I've brought back my blog. Some of you might remember I used to post my writing regularly. I stopped. This is why.
(, Wed 22 Jul 2020, 22:04, Reply)
I suffered with it for years. Most of my life, really, although I didn't recognise it was Anxiety Disorder until I got my alcoholism under control and realised that I had all kinds of issues long before alcohol became my medication of choice.
I don't suffer from irrational bouts/periods of anxiety any more. Somehow during the process of learning to live without being shitfaced 24 hours a day, I completely and utterly ceased giving a shit what anybody thought about me.
It's a double-edged sword, though. When I suffered from anxiety (and before the drinking hit critical mass) I was a hugely popular person. I had an absolute shitload of friends, got invited everywhere and was generally a lovely guy. One of the great things about Anxiety Disorder is that it instills you with a sense of humility. Even if nobody else sees it, it's like a little monkey on your shoulder keeping you in check.
These days I'm a total cunt, for want of a better word. I'm not a malicious or nasty individual by any means. But I have absolutely no interest in going out of my way to please people just for brownie points. I won't laugh at somebody's shit joke in social situations just to win their favour, or tell somebody their dress looks lovely when it looks like a sparkly prolapsed anus. My boss absolutely loves me for my candour, but it has made me absolutely useless at being 'nice'.
I mean, I have a fantastic partner. Two brilliant dogs and I get along great with my partner's friends. I don't really care for friends of my own any more, I have plenty to do with the time I have already. But subjectively, I'd imagine most people would have preferred my previous anxiety-ridden life (minus the crippling alcoholism) versus my relatively new anxiety free but a bit of a total cunt with no mates life.
I suppose what I'm trying to say is, don't try and completely banish your anxiety. It's probably quite healthy to worry a bit about what other folk think of you! Bloody good on you for putting it out there, though. It's not the most macho subject in the world, so it's a condition that I feel gets largely hidden/ignored by the male population. All the best with getting your head screwed on properly!
(, Wed 22 Jul 2020, 22:51, Reply)
Yes, it's unpleasant but I can see where it keeps me in check. I also use alcohol to self-medicate and wish I didn't. i'm not an alcoholic, mind (I've checked) but my brother is and I've supported him through some horrible stuff.
It's pleasing to know you have support. Get better. I'm single but have terrific friends.
I know anxiety is part of who I am (though I would like to banish it) and I can use it for my life. And I hope to get my head screwed on right.
(, Wed 22 Jul 2020, 23:02, Reply)
(, Thu 23 Jul 2020, 0:04, Reply)
On sale in all branches of WH Smiths and The Works, now.
(, Thu 23 Jul 2020, 1:03, Reply)
which puts you ahead of a lot of blokes I know. actually, I probably know more mums these days who are pretty much pissed from afternoon onward, which includes mornings now with covid. Still, when I think about the little shits they're trapped in the house with it's hard to put too much on their shoulders
(, Thu 23 Jul 2020, 5:31, Reply)
I went for "odd withdrawn outsider who talks to cats all day on pills" and the alcohol.
Gardening and cats give me some peace, that and few people.
(, Thu 23 Jul 2020, 1:01, Reply)
I very occasionally get a wistful longing for the absolute freedom from any responsibility or accountability it seemed to give me. But I've gone right off the idea of taking any substances whatsoever that significantly alter my cognitive function. Not long after having my last drink, I put down the pills and the weed, too. The thought of putting something like that into me now is analogous to poisoning myself.
I'll always be a dirty alcoholic, though. No matter how long it's been since I last drank. It's always worth reminding myself that I'd almost certainly be homeless, possibly dead, if I didn't decide I was ready to stop when I did. Complacency is fucking deadly, and the only thing stopping me from starting is myself.
I really don't mind that part of the sobriety deal was me becoming a less friendly person. The only time I dislike the new Mr. Penis is when my somewhat volatile temper gets the better of me. But those moments are very, very rare.
Hobbies and animal pals are definitely very, very good outlets!
(, Thu 23 Jul 2020, 1:22, Reply)
I'd have been dead a decade or so ago otherwise.
Chronic pain of one sort or another keeps me on the pills. (Hahaha while writing that I just absent mindedly took tomorrow mornings by mistake).
(, Thu 23 Jul 2020, 1:31, Reply)
'I'll always be an alcoholic'
Lauagable, I used to sniff my deodorant when I was six.
You've just grown up (unfortunately)
(, Thu 23 Jul 2020, 6:43, Reply)
There aren't any alcoholics, just irresponsible drinkers.
(, Thu 23 Jul 2020, 10:09, Reply)
p.s. My memory may be faulty but wasn't Peppermint Patty keen on ol' Chuck?
(, Wed 22 Jul 2020, 22:53, Reply)
Not sure how that would have impacted on poor Charlie's masculinity.
(, Wed 22 Jul 2020, 22:54, Reply)
but I thought the sexuality interpretation was brought by some (many) readers rather than intended by the artist or expressed by the character.
(, Wed 22 Jul 2020, 23:01, Reply)
But I mean, come on.
(, Wed 22 Jul 2020, 23:06, Reply)
I was going to say that he sought out Lucy's attention though she wasn't interested in him as she hung around Schroeder (the piano player)
(, Wed 22 Jul 2020, 23:18, Reply)
pattie liked charlie and marcie liked pattie.
If they were a little older, charlie could have had a good thing on his hands.
(, Wed 22 Jul 2020, 23:36, Reply)
This site sez no too
www.gay-or-straight.com/Peppermint%20Patty
(, Wed 22 Jul 2020, 23:07, Reply)
Peppermint Patty thought Charlie Brown was great. But in the world of Peanuts she was a weirdo who couldn't be trusted. It was part of Schulz's complex world. And yes, Marcie was presented as in love with her which further complicated matters. Thank you for the kind words.
(, Wed 22 Jul 2020, 23:07, Reply)
As mentioned earlier, I've had shit mental health and can relate to the withdrawal from any non essential activities.
Hope you find what works for you.
(, Wed 22 Jul 2020, 23:24, Reply)
Dragging yourself out of the sludge (time and again?) is hard enough, and then along with everything else to also put in the work to get the blog done (and maybe also with all the shit about sharing your work and judgement etc etc.) Fuck yeah. Creamy indeed. Really good to be helpful to others too. Consider yourself throbbingly saluted.
(, Thu 23 Jul 2020, 0:02, Reply)
The Peanuts / Evangelion parody crossover strips are very good
(, Thu 23 Jul 2020, 0:38, Reply)
All the best to you, and I hope making/posting stuff helps you as much as it helps me; keep on keeping on.
(, Thu 23 Jul 2020, 1:07, Reply)
good to see you getting stuff out there. being creative isn't a cure for anxiety, but at least it puts it to better use
(, Thu 23 Jul 2020, 1:12, Reply)
I hope that knowing that your work's much appreciated helps.
(, Thu 23 Jul 2020, 2:04, Reply)
This thread was a lovely thing to wake up to.
(, Thu 23 Jul 2020, 7:18, Reply)
They make wading through the rest of it worthwhile.
Sorry it’s been a rough time, your honesty is admirable, when my anxiety goes up, I just end up being a cunt rather than talking about it.
(, Thu 23 Jul 2020, 11:31, Reply)
