There’s always something odd about revisiting media you liked in middle school. I picked up reading “Homestuck” for the first time in about eight years, and I almost felt the puberty-acne reforming across my face. My mind and body transported to my middle school’s halls, where I would scramble to my locker in-between classes to secretly read just one more page on my phone. As I read, I could even smell the notebook paper I’d draw the characters on as a kid. I have so closely tied this webcomic with every scent, sight, and feeling of uncomfortable adolescence, but despite this discomfort, I was glued to the screen as I reread it. I found myself recontextualizing, finding a way to integrate it into my adult life instead of sulking in the past. Homestuck is just as fun as when I was younger, it turns out. I felt my consciousness transporting into some plane transcending space and time, chatting with my younger self and saying, “Hey, you actually have good taste, and that’s really shocking because all I can remember about you is how sad and cringeworthy you were.” I learned to appreciate that younger Katelyn a bit more. Media has helped me through a lot, and I’m grateful that I’m able to look back and see how much I’ve grown via this silly webcomic. Have a good week everyone!
