She Says

Imagine you have a coworker who likes to bake. Every week, they bring in a batch of delicious, homemade cookies and leave them in the break room. Next to the plate of cookies is a sign, “If you like my cookies, could you please just leave me a note and tell me what you like about them? The more feedback you leave about what you like, the more incentive I have to bake.” A hundred coworkers walk by and take a cookie. One person leaves a note. “Great cookies! Bake some more soon!”

The next week, once again there are cookies in the break room with the same sign. Once again a hundred people take a cookie and only one person leaves a note. “Nice! More soon!”

Week Three- Once again, a hundred people take a cookie. No one leaves a note.

Week Four- One hundred people take a cookie. No note.

Week Five- There are no cookies. Someone leaves a note. “Where are the cookies? I loved them. Please, please bake some cookies.”

Week Six- There are no cookies. Ten people leave notes. “I miss your cookies. They were my favorites. I loved the chocolate chips. My friend really liked the way you had almonds in the cranberry ones.”

Week Seven- Motivated by the wonderful notes, the baking coworker stays up late to bake the best batch of cookies they have ever made. That week, a hundred people take a cookie. No one leaves a note. 

The co-worker gives up baking for their colleagues.

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Please, if you like the fan fiction that you are reading, let your authors know. Stories are abandoned for a myriad of reasons, but it is very, very hard to stay motivated when you receive no positive feedback. If there is a story that you like, whether it is a completed one or a work in progress, please leave an up-lifting comment or review. By doing so, you’re providing that writer with motivation to spend their time and energy creating more stories for you.

The best of Tumblr: Avengers

being the ugliest friend in the group

being too emotionally drained to do simple tasks like showering

falling into existential crisis’

crying way too much

eating my feelings 

caring about people who don’t give two shits about me

being exceptionally ordinary and possessing no redeeming qualities

cancelling prior commitments due to anxiety

Affordability isn’t the only barrier to mental health care for low-income people | this ain’t livin’ (via feministlibrarian)

I used to get this when I worked at Lane Bryant all the time. 

Bear in mind that not 20 feet in any direction of our tiny store was: Charlotte Russe, GAP, New York & Company, Wet Seal, AEO, Victoria Secret, and a Hot Topic.

EVERY. FUCKING. DAY. We got at least one.

“Why is everything so big?”

“Don’t you have anything smaller than a 14?”

Really?

I HAVE NO IDEA HOW YOU FEEL

Because there is not a single plus-sized clothing vendor in the entire mall.  No Torrid, no Lane Bryant, nothing.

I was looking for a present for a friend whose baby turned a year old. The first review on this cracked me up.

I am torn in reviewing this toy.  Here’s why:  The toy is definitely well-made, will not come apart, will not break unless subjected to massive violence.  It definitely builds motor skills, hand-eye-coordination, and even thinking skills—as deciding which colors should be up or down or evenly matched in height requires some intricate choice and physical application.  So, the toy is a great toy! But … You are basically giving your child a miniature of Thor’s hammer.  Not a hollow plastic hammer, mind you.  No, no.  This is a toddler weapon the great god of thunder would approve of.  Two solid wooden pieces held together very well.  The head of the hammer is sculpted to allow attacks from many interesting angles.  Great for the toy.  Not so great if your little one might decide to go “a-viking” during a playgroup, family get-together, or school function. Like the mighty Mjolner, this hammer throws well, flies fast and far, and can kill the mightiest of trolls.  Or televisions.  Or PC’s.  Or Grandma. So … the only reason I take a star off is because of the deadly weapon that comes with this awesome toy.  Maybe it should have been fastened by a cable to the toy, Melissa & Doug?  It’s not cool that parents have to do this thinking for you.  But we love Grandma.  Having our toddler turned Thor send her to the hospital is not our idea of fun. If your child is meek and kind and dependably non-violent, go for it.  GREAT TOY!  If your little one may just be a conqueror of lands reincarnated into this tiny body, please beware the hammer! 

Cartoonist Darryl Cunningham tells the important story of tetanus and how we can stop it, as part of the Art of Saving a Life project. 

Time to stop this disease in its tracks!

Feeling like you’re not doing enough to get better, even though you’re doing what you can.

Feeling like you have to prove that you’re sick, even though you don’t need to prove anything to anyone