dreithegreat

[dreithegreat]

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Victims of abuse are sometimes stuck between wanting to be seen or heard and keeping it to themselves which includes intentionally making themselves small so they won’t stand out or even justifying the actions of the perpetrator.

In my own experience, it’s hard establishing new connections after enduring sexual and domestic violence. I have deeply ingrained trauma to the point where I hardly trust anyone, including my closest friends and even family members I consider safe.

Asking for help is almost impossible because I picked up destructive coping mechanisms that mimics the past actions of the abuser like lying and manipulation to protect or defend myself from anything that is similar to the pattern my brain recognize as threat.

So, I isolate myself and deal with my own shit because I don’t wanna hurt people in the process. Best I can do is surface level connection because no one can go beyond that surface without facing the monster that lies beneath. You know what’s worse? I learned to love that monster to the point where people have to fight me too.

©DreiTheGreat2025

CREDITS AND RESOURCES

Written By: Cedrick Ascension Stock Photo: Prodia Edits: Canva

[dreithegreat]

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When helping survivors of abuse, the most important thing you need to keep in mind is you need to make them feel safe before they open up or listen.

Trauma makes it difficult for them build trust and establish genuine connections. If you are not willing to invest great amount of patience and understanding to build or sustain a close relationship with them, the least you can do is listen and respect their boundaries.

Keep in mind that “NO” is a complete sentence. Do not put a pressure on them by making them feel like they need to defend their choices because all the trust they built at that point will reset and they will resort to avoidance and self isolation.

It may seem harmless to you, especially if you have good intentions, but to them, it feels like a threat. Your definition of safety is not their definition of safety. Trauma broke their spirit and changed their psyche.

Helping someone does not mean fixing them. Infact, the idea of control that comes with it will only push them farther away. Just simply being there when they need someone to talk to is enough to make them feel safe.

©DreiTheGreat2025

CREDITS AND RESOURCES

Written By: Cedrick Ascension Edits By: Cedrick Ascension via Canva Stock Photos: Prodia

[dreithegreat]

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Have you ever felt so drained even if you aren’t doing anything? Not like you’re lonely or anything. You’re just to exhausted to do anything, not even hold a conversation for too long. You just let time pass by, curled up in bed, feeling absolutely nothing because even processing emotions feels like a stretch.

Sometimes I question myself if this is healing or I’m already dead. Like who tf spends his whole day scrolling and randomly dropping a comment without the will to respond because it’s the best they can do?

Is it just me? It happens alot. When I force myself to get up, I’ll dissociate like I left my soul in bed because it’s too tired to get up. So I’ll just watch my body in autopilot then lazily follow it around from a distance.

I feel like I’m slowly shutting down completely but I’m not scared. Infact, it’s peaceful to the point where I question myself if I’m gonna die soon because  everything is starting to feel more and more unreal.

©DreiTheGreat2025

CREDITS AND RESOURCES:

Stock Photo: Prodia

Animation: PixVerse

Video Editing: Cedrick Ascension

Music: Producer AI (Formerly Riffusion)

Link: https://www.producer.ai/song/21f2e779-2a18-4305-9735-0914447efa15

[dreithegreat]

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I stopped chasing for surface level success a long time ago because I realized that if I derive pleasure from winning because it fills a hole in my heart then it’s just an illusion.

Anything that can give a person temporary happiness is a reward and it can be addicting. When I said anything I mean anything, not just drugs, gambling or sex. It can be food. It can be money. It can be a lifestyle you refuse to give up because you’re afraid to step out of your comfort zone.

That’s the ultimate goal of the capitalist society, to get people hooked into the temporary pleasures so they won’t notice the mind control behind it and if you notice the flaw in the design, you will never wish to be born human again.

But it’s also unfair if you don’t give yourself a chance to enjoy the silly little game called life just because of a nihilistic belief. It is depriving yourself of human experience.

So just enjoy the moment and stop chasing for false success. If you start chasing for wordly things, tendency is, you will lose your soul in the process and when I say soul, I mean the part of you that is human.

That’s the whole point of religion. It’s like vaguely drawn figures that you should decode to be able to avoid “the devil” which is everything that can take a piece of your soul. It can be a person, a bad habit, a dangerous lifestyle, fear, lack of self esteem, anything that can destroy your human side.

I am not surpised to see that one amazing person I met in the past turn into an absolute zombie chasing for a dream that can give them a sense of purpose and identity because they start selling their soul to “the devil” or should I say the industry. It happens. The challenge is, how can you help that person snap back to reality.

I don’t know actually. All I can say is, I have been there and I’m black and blue bleeding from my own mistakes. I hate to see my friends go through that phase but no one can set them free from the chains but themselves. No one can love that pain away but yourself.

Take a look at yourselves in the mirror, shatter the whole damn thing, close your eyes, start feeling your surroundings more and practice self awareness because in reality the mirror is inside you. It is your soul. If you see the world by your eyes alone then you’re lost. I hope everyone here find themselves in a way they can only see.

©DreiTheGreat2025

CREDITS AND RESOURCES:

Written by Cedrick Ascension Stock Photo by Prodia Edits by Cedrick Ascension

[dreithegreat]

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It’s just a sad world. Everytime someone message me on Instagram offering services to increase engagement of my posts, I decline.

Listen, I don’t care about engagement. I’m sharing content because I’m proud of my work, period. I don’t care about other people’s opinion. I’m just creatively journaling and experimenting. You want it? Fine. You don’t? Then ignore. That simple. 🤷🏻‍♂️

So stop asking me if I need marketing. There’s no commercial business here. I can make money from other sources but my content is free for those who want to take inspiration from it.

It’s very disappointing to know that people value their work by how much it sells and not by the meaning behind it. Everything by the numbers like every single company demanding high turnover rates from their employees.

Alot are hooked on attention, fame and numbers but actually crumble behind the limelight because they rely on external sources for approval.

You know what’s the difference between a firefly and a lightbulb?

A lightbulb dies everytime it runs out of external power supply but the glow of a firefly only dims when it lacks purpose or it is physically dead because its power comes from within.

©DreiTheGreat2025

CREDITS AND RESOURCES:

Written by Cedrick Ascension Stock Photo from Prodia Edited by Cedrick Ascension via Canva

[dreithegreat]

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I don’t gatekeep AI as a medium. Everyone is born an artist but not everyone is gifted with skills nor privileged enough to afford expensive medium. If AI helps you create then so be it. Express yourself and show your creative side.

Art is meant to be shared and inspire others to create more. It is not meant to be sold in the name of capitalism or controlled under IP laws of the broken system.

But always remember that AI is a powerful tool like money so use it wisely. Your creativity should not rely on AI alone. What makes someone an artist is their soul that no amount of technology can replicate.

©DreiTheGreat2025

CREDITS AND RESOURCES:

Stock Photos: ChatGPT

Layout/Editing: Cedrick Ascension

Editing App: Canva

[dreithegreat]

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Before this month ends, I will manifest all the things that are good for my soul. Strength, courage, personal growth, self love, continuous healing, time, energy and inspiration to continue living and doing the things I love. ✨❤️✨

©DreiTheGreat2025

[dreithegreat]

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“Dear Jeremy” is a song about grief from a death of a loved on from drug overdose.

NOTE: This is partially produced using AI as a personal project and not licensed for commercial use.

©DreiTheGreat2025

CREDITS AND RESOURCES:

Music Arrangement: Riffusion

Written By: Riffusion

Prompt: Cedrick Ascension

Stock Photo: ChatGPT

Concept: Cedrick Ascension

Video Editing: Cedrick Ascension

Editing App: YouCut

Riffusion Link:

[dreithegreat]

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“Two Decades Of Grief” is an experimental concept album about stages of grief written in a journal style satire and dark poetry, and produced with combined AI and human efforts.

NOTE: AI generated content are free for personal use but not licensed for commercial use.

©DreiTheGreat2025

CREDITS AND RESOURCES:

Concept/Prompt: Cedrick Ascension

Music Arrangement: Riffusion

Lyrics: Cedrick Ascension (5-6,14-21), ChatGPT (1-4,13), Riffusion (7-12)

Stock Photos: ChatGPT

Animation: PixVerse

Video Editing: Cedrick Ascension

Riffusion Link:

[dreithegreat]

80s inspired art dedicated to my friend Rob who had been in the rock scene in the past and still rockin to this day. 🤘😎🤘

YOUNG ROB (INSTAGRAM COPY):

OLD ROB (INSTAGRAM COPY):

Sketch: Cedrick Ascension

AI Video Edit: PixVerse x YouCut

©DreiTheGreat2025

[dreithegreat]

June is considered Men's Mental Health Awareness month, so I'm gonna share what I learned from my own battles, not just for men but for anyone who needs it. ✨❤️✨

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF RESPONSIBLE SELF LOVE AND HEALING

1. You don't need tons of reasons to live your life. Although it is human nature to seek for reasons and motivations. The only reason you need to live is because you are a living and breathing human being. You are wired to survive. Self sabotage is self inflicted deprivation of human privilege. Don't be too hard on yourself. You deserve a piece of the world. Own it.

2. Self love must be guilt-free. Do it like a psychopath. Be a serial killer to your own self and kill all the versions of you that no longer serve a purpose. Bury them with honor and pride. Declutter with no remorse by cutting off people who are harmful to your mental health and strengthening your bond with people who encourage you to become the best version of yourself.

3. Reframe your mindset but not gaslight yourself. The difference between the two is the approach. Gaslighting yourself is not confronting the truth. It is convincing yourself with comforting words but not doing anything to achieve your goals. Reframing your mindset is setting a mantra that is focused on training your mind and body to live up to it and putting it into practice.

4. You can't win the war if you keep running away. Stop distracting yourself and face the uncomfortable truths. It is gonna hurt but you can't rebuild yourself if you don't allow pain to destroy you. It's gonna come back around and you'll be stuck in an endless loop. Allow yourself to feel. Fight your demons eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, until they surrender.

5. To stay grounded, focus only on the present moment. Do not waste you time regretting the past and worrying about the future. Move forward not upwards staring at the sky, not downwards on the way to hell, not backwards to your old self, but straight ahead to your goals. Stop thinking of what you want but what is currently happening and how you can live with it.

6. Treat silence as a way to improve self awareness. Silence is heavy only if you are trying to fight its weight. Let it consume you even if it hurts. It's okay to cry and be vulnerable. The quiet teaches you how to feel and listen your own thoughts. Take advantage of it and practice self awareness. Reflect on your life. Identify what's hurting you. Think of ways to improve yourself.

7. It's okay not to be okay but don't be an asshole. Vulnerability is not a bad thing but irresponsibility is. The right people will understand your pain and you don't even need to scream out loud to be heard. The louder you are the more people distance themselves because no one wants noise. Learn how to handle your triggers so that they won't affect other people negatively.

8. The best revenge is forgiveness and clear boundaries. Set yourself free from grudges but don't let them take you for granted. You don't have to be nice and friendly nor rude and offensive. Remain calm and civil but set clear boundaries. Be kind and show them how much you value your peace of mind. That's not being fake. That's self respect and self love.

9. Remove yourself from the endless blame game. No one is to blame. Not other people. Not yourself. Blame is escapism and denial in one package. It is shifting your focus to something else to avoid uncomfortable truths about yourself and other people. Acknowledge but not blame. Learn how to separate the pain from the conclusion. Acceptance only happens when bitterness ends.

10. Accountability is not just owning it and apologizing. It is about straightening out your past mistakes with a goal to restore trust and build a better version of yourself. Apologies mean nothing if you are not committed to self improvement. It's your fault, apologize instead of explaining why and become more responsible with your actions in the future, that's real accountability.

©DreiTheGreat2025

[dreithegreat]

This is a story of a guy filled with so much hate but in the end he buried all his intrusive thoughts and just disappeared.

Video Editing & Concept: Cedrick Gordon

AI Generation: Prodia x PixVerse x Minimax

BGM: Reborn - My Enemies & I

©DreiTheGreat2025

[dreithegreat]

Years ago, I lost someone and it still hurts to this day. 🥀🪦🧎🏻‍♂️

Editing and Concept: Cedrick Gordon

AI Generation: Prodia

BGM: Ocean Waves - Unknown Artist

[dreithegreat]

You don't need motivation. You need to face reality no matter how ugly it is. The only time you can be at peace with yourself is when you stop running away from the truth.

Editing and Concept: Cedrick Gordon

AI Photo Generation: ChatGPT

BGM: Inspiration by Frozen Silence

[dreithegreat]

Turning my nightmares into a short music video using AI. 🎧🦾🤖🎥

Video Editing and Concept: Cedrick Gordon

AI Generation: Prodia x PixVerse

BGM: Overpass - Enterprise Earth

[dreithegreat]

This clip was inspired by Victorian Post Mortem Photography. It is about a photographer obsessively rewinding the final moments of his lover who passed away, taking one last camera shot before the video slowed down and take him back to the reality of his grief.

AI Generation: Prodia x PixVerse

Video Editing & Concept: Cedrick Gordon

BGM: Tears Don't Fall (Part 2) by Bullet For My Valentine

[dreithegreat]

Bringing back the 90s vibe with some music. Add me on RedNote @dreithegreat. ❤️

Video Editing and Photo Manipulation: Cedrick Gordon

AI Generation: Dall.E, Minimax

BGM: Drive - Incubus