Who to contact in Victoria for non-emergency help?

Oh wow @down_not_out ! That's interesting! I always wanted to be a writer. I loved writing as a kid. I didn't talk much as I was super shy so writing was a good way to get my words out into the world. I didn't study journalism until I was about 26 and then, because I had little kids, it dragged on and on. My youngest was born and I had been made redundant from an admin role so decided to have a crack at some freelancing. I got some really good contracts such as with body and soul in the Sunday Telegraph and with some parenting magazines. I did that for about 8 years but my mental health went down the toilet when I was in my late 30s and my work dried up. I would actually love to take it up again now my kids are all grown up. I think it's super hard to get into these days, you have to be really digitally savvy.

Did you ever study @down_not_out ? Do you write anymore?

@hanami

I have not written since 1990 would you believe?

Just recently I anonymously put a piece online and a producer contacted me about wanting me to come on their show.

It freaked me out and I didn't reply. I am scared of my own shadow atm.

I read quite a lot of Australian fiction.

OMG I'm super impressed that a producer contacted you about going on their show @down_not_out . You obviously have a lot of talent. I understand that being afraid of you own shadow. It's not a good place to be. If you had the confidence would you go on the show? I would be so overwhelmed but what an amazing experience to tell a story.

@hanami

Nope. I am 100% committed to the introverted life.

I (did) have a very large group of friends until my divorce, but I have always been super shy. Even before life got a bit bumpy.

🙂

@down_not_out That made me laugh '100 percent committed to the introvert life'. I actually think that's me too. Even when my husband (who himself is pretty quiet) goes to a function I try to get out of it. I sit at home and watch my favourite shows with my daughter (also an introvert!). I have four kids and 1 in not an introvert lol. I see him posting stuff on Instagram and say, where did we get him from???

@down_not_out Who are your favourite Australian authors?

@hanami

I really like John Birmingham.

That is my type of humour. And the style I write in. With more self-deprecation. I didn't copy him but we had a similar life journey. I wanted to write about my many share houses but he did first. 😀

Anything observational and gritty is also good for me as well. Andrew McGahan is worth a read.

I have read a lot of Tim Winton as well.

Please excuse my grammar and formatting. My brain is really scattered.

I like that type of humour too @down_not_out .

Nothing at all wrong with your grammar!

@hanami

Wake in Fright is one of the more serious novels that I like.

Dammit, I am comfortable talking to you but I get anxious with any interaction currently.

I've managed to pull a clump of hair out of the back of my head from anxiety.

Protracted w/d from meds is brutal.

Edit: hair pulling has been going on for 6 months and not just today.

@down_not_out Totally get it re the hair pulling. My oldest daughter pulls out her eyebrows from anxiety. I pick the skin around my nails. I used to bite them off but at least stopped that. It's tough. I hear you. The protracted w/d from meds is awful. I tried to come off my anxiety medication but needed to go back on. sigh. I've kinda accepted it now.