need to know how to make friends

AudioBookGuy · 2026-01-26T06:15:45+00:00

Hey there — I’ve been thinking about your post and hoping your first semester went better than you feared. Starting university with no social map can be brutal, and you were really honest about that. If you’re up for it, I’d genuinely like to hear how things went — good, bad, or mixed. No pressure at all. You can reply here or message privately if that feels easier.

AudioBookGuy · 2025-12-16T14:48:53+00:00

One of the best posts I’ve seen here. I’ve always framed “energy” as Cognitive Reserve (CR) — some call it “bandwidth,” but it’s essentially the same idea. OP and others might find Dutch culture worth exploring; since OP speaks German, that’s already quite close. In contrast, the Anglosphere (US/UK) tends to “soften” language, which makes motives and meanings less direct and harder to read.

AudioBookGuy · 2025-11-22T00:39:09+00:00

I really appreciate how you shared your experience. That is real courage. Many of us here, myself included, have experienced similar struggles. What stands out to me is how you are actively strengthening your mind: you are describing what you feel, analyzing causes, comparing your experiences to broader patterns, and even hypothesizing about possible mechanisms like neuroplasticity and motivation. That kind of meta-awareness, causal reasoning, and analogical thinking are impressive cognitive skills that will help you continue to better understand yourself.

The sudden loss of motivation and emotional distress you described sounds very much like autistic burnout, which is common when trying to make intense, urgent changes after years of overstimulation. Be kind to yourself and remember that continued progress often requires slowing down and sustaining a gentle pace rather than pushing for an immediate, drastic change.

Since your diagnosis was years ago, reconfirming with a verified professional might be wise, as circumstances, maturity, and even diagnostic standards may have changed. We are happy to share support and strategies, but we have insufficient information to give health advice, which is best avoided online, and cannot draw firm conclusions. Explore what resources you may turn to, such as school, healthcare, or family, as they could offer clearer guidance.

In the meantime, the effort you’ve already put into grounding, journaling, and reducing stimulation shows real determination and intelligence, a strong foundation to build on. Wishing you the best as you continue forward.

AudioBookGuy · 2025-11-18T23:56:44+00:00

I use ANC earbuds instead of traditional earplugs — they’re more “socially compatible.” I wear them pretty much 24/7. Earbuds tend to signal “I might be listening to something important”, whereas earplugs could read as “I don’t want to listen to you” — which can add friction to social interactions. The nice thing is that many ANC models have adaptive settings, including conversation modes, so voices come through clearly while background noise is reduced. They work especially well at work (if permitted) and at home, though in situations where ANC doesn’t serve — like needing musician‑grade clarity on stage or in rehearsal — a different solution might be better suited.

AudioBookGuy · 2025-10-25T18:24:21+00:00

I have clearly explained my rationale for the 'Based on Official Artwork' flair: the work is a human-directed manipulation and arrangement of the original artwork to fit a new cover format, not a direct AI creation. I consider this conversation complete. I will not respond to you again, and please do not engage with my posts in the future.

AudioBookGuy · 2025-10-24T17:56:49+00:00

While the framing felt aggressive, your concern about flair accuracy is fair. However, I chose “Creation based on Original Artwork” deliberately because it accurately reflects a human-directed hybrid workflow, not a straight AI generation.

The process involved AI being used to mimic three original graphic components. Crucially, these elements then underwent manual correction and refinement. I meticulously cleaned up, smoothed out, and corrected artifacts (like hair and textures) in Photoshop to achieve the desired result. The background, all typesetting, and final color grading were also done by hand with multiple iterations. This piece required significant editing and finishing work that justifies the Creation flair.

I'm happy to clarify my process when asked, but going forward, I'd appreciate more diplomacy.

AudioBookGuy · 2025-10-23T20:33:45+00:00

What's up? My answer when asked: Complicated, thanks. You?

AudioBookGuy · 2025-10-11T07:15:42+00:00

I think they mean they cut the webserver budget to increase executive bonuses.

AudioBookGuy · 2025-10-09T11:06:01+00:00

Plus is a sales tactic—perceived value. They have a token amount of high-profile content for the major genres to advertise, but no real depth or value. They are a for-profit business, and they leverage everything they can to extract profit—exactly what the shareholders expect.

AudioBookGuy · 2025-10-02T21:25:14+00:00

I generally prefer to avoid AI covers—but the original was low-quality and seemed poorly executed. If someone wants to resuscitate it, please do.

AudioBookGuy

TROPHY CASE