Of course everyone's experience is not the same. Certainly not easier. Having good negotiations and boundaries in place and a support network is important.

Oh, also, my understanding about open adoption is that adoptive parents and birth parents negotiate what "open" means, with the help of the adoption agency. So it can take many different forms and look different for everyone. And of course there will be revisiting of the plan and renegotiating of boundaries, like any…

My family kept it simple, with just the peas. So any other variation always feels so wrong to me. But I am sure it is delicious. (And my grandma always made the best creamed corn, yummm.)

Former sex educator here:

I have to admit that, as an adoptee, I have a hard time with what you said about a child being removed geographically giving you a sense of security. If that's the case, I really recommend you take a good hard look at your reasons for adopting and at your own ideas about adoption and identity. It's hugely complicated…

I hear you. My parents are not bad, per se: they never did awful things to me or others (that I know of), we just...are very different and have little in common. And yes, they are also quite racist and often homophobic or otherwise judgmental. So I just have no desire to actually spend time with most of my family. I…

THERE SHALL BE NO CORN IN LE TATORTOT HOTDISH!

Yes, this. I was about to say:

Right? Today, I boasted to my bff that I showered! Twice in one week! AND I brushed my teeth! What might seem inconsequential or even not-enough for others is a giganimous step of self-care for me.

A-HA! Thank you! All my searching in Jez and my Googling was for naught.

If we're talking about things they should address, how about that giant Hugo Schwyzer mess?

THANK YOU.

I haven't, no. But! If you are in love with this mastiff-muffin, see if you can get him the Canine Good Citizen certification. Also, consider making a little flyer about yourself and your animal(s) for prospective landlords. A friend of mine who had 3 dogs (2 big, 1 small) and 1 cat and a partner did that and it…

Dude, we are in similar places. I just started therapy a month ago. I am kindasortamaybe on the edge of starting to come out of a serious depression. I stopped caring about my apartment and let it get embarassingly filthy. I stopped showering regularly and brushing my teeth. I isolated myself more and more from family…

Ugh, that sounds so hard. I'm sorry.

Honestly, that's one of the reasons I got out of customer service jobs: I was starting to just really hate humanity. Which isn't helpful for you, I guess, but more of a "hey buddy, I've been there."

Okay, how the hell does one get a Group Think and/or Powder Room blog thingy? And what the heck is the difference between the two?

I don't understand why that gif is a thing, but I like it.

Side note because my own dog recently died and I can't deal with the actual content of your question without falling to pieces: