ADVERTISEMENT

Life is too complex for smooth sailing. We all struggle with something. But turning a blind eye to our problems won't solve them.

Of course, that's easier said than done. So in an attempt to find out what issues people are running away from the most, Redditor u/Letmediebro made a post on the platform, asking other users: "What is a hard pill to swallow for most people?" And many replied!

From romantic relationships and parenting to mental health and self-image, the answers touched upon plenty of different topics. Here are the ones that got the most upvotes.

#1

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

lennoxmatt_819 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Caro Caro
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

More people should learn this. Just because you have the freedom (of speech) doesn't mean you won't receive backlash and will have to deal with the consequences. Treasure your freedom of speech because it's precious, look what's happening in Hong Kong !

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst Mary Lamia, Ph.D., thinks that the notion that one is “in denial” seems to have taken on a life of its own as an agent of many ills and as a catchphrase for people who dismiss the implications of their behavior.

"Although denial is considered to be a defense often used by people with addictive tendencies, its attributions reach beyond those struggling with substances," Lamia pointed out. "Denial is also attributed to people who do not want to acknowledge that bad stuff is occurring in their lives, such as those who are attempting to cope with a tumultuous relationship, a life-threatening illness, obesity, a loss, or anything else that one may attempt to disavow."

#3

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

YaBoiChickenNuggetz Report

Add photo comments
POST
Caro Caro
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And gives you NO right to jump the queue, receive extra attention or whatever.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#4

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

pilotw1ngs Report

Add photo comments
POST
OCD Mom
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And very much real that cannot just magically be cured by being "strong" or a placebo.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#5

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

Wise_Coffee Report

Add photo comments
POST
El muerto
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

as a person with heavy mental health problems I agree. but like to add, saying you are sorry is often not enough, and people doesn't have to forgive you...sometimes you have to live with the consequences all the same

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Sure, we can deny a fact, deny responsibility, deny the impact of our actions, or even deny what is really going on by hiding from our feelings. But according to Lamia, when we use denial to defend ourselves or cope with what we feel, we contradict the reality of a situation or attempt to adjust to a circumstance by neglecting its impact. However, the extent of someone’s denial may not really be the issue at hand.

"What’s important is not that people recognize their denial, but that they are able to accept what they are feeling that leads to the denial in the first place," Lamia explained. "If someone excessively and habitually uses alcohol to medicate their anxiety, for example, we might emphasize their attempts to dismiss the harm that their use of alcohol will cause, rather than focus on the emotions they feel that motivate their denial. If that person stops drinking, one would hope the emotions that were formerly hidden by denial, which often have to do with shame, would be exposed and accepted by the individual."

ADVERTISEMENT
#8

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

PeachyPlum3 Report

Add photo comments
POST
ThatOneWriter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please read this then read it again and then read it AGAIN if it still doesn't sink in.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

We not only use denial to hide from any negative emotion, including shame, fear, guilt, or distress but to mute positive emotions as well. "Sometimes feeling positively may be just as threatening as negative feelings. We may want to deny the reality of our emotions, because accepting a reality that is uncomfortable, painful, or incongruous to what we expect means we must also alter our perception of ourselves. Thus, if you are in denial, perhaps you are simply trying to ignore the truth about what you actually feel, rather than about what you are doing or thinking."

But if you want to move forward, you have to swallow the truth.

#9

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

BaylisAscaris Report

Add photo comments
POST
ThatOneWriter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Say it louder! And bisexual women do NOT want to have a threesome with their girlfriend and you!!! 🤬🤬🤬

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#10

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

rconscious Report

Add photo comments
POST
Red
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes! This should be higher. Religions are an organized set of rules supposedly written by a otherworldly, incorporeal divinity. Stop and think about that for a second. Completely bonkers. It's a club, you go, you follow the rules, you pay the monthly fee, you mingle. If you break the rules you're either shunned away or you can pay an extra and all your sins are forgiven. Really. Bonkers.

Huddo's sister
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is a difference between religion and a Church though. It is usually the church (ie the particular people in the congregation/community) that sets the 'rules'. Religion is about belief and thought. And one person's religion should not impact on another's (or their non-belief).

Load More Replies...
Tove Hansen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And being a christian, or any kind of religious, doesn't automatically make you a good person

Olga Dremina
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This! Also, all religions seems to be cute from a distance. When in power, they always oppress people. Always.

KimB
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one is like a car accident...I can't not look lol but I'm keeping my comments to myself :)

The Veil of Fire
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To believe in religion (especially Christianity) one has to also have to believe in magics, psychics, ghosts, aliens, etc.

Surfing Panda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Religious people: We are special because God made us in his image. There is no other life out there. We are unique, besides you have no tangible proof of extra terrestrial life.... Non religious people: Do you have tangible proof of God?

Charlie Taube
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

communism and fascism could be considered religions (Hitler and Stalin acted oddly similar to evangelists), so could the social justice movement, It is not that religion itself is bad it’s religious extremism that is bad.

Speedgoat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Chill.... atheism is just another school of thought. Atheism is as real to its adherents as God is to the religious. Leave each other alone.

bob bruce
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's also a possibility that I could win Powerball 5 times in a row even if I don't buy a single ticket. The difference is that my chances are better.

Load More Replies...
Tamara Arden
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Literally manmade because most religions are about men having power over women and preventing women from having any power. The only religion with a female as its' head is the Church of England and that's only because she inherited the throne.

maper sam
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

this is true also for some universal truths being shoved everybody's throat today by mrxists like: there are 160 genders; there are men with vaginas and uteruses and climate change is real. there aren't and it isn't!

MimSorensson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Since you used the words “shoved down everybody’s throat”, I sure hope you’re not religious. That would make what you just said not only one hundred percent incorrect on every conceivable level, but also so massively, impossibly ironic that it’ll smash through all physical reality and start to gather actual mass.

Load More Replies...
Susan Widomski
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Not sure I go along with the quote. Who, but man, would create religion? If it is only in one's mind, isn't that existence?

Frankenfrog
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, it's a state of mind that's seeped into reality to opress weakminded people, hell, people in general

Load More Replies...
BlackPearltheSeaWing/NightWing
Community Member
2 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Okay NO. This is just trashing on religion. We are allowed to have our beliefs without people shutting us down. I am SICK of the people on this site saying things like this to us Christians here. Once I talked about my mental health on this site and talked about how I didn't know why God was putting me through this and I was downvoted and someone told me to stop being religious about it. Maybe it isn't real, but you need to sit down and let us thing what we want. Just because you think it's bonkers and fake doesn't mean we do. I don't care if I'm downvoted for this because I've been needing to say it for a long time.

AshaTheCatLady26
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not about what religion you ascribe to, it's about the ignorance toward others who are not the same religion or have no religion at all. For example: certain sects of Christianity telling people that, unless they are baptized and believe Jesus is the Saviour, they are automatically going to hell. Those people are not only judging (1 of the 10 commandments, I believe, states clearly that there is no other judge but God), but they are essentially stating that everyone who didn't believe the same thing will end up in hell, regardless of what kind of person they were in life... That's A LOT of people to damn. The are so many religions in the world, yet people are taught to believe theirs is the one different only true religion? How can 1 possibly know what happens after death? Religion was created to explain things people didn't understand (ie natural events/disasters) & as a means of social control. Why else would Christianity have used pagan holidays & co-opt them as their own?

Load More Replies...
Coffee panda
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

How about respecting other people's beliefs for a change.

Sky Render
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are free to believe as you wish. That doesn't mean you're right, nor does it mean you're wrong. It simply means you believe. Often belief is less about the content of that belief and more about what believing it does for you in return. To that end, it doesn't really matter if any belief is "right" or "wrong", just that it serves a purpose (and hopefully does no harm in the process).

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

surlycur Report

Add photo comments
POST
Olga Dremina
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Karma is a sh!tty concept. It leads to thinking if something bad happens to person, they somehow deserved it.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#13

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

Positive_melon_40 Report

Add photo comments
POST
ElenaK
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's no cute either! People need to b careful of their pets nutrition and excersice.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

lioness-2208 Report

Add photo comments
POST
OCD Mom
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah! But doing your best and not succeeding is a lot better than not trying your best and regretting later on.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

ACalcifiedHeart Report

Add photo comments
POST
Red
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so important. Family members are often bullies you're conditioned to love and respect. If someone makes you feel bad they aren't doing so out of love, so why keep them around? Blood may be thicker than water and so much harder to clean up, but it isn't impossible and, I say it from experience, once you get some distance, they'll go on full surprised Pikachu mode and be twice as vicious about you. Maybe just my relatives.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

zazzlekdazzle Report

Add photo comments
POST
OCD Mom
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If someone is not into you as much as yourself, it is okay. Just learn to let go for the sake of your own happiness.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#21

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

Simple-life62 Report

Add photo comments
POST
May
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't have kids, but it seems to me that a lot of parents act the same as a teenager in love - finding every flaw endearing and thinking that their kid is the most amazing person in the world. I blame hormones.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

Miserable_Material40 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Terry Tobias
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This needs to be higher! So many people think that they can control others or that others can control them. How many times have we said things like "that person made me feel..."? No one can make someone else feel or think anything. We need to learn to take responsibility for our own reactions and responses to others, and to realize that although we may influence others, we can't control them either.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#28

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

Morninglarke Report

Add photo comments
POST
Caro Caro
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whoever says that "things happen for a reason" hasn't a clue about life or doesn't want to know about life. Saying this to a grieving person is pure evil.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

muskiesfan1 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Damon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m afraid this is the Wrong website for that particular hard pill

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

[deleted] Report

Add photo comments
POST
Erica Mazurek-Bowshier
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly. Since my fiance of 14 years died in November 18, I feel like I'm standing still and the world is spinning too fast. Only our close friends and family cares, but it seems to you like the world should stand still for your immense, unbearable pain. And it is unbearable

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#33

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

RawAlmondButter Report

Add photo comments
POST
Gerard Neaux
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unless the situation just maimed you, in which case you working harder won't fix it.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#34

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

zazzlekdazzle Report

Add photo comments
POST
K R
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminded me of a saying..."if nothing works, do nothing."

View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

zazzlekdazzle Report

Add photo comments
POST
ThatOneWriter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And moving on doesn't always mean "forgetting about". Sometimes it just means accepting that it happened and refusing to let it guide your choices.

View more commentsArrow down menu
Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
#36

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

the-naive-egret Report

Add photo comments
POST
Firstname Lastname
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wearing a mask *correctly* is. It amazes me, the amount of people who think they wear them just to keep their chin warm. Not like germs could maybe possibly get through those holes in your face you call your mouth and nostrils.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#37

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

mads4snacks Report

Add photo comments
POST
Scagsy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People confuse the subject of the joke with the target of the joke, and they're very rarely the same. - Ricky Gervais

View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

anr14 Report

#39

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

gladosado Report

Add photo comments
POST
Lucifer
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That "karma" has to deal instant result is a western attitude. If you actually read through what Hinduism (where the word originates) suggests, karma always catches up. Be it this life, next life or 10 lifes after that you will always get what you sowed. Every thought+action (karma) eventually has consequences. Doesn't necessarily have to be on our perceived schedule.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

Ophelie_Marin Report

Add photo comments
POST
Erica Mazurek-Bowshier
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. I've left many. I'm not anyone's personal barbie doll. Leaving can be VERY freeing

#41

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

ImOnlyHalfAlive Report

Add photo comments
POST
Josy Bannon
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree!! A good advice from a friend, in order to build this, if your are unsure of yourself, just act the way you want it to be between the two of you. Like practice instead of thinking and planning and wondering and waiting.

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#43

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

Realitycheck-4u Report

Add photo comments
POST
#44

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

ParsnipBusy Report

Add photo comments
POST
#45

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

mksolid Report

Add photo comments
POST
Thorfin Wolfsbane
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really!? I’ve NEVER seen that before…someone. wrong. On internet. I don’t believe it.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#50

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

hakeemalajawan Report

Add photo comments
POST
#51

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

DiggingCheese73 Report

Add photo comments
POST
XSpooky_Mint
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The only difference between a cult and a religion is time, why else do you think it takes so long for them to be considered a religion?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#52

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

ElizabethWolf1214 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Olga Dremina
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We all have. Men suppress "weak" emotions like sadness, and woman suppress "loud" emotions like anger. Both is wrong and unhealthy.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#56

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

delee76 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Šimon Špaček
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know, for some reason I'm not the firefighting rockstar I wanted to be...

View more commentsArrow down menu
#57

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

DaFunkeeJunkee Report

Add photo comments
POST
Candy corn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Society is a cage that the world willingly puts itself in in order to have some structure

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#58

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

TheBrassDancer Report

Add photo comments
POST
SusanS
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So stop hanging onto that toxic friend from grade school. It is okay to let friends go. REALLY, it is.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#59

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

mast3rpi3c3 Report

Add photo comments
POST
#60

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

[deleted] Report

Add photo comments
POST
Gerard Neaux
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Soul mates don't exist but there is compatibility, and you're not always compatible with people you're attracted to. Think carefully if the work needed to make it work is actually worth it.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#61

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

okbtsy Report

Add photo comments
POST
just another drone
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But you should read to them from birth every single day and they will turn out ahead of the pack if you instill curiosity and a love for knowledge. And that's the job of YOU, the parent, not the teachers.

#65

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

jah05r Report

Add photo comments
POST
Two thousand seven
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly if you're realistic this is true. But some people would rather be happy than be just rich. Because, sometimes doing what you've always wanted to do with your life will mean more than millions of bucks ever could.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#66

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

zazzlekdazzle Report

Add photo comments
POST
#67

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

MadoneOnMobile Report

Add photo comments
POST
Трыш Кэлли
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That the universe is indifferent and that any individual deserves better than what's happened to them are not mutually exclusive. Horrible atrocities occur every day; the people suffering them absolutely deserve better. Unfortunately 'deserve' has nothing to do with it.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#71

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

CharismaticAlbino Report

Add photo comments
POST
Olga Dremina
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's what i always think about. Write an answer. Edit. Edit. Edit. Delete, start from the beginning. Edit. Send. Realise, it's worse than it was in the beginning.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#75

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

UptownShenanigans Report

Add photo comments
POST
#76

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

BryceBrady13 Report

Add photo comments
POST
#77

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

Xanderious Report

Add photo comments
POST
#78

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

TWSREDDIT Report

Add photo comments
POST
#79

People-Share-Hard-To-Swallow-Pills

Digbicktimmy3214 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Bilja M
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

no, you can feel and act like a child whenever you want as long as it doesn't hurt you or anyone else.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda