Getting dumped for the first time. At the time, I was convinced my life was over. Now I look back and laugh — not only did I survive, but I’m better off for it. Funny how the things that seem like the end of the world can sometimes be the start of something better.
When my mum died. She died really slowly and was aware she was going. But now I don’t really think about it and turns out life didn’t end. Quality of life is a different matter…
somehow, reading all responses made me realise how i too have been through these and felt like my life was over, but to think that this happened multiple times without even realising and still coming out of each hard time stronger, feels damn good to know.
The last 5 years feel like any day could be the day the kettle tips over.. waking up every morning is a game of how long I can go before some bit of news or a thought reminds me of how impossible it is to build community in a sea of hyper-individualistic neighbors.
Prion protein accumulation through dairy products.
It used to make me terrified, but eventually, I stopped being vegetarian and seemed less and less relevant.
Between Aphantasia and SDAM most things if I’m being honest. I remember things like sitting with my dog as he went to sleep for the last time, or finding my mother dead with the same level of fact in my mind as if I tell you I bought iced coffees this morning because they were on special.
Feel in the moment, but I’ve no gateway back to it afterwards.
In February, we lost our dog of nearly 14 years to kidney failure. It feels like the end of the world right now, but I know I’ll be able to manage him better soon
Finding an ex was cheating on me, then being chucked out the house and having to move countries at late notice.
Googled out of morbid interest a year or two later and they had a DUI, another arrest while covered in paint and burning parts of their house and finally a prison sentence for importing Class A drugs. None of that was going on when I was there.
Getting covid -> having to tell my friends and family -> having to cancel my trips -> losing my taste & smell and not getting it fully back until like a month later… Traumatizing time lol
Fukushima power plant leaking nuclear waste into the Pacific Ocean; the accident would have never happened if they installed a gravity fed emergency cooling system.
My husband dying. It’s not that I never think of him anymore. Almost 20 years on, I remember him fondly, but I have a different life now (I did not get remarried, despite people’s expectations, but I made a new path for myself and our daughter) and I’m used to him not being here.
Being cheated on and left by a girl I was with for four years and planning to propose to in my twenties….i did eventually get over it but I’ve never really loved anyone like that since so there’s that but otherwise life went on and I’m doin good
Y2K. It was huge deal, and there was genuine concern and worry. It was scary and it was possible to rationalize the possibility of it happening, and the possible impact it might have on society
When a friend of mine really broke my car after I had him fix something. I really thought my life was over. I suffer from anxiety so I thought the absolute worst.
I took it to a shop and they only charged $700 to finish what he started.
My parents divorce was a really rough time for me because I was in high school and didn’t own a car. Half of their arguments after that were about who could pick me up from band practice or take me to doctors appointments. Now everyone is better off. My parents were not compatible at all
Losing my kids for 2 months. My ex-wife made false allegations against me a put in for an order of protection. For 2 months I couldn’t see them. It killed me. Now I have 80% custody and it feels so good to know that their in a safe place in a good school district and have lots of friends. Im not sure it would have been that way with her
When I was 16, my parents wouldn’t let me go on a weekend trip to a cabin with friends. I was LIVID. I felt like my social life was crumbling before my eyes.
In retaliation, I went out to the lawn and dramatically karate kicked all their wooden Christmas decorations in half. I was grounded VERY harshly after that display, furthering my (self-inflicted) misery.
Getting fired from my first job ON MY BIRTHDAY
I had a 24/7 migraine for four months.
Now I know a lot of people get fired and find another job and are happy (I did but it took awhile)
Getting dumped by my husband. I have been suffering from anxiety since and my confidence and selfworth are still healing, but I soon realized what a favor he did me and what a chance this was for me to find someone who values me, wants to be connected with me, and takes self-responsibility. Without being dumped, I would never have been able to experience the truly harmonious and eye-Level relationship I have now. And I sleep very well knowing that any other decent woman will have the same issues with him, it was not my fault, and he can never change because he doesn’t even want to acknowledge what kind of person he is. So I’m not missing out on a single thing.
When my high school love broke up with me. It seriously was my fault. Then he married my SIL 15-ish years later, and now he’s my BIL. It seems as though we barely knew each other back then. I’m glad she married him, because seriously I think, UGH—thank god I found out how I would never be happy with someone like him, and I never have to wonder about his life as an adult.
Breaking up with my first college boyfriend. Some years ago when cleaning out a desk in my childhood bedroom, I found a notebook with some poems and other things I wrote about it at the time, and it was obvious that I had been absolutely gutted. Many Years Later me was actually surprised to read those things, because I honestly didn’t remember being super upset about it.
Remember Waldsterben (forest death)? That 80s panic about all the forests dying? Acid rain was gonna nuke the trees, ecosystems were doomed, etc. Everyone lost their minds.
Turns out… yeah, forests didn’t actually die. They got a bit crispy from pig shit. But the apocalypse? Not so much. Trees still standing. Waldsterben, as a German word, is excitigly dumb, since now there are more trees in Germany than there were 40 years ago, that is, in the 80s. I didn’t hear that first hand, I was way too little to even hear the fallout of that utter dumbness. I am not saying that nothing was done to make things better, but looking at the headlines back then … yeah.
Now we’ve got “insect death” — same energy. Doomsday headlines, charts with red arrows pointing down, people throwing around words like “collapse” while scrolling past 20 tabs on their phone.
Humans love fatalism. If it sounds dramatic and vaguely science-y, they’re in. Bonus points if it makes them feel bad but not responsible. “But me F150 ain’t got as many dead flies than daddy’s had”. Fucking hell.
Being fired from a job for the first time in my life, nine years ago, at 50 yrs old. Little did I know it would lead me to the company I’m at now where I’ve been recognized and able to fully use my talents and create a niche department that is saving the company hundreds of thousands of dollars per year and smoothed out the end process for everyone. I’m the most fulfilled professionally I’ve been since becoming an empty nester and have a great salary. It’s crazy how life is!
When my 1st husband left me and the kids for a 19 year old. It ended up being the best thing. I learned how to be an independent woman and met the best man and stepfather in the world.
Comments
Failing my driver’s test. Thought my life was over. Now I joke about it.
Getting dumped for the first time. At the time, I was convinced my life was over. Now I look back and laugh — not only did I survive, but I’m better off for it. Funny how the things that seem like the end of the world can sometimes be the start of something better.
Failing a big exam in college- thought my life was over. Now I can’t even remember what subject it was!!!
Getting dumped before prom. At the time I thought I’d die alone. 😂
Losing a job I hated anyway. Best thing that ever happened to me
A huge friendship breakup in high school. I couldn’t imagine life without them. Turns out… easy
Covid
The end of marriage especially since I was trying to save it but he kept fighting me on it. Now I am like “well that worked out in your favor”.
when that cow licked my face
Crashing my parents’ car when I was 17. Thought they’d disown me. They just laughed (after yelling)
Not getting into a program I worked so hard to get into. It was a program where students visit Japan for a week (I love Japan so I was crushed.)
I prepared everything and I was so sure I would get it. Everything was perfect, documents and all. But alas, fate didn’t allow it. Or so I thought…
Here I am now, 2 years in my 4 year study program, doing my Master’s in Japan with a full scholarship.
I guess, sometimes life denies you opportunities you want now, because it was preparing greater things in the future. 😉
A bad haircut that made me cry for a week. Hair grew back, ego healed
When my mum died. She died really slowly and was aware she was going. But now I don’t really think about it and turns out life didn’t end. Quality of life is a different matter…
somehow, reading all responses made me realise how i too have been through these and felt like my life was over, but to think that this happened multiple times without even realising and still coming out of each hard time stronger, feels damn good to know.
The last 5 years feel like any day could be the day the kettle tips over.. waking up every morning is a game of how long I can go before some bit of news or a thought reminds me of how impossible it is to build community in a sea of hyper-individualistic neighbors.
My record is 10 minutes.
Every break-up.
Getting rejected from my dream college. Found a better fit elsewhere
Prion protein accumulation through dairy products.
It used to make me terrified, but eventually, I stopped being vegetarian and seemed less and less relevant.
Between Aphantasia and SDAM most things if I’m being honest. I remember things like sitting with my dog as he went to sleep for the last time, or finding my mother dead with the same level of fact in my mind as if I tell you I bought iced coffees this morning because they were on special.
Feel in the moment, but I’ve no gateway back to it afterwards.
Getting a B in grade 11 chemistry.
Having a public speaking fail in class. Nobody even remembers it but me
Any painful breakup.
Y2K
Going through a divorce right now. I have mixed feelings but it does have those moments.
(2nd language learner. expect errors)
In February, we lost our dog of nearly 14 years to kidney failure. It feels like the end of the world right now, but I know I’ll be able to manage him better soon
When my first muscle car got wrecked by a street sweeper two days after I had it painted and rebuilt the driveline.
y2k
Finding an email to my wife from the guy she was falling into an emotional relationship with.
Fucking gutted me.
Finding an ex was cheating on me, then being chucked out the house and having to move countries at late notice.
Googled out of morbid interest a year or two later and they had a DUI, another arrest while covered in paint and burning parts of their house and finally a prison sentence for importing Class A drugs. None of that was going on when I was there.
Every break up i ever had in my school years.
Getting covid -> having to tell my friends and family -> having to cancel my trips -> losing my taste & smell and not getting it fully back until like a month later… Traumatizing time lol
Failing a big Greek exam. Failing the course.
Fukushima power plant leaking nuclear waste into the Pacific Ocean; the accident would have never happened if they installed a gravity fed emergency cooling system.
LOSS OF MY EX
First break up. Life goes on. And flunking a test. lol
My husband dying. It’s not that I never think of him anymore. Almost 20 years on, I remember him fondly, but I have a different life now (I did not get remarried, despite people’s expectations, but I made a new path for myself and our daughter) and I’m used to him not being here.
Being cheated on and left by a girl I was with for four years and planning to propose to in my twenties….i did eventually get over it but I’ve never really loved anyone like that since so there’s that but otherwise life went on and I’m doin good
When my first boyfriend broke up with me, I thought my life was ending. Well, it’s around 21 years later now and I am still here.
When I lived through an F5 tornado that killed many of my neighbors and friends.
First breakup as a teenager
Y2K. It was huge deal, and there was genuine concern and worry. It was scary and it was possible to rationalize the possibility of it happening, and the possible impact it might have on society
George Bush semed like the Antichrist at the time, but I consider him tame next to Trump
My parents seeing my search history. They’ve forgotten all abt it now
When a friend of mine really broke my car after I had him fix something. I really thought my life was over. I suffer from anxiety so I thought the absolute worst.
I took it to a shop and they only charged $700 to finish what he started.
Prior approval from other people than myself. Now it’s mine and only mine.
The time I drove under a truck while asleep.
My parents divorce was a really rough time for me because I was in high school and didn’t own a car. Half of their arguments after that were about who could pick me up from band practice or take me to doctors appointments. Now everyone is better off. My parents were not compatible at all
getting depression and having constant derealisation. i realised it could never stop me from getting over anything.
Losing my kids for 2 months. My ex-wife made false allegations against me a put in for an order of protection. For 2 months I couldn’t see them. It killed me. Now I have 80% custody and it feels so good to know that their in a safe place in a good school district and have lots of friends. Im not sure it would have been that way with her
getting a zero in a true or false quiz in second grade. like any quiz sure, but a true or false quiz? that was a special brand of humiliating
When I was 16, my parents wouldn’t let me go on a weekend trip to a cabin with friends. I was LIVID. I felt like my social life was crumbling before my eyes.
In retaliation, I went out to the lawn and dramatically karate kicked all their wooden Christmas decorations in half. I was grounded VERY harshly after that display, furthering my (self-inflicted) misery.
16 year olds are unreasonable buttheads.
Getting fired from my first job ON MY BIRTHDAY
I had a 24/7 migraine for four months.
Now I know a lot of people get fired and find another job and are happy (I did but it took awhile)
My first breakup.
Getting dumped by my husband. I have been suffering from anxiety since and my confidence and selfworth are still healing, but I soon realized what a favor he did me and what a chance this was for me to find someone who values me, wants to be connected with me, and takes self-responsibility. Without being dumped, I would never have been able to experience the truly harmonious and eye-Level relationship I have now. And I sleep very well knowing that any other decent woman will have the same issues with him, it was not my fault, and he can never change because he doesn’t even want to acknowledge what kind of person he is. So I’m not missing out on a single thing.
When my high school love broke up with me. It seriously was my fault. Then he married my SIL 15-ish years later, and now he’s my BIL. It seems as though we barely knew each other back then. I’m glad she married him, because seriously I think, UGH—thank god I found out how I would never be happy with someone like him, and I never have to wonder about his life as an adult.
Breaking up with my first college boyfriend. Some years ago when cleaning out a desk in my childhood bedroom, I found a notebook with some poems and other things I wrote about it at the time, and it was obvious that I had been absolutely gutted. Many Years Later me was actually surprised to read those things, because I honestly didn’t remember being super upset about it.
First breakup, first divorce, first job loss, first parental death.
Falling so deep in love with a woman who never loved me and seeing her get married to a man I know… not my friend tho but I know him.
Remember Waldsterben (forest death)? That 80s panic about all the forests dying? Acid rain was gonna nuke the trees, ecosystems were doomed, etc. Everyone lost their minds.
Turns out… yeah, forests didn’t actually die. They got a bit crispy from pig shit. But the apocalypse? Not so much. Trees still standing. Waldsterben, as a German word, is excitigly dumb, since now there are more trees in Germany than there were 40 years ago, that is, in the 80s. I didn’t hear that first hand, I was way too little to even hear the fallout of that utter dumbness. I am not saying that nothing was done to make things better, but looking at the headlines back then … yeah.
Now we’ve got “insect death” — same energy. Doomsday headlines, charts with red arrows pointing down, people throwing around words like “collapse” while scrolling past 20 tabs on their phone.
Humans love fatalism. If it sounds dramatic and vaguely science-y, they’re in. Bonus points if it makes them feel bad but not responsible. “But me F150 ain’t got as many dead flies than daddy’s had”. Fucking hell.
Anyway, back to the regularly scheduled panic.
Being fired from a job for the first time in my life, nine years ago, at 50 yrs old. Little did I know it would lead me to the company I’m at now where I’ve been recognized and able to fully use my talents and create a niche department that is saving the company hundreds of thousands of dollars per year and smoothed out the end process for everyone. I’m the most fulfilled professionally I’ve been since becoming an empty nester and have a great salary. It’s crazy how life is!
When my 1st husband left me and the kids for a 19 year old. It ended up being the best thing. I learned how to be an independent woman and met the best man and stepfather in the world.
Y2K
Getting left on read by someone I swore was my soulmate. Thought I’d never recover, now I can’t even remember their middle name.
My divorce has come through. I’m moving out in the morning, leaving the my kids and now ex wife.
I can only hope that on a few years I’ll look back on this in such a way.