Hobbit Holes, Kind Words, And Trying To Keep My Head Up

I know many don’t really know me here... but something I say often is that I just want to find my hobbit hole by a stream to live in. That’s the dream.

I mean it’s a joke, kind of.. but I’m very much the person that could just leave civilization and material things behind and just go live in a hobbit hole somewhere.. and I’d be happy as a little clam. Maybe it is the introvert in me. 🤷🏻‍♀️

In fact, being at steemfest.. meeting Gandalf and exploring middle earth with him and some awesome Steemians was about as close and it as I have been haha.

Anywho, apparently someone actually paid attention to my little joke (or I say it waaay more often then I thought) because I got a little gift in the mail...

My very own hobbit hole!!!

It’s even got a turquoise door and sweet little flowers!!

That’s right, our very own @steemmatt sent me a hobbit hole to call my very own.. as well as a note full of kind words and encouragement that nearly made me cry (and I’m not a crier).

It was an extremely kind and thoughtful gesture and I felt a post was in order to thank him ❤️ Seriously Matt, I love it.. it was super kind of you 🤗 Thank you so much!

_{Now everyone go give Matt a nice upvote for not being a dick, and instead being an extremely kind individual.. it’s a rare trait these days. Don’t worry, I’ll wait 🙂}

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Keep your head up

and “don’t let the bastards grind you down”

Over the last week or so, things have been a bit messy for me here on Steem.. I won’t go into details as there is enough drama happening elsewhere and it’s not the point of this post.. but I’ll just say, a lot has been said about me.. some fair, some not so much.. and while I’m not complaining as I knew what I was getting into when I made the decisions I did, it can start to weigh on a person.

I don’t regret the decisions I’ve made, as I feel that sometimes you have to stand up for what’s right or what you believe in, no matter the cost.

While I spent most of the week ignoring it all and just trying to continue the work I do here, knowing that there really was no harm in flags (even was writing a great post about how great Steem is as flags aren’t censorship)... waking up yesterday to realize that every one of my comments now ruined the post I commented on (I have some auto spam following my comments now) made me rage...

Flagging me is fine, it only effects me.. even if the bot net that took away the ability for anyone to counter the flags was annoying, it only effected me and my comments.. so fair game.

But turning anything I comment on into a shit show? That affects the platform, the community and the blog that I was commenting on (while curating) to encourage the author.. and apparently that was my line.. as I went out of character and decided fuck it, since I can’t comment on good stuff now.. I’ll just troll you bastards. 😬

It felt very much that since I was ignoring the flags and continuing on, that the attack was doubled down on to affect something that I clearly would not be ok with.. and they got what they wanted.. as I haven’t commented on any posts I’ve curated since..

I didn’t want to ruin anymore blogs.

Hell, I didn’t want to comment anywhere.. as I knew spam would take over... and then @steemmatt set me straight again.. yep.. same guy who gave me a hobbit hole.. told me to keep being me, like I had always done.. and the rest is just what it is.

Well between that, kind words from @blewitt in DM as I didn’t want to respond on his post either.. as well as kind and encouraging words from many people.. including the GP crew, and the sane discord chat and a nice kick in the ass reminder from my fake discord hubs, I realized I had lost myself a bit.. and needed to go back to ignoring.. no matter how hard that is.

I realized I just needed to keep being me and take whatever this insanity is head on, while trying to do the most good and not become someone I won’t recognize.. no matter how much I would really like to make more comments telling people to go fuck themselves.. because some people are just.. well, yeah. But hey, it’s just a waste of time and energy...

So, my head is back up and I’ll be going back to what I do around here.. you know, the stuff most don’t even know about.. which is exactly how I like it.

I just wanted to say thanks for those that have always supported and encouraged me, while seeing who I am and what I stand for.. as sometimes when there is so much out there, it’s hard to see through all the garbage.

While I will be commenting on posts of people I know, It might take me a bit to feel I can comment freely on other authors posts (without bringing unneeded spam and drama), so I am asking a favor..

I ask all of you to take a bit more time to comment and engage with authors who may need an extra lift. To help encourage them as you do me. I would really appreciate it.

I’ll be hanging in my hobbit hole and I’m here if you need me...

Much Love,

Justine