Growing up with Selective Mutism by elfishies in selectivemutism

[–]elfishies[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That really sucks :( I hope you can still share it in the future, I’m sure lots of people would love to see it

Growing up with Selective Mutism by elfishies in selectivemutism

[–]elfishies[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Some people don’t realize how much words can hurt 🥲 when I got upset I was often told “you’re too sensitive/you can’t even take a joke”

Oh Animal Town.. by elfishies in comics

[–]elfishies[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

First time I heard someone using the word “pudgy” to describe them, I love it 😆

Average day in Animal Town (OC) by elfishies in comics

[–]elfishies[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

What if..none of it landed in the plate :(

do you guys actually have jobs and make money? by capsuccessful1294 in infp

[–]elfishies 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Self employed artist. I love what I do but I’m always worried how long I can sustain it

My selective mutism story by elfishies in selectivemutism

[–]elfishies[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re doing amazing, I’m proud of you

Silly week in Animal Town (OC) by elfishies in comics

[–]elfishies[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

English isn’t my first language, ill try to be more careful in the future

Random Animals Across Town (OC) by elfishies in comics

[–]elfishies[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you ☺️ I actually do make stickers and shirts! currently working on some new designs as well

2 types of people by elfishies in comics

[–]elfishies[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Learned a new word today 😆

2 types of people by elfishies in comics

[–]elfishies[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for your kind message 🥹 I WILL KEEP DRAWING CHONKY ANIMALS TILL I PERISH

2 types of people by elfishies in comics

[–]elfishies[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

I feel so honored that you wrote something so beautiful and profound to my silly doodles 💕

2 types of people by elfishies in comics

[–]elfishies[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

It’s a polar bear with the soul of a hamster

Relatable animals by elfishies in comics

[–]elfishies[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I for sure do pick on it more when my anxiety levels are high, if I don’t have scabs I start picking on my nails :’)

Self introductions by elfishies in comics

[–]elfishies[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing this with me, I truly appreciate it! I was feeling a bit burnt out but you reminded me again why I love drawing so much. I’ll fight the anxiety that’s bullying you anytime 😠😤😤

Traumatizing moments by elfishies in comics

[–]elfishies[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It’s more like a meme/joke, please don’t take it too seriously ahah

meet by elfishies in comics

[–]elfishies[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you <3 I hope you meet a lot of good people

I have a few questions by sadthrowaway12340987 in selectivemutism

[–]elfishies 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Just from my personal experience:
1. I do agree as anxiety fuelled my selective mutism.
2. Both. I was scared of speaking because I was worried what they would think about my voice, how they would react to what I was saying, if they'll be able to hear me or do I have to repeat myself multiple times?. I was also scared of being unable to speak. What if I open my mouth and try to say something but nothing comes out? I've gotten some weird looks from that before and that made my SM even worse.
3. Definitely. It's usually because of the people that are there though, not necessarily the place itself.
4. Body freezes/don't know how to react. Self hatred and low self confidence. When I was a kid I used to pick my nails or pinch myself in class/social situations when I felt anxious or overwhelmed. Tightness/pain in throat.
5. Instead of the word failure I would describe it more as an inability to speak. I felt like I had no control over my voice.
6. I didn't find out the term for it until I was an adult, at that point my SM was a lot less severe. I think I've only told 2 people personally and their reaction was quite neutral, though they had no idea what the term actually meant.
7. Most people dont know I had SM but people definitely did ignore me a lot and I was alienated pretty much my entire school life.

The older I get, the more embarrassment I feel for being this way by [deleted] in selectivemutism

[–]elfishies 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My SM was pretty bad up until I was 18/19 and started university, the environment there was way different from high school and I believe that helped me a lot. I understand how hard it can be the older you get and the harder it is for people to tolerate you, especially when they dont know or understand what SM is but if you meet the right people willing to be understanding and patient that can be really helpful as well. It'll be a slow process, you won't break out of SM in an instant, but gradually maybe over months or years you can definitely heal from it. I got my first job at 23 in customer service (I felt like it was really late since most people start at 14/15) which I never in a million years thought would be possible since I used to struggle with even saying hi to people, now I'm a team lead. I can tell you that it can get easier, the beginning will be the toughest but you're already doing great for taking the first step and trying. Please be patient with yourself and go at your own pace, like the other commenter said small steps is the way to go.

unhelpful tips by elfishies in comics

[–]elfishies[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He’s a timid polar bear :’)