this post was submitted on 26 Jan 2026
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me_irl

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[–] AlecSadler@lemmy.dbzer0.com 36 points 1 month ago (3 children)

This is legitimately me.

Everywhere I drive right now, whether it's the grocery store or a medical appointment or otherwise - I'm constantly anxious about cars following me for too long, or weird SUVs parked near me, or what have you.

I've taken tripley long routes to normal places just to make sure I can monitor what people or vehicles are sticking by.

I've parked at my destination and then pretended to get a call and leave and then just circle around for awhile until suspicious vehicles leave.

I'm not special and many have it far worse, but this is my life now and I'm probably like a 5% on the scale of shit others have to deal with.

[–] Iheartcheese@lemmy.world 16 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

This dude thinks he can shake us

[–] AlecSadler@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 4 weeks ago

It's not so much escape as strategically position.

[–] sh__@lemmy.world 10 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

Are you alright? I can't imagine it's easy to live like that.

[–] AlecSadler@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 4 weeks ago

I'm currently fine. Will probably continue to be fine (60/40? 70/30?). There are many that need our support. Appreciate you.

[–] FeatherConstrictor@sh.itjust.works 4 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

Hey man, how long has this been going on? This sounds familiar to me, kind of like paranoid schizophrenia or other mental health conditions that can continue to worsen if you don't get professional help. I can't imagine living life like that is easy. I'm sorry you have to deal with that and I hope you get the support you need to get to a point where you can feel safer and less scared constantly ❤️

[–] AlecSadler@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

ICE has a presence in my area, it's not paranoid schizophrenia. We've had neighbors disappeared. Nearby farms have lost their entire paid, employee workforce. A local small business basically closed one day due to an ICE raid and hasn't recovered. I'm sure there are plenty of other situations that I never even hear about.

[–] FeatherConstrictor@sh.itjust.works 5 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

Oooh shoot. I'm sorry man you're right, thats totally valid fear, not paranoia at all. Its so awful you have to deal with that. I didn't even consider that as a factor as I'm not from the US.

[–] AlecSadler@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 4 weeks ago

You're good! That you were concerned and spoke up is awesome. The world needs more of you.

[–] Signtist@bookwyr.me 15 points 4 weeks ago

My brother in law runs a snow removal business, and most of his workers are Hispanic, since not a lot of people want to work strange on-call hours based on snowfall. He's basically lost his entire workforce because they're too scared to leave their houses. He guaranteed them their jobs back when things hopefully improve enough that they feel safe again, but for now he's trying to deal with a Minnesota winter with only 3 people.

[–] binarytobis@lemmy.world 4 points 4 weeks ago
[–] Ryanmiller70@lemmy.zip 3 points 4 weeks ago

Me seeing the temps are below 0°F and still expected to come in

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 2 points 4 weeks ago

"Yeah, I just woke up this morning with a horrible case of the fuckettes."