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Nov 7, 2021Liked by Atoosa Rubenstein

Hey Atoosa, I think it would be really helpful if you included content warnings in your posts.

I came across your Substack by way of another newsletter, and like the person who recommended your newsletter, I, too, grew up reading your editor's notes, and was curious to see what you were up to and thinking about these days.

I could tell from the very first posts of your newsletter that you are committed to being as honest as possible. I deeply admire this as someone who has also learned how so much liberation and healing can come from casting light upon the darkest parts of ourselves we have trained into secrecy. I was captivated by your honesty and have spent the last several hours reading all of your posts here.

At the same time, I experienced some very deep triggers reading your posts, and I've been trying to extract myself from a compulsive spiral in which I could not stop myself from reading the rest of your posts, even as I became increasingly distressed. Your reminders to yourself to hold your neck and belly reminded me of gentler coping strategies of my own I've integrated into my toolbox that I ultimately could not reach for before engaging in my compulsion today.

To be clear, I understand it was my choice to read your Substack, and I do feel shame for not slowing down and thinking about how the very direct title of this particular post I'm commenting on should have been enough of a warning for me to consider checking in with myself before making a choice to read on.

I'm still learning to work with the neurodivergent brain I was born with that was further rewired after experiencing my own complex trauma--I hope this is perhaps something you understand and empathize with. As we work on getting back to our factory settings, I ask you to consider adding content warnings to your posts. Content warnings that are written thoughtfully and mindfully have been immensely helpful in reminding me to pause and check in with my body when so many other ways of trying to disrupt my "just muscle through this" programming haven't worked for me. They've helped me work on my own trauma at a healthier and more sustainable pace for my body. With CWs, I've felt better equipped to work on broadening my comfort zone with topics like those you write about than the times I've dived into the waters cold turkey without them.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I hope to continue reading your future posts as I am able.

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