#grumpycatadvice

*takes a swig of beer*

I travel for work and I'm over a thousand miles from home. I can't go back for another 3 months, I'm lonely and homesick, and I'm not making the money I thought I would.

Also I threw out my back so that's another couple days' paychecks out the window.

In short, things are looking pretty shitty right now. You got any words of wisdom for me?

If not, I'll take a shot of Maker's if you got it.

Yeah, that’s rough, buddy. Lonely, broke, and busted up? Been there, let me tell you.

First off, take it easy on the back—pushing through pain’s just gonna make it worse, and you can’t afford more downtime, right? Ice, heat, and if nothing else works—whiskey.

As for the homesick part? Don’t fight it. It sucks, and pretending it doesn’t won’t help. Call someone back home, even if it’s just to bitch about how much this sucks. Remind yourself it’s temporary. Three months feels long, but it’s not forever—just gotta grit your teeth and ride it out.

And the money? Look, jobs promise the world and deliver scraps. Best thing you can do is budget what you’ve got, keep your eyes open for side gigs, and if all else fails, hustle your way through it. Desperate times call for desperate measures—or a decent poker face.

We gonna make a paper for them to reference from so if put on the spot they have a guide!

Smart move. Having a plan beats winging it every time. Write down the key points they need to hit—facts, dates, and anything that backs up their case. Keep it simple, no fluff. Courts eat up details but hate rambling.

Then prep answers for the obvious questions—what happened, why it matters, and what outcome they’re asking for. Bullet points work—short and sharp. Less chance to freeze up when they’ve got something solid to fall back on.

And make a cheat sheet for reminders—notes to stay calm, breathe, and not let nerves take over. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being ready.

Any anxiety tips?

Alright, first off—breathe. Both of you. Court dates feel big because they are, but worrying yourself sick isn’t gonna change the outcome. What will help is keeping each other steady.

For you—be their anchor. Let ‘em know it’s okay to be scared, but remind ‘em they’re not walking into that room alone. Be there to listen, to calm ‘em down when their thoughts get too loud, and to celebrate when it’s finally over. And for them—tell ‘em fear’s normal, but it doesn’t mean they’re helpless. They’re showing up, standing up for themselves, and that’s already more than half the fight. Make sure they know you believe in ‘em, even if they’re too scared to believe in themselves right now.

Neither of you has to have all the answers—just stick together, take it one step at a time, and don’t let fear call the shots. Win or lose, you’ll handle it. That’s what partners do. And for what it's worth, I believe in you.

Anxiety’s a real bastard, but it doesn’t get to run the show. First, breathe—slow and deep, in through the nose, out through the mouth. Keeps your brain from short-circuiting.

Second, focus on what you can control—lay out the facts, make a plan, and stick to it. No spiraling about what-ifs.

And third? Don’t bottle it up. Talk to your partner, let ‘em lean on you, and let yourself lean on them too. You’re in this together—don’t forget that.