It's been one year of Wide Left, which is unbelievable. I want to thank you all, provide a special offer and reveal elements of my mental health story. And share my top stories this year.
Speaking as someone without OCD, but with a nasty case of ADHD that went damagingly undertreated during my adolescence, your writing as to the symptomatic and diagnostic complexities of OCD as well as your personal and often harrowing experience was appreciated.
It may be odd to say but just sharing that in a sports-related space, which I’ve disconnected from the part of my brain able to talk about neurodivergence, is very validating in a soace so preternaturally drawn away from what is considered broken.
I’m so happy I subscribed here. To many more. Luke Braun stole my cat and traded her for a Nate Burleson football card and a ball of coke
I’ve said this to you before, but you have permanently improved the way I enjoy football generally and the Vikings specifically. I adore your writing and I’m so glad you’ve made this format work for you. Congrats on what’s hopefully the first of many, many years.
Congratulations on one year and hopefully many more to come. I hope in the middle of all this there are moments when you can realize what a unique voice you bring to Sports. The time you put into understanding the intricacies of the game and all its strategies, structure and execution gives your readers a deeper education on the “why’s” of football outcomes.
It takes a lot of courage to put your biggest insecurities on stage for all to see. Thanks for trusting your readers. I think many people forget you are your brain, and it is you. So when it works against you, how do you get away from yourself. I hope that peace will find you, and you achieve a level of success that makes you happy. You certainly deserve it.
While I am mercifully free of an major mental health issues (for now), I am married to a mental health professional. She would want me to thank you for sharing your story as it may help others with similar struggles. Congrats on the year anniversary and keep up the good work.
Arif, I suspect that I was one of the people who wrote when I first subscribed about a year ago. I am a Vikings season ticket holder who lives in Leeds, UK. This is year 10 of my Vikings season ticket- the injuries this week are peak Purple of course. Very proud to be able to support your briiliant writing, which is reliably informative and laced with wit plus genuine insight. Many, many thanks and keep up the great work. Very best, Howard
I’ve been listening to Norse Code for what feels like forever but haven’t been following you on here too closely because I kind of stopped watching football. Your recap post convinced me to subscribe anyway, your style of writing is exactly what I enjoy and Im looking forward to reading about the breadth of topics you cover.
Only just getting to reading this and I really resonated with quite a bit of the section on OCD. Really appreciate you opening up, Arif. Learned something about myself today.
Have read your stuff since at least the politician scouting reports on the DN, looking forward to reading everything to come!
This was a really beautiful piece, Arif. I appreciate your vulnerability in sharing your journey and I’m happy you’ve been able to find success despite your challenges. I’ve always been a fan of your work and it’s cool to know more about the person behind it. Wishing you nothing but more success in the future, you undoubtedly deserve it.
Happy to be supporting and happy that you continue to be here Arif. Case Cookus.
Case Cookus
Speaking as someone without OCD, but with a nasty case of ADHD that went damagingly undertreated during my adolescence, your writing as to the symptomatic and diagnostic complexities of OCD as well as your personal and often harrowing experience was appreciated.
It may be odd to say but just sharing that in a sports-related space, which I’ve disconnected from the part of my brain able to talk about neurodivergence, is very validating in a soace so preternaturally drawn away from what is considered broken.
I’m so happy I subscribed here. To many more. Luke Braun stole my cat and traded her for a Nate Burleson football card and a ball of coke
Luke will see justice one day
I’ve said this to you before, but you have permanently improved the way I enjoy football generally and the Vikings specifically. I adore your writing and I’m so glad you’ve made this format work for you. Congrats on what’s hopefully the first of many, many years.
Congratulations on one year and hopefully many more to come. I hope in the middle of all this there are moments when you can realize what a unique voice you bring to Sports. The time you put into understanding the intricacies of the game and all its strategies, structure and execution gives your readers a deeper education on the “why’s” of football outcomes.
It takes a lot of courage to put your biggest insecurities on stage for all to see. Thanks for trusting your readers. I think many people forget you are your brain, and it is you. So when it works against you, how do you get away from yourself. I hope that peace will find you, and you achieve a level of success that makes you happy. You certainly deserve it.
While I am mercifully free of an major mental health issues (for now), I am married to a mental health professional. She would want me to thank you for sharing your story as it may help others with similar struggles. Congrats on the year anniversary and keep up the good work.
Arif, I suspect that I was one of the people who wrote when I first subscribed about a year ago. I am a Vikings season ticket holder who lives in Leeds, UK. This is year 10 of my Vikings season ticket- the injuries this week are peak Purple of course. Very proud to be able to support your briiliant writing, which is reliably informative and laced with wit plus genuine insight. Many, many thanks and keep up the great work. Very best, Howard
Congratulations on the first year Arif, what a superb year of articles it was, here's to many more!
I’ve been listening to Norse Code for what feels like forever but haven’t been following you on here too closely because I kind of stopped watching football. Your recap post convinced me to subscribe anyway, your style of writing is exactly what I enjoy and Im looking forward to reading about the breadth of topics you cover.
Only just getting to reading this and I really resonated with quite a bit of the section on OCD. Really appreciate you opening up, Arif. Learned something about myself today.
Have read your stuff since at least the politician scouting reports on the DN, looking forward to reading everything to come!
...raid 0?! Arif!
Storage is historically cheap, generally, but specifically expensive for me!
Thanks for sharing, Arif. Congrats on a great year 1!
This was a really beautiful piece, Arif. I appreciate your vulnerability in sharing your journey and I’m happy you’ve been able to find success despite your challenges. I’ve always been a fan of your work and it’s cool to know more about the person behind it. Wishing you nothing but more success in the future, you undoubtedly deserve it.