It's not where you start, it's where you finish.
"You can't go back and change the beginning but you can start where you are and change the ending."- DictionaryStomach
Happiness is in your control.
"You can't wait for life to not be hard anymore to start being happy."- DoctorDodger
Age is only a number
"Try not to regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many."- berserkdemon1
snl GIF by Saturday Night LiveGiphyWithout mistakes, how can you learn?
“A step backward, after making a wrong turn, is a step in the right direction."- Kurt Vonnegut- ClemofNazareth
Taking care of yourself is an overlooked priority!
"Someone once told me 'Hell is when on your last day on earth you meet the person you could have become'."
"Ever since hearing that quote it’s made me want to strive to be the best version of myself."
"I actually quit alcohol altogether off the back of that quote, and smoking!"- Aggravating-Flan8260·
Teamwork makes a dream work
"My Dad told me 'You don't need to be friends, you just have to work together'."
"It's made it a lot easier to work with difficult people."- Zacher19
Happy Season 9 GIF by The OfficeGiphy"Heal the world, make it a better place..."
"When I thought I was such a smart teenager, I thought I'd trip my parents up and asked 'What is the meaning of life?'
"Mom didn't bat an eye and said 'to leave the world in a better place than you found it'."
"And that has informed every major decision in my life since."- ApolloThunder
"Time is precious."
"'Time is a currency you can only spend once, so be careful how you spend it'."- Harmon Okinyo- Serious-Falcon-9678
It's ok to ask for help.
"'Do you consider yourself gracious?'"
"Then graciously accept my help'.-Grocery store lady"- terribleUsername18
team usa help GIF by U.S. Figure SkatingGiphyYour life is the one thing you should never take for granted
"'You live two lives'."
"'The second one begins when you realize you only have one'."- TheShoot141
Next time you feel unmotivated or depressed, try thinking of something you read somewhere, or something you heard someone say that made you feel good in the moment.
It might be all it takes to get you through the day.
Or even the rest of your life.
Wisdom is everywhere. I have found hope in the witty advertisement of a vodka bottle. You?
Truth
The One Where Estelle Dies Episode 15 GIF by FriendsGiphy"There is no problem so bad that you can’t make it worse."
Emilyx33x
I Love You
"Grief is just love that has nowhere to go."
i_am_scared_ok
Andrew Garfield’s quote on this subject really touched me. When talking about his mother who passed away he said, 'I hope this grief stays with me. It’s all the unexpressed love I didn’t get to tell her.'”
kyhansen1509
So Empty
“'What really frightens and dismays us is not external events themselves, but the way in which we think about them. It is not things that disturb us, but our interpretation of their significance.'”
"-Epictetus"
Crypto_Bro12
"'Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it. -Rabbi Tarfon'"
"It helps when I'm feeling anxious about geopolitical events I have no control over."
HonestSummer
The Burn
"'Doing what you love as a job is a great way to make it something you used to love.'"
"Former boss that got burnt hard. That's funny but honestly idk what his past was. He was a very bitter person when I knew him. He said that when I was talking about wanting to be a full time artist when I was younger. The idea gave me pause."
Crying_Reaper
frodo GIFI'm feeling slightly inspired so far. You?
GIF by moodmanWinning
"There's this awesome webcomic called Multiplex that I used to read ( it finished its run a few years ago). It's mostly goofy jokes and snarky digs at Hollywood, but one of the characters said, 'You should get out of the mindset that for you to win, someone else has to lose. It's unhealthy.' Don't know why it stuck with me, but I've been trying to get out of that way of thinking ever since (I don't always succeed, but I'm trying man, I'm trying real hard)."
Raptorthrust
“it is what it is”
"Might be lame but my mom gave me a mug with 'it is what it is' written on it and it truly changed my philosophy about how I handle my anxiety. I was going through a lot but drinking coffee everyday with that mug really gave me a weird sense of peace."
corpcoincorporated
No!
"'Don't tell yourself no. Let someone else tell you no.' -- a co-worker who stopped me from canceling an interview 16 years ago. He's embarrassed that I bring it up because to him, it was just an off-the-cuff comment. But it literally put me where I am now."
farrenkm
'It's always those off-the-cuff remarks that do it. I will say, this one might be THE one from this thread that sticks with me... Most often it seems that the only person who ever gets in my way is myself."
CautiousCactus505
No Room
Black And White Halloween GIF by Fleischer StudiosGiphy"The graveyard is full of people who had the right of way."
SANTAAAA__I_know_him
Words have power. Do you have similar quotes to share? Let us know in the comments below.
"Money doesn't buy happiness."
The HELL it doesn't! Just my experience.
the jesus win GIFSo Much Time
"Pretty much anything about what age you have to be to like buy a house, have kids, get married, have a career or anything like that. Seriously every person lives a different life than everyone else. Live your life the way that makes you happy. If you want. Up to you."
Ginger-Beefcake
Head Talk
"Telling people 'It's all in your head.'"
my_gender_is_a_glock
"Mental illness is in the head, that's why it's so hard for people to recognize it and empathy with it. If someone is paralyzed you can see it, if someone is suffering from depression it is invisible. This sentence should be 'people can suffer from things you can't always see or understand so be kind to them.'"
talknoller
"cleans up"
"'Live every day as if it's your last.' No. That encourages people to keep up all kinds of terrible habits cause YOLO."
ErisianMoon
"There is a TV/movie show about how a guy with terminal cancer goes around and 'cleans up" society and corrupted politicians. Can't remember the name of it, but hell it's exactly what I'd do if I knew I had a time limit."
defensive_username
Fight
nick splat bully GIF by Hey ArnoldGiphy“Ignore the bullying and it will go away,' like wtf is that logic, if you are actively letting bullying happen to you it will only get worse (in my experience)."
kianstartedskating
Yeah, the bullies don't leave until you send them packing. Just FYI.
Higher to?
Animation Loop GIF by CLGiphy“Never settle. Reach for the stars.”
"Sometimes knowing your limits is a good thing. Otherwise you may refuse something good because you’re trying to get something that’ll never be possible."
macaronsforeveryone
Stronger
“'What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.' Nope— not true. Some things leave you permanently changed, and not always for the better. Yes, it is possible (and often times a good thing!) to try and find silver-linings regarding crummy situations, but to completely ignore how something may hurt someone is absolutely foolish."
itsgoodpain
"My parents used to tell me this when I had a conflict with one of our class' teachers. 'You'll get better at dealing with stubborn cruel people,' they said. Well crap, they were wrong. In reality, the case turned out to not be 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger' but more like "what doesn't kill you leaves you crippled, then mutates and tries again" instead."
Lx_Kill3rK1ng_xJ
Happily Ever After
"You're not married because you're too picky. So I'm supposed to settle just so I can be married? You better believe I'm going to be picky when it comes to the person I'm going to interconnect everything with for the rest of my life. In fact, I know more married people that are in unhappy marriages because they weren't picky enough. Better to be single than with the wrong person."
CamaroNoir
Just Smile
"'Don't be depressed, there are other people doing worse than you.' Thanks, I know that and try to help them sometimes.But that won't help my depression leave just because i compare myself to other people having a worse life than me."
Scarmaster21
"I just saw a suggested response on another sub. If someone says, 'Don’t be depressed, there are people worse off than you,' you can reply with, 'Don’t be happy, there are people much better off than you.”
heiberdee2
It's all Crap
Season 9 Nbc GIF by The OfficeGiphy"That things will get better with time. Really. No. Sometimes crap don't get better with time. If people have nothing productive to say don't say anything."
Aggressive_Smile_944
overworking is rampant...
"Work faster, you need to manage your time better. Nooo, they need to hire a second person. One person can only do so much."
ItsmeMr_E
"I often doubted myself when I noticed that I was the only one staying late in the office. One of my colleagues even goes home early. But when I ask around, turns out that a few other colleagues work in the evening and on weekends at home too. So it’s not just me lol. The issue of overworking is rampant in many industries."
pisceanm00n
a theory...
"Anything involving the idea of 'soul mates' can really set you up for a big fall."
FishingOk3283
"Me and my friends have a theory. Sometimes you just come across people in your life that you have some sort of indescribable connection with. This is our definition of soul mates. We call them soul friends, and there no limit of how many you can come across."
KingCollapperdapper
No person is perfect...
"Some day you'll find the perfect person. No, relationships are work. No person is perfect. It's finding someone that you can learn and grow with that you in fact looking for."
marsumane
"Also, and I'm sorry, but many people die without having a special one. A lot of people do not find love. The idea that it will happen at some point is not realistic for many. Just try to live a happy and fulfilled life. If somebody comes along, great, if they don't, remember that life is way too short. Do not wait to do things when you have somebody, because they might not appear."
StrawberryinPizza
How is this advice?'
Katy Perry Reaction GIF by Top TalentGiphy"'But they're family!' I didn't know being related stopped people from being AHs."
"On the flip side, if we're family, why are you treating me like shit in the first place? 'How is this advice?' Because I'm sure we've all been told at one point or another to forgive/apologize to an abusive family member, simply because we're related, as if that changes anything. Hope that clears it up."
KaiJonez
HALT!
"'Never go to bed angry.' When you're tired and cranky, that's not the best time to solve your problems. Get some sleep, clear your head, and talk about it in the morning... preferably after breakfast, so you're not hangry."
Forsaken-Economy-416
"HALT reacting to an issue until you’re not Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. It’s good freaking advice. Eat. Chill yourself out. Talk to a friend. Sleep. Then deal."
randijeanw
Time will Tell...
"It gets easier with age."
_UnknownAccount_
"61 here, fwiw. Depends entirely on what 'it' is. Interacting with people instead of being paralyzed with embarrassment/anxiety/self-consciousness? Yes. Having your heart broken? No. Juggling the demands of your life? ehhh... at best I'd say one gets used to it. And damn, take care of your body when you're younger - the knees and liver are only so forgiving."
Strange-Broccoli-393
WRONG!
Arrested Development Do Not Want GIFGiphy"'The customer is always right.' I don't work retail or anything, but whenever I go shopping, I see a lot of customers verbally abusing store associates. It's terrible."
yamsnavas2
"I used to work in customer service and I was specifically told during my training 'The customer is never right. You are right. You know the law and the company policy, the customer knows neither of those things no matter what they say.'"
TheKelseyOfKells
No Guarantees...
"That going to college will guarantee you a high paying job.' I heard that shit all my childhood and it just absolutely is not always true. Trade school degrees that are way cheaper can pay more and give you a better chance at a job. Wish someone would have told me this 15 years ago."
Minion0827
Not Always...
"Always forgive' Some acts are unforgivable. Should you work through the horrible things that were done to you so that you can heal and aren't impacted negatively on a daily basis? Yes. Does that require forgiveness? No. 'Turn the other cheek' and 'Be the bigger person' are also tidbits of life advice that tend to work out mostly in the favor of the people who always take the low road. Stand up for yourself."
rikki_million
Yes, things can get better. But not always. You still have to survive. Just a heads up.
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Never miss another big, odd, funny or heartbreaking moment again.
I spent 2021 writing about 2021 stuff ... which, let's be honest, was pretty intense.
From a news and current events standpoint, the year was like... like if a flaming dumpster was somehow swept up in a flash flood. Then that flash flood deposited the aforementioned dumpster into a toxic waste dump.
Dumpster-flames then ignited the dump itself; so now it's a whooooole site full of nuclear flames and toxic runoff - which triggers a swarm of murder-butterflies who use their wings to give you little papercuts in the webbing between your fingers.
Intense. 2021 was intense - but it wasn't ALL BAD.
We met our negativity quota, so let's start the year with an article that takes a different angle on things.
Reddit user UKnowWhat_UrAwesome asked:
"What is the most positive thing that happened to you this year?"
Cheers to these folks. And To Betty, who was always a positive thing happening to people.
To Health!
In Love Reaction GIFGiphy"Lost 107 pounds through diet, got my heart condition mostly under control, got only mild COVID."
"I have a genetic heart condition that really needed to be controlled. I was going through old pictures and was shocked."
"I started counting calories and going to the gym 3 days a week to lift weights with a personal trainer. I went from 290 down to 183."
- PoetBakerSlut
"This makes my cardiac nurse heart happy! Best wishes on continuing with your healthy lifestyle!"
- proximitysensor
Permission
propose the mindy project GIF by HULUGiphy"Asked my girlfriend's dad for permission to marry his daughter."
"He not only said yes; he said he could not imagine a man who could be better suited to marry his daughter, and to be called his son."
"He's a wood worker, and made the most beautiful ring box for us."
"Asking him was stressful, but for me asking her brother for permission to ask her out, was scarier than asking her dad for permission to marry her."
"So background, me and her brother are good friends, so I wanted to make sure he was okay with it. His words left me about speechless too 'Yeah, go for it, I've been waiting for a gentleman to take interest in her.' "
"It's been incredibly humbling how her family treats me, to them I was never the boyfriend or fiancée. To them I'm already part of the family, even the extended family treats me like kin."
- CaptnRiggen
Getting Out
Sad Alyssa GIF by Big BrotherGiphy"I got out of a relationship that was destroying my mental health."
"If I had stayed I can 100% say for certain that I would not be here today. I hate saying that because you shouldn’t blame suicidal thoughts on anyone - but my ex was emotionally manipulative and I’m still figuring out everything he did to me."
"It's the way that they make you think that everything happening is your fault somehow. I don’t understand why people feel the need to mentally destroy others."
"Honestly I think a lot of his issues stem from not getting enough attention from his mom as a child as well as major health problems. So dependency issues were a major problem for sure."
"I was in that relationship for 4.5 years and didn’t realize what he was doing to me until the last year and a half. By the time I was finally able to leave him I was a shell of who I was."
"I do hope he gets whatever help he needs, but I couldn't keep being his whipping post. I had to free me."
"I’m definitely getting counseling. I signed up for therapy legit right before I left my ex."
- Cheeserblaster
"As someone who is trying to walk away from an emotionally abusive person, I know that it’s not easy to leave. I’m glad you found the strength within yourself to save yourself."
- the_catw0man
Silver Linings
gilmore girls netflix GIFGiphy"A tree crushed my car, but I had insurance and I got a nicer car out of it."
- staggere
"And that’s big 2021 energy!"
- ifindmyselfinthepast
"Silver linings!"
"Love it - and love your outlook! Always best to focus on the positive side"
- UKnowWhat_UrAwesome
"Did you get a new tree though?"
- PoetBakerSlut
"I have two trees and that's about all I have room for, apparently."
- staggere
Like A Recent Parolee
Dave Chappelle GIFGiphy"I got fired from my job 2 weeks ago. For sending a resume’ to another restaurant."
"It was so toxic. I’m pretty broke but I feel like I’m a recent parolee!!"
"The whole thing was really sh*tty."
"The restaurant I worked at was sold. I’ve been there for over two years. The new manager didn’t like me and stop seating me tables. So my money dropped in half."
"It was a great place till this lady took over. Of course I was struggling gleefully having to jump on board with her insane ideas. So she wanted me gone."
"After a few weeks of this I could no longer sustain myself. I was forced into sending a résumé."
"The owner of that restaurant called up the owner of my restaurant and they called me up and fired me together."
"I relish kicking back now and reading all the terrible reviews about the place. LOL"
- palmveach1972
You need to contact a lawyer."
"You can’t be fired for sending out CVs and anything that is on a CV is with discretion so that other prick that rang your boss needs to be nailed to a f*cking tree, the scumbag!"
- The-Angry-Paddy
"Check with a lawyer; that may be grounds for unjust termination."
"Even if it's an 'at will' state. 'At will' doesn't mean you can be fired at any time for any reason; it just means it's easier for the employer to fire you."
"There's still (sh*tty) labor laws that restrict what you can be fired for."
- EmeraldN
This Amazing Adventure
Adventure Going GIFGiphy"I started a business with a few co-workers from my previous job."
"2020 was horrible. We had to take awful jobs and clients and still were in debt."
"2021 we landed our first big client. Not only were we in the green, but all the partners have salary and profit dist. that was above what we were making at our old job!"
"Our last meeting before the holiday break were spent talking about hiring employees, medical and benefits, etc. It's like I'm on this amazing adventure."
- shaka_sulu
People Share Dark Secrets From Their Profession The Public Doesn't Know | George Takei’s Oh Myyy
Sometimes secrets are an integral part in making magic. Though many professions withhold truth from the public, some things we'd prefer to know. Do we really...A Real Hero
supergirl GIFGiphy"I am a single mother of 3, with a full time job, no child support or alimony."
"I bought a house on my own."
"It's not the most modern or upgraded home, but it's clean, safe, and has plenty of room for us. It's all mine."
"I bought the house with my own money and didn't need a cosigner."
- cinnamonbagel82
"That is awesome!"
- fire_fairy_
"You're a real life hero!"
- [Reddit]
Reunited
Giphy"I was trying to immigrate when the pandemic hit, so I got stuck in a different country away from my wife and kids for over a year."
"After a very long wait with almost no updates, the consulate opened back up and I was able to get my visa and cross the border as a landed immigrant!"
"We sold our old house and now have a bigger house with no mortgage."
"I also lost 60 lbs."
- Ljudet-Innan
"Fantastic news! I’m happy things are looking up for you & your family!"
- anna_bananas56
25 Again
happy reno 911 GIF by Comedy CentralGiphy"Had spine surgery to correct the injuries from a car crash back in 2017."
"For the past 4 years my legs and bladder would give out randomly. However, since I didn't have the terrible back pain the rest of the world is obsessed with no 'expert' or surgeon would even bother trying to help me."
"Finally found a surgeon who had seen my symptomology before and he said he could help me. Wow was he right lol!"
"Now my legs work again and so does 'everything else' haha!"
"I'll be 40 in Feb and I feel like my gift is feeling 25 again!"
- madg0dsrage0n
Alien Lizard Upgrades
alien high kick GIFGiphy"My kid was born at the end of 2020."
"I thought my kid looked normal when she was born, but old pictures make me realize it was mom hormones and she actually looked like an alien, so 2021 has been all about watching her grow from alien lizard to a walking talking toddler."
"The birth was super extra traumatic for me because she did gymnastics in the womb and got tied up in the umbilical cord and couldn't come out. They had to cut her out (after 36 hours of labor), and the doctor said it was like fighting Cthulu because she had got her arms, feet, torso and everything wrapped up in the cord."
"So 2021 was me healing from all the trauma. I could barely walk for two weeks after the birth, and now I'm finally back to exercising. I used to get panic attacks from the nurse taking my blood pressure, and now I'm back to normal."
"Also I read a book that made me rethink my approach to work and life, and found a new therapist for my adhd, and things have been a lot better!"
- sensitiveinfomax
Actual Possibilities
Happy Brandy Norwood GIF by Disney+Giphy"I started anti-depressants!"
"I didn't think they were working until I realized I wasn't just sitting around staring at the wall every day like I used to. I have hobbies again, and my thoughts aren't constantly about self harm!"
"It's been an incredible change, and even though I know I now have to make other changes in my life, it all actually feels possible now."
- Sea-Biscotti
Bringing Life Back
House Reaction GIF by MOODMANGiphy"We (fiancé and I, 32m and 30m) moved into our forever house on top of the hill in our village."
"It had been empty for 2 years and not shown much sign of life for a few years before that."
"Together we brought the house back to life and everyone we've spoken to in the village has been so excited to see the house lived in!"
- Consistent_Welcome_6
A Second Impression
The Office Hug GIFGiphy"I actually got to know someone I really despised when I first met them through online learning in person, and now he’s one of my best friends and I’m proud to say my first judgement of him was horribly wrong."
"He’s definitely made my year just a little bit brighter especially because I’m someone who didn’t have any close guy friends before (I’m a dude too so felt very insecure about that) so I think that’s been my highlight of the year and I’m always grateful for how it all turned out in the end"
- DarthConceirge
Multiple Streams Of Income
Make It Rain Money GIF by A Little Late With Lilly SinghGiphy"So last year we had a salary drop that evened out at 50%."
"In August this year, I started a new job in a completely different industry (with a 4x increase) that I am thriving in; and I got to keep my old job (because as much as the pay sucks I love it)."
"Having multiple streams of income has meant that I can start much needed maintenance on my house, pay school fees, have a full freezer, and put away a little for savings that will be more once the house is fixed up."
- DawnWillowBean
Watching Him Ring That Bell
seth rogen cancer GIFGiphy"My best friend beat cancer!"
"I was crying of happiness more than he was. I have known this guy since kindergarten, so finding out he beat cancer was the biggest relief ever."
"Watching him ring that bell made me so happy that I pinched myself to see if I was dreaming. Glad to say I wasn’t!"
- Theboym88
Making The Dog Possible
Happy Butler Bulldogs GIF by Butler UniversityGiphy"I bought a house and adopted my dog!"
"Last November I left the job that was slowly killing me and started something new with better hours, better pay and better long term prospects. It made the house buying possible, which made the dog adoption possible."
"I've had the best 12 months of my life, which feels really weird to say with how the world has been."
- so_original27
That Mopey Cynical Boy Is Gone
Trans Day Of Visibility GIF by PlumeGiphy"I realized I was trans this year!"
"It was like having an explanation for why I was so unhappy and angry for so long. The day I realized it I was finally...happy.
I'm much happier mentally, now that I know who I truly am!"
"That mopey cynical boy is gone and a cute happy gal has taken the boy's place!"
- PowerOfL
Starting A Career
acting patrick stewart GIFGiphy"I got my career started."
"I graduated with my BFA in Performing Arts in May and immediately got a summer internship at a nationally renowned children’s theatre, got a fall acting job with a touring children’s theatre, and joined a professional murder mystery company that I have a few shows a month with."
"As one could guess, times are NOT great for live entertainment right now, so to have paying opportunities right out of the gate felt really good. I hope I keep up that momentum with audition season coming up."
- groundhogseatclover
Now that we know what went right for Reddit, it's your turn at the mic. Tell us what went right for you in 2021 so we can celebrate your wins.
If you or someone you know is struggling, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
To find help outside the United States, the International Association for Suicide Prevention has resources available at https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/
