Behind a cut for mention of child abuse, sexual abuse, and abuse from a therapist. See also, bullying about weight and fat-shaming. Basically a bingo card of triggering, problematic shit and a very awesome Letter Writer trying to handle it all gracefully. ❤ Dear Captain Awkward, I (31/she) started seeing my partner/boyfriend (33/he) in January … Continue reading #1270: “My mom has always hated my boyfriend. Now she says it’s because he resembles someone who abused her.”
#1269: My mother keeps eating my chocolate and it’s making me furious.
Behind a cut for discussions of food & compulsive eating. Hello, This is probably a really, really petty problem, but it’s driving me up the wall. I live with my mother and she’s been eating my chocolate. She’s been doing this ever since I was a little kid, and every single time she’s replaced it … Continue reading #1269: My mother keeps eating my chocolate and it’s making me furious.
#1268: “I tanked a job interview at a place I really want to go back to someday. How do I get over the shame?”
Hi Captain! I hope today is treating you gently. 🙂 Last year, I (twentysomething, they/them) moved across the country to be with my partner. The relationship is good and healthy! The town is friendly, walkable-ish, mild weather, etc. When I visited, I could see myself living here – and more importantly, working at this one … Continue reading #1268: “I tanked a job interview at a place I really want to go back to someday. How do I get over the shame?”
Two Pleasing Updates
Who wants good news today? Letter Writer #762 and Letter Writer #1194 both have good news about making happy lives away from controlling and homophobic parents. Hi Captain! Five years ago, I wrote in and became LW 762. I thought I'd give an update. Trigger warning: my mum makes repeated threats of suicide/self harm. Eventually, … Continue reading Two Pleasing Updates
#1267: “How do I set goals if I don’t want anything?”
Dear Captain Awkward: I'm a grown-ass woman who has been through a few cycles of therapy that have (along with medication) helped my stress, anxiety, and ADHD. I've gotten to a point where I am financially self-sufficient, comfortable in my life and community, and blessed with a strong friends network. I'm not in a relationship … Continue reading #1267: “How do I set goals if I don’t want anything?”
Quarantine with difficult family & other “How To Stay In” links. #COVID-19
Hello! It's Monday! I wrote a piece for Vice about how to ride out quarantine when it means moving back in with the same people you wrote to me for advice about "surviving" holiday visits with. It's a good match for Miss Conduct's column this week: "My daughter's 'useless' boyfriend is sheltering in place with … Continue reading Quarantine with difficult family & other “How To Stay In” links. #COVID-19
Pandemic! Productivity! Life! Hacks! (from a deeply unproductive & freaked out person)
My inbox has at least 40 questions with the theme "Dear Captain Awkward, how do I stay productive right now?" stacking up in it right now. Maybe...you don't? We are living through a collective trauma on a massive scale. People are dying. The right wing government in the USA is making it worse and gaslighting … Continue reading Pandemic! Productivity! Life! Hacks! (from a deeply unproductive & freaked out person)
It Came From The Search Terms: Spring 2020
We are overdue for the blog feature where I answer the search strings people typed in to find this place as if they are questions. Let's do it! First, as is traditional, a song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2ccC4aULow RIP to one of the coolest, realest artists I was lucky enough to share the space-time continuum with. :cries … Continue reading It Came From The Search Terms: Spring 2020
#1266: Pandemic Distance-Learning Teacher-Student Boundaries
Hi Capt. Awkward, I/she/her am a high school teacher and we’re not returning to campus until next year. That means we have 12 more weeks of distance learning. Right now we’re completing Week 3. I have a student (11th grade, so around 17) who has a variety of mental health needs, gender identity stuff, etc. … Continue reading #1266: Pandemic Distance-Learning Teacher-Student Boundaries
#1265: Guest Post: Lockdown Co-Parenting: Can I Please Get Some Alone Time? #COVID-19
Hey Captain! I (she/her) really appreciated your response to Miserable In Quarantine. My partner (he/him) and I are fortunately getting along better than ever. It’s nice to remember that we are friends first with all this extra time. Even with (especially with) all this extra closeness, my partner and I totally agree with the importance … Continue reading #1265: Guest Post: Lockdown Co-Parenting: Can I Please Get Some Alone Time? #COVID-19
