Thorns

This morning I had a moment of perfect clarity. I felt a strength of purpose and certainty in the importance of speaking publically on a complex issue that I haven't felt much in the last few years.

And then this evening I had a second moment of perfect clarity. That thought was "this is fucked up." And realised that the state I'm in now, and haven't been in for several years, is unmedicated.

GUESS WHO'S RINGING A THERAPIST TOMORROW.

My apologies to anyone who was hurt by the now locked post, which I am going to ignore for a while until I feel able to approach it with at least a modicum of rationality. Also apologies for blarging my personal issues on you all, but I felt like an explanation was neccesary and couldn't think of a less mortifying way to explain things. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go play computer games for a while and try not to die of /o\

For anyone not subscribed to alias_sqbr: I am in Melbourne for Worldcon! I may at some point be up for visitors (though possibly not :/) and if you see me come up and say hi! (If you want :))


Can Preschoolers Be Depressed? Lots of food for thought for me about my own (utterly miserable) childhood(*) and relationship with my parents (who were great at telling me I was awesome and giving unconditional love, but not so good at encouraging an open discussion of feelings)

Women Are Not Marshmallow Peeps, And Other Reasons There's No 'Chick Lit'

That post about women in maths

Marginalized folks shouldn't always have to be "the bigger persons" A corollary that occurred to me while reading this: a really simple way to be an "ally" (as much as that term makes sense) is to always try to be the bigger person, always give the benefit of the doubt to those you have privilege over in a given context. So, for example, when discussing sexism men should give women the benefit of the doubt and be more patient/polite etc. Not INFINITELY so, but more than normal.

(*)It belatedly occurs to me there's an element of appropriation in this since I've never been diagnosed with a mental illness. But I was definitely one of those sad shy children where the teachers take the parents aside and say "Sophie's a great student, but I worry...". Hmm. Shall ponder when not about to go to sleep.