We’re only human. You can’t expect to be perfect all the time—no matter how much you strive for that, there will always be some glaring flaws and gaps in your knowledge that you might find embarrassing. It’s best to fix what you can and embrace all the rest. Though, to be fair, that’s much easier said than done. And that’s exactly what internet users have been discussing over on the r/AskReddit subreddit.
Redditor Wijting asked people to share the things that they believe they’re doing wrong, but are too scared to ask somebody about. In a very honest thread, people opened up about all the things, big and small, that they’re either too embarrassed to ask about in real life or are simply too afraid to draw attention to because they think others would make fun of them for this. Fortunately, the friendly folks of Reddit were more than happy to offer their own advice to people.
Have a read through some of these honest posts, upvote the ones that you can personally relate to, and if you’re feeling brave enough, share what you personally think you’re doing wrong in the comment section. Maybe some Pandas will come along with some helpful advice.
One of the biggest marvels in life, at least for me, is that it’s never too late to start learning something new. No matter how embarrassed we might be, no matter our age, we can accomplish great things if we put in the effort. I had a chat about what we should do to put ourselves in the best possible position to learn new things as we grow older with Age UK, a charity that helps everyone make the most of later life. Scroll down for Bored Panda’s interview with them below. I also reached out to the author of the viral thread, redditor Wijting. You can read what they had to say below as well.
#1
I have no idea if my lunch break is an hour or 30 minutes.
Where my office is located in my building, my boss and co-workers can’t see me leave for lunch. When I started, I just began taking hour lunches like I did at my last job. Recently, I heard a co-worker mention taking her 30 minute lunch.
I’ve been taking hour long lunches for 6 years and it’s way past the point of asking…
Image source: spydervenom, Rolf Kleef
#2
I feel like I’m really articulate when I’m going about my day especially over text, but as soon as I get into a verbal disagreement, it’s like my brain shuts off and I forget how to think. Like a deer in the headlights. I don’t remember it always being this way, but it’s like I struggle to accurately express myself.
Image source: The_Splenda_Man, Ketut Subiyanto
#3
I have no idea how often I should text, call or hang out with a friend to maintain a friendship. Especially long distance. I’ve lost friends over the years because I hate texting and don’t understand how often I need to keep in touch with someone. The only friends I’ve kept are the ones I can meet in person.
Image source: iceunelle, Nathan Dumlao
#4
I really wish someone could supervise me during social interactions and give me real honest feedback about what I am doing wrong.
Image source: sixhoursneeze, SHVETS production
#5
Parenting. For the last 20 years.
They all appear to be functioning human beings, so we can’t be too far off the mark, but I do worry we’ve screwed up somewhere along the line and they’ll pay the price for our mistakes in the future.
Image source: EnailaRed, Steven Van Loy
#6
Flirting. Let’s face it. I don’t even know what the heck that is, how it works and what the difference between talking and flirting is. Funny enough, apparently that leads to me constantly flirty without wanting to be. At least, I often get told that I flirt with almost every single person I meet.
Image source: OverlyShyEnby, Katerina Holmes
#7
Treating my depression.
I’ve been in therapy for years now, have tried various anti-depressants, made huge life changes including abstaining from alcohol, removed toxic relationships, even changing my diet. I’ve tried everything I can find, and, if anything, things are getting worse. It’s getting to the point where tomorrow I have an appointment to find out if I have cancer, and can’t decide if I will bother with treatment in the case that I do.
Image source: nubsauce87, Nik Shuliahin
#8
My finances – no idea how to properly manage my money.
Image source: FinnbarMcBride, Kyle Murphy
#9
Life.
Like what I supposed to be doing? I have about 80 years total. So far, I’ve learned stuff, got married, and got a good job. Am I just grinding out the rest of my years?
Image source: OPmeansopeningposter, Huy Phan
#10
My job.
Everyone says I’m doing great and praises me for being so efficient or being ahead on my training but I feel like I’m constantly having to ask questions and do extensive research on what the f**k I’m supposed to do in specific situations.
Image source: KleinLoki, Ant Rozetsky
#11
Literally just standing still. I have terrible posture.
Image source: concernedcitizen4520, Brady Wahl
#12
Relationships. Throughout my life I’ve never gotten much romantic attention, and when I do receive it, I tend to be obnoxiously clingy, which leads to being left alone again. I don’t know how to break this habit, because my emotions are just strong.
Image source: CrystalTear, Crew
#13
Anything related to being an adult, straight up no F**king idea what I’m doing…
Image source: Giftyd, Oleg Magni
#14
Standing up for myself and maintaining boundaries. I’m working on it but it’s hard because I am just figuring it out (kind of) and people keep trying to push me back to being the doormat I used to be. It’s so tempting to be that person again because I hate disrupting the calm, but I was just so tired.
Image source: skeptic_narcoleptic, Uriel Mont
#15
Supervising. I am put in the position, but just rely on the efficiency of my subordinates. As soon as there’s someone who’s lazy or a troublemaker, I’ve got to figure out how to approach it.
Image source: sinf_wacht, Christina Morillo
#16
Showering. I have very very long thick hair and I just kind of blast shampoo and conditioner at it. People ask me what I do to keep my hair so nice and I have no idea what to say. People seem to have such complex hair rituals and I’m here just apeing it up.
Image source: SkylordZoey, Jaysin Trevino
#17
General conversation I just suck at talking to people I don’t really know or don’t know at all. Sometimes when I get tips for stuff I respond “yes” or “ok” or “thank you” and even that feels weird or wrong, even the action of saying “hello” feels off… It even happens with firends sometimes…
Image source: Burcus254525, cottonbro
#18
Dating. Like how the f**k do you find people, that are equally interested in going out with you as you are with them. And then you somehow have to notice that they’d be interested in going out. I just don’t understand it, and it sometimes makes me feel like I’ll never go on one because of it
Image source: Ezechiell, René Ranisch
#19
Studying. I have no idea how other people do it. When I read something I retain very little of it, so I resort to writing down what I think are important details, which is most things for me, but it takes so long and I still have to rely on my brain to remember thing by simple repetition.
Image source: chocolateskittlez, energepic
#20
How to handle anger? I’m too embarrassed to ask
Image source: Ok-Plastic-62, engin akyurt
#21
Is is bad to say everything I have no idea what the f**k I’m doing anymore
Image source: trippin_on_daydreams, Andrew Neel
#22
When I started my first job I didn’t know if an 8 hour work day meant including the break or not, and I was too afraid to ask.
Image source: Penguin-Fairy, Martijn van Exel
#23
Parallel parking.
Image source: Poshbish, thienzieyung
#24
Kissing. I’ve had no complaints but it’s not really something your parents taught you to do properly (unless you’re into that)
Image source: BenignFrustration, Daria Shevtsova
#25
How to speak up on problems or expressing certain emotions. I keep stuff bottled up inside
Image source: No_Leader_2711, Kate Kalvach
#26
My PhD.
Going into my third year and I still don’t feel as if I ever adjusted, or developed healthy habits.
Just trying to take it a day at a time and not procrastinate beyond no return.
Image source: ApolloThe3LeggedDog, Oladimeji Ajegbile
#27
Being a picky eater. So preparing food, I’ve been wanting to try new things, but I have no idea what to buy, how to prepare it, and it scares me to ask because I don’t want it to sound like I’m some sort of alien.
Image source: PurpleStabsPixel, Wagner T. Cassimiro
#28
The proper way to wipe my butt after pooping.
Image source: benjam1ng
#29
Writing. I love writing, and have written a few short stories older the years, and I show it to friends of mine who read, but every single person has said they loved it. I ask for constructive criticism, and sometimes they want the story to go differently, but it’s so damn rare I get an opinion on my actual writing. My descriptions, vocabulary, the flow of the story, etc. Well, too scared to ask someone who will give me an actual opinion.
Image source: Maxtrix07, cottonbro
#30
Relationships.
I recently started out in the dating scene and i dont know whats the difference between being a couple and being really good friends.
Also: sex is really strange to me.
Image source: Viking_Ship, Khamkéo Vilaysing
#31
Nutrition.
Image source: gardenroses23, Kari Sullivan
#32
I’m a girl. Not sure if I’m supposed to shave the thin blonde hairs in my thighs or not. Sometimes they look darker, but sometimes they look blonde.
I shave the rest of my legs ( below the knee), but I’m in my 30s. Feels like I should know this already….
Image source: busycleaning
#33
Gym exercises and weights. I am very afraid of the public gyms… I opted to buy my own weights and machines but… When lifting stuff I don’t know if I am carrying too much or too little. Is it supposed to not hurt? My back hurts a bit when I’m doing basic stuff like dumbells.
Image source: Gunnard-Magnuson, Jennifer Feuchter
#34
Babysitting. I babysat a few times when I was 13 or 14, and I wasn’t sure if I was just supposed to check in on the kid, or play with them, or just like, make sure they’re good. I’m really good at kid-sitting, but babysitting (or for me watching a kid under 7 years old) is just hard.
Image source: Teabeany, Lina Kivaka
#35
Riding a bike. I hopped on one for the first time in 15+ years and loved it! So I bought a bike. But… I don’t know if I’m shifting and turning and doing the road rules correctly. Are there resources for grown adults who can stop, go, dismount, but not much else?
#36
Trying to save my 16 year marriage. My wife (35f) told me (35m) she wants a divorce (2 weeks before Im supposed to have spinal fusion surgery) and hopes we can figure out how to be friends for our 2 boys.
She has had a few emotional affairs (nothing physical), and is a bit of a narcissist (blames everyone else for her problems, and takes no responsibility. Accusess anyone who disagrees with her as attacking her, Refuses counseling, and has for years) and appears to be using this as a way to create content (tiktok). I freely admit, Im not perfect and have caused issues in our marriage.
Image source: therealcapthowdy
#37
Thinking, every time I speak someone say how what I just said is wrong and they are right
Image source: georgeps1234
#38
Programming.
I mean, I mostly understand the concepts, but I struggle and fail WAAAY more often than I succeed.
Image source: Dathouen
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