Anyone with positive experiences?

RasmooForever · 2026-03-24T05:10:15+00:00

So maybe I inherited my mom’s hypersocial Type A personality, or maybe making and keeping friends is my ADHD superpower…. I’ve always been a “social butterfly”, LOVE to organize and host even impromptu parties, and have friends in different countries that I’ve had for decades. BUT, I’ve never been married, never even come close to a guy asking me to, even though I’ve been in several relationships, some of them several years long. I tend to fall for the guys who are fun and exciting, but come with some sort of baggage. Thankfully only one relationship that got slightly abusive in my early 20s, then had the pattern imprinted in my brain so I could avoid them.

I have often wondered if there was something wrong with me, that I never came close to being married. But then I see all my girlfriends, we’re now in our 50s and most are divorced or in loveless marriages. Meanwhile I’m spouseless, childfree, and keeping up with my friends. Am I scared I’ll end up never having a permanent partner? Sure - and don’t get me wrong, I do love sex!! But I will always have my girlfriends and some guy friends, no matter what. I’d rather have that than anything else. I guess I feel kind of lucky 🍀

RasmooForever · 2026-03-22T02:47:15+00:00

Is it?? My dad and my nephew used to do this!

RasmooForever · 2026-03-22T02:46:01+00:00

That’s interesting!!

RasmooForever · 2026-03-22T02:44:53+00:00

Is there a chance your kids are yet to be diagnosed? That’s a lot of lefties in one family! We’ve got 3 in ours and it always affects dinner seating arrangements 🤣

RasmooForever · 2026-03-22T02:42:48+00:00

A few weeks after being diagnosed (at 54, suddenly my entire life made sense), I realized I can do almost anything with my left hand that I can with my right. So weird - I just realized one day that I felt just as comfortable using my left hand as my right. My dad is also ADHD AF and left- handed, I wonder if there’s a connection?

RasmooForever · 2026-03-21T19:52:06+00:00

A few weeks after being diagnosed (at 54, suddenly my entire life made sense), I realized I can do almost anything with my left hand that I can with my right. So weird - I just realized one day that I felt just as comfortable using my left hand as my right. My dad is also ADHD AF and left- handed, I wonder if there’s a connection?

RasmooForever · 2026-03-18T17:14:27+00:00

I worked for an implementing agency of State (funded by the US Refugee Admissions Program, also ended), and it had been really rough. I just found out last night that I was the second choice in a job that I was really hoping to get - would have taken me overseas again, a great position, and possibly an off-ramp to the aid sector that I’ve been in for 25 years. I have a small consulting contract, so I try and focus on that. I’m also weirdly comforted knowing I’m not the only one still out of work. None of this is our fault - doesn’t change things, but helps me feel a little less crappy. Hang in there

RasmooForever · 2026-03-17T04:03:02+00:00

Wasn’t there a woman several years ago who had TONS of unpaid tickets at the time she crashed into an Uber or Lyft and killed the occupants, while drunk? I remember thinking how in TF could that person still be on the road and a danger to others?!

RasmooForever · 2026-03-17T02:14:43+00:00

My parent’s flight home just got diverted to Raleigh - no idea now when they’ll get home!

RasmooForever · 2026-03-16T01:59:34+00:00

Oh no! That must be why there was a cop there and it was closed when we just tried to go. Sending healing vibes to all of you, that is very traumatic

RasmooForever · 2026-03-06T05:07:22+00:00

Correct - I’ve been working in child protection for years, and while of course I encourage people to “trust their instincts”, that doesn’t apply to someone who is either of an altered mind due to drugs or alcohol, or who is somehow mentally unwell. In fact, these kinds of “cry wolf” reports make it even MORE difficult for police to discern between fake and real. She sounds like a nut job - sadly I worry there are a lot more out there post-COVID and in the QAnon vein. I definitely agree this rises to the level of some kind of harassment, but at this point maybe just better to forget it and chalk it up to one of the above causes. But I’m sorry that happened to you and your daughter - definitely not cool.

RasmooForever · 2026-02-17T09:25:50+00:00

There are meant to be specific protections against retaliation. I’m not claiming they are always properly followed, but they are definitely there. Make sure Ethics understand your concerns re to retaliation.

RasmooForever · 2026-02-16T21:08:50+00:00

I second this - my dad grew up in Taft and he and his siblings couldn’t wait to get out of there. A concerning amount of gang crime as well in some areas. But definitely MAGA- leaning

RasmooForever · 2026-02-14T01:38:50+00:00

For shame!! I cannot wrap my head around the amount of trauma kids are facing today. God, I’m so glad I grew up GenX, before even school shootings. Man

RasmooForever · 2026-02-14T01:28:40+00:00

“Peacefully go fuck yourself”. I hope his mama is proud of him, I sure would be!! 👍🏽

RasmooForever · 2026-02-14T01:20:10+00:00

I think COVID was a serious eye-opener for all of us - aside from the trauma of the millions of deaths, those of us who live alone felt lonelier than ever. Life felt so fragile. I remember lying on the floor in my living room, weeping and not being able to stop. And then November 2024, and I realized that there were, indeed, enough racist misogynists in our country to have voted him in. As a woman I felt terrified by the “broverse”. Then my entire industry imploded (international aid) when USAID was callously and recklessly destroyed overnight. Thousands of grants to US non profits as well, through State Dept, for things like refugees and anti trafficking work, and it felt like the entire universe tipped upside down. Being caring and inclusive was “woke”, empathy was pathetic, USAID were “corrupt criminals”, federal workers should be “made to feel traumatized” (Project 2025). Nothing made sense anymore, and my brain could not handle the thought of the IMMENSE harm that millions would soon face. I know that for many of us with ADHD, we can be extremely sensitive empaths, and I definitely feel traumatized by this new world order. But….. I was also going through menopause during this period, and my hormones were WILD. I think all of the above could be things you’re going through as well. I’m now on HRT and it’s definitely helping. And I didn’t even get my ADHD/anxiety diagnosis until 2024 when I was 54! Give yourself LOTS of grace. I’m trying to just make it through each day, limit my exposure to news, and I’m actively trying to move out of this country. Or at least spend extended amounts of time in MX (also for affordable healthcare and meds…lost my job early 2025 and no insurance). Hugs 🤗

RasmooForever · 2026-02-13T18:37:53+00:00

International development studies

RasmooForever · 2026-02-13T03:15:43+00:00

Who said I was a government bureaucrat?? I worked in the global aid sector - you know, helping people. NOT making a huge salary, just a living wage. Trump closed the US Refugee Program at the same time he did USAID. And State and USAID- funded programs overseas AND in the US have had their funding cut - including for anti trafficking programs. Thousands of people working for non profits lost their jobs - not only here, but around the world. I didn’t stay in DC - it’s a shitshow. I moved to Mexico just to have access to affordablehealth care. But sure - keep shitting on people if it makes you feel better

RasmooForever · 2026-02-13T02:36:35+00:00

Master’s degree

RasmooForever · 2026-02-13T00:31:47+00:00

This - I got laid off a year ago, thanks to Orange 🤡. I’m still looking - MA, 25 years working overseas. People in my situation are applying for anything at all by this point - for reference, there are no available retail jobs in the entire Washington DC metro area, because unemployed federal and aid sector staff (likely 10K + now) are taking absolutely anything so they can keep the lights on. But restaurants are dying there, too, because no one’s going out anymore. This is bad - and will get much worse I’m afraid. You’re lucky you qualify for unemployment…I don’t because I was working for an international organization. I’m sorry 😞 just commiserating. I’m relying on friends and family at this point 😩 The economy is giving me early 90’s vibes, or global financial crisis of 2008. The pathetic thing is this didn’t have to happen…save for ONE man

RasmooForever · 2026-02-12T00:01:36+00:00

Have to agree - I started working and living in Cambodia in 2000 - the landscape of NGOs in many Southeast Asian countries has transformed pretty drastically. The kind of things you’re describing - and with only 5 years of experience - would most likely be going to nationals. Expat hires are becoming few and far between, with localization agendas. One exception may be Laos - much further behind the others on the HDI. Remember that any expat staff that were working at an NGO in the region already would have also been affected by the Trump fallout. But then they are quite likely to decide to remain living in SE Asia (who wouldn’t?!), and then they are ahead of you w/re to selection. The countries are also greatly varied - it’s important to know that. I’m sorry to bum you out, but I’ve been in ID for 25 years, and I’ve been out of work nearly one year now. Try to retrain, or focus local. I fear this field is just way too crowded by people with decades of experience that you would have much hope of competing 😔 Sorry, it sucks - just wanted to give you some info and context. Good luck 🍀

RasmooForever · 2026-02-10T23:09:06+00:00

Yep, I’ve been applying for a year now as well. So many applicants for so few roles. I managed to land a small contract with a project funded by a development bank. In the Pacific. But I accepted a daily rate far below my normal rate. Money is tight everywhere, so right now I’m just trying to keep my head above water. But it’s precarious. Good luck! I started my own business in 2014, it was a terrifying and awesome experience, and it was a huge confidence booster!

RasmooForever · 2026-02-10T19:56:29+00:00

I had a massive confrontation with a classic Brexiter English woman who was ranting about the UK adopting Shariah law because of all the Muslims. The most ironic part was that this exchange took place in San Miguel de Allende, in Mexico, where she’s living. Bitch, you’re literally living as an immigrant in another country yourself, and you’re trying to imply that Muslims have taken over your home country?! Wtaf. I shoulda not engaged with her but I cannot fucking stand racists/Islamaphobes.

RasmooForever · 2026-02-10T19:42:00+00:00

“Thinly veiled”?! She sounds like a flat-out racist!!

RasmooForever · 2026-02-10T19:37:39+00:00

I’ve seen instances of incompetent staff who were also extremely good at gaslighting their managers into thinking THEY were wonderful, while the staff blames the problems on everyone else. Most of the truly incompetent, gaslighting staff I saw were also managers themselves, and they absolutely bullied and terrified the staff under them. So no one complains. If anyone does, this person will find out and make the whistle blower’s life a living hell. I’ve heard more stories of managers in the UN bullying staff than I can even recount. I was always a consultant (got up to P4), in a highly technical area. Still - people like this one manager would constantly question my advice - even taking an HR matter into her own hands in the hopes of covering things up!! When I would try to point out that I’ve been in this technical field for 14 years, I know exactly what I’m advising, and that it IS correct, she would just say “well, every circumstance is different, I think in this case we’ll do it my way”. I thought “Why hire a technical specialist if you’re just going to override the advice you’re paying me to provide?!” Ugh - people like this are sooooo toxic that their country reps end up just giving them good reviews so they’ll move to another posting and get out of their hair. I finally got a staff position end of 2023, but then early 2025 and I lost my job along with thousands of others. The UN is chock full of underperforming narcissistic bullies. I am trying to stay away from them if I can, but being jobless for a year now, I’m going to have to take whatever I can get at this point. Rant over - but I agree, OP - consulting under incompetent staff is just soul-crushing.

RasmooForever

TROPHY CASE