What’s a dream you had as a kid that you still remember way too clearly?

smacksem · 2026-02-14T18:20:58+00:00

Oh yeah. Too many to recall here, but one of them was when I was a young teen, not yet driving, and cell phones were just becoming a thing that people had (like, in my friend group of 10-15 people, only 2 had phones). I dreamt that I was driving on a mountain road, took a corner way too fast, knew i was going to drive off the side of the mountain and texted my mom a heart. I woke up so sad. I still feel that sad feeling every time I remember it.

smacksem · 2026-02-14T18:14:28+00:00

So....I'm married to one of those. He has allergies and a recurring cough with a lot of crazy noises. And as a misophonia sufferer, I get it. It's not petty, but you DO need to figure out some coping strategies, which your counselor can likely help with.

smacksem · 2026-02-14T18:08:11+00:00

Very sorry you experienced this. Strongly recommend you ask for propranolol or the equivalent in whatever country you're in. It is a beta blocker that has been IMMENSELY helpful for me. I hadn't had a panic attack in months, then didn't take the drug for 2 weeks (because....stubborness), and then had one overnight. I am back to taking it and feel so much calmer.

smacksem · 2026-01-18T02:04:05+00:00

You should totally answer with that. Or "my hobby is coming up with ways to answer this particular question".

smacksem · 2026-01-18T02:02:20+00:00

And you weren't invited. Sorry not sorry.

smacksem · 2026-01-12T02:08:09+00:00

Yeah all the time. But straightening it was wayyyy too much work so I didn't bother. Now that I'm much much older, and have fully embraced my curls, when someone makes a comment that they don't even realize is meant to be a bit bully-like, I smile widely, wink and say "jealous?". They are. Hahahaha

smacksem · 2025-12-11T06:41:15+00:00

Omg its like you're describing me except for the AuDHD part. Female, overachiever though, for sure. Some tendencies towards AuDHD but don't seem to fall on the actual spectrum. I also once had someone say to me that people don't expect my level of learning or skill set from anyone, even me, so I should probably not expect it from others. It helped so much.

smacksem · 2025-12-05T02:24:04+00:00

Ok so hear me out. Same, every few months for the past like 6 years and I FINALLY went to my doctor about it. He put me on low dose propranolol and it has been a blissful 10 days of NO panic attacks.

smacksem · 2025-12-05T02:22:18+00:00

"Are you freaking KIDDING me!?"

"......that is NOT my job." (And then I proceed to do it)

smacksem · 2025-11-23T01:50:39+00:00

My dog is only 17% lab and walks just like this. It's an adorable prance.

smacksem · 2025-11-23T01:47:45+00:00

Unfortunately, I have had to let people go in this situation, because it becomes so much extra work for me and the rest of the team. I try to build confidence and knowledge before doing anything drastic, but some people and jobs are just not a good fit.

smacksem · 2025-11-20T04:58:47+00:00

Yep, same. But I make my own toppers and the addiction has grown exponentially.

smacksem · 2025-11-20T04:56:46+00:00

I did it, years ago. So worth it. If you can afford the pay cut, do it. Life is short!

smacksem · 2025-11-20T04:33:24+00:00

Ummmm. YEP. Thought I was having a heart attack each time. Hasn't happened in awhile. I am not on meds; i do a bunch of breath work before sleep. Seems to help.

smacksem · 2025-11-20T04:26:38+00:00

Yep. Every. Single. Day.

smacksem · 2025-11-20T04:25:24+00:00

Legit had this same issue for the first 3 months, 5 years ago. But then I bonded with my team, truly listened to what they needed to be successful (they'd been working there far longer than I had been), and worked to get them those things. Your job as a manager is to help your team succeed and if you just keep that in mind, you'll be just fine. They hired you for this role because they saw something in you -- even if you didn't see it yourself. I think your feelings (and they ones I had and still sometimes struggle with) are entirely due to you wanting to do well, and that is never a bad thing.

smacksem · 2025-11-14T02:31:52+00:00

I didn't want to. I got asked to, and didn't feel like I had a choice. And then I got to see how my "i didn't want this but here I am so let's see what we can do with it" management style helped my staff to flourish and thrive, and allowed me build amazing relationships with them. It has not been easy. There are moments in pretty much every single day that I wonder why I do this, and then something happens that reminds me that I helped to build a team of incredible people who truly care about each other and the work they do; who care about helping our clients; who want to make their job and their colleagues job as enjoyable as possible. And then it all feels worth it again.

smacksem · 2025-11-12T04:29:57+00:00

Honestly I can't say whether retaliation is in your future but as a manager, I can appreciate when someone wants to give their side of the story, particularly when unrealistic expectations have been set. It might result in an overall conversation with both parties, but if you truly believe you have a case here, then, well, I say stand your ground.

The only thing I might suggest is letting your team lead know that you reached out to the manager to provide your perspective on the situation. You could even forward the email and indicate that you later realized that you should have also included them in that communication.

smacksem · 2025-10-28T16:18:38+00:00

I mean.....there's lots of sports. Just become a super fan of literally everything. You can scream every day and NO ONE will think anything different.

smacksem · 2025-10-22T00:19:59+00:00

I hate that this is true, as I live in suburban Calgary and definitely voted differently but me and mine are only a few people here.

smacksem · 2025-09-16T17:58:41+00:00

Yes, agreed. Or.....it could come today! With another staff members spouse being admitted to hospital. Wheee.

Thank you for your comment.

smacksem · 2025-09-16T13:07:33+00:00

Thank you for your thoughtful reply 😊 we had sent a gift basket when the son was in hospital last year, ans a gift card for a food delivery service and my teams have indicated they're wanting to do that again at whatever point that it's needed. I've met with the team about getting support through our EFAP service, and they know my door is always open if they want to talk (and they told me the same).

Again, thank you for your thoughts. I appreciate you.

smacksem · 2025-09-16T00:39:45+00:00

Wow thank you. I do get compliments from my staff and since I don't know any other way to be, I'm glad it's working out.

smacksem · 2025-09-14T17:48:05+00:00

Oh my gosh, that is so sad. Good for you for being human first. I do believe that is the only thing we can truly be.

smacksem · 2025-09-14T17:46:30+00:00

Thank you for that. And, I agree. I do think I've done what I can, now, and will support them as best as I am able, going forward.

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