Former Deaf People Share The First Sounds They Heard After Regaining Their Hearing
Human experiences vary depending on your upbringing and where/when you were raised. Nature vs. Nurture can be debated forever in the halls of universities, but unless you live an experience, you can't understand where that person is coming from. Being born with a physical disability, like deafness and blindness, is a lifestyle few truly comprehend.
On the flip side, being able to finally hear sounds for the first time is another experience, albeit more positive, that not many will know. Reddit user, r/RealJohnGillman, wanted to grasp the unimaginable when they asked:
People born deaf who gained hearing later in life. How did it make you feel, what was the first sound you ever heard?
Do You Have The Time?
Kid in my 6th grade class a few years back had just gotten cochlear implants. Was nearly deaf before that. He was looking pretty confused and annoyed the day after he got them. Someone asked him what was up and he said "what's that ticking noise?"
He had never heard a clock before.
Jam Out To Those Top 40 Beats
I was deaf on one side from birth, and acquired a hearing aid at 23. Stereo sound is the craziest f***ing thing. For weeks after I got my aid, I was just jamming to the Top 50 Songs to Listen to in Stereo.
I have to take the aid off when I'm in the office at my corporate job because the sound of paper rustling makes me homicidal.
They Keep Falling On My Head
I wasn't 100% deaf, but very hard of hearing. When I had my hearing aids fitted at age 9 I was completely baffled that rain makes a sound when it hits the roof.
Also, you can hear a toilet flushing from other rooms in the house.
*Clack-Clack-Clickity-Clack*
My mom was deaf so when she got hearing aids, she ran into room while I was working on a school project and almost yelled, "What is that ticking sound?" I stopped and listened and it was dead silent in the house. She left and I resumed my work. She must have just stopped right outside my door because her head popped back in not a minute later and said, "Your keyboard makes sound! Did you know that?" The small things we don't even notice are big if you hear them for the first time.
The Wind and The Whistles
Not deaf but my Mom was.
I remember the first day she got her implants it was a pretty windy day. She said the weirdest thing was the wind. I was sitting with her and she asked me who was making that whistling, wooshing sound outside.
She proceeded to look around the house for a good hour, I had no idea what she was talking about and assumed her implant was malfunctioning. It began raining so I closed the window and the sound of the wind stopped and she pretty much broke down crying/laughing in frustration while shouting THE WIND MAKES NOISE DID YOU KNOW THAT WOW THAT'S SO CREEPY at like, 2AM.
It was that and whistling. She pretty much didn't stop whistling whenever she was alone for like two months.
Drifting Ambience
I've been very hard of hearing my whole life and was pretty stubborn about it up until I was about 26. I remember getting fitted for my hearing aids and hearing like, just ambient noise.
I dunno how to describe it, but I could hear people talking down the hall and there were just all these noises that weren't there before. Everything was so crisp and I could actually have a conversation with someone in another room without having them right in front of me.
The Sound of Blowdrying Tires
I was about 60% deaf from my ears being clogged to s--t with earwax up until I was about 12. Teacher noticed it when I wouldn't respond to her when she was saying my name directly behind me.
They cleaned out the wax and put ear tubes in. I woke up from the surgery and everything was loud as f--k, I was hypersensitive as I was hearing things I didn't hear before. i woke up crying covering my ears from the noise. Car ride home the sound of the tires on the pavement sounded like a blow dryer going into my ear.
When we got home I could hear everyone talking inside of our house, even the rooms all the way across it, (was a big house). My ears returned to normal somewhat I can't hear deep sounds anymore and always have to ask people to repeat themselves, I probably need to go again
Imagine Not Being Able To Understand Death
I wasn't really "born deaf" but went deaf slowly when I was 2. A surgery fixed my ears in 2nd grade when I was seven.
I remember when my goldfish, comet, died my mother took me to the sofa and talked to me about death and that sort of thing. I remember watching her face and not hearing a single word she said to me.
A week after my surgery, my parents tell me that I ran charging into their office squealing "When I cover this ear, I can hear out of the other one!!!"
Listen To The Birds Farting
I'm not deaf, but there are a lot of deaf/HOH people at my school. One loves telling the story of how their first sound was a beautiful birdsong, and the second, immediately after it, was his deaf little brother letting a massive fart go.
He assumed the sounds went together for a long time.
When You Have To Assume What People Say
Before I had hearing aids I was practically deaf, because of this I could never have real conversation with anyone growing up. I was also a nasty little kid to people, I always assumed they were talking about me because I couldn't hear them. Anyway, I used to tell my Nannan and my Auntie that I hated them, cannot imagine how awful that must have felt for them.
When I finally got hearing aids it transformed me into a new child. As cliche as it may sound I remember my Nannan walking to the bus stop in the dark and rain after visiting me at home, and as she was leaving I ran up to the window and opened it and shouted 'I love you Nannan!' Which was the first time I'd ever told her that. That's one of my fondest memories I think.
Quiet Down With Your Reading!
My aunt was not totally deaf, but she lost gradually her ability to listen in the last 30 or so years. She got an implant a few weeks back. I was driving her in a rainy day and she began asking me " was is that weird sound, like "shhhhh." I told her "those are the wheel of the car on the wet surface raising and dropping the water" She told me "I never knew tires made such a noise."
She was also amazed that turning a page while reading the newspaper was so loud.
What's The Deal With Lennon and McCartney?
A friend of my dads was deaf since he was a boy, and one year he finally got implants.
Before the procedure my dad asked him 'what's the one thing you always wanted to hear?' and he answered with 'The Beatles, I want to know what the big deal was. That, and my wife and kids voices.'
Quick, Turn Him Over
The first thing I remember is my mom's voice. The next is the birds chirping by my home. The third is my dad's snoring. Turns out snoring sounds the same with or without the cochlear implant. I got the implant when I was five.
I'm 24 now, and dad's snoring still bothers me without my implant, mainly cause one ear can slightly hear. Dunno how mom puts up with it some nights.
A Tragic Way To Start
After regaining my hearing in the hospital, I heard screaming of agony from the next room over from mine, I'm guessing from another patient. When I asked my family for the first time what that sound was they explained it to me and my heart dropped because that's all I heard when I was deaf.
Think About The Fact That Everyone Is Chewing...
Wasn't born deaf, but as an adult I started having a ton of fluid build up in both ears and I lost about 25-50 decibels of hearing between both ears. After getting tubes, I felt like I was super sensitive to every single noise. I could hear the air conditioner blowing at home/work, the dishwasher running from the living room. The hot water heater filling up.
Also People chewing (aghhhh).
We Forget The Joys Of Waking Up...
Not me, but my good friend. Instead of me talking about it, here's a direct quote from her.
I was very young when I first got my hearing aids, about three or four years old. And despite being so young I still remember the first time I put in hearing aids. The audiologist put them in my ears and I sat there for a second while they turned on and when they did I was amazed, and extremely curious. Because there was this ticking noise and I had no clue what it was. It was just the clock on the wall. I had no idea that clocks made sounds. I didn't know that you can hear the AC kick on and off, or that wind makes a sound. And to this day I sometimes forget that hearing people wake up in the mornings and they're just already hearing, because I have to put my hearing aids in first before I can hear anything. And when I go to sleep it's pretty much silence but y'all go to sleep with noises and I honestly have no clue how you do it. So whenever I hear a sound I don't usually hear without my hearing aids in it's always a little realization where I'm like "OH RIGHT THAT MAKES A SOUND" and then I'm extremely happy because I was able to hear it.
A Fart Is The Most Beautiful Sound
My son was very hard of hearing and when he received his BAHA hearing implant at 5. He was extremely amused at the fact that farts made noises. Also that his feet made noise when he walked. Him slapping his feet on the hardwood floors and laughing was adorable.
Share The Love
I'm not deaf. My first son was born severely hard of hearing. One ear only showed an ABR response around 2000hz at 120db. The other one wasn't quite as bad but nothing below 90db. The good ear was fitted with a hearing aid. When we out it on he just looked around a bit in the quiet office (he was 3). My wife whispered to me "I think he can hear" and his head whipped directly to her and he smiled.
I remember that night I made him a snack and as he was leaving the kitchen I told him I loved him (he would never acknowledge hearing anything behind him before) and he stopped and looked at me and smiled. It was the first time ever he heard me say it.
And Sometimes, It's Okay To Go Back
My mum has been profoundly Deaf since she was 2 years old (meningitis) and does not remember hearing anything. A few years ago she was offered a hearing aid powerful enough to actually make a difference, and so she heard her daughter's voice for the first time ever, having been my mum for over 30 years.
She wasn't that bothered, tbh. The noise didn't make sense to her. It was just noise. So she didn't wear the hearing aid much more. And that was fine for me too. Sound is not important in her world. She doesn't need to hear my voice. We don't need it to communicate. We're ok as we are.
Seriously, How Do We Tolerate This?
Not personally but one of my friends basically said "How the F--K do you people stand all this noise?"
To Bring Students Together
Not deaf, but have a good story. I went to public school in St. Louis, and we had a deaf kid in our class. He was from a poorer family, but the day finally came that the state funded hearing aids came in. They came with a little microphone for the teacher.
We all took turns introducing ourselves with the microphone for their first use. At first he just got a big smile on his face, then he started laughing really hard! Then, tears. A rollercoaster of emotions right in the classroom. At the end he was wiping the tears away with a huge smile on his face.
He went to the restroom later and when he came back, the teacher started to catch him up on what he missed. He started laughing all of a sudden, and pointed at his ears. The teacher said "oh...you could hear all that in the bathroom?" Big laughter from him and big laughs from the rest of the class. We all hung out at recess and just talked on the microphone with him.
23 years ago and I'll never forget it.
Over-sharing is a thing. Sometimes, people really just cross the line in the information they've decided to volunteer to us.
It's hard to control who does this to us since it tends to take us by surprise, but hearing some of the things that people have suffered having to hear can easily act as cautionary tales to us.
Seriously, Who Asked
<p>I used to work at an animal shelter and we had several people who would come volunteer to help out.</p><p>One of the women who came there on a regular basis went to lunch with me. She was such a sweet woman, a little older than I was at the time. She proceeded to tell me that she used to go to the park and hook up with old men because she felt sorry for them.</p><p>WTF?</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/moviesandcats/" target="_blank">moviesandcats</a></p>Decent Bloke....
<p>I (25f at the time) was at A&E in the UK. I got discharged and was waiting for my taxi outside. This buff shirtless dude, covered in tattoos (they were decent too, imo) comes over and asks for a light. I bought a zippo for novelty so I obliged.</p><p>We got to talking and he told me how he had just got out of prison after serving a life sentence for killing his father, after his father murdered his baby sister. Had his records on him and everything (he was at the hospital as he was diabetic and had experienced an issue of some sort after being released - I have no expertise here).</p><p>I have never feared and respected a man so much in my life.</p><p>I bought him a pint after my taxi decided it wouldn't be arriving. Decent bloke - we still speak 9 years later.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/heavenhelpyou/" target="_blank">heavenhelpyou</a></p>Oh....Sounds Fun....
<p>My sophomore year In college a girl who I had a group project with told me that her first sexual experience was getting tag teamed by a couple of guys while she was in high school. </p><p>I just told her "wow, that's pretty intense." She told me that she loved it and then I changed the subject. Until that point nothing sexual had come up in the conversation.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Nothing_/" target="_blank">Nothing_</a></p>TW: Suicide
<p>My manager at my job in high school decided to tell us about how she tried to end her life on my very first day. </p><p>She was like, "One day, I decided to take some pills and end it all. I grabbed a pill bottle out of my mom's cabinet and took a handful without even looking at what it was and then lay down to die. I was so surprised to wake up in the morning perfectly fine. Confused, I checked the bottle to see what I had taken."</p><p>Yeah, it was estrogen.</p>Please Tell Me About Your Infidelity
<p>My wife loves to tell this story.</p><p>Her first day at a new company she was to meet another employee who would show her around the office. She met her in the lobby and on the elevator ride up to the office she proceeded to tell my wife how her husband has gained some weight and she is considering starting an office affair with a co-worker who is really into fitness and 'has muscles' (apparently she made a gesture where she fanned herself while saying muscles)</p><p>Like literally my wife met this lady 5 minutes earlier for the first time in the lobby and she is already unloading all this stuff on her.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Boxman75/" target="_blank">Boxman75</a></p>TW: Abuse
<p>I was seated next to a quiet kid on a high school band bus to a football game. He'd been in my band class for years, but I had never really spoken to him. He was the type who didn't fit into anything at school that I ever saw. I resolved to get to know him a bit and open up a conversation since we were going to be sitting by each other for a few hours. It was like a dam burst; that dude talked for the whole trip.</p><p>At one point, he told me that his mom was really unhappy with his stepdad but couldn't afford to divorce him. And then he told me that his stepdad would get drunk and beat him with a stick, but he wasn't sure if his mom was also getting beaten and that scared him. There was a brief pause before he said "I never told anyone that before..." Then he changed the subject completely.</p><p>I must've been seventeen or so. It shook me. Like... Obviously I was old enough to know that sort of thing happens, but too sheltered to think it happened to anyone I knew. I told my parents about it-- seemed the right thing to do. I don't know what happened from there. He and I never really spoke of it again. I just looked him up on Facebook, though. Looks like he's done really well for himself.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/DietrichBuxtehude/" target="_blank">DietrichBuxtehude</a></p>Not The Thing To Tell Your Nurse
<p>I was doing my practice in a hospital. They brought a young man in the neuro clinic, he was my 1st patient. He was around 30 and he had fallen from a tree while working. </p><p>He turned out to have a complicated neurological condition that had nothing to do with his fall. He was also diagnosed with severe depression. He was in there for months and no one ever visited him, the only time he felt a bit better was when I visited him and did some tests to him. </p><p>He said "it's nice when you come and make me play with the coloured toys and make me draw things". One day he was looking out of the window, when I came in he looked me dead in the eye and told me "you know, if the windows didn't have protective bars, I'd jump right out". It was the 1st time I'd heard such thing and I remember it ever since.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Shoddy_Natural4217/" target="_blank">Shoddy_Natural4217</a></p>Ope Okay Guess We're Going There
<p>Coworker took out a client for a business lunch at a small town restaurant. He asks the waitress "How are you?" to be polite. </p><p>She proceeds to go on a 5 minute spiel about how terrible her ex husband is and how he's ruining her life and how she feels like crap because of it. After she finishes, takes their order and leaves the customer says "So you must know her pretty well?" </p><p>"Only well enough to say hi in passing." </p><p>"Oh, so then that was just as awkward for you as it was for me then?" </p><p>"Yes, yes it was."</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/NowhereinSask/" target="_blank">NowhereinSask</a></p>The Evidence Is The Burn
<p>Some guy next to me on the bus once went into a long elaborate story about how he burned his house down for insurance money like three weeks prior.</p><p> I wouldn't have believed it if his hands didn't have massive burn scarring.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/STARCRUSHER99/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">STARCRUSHER99</a></p>Who Are You Fooling?
<p>Met this dude in college when he moved into the dorm. Goofy looking redneck kid from the San Antonio area. I'm getting to know him when I notice his Spice Girls cd (this was like 2003), and I commented on it. </p><p>He then goes into this long story of how he was at the Walmart in San Antonio, looking at the CDs in that store and just happened to have bumped into Ginger Spice who invited him into the tour bus that no one had noticed, and he lost his virginity to all the Spice Girls at once.</p><p>My thought was "Thank you for this story, I know instantly that I can never trust or believe anything you ever tell me again." It's been almost 20 years and I still can't believe that was something he said in the first five minutes of meeting me.</p><p><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/GreatJanitor/" target="_blank">GreatJanitor</a></p>We're never that surprised when we encounter people who are lackluster at their jobs. Bad waiters, rude customer service people, dishonest contractors, or inept colleagues abound throughout daily life.
But it's interesting that we expect to encounter that kind of ineptitude far less with certain professionals.
Salt in the Wound
<p>"I was dealing with a lot of family issues at the time and my ex had just broken up with me that week so I was taking it fairly hard."</p><p>"My therapist said 'it's because they found someone better' and when I said no and tried to explain she just dug in deeper that my ex had dumped me because they found someone better than me."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ltikks/people_of_reddit_what_is_the_worst_thing_a/goytctg?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">sgrmw</a></p>Suddenly, a Brainstorm Session for Insults
<p>"14, telling my shrink about how I was bullied in school."</p><p>" 'Do they make fun of your nose?' "</p><p>" '...nnnno....?' "</p><p>"And that's how I found out I have a big nose."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ltikks/people_of_reddit_what_is_the_worst_thing_a/gp0jn7u?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">KindlyOlPornographer</a></p>The Exact Wrong Outlook
<p>" 'You'll never do an important job like doctor, veterinarian, firefighter, lawyer, conselor...You'll probably end up in a Walmart for your whole life.' "</p><p>"I was 8 years old and still remember how mad my parents were lol."</p><p>-- -<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ltikks/people_of_reddit_what_is_the_worst_thing_a/goyug8s?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">SincerelyDontCare</a></p>Mourning Snooze
<p>"Nothing. She fell asleep in her chair while writing notes....I was talking about the death of my parents. I was 16. Never went to another therapist" -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ltikks/people_of_reddit_what_is_the_worst_thing_a/gozuyga?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Papismurf101</a></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"After reading a few of these I'm convinced some therapists get there education on a milk box. Flipping heck. I'm so sorry that happened to you." -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ltikks/people_of_reddit_what_is_the_worst_thing_a/gp2zydy?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">illthinkofonel8er</a></p>When Word and Deed Do Not Align
<p>"When they say things like 'okay I understand how you are feeling thank you for telling me' but proceeds to ignore most of the things I've said. -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ltikks/people_of_reddit_what_is_the_worst_thing_a/goyrsef?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">PrestigeZyra</a></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"Ugh I hate that. Sympathy is not Empathy."</p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"Rephrased: 'Based on what you've shared, I think I'm starting to understand what you have been through. Thank you for telling me. Now you said X, would you like to explain that further so I can better understand?' "</p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"It's called motivational interviewing and that specific technique is 'reflecting' and 'clarification' to ensure the client is able to fully explain their meaning without the provider 'assuming' anything or ignoring the person's statements." -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ltikks/people_of_reddit_what_is_the_worst_thing_a/gozv732?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">jhorry</a></p>Proven Wrong Almost Immediately
<p>"Go back to work, you'll be fine, you don't need different meds."</p><p><em>"3 times being sent home and psych ward visit later" -- </em><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ltikks/people_of_reddit_what_is_the_worst_thing_a/goygpxp?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">BalancedJoker</a></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;"><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ltikks/people_of_reddit_what_is_the_worst_thing_a/goygpxp?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank"></a>"let me guess, diagnosed with depression (unipolar). prescribed an SSRI type antidepressant. turns out you have biploar depression and without mood stabilizers the SSRIs sent you into a strong manic episode." -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ltikks/people_of_reddit_what_is_the_worst_thing_a/gp0hdbz?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">SecTrono</a></p>Doubling Down
<p>"I had a psychiatrist who was convinced I was anorexic even though I wasn't."</p><p>"It really sucked because my therapist and my psychiatrist worked at the same company and they had a policy where they don't help people with eating disorders."</p><p>"So even though I went to a specialist and they confirmed I didn't have an eating disorder I was still banned from that facility and lost my long term therapist."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ltikks/people_of_reddit_what_is_the_worst_thing_a/goyzbxh?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">assainXD1</a></p>Throwing Shade on a Healthy Habit
<p>"I use my creativity with art and craft as both a coping skill and as something that gives me extra purpose in life."</p><p>"A psychologist told me that doing so is maladaptive. I didn't go back."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ltikks/people_of_reddit_what_is_the_worst_thing_a/goyloq7?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">BlackCaaaaat</a></p>Wut
<p>"Had a therapist tell me that my soul, long before I was born, chose my parents and subsequent childhood abuse so that I could learn from it."</p><p>"By this logic, of course, the abused person is always in control and the abuser is helpless. Argue with that logic. Needless to say I never saw her again."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/ltikks/people_of_reddit_what_is_the_worst_thing_a/goyszg6?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">mercuryrising137</a></p>People Describe Which Small Achievement They Would Actually Like A Pat On The Back For
On the internet, people tend to say things they likely would not in the real world. The anonymity of a forum or comment section--composed only of verbal contributions beneath made up names--compels us to socialize with less inhibition; we take more risks with the peers we can't see in the flesh.
THANK YOU
<p>"Maybe not small. But my job is sort of essential. I support software that is used by many hospitals and medical facilities."</p><p>"I've pretty much worked every day and made sure our sh** didn't blow up whole covid wrecked shop. I get no mention. I get no praise but damnit I'm happy to keep helping fight the fight."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/luddci/whats_a_small_achievement_you_would_like_a_pat_on/gp5ubry?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">shartnado3</a></p>Making All the Right Moves
<p>"Trimming 7 years (so far!) off our mortgage through minor payment tweaks and tax return lump sum payments."</p><p>"It takes planning and discipline, but means we'll both be able to retire without house-debt. Planning to surprise SO with this next year once I get it down a little further." </p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/luddci/whats_a_small_achievement_you_would_like_a_pat_on/gp5w7mm?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">flitterbug78</a></p>The Leap
<p>"I finally got the courage to apply to, interview for, and accept another job, and quit the job I've had for a decade." -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/luddci/whats_a_small_achievement_you_would_like_a_pat_on/gp63t9k?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">whatisgoinghappen</a></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"Good job. I change as well last September. After 14 years it was stressful. Especially with a wife, a mortgage and a kid depending on my income." -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/luddci/whats_a_small_achievement_you_would_like_a_pat_on/gp8x685?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Angio343</a></p>33.83 Years of Training
<p>"I successfully plunged a toilet today! For the first time in my 33.83 years of existence! I'm just relieved I don't have to call the guest house manager."</p><p>"That'll teach me not to flush toilet paper in India smh."</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/luddci/whats_a_small_achievement_you_would_like_a_pat_on/gp69rfb?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">fvckyes</a></p>Keep It Going, Keep It Going
<p>"Running 45 minutes to one hour most days for the last four weeks." -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/luddci/whats_a_small_achievement_you_would_like_a_pat_on/gp5uufd?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">InbhirNis</a></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"That's brilliant!! Geesh if you can keep that up, even if it becomes just a few times a week you are adding YEARS to you lifespan, as well as LIFE!" -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/luddci/whats_a_small_achievement_you_would_like_a_pat_on/gp6gjdv?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">BlueLunarStar</a></p>Pristine Extremities
<p>"I been biting my nails all of my life and have finally stopped. I always feel a little silly to show my friends and be like, look, I have nails!" -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/luddci/whats_a_small_achievement_you_would_like_a_pat_on/gp64l2e?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">mobiuthuselah</a></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"Hey that's awesome! I've been biting my nails for like 20 years, it is a HARD habit to break. 👏👏" -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/luddci/whats_a_small_achievement_you_would_like_a_pat_on/gp8cu86?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">takethehiddenpaths</a></p>1, 2, 3
<p>"I did three loads of laundry today. Folded and put away too!" -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/luddci/whats_a_small_achievement_you_would_like_a_pat_on/gp5tmtb?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">rockbiter81</a></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"Is..is that humanly possible? I mean put away and everything?" -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/luddci/whats_a_small_achievement_you_would_like_a_pat_on/gp71hfd?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">AtheneSchmidt</a></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"Several years ago, when I was majorly depressed, laundry was the hardest thing to do. It felt never <a href="https://ending.to/" target="_blank">ending.</a> To this day, keeping on top of laundry is like saying 'I'm doing ok' for me."</p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"Doing three loads, folding AND putting away is amazing from my perspective! Congrats! Good job!!" -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/luddci/whats_a_small_achievement_you_would_like_a_pat_on/gp7bebe?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">Smartass_Narrator</a></p>Step One, Check
<p>"I've been making a point to try and shower every day."</p><p>"It doesn't seem like much, but when I'm going through a rough bout of depression - it's the biggest accomplishment I can muster and I'm very proud of myself and my current level of stinky-ness"</p><p>"(current stink level: not stinky!! Yay)"</p><p>-- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/luddci/whats_a_small_achievement_you_would_like_a_pat_on/gp61um4?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">datCHEESElife</a></p>Upswinging
<p>"Drug addict for the last 10 years, tomorrow marks 2 months clean. May not sound like a long time but it's longest I've gone ever" -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/luddci/whats_a_small_achievement_you_would_like_a_pat_on/gp601uu?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">yo_Slick</a></p><p>"Been an alcoholic for 9 years. 2 weeks sober tomorrow" -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/luddci/whats_a_small_achievement_you_would_like_a_pat_on/gp5v4ol?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">IscreamwhenIsh**</a></p>Here's to You Making It
<p>"today is my 26th birthday and I'm still around for it" -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/luddci/whats_a_small_achievement_you_would_like_a_pat_on/gp5uq5b?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">b4byd0t</a></p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"I've been depressed for decades. I just turned 49 four days ago and I never thought I'd get here. It's been rough for most of those years, but I'm still here and I think of all the people I've helped that wouldn't have happened and it gives me a purpose. Do the same."</p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">"Think about anything you've done, even if it's just giving directions to a stranger. You helped that person get to where they needed to be. If you weren't there, they might still be lost now." -- <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/luddci/whats_a_small_achievement_you_would_like_a_pat_on/gp7yyjw?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3" target="_blank">eddyathome</a></p>Time and dedication is critical to learning new skills.