"alcohol makes you act without thinking and pot makes you think without action" is so gonna be stolen for future use. Yoink.

This.

My parents were very open and honest about their drug use and the use of their friends and family. I set rules for myself and never got truly in trouble, I've definitely made dumb mistakes, but I'm definitely better off then some of my friends.

The only thing that my dad said that was really dumb was "it's your choice, you can have chicks and cars or dudes and drugs". At the time, I had almost no friends, never really had friends up until then. Growing up with severe socal and separation anxiety will do that. I didn't really care about cars, chicks did drugs, so why not have some dudes too.

Edit: spelling

This is my plan.

Similar background. My parents just took the "everything is very bad" angle but it was very obvious that want true in a lot of cases. The result being a lot of risky experimentation with no support or guidance from an adult.

I think the message is, life is about the journey, we're here to experience everything we can and that includes sex, drugs, and rock and roll. The problem is that its very easy to make a mistake that will greatly diminish your experiences later on.

With driving, and sex, a momentary lapse in judgement can irrevocably change the trajectory of your life. Simply being aware of that is hopefully enough to help someone make smart choices?

Drugs and booze can be fun. I enjoyed the full range of experiences in that regard. The best I can do is to try to ensure my kids feel comfortable talking to me about things.

Edit: yeah smoking is a real bitch. I got off that train a year ago thank fuck. IDK how to talk to a kid about something like that. Maybe just let them talk and challenge the misconceptions. The thing that trapped me is that I thought I wouldn't get addicted because it was so awful. It took a lot of effort to get used to it. By then it was too late.

/remindme in 10 years to talk with my daughter like this parent did

You have a big paper due on Monday? Don't smoke until it's done, because you won't get more creative, you'll just not do it.

I actually love writing while high. Everything flows so much more easily for me, and I make connections I might not otherwise. It's great when I'm having trouble just getting words on the page. It does usually require an extra passover in editing though lol

Lol, right? I'd have to save up to live in a van down by the river.

"On purpose" here means "Buying a house isn't an option anymore"

As a formerly homeless person with some sort of chronic illness, yep.

I made it out, but the absolute anxiety of always falling back into poverty weighs heavy. I truly don't think I can do it again.

She pulls that shit when you guys have a child?

I don’t want to come at you with frustrating cliches and platitudes about how time heals all wounds and you’ll find the actual right person, but your post gave me big “dodged a bullet” vibes. In this case you definitely got grazed by the bullet, but still.

One of my best friends lost her place of living when her boyfriend of 4 years said the relationship had actually ended in his head 2 years previously, but he needed the rent. But then he found a new girlfriend to grift from, "opened the relationship," and they edged my friend out. I am still mad they did that to her; she was so heartbroken and damaged from that.

Everything I’d been thinking about was our future together, now none of that means anything.

In the same boat 2 years in. It hurts. Hope it gets better some day.

Yes, because there are ways to avoid and navigate major depression. Better to learn them in times of peace than in the middle of war.

I have tried drugs, yes.

They mean the advice does not acknowledge the risk of going into debt then becoming depressed

Yeah... That's the joke...

Hey kid, wanna try some depression? The first time is free!

Have you tried taking a walk outside in the sun while eating better and getting more sleep?