Finding love is something that nearly everyone hopes for at some point in their life.
For some, love practically finds them. They hardly need any time searching for the true love.
Others might have to work a little harder and be a little more patient. They never give up the hope that their one true love is out there, somewhere.
Then there are those for whom the search simply isn't worth it and have found themselves resigned to the fact that they may never find someone.
Whether or not that's how they want their life to be.
"Have you given up on love, if so why?"
Fear Of Getting Hurt
"To me the price I have to pay if I want to be in a relationship is I have to be vulnerable."
"And at some level I just don’t want to get hurt that bad again."
"I accept this, and have family, friends, work, hobbies, and things to look forward to."
"So while I wouldn’t say I have given up on love, I’m not looking for it and would be very wary of any new situation."- hdhdhdhdzjursx
"Gotta be honest, pretty much have."
"The last person I loved romantically found just about every way to put me down and reject me, all the while pulling me back in repeatedly."
"It was not worth it."
"I'm going solo but still kind of hoping for Miracle."
"I like me."- ATXDefenseAttorney
Don't Have The Energy
"Yes, because I'm tired."
"Tired of going out to find someone to love, tired of getting to know a new person and being comfortable enough to fall in love, tired of learning new things about this new person and whether we are compatible, tired of meeting each other's families and getting to know a whole new bunch of people..."
"Being single may be lonely, but I won't be exhausted."- Avelevanstar
"Not sure if I've given up, but I am getting real tired."
"Having to get to know new people, putting my heart out there without knowing if I'll succeed this time, so tiring."
"I'm learning more about myself in therapy, and I've seen ladies' heads turn when I speak, I've been told I have a nice voice, but chasing a lady is so much work for so little payoff."
"Never had a girlfriend before too, and I'm hitting 40 soon."
"Each new lady is a learning experience but it's also incredibly draining."
"Sometimes I just wanna curl up on my bed and ignore the whole world."- Blim004
It's Given Up On Them
"I haven't given up on love, but I doubt I will ever love again."
"After 53 years and so many attempts that ended in tears, I don't think I will ever have that chance again for a variety of reasons."
"I spend times just trying to come to terms that I will die alone someday."- kalwayne3573
For Their own Self-Care
"Yes."
"For now."
"Need to repair myself so the next guy doesn’t have to do it for me."- Beginning-Match592
Lack Of Reciprocation
"Given up on love as I am the only one loving, the others just need me."
"When they're done, they push me away."- gameygamer15
Traumatized By Past Mistakes
"Ever fallen in love with someone you shouldn't have fallen in love?"
"So that's why, though I hope time will heal me or sth."- guess_I_feed
"I was in a 10-year abusive relationship."
"Unfortunately I didn’t realize until very late and then I ended it."
"It’s too much of a risk to meet someone again as these type of people are very manipulative and you don’t realize the cruelty they are capable of until you are trauma bonded."
"It’s not easier being single but it’s a lot less heartache."
"I thank my lucky stars every day that I got out."- corickle
"My last four love interests either cheated or 'found a girlfriend'."
"It's left me believing I'm just not a person who can be romantically loved."- Owlmystery
Happy Being Alone
"I’m not capable of giving someone my all and I enjoy my time alone more than anything."
"Two failed marriages later, we chillin."- HDTempo
Life Is Good The Way It Is
"I had a big love."
"It didn't work out."
"Now I live a truly beautiful life alone and I wouldn't trade it for the world."
"I just spent the weekend with my friend, her toddler, new puppy and failing marriage and when I got home I nearly cried with the feeling of gratitude for my peaceful life."- spice-pop
"On romantic love, yes."
"I have so many social aversions and require so much space that I'm neither capable or interested to nurture such a relationship."
"I'm happier and more functional on my own."- USAIsAUcountry
Literally Don't Know What They're Missing
"Never been loved before, can't miss what I haven't experienced."- Allnutsz
Social Anxiety
"I wasn't socialized from the ages 12-22 and have severe social anxiety."
"It's hard to meet people when you're terrified of them."- owe-me
The true romantics should never give up the hope that their soulmate is out there, somewhere.
That being said, being without a partner is nothing to be ashamed of.
As the only person in control of your own happiness, is you and you alone.
The Biggest Regrets Dying Patients Shared According To Medical Professionals
The only thing that is possibly more difficult than losing a loved one is being with them in their final days.
Or worse yet, their final moments.
When it's no longer a question of if but when.
No matter their age, or cause of death, when people know that the end is near, they will become reflective of their life and all they've accomplished.
And sadly, all the things they wish they'd done... or hadn't done.
The things they never got a chance to do or wished they'd never said.
Something that health care workers and home aids find themselves equally moved by as the family sitting vigil.
Redditor delete_my_comment was curious to hear the most heartbreaking confessions hospital and healthcare workers heard from their dying patients, leading them to ask:
"Hospital workers, what regrets do you hear from dying patients?"
Some People Are Just Ready To Go.
"Some people just want you to let them go."
"I had a man with terminal cancer break down crying after his daughters left the room because they wanted him to 'keep fighting' and he just wanted to rest and pass peacefully."
"Learn when to let go."- SheWolf04
When You're Truly Alone
"He was one of my first patients as a nursing student, named Frank."
"He was 92."
"After knowing him a few days, he disclosed to me his regret was outliving everyone he loved."
"That he and his wife hadn’t had kids, and he was 'all that was left' and that he wanted to see his wife again."
"I wasn’t sure how to respond , so I just listened."
"It made me realize how living so long isn’t great if everyone you love is gone."
'He passed away later that week, and while I distinctly recall some of my classmates being upset, I felt relief for him."
"I knew he was where he wanted to be."
"I’ve had many patients since, but you tend to remember your first ones."
"Other than that, ditto what everyone’s saying, more time with family/loved ones, wish they wasted less time with work or other bullsh*t, etc."- Reiiran
Regret Comes In Many Forms
"I’m a hospice social worker, so I have the honor of getting to listen to peoples’ life stories, including favorite memories and regrets."
"Most regrets center around what they didn’t get to do, like never traveling to Italy when their family was originally from Naples."
"Some regret not getting specific education, wanting to go to college but never doing it."
"Some regret their choice in partner, especially when alcohol/drug abuse was involved, or cheating."
"Many express a sadness that looks a lot like regret if they are estranged from family."
"And some have anticipatory grief from knowing they will miss a milestone, like the birth of a grandchild."
"Some regret not taking better care of their health, people with COPD who regret ever having a cigarette."
"In general life is long and time smooths some of the rough edges, so people tend to focus on the good."- Notacoldnight
Everlasting Love
"I worked in long term care for 12 years."
"I remember a married couple that shared a room."
"She had cancer and kidney failure."
"I was helping her eat lunch one day with her husband sitting there with us."
"She looked like death but her husband looked at her then at me and said have you ever seen a more beautiful woman?"
"I had to leave and go to the bathroom and cry."
"I cried for days every time I thought of what he said."
"I thought I would never know what it was like to be loved like that."
"I had been divorced for years."
"I couldn’t even tell the story without tearing up."
"Footnote, I was divorced 23 years when I met Rod."
"Been together for 11 years."
"I know that love now. It’s never too late."- Moonpixy
Past Decisions Come Back To Haunt You
"He wished he had been a better father to his daughter."
"He wished they had reconnected."
"His dementia prevented him from remembering they had reconnected years before and that she visited often."
"I wish I could have made him aware that he had accomplished his last wish."
"But he died not really understanding that."- shesagdb
The Life He Never Got To Live
"I worked as an oncology nurse right out of nursing school."
"I was barely 21 years old."
"Had a patient about my age who was dying of lung cancer."
"A few hours before he died I sat with him and he was telling me how much he wished that he would have had more time-to maybe fall in love, marry, have kids."
"He was so young."
"He asked me to call his parents and he died shortly after they arrived."
"It was awful."
"His regrets were more about the life not lived."
"Many older patients had some interesting life stories and most wanted to tell them before they died."
"Most were at peace with the life they lived."
"Many regretted working so much and not spending enough time with family."- MagiBee218
Life is precious and short.
Chances are, none of us will accomplish everything we hope to in life.
So the best we can do is live to the fullest, and enjoy each waking moment.
And never take for granted the people we love and who love us.
Our word is our bond.
If we don't stand by our truth, then who are we?
Now that is not to say we can't change our minds about things.
Changing our minds on our opinions often signals that we've learned something new.
Therefore we've grown and now stand over here.
Sadly that seems to be missing more and more these says.
Alas...
Redditor Youhavemystapler11 wanted to hear about people's 'to the death' convictions. So they asked everyone around:
"What’s a hill you’re willing to die on every time?"
Pineapple is good on pizza. I. STAN!
Dollars
Schitts Creek Please GIF by CBCGiphy"Repeal Citizen United. Nothing to discuss. Politicians should have to list where every freaking dollar comes from."
Melodic_Wrap8455
Full Coverage
"Health insurance should cover the whole body. The fact that vision and dental are separate things is a pure cash grab."
sirshiny
"So is most dermatology. I find it ridiculous that I can’t utilize a regular dermatologist unless it is suspected or confirmed that I have skin cancer. Won’t even biopsy anything cosmetic. I have very fair skin and red hair. My younger sister is blonde with olive skin and has already had precancerous moles removed."
strawjenberry
A Wonderful Place
"Public libraries are undervalued by many."
writemoreletters
"I’m in a situation where I just can’t do my homework nor can I study at home and my public library has saved me. Honestly now that I’m going to the library everyday, I have a schedule and I feel overall way less depressed and way more productive."
opposite_singularity
"Yes!! Same. Going to the library to study was the only thing that stopped me from spiralling into depression when I was at uni. It also forced me to have at least a little human interaction."
Sufficient_Glass_171
For the love of God!
"Use a damned turn signal."
BaconMonkey0
"What I really love is when I'm at a T intersection trying to make a left onto a highway and the people coming from the left don't signal that they're making a right, and after it becomes clear they're making a right it's now too late to turn because of cars behind them. Makes me want to throw a Molotov through their window."
damontoo
18 & Up
Beauty Bling GIFGiphy"Children beauty pageants are creepy as hell and parents who subject their children to such scrutiny and judgement are crazy, and don’t deserve children."
im_your_bullet
Are we STILL doing child beauty pageants? So creepy.
Horrible
its horrible steve martin GIF by Saturday Night LiveGiphy"People are completely fine with immoral/morally gray actions as long as it’s someone they like doing it."
Xdddxddddddxxxdxd
"Expansion on that thought. They’re fine with horrible things being done to people as long as they feel no need to identify with the people having horrible things done to them."
TA1067
Just Listen
"Disagreeing is not a personal attack."
thathorsegamingguy
"Also: you can listen to someone and understand what they’re saying, without agreeing with them. Just because you don’t agree, doesn’t mean you’re refusing to listen."
penguinophile
"Sadly, most people think they already have both, so they lock their feet in and never actually achieve the ability to practice either."
NintendoTheGuy
Yes I Can
"Getting compliments as a Dad for normal parenting behavior."
"Yes, I can feed, bath and put to bed a 9,7, and 2 year old. No I didn't need to call my wife for direction. No, the house didn't burn down."
"The praise you are heaping upon me doesn't make me feel good. It just makes me feel bad for you, your kids and your husband."
Best-Company2665
Know Better
"That 75% of the USA needs to retake an American Government class. The fact that most people don’t even know we have 3 branches of government baffles me."
AsterismRaptor
"They're super simple too: The President, The Senate, and The Candlestick Maker."
Greymore
"100% of this country needs to take a religious history class so that they can understand why our Founding Fathers gave us the Freedom of Religion. I’m amazed at how many people don’t know about the Inquisitions or the Reformation. People don’t know where their denomination came from. They don’t know that the Catholic Church was first."
Myfourcats1
Actions
Sorry Home Alone GIF by filmeditorGiphy"Apologies mean nothing, without changed behaviors."
No_Effort152
"This is part of the reason why I hate people who use apologies to get rid of tensions/awkwardness. If you don't plan on changing the way you act; just leave the person alone."
thebigbroke
That last one right there... show you're sorry, don't say it.
Monogamy. Is it natural?
We're in a place now where when it comes to sex, everyone is freer.
It's all confusing.
So we must start questioning.
What are everyone's thoughts on one partner?
Redditor Raoulchloe wanted to discuss sex with others when you're committed.
So they asked:
"What do you think about monogamy?"
Sex with only one person. Forever. I'm hoping I can pull it off.
The One
Nba Playoffs Sport GIF by NBAGiphy"Monogamy is great. Plus it was enough work to get one person to like me."
huh_phd
For Me
"It is for me."
SuvenPan
"Me too. 23 yrs and counting. Still have fantastic sex. Love my wife. All good in the hood."
frick-you-fricker
"Dude it really is. I’m 40, and the best I’ve learned is the more you make her the priority in bed the more she will come out of the closet."
Tommy2tables
Time Issues
"I honestly don't understand how people have time to be poly. Between work, chores, friends, family, social obligations, and time with my partner I literally don't know where I'd fit in a whole other relationship."
holyyyysh*t
"Seriously, I love my SO but those few moments I get that i'm truly by myself i cherish very deeply. Adding a whole other person with needs and wants to that mix? Jesus."
Sirromnad
Being a wife...
"I've been with my wife for 14 years. That's my context here before I start. I don't think I could do a proper poly relationship. Being one of several people in a relationship with my wife, even if the primary, would require me to be a super balanced secure person, and chief that ain't me no matter how much I want to be."
"So I don't think polygamous relationships are bad, I just think I would not be good at them."
"I guess I'm saying that monogamy may not be my ideal, but I am sure as sh*t not cut out for anything else, not even some bullshit fantasy where I am the king and have all these lovely women who only have eyes for me and I get to sleep with all of them, because even my one wife reckons I could be better at being a husband most of the time so I reckon I'd be s**t at being a husband to more than one."
Devrij68
30+
Happy Four Weddings GIF by TLCGiphy"It’s worked for the 30 years of our marriage. It’s not for everyone."
No-Consideration6589
Monogamy... it can be for everybody.
Too Much
Schitts Creek Comedy GIF by CBCGiphy"I'd rather be monogamous than anything else. Getting my wife to like me was frigging hard enough. We've got 2 kids, I've got enough people in my life to add another partner into that mix."
mxster982
Benefits
"I am on board. Been with my wife for 16 years and married for 12, I prefer it to being single or trying to maintain multiple relationships (I do not have the time or energy for that even if it sounded fun). However, I never understood people who stay in unhappy marriages. If you are both not happy, unless there is some massive hidden benefit, leave and try to find happiness for yourself and the other person!"
Sprucecaboose2
Simply the Best
"I think it's boring, in the best way possible. I think it's safe, with the right person."
"Honestly, I think it's ideal for me."
"No shame if it's not for you, but personally, I feel that presently it's what would make me happiest in a relationship."
pyromaster114
Decisions
"I spent a large portion of my life prior to ten years ago identifying as poly. I'll tell you, I had lots of experiences I value, but safety and security were not among them."
"Ten-eleven years ago, I met my current mate and she laid it on the line early on that poly wouldn't work for her. I thought she was so awesome I agreed to be monogamous. Best decision I ever made."
da0ist
The Rates
ex on the beach love GIF by MTV NederlandGiphy"A lot of people think it's unattainable with the cheating rate and all. Personally, I'd have a panic attack if I had to deal with double this attention from another man, I'm already tired."
InaptbutwiseNput
Monogamy... it's not for everybody. But good luck to all.
People Divulge The Weirdest Thing Someone's Ever Told Them In Confidence
People have a way of surprising us.
Even those we think we know like the back of our hands might end up revealing something about themselves which we would not expect.
Such as a hidden passion, an unexpected talent, or an element of their past which they'd been making an effort to keep under wraps.
This information more often than not slips out unintentionally, likely after a few too many drinks.
Other times however, we find these friends, acquaintances or colleagues we barely know confide this information with us in the strictest of confidence.
Even if we truly wished they hadn't.
Redditor Stupid_cerealbox was curious to hear the most bizarre and unexpected things people found friends and others confess to them, leading them to ask:
"What is the weirdest thing someone has told you in confidence?"
An Honest Mistake...
"I was talking about my hobbies with a colleague and I asked what are you into?"
"And he goes kind of quiet and shy for a second, looked a bit perplexed and then opened up after checking behind him 'ohh, uhh, I like older women who are 'in charge' like, dominatrix but not as harsh, like, I like being told what to do'."
"Took me by surprise that."
"I didn't want to make fun of him for misunderstanding me or what he's into, but all I could do was call him a jam doughnut and asked him about his safe for work interests."- NickyRD
Love At It's Truest Form...
"I had a neighbor, old man, in his 80s, confess that he hated apple pie, but he ate his wife's apple pie with a smile on his face every time she made it because 'she's so proud of it and it was her grandma's recipe'."- Faustus_Fan
food porn thanksgiving GIF by LoblawsONGiphyRenting By The Hour...
"My married friend has three kids."
"He's exhausted."
"While taking the train to work, a woman he always sees struck up a conversation with him, said she knows him as 'the tired guy' because he always passes out on the train."
"He explained why, so she reveals she is a hotel manager and can get him a room for free."
"He took her up on the offer."
"Which sounds like an affair, right?"
"Nope."
"My friend actually has an ongoing deal with this lady where she lets him crash in a hotel room if it's open."
"He tells his wife that he is visiting family, but all he does is sleep in a room, away from his wife and kids."
"At my urging, he admitted the truth to his wife because keeping that a secret will just lead her to assume he's unfaithful."
"When he told her the truth, she replied 'I believe you'."
"'You'd never cheat on me'."
"'You have no game'."- StoolToad9
Now Watching Leave Me Alone GIF by RegalGiphyAlways Watch Your Back...
"I was on a night out and ran into a good friend who I hadn't seen for a few weeks."
"While we were catching up he told me that he'd stopped using his phone because he thought someone had bugged it to steal his identity."
"When I asked why someone would do that he told me, quite cheerfully, that it was probably something to do with the people that had been following him for the last week or so."
"He hadn't seen them out tonight, but he was sure they were around somewhere, they were very good at popping in and out of sight."
"Then he left, saying he had a train to catch and told me to take care and keep my eyes open."
"I reported this whole conversation to his brother, who I also knew quite well."
"Found out a few days later he'd been in the middle of a manic episode where he'd only been sleeping like 2 hours a night, and he'd eventually had to be sectioned for his own safety."- AlansDiscount
One Only Hopes He Wasn't Telling The Truth...
"I had a man early in my career that I worked with off and on at another company show up unannounced and ask for a 1:1 meeting."
"Man promptly told me he thought I was one of the few people he could trust while dabbing at blood on his face where it looked like he had been punched."
"Followed with he was looking for help because his yet to be unborn baby was marked for sacrifice by satanic elements and his wife was going to go along with it on Valentine’s Day in Bixby Oklahoma."
"About that time the receptionist walked in with coffee for both of us, which was totally not a thing at this company."
"No one ever gave a f$&k) and slipped me a note to excuse myself because the police were waiting outside."
"He had assaulted someone to get away to make it to our office and was in a police chase."
"Brave brave girl for coming in and pulling me out."
"We talked another very long 5-7 minutes and I told him the coffee upset my stomach."
"Feel like he was having a psychotic break of some sort but also Bixby has had some really weird sh*t going on and many years later I read a book written for teens about witches and satanic stuff called Jinx High which was about the town of Jenks that abutted Bixby and sometimes I wonder if I let Perry down."- icancheckyourhead
He Might Want To Consider Putting 2 and 2 Together...
"I'm not too much into pleasuring women'."
"I'm like a marine: I get in, do my duty, and get out'."'
"That's how it's done!'"
"Then later in the same conversation, 'You know, come to think of it, I've never dumped someone, I've always been dumped'."
"Honestly, as a man, other men tell me things they would never say in front of women, and every time it's like theater for me."
"Get me some popcorn, tell me everything let's go."- kittenklyn
Some people are just natural sharers.
While others are the type of person that just about everyone trusts, and everyone wants to be friends with.
And thus, are often on the receiving end of way too much information...