High school is rough even under the best circumstances; a pandemic is not the best circumstance. Still, students are going to start school in some way or another shortly and for first-time High School students that can mean some major anxiety.
One Reddit user asked:
What advice would you give to a 14 year old about starting high school?
A lot of the advice people initially wanted to give was centered around what their high school experiences were - but 2020 is on a whole other level. So people offered up bits of wisdom that are relevant not just in school, but throughout life.
May I present to you, dear readers, an expert guide to High School and the fine art of not giving AF.
Forgive And Keep It Moving
Forgive yourself when necessary. It's high school, you're probably going to do something stupid. If you have even a remote interest in joining something, try it out, but don't be ashamed if it ends up not working out and you end up quitting.
Basically it'll be way easier if you are able to forgive yourself easily.
Doubling down on the interest in things part of this. Do you. Don't be shy. You'll have regrets about not trying things just because you were shy. Ask a buddy to try it with you if you need support.
God yes! High school offers soooo many new experiences try them out while it's free (or cheap) to try. Shop class, home economics, band, rotc, cheerleading, football, soccer - whatever you think you will enjoy, do it while you can.
Balance and Pushing Through
It's going to feel like the most important time of your life, and the most emotional time of your life. But, what's important is finding a balance between grades and friends and work (if you end up working).
Some classes will feel pointless, and they are, but remember there is an end and it's important to try and get through them. It's those skills, learning how to study and how to get through things you don't like, that will serve you better than pretty much anything you actually learn in school.
"The One"Â
He/She is (most likely) not "the one"
To tack on to this: That first love will suckerpunch your decision making skills, no matter how level headed or mature you are.
Good lord, I wish someone would have drilled this into my head. I had a boyfriend that felt 'fated' for me. What a mess. It went on for about 2 years and was only fun the first 6 months. I should have cut it off early on.
A relationship in your teens, IF you have one, should be completely a blast. If it feels like work, get the hell out. You have your whole adult life to build and learn to work with your partner on issues. You don't need to do that in your teens.
If it hurts, (emotionally, mentally, or physically), it ain't love. Get out. Prioritise yourself. Be single. Have fun. Having a serious relationship doesn't make you more grown up. If possible, pick and choose your dates. You don't have to be monogamous to just one person. You don't owe anyone anything! This is the time in your life to be selfish and see what suits you. Treat life like a buffet and enjoy it all!
Hush and Pay Attention
If you have a secret that you don't want to get out, don't tell a single person. No, not even your best friend. Nobody.
Pay attention to the way your friends talk about your mutual friends to you. This is exactly the way they speak of you to them.
If your parents have concerns about someone you're dating or one of your friends, pay attention and listen to them. They are rarely wrong about this.
Overall, just try to have fun and grow. You will fall into the rut of "this sucks I can't wait to graduate" but you will miss some of it eventually.
- xandria
The dating one especially! My friends didn't trust my boyfriend, my mom didn't trust my boyfriend, THE SCHOOL BULLIES DIDN'T TRUST MY BOYFRIEND!
Did I listen? No! Was I lonely and vulnerable and thoroughly convinced he wasn't that bad? Yes! Did I constantly get cheated on? Also a yes!
Senior Wisdom
High school senior here.
The opinions of fcking 15 years olds don't matter. What they think is cringe probably isn't even that cringe. Do whatever you want and even though it's hard be yourself a 100%.
You might not be liked by all, but the ones who will, are gonna be good people.
Relax, Bad Grades Don't End Life
Good grades make life easier, but bad grades don't end it. Even if you were to flunk out there are ways to get back on whatever track you want. Might not get into Yale with a 2.0 but after grabbing an Associates Degree transferring in for your bachelors is much easier.
If you flunk out, figure out what you want in life and get it. Having a goal is the first step to achieving it and can often give you the enthusiasm to work towards it. You can get back into school, I did, graduating with my Masters next week.
- Alfheim
Yes. I barely graduated high school. I had a 2.8 Gpa. I just didn't try, didn't care, and was not wanting to "be a part of the system."
Now, I got my sh!t together after high school, went to community college for a semester, banged out a 4.0 and transferred to the large state university and did very well. My family didn't have the means to send me to some expensive private college so had I got a 4.0 and got into the state college right away, or one semester later, it didn't matter in the end.
Agreed- not saying you should f**k off in high school, but its not the end of the world, nor does it mean you can't be extremely successful in life later. There is "permanent record."
Real Good Friends
Good friends --real good friends-- will push you to be your better self, encourage good habits, and want the best for you.
Anyone who tells you to act against that is an a$hole. Stay away from them.
This is important advice. Someone who tries to force you to do something you don't want to do is NOT a friend, and ESPECIALLY not a good boyfriend/girlfriend.
Great advice! I want to add something to it...
You reap what you sow. Push others to be their better selves. Encourage good habits in others. Have compassion. Love your friends and wish them the best. If someone calls you an asshole, try to figure out why.
90%
You won't remember 90% of the people you went to high school with a few years after you graduate.
- seanback
I've already cut ties with 99% of people from school two years later.
- Groxy_
Not even a few years. Like a single year later I found myself only rarely interacting with like 2-3 HS friends, everyone else was college or job friends.
- Eli_8
Set You Back And Cost You A Lot
My GPA upon graduating high school: 2.3 weighted.
My fiancee's GPA: 4.0 unweighted.
We both went to the same University. We're both in our 20's now and make $70k+ each. So what benefit did her high school GPA give her?
I got my AA in 3 years, then transferred to University and got my bachelor's in another 3, racking up $55,000 in student loans along the way.
My fiancee got her bachelor's in 4 years, then her master's in another 2, with scholarships covering 100% of her tuition.
Long story short: a bad high school GPA won't stop you from going to college or getting a good job. It's just going to set you back a few years and cost you a lot of money.
- poly_meh
WTF Was ThatÂ
Practice better self reflection, stay quiet, listen more than you speak, and actually think about what you're doing/saying/thinking/feeling.
I had way too many instances where I looked back at myself and just thought "What the f**k was that?"
Also, you should know, when you're stressed your rational decision making skills drop quickly, even if you think you're fine, you're probably not. I won't tell you to talk with someone(god knows I never did) but each day when you get home take a look at everything you did and said, and try to reason out why without emotional justification.
Don't be afraid to keep a daily journal. I know it sounds lame, but it will help you keep track of your thought patterns and stressors.
Don't feel embarrassed to apologize for your (re)actions, even if the other person doesn't.
- Hissarus
OK But Care A Little
If a senior makes a joke about you, laugh it off. Don't be afraid to be "the weird kid." Be open to other peoples opinions, even if you don't agree.
Meet people, pay attention. Homework isn't as important as they say it is. And lastly, you don't get graded by the class, you're graded by the teacher.
Bad advice y'all. The "dgaf about what anyone thinks" mentality is how we get kids without deodorant and adults who walk their partner on a leash and won't wear a mask.
Care a little about what people think.
We live in a society and you need to learn to function within its limits. Someday when you try to find a job you'll rely heavily on the personal connections you've made with people
I made this mistake as a younger kid/ first two years of college (17-20 [I was one of those dgaf scene kids to make it worse]).
Had rainbow hair, crazy clothing, wild and very noticeable piercings everywhere, etc. I fell into depression, kept my appearance the same, fell further into depression and bad hygiene. Luckily, like everyone can do, I got my stuff together and adapted while maintaining my individuality.
Care about what you look like and remember that at the end of the day you actually don't have to compromise what makes you who you are at your core. Shower, deodorize. Maintain your face (as best as possible, I know some aren't blessed with the stereotypical porcelain skin thing), your hair, nails, and hygiene. Most importantly your health - mental, physical, and social.
People will really only really network with those who seemingly look like they have it together, and folks who carry themselves as such, and at least a little professionally, especially as adults.
It's Not A Movie
High school is so romanticized in movies and the media, and although it's possible to have a great high school experience, don't try to compare it to the portrayals in movies. It doesn't have to be the time of your life, and I don't think you want it to be. Who wants to peak in high school?
Use high school to get prepared for college, and if you make some friends along the way, even better.
I didn't hate high school by any means but college was the true life changing experience. But that can vary based on the college you choose. Living at a state school is a lot different than commuting to a branch campus.
If you move to college then classes and studying become your full time job but then you have 8 hours a day and your whole weekend to do whatever you want as an adult in a whole environment catered to people your age. Compared to high school the opportunities are limitless.
- tonytroz
It's Only 4 Years
High school isn't everything. It's 4 years of your life don't glamorize them and don't think your life is over if they suck. There is so much more of life than you can even comprehend.
Also don't focus on being popular if you think someone is worth hanging out with/ dating go for it, screw school status. I think I would have had a much better time if I wasn't so afraid of hanging out with people who weren't above my social standing. The weird kids were having way more fun than me
Love Takes Longer Than A Few Days
If someone you meet says they're in love with you after only knowing you a few days and is persistent about it, immediately get out of that friendship and never look back.
i made this mistake back in the 8th grade and when I finally had the courage to leave the relationship, the kid spent the next year being really creepy around me until he ended up transferring. (Some of it bordering on s*x*al assault and harassment during the friendship which I only realized now.)
- 64Anonie
Everyone Is Faking It
"Nobody can understand my problems" isn't a thing.
Everybody is lying/faking it. Everyone has had bad days, good days, ugly days, pretty days, sad days, happy days, loss and gain... You are not alone in the world, and with just a little effort, you can find someone else to talk to with the same problems you have had.
Change It Up
Not all change is bad, but don't let the pressures of high school change your personality to fit in.
If you want to change your clothing, style, anything do it! This is the best time to. You may get some negative feedback but push past it- I know how this feels first hand.
Also find people you feel comfortable with, I made my first real friends in 9th grade because they wanted to talk to me. I could be myself and they encouraged me to be who I wanted to be.
- Chlo4012
Good Luck
Watch out for bitter teachers. Don't listen to them; they have no idea. They say that stuff because you will leave school in 4 years and they won't.
If a kid hits you, hit back harder, or they will keep coming back. If they do, take self defense lessons.
Never cry over a grade, ever. It is only important at 14. You won't remember your grades in 10 years.
If you ever want to really hurt someone, or yourself, see a counselor and talk about why. It can mess up the rest of your life if you don't and you've got lots to do :)
There is a straight path through school, there are infinite paths after school.
If you love something and are passionate about it, try to aim to do that with your life. You will be content even if you don't earn lots. Don't listen to people who say you can't do that. What they mean is they can't do that.
If you don't know what you might like to do with your life, try lots of different things and watch to see when you are interested and enjoying what you are doing. Whether it's gardening or singing, swimming or math, someone has a job doing that thing, so why not you?
Do not think there is anything wrong with you, there isn't. Everyone thinks that, it's normal.
Someone will break your heart in high school. Trust me, they are a dips@!t and you will be soooo glad that you didn't go with them when you're older.
School is really not very important. Finding what you love and a way to do that for a living, learning to be a good person and finding someone who gets you and wants to spend their life with you, now that's important. Not now, but it will be.
Now you are waiting to meet your best friend, the person who will make your life click. It may take years but if you are a nice person (and that's all it takes) you'll get there. One day you will walk through a door and they will be there and school, jobs, money, won't be important.
Good luck.
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People Break Down The Exact Moment They Realized They Were Being Manipulated By Someone They Trusted​​
Manipulation is designed to be stealthy. We hardly recognize it when it's happening to us because our abuser has forced it to appear under wraps.
But when we recognize it for what it really is, we really feel like we've been smacked across the face. There is no other descriptor for it. Usually we've trusted and loved those that manipulated us.
A Platitude Of Pleasing
<p>You never know where the next blowout is coming from. Any time something needs to be addressed, you might try to bring it up once, gently, if you're feeling brave. If you meet the slightest bit of resistance, or you don't feel like that fight in the first place, you just go "okay dear" instead. You find that you'll put the argument off until next time, and hope that whatever you thought to bring up won't have any consequences, because you'll be hearing about those, too. It sucks, and I'm glad you can speak about it in the past tense.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/TheGreatestAuk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TheGreatestAuk</a></p>Wrong Or Right Or Just Not Agreeing?
<p>When I started realizing that I was feeling like I was constantly walking on eggshells. I never knew which version of my friend I'd get when we saw each other, or when we hung out. I also just completely stopped disagreeing with them because I didn't want to hear them tell me how wrong I was if we didn't share the same viewpoint.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/WhatArcherWhat/" target="_blank">WhatArcherWhat</a></p>Being Used
<p>My best friend suddenly distanced herself from me. But every now and then she'd call and ask if I wanted to do something, and I was encouraged because I thought it meant that things were still good between us. It took me an embarrassingly long time to realize that she only called when she wanted to do something that required a ride, since she didn't have a car. The only thing I can say in my defense is that I don't use people that way so I didn't recognize user behavior. You can bet I do now.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Goldeverywhere/" target="_blank">Goldeverywhere</a></p>Hiding The Receipts
<p>I was living with my former best friend and his gf at the time. When I asked for grocery receipts (I trusted him & his ex to buy groceries bc I didn't have a car at the time + our work schedules were different so I couldn't go with them) and they wouldn't provide any. The only reason I became suspicious was bc they started asking for a ridiculous amount of money for my half and the actual amount of food wasn't adding up. Up until that point they never asked for a crazy amount and I was content with our groceries, but I noticed they became extremely greedy. When I then asked to see a banking statement, they wouldn't even provide me with that either.</p><p>At that point I just realized they were finessing me out of extra money and I started buying my own food. I just bit my tongue bc we only had like 2 months left on the lease. They tried to gaslight me and make me seem like the bad guy any chance they had (almost the entire time I lived with them actually). Eventually, I grew apart from him once I moved away and the only reason he hit me back up was bc she cheated on him so he probably didn't have anyone else to turn to (go figure). We don't talk anymore.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/0MG1MW3T/" target="_blank">0MG1MW3T</a></p>Ah Yes, Good Old DARVO
<p>My mother and I have always had a rocky relationship. She's always encouraged me to tell her what's wrong, however, any time I would she'd immediately go "sorry I'm such a terrible mother, I give you everything you want and it's still not good enough! Why don't you just go live with someone you don't hate?" Keep in mind this happens over small things such as "mom, I'd appreciate it if you'd knock before coming into my room. You know how easily I startle and you barging into my room really upsets me"</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/paytonc0510/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">paytonc0510</a></p>How Do You Do This To Someone
<p>8 years into the relationship. As we're sitting down he explains to me that the "first couple years" we were together he only saw me as a place to crash and free rides, but he loved me NOW, and even though I accomplished all the goals HE set for ME so we could get married he said "I never really thought you could do it". Oh and also you got fat, but don't worry we can fix it! It was like a magic veil lifted and I finally saw who he really was. F**k you James.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/DoNotUseOnHumans/" target="_blank">DoNotUseOnHumans</a></p>Be My Friend And Not Theirs
<p>She always managed to make me do things I didn't really want to do but the last straw was when she decided I had to stop being friends with two mates of mine over something stupid that offended her. </p><p>Cut her off over that and she then proceeded to act derisively ("you'll come back"), then badmouthed me and then begged me to take her back. Ten years later I am still friends with those two guys and she's still out of my life.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/FatherTedHackett/" target="_blank">FatherTedHackett</a></p>Victim Time
<p>When literally every time me and my mom talked she played the victim.</p><p>I was trying to help her raise me, ask me about my grades and stuff. For her I just existed, she wasn't responsible at all.</p><p>I grew up watching her play the victim to others, and I was always on her side, cuz she's my mom you know. Also I never really understood what was going on.</p><p>I started getting older and older, and seeing sh*t after sh*t she did. I understood what she did to my father, to my step-dad, to my sister, to her friends.</p><p>Probably I'd be the next one who she would use and throw away.</p><p>I talked to her... and you know the result. The victim. Nothing it's her fault.</p><p>The last time we talked, I was expecting the victim card. When she started speaking, I already knew what was going to happen. I didn't even said a word, I just agreed with her, and the next day I moved out. I'm not wasting my time.</p><p>It was the last day before quarantine, I remember it as if it was yesterday. Friday night: saturday morning I was packing my stuff.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/NotFromHeel/" target="_blank">NotFromHeel</a></p>Sixteen Years Of Made Up Lies
<p>After 16 years of marriage I realized my now ex was manipulating me. I would work and take care of the house and if I asked him to do something like get a job or clean up he would stage a mental breakdown and make me feel bad for asking him for help. </p><p>He would play up a horrible childhood or PTSD from the military to make me feel like I need to take care of him. Then would play on his computer all day and smoke while I worked. </p><p>Found out that a lot of his horrible childhood stories were made up and that he never made it through basic training in the military. I am happily with someone now but still catch myself cringing when he does things like cook or clean thinking that he is going to yell at me for being lazy. Meanwhile he loves me and is just doing things to take care of me. I'm working on deprogramming myself.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/HolyCelestialCow/" target="_blank">HolyCelestialCow</a></p>Sometimes It's The Mother-In-Law
<p>Took me until after the engagement to realize that my cheating ex fiancee was trying to browbeat me into submission.</p><p>Anywho, I quickly recognized emotional blackmail and manipulation from my MIL after getting married to a different girl years later due to that experience. I called her out on it.</p><p>She... Doesn't like that. But since my wife and sister-in-law and brother-in-law also recognize it they've got my back.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/engineertr1gg/" target="_blank">engineertr1gg</a></p>Just as new mothers encounter the sudden, influential developments of powerful hormone changes, protective instincts, and milk production, so new fathers undergo some key changes of their own.
Their socks become exclusively white, climbing higher up the calf than ever before. All their shorts sprout cargo pockets and clunky belt loop cell phone holders. They start to really lean in to their old records.
Regional LawsÂ
<p>"Dad, driving past a cemetery: Did you know anyone living in a 3 mile radius of a cemetery isn't allowed to be buried there?"</p><p>"Me: No, I had no idea. How come?"</p><p>"Dad: Yeah, you're not allowed to bury the living"</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyz64a/whats_the_best_dad_joke_you_know/gjk1d2k?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">TinyLuckDragon</a></p>For the Face Plant Image Â
<p>"Why do Scuba Divers fall backwards off a boat?"</p><p>"Because if they fell frontwards they'd still be on the boat" -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyz64a/whats_the_best_dad_joke_you_know/gjjv4mt?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">hatsnatcher23</a></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"Just told this one to my bf and he still has his face in his hands" -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyz64a/whats_the_best_dad_joke_you_know/gjka0w7?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">sxeoompaloompa</a></p>A Mammal of Few WordsÂ
<p>"What did the father buffalo say when his child left for school?"</p><p>"Bison" -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyz64a/whats_the_best_dad_joke_you_know/gjjp257?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">TatooineLight</a></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"LOL" -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyz64a/whats_the_best_dad_joke_you_know/gjjp9p0?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">BennuH</a></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"Told this to my brother, he laughed his a** off." -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyz64a/whats_the_best_dad_joke_you_know/gjk4cvq?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Type10Civilization</a></p>Baggage
<p>"When I do home improvements I always use my step ladder"</p><p>"I never knew my real ladder" -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyz64a/whats_the_best_dad_joke_you_know/gjjlkab?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">DavosLostFingers</a></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"Whoever took the ladder, please return it or further steps will be taken." -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyz64a/whats_the_best_dad_joke_you_know/gjm2htz?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">WaldhornNate</a></p>Woah Woah Woah, We're in PublicÂ
<p>"Me: I'm not very hungry, I just want something easy"</p><p>"Server: maybe the chicken strips for $6"</p><p>"Me: maybe it does, but that doesn't help my hunger" -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyz64a/whats_the_best_dad_joke_you_know/gjjuq78?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">mcnoobs_</a></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"My husband was facepalming for solid 8 minutes after I read that joke to him." -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyz64a/whats_the_best_dad_joke_you_know/gjnee7m?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Madanax</a></p>Not WrongÂ
<p>"Two dudes were on a boat with a few cigarettes, but they didn't have anything to light them, so they threw one of the cigarettes out of the boat, and the boat became a cigarette lighter." </p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyz64a/whats_the_best_dad_joke_you_know/gjjkeoz?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">OrangeMirrorJuice</a></p>Watch the News Before Saying This OneÂ
<p>"Did you hear about the kidnapping at school?"</p><p>"It's okay, they eventually woke up."</p><p>"I cringe every time." -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyz64a/whats_the_best_dad_joke_you_know/gjk0ej7?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">unicorndreamz94</a></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"My 10 year old tried this one a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, I had just read news about a missing local girl. 'So I answered that yes I heard about the missing girl' Scared the sh** out of my 10 year old" -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyz64a/whats_the_best_dad_joke_you_know/gjo3ssv?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Aubear11885</a></p>Got a Million of Em
<p>"What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fshhhh."</p><p>"I'm sorry but I'm about to say something tasteless. Water."</p><p>"I got fired from my job at the calendar factory. I took a day off."</p><p>"Unfortunately though, I can't really tell these jokes since I'm not a dad. I'm a faux pa."</p><p> -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyz64a/whats_the_best_dad_joke_you_know/gjk9igl?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">WholeGrainMustard</a></p>G-Pa With the Physics HumorÂ
<p>"Why does the movie "speed" have no director?"</p><p>"If it had direction, it'd be called velocity!"</p><p>"-my grandpa, earlier today" -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyz64a/whats_the_best_dad_joke_you_know/gjk4wdo?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">ConceptUpset4681</a></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"That's better than a regular dad joke. It's a grand dad joke." -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyz64a/whats_the_best_dad_joke_you_know/gjkuc30?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">VaultBoy9</a></p>A Surprising Amount of Elevator HumorÂ
<p>"I have a joke about elevators."</p><p>"It works on so many levels......." -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyz64a/whats_the_best_dad_joke_you_know/gjk1lrv?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">M0ntgomatron</a></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"Did you hear about the corruption at the elevator company?"</p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"It went all the way to the top." -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/kyz64a/whats_the_best_dad_joke_you_know/gjkyjrp?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">RandomName222222222</a></p>Cleaning up is hard enough when it's just clearing a month of dust bunnies. Can you imagine cleaning the debris left by murder, suicide and violence? I have a really great friend who used to do crime scene clean-up for a living. The pay is incredible; it starts at $55 an hour. But there is a much higher cost in mental well being. Death affects you in ways you don't always feel immediately. My friend has stories of nightmares, depression and pain after leaving scenes of horror. Why make all that money just to spend it on therapy? It takes a certain type of person.
***TRIGGER WARNING. CONTENTS ARE SENSITIVE ***
Redditor u/MemegodDave wanted to hear from the people who have the stomach to come in after crime and tragedyto try to bring back some form of normalcy to the location by asking... People who make their living out of cleaning murder scenes, accidents and the like, what is the worst thing you have experienced in your career?
Wrapped Up
<p>Dad had to saran wrap a guy's intestines back into his body once.</p><p>Dude had surgery and pushed too hard on the toilet. Dude was fine, according to Dad, just holding himself together on the toilet while a group of firefighters tried to figure out why the hell they were sent instead of paramedics.</p><p><em>Update</em> When he pushed too hard he opened a scar on his torso/ab area and it all fell out onto his lap. Should have mentioned this when I wrote the post. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l48wk3/people_who_make_their_living_out_of_cleaning/gko9lq0?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">noblemile</a><span></span></p>Flesh
<p>One that stuck with me was a suicide in a bathtub, we couldn't drain the tub, so had to use a coagulant then scoop up the bloody mess into biohazard bags. Same for the toilet. Another was a suicide by gun in a basement full of boxes which was a nightmare to clean as even the smallest bit of flesh had to be found and cleaned up. The smell of the smallest piece of flesh meant the job wasn't done until it was found. </p>Walk Away
<p>Medic here, first responder to a motorcycle collision. Guy who crashed was a friend. He'd been torn in half and almost decapitated.</p><p>Had to walk away from the scene and let my driver and another crew handle it. Think about it daily. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l48wk3/people_who_make_their_living_out_of_cleaning/gko4y58?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Sabre-23</a><span></span></p>All over the House
<p>I posted this on another thread so just copy and pasted it but this was one that I had to do</p><p>Clean up after a murder. It was a rehab house for ex cons, 4 bedroom house with communal bathroom and kitchen. Sunday morning and guy A is in his room listening to music pretty loud, guy B is in the kitchen cooking his breakfast, B knocks on A's door and tells him to turn it down, there's a small argument and B returns to his breakfast and A turns his music up. So B grabs the biggest knife in the kitchen, kicks in A's door and stabs him through his left shoulder, entering by his collar bone. </p>"ride-alongs"Â
<p>Not a cleaner, but my brother's best friend is a police officer and I heard all about this horrible experience:</p><p>My brother's friend took him on "ride-alongs," all the time. One day, they were responding to a welfare check. This guy's neighbor saw his apartment door cracked open for several days and called the police. They went to check it out and found a college student (18-19) who had shot himself. </p>Melt Away
<p>When I was a bartender, a couple of clients told me the worst part about the job is cleaning melted bodies.</p><p>I don't know the science behind that, but from what I understand is if a body stays for a while in a certain condition of temperature and humidity, it melts. And those guys have to remove that person's remains in buckets. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l48wk3/people_who_make_their_living_out_of_cleaning/gknsqfm?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Kaynny</a><span></span></p>Audrey
<p>I had a great uncle who helped clean up the bodies left behind by hurricane Audrey in 1957 and he said that the smell persisted in his nose for weeks after. It got so bad that he went to the doctor to see if they could do anything and they clipped all of his nose hairs and the smell went away. It was explained to him that the smell had soaked into the hair but I don't claim to know the validity of that statement.</p>Hazard
<p>One of my first jobs after moving I did this, and the job that had me walking wasn't even a scene as described. We did all types of hazmat cleans and the worst was actually a couple went on vacation and came back to backed up sceptic. Think about 1 ft thick hard dried out crusty sceptic waste spread throughout the entire 1st floor of a house. Not going further into detail here. Was nasty.</p><p>Septic, not sceptic. On break and mobile, so yeah... </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l48wk3/people_who_make_their_living_out_of_cleaning/gknvzn8?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Kamenovski</a><span></span></p>After the Crash...
<p>Working for a tow truck driver that get the calls after crashes. The worst one for me was a family of 6 coming back with over 10 pizzas for a baseball team. It was a head on with a tractor trailer (18 wheeler). The ambulance took the bodies away of course, everyone died but one little guy. There was so much blood and vomit, diapers, toy dolls covered in blood, the pizza was everywhere inside of the car like 2" thick on everything and all over the road. </p>Fresh Meat
<p>Friend of mine does this.</p><p>His worst was an elderly woman who died in a bath. Skin falls off like long cooked meat. So he just saw piles of skin/flesh</p><p>God just writing this makes me gag. </p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/l48wk3/people_who_make_their_living_out_of_cleaning/gknwqwu?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">PlagueDoc22</a><span></span></p>Image by freestocks-photos from Pixabay |
We all know the telltale signs that something is making us uncomfortable. Suddenly, we begin shaking, either in our hands or knees or toes. Then, usually, sweat starts pouring out of every part of our body, making it look like we just ran through a rainstorm underneath a waterfall. Finally, we lose our regular speech functions. Everything goes out of sync and our words don't match up to what's in our minds.
What's interesting is that what usually brings about these fits of uncomfortableness differs from person to person, as evidenced by the stories below.