I hope I didn’t come across as, “You need drugs.” I totally get that they don’t work for everyone. The brain is complex enough on its own, let alone what meds do to the rest of your body. I’m lucky that they help me a lot, but it did take a while to find my mix.

You seem to have a big heart and sharp mind for large problems that affect us all. It’s a burden. Maybe you can figure out some ways to make small differences in your own life. - Not like holding a sign at a protest. More like choosing where to spend money, reducing fun spending during the next 4 years (staycation instead of vacation, for example), showing up at city hall or school board meetings and standing up for the defenseless. Maybe finding something small that you can DO will help you feel less hopeless over time.

—Unnecessary Examples Below—

One thing that I’ve been thinking about lately is how absolutely isolated we are in the U.S. about everything: culturally, socially, international news, now supply chains… Like yeah, everything “comes from China,” but we get charged insane prices for the privilege of “buying American” because of assembly processes or whatnot.

Anyway, alone, we can’t do much to affect the massive profit machines, but maybe there’s a way to buy your super soaker railgun direct from a Chinese warehouse. TikTok is buzzing with workarounds for products and tariffs.

Another thing I’ve been sitting with is just acknowledging that my fellow Americans lack basic understanding and empathy. They don’t even understand concepts like object permanence or being kind to your neighbors. And it hurts. Idk why, but it does. Maybe I just feel bad because I told myself a lie, or maybe I’m mourning the loss of a group of people who never existed. In any case, I flicker between sadness and spite. I’m in Texas in a district that voted 73% orange: I can safely assume that anyone I run into hates my guts. So I reflect their energy when it’s appropriate, like in traffic situations or grabbing things rudely in the grocery store. So far, this microscopic outlet has assisted me in finding some small way to process my anger and grief.

😐 Pooping.

Hemorrhoids.

I’m familiar with the feeling, but luckily not in that state right now.

Idk that there’s much advice to help you. TBH, nothing anyone says when I’m in your current thought space (or rather my version of it) ever helps. The only consistent thing that helps me is time.

I guess I could recommend giving medication a try if you haven’t.

The other thing that might help is checking yourself into a psychiatric hospital. At one of my lowest points, I just wanted to walk into traffic; it was all I could think about. My therapist recommended I get evaluated at a local psychiatric hospital and they suggested I stay for a week, and I agreed. Mostly, they kept me safe from myself while time passed and I processed through my feelings. I also had some imbalances that needed medicinal correction. And, when everything was said and done, I didn’t have to pay a dime - and my insurance sucks ass.

Anyway. I know you can’t feel it, but everyone is pulling for you. Stay with us. 🫶

Be curious and keep learning. Doesn’t matter what you study.

Don’t allow yourself to believe age or experience makes you superior to others. Seems like that might be a generational mindset, but purposely avoid it.

I worked with people at Disney World for an internship who had been in the same position I was for 30+ years. They were happy with this, but it terrified me; I did not want to be a fast food or retail worker for my whole life.

I’d be concerned that she’s been conditioned to believe such things in her home life as normal. No joke, congrats to you for recognizing the abuse you’re going through. It’s tough to spot and name it, let alone talk about it to others. Great first steps on your part. For your friend, it sounds like she’s going through or has gone through something.

I’d suggest talking with a trusted adult, any trusted adult about this. They’re going to give you better perspective and, more importantly, assistance with your situation, which is absolutely not ok.

For your friend, I can think of 2 responses:

1. Ask her if she’s been abused and conditioned to think that abuse is ok. Tell her that abuse isn’t ok, and that if she’s been abused, she needs to talk to someone about that, like a trusted authority figure.
2. If this is a “debate me, bro” situation, there are endless resources that prove that victims of abuse are, indeed, victims. In other words, abuse doesn’t strengthen anyone in the relationship; it weakens the victim through abuse and trauma. You can find all sorts of studies on any angle you’d like to pursue.