ADVERTISEMENT

Life is full of everything.

And when you’re starting to think that things are looking up and that positive things are coming and that there is no evil in the world, you get hit in the face by reality.

A reality so heavy that it feels hard to stomach.

Folks online have been sharing these particular moments. A Redditor asked others to share the most soul-crushing things someone told them or they have heard someone say. Nearly 2,000 comments later, we’re here.

Scroll down to read the best responses to the viral question. And while you’re at it, upvote, comment, or share your soul-crushing moments, or if not that, then ways to recover from said soul-crushing moments, in the comment section below

More Info: Reddit

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group I used to work in a restaurant, and a woman came in with an urn and set it on her table. Apparently her son had died in a car accident very recently and she was supposed to take him out to lunch for his birthday… so she brought his ashes to lunch instead. She was there for a few hours sobbing into her food (we all felt so bad because people kept staring at her as we sat them or walked past her table). Then she ordered his favorite dessert off our menu with special birthday plating, and just let it sit on the table. It was really awful to watch her be so irreparably heartbroken.

mae_fl0wrr , Torsten Maue Report

Final score:
440points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#2

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group "How can she be my wife? I have no idea who she is." said my husband of 8 years after a bad car wreck and 4 weeks in a coma. He lost about 12 years of memories. Including our whole relationship. We got divorced 2 years after as his memory never returned.

jenmrsx , RL GNZLZ Report

Final score:
430points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#3

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group My husband and I took our teenage son and his friend (I’ll call him Alex) to an amusement park recently.

My husband is a really funny guy and was making both boys laugh on the car ride home.

Alex told my husband, “You’re really funny, Mr. D! You remind me of my Dad, except your jokes aren’t hurtful.”

My heart.

NancyDrew1932 , David B. Gleason Report

Final score:
419points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#4

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group My dad and step mom adopted a baby girl, and my step sister overheard my dad talking about how excited he is to adopt a girl because *he’s never had a daughter*.

Absolutely crushed my step sister, she thought of my dad like her own father. He’s been all she’s known.

DieselSwapEverything , Russ Allison Loar Report

Final score:
382points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group I saw a documentary.... I don't even recall what it was about, but they were focusing on this family in a rural part of eastern Europe or southern Asia. There was a little girl in this family and all she did was work. She couldn't go to school, and she just assisted her mother in doing all the necessary drudgery around the house.

One of the film makers asked the girl what her secret dream was.

She said, "To play".

Adddicus , Virginia State Parks Report

Final score:
380points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#6

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group Woken in the middle of the night to a phone call from an anonymous, kind nurse who said. “I regret to inform you but [your mother] passed away at 11:40pm. She was not alone... I held her hand.”

Fickle_Flounder3929 , Tim Parkinson Report

Final score:
372points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#7

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group When I was 14, I overheard my mother, who had already abandoned my sister and was making arrangements for me to go live with a relative, trying to convince her new husband that they should have a baby together.

TerrifyinglyAlive , ConallFollow Report

Final score:
361points
Add photo comments
POST
emeraldocean avatar
Emerald Ocean
Emerald Ocean
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg. I’m so sorry. I can’t believe any parent that would do that to their own child!

Vote comment up
140
140points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group "My family just gave up on me."

-A 10-year-old that just got the news they had been unadopted by their family of the last 5 years.

internetpointswoot , Virginia State Parks Report

Final score:
314points
Add photo comments
POST
tanyalmacleod avatar
T Lee Mac
T Lee Mac
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s horrible! Keeping a child for 5 years and deciding they aren’t good enough for you. The poor kid was already dealing with abandonment issues from the bio parents. Way to screw up the the kid’s head and life.

Vote comment up
209
209points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group My first big break-up. I was crying and said to my mom, "I feel like I'm hard to love."

She gently replied, "Well, you are."

I was the one being abused.

I was a typical teenager. I've been brutally honest with multiple therapists (at first, on an attempt to get them to see whatever awful person my parents saw) and have been reassured a was a *typical depressed teenager*.

Any "abusive" behavior from me was reactive abuse (i.e. yelling after I'd been pushed and pushed and pushed).

I wasn't the Proper Pastor's Kid they wanted.

I've been married to the same man for 15+ years (got married at 19) so... I found at least one person to love me.

Sarcastic_Kitsune , Courtney Carmody Report

Final score:
294points
Add photo comments
POST
emeraldocean avatar
Emerald Ocean
Emerald Ocean
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m sorry that happened. That sucks. No one should say that to their kid!

Vote comment up
108
108points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#10

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group "Mom and Dad have been telling people they only have two kids" from my sister. They have three kids. All because I didn't go to the religious college they wanted me to go to.

Zeophyle , rustydollar72 Report

Final score:
265points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group Son was moved from hospital to palliative care. They said he had about a week. After getting him settled there he stopped being alert so I went home to grab a shower and get some rest. He passed while I was away, alone.

natterca , Presidencia de la República Mexicana Report

Final score:
259points
Add photo comments
POST
emeraldocean avatar
Emerald Ocean
Emerald Ocean
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m sooo sorry for you loss, though I know words will never make it better

Vote comment up
104
104points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group "Vleir is dead."

Vleir was the name of the pony who basically started my entire horse back riding experience, he gave me confidence like never before, he was so kind, so sweet, so gentle, he taught me how to canter, he taught me patience and how to jump. He was the best boy out there.

The last time I saw him was the afternoon of my usual riding lesson, he was sick so he wasn't being used for lessons. He passes away from a heart attack in his pasture that same night.

I remember crying myself to sleep the night my mom told me he was gone. Tearing up while writing this right now.

RIP Vleir sweet boy, I miss you and I regret not saying goodbye before I left to go home.

Ok-Ant4889 , Yvonne Pay Report

Final score:
251points
Add photo comments
POST
emeraldocean avatar
Emerald Ocean
Emerald Ocean
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m so sorry. I also ride and have a great bond with one of my trainers horses. I can’t imagine the feeling of losing gypsy.

Vote comment up
54
54points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#13

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group Less what I heard and more what I saw. I found out my stepdad was cheating on my mom one day when I was 14. I waited a few hours for my mom to get home and when I showed her what I found she took a deep breath and walked outside into the driveway. I’ve never seen such a visible heart break and my own heart has never hurt so much for my mom. Thankfully now five years later they’ve worked through it but I don’t think my mom will ever be the same.

h444ley , Nenad Stojkovic Report

Final score:
221points
Add photo comments
POST
krisdargan avatar
Who Panda 420
Who Panda 420
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I caught my dad cheating on my mom with the neighbors wife. I was 12 years old and I saw them hugging and kissing. I had gotten up to go to the bathroom and when my dad saw me he said oh that's just how friends show affection. I was not that dumb and told my mother. It ended up breaking up two families and was very messy but better off in the end.

Vote comment up
166
166points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group My mum once told me “You wouldn’t be a very good mother, your sister would be much better”. I always loved and worked with children, my sister is more of an animal person. It crushed me because I always dreamed of being a mother and I still think about that comment made years ago when my boyfriend brings up the children topic.

Everything-is_good , Malcolm Murdoch Report

Final score:
216points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#15

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group Walked into school one morning to find out one of my parents were dead.

anonymousmiku , VirtKitty Report

Final score:
208points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group In the hospital 36 hours after having my first child my (then) husband said I was scaring him and I better get my s**t together because I was teary-eyed with happiness over my new little miracle baby.

Wild_Television_6735 , Tony Alter Report

Final score:
204points
Add photo comments
POST
emeraldocean avatar
Emerald Ocean
Emerald Ocean
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh gosh. Your exhusband sucks! I guarantee that if u want us to we will hunt that jerk down!

Vote comment up
134
134points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group “You’re going to end up just like your dad. A lonely junkie that no one wants to be around.” I just stood there silent. I didn’t know what to say to that.

Zealousideal-Mix6425 , Joan Campderrós-i-Canas Report

Final score:
181points
Add photo comments
POST
fartingpinwheel avatar
Well-Dressed Wolf
Well-Dressed Wolf
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ahh, that’s almost word-for-word what my adoptive mom told me when I was 8. “You’re going to end up a junkie and an alcoholic, just like your biological mom.” I know OP’s feels :(

Vote comment up
94
94points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group "I never loved you. Leave me alone." - After 8 years of relationship from the girl I was about to marry.

Royal-Green , Lissa Franke Report

Final score:
171points
Add photo comments
POST
ajh28306 avatar
Liana
Liana
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It took her 8 years to figure out she didn't loved you? Wasted your time and money and hurt you so badly ....

Vote comment up
75
75points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#19

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group *I was only with you because x didn't want me, and now he does there's no future for us.*

Talk about a kick in the teeth.

ThisIsCreation , Wyatt Fisher Report

Final score:
170points
Add photo comments
POST
hillbranda avatar
Hill Branda
Hill Branda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's cold-blooded. Sounds like you dodged a bullet, however painful it was. Better to be rid a heartless rat that like

Vote comment up
118
118points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group Recently?

Dad called me a few weeks ago, "Mom. She's gone."

She'd been sick, but it was still pretty unexpected.

Still doesn't seem real.

Squigglepig52 , CMRF Crumlin Report

Final score:
165points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group “He’s gone” 4 weeks after finding out my dad had cancer. I watched him die but hearing that destroyed me.

crazybeautifulmine , Rick Kimpel Report

Final score:
161points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group I had a close friend group and I left to go put something up. I came back and heard them say annoying so I of course asked who or what was annoying. They said you. "me?", I said. Completely crushed me they also told me that. No one really likes me. Yeah that really did it and I'm a lot different now. I'm also kind of glad that happend because now I'm a lot different.

Apprehensive_Dig_580 , patilincortes Report

Final score:
155points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#23

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group When my grandpa told me I wasn’t good enough. I was always never a girly girl but not quite a tomboy. I was really close to him but he was old school. As I grew up he started to realize that I wasn’t changing in the right way. He kept telling me to use my lady voice, to sit ladylike, eat lady like, and do ladylike things. He had enough when he saw me with my animals being not gentle when they were stubborn and getting dirty and liking it. He got mad and yelled at me after when no one was around. It hurt because always thought he would love me no matter what then I found out that there were conditions to his love.

Indianagirl25 , Andrew (Megan) Laing (Hack) Report

Final score:
155points
Add photo comments
POST
saderman avatar
Shelli Aderman
Shelli Aderman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m confused by, “when he saw me with my animals being not gentle when they were stubborn and getting dirty and liking it.” 🤷🏽‍♀️

Vote comment up
47
47points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group A coworker told me that I am boring. It has always been something I felt about myself but having someone confirm it to my face was like a punch in my gut.

LisaBee1969 , Robbie Sproule Report

Final score:
155points
Add photo comments
POST
emeraldocean avatar
Emerald Ocean
Emerald Ocean
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You’re not boring! Everyone has their own interests!

Vote comment up
75
75points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#25

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group "I don't have time for you." My father said this to me multiple times when growing up. Especially whenever I started to express that I was sad and or even really sick.

brokenhearted_mess , Steve Baker Report

Final score:
153points
Add photo comments
POST
hillbranda avatar
Hill Branda
Hill Branda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My Dad was the same. I had a great relationship with Mom but never Dad. Even when he died, I cried not so much for him but for the relationship that never was.

Vote comment up
66
66points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group Was told my best friend from primary school said this the day after we had to put my dog down, “She acts like he was going to live forever.” Doesn’t seem like much but it really upset me, considering I was like 9 or 10.

Snow_Is_great , stu_spivack Report

Final score:
145points
Add photo comments
POST
emeraldocean avatar
Emerald Ocean
Emerald Ocean
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg. She’s an awful friend! Who says that when someone’s dog dies?! Dogs are like family. My childhood dog is like a brother to me!

Vote comment up
86
86points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group About five months into my relationship with my now-ex boyfriend, he pulled me aside from a conversation I was having with my mates. I was like "what's up?"

"Nothing, I just don't know if I trust you around others anymore."
This guy was paranoid that I would leave him that he didn't want me having friends or going anywhere without constantly talking to him 24/7. He was even more worried because I'm bisexual, meaning there was "double the threat" in his words.

That relationship went on for about 10 months, and about 5 months too long.

seventhdinosaur , Giuseppe Milo Report

Final score:
144points
Add photo comments
POST
kennethmccartney avatar
Kenneth McCartney
Kenneth McCartney
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've dated several bisexual girls. I certainly don't feel threatened by another girl in the mix. Am I a pig, after all?

Vote comment up
48
48points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#28

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group When my uncle passed away, mum and I took his phone. My 8yo cousin had texted him "are you dead?" whenever she found out. I couldn't stop crying.

burning_kotoko , Emmett Tullos Report

Final score:
140points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group My first kiss is a bad memory because the girl told me she lost a bet with her friends and was dared to do it.

Boss-Nass-Lass , René something something Report

Final score:
140points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group An ex-girlfriend who left me allegedly because she wants to pay more attention to herself, self-development, does not want a relationship.

It would seem normal, at that moment I understood her, but after 2 days I found out that she had a new boyfriend. This blatant lie broke my heart...

rewwea , nedradio Report

Final score:
128points
Add photo comments
POST
bryleegalloway avatar
RandomFrog(He/They️‍️)
RandomFrog(He/They️‍️)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Story time! So I had a gf I loved very much, and she broke up w me and said the same thing; wasn’t ready for a relationship needed time for themself, and I understood and we broke it off. Her friend was behind us too while she did it. Anyways a few months later thr friend asked me out And I said yes cuz she was fairly attractive, but I didint know her (biggest regret of my life so far). I told my ex gf and she said no. Don’t date her. I kinda laughed it off and she persisted. She told me they had dated and it was toxic and she was manipulative. I though they had dated before ex gf dated me, but it had been right after, cuz she showed me some messages between them and it was dated around the time she broke up w me. So ig the girl had manipulated her and told her she needed to break up w me to date her, she had listened, broke up w me and they dated till she was borderline sexually abusive and ex gf broke up w her. After I dated her it was a huge fight and I don’t even want to get into.

Vote comment up
22
22points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#31

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group I teach martial arts to 3-5 yo. A mom brought her daughter and asked if those kids with me were mine. I said yes but the other twin stayed home. The mom took a deep breath and said that her daughter had a twin too that died at birth.

Wormverine , leopoldo de castro Report

Final score:
124points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#32

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group Girl I had a crush on told me she was embarrassed that she had feelings for me.

photoguy423 , Wyatt Fisher Report

Final score:
118points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#33

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group My dad was not my biological father.

Top_Style642 , Wall Boat Report

Final score:
97points
Add photo comments
POST
emeraldocean avatar
Emerald Ocean
Emerald Ocean
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even tho he’s not your bio dad, he still loves you and cares for you. That makes him your father!

Vote comment up
71
71points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group "Your mom has cancer..."

fistbump101 , Shannon Report

Final score:
95points
Add photo comments
POST
jessica-l-king avatar
MotherofGuineaPigs
MotherofGuineaPigs
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember getting this call about my father. Sat in my car outside the grocery store and ugly cried.

Vote comment up
23
23points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

35 Of The Most Soul-Crushing Things Folks Have Ever Heard Someone Say, As Shared By People In This Online Group "Your mom is cheating on me."

smilingduck041 , Robert Pittman Report

Final score:
94points
Add photo comments
POST
shinecaramia avatar
Shine Chisholm
Shine Chisholm
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never cheated, but my ex husband talked about me wanting a divorce like this to our kid. He told her that I abandoned him and am trying to steal his money. Dude it's called child support!

Vote comment up
30
30points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 38 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!