As you may have noticed, I’ve recently been taking a much needed step back from Twitter. I also haven’t posted a Substack article in a few weeks. I wanted to write a little post to let you in on how I’ve been feeling and where my social media presence and writing may be headed in the future.
By observation (not experience), it appears that a great part of healing from "being seriously hurt by gender ideology" is to arrive at this place: the point where real life, off-line pursuits outside of the self begin to take precedence over self-obsession and online discourse & activism. It is healthy and the polar opposite of what those defending GI must do. TRAs are slaves to an ideology from which people like you have broken free. Your responsibility is to yourself now. You have added and helped us understand so much. I look forward to your next new ideas and thoughts, even if infrequent, which is not necessarily a bad thing bc, honestly, I can hardly keep up anymore!!
Take care of yourself- your health is paramount. Many of us appreciate what you have done in telling your story- but do not let that pressure you. I hope you find creative endeavors that can recharge and energize you.
There is a sentiment I first heard from an abuse survivor that goes something like "they took so much of my life they are not going to take the rest of it." Your experience is one facet of your life and it is good you recognise that it can overwhelm you.
From my point of view it is better for you to write when you feel like it. When you can enjoy life and writing. Not through a sense of obligation but only when you want to share something.
What you have done so far is extraordinary. Thank you.
"feel a sense of duty and obligation to fully witness the suffering of people who have been seriously hurt in a way that I never was but came very close to being. "
You don't have a duty and obligation to witness this. The criminals who are pushing it do. Every bit you help helps them but please do not take in their pain-you can be an anchor to the world outside the pain that was once in theirs. A hope.
Thank you for your honesty. There is a season for everything and I am grateful for the work that you have done. You have given me hope that maybe someday my daughter will return to her true self and drop this ideology. I love your writing and will continue to follow and support no matter the content.
Hey Helena! Thanks for everything you’ve done to shift the discourse by so bravely and openly sharing your story. You’ve done more than enough and you deserve to feel happy and healthy, and if you wanted to disappear from public life by all means please don’t feel compelled to stay there. You’re a legend, take good care, and do what makes you happy!
You are so much more than the one topic. I don't know about others, but I look forward to seeing what you will write about that brings you light. Great that you are taking care of you!!
Dear Helena, I'm a Portuguese mother of a 18 daughter with ROGD. Your story is an inspiration and a hope for all of us. Your message touched people from several countries. I also want to tell you that I totally understand your decision. If it is hard to me as a mother to deal with all this madness, I can't imagine how is to be in my daughter's shoes, to be in your place... You know, feeling part of this twilight reality, this bizarre world, made me more religious. For me, it was the only way to cope with extreme pain and despair. I really hope you keep the faith and stay strong. You are a great writer so we will be waiting, with no pressure, for your points of view in other aspects of Life. Thank you!
I think you're a great writer and intellect, I'll enjoy reading whatever you write. Too much empathy will give a person great illnesses, get a handle on that, yes.
You have already given so much-- I think you've broken the spell for many people who just happened to catch your media appearances! You also brought to light certain elements of the online world that I really don't think adults would have ever figured out. You absolutely deserve to move on with your life and brava for giving yourself full permission to do so. I will stay tuned for what's next! You have a bright future with all the skills you possess- so articulate, keenly insightful, and a wonderful speaker. You're a warrior. ❤️
I’m glad you have been able to reflect on what you need and prioritise your health and well being. You have made such an enormous contribution to our understanding of how young people are held captive by gender ideology and how they might eventually escape from it. As a parent in my fifties I had not the slighted idea of what my daughter was exposed to on social media platforms such as Tumbl’r. I have found your insights and advice for parents so valuable. Thank you!
You need to prioritize your self care. As important as fighting GI is, putting yourself out there publicly exposes you to criticism, and that can be very stressful to endure. Thank you for all you've shared, but please take good care of yourself ❤️
By observation (not experience), it appears that a great part of healing from "being seriously hurt by gender ideology" is to arrive at this place: the point where real life, off-line pursuits outside of the self begin to take precedence over self-obsession and online discourse & activism. It is healthy and the polar opposite of what those defending GI must do. TRAs are slaves to an ideology from which people like you have broken free. Your responsibility is to yourself now. You have added and helped us understand so much. I look forward to your next new ideas and thoughts, even if infrequent, which is not necessarily a bad thing bc, honestly, I can hardly keep up anymore!!
Take care of yourself- your health is paramount. Many of us appreciate what you have done in telling your story- but do not let that pressure you. I hope you find creative endeavors that can recharge and energize you.
I'm glad you are taking time for yourself. You have a wonderful voice and I look forward to hearing from you on all your interests.
Take good care. You’ve done a lot to bring some very important dark elements of this to light. We’ll be here when you get back.
So happy to hear you recognized what you need to take care of yourself. You’ve already done so much good for so many. Carryon with your life. Enjoy!
There is a sentiment I first heard from an abuse survivor that goes something like "they took so much of my life they are not going to take the rest of it." Your experience is one facet of your life and it is good you recognise that it can overwhelm you.
From my point of view it is better for you to write when you feel like it. When you can enjoy life and writing. Not through a sense of obligation but only when you want to share something.
What you have done so far is extraordinary. Thank you.
"feel a sense of duty and obligation to fully witness the suffering of people who have been seriously hurt in a way that I never was but came very close to being. "
You don't have a duty and obligation to witness this. The criminals who are pushing it do. Every bit you help helps them but please do not take in their pain-you can be an anchor to the world outside the pain that was once in theirs. A hope.
Take care of yourself and thank you so much!
Wishing you the best for the future, Helena! Take as much time as you need.
Thank you for your honesty. There is a season for everything and I am grateful for the work that you have done. You have given me hope that maybe someday my daughter will return to her true self and drop this ideology. I love your writing and will continue to follow and support no matter the content.
Hey Helena! Thanks for everything you’ve done to shift the discourse by so bravely and openly sharing your story. You’ve done more than enough and you deserve to feel happy and healthy, and if you wanted to disappear from public life by all means please don’t feel compelled to stay there. You’re a legend, take good care, and do what makes you happy!
You are so much more than the one topic. I don't know about others, but I look forward to seeing what you will write about that brings you light. Great that you are taking care of you!!
Dear Helena, I'm a Portuguese mother of a 18 daughter with ROGD. Your story is an inspiration and a hope for all of us. Your message touched people from several countries. I also want to tell you that I totally understand your decision. If it is hard to me as a mother to deal with all this madness, I can't imagine how is to be in my daughter's shoes, to be in your place... You know, feeling part of this twilight reality, this bizarre world, made me more religious. For me, it was the only way to cope with extreme pain and despair. I really hope you keep the faith and stay strong. You are a great writer so we will be waiting, with no pressure, for your points of view in other aspects of Life. Thank you!
I think you're a great writer and intellect, I'll enjoy reading whatever you write. Too much empathy will give a person great illnesses, get a handle on that, yes.
You have already given so much-- I think you've broken the spell for many people who just happened to catch your media appearances! You also brought to light certain elements of the online world that I really don't think adults would have ever figured out. You absolutely deserve to move on with your life and brava for giving yourself full permission to do so. I will stay tuned for what's next! You have a bright future with all the skills you possess- so articulate, keenly insightful, and a wonderful speaker. You're a warrior. ❤️
Dear Helena
I’m glad you have been able to reflect on what you need and prioritise your health and well being. You have made such an enormous contribution to our understanding of how young people are held captive by gender ideology and how they might eventually escape from it. As a parent in my fifties I had not the slighted idea of what my daughter was exposed to on social media platforms such as Tumbl’r. I have found your insights and advice for parents so valuable. Thank you!
You need to prioritize your self care. As important as fighting GI is, putting yourself out there publicly exposes you to criticism, and that can be very stressful to endure. Thank you for all you've shared, but please take good care of yourself ❤️