It is REALLY HARD to not think of myself in terms of what I can do. And when I run across someone who can do everything I care about better than I can, it's REALLY HARD for me to not think that it would just be better if I stepped aside and didn't bother anymore.

I KNEW I should have immediately followed up posting this toot by muting responses to it.

If I could convince Mastodon at large of only one thing, it would be this:

if you see someone complaining, DO NOT give them advice.

If someone ASKS for advice, offer it.

But 90% of the time, someone complaining is just venting. They're not telling you the whole story, and they're not receptive to being given advice, because in that mental state, your "good-natured advice" is their "HERE'S HOW YOU'RE DOING THIS WRONG".

Do not respond with advice unless it's asked for.