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

“My mom yelled at me during my wedding”

I got married recently, and what should have been one of the happiest days of my life ended up being clouded by something I still can’t quite believe happened. Right before the ceremony, I was in the backroom collecting myself—nerves, excitement, all of it. Out of nowhere, my mom burst in and started yelling at me about something completely inconsequential. I honestly don’t even remember what it was about—just that it made no sense for that moment and felt so out of left field. I was stunned and tried to de-escalate things as quickly as I could, but the whole experience threw me off.

Then, a couple days later, she tells my other family members that I yelled at her. That I was disrespectful on my wedding day. I was floored. Not only did she cause a scene and inject unnecessary drama into an already emotional day, but now she’s rewriting the story to make herself the victim.

Read the rest: “My mom yelled at me during my wedding”
Life Advice

How to Mourn a Parent Who Wasn’t What You Needed

Some grief is loud. There’s a funeral. Flowers. Sympathy cards. A closed casket and open wounds. People show up with casseroles and stories and tears that make sense to everyone in the room.

But then there’s the other kind of grief. The quieter kind. The one that has no rituals, no acknowledgment, no clean ending. It’s the kind you feel when the person you needed… just never showed up. Even when they were right in front of you.

Read the rest: How to Mourn a Parent Who Wasn’t What You Needed
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How to Not Mess Up Your Kid with Your Unresolved Trauma and Baggage

Let’s just get one thing out of the way: you will mess up your kid in some way. That’s part of the deal. No one gets through childhood perfectly untouched, no matter how many gentle parenting books you read or how many organic snacks you pack. But there’s a difference between being an imperfect parent and being an emotionally radioactive one. The key is learning how to hold your pain without handing it to your child.

Read the rest: How to Not Mess Up Your Kid with Your Unresolved Trauma and Baggage
Links

Linkage

5 Historic Photos That Speak Volumes – Ned Hardy

People love this pen because it writes smoothly with minimal pressure, dries quickly without smudging and also has been the NYT’s top pick for the last decade – Amazon

Celsius founder Alex Mashinsky sentenced to 12 years for “unbank yourself” scam – ARS Technica

Russia marks 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany – NPR

The Secret Algorithm Behind Learning – Farnam Street

The Longest Living People in the World All Abide by the ‘Power 9’ Rule – GQ

The 5 Worst Things About Internet Dating – Linkiest

Meet Jordon Hudson, Bill Belichick’s 24-year-old girlfriend who hopes to become the next Miss USA – Insider

How You’ll Feel Reaching Various Millionaire Milestones ($1M-$20M) – Financial Samurai

5 Big Questions from History, Answered – Ned Hardy

If you’re thinking about making fresh pasta at home, I’d recommend this—it’s sturdy, easy to use, and the motor makes the whole process way faster and smoother – Amazon

2 Tough Marriage Lessons Every Couple Has to Learn – Psychology Today

How China Caught Up to the U.S. in Innovation – Visual Capitalist

What Are the 8 “Rules” of Meditation? – Mindful

Advice Column

“My wife is my biggest hater”

I’m a 28-year-old man who’s recently committed to getting fit after years of unhealthy habits. My wife, 30, and I both fell into a sedentary lifestyle during our six years together. But five months ago, I decided to turn things around. I’ve dropped my body fat from 30% to 19% and set a goal of reaching 10%.

I’ve also taken up long-distance running. I started at 5 miles, then 10, and now 15. I’m aiming for 20 miles soon. But whenever I share these goals with my wife, she brushes them off as “unrealistic.” She’s never acknowledged my progress or offered encouragement. In fact, I feel like she’s been dismissive of the changes I’m proud of.

Read the rest: “My wife is my biggest hater”
Life Advice

You’re Not Responsible for Everyone’s Feelings

There’s a peculiar kind of exhaustion that comes from carrying feelings that aren’t yours to carry. You know it well, don’t you? The tightness in your chest when someone else is disappointed, the rush of guilt when someone is upset around you, the unspoken contract you seem to have signed somewhere along the way: I will make sure no one ever feels bad because of me.

Read the rest: You’re Not Responsible for Everyone’s Feelings
Life Advice

How Criticizing Your Partner Is Really About You (Not Them)

There’s a moment—quiet, almost imperceptible—when a complaint crosses the invisible line into a critique. You think you’re pointing out something small: the dishes left in the sink, the phone scrolling during dinner, the way they forgot to ask how your day was. But underneath the words, something deeper hums. Not just “Why did you do this?” but “Why are you like this?”

Read the rest: How Criticizing Your Partner Is Really About You (Not Them)
Links

Linkage

What The “Bird Test” Really Says About Your Relationship – Fatherly

Forever Alone? These 27 Memes Get It Better Than Anyone – Ned Hardy

There is a reason you see iron workers, welders, and pipeliners wear Tillman gloves. Extremely comfortable and ergonomic. They do an amazing job at protecting yours hands and hold up amazingly – Amazon

People Are Obsessed With This “Lazy Girl” Nutrition Hack Taking Over The Internet — But A Dietitian Has Mixed Feelings – BuzzFeed

The Conversational Habits That Build Better Connections – BBC

How to Get Muscle Gains: A Beginner’s Guide to Becoming Buff – Popular Science

Why Cadillac can make only 2 of its new $340,000 EVs per day – Fast Co

It Actually Takes a Lot Longer Than You’d Think to Lose Muscle From Not Working Out – GQ

Every Food Collab Now Is Completely Bonkers – Eater

What It Feels Like to Be Forever Alone – Ned Hardy

An absolute must read book for trauma survivors. Will definitely help with the healing process – Amazon

Bill Gates to give away $200 billion by 2045, says Musk is ‘killing’ world’s poorest children – Reuters

Ultraprocessed Foods Linked to Early Symptoms of Parkinson’s – NY Times

What A Recession Is Like For Early Retirees: The Good And Bad – Financial Samurai

35 Major Events Happening Today That Aren’t Covered By Mainstream Media – Demilked

What Exactly Is ‘Wifey Material?” And How To Find ‘The One’ – Knowledge For Men