I got this advice from a terrible person, so I'm not going to attribute it, but it still feels like sound advice: Trying to appeal to everyone is a recipe for failure. If everyone 'sort of likes' your work, it will definitely fail. If a small number of people like it intensely, it will succeed.

I can't remember where I heard this, but the best advice I ever got was 'No matter what the rule is, there's going to be a successful work that breaks it. But the secret to that is you have to know the rules well to judge when breaking them is acceptable'

If you could slip them into my energy drinks when I'm not looking, I'd preciate it

Because that removes the possibilty of becoming a Not-miserable POS.

Which I know probably doesn't seem like a possibility, but it really is. You CAN find the sunlight peeking through the clouds. And...depression really romanticises the idea of dying. It's not relief, it's more pain, then nothing.

What? That's clearly Lesbian State University and their football Hobgoblin Catcher. That's right in your wheelhouse, yeah?

I never am bothered to listen to someone talk about something they love, but I do sometimes struggle with processing what I'm told?

I have a bad choice of asking them to slow down and clarify and derailing them or losing it entirely and just having to smile and nod.

Good for you. I know it has to be hard, but this is a solid step in taking back your joy.

We have no control over the image of us people build up in their minds, but we have no responsibility for it, either. Stay Strong, friendo