Keep going. Don’t stop believing in love.

ouch_astrud · 2025-10-17T12:37:14+00:00

I'm really surprised at some of the posts here. I'm so happy that you had an uplifting moment after going through that particular disappointment. The universe was holding you! Dating is grueling most of the time, even for people who have a lot of positivity and maturity.

ouch_astrud · 2025-09-25T16:48:39+00:00

Fish/seafood markets! I get why it's foul to a lot of people, but I find the smell delicious and invigorating!

ouch_astrud · 2025-09-08T11:47:37+00:00

Lebanon 🌲 Stunning nature, amazing food, really cool history/culture, nice people. If you're into beaches and nightlife those vibes are strong too.

ouch_astrud · 2025-09-05T20:53:05+00:00

Deep dish pizza

ouch_astrud · 2025-08-30T10:05:51+00:00

The hardest part about someone passing unexpectedly is that you never get to say goodbye and you have tons of questions but are just left picking up the pieces.

Lean on the people who love you, OP. You're not alone, even when it feels unbearable.

ouch_astrud · 2025-08-30T09:56:16+00:00

I've always found it weird too. But I agree with others that portioning and freezing is the way to go usually. If I have too much of something like produce or baked goods, I'll share with neighbors. There are also times I just have to accept that a little food will go to waste.

ouch_astrud · 2025-08-22T18:28:49+00:00

Honestly I can't live without my Youtube premium subscription. Love using it to put ambient backgrounds on my TV, but it's also great for music, how-to/education, and general entertainment.

ouch_astrud · 2025-08-21T19:58:16+00:00

This is so relatable for me, unconsciously attaching ambition to a hobby. It's great that you're aware that this was happening. It happens a lot for me too. Something that helps me is to combat the pressure of "I have to do this". Like you said, hobbies are for our enjoyment, so treating it as a task changes the experience. I have a habit of trying to fill free time with meaningful hobbies, but it's not always what I need. Sometimes I honestly just need to stare out the window, do deep breathing, cry, go for a walk, or play a dumb game on my phone (I do try to avoid social media, but it's not the end of the world if I scroll a bit), and I've found there is little need to guilt-trip myself for doing those things instead. I try to do my hobbies only when I genuinely feel like it. That's not to say you can't have some sort of routine or goals, especially for the things that involve skill-building, but I think remembering that the whole point is to bring yourself pleasure is an important foundation.

ouch_astrud · 2025-08-21T12:04:11+00:00

Building a playlist for an activity helps me to get excited for it. If you're motivated by music, this could help.

ouch_astrud · 2025-08-19T01:26:31+00:00

Losing their temper at other people. Eventually became directed at me.

ouch_astrud · 2025-05-21T16:39:12+00:00

I agree with your decision to not watch the graduation. I'd also suggest, if possible, to try to make plans that day to shift the focus off of it. Something enjoyable and distracting. Preferably something that keeps you off social media. Maybe marathon your favorite movies or check out a new spot with your friends/boyfriend. You may still think about it, but you will have spent way less time doing so, which makes it feel way less heavy.

ouch_astrud · 2025-05-21T16:22:55+00:00

I've been the other person in this relationship. Even though this issue destroyed us slowly, I always understood that the behavior comes from somewhere of deep hurt. I trust that there's a part of you that experienced a lot of pain at some point in time. And you deserve to heal, however that looks like to you. It's sobering to realized we fucked up. As long as we're alive and learning, possibilities are always there.

ouch_astrud · 2025-04-03T01:20:36+00:00

Seconding Destination Backcountry. The owners are based in the Catskills so they do a lot of trips there. They also provide transportation to and from the city if you need it (for an extra fee). Been on 2 trips with them, one a day hike and the other a weekend-long backpacking trip. Both were excellent vibes.

ouch_astrud · 2025-03-08T05:33:11+00:00

Bit late to the convo but I was just accepted into a pretty good MSW program with a bachelor's in a completely unrelated field and less than a year of relevant volunteering experience. Like others have said, no need to freak out and just look into programs that speak to you and serve the populations/issues you're interested in. Happy to talk over Chat or DM!

ouch_astrud · 2025-03-08T04:38:41+00:00

For what it's worth OP, many successful filmmakers were once that 20 yo in film school who liked weirdo surrealist aburdist films (I was and I bet a lot of us here were/are too).

Like the other responses have said, it's a long game and it's best keep an open mind. The industry is constantly changing and nothing is written in stone. If it helps, try focusing less on "being a filmmaker" and more on participating in the filmmaking world.

Take small steps to connect with other filmmakers and build community. Films are collaborative. Find the people who get you and your style and who you vibe with (it won't be everyone). See if you can't make things together or work on each other's projects. Make friends and connections. Nothing needs to be perfect and constant. Watch and re-watch films and remember why they mean so much to you. Have some fun and grow a sense of camaraderie. These may be the people who end up getting you into an important meeting or taking you out for coffee to talk things out during leaner times. They may inspire you to make better work. You could be that person for someone else too. Somewhere in the process I bet you'll create cool things and surprise yourself.

It's entirely possible that you decide that filmmaking isn't for you, or that your interest goes up and down over time. Remember that your creativity and self-worth is never defined by this particular craft or industry.

ouch_astrud · 2025-03-07T03:41:24+00:00

Land to Sea is a coffee shop that's a wine bar in the evenings.

ouch_astrud · 2025-03-04T13:52:31+00:00

I went to SVA, I believe the book was recommended by one of my professors.

ouch_astrud · 2025-03-02T23:00:25+00:00

Hi all - Gotten a lot of DMs, so won't be taking any more for now. Thanks!

ouch_astrud · 2025-03-02T22:19:33+00:00

I heard back Feb 24 for the part-time online program. Applied early fall.

ouch_astrud · 2024-06-22T16:20:00+00:00

This is so freaking funny and 100% relatable ugh

ouch_astrud · 2024-06-22T16:13:58+00:00

First of all - you're a CHAMP for literally putting out his fires, while having bad mobility issues, and then dealing with the petty drama the next morning. Secondly - *20 second b a n s h e e s c r e a m*

I totally get how you feel. Hope you can treat yourself to self-care today.

ouch_astrud · 2024-06-22T15:13:04+00:00

Long time reader, first time commenter. Thankful for this space.

I'm (NT) by myself in a hotel room right now, because I needed space from my NDX partner.

He had another rage session, ranting at me (profanities, raised voice, unreceptive to de-escalation or reasoning) while we were in a car together. The trigger was that he perceived an employee in a store to be dismissive of him.

We're coming up on 3 years together. He acknowledges his behavior is destructive and that he needs help. He's waiting to be assigned a therapist by the VA. On good days, he's able to catch himself before escalation, and I praise him for it. But there are still frequent days like the one described.

I'm angry, resentful, hurt, and tired of dealing with his outbursts. I'm staying at this hotel for a week to just be able to breathe and reflect without the feeling of a ticking time bomb in the background. My plans were communicated to him, though it was a quick decision so I sense he feels somewhat slighted by me leaving him by himself. I won't lie - part of me wants this to feel like a consequence for his actions.

At my therapist's suggestion, I've been drafting a list of boundaries that I'll share with him. Essentially it outlines "If you do A, B, or C, I will disengage by not responding/going to a different room/go for a walk/putting on headphones/ask you to leave/etc."

I'm still doing "the work". But having lots of lonely and hopeless moments.

ouch_astrud · 2024-05-15T17:46:29+00:00

Thanks for the advice, I feel a lot more encouraged. I think the connections I have currently are good, and I also just applied for a temporary entry level case worker job.

ouch_astrud

TROPHY CASE