Vanessa Smith
@normalness.bsky.social
We're all normal to ourselves. I write. I hate hustle. I love shiny objects. Can't even influence an ant. Anthropology & sociology graduate. Author of books. Spoonie. And much more.
www.normalness.com
www.normalness.com
Pinned
Vanessa Smith
@normalness.bsky.social
· Feb 11
This was one of my favourite tweets so it needs sharing here too:
I’ve experienced {symptom}
And
I’ve been disabled by {symptom}
Are two very different things.
I’ve experienced {symptom}
And
I’ve been disabled by {symptom}
Are two very different things.
Thinking quietly about a simple & cheap tech stack for a pen name/new project:
Website on carrd
Email hosting … somewhere?
Kit’s free email plan
Thoughts? It’ll have socials too but I prefer prioritising owned media over borrowed media.
Website on carrd
Email hosting … somewhere?
Kit’s free email plan
Thoughts? It’ll have socials too but I prefer prioritising owned media over borrowed media.
February 13, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Thinking quietly about a simple & cheap tech stack for a pen name/new project:
Website on carrd
Email hosting … somewhere?
Kit’s free email plan
Thoughts? It’ll have socials too but I prefer prioritising owned media over borrowed media.
Website on carrd
Email hosting … somewhere?
Kit’s free email plan
Thoughts? It’ll have socials too but I prefer prioritising owned media over borrowed media.
If you've ever wanted to try journaling but also have a bit of an eye roll attitude towards such things, I'm kindly bridging the gap for you.
YES, I HAVE MADE A SNARKY GRATITUDE JOURNAL. A4 sized, you can use it digital or printed.
payhip.com/b/TinUX
YES, I HAVE MADE A SNARKY GRATITUDE JOURNAL. A4 sized, you can use it digital or printed.
payhip.com/b/TinUX
The Ultimate Snarky Gratitude Journal
On January 22nd I had a bright shiny idea because I am good at those. (I have them on days that aren't January 22nd as well. That's how good at them I am!) After some delays due to migraine, a burning hot pain flare, leaving my
payhip.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:09 AM
If you've ever wanted to try journaling but also have a bit of an eye roll attitude towards such things, I'm kindly bridging the gap for you.
YES, I HAVE MADE A SNARKY GRATITUDE JOURNAL. A4 sized, you can use it digital or printed.
payhip.com/b/TinUX
YES, I HAVE MADE A SNARKY GRATITUDE JOURNAL. A4 sized, you can use it digital or printed.
payhip.com/b/TinUX
The workplace divide (and how it shows up in media).
thechronicallycreative.substack.com/p/the-workpl...
thechronicallycreative.substack.com/p/the-workpl...
thechronicallycreative.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 11:24 PM
The workplace divide (and how it shows up in media).
thechronicallycreative.substack.com/p/the-workpl...
thechronicallycreative.substack.com/p/the-workpl...
Ticked off 17 job applications tonight. What a boring task. Anyway, ticked off they are!
February 12, 2026 at 8:47 AM
Ticked off 17 job applications tonight. What a boring task. Anyway, ticked off they are!
Happy Home Paradise: Vic: An Adventurers Home Base youtu.be/fh2-pU8nmRE
Happy Home Paradise: Vic: An Adventurers Home Base
YouTube video by NormalNess
youtu.be
February 12, 2026 at 3:30 AM
Happy Home Paradise: Vic: An Adventurers Home Base youtu.be/fh2-pU8nmRE
Reposted by Vanessa Smith
There's something particularly gross about news outlets that issue articles on open access science but then lock their news article about that science behind a paywall.
February 11, 2026 at 1:13 PM
There's something particularly gross about news outlets that issue articles on open access science but then lock their news article about that science behind a paywall.
Reposted by Vanessa Smith
Occasional reminder to alt-text your book promos.
Not only will they get more reposts (lots of folks won’t repost images without it), the words in the alt text can help with discoverability!
Not only will they get more reposts (lots of folks won’t repost images without it), the words in the alt text can help with discoverability!
February 10, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Occasional reminder to alt-text your book promos.
Not only will they get more reposts (lots of folks won’t repost images without it), the words in the alt text can help with discoverability!
Not only will they get more reposts (lots of folks won’t repost images without it), the words in the alt text can help with discoverability!
The thing you never thought possible is here: Journal your way to royalty!!
payhip.com/b/T5NU3
payhip.com/b/T5NU3
HighNess
In the grand old tradition of cashing in on the existence of the royals, and in the less grand and way less old tradition of me making unhelpful journals (the ultimate snarky gratitude journal and new-ness) comes the latest amazing offer. An exploita
payhip.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:25 AM
The thing you never thought possible is here: Journal your way to royalty!!
payhip.com/b/T5NU3
payhip.com/b/T5NU3
Reposted by Vanessa Smith
Editorial: Tell me Australia, which is worse: signing bombs or making anti-bomb signs? preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webvi...
February 7, 2026 at 7:05 AM
Editorial: Tell me Australia, which is worse: signing bombs or making anti-bomb signs? preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webvi...
We’re having homemade satay chicken sushi for dinner. You?
February 8, 2026 at 7:22 AM
We’re having homemade satay chicken sushi for dinner. You?
Reposted by Vanessa Smith
"Everyone has the right to criticise state conduct and hold public officials to account, including a visiting head of state."
www.hrlc.org.au/updates/aust...
#NSWpol #AusPol #authoritarianism
www.hrlc.org.au/updates/aust...
#NSWpol #AusPol #authoritarianism
Australia must uphold protest rights and its legal obligation to punish genocide during Israeli President visit - Human Rights Law Centre
www.hrlc.org.au
February 6, 2026 at 3:03 AM
"Everyone has the right to criticise state conduct and hold public officials to account, including a visiting head of state."
www.hrlc.org.au/updates/aust...
#NSWpol #AusPol #authoritarianism
www.hrlc.org.au/updates/aust...
#NSWpol #AusPol #authoritarianism
Reposted by Vanessa Smith
I got a new book coming.
Who likes historical fiction?💙📚
Set on an isolated island off the west coast of Tasmania - The House on Rookery Rock - will be out in the coming weeks and need YOUR feedback on cover design.
Stay tuned...
Who likes historical fiction?💙📚
Set on an isolated island off the west coast of Tasmania - The House on Rookery Rock - will be out in the coming weeks and need YOUR feedback on cover design.
Stay tuned...
February 8, 2026 at 5:35 AM
I got a new book coming.
Who likes historical fiction?💙📚
Set on an isolated island off the west coast of Tasmania - The House on Rookery Rock - will be out in the coming weeks and need YOUR feedback on cover design.
Stay tuned...
Who likes historical fiction?💙📚
Set on an isolated island off the west coast of Tasmania - The House on Rookery Rock - will be out in the coming weeks and need YOUR feedback on cover design.
Stay tuned...
Reposted by Vanessa Smith
Black disabled people have always been at the heart of the disability rights movement: organizing, resisting + building care. This #BlackHistoryMonth, we continue to protect the hard-fought rights and build a future of equality.
@ndrnadvocates.bsky.social's series: https://tinyurl.com/ymhwyrhp
@ndrnadvocates.bsky.social's series: https://tinyurl.com/ymhwyrhp
February 8, 2026 at 6:01 AM
Black disabled people have always been at the heart of the disability rights movement: organizing, resisting + building care. This #BlackHistoryMonth, we continue to protect the hard-fought rights and build a future of equality.
@ndrnadvocates.bsky.social's series: https://tinyurl.com/ymhwyrhp
@ndrnadvocates.bsky.social's series: https://tinyurl.com/ymhwyrhp
Extremely pleased I am no longer permitted to work in the uni sector. Between this and the proliferation of AI tools, what is even left at a university anymore?
Combatting Antisemitism Czar™️, Jillian Segal's, hand-picked University Report card independent assessor - Greg Craven - brings novel views and thoughts to the position.
February 8, 2026 at 6:07 AM
Extremely pleased I am no longer permitted to work in the uni sector. Between this and the proliferation of AI tools, what is even left at a university anymore?
Oh good they’re back with loud music right as I want to sleep.
They finally left about an hour after I posted this. Now I can open my windows for air without my skull vibrating
February 7, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Oh good they’re back with loud music right as I want to sleep.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Miranda Island. Leopold Candy Halloween
youtu.be/WoRXKhkEItw
youtu.be/WoRXKhkEItw
Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Miranda Island. Leopold Candy Halloween
YouTube video by NormalNess
youtu.be
February 7, 2026 at 5:11 AM
Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Miranda Island. Leopold Candy Halloween
youtu.be/WoRXKhkEItw
youtu.be/WoRXKhkEItw
Dear every website ever: I never want you to include “marketplace” results.
February 6, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Dear every website ever: I never want you to include “marketplace” results.
People have been partying opposite my house for about six hours now and my headache (their thumping music) make me wish they would go away now.
February 6, 2026 at 8:47 AM
People have been partying opposite my house for about six hours now and my headache (their thumping music) make me wish they would go away now.
New Year must mean a new you, right? Well, I'm here in my "can't take this shit seriously" mode to offer you a sweary way to review your year and plan for the next one.
payhip.com/b/P7e9b
payhip.com/b/P7e9b
New-Ness
New Year must mean a new you, right? Well, I'm here in my "can't take this shit seriously" mode to offer you a sweary way to review your year and plan for the next one. New-Ness, a journal for those who hate journals. The details:
It costs
payhip.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:09 AM
New Year must mean a new you, right? Well, I'm here in my "can't take this shit seriously" mode to offer you a sweary way to review your year and plan for the next one.
payhip.com/b/P7e9b
payhip.com/b/P7e9b
This week has felt like a lot. Trying to ramp up activities for me but that’s also a lot. Damn no winning. But I did get multigrain bread rolls in my grocery order for once so that’s nice. I do like fresh bread rolls.
February 5, 2026 at 7:47 AM
This week has felt like a lot. Trying to ramp up activities for me but that’s also a lot. Damn no winning. But I did get multigrain bread rolls in my grocery order for once so that’s nice. I do like fresh bread rolls.
Reposted by Vanessa Smith
Just a vent post but fuck my a hate how some of the largest 'lefty' creators just give absolutely ZERO fucks about disabled folk, like they can be great on other issues, but refuse to other learn, research or give a shit about disabled issues.
Hell most of em still use the r slur or derivatives.
Hell most of em still use the r slur or derivatives.
February 4, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Just a vent post but fuck my a hate how some of the largest 'lefty' creators just give absolutely ZERO fucks about disabled folk, like they can be great on other issues, but refuse to other learn, research or give a shit about disabled issues.
Hell most of em still use the r slur or derivatives.
Hell most of em still use the r slur or derivatives.
Happy Home Paradise: Shari: House of Perennials youtu.be/BNRoet4wpM8
Happy Home Paradise: Shari: House of Perennials
YouTube video by NormalNess
youtu.be
February 3, 2026 at 11:36 PM
Happy Home Paradise: Shari: House of Perennials youtu.be/BNRoet4wpM8
Reposted by Vanessa Smith
#DigitalAccessibility isn’t complicated, but it's essential. Too many organisations still rely on ad‑hoc fixes or individual champions, which isn't sustainable in the long run.
Get practical guidance on digital accessibility in our Technology Toolkit, free and open to all: https://ow.ly/LPip50Y4SHo
Get practical guidance on digital accessibility in our Technology Toolkit, free and open to all: https://ow.ly/LPip50Y4SHo
February 3, 2026 at 11:05 AM
#DigitalAccessibility isn’t complicated, but it's essential. Too many organisations still rely on ad‑hoc fixes or individual champions, which isn't sustainable in the long run.
Get practical guidance on digital accessibility in our Technology Toolkit, free and open to all: https://ow.ly/LPip50Y4SHo
Get practical guidance on digital accessibility in our Technology Toolkit, free and open to all: https://ow.ly/LPip50Y4SHo
Reposted by Vanessa Smith
I’m working on a story for @thesicktimes.org about things people with Long Covid and other energy-limiting illnesses (as well as their caregivers) can do to protect themselves and their communities from ICE. I’d love to speak with any of the following:
(1/3)
(1/3)
February 2, 2026 at 6:20 PM
I’m working on a story for @thesicktimes.org about things people with Long Covid and other energy-limiting illnesses (as well as their caregivers) can do to protect themselves and their communities from ICE. I’d love to speak with any of the following:
(1/3)
(1/3)