Archive

Author: Theodore Lee

Theodore Lee is the editor of Caveman Circus. He strives for self-improvement in all areas of his life, except his candy consumption, where he remains a champion gummy worm enthusiast. When not writing about mindfulness or living in integrity,  you can find him hiding giant bags of sour patch kids under the bed.
Advice Column

“47 years of love, and now he’s gone. My heart is broken”

It’s been a few days since my husband’s funeral, and I’m honestly heartbroken. I’m 65F, and he was 65M. We met in college when we were both 18 and were together for 47 incredible years. He was the most wonderful man — a brilliant husband, a great dad, and very involved with our girls. He loved nothing as much as his daughters. Everyone loved him. It was heartbreaking seeing his mom cry at his funeral; she’s lost her husband and son in such a short time. Our oldest daughter is coping, but our youngest hasn’t stopped crying.

It’s so unfair. We had so much time left together, so much planned. I looked at our wedding album and remembered him crying when I walked down the aisle, and then I started to cry seeing him cry. I love him so much. He encouraged me to chase my dreams and supported me through everything. I had a wonderful marriage of love, equality, and support. I would do it all again; in every life, I would choose him.

Read the rest: “47 years of love, and now he’s gone. My heart is broken”
Advice Column

“I hate being a Man; it is the source of my problems”

I’m 26, educated, employed, and generally doing fine in life—but I hate being a man. I’ve never been in a relationship, largely because modern dating feels rigged. Men are expected to pursue, face rejection, and compromise, while women receive attention and choose.

I worked hard to build a stable life and wanted a partner who did the same. Instead, I feel expected to accept a losing deal. I once met someone who felt perfect for me, but I believe she rejected me because of status and background.

From what I’ve seen, women prioritize looks, status, and money, while many men remain lonely for years. Beyond dating, women seem to have easier social lives, stronger support networks, and more validation overall.

I didn’t arrive at these beliefs randomly. Years of rejection and watching how things play out led me here. I’m told I’m a good person with a good life, but being a man feels like a curse that leads to isolation.

Read the rest: “I hate being a Man; it is the source of my problems”
Advice Column

“I cheated on the girl I love. What is wrong with me?”

I (24M) have cheated on my girlfriend (23F) on and off for years, and I hate myself for betraying the trust she kept giving me. I truly love her and believe she’s the only one for me. Before her, I was in an abusive high school relationship where my ex cheated on me and completely warped my understanding of love and worth. That damage followed me into this relationship.

The first time I cheated, it was with that ex. My girlfriend found out, forgave me, and I did it again anyway. I still don’t fully understand why. I think part of me couldn’t believe my girlfriend genuinely loved me. My ex made me feel small and inadequate, and even though I hated her, I kept going back. I also convinced myself my girlfriend was probably cheating too.

Read the rest: “I cheated on the girl I love. What is wrong with me?”
Links

Linkage

Where Is A.I. Taking Us? Eight Leading Thinkers Share Their Visions. – NYTimes

26 Memes to Stare at Instead of Starting Your Week – Ned Hardy

You need this ladder hook because it securely grips the roof ridge so your ladder doesn’t slip sideways or slide off, dramatically reducing the risk of a fall while you’re working at height. – Amazon

Explore 250 places that highlight America’s spirit. – Smithsonian Magazine

‘Moltbook’ Is a Social Media Platform for AI Bots to Chat With Each Other – CNBC

AI as a life coach: experts share what works, what doesn’t and what to look out for – The Guardian

10 Worst Batman Comics That Should Never Have Existed To Begin With – Cbr

The Tech Elites in the Epstein Files – Wired

Treat yourself to a quality precision screwdriver set—it makes delicate jobs easier, prevents stripped screws, and saves you from turning a five-minute fix into an hour of frustration. – Amazon

What Traffic Jams Looked Like Before the Modern Era in Rare Photos – Rare Historical Photos

10 Great TV Shows That Feel Like Long Movies – Looper

25 Ways to Be a Class Act – Art Of Manliness

Ranked: The World’s Top Economies in 1980 vs. 2025 – Visual Capitalist

Woman explains the beautiful feeling of ‘sonder,’ or realizing random strangers have full lives – Upworthy

The 7 Keys to Not Being Poor Anymore – Linkiest

Advice Column

“Husband is close to a female colleague. Should I be worried?”

Husband is close to a female colleague. Should I be worried?

Over the past year, my husband has become close to a female colleague. In fairness to him, he did ask me at the time,
was it ok for him to have a female friend in work that he might occasionally go to lunch with. I said yes that was fine
as I trust him.

The issue is that now they go to lunch once a week and message each other numerous times throughout the day. Every day.
He always keeps his phone with him and, much as I hate doing it, I can check his messages to her via his smartwatch when
he leaves it charging.

They message about everything not just work related issues. They message about meals, plans and send photos of random
things to each other.

Read the rest: “Husband is close to a female colleague. Should I be worried?”
Advice Column

“I left my husband for another man. Karma is hitting me”

I made a choice I thought was about love, a better relationship, and a better future.

I left my husband, the person who had committed to me, for someone else. This new man encouraged it and kept telling me I deserved better.

My husband wasn’t perfect. He didn’t fully meet my needs, he didn’t want to change, and I often felt unseen. But I know now he would never have done what this man did.

Then this other man showed up. He was exciting and affectionate. He seemed smarter, had a better education, a better job, and I truly believed I had found “the one.” He cooked with me, helped around the house, and poured on the praise. He kept saying I deserved everything.

Read the rest: “I left my husband for another man. Karma is hitting me”
Advice Column

“I’m 30 and my mom still treats me like a kid”

I’m in my 30s, married, and in the middle of some big life changes. My partner and I recently bought a home and are slowly planning renovations. We’re trying to be intentional and thoughtful, since this is meant to be our long-term home.

My mom wants to help, and I truly believe her intentions are good. But her version of helping often feels like overstepping. She gives advice as if it’s a directive, schedules things without checking with me first, and gets frustrated when our timeline or choices don’t match how she would do things. This same pattern showed up during our wedding, where it felt like I constantly had to justify our decisions.

She often says, “I’m just trying to help,” and I don’t think she means to be controlling. Still, the impact is that I feel overridden and treated like I’m not fully capable of making decisions for my own life. When I try to push back or set boundaries, I immediately feel guilty and anxious, like I’m being ungrateful or hurting her feelings.

Read the rest: “I’m 30 and my mom still treats me like a kid”
Life Advice

A Healthy Relationship Has Room for Two People’s Needs

A healthy relationship has room for two people’s needs.

Not one. Not “whoever is louder.” Not “whoever is more tired.” Two.

If your relationship only works when you shrink, stay quiet, or swallow your needs so things don’t blow up—that’s not peace. That’s survival. And survival mode will rot a relationship from the inside out.

Love does not require self-erasure.

Read the rest: A Healthy Relationship Has Room for Two People’s Needs