Showing posts with label mental health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mental health. Show all posts

Thursday 4 February 2021

Comics Wrap-Up - Got Called An Alien For Bein' Myself

 

'Comics Wrap-Up' with lined-notebook-style background and speech bubbles containing heart symbols

It's Thursday, it's February, let's get some comics-y, superhero-y goodness!

This week's is unintentionally super-queer (ha, super 😎) and is once again all in the 'Other Stuff' category (#BlameLoki).


Sunday 24 January 2021

Nerd Church - What's Behind the Covid Arts and Crafts Boom?

(Warning: this post discusses mental health problems, especially Depression and Anxiety, and the Covid 19/Coronavirus pandemic)


I've always been an artsy, craftsy, sort of person.

I'm one of these people who can never name their hobbies when asked, but actually has somehow accumulated so many hobbies that she can't physically fit them all in to her timetable.

(Part of the solution to that is to make some of your hobbies into your employment, but that brings its own challenges.)

And most of those hobbies are creative in some way.

So yeah, I'm a big fan of the arts and crafts!



'What's Behind The Covid Arts and Crafts Boom?' with yarn and knitting needles in the background


Friday 22 January 2021

Friday Fics Fix - Slightly-Stabby Protectiveness

 

'Klaus had been… animate when describing each of his siblings.'

 

'Fics Fix!' with purple background and white lightning bolt shape


OK, OK - I know, OK? I know.

...I rec'd an Umbrella Academy fic last week. I know.

I usually try to leave at least one week in between rec'ing fics from the same fandom (no, really, I do.)


Friday 15 January 2021

Friday Fics Fix - Haunting Metaphors (...and I'm Blaming the Coffee)

 (Warning: this post discusses mental health problems, as well as referencing abuse by parents.)



'Klaus blinked slowly, then nodded. “Yeah, what can I say? Some people just can’t accept that they’re f**king DEAD!”'



'Fics Fix!' with purple background and white lightning bolt shape




Now that I've finally finished watching Series 2 of The Umbrella Academy, it is of course time for some TUA fanfiction!

I'm Umbrella Academy trash, and proud of it! 😂😎

Monday 4 January 2021

The Bookish Diversity Link List 2021

 

Your resource for all things bookish diversity is back!


Considering 2020 was... 2020, I reckon I did quite well, really.

Still, that's all the more reason to strive to include more links to fabulous resources in this year's list! 

Especially considering that we can't lose the momentum gained in 2020 around racial issues, and we must protect the equality and representation of other identities!

And if all that sounded intimidating, then there's really no need for it to be - this is about books, and finding books which reflect the wonderful diversity of humanity on this weird little planet.


'The Bookish Diversity Link List' with punk-star background



Wednesday 30 December 2020

Seriously Reducing My Goodreads Challenge Goal Because 2020

(Warning: this post discusses mental health problems, specifically Depression and Anxiety, and references Covid and the dumpster fire of 2020)



'Seriously Reducing My Goodreads Challenge Goal Because 2020' against a background of decorative shelved books that I would very much like to own


For those unaware: there is a website called Goodreads. It's like social media for books, basically. 

(Before you ask, my Goodreads account is private.)

And every year it encourages people to set a target number of books to read that year - the Goodreads (GR) challenge.

(It would be cynical to point out that Goodreads is owned by Amazon, and therefore may have a monetary incentive for encouraging people to consume vast quantities of book. 

Corporations can create unintended social benefits - in this case encouraging literacy - despite what their motives may or may not be.)

Monday 7 December 2020

Month in Review(s) - November 2020

 

(Warning: this post discusses mental health problems, Covid 19/Coronavirus, and Transphobia)


November saw some rays of sunshine breaking through the end of 2020.

Biden won.

Hope of a Covid vaccine became more real.


'November - Tachwedd' with jazzy patterned background


As for me, well, I've had some ups-and-downs.

News of local people dying of and/or being ill with Covid. A firebreak Lockdown. The continued anti-Welsh sentiment in the press...



And then there's the Amazon Associate issue *sigh* 

I can't go into it, because I've appealed the decision, but after some problems in November, I lost my UK Associateship in the first few days of December. That's all I can really say for now. 

But it had me super stressy for a bit 😣 still kinda stressy now tbh.

Damn Anxiety always blows this kind of sh** out of proportion.


Update, 8th December:


Please DO NOT use my links to purchase from Amazon UK - my Associate account for the UK was unfairly closed, and Amazon UK will no longer pay me for any purchases made with them.

I will slowly be removing the UK links from 1000+ posts, but it's gonna take a while.

Friday 27 November 2020

Friday Fics Fix - My Stand-Out Fics of 2020

 

It's December in a matter of days, which means that Friday Fics Fix will be going on its annual Christmas holiday.

...So what better opportunity to look back on the fics that've really stood out to me in 2020?

(Don't answer that. It's rhetorical. I'm gonna do it anyway. 😎)



'Fics Fix!' with purple background and white lightning bolt shape



2020 has been 2020.

So, I've totally been reading a butt-tonne of fanfiction as self-care. 

Because fanfiction is excellent for all the self-care purposes - whether you need deep and angsty, or sweet and fluffy, or you want to fulfil some very um, specific, tastes: fanfiction has it all!

(I don't judge. But if I never read another pumpkin sex fic, it'll be too soon. And yes, it happened again in October - how do they keep finding me?!)


Sunday 22 November 2020

Nerd Church - Working From Home More? It's Time To Set Some Work/Life Boundaries


(Warning: I briefly discuss mental health problems in this post - it's not graphic, and is written about in the context of self-care and healthy work/life boundaries)


'Working From Home More? It's Time To Set Some Work/Life Boundaries' with a rustic-y fence and a sunflower, because sunflowers are happy and we need happy stuff in 2020


A lot more people are working, at least in part, from home this year - on account of 2020 and all the Lockdowns and everything 2020-ish.

I've actually worked from home for several years, and it's got a ton of advantages - but you also have to be careful to set work/life boundaries -

- especially if, like me, part or all of your income is coming from things which were once solely hobbies - it tends to blur the lines.



Disclaimer: This is the bit where I remind you that I'm not any type of mental health or medical professional.

Neither am I some kind of life or productivity coach (that would be scary!)

I only have first-hand experience of Depression/Anxiety, and using self-care to support myself - and hopefully my experiences can help other people.


Friday 20 November 2020

Friday Fics Fix - Peter Parker Is Not OK

 

'Peter didn’t remind Mr. Stark of their plans, not after lunch, not after dinner and not when they were all sitting (or rather lying) in front of the TV later that evening.'



'Fics Fix!' with purple background and white lightning bolt shape




Fanfiction can make you laugh, make you cry, or make you go AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

...We're dealing with the third option here.

The kind of option where the feels are so complex that AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! is pretty much the best  descriptor available to you.

Monday 9 November 2020

Month in Review(s) - October 2020

 

(Warning: this post discusses Coronavirus/Covid 19, and mental health problems)


Well... October was pretty much the same as the rest of 2020 - there were a couple of nice things in there, but overall it sucked.

(I'm still standing though! #ThePositiveSide!)

My local Lockdown became a Welsh national Lockdown, and the anti-Welsh sentiments in some parts of the media and the Interwebs were irritatingly loud. 

*Takes deep breaths* *Resists urge to rant*

(If you want to see me ranting for a whole blogpost against an ignorant RT from the Trumpkin, you can read that here.)



'October - Hydref' with carved, lit, pumpkins in the background

Sunday 25 October 2020

Nerd Church - 5 Things That've Kept Me Going In 2020 (So Far)

 

(Warning: this post discusses Coronavirus/Covid 19, Lockdowns, and Depression/Anxiety)


Since I'm once again in Lockdown, and now it's not just local but national for Wales, I figured I'd have a vague ramble about some of things that've been keeping me going through the weirdness that is 2020.


'5 Things That've Kept Me Going In 2020 (So Far)' on a wavy funky multi-coloured background

Wednesday 14 October 2020

Month in Review(s) - September 2020

(Warning: this post discusses Coronavirus/Covid 19, Transphobia and JKR, and mental health)


September was weird. I think that goes for much of 2020, but September felt especially 2020-ish.

In August, Wales was down to a very small number of Coronavirus cases. We had it in control. 

By the end of September, over half of our population was in Lockdown, and remain in Lockdown. That includes yours truly.


'September - Medi' with leafy background and large pink and purple leaf shapes

Friday 2 October 2020

Friday Fics Fix - The Detective's Dreams

  ***All Amazon.com links in this post are commission links. This means I earn commission from purchases made in the US*** 

Please do not use my links to make UK purchases.



'The mirth drains from his eyes, his face. Lowering his mug, his eyes following it, Sherlock asks, “What if your worst days are your fault, and only yours? Would you deserve it then?”'



'Fics Fic!' with purple background and white lightning bolt shape


Ready for some semi*-emotionally-healthy BBC Sherlock fanfiction?

Well, whether you are or not, that's what you're getting. 😛😉


*Look, it's emotionally healthy compared to the series, but there's still a sh**-tonne of co-dependency and poor coping mechanisms, ok?


Friday 11 September 2020

Friday Fics Fix - Padfoot and Moony's Guide to Raising Harry Potter (Ft. Diverse Representation!)

 

Note: For the foreseeable future the only Harry Potter fanfiction I'll be rec'ing will have Trans+/NB+ characters. 

I understand if you don't wanna read any posts about Harry Potter whatsoever, and I hope I'll see you when I'm rec'ing from a different fandom.



“Sirius, when is the last time you slept? Or ate a proper meal? Or took a bath? Don’t even bother answering that last one. You smell like something died in your hair..."

 

'Fics Fix!' with purple background and white lightning bolt shape



To rec this fic, I basically just wanted to go:

AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...until you read it.

But I realised that's both exhausting and requiring of context. (Dammit!)


Friday 4 September 2020

Friday Fics Fix - Klaus and Ben's Guide To The Parenting Of Dead Children

 

'Ben started laughing too. “What’s the matter, Klaus? Nonbinary ghost child should be right up your alley.”

That laughter was contagious, and Klaus gave in. “You know what? You’re right. Nonbinary ghost child is right up my alley. Good for you, kid!”'


'Fics Fix!' with purple background and white lightning bolt shape


Yes, we are talking Umbrella Academy...

But hang on a sec -



!! Please do NOT the SPOILERS !!

I'm only about half-way through series 2 of The Umbrella Academy, so please no spoilers! 

Diolch yn fawr iawn fy nghariadau!/Thanks v. much my loves!


Thursday 3 September 2020

Comics Wrap-Up - Traded My Honda For A Panther, I Just Got A Crib In Wakanda

  ***All Amazon.com links in this post are commission links. This means I earn commission from purchases made in the US*** 

Please do not use my links to make UK purchases.



'Comics Wrap-Up' with lined-notebook-style-background and speech bubbles containing heart symbols


Whew! A whole month without any Comics Wrap-Up posts, dearest nerdlets! Didja miss me?

You know the drill: it's Thursday, the world is a dumpster fire, let's get some superhero-y comics-y goodness!

We got a whole bunch of stuff this week, due to online conventions/reveals/all that jazz!


Thursday 30 July 2020

Comics Wrap-Up - They Took A Photograph Of the Place You Hid

 ***All Amazon.com links in this post are commission links. This means I earn commission from purchases made in the US*** 

Please do not use my links to make UK purchases.




'Comics Wrap-Up' with lined-notebook-style background and speech bubbles containing heart symbols


It's Thursday, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!

Friday 24 July 2020

Friday Fics Fix - The Fifth Beatle of the Family


'Klaus blinks into the mug in his hands, shaking and in danger of spilling. The book sits between them on the couch, her own face looking up at her, searching, accusing.'



'Fics Fix!' with a purple background and white lightning bolt shape





One of the many interesting thing about Netflix series The Umbrella Academy is the knowledge that this team of superheroes - these children - were famous as kids.

Fame is something that has to be handled very delicately when it comes to children - as the self-destructive tendencies, and generally poor mental health, of many former child-stars, shows.