Millennial Man 'Trapped' as Lie He Told 3 Years Ago Backfires Spectacularly
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A man has revealed how a small white lie he told three years ago about his beverage preferences has spiraled into a full-blown lifestyle commitment he never intended.
The Reddit user u/VryCuteAjaBharDuChut took to the subreddit r/confession to share how he once desperately hoped to become a "put together" 27-year-old—someone who meal prepped, tended to thriving house plants, and drank sparkling water. So, in a bid to embody that image, he bought a 12-pack of LaCroix, a popular brand of flavored sparkling water marketed as a healthy, natural alternative to sugary sodas.
According to LaCroix's website, the drink contains "only carbonated water and natural flavor," with no sugars, sweeteners, or calories. It's become synonymous with wellness culture.
But this aspiring wellness glow-up didn't go as planned.
"First sip? It tasted like someone whispered the word 'fruit' into a cup of TV static. Absolutely disgusting. But I had already posted it on my Instagram story with the caption: 'New addiction lol,'" the Redditor confessed.
"And that was the beginning of my downfall," he wrote, in a post that has since garnered more than 70,000 upvotes.
The post describes how this tiny social media embellishment turned into a long-running charade. Soon, friends began bringing LaCroix to his house. Coworkers stocked the office fridge with it just for him.
"Now I'm in too deep. I've become the guy who nods thoughtfully while drinking what is essentially spicy sadness. I have flavors in my fridge with names like 'Pamplemousse' and 'Limoncello,' and I pretend like I can tell the difference. I can't. It all tastes like carbonated regret," he shared.
Despite secretly disliking the drink, he feels stuck in his fizzy falsehood.
"But if I ever open a Gatorade, someone will say, 'Whoa, no LaCroix today?' and I'll just fake laugh like, 'Haha, gotta switch it up!' Meanwhile my soul is quietly screaming.
A stock image showing sparkling water.
A stock image showing sparkling water.
Insan Kamil/iStock / Getty Images Plus
"Anyway, if you're young and reading this: never lie about your beverages. That stuff will haunt you.
"Thanks for coming to my Ted talk," he concluded.
Redditors flooded the comments with empathy and solutions.
"Tell everyone you're going carbonation free! Easy solution. People's taste change over time. You could also pretend they changed something in the formula, and it's no longer pleasing to your taste buds," suggested one user.
"Or pretend you had COVID and now it tastes different!" another offered.
"This is a good response; from someone whose tastebuds and nose have as of yet to recover," someone chimed in.
"My dentists said carbonation is bad for my teeth, tough getting older ain't it," added another.
"Or say you've gotten older so now the carbonation is too harsh for your stomach," another suggested.
And for those tired of the performance altogether: "Or say nothing and don't explain yourself because you don't have to," one commenter firmly advised.
Newsweek reached out to u/VryCuteAjaBharDuChut for comment via Reddit. We could not verify the details of the case.
Newsweek's "What Should I Do?" offers expert advice to readers. If you have a personal dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money and work, and your story could be featured in WSID at Newsweek.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
People Are Sharing The Toddler Parenting Trends They've Absolutely Had It With, And I'm Curious If You Agree
Parenting in the age of social media is a unique beast. Between information overload and influencer overwhelm, there's a fervor for particular trends or products that can be A Lot. Recently, Reddit user ActualEmu1251 shared the toddler parenting trends they've HAD it with, and they made some points. Here's what they had to say: "Sensory bins: too much planning and work for five minutes of entertainment and a huge mess. Overly curated play/activities: Just let kids be bored sometimes and figure out what entertains them. Gift bags for kids attending birthday parties: I refuse to pay for a birthday party and also provide gifts to guests. Also, I don't want a bunch of Dollar Store garbage myself. Toddler food art and fancy plates: Are parents seriously cutting up sandwiches into cute little shapes or making Bluey pancakes? Most of my son's food is half-assed, cut up, and just piled on his high chair tray. Parents talking it out with their young toddler when they can hardly understand logic: keep it short and effective — 'that's dangerous!' or 'stop it'. Performative parenting: acting like the best parent in the world, but also ignoring your kids for hours while developing the perfect social media post. Constantly referencing leaps (Wonder Weeks app) and regressions: most of it is loosely based on real science and studies. All kids go through phases, so don't get hung up on trying to connect it all." ActualEmu1251 also asked other parents what trends they're so done with, and even more points were made: 1."The 'holiday baskets' for every single holiday like Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, July 4…Like, your child does not need a new book and holiday t-shirt and toy every time there is a special day!" —scrunchie_one 2."Over-the-top, elaborate birthday parties. No, I am not going to make a balloon arch or rent a bouncy castle or have a snack table with an array of different colored matching desserts and an original cocktail named after my child." —not_the_name_wanted 3."The gift opening at parties drives me nuts! It just makes all the other kids jealous that they can't play with all the stuff at the party." —Npete90 4."Sad beige/grey/'pastel' toys and clothes for babies and toddlers because parents want their homes to look cute on social media instead of letting their kids enjoy color." —madicienne 5."Not saying 'good job/well done' to kids and instead saying stuff like 'you really worked hard at that'." —Objective_Sam 6."I used to think wooden toys were cute and fancy, and now I just think of how dangerous they can be when turned into projectiles." —09percent 7."I hate the whole Montessori toddler thing, like please don't show me a video about how my 3-year-old should have a whole functional miniature kitchen so she can cook eggs by herself. I can just cook her eggs for her. She's 3." —happyflowermom 8."Why do I need to create fake mud with cereal when we have real mud, grass, stones, etc., outside for free?" —Difficult_Carry_4918 9."Someone telling you, 'you only get 18 summers with them' when every day feels like 12 days and every year feels like a century." —DueEntertainer0 10."I hate being called 'mama' by anyone but my child. Hate." —MGFT3000 11."I kept trying to get into a toy rotation habit and then realized that I don't care to spend my energy making sure my kid is excited about his toys. Some get naturally kind of hidden or put away for a while, and then he's happy to see them again, but I truly don't care if he's bored with them — he can go find something else to do in that case. I don't need to curate a selection of toys every week." —Imaginary-Market-214 12."The mommy wine culture and promoting the idea that there is no other way to relax and that you need to drink excessively to parent your children." —fireflygirl1013 13."I hate how boy clothes have essentially two vibes as they get older, sad beige baby or sport mode (black and other primary colors). It takes so much effort to dress a boy in bright colors." —gennygemgemgem 14."The gendered everything! I'm not super hippy dippy or anything, but mine was never into astronauts, monster trucks, dinosaurs, etc., at all, but somehow it seemed like we had no choice but to buy items with these printed on them. And the fact that everything still has to be either bright blue or pink in this day and age. Just annoying." —SayonaraSiren 15."Feeling like I have to research everything to death to find 'the best'. Last summer I spent WEEKS trying to find a sunscreen that was 'clean', reef-safe, etc. and not horrifically expensive. This summer I bought the Banana Boat 360 because I'm not wrestling my toddler every time we want to go in the sun to spread mineral goo all over his body and then ultimately have to scrub the excess off in the bath that night. I spray him, use a makeup brush to put some Up&Up brand mineral lotion on his face, and we go out. End of story." —ArtemisGirl242020 16."Consultants. On any possible topic. Sleep consultant, potty training consultant, weaning consultant, lactation consultant, first bath consultant, you name it! This whole industry feels predatory. They make moms/dads feel incapable of parenting mostly through social media, just to monetize all these services." —farasfere 17."I've seen moms on Instagram put makeup on their toddlers (I'm not talking makeup for pageants) like blush, eyelash extensions and tinted gloss." —SignificantIce7914 18."Exploiting children on social media for likes, attention and/or $$$." —fireflygirl1013 Do you agree with being done with these trends? What parenting trends have you absolutely had it with? Share in the comments or anonymous form below!
Buzz Feed
34 minutes ago
- Buzz Feed
Toddler Parenting Trends Parents Are Sick Of
Parenting in the age of social media is a unique beast. Between information overload and influencer overwhelm, there's a fervor for particular trends or products that can be A Lot. Recently, Reddit user ActualEmu1251 shared the toddler parenting trends they've HAD it with, and they made some points. Here's what they had to say: ActualEmu1251 also asked other parents what trends they're so done with, and even more points were made: "The 'holiday baskets' for every single holiday like Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, July 4…Like, your child does not need a new book and holiday t-shirt and toy every time there is a special day!" "Over-the-top, elaborate birthday parties. No, I am not going to make a balloon arch or rent a bouncy castle or have a snack table with an array of different colored matching desserts and an original cocktail named after my child." "The gift opening at parties drives me nuts! It just makes all the other kids jealous that they can't play with all the stuff at the party." "Sad beige/grey/'pastel' toys and clothes for babies and toddlers because parents want their homes to look cute on social media instead of letting their kids enjoy color." "Not saying 'good job/well done' to kids and instead saying stuff like 'you really worked hard at that'." "I used to think wooden toys were cute and fancy, and now I just think of how dangerous they can be when turned into projectiles." "I hate the whole Montessori toddler thing, like please don't show me a video about how my 3-year-old should have a whole functional miniature kitchen so she can cook eggs by herself. I can just cook her eggs for her. She's 3." "Why do I need to create fake mud with cereal when we have real mud, grass, stones, etc., outside for free?" "Someone telling you, 'you only get 18 summers with them' when every day feels like 12 days and every year feels like a century." "I hate being called 'mama' by anyone but my child. Hate." "I kept trying to get into a toy rotation habit and then realized that I don't care to spend my energy making sure my kid is excited about his toys. Some get naturally kind of hidden or put away for a while, and then he's happy to see them again, but I truly don't care if he's bored with them — he can go find something else to do in that case. I don't need to curate a selection of toys every week." "The mommy wine culture and promoting the idea that there is no other way to relax and that you need to drink excessively to parent your children." "I hate how boy clothes have essentially two vibes as they get older, sad beige baby or sport mode (black and other primary colors). It takes so much effort to dress a boy in bright colors." "The gendered everything! I'm not super hippy dippy or anything, but mine was never into astronauts, monster trucks, dinosaurs, etc., at all, but somehow it seemed like we had no choice but to buy items with these printed on them. And the fact that everything still has to be either bright blue or pink in this day and age. Just annoying." "Feeling like I have to research everything to death to find 'the best'. Last summer I spent WEEKS trying to find a sunscreen that was 'clean', reef-safe, etc. and not horrifically expensive. This summer I bought the Banana Boat 360 because I'm not wrestling my toddler every time we want to go in the sun to spread mineral goo all over his body and then ultimately have to scrub the excess off in the bath that night. I spray him, use a makeup brush to put some Up&Up brand mineral lotion on his face, and we go out. End of story." "Consultants. On any possible topic. Sleep consultant, potty training consultant, weaning consultant, lactation consultant, first bath consultant, you name it! This whole industry feels predatory. They make moms/dads feel incapable of parenting mostly through social media, just to monetize all these services." "I've seen moms on Instagram put makeup on their toddlers (I'm not talking makeup for pageants) like blush, eyelash extensions and tinted gloss." "Exploiting children on social media for likes, attention and/or $$$." Do you agree with being done with these trends? What parenting trends have you absolutely had it with? Share in the comments or anonymous form below!
Business Upturn
an hour ago
- Business Upturn
From film sets to sports stadiums, Bollywood actors are changing the game
When it comes to ambition, Indian film stars are no strangers to reinvention. And now, a growing number of them are making headlines not for their roles in films, but for their strategic forays into the high-stakes world of professional sport. This isn't about a passing passion or publicity stunt — it's a savvy business decision that's reshaping how India consumes both entertainment and sport. Of course, it helps that today's sports presentation is slicker than ever before. Anchors, presenters, and commentators have evolved into celebrities in their own right. Nikita Anand, who first made her mark as Miss India Universe and an actor, has emerged as the most articulate and celebrated presenter in Indian sports broadcasting. She has been a part of major shows like the Indian Super League on Star Sports and Cup Tak on Star News. Her work consistently garners appreciation on Instagram, where fans praise not just her fluency but also the emotional intelligence she brings to her presentation. 'Presenting sport isn't just about stats and scores,' she says. 'It's about capturing the moment, connecting with the energy, and giving the audience something real to hold on to.' Which is exactly what India's actors-turned-sports-investors are doing. Whether it's a stadium full of fans or a streaming audience at home, they're building experiences. They're building brands. And more than anything, they're betting on the future of Indian sport. This shift has taken centre stage over the past decade. It began, unmistakably, with the Indian Premier League. Cricket has always been more than just a game in India — it's religion, celebration, and business rolled into one. When Shah Rukh Khan picked up ownership of the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2008, alongside Juhi Chawla and Jay Mehta, it wasn't just a glitzy endorsement. It was a business masterstroke. 'Sport is no longer operating in a silo. It's entertainment, it's performance, and it's powerful storytelling. Those familiar with cinema instinctively understand these elements — which is why the connection with sport comes so naturally,' says Nikita. Take Preity Zinta, who made headlines as the co-owner of Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). Or Shilpa Shetty, whose involvement with Rajasthan Royals gave the team an extra sheen of stardust in the early IPL seasons. Their investment was financial, sure, but equally emotional and promotional — the fans followed, and so did the sponsors. But cricket is only one chapter. The new story is being written in football, kabaddi, and beyond. Abhishek Bachchan jumped into the action with Jaipur Pink Panthers in the Pro Kabaddi League. John Abraham made his move with NorthEast United FC in the Indian Super League, showing a genuine commitment to building football in a region rich in sporting potential. Ranbir Kapoor took co-ownership of Mumbai City FC, which has gone on to make impressive strides on the pitch and off it. 'There's real involvement here — participating in team decisions, engaging with strategy, meeting fans, and promoting sports at the grassroots. It's star power and substance,' Nikita explains. What's emerging is a pattern. Indian actors are no longer waiting for scripts — they're writing their own, and sport is proving to be an exciting new plotline. The shift is being driven by more than just passion. Sport is one of India's fastest-growing industries. With a young population, increasing urbanisation, and rising media consumption, the commercial upside is vast. Ticket sales, merchandise, broadcasting rights, streaming content — it's a complete entertainment ecosystem. 'Understanding audience psychology plays a huge role — knowing how to build loyalty, how to sell a moment, and how to turn emotion into energy. That's what great sport is all about too. The synergy is undeniable,' adds Nikita. From cricket fields to kabaddi courts, from football turf to business boardrooms, these stars are stepping into new arenas. Not to perform, but to participate — to shape what comes next. As Nikita Anand puts it, 'The stage has changed, but the showmanship, the intent and drive remain.' And now, it's game on.
