21 Comments
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Snigdha's avatar

Love the examination of writing as a way of life. I truly admire your work and am constantly inspired by it. It's a shame people are shallow enough to think such deep work can be simply lifted without any repercussions.

I'm grateful you continue writing despite the times we're in, and I'd also love to join the creative huddles!

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Apoorva Sripathi's avatar

thank you Snigdha, that means a lot! and yes, would love to have you in the huddle <3

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Rida Bilgrami's avatar

I would really love to participate in the creative huddles!

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Apoorva Sripathi's avatar

yes! would be very honoured to have you there!

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Umang Kalra's avatar

🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

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Cassandra Marsillo's avatar

So sorry to hear about someone stealing your words, your work, a part of yourself. Your reflections and response really resonate. I haven't had someone plagiarize me, but I have had someone put down every aspect of a project I worked on extremely hard, along with a group of dedicated and incredible colleagues. Of course, I don't mean the project is perfect. But the criticisms were not coming from a good -or valid- place. This person was trying to turn folks against it and me out of jealousy and spite. Unfortunately, I let it drag me down into a dark place for a long time. Still working on moving on fully, but I'll get there. In the meantime, as you said: "The work has to be done. The work is ongoing." They can't take that away from us :)

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Apoorva Sripathi's avatar

im so sorry about what you went through – that is completely not ok and really disheartening. and i really hope you get there soon because that place is wonderful and abundant and you deserve it! the work is ongoing!

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Cassandra Marsillo's avatar

getting there and doing the work through it all!

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NAOMI DUGUID's avatar

It's a part of life that there are takers around. After the rage, irritation, affrontedness, there can come the calm of knowing that the takers are small meanminded individuals. And then comes the relief that one doesn't have to live with them in one's head... Out goes the garbage, tossed!!! 👍☀️☀️☀️

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Apoorva Sripathi's avatar

i really did go through the stages of grief on this one! thanks Naomi <3

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Teresa Finney's avatar

That person's replication of your work can only be a dilution of your original, but I'm still sorry. It is very frustrating and personally made me feel a bit insane when it happened to me. Sending you love!

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Apoorva Sripathi's avatar

aah im so sorry that happened to you, that shit really does make you feel helpless! and thank you for your love <3 sending more love back!

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Karmela Padavic Callaghan's avatar

So sorry to hear about your former friend and your work being imitated and disrespected! But your attitude about it all is inspiring and I am so grateful for all your work!

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Apoorva Sripathi's avatar

thank you so much – and I'm grateful for yours! i've wondering if it was even friendship when it's a rship just on the terms of one person?

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Karmela Padavic Callaghan's avatar

I’ve had a similar experience lately, with a friendship revealing itself as fully transactional, or at least the other person seemed to see it that way until they didn’t need me anymore. It’s such a mindfuck to be confronted with that if you’ve assumed that friendships are always a two way street.

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Apoorva Sripathi's avatar

im so sorry about that Karmela, it can feel so damaging! ive had many friendship breakups this way and it only made me realise i need to direct it to the right people and never stop being vulnerable!

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Karmela Padavic Callaghan's avatar

This was my takeaway too! It made me realize that I need to be more intentional about people who do show openness and vulnerability. My best friend always makes this point that not all your friends need to be your deepest friends but when someone shows an openness to a real connection you should never take it for granted

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Apoorva Sripathi's avatar

yes!! i agree with your best friend here and this is my attitude going forward.

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Rebecca Thimmesch's avatar

Oof, yes.

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Nikkitha Bakshani's avatar

I’m so sorry someone ripped you off!!!! And that defensive response is only confirmation of that. But they can only rip off your words, not your writing, if that makes sense… like the impetus and magic and YOU behind it, that just can’t be copied, I really believe that. Phoniness always reveals itself in time. Loved this essay! And hopefully that pressure cooker is like a shoe that needs breaking into.

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Apoorva Sripathi's avatar

it was just a steaming pile of shit thrown in my face and i was so taken aback but thankfully have moved on!! life is more than that nonsense and thank you for your support - it means a lot <3 pressure cooker is great, i misjudged water because my mother was giving me different advice!!

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