I have a female friend (I'll call her Mia for reference). We're pretty close. For many years, things has been fine between us. Normal hangouts. Nothing more, nor less. One day, she got into a relationship with this guy. Since then, everyday, she always talk to me about her bf. Everyday, like how great of a bf he is, how he treats her well, buys for her anything she asked, his hobbies, etc. Being her close friend, I just listen. I'm happy that she's happy, and well, I get to know her bf via her telling me about him almost everytime. Almost a year passed, one day, Mia distance herself from me. Avoided me. I thought maybe she needed time alone for whatever reason. But after like 3 weeks, I noticed a pattern where she's fine with everyone, but avoided me. I decided to confront her, and just asked her if she's okay, and if I did anything wrong. She finally opens up and say I did nothing wrong, but she just wants to "respect my relationship with my gf". But...what gf? I don't have any. I told her that, and she didn't believe me. She said she felt really sad to know that I have a "gf" and she said she feels like our friendship is falling apart. But...again, I don't have a gf. Then I started to think, maybe her bf doesn't want her to be close to me anymore and she just made up some excuses to not be friends with me or at least be as close to me. I mean, if that's the case then sure, I'll respect it and walk away. But nope. She said her bf has nothing to do with this. She then wishes me well with my "gf"...which I have none. Turns out, after I ask some friends about this, there was a rumor circulating amongst my friends that I have a gf all because they saw that I was "hanging out" with this other girl for a week or so (a big deal to them cause I was never in a relationship). Thing is, this "other girl" is my colleague from work, and the "hangout" was at a public space, like coffee shop and all, cause we were meeting various clients from place to place. Especially for that one week, it was hectic. She's married with 2 kids too. Even if she's single, I have 0 interest in her cause of interest difference. But hey we're cool either ways. So I cleared that up. But, I haven't cleared it up with Mia...cause...this is where I have questions. Why was Mia upset? I mean, even if I have a gf, wouldn't she be happy about it? Wouldn't she wants to get to know her? I mean, she talks about her bf every single day to me. And I'm fine. I listen, and I'm happy. But, a mere rumor that I have a gf, and she decided to...distance herself, avoid me, and be upset. I don't get it...like, did I do anything wrong here? At any angle? I'm insanely confused cause her reaction to the rumors, even if its true, makes no sense....so, help this confused guy to understand :(

I’ve been working with my boss for >5 years. When I first joined, he was what every subordinate would ask for. A great mentor, gave me lots of opportunities and never find fault, always on my side even when I made mistakes. He helps me with little things, and never say no whenever I needed help. Ocassionally, he would take me out for lunch and I became his listening ear to many of his complains (of work). Sometimes, we would drive out for lunch as well. Most of the time, he would pay for my lunch. He would remember little things, like my usual drinks order. There was once, while he was doing parallel parking, he put his hand on my seat to look back. That made my heart flutter a lil. 😳 I also recalled an incident, when Covid was just started and government was doing contact tracing. We were doing some department activity and he actually told me not to join because I was pregnant. But I told him it was fine, as it was a sit down activity and I can manage. Turns out 1 of the guy in the group was identified as close contact was asked to go back halfway. When he knew, he was kinda reprimanding me and judging the colleague. Thou everyone always say that I’m his favourite at work, I guess thats because I dont reject the work he assigns me. There was once, I concurrently took on 3 projects. As I grew at work, I began taking more responsibilities and started to work more for the other senior manager. We started to have lesser interaction as I dont report to him now. Lately, there are a few new hires, and he had been spending a lot of time guiding them. I cant help but to feel a tad jealous? But just last week, he spent 1 of the lunchtime w me, ~2 hrs, catching up over lunch. Today, on the way to work, we happened to be on the same train, went to work together. And I realised, he didnt pay attention to our lunch conversation last week. The things I said, he asked again. I felt kinda disappointed. (Fyi to nayers, there were no flirting, nothing sexual, nothing inapproriate. We’re just 2 colleagues who meet only during working hours.) The only 1 time we had “skin interaction” was we were too engrossed in talking and didnt notice the traffic was not in our favour and attempted to cross. I held on to his arm and screamed for uturn LOL. Both of us had a shock, but all he asked was if I was ok and if I twisted my ankle. Well, I wish I had, but I didnt haha! As I structured this post, I found how ridiculous I could be. I guess from idk when, I probably already started having feelings for him. Its just a feeling that cant be shared with anyone, and I just need a space to get it out. I think I might be a little crazy to harbour such feelings. Im having thoughts of leaving the company…. I guess, I should, right?

Saw some post about a confused individual 34. Been there done that. All the sleepless nights trying to analyse the "i love you buts". Gave the guy many chances but he decided to just break up with me and get married to someone else because she is of better social standing- rich and career is good. And after years he still finds way to "accidently bump" in to me at our neighbourhood and ask our mutual friends about my life updates. Just leave while you can. In this situation please apply what people always say "if he wanted to he would". I know its hard, bur trust me, the lesser the interaction the better. Know your worth.

Sounds like it's common sense, but nope. I'll be blunt and say this : If you're in a relationship, especially marriage, and have children or at least one child, they're your responsibility and priority. No, I dont care how toxic your spouse can be. I don't care how tired you are with raising your child. I don't care if you're having FOMO about your childless friend's life. It's no excuse to abandon your child and be extremely selfish to "find yourself". Just stfu and put up with it. Up until they reach at least 18 years old, then do whatever you want after that. Don't fucking dare bring genders into this. I speak for BOTH GENDERS. Again, Your child is your priority. Now stfu and grow the fuck up. Be bloody responsible you stupid pieces of shits.

Im 34, I dated a guy briefly (less than a year), and he ghosted me. After that, we had no contact for about 1 and a half year, even though I tried reaching out back then. Then suddenly, he came back. Over the past few years, he’s been unblocking me and reaching out occasionally, maybe a few times a year. Each time, we’d meet for dinner, catch up, and at the end of the night he’d send me home. But during those moments, he would hold my hand or touch me in a way that felt more than just friendly. (Hand on waist or thigh but nothing more) At first, I didn’t think too much about it. I was just confused about his intentions.Only recently, I found out that he has actually been in a relationship for the past 5 years. During one of our recent dinners, he told me he’s planning to propose to his girlfriend when they get the key which is this year. But even after telling me that, he still held my hand that night. I’m honestly very confused. He knows I still have feelings for him. I even asked him directly if he likes me and loves me and he said yes to both. Why would someone do this? What does he actually want? Does he actually have feelings for me?

Growing up, I learned early that some family members can hurt you in ways that leave lasting scars. I have a sibling who has consistently tried to control situations, manipulate narratives, and erase my contributions. While my dad is slowly improving in both mental and physical well-being, she has tried to control his appointments, even telling the doctor he wouldn’t be coming without informing me. She used to handle my late mom’s appointments, while I managed dad’s, and we were comfortable with that arrangement — but now it feels like she doesn’t want him to get better because I am the one taking care of him. She has even claimed responsibility for things I’ve contributed to — like our parents’ bills and expenses — making it seem like I’m not doing my part. At one point, my own helper had to explain to my dad that I was also contributing, because he genuinely thought my sister was bearing the full cost. Only I — and God — truly know the reality. We are both married and living our own lives. I have children and my own household responsibilities to manage, while she has not been blessed with children yet. Our life situations are different, but it often feels like that difference is not respected when it comes to expectations and responsibilities. We are only two siblings — she is the older one, and I am the youngest. But for most of my life, it has felt like I had to be the “older” one instead. I had to cover for her mistakes, apologize to relatives for actions she took, and carry responsibilities far beyond my age. I was still a child, yet I had to act like the adult while she faced little accountability. There were also moments where narratives were shaped without my voice being heard. It felt like people formed their own conclusions based on one side, leaving me misunderstood and quietly pushed aside. When it comes to money, she becomes a completely different person. She has drained me emotionally over her own financial problems to the point I doubted myself, thinking I owed her. Her husband, a foreigner with a child, doesn’t work and relies entirely on her, adding more pressure to her behavior. Even small things become uncomfortable. Simple, everyday situations can turn into something calculative — especially when it comes to food or shared spaces — to the point you start feeling like you need permission for the smallest things, even in your own parent’s home. For years I tolerated her manipulation and attempts to control family affairs. But I’ve reached my limit. I’ve realised I don’t have to keep being the “older” one for her anymore. I’ve had to put a stop to it, protect my peace, and set boundaries. For anyone else with a narcissistic sibling or family member who manipulates, refuses accountability, or tries to erase your contributions, how do you cope? How do you protect your mental well-being while maintaining family ties?