It can be super small in a way most people don’t understand or have lost touch with. Or anything bigger. The important thing is that it means something to you.

I deal with disabilities. For me being alive and managing basic tasks is something I try to feel pride in. Being here to enjoy watching people around me do things for fun can be a nice feeling. Last night in my dream I painted my nails and I felt pride in my dream. I woke up feeling proud that I have still have that creative instinct after last painting them once maybe 7 years ago. I feel proud of art I dream of. Just because I don’t draw it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist in my mind, temporarily in my thoughts. I was there before something brilliant my mind had created, and it meant a lot to me.

Watching Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 movie Frankenstein made me realize we are all frankensteins who should be proud of our every ability, however limited it is huge that we are alive, and furthermore impressive that we have instincts to live beautifully in any way.

      • 3rdWorldCommieCat [none/use name]@hexbear.netEnglish
        4·
        5 days ago

        Thank you. It’s taken quite awhile especially considering comparisons (comparison is the thief of joy truly) to my peers but with my disabilities and childhood trauma it’s not bad I suppose. You’re doing well yourself.

        • HexaSnoot [none/use name]@hexbear.netOPEnglish
          3·
          4 days ago

          Thanks. Disability and trauma can at times bless us with empathy we wouldn’t have before, so among your struggles maybe it helps make you more empathetic in certain ways. I compare myself to others all the time, but a person close to me reminds me every now and then that I helped them learn more empathy. Learning my experiences can become an integral part of making other’s strengths greater feels nice.

          Because of how hard I work to do basic things for myself, I always remember I could be more disabled. I’m doing my best to not think of my abilities as a rug that can get pulled from underneath me, but instead, appreciate structure that is helping keep my life running. I am hopeful that my life will still grow bigger as time goes on.