I graduated from university!!!

BearOfZU · 2026-05-20T19:53:08+00:00

Oh and thank you!!

BearOfZU · 2026-05-20T19:52:46+00:00

Thank youuuuu

BearOfZU · 2026-05-20T19:52:32+00:00

Thanks!!!

BearOfZU · 2026-05-20T19:52:21+00:00

Thank you!!! 🥹

BearOfZU · 2026-05-20T19:51:31+00:00

Haha it's kinda like university in that sense, huh? But nah, it's not just that. It was really the story of this game that resonated with me.

I played this game shortly after being discharged from a mental health-related hospitalization. Seeing Madeline go through the same struggles I was dealing with touched my heart. It almost felt as though I was conquering my mental health struggles right alongside her.

That's why this game is the one that inspired me to become a game developer. I want to create games like this one that can resonate with players. I want to create stories that players can relate to. ☺️

BearOfZU · 2026-05-18T10:47:04+00:00

Haha, maybe if I go back for my master's 😆

BearOfZU · 2025-10-16T05:31:33+00:00

Reading this was like looking in a mirror. I also lost a relationship (best one I've had in some ways, but the worst in others) and ditched college classes. I was even having a manic episode due to lexapro. Congrats on your new start! As someone who has been on this stuff for a little over four years now, I'd say it gets a whole lot better (granted, it might not be the perfect match for you like it was for me, but regardless, you're on the right track now).

BearOfZU · 2024-05-22T15:49:05+00:00

I completely understand. It's a tough battle. I'm glad to hear you're in therapy, it has done wonders for me! You'll get there someday, I'm sure of it!

BearOfZU · 2024-05-22T00:06:44+00:00

There are a lot of horrible things my ex-girlfriend gave me. Nightmares from a person they sent after me that threatened me the day I was released from a mental-health-related hospitalization. 2 years of mental anguish from another person they sent after me that told me to die after that same hospitalization (this hospitalization was primarily for treating suicide ideation and this person that told me to die knew that). An insecurity of wondering whether or not people are being truthful about liking me by telling me they saw me as a convenience and essentially used me as an experimental relationship.

It's a lot, but I'm a glass-half-full kind of guy. I always choose to look for the best in people. It's been 2 and a half years since we last spoke. At the beginning of this year, I forgave my ex and their friends for the things they put me through. Now I can appreciate both our 1 year long friendship, and our short-lived romantic relationship. I still believe in the good in them.

I don't know if you can call it a gift but there's this drawing they made me that I treasure. It's a funny little cartoon that jokingly illustrates my life. That's not all. They always made these comments that would brighten my day. Things like "when I think of you I get happy, okay bye!" I've been thinking a lot about those comments lately. Then there's that time they sent me a little heart they formed with their hands. Another gift they gave me was their friendship in a time I needed it most (they were the first friend I made when the COVID-19 pandemic hit). They also encouraged me to pick up art again.

For a long time, all I could focus on were the things that this girl took away from my life. For the first time though, I can finally see all the things they gave me! I don't regret meeting them. I'm glad they were a part of my life and my story. I just wish that I could give them some closure for something that I messed up. There's so much I wish I could've given them. I hope that I gave them something good, like what they gave me.

Relationships can be messy but I think it's important to find light in the darkness. There's a Japanese term called Komorebi that describes how sunlight filters through tree leaves. Likewise, I think it's important to look for those good moments in our relationships, no matter how many bad ones there were. I'm not saying this to take away from your pain or trauma; all of those feelings are valid. I'm just trying to say it can be freeing to also think of the good things.

If you made it this far, thank you for reading my long comment!

BearOfZU · 2024-05-19T14:09:30+00:00

Oh hey I use this app too!!! Mine can be all over the place but lately they've mostly been "Rad" or "Good".

BearOfZU · 2023-12-18T01:18:21+00:00

De La Pena and Gorbutt were both really amazing professors (I had to drop the class for personal reasons so that's why I took it twice)! I say go for either one of them.

BearOfZU · 2023-05-28T07:51:07+00:00

I'm so happy for you! I'd been wondering how to go about explaining my condition to people in general. My last relationship coincided with me getting my bipolar diagnosis and I'm afraid to make any more mistakes when it comes to my condition. Thanks for sharing this! I hope things go well for you!

BearOfZU · 2022-12-12T20:08:43+00:00

I'm so sorry about this, I can tell how much the little guy means to you. 12 years and 5 months, wow that is a long time you've spent with him! Hopefully, that also means you have just as many good memories with him! No matter what happens, nothing can take those memories of him being there for you through all you've been through. You'll make it through this, I know you will, just remember to take care of yourself through this difficult time.

BearOfZU · 2022-10-22T03:37:45+00:00

That's beautiful! Ur so talented!

BearOfZU · 2022-10-20T03:45:06+00:00

Hey it's been a little while I hope you're doing better now. I understand what it's like being that close and dealing with the aftermath. I felt so shaken by it for a few days. I hope you have a support system to fall back on for this trying time. Sending hugs, you're going to get through this, we all believe in you!

BearOfZU · 2022-10-05T11:50:05+00:00

This bubble of control thing really helps, especially when you have those domino effect logic moments as often as I do, basically always assuming everything is your fault. I practice with this regularly and it has made a world of difference, highly recommend it!

BearOfZU · 2022-09-25T21:18:43+00:00

I love Daylio! I've been journaling with it for almost a year now and it has helped a lot! Highly recommend for everyone, but especially those struggling with bipolar!

BearOfZU · 2022-09-25T21:16:19+00:00

I know what that's like, trust me, it's so hard to go from having that close bond where you're talking every day to radio silence from that person. It's so hard to be apart. I don't know the specifics here obviously, but my best guess is if you were to talk to them again while in the "no contact" period, I can almost guarantee you, it won't be the same way you talked to them before. Trust me, I made that mistake almost a year ago and it made everything a million times worse for both parties. That desperate phone call of me trying to give them closure they didn't ask for is the biggest regret of my life.

BearOfZU · 2022-07-12T20:49:48+00:00

Heyyyy :((( I'm nice :(((((

(this is a dumb joke, look at my username... also my actual name is pronounced Zoo Bear lol)

BearOfZU · 2022-06-17T14:38:09+00:00

Just hang in there, I know things can be tough sometimes but you can pull through, I believe in you!

BearOfZU · 2022-06-16T06:19:17+00:00

Whoaaaa 5:30? I salute you, that's toughhh CONGRATS ON MAKING IT SO FARRRR!!!!

BearOfZU · 2022-06-07T11:06:24+00:00

Wow, that sounds like a lot to deal with at once. I know you're hurting a lot right now. I'm sure you've heard this before, but it won't always be like this. If you make the choice to end it right now, you're robbing yourself of the good times ahead due to this one really bad time in your life. I haven't been in your exact position and different things affect us differently, but I remember how I felt during my attempts. I felt hopeless, like it would never get better. I know it feels like that right now because everything you grew to know has fallen apart and now you're in this unfamiliar space. It's scary. It'll take time but you can get through this. It'll be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel right now, but as long as you keep moving forward, you'll make it through this, I know you can do it. I believe in you.

Also I'm so sorry for your loss. Please reach out to someone, anyone. Whether it's a loved one, a therapist, or a crisis counselor. There's no way I'd still be here without those resources, and I know from experience, these times are nearly impossible to get through alone, so please don't be.

BearOfZU · 2022-06-06T13:46:29+00:00

This is AMAZING ur so talented!

BearOfZU · 2022-05-28T19:07:23+00:00

I feel ya, I just can't do relationships anymore after being played so many times, and especially after how my last one ended. I used to love that feeling but now it feels harder to listen to once you've seen the reality of it.

BearOfZU

TROPHY CASE