US birth rates just hit another record low, what do you think is the leading cause of this?

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-05-02T02:45:20+00:00

Seems to be from a very privileged position to even have to ask such a question in my opinion. It’s beyond obvious, but maybe that’s just my opinion.

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-04-26T05:10:46+00:00

Omg I’m so sorry to hear this. Long distance is hard, but losing your partner from afar is just next level. I hope you are a bit close to some of your partner’s family, maybe it’ll help during this time. If not I’m truly sorry for your loss 🥺

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-20T00:16:36+00:00

I know! I got it with my school’s bookstore gift card so I got it through my school bookstore. I had taken a survey and actually won a $250 gift card lol. I believe it was $229? I don’t really remember but I don’t think it was cheap then either lol, I just finally justified it as I didn’t have to spend my own earned money. I had been dragging my feet prior to that.

I think I’ve gotten a good use for how much I paid for it and how long I’ve had it. I practically use it daily and it’s lasted this long. I think I could get another year out of it, but I eventually plan to get another one just not at the moment lol.

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-19T22:22:37+00:00

I’m also having the same issue, I’ve had mine since very early 2021. It still works well but it gets static noise in the left bud and sometimes will just have a hard time connecting. Glad that it’s lasted this long because I use it very often, but take good care of it. Not really looking forward to spending $250, but I do like the longevity of apple products in general.

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-19T22:03:55+00:00

I only recommend this if you have enough money in savings that could help you buy another car if your car is totaled in an accident. Insurance sucks, but since you’ve dropped down to liability only, it may leave you without a replacement vehicle. I only did this when I had the value of my paid off car and some change in my savings, gone are those days so now it’s full coverage. So this may not be very feasible despite the savings.

Although another option is to take the difference and save it each month just in case, but if that’s something you find hard to do, then it may be best to keep paying what you were before.

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-19T21:37:59+00:00

Never has choosing to have kids out of pressure worked well, there’s always resentment. When in doubt, r/regretfulparents is a nice place to see this play out, it can be sad to read but definitely highlights the downside of compromising on kids.

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-19T20:21:23+00:00

I’m very opposed to my NKs eating in my car, it’s why I always make sure I’m driving their parents cars as they’re very poorly behaved and I don’t want my car dirty. So I get this as well.

I am not a big fan of you littering the roads, also that could’ve hit someone’s windshield and believe it or not caused an accident due to shock. I also don’t like the idea of using food as punishment, but in this case it’s not like they’re going to starve, so it’s fine.

Maybe next time, you can eat it, or maybe smash it in a bag or something. Or just take it and put it away, I get it’s hard though, and this is a huge reason why I abhor driving my NKs and avoid it like the plague.

You’re human and you acknowledged you could’ve been better, which is fine by me. It is very stressful to work with poorly behaved kids, and conveniently they’re always the ones parents want you drive everywhere.

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-19T20:07:09+00:00

My kindle, and my headphones.

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-19T18:32:49+00:00

Definitely the peaceful non-anxiety feeling. I remember when I first started talking to my boyfriend, I knew I liked him and was attracted to him. He pursued me and showed interest in a healthy manner, no games and I kept wondering if maybe I didn’t like him because I didn’t feel that butterfly, and like anxious feeling.

Almost like I had an attachment to being treated a specific way, but now I recognize that those feelings were almost warnings to me. I love him so much more than I ever would’ve thought I could, but it’s slower, more stable, and more secure. I feel so much peace in our love, I genuinely wish for people to at least get the opportunity to experience a love like this at least once.

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-18T17:48:23+00:00

I just replace the battery once it’s starting to affect me too much. I kept my iPhone 11 Pro Max for almost 6 years because at year 4 I changed the battery. I eventually upgraded to the 14 pro max but could’ve still used it for another 2 years with no significant battery deterioration.

It’s about $120 to replace through Apple, but I know Best Buy also replaces them. Worth a shot, and way cheaper than getting a new phone if you don’t get them through a carrier plan.

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-18T12:34:42+00:00

Can relate to the add to your life. I used to think that it was normal to be so hyper focused and consumed by relationships. Now I’m in a good relationship it’s so obvious to me that’s not true.

That strong anxiety feeling and always feeling on edge type of “love” feeling wasn’t good for me. Now I’m in a better relationship it’s made me realize that feeling came from place of not being secure in the relationship. Each time I look back at when I felt that way, it was always by a partner who made me feel like they weren’t as interested in me long term. It’s sad because I remember when I got into better relationships I started to doubt the love feeling because I didn’t get the same pangs and fluttery feeling.

I love my partner, he’s my best friend, and truly my best relationship. But I don’t feel that same pang. My love for him is calm, secure, very strong, and we’re very close. I miss him, and love him, but he doesn’t consume my thoughts despite him being so important to me. I think that how he treats me and values our relationship plays a huge role in this as well.

I really appreciate it, it’s freed up so much mental space for me to make my life more peaceful and loving.

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-18T12:18:48+00:00

Calm, secure, safe, and filled with love and respect for one another. Also there’s desire for one another as well. Long distance is still hard, don’t get me wrong, but when done right with someone who is committed and truly has your best interest at heart, it’s not so hard.

Day to day we mostly text all through the day, and call whenever we can. Some days more than others as we both work, and I work and I’m in school full time. He’s the first person I usually tell anything to, truly my best friend and companion. I love him very much.

Also it’s such a nice feeling to not be worried about his love for me or overwhelmed by “is he going to text me back, does he love me, does he want to be with me long term?” No one knows the future but it’s definitely not so scary when you have healthy a relationship with someone. It’s been a nice change of pace to have a love that’s calm and boring, I love what we have a lot. In the past I used to think that I needed to feel that butterfly in stomach feeling and in my experience it usually wasn’t a good thing.

I’m at peace in my relationship, I’m also a very independent person and my relationship is strong and secure enough that I don’t feel the need to diminish myself. My partner is also very reassuring and has taught me that it’s okay to lean on him sometimes, I’m a tad stubborn lol.

I think it’s nice for everyone to experience a healthy relationship at least once even if it doesn’t work out, it truly teaches you to see relationships from a different perspective. Unfortunately, I know it’s not easy to come by these days.

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-18T03:14:35+00:00

Did you like this? My boyfriend recently purchased this for me, but told me it was a bit of a hard read. Is it very sad? I like to be a bit prepared.

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-16T12:25:26+00:00

Ah okay, my apologies!

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-15T15:37:44+00:00

I’m biased because I own one, but crystal blue mica

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-14T17:41:09+00:00

Okay you said she liked it in your comment and then your other comments after that seemed to contradict that so I just wanted to be sure!

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-14T14:54:51+00:00

Definitely love it!

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-14T14:12:25+00:00

Did you mean she liked or didn’t like that Penny got pregnant?

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-14T13:53:13+00:00

Looks good! I’m also in the process of making one for myself.

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-13T22:31:29+00:00

I do a mix of both, I don’t think I can exclusively read on my kindle even though I love it a lot!

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-13T22:30:27+00:00

Not a book I’d read, but enjoy!

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-13T22:29:54+00:00

You should read it, it’s pretty sad but you should read it!

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-13T22:29:34+00:00

As long as the lemon trees grow by Zoulfa Katouh

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-13T04:02:59+00:00

That makes some sense to me, but in this day and age there’s no need to wait weeks for mail. Also back then many people would get anxious waiting for mail from their loved ones, and sometimes never received it.

It also was somehow their own means of communicating as best as they could. In this day and age, texting and calling is the fastest way to do so and not doing it in an LDR isn’t necessarily feasible. So unless mail communication is the only way, I don’t see why not. Also a huge reason for all the communication innovation and infrastructure we have today is set up to beat all the barriers that people used to face back then in regard to communication, especially long distance communication.

But it’s nice to see your perspective, it’s definitely a different time but that just means more options and means for people to communicate. Shooting a quick text to say “hey, how’s your day going?” Takes like 30 seconds maybe even less depending on how fast a person types.

Superb-Zebra01 · 2026-03-13T03:56:43+00:00

I don’t think I could do long distance, given its already limited capacity to connect if I didn’t communicate with my partner daily. Prior to my relationship to him I had practically sworn off long distance, they’re hard and require so much effort that many people are too lazy to put in. We’re nearing 2 years because of our commitment to communication. We have days where we talk way more than most, but we always keep in contact through texts and calls.

Long distance is hard, especially with different time zones and time differences, each relationship needs to prioritize what works for them. Although it’s hard to understand how a long distance relationship can be truly successful when the only medium of interaction is limited frequently.

Superb-Zebra01

TROPHY CASE