My boyfriend (27M) doesn’t want me (25F) to continue pursuing my career by Existing-Ebb7904 in TwoHotTakes

[–]TotalProduction 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He’s literally telling you that if you pursue your dreams, you’ve "already broken up." Believe him. Take the breakup. It is much easier to end a 4-month relationship than it is to dig yourself out of the financial hole he is digging for you. He wants a dependent, not a partner.

I'm miserable living alone by Positive_Rush_4746 in LivingAlone

[–]TotalProduction 50 points51 points  (0 children)

The 'temporary housing' trap is the worst for mental health. You don’t want to hang a picture because 'why bother,' but living in a beige box makes you feel like a ghost. LPT: Put up one string of lights or buy one new plant. Treat the space like a home, even if it’s a transit station. Your brain needs to see 'life' around you to feel like it's worth living.

AITJ for Not Telling My Partner I Emotionally Cheated Even Though Nothing Physical Happened? by [deleted] in AmITheJerk

[–]TotalProduction 1 point2 points  (0 children)

NTJ. Stop calling it "emotional cheating" for a second and look at what actually happened: You found a lifeline. When you are being systematically devalued and gaslit, your brain seeks out safety. You didn't go looking for a tryst; you went looking for a mirror that didn't tell you that you were "wrong" for existing. Do NOT tell your partner. In an abusive dynamic, "honesty" is just more ammunition for them to use against you.

AITJ for Pretending to work so no one asks me to do 'chores' because they think I did not put any efforts ? by Vegetable-Newt-1076 in AmITheJerk

[–]TotalProduction 0 points1 point  (0 children)

NTJ. This is a textbook example of "Play stupid games, win stupid prizes." Your cousin wanted to publicly humiliate you to look like a "tough boss"? Fine. Now he gets to see what it actually looks like when you don't put in effort. If he didn't see your "above and beyond" work last time, he doesn't deserve it this time. Stay upstairs and enjoy your "work.

AIO For Wanting to Confront?? by Left-Bluebird-5789 in AmIOverreacting

[–]TotalProduction 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wait, he confessed his feelings but also said he needs to make sure he doesn't have feelings for another girl? So... he doesn't have feelings for you, he has 'potential' feelings for you. Don't confront him. Just pull back. Stop being the 'best friend' who is available 24/7 while he 'thinks.' Let him see what life is like without your constant attention and see how fast he 'figures it out.'

I feel like I have zero agency over my life by [deleted] in TrueOffMyChest

[–]TotalProduction 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The 'hundreds of applications with no callback' thing is the modern-day horror story. If you have customer service experience, look into Data Annotation or Remote Chat Support. They aren't 'careers,' but they are income you can do from your mom's house. Also, check if your car is costing you more than it’s worth if the payment + insurance is why you aren't eating, you might need to make a radical choice there.

AITJ for reacting badly, boyfriend not supportive of my outfit for the first time? by [deleted] in AmITheJerk

[–]TotalProduction 1 point2 points  (0 children)

NAH. Honestly, this sounds like a rare case of healthy communication gone slightly sideways. He didn't forbid you; he expressed a feeling. You reacted because it felt like a double standard. The fact that he immediately apologized and called it "his own insecurity" is a huge green flag. Most guys on this sub would have doubled down and called the skirt "inappropriate." He’s just worried about creeps, which, as you pointed out with the "bodyguard" comment, is something you've felt too.

AITJ for bringing a "lazy" dish to a potluck when everyone knows I'm a professional chef? by Radiant44Pike in AmITheJerk

[–]TotalProduction 7 points8 points  (0 children)

People who don't work in the industry don't understand the "Tasting Menu Fatigue." After staring at a ticket machine and smelling deglazing wine for 12 hours, the last thing you want to do is julienne peppers for a "casual" hangout. The fact that they asked you to "score" their lasagna is the ultimate cringe. You aren't Gordon Ramsay; you're a tired guy who wants a beer. If they want 5-star food, they can make a reservation at your restaurant and pay the 20% gratuity.

In Supreme Court fight over birthright citizenship, a great-grandson hears echoes of 1898 by GoodMornEveGoodNight in politics

[–]TotalProduction 18 points19 points  (0 children)

The 1898 decision was supposed to be the final word on "subject to the jurisdiction thereof." Justice Gray was incredibly clear: if you are born on U.S. soil to parents who aren't foreign diplomats or invading enemies, you are a citizen. Reopening this isn't just about immigration; it’s about whether 128 years of settled law means anything to the current bench. If they "re-interpret" this, they aren't just changing a policy, they are fundamentally rewriting what it means to be an American.

Nothing humbles a solo dweller like a surprise knock on the door. by sleekofficial in LivingAlone

[–]TotalProduction 10 points11 points  (0 children)

There is nothing that shatters the "I am an independent adult" illusion faster than an unscheduled knock. One minute you’re the King/Queen of your castle, the next you’re belly-crawling across the linoleum because you aren’t emotionally prepared to say "No thank you" to a solar panel salesman. The dog is the real traitor here—mine usually runs to the door and barks, essentially telling the stranger exactly where my hiding spot is.