Very nice poem, LiamJames!!

Will you send it to the person you were thinking about when you wrote it?

Keep Writing!

Inky

Hi Alecsee,

Being indecisive is a form of perfectionism. You would be totally OK with the breakup, course of studies, the apartment, or passing the ball to the left if you were certain it was The Perfect Thing to Do.

Strive for Good, not Perfectly Perfect.

Passing the ball to the left is probably a GOOD choice if you thought of doing it.

Breaking up with your girlfriend was a good choice, even though she broke up with you. Did she make the perfect choice? Probably not if you’re a great guy, but it was a GOOD choice for her at the time.

Is being a teacher the perfect choice! No way! Not if you want to afford an apartment with a view, but it is obviously a GOOD choice!

The cheaper apartment? Perfect? Nope! But a GOOD choice!

Best,

Inky

Hi Jason,

Think of it this way: If your friends had depression and anxiety and had two kidney transplants they might do worse!

And think of this: Not everyone graduates from college. I read a shocking statistic that half of people drop out, take several years to do it, or take years off. It doesn’t have to be done in four years. What was common in my day is NOT common now. I know someone who works for a living and can only take one course a semester. She won’t get her degree until she’s fifty something but she is totally fine with that!

Sounds like it’s good you’re no longer with your judgmental girlfriend. She really did wonders for your anxiety and depression, eh? *sarcasm*

The important thing is to begin. Get a job, any job. Take a class, any class. Drop classes if it’s not too late and FINISH the one/two you keep.

Routines are lifesavers too.

Read a little, write a little, and review your notes everyday. That is the secret to getting through college.

Best,

Inky

Hi Raaw,

Even if you were close to them, you moved and went to a graduate program here. Several of them are married. Soon they will have children. So you would never be that close. It’s interesting, though, after a decade or so, when everyone has lost touch with everyone else, if there is a reunion, they will be THRILLED to see you and remember you warmly. That’s just the way it is. So don’t worry about it.

Seek other introverted friends. OR seek out a talker who needs an introvert who will listen to them. Some of us just aren’t wired to have tons of friends. Just start with a few. I tell my daughter if you make one friend a year as an adult, you are doing great!

Best,

Inky

Hi Ivey,

I was on the other side of this.

The guy said that he was bi and wanted to have the experience of other men, so we obviously couldn’t be in an exclusive relationship.

Later he tried to come back after having had his fill of “experiences” as he put it. (No, I didn’t take him back.)

Tell him you want to date girls now and that hopefully he would have you back one day, but that you’d understand if he wants to move on.

Best,

Inky

Hi greenshade,

Instead of feeling rage, have fun with whatever’s bothering you.

Your friend is always on the phone?

The next time you are out, be on your phone when she is on hers.

Then, go to the car/bathroom and text/call her from there while she’s at the table. Keep pinging her so she has to pay attention to you and not to other texts/calls.

Later, when you KNOW she is out on a date, or with family or other friends, keep texting her and calling her. That’s the only way to get her attention, right??

Rage is a symptom of not feeling in control. Take back the sensation of control.

Have Fun!

Inky

Hi K,

Why would you be different from all the other millennials out there? It seems ALL young people of this generation are having money problems.

I blame the crash of 2008. Not your chakras.

Get a job, live within your means, and do your best.

That’s all you can ask of yourself.

Best,

Inky

Hi Marion,

We have also been “erased” on purpose from family albums, slideshows, etc.

The only thing you can do is at the next family event, bring your own photos. Big. Framed. The rest in it’s own album. You DO exist, and in fact, can make it look like YOU run the family like a club and are its founder.

The issue is really with your SIL. Mine was with my step-mother.

You are a good person. Repeat as a mantra. Every day. You have to believe that in your soul. Your husband, the doctor, married you. He is a smart person, surely. Why would he saddle himself with someone un-photo worthy? He wouldn’t!! Don’t let your in-laws get in your head!

Bigger, Better, Framed Pictures,

Inky