For life’s most absurd, wild and confusing moments, sometimes you need to turn to a stranger for unbiased and honest advice (unbiased is the key word here). I know your friend said it was totally fine to text him back, but she’s a people pleaser who will say what you want to hear. I’ll tell you the truth.
If you’re feeling reluctant to air your dirty laundry to a stranger, just know that people have been doing this for centuries. The first known advice column was started by a man in the late 17th century who was kept up at night by his guilt over an affair and had no one to talk to about it. This was at a time when therapy was still seen as a sign of demonic possession or divine punishment, so unfortunately for this fellow, he couldn’t wait until his next 45-minute session and had to get creative. His solution? Start a column called “The Athenian Mercury,” where people could submit their anonymous problems.
Advice columnists (later known as “Agony Aunts,” which somehow makes them sound worse) really took off in the late 19th century with the rise of mass newspapers. Since then, anonymous advice has functioned as both entertainment and comfort for many people (think “Ask Martha” or “Dear Dolly”). Even Carrie Bradshaw survived five seasons, two movies and a reboot on the simple premise that people are desperate for guidance on topics everyone else is afraid to discuss.
That said, I can’t help but wonder if Carrie had more to say about Mr. Big than the inner workings of the DTD brothers — which is where I come in. Whether you’re spiraling about friendships, sex, dating or something you swear “isn’t that deep,” I’m here to give you honest, raw and Tufts-specific advice. Did I mention honest? Possibly too honest.
Now, if you’re wondering why you should trust me with your deepest, darkest secrets, I’ve listed my qualifications below:
- Routinely consulted in “be honest with me” advice sessions
- Fluent in reading between the lines
- Pro-Instagram stalking skills
- Ignore red flags in my personal life, but can immediately spot them in others
- Completely unbiased because I don’t know who you are (or care, for that matter)
If you or someone you know is struggling with a situationship that isn’t going anywhere, help is available here.
