Near death experiences are a phenomenon that thankfully not everybody really gets to experience. They're fascinating anomalies of science because they are impossible to explain and are different for each person.
The trauma surrounding the near-death-experience, though, stays present and strong well after the fact. It can be difficult to move on with one's life after the emotional scarring. Trigger warnings: violence, depression/suicide, blood, death.
u/lifeandtimes89 asked:
People who have had a near death experience, what did you experience?
Here were some of the answers.
It's The Calm
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Almost drowned as a kid. About 1 minute of sheer panic followed by an eerie sense of calm. I just remember thinking to myself "Well, I'm gonna die" while looking up at the lights/people above the water. Next thing I remember I was puking water out on the side of the pool.
A Choir Of Voices
I had a large tumor that eventually forced me to get a hysterectomy. It was discovered after (pardon the graphic description) large pieces of my innards began to come out. I was weak and losing a lot of blood and eventually lost consciousness. While out, I heard a chorus of voices, beckoning me to let go. It was very tempting, very pleasant. But I forced myself to "swim" back to reality and awaken in the emergency room. I could still hear the voices, faintly. I think the most interesting part was the absolute knowledge I had afterwards that I had to eat more vegetable soup. That homemade vegetable soup was what my body would be needing. So I made it a lot. It's been 22 years and I'm fairly healthy for my age, knock wood. That's as close as I've gotten to an NDE.
Dang Cats
I was asleep and was woken up to my neighbor pounding on the door. He told me there was a fire and I had to get out.
Let me tell you my emergency plan had one step on it: the cat carrier is always clean and available. My first cat went in the carrier fine, and sat in it while I retrieved his sister. I had to chase my second cat and she wouldn't go in. I finally get the cats wrangled (about three minutes) and I open my front door to pitch black. It felt like I had all of the oxygen sucked from my lungs. My eyes were burning, my throat was burning. If there was still electricity in the building it had cut out or the smoke was so thick and dark I couldn't see.
I felt my way down the hall to the stairs. I couldn't breathe anymore and I fell down. I knew there were firefighters outside because I could hear them and I tried to scream for help, but I couldn't even inhale. I realized that no help was coming at all and stood back up and somehow powered my way out of the building. There's a gap in my memory between falling and stumbling outside with the sweet embrace of fresh air.
I asked some random guy if he had any water and he gave me his half-drank bottle. I chugged it and called my family to pick me up at 2 AM. I got out with the clothes on my back and my cats. I vomited up black for days. I coughed and sneezed up more black stuff. I'm wheezing non stop but I made it out. I'm living in my aunt's basement but I have cried happy tears every day I have my kitties.
Apocalypse, Nowish
I was visiting Chernobyl on a small day trip from Kiev. Even though it was illegal the guide let us go inside one of the huge apartment complexes (around 20-25 floors). We all went to the roof top to get the full view of the area, and the guide told us we could check out some of the abandoned apartments on the way down if we wanted to. The majority of the group went inside the first apartment on the way down, but I thought I'd skip a few floors and go in one by myself. I went down to the 18th floor and inside an apartment. It was very dark inside and a lot of abandoned stuff on the floor. Old family photos and torn dolls, it was a bit creepy. I continued into another room, but it was too dark to see anything, so while walking I took out my phone and turned on the flashlight. As I turned it on I was just about to step into an open elevator shaft going 18 floors down. I was literally 1 step from what would have been my dead. I immediately stepped back and I felt an intense adrenaline rush. As scary as it was, I actually enjoyed the feeling, and I still get shivers down my spine just thinking about what happened.
The Farmer In The Ditch
One time while I was driving down an old curvy backroad I came real close to biting it. We were going up a hill in a small car, doing about 60-70 and when we came up over the top there was a semi truck in my lane passing a car. I had like 2 seconds to get out of his way or he would've hit me head on. Had to swerve into the ditch and slam on breaks, if I didn't react as fast as I did I probably wouldn't be here now. We were fine but I just about pooed myself when that happened. Felt unreal.
Awooooooo
15y/o brother actually died for half an hour, he has a weird named condition called Wolf White syndrome, he had woke up one morning complained of a headache and just dropped, his heart had stopped and his dad (my step dad) did cpr as best he could until the ambulance arrive.
He was put into a medically induced coma for a week then woken up, practically had no idea what happened, he's still being monitored and has regular check ups (since this happened In May) next week i believe he is going to London to see a specialist and then have a pacemaker fitted.
I asked him if he dreamt or experienced anything during his time out of it, and he said there was nothing, it was just dark.
Park Time
After fainting one time I clearly saw my self jogging during a sunset. There were green hills around me and a tree in the distance. It looked like a park but I was jogging towards the sun which was extremely bright ! To the point that I couldn't see ahead of me. Thing is this place doesn't exist because were I'm from it's a desert area so theres not many green areas. When I woke up I was in the hospital with a bunch of nurses around me asking if I knew my name, how old I was, etc. After I regained consciousness I realized I was jogging towards the light. I told my mom and close friends and they freaked out. It hasn't happened since then.
That Was One Annoyed Friend
I don't actually remember this happening, but I have been told by family that it did indeed happen.
I was a baby, maybe 1 1/2 years old or 2 years old. My parents are not home, and my granny is watching me and my brother (who is 3 years older than me). My brother has a friend over for a visit, who we will call David.
My granny was not that old at the time probably in her early 60s, but she was very kind of "hands off" when watching us. Meaning she watched TV and let us play.
The house we lived in at the time was split into different rooms, none of that open space, kitchen/living room thing. So granny was in the living room and us kids where in the kitchen. And guess I was being annoying or something or at least annoyed David. So when my brother had to go to the toilet, our granny took him out there and did their business.
Meanwhile, I was left unsupervised with David. No one really knows what happened, because I don't remember, So this part is how my granny has told it. Her and my brother come out of the toilet and David and I are not there. My granny thinks nothing of it yet, and just calls for us, we don't respond. She then walks around the house looking for us, with my brother close behind her. She finds me and David in the laundry room, David is on top of me, strangling me. According to my granny she flung David off me, and I was blue and unconscious. She did CPR on me. (She says everything else happened in kind of a blur, but she called my parents, and told them to get a hold of David's parents to come pick him up, because he did 'something') My parents and David's parents show up at around the same time, I'm conscious again. And my dad is PISSED when he hears what happened.
From what I've been told my dad gave David's parents a verbal beating and we never saw them again. I was also taken to the hospital to get checked up, David didn't do any real damage because I wasn't unconscious for long enough and he wasn't strong enough to actually kill me.
Close To The End
in 2016 my appendix burst. I didnt know that it did, I was suffering really bad stomach pain. The pain started about 3 days before it got bad. I thought I was just getting sick. Well fast forward 3 days and I'm in actual hell suffering from nausea and insane stomach pain.
My bf was at work so I called him and he called an ambulance to pick me up. The ambulance never came. So my mom (who is a nurse) picked me up and took me to the doctor. At this point my skin was yellow. The doctor gave me some nausea medication. I went back home and when my bf finally got back from work he rushed me to the hospital. Mind you at this point we still didn't know it was a burst appendix. I was sitting in the waiting room for way to long, so my bf takes me to another hospital where they promptly took me in. One of the doctors or what ever said they wished I had come sooner. And at this point I'm laying on the hospital bed, Really drugged up because of the pain. It didn't hit me until I had surgery and was at home, that him saying he wished I came in sooner meant that I was in pretty bad shape. Scary stuff. My appendix was black.
It's A Mold Thing
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When I was I think 4, I would complain a lot that something was sore, so my mom would give me some Advil. I had an allergic reaction to that Advil, like I couldn't breathe, and as far as I know, that was the first time my mom ever had to call 911. We still didn't know what I was allergic to yet, because my reactions were slightly delayed, so, what do you know, I ask for more Advil the very next day. Wtf 4 year old me. My mom gives it to me, same reaction,. called 911 again. So for 8 years, everyone thought I was deathly allergic to Advil, Aspirin, those types of medicines. Turns out, I'm not allergic to Advil at all.
The bottle of Advil my mom had been given me was one she bought, and didn't throw away when they recalled all the Advil bottles. Turns out, I'm ACTUALLY deathly allergic to mold. The Advil was moldy. That's why it was recalled. Keep in mind that these were not the only reactions I had that I told you about here. I think there was actually 4 or 5 reactions in total. Guys, when something gets recalled, throw it away.
When we're intoxicated, or even the slightest bit tipsy from having a little too much to drink, our immediate perspective on things is hazy.
But there's nothing like a bit of alarming news or a jarring incident to snap us out of the fog and focus on the moment.
Sometimes alcohol isn't always to blame for our impairment.
It can be a state of mind, like a perpetual numbness from being complacent in life, and all it takes is one shocking moment to rattle us back to our senses.
Curious to hear from strangers online about this type of scenario, Redditor Known_Challenge_7150 asked:
"What’s one thing that sobered you up real quick?"
These individuals were witness to shocking events that sobered them up right quick.
Bleeding Out
"Got out of a taxi and found a naked man profusely bleeding from his head crawling up the driveway in my condo. Called him an ambulance completely forgot I was absolutely wasted until 45 minutes later when I'd helped him translate and in to an amublance and stepped in my front door."
"Later a few days later learned he'd slipped in the tub and literally crawled out for help. Poor dude. He was fine but I genuinely thought he was going to die there."
– DongLaiCha
Tragic News
"At a bachelor party and we got a phone call that the groom’s father had suddenly passed."
– accountnameredacted
Bottom Of The Barrel
"I went to visit my parents back in July. I was homeless and deep into fentanyl addiction so I lost a lot of weight. My folks could see it. They knew something was up. Anyway, I spent the night and I was getting ready to leave in the morning and I looked at myself in the mirror for a good long time. I finally had enough and told them everything. They took me to detox, from there I went to rehab. Graduated in August and been living with them ever since then. I have 160 days clean and sober."
– Crotch-Monster
A reality check can be enough for some people to snap out of it.
Like Father, Like Son
"Was driving a drunk friend home, he had been on a bender again and was smart enough to call me for a lift rather than try and drive. As I helped in to his house his mother came down the stairs and said 'your as drunk as your father' and went back upstairs. I haven't seen him drunk since then, he still drinks but the thought of turning into his dad scared him out of hard drinking."
– psycospaz
Busted
"Flashing blue lights."
– FiddleOfGold
"This sobered me up just thinking about it."
– redmaple_syrup
Losing Sight
"Woke up to no sight in one eye. I had cataract surgery so just thought one of the lenses had slipped and it was an easy fix. Eye doc says nope, you had a stroke. I loved soy sauce, teriyaki sauce and salty food, which caused high blood pressure, which caused retina damage. Over six months was able to get most of my eyesight back with medication, and all back within a year. Trying to navigate life with one eye was very sobering. Started taking HBP much more seriously."
– MissHibernia
Quitting The Bottle
"Looked up someone I went to highschool with who was an awesome guy. Found out he had been dead for 3 years from alcoholism, at age 33. I made an overnight change. I hadn't started drinking that night yet, 10 months ago. Haven't touched it again since."
– omgtater
These disturbing moments were enough for Redditors to immediately come to their senses.
Unplanned House Guests
"Me and a buddy Woke up in someone’s living room, realized neither one of us knew the people, they were just nice and let 2 drunk guys sleep on their living room floor. We didn’t even say goodbye."
– Oneinsevenbillion75
Serious Health Warning
"Elevated liver enzymes."
"And the knowledge that this sh** was gonna kill me and I just couldn't orphan my family over it."
"So I opted for recovery, instead."
"Clean and sober since June 5, 2009."
– Far_Meal8674
The Joyride
"Grew up in a rural area. The little town hosted dances at the hockey arena, everyone (adults and kids) went and they overserved everyone, regardless of age. I was maybe 16 or 17 and was absolutely sh*tfaced, and jumped in the back of someone's truck with about 8 other people to go back to someone's cottage for after dance drinking. The driver (still don't know who it was) started racing one of his buddies and we whipped around small dirt roads, flying around blind corners on the wrong side of the road, going god knows how fast. It was basically a disaster waiting to happen. It was crazy scary and I was sober and thankful to be alive when we finally arrived."
– foxfood9116
The human psyche is a fascinating thing, isn't it?
How we can automatically focus on something urgent at a crucial time, even after getting buzzed from drinking too much alcohol.
But as we're in the thick of the holidays, it's a good reminder to drink responsibly and stay off the roads if you drive to your celebratory destination.
Cheers. Stay safe. And happy holidays.
We've all complained or vented about something in our lives which, in the grand scheme of things, wasn't exactly a problem, or is very easily solved.
Then there are those who complain about things that others almost hope will happen to them at some point in their lives.
These are known as "first world problems", as they are problems that pretty much only the world's one percent faces.
From having to fly business class instead of first class, or being served Roederer instead of Dom Pérignon, these complaints are often met with amusement, bewilderment, or even anger.
Redditor jennimackenzie was curious to hear the most absurd "first world problems" anyone ever complained about, leading them to ask:
"What’s the most ridiculous 'first world problem' you’ve seen people get worked up over?"
"Tale As Old As Time..."
"I once knew a mom who was legitimately devastated, to the point of tears/grief, because a doctor predicted her 8 year old daughter's final height to be around 5'2","
"Which wasn't tall enough to get cast as Belle at Disney World."
"That was the child's (and her mother's) only dream in life, apparently."
"Didn't appreciate my suggestion that she could be Minnie or Mickey."
"Lol!"
"Only a face character would do!"- TravelLovingMom
"Must Be Funny, In A Rich Man's World..."
"My boss from about a decade ago was this insanely rich dude who always went to the bank to get fresh and crisp currency."
"He'd call the bank in advance to make sure they had some on hand."
"I think he was a germaphobe."
"He had a trash can that he'd throw $1 and $5 bills in that he thought was 'dirty' and regularly just donated it vs spending it."
"I asked him why he did this and he said it was too much trouble and asked if I wanted it."
"I said f*ck yeah dumped it into my bag and when I got home it was close to $400 in singles and fives.
"Another time, he wanted to upgrade all the computers in his studio, so we went to a store and bought 10 PCs."
"They all had $150 mail in rebates and he wasn't bothered to go through the trouble of mailing them in."
"3 weeks later I received $1500 after spending a whole afternoon filling out all those goddamn forms."- azninvasion2000
Money Burn GIF by nog
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Who Wore It Better?
"When I was about 19 years old, I was at my boyfriends family BBQ."
"I was wearing this pretty floral sundress."
"His cousins girlfriend showed up in the same dress and she was SO mad that she went and changed."
"I will never understand being upset when someone is wearing the same thing as you.'
"Did you really think that your shirt you bought off the rack is going to be unique to you?"
"No."- mertsey627
Seeing Red! Or Blue In This Case...
"The blue of the balloons wasn't quite the same as the bridesmaid's sashes."
"Years ago my wife and I attended a wedding."
"It was very low key."
"The dinner was in the dining hall at the university where the couple met, cinder block walls and all."
"It was a Baptist wedding - no booze and very serious."
"The dark blue balloons attempting to liven up the hall were a slightly darker shade of blue than the sashes on the bridesmaid's dresses."
"The bride lost here sh*t and absolutely raved for nearly an hour."
"I can't remember how they finally managed to talk her down."- mechant_papa
south park wedding GIF
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See You In Court!
"Rich neighbors who end up in expensive court battles because they disagree about where a tree can be planted or whether the color of a fence fits in with the street’s 'amenity'."
'These disputes get really heated and rack up huge lawyers’ bills."
"The most pathetic part is after the judgement when they are arguing about who should pay the other party’s costs."
"Lots of affidavits filed citing the 'emotional distress' they had to endure, or painting themselves as brave warriors who were forced to take a stand to fight for 'justice'."
"Also lots of pompous litigants insisting that the judge refer to them by their 'Dr' title."
"An absolutely insane dumpster fire of entitled rich people problems."- ElectrocRaisin
It's Always People With Money Who Don't Want To Pay!
"I work in a public library."
"People will get so so mad if they have to be put on a wait list for a book."
"A popular book that just came out."
"Ok our services are not only free but so are the books."
"You’re welcome, a**holes."- Switchbladekitten
A Warm Butt Is A Happy Butt!
"My own."
"We have a bidet toilet seat (Fabulous! Everyone should have one!) and not only does it wash your bum and blow dry it, but the seat's heated!"
"It's shocking how much a heated toilet seat makes the whole process more agreeable."
"Except: We had a power outage and I went to use the toilet and the seat was cold!"
"Unacceptable!"
"This shall not stand!"
"I was really upset because it didn't feel good."
"Then I stopped and thought: This is the most first-world problem anyone's ever had."
"I was really pissed because my heiny was tepid."
"I got over it."- DeathGrover
homer simpson episode 23 GIF
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Holy Matrimony!
"Weddings are a gold mine for this question."
"People get so hyped up over their 'most important day of their life'."
"They'll destroy friendships, go into debt, and have crazy expectations."
"It's not always the couple who go crazy, either."
"Sometimes, it's the parents or another family member who feels entitled to control the wedding."
"It's just a party."
"Be considerate of guests, have plenty of food and drinks, and enjoy it."- magicrowantree
When Fast Food Isn't Fast Enough...
"Having to pull off to the side to wait for a drive-thru order to be brought out to you because your food isn't ready and there's a line building up behind you."- demanbmore
In Case You Don't Think Customer Service Employees Are Undervalued...
"I was working the return desk at a Target next to a military base so I have so many stories."
"One of my favorites was a lady who had her baby shower before revealing the gender and was livid that she had received floral newborn diapers when she’s having a boy."
"It was a huge box of super expensive, all organic diapers, that we didn’t carry and therefore could not return."
"I cannot accurately express her fury and disgust."
"How dare either suggest her boy could wear feminine diapers."
"I suggested she donate them if she didn’t want to use them and she instead threw away the entire box."
"When she left we pulled it out and threw it in our donate bin."
"There have also been multiple times where mom’s order massive toys and when we bring them out to the car they get furious that they aren’t wrapped."
"We don’t offer wrapping services."
"Here’s the thing, if you don’t want your kids to see the toys you got them for Christmas or their bit to day DON'T BRING THE CHILD WHEN YOU PICK IT UP."
'I’ve had multiple women scream and curse me out that I had ruined their kids Christmas by bringing the toys they ordered out to the car like they requested."- clever-mermaid-mae
Customer Service Waiting GIF by Juno Calypso
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Happiest Place On Earth!
"I used to work for Disney."
"That in itself should tell you everything."
"However for fun I'll give you two specific stories one form our tech department and one from my wife who worked bookings."
"I specifically worked for their call center to help with technical issues with magic band and the website."
"Suddenly got worse huh?"
"A right of passage call everyone has at least one story of is the 'Dome call'."
"Basically there is a subset of Disney Guest (TM) that believes if it rains at Walt Disney world there is someone that will push a button to encapsulate the whole of Disney property in a dome to keep out the rain."
"I'm not kidding."
"If this button is not pushed they call our tech department to angrily ask why."
"My wife worked booking."
"Pretty much everything including Bibbidi Bobbidi boutique and Pirate's league."
"These two things did roughly the same thing difference being price and theme."
"BBB was expensive did more and was focused on princesses, pirates league did a bit less and focused on mermaids and pirates."
"Lady called up my wife, and got pissed about BBB being booked up (It goes FAAAAST)."
"Karen: 'Im going to give the phone to my daughter and I want you to tell her how you are ruining her vacation by not letting her do BBB'."
"Wife proceeds to explain how pirate's league is so much cooler and how she can be a mermaid or pirate and basically gets the kid to start demanding to their parents about how they want to be a mermaid instead of a princess."- trollsong
Disney World GIF
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The horror!
Being booked into a junior suite at Disney World instead of an executive suite!
It's almost as bad as having no money for groceries, or no food to feed you children...
Said absolutely no one.