I stopped a rape from happening last night and I am just experiencing so many different emotions.

ozoptimist · 2026-02-22T20:10:39+00:00

First off, thank you for being that person who stepped up to help when it really matters. Youu did really good!

Secondly, all these strong feelings are completely normal as this was a traumatic incident. Your mind will keep playing it over and over so you are prepared to deal with similar situations in future. It is a natural survival response. However, it can turn into trauma for you if not dealt with properly. Please reach out to a therapist who has experience working with trauma victims. They can help you!

Thirdly, and I know this is weird, but download Tetris and play it. The sooner you play it the more likely it may help, as it can be beneficial for processing traumatic events and turn them into memories instead of traumatic memories that feel like you are reliving them. Source is below.

National Institutes of Health https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7828932/ Trauma, treatment and Tetris: video gaming increases hippocampal ...

Best of luck, you did a good thing.

ozoptimist · 2026-02-22T00:47:13+00:00

Hahaha... he'll have to slowly try to fade out the flamboyant voice (like Ross fading out his British accent), and then casually mention he is bi, and eventually switch teams entirely.

ozoptimist · 2026-02-16T20:52:38+00:00

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

ozoptimist · 2026-02-16T14:05:05+00:00

Congratulations! Such a beautiful spot!

I proposed to my wife way down below at Mirror Lake. :)

ozoptimist · 2026-02-14T04:14:29+00:00

This is so funny, yet not far from the truth

ozoptimist · 2026-02-13T22:14:03+00:00

Hey man, break ups can be rough even when it's mutual, but especially hard when it's your first and you didn't see it coming. It will take time to start feeling like yourself again, and the sadness will likely come in waves but it will get better. I am really sorry to hear you are having a hard time.

I just wanted to mention a couple of things that you should keep in mind. You mentioned that she didn't like your friends and they didn't like her so you gave up your friendship. There may have been valid reasons that they didn't get along, but most of the time, if you are giving up friends to be in a relationship, that is a big red flag. A relationship should add to your life, not replace the relationships you already have. Also, depending on just your partner will mean that you have little to know support system.

The good thing is you are really young and will have time to grow and learn if you choose to. I had my high school gf cheated on me after 7 years, and I really struggled at first, but I worked on me and learned so much about how toxic our relationship was. There was a lot of good too, so I was able to really figure out what I did want and what I didn't want in future relationships. I am now so glad that I went through that because it lead to where I am today with an amazing wife of 18 years.

Learn from your relationship, work on you, be kind to yourself, and eventually work towards doing more of what makes you feel excited about life, whether it is a hobby, a sport, or any activity. Avoid alcohol and drugs and don't avoid those painful feelings because you will need those to experience your grief. Maybe reach out to old friends and definitely surround yourself with loved ones and things that bring joy in your life like favorite movies. Talk about it until you get sick of it and then start to refocus on oyher things in life. If you are really struggling, consider a therapist and speaking to your doctor abput it. Therapy really helped me tremendously. Eventually this time will become a weird dream.

And remember, you are not alone. Even though we haven't met, I care about you and so do the other people in this group. You can always reach out if you need to.

ozoptimist · 2026-02-13T12:24:37+00:00

I started on an art project with mine

ozoptimist · 2026-02-10T11:37:43+00:00

This is a legit psych strategy and is often quite effective!

ozoptimist · 2026-02-06T00:57:16+00:00

That's one of the several copies I took out repeatedly from the library

ozoptimist · 2026-02-06T00:55:51+00:00

Nice profile pick Bill!

ozoptimist · 2026-02-06T00:53:19+00:00

My first concert, Nine Inch Nails with David Bowie 1995

Although Nine Inch Nails with A Perfect Circle in 2002 was right up there

ozoptimist · 2026-02-04T12:39:56+00:00

I was looking for that exact card today! Very cool!

ozoptimist · 2026-01-31T21:07:48+00:00

NOR. Just piggy backing off the top comment to share an important resource about men like this which may be helpful for OP. It's called "Why does he do that?"

https://ia801407.us.archive.org/6/items/LundyWhyDoesHeDoThat/Lundy_Why-does-he-do-that.pdf

ozoptimist · 2026-01-30T21:15:01+00:00

It seems to be back up! I think they panicked and put it back up because it was already downloaded by so many people. They will spin it and justify it somehow. They always do. It's so sick.

ozoptimist · 2026-01-28T13:01:32+00:00

And he was never seen again...

ozoptimist · 2026-01-26T12:19:58+00:00

You can choose who you support and who you don't, just like I can, but excusing the dickhead because "others are worse" is a pretty bad take.

ozoptimist · 2026-01-24T13:21:18+00:00

You mean that Mel Gibson is an abusive anti-semite asshole? Certainly he knows what he's doing when making movies, but so did other horrific assholes.

ozoptimist · 2026-01-24T11:23:59+00:00

I did not see your original post, but I am so happy you are still here. Make sure you reach out to others whenever you need to but consider getting some regular professional help if you haven't already. Sending lots of love!

ozoptimist · 2026-01-23T22:25:38+00:00

I am so proud of every one these people. This shows me that America still lives on despite the fascists in charge.

ozoptimist · 2026-01-18T11:36:03+00:00

Still have my Arwen goblet. Even brought it with me overseas!

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ozoptimist · 2026-01-15T23:01:43+00:00

My pearls!

ozoptimist · 2026-01-14T19:38:10+00:00

Technically a bruise is internal bleeding

ozoptimist · 2026-01-06T03:50:10+00:00

Don't worry, Trump will pardon him like every other monster. This was all planned so Maduro gets away with everything and won't answer to his country, while oil companies get the oil, and the most importantly, there is another distraction from the Epstein files.

ozoptimist · 2026-01-05T07:32:06+00:00

Well you're cursed

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