“Stop saying 15 year olds with weird interests are cringe, they’re 15” this is true however you should also stop saying adults with weird interests are cringe because who gives a shit
To wit:
I want to share some wisdom from my high school art teacher.
In my AP Art class, there was a girl who was just starting to experiment with mixed media. At this point she was still playing around, trying to decide what direction she wanted to go with her portfolio. So one critique day, she brought in an abstract canvas with some rhinestone highlights and painted and real peacock feathers. She loved sparkles and peacock feathers so she thought she’d try introducing them a *little*. And after everyone had given some input, the teacher gave her his advice, VERY roughly paraphrased here:
“So here’s the thing… I do not like this style. These are just elements that do not speak to me personally, but I see that you like them, and you’re doing interesting things with them.
“My biggest critique is, I only merely *dislike* this piece. I want you to make me HATE it. Go crazy with the things that you like. Don’t hold back trying to make it palatable to people like me. Because I am NEVER going to like it. And if the audience does not like it, it should drive them crazy seeing how much YOU love it.”
Her portfolio was chock full of neon colors and glitter and rhinestones and splashes of peacock feathers and it was a delight. Our teacher despised every piece lol, but she got great marks and I think even won some awards. And more importantly, she was happy and proud of the results. Because she didn’t limit herself by trying to appeal to people who were never going to enjoy what she enjoyed.
Takeaway here: be as cringe as you want. Don’t limit yourself based on other ppl’s tastes. They’re not you, and you are incredible 💕
about a month ago, my uncle asked if I had a significant other. I appreciate his gender inclusivity, of course.
I’m used to the question. it’s not like it’s something outrageous that he’s asking. so I simply said no, that’s not for me.
he looked at me and said “well, someday.” not someday maybe, just…. someday.
of course I’m not quick to anger, but there’s a part of me that’s a little more defensive about my aroace identity. so I jumped to my defense.
my uncle isn’t a bad guy, he’s quite nice and tries his best to be respectful in the current political shit storm by supporting queer people. but apparently that does exclude me, an aroace.
I reiterated that I’m just not interested in a romantic or sexual partnership, and I really do not ever see that changing.
and he said something to the effect of “it’s okay if you don’t want that now.”
and I said, “no, it’s just okay that I don’t want that.”
and he said that I was pessimistic. as if I was secretly searching for a relationship or a partner, but was rejecting love because I could not find one.
I calmly (with all the rage in my veins) told him “no, a life without love or sex is something optimistic for me.”
he had the gall to look horrified.
I’m sick of aroace people not being seen as normal human people when they don’t want the outcome of their life to look like everyone else’s. I’m sick of the white picket fence, I’m sick of the assumption that everyone has another half out there.
ALT
