Played it too safe? Like you mean took a job where you only have to show up and do what you are told? I have relatives who work at jobs like this when they have advanced degrees. They are way over-qualified for the gruntwork jobs they do. But they just don't want to ever be on the firing line.

You take a job with responsibilities and decisions to be made, and you become a target of everyone above and below you. I have been through this at 4 companies over 22 years. My relatives say I'm a fool because have been under seige for years when their bosses LOVE them just for showing up.

I disagree with #4. Abusive people don't abuse you because you don't respect yourself. That's BS.

"OH, Lord Helmet...!" (Spaceballs)

Yes, the first from space.

May the Schwartz be with you!

I think that you have a good plan. Once you are feeling like you have things settled and you have made the improvements you want to see in your life, be cautious and discerning about dating. Women aren't all no-good. People of both genders are susceptible to overlooking character flaws in those they are attracted to. It is human nature.

You will eventually find someone better, and you will later see that the first relationship was not that great. Early relationships are often shallow and don't withstand the winds of change. Too many get married too young, then wonder why they can't get along when the passion is gone.

Don't listen to people who try to be discouraging. People who are too scared to try things themselves will try to keep you from succeeding.

I know you are young, but many abusive spouses behave this way. They think that if they convince a girl that she is worthless or incapable of doing anything right, she will never get brave enough to leave them.

A sword, or a horse.

That's it, "My kingdom for a horse!"

So happy for you! We all have our periods and strings of bad patches. But running is great and it often improves things.

1920s or 1930s. No corsets, and skirts weren't to the floor.

Someone on Ancestry.com probably can tell you, if you have distant relatives who use that. Or you can ask the historical society if you know where the pictures were taken. Or a genealogy library or public library.

The city might publish weddings in the old newspapers.

I think you could benefit from therapy (the kind that people with ADHD get) to help you focus and plan your daily life.

I had a traumatic brain injury 32 years ago, and I just learned this past year that there ARE behavior therapist and job or life coaches that can help, even if you were BORN with something like ADHD. Contact a Neurologist to get tested.

Most put there by relatives who couldn't stop wanting favors. Can you do X for me? Night and day.

I am happy to hear that you like neuroscience and want to help people. I experienced a TBI at work 32 years ago, and until recently, I had no idea that there were rehabilitation therapies for the cognitive problems that I have had for so long (executive function and memory deficits).

When I was injured, I was young and naive, and my employer just tried to cover their butt. I didn't know what to do, so I just lived with my injury.

It was mine--I want it back.