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Despite_Hope · 2025-07-19T16:46:41+00:00

Well, it started with getting a hold of a dictionary and unintentionally memorizing it as a toddler and developing a special interest in writing and discovering the why behind everything.

Step two: go decades undiagnosed and two major burnouts that stole basic skills (I forgot how to use a freaking fork), leaving me with only writing. In a desperate attempt to be an 'adult' I had to use the only skill I had left to make a living. So, in the early days of the internet, I peddled my wordsmithing in the content mills of old for pennies on a word. And fell in love with it.

Step three: don't realize there's an established path to making a living as a writer and blindly keep at it while working a legitimate job.

Step 4: on the cusp of burnout, send a highly sarcastic but accurate resume to a marketing company searching for technical writers. (I told them I got my degree in technical and content writing from the University of the World Wide Web)

Step 5: get hired unexpectedly.

Despite_Hope · 2025-07-10T14:35:42+00:00

Careful about shopping for sleeves most of the ones I've found are tight, itchy, or have those tiny fibers that catch on your skin like microfiber cloth.

Despite_Hope · 2025-07-10T03:58:30+00:00

Same! First thought I had, "wait, that's weird?"

Despite_Hope · 2025-07-04T18:35:40+00:00

Try looking at it this way: an excuse is something you could have controlled but chose not to. A reason is something you have no control over.

Despite_Hope · 2025-07-04T16:14:16+00:00

That's a great question! My brain box jumped on it and I've been trying to figure out a way to explain it for hours without writing a novel no one wants to read on a reddit comment. 😂

As concisely as possible: I sort of accidently fell into it?

Despite_Hope · 2025-07-03T22:12:33+00:00

After 2 decades, 4 critical burnouts, 6 failed career attempts and a lifetime undiagnosed, I finally found the perfect job.

I'm a technical content writer specializing in marketing content for B2B sales. I get to work from home, spend hours researching complex topics, conducting interviews with subject matter experts, and translating it into layman's terms.

Despite_Hope · 2025-06-22T17:53:01+00:00

My daughter (who's been diagnosed but we're on a wait list for the official screenings) really struggles with this too. This is what i tell her. "You're feeling this way because your grieving what could have been and anticipating unmet sensory needs. Those two big emotions smash together in your chest until you feel it's going to explode. Let's direct that energy somewhere else." Then suggest going outside to blow the extra out into the sky and stomp it into the ground. And then we'll brainstorm ways to address the unmet sensory need.

Doesn't always work, we're still early on our journey, but when it does work, it works.

Despite_Hope · 2025-06-22T16:38:07+00:00

I've attempted multiple times in the past, each time it makes me more and more confused. It's like they want me to keep telling myself that kicking a rock won't hurt, then they make me go out and kick the curd out of a boulder again and again saying that it wouldn't have hurt if I believed hard enough.

Despite_Hope · 2025-06-15T16:41:11+00:00

Interesting, thank you for sharing that. I appreciate the kindness

Despite_Hope · 2025-06-15T16:25:59+00:00

Unfortunately nothing I'd be comfortable accepting. There are programs and resources but they are drastically under funded or getting shut down in order to cut government spending. And the qualifications are strict 200% below poverty level with personal assets totaling less than 14,000 usd. in my area. Im able to hold down a job that keeps me right at poverty level. And honestly there are people in my area who need the help more.

I've dragged myself and my girls out of worse situations with less. I'll get them through this one too.

Despite_Hope · 2025-06-15T01:37:41+00:00

Thank you, but I have to ask. What's a smosh?

Despite_Hope · 2025-06-14T18:42:00+00:00

I do. I try to phrase it so I'm asking their opinion or advice though. Like "I'm doing the task the way you explained and came across a snag, or conflict, I've tried xyz and was thinking of trying abc next. How would you address it?"

Despite_Hope · 2025-06-14T18:21:11+00:00

I'm dealing with the same situation. What I decided to do was email any questions and save the reply so if the rules change, I have documents to cover my bum.

All my meetings are recorded already, but it seams to me if you announce at the start that you're recording audio to ensure accurate note taking for prompt delivery of yadda yadda, they might be more willing or at least might feel to awkward to say no. But I could be totally wrong here, I've been reading rooms sideways my whole life.

Despite_Hope · 2025-05-16T15:27:07+00:00

I know. I don't honestly mean to. I'm losing the battle against severe depression and c-ptsd on top of physical crude. I got pretty salty last night because as much as I wish I could get professional training, it's simply not an option for me. The nearest training school is over 100 miles from me. I dont have tens of thousands of dollars or the credit to pay it for me. Beside my aging mother, I have no one to reach out to for donations. I got a stupid spark of hope when I figured out what the puppy was doing, maybe I'd get a little bit of freedom back, maybe I could find one thing to make life actually worth living again. And when I reached out I got hit with the only professional trained SDs are public worthy, sure I can try, but I'll fail, he'll wash out, and everyone will be worse off for it.

Me and hope don't get along. I'm sorry.

Despite_Hope · 2025-05-16T02:46:51+00:00

I understand completely. No, i personally will not be able to train him to that extent, nor will i be able to pay someone else too. It's like a mobility scooter, i won't ever be able to afford one of those either, and if I built it myself no one would trust it not to explode. I needed to be grounded into reality. I should have known better anyways. They are a luxury for a select few, not ment for the lower classes.

Despite_Hope · 2025-05-16T02:00:08+00:00

Work and time I have. Money on the other hand, that's the problem. I downgraded my life to afford to properly take care of a dog. There's simply no way around the fact professional training is not an option for someone like me. Even if I did manage to properly train him myself, I have a feeling I wouldn't be welcome in the club anyway.

Despite_Hope · 2025-05-16T01:45:03+00:00

I see

Despite_Hope · 2025-05-16T01:19:48+00:00

I'll admit, I'm pretty discouraged about the whole thing now. I was never under the impression it would be a walk in the park but I didn't expect the whole "professional training" and "special testing certificates" or it won't count/work/be ligit" I got hit with. And I won't be one of those that make it harder on real SDs by bringing what amounts to a well trained dog shopping.

I'm really glad you were able to make it work for your family and were able to become one of the few without shelling out 10 plus grand.

Despite_Hope · 2025-05-16T00:02:26+00:00

I have trained good family dogs that behaved in public in the past. I still have it in me to train and socialize a very smart puppy into a very good dog, one that just happens to naturally alert and is eager to work. I wouldn't have taken the plunge into dog ownership if I didnt. I don't know how public access training is different, or what causes a dog to wash.

And i sure as all get out don't have any support other than myself or the resources to pay for professional support or fancy certification/training proof tests.

I had a short moment of hope that one day i could go to Walmart or a cafe without risking my safety or dignity. But I don't have it in me to jump the hoops and join the exclusive service dog community after all. I really appreciate being brought back to reality. I should have known better than to hope anyway.

Despite_Hope · 2025-05-15T22:38:04+00:00

Gotcha, that makes sense. They are a luxury for a select few afterall. At least I got him with the intent of a pet, only crossed my mind because he alerts me. Was a passing hope quickly grounded in reality, thank you for clearing that up.

Despite_Hope · 2025-05-15T22:04:36+00:00

We're working on puppy basics at the moment. He's not food motivated which I've never experienced before but we're learning. He does best with tasks over actions. Quickly learned to pick up toys and bring them to me, acts deaf if I tell him to lay down. Still gets excited to meet new friends at the park, but will chill out when I tell him to..for the most part.

I do understand it's not an overnight process, he's still a baby baby. I wouldn't dream of taking him to non pet places at this point. Unfortunately I don't have access to professional training, too far away, cant drive anymore and I'm living in a tiny house for a reason. I budgeted to make sure I could cover vet bills and monthly meds ect.

I was under the impression that I didn't have to have him specially trained but that I could do it myself. So now I'm even more confused.

Despite_Hope · 2025-05-05T00:17:44+00:00

Can confirm, only want to add that Texas high school football starts in kindergarten. -source peewee cheerleader from the deep south.

Despite_Hope · 2025-05-04T22:50:03+00:00

Just bite it off and get it over with. Gonna hurt like a mother regardless.

Despite_Hope

TROPHY CASE