#tip 21

Timing is everything.

Location is very important, but timing is one of the more overlooked aspects of a successful coming out. Here are some things to consider.

Firstly, think about the day: sooner or later? Remember not to rush yourself, but it can sometimes be nice to plan ahead because this can sometimes relieve a little anxiety. Certain days may be more available than others, and you want to make sure it is a day where you both will have the time and space you need.

Time of day is also important. One of the most common times is lunchtime: it isn’t right after you wake up, but not in the afternoon or evening where people might be more stressed and tired. Nighttime is one of the worst times, because people’s emotions are more fragile and blown up at night. This can lead to more negative reactions, and you also don’t want to leave it with anyone (including yourself) right before you go to bed. You could also think of a time when you are not in the same place as the other person. 

Don’t be afraid to postpone if something comes up or if someone is in a negative mood! Coming out can bring a whole slew of emotions, so if either of you is feeling sad, angry, stressed, or another negative emotion you may want to wait until later.

Me on the train. Whaddup LIRR? USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION! The main reasion I write this is probably obvious: it saves on fuel! Annually, public transportation saves the U.S. a whopping 4.2 BILLION gallons of gasoline a year.  Per household, it can save 4,400 miles of driving and 223 gallons annually. Since oil is a natural, limited resource...we want to save it. Not only that, but it saves you money.  And the money you spend helps our economy!

I know you fancy yourself a book savvy dude, BUT don't actually test the theory out. See Hipsters are really good at likening themselves to certain cultural geniuses, quoting every line of Bartlett's, or just showing ... uh... enthusiasm for people they admire. William Shakespeare is a natural, acceptably mainstream, choice. No one can deny that Billy could write a play, and write it well. Same goes for Dante. Although he's pretty cocky through out his epic... He claims that he was graced a visit to Hell because he was such an amazing writer, and God wanted his genius self to be our poetic tour guide. But, dude's got a point. He may have not had modesty, but he had talent.

And why did this seem to be an appropriate tip to write at 2:30 AM? Because Columbia and I have been assigned to write in their styles and it's brutal. And I am tired.

Part of me felt really pumped to have a creative essay alternative instead of another critical essay about one of the thousands of book we have read (and sorta skimmed heavily). Columbia chose the option to create her own Hell, in verse and tercets! Crazy woman. And I took the option to write a conversation between to Hamlet characters I feel have unfinished business and need to talk.

While, Columbia's is wonderfully reminiscent of Dr. Seuss and very clever. Mine is like an episode of My So-Called Life when they put on the school play and you see all of those horribly melodramatic "inspiring" auditions. You go Rayanne! Regardless, I actually started cracking up when I went back to proof read and I am so happy my professor is the only one who will ever lay eyes on that monstrosity.

My point is, I love Shakespeare. After finishing one of his masterpieces I always feel like after you go to the gym and you really made and effort and you get back home and are just like... yeah I did good! Billy would not approve of that run-on. It was just so disheartening to attempt to reach his genius and realize that, no, it's not that easy.