Ah

I guess you became an ML around the time of what I call the “2020 - 2021 wave” of new MLs.

(before that, there was the “2016 wave,” the “2008 - 2009 wave” with the recession, etc.)

Honestly, I think we are sort-of going through a “new wave” (in particular, 2025 - 2026).

Anyway, honestly?

Don’t sweat it. I was radicalized around the year 2010 (I believe this was in the lead-up to the War on Libya) but that doesn’t make me superior to you (or anyone else that was radicalized beforehand way before, FYI).

What matters it that you’re here. Kick ass and all that. But try not to fall into dark spirals and dark rumination spirals or thought-loops.

I learned that the hard way.

Be optimistic, even just remind yourself of the good things (liberals will tell you to “gratitude journal” or whatever, but I’m telling you, as an ML, to be positive (if you can in the moment, that is; don’t force it) and think of all the opportunities and victories yet to come, never mind the opportunities and victories popping up now.

Cheers!

o7