Like many others, I grew up as kind of an outsider. Between mental health stuff, being trans, a dad who came to the country as a refugee and me just being plain awkward, I never really fit into any groups. I was never really part of something and it still feels like that often.
The intense fomo that comes from these experiences is something I& #39;ve been working on fighting for years but I& #39;m not very good at it.

I still have literal nightmares about it now and then (guess why I am awake right now) coupled with a few well timed breakdowns.
To be honest, at this point it is far better, if nothing else, because I am not being gatekept from joining things like I used to be. I am fairly well liked in the circles that matter to me and loved by the people who matter most.

My exclusion is now more self inflicted.
I just don& #39;t enjoy certain things that would make me part of "groups" & identity constructions. And that& #39;s ok. Or at least it should be ok and I desperately want it to be ok. I& #39;m not sure how well I& #39;m doing on that front right now...

As I said, it& #39;s not really all that rational.
One thing I do know, is that sub culture in general has a tendency to form monoliths that make you feel like "to be y, to fit in with your friends or those you want to befriend, you need to do/enjoy x".

I especially feel that in online circles.
Add to that Twitter& #39;s tendency to turn private niceties & compliments into public declarations of friendship/attraction/love etc. That keep getting thrown our way even when we are not involved at all, & you have the perfect basis for this kind of anxiety (quarantine doesn& #39;t help)
Im not sure I have a point, I just needed to type out my anxieties in the hopes of getting a bit more sleep once it is out and once I& #39;m not scared of falling back into the same nightmare.

I& #39;m not sure how well I& #39;m doing on that front but the anxiety will pass eventually.
Thank you to everyone who seems to actually enjoy my company. Y& #39;all are weird and I& #39;m not sure I& #39;ll ever get why you would, but I& #39;ll take it.

And thank you to the few people who actually managed to convince me that they don& #39;t secretly hate me. Y& #39;all are keeping me alive https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤️" title="Red heart" aria-label="Emoji: Red heart">
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