I am a completely random woman on the internet who came across this article through a series of clicks I couldn't possibly recall. Our situations were/are not the same, but they were/are similar.
It feels almost hypocritical to say how much this post resonates with me, considering the wariness we both ascribe to throwing your moral lot in with any one community over your own best judgement and critical thinking. However, I also can't discount the relief in finding other women who feel similarly to me, and who are also trying to unstick themselves from years of stress, anxiety, and depression after bending ourselves into whatever shape the supposedly inclusive spaces around us demanded.
I have been on my own very lonely journey for some time coming to terms with the fact that the majority of my adulthood was molded by insulated and overbearing social media friend groups that felt more like echo chambers of mental illness and passive aggressive emotional stuntedness that only served to make us all worse, not better or healthier or more fulfilled people. Coming out the other side of that with a dedication to truth, compassion, and embracing the moral grey where its warranted is so, so hard, but reading pieces like this reminds me why it's worthwhile.
It feels so strange that because of the spaces I moved in during my formative years and into adulthood, I never quite figured out how to disagree amicably, or deal with someone (later on, that 'someone' being me) having an "incorrect" opinion, especially in the realm of social justice. It was always an all-or-nothing scenario, with me being unable to extend any amount of empathy or consideration to others. It will always be a minefield, especially online where you can only hope everyone around you is debating in good faith, when they so rarely are.
Thank you for writing this and sharing your experience and opinion, it was a very meaningful read. I look forward to the day I can embrace my own opinions and sense of self with the same clarity and bravery you have.
Boom. Thank you. Here's to the beauty of nuance.
I am a completely random woman on the internet who came across this article through a series of clicks I couldn't possibly recall. Our situations were/are not the same, but they were/are similar.
It feels almost hypocritical to say how much this post resonates with me, considering the wariness we both ascribe to throwing your moral lot in with any one community over your own best judgement and critical thinking. However, I also can't discount the relief in finding other women who feel similarly to me, and who are also trying to unstick themselves from years of stress, anxiety, and depression after bending ourselves into whatever shape the supposedly inclusive spaces around us demanded.
I have been on my own very lonely journey for some time coming to terms with the fact that the majority of my adulthood was molded by insulated and overbearing social media friend groups that felt more like echo chambers of mental illness and passive aggressive emotional stuntedness that only served to make us all worse, not better or healthier or more fulfilled people. Coming out the other side of that with a dedication to truth, compassion, and embracing the moral grey where its warranted is so, so hard, but reading pieces like this reminds me why it's worthwhile.
It feels so strange that because of the spaces I moved in during my formative years and into adulthood, I never quite figured out how to disagree amicably, or deal with someone (later on, that 'someone' being me) having an "incorrect" opinion, especially in the realm of social justice. It was always an all-or-nothing scenario, with me being unable to extend any amount of empathy or consideration to others. It will always be a minefield, especially online where you can only hope everyone around you is debating in good faith, when they so rarely are.
Thank you for writing this and sharing your experience and opinion, it was a very meaningful read. I look forward to the day I can embrace my own opinions and sense of self with the same clarity and bravery you have.
Wow, this is an incredible journey you've been on. I'm flawed by your courage and preseverance