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I'll start. I've learned that losing respect for people you love is incredibly painful, and I'm still trying to figure out how to navigate that without falling into hopelessness. I've also learned that while I thrive in solitude, many of my loved ones don't. I'm trying to make more efforts to be there for friends physically—through letters or mail. I'm slowly learning to be better at this (tips??) but I still often feel guilty for missing video calls just because I prefer to be completely alone.

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Jul 10, 2020Liked by Fiza Pirani

I've learned that I tend to define myself using the people around me or who is in my life at the moment and that leaves in a strange place when I consider them leaving or who I am without them.

I'm learning what it means to love myself for myself, not because of how useful, productive or rich or capable I am.

I'm learning that I don't want to be hidden or silent and I want to write and present more, even it's just for my blog, or in a work meeting or with a friend.

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Jul 9, 2020Liked by Fiza Pirani

that i get more social anxiety from video social stuff than irl hangouts because there's a lot of silence in video hangouts and maybe i've never been comfortable with the quiet!!

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I have learned to be more self-compassionate, which I think can be a life-saving trait. I can see and feel the difference in how I speak to and treat myself after a year of work. I'm proud of myself!

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I learned that being productive gives me more purpose in life, but I've also had more time to reflect on some emotions I've had stewing inside me. I learned that mindset is really important. Even if it takes time for emotions to heal, the first step is mentally wanting to do so. I've been able to accomplish many goals such as spending more time working on my newsletter (https://truecolors.substack.com/) and figuring out near-term plans.

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Jul 10, 2020Liked by Fiza Pirani

I've learned that even as an introvert who has no problem spending time alone, I crave people and connection and physical touch just like anyone else.

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Thanks for creating this space, Fiza. I was actually doing my mid-year reflection earlier this week, and found myself writing that I am much more adaptable to circumstances than I thought I would be initially. I also have found that I'm invested in creating and joining communities of folks who want to engage in navigating to a better world with me, both IRL and virtually. Virtually, I've also started a newsletter (https://tinydriver.substack.com/) that I hope will allow for these sorts of conversations to continue.

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Jul 9, 2020Liked by Fiza Pirani

So much, Fiza. First, that posting on social media is not enough. I have to have hard converstaions with my family about racism. Sometimes it goes well but I do not always get through.

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