Thread by @FrankElavsky

Unlearning ableism also includes unlearning self-deprecation.

I used to really loathe myself, but trying to come up with words and terms that weren't ableist made me realize that I actually did not know myself very well at all.

https://twitter.com/Lollardfish/status/1373247850067410947

I would catch myself wanting to insult myself after a mistake. The only reasonable thing I could replace an ableist slur with was the truth (which is frustratingly unsatisfying).

*ableist slur towards myself*

Which was replaced by

"I hate myself for messing up because I am not good enough" (still ableist)

Then replaced by

"I am mad at myself for making a mistake and I don't like how it feels to make mistakes" (still not good)

Then

"That felt bad"

Funnily enough, in time I started to go easier on myself because I approached a truer understanding of who I am.

Turns out I am a lot happier for it now.

Still unlearning though! It's a journey.

It's so easy to be ableist I initially ended this thread with "I know this is corny but..."

This might seem insubstantial or inferior to being jaded and cynical (and clever and mean), but I am not kidding that it genuinely made my life better to change how I think.