Another year of doing my best to live! I posted last year, https://www.reddit.com/r/MadeMeSmile/comments/1mlerz1/6_years_to_the_day_i_attempted_an_early_exit/ , and my heart absolutely soared with the interactions in the comments and the many messages and conversations I had since then. So I hope this helps a few people again this time.

7 years ago yesterday, I bid my horribly abusive then-fiance a painful but relieved farewell, and climbed out onto a bridge. While I shuffled out on the ledge to a spot I hoped would end me on impact, if not with the ground them a semi doing 70 mph (I'm aware how selfish it is to put others at risk for my own gain; all I can say is that in that moment I simply could not care, and also I did not turn to paste on a poor truckers grill), the police came and a lone older officer spoke with me for a few minutes before grabbing my shirt through the fence when I moved to jump. He begged, he cried for me, for his men watching 20 yards away helplessly, and I wept and I broke and I lived. Not well at first, not a while even, but I did live.

I was 28 then, 35 now. The last fifth of my life just wasn't going to be, and yet here I am, moving forward every day. I made progress my addiction 5 years ago and every day is glorious, even when it fucking sucks, even when it feels like I'm fighting life itself. Taking the lashings, in stride when I can, with renewed vigor when the beat me down, just continues to be worth it. I wouldn't have had the chance for my brother and I to be flower girls at my little sister's wedding last week. I wouldn't be fretfully raising a nearly teenage girl in today's America. I wouldn't be less than a year from my degree. Some of these things are hard, not enjoyable at times, but they are in my life because I am alive. And that makes me happy.

So to those who need to hear it, stay alive with me. Keep moving forward.

***Edit: In retrospect my text screenshot did deserve more context. So a few terminally online people seem to think that I am bragging about having threatened suicide to avoid taking care of my children and perhaps that was the "abuse". If only I were a such piece of shit, life would be so much easier.

No, I have sole custody of both of my children.

Some context: my ex did literally nothing for my kids since birth. And her lifestyle nearly resulted in the stillbirth of my youngest. She'd dodge highly necessary appointments my youngest needed to the point the cops would come to the house to make her go to the hospital. She'd beat me with frying pans, mace me in my sleep, slash tires, constantly threaten to leave with the kids if I didn't keep her chosen substances flowing.

The screenshot I shared was just what i thought was going to be my last text. I got out of the behavioral health ward of the hospital, came home to find my dog dead in the street because my ex let her out unleashed out of annoyance. Keep in mind we were staying with my parents' and she had all the help in the world while I spent 3 days trying to stop wanting to die (while being harassed by my ex via phone to the point they stopped taking her calls). While burying my dog, my ex had to change a diaper, and so hours of insults, jeers, and joy over my failures just poured out. I guess at least there wasn't a "welcome home loser" sign like that time I got laid off my dream job... So I left to die, and just took a couple maligned jabs on the way down.

So my kids are here, happy, and healthy. And regardless of some bitter comments, I know I'm their fuckin' hero and thats not just another thing to live for, but something I can live up to.

Also lost 130lbs. I feel better.

2022 Honda Rebel 500 ABS just under 3500 miles. Paid 3900$

I’ve posted on here before when I first got dentures and it has been close to two years already since then!

I got married since then, got a better job, even got my drivers license and got my first car too(my teeth weren’t the only thing neglected🤘) but I feel so at peace with myself now. I never knew how much I would actually change my life making this once decision for myself.

Wanted to post again to say I’m happy to answer any questions anyone has about getting them done so you can smile again too! 😁

(Swipe for the before picture)

In early 2013 I was diagnosed with a rare cancer in adults and it took 10 years to beat it. In the interim I had to drop out of college due to the disease and how difficult treatments were. 3 years ago I got my bachelor's and started my Master's. Today, I graduated (4.0 GPA!) as Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling!

asian parents. iykyk.

I saw the post of the 1 year anniversary of their last suicide attempt (can I call it that?) and thought I’d post my latest achievement. Been a freaking difficult time, but I’ve managed to stay out of hospital and trouble all while being mostly happy which is a nice change after 3 years straight of hospital admissions, suicide attempts and first aid kit purchases. Go me. Tempted to get a cake for my 2 year mark that says “cut me instead”

Edit: the overwhelming positivity here has made my week.

First pic is from the day I had my surgery in 2023; second pic is from late 2025. I gained almost 3 stone since the operation and transformed my diet and lifestyle

I feel like I am dreaming :D Just wanted to share this beautiful moment with you all! Ahhhhhh!

I want to thank all the people, that commented, upvoted and gave this post awards! I am really overwhelmed, not being a social media person. It feels absolutely incredible to know how much positivity people still have in their hearts, despite all the bad stuff we see online daily.

I love you all! What you do really matters! Never forget it! Every little thing is big for someone else out there!

I just wanna hold child me and tell her "we did it" 🥹

And for anyone that needs to hear it, you can do it too! It's not easy, but it's worth it.

Edit: thanks for all the love, my phone's dying and I refuse to leave the hammock to get a charger but I appreciate all of it all the same 🖤

Edit 2: I have added cat tax and the Welsh balaclava to my profile

Backstory:

In September of 2025 I got laid off and was unemployed up until December 2025 then got laid off again on April 2026. After making the extremely difficult decision to move and interviewing extensively for months I finally landed a job with good benefits, stability and in the state I’ve been wanting to work in for a while.

Edit: THANK YOU SO SO MUCH TO EVERYONE FOR THE KIND WORDS 🫶🏾🫶🏾😭😭 I am so so nervous for this new chapter of my life and I’m scared about how it will go but looking forward to it. Job seeker that’s reading me: YOUR TIME WILL COME! My advice? COLD CALL AGENCIES yes it’s nuts and scary but it helped me quite a lot getting seen and having my resume out there. The market is horrible and I sympathize with you but your time WILL come I promise

They will be aired on Disney+ on April 27th, 2026. Here are three short clips from Moana, Frozen, and Encanto. The power of ASL is just beautiful. Enjoy!

Get regularly checked, friends. Early detection saves lives ♡

Second round of IVF success!

I’ve been rotting in bed for a few months and physically couldn’t get myself to do anything about it but today I chugged caffeine and put a show on my tv and just kept moving 😭 I feel like I can breathe

I was adopted from Russia when I was 3 by an American couple. I had a pretty normal childhood, my three other siblings were my parent's biological children. My parents always said that they loved me as much as my other siblings and I never doubted it.

Over these past few months, something really awful happened between my brother and they ultimately ended up taking his side. I was blamed for it and they cut me off. They said they were going to through away all of my personal things since I wasn't their daughter anymore, but I begged them to let me come get them after I was done with my finals. I only only found out about the letter recently and it makes me think they never would have made it known to me for their own selfish reasons.

I was able to get a box full of stuff including the letter and my biological mother's baby blanket. Seeing my own mom's handwriting made me so emotional and I have been holding the letter against my chest every night while I fall asleep. I have never felt more at peace to know how much she loved(loves) me and I hope to meet her some day if possible.

Day 0 / Day 1 / Day 365!

I get my permanent ones next week, so these are still my temporary ones!

Six years ago, I made one small choice. That eventually led to a second small choice, then a third, etc. And with time, and a lot of help, I've become the best version of myself. Along with taking care of myself, I've learned how to love myself, and how those two things are intertwined.

So I've made a tradition of posting about my journey every March 23rd. I continue to evolve. Live isn't perfect, obviously, but I am so grateful to be here.

Still wild to think of where I was, emotionally, mentally, physically 6 years ago. I stepped off the overpass, and finally found the help I needed for so many things a year later. Switched my addiction to progress, and I'm so fucking proud of myself.

I greatly missed the amazing feeling of haircut day!!!