Running

@Jynx

Important: yes

Looking forward to: yes

Rejection: yes

Disappointment: yes

*Gives Jynx a last squeeze*

@avant-garde quadruple batch of 😩

We can chat about it tomorrow if you like, in the meantime feel free to imagine me going into full protect-mode cos you don't deserve that!

*Good squeeze, many waves, and off I pop*

💜

In 2017 something happened... something I haven't really talked about... something I need to speak... to feel heard...

TW: sexual assault

I didn't want what he did to me, but my no didn't matter to him.

@Jynx @rav3n @Ru-bee @tyme

@avant-garde firstly thank you for sharing this and trusting us with this. I can only imagine the courage it takes to share something like this for the first time and I'm glad that you feel safe enough to talk about it here.

How are you feeling since getting this out? How is it sitting with you this morning?

Sending you a big (but gentle) hug

@Ru-bee

I got quite upset since getting the breach email (not worded gently and in the dark hours of the morning) that I couldn't get back to sleep until I knew it was ok

I'm sorry to hear that was distressing to you @avant-garde it's always tricky, particularly when discussing such sensitive topics. I do just want to make sure that you know that you're never in trouble when we send those emails, it's just about needing to work with you (or any member) to find a way to share your story within the community guidelines.

I know it might not feel like it when you're getting one of those emails, but for me when I send them I'm not picturing it as pointing my finger and saying "you've done something wrong", rather I think of it as trying to extend a hand and saying "let's work together on this".

Sounds like you might be feeling pretty tired this morning, are you able to rest during the day?

@Ru-bee I think I'm thankful one of my activities cancelled so I only have time with my best friend later today. Need to pick up a couple of things from a craft store (going to try at a price match guarantee).

So yes today is a bit easier

@Ru-bee

I feel physically sick with finally having shared it with someone... it's not the first time I've written it out... but that was 7 years ago... that was just me writing and realising...

The church did fail me then...

How could he do it? He was meant to be my friend... but he was just another predator...

It hurts...

I hear you @avant-garde, it sounds like you were failed a few times, both by this person who was meant to be your friend, and then by your church.

I'm glad to hear that you're seeing your best friend today, I hope that it's a nice outing together. I'll be interested to hear if you get any craft supplies at the store

@Ru-bee I've been doing my research into sealers for alcohol ink art since I did this class where this "teacher" was quite hopeless and didn't know what she was doing, she actually reverted to me as the expert as I'd done actual classes with an actual art teacher.

She had these clear solvent based spray paints and I knew better than to use those, some of the others had their art completely run and become something they didn't like. So I found an acid free one that I'm going to investigate today, otherwise I'll go for the one my actual teacher uses.

Also going to look at getting a resin gloss sealer for on top of the spray to make it water resistant.