As I read, thinking about how I wanted to give Margo’s parents a stern talking to, a small 3-inch wide piece of paper slipped out from between the pages. A hand written note, it read “Congratulations, Reader, you might be a Nerdfighter!
Upon my introduction to them, the Nerdfighter Community was obliterating the world of suck I was currently inhabiting! Here’s how:
I occasionally suffer from mild to moderate depressive episodes; periods of about one to two weeks filled with anxiety, and intense apathy. I basically stop enjoying life in general.
It sucks; and although I’ve been learning a lot about my triggers in the past couple months, I’ve yet to unravel the complex formula for the triggers that end these episodes.
In the past, it’s been being around friends, it’s embarking on a new project, and the beginning of a new love.
This time around after one long week, I found I was still traveling through my daily life on autopilot, because even though my passions had ran away, the need to maintain my relationships and uphold responsibilities had not.
And unfortunately being around my loved ones, which had worked in the past, miserably backfired this time around.
Essentially, I could see that faking normalcy wasn’t working, and they could start to see that my smile didn’t reach up to my eyes.
The worst of it was my failed attempt to be near my boyfriend in order to snap out of it.
It hurt immensely to feel so tremendously hollow while he held me, and it hurt more when he, understandably and respectfully, asked for space.
I saw for the first time how my disorder could ruin this relationship, my first real relationship, and it terrified me. So I stepped back from my life for a few hours, took up temporary hermit hood, put the “fake it till you make it” mentality on hold.
I went back to my dorm, picked up a copy of Paper Towns and settled in with some coca-cola and chocolate morsels and nuts.
As I read, thinking about how I wanted to give Margo’s parents a stern talking to, a small 3-inch wide piece of paper slipped out from between the pages. A hand written note, it read “Congratulations, Reader, you might be a Nerdfighter! If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I suggest you go to YouTube/Vlogbrothers and start exploring this TRULY AMAZING community (Nerdfighteria): We raise money for charities, support artist, decrease World Suck, and SO MUCH MORE! Hope to see you there. DFTBA and Best Wishes! -Missing Left Sock”
My first thought: What is world suck?
Second: Did someone go into Barnes n Noble and place these in copies of John Green’s books?! Third: Where’s my laptop?
The first thing I found was this live podcast hosted by John Green himself.
He was answering questions as they were appearing on his screen, and was remarkably funny and kind! And frankly very sassy.
On the side bar there was the insane flurry of questions racing up the page.
Honestly I don’t really remember the topic of the conversation, but I became acutely aware in a matter of minutes that this was a light hearted, accepting, inspirational, and powerful community. A force to be reckoned with.
And then I achieved the miraculous feat of laughing and erupting into tears simultaneously.
A live podcast might seem like such a menial thing, but to me it was a speck of light piercing the toxic pool I’d been drowning in. It was literally a beacon that showed me how to climb out of my current low.
They were happy tears, they were an expression of hope.
So there you have it. That’s the story of how my introduction to the Vlogbrothers and Nerdfighteria literally demolished my own personal world of suck, and I’ve been a proud Nerdfighter ever since. So thank you John and Hank Green, thank you Nerdfighteria, and thank you Missing Left Sock whoever you are.
I can’t begin to express how a small act had such a colossal impact on my world; because I’m on my way to recovery, to understanding, to control, to peace, to acceptance. I’m on my way, and will combat world suck at every step.
-AndTheEarthSighed (andtheearthsighed.tumblr)
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Hi! If you followed the live podcast, could you please provide a brief rundown of what was discussed for those of us who couldn't watch it? Any interesting tidbits? Any word on future movies? Thanks!
Unfortunately I was unable to attend. It was my birthday and I was out celebrating with family at the time it aired. A friend sent me some short video clips, but nothing noteworthy was mentioned during them.
Did anyone else see it? Feel free to leave a comment with your favorite part.
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Earth Station Who - Power of The Doctor
New Post has been published on https://esonetwork.com/earth-station-who-power-of-the-doctor/
Earth Station Who - Power of The Doctor
Recorded live! Jodie’s last adventure featured a lot of familiar faces in some unexpected places. Mike, Mike, Mary, Melanie, and Kirby celebrate the end of the Chibnall era and get a glimpse of things to come.
We want to hear from you! Please write to us at
[email protected]. Also, please subscribe and rate the show on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Google Plus, or wherever fine podcasts are found. Feedback is always welcome and much appreciated.
Links
Listen to older episodes of the Earth Station Who Podcast
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The 20 MB Doctor Who Podcast
Promotion
Promo for Earth Station Trek at the end of the show
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