Another reason to stop ‘cringe culture’

I’m a teacher. Today I was covering for a grade 9 science class. Decent kids, if a bit rowdy, and didn’t want to do their work. Wtv, it was textbook work. Not the point.

1 girl (reminder that these kids are, like, 14/15) was doodling bust portraits (head & shoulders) in an art book. I had a squiz and asked her if they were her characters. She said they were and excitedly told me she had so many characters for this one story of hers. I laughed about how I wished I could draw mine, and moved on.

Later in the class, I hear her enthusiastically telling her friend all about her main OC - a gay kitsune prince with a tragic past. It was so, pure, classic Deviant Art: my first OC. And you know what? I loved it. I was just sitting there half overhearing, smiling to myself and glad that her friend was engaging and interested in her story and characters.

This is a girl who will become a creator. She will draw and write and imagine, get better and better. She’ll probably move past this stage and start making more nuanced characters (she was already lamenting she didn’t have enough girl OCs). But this is where she started. This is where so many of us started. I had a tiger catgirl, goth witch/sorceress OC in high school. I found my original design for her recently. Look what I create now.

Let kids be kids. Let them explore and invent and go wild and be cliche and make overpowered OCs. Let them have their anthropomorphic animal OCs. Let them try everything before they settle into maturity.

For fucks sake; let them have fun.

Please don’t forget that your interests are for you.

What this means is that at the end of the day, what matters is what you feel about them. What other people think about them isn’t important. It’s okay if others don’t “get them”. You’re still valid and your interests are valid.

It’s far more important whether you’re happy and having fun than whether random people think what you’re doing is cool.

Yknow, when you keep insisting that adults can’t enjoy fandom or play video games or watch cartoons or whatever, it’s other young people that you’re hurting the most. Because the most you’ll do to adults is offend or annoy them with that nonsense, but when you plant that idea in a kid’s head, they grow older with the horrible dread looming over them that the things that bring them happiness and comfort have an expiration date. When I was a young adult, I was genuinely depressed about the thought of getting older because I thought I couldn’t keep enjoying all my hobbies, like I had to give up everything I love once I reach [x] age.

And that is simply not true. It’s bullshit. But the harm is does to people is very real. Kids are so afraid of getting older, and one of the big fears is that their life will become painfully bland and boring once they hit adulthood, as if all adults do is work and pay taxes, possibly raise kids. No more fun, no whimsy, no playfulness, no joy.

Anyway, I’m 33 and I love video games and fanfiction and cartoons. If you tell me I’m too old for that stuff, I’ll roll my eyes and block you and go on with my day. But I will worry about the 17 year old who saw your post too and feels a sinking in their chest at the thought that they have to give up the stuff that makes them happy. THAT’S what bothers me.

true or false, everyone should be making their best effort 100% of the time, it’s lazy to do otherwise.  

excellent! now true or false: leisure time is only valuable if you spend it productively. if you are not creating something or enriching yourself, you are just wasting time.

terrific work!

so logically, you can stop feeling guilty about “wasting” time on “useless” things, because it’s neither wasteful nor useless if you enjoy it.

Hobbies do not need to be “productive”. That includes sharing them on social media. You do not need to create anything other than joy and moments of relaxation (in whatever form that comes to you). Watch the clouds just to watch them go by, don’t tell anyone what you see, or don’t see anything at all. You deserve moments entirely for yourself.

Complaining about “grown women” being in fandom is the easiest way to get blocked by me.

I’m really sorry that misogyny has made you believe that women are only supposed to have kids, take care of the house, and maybe be allowed to have a couple “acceptable” hobbies.

Women are allowed to enjoy things for the rest of their lives and that includes continuing to be in fandom, a space they intially carved for themselves and other adults.

Yknow, when you keep insisting that adults can’t enjoy fandom or play video games or watch cartoons or whatever, it’s other young people that you’re hurting the most. Because the most you’ll do to adults is offend or annoy them with that nonsense, but when you plant that idea in a kid’s head, they grow older with the horrible dread looming over them that the things that bring them happiness and comfort have an expiration date. When I was a young adult, I was genuinely depressed about the thought of getting older because I thought I couldn’t keep enjoying all my hobbies, like I had to give up everything I love once I reach [x] age.

And that is simply not true. It’s bullshit. But the harm is does to people is very real. Kids are so afraid of getting older, and one of the big fears is that their life will become painfully bland and boring once they hit adulthood, as if all adults do is work and pay taxes, possibly raise kids. No more fun, no whimsy, no playfulness, no joy.

Anyway, I’m 33 and I love video games and fanfiction and cartoons. If you tell me I’m too old for that stuff, I’ll roll my eyes and block you and go on with my day. But I will worry about the 17 year old who saw your post too and feels a sinking in their chest at the thought that they have to give up the stuff that makes them happy. THAT’S what bothers me.

caring about stuff and being passionate about it is not and should not be seen as embarrassing. it’s heckin’ great. good for you, out there loving something.

Has this been done already or

[Image Description: Two pink floral patterned color blocks in a vertical row with white text that reads “hobbies don’t have genders” / “keep doing what you love”]

Autistic people with stereotypically nerdy interests are amazing, wonderful human beings who deserve all the love and respect in the world 💜

may you find people who happily listen while you gush about your obscure interests. may you find people you feel comfortable and safe enough around to be your authentic self

cringe is having fun in a way that other people don’t understand. don’t let their confusion and/or ignorance ruin your good time. keeping having fun. you don’t need their approval to have a good time.

gentle reminder

the things that make you happy aren’t dumb or annoying - please try your best to not feel bad for enjoying the things you love; they bring a smile to your face, which is worth more than anything

Anyone who makes fun of you for your interests doesn’t matter. Indulge yourself in your interests, if that’s what makes you happy. Your interests don’t require anyone’s approval.