How a Stranger Brightened My Day (Pt.2)

If you haven't read part one to this series then I suggest heading right here, but if you really don't care how someone brightened my day in a CostCo then stay here because this one isn't about CostCo. This one is about my favourite online community, Vocal Media. As I've said before, Vocal has been a great outlet for me because I don't really talk to anyone nor do I like talking too much. I'm more of a quiet and intense being. Apart from writing on Vocal though, I spend a lot of time reading other people's articles. I read articles from "Horror" (the stories on there are amazing), "Geeks" (well, I write there so it'll only be fair if I read on there too. And the stuff is awesome, especially the reviews), "Proof" (hahaha, I'm a bit of a drinker, yes), "Psyche" (there's a bunch of coping tips there that I like to try and test with my agoraphobia) and obviously "Humans" which is a really touching sector of Vocal where everyone is super genuine about their humanity.

But someone recently brightened my day on the 4th of October on Vocal when my post 'I Don't Have Friends, But' got chosen as a 'staff pick' (thanks to those at Vocal for the recognition). But there was one person in particular who tipped me $10 that day and I think I cried. It wasn't so much the $10 tip but the fact that someone gave me a tip off that 'yeah, your work is appreciated'. To feel appreciated is something amazing and really, I wish I knew who it was so I could thank them personally.

The day started horribly. I was drinking coffee on top of vermouth and vodka on top of coffee. I had a headache and I was writing on Vocal to clear my head (as I always do to make myself feel better). Not only did I have a headache but I was also making the very difficult effort of creating some homemade Turkish Delight (which is actually more difficult that I first perceived). So, I was quite tired on top of this.

When I wrote the article, I was basically trying my hardest to help someone somewhere because writing coping articles can remind me of how I cope normally. Honestly, these are tried and tested methods I use and so when I write about them, it really makes them hit home.

When this person gave me a tip of $10 it basically told me that I have an audience and even though I get hundreds of views per day, it really made sense to me and it told me that someone, somewhere really likes my articles. Every time I receive a tip, I really stop and think about the fact that this person has given their hard earned money to me, even if it's a tiny bit it's still a large amount to me. I think about how good natured these people must be and how they must be so selfless to offer their own money to a creator that they support. I normally end up crying out of the fact that I never thought that someone would do that for me.

I want to say a big thank you to anyone who has ever tipped me, read one of my articles or even clicked my name out of curiosity because in reality, I had a thought about it and this is the type of thing that is making me feel really good right now and helping me cope. An audience for my stuff is something I never thought I would have and honestly, every single person who reads something by me is just as important as the last. I honestly cannot thank you enough.

As someone who grew up as a sort of leper for their interest in movies and music from the 40s and 50s in a school of girls who were obsessed with the latest boybands. As someone who was beaten the crap out of for being a 'freak' (though I was never actually told why I was a freak or what made me a freak, I guess it was the fact that I liked to read because that's really all I can think of). And as someone who never really had an audience for anything (and that's why I spent so long in the drama and theatre clubs, I was obsessed with audiences, *laughs uncomfortably*). I am really grateful for every single person who reads my stuff and I want to say a big thank you to all of you and especially for that person who gave me $10 of their hard-earned cash. You are a modern superhero for making my day extra special and telling me that my content is actually worth something. I hope you know how much you have changed everything for me, for the better. You've really put a spirit in me that yes, I can do this. I can cope. I am worth.

I love you all.