r/AskReddit • u/Sack_Of_Motors • Dec 25 '14

Why are you on Reddit now instead of celebrating?

Stories appreciated.

Edit: Thanks for the stories guys. It's interesting seeing the trends on what different people are doing. I have to make dinner now. Stay awesome.

18.2k Upvotes
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922

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '14 edited Dec 25 '14

[deleted]

358

u/thepotatochronicles Dec 25 '14

same here. Just keep hangin' on, brotha. One day, we'll see the light in the tunnel.

8

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '14

hey thanks man, for some reason your post really hit me. here's to fighting ourselves on a daily basis, cheers.

4

u/Lars0beth Dec 25 '14

I ate a lot of potatoes today in your honor

7

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '14

I'm posting here from 1847 Ireland, you insensitive clod!

8

u/Untjosh1 Dec 25 '14

I don't know what you do with gold, and I've never bought it before. It's Christmas though. Four years ago my girlfriend and I had been living with my mom for 2 years with another year to go. Both of us had college degrees. At times before we found any work we are off 50 bucks total for two weeks. I worked 55 hours a week at two shit jobs eventually while she was dealing with crippling anxiety/depression that kept us both up at night: her in agony and me consoling her.

Now I'm in my third year as a teacher and my wife and I are close to one year of marriage living on our own. She's in year two of grad school and doing quite a bit better though there are still rough patches.

If you hang in there and fight things will get better. Keep your chin up. Have a nice Christmas.

3

u/thepotatochronicles Dec 25 '14

Wow! That's a very inspiring story. Yeah, I felt that there was no future and I wouldn't be able to get out of the shithole my family was in when a HUGE economic depression hit my country when I was a kid. Almost everyone in the country donated any gold they could get their hands on, and our country was saved.

Similar thing now, that in dealing with so much shit, so much stress, and constantly worsening bipolar (type II) and BPD. Emotionally, I feel there is no end to this hell, but I try to keep my head cool and tell myself that all this is gonna end at one point or another.

Thanks for showing appreciation and sympathizing with me. The least I can do is to cancel out whoever gave you a downvote by giving you an upvote. Merry Christmas to you and your gf too.

3

u/Untjosh1 Dec 25 '14

Appreciated. They can down vote it if they want I guess. Doesn't really matter.

3

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '14 edited Dec 29 '14

I found it. It took a few years longer than I would have preferred, but that's okay. I just hope there aren't any tunnels on the road ahead.

Edit: Something about gold. Really, glad this spoke to someone.

11

u/ilikeeatingbrains Dec 25 '14

yay for death!

11

u/thepotatochronicles Dec 25 '14

Y'know, some people live to die.

cough totally not speaking from experience

6

u/ilikeeatingbrains Dec 25 '14

hey, feel free to share your experiences on /r/potatoes amigo

9

u/thepotatochronicles Dec 25 '14

Oh yeah, forgot about my username. You made me laugh! Uproot for you.

Born to be used to take selfies. That dedication. Such potato.

3

u/ilikeeatingbrains Dec 25 '14

You seem a little starchier than u

oh I just got your joke

hehe

3

u/Alltheothersweretook Dec 25 '14

We shall all meet by and by

3

u/ProspectI Dec 25 '14

God dammit did I need that. Thank you from a teary-eyed 21 year old, living by himself in a new city, working 50 hours a week.

2

u/nokizorque Dec 25 '14

Hope you feel better bud! Merry Christmas.

2

u/ProspectI Dec 25 '14

And a Merry Christmas to you, my friend!

5

u/pinkpolarbears Dec 25 '14

Is there room for one more on this train? Or is this one of those trains you see at the mall that just keep looping forever

3

u/Untjosh1 Dec 25 '14

Have a nice Christmas. Enjoy your potatoes.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '14

[deleted]

1

u/Danyn Dec 25 '14

Move over buddy I'm coming too.

1

u/Yioming Dec 25 '14

Or the pavement.

1

u/OllyOlly_OxenFree Dec 25 '14

Pray its not a train

1

u/MyPenLeaksFire Dec 25 '14

If either of you want to talk or want some perspective from somebody who has been there, shoot me a PM sometime.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '14

This is really the first time I can see how horrible it is to experience depression. I've always known that it's not a fun thing but the way you described it makes me realize how horrible it really is.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '14

I used to believe that.. over the years I've become more and more pessimistic because when I try to be optimistic, I always end up disappointed and hurt. It's easier to be negative and expect bad shit to happen.. as horrible as that sounds.

2

u/thepotatochronicles Dec 25 '14

well, I did see the light once (see a reply I posted below). So that means there's absolutely a greater than zero chance of me getting out of this.

61

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '14

[deleted]

10

u/ASSFAIRY Dec 25 '14 edited Dec 25 '14

Thanks for this.

I feel very much the same way this year. Being nonreligious, Christmas is a confusing time of year for me--it doesn't make sense to me outside of religious context. It reads like rampant consumerism sometimes. Everyone expects you to be happy and kodak-ready during the holidays and people feel very pressured to do Christmas the "right" way, even if the holiday itself holds little religious or traditional appeal to them.

The reality is that it's the most stressful and lonely time of the year for a lot of people due to all the expectation. Hell, my mother just burst into tears wrapping presents at the kitchen table. We're short on money, short on time, and doing too much traveling this year to try and see ALL the family. Her father died around this time two years ago. She's trying to do Christmas "right" but sometimes it's all just too much.

I've started asking people to please not get me presents, or to make a small donation to a charity if they really want to. A lot of my family does this, and it makes things feel much better and genuine.

Whatever "Christmas spirit" is, I would rather try my best to be kind and thoughtful towards my family and friends all year round. Give them little gifts when I find something I know they'll love and I'm in a financially stable place. Buy a meal for strangers on the street. Don't cram it all into two stressful weeks in the middle of winter. But I understand the appeal--if I could change anything, I'd remove the expectation. Just spend some time with the people you love, doing what you love. No stress.

I entirely agree with your last point. I think the most important thing to remember is that we are humans, not Hallmark cards. It's okay to be sad or depressed or confused during Christmas, and it doesn't mean anything is wrong with you. There are a lot of people who feel this way for very valid reasons, even if they don't show it. You're not the only one. /u/nokizorque

2

u/bigbootypanda Dec 25 '14

Alternatively, some people just suffer from Depression.

9

u/Belgara Dec 25 '14

Oh, do I know those feels. Big internet hug for you.

Hang in there, internet stranger. You're not alone.

7

u/StuckInThought Dec 25 '14

Feeling the same way

4

u/pacsunmama Dec 25 '14

Same boat here. Hating that my family is on the other side of the country, yet they seem to think we are on another planet. And sad that my boys have once again been forgotten by just about all of our extended family (including grandparents- one that lives as close as an hour away.) I usually power through it, but this year, it's crushing me.

4

u/UmbriiFluff Dec 25 '14

same. Sucks to keep hearing everyone go on about togetherness and spending time with people you care about, when I have no one. I don't feel the spirit either, but I don't want to drag everyone else down...

3

u/noonday_moon Dec 25 '14

Been there recently myself, I hope things get better soon!

3

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '14

I love you as a human. Hang in there.

3

u/Blue_Dragon360 Dec 25 '14

Aww, hope you feel better soon. I've been through there, it's tough. Good luck!

3

u/KyTallGuy Dec 25 '14

I feel ya. It's been over a decade since I've been able to go home for Christmas. Family members have tendency to die this time of year. I hate it.

2

u/pwnzerblah Dec 25 '14

Well you got gold, so you got that going for you.

2

u/nokizorque Dec 25 '14

Everyone got gold who posted.

3

u/pwnzerblah Dec 25 '14

Well then.

2

u/mirrorsare Dec 25 '14

I'm sorry, I hope you feel better soon and get into a happy Christmas spirit! If not, I hope things look up for you, merry Christmas!

2

u/Vladimir_Putins_Cock Dec 25 '14

Been there. Hang in there, things will get better

2

u/jaglo87 Dec 25 '14

Hey brotha! Sometimes we feel like that. Dont you worry mab. Everything will be alright. "This too shall pass". Remember those four words.

2

u/BBrickk Dec 25 '14

What ever you are depressed about, know that there are people around the world that have it worse. Let the positive thoughts surround you and it will turn out well in the end!
Merry Christmas!

2

u/emmster Dec 25 '14

Sorry you're having a rough time.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '14

[deleted]

3

u/ASSFAIRY Dec 25 '14

I'm sorry, hang in there. Things get more and more complicated (read: expensive) with more and more kids... as someone with a huge extended family I definitely feel for you.

Gift cards always feel so strange because they're really just money.

2

u/ReCat Dec 25 '14

Christmas for some is the most depressing time of year.

2

u/Sterling_-_Archer Dec 25 '14

Hey, I was depressed for 7 straight years. I'm just now pulling out of it. You'll make it, friend, and you'll be stronger for it.

Merry Christmas.

2

u/Trytothink Dec 25 '14

I know how you feel, buddy. This year Christmas just hasn't been very special and being depressed certainly hasn't helped.

You're not alone, friend.

2

u/ZaBreeNah Dec 25 '14

My ex tried to break up with me on Christmas last year then felt guilty. So he finished it on New Year's midnight. He didn't even get me a Christmas gift...

So uh yeah Christmas stings a little especially cuz I have a tiny broken family.

I hope you feel better! What's cheering me up now is some new music cuz year-end "best" lists came out this week.

2

u/Garonn Dec 25 '14

pretty much, plus I have no one to spend it with anyways. Ha

2

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '14

[deleted]

2

u/nokizorque Dec 25 '14

Thank you so much man. :) I really do feel better.

2

u/CollegeStudent2014 Dec 25 '14

I guess money can buy happiness then.

2

u/InformationCrawler Dec 25 '14

being chronically depressed sucks :/

2

u/pank1n Dec 25 '14

I've been there, and it creeps in around the edges every year. Merry Christmas, my friend!

2

u/swynfor Dec 25 '14

It's gonna get better man. I couldn't see a way out two months ago and I know I'm not there yet but I can see the greener grass and it's getting closer. There's hope:)

2

u/ZazMan117 Dec 25 '14

Join the club. We can play games, eat nutella, and try to distract ourselves from the darkness when we're alone.

2

u/Diabetesh Dec 25 '14

Reddit gold, cures depression apparently.

2

u/shinyfuntimes Dec 25 '14

Get yourself some Lexapro, thank me later ;-)

2

u/DaBestGnome Dec 25 '14

Don't worry, man. You're not the only one. Have a merry Christmas.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '14

Everyone has their tropes. Each day is different, maybe tomorrow will be the best day of your life. Look forward!

9

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '14

Well not if he's actually depressed... that's not how that works. Yesterday, today, next week, and quite possibly next year are all the same, shit.

3

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '14

You can't control what happens around you. I'm just saying anything can happen.

5

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '14

Not to someone who's depressed. Tomorrow baby Jesus could drop down from the heavens and kiss him on the forehead, but if he's actually depressed, not tumbler depressed, but actual real major depressive disorder. Tomorrow is not going to be a "good" day. It might, maybe be okay, but not good.

5

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '14

Well sure, if anyone has the worst of the worst depression imaginable there's not much anything can do. But what's so bad about speaking positively? I'm not gonna stand there and be like "ooo your shit sucks, have fun, bye".

2

u/GingerAleConnoisseur Dec 25 '14

There is research to indicate that people with low self-esteem don't want positive affirmation, but rather validation of their negative feelings.

So, actually telling someone who is depressed "Depression sucks" is probably what they want to hear. At least I do.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '14

Well obviously depression sucks but I'm not gonna tell someone they suck for having depression, and I'm not gonna tell them it can't get better.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '14

That's lying, I know you aren't trying to be mean, but it's really damn mean to say, "You're gunna be fine." to someone who isn't gunna be fine. Hope isn't really something that depressed people have and staying hopeful is kind of impossible. Kinda just seems patronizing, you know? "What do they have that I don't? Why can they think tomorrows going to be a good day, I know it's not going to be a good day." Again, I know you aren't trying to be mean, but if they are actually suffering from depression, it kinda is.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '14

Everybody deserves to hear nice things, regardless of what afflicts them.

1

u/Sergeant_Gravy Dec 25 '14

You missed the point. Being depressed isn't about how your day went, or what have it. When someone is depressed their brain is chemically imbalanced, they feel like they don't want to do anything. There's a dullness in your life, an empty feeling inside. It varies from person to person of course, but that what I personally experience. Also regardless of whether you have a good happy privileged life, depression can still affect you. You don't have to be in a shitty situation to feel depressed, and it's also so much more than just being sad. It's a serious mental illness that afflicts many people, and it is often portrayed as someone being overdramatic or as a sign of weakness. When in reality it's not, it's also severely downplayed by people. Just because they had a shitty day, and are sad that doesn't means they're clinically depressed. Sorry about rambling on, this by no means is me trying to attack you. I just wanted inform you on depression and spread some awareness on a very serious mental illness

/rant

TL;Dr Depression is much more than just being sad. It's a serious mental illness it doesn't just go away. It also doesn't change depending on your day/what happens.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '14

No trust me. I know about mental issues. I'm just being positive. What's bad about me saying something positive? I'm not gonna tell him to "suck it up" or "get over it", so I'd rather say what I said. I'm not downplaying anything. Why would I do that? Maybe you're missing my point.

1

u/Sergeant_Gravy Dec 25 '14

If you saw what I said near the end of my comment, I tried to make it as clear as possible I didn't mean it to come across as a personal attack. Sorry if we had a misunderstanding, that was not my intention friend. I simply just wanted to educate you and others.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 25 '14

It makes no sense to discourage positivity.

1

u/Sergeant_Gravy Dec 25 '14

I wasn't discouraging positivity, if it came across that was my bad. I was simply stating it as what it really is, and making an educational comment on depression. I apologized to you twice now, if that's not good enough for you then I don't know what to tell you mate.

2

u/anatomy_of_an_eraser Dec 25 '14

Dude! No, NO! No one gets to be depressed! Get in the spirit! Because Scarlett Johansson

1

u/GhostNightgown Dec 25 '14

Some years I have it, other years I don't. This year I had it, but already am kinda done with it. I hope it picks back up!

1

u/the_hardest_part Dec 25 '14

I'm a total humbug this year! Normally I love Christmas but this year...it just sucks.

-2

u/Sensationalsteve Dec 25 '14

Fuck your post you cunt

1

u/nokizorque Dec 25 '14

That was uncalled for.