Brain On Blue Screen

Tasha McIntosh [Version 4.0]

(c) Tasha McIntosh. All rights reserved

B:\Beginning brain scan. This process will take absolutely ages.

FAILED : Brain unable to boot.

Troubleshoot? [Y/N]

1. Is SSRI enabled? [Y/N]

2. Has the system been placed in rest mode within the last 48 hours? [Y/N]

3. Have hydration and sustenance requirements for system operations been met? [Y/N]

4. Have you cleared cache? [Y/N]

5. Is the self-care process able to be executed? [Y/N]

6. Enable mute of excess noise? [Y/N]

7. Clear brain fog? [Y/N]

8. ERROR: UNABLE TO CLEAR BRAIN FOG, PLEASE TROUBLESHOOT AND REBOOT.

It's a difficult thing to try and describe the brain and the self as separate entities. One of the simplest, albeit imperfect analogies I can find is to compare the brain to a computer and the self as the user. The brain processes information, directs resources to different programmes and enables the user to execute a wide multitude of tasks.

Like our computers, we can easily take our brains for granted, not truly appreciating our reliance upon them until things stop working. Thankfully with computers, there are ways to back up files, sync to other devices and if all else fails, you can replace it. The brain unfortunately, cannot at present be synced with anything and cannot be repurchased and set up to your preferred settings. You get one, and when things stop working the way they're supposed to it is utterly terrifying.

Even more so, when you think you've spent your whole life on the same operating system as everyone else, only to find out after the entire system has failed you've been running an entirely different system.

Now, not only do you need to try and diagnose and repair the brain to make it functional again, but you now have to learn how to operate your system correctly.

Your luck and external resources will translate into what support and guidance you have access to. You'll come across advertisements for wonder programmes that will fix everything for the low, low price of 8 months rent. Or, if you can't afford that there are services that will diagnose your issues officially for only 5 months rent!

Even if you could afford these things, there is absolutely no guarantee any of them will fix or help anything. There are free options, but the queue is long. "Your mental health is important to us. Thank you for holding. All our lines are overwhelmed at the moment. You are 1,200,001 in the queue. The expected wait time is between 1 month to infinity. Have you tried having a cup of tea and a bath?"

It's frustrating, but you can't be mad at the providers for the wait. They have too few resources and too much demand. Relatable.

So in the meantime, you need to do your best to take care of and repair your brain. Remember that fixed does not mean operating the same way it was before the system shut down. It means it is able to function effectively the way it is designed to, and that you use it accordingly.

Running programmes such as Feelingsofshame or Selfloathing might seem easy, but will actually do more damage than help. Be careful, these programmes often run in the background and start up automatically.

Remember not to neglect other hardware you need to work with. While you might not have the RAM to run self-care effectively as often as you should, it's still important to run it when you're able.

Lastly, ignore the Time Remaining counter. So many external factors impact that estimation counter, let alone the internal ones. Don't compare the number to what others have achieved or let your impatience influence how you feel about it.

Be kind to yourself, and I will do my best to be kind to myself.

Thank you for reading :)