Playing With Myself

Playing With Myself

Share this post

Playing With Myself
Playing With Myself
NA-NO-WHY?-MO pt 4

NA-NO-WHY?-MO pt 4

The Pit and Failure

Write Firster's avatar
Write Firster
Nov 29, 2023
∙ Paid
3

Share this post

Playing With Myself
Playing With Myself
NA-NO-WHY?-MO pt 4
1
Share

Paid subscriber posts are about what’s going on my life right now, whether that’s the books I’m reading, the tv/movies I watch, or anything else I feel like writing about.

I may also ask paid subscribers to give their input about what solo game and/or tool I should play/use in the future.

Right now, I’m nearing the the end of trying to write 50,000 words in November for NANOWRIMO. I failed. But, did I?

If you are a paid subscriber, thanks so much!

long-angle photography of tunnel
Photo by Valentin Lacoste on Unsplash

One of my 7th grade students describes the feeling when he is not in control of his body, the feeling of being overwhelmed, as being “in the pit.” When he’s “in the pit”, it can be very difficult to get out of. It’s very difficult to do work while “in the pit” and hard to follow directions. We have a visual we use so he can place a little stick figure into a drawn hole to let us know when he is feeling that way. I thought it was a very good and creative way to describe a feeling we all get at times. Down on ourselves, overwhelmed, stressed, overloaded, burnt out, etc. We are in the pit, looking up at a small hole above us, unable to climb the slick walls.

Failure is related to the pit. Failures can throw us in. Our whole society seems built to shame and judge everyone who ‘fails’ at something. My students constantly worry about failing, making mistakes or being a “failure”, whether because they made a mistake on homework, messed up on a quiz, or simply didn’t understand the lesson. If you fail, you’re doomed. You’re not going anywhere. You fucked up. It’s over. You’re a loser. Etc.

At the moment, I’m in a kind of pit.

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Write Firster
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share