I have such a love hate relationship with TSR. It's probably why I keep going underground and then back again.
What I love about it:
-meeting people who understand the often esoteric nature of some mental health conditions which makes me feel less alone and less insane. (Airmed, TLG, Jenx301)
-the fact that age, location, background play an insignificant role and this allows you to connect with like minded people when typically irl you wouldn't because of those considerations. Eg French Unicorn is in Paris, and homeland is only 16 but on TSR it doesn't matter.
-that I have actually got a support network of people that I know really care for me and would do anything they could to be there (BrokenLife, cupofgreentea, strawbari, queen bee, CoolCavy, Blondie, Indeterminate, Axel, Z33)
-how much it makes me laugh and some of the absolutely hilarious personalities on here (the bear, spoder, planta, Hydeman, MrsSheldonCooper, nucdev, Hodor)
-that the site gives a platform to be open about things that irl you are constantly suppressing in order to appear 'fine' or 'normal'. Since writing about a lot of my stuff in the blog, I have become so much more confident to tell people irl how it really is.
-that I'm actually beginning to meet people from the site irl and form proper friendships which I believe will be sustained well into the future and beyond TSR (brokenlife, ifoundwonderland)
What I hate about it:
-how addictive it is and that my life has been taken over by it a bit.
-that I sometimes don't work on some of the stuff im feeling deep down and use it as a distraction.
-that people needlessly pass comments about me all the time and think it's okay to abuse my facial features, voice, and my general personhood.
-that I've been accused of making up/faking my mental health issues when I've strived to be more open about them to help others and find solidarity.
-that each subsequent gem gets harder and harder to get. -the dupes and trolls that come on to bait people because it's funny. And especially: that this affects people I have come to care about.
-that people make assumptions on who I am and judge me before getting to know me.
-that people use the anonymity to say some really terrible things.
Overall, I think the positives outweigh the negatives by a long way
and this is why I'm still here probs
So anyway, /essay, what do you love and hate about TSR ?