I'm suffocating, I'm such a minority in many ways, like being an atheist, a feminist, LGBTQIA+, Antinatalist, Antimarriage and... in an islamic dictatorship society. I have nothing and I can't do anything. I'm depressed and exhausted, nothing feels enjoyable. There isn't even a path for me to take toward freedom. My life is completely ruined, it's entirely because of others. None of the pains or problems I'm living through are of my own making.
asked by someone ·
47 replies
- someone who replied
Fascinating. Thank you for sharing. I can see how life could feel bleak in that situation. One thing that they cannot control is how you feel. The passion that burns inside you. Oppression fuels the fire of opposition. You can turn the oppression experienced in your life into fuel for you to actualize your mission. One thing this oppression has showed you is what you so strongly disagree with.
- someone who replied, again
It has provided you with clarity of what you don’t want in life. I guess that it can feel disheartening to see the oppression pushing in on all sides, but that doesn’t mean that it conquers or it will conquer your inner world. I encourage you to stay strong in what you believe and continue exploring how to live that life in your situation. Your actions and story are not just your own but shared by thousands going through the same thing
- someone who replied, again
If you let them extinguish your fire, who will be the beacon for free thought and truth? Who will others look up to if they extinguish yours?
- the person who asked
Thank you for your time. I appreciate what you're doing. Sorry for the late reply. I'm incredibly resilient. If I weren't, I wouldn't be alive! The problem isn't a lack of will, it's that I have no way to fight. I am blocked. So if there's no path, there's no mission possible.
- the person who asked
I'm a realist. I see the bitter reality, and I can't fool myself with false hope. They have stolen wealth, power, resources, equipment, networks, propaganda, and the means of coercion. I have none of those structural advantages. All I have is an extraordinary mind.
- someone who replied, again
How come your extraordinary mind isn’t enough?
- the person who asked
There is no real freedom. We always end up with some form of dictatorship. The only question is who becomes the dictator and by what strategy. Every plan I made to move to countries that value freedom and human rights turned out to be impossible or became impossible because of others. So no matter how brilliant my mind is when everything outside is blocked. Even the smartest people die. Even the best magicians can get trapped.
- someone who replied, again
Yes it’s true. I can see how you would feel discouraged, but maybe this is an important part of your story. Truly brilliant solutions often require an unusual amount of failure or letdown. And maybe this is your circumstance to bring out that brilliance in you. And maybe that isn’t clear yet, but it doesn’t have to be feeling discouraged is OK and it doesn’t need to be rushed out of, I don’t want you to lose hope
- the person who asked
With sadness, let me share a small part of my extremely difficult circumstances so we can better think about a possible solution. I have no freedom, no rights, and no security here; not physically, psychologically, economically, or socially. I don't even have the freedom to show a few strands of my own hair.
- the person who asked
I haven't left my house in six years except three times to see a doctor. I still need medical care, but I don't go because I can't keep exhausting my mind dealing with authoritarian people who refuse to understand. They are deeply driven by an inferiority complex and by rigid dogmatism. They are comfortable with submission and being a slave and they try to force everyone else into submission and being a slave as well.
- the person who asked
I'm curious: if someone else had lived my life or had my situation, what would they have done?
- someone who replied, again
Do you have access to books? Ever heard of ‘man’s search for meaning’ by Victor frankl? I cannot say I’ve experienced that level of oppression, but I thought of this book when you asked. He’s main point is that people survived the holocaust more frequently when they had hope of life continuing beyond the holocaust, something to look forward to like reuniting with family, etc
- someone who replied, again
You’ve got access to the internet, have you thought about writing about your story or ideas and sharing them? Consider using a vpn to get a separate IP address or try the Tor browser. If you need to get around location based restrictions to accessing the internet
- the person who asked
Thank you for your guidance. Tor doesn't work here. Yes, my internet access is restricted, and I'm even forced to use a VPN just to access your app. No, I haven't read that book. Human beings have always looked for things to cover up bitter realities and live a blind life joyfully.
- the person who asked
That's why religions, cultures, entertainment, capitalism, and concepts like hope, motivation, positive thinking, magic, miracle, positive energy, and thousands of other comforting but baseless illusions were created and became popular.
- the person who asked
I'm a realist and an existential nihilist. I don't see only what I lack. I see everything. I'm grateful that I have a relatively healthy body, a smartphone, internet access, a computer and I was able to buy design software, become a digital dental technician on my own, and work at home.
- the person who asked
But at the same time, I also see the problems: I have no income, and despite having a LinkedIn profile, I can't receive payments because the banks in this garbageland are under sanctions, and because of that, I can't earn an income or immigrate as a digital nomad. No, I'm an introvert, and I hardly talk to anyone. I don't like people invading my privacy.
- someone who replied, again
I’ll keep talking to you if you want! You have a lot going for you especially given the circumstances. That’s something to be proud of. What does your ideal life look like? Where do you envision yourself and what do you wish it was like for you on a day to day basis?
- the person who asked
Thanks, I appreciate it. If I had to describe an ideal life that's relatively possible, it would be this: I'd love to own a ship and not be dependent on any country, any person, any law or any system. I'd like to live peacefully on the open oceans, free to go wherever I want, whenever I want. I'd love to learn many different skills and approaches. I enjoy trying new things and I don't like a repetitive life.
- the person who asked
I'm a complex, multifaceted person and I'm very adaptable and flexible. I want to learn everything and experience everything and test everything and research everything..., but my highest priority is to be free and at peace. I love survival skills and living close to nature, but I also love modernity and technology.
- the person who asked
I have many small and big goals that I still haven't been able to achieve
- someone who replied, again
How come this life isn’t feasible for you? I realize you have a lot of barriers, but like what’s specifically preventing your from doing this or at least building up the skills to one day make this leap?
- the person who asked
I can learn skills, and I have already learned many things by myself. The problem is that many barriers are structural and outside of my control: lack of freedom, economic restrictions, sanctions, no access to international payments, immigration barriers, and years of suppression.
- the person who asked
If there is a specific situation you have in mind, you can ask me and I will explain. I have many obstacles and dead ends, and I can't simply describe all of them briefly. Thank you for your attention.✨️
- the person who asked
Here, you don't have basic rights, especially as a woman, and you also don't have the financial ability. If you want to leave, you face many obstacles such as government searches and inspections that invade your privacy. You face problems from other countries; visa refusals, financial sufficiency requirements, unrecognized nationality, academic degree, and currency.
- someone who replied, again
Yes those sound significant. And it’s clear that this is going to be harder for you than almost anyone on earth! Most ppl will never know a fraction of this oppression. I have to ask though. You have this intense desire to leave and do something with your life. And you have this oppression. Which is stronger? Which are you committing to? The oppression winning or your desire? I know I’m oversimplifying but I’m trying to understand if it’s better
- someone who replied, again
To let oppression win and give up those dreams and live the life available to you or if you are willing to continue suffering the difficulty and obstacles in front of you to fulfill your desire? Either path is valid. But living in both worlds holding on to this desire for something else and remaining committed that the oppression is too much is not a state you can be in forever. The pain is great from this pull as I hear you explaining now
- the person who asked
since I was a child, I've refused to submit to this oppression and suffocation and I've wanted to escape this place and its shallow, narrow-minded people. The issue isn't what I want; it's that I have no practical path forward. As long as there's no viable way out, I'm stuck in suspension.
- the person who asked
My situation hasn't changed in many years. I'm exhausted, and every day I become more drained, more depressed, and less motivated. I struggle with anhedonia and hypervigilance. Wanna hear some of the things I've tried?
- someone who replied, again
I can see how you would be feeling that way they given your circumstance. I do want to hear some of the things you’ve tried.
- someone who replied, again
What does it look like for people like you from your area? Do you have anyone you can talk to or are you look up to who has followed a similar path that you want?
- the person who asked
About ten years ago, I learned Romanian because I planned to study at a university in Romania. However, here the currency is extremely weak and keeps losing value. Without exaggeration, no country accepts our currency. Without sufficient financial means, that path is blocked. On top of that, a student visa does not automatically lead to immigration. After graduation, if you don't have a legal basis to remain in the country, you can be deported.
- the person who asked
Many universities and employers also require an IELTS certificate, but IELTS services are unavailable in my country because of sanctions. Five years ago, I passed German A1 with a score of 100, but I did not continue because Germany made accepting Persians much more difficult, and my plan was no longer practical.
- the person who asked
This year, in 2026, I worked on my dental skills and knowledge. I wanted to go to Canada through provincial programs that Canada has for certain specialized fields, but I consulted two lawyers, and they told me that Canada is rejecting Persians and that as a single woman, I basically have no chance to get a visa and try to come there and find an employer willing to hire me.
- the person who asked
During these years, I thought several times about different inventions. I had an idea to design small, economically efficient machines for suturing with new types of absorbable threads. I do not have the ability to build it; I can only explain the design imperfectly through email to a foreign company and, if they were willing to support it, use their letter for a visa application.
- the person who asked
However, I found out that Chinese companies have already practically built something similar. I became disappointed, especially because this has happened to me with other things as well! Every day, countries are closing their immigration pathways more and more, especially for people coming from places like mine, and making the conditions almost impossible. The general direction of global policies is becoming more anti-immigration.
- the person who asked
No money, no visa, no path. Every day I become more depressed, and trying becomes harder... There is no one like me. I don't talk to anyone. Most people who left either had a lot of money or connections, and most of them left many years ago. Sorry that it was so long. Thank you for taking the time to read it. 🌠
- someone who replied, again
I love hearing about it thank you for sharing. You obviously have a lot of creativity and entrepreneurial energy. Keep it up. This is not the end for you. You have a bright future. Keep believing in yourself because everything you’ve told me tells me you are special.
- someone who replied, again
Don’t loose hope! You have beautiful mind and heart. The world will be better from you continuing your journey and making your life what you want. Never let yourself forget that.
- the person who asked
It was my honor. You're welcome.🙏🏼 I'm trying, but depression has brought me to a standstill. Thank you for your extraordinary words.🌟 Though sadly, existence doesn't care about a special person; it cares about a chosen person. From your point of view, isn't hope or any concept created by the human mind that has no real basis and exists merely as a human construct dangerous?
- someone who replied, again
Yes it can be dangerous. But love, joy, vulnerability, connection, it all can be dangerous. Opening your heart up to the world and believing anything is dangerous because you risk being let down or loosing what you have. But that fear of the danger isnt a reason to let go and to give up hope. Miracles can happen. We can be stunned by the world and by outcomes. But if you give up on that hope you won’t give yourself the chance at all.
- someone who replied, again
I think our hope and our spirit is all we have in life. The outside world will do what it can to kill that spirit and harvest energy off of your disappointment and quitting. It makes you easier to control. What they cannot control is your spirit your internal fire and hope. Your optimism and wonder, that’s all we have even though we cannot touch it. We spend our whole lives trying to share it.
- the person who asked
I haven't surrendered to them, but I haven't had hope either, because I have no option or path to put my hope in.
- someone who replied, again
True faith is in the absence of evidence. You must continue to believe within your heart even if you don’t currently see a way
- the person who asked
At the moment, I'm unfortunately just surviving. My depression doesn't let me do anything. Even the smallest tasks have become difficult and feel like torture.
- someone who replied, again
It’s ok to just survive sometime. Sometimes that’s all you can do so that you can build yourself up in the next effort. I want to challenge you though. You said ‘my depression doesn’t let me do anything’ well depression isn’t a physical thing. It doesn’t control you unlesss you let it. A truer statement is ‘I’m letting my depression prevent me from doing anything’ you decide what you do in life. does that make sense?
- the person who asked
I’m also just surviving, that’s all. There’s nothing I can do. I have no opportunities or choices, and I’m deteriorating more and more every day.
