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This Viral Thread Has People Pointing Out The Biggest ‘Traps’ In Life That Many Fall Into, And Here Are 30 Of Them
People are actually social beings. This is to our colossal advantage, because it is largely thanks to social relations that we have come this long way from animals to contemporary society. This is also our no less great shortcoming, because over the years and centuries of its history, humanity has accumulated hundreds and thousands of various life traps into which people regularly fall.
Mankind lives according to the principles of the so-called "collective agreement", so that in fact any phenomenon, any thing in our life is the fruit of an agreement between people who consider it as such. For many years, people have known perfectly well that one should learn from the mistakes of others - and yet, we again and again step on the same rakes, knowing full well what they actually are.
A few days ago there came a thread in the AskReddit community whose topic starter asked the question: "What's one of life's biggest traps that people fall into?" As of today, the thread boasts over 21.6K ups and around 10.2K comments listing the various nasties and situations people run into so often, even though they are well aware of them.
Bored Panda has put together a selection of the most popular comments from the original thread for you, so it's possible you'll find this list really helpful. After all, as the old wisdom says, "Forewarned is forearmed." But this is in fact inaccurate, because people have refuted this wisdom so often... In any case, no one would really stop you from scrolling this list to the very end, marking the submissions you like best, and, of course, adding your own opinions in the comments. And who knows - maybe for someone they will become an extremely wholesome and important life lesson...
More info: Reddit
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#1
Having an elaborate expensive wedding that does nothing but stress everyone out and bankrupt you.
Esme Weatherwax 2 years ago
About 5 years ago our friends borrowed £26k to pay for their daughters wedding. The newlyweds divorced after 9 months. The loan still isn't paid off
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#3
Just because you have spare money at the end of the month doesn’t mean you need to spend it
Paulo Freitas 2 years ago
Nop, save it, save all you can, some Times life " sodomizes " you with a condom made of 30 grit sandpaper, believe me, i know....
#4
Waiting too long for "perfect", like the perfect soulmate, house, job, etc., and then letting too many good opportunities pass by.
Luke Branwen 2 years ago
When it comes to life-changing things like a marriage, I'd rather have nothing than something that's just "meh, good enough". While the post is kinda true, I'd also say that too many people settle for the mediocre and spend their life unhappy.
#5
Cats showing their belly
#6
Can't believe I haven't seen this yet: getting involved in a land war in Asia or going up against a Sicilian when death is on the line.
#7
Marrying or living with or otherwise committing to someone who is mean to you and doesn’t treat you well.
lauralett50 2 years ago
YOU deserve better!! You are worthy of so much more than the so is putting you through. Take care of yourself.
#8
Never letting go of the past , that can kill you I swear
lauralett50 2 years ago
That can be hard to do . Especially, if there are unresolved issues, because of abandonment, death , and other things. It is freeing to let go of the things you are holding on to , emotionally, physically.
#9
Obsession with physical appearance.
This has plagued my life and I’ve never felt satisfied with how I look. Be kind to yourself and others.
Random Dent 2 years ago
Guilty. I'm the first person to tell people to appreciate what their body can do, rather than how it looks. But struggle to apply that to myself.
#10
Lifestyle creep
Feeling the need to upgrade cars, houses, jewelry, etc to keep up with your peers.
Crunchy Swiffer Wetjet 2 years ago
"Don't bother keeping up appearances, no one's looking at you" - some older fellow whose name I can't remember
#11
Staying in unhealthy relationships because "I've put ten years into this"... I beg of you, know your worth, my loves.
#12
Having kids bc society said they should.
Nothing against kids, parents, etc but the pressure to have kids is immense from family and/or religion in most areas/cultures. More often couples have to explain WHY they chose not to (or couldn't have)
Paulo Freitas 2 years ago
Society can go and " sodomize " it self, i don't have kids, i don't want to have kids, and if someone Tells me i should have kids i just tell them to go and " copulate " with themselves.
#13
Doing nothing becouse of fear of rejection.
Crunchy Swiffer Wetjet 2 years ago
It took me a long time to understand that in adulthood, the worst that can happen is they say no. There are no punishments for asking or trying, and I have gotten farther from rejection than I have from not asking in the first place!
#14
Payday loans.
lauralett50 2 years ago
Don't do this. No matter what your circumstances are. They can / will charge up 500%interest if you miss one payment.
#15
Multi-level marketing, someone got me to go to a seminar and the rhetoric was what a lot of people want to hear about themselves for validation.
#16
You gotta be your own advocate. If you think other people will fix the problems you have, you're gonna have a bad time.
#17
Thinking that you're running out of time to do something because someone else has done it already.
Crunchy Swiffer Wetjet 2 years ago
The first person to do something probably did it inefficiently or incorrectly. Even if you aren't the first, you can still make great changes
#18
Thinking life is fair
#19
Spending more because you're earning more.
lauralett50 2 years ago
Live with in your means. If you can't afford something, save,if you can. Eventually,you may have enough to buy that thing you want. It takes patience.
#20
Thinking HR is on their side
#21
Alcoholism and drug abuse. Eventually getting high stops being fun but you can't stop because your body is physically dependent on it. It sucks.
Tamra 2 years ago
Addiction isn't just a "trap" that some can fall into, it becomes sheer, living hell. Please don't let shame or fear keep you from getting the help you need and deserve. AA and NA meetings are free and held all over the world, and you'll meet amazing people who will understand you, and welcome you with open arms. Remember...you aren't a bad person trying to be good, you are a sick person trying to be well.
#22
Putting things off.
We could do it more as kids because someone was there to pick up the slack, or stay on top of you to get something done.
But as an adult, the consequences of waiting on stuff slaps you hard.
#23
Imposter Syndrome.
The cure is eventually realizing no one has a clue.
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 2 years ago (edited)
My trick is that if I managed to trick and con everyone around me to think I’m way smarter, cooler, and generally better than I am, then I probably deserve where I am.
#24
Letting other people define success for them rather than defining it for themselves.
lauralett50 2 years ago
Don't let others tell you what's best for you life. Sometimes, they behave like that because they never got to do what they wanted, and are living vicariously through you. Follow your dreams/ goals. They may not like your choice , but who are you living for yourself,or them. Be blessed.
#25
Thinking too much of what others think of them or how they are perceived. I think this goes along with self esteem but I started feeling a lot better about myself when I let go of the fear of judgement.
Theoretical Empiricist 2 years ago
I think it's more a matter of being concerned about others' perceptions of you when it matters. The perceptions of my landlord, boss, and wife matter a lot to me. That person giving me the stink-eye in the produce section? Not so much.
#26
Working a job you hate because it pays well but you’re miserable
lauralett50 2 years ago
My niece quit a high paying job, because it stressed her out so much she became iil. Now she works in a Cafe , and is happy with her choice.
#27
Listening too much to others and not enough to yourself. Remember that you're the one that* has to live with you and your choices. Make sure you're happy with them
#29
My grandfather only ever gave me one piece of advice God rest his soul. "There are 3 things in life that can ruin you, 1 Drugs, don't do drugs, 2 Don't gamble and 3 A good women is very important, a bad one can ruin your life forever" All I can say is Too true.
Paulo Freitas 2 years ago (edited)
I had a friend that liked to go to the casino, once he invited me, só i went, we got there, and he parked the car almost a km away from it, then looked at my and Tells me to give him my wallet, which i did, he then out both mine and his wallet in the glove compartment of the car, Gave me a 5€ bill and got a 5€ bill, for himself, then i understood why did he parked the car só far.... Temptation.
#30
Always staying in your comfort zone
What do you think ?
Nathaniel 2 years ago
Other traps include quicksand, a pit covered in stick and grass cutting so you do not see it until too late, and a loop of rope you step into then find yourself swinging from the trees.
lauralett50 2 years ago
But how often does that actually happen? Do you live on a TV show? LMAO!!
Load More Replies...
Arthur Waite 2 years ago
Irrelevant to the topic at hand, but . . . I really enjoy leafing down through the points people have entered, and looking at the pictures. Notably, the pix of handfuls of coins, or desktops with piles of change. They're always different, and interesting. Canada has pretty coins, but the variety I see in these pictures is fascinating. Thank you; carry on.
Meebumitches 2 years ago
How about 'Getting Married'? Why? because society says that's what i have to do? Marriage is nothing but a business contract in today's world. I want to be with someone because we enjoy each other, not because there is a financial disincentive to leave.
Sonja 2 years ago (edited)
You can always get a prenup. It's no problem. But people put definitely too much emphasis on marriage. If you're secure in your relationship, marriage can be a good step that makes things easier. It has good safety nets in case something bad happens so you can care for your partner. That's what marriage is for. But it won't change your feelings, it won't heal emotional problems you have in your relationship, it won't bring people closer together. You will feel exactly the same after. Nothing in your relationship with each other will change. So when you're a well established couple that has already made the decision to stay together and there are no problems or bad feelings and you think everything is already perfect, go get married. It'll save you some tax and as I said, makes things easier if something happens to one of you since a spouse has more rights. But if you want to 'take things to the next step' marriage is NOT the thing doing that. It's just the decoration of the top floor
Load More Replies... Nathaniel 2 years ago
Other traps include quicksand, a pit covered in stick and grass cutting so you do not see it until too late, and a loop of rope you step into then find yourself swinging from the trees.
lauralett50 2 years ago
But how often does that actually happen? Do you live on a TV show? LMAO!!
Load More Replies... Arthur Waite 2 years ago
Irrelevant to the topic at hand, but . . . I really enjoy leafing down through the points people have entered, and looking at the pictures. Notably, the pix of handfuls of coins, or desktops with piles of change. They're always different, and interesting. Canada has pretty coins, but the variety I see in these pictures is fascinating. Thank you; carry on.
Meebumitches 2 years ago
How about 'Getting Married'? Why? because society says that's what i have to do? Marriage is nothing but a business contract in today's world. I want to be with someone because we enjoy each other, not because there is a financial disincentive to leave.
Sonja 2 years ago (edited)
You can always get a prenup. It's no problem. But people put definitely too much emphasis on marriage. If you're secure in your relationship, marriage can be a good step that makes things easier. It has good safety nets in case something bad happens so you can care for your partner. That's what marriage is for. But it won't change your feelings, it won't heal emotional problems you have in your relationship, it won't bring people closer together. You will feel exactly the same after. Nothing in your relationship with each other will change. So when you're a well established couple that has already made the decision to stay together and there are no problems or bad feelings and you think everything is already perfect, go get married. It'll save you some tax and as I said, makes things easier if something happens to one of you since a spouse has more rights. But if you want to 'take things to the next step' marriage is NOT the thing doing that. It's just the decoration of the top floor
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