So, my personal life isn’t really the main focus of this blog or anything, but I do write about it pretty often. Usually that pertains to the fact that I have depression, which I was diagnosed with in the summer of 2010 and that I’ve actually had since 2004. Sometimes it’s about other things, like my slightly complicated view on drinking, hooking up, and other mainstays of college life, or just various personal experiences of mine.

This blog is my outlet for thinking through my life, larger issues like culture and psychology, and how these things interact with each other. Therefore, I may at times reveal things that are quite personal, such as being suicidal, being somewhat of a social outcast at college, and so on. The most important thing to keep in mind is this: I am not doing this for attention/pity. I’m doing this because writing helps me figure things out, because it relates to larger issues like cultural stereotypes and mental health advocacy, and because some people do find it interesting and/or relatable.

I try to provide trigger warnings where necessary, but sometimes I don’t have the best idea of what types of things trigger people; I’ve been living with these things for so long that I’m desensitized to them. Therefore, please do tell me when I’ve messed up and not provided a warning for something that needs one.

Also, I feel like this needs to be said. If you are a potential employer who is stalking me on the internet to see if you like me or not, you will notice that I, like every other human being, have problems in my life. If you think that makes me “unhireable,” then I’d honestly rather not work for you anyway. (And keep in mind that about one out of every four people will be diagnosed with a mental illness at some point in their lives, and about one in five women are sexually assaulted during their lifetimes.)

In all seriousness, though, I realize that I’m one of the few people who will publicly say some of the things I say here. That comes with certain risks. I’ve assumed those risks willingly because I envision a world in which everyone can say what I say. I hope you can respect that.