Tesh

I'm planning on attending! I haven't been to any convention before so I'm really excited. I'll probably not do a full cosplay but I have a crocheted rat with a pirate hat I might attach to my shoulder.

We actually still have occasional book discussions on the Discord server, and sometimes people will pop in and say something and then things will get quiet again.

It would definitely be worth it to try and revive this thread though! 

8 hours ago, The cheeseman said:

Can someone please green this? Thank you.

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Hope this is okay!

4 hours ago, Channelknight Fadran said:

...am I green enough?

Heh, absolutely. 

1 hour ago, Frustration said:

*Still green from 2020*

I have a few people who follow me who are no longer active on here who are still green from the first time I did this. (Oh no, the lack of Discord emojis is really throwing off my communication style ahhhhhhhhhhh.)

Hello! For those who don't know me, I'm Tesh. I've been on the Shard for nearly six years now, though I've been primarily active in smaller Sharder circles on Discord the last couple years, so I'm guessing most of you don't know me and I probably don't know most of you. 

For the last few years, though, I've posted a thread at the beginning of May to recognize mental health awareness month. (I'm doing it early this year because my AP tests start on May 1st so if I don't do it now I'm definitely going to forget. )

Mental illness and just brain stuff in general has had a huge impact on my life, and I know that individuals in circles such as these tend to be more likely to deal with mental illness. 

Every year, I share a bit of my experience with stuff related to this and encourage others to share theirs, as well as encourage everyone to change their profile pictures green for the month. 

I started posting these when I was in middle school and developed some pretty bad depression and anxiety, as well as a dissociative disorder (depersonalization/derealization disorder). My entire family has dealt with mental health things of some sort, and that year was really bad because of that. Not only was I struggling, but due to the struggles of my family members I didn't get anywhere the level of help that I needed at the time. I was able to make some friends that year, though, and beginning with that my depression began to lessen. Now I just have occasional depressive episodes but it's nowhere near as bad as it was that year. Over two years ago now I began to do some research into autism and how it shows up differently for AFABs than the more commonly portrayed AMAB presentation. Aaaand I kind of had a "oh wait that kind of explains everything." I have an informal diagnosis now, but decided not to pursue a formal one for a variety of reasons. (I know quite a bit about low support needs autism now, so if anyone has any questions or would like some resources on it just let me know.  Oh, and I should note that autism isn't a mental illness, it's technically a developmental disorder.)

Please feel free to share your experiences below. Just try to spoil potentially triggering topics (and mention what's spoiled so people can stay away easily if they need to). Remember to be respectful and kind and to change your profile pictures green!

You are not alone. 

Resources

For people in the US, you can call or text 988 to contact the national suicide hotline.

Here's a link to the website of a suicide hotline in Canada.

Here's a link to The Trevor Project's website, an organization with support services for LGBTQIA+ youth.

Feel free to reply with any other resources I should add! 

Past Mental Health Awareness threads!

(I'm going to leave out the first one because I was rather uninformed and the post is just a mess. I'd definitely encourage you guys to read through people's responses to these though.)

2019

2020

2021

2022

Some pfps some people have made in the past
Green Szeth

Green old Shard logo

Green Stormlight symbol

If anyone has any Cosmere symbol or something similar they'd like green-ified feel free to DM me and I can do that.  

Very soon.

Very very soon.

About to watch For the Future, then I'll have a few minutes before Watching and Dreaming will be up on YouTube.

I'm terrified but a friend of mine watched it a couple hours ago on Disney Channel and said it's absolutely phenomenal. So... Yeah. I think all shall be well.

Minus the fact that it'll be over but so it goes.

Edit: I cried for literally thirty minutes straight afterwards and I'm still at the edge and anything might tip me over it and make me start sobbing again.

Hoooooooo boy.

Heads up, maaaaajor Owl House spoilers.

I'm currently working on another rewatch so that I can go straight from FtF to WaD tomorrow but I'm currently only on episode 15 of season two so I'll have a lot of watching to do. (This may or may not be my eleventh time watching the show the whole way through, minus FtF.)

My favorite characters are Hunter and Raine, but I am not getting the vibes that anything's gonna happen to either of them. Hunter's already been through a looooot and we've just barely had Raine and Eda's relationship set up for it to get torn down. 

Due to the poster, though, as well as the little moment right at the beginning of FtF when Luz gets stuck between realms, I think we're definitely going to get some titan lore. Which will be epic and will likely go hand in hand with stuff about the Collector.

HOWEVER

I WILL BE SO DISAPOINTED IF WE DON'T GET A WHITTEBANE FLASHBACK.

I have a very intense emotional connection to Caleb and just the whole history there in part due to like a 24 hour period where I found a song that fits Caleb and Philip's story *so closely* and listened to it on repeat for literally hours and hours and I planned out an entire animatic despite not having the skills or resources to create and animatic. But yes. I love him.

But considering the little bit of lore we got in TtT and then seeing his ghost/hallucination in FtF as well as Belos trying to inhabit the unfinished grimwalker, that just feels like it's building up to something more. A flashback is a best case scenario for me. I know most people think that what we see of Caleb in FtF is a hallucination, but I reaaaaaally hope it's actually a ghost and that we can get some interaction between Caleb and Hunter even though I know that's super unlikely. Just... I need something to feed the Whittebrainrot.

We'll definitely get at least some hints as to what Hunter's going to get into, as there have been lots of hints of him learning how to carve palismen primarily due to Eda's conversation with her dad and then Hunter directly saying that he wants to learn how (there was just so much set up with Eda's dad to have this pushed to the side), which also reinforeces the idea that Eda is a descendant of Evelyn so we're hopefully going to get some info on *that.*

*takes a deep breath*

Also if Luz ends up having to leave the Boiling Isles behind (that was kind of done in a different Disney show that I will not mention because spoilers) then honestly I'll be incredibly disappointed. I don't think there's really any way that they can pull that off. Because... everything that she has is in the demon realm. (I'm trying to reassure myself.) So much of her journey has been her accepting that she is strange and that there are people out there who love her despite being a weirdo. Her only tie to the human realm is her mom and maybe Vee. (Speaking of Vee we've got to get some closure with her storyline.)

Big brain dump right there, but... yeah. My brain is a mess. And I've seen this storming show so many times that it's all just embeded deep in my brain right now.

Oh and we're definitely going to have another confrontation between Hunter and Belos. Cause what happened in King's Tide just felt like the precursor to an actual conclusion to that specific aspect of the story.

Just... more than anything I just need a big family reunion between Luz, King, Eda, Lilith, and Hooty.

Oh and I've seen a lot of theories about Belos trying to inhabit the corspe of the Titan which I think would be hecking awesome and honestly I can totally see that happening.

I will be back tomorrow afternoon to gush about the parallels in the score, by the way. (Because not only have I seen the show a ton, I've also listened to the music. It is like... very deep in the folds of my brain.)

Oh also if you guys haven't seen, they recently posted the actual art from Hollow Mind and it's super cool and there are a few in there that weren't very clear in the show itself (if they were in there at all, honeslty) and they're cooooool.

"This is the end."

Oh I'm on Understanding Willow right now though and when Luz said "She never said anything about shenanigans" I just about lost it.

Hey Dana?

No shenanagins tomorrow, please and thank you.

Hopefully that was at least semi coherent, it's been a long day and the brain gremlins have been awakened.

Oh and if we don't get a happy ending I will riot. /hj

On 12/10/2022 at 3:20 PM, Ookla the Nerdy said:

This is a necro, but I didn't find anywhere else to put it

  Hide contents

@Tesh @Ookla the Archivist @Ookla the Blight

I would say that I'm sorry, but I'm not, so...

This is so niche and I love it so much.

I also have a server link in my signiture that should be good.

Welcome to the cult! 

On 9/11/2022 at 3:51 PM, AonEne said:

How might a person mail you a metaphorical hug? 

Why hi there Ene. 

Hm

That's a very good question.

Maybe a paper cutout of the hug emoji from discord? The blue one, not the one that looks like it's going to strangle you.

1 hour ago, Channelknight Fadran said:

Three humans!

Am waiting on @Tesh as well, who said they'd join.

I'M HERE

I'll probably start working on a character tomorrow during my flight home. Or maybe during free writing time today.

13 hours ago, Robin Sedai said:

Hello!

I have never been diagnosed with anything, so I would hesitate to officially label myself as somebody with mental illness. However, I've struggled with suicidal thoughts, and attempted it once. I offer all my help and support to anyone who is dealing with mental illness; it's not easy, but you can get through this. I love you and I want you to be happy, okay?

Cheers,

Robin.

21 minutes ago, Vapor said:

Kay just wanna say I’m 99 percent sure you have mental illness if you have suicidal thoughts and have attempted. So. 

Umm... Yeah.

I would highly highly highly recommend you reach out to someone and try to get some help, be it a family member, a teacher, a therapist, or a hotline.

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

This is the link to the national suicide prevention hotline.

There are people who can help you. There are many different hotlines that you can call or text to receive help, and please do so. You don't have to be alone in this.

Also, if anyone would like, please feel free to PM me (or honestly anyone on here) and I'd be more than willing to find some more resources for you, if that is better than asking on a public forum. My psychology teacher is also the head of a suicide prevention group on campus, and I could ask him for more resources as well. 

1 hour ago, Spren of Kindness said:

I figured I'll get a better answer here than just puzzling it out in my head: At what point would you say something is a mental health struggle?  Is it anything that one is struggling with or does it have to reach a certain point beyond the norm?

Okay so... (Personal thoughts) I'd say it's when it interferes with your daily functioning. That's kind of the big thing when it comes to mental illness, although there are three other boxes to check off for that. 

So basically: if it's affecting you living your life, it's a mental health struggle. But if it's something like stress for a large project that's negatively affecting you by causing a regular amount of stress, that's not quite a mental illness.

(This is taken directly from my psychology notes). For something to be abnormal behavior (AKA a mental illness/disorder), it needs to meet four requirements. These are life impairment (illness prevents a person from living a normal life), maladaptive behavior (person cannot cope with daily stress in an appropriate manner), psychological dysfunction (thought process and/or emotions are not logical or rational), and socially deviant (person struggles to live within the rules of society). 

I hope that was worded all right, let me know if I need to clarify on anything.

Well.

It's that time of year again.

Somehow.

AP testing! :DDD

Just kidding.

As some of you may know, for the last four years I've posted a thread around May 1st for mental health awareness month. In this thread I discuss some of my reasons for this being important to me, and encourage people to change their profile picture green for the month.

So... Yeah. Mental illness is really prevalent in my family, and honestly, in many of the communities I'm a part of, including this one. I know many many people to whom mental illness is a defining factor in their lives. This includes everything from depression to OCD to eating disorders. And it's affected my life in ways that I can't even really explain.

For me, personally, I've dealt with some depression, anxiety (mostly social anxiety), and constant derealization. However, I've also learned that I'm aroace and on the autism spectrum (and I'm diagnosed now!!!) and finding these key parts of my identity has been so incredibly helpful for my mental health. I'm doing very well, and have been for a while now.

However, so many people are really really struggling. For many people each new day is just a new battle. 

I know a lot of these people, and I love many of them very dearly. And there are even more who I don't know. 

You are not alone.

I invite anyone who feels comfortable to share their experiences. If you don't feel comfortable doing so, just know that you aren't alone, and that there are people here who are willing to support you.

And even if you aren't dealing with any mental illness, remember to take care of yourself and your needs. You are important too. 

I'd also like to invite anyone who wants to change their pfp to something green, as green is the color for mental health awareness.

Each and every one of you is loved and appreciated, even if it doesn't feel like it.

Happy mental health awareness month!

Side note: although often during this month the focus is on mental illness, feel free to ask me any questions about autism. Autism is not a mental illness, it is a developmental disorder (although I don't particularly like that wording either), as is ADHD. People who have either or both of these are known as being neurodivergent. I've done extensive research on autism, especially on how it presents differently in AFAB than AMAB people, and I'd be more than willing to answer any questions.

I know that there are some green versions of the old 17th Shard logo floating around from previous years, and we could probably make some for the new logo as well. I can also change the color of symbols and the things such as that if anyone would like. 

THIS IS THE LINK TO THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE'S WEBSITE. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out through a call or text. These people are trained to help people in crisis, and can point you towards more long-term resources. 

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

I was just thinking that it might be a good idea to have a thread where we can just share the things that keep us going. Songs, quotes, books, tumblr posts, anything like that. When you're struggling, this is what you turn to for motivation or a little bit of happy. Or even what brings you joy when you're already in a good place.

These are some of mine.

• This Year, The Mountain Goats
• No Children, The Mountain Goats (this song is not happy at all, but it's good, and is really fun to yell along with.)
• Flares, The Script (perfect for when you're feeling lonely)
• Piano Man, Billy Joel 
• The Boxer, Mumford and Sons (This one is also really sad, but also really good.)
• Carry On, Fun
• The Anthropocene Reviewed, by John Green (This is one of my favorite books of all time, and it really makes you appreciate being alive, and being able to experience. I'll probably share quotes from this a lot if this thread becomes a little active.)
• An Absolutely Remarkable Thing, by Hank Green (A beautiful book that reminds you that despite our flaws, humanity is amazing)
• Hank Green music (This Isn't Hogwarts and A Song About an Anglerfish are a couple of my favorites. They're just fun and remind you that you're unalone in your nerdiness.)
• Vlogbrothers videos (especially the sunset ones, or the ones where John goes on a walk from 2020. Vlogbrothers videos just in general are the reason I'm a functioning human being.)

These are the original quotes.

When you have a friend come over and spend a solid thirty minutes just showing them the art in the Stormlight books trying to convince them to read them. 

Two pints of Sam Adams but I'm working on three.

On 9/3/2020 at 7:09 PM, DramaQueen said:

January 15-Day Forty-Seven Recommendation: My gosh it has been OVER A YEAR since I added to this. And why on earth is Hunchback of Notre Dame not already on this list?!?!?! @Tesh and I rant about this together ALL THE TIME and it is SO FREAKING GOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YES EVERYONE LISTEN TO HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME WITH MICHAEL ARDEN AND PATRICK PAGE IT'S ONE OF THE BEST THINGS TO EVER GRACE THIS EARTH.

I NOMINATE SALAD, AKA BALD SALD OR SLAD THE IMPALER, ALSO AKA @The Awakened Salad.

8 hours ago, DramaQueen said:

TESH WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THIS EXISTED

Also, I've got a musical recommendations thread that's pretty similar to this...I haven't posted on it much lately, though.

BECAUSE IT DIED.

9 hours ago, Trutharchivist said:

In relation to that: some of them are, but I'd hazard a guess that most people watch them preformed live on stage. Free recordings of full musicals are technically illegal, so even when there is a recording it's a bad quality one, and can possibly be erased by YouTube (I think).

Yup. 

8 hours ago, Dannnex said:

swoops in 

come from away is the best musical
also hadestown isn't that good
this has been musical hot takes by dannnnnnnex

swoops out

Yes Come From Away is incredible BUT YOU INSULTED HADESTOWN WHYYYYYYYYYY.

I respect your opinion.

On 12/23/2021 at 4:42 PM, Condensation said:

I love all musicals. I especially love Wicked, Six, Dear Evan Hansen, Company, anything by Stephen Sondheim, Little Shop of Horrors, Hadestown, a bunch that have never ever been on Broadway, and Hamilton! I love listening to the music while I read. It helps me focus - yay brain problems. 

Did someone say....

Hadestown?

On 12/23/2021 at 9:46 PM, AonEne said:

I really don't know if I can choose, I have so many favorites...but @The Awakened Salad and @Tesh are like, kinda okay, I guess  ahahahaha you can't nominate me back cause mods aren't allowed, take THAT, I WIN ANY COMPLIMENT WARS 

Of the people on the board, Elf and Robin are both newer but very sweet! 

*makes you an honorary nomination cause I knew you before you were a mod*  

9 hours ago, Ookla the Lad said:

@Tesh we aren't using a google doc. We're doing a Form.

I guess I'll put the form on the doc...

Yeah I didn't see the form anywhere, just the doc.  

I'll go fill that out.

On 11/30/2020 at 7:16 AM, Hen said:

Here's the signup!! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1soAg_8R5hKVIH27mPlnGwjctbGHws0b6Sm_WNSjsmtk/edit?usp=sharing

I've seen a lot of people post on here who haven't entered their name into the doc, so please do that! And make sure to list some of your likes/dislikes! This will make it so all the information is in one place so it'll be easier to put things together.