DManKee

This is my younger brother word for word. I don't have any advice for you since I'm in a similar situation. I'm sorry for your suffering and hope he gets better. ♥️

Beautiful people by Chris Brown https://youtu.be/qHxlzcAPbBE

Even though I've read over 140 books on all manners of psychology, philosophy, personal development, for the past year or so I've been listening/watching 1+ hours a day of long form youtube videos, listening to podcasts and watching many documentaries on any topic imaginable instead of reading or listening to audio books. I personally feel more engaged with this type of content especially visual documentaries. However I'm not sure if I'm somehow not learning at that deep level which sitting through a 12 hour book requires. What are your opinions especially on long conversations videos? Could they be as good as reading? Should I reincorporate reading or audio books? Some of the channels I follow are: 1) Leo (of course! Listened to at least 400-600 hours in the past couple of years) 2) rebel wisdom 3) Joe Rogan 4) Rich Roll Podcast 5) Kurt Jaimungal 6) Soft white underbellies 7) We plants are happy plants (Terence McKenna talks mostly) 8) Alan Watts Talks 9) many documentary channels NOTE: Frankly I stopped reading because it felt like a chore I placed on myself. When I do youtube, podcasts it doesn't feel so much like a chore maybe it has to do with the fact that I have ADHD and books just don't captivate my attention as well? Thank you! ♥️

@Husseinisdoingfine @Leo Gura @Husseinisdoingfine Thank you both so much! ♥️

@Tim Ho I guess I've used it all as an means of escapism from actually meditating or engaging with people. I'm a student so I have a lot of time to dedicate to reading or other activities. Actually reading and learning has benefited me hugely. I've become a better student, healthier in every aspect and I understand reality better. However about last year I finally became aware of how I use learning as an escape from interacting with people and engaging with life. I have to at some point face this issue but not as of yet as I feel at 23 I'm still very young and I should focus on passing all my studies first and finding work. Thank you!

@tlowedajuicemayne Yes I think you're right! A deep connection with life is something I'm missing.

@Cireeric If I'm honest it came from a pain of feeling worthless, not good enough and feeling like I'd achieved nothing in my life (not true btw I was at the time a very accomplished photographer but never made any money from it). I forced myself 1 hour a day and slowly increased it to the point when the pandemic hit a year and a half later I was reading 2+ hours 5 days a week. I learned a lot but ultimately it felt like a chore and after 2 years I finally could take it no more. Now it's even hard for me to listen to an audiobook since I loose focus after like a minute and no longer feel motivated to pick up a book.

@Yarco Yes, this happened to me at the beginning of the pandemic as I became swept up in the London Real Fiasco. At the time I wasn't even aware how manipulative and wrong he was about covid. I was thinking: here's a guy who cares about what's going on! How wrong I was! It also happened to me with Infinite waters who started supporting conspiracy theories during the pandemic. It is a real problem and it's not always so easy to know who to trust. There is definitely danger of fanaticism and becoming paradigm locked. I often ask myself this now. Am I becoming too attached to Youtuber X's ideology? What function is it serving me? Am I evolving in my understanding or just spinning my wheels in the mud? Thank you! ♥️

@Nightwise Thank you for your perspective my friend. ♥️

Thank you! ♥️

When I read this it made me really sad. I'm really sorry that you've been in abusive relationships. You're probably an extreme empath which is why you stayed for so long in a relationship that didn't serve you. I think this is an amazing quality empathy. Of all the people I've ever met it's the empaths who have had the biggest impact on my life. These people who I've had the incredible luck of meeting have helped me become a kinder, more loving and understanding individual. More than any measure of intelligence it's qualities such as empathy and kindness that I see value in. Like SQUAAD was saying there is no such thing as intelligence. We are all good at some things and terrible at others (no point moping about it). Know that you are loved by the people in your life for being exactly who you are. You are loved by this community. You've given solid advice and hope to hundreds of people on this forum. You're NOT dumb. Loads of hugs! ♥️

@Tim R I've never considered writing it down...I think a little like you when this rare event happens to me and I wake up saying these things I feel peace. A feeling that all will be ok. One thing is for sure...It doesn't feel like I'm the one who said those words. Almost as if something made me say it. It's very strange. At the same time it's as if I've know it all along.

Sometimes (very rarely I may add) just as I´m waking up from a dream I find myself saying wise words. The last time this happened was sometime this past week. As I woke up I found myself saying: "Don´t take your life for granted." These messages are always linked to whatever I was dreaming just before waking up. It´s as if my subconcious or something is telling me this. I want to know have any of you had this happen to you? Is it just my subconcious mind? Dreams and sleep can be so bizzare...

@Matt23 @Terell Kirby @Yarco @Terell Kirby @LSD-Rumi Thank you everyone for your views! Loads of hugs! ♥️

@Medhansh I've been making a shift towards lying less. A promise I made myself 5 years ago. Thank you! ♥️

As long as you are not hurting yourself or others on your journey I'd say go for it! Explore those areas of your life that bring you happiness and satisfaction. Be sure to always be focused on your goals and dreams and put in the necessary time to get these important things done. There are no musts in this life but it's always good to be grounded and having something positive that you are working on for your future. Hugs!

Not being good enough

I'm 22 and basically grew up on the internet. Being extremely shy as a child and teenager I've always used it as an escape from social interaction. Now I lack these social skills and my life feels like a prison of routines. Whenever I have to interact with new people it's a huge challenge and I think my internet escapism has a lot to do with it. The internet is great for many things and has advanced and interconnected the world. But for some people it has done a lot of harm. Another example are the hikikomori recluses of Japan who since the rise of the internet have greatly increased in numbers. There are people working on this issue but far too few. I'd suggest anyone who is interested in this topic to watch "The Social Dilemma" on Netflix.

Disorganized / Fearful-Avoidant

@PurpleTree Happy New Year's! Sending you tons of hugs and love from Spain! ??

First of all a little backstory: 1. I'm really bad at human interaction in general and I know this is one reason people get turned off by me. 2. I barely make any effort ever to be in relationships after several bad experiences. These hurt so much that I've been unwilling to put myself out there again for years. Also all my relationships have been virtual. I'm unwilling to put myself out there because of feelings of inadequacy, fear of getting hurt again. All around everybody tells you you should strive to conquer your weaknesses and be better. The pain of being alone kills me, the voice in my head constantly reminds me that if I dont act I'll never be in a relationship and I'll never improve my social skills. However this is a battle I'm just not willing to fight right now. I don't want to experience the hurt ever again. I want to know what you guys think. This consumes my thoughts almost every waking second and there is no relief. I want to know wether I'm making a mistake... Maybe I'll never face this...I want to know if I can still live a life that's worth living in which someday I may find happiness... Thank you ♥️

@Thought Art @tsuki Thank you both so much! ♥️

I'm sure that many of you have seen part one and two of the awesome series. The final part is now out on Youtube! I'll leave the link for whoever is interested. :))

Downloaded it for viewing...No spoilers please!

@undeather noted!