I find a lot of solace in finding community. All my best friends are absolute weirdos and I love them dearly. They make me think about what I value and the kind of person I want to be, challenging all the assumptions I formed growing up. Community makes me feel empowered and gives me somewhere I can retreat to when it all gets a bit much.

I honestly genuinely feel a deep compassion and sorrow for the people who “live to hate”. Not pity, because that suggests I’m above them, and actually, I’ve been shitty at numerous points in my life, I understand how easy it is to feel angry and hateful, and how easily one can fall into harmful, reinforcing cycles. I wish they could know the joy of being accepted for oneself, and the freedom of being able make mistakes and have people there to support you to be better.

I don’t think it’s a happy existence to lead and it’s sad to see them double down on the hate when they realise it isn’t filling the hole within them. I try not to think about it too much, but it’s hard when they’re so loud. Don’t get me wrong, I am angry as hell at what they are doing to harm people, and I will do whatever is necessary to defend my community, but I could never hate them. It takes a lot of energy to hate and I don’t have that in me.