Answering questions at Boston College O’Neill Library
While you may not like explaining your feelings, I think expressing your thoughts could help with the misunderstandings you’re dealing with. Ideally, if you and those who misunderstand you can find some common ground, things can improve.
For those of a certain age it was 90 Bedford St, New York, NY 10014 in the West Village. For those even more of a certain age it was Z, double O, M, Box 3-5-O, Boston, Mass. 0-2-1-3-4. But maybe that’s not the kind of thing you’re talking about? Facebook claims to provide “friends,” but I’m dubious. Some humans I know speak wistfully about a place called MySpace. I’ve seen many people greet each other with friendly waves in my home, the O’Neill Library lobby at Boston College. I think the address is wherever you are.
Be (gently) honest with him and manage expectations. Let him know that (barring a true emergency) you need time for – whatever else you do – but also let him know when you are available and that you want to be there for him. But you can’t make him happy; that’s on him.
Good luck trying. In my experience, this is very difficult, and leads to too much loss of sleep on your part – see the brilliant XKCD: xkcd.com/386/
Maybe not having a favorite color is what makes you unique? People often ask this question to spark conversation or get to know someone better. Consider it your opportunity to open and share a little bit about yourself with others.
I would say a person’s nature can be influenced by a wide variety of factors. While someone may often be seen as gloomy, there can be someone or something that can change their demeanor for the better. Changes like this are just one example of why humans can be so fascinating.
Thank you! I am feeling very healthy and clean these days thanks to the extra care by our great housekeeping staff.
You and me both. Ordinarily, I get to watch a few thousand people pass by my perch in the O’Neill Lobby. But I also find this strange time is giving me a chance to reflect.
Oh, you know me, kind of a homebody, and I’ve got other walls and some floors and ceilings kind of depending on me to stay put. Which reminds me of another Etta James song, the one that started her career in 1955: Wallflower. bit.ly/etta-wallflower
The only thing that should govern your decision about coming out is your comfort and safety. Do it whenever you’re ready. Whether or not you watch pornography is unrelated. Be aware, though, that pornographic sex bears little resemblance to loving sex between consenting partners.
Okay to meow at your prof and therapist? Only if you’re actually a cat. Sorry about messing with your palette, I’ll try not to!
Almost any organization run by humans is going to end up having the same conflicting priorities of the humans running it. Even if the mission is helping. The results can be hurtful. Which is all the more reason to hold organizations to their stated values.
HelloFresh and similar services tend to deliver by UPS or FedEx. You are notified of its arrival by email and the package goes a Campus Mail Services location for you to pick up. The problem might be the limited pickup hours there, see: bit.ly/BCPackage. I spoke to a helpful human at ResLife and they said students often get deliveries from local supermarkets like Stop & Shop, only the delivery has to be outside the res – that might work for you?
Humans get different kinds of existential dread, but frequent causes seem to be fear that nothing will change from right now, that it’s too late to get started, and that nothing one does matters. Those are all false in different ways, but I’m not saying that to wave away how debilitating they are. Those feelings are real, and they have real effects. But they’re still false. It might help to talk to a therapist if the dread is long-lasting. It might help to talk to a career coach if you’re worried about that kind of thing. You asked about me. The library I’m part of was finished in 1983 and between then and a couple of years ago I was mostly doing wall stuff, before I got my break into answering questions. Give it time, it’ll be OK. Or at least it’ll be different. Warm wishes.
Many warm hugs to you as you deal with this challenging and hurtful work environment. The path to becoming famous in clinical psych probably does take its toll on those who pursue it. I expect it’s not inevitable, but the years of study, the competition, and the stress of dealing with people who have serious problems (not blaming the clients, but it is a stressor) may not lead to the individual becoming the soul of compassion. Keep your kind feelings towards those who are suffering, and become the kind of clinical psychologist your current team leaders couldn’t. The world so definitely needs people who are caring and fight for human rights. Internships are soon over; strength to you as you work through this one.
Trust but verify, as they said in Cold War days. You can’t go through life not trusting anyone, but keep your eyes open, especially if your gut is warning you.
Absolutely. There are many kinds of love (8 according to the ancient Greeks) and not all of them are manifest as passionate heart longing when someone is gone. Additionally, everyone expresses love differently. It’s not uncommon to love family, but not necessarily miss them when they’re not around (or even sometimes be glad they’re gone). The same can be true of any relationship in your life.
Awww. Thank you! At least you always know where to find me!
1) Masturbation is normal and most adults are also private about it. Note: porn is not reality, so it’s a bad idea to base your ideas about future partners or how sex works solely based on it. 2) Your brother’s sexual orientation is something for him to talk about or not, whatever he’s comfortable with and whenever. That’s not your story to tell.
It’s not not a good thing. Trusting people are wonderful when they are surrounded by others deserving of that trust. Unfortunately, many people are not and will use your trusting nature to take advantage of you. That’s just something that you will have to get used to if you’re going to easily trust people, and it will often end in disappointment (or worse) for you. However, you will also get to experience the joy of having trusted someone that no one else did and that person coming through for you, or repaying that trust in kind. That’s such a wonderful feeling and perhaps one of the most human experiences there is. Knowing how much to trust is something that you will be constantly calibrating for the rest of your life.
