Every now and then life hands you a moment where you get some sage life advice from the "Uncle Iroh/Mr. Miyagi/Yoda" figure in your life. Or maybe it's someone hitting you with some hard truth.
Sometimes all it takes is a sentence or two for things to get really, really real. One Reddit user asked:
What was a sentence said to you that changed your life forever?
We expected "I'm pregnant" to be a popular response - but what we actually got was something else entirely. Take a look.
Be The Adult You Needed
Cry Lol GIF by Shalita GrantGiphy"Be the adult you needed as a child"
You can be an adult who remembers how to be a child.
That's What Makes Them Good Friends
"F*ck you and the problems you create for yourself"
One of My best friend said that to me 4 years ago and we're still close friends today. It was a wakeup call that I needed.
Good friends sound like a**holes when they need to. That's what makes them good friends.
- JADW27
So Sure
"I've never really loved you, I was just so sure you'd change"
This was after seven years and a child together.
Nothing but BS. This is why I'm bluntly honest. I'd rather just tell you what's wrong and work through it than sit there, make a life together, and just leave and blame the other person. Gets on my nerves.
Arguing With An Idiot
When I was at school, I chatted to a drunk guy at a bus stop once and he gave me some life advice. It was something like this.
"You have a quiet look about you. I can tell you're not a loud mouth and that's a good thing. If anyone tells you not to be that way, f*ck them."
"You can laugh at them when you're a doctor or something. Don't argue with those idiots. Right now I can tell you're smart, but once you start arguing with an idiot, I can't tell the difference."
- WhtCt
Why?
"Why do you care so much what they think?"
Said to 7th grade me after crying for the 187th (ish) time I came home and complained kids were making fun of me.
Now I have the reverse problem. I don't give 2 sh*ts about anyone's opinion...so I speak my mind and let insults roll off...even ones that should bother me.
Part Of Success
keep moving forward teen titans GIFGiphy"Failure is PART of success, not the opposite."
Boss said this to me when I was in a funk at work. He knew I was feeling down about myself and wanted to do anything to bring me out of it. Honestly, one of the best bosses I've ever had. Still keep in touch with him from time to time.
Not Happy Pills
"Anti-depressants won't 'make you happy', they're not happy pills. They're like life preservers so you can focus on having fun at the pool party instead of drowning."
Having narrowly gotten through a crisis scenario and escorted to a student health center with nothing else to lose, I talked to my doctor about my hesitation to take meds. He said that and it flipped my depressed pre-conceived notion of "weakness" and medication on it's head.
Months later my chronic chronic depression and panic disorder were in remission, where they have remained for 6 years. :)
Needed To Hear Kind Words
''You're the best mommy ever. I'm glad you were born in this planet''
My little son told me that one day when my family made me cry. I never wanted him to see me crying but that day my family was so rude with me in front of him.
Sounds crazy but I really needed to hear kind words. My family used to criticize all the ideas or things I like. The unique approbation I need was my son's one.
When my child said those words I decided to left my home and start a new and nice life together far away. That's the choice we made and everything changed. It was time for being the best version of myself. He deserves a much better environment.
- selm_for
Get It Done
"If you get it done and over with, then the rest of the day is yours."
My dad when I use to complain that I never had enough time to do chores or I would put them off until my parents got home and they weren't done. On one particular day my mom was furious. She lit our @sses up like a Christmas tree.
I went to my room mad as hell at my mom. Then my dad came in and told me that quote up above.
The next day I got up, did my chores early, and had the rest of the day to myself.
My brothers didn't take that approach and when mom got home she let them have it.
I felt like a king of his own kingdom. I rode that smart @ss smile all week; then that week quickly became years. School became the same way.
"Just get it done and over with and you won't have to mess with it." I hear it in my dads voice.
I Watch What I Say
A small, warm hand on my mine.
My youngest looking up at me with large, solemn eyes and saying, "I'm not ready for you to go."
This was in response to a stupid comment I made... I have really debilitating migraines now and again. I said it was so bad, I wished I would just die.
And that was his response to my immature outburst. I watch what I say and how I word it now. Kids are so impressionable and it hurts my heart that I caused him sadness.'
Fingers Crossed
"I didn't lie, I had my fingers crossed."
This was said to me by my now ex wife about her cheating on me. It taught me that people will tell you what they want you to hear, and nothing more.
Ew
gross jimmy fallon GIFGiphyWhile most are putting phrases that changed their lives in a good way, here's a bad one:
"Ew, ew, disgusting" - said by a girl who hated me. At the time I had huge acne problem which I was really self-conscious about, and that single phrase wrecked my confidence for a long time.
And even though we are good now and I consider her a friend, I still have no confidence in my appearance.
Liking And Learning
"You don't have to like someone to learn something from them."
It's helped me to try to look a little deeper at some people. Don't get me wrong I still cut out toxic people and don't associate with anybody I don't want to, but it does help to give me a more positive outlook as well as to add to my life experience.
"I Don't Have Problems"
About 13 years ago my marriage was falling apart. When I asked my wife at the time if she wanted to go to marriage counseling she said:
"I don't have problems- you do. I don't need counseling - you do. It's not about you and me, you don't have to tell me you love me - I really don't f*cking care - you can f*ck off ... and bring the boys with you - I'm sure they'd f*cking love it."
So I took her advice, went to counseling and brought my 2 young boys everywhere with me. They did, in fact, love it.
Her sentences, without a doubt, changed my life as I chose not to try and work on the marriage any more and we divorced a couple of years later.
Listen
"Shut the f*ck up and listen"
In the early 1980's I was 21 and complaining about how this WW2 vet would always want to tell me stories about the war. Another man who was in the group said "
I've known [WW2 vet] for 30 years, he's never once mentioned his time in the war to me - consider yourself lucky. Shut the f*ck up and listen".
I thought, "he's right" and I started to listen from then on. It got to be a habit and I've learned a lot from just listening to people.
- CQSteve
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Redditor mysterywife901 wanted to hear people's thoughts on opening their relationship status, so they asked:
"What would you say if your spouse said they wanted to try swinger lifestyle?"
Reddit was ready to rock and work through this thought experiment.
Try It
Old People Senior Citizens GIFGiphy"I would laugh my senior citizen @ss off and tell him to go for it, but the viagra stays home."
Careful-Self-457
Pull On
"I'd know she was pulling my leg; she is even less of a people person than me."
primal_machine_22109
"You would be amazed at how many shy women are into the lifestyle."
Island-Potential
"But what if it’s someone else’s leg… their third leg!"
SeveralEmployer
For the Marriage
"I would laugh and laugh, as they would never say anything like that to me seriously. 'Hey, you know what, I'd really like it if my intimacy issues gave me a lot more stress and anxiety, what's the absolute worst situation I could put myself in.'"
SaltyDangerHands
"I hope you're actively working on your issues and getting better. For your marriage."
PicanteDante
"I'm not sure what about that you're taking so deadly serious, but they're not my issues, they're my partner's, and the whole comment is tongue in cheek. The whole point is that the idea of cheating would stress them out immensely, that's... that's not a huge problem for a relationship in which neither party wants to cheat."
"I'm honestly not sure if you're insulting me or genuinely wishing me well, but in either event, I assure you it's not necessary."
SaltyDangerHands
“This One”
"I’d be interested in discussing it but cautious. I don’t believe anyone can fulfill someone else’s complete set of curiosities and desires and I am not a codependent type who sets all my expectations of happiness on someone else’s shoulders."
"We could identify what she wanted out of that lifestyle. How frequently. How we’d handle things if there was any change of heart or jealousies. Basically just communicate and explore."
"I’m into a relationship to help each other have the best life possible. Not to be 'the one' who has the expectation of being everything I dream them to be."
darinfjc
Good Luck
beyonce queen GIFGiphy"Help them pack their bags. I'd even help them load the bags in the car, and give them a hug, and tell them, Best of luck, because they're going to need it."
TripleAWingingIt
It certainly isn't for everyone. But communication and boundaries do seem to be key.
Contract Change
Sign Here Go Ahead GIF by Kat DurstGiphy"Tell her our relationship was not built that way. You can't switch up the terms after you are already in. If we had started this way then I am for it. After we have been living as if we both want to be monogamous? Nah. I can just go be with other people without her baggage."
vivazeta
What?
"I'd be very confused. My husband is open minded in the sense that whatever consenting adults want to do in their relationships is fine, but he has no doubt that he only wants a monogamous relationship. I'd wonder if maybe he'd been hit in the head."
Potential-One-3107
Let's Chat
"When she brought it up I said let’s talk about it. We talked through it for several months and decided to give it a try. It’s only been about 6 months and our relationship is better than ever. The communication we are experiencing as a couple is amazing, she is more my best friend than ever before. We have a complete open and honest relationship now."
tbed64
YASSS!
"Lessf**kinggoo! I mean 'sure honey, let’s try it out.' The wife and I communicate well. I’d be open to discussing it. We’ve had threesomes before. Communication and setting clear boundaries is key. The moment either one of us is uncomfortable or not cool with it, we both stop and Chuck it up as an experience we won’t be repeating. I’m not the jealous type and after 15 years of marriage have a solid foundation."
WindowlessCandyVan
Who are you?
What The Reaction GIF by MOODMANGiphy"I'd wonder who replaced my wife with a robot. She's got a very strict moral system and couldn't imagine doing something like that. Actually, neither could I."
Totalherenow
Now This?
"If they want to see other people they can just tell me they’d like to break up instead. No need to be so roundabout in telling me I'm no longer good enough."
"Why be in a relationship if you don’t want to be exclusive? That’s the whole point, unless you’re doing some kind of arranged / immigration marriage there was never any love in to begin with."
Yukisuna
If you're gonna do it, make sure you communicate and set some ground rules.
Well, dear reader, how would you respond in this situation? Let us know in the comments.
Redditor SilentPrints wanted to discuss what the future may hold, so they asked:
"What is something that is generally accepted today that in 30 years, future generations will find unacceptable?"
I'm hoping the two political party system sees some updates.
Breaks Required
Greys Anatomy Help GIFGiphy"Forcing doctors to work 24-hour shifts. Do you feel safe knowing that this happens all the time, folks?"
Dork_Magician_Girl
"I would definitely hate to think that the doctor doing my life-saving emergency procedure is on his 24th hour."
rowenaravenclaw0
Stay Home
"Going out/to work while sick. I thought we would already have seen this behavior driven out by the pandemic, but in our desperation for normalcy, we've largely chosen to revert to how we used to handle that, it seems. I think as time moves on and we develop better methods for handling this, such as social norms and testing, we will see future generations act more appropriately, given the general public is now more aware of how varied people's responses to a disease can be."
Techerous
Stay Private
"Posting kids on social media."
Anna_Rapunzel
"I find this one to be a truly interesting answer because of how the current younger generations (both young parents posting their children pretty much since birth and children/teenagers with phones) publicize most aspects of their lives on social media that it’s almost impossible for them to comprehend a time prior to them being on it - on the flipside internet privacy, safety, boundaries, and consent with children are becoming topics that are being explored a lot more than they may have even 10 years ago."
Wowufuh
Money Matters
"There will still be an overwhelming shortage of physicians with population growth and the continuation of profit driven healthcare. At least in America, if you don’t remove the profit model from medicine these things won’t change. A lawsuit is cheaper than the salaries, especially if you are at a teaching/ learning hospital that has caps on the amount that they can be sued. It shouldn’t be this way but unless you can come up with more money than the insurance companies, it won’t change."
FairReason
SCREAM!!
Episode 11 Mike GIF by Jersey Shore Family VacationGiphy"Hopefully collecting/selling data about people. Also telemarketers and spoofing numbers. Being on the Do Not Call List isn't enough."
idratherchangemyold1
"Just insult them or start to scream, they will never call again and you will have a good laugh. Got the last call 2 years ago and I kinda miss it tbh lol."
xBingChilling
This data collecting is scary. Not good.
Just a Hello
"$7 greeting cards."
boxcar-violet
"Holy sh*t right. I'll see the most basic cards for $7-8 from Hallmark and anything fancy is like $10-20. Hell I even saw miniature cards, the size of like 4 stamps for $5 there."
starfire92
Quality
"5 day/40 hour work weeks."
henshep
"The company I work for just changed over to 4 day work weeks. It’s amazing for quality of life."
"Hopefully it’s something that can get more traction, but I doubt it. Especially when so many people seem to be proud of working long hours to make others rich like it’s some badge of honor."
cha0ss0ldier
Save it All
"Being wasteful about resources, especially food, water, and energy. In 30 years, those things will be even more scarce."
Devi1_May_Cry
"Not necessarily disagreeing because idk, but the wording 'even more' doesn't make much sense here. Food water and energy are less scarce now than they've been in human history by a ridiculously large margin."
multiple4
"Exactly. And unless there's an absolute catastrophe, the continuing development of technology will make it even less scarce."
Zealousideal-Bell-68
It's my $$$!!
"ATM withdrawal fees."
steaknife2107
"Agreed I think there is going to be a shift with all the little extra fees, not just ATM. But all of those little extra service fees on things like delivery. I'm hoping for things to just be labeled as the exact cost across the board. like coffee is say $3 and everywhere you go coffee is going to be $3 enough with the math question everytime I try to exist please."
_rosie_365
Unlike...
Social Media Facebook GIFGiphy"The way in which people consume connection based social media on a pathological and sometimes addictive level. Some day we'll look back on how crazy it was how kids and grown people alike became infatuated getting likes on mundane posts. Craving social approval like a commodity."
Vupant
Labels
"Whatever inoffensive terms we have now for certain groups of people. They’ll be considered offensive labels thirty years from now. Just look back thirty years at terms we used then that we don’t use now."
tangcameo
Streamline Learning
"On a lighter note, those 4-5 useless projects given by schools for each subject that need craft supplies to be bought, need many hours of work, and are judged by the aesthetic/decoration rather than the content. After evaluating, they then get tossed out by the teacher in the next few months."
"Absolutely no respect for the time and effort spent on it. The same time could have been used for other actually useful tasks and enormous amount of wastes could have been prevented."
Competitive-Claim750
Well I don't know if this is all good or all bad for the future.
What predictions do you have? Let us know in the comments below.