Gahhhhhh kill it with fire! That is the worst. I once got dumped by the second person I ever had sex with (after having sex with him one time) because he said we were sexually incompatible, which...woof. That was a 1-2 to the old self-esteem. It took some time to feel sexy again after that—the song “Good as Hell” by…

Fuck yes! Go you! As someone who deliberately chose a masters without a thesis requirement, I salute you.

Just bought it for my Kindle. Thanks!

I’m so glad you were able to change those circumstances! Setting that first boundary and cutting my stepmother out of my life was so freeing; now, it’s acknowledging that it wasn’t the only thing I needed to do to recover. I love your suggestions; your friends were right—you are thoughtful and kind. Thanks!

I’m sorry your coworkers are garbage people. I think you deserve a pat on the back for not putting their heads through walls (not that it would cause any meaningful brain damage).

Feel free to ignore this, but: your ex is being kind of a dick. Maybe not on purpose, but it’s awfully convenient to want to be friends without actually supporting you (in part because actual support isn’t something he’s really in a position to provide). And he does NOT need to bring up this new person to you, at all.

THIS. So much this. And thank you. (Hugs)

(CW: emotional abuse)

Hey, I’ve been there. It can be so, so hard to start, but it makes such a difference. Google “low cost mental health care near me” and see what you can find, if cost is an issue for getting started. If you’re employed full-time, your EAP (Employee Assistance Program) might have options; if you’re a student, your…

My sister’s oldest child (now 6, was 4 at the time) was obsessed with cars, and asked someone what kind of car they had. Person responds that they drive a Volvo, and Oldest giggles. When asked why, he responded that it was very funny that someone named a car after what ladies have in their underpants.

I haven’t seen my father since 2013. I stopped visiting him a couple of years before, because his wife is emotionally abusive and he always backed her play. At this point, I’ve mostly given up on the idea that we’ll ever have the relationship I wanted when I was young. He gets phone calls on Father’s Day, his birthday…

You wrote a MOTHERFUCKING DISSERTATION! Yaas, bitch! Look at you go! I am so incredibly proud of you—that is a hell of an accomplishment.

I mean, no one says you can’t call her a lying cunt and then move on. Best of both worlds!

Oh, darling. I’m so sorry you have been suffering so much. Whatever this method is, though, it is not the answer. AnnieBody just posted a hotline number—will you call it?

Time for some trashy tv and your favorite snacks!

My good: I had a really great therapy session this week, where I realized that a lot of my negative thought patterns and sense of isolation are because I still have healing to do from my childhood (my stepmother was emotionally abusive). I thought I had put it behind me when I stopped visiting my father or speaking to…

Best of luck! It’s awesome that you have the desire and circumstances that enable you to do this, and I really hope it works out for all involved (including the cats!)

Yay! Glad you kept going. It’s a tough world out there.

My sucky thing: panicking when the professor I work for had questions about my work. He said he wanted to ask some questions, and I honestly never know with him whether it’s genuine questions or stealth-critique. I mostly talked myself down, but there’s something about his approach to criticism that sends me back to…

Nice! My stepsister is hosting Thanksgiving this year (her cooking is...adequate). I don’t know what we’ll be bringing—probably pie, because I really don’t trust her on desserts.