We tend to think we at least have a general direction in life, but sometimes we get thrown curveballs so random that it makes us question everything. Here are some times that will make many of us feel like our lives are over, but then we usually survive anyway.
- The first time you get fired. Getting let go from a grown up job that you worked hard to get can be soul crushing, even if (or because) it had nothing to do with your performance. And yet another job always comes along.
- When you experience a pregnancy scare. Not all pregnancy scares are of the dismal variety, but most of us have a late period at some point that scares the living crap out of us.
- When you have to face a serious fear. Whether it’s public speaking or standing up to your dad, what you fear can create the craziest feelings of panic. But remarkably, once you do it despite the fear, a lot of that fear will dissipate anyway.
- When you lose your best friend. Friendships can shrink or grow all over the place but what’s really hard to do is have a full on friend breakup when something really crappy goes down.
- When you’re in the midst of serious stretch of insomnia. People can reason with you all they want, but when you haven’t slept in three days, it’s hard to imagine how you could possibly reach a state of alertness ever again.
- Getting black out drunk. Even worse if it happens when there are important people around. There’s nothing like waking up and having absolutely zero recollection of your night and wondering if you did or said anything to demolish your reputation.
- When you have to be endlessly patient for good things to happen. Your job sucks, you can’t get a date, and you probably aren’t going to make rent. Something has to turn around at some point, right?
- When you bleed through your pants. Yeah, that’s pretty embarrassing. But luckily half the people in the world have periods and the other half is filled in on the phenomenon. It’s not like you can always predict your flow.
- When you accidentally hurt someone. Maybe you spilled the beans on a friend’s secret and she’s so angry that it’s hard to know how to recover. Eventually that burning feeling of guilt goes away, but in the moment it feels life-threatening.
- When you fart in front of a guy. Who knows how this natural function became such a social no-no, but accidentally letting one rip can be pretty shocking. For everyone.
- When you’re not being unsupported by someone who’s opinion you care about. It can hurt badly when your mom thinks your desired career path is a total joke, but really the only opinion you need to worry about is your own.
- When you get food poisoning/stomach flu. Severe nausea and puking has a way of completely taking over and making you question your livelihood. One second you’re on the bathroom floor crying into the tile and the next your chills subside and your appetite comes screeching back.
- When you lose a love. Breakups are generally crappy, but obviously can be devastating when the relationship was serious. As annoying as it can be to hear that there will be someone else when the time is right, it’s just true.