I had shamelessly pilfered from my past.
That level of irony? Chef’s kiss
The rejection from the community was polite, even cordial, but I already felt like a marked person, branded by that plagiarism-free = X.
Like a disgraced writer penning my own public apology.
Does that mean if I were to run all my previous writings through a plagiarism checker, they would be flagged as plagiarism?
Someone hearing me out for the first time might initially think:
Wow, someone out there thinks your work is worth plagiarizing! You must be that good, right?
Then I had to kick myself:
What on earth is this moron in me doing? If I wanted to borrow from someone, there are literally so many great writers out there. Why would I choose… ME?
Honestly, I still don’t know whether to cry or laugh.
And to think this happened to me, after all the usual things most of us do, like syndicating our work for more exposure everywhere.
Everything has its first time, I suppose.
So, for anyone reading this, here’s the full disclosure: that was me, from the current day, plagiarizing myself from another time — the past me.
It hurts a little and it’s comical all at once; I don’t even know how to explain it to myself.
I never planned to deceive anyone. Even though I clearly mentioned it was previously published but rewritten for another platform, what I didn’t grasp was the implication of the particular hashtag.
My bad, truly. My ignorance of the rules, my bad for being such a slow learner and not quite grasping the instructions before I published the story.
I’m not blaming anyone else for my mistake.
Photo by Rafael Otaki on Unsplash
I’m constantly figuring out how to work around my condition. Days I’m not at the hospital or sidelined by sickness become my precious workdays— when I can actually function properly.
Then there are the lows, days so bad I can barely speak or write. Those with similar condition would understand how bad it could be.
It means I cram a lot into short bursts, but this minor situation nicely sorted out some of my workflow.
Here’s my new workflow: I’m going to post on the other platform first, just so I can officially plagiarize it and post it everywhere else.
We used to just call that cross-posting. It’s simply a matter of rearranged workflow, different terms, and embracing a certain brazenness, maybe?
In the end, I guess you could say I got caught pilfering from myself.
It’s officially part of my legacy now.
Who says writers live boring lives? Turns out, we can stir up our own little scandals too — I’m practically feeling like a celebrity now.
Life can be pretty colorful for us, just like mine!
©Britt H.
Thank you for reading this.
If you’d like to support my writing, please consider upgrading to be a First Line Supporter or $5 a month or buy me a coffee. Your support helps me manage my medical expenses and daily needs—it holds immense significance for me as a disabled, neurodivergent writer.
Hello, I'm Britt, the person behind the writings you'll find here.
While I can't promise a constant stream of exclusive content, I can promise to consolidate my often scattered, writing portfolio right here on BMC. Think of this as the dedicated home for all my work. Please note, this process might take time, depending on my daily condition.
For me, writing isn't just my craft; it's my sole way of working. As someone navigating multiple chronic illnesses with frequent medical treatments at various hospitals and clinics, my routine often leaves me with little energy or capacity for much else.
As an autistic individual with a severe anxiety disorder, holding a conventional job is almost an impossible feat—a sad reality that is a stark contrast to how I used to be able to function. These days, even an unexpected phone call can throw me into disarray, let alone stepping out the door.
Despite these immense challenges, they have, unexpectedly, opened new doors. In a way, being chronically ill has been a blessing in disguise, granting me the space and courage to pursue writing.
You could say I'm an unknown and perpetually poor writer (not everyone can be J.K. Rowling!).
I juggle inconsistent odd remote jobs alongside the limited income my writing generates on different platforms.
Your support here helps me continue this work and truly makes all the difference as I explore new avenues.
Thank you for being here and for considering supporting my journey.
✍️Previously published: 12th June 2025 > Part of my consolidated writing portfolio.