my tummy hurts because some random reddit users killed my ego.

i am hesitant to write this article. on one hand, i know it is beneficial to confront the difficult emotions i encounter, especially when it comes to developing my writing skills. on the other hand, my feelings got wounded, so much so that i didn’t want to do anything besides post notes about my yeast infection and answer a daily prompt on wordpress.

i’ve decided to take my power back from the anonymous internet users and write about what i have learned.

like many people new to the concept of gaining popularity from their writing, i have been reading the various “how to get famous quick” articles on substack and wordpress. one suggested to post to relevant subreddits for more attention.

recently, i wrote an article about doing a favor for my boyfriend, mikey. he asked me to send a self-addressed stamped envelope (sase) to the radio house of his favorite morning show.

i wanted to be an obedient little substacker and follow the rules. i thought this was the perfect opportunity to try one piece of advice and post to a subreddit. after all, i have never met another die-hard fan of the show like mikey, and i do not know if any of them even live on substack or wordpress.

before publishing, i wrote a disclaimer at the top of my article saying i am not sure if me posting this broke any rules, and mods can feel free to take it down if it is troublesome.

i wish there were more robust guidelines on this subreddit. maybe a disclaimer for myself, saying, “if you have a post longer than two sentences, don’t share!”

unfortunately, i have no screenshots to prove this interaction or break up my rant with pictures, so i am recalling everything from memory.

immediately after uploading, i received the comment “tl;dr?” in which i replied, “i wrote about getting a sticker from elliot.” in my mind, the story didn’t need a “too long, didn’t read.” if it’s too long for someone to read, i expect that they would simply ignore the post.

people, including redditors, have free will and can choose to scroll past something if they do not want to interact. my creations in this world are not meant for discourse with people who do not understand my being. if you don’t get it, you don’t have to interact, and you will not only save me the trouble but also yourself. please learn that not everything is for everyone, including me and my writing.

after i posted my subtly snarky comment on reddit, i received another saying, “you need to get to the point.”

maybe i am the villain here, but in my defense, i felt like people weren’t even trying to appreciate my storytelling. i replied “my fault for posting a version of long-form writing on a subreddit full of people who only listen to their information.”

from there, in comes a slew of downvotes on my replies and on my post. i can handle differences of opinion, but my original intention was not controversial. out of everything i say and do on the internet and in the tangible realm, i did not expect my biggest mistake was sharing too long a story on reddit.

a few minutes later, i received the comment “you’re a little nuts.”

that remark injured my confidence so much that i avoided writing again for another week and a half.

i deleted the post off the subreddit.

i get it. i talk a lot. i struggle to get my point across in as little words as possible. i know the mark of a decent writer involves having an impactful message without carrying on.

however, i always believe i speak when i really have something meaningful to convey. sure, i slip up and say the wrong thing at the wrong time, like i did in this moment in this random subreddit.

i used to be someone who never put their opinion out in the world, even when it was needed. i have worked hard in therapy and in my interpersonal relationships to be as verbal as i am today. i always have a rant to contribute. i can make something out of nothing in ten minutes, as i did with my thousand-word essay on getting a sticker for my boyfriend.

i am very aware i am a little nuts for constantly having a rant in my brain.

so thank you, random reddit user!!! you did it, you reminded me i have a diagnosed mental illness!!!!!!!

i learned my lesson about knowing your audience. my writing is not for everyone. therefore, it should not be on every platform.

i hope i do find the community that at the very least, does not push me to condense my experiences in a “tl;dr.” i can change where i publish and who i write too. i cannot change the way i express.

i’m still going to write on here. feel free to comment how i am “a little nuts” and maybe i’ll give you a shoutout in my next therapy session.