Stephi Cham
@stephicham.com
Editor by day and night | LGBTQ+ Editors Association secretary, board of directors
Published by Publishers Weekly, Capstone Press, Strange Horizons, JAMA, et al.
Former medical end-of-life music therapist
she/her | StephiCham.com
Published by Publishers Weekly, Capstone Press, Strange Horizons, JAMA, et al.
Former medical end-of-life music therapist
she/her | StephiCham.com
I was behind a slowly cruising cop car, which almost collided head-on with a car driving the wrong direction to take an entrance. Now why did the cop, which had to BRAKE to not get hit, just continue moseying away???
November 12, 2025 at 4:07 AM
I was behind a slowly cruising cop car, which almost collided head-on with a car driving the wrong direction to take an entrance. Now why did the cop, which had to BRAKE to not get hit, just continue moseying away???
do you ever just crawl into bed and cry and have NO idea why you're even upset or am I just an infant who blends in with adults
November 11, 2025 at 6:45 PM
do you ever just crawl into bed and cry and have NO idea why you're even upset or am I just an infant who blends in with adults
I will ALWAYS welcome recs for books, poems, shows, and media that portray depression or suicide in ways that are funny without being cruel. and the creators I know who make these topics funniest are often the ones who've experienced it.
sometimes to read a book of poetry is to be reminded that another person is much funnier and better at expressing their pain than you are
November 11, 2025 at 2:43 AM
I will ALWAYS welcome recs for books, poems, shows, and media that portray depression or suicide in ways that are funny without being cruel. and the creators I know who make these topics funniest are often the ones who've experienced it.
my favorite thing about the word "whimsy" is that it's wrapped up in "why"
November 9, 2025 at 2:48 AM
my favorite thing about the word "whimsy" is that it's wrapped up in "why"
Still inexplicably alive. Anyone else?
November 6, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Still inexplicably alive. Anyone else?
My friendship style: You can always tell me, but you never have to.
November 1, 2025 at 12:44 AM
My friendship style: You can always tell me, but you never have to.
It hit me that no one who's told me "Wow, you and I are VERY similar" has ever meant it as a compliment. At first I was confused, and then I was like oh wait, that tracks actually considering the self-loathing
October 29, 2025 at 12:59 AM
It hit me that no one who's told me "Wow, you and I are VERY similar" has ever meant it as a compliment. At first I was confused, and then I was like oh wait, that tracks actually considering the self-loathing
If you want to help someone having a panic attack, don't argue with logic. I've had them for almost 20 years, know them well, but every time they hit, the thoughts "It feels so bad because I'm dying" and "I'm going to die from how bad this feels" just FEEL like absolute truths.
October 28, 2025 at 3:16 AM
If you want to help someone having a panic attack, don't argue with logic. I've had them for almost 20 years, know them well, but every time they hit, the thoughts "It feels so bad because I'm dying" and "I'm going to die from how bad this feels" just FEEL like absolute truths.
Life is too short to spend on books you hate. We have too many books we'd love and not nearly enough time.
October 25, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Life is too short to spend on books you hate. We have too many books we'd love and not nearly enough time.
Had a meeting today where construction was SO LOUD people were practically shouting. When it was my turn, I had notes ready, but what came out was: "We... We... ... Can I just email y'all? I can't talk with this."
They looked for a mic, so I had to say "No, it's the ADHD, I just... can't."
They looked for a mic, so I had to say "No, it's the ADHD, I just... can't."
October 24, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Had a meeting today where construction was SO LOUD people were practically shouting. When it was my turn, I had notes ready, but what came out was: "We... We... ... Can I just email y'all? I can't talk with this."
They looked for a mic, so I had to say "No, it's the ADHD, I just... can't."
They looked for a mic, so I had to say "No, it's the ADHD, I just... can't."
I truly do not understand why every company is begging us, their consumers, to use their AI. Why is every app and every product "AI-enhanced"???
October 22, 2025 at 9:14 PM
I truly do not understand why every company is begging us, their consumers, to use their AI. Why is every app and every product "AI-enhanced"???
Hairdresser: (takes one look at me) Hi! You're here to fix your color, yes?
Me: No, just a quick trim!
(later)
Hairdresser, timidly: You need to fix the color. It looks sooo bad, I'm sorry to say.
Me: No, just a quick trim!
(later)
Hairdresser, timidly: You need to fix the color. It looks sooo bad, I'm sorry to say.
October 21, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Hairdresser: (takes one look at me) Hi! You're here to fix your color, yes?
Me: No, just a quick trim!
(later)
Hairdresser, timidly: You need to fix the color. It looks sooo bad, I'm sorry to say.
Me: No, just a quick trim!
(later)
Hairdresser, timidly: You need to fix the color. It looks sooo bad, I'm sorry to say.
Somehow it's always a surprise finding that I can be helpful even when I feel helpless.
October 21, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Somehow it's always a surprise finding that I can be helpful even when I feel helpless.
I'm here, just... trying not to spread the despair.
October 19, 2025 at 12:26 AM
I'm here, just... trying not to spread the despair.
Looked through self-defense tools today
Me: I won't consider anything lethal. So, these options could incapacitate an attacker. What about after?
Guy: Huh?
Me: How do I keep them there safely while I call them an ambulance?
Him and suddenly everyone in earshot: YOU DON'T
Me: I won't consider anything lethal. So, these options could incapacitate an attacker. What about after?
Guy: Huh?
Me: How do I keep them there safely while I call them an ambulance?
Him and suddenly everyone in earshot: YOU DON'T
October 12, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Looked through self-defense tools today
Me: I won't consider anything lethal. So, these options could incapacitate an attacker. What about after?
Guy: Huh?
Me: How do I keep them there safely while I call them an ambulance?
Him and suddenly everyone in earshot: YOU DON'T
Me: I won't consider anything lethal. So, these options could incapacitate an attacker. What about after?
Guy: Huh?
Me: How do I keep them there safely while I call them an ambulance?
Him and suddenly everyone in earshot: YOU DON'T
I wish I were someone who could be personality-hired but all I am is personality-tired
October 10, 2025 at 6:05 PM
I wish I were someone who could be personality-hired but all I am is personality-tired
jealousy feels so, so ugly when it's of someone you love so, so much.
October 9, 2025 at 3:16 AM
jealousy feels so, so ugly when it's of someone you love so, so much.
living is wondrous and miraculous, I know, but it is also EXHAUSTING. like, I barely made it through an entire day, and now I have to do it again?
October 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM
living is wondrous and miraculous, I know, but it is also EXHAUSTING. like, I barely made it through an entire day, and now I have to do it again?
This is the benchmark I'm landing on too. My first therapist introduced me to "We do our best until we know better." I realized not everyone fills in the next part: when you know better, do better.
Do what you can when you can, and when you can do more, do more.
October 7, 2025 at 7:37 PM
This is the benchmark I'm landing on too. My first therapist introduced me to "We do our best until we know better." I realized not everyone fills in the next part: when you know better, do better.
today's nuance: it's for the best that you left, but that doesn't mean I have to forgive you for leaving.
October 7, 2025 at 4:08 AM
today's nuance: it's for the best that you left, but that doesn't mean I have to forgive you for leaving.
I sleep like a baby (easily awakened and immediately distressed when interrupted)
October 4, 2025 at 8:25 PM
I sleep like a baby (easily awakened and immediately distressed when interrupted)
I don't need someone to write my book. I need someone to wash my dishes so I can write my book.
October 4, 2025 at 4:36 AM
I don't need someone to write my book. I need someone to wash my dishes so I can write my book.
"you just have to have discipline and do things you dislike!"
listen, I can't even do the things that I DO like
listen, I can't even do the things that I DO like
something they don't tell you when you have ADHD or depression is that you're going to have to fight your brain to do the things you really want to do. it doesn't matter how much you love it, it could still be a battle somedays
October 1, 2025 at 9:12 PM
"you just have to have discipline and do things you dislike!"
listen, I can't even do the things that I DO like
listen, I can't even do the things that I DO like
"you look exhausted"
thanks! did it all myself ☺️
thanks! did it all myself ☺️
September 30, 2025 at 5:08 PM
"you look exhausted"
thanks! did it all myself ☺️
thanks! did it all myself ☺️