned and disturbed the more I think about it. [more inside]
posted by anon1129 at 9:01 PM - 51 answers