Willow Toops
@willowtoops.bsky.social
• Autism/ADHD/CPTSD
• Chronically ill
• DV survivor
• UNI Human Services 2026 🎓📚
• Chronically ill
• DV survivor
• UNI Human Services 2026 🎓📚
Reposted by Willow Toops
Today might be a sh*t show, emotionally, behaviorally, spiritually, whatever. That happens in trauma recovery (& in life). What's important is that you meet the sh*t show w/ a commitment, not to cheerfulness-- f*ck that-- but to extending yourself realistic grace & support.
December 26, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Today might be a sh*t show, emotionally, behaviorally, spiritually, whatever. That happens in trauma recovery (& in life). What's important is that you meet the sh*t show w/ a commitment, not to cheerfulness-- f*ck that-- but to extending yourself realistic grace & support.
Friendly reminder that it is not your responsibility to manage other people's emotions. Do what's best for you for a change.
December 26, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Friendly reminder that it is not your responsibility to manage other people's emotions. Do what's best for you for a change.
Let's be clear: telling a child to "grow up" is unacceptable. They can't magically develop to an adult level of functioning just because you're frustrated with them and can't regulate yourself.
December 15, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Let's be clear: telling a child to "grow up" is unacceptable. They can't magically develop to an adult level of functioning just because you're frustrated with them and can't regulate yourself.
Reposted by Willow Toops
Something many trauma survivors have in common is their absolute commitment to not "wasting" the pain of their childhood-- to creating a profoundly different experience for their kids than they had growing up.
A childhood that breaks your heart also tends to clear your vision.
A childhood that breaks your heart also tends to clear your vision.
December 14, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Something many trauma survivors have in common is their absolute commitment to not "wasting" the pain of their childhood-- to creating a profoundly different experience for their kids than they had growing up.
A childhood that breaks your heart also tends to clear your vision.
A childhood that breaks your heart also tends to clear your vision.
In your 20's, people will tell you that making a lot of money is more important than getting fulfillment out of your career. It's important that you understand this is bullshit.
December 15, 2025 at 3:36 PM
In your 20's, people will tell you that making a lot of money is more important than getting fulfillment out of your career. It's important that you understand this is bullshit.
I'm using an em dash on an assignment— because I know how to do it — and wondering if it's going to get me flagged by AI. English has always been my best subject, but now being good at it comes with the price of facing accusations that AI wrote my essay. To say I'm upset is an understatement.
December 3, 2025 at 9:18 PM
I'm using an em dash on an assignment— because I know how to do it — and wondering if it's going to get me flagged by AI. English has always been my best subject, but now being good at it comes with the price of facing accusations that AI wrote my essay. To say I'm upset is an understatement.
You are not a burden for having needs.
Image credit: @softshivers
Image credit: @softshivers
November 25, 2025 at 11:12 PM
You are not a burden for having needs.
Image credit: @softshivers
Image credit: @softshivers
Reposted by Willow Toops
No trauma recovery tool taught by any therapist or resource will be perfectly applicable to every trigger, reaction, or situation. That's reality.
It's also reality that sustainable recovery is built around adapting imperfect tools to our needs, vulnerabilities, & strengths.
It's also reality that sustainable recovery is built around adapting imperfect tools to our needs, vulnerabilities, & strengths.
November 24, 2025 at 4:05 AM
No trauma recovery tool taught by any therapist or resource will be perfectly applicable to every trigger, reaction, or situation. That's reality.
It's also reality that sustainable recovery is built around adapting imperfect tools to our needs, vulnerabilities, & strengths.
It's also reality that sustainable recovery is built around adapting imperfect tools to our needs, vulnerabilities, & strengths.
Reposted by Willow Toops
“They can’t do that! The ADA protects you!”
People love to say this when you tell them you’ve been discriminated against or mistreated for being disabled
Just because someone technically shouldn’t do something, doesn’t mean they won’t
Dealing with discrimination is a part of being disabled
People love to say this when you tell them you’ve been discriminated against or mistreated for being disabled
Just because someone technically shouldn’t do something, doesn’t mean they won’t
Dealing with discrimination is a part of being disabled
November 24, 2025 at 6:11 AM
“They can’t do that! The ADA protects you!”
People love to say this when you tell them you’ve been discriminated against or mistreated for being disabled
Just because someone technically shouldn’t do something, doesn’t mean they won’t
Dealing with discrimination is a part of being disabled
People love to say this when you tell them you’ve been discriminated against or mistreated for being disabled
Just because someone technically shouldn’t do something, doesn’t mean they won’t
Dealing with discrimination is a part of being disabled
Reposted by Willow Toops
The fact you don't feel like you did anything "productive" today doesn't mean it was a "wasted" recovery day. There are dozens of recovery tasks revolving around how we talk & relate to ourselves that have zero to do w/ outward "productivity," but which move our journey forward.
November 23, 2025 at 10:35 PM
The fact you don't feel like you did anything "productive" today doesn't mean it was a "wasted" recovery day. There are dozens of recovery tasks revolving around how we talk & relate to ourselves that have zero to do w/ outward "productivity," but which move our journey forward.
Reposted by Willow Toops
If you’re disabled…
You’re “genuinely disabled”
That’s it. It’s that simple.
You’re “genuinely disabled”
That’s it. It’s that simple.
November 24, 2025 at 7:09 AM
If you’re disabled…
You’re “genuinely disabled”
That’s it. It’s that simple.
You’re “genuinely disabled”
That’s it. It’s that simple.
Reposted by Willow Toops
Trauma Brain will try to get you to dismiss recovery tools like self-talk, visualization, & purposeful breathing as "silly" or weak sauce or otherwise not worth trying-- but don't let it trick you into assuming that because a tool sounds "simple," it's superficial or ineffective.
November 24, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Trauma Brain will try to get you to dismiss recovery tools like self-talk, visualization, & purposeful breathing as "silly" or weak sauce or otherwise not worth trying-- but don't let it trick you into assuming that because a tool sounds "simple," it's superficial or ineffective.
November 24, 2025 at 5:12 PM
November 11, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Reposted by Willow Toops
Continuing to engage w/ someone who is toxic to us, even if we're right, even if no one else is challenging them, at the expense of our safety & stability is a trap.
There is NO argument or interaction, especially on the internet, worth sacrificing our safety & stability over.
There is NO argument or interaction, especially on the internet, worth sacrificing our safety & stability over.
November 11, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Continuing to engage w/ someone who is toxic to us, even if we're right, even if no one else is challenging them, at the expense of our safety & stability is a trap.
There is NO argument or interaction, especially on the internet, worth sacrificing our safety & stability over.
There is NO argument or interaction, especially on the internet, worth sacrificing our safety & stability over.
Reposted by Willow Toops
From all of us here, thank you to every veteran who has served our country. Because of your sacrifices, we’re free to enjoy peaceful trails, open spaces, and the beauty of the places we love most. 🇺🇸💙
November 11, 2025 at 6:34 PM
From all of us here, thank you to every veteran who has served our country. Because of your sacrifices, we’re free to enjoy peaceful trails, open spaces, and the beauty of the places we love most. 🇺🇸💙
Getting rid of mail-in voting is a form of voter suppression because mail-in voting allows disabled individuals and those who lack transportation to vote without complication. Let that sink in.
November 11, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Getting rid of mail-in voting is a form of voter suppression because mail-in voting allows disabled individuals and those who lack transportation to vote without complication. Let that sink in.
Reposted by Willow Toops
Ignoring our own needs is 100% one of the most destructively selfish things we can do. Over time it practically guarantees we're going to flame out & be unable to support any person or pet we love.
You're not The Exception who can run on empty indefinitely. The bill comes due.
You're not The Exception who can run on empty indefinitely. The bill comes due.
November 11, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Ignoring our own needs is 100% one of the most destructively selfish things we can do. Over time it practically guarantees we're going to flame out & be unable to support any person or pet we love.
You're not The Exception who can run on empty indefinitely. The bill comes due.
You're not The Exception who can run on empty indefinitely. The bill comes due.
Reposted by Willow Toops
Trauma survivors don't instinctively keep our stories & experiences to ourselves because we love handling them on our own. We've often been conditioned to believe we HAVE to handle them on our own-- & that putting words to our world makes us vulnerable.
Breathe. You make sense.
Breathe. You make sense.
November 11, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Trauma survivors don't instinctively keep our stories & experiences to ourselves because we love handling them on our own. We've often been conditioned to believe we HAVE to handle them on our own-- & that putting words to our world makes us vulnerable.
Breathe. You make sense.
Breathe. You make sense.
Reposted by Willow Toops
This is a reminder that if you're human, you're going to slip back into old habits sometimes. It has nothing to do w/ "weakness" & nothing to do w/ how well you are or aren't doing recovery.
Grace over guilt. Just right the ship when you can.
Grace over guilt. Just right the ship when you can.
November 11, 2025 at 5:29 PM
This is a reminder that if you're human, you're going to slip back into old habits sometimes. It has nothing to do w/ "weakness" & nothing to do w/ how well you are or aren't doing recovery.
Grace over guilt. Just right the ship when you can.
Grace over guilt. Just right the ship when you can.
Reposted by Willow Toops
Disabled folk don’t just deserve survival.
They deserve love, support, compassion, respect…
And to have the means and ability to live the best quality of life possible for them, in their circumstances.
This should be the bare minimum.
They deserve love, support, compassion, respect…
And to have the means and ability to live the best quality of life possible for them, in their circumstances.
This should be the bare minimum.
November 11, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Disabled folk don’t just deserve survival.
They deserve love, support, compassion, respect…
And to have the means and ability to live the best quality of life possible for them, in their circumstances.
This should be the bare minimum.
They deserve love, support, compassion, respect…
And to have the means and ability to live the best quality of life possible for them, in their circumstances.
This should be the bare minimum.
Reposted by Willow Toops
Disabled people don't need to be "inspirational" or "strong" to deserve support and respect.
There should be no hierarchy, no superiority...
All humans are worthy of support and compassion.
There should be no hierarchy, no superiority...
All humans are worthy of support and compassion.
November 10, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Disabled people don't need to be "inspirational" or "strong" to deserve support and respect.
There should be no hierarchy, no superiority...
All humans are worthy of support and compassion.
There should be no hierarchy, no superiority...
All humans are worthy of support and compassion.
Reposted by Willow Toops
We reside in a world that encourages self-neglect, where rest is viewed as a reward that one must strive to earn.
November 8, 2025 at 6:21 PM
We reside in a world that encourages self-neglect, where rest is viewed as a reward that one must strive to earn.
Reposted by Willow Toops
Until the end of the government shutdown, our campaign will be donating $2,500 a month to a food pantry in the Ninth District.
And to my fellow candidates, I challenge you to do the same:
And to my fellow candidates, I challenge you to do the same:
November 8, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Until the end of the government shutdown, our campaign will be donating $2,500 a month to a food pantry in the Ninth District.
And to my fellow candidates, I challenge you to do the same:
And to my fellow candidates, I challenge you to do the same:
Reposted by Willow Toops
Yesterday's newsletter featured a handy spreadsheet that compiles each state's statement on the current status of SNAP and when money would be distributed. Please note that the situation is changing quickly!
You can access the document here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
You can access the document here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
SNAP November benefit updates by state
docs.google.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Yesterday's newsletter featured a handy spreadsheet that compiles each state's statement on the current status of SNAP and when money would be distributed. Please note that the situation is changing quickly!
You can access the document here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
You can access the document here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...