My name is Johanna (/joˈhana/ not /dʒoʊˈhænə/). I was named for the Bob Dylan song, but germanified because of reasons that are way too boring to get into. I am technically a first-generation American (but only very technically) and I speak fluent German so I can talk to my distant relatives. My family lives here because my grandfather had to flee the GDR for criticizing the government; I consider criticizing the government to be the best way to honor his memory.

I am a confusing combination of stubborn, practical, organized, creative, and absent-minded. I talk a lot because of anxiety, and because of the fear that silence will lead to the degradation of the social bonds that help to keep me afloat. I like to create things and hold onto memories. An entire room of my apartment is devoted to storing ticket stubs, beads, fabric, sewing machines, musical instruments and old books. My partner is really nice about it.

I’ve had an eating disorder since I was 10 or 11 years old, but didn’t know it until I was about 24. Few things mess you up more than realizing you’ve been wrong about your own brain for most of your life. My eating disorder turns out to be part of a package mental health deal that also includes a bunch of other acronyms. It turns out that, for me at least, writing about all the ways my brain makes life interesting is helpful. Other things that are helpful: exercise. SSRIs. community. sleep.

I’ve been writing a blog of some sort since a friend convinced me to get a livejournal in 10th grade. I don’t really consider myself a writer, but I do find that writing is the easiest way for me to process my thoughts, and generally to express myself.

Other trivia:

  • I like to travel, especially by train.
  • I’m allergic to a bunch of non-essential foods. but not like, *that* allergic.
  • I’ve played the piano for over 20 years.
  • I have been to about as many countries as states.
  • If an institution or type of infrastructure has the word “public” in front of it, I’m probably a fan.
  • I don’t think enough people know about or understand abuse, trauma, white nationalism/exceptionalism, or their collective impact on the country and its institutions.
  • Most of my useful/marketable skills are things I learned as a camp counselor.

I do social justice-y things in my day job, but I’m also a cis white lady so I’m sure I’ll slip up at some point in my writing. Help keep me accountable by letting me know (privately is preferred).