WEDNESDAY BLOGGING CHALLENGE | THINGS I WISH MORE PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT OPENLY

This is an interesting prompt, because I think there are lots of things that we, as a society, would benefit from discussing more. There are the obvious things – social issues like poverty, racism, sexism, homophobia. I think that openly sharing stories would help create more empathy. But it has limited effect, because there will always be groups who are hardened in their prejudice and have no interest in listening.

Then there are the medical issues I wish got talked about more. I have physical disabilities – I have had back surgery and also have chronic illnesses. These are not visible, so I don’t get any concessions for them. I remember even when I was only months out of back surgery not being able to get a seat on the bus because I was in my late 20s and had no visible sign of my injury. I don’t think people share these hidden disabilities – partly because it isn’t prompted, partly because they don’t want to be seen differently, partly because they feel like people won’t care or listen. But there are a lot of people out there living with invisible disabilities and invisible illnesses that impact their wellbeing, their abilities and their day-to-day lives. They may need to sit in public spaces. They may need access to the bathroom. They may need to be able to eat in allergen-free facilities. They may need to be in scent-free or allergen-free spaces. These things are very common, especially these days, and yet often we are met with disbelief, lack of understanding, and just a general lack of awareness that things everyone does could affect the very life of someone they come in passing contact with. The perfume that one person chooses to wear because it smells lovely to them or reminds them of a treasured memory seems like a personal choice. And yet once they enter a public space, that same scent that is nothing but positive for them could cause someone else’s airways to close up. It’s something that needs to be considered, by everyone. But it just isn’t. I think this needs to be discussed more. Everyone should know that these issues exist in anyone around them, and should begin to consider how their own choices could affect others.

And finally, another thing I really, really think needs to be discussed more is motherhood. On many fronts. When I became a mother it was an incredible shock to my system. First there were the physical things I never knew to expect or how to deal with. No one had taught me how to care for an infant, how to breastfeed or use a breast pump, no one told me exactly the effect lack of sleep would have. I knew nothing of how much work babies create, or how exhausted the entire experience would leave me. I didn’t know about the impact motherhood would have on my relationship, on my interests, or on my mental health. I suddenly became nearly completely isolated, overwhelmed, scared, tired, and feeling like my body had been swapped out and I didn’t know myself anymore. I also had no idea how it would feel to be a mother. How on the one hand I’d suddenly be filled with a love I’d never imagined, but also experiencing a parallel feeling of fear and anxiety because all of a sudden I had so much to lose. All of this was incredibly overwhelming, and I went into it fully unprepared because no one talks about what it feels like to become a mother. Or what it’s like to be a stay at home mom all of a sudden. Either there’s shame that you’re given the privilege of not having to work while other mothers around you are forced to work and find a way to mother as well. But also a weird sense of having let down womankind because so many women have fought to not be stuck in the home. And I know really they were fighting for the ability for women to have options and make their own choices, but the choice to stay at home is still judged unfavourably at times. There’s so much in this experience to explore and unpack, so I’m going to stop there. But suffice it to say that I wish women would share their experiences more honestly, that they could say it’s hard, they don’t always like being a mom, sometimes their kids are not a lot of fun to hang out with (as we all aren’t on a bad day), and not be judged for those emotions. It would make it much easier for women just starting on their motherhood journeys to be prepared for what is to come.

What do you guys wish was discussed more openly? Are any of my topics (or similar ones) on your list today?

Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge is a blog hop hosted every Wednesday by Long and Short Reviews. The weekly prompts range widely, including both book-related and non-book-related topics. The idea is to get bloggers to interact, share a bit about their lives and connect with other bloggers. Click here for the list of upcoming topics, and visit here to join in the fun!