We all have our daily routines, those little things we do every day to make our lives seem more structured and together. Having a daily routine can stabilize life and keep the average person peppy and on schedule. However, some daily routines lean closer to the edge of reminding us that we're different.
How could getting out of bed possibly be that hard?
For me, even a simple thing like getting out of bed in the morning is a challenge. Now, I'm like just about any teenager or young adult, I won't lie. Getting out of the comfortable, warm covers is daunting on its own. But, that's not my issue.
Weekdays start with a trip to the kitchen to start up my coffee pot and a quick visit to the restroom. Normal so far right? Here's where things are a bit different from the norm.
Weekdays start with a trip to the kitchen to start up my coffee pot and a quick visit to the restroom. Normal so far right? Here's where things are a bit different from the norm.
While I wait for my coffee to brew, I pick out the day's clothes. Going back to last week's blog post, you will know that picking outfits is a process on its own. Every school morning, I strap on my chest binder and pull on some boxers over my underwear and my packer. Next comes a shirt, or combination of shirts, that hide my chest as much as possible.
Then things get even more interesting.
I head to the bathroom once more to apply make up. You heard me, make up. But before you close this blog with the wild thought "what!? MAKE UP ON A TRANSMALE?!? THAT'S ABSURD!!!" let me tell you a thing. Wearing make up doesn't always mean eyeshadow and lipstick, plush eyelashes and winged eyeliner sharp enough to kill a man. On the contrary, applying make up in certain ways can make a face look more masculine. Shading contours and thicking out the brows really boosts your masculinity.
Then things get even more interesting.
I head to the bathroom once more to apply make up. You heard me, make up. But before you close this blog with the wild thought "what!? MAKE UP ON A TRANSMALE?!? THAT'S ABSURD!!!" let me tell you a thing. Wearing make up doesn't always mean eyeshadow and lipstick, plush eyelashes and winged eyeliner sharp enough to kill a man. On the contrary, applying make up in certain ways can make a face look more masculine. Shading contours and thicking out the brows really boosts your masculinity.
Pro what? A Lesson on Pronouns
Stripping the basis of pronouns down, we have male and female. It's no question that these two pronouns are what each and every person are taught growing up. However, the more the word is explored, the more it becomes obvious that the standard view of "penis = male" and "vagina = female" isn't always the case.
Genderfluid Pronouns
I'll start off my explaining what genderfluid is. As the name implies, the fluidity of gender between male and female. Peoples identifying as genderfluid tend to drift all over the gender spectrum. Sometimes identifying as more masculine than feminine, and vis versa. Usually, genderfluid individuals accept either male or female pronouns without a problem.
Bigender Pronouns
The term "bigender" refers to persons identifying as both binary genders. This means that a person identifying as bigender may view themselves as strictly male one day, and strictly female the next. More often than not, persons with this gender identity dress the part for whatever gender they feel they are at any given day. Fortunately for the rest of us, it makes it a bit easier to work with and use the correct pronouns.
Transgender Pronouns
Transgender pronouns are where my expertise lies. Peoples identifying as transgender see themselves as the opposite gender of that they were born as. Don't ever out anyone as trans and be sure to treat them just like any other boy or girl. If they were born female, use male pronouns. If they were born male, use female pronouns. It's all a matter of opposites.
Agender Pronouns
Agender refers to peoples' identifying as neither gender. There isn't really much to say here, other than the proper pronouns. Those pronouns happen to be: Ze and zir or Ze and hir.
Pills, Pills, Pills
Let's face the facts, not all of us are 100% A-okay. Some individuals suffer from mental or physical disabilities. I happen to be one of these people.
I suffer from a nasty case of depression and some wicked social anxiety. I take routine trips to the clinic for medication evaluations. It's a fancy way of saying "let's try this pill(s) and see if it works". It's not fun, and taking so many pills makes me feel uncomfortable. Knowing that I need pills packed with mind altering chemicals is enough to make anyone feel like more of a freak than they were.
In any case, I'm currently taking a daily dosage of 100mg of Zoloft.
I suffer from a nasty case of depression and some wicked social anxiety. I take routine trips to the clinic for medication evaluations. It's a fancy way of saying "let's try this pill(s) and see if it works". It's not fun, and taking so many pills makes me feel uncomfortable. Knowing that I need pills packed with mind altering chemicals is enough to make anyone feel like more of a freak than they were.
In any case, I'm currently taking a daily dosage of 100mg of Zoloft.
Zoloft - otherwise known as sertraline HCL - is what's called an SSRI drug. SSRI stands for Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors. Big ugly words. What that unnecessarily lengthy mess means is this: the pill allows the brain cells to produce more serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that releases to give off that "feel good" feeling, leaving the person in a peppier and better mood.
Below is the official commercial for Zoloft, explaining in detail how the drug works.
Below is the official commercial for Zoloft, explaining in detail how the drug works.
Some conflict revolves around SSRI drugs and the effects they have on their users. The conflict lies in the chemical "replacing" in the brain. Anti-SSRI drug participants believe these "feel good" anti-depressent drugs are killing humans from the inside out, starting with the brain. However, these accusations have no proof to weigh on and therefore do not effect medical laws on SSRI drugs.
That Brings us to a Close
After all of this talk of pronouns, drugs, and make up, I think it's time to bring this post to an end. Take the things you have learned from this week's entry and use them responsibly.
As for my personal health, I have another meeting with my doctor in a month to discuss whether or not 100mg of Zoloft is helping or not. Keep in mind that it's already been noted that if the current dosage still leaves me with this ridiculous anxiety, a secondary pill will be added to my daily regimen. I will keep you all posted on how things go.
Until next time, I'll see you later!
Until next time, I'll see you later!