This is just a list of how I wish my childhood was different. There’s no specific theme beyond that, but the list is reflective of a significantly miserable and traumatic childhood. (I’m using childhood very loosely to mean 0 to my current age of 18, because I’m not sure a better way of saying it).
I wish I had parents that love each other, or a single mom the entire time.
I wish COVID hadn’t happened, or had been stopped faster (it’s not really stopped even now).
I wish I had friends I’ve known for my entire life.
I wish I lived in a home I like in a city I can walk in and take public transport in.
I wish my anxiety and depression was unfounded.
I wish I wasn’t chronically ill and in pain.
I wish I was a cis girl, or AFAB bi-gender (girl and agender).
I wish I knew ASL as well as I know English.
I wish I didn’t have so much trauma.
I wish I didn’t have years I can’t remember.
I wish I fully trusted my mom.
I wish she understood how think.
I want to stop wishing I’d had other people’s childhoods.
AQ
PS: I’m not suicidal or thinking of hurting myself.
PPS: I’m not sure what formatting of the list is best for accessibility—if a staff person wants to edit it for accessibility, please do so.
I wish I had a better childhood
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We ask that users looking for general, ongoing emotional support post in this area of the boards, and that you use this space to both ask for, give and receive that support primarily from each other, rather than from our staff and volunteers. As a staff, we simply are often too overextended with all we need to do in running the organization and its services to do that for extended periods of time, and one of our main aims of our community at the boards has always been to facilitate peers to better be there for each other.
Users often report that they have no in-person peers they can talk to or seek support from: we want this to be a space for online peer support and somewhere everyone can get some practice asking for, getting and giving support so that doing it with people in your lives feels more doable.
Please remember that neither staff, volunteers nor your fellow users can provide or replace mental healthcare when that is something you need. Users struggling with issues like anxiety, depression, abuse or physical health issues are strongly encouraged to seek out qualified, in-person help with those issues in addition to peer or staff support.
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Asking Queries
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I wish I had a better childhood
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Heather
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Re: I wish I had a better childhood
Morning, AQ.
Just sending you a ton of care and holding space for these feelings. If there's something more than that you're looking for from us with this, just let me know. I'll be here all day. <3
Just sending you a ton of care and holding space for these feelings. If there's something more than that you're looking for from us with this, just let me know. I'll be here all day. <3
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead