neurodivergency, autism

"Sensory issues aren’t about fear.
They're causing physical pain.

So i see a lot of people (mostly not actually autistic people) talking about sensory Issues in terms of fear. They'll say things like "oh, he’s afraid of the vacuum."

This, of course, isn’t correct. It's not that the person is afraid of the vacuum, it's that it's literally causing them pain. Like, literally. If you put an autistic person in an FMRI and expose them to one of their sensory issues you'll see their pain centres light up.

So, why is this a problem? Well, most people view fear as something that can be overcome. So they’ll look down on people that let themselves be controlled by it. Which isn't good. The other thing is that the tried and tested way to overcome fear is through exposure therapy. However, if the thing is pain and not fear, all you're going to do is numb yourself from the pain.

So, if you're autistic, remember that your sensory issues are part of how your brain physically works, and you can’t just will yourself out of them. If you're not autistic, don't dismiss people’s sensory issues so fiippantly. Rember it's literally causing them pain."

self compassion

"i did it, quinn. i feel good now that im clean
but sometimes i feel so paralyzed. i cant do the things i know i need to do

kitty, its better to do things poorly or less often than not do them at all"

self compassion

"
"someone else could do it better than me"
not relevant babe, no one else is gonna do it. you cant do a mediocre job if you're the only one doing it

technically the wright brothers created the worst airplanes in the world"

growth, self compassion

"what do you want to be when you grow up?

in 25

so?
you can still grow"

{art by corvophobia}

relationships, abuse

"a relationship that is 10% abusive and 90% awesome, is abusive.

if you're tempted to push back on that fact, realize you're in the business of defending what percentage of abuse is "acceptable" in a relationship"

self compassion

"it is not an evil thing to look at yourself with kindness. your life was never meant to be a punishment"

society, lgbt, parenting

"just occurred to me that of course conservatives who are fearmongering about trans kids think progressive parents must be forcing this on their kids and programming them into accepting it - because that's how they relate to their children, with authoritarianism

This is the problem. Conservatives assume everyone is like them but with different priorities. They think the opposite of authoritarianism is queer authoritarianism, and the opposite of colonialism is the colonial oppression of white people. It doesn't occur to them that people who aren't on top of an oppressive regime could want anything other than to be on top of an oppressive regime."

chronic illness, body, mental health

"anyone can be tired.

you dont need to have kids, work 80 hours a week, have just finished your third degree, or have just recovered from a bad illness.

you dont have to prove to anyone why you're exhausted and tired"

socialization

"would you like some help?

nah, i can do this on my own

i know you can but that's not what i asked"

{art by hotpapercomics}

socialization, relationships, society

"genuinely so mad that cuddling is seen as a strictly romantic thing that's so stupid cuddling is awesome and two consenting platonic pals should be allowed to cuddle as much as they want"

socialization, parenting, abuse

"i dont know who needs to hear this, but you cant bully someone into acting happier for your comfort"

society, lgbt, minorities

"when you're a trans woman, you are made to walk this very fine line, where if you act feminine you are accused of being a parody, but if you act masculine, it is seen as a sign of your true male identity. and if you act sweet and demure, you're accused of reinforcing patriarchal ideals of female passivity, but if you stand up for your own rights and make your voice heard, then you are dismissed as wielding male privilege and ennoscriptment"

socialization

"do you need more water?
hes a cactus, i dont think he needs much water
hmm even if he doesnt need much
we should still ask our low maintenance friends if they're okay"

{art by wholesomecomics}

growth, healing

"oh good. i actually need this"

{art by ramin nazer}

medical, invisible problems, chronic pain

"doctor: 'dont confuse your google search with my 6 years of medical school'

patient: 'dont confuse the one-hour lecture you had on my condition with my 20 years of living with it' "

#art_credit_missing