thoughtcatalog--2020-12-22--23 Doctors And Nurses Share The Paranormal Stories That Make Me Believe Every Hospital Is Haunted

“ A staff member was sitting out in her car during night shift when some woman who knocked on her window and quickly disappeared .
The next day she was discussing this out loud with the oncoming shift when someone pulled out a picture from old files based on the description provided .
Apparently , it was a match to a former patient that had passed away at least 10 years before that staff member was hired.
” — 88th_coward “ Did a rotation in a burn unit .
There are tons of stories that go around , but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pimp lit one of his prostitutes on fire , and she immediately bear hugged him causing them to both suffer pretty severe injuries ( unfortunately hers included an inhalation burn ) .
They both were being treated in the same icu but on opposite ends .
Weeks later she ends up coding and passes away , and after about 30 minutes as things start to quiet down , the guy starts screaming from his room “ get her out !
Get the god damn bitch out of my room !
” ” — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead “ There is probably some medical explanation for this , but still the weirdest thing I ’ ve seen as a nurse so far .
We had a very robust , confused old lady on our floor .
Her room was in front of the nurse ’ s station so we could keep an eye on her , and had one of our nurses aids as a sitter too .
She was always fighting , kicking , trying to get out of bed .
Very restless and agitated , as some patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before death .
One day we were called into the room as her heart rate was going down and she lay still with her eyes open .
It was 30…20…then flat lined .
We checked for a pulse and did not find any .
She was a DNR so we did not attempt resuscitation .
We close her eyes , prepare to get the body bag and call the family , the sitter remains in there to start getting the body ready .
Less than 10 minuets later she calls us back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again , hitting , kicking , trying to get out of the bed .
She came back to life !
Honestly we found the situation hilarious , and I still have never seen any patient come back like that on their own .
I think she made it out of the hospital too.
” — cheeezus_crust “ I ’ ve worked in a small family run nursing home for 6 years as a nurse aide .
It was a orphanage before it became a nursing home , and unfortunately before being shut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuse and neglect , unfortunately It ’ s not gossip the owner herself has told us .
When residents get close to death they always see a little girl .
One of my patients a very alert gentleman he knew all our names and was very alert and oriented .
I was passing dinner trays and saw that He had his back turned and was talking and laughing in the corner I knocked and asked him who he was talking to & he chucked and said “ this little girl came into my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died 3 days later .
About 6 months later had another patient screaming about a little girl grabbing his feet and she needed to leave him alone .
He died that night .
She ’ s come up over the years it ’ s always the same thing they see her and then they die .
Other coworkers have had the same experience .
It ’ s very unsettling.
” — Pyper151 She had to explain to him that he died “ A ward I worked on once had a patient who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a bit of a laugh with her as she was on the ward for a while ( she ’ d had a stroke which affected her mobility ) and she would do ‘ readings ’ for the staff etc from time to time .
I took it all as just a bit of fun until one evening when she pressed her nurse call buzzer and told us to go check on a patient in a side room as he was dead .
We went to check and sure enough found that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked our psychic patient how she had known and she told us she had seen him coming out if his room obviously distressed .
She realised he had died and had to explain to him what had happened and help him to pass over/go to the light….now I am not a believer but that gave me the creeps.
” — smackmacks “ I was working at night and one of the patients died while I was in the room , we tried everything to revive this person but it didn ’ t work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I went to another place in the hospital and I swear to god that this patient who I saw dead , touch my right arm .
I think that I have never cried that much in my life.
” — GalaGalaxy_ “ I worked in a pediatric hospital and had always heard that the fourth floor right outside our oncology unit was haunted .
I worked three twelves normally but would pick up overtime and picked up a night shift .
I was working in the NICU which happened to also be on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side .
The oncology unit had a staircase that was a short cut down to the cafeteria which was on the second floor .
At about 3am I was ready to take a short break and wanted a cup of coffee from the cafeteria so I decided to take that staircase .
I walked through the automatic double doors and saw a kid skipping down the hall .
I called out to him as I was afraid a little kid had snuck out of a patient room .
As soon as I called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the blink of an eye totally vanished .
A lot of other nurses and docs had seen the same little kid skipping in that same hallway .
Of course I chalked it up to just exhaustion and didn ’ t really think about it much after that .
But you are damn sure I didn ’ t use that hallway at night ever again.
” — agf0605 “ Back when I was a paramedic in Oakland I was taking care of an elderly gentleman in the back of my ambulance he looked up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said it ’ s okay Lulu I ’ ll be with you soon .
His daughter was with him and told me that Lulu was his wife who died 20 years earlier .
A few minutes later he went into cardiac arrest and passed on.
” — HenryRN “ There is a little girl who haunts the burn unit of a large Military Medical treatment facility in the US .
She has been seen by both staff and patients .
Haunts may not be the correct term , but she has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ ve actually had a room sprinkled with holy water several times by our pastoral care due to the amount of deaths we ’ ve had in the same room.
” — BigJRitch “ I worked as a Medtech at an assisted living facility .
One day a resident ( I ’ ll call her Margaret ) suddenly passed away and her family left all her belongings in the room that night including her pendant to call the staff for help .
The next night Margaret ’ s neighbor called the staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next door and keeping them awake .
We brushed the resident off knowing that Margaret ’ s room was empty .
About an hour later Margaret ’ s pendant started going off from her empty apartment .
I was the only one willing to go turn it off so I walked into the room and it was FREEZING COLD in the middle of summer ( the air conditioning was off . )
Suddenly the bathroom door slammed as I was turning off the pendant light .
I locked the door and ran back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the older male staff members to go check out the entire room and he claims the door was still locked when he got down there and no one was in there.
” — KaylaC-J “ One of the rooms we have is obviously having something of a haunting .
A man in a gown gestured one of the techs to come in , she went in and he was gone .
One week earlier a female pt was asking to get a different room , because a man wouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was some sort of delirium .
Multiple others have seen him too.
” — SavageAmallya They mess with the lights “ I ‘ m a Labor and Delivery/Nursery nurse , mostly it ’ s call lights alarming from rooms that are completely empty .
Sometimes it would coincide with apx the time of death on another unit , or be the anniversary of a fetal demise .
However my creepiest… we have a button to push after a delivery to play a lullaby over the PA system announcing a birth through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even in the same room as the button and the lullaby started playing .
It did that twice then we unplugged the entire thing .
It still went off once more that night , and again a few days later despite being entirely disconnected .
That was a few years ago and no one ever heard it do that before or since.
” — DrunkOnSushi “ This was an odd experience .
I ’ m a nurse in the PACU and was on call during a big ass snow storm .
I didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk getting called back in , so I stayed at the hospital that night on our little couch in our break room .
I dozed in and out throughout the night , but I got caught in some state between wakefulness and sleep and I fucking swear to God I felt this malevolent being in the room with me at one point .
It was super dark and I just felt…anger from it .
Like this unbridled hatred and rage .
It was so heavy it was palpable .
It almost felt like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anyway , it came down on top of me and pretty much collapsed through me and I just heard it cry in seething anger .
Then , it was gone and I was fully awake .
I ’ ve had sleep paralysis from time to time , but this felt different .
And I have NEVER felt such hatred from anything I ’ ve come across in my life , real or conjured .
The cliche part here is this happened around 3 am.
” — lucidzealot “ This is probably going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nursing student up on an ICU floor I was hanging antibiotics in my patient ’ s room when I heard an audible “ Hey ” .
I turn around and there is no one else in the room .
Mind you , my patient was intubated and sedated so there ’ s no possible way it was them .
It was a woman ’ s voice as well so I thought it was my preceptor .
I go back out to the nurses station and I asked my preceptor if that was her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention .
She told me no and and I ’ ve never seen someone ’ s eyes get so big .
Apparently the room I was in has had the most paranormal sitings and activity out of all the rooms on the unit .
Sitings as in shadows sitting in the corner of the room , voices being heard and curtains being flung violently across the railings .
No one ever told me about this room prior to my preceptorship so it just added to everyone ’ s beliefs it was haunted af.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more about my mom she ’ s a nurse .
She was walking through her nursing home and acting like it was a normal day .
But it wasn ’ t , people were looking at her really weirdly .
After a couple hours someone asked her what happened to her child ?
She asked what they were talking about .
They said that everyone has been seeing a bloody boy walking beside her all day .
Then she looked behind her and no one was there .
Then all day after that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child .
When she got home she looked up every incident at her nursing home .
She found something about a murder but I don ’ t remember the whole story.
” — Marshmallow88888 “ We had a little boy come by ambulance and was a toddler .
His parents had put him to bed and he was with a cold .
Nothing serious but developed tragically into more and he started coming in and out of conciousness .
We had to do a rapid intubation and he ended up passing away a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dad made it to hospital he kept talking about his baby sister Hannah .
Not soon after we had to life saving measures .
I was distraught because I had a son similar in age and a daughter named Hannah .
Fast forward .
Approximately two years later , family comes in with sick infant .
They remembered me ( I did once I recalled their story ) and I was their provider again .
Their daughter ’ s name was Hanna .
It startled me and I recalled with clarity the boy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assumed was alive and at home .
Nope , she wasn ’ t even conceived yet.
” — rkelrn “ My aunt is a nurse and told me some stories , but this one stuck with me .
There was an old lady who insisted on being strapped down at night in her bed .
She told my aunt that there was a dark figure that was trying to grab her and take her out of the room , where she would die .
My aunt and other nurses oblige and for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her and it would look as though someone was trying to pull her from the bed randomly while she slept .
My aunt is then off and whoever is this ladies nurse does not strap her down at night .
Nurses found the old lady dead , laying on the floor by the door , her hand stretched out past the door and into the hallway.
” — circle_stone “ I used to work in a nursing home as both a CNA and an LPN , and while nothing too crazy happened there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ordinary .
I remember one time after someone had died I was cleaning up her body and the door to the room swung wide open even though it had been firmly latched nobody was there .
It gave me the creeps There were instances of furniture being moved , lights turning on and off by themselves , and toilets randomly flushing by themselves as well .
I also remember I had one resident one night who asked me to make sure I closed the door to the closet that was at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me that when it was open “ that woman ” kept going in and out of it all night and it kept her awake.
” — eternalrefuge86 “ I ’ m an ICU nurse .
A patient ’ s son rang the hospital at 11pm on a Saturday night saying he was sure his dad was dying .
His dad had had a severe stroke and was doing okay , recovery would be difficult but he wasn ’ t expected to die and was pretty stable at the time .
I was looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of work because he would try to get up but couldn ’ t walk so he ’ d fallen a lot .
The son really wanted to come in , even though it ’ s way past visiting hours , but y ’ know I ’ ll bend the rules in a good cause .
I figured what the heck it ’ s his Saturday night , come on in and sit with your dad .
Patient died about 2 minutes before the son walked in the door .
It was like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died .
The last thing he said to me was “ am I bothering anyone ?
” .
I told him of course not , even though he had some very frustrating behaviour because of the stroke .
The son just started crying and screaming “ I knew it !
” .
How the heck he knew , we were all a bit freaked out.
” — penguintummy “ When I worked at the funeral home I was told a story about an elderly lady that had died .
The husband said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ring as she never took it off .
My coworker was in the morgue and was washing the body .
She removed the ring to mark it down on the paperwork .
As soon as she did , a styrofoam head they used for wigs went flying across the room .
She just said out loud , “ alright , alright .
I ’ ll put your ring back on.
” No more disturbances.
” — Wackydetective They see someone I don ’ t “ I ’ m a nurse .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
They often develop their own scenarios in their own head , often accompanied by vivid hallucinations .
Once during nightshift , I heard a woman scream in fear .
Checking on her , she managed to climb into her wheelchair in pure panic , wanting to flee her bedroom .
Asking what was wrong , she thought the building was on fire .
Now what ’ s important to mention here is , people often make claims that people are “ just crazy ” or “ dreaming badly ” or something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
People with hallucinations have been found to “ actually ” see , hear , smell , etc .
something , when their hallucinations occur , as the same locations in the brain are stimulated as if they would get real impulses .
That woman “ actually ” saw fire .
She “ actually ” smelled fire .
She didn ’ t just make that up “ to be crazy ” .
It ’ s what her brain told her was happening .
And she was in real panic for her life .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people see someone else in their room .
When they want me to guide someone out of the bedroom who isn ’ t actually there , seemingly standing right behind me .
And it makes no sense to discuss with them that no one ’ s there .
To them , someone IS there .
And you better do your best effort of improvising to guide that someone , even if it ’ s no one , outside .
Play along , and they ’ ll be fine .
This , to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They see something you don ’ t. ” — KingOfAnarchy

Parking lot ghost
“A staff member was sitting out in her car during night shift when some woman who knocked on her window and quickly disappeared. The next day she was discussing this out loud with the oncoming shift when someone pulled out a picture from old files based on the description provided. Apparently, it was a match to a former patient that had passed away at least 10 years before that staff member was hired.” — 88th_coward
Sweet justice
“Did a rotation in a burn unit. There are tons of stories that go around, but I’ll share my favorite. A pimp lit one of his prostitutes on fire, and she immediately bear hugged him causing them to both suffer pretty severe injuries (unfortunately hers included an inhalation burn). They both were being treated in the same icu but on opposite ends.
Weeks later she ends up coding and passes away, and after about 30 minutes as things start to quiet down, the guy starts screaming from his room “get her out! Get the god damn bitch out of my room!”” — MyDogOper8sBetrThanU
Sometimes they aren’t really dead
“There is probably some medical explanation for this, but still the weirdest thing I’ve seen as a nurse so far. We had a very robust, confused old lady on our floor. Her room was in front of the nurse’s station so we could keep an eye on her, and had one of our nurses aids as a sitter too. She was always fighting, kicking, trying to get out of bed. Very restless and agitated, as some patients I’ve had before can get before death. One day we were called into the room as her heart rate was going down and she lay still with her eyes open. It was 30…20…then flat lined. We checked for a pulse and did not find any. She was a DNR so we did not attempt resuscitation. We close her eyes, prepare to get the body bag and call the family, the sitter remains in there to start getting the body ready. Less than 10 minuets later she calls us back in. The old lady is at it again, hitting, kicking, trying to get out of the bed. She came back to life! Honestly we found the situation hilarious, and I still have never seen any patient come back like that on their own. I think she made it out of the hospital too.” — cheeezus_crust
Little girl omen
“I’ve worked in a small family run nursing home for 6 years as a nurse aide . It was a orphanage before it became a nursing home , and unfortunately before being shut down the orphanage had a history of Severe abuse and neglect , unfortunately It’s not gossip the owner herself has told us . When residents get close to death they always see a little girl . One of my patients a very alert gentleman he knew all our names and was very alert and oriented . I was passing dinner trays and saw that He had his back turned and was talking and laughing in the corner I knocked and asked him who he was talking to & he chucked and said “ this little girl came into my room , she was scared “ he died 3 days later . About 6 months later had another patient screaming about a little girl grabbing his feet and she needed to leave him alone . He died that night . She’s come up over the years it’s always the same thing they see her and then they die . Other coworkers have had the same experience. It’s very unsettling.” — Pyper151
She had to explain to him that he died
“A ward I worked on once had a patient who was a psychic/medium as a patient. We had a bit of a laugh with her as she was on the ward for a while (she’d had a stroke which affected her mobility) and she would do ‘readings’ for the staff etc from time to time. I took it all as just a bit of fun until one evening when she pressed her nurse call buzzer and told us to go check on a patient in a side room as he was dead. We went to check and sure enough found that the gentleman had died. Later on we asked our psychic patient how she had known and she told us she had seen him coming out if his room obviously distressed. She realised he had died and had to explain to him what had happened and help him to pass over/go to the light….now I am not a believer but that gave me the creeps.” — smackmacks
Touched
“I was working at night and one of the patients died while I was in the room, we tried everything to revive this person but it didn’t work so after doing the papers and everything I went to another place in the hospital and I swear to god that this patient who I saw dead, touch my right arm. I think that I have never cried that much in my life.” — GalaGalaxy_
The haunted floor
“I worked in a pediatric hospital and had always heard that the fourth floor right outside our oncology unit was haunted. I worked three twelves normally but would pick up overtime and picked up a night shift. I was working in the NICU which happened to also be on the fourth floor but on the opposite side. The oncology unit had a staircase that was a short cut down to the cafeteria which was on the second floor. At about 3am I was ready to take a short break and wanted a cup of coffee from the cafeteria so I decided to take that staircase. I walked through the automatic double doors and saw a kid skipping down the hall. I called out to him as I was afraid a little kid had snuck out of a patient room. As soon as I called out to him he turned and in the blink of an eye totally vanished. A lot of other nurses and docs had seen the same little kid skipping in that same hallway. Of course I chalked it up to just exhaustion and didn’t really think about it much after that. But you are damn sure I didn’t use that hallway at night ever again.” — agf0605
The veil is thin
“Back when I was a paramedic in Oakland I was taking care of an elderly gentleman in the back of my ambulance he looked up into the upper corner of the ambulance and said it’s okay Lulu I’ll be with you soon. His daughter was with him and told me that Lulu was his wife who died 20 years earlier. A few minutes later he went into cardiac arrest and passed on.” — HenryRN
Little girl ghost
“There is a little girl who haunts the burn unit of a large Military Medical treatment facility in the US. She has been seen by both staff and patients. Haunts may not be the correct term, but she has been witnessed by several.” — Jcc7089
Pastoral care knows what’s up
“We’ve actually had a room sprinkled with holy water several times by our pastoral care due to the amount of deaths we’ve had in the same room.” — BigJRitch
They linger
“I worked as a Medtech at an assisted living facility. One day a resident (I’ll call her Margaret) suddenly passed away and her family left all her belongings in the room that night including her pendant to call the staff for help. The next night Margaret’s neighbor called the staff because someone was talking in the room next door and keeping them awake. We brushed the resident off knowing that Margaret’s room was empty. About an hour later Margaret’s pendant started going off from her empty apartment. I was the only one willing to go turn it off so I walked into the room and it was FREEZING COLD in the middle of summer (the air conditioning was off.) Suddenly the bathroom door slammed as I was turning off the pendant light. I locked the door and ran back to the nurses station. We forced one of the older male staff members to go check out the entire room and he claims the door was still locked when he got down there and no one was in there.” — KaylaC-J
The ghosts wear gowns
“One of the rooms we have is obviously having something of a haunting. A man in a gown gestured one of the techs to come in, she went in and he was gone. One week earlier a female pt was asking to get a different room, because a man wouldn’t leave her room. We just thought it was some sort of delirium. Multiple others have seen him too.” — SavageAmallya
They mess with the lights
“I‘m a Labor and Delivery/Nursery nurse, mostly it’s call lights alarming from rooms that are completely empty. Sometimes it would coincide with apx the time of death on another unit, or be the anniversary of a fetal demise. However my creepiest… we have a button to push after a delivery to play a lullaby over the PA system announcing a birth through the hospital. One night no one was even in the same room as the button and the lullaby started playing. It did that twice then we unplugged the entire thing. It still went off once more that night, and again a few days later despite being entirely disconnected. That was a few years ago and no one ever heard it do that before or since.” — DrunkOnSushi
Malevolence
“This was an odd experience. I’m a nurse in the PACU and was on call during a big ass snow storm. I didn’t want to drive home and risk getting called back in, so I stayed at the hospital that night on our little couch in our break room. I dozed in and out throughout the night, but I got caught in some state between wakefulness and sleep and I fucking swear to God I felt this malevolent being in the room with me at one point. It was super dark and I just felt…anger from it. Like this unbridled hatred and rage. It was so heavy it was palpable. It almost felt like it was jealous I was alive? Anyway, it came down on top of me and pretty much collapsed through me and I just heard it cry in seething anger. Then, it was gone and I was fully awake. I’ve had sleep paralysis from time to time, but this felt different. And I have NEVER felt such hatred from anything I’ve come across in my life, real or conjured. The cliche part here is this happened around 3 am.” — lucidzealot
“Hey”
“This is probably going to get buried. When I was a nursing student up on an ICU floor I was hanging antibiotics in my patient’s room when I heard an audible “Hey”. I turn around and there is no one else in the room. Mind you, my patient was intubated and sedated so there’s no possible way it was them. It was a woman’s voice as well so I thought it was my preceptor. I go back out to the nurses station and I asked my preceptor if that was her in the room trying to catch my attention. She told me no and and I’ve never seen someone’s eyes get so big. Apparently the room I was in has had the most paranormal sitings and activity out of all the rooms on the unit. Sitings as in shadows sitting in the corner of the room, voices being heard and curtains being flung violently across the railings. No one ever told me about this room prior to my preceptorship so it just added to everyone’s beliefs it was haunted af.” — HELLAclogged
Bloody ghost
“This story is more about my mom she’s a nurse. She was walking through her nursing home and acting like it was a normal day. But it wasn’t, people were looking at her really weirdly. After a couple hours someone asked her what happened to her child? She asked what they were talking about. They said that everyone has been seeing a bloody boy walking beside her all day. Then she looked behind her and no one was there. Then all day after that people kept asking what happened to her child. When she got home she looked up every incident at her nursing home. She found something about a murder but I don’t remember the whole story.” — Marshmallow88888
Hannah
“We had a little boy come by ambulance and was a toddler. His parents had put him to bed and he was with a cold. Nothing serious but developed tragically into more and he started coming in and out of conciousness. We had to do a rapid intubation and he ended up passing away a few days later. Before Mom & Dad made it to hospital he kept talking about his baby sister Hannah. Not soon after we had to life saving measures. I was distraught because I had a son similar in age and a daughter named Hannah.
Fast forward. Approximately two years later, family comes in with sick infant. They remembered me (I did once I recalled their story) and I was their provider again. Their daughter’s name was Hanna. It startled me and I recalled with clarity the boy speaking of his sister, whom I assumed was alive and at home. Nope, she wasn’t even conceived yet.” — rkelrn
A dark figure
“My aunt is a nurse and told me some stories, but this one stuck with me.
There was an old lady who insisted on being strapped down at night in her bed. She told my aunt that there was a dark figure that was trying to grab her and take her out of the room, where she would die. My aunt and other nurses oblige and for the next few nights she would check on her and it would look as though someone was trying to pull her from the bed randomly while she slept. My aunt is then off and whoever is this ladies nurse does not strap her down at night. Nurses found the old lady dead, laying on the floor by the door, her hand stretched out past the door and into the hallway.” — circle_stone
“The Woman”
“I used to work in a nursing home as both a CNA and an LPN, and while nothing too crazy happened there were definitely things that happened out of the ordinary.
I remember one time after someone had died I was cleaning up her body and the door to the room swung wide open even though it had been firmly latched nobody was there. It gave me the creeps
There were instances of furniture being moved, lights turning on and off by themselves, and toilets randomly flushing by themselves as well. I also remember I had one resident one night who asked me to make sure I closed the door to the closet that was at the end of her bed- and she told me that when it was open “that woman” kept going in and out of it all night and it kept her awake.” — eternalrefuge86
Death predictions
“I’m an ICU nurse. A patient’s son rang the hospital at 11pm on a Saturday night saying he was sure his dad was dying. His dad had had a severe stroke and was doing okay, recovery would be difficult but he wasn’t expected to die and was pretty stable at the time. I was looking after him and he was a lot of work because he would try to get up but couldn’t walk so he’d fallen a lot. The son really wanted to come in, even though it’s way past visiting hours, but y’know I’ll bend the rules in a good cause. I figured what the heck it’s his Saturday night, come on in and sit with your dad. Patient died about 2 minutes before the son walked in the door. It was like a switch was turned off, he just died. The last thing he said to me was “am I bothering anyone?”. I told him of course not, even though he had some very frustrating behaviour because of the stroke. The son just started crying and screaming “I knew it!”. How the heck he knew, we were all a bit freaked out.” — penguintummy
She wanted her ring
“When I worked at the funeral home I was told a story about an elderly lady that had died. The husband said he wanted her to be buried with her ring as she never took it off. My coworker was in the morgue and was washing the body. She removed the ring to mark it down on the paperwork. As soon as she did, a styrofoam head they used for wigs went flying across the room. She just said out loud, “alright, alright. I’ll put your ring back on.” No more disturbances.” — Wackydetective
They see someone I don’t
“I’m a nurse. I’ve witnessed quite a lot with alzheimer people. They often develop their own scenarios in their own head, often accompanied by vivid hallucinations.
Once during nightshift, I heard a woman scream in fear. Checking on her, she managed to climb into her wheelchair in pure panic, wanting to flee her bedroom. Asking what was wrong, she thought the building was on fire.
Now what’s important to mention here is, people often make claims that people are “just crazy” or “dreaming badly” or something. But this is not the case. People with hallucinations have been found to “actually” see, hear, smell, etc. something, when their hallucinations occur, as the same locations in the brain are stimulated as if they would get real impulses.
That woman “actually” saw fire. She “actually” smelled fire. She didn’t just make that up “to be crazy”. It’s what her brain told her was happening. And she was in real panic for her life.
And the same applies to when those people see someone else in their room. When they want me to guide someone out of the bedroom who isn’t actually there, seemingly standing right behind me. And it makes no sense to discuss with them that no one’s there.
To them, someone IS there. And you better do your best effort of improvising to guide that someone, even if it’s no one, outside. Play along, and they’ll be fine.
This, to me, is the scariest thing at work. They see something you don’t.” — KingOfAnarchy


thoughtcatalog--2020-12-23--An Honest Letter To The Teen Girls We Used To Be

Every now and then , when the world has gone still and my mind begins to wander , I think about the teen girls we used to be .
How we were awkward and wide-eyed and naive .
How we were carefree and golden and bright .
How we felt everything so deeply , so intensely .
We were such beautiful messes , weren ’ t we ?
I look back at those days now and it ’ s like peering through a veil of fog .
I can still remember what we did , but I can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , most days , I forget what it was like to be us .
I forget what it was like to measure myself up to my classmates or vie for my crush ’ s attention or get pissed as hell at my parents for setting limitations that felt somehow unjust .
I forget what it was like to feel pressured to be more , to be enough , but to never be too much .
Even though I once swore to myself that I would always remember , I often forget what it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to figure everything out .
It ’ s strange to think that so many things that mattered so much in the moment are just afterthoughts now .
How I once hated myself for the way I looked , but now when I see old photographs , I wonder why .
How I couldn ’ t stand that girl from our chemistry class , but now I can ’ t even remember her name .
How I cried every night over a boy who broke my heart , but now he only ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his name .
I always cared so much about what everyone thought of me , but why ?
All their names are just footnotes in my life now .
Why did we always give so much power to people who never mattered in the first place ?
I ’ m not trying to say that the things that we ’ ve been through—the things that you ’ re going through—don ’ t matter .
They do .
Every emotion that moves through you is valid .
But when we ’ re young , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We convince ourselves that how the world is in the moment is how it ’ ll always be .
Just know that it won ’ t break you the way you thought it would .
It won ’ t ruin your life the way you always feared .
You will grow past this and look back and be thankful for what it taught you .
You will tell stories about it and maybe even laugh .
Some days it will seem so far away that you ’ ll wonder if it ever really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of growing up .
It ’ s sad , but it ’ s also beautiful .
Throughout the years , we become so many different versions of ourselves .
And sometimes we ’ ll grow to resent those versions , and sometimes we ’ ll grow to pity them , and sometimes we ’ ll fall so head-over-heels in love with them that we ’ ll want nothing more than to go back to who we were then .
But we can ’ t .
That ’ s what growth is—it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not quite what we were looking for .
That doesn ’ t mean you can ’ t continue to become someone you ’ re proud of .
There is always time to become who you ’ ve always wanted to be .
So I guess what I ’ m trying to say is that these days are important , but they aren ’ t everything .
You ’ ll fall down , you ’ ll get your heart broken , you ’ ll break down , but you ’ ll always get back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young is for , after all—it ’ s for making mistakes .
It ’ s for failing .
It ’ s for choosing the wrong person , sometimes again and again and again .
It ’ s for breaking the rules and dealing with the consequences .
It ’ s for learning to stand up for yourself and fight for what you believe in .
It ’ s for learning what you believe in .
It ’ s for reinventing yourself , sometimes several times a year .
And god , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so painful .
Some days you won ’ t want to get out of bed at all .
But you will get up eventually , and despite all odds , you ’ ll keep getting up .
That is strength .
That is growth .
So maybe we aren ’ t those teen girls anymore .
We ’ ll never be those people again .
But please know there is beauty in everything that we ’ ve gone through .
There is beauty in all those people we have been—even the one you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yourself .
Be kind .
Never let anyone convince you that you don ’ t have the right to be exactly who you are right now .
Because one day , when you too look back , you ’ ll feel so much love for those teen girls we used to be .

Every now and then, when the world has gone still and my mind begins to wander, I think about the teen girls we used to be. How we were awkward and wide-eyed and naive. How we were carefree and golden and bright. How we felt everything so deeply, so intensely. We were such beautiful messes, weren’t we?
I look back at those days now and it’s like peering through a veil of fog. I can still remember what we did, but I can’t always remember why. The truth is, most days, I forget what it was like to be us. I forget what it was like to measure myself up to my classmates or vie for my crush’s attention or get pissed as hell at my parents for setting limitations that felt somehow unjust. I forget what it was like to feel pressured to be more, to be enough, but to never be too much. Even though I once swore to myself that I would always remember, I often forget what it means to be a teen girl still trying to figure everything out.
It’s strange to think that so many things that mattered so much in the moment are just afterthoughts now. How I once hated myself for the way I looked, but now when I see old photographs, I wonder why. How I couldn’t stand that girl from our chemistry class, but now I can’t even remember her name. How I cried every night over a boy who broke my heart, but now he only ever crosses my mind when someone else speaks his name. I always cared so much about what everyone thought of me, but why? All their names are just footnotes in my life now. Why did we always give so much power to people who never mattered in the first place?
I’m not trying to say that the things that we’ve been through—the things that you’re going through—don’t matter. They do. Every emotion that moves through you is valid. But when we’re young, we give everything so much weight. We convince ourselves that how the world is in the moment is how it’ll always be. Just know that it won’t break you the way you thought it would. It won’t ruin your life the way you always feared. You will grow past this and look back and be thankful for what it taught you. You will tell stories about it and maybe even laugh. Some days it will seem so far away that you’ll wonder if it ever really happened.
That’s just part of growing up. It’s sad, but it’s also beautiful. Throughout the years, we become so many different versions of ourselves. And sometimes we’ll grow to resent those versions, and sometimes we’ll grow to pity them, and sometimes we’ll fall so head-over-heels in love with them that we’ll want nothing more than to go back to who we were then. But we can’t. That’s what growth is—it’s change, even when it’s not quite what we were looking for. That doesn’t mean you can’t continue to become someone you’re proud of. There is always time to become who you’ve always wanted to be.
So I guess what I’m trying to say is that these days are important, but they aren’t everything. You’ll fall down, you’ll get your heart broken, you’ll break down, but you’ll always get back up. That’s what being young is for, after all—it’s for making mistakes. It’s for failing. It’s for choosing the wrong person, sometimes again and again and again. It’s for breaking the rules and dealing with the consequences. It’s for learning to stand up for yourself and fight for what you believe in. It’s for learning what you believe in. It’s for reinventing yourself, sometimes several times a year. And god, it’s so messy. It’s so painful. Some days you won’t want to get out of bed at all. But you will get up eventually, and despite all odds, you’ll keep getting up. That is strength. That is growth.
So maybe we aren’t those teen girls anymore. We’ll never be those people again. But please know there is beauty in everything that we’ve gone through. There is beauty in all those people we have been—even the one you are now. So be easy on yourself. Be kind. Never let anyone convince you that you don’t have the right to be exactly who you are right now. Because one day, when you too look back, you’ll feel so much love for those teen girls we used to be.


thoughtcatalog--2020-12-22--How Rationing During The Pandemic Led To My Binge Eating Disorder

There ’ s an apocalypse on .
The world has been shuffled indoors .
Mouths are bound behind masks , hands are dry and sanitized , and supermarket shelves , well , they ’ re as naked as me on the day I was born .
It ’ s gotten pretty Hunger Games out here .
We ’ re hoarding tinned food , we can ’ t eat out anymore , and we can barely eat in these days , what with our finances rapidly fleeing from us quicker than we do from anybody who comes within a two-meter radius @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re preparing .
We ’ re planning for the uncertain times ahead .
We ’ re rationing our resources just in case this apocalypse becomes a Marvel-owned franchise .
So surely now is not the time to be binge eating ?
Right ?
Perhaps .
But try telling that to my binge eating disorder .
It won ’ t hear you over the sounds of it ’ s rampant chomping , though .
In a cruel twist of fate , it was the incessant rationing I chose to initiate at the beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disorder .
The ‘ Pocalypse Paradox , I call it .
Mother Nature must have seen how easy it was for me to adapt to this new state of life—I ’ m indoors pretty much all day every day due to my choice of career path , and for the fact that , honestly , I spend several solid hours lingering by the front door in wait for the postman to deliver my love letter from Robert Pattinson—so clearly she decided to lob a little something extra my way .
I restricted my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meal days in advance .
I wouldn ’ t even make eye contact with the cupboards containing my long-life foods because uh , no .
What if there ’ s a second apocalypse , but this time it targets only refrigerators ?
What if it ’ s only durable , canned meals that survive ?
I need to be prepared !
And let ’ s not forget we have vegetables that are dying with each passing moment there in the fridge .
They must not , will not go to waste .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ triangles for entire months .
But hey , it ’ s okay , I ’ ve been a student .
That ’ s still a better deal than surviving off vodka and takeaway containers and sprinklings of shame .
Anyway , as you can imagine if you know how eating disorders work , I quickly developed an eating disorder .
As studies seem to suggest , they are almost always a result of restriction .
It ’ s the predominant catalyst , and the longer you restrict , the more your metabolism prepares @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having just found out they can ’ t go to that Harry Styles concert because they didn ’ t clean their room .
So instead , they rebel .
They do the exact opposite .
They go anyway .
Possibly even meet Harry outside the stadium toilets , fall in love , paint their nails matching shades of pink and gold for their wedding in a lavender field .
Except , okay , that actually sounds like a pretty good outcome .
I , however , have not once found myself frolicking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready to marry a human-sized jar of peanut butter .
I have , however , found myself sprawled out across the sofa wearing nothing but three day old pajamas and seven layers of shame while I use my index finger to scrape out the dregs of that exact jar of peanut butter .
A jar that was previously unopened only half an hour prior .
It ’ s not quite as romantic , you know ?
But it happened .
And it happened a lot .
I can ’ t quite pinpoint the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intense restriction to such intense binge eating , but I think it was around my birthday in May ( set your reminders for next year , friends ) , when I ’ d voluntarily given myself , my body , permission to eat whatever I wanted because hey !
Lockdown birthday !
What else is there to do to celebrate ?
And from there and for several months afterwards , I went rabid .
I ’ d contacted an eating disorder support group , signed up and self-referred , and eventually got the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worker .
It seemed as though I actually had bulimia to begin with , because all this incessant overeating came with multiple add-ons of guilt .
It wasn ’ t just the added bodily weight I couldn ’ t bear , but also the weight of the shame , so I tried to account for that with excessive exercise .
No purging , nothing like that .
And even my exercise wasn ’ t too extreme ; I ’ d go out for a long hike , lasting no more than a couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was daily , .I ’ m a fast walker and my calorie intake was pretty low then , so it still contributed to my body ’ s frenzied need to binge .
This was during the summer .
It ’ s autumn now ( supposedly , though I ’ m still convinced it ’ s March—I can ’ t wait for Easter Eggs to resurface again ) .
And I am on a self-structured binge eating recovery plan .
Taking it day by day , I am finally letting myself look after myself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply because I didn ’ t realize that I had the strength to not do so .
I ’ ve bought and so far read half of Kathryn Hansen ’ s Brain Over Binge book ( it ’ s phenomenal , I highly recommend ) .
I ’ ve listened to podcasts , watched webinars , downloaded guides , and even printed off a checklist to help keep me accountable .
Each morning I remind myself , Remember ; you are in charge of what you think and of what you feel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do .
Anything you do not like you can change—if not tangibly , then you can always alter your mindset towards it .
Live as though tomorrow is your last day on Earth .
Live as though there are several parallel universe versions of you pining to just take your place .
Make them jealous .
Make them proud .
Eat slow , live fast .
That ’ s easier said than done , though right ?
It ’ s even easier typed .
But sometimes getting out of bed isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days , don ’ t we ?
We wash our dishes despite our intrinsic desire to just launch them in the bin and buy paper plates instead .
We wash ourselves despite our daily temptation to just embrace the ways of our cavemen ancestors .
We pursue love interests and then , later , we break up with them .
We emigrate .
We exercise .
We empower others .
We apply for jobs , we attend dental appointments , we fill out long-winded forms about money and housing and some other stuff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite do—and we do all of this often .
They ’ re not necessarily easy feats , but we do them , and we do them well .
And even when we don ’ t , even when we mess up , it ’ s okay .
It ’ s great , actually , because it means we at least tried .
That ’ s so much better than never trying at all .
We only ever fail if we quit or if we never start at all .
So here I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do it , I know I will do it , I know I am doing it—in and amongst any challenges that might arise along the way .
Because I ’ m human .
Persevering , tackling mountains , sailing into the storm , it ’ s what we do .
Just look back through the history of humanity ’ s existence ( try to skirt around some of the sketchy stuff ) and you ’ ll see .
It ’ s all there , printed in black and white and goldust .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ binge eating disorder .
And I ’ m going to do it the same way I brushed my hair this morning .
It might hurt , but it ’ s got to be done , or else this unruly mess will take over my life .
So instead , I tame it .
I take control .
Then I get out there , head high , and I feel the wind flowing through it .
A sunrise up above .

Trigger warning: Eating disorders
There’s an apocalypse on. The world has been shuffled indoors. Mouths are bound behind masks, hands are dry and sanitized, and supermarket shelves, well, they’re as naked as me on the day I was born. It’s gotten pretty Hunger Games out here. We’re hoarding tinned food, we can’t eat out anymore, and we can barely eat in these days, what with our finances rapidly fleeing from us quicker than we do from anybody who comes within a two-meter radius. We’re panicking. We’re preparing. We’re planning for the uncertain times ahead. We’re rationing our resources just in case this apocalypse becomes a Marvel-owned franchise.
So surely now is not the time to be binge eating? Right? Perhaps. But try telling that to my binge eating disorder. It won’t hear you over the sounds of it’s rampant chomping, though.
In a cruel twist of fate, it was the incessant rationing I chose to initiate at the beginning of lockdown that actually caused my eating disorder. The ‘Pocalypse Paradox, I call it. Mother Nature must have seen how easy it was for me to adapt to this new state of life—I’m indoors pretty much all day every day due to my choice of career path, and for the fact that, honestly, I spend several solid hours lingering by the front door in wait for the postman to deliver my love letter from Robert Pattinson—so clearly she decided to lob a little something extra my way.
I restricted my food hard. I planned out every meal days in advance. I wouldn’t even make eye contact with the cupboards containing my long-life foods because uh, no. What if there’s a second apocalypse, but this time it targets only refrigerators? What if it’s only durable, canned meals that survive? I need to be prepared! And let’s not forget we have vegetables that are dying with each passing moment there in the fridge. They must not, will not go to waste. I essentially lived on boiled cabbage and Dairylea triangles for entire months. But hey, it’s okay, I’ve been a student. That’s still a better deal than surviving off vodka and takeaway containers and sprinklings of shame.
Anyway, as you can imagine if you know how eating disorders work, I quickly developed an eating disorder. As studies seem to suggest, they are almost always a result of restriction. It’s the predominant catalyst, and the longer you restrict, the more your metabolism prepares to kick off. Think explosive teenager having just found out they can’t go to that Harry Styles concert because they didn’t clean their room. So instead, they rebel. They do the exact opposite. They go anyway. Possibly even meet Harry outside the stadium toilets, fall in love, paint their nails matching shades of pink and gold for their wedding in a lavender field. Except, okay, that actually sounds like a pretty good outcome. I, however, have not once found myself frolicking about along a shoreline in the Caribbean, ready to marry a human-sized jar of peanut butter.
I have, however, found myself sprawled out across the sofa wearing nothing but three day old pajamas and seven layers of shame while I use my index finger to scrape out the dregs of that exact jar of peanut butter. A jar that was previously unopened only half an hour prior. It’s not quite as romantic, you know?
But it happened. And it happened a lot. I can’t quite pinpoint the exact moment where I transitioned from such intense restriction to such intense binge eating, but I think it was around my birthday in May (set your reminders for next year, friends), when I’d voluntarily given myself, my body, permission to eat whatever I wanted because hey! Lockdown birthday! What else is there to do to celebrate? And from there and for several months afterwards, I went rabid.
I’d contacted an eating disorder support group, signed up and self-referred, and eventually got the help of a nutritionist and mental health worker. It seemed as though I actually had bulimia to begin with, because all this incessant overeating came with multiple add-ons of guilt. It wasn’t just the added bodily weight I couldn’t bear, but also the weight of the shame, so I tried to account for that with excessive exercise. No purging, nothing like that. And even my exercise wasn’t too extreme; I’d go out for a long hike, lasting no more than a couple of hours each time, but it was daily,.I’m a fast walker and my calorie intake was pretty low then, so it still contributed to my body’s frenzied need to binge.
This was during the summer. It’s autumn now (supposedly, though I’m still convinced it’s March—I can’t wait for Easter Eggs to resurface again). And I am on a self-structured binge eating recovery plan. Taking it day by day, I am finally letting myself look after myself rather than mindlessly succumbing to irrational urges simply because I didn’t realize that I had the strength to not do so. I’ve bought and so far read half of Kathryn Hansen’s Brain Over Binge book (it’s phenomenal, I highly recommend). I’ve listened to podcasts, watched webinars, downloaded guides, and even printed off a checklist to help keep me accountable. Each morning I remind myself, Remember; you are in charge of what you think and of what you feel. And most importantly, of what you do. Anything you do not like you can change—if not tangibly, then you can always alter your mindset towards it. Live as though tomorrow is your last day on Earth. Live as though there are several parallel universe versions of you pining to just take your place. Make them jealous. Make them proud. Eat slow, live fast.
That’s easier said than done, though right? It’s even easier typed. But sometimes getting out of bed isn’t easy, yet we manage that most days, don’t we? We wash our dishes despite our intrinsic desire to just launch them in the bin and buy paper plates instead. We wash ourselves despite our daily temptation to just embrace the ways of our cavemen ancestors. We pursue love interests and then, later, we break up with them. We emigrate. We exercise. We empower others. We apply for jobs, we attend dental appointments, we fill out long-winded forms about money and housing and some other stuff we should really look into but never quite do—and we do all of this often. They’re not necessarily easy feats, but we do them, and we do them well.
And even when we don’t, even when we mess up, it’s okay. It’s great, actually, because it means we at least tried. That’s so much better than never trying at all. We only ever fail if we quit or if we never start at all. So here I am, trying. I know I can do it, I know I will do it, I know I am doing it—in and amongst any challenges that might arise along the way. Because I’m human. Persevering, tackling mountains, sailing into the storm, it’s what we do. Just look back through the history of humanity’s existence (try to skirt around some of the sketchy stuff) and you’ll see. It’s all there, printed in black and white and goldust.
I’m going to recover from my binge eating disorder. And I’m going to do it the same way I brushed my hair this morning. It might hurt, but it’s got to be done, or else this unruly mess will take over my life. So instead, I tame it. I take control. Then I get out there, head high, and I feel the wind flowing through it. A sunrise up above.


thoughtcatalog--2020-12-22--How Each Zodiac Handles Anger In Their Relationships

You lose your temper without warning .
You spit out words you regret and apologize later .
When you ’ re really angry , you end up in tears .
You hate how emotional you get but you can ’ t stop yourself from crying .
You need space when you ’ re angry .
You need to spend some time apart from your person in order to cool yourself down .
You express your anger by acting passive-aggressive .
You give the silent treatment and drop a million hints about how pissed you are .
When you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You make them feel like shit for hurting you .
You spend some time alone with your thoughts .
You process your anger so you can really understand what ’ s bothering you before you speak to them about it .
You show your anger — without explaining your anger .
You make your partner guess what could possibly be wrong because you don ’ t want to tell them yourself .
You swear that you ’ re fine .
You cover up your real emotions in order to keep the peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list out all the reasons why you ’ re angry and hope your partner has a good explanation for you .
You get extremely quiet .
You withdraw completely and raise your walls .
You grow resentful and bitter over time .
You don ’ t actually express your anger until you reach a boiling point and explode .
You casually bring up what has upset you .
You try to make a joke out of it , even though it ’ s killing you inside .

Aries
You lose your temper without warning. You spit out words you regret and apologize later.
When you’re really angry, you end up in tears. You hate how emotional you get but you can’t stop yourself from crying.
Gemini
You need space when you’re angry. You need to spend some time apart from your person in order to cool yourself down.
Cancer
You express your anger by acting passive-aggressive. You give the silent treatment and drop a million hints about how pissed you are.
For the person who is always googling astrological compatibility when they meet someone new. How You’ll Do Everything Based On Your Zodiac Sign includes an exhaustive analysis of each sign’s personality. You’ll learn which high school clique represents them (Pisces are the cool art kids), who would get eaten first in a scary movie (Gemini, obviously) to how each sign prefers to say ‘I love you’ (for Taurus, it’s with good food). Alternating between silly, sweet, and serious, this book is filled with deep dives into the mind of everyone whose birth chart you can get your hands on. Buy now
Leo
When you’re angry, you guilt trip your person. You make them feel like shit for hurting you.
Virgo
You spend some time alone with your thoughts. You process your anger so you can really understand what’s bothering you before you speak to them about it.
You show your anger — without explaining your anger. You make your partner guess what could possibly be wrong because you don’t want to tell them yourself.
Scorpio
You swear that you’re fine. You cover up your real emotions in order to keep the peace.
Sagittarius
You are brutally honest. You list out all the reasons why you’re angry and hope your partner has a good explanation for you.
You get extremely quiet. You withdraw completely and raise your walls.
Aquarius
You grow resentful and bitter over time. You don’t actually express your anger until you reach a boiling point and explode.
Pisces
You casually bring up what has upset you. You try to make a joke out of it, even though it’s killing you inside.


thoughtcatalog--2020-12-22--Instead Of Texting Your Ex During The Holidays, Read These Winter Romances

1 .
One Day in December by Josie Silver “ Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn ’ t exist anywhere but the movies .
But then , through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day , she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one .
Their eyes meet , there ’ s a moment of pure magic…and then her bus drives away .
Certain they ’ re fated to find each other again , Laurie spends a year scanning every bus stop and cafe in London for him .
But she doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matters anyway .
Instead they ‘ reunite ’ at a Christmas party , when her best friend Sarah giddily introduces her new boyfriend to Laurie .
It ’ s Jack , the man from the bus .
It would be.
” “ It ’ s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones .
She ’ s living with her parents , hates her going-nowhere job , and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions .
But perhaps worst of all , this is the last Christmas Mae @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born , along with two other beloved families .
Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time , Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe : Please .
Show me what will make me happy .
The next thing she knows , tires screech and metal collides , everything goes black .
But when Mae gasps awake…she ’ s on an airplane bound for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holiday all over again .
With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane , Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.
” “ When Vivian Forest gets the chance to tag along on her daughter Maddie ’ s work trip to England to style a member of the royal family , she can ’ t refuse .
She ’ s excited to spend the holidays taking in the magnificent British sights , but what she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instantly attracted to a certain private secretary , his charming accent and unyielding formality .
Malcolm Hudson has never given a personal , private tour in his time with the royals – until now .
Intrigued by Vivian , he finds himself making excuses just to spend time with her .
Soon , flirtatious banter , results in a kiss under the mistletoe sure to keep the frostiest winter chill at bay .
With Vivian ’ s return to the US fast approaching , she and Malcolm will have to decide if this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love affair to change their lives.
” 4 .
Let it Snow by John Green , Maureen Johnson , and Lauren Myracle “ An ill-timed storm on Christmas Eve buries the residents of Gracetown under multiple feet of snow and causes quite a bit of chaos .
One brave soul ventures out into the storm from her stranded train and sets off a chain of events that will change quite a few lives .
Over the next three days one girl takes a risky shortcut with an adorable stranger , three friends set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Waffle House ( and the hash brown spoils ) , and the fate of a teacup pig falls into the hands of a lovesick barista.
” “ Rafe Bowman has just arrived from America for his arranged meeting with Natalie , the very proper and beautiful daughter of Lady and Lord Blandford .
His chiseled good looks and imposing physique are sure to impress the lady-in-waiting , and if it weren ’ t for his shocking American ways and wild reputation , her hand would already be guaranteed .
Before the courtship can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rules of London society .
But when four former Wallflowers try their hand at matchmaking , no one knows what will happen .
.
.
” by Sarah Morgenthaler Mistletoe and Mr .
Right by Sarah Morgenthaler “ Lana Montgomery is everything the quirky small town of Moose Springs , Alaska can ’ t stand : a rich socialite with dreams of changing things for the better .
But Lana ’ s determined to prove that she belongs…even if it means trading her stilettos for snow boots and tracking one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Santa Moose , an antlered Grinch hell-bent on destroying every bit of holiday cheer ( and tinsel ) it can sink its teeth into .
And really…how hard could it be ?
The last few years have been tough on Rick Harding , and it ’ s not getting any easier now that his dream girl ’ s back in town .
When Lana accidentally tranquilizes him instead of the Santa Moose , it ’ s clear she needs help , fast…and this could be his chance to finally catch her eye @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war , but if they can nab that darn moose before it destroys the town , Rick and Lana might finally find a place where they both belong…together.
” 7 .
The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss “ Kate Turner is happily single – a bit too happily , in fact .
Since returning to her hometown , the sleepy village of Blexford , love hasn ’ t really had a look in .
But Kate does love Christmas .
So when her best friend insists she signs up to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new dating app service , she doesn ’ t need too much persuading .
Twelve perfect festive dates with the area ’ s most eligible men – who could say no ?
Amongst the twinkling lights and falling snow , over hot chocolates and glasses of red wine , romance is easy to find .
But with each date , Kate learns more about the men , and even more about herself .
As the big day approaches , Kate ’ s left wondering – is it really the season for true love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coldest yet ?
”

“Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn’t exist anywhere but the movies. But then, through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one. Their eyes meet, there’s a moment of pure magic…and then her bus drives away.
Certain they’re fated to find each other again, Laurie spends a year scanning every bus stop and cafe in London for him. But she doesn’t find him, not when it matters anyway. Instead they ‘reunite’ at a Christmas party, when her best friend Sarah giddily introduces her new boyfriend to Laurie. It’s Jack, the man from the bus. It would be.”
2. In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.
But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy.
The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.”
3. Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory
“When Vivian Forest gets the chance to tag along on her daughter Maddie’s work trip to England to style a member of the royal family, she can’t refuse. She’s excited to spend the holidays taking in the magnificent British sights, but what she doesn’t expect is to become instantly attracted to a certain private secretary, his charming accent and unyielding formality.
Malcolm Hudson has never given a personal, private tour in his time with the royals – until now. Intrigued by Vivian, he finds himself making excuses just to spend time with her. Soon, flirtatious banter, results in a kiss under the mistletoe sure to keep the frostiest winter chill at bay.
With Vivian’s return to the US fast approaching, she and Malcolm will have to decide if this is simply a holiday romance or a love affair to change their lives.”
4. Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle
“An ill-timed storm on Christmas Eve buries the residents of Gracetown under multiple feet of snow and causes quite a bit of chaos. One brave soul ventures out into the storm from her stranded train and sets off a chain of events that will change quite a few lives. Over the next three days one girl takes a risky shortcut with an adorable stranger, three friends set out to win a race to the Waffle House (and the hash brown spoils), and the fate of a teacup pig falls into the hands of a lovesick barista.”
5. A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas
“Rafe Bowman has just arrived from America for his arranged meeting with Natalie, the very proper and beautiful daughter of Lady and Lord Blandford. His chiseled good looks and imposing physique are sure to impress the lady-in-waiting, and if it weren’t for his shocking American ways and wild reputation, her hand would already be guaranteed. Before the courtship can begin, Rafe realizes he must learn the rules of London society. But when four former Wallflowers try their hand at matchmaking, no one knows what will happen . . .”
“Lana Montgomery is everything the quirky small town of Moose Springs, Alaska can’t stand: a rich socialite with dreams of changing things for the better. But Lana’s determined to prove that she belongs…even if it means trading her stilettos for snow boots and tracking one of the town’s hairiest Christmas mysteries: the Santa Moose, an antlered Grinch hell-bent on destroying every bit of holiday cheer (and tinsel) it can sink its teeth into.
And really…how hard could it be?
The last few years have been tough on Rick Harding, and it’s not getting any easier now that his dream girl’s back in town. When Lana accidentally tranquilizes him instead of the Santa Moose, it’s clear she needs help, fast…and this could be his chance to finally catch her eye. It’s an all-out Christmas war, but if they can nab that darn moose before it destroys the town, Rick and Lana might finally find a place where they both belong…together.”
7. The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
“Kate Turner is happily single – a bit too happily, in fact. Since returning to her hometown, the sleepy village of Blexford, love hasn’t really had a look in.
But Kate does love Christmas. So when her best friend insists she signs up to the Twelve Dates of Christmas, a brand new dating app service, she doesn’t need too much persuading. Twelve perfect festive dates with the area’s most eligible men – who could say no?
Amongst the twinkling lights and falling snow, over hot chocolates and glasses of red wine, romance is easy to find. But with each date, Kate learns more about the men, and even more about herself.
As the big day approaches, Kate’s left wondering – is it really the season for true love, or will this Christmas be the coldest yet?”


thoughtcatalog--2020-12-22--The Comfortable Choice Isn’t Always The Right Choice

You shouldn ’ t automatically take the easy route without really stopping to think through your choices .
You shouldn ’ t assume the answer to your problems is the obvious one — to keep doing what you ’ re doing , to choose the path of least resistance , to make the decision everyone else has been pushing you into making .
Even though one choice might be much more complicated and require much more change , it might be the best option for you in the long-run .
Putting yourself through extra stress now might be the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You don ’ t want to settle for an average existence .
You don ’ t want to stop moving forward once you ’ ve reached a comfortable point because you ’ re scared of losing everything you fought so hard to gain .
Life is unpredictable .
Sometimes , you ’ re going to need to step into the unknown .
Sometimes , you ’ re going to need to take risks .
Sometimes , you ’ re going to need to do the things that scare you .
Otherwise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where you ’ ll never be happy — and you deserve to be happy .
Remember , there ’ s a big difference between feeling comfortable and feeling fulfilled .
It ’ s not greedy to want more out of life .
It ’ s not selfish to say what you have isn ’ t good enough and you want to search for more .
You ’ re allowed to make changes .
You ’ re allowed to say goodbye to certain places and embark on new adventures .
The comfortable choice isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even though it ’ s the most tempting choice , the choice you assume is the safest bet .
The easiest thing to do is continue down the path you ’ ve already laid for yourself .
It ’ s what everyone is expecting you to do , so there aren ’ t any surprises .
It ’ s familiar — for you and everyone around you .
However , it ’ s easy to confuse familiarity with comfort .
It ’ s easy to assume you must be happy because you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , you have to take the time to sit yourself down and ask yourself whether you ’ re actually in the place you want to be .
You have to figure out whether you ’ re doing what you want or whether you ’ re simply going wherever life takes you , even if that ’ s in a direction you aren ’ t all that excited about .
You never want to get so comfortable in a situation that there ’ s no escaping it .
You never want to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , truly happy with your world .
You can ’ t assume you ’ re on the right path without putting any thought into it .
Check in with yourself regularly .
Put as much effort into getting to know yourself as you put into forming bonds with other people .
Remember , the most comfortable choice isn ’ t always the right choice for you to make .
Sometimes , you have to break out from your comfort zone .
Sometimes , you have to take a chance on yourself , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though it makes you uncomfortable .
Yes , you could lose something wonderful by making the riskier choice , but you could also gain something wonderful .

You shouldn’t automatically take the easy route without really stopping to think through your choices. You shouldn’t assume the answer to your problems is the obvious one — to keep doing what you’re doing, to choose the path of least resistance, to make the decision everyone else has been pushing you into making.
Even though one choice might be much more complicated and require much more change, it might be the best option for you in the long-run. Putting yourself through extra stress now might be the only way to achieve fulfillment in the future.
You don’t want to settle for an average existence. You don’t want to stop moving forward once you’ve reached a comfortable point because you’re scared of losing everything you fought so hard to gain.
Life is unpredictable. Sometimes, you’re going to need to step into the unknown. Sometimes, you’re going to need to take risks. Sometimes, you’re going to need to do the things that scare you. Otherwise, you might get trapped in a situation where you’ll never be happy — and you deserve to be happy.
Remember, there’s a big difference between feeling comfortable and feeling fulfilled. It’s not greedy to want more out of life. It’s not selfish to say what you have isn’t good enough and you want to search for more. You’re allowed to make changes. You’re allowed to say goodbye to certain places and embark on new adventures.
The comfortable choice isn’t always the right choice, even though it’s the most tempting choice, the choice you assume is the safest bet.
The easiest thing to do is continue down the path you’ve already laid for yourself. It’s what everyone is expecting you to do, so there aren’t any surprises. It’s familiar — for you and everyone around you. However, it’s easy to confuse familiarity with comfort. It’s easy to assume you must be happy because you’ve never lived any other way.
However, you have to take the time to sit yourself down and ask yourself whether you’re actually in the place you want to be. You have to figure out whether you’re doing what you want or whether you’re simply going wherever life takes you, even if that’s in a direction you aren’t all that excited about.
You never want to get so comfortable in a situation that there’s no escaping it. You never want to stop asking yourself whether you’re really, truly happy with your world. You can’t assume you’re on the right path without putting any thought into it. Check in with yourself regularly. Put as much effort into getting to know yourself as you put into forming bonds with other people.
Remember, the most comfortable choice isn’t always the right choice for you to make. Sometimes, you have to break out from your comfort zone. Sometimes, you have to take a chance on yourself, even though it’s scary, even though it makes you uncomfortable. Yes, you could lose something wonderful by making the riskier choice, but you could also gain something wonderful.


thoughtcatalog--2020-12-22--Why You Should Be Excited About Going Into 2021 Single

1 .
I don ’ t have to worry about what I look like or what I ’ m wearing while I ’ m just chilling on my days off .
Hair up in a messy bun , no makeup , no pants , no problem .
2 .
I don ’ t have to shave my fucking legs .
4 .
I get to starfish on my bed and take up as much space as I want .
It ’ s heaven .
5 .
I get to masturbate as much as I want .
6 .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a relationship , I always felt like I needed to check my phone 24/7 .
I like being able to just chill and play videogames , watch a movie , or hang with friends without checking my phone consistently .
7 .
If I feel like reorganizing or redecorating my apartment , I can .
If I want to go out to eat , I can .
If I feel like cooking something at home , I can .
I can choose how I use my time .
I can choose how I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how I save my money .
8 .
Nobody gets upset with me for having close platonic relationships .
9 .
My mind isn ’ t constantly thinking about someone else .
I just think about me and my wants all day for the most part , instead of constantly wondering either what they ’ re up to , thinking , want , how much I like them , how much I ’ m mad at them , if we ’ re stable or rocky , how much I want to see them… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t have to worry about my mental health affecting somebody I love .
11 .
I learned to love myself without needing anyone else ’ s words of affirmation .
12 .
Not having to remember trivial dates , buy extra gifts during holidays or for specific ones , not having to justify my purchases , share food , decide on food .
13 .
I am allowed to have bad days where I can freely curse without having to explain to the other person that no , I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I don ’ t want to talk about it right now 14 .
All my stuff is mine and no one else ’ s .
15 .
The only things stressing me are my own stressors .
I don ’ t have to help support someone else through theirs .
16 .
I can wake up and go to sleep at any time I want without messing up my SO ’ s sleeping patterns .
17 .
No longer being forced to hang out with their friends .
18 .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sadness , not someone else ’ s .
19 .
Eating whatever I want at any time I want without having to have a discussion and planning it .
20 .
I can take up a whole walk-in closet and have two dressers .
No one is going to talk shit to me about having too many clothes .
21 .
Nobody is messing up my Netflix algorithm .
22 .
I can do whatever I want , whenever I want , without checking in with anyone .
Not having to worry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or FaceTiming them , or calling them .
Not having to worry about getting cheated on .
Not having to deal with someone ’ s BS , attitude , or mood swings .
Not having to worry about setting up dates and whatnot to keep things fresh .
Not having to deal with someone ’ s ex .
Literally just being able to have a peaceful life and doing what you want to the fullest without anyone ’ s say .
24 .
I have time to grow and explore my mind without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
25 .
I answer to my cat , only .
26 .
I no longer have to explain/educate/teach someone how to treat me with basic human kindness and respect .
27 .
Less drama for sure .
Life is just much easier .
28 .
No one can cheat on/abuse me .
29 .
I don ’ t have to take into account someone else ’ s wants and needs when making life decisions .
30 .
I would say one of the biggest things I like about being single is being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You don ’ t realize how much being in a relationship can blind you to how you ’ ve changed , or how love can numb you to certain things .
When I got out of that relationship and once the initial crying and being depressed phase ended I slowly realized how much happier I was and how much I ’ ve changed , some of it good and some bad , but it was like being able to see myself through a clear lens and not through a distorted one

Some single people from Ask Reddit have listed out their favorite part about being single, so you remember it’s not so bad after all:
1. I don’t have to worry about what I look like or what I’m wearing while I’m just chilling on my days off. Hair up in a messy bun, no makeup, no pants, no problem.
2. I don’t have to shave my fucking legs.
4. I get to starfish on my bed and take up as much space as I want. It’s heaven.
5. I get to masturbate as much as I want.
6. In the past when I’ve been in a relationship, I always felt like I needed to check my phone 24/7. I like being able to just chill and play videogames, watch a movie, or hang with friends without checking my phone consistently.
7. If I feel like reorganizing or redecorating my apartment, I can.
If I want to go out to eat, I can. If I feel like cooking something at home, I can.
I can choose how I use my time. I can choose how I spend my money. I can choose how I save my money.
8. Nobody gets upset with me for having close platonic relationships.
9. My mind isn’t constantly thinking about someone else. I just think about me and my wants all day for the most part, instead of constantly wondering either what they’re up to, thinking, want, how much I like them, how much I’m mad at them, if we’re stable or rocky, how much I want to see them… It feels extremely freeing.
10. I don’t have to worry about my mental health affecting somebody I love.
11. I learned to love myself without needing anyone else’s words of affirmation.
12. Not having to remember trivial dates, buy extra gifts during holidays or for specific ones, not having to justify my purchases, share food, decide on food.
13. I am allowed to have bad days where I can freely curse without having to explain to the other person that no, I am not mad at them, and no, I don’t want to talk about it right now
14. All my stuff is mine and no one else’s.
15. The only things stressing me are my own stressors. I don’t have to help support someone else through theirs.
16. I can wake up and go to sleep at any time I want without messing up my SO’s sleeping patterns.
17. No longer being forced to hang out with their friends.
18. I’m only responsible for my own happiness and sadness, not someone else’s.
19. Eating whatever I want at any time I want without having to have a discussion and planning it.
20. I can take up a whole walk-in closet and have two dressers. No one is going to talk shit to me about having too many clothes.
21. Nobody is messing up my Netflix algorithm.
22. I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, without checking in with anyone.
23. PEACE.
Not having to worry about texting back someone all day, or FaceTiming them, or calling them.
Not having to worry about getting cheated on.
Not having arguments.
Not having to deal with someone’s BS, attitude, or mood swings.
Not having to worry about setting up dates and whatnot to keep things fresh.
Not having to deal with someone’s ex.
Literally just being able to have a peaceful life and doing what you want to the fullest without anyone’s say.
24. I have time to grow and explore my mind without projecting my insecurities and immaturities onto someone.
25. I answer to my cat, only.
26. I no longer have to explain/educate/teach someone how to treat me with basic human kindness and respect.
27. Less drama for sure. Life is just much easier.
28. No one can cheat on/abuse me.
29. I don’t have to take into account someone else’s wants and needs when making life decisions.
30. I would say one of the biggest things I like about being single is being able to see myself clearly again. You don’t realize how much being in a relationship can blind you to how you’ve changed, or how love can numb you to certain things. When I got out of that relationship and once the initial crying and being depressed phase ended I slowly realized how much happier I was and how much I’ve changed, some of it good and some bad, but it was like being able to see myself through a clear lens and not through a distorted one


thoughtcatalog--2020-12-22--30 Acts Of Love That Are Romantic In Movies — But Creepy AF In Real Life

1 .
Having scream-fighting matches with your partner constantly because you ’ re both so “ passionate ” like in The Notebook… Nah bro .
You ’ re just incompatible .
That shit ain ’ t cute .
2 .
Relentlessly pursuing an ex who clearly doesn ’ t want you back .
Sorry dude , leaving wine and roses in your ex girlfriend ’ s car while she ’ s at work isn ’ t cute , it ’ s super creepy and stalkerish .
3 .
Serenading them at their doorstep .
4 .
Forced kisses to shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s being emotional and trying to work through her feelings and all you do is claim her lips .
No .
5 .
Showing up at my apartment unannounced .
Even if we ’ re close friends , if you show up at my home without texting first I ’ m not answering the door .
6 .
Staring at you while you sleep .
( Looking at you Edward Cullen , you creepy ass son of a bitch ) 7 .
Obsessive and unrequited love sometimes spanning YEARS that ultimately succeeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down , and realizes they ’ re a big dummy and they loved them after all .
8 .
Using big public displays of affection to show you ’ re worthy of love ( just public humiliation for the crush ) .
9 .
Threatening to hurt yourself if they don ’ t date you .
10 .
An overdramatic proposal in front of a bunch of strangers .
11 .
Pursuing someone who is already in a relationship .
12 .
Surprising your partner with massive financial decisions .
If you don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to weigh in before you buy me a car or even a fucking house !
13 .
Showing up at someone ’ s work… If someone I was dating showed up at my office , I would be mortified !
Like learn some boundaries people !
!
14 .
Grabbing a hold of a woman ’ s arm and keeping her from walking away .
15 .
Being told no fifty times hoping for a yes .
It ’ s shown to be persistent and innocent , but in reality it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sending flowers to a workplace without being married or in a committed relationship .
17 .
Any kind of combat .
Sword fights , fisticuffs , or any other kind of violence on behalf of the person you ’ re trying to woo .
And even if violence is called for – if you do end up being the person who physically saves a woman from harm ?
That is not the time for flirting .
18 .
When “ couples ” are fake dating and trying to convince their family , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front of everyone to prove their love .
No family would ever do this in real life , it ’ s fucking weird .
Like please , make out in front of Nana and your Uncle Ken .
19 .
Stopping someone ’ s wedding and asking them to be with you .
Really ?
You couldn ’ t shoot your shot before the wedding ?
Its not a surprise event .
You ’ re really going to embarrass everyone involved and destroy their wedding day when you could have just showed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple gets into a fight and is on a break or broke up and then she comes home and there is rose petals and stuff that is all supposed to be a sweet romantic thing and he tells her he is sorry and how much he loves her .
DUDE BROKE INTO HER HOUSE AND COULD TOTALLY BE THERE TO MURDER HER SO THEY CAN BE TOGETHER FOREVER CLEARLY HE WASNT ACCEPTING THE BREAK UP .
22 .
Kissing someone who is asleep .
23 .
Standing outside someone ’ s window blaring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have at least one crazy neighbor who would call the cops if someone pulled that shit irl .
24 .
Breaking through airport security to profess your love .
Have fun getting tased and sent to prison jackass .
25 .
Bumping into the same person over and over again .
26 .
Therapists dating or having sex with their patients .
“ Oh but they have such a deep connection !
” No , that ’ s a malpractice lawsuit in the making .
27 .
When people talk like really close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inches apart .
28 .
Turning up at your door with flowers .
I once had a chap do this to me – I ’ d cancelled the first date as I got a creepy vibe from him .
He stalked me online , found my address , drove 3 hours and turned up with a dozen red roses .
Luckily I got a family member to answer the door and say I wasn ’ t there , as he ’ d texted me half an hour before to ask whether I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this was NOT okay .
29 .
Maybe more disgusting than creepy but having spontaneous sex then just putting their clothes back on and going about their day without even cleaning themselves up .
30 .
Romantically throwing rocks at someone ’ s window to get their attention .
Bruh you better be ready to pay for insurance .

Ask Reddit has pointed out some romantic gestures that seem sweet in movies — but are not appropriate in the real world!
1. Having scream-fighting matches with your partner constantly because you’re both so “passionate” like in The Notebook… Nah bro. You’re just incompatible. That shit ain’t cute.
2. Relentlessly pursuing an ex who clearly doesn’t want you back. Sorry dude, leaving wine and roses in your ex girlfriend’s car while she’s at work isn’t cute, it’s super creepy and stalkerish.
3. Serenading them at their doorstep.
4. Forced kisses to shut them up. My guy, she’s being emotional and trying to work through her feelings and all you do is claim her lips. No.
5. Showing up at my apartment unannounced. Even if we’re close friends, if you show up at my home without texting first I’m not answering the door.
6. Staring at you while you sleep. (Looking at you Edward Cullen, you creepy ass son of a bitch)
7. Obsessive and unrequited love sometimes spanning YEARS that ultimately succeeds because the less interested party gets worn down, and realizes they’re a big dummy and they loved them after all.
8. Using big public displays of affection to show you’re worthy of love (just public humiliation for the crush).
9. Threatening to hurt yourself if they don’t date you.
10. An overdramatic proposal in front of a bunch of strangers.
11. Pursuing someone who is already in a relationship.
12. Surprising your partner with massive financial decisions. If you don’t mind, I’d like to weigh in before you buy me a car or even a fucking house!
13. Showing up at someone’s work… If someone I was dating showed up at my office, I would be mortified! Like learn some boundaries people!!
14. Grabbing a hold of a woman’s arm and keeping her from walking away.
15. Being told no fifty times hoping for a yes. It’s shown to be persistent and innocent, but in reality it would be stalking and harassment.
16. Sending flowers to a workplace without being married or in a committed relationship.
17. Any kind of combat. Sword fights, fisticuffs, or any other kind of violence on behalf of the person you’re trying to woo.
And even if violence is called for – if you do end up being the person who physically saves a woman from harm? That is not the time for flirting.
18. When “couples” are fake dating and trying to convince their family, then the family forces them to kiss in front of everyone to prove their love. No family would ever do this in real life, it’s fucking weird. Like please, make out in front of Nana and your Uncle Ken.
19. Stopping someone’s wedding and asking them to be with you. Really? You couldn’t shoot your shot before the wedding? Its not a surprise event. You’re really going to embarrass everyone involved and destroy their wedding day when you could have just showed up last Wednesday?
20. Casually stalking who they’re pursuing.
21. When the couple gets into a fight and is on a break or broke up and then she comes home and there is rose petals and stuff that is all supposed to be a sweet romantic thing and he tells her he is sorry and how much he loves her.
DUDE BROKE INTO HER HOUSE AND COULD TOTALLY BE THERE TO MURDER HER SO THEY CAN BE TOGETHER FOREVER CLEARLY HE WASNT ACCEPTING THE BREAK UP.
22. Kissing someone who is asleep.
23. Standing outside someone’s window blaring music — like 98% of people have at least one crazy neighbor who would call the cops if someone pulled that shit irl.
24. Breaking through airport security to profess your love. Have fun getting tased and sent to prison jackass.
25. Bumping into the same person over and over again.
26. Therapists dating or having sex with their patients. “Oh but they have such a deep connection!” No, that’s a malpractice lawsuit in the making.
27. When people talk like really close to each others faces, like two inches apart.
28. Turning up at your door with flowers. I once had a chap do this to me – I’d cancelled the first date as I got a creepy vibe from him. He stalked me online, found my address, drove 3 hours and turned up with a dozen red roses. Luckily I got a family member to answer the door and say I wasn’t there, as he’d texted me half an hour before to ask whether I was home. I later let him know that this was NOT okay.
29. Maybe more disgusting than creepy but having spontaneous sex then just putting their clothes back on and going about their day without even cleaning themselves up.
30. Romantically throwing rocks at someone’s window to get their attention. Bruh you better be ready to pay for insurance.