#and learning how to work with it and benefit from it

[midniqhtt]

comfort fic reads II 4k celebration

₊˚⊹⋆ main masterlist ꨄ︎ part two list ₊˚⊹⋆

a/n: list got too long and had me maxed out. so i shifted some fandoms to part two instead.

hi loves! i never do anything for celebrating but i thought i could make a big list of all my favorite fics i’ve read over the past few months/years and continue rereading. i can never get enough of showing my appreciation for writers and all their hard work, and i want them to know i think of these fics/series at least once a day ♡︎ i say ‘comfort’ but theres more angst lol

key- A: angst II F: fluff II S: smut II SB: slow burn II C: comfort

.𖥔 MARVEL .𖥔

𝑩𝑶𝑩 𝑹𝑬𝒀𝑵𝑶𝑳𝑫𝑺

ꨄ︎ loving you is easy two II @blank-potato II A + F

You and Bob are indifferent to each other, never seeming to mesh. But when you lose your memory, something new blooms between the two of you.

ꨄ︎ fooled around and fell in love II @flowersforbucky II S + A + F

you've never been one for commitment, and your teammates know it. when you and bob start seeing each other, it takes them by surprise and makes them worry about how he'll react to the heartbreak that they expect to follow. what they don't understand - you've never felt like this about anyone.

ꨄ︎ soft currents next to you II @nghtwngs II S + A + F

there is falling in love. there is also falling into another universe. there is also falling in love again.

ꨄ︎ home is where the heart is II @ilovemilestellersmoustache II A + F

Wanting to feel more included Bob decides to help on a mission but in efforts to protect you he injures himself leaving him with amnesia. Your boyfriend not remembering isn’t the biggest problem because he’s always going to find you again, even in a hundred lifetimes.

ꨄ︎ soulmate II @geminiwritten II A + C

you're engaged to bucky when you find out that not only are fated mates real, but you have one... and it's not your fiancé

ꨄ︎ we can’t be friends part two II @tfatwsbarnes II A

bob always wondered why you didn’t favour him over the rest of your team. until he learned that you had unsettled the bones of the tva.

ꨄ︎ cowboy like me II @goldenlikedayl1ght II A + F

you get a text from an old friend and think.. you could do worse than a book club.. with some benefits.

ꨄ︎ xerox two three II @ichori II A + SB + C

you had one last job before you were free. no more splitting, no more deaths. unfortunately, that job seemed to rope in four other assassins and a... a man in hospital-wear?

𝑩𝑼𝑪𝑲𝒀 𝑩𝑨𝑹𝑵𝑬𝑺

ꨄ︎ bad boys don’t buy flowers II @espinosaurusrexex II S + A + F

Bucky would have never thought, he’d be chasing after a girl. Not when all of them usually fell at his feet. But when he finds himself entangled in a deal born out of a desperate argument with his assistant, he realizes there is nothing he wouldn't do for you: The independent florist who is adamantly dragging him to the homeless shelter every chance she gets. There is just one problem: Bucky doesn't know how to tell you. And the teasing from his friends is certainly not making things easier for him...

ꨄ︎ come back to you II @buckyalpine II F

What happens when a time travel mission ends up with a version of Bucky from the 40′s standing on the time travel platform.

ꨄ︎ curiosity killed the cat II @queers-gambit II A + C

after rescuing you from kidnappers, you overhear your boyfriend-turned-savior complain about how clingy you've become.

ꨄ︎ you’re my desire part two II @marvelouslizzie and @notafunkiller II S + F

Your best friend drags you out on a double date. You were supposed to be Steve Rogers' date, but plans change pretty quickly and you end up in Bucky Barnes' arms.

ꨄ︎ graveyard part two II @wkemeup II A + C

As the unofficial healer for the Avengers, you pride yourself on the ability to mend heroes with the touch of your hand. Only, your gift comes at a heavy price — one you keep secret from your friends —and when Bucky asks you to do the impossible, they’ll discover why your gift is called a sacrifice, too. 

ꨄ︎ dreamscape II @/wkemeup II A + C

When Bucky falls under the spell of a Djinn, the line between fantasy and reality blurs. In order to survive, he must fight his way back to the real world - even if it costs him everything he's ever wanted.

ꨄ︎ blurred lines part two II @ellemj II S + A + F

When choosing a female agent to send back in time to gain young Sergeant Barnes's trust, everyone's in agreement that it should be Sharon. Until Bucky, the man that you barely get along with, speaks up and lets everyone know that it could only be you.

ꨄ︎ love language II @/flowersforbucky II S + F

snapshots of your relationship with bucky told through the five love languages.

ꨄ︎ flashing lights part two II @pellucid-constellations II A + C

Bucky’s worst fears come true when he’s called to a scene. If he’s the one with the dangerous job, then why is it your life that’s hanging in the balance?

ꨄ︎ stay still part two II @buckysknifecollection II A + C

What if your soulmate was the one person you had hurt the most?

ꨄ︎ saturn II @shurisneakers II A

you die. bucky tries to bring you back (or) close to a year after you die, bucky's desperation finally finds an answer. but it may not be the one he's hoping for.

ꨄ︎ bleeding heart II mournthebird II A + C

You're his assigned nurse.

ꨄ︎ 40s!bucky II @helaintoloki II A + F

after accidentally sending yourself back in time, you run into a younger version of the man you loathe only to find yourself questioning your feelings for him

𝑱𝑶𝑯𝑵 𝑾𝑨𝑳𝑲𝑬𝑹

ꨄ︎ under my skin II @/flowersforbucky II F

what first begins as a series of bad luck shows you a different side of the man who normally drives you crazy.

ꨄ︎ moral of the story II @starktonyx II A

You never expected to be blindly sent to kill your ex-husband, but when you cross paths again in looping shame rooms, it’s like going through the pain all over again.

𝑴𝑨𝑻𝑻 𝑴𝑼𝑹𝑫𝑶𝑪𝑲

ꨄ︎ without you part 2 II @foli-vora II A

You return after the 'blip'. Five years is a long time, and a lot of things can happen in that time.

𝑴𝑶𝑶𝑵 𝑲𝑵𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻

ꨄ︎ for science II @projectionistwrites II S + A + C

In which the Moon Knight alter system presents a unique opportunity to settle the nature versus nurture debate, once and for all...

ꨄ︎ red flags II @astroboots and @thirstworldproblemss II S + A + F

Sweet as he is, dating Steven means you have to be willing to ignore a few red flags along the way. 

ꨄ︎ the jake problem pt2 II @bensolosbluesaber II S + A + C

Jake hates you. Like really hates you, which wouldn’t be a problem if you weren’t dating Steven and Marc. But maybe, just maybe, Jake doesn’t hate you.

𝑷𝑬𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑷𝑨𝑹𝑲𝑬𝑹

ꨄ︎ sunset lovers II @duskholland II F

you’ve never met your soulmate, but you know his handwriting like the back of your hand—literally. every word your soulmate writes on his skin appears on yours, and vice versa. you’re desperate to meet him, but until the universe decides to introduce you, you’re stuck with scribbled smiley faces and chemistry formulae.

ꨄ︎ one more to see you II @waitimcomingtoo II A

in an effort to see Peter again, you Dream Walk and learn it’s consequences

𝑷𝑰𝑬𝑻𝑹𝑶 𝑴𝑨𝑿𝑰𝑴𝑶𝑭𝑭

ꨄ︎ silent treatment II @floral-and-fine II A + C

where the words their soulmate speaks first are tattooed on their arm.

𝑺𝑻𝑬𝑽𝑬 𝑹𝑶𝑮𝑬𝑹𝑺

ꨄ︎ watchful eyes II @/espinosaurusrexex II S + A + F

When your best friend gets you a new job, cleaning the apartment of the most successful man in New York City, you don't hesitate to accept. The pay is more than good, and the man himself is better than any eye candy you have ever seen. Unbeknownst to you, you've caught his attention just as much. Steve can't keep his mind off you, so much so, that he drives everyone around him insane with his grumpiness when you aren't around. It seems like he has to take matters into his own hands when he realizes, you're too shy to take things further yourself.

ꨄ︎ out of time pt2 pt3 pt4 pt5 pt6 pt7 pt8 II @after-avenging-hours II S + A + F

When Steve is poisoned on a mission, his only hope is a pure Super Soldier Serum. You travel to 1943 to find it—but without the infinity stones, your actions could change the future. Can you save him before time runs out?

.𖥔 TOP GUN .𖥔

𝑩𝑶𝑩 𝑭𝑳𝑶𝒀𝑫

ꨄ︎ the plan II @/geminiwritten II A + F

the squad are all pretty sure that bob has a thing for you, but you're not convinced, so you hatch a plan to tease him within an inch of his life until he snaps

ꨄ︎ the kind of girl i could love II @roosterforme II F

Bob has a secret admirer, but he's convinced it's actually Jake and Nat messing with him. 

𝑩𝑹𝑨𝑫𝑳𝑬𝒀 𝑩𝑹𝑨𝑫𝑺𝑯𝑨𝑾

ꨄ︎ love to lie pt2 pt3 pt4 II @/ddejavvu II A + F

Your worst fear is recognized when Bradley’s jet goes down with him in it. You’re not sure why you’re still his emergency contact, you’d broken up two weeks ago, but when you rush into the hospital room, you discover that you have a chance to fix the mistake you’d been cursing yourself for. The only problem is, you have to lie to Bradley, and you discover that you love doing it if it means you get to be with him again.

ꨄ︎ things unseen and heard II @bloatedandalone04 II S + A + F

the one where you overhear bradley talk about you to jake and decide to give him the space he apparently wanted.

ꨄ︎ playing games II @/geminiwritten II A + F

you've been best friends with rooster for years and you're both obviously in love with each other, but he refuses to cross that line... until you accept some help from hangman and he takes the game just a little too far

ꨄ︎ wrong number II @roosterforme II F

Bradley was planning on a quiet night at home with a beer and a basketball game on TV. When he receives a text from a wrong number, he's left looking at a beautiful photo of you. Now he just needs to persuade you to ditch the guy you meant to text and focus on him instead.

ꨄ︎ between friends II @sometimesanalice II S + F

Bradley and you don’t talk about that Spring Break. But a single question asked during a night out at the Hard Deck might just change things between the two of you forever.

ꨄ︎ trouble in paradise II @/sunlightmurdock II S + A

After the most painful break-up of his life, Rooster is stationed in Hawaii for the next six months. Alone, away from home and hurting, he finds comfort in the arms of a stranger.

ꨄ︎ i’ll show you good, restore your faith II @/se7entyrell II A + F

Your relationship with Bradley is new. Really new. Like, 'haven't let him smell your morning breath yet' new. But when he gets a call telling him that his mom is dying, you find yourself driving him to San Diego in the middle of the night, preparing to meet his entire extended family during the worst period of their lives.

ꨄ︎ terms of endearment II @ohtobeleah II A + C (heavy themes)

They always say when you aren’t looking for love it tends to find you. So when you and your daughter turn up in Fighter Town, Bradley Bradshaw is instantly infatuated. With reluctance to trust and harbouring a bad past, you don’t make it easy for the fighter pilot to love you.

𝑱𝑨𝑲𝑬 𝑺𝑬𝑹𝑬𝑺𝑰𝑵

ꨄ︎ domestic fantasy II @/geminiwritten II F

your ex is coming back to collect some things he left behind and you accidentally tell him that you have a new boyfriend, so hangman accepts the role of your new (fake) boyfriend

ꨄ︎ dirty laundry part two II @/geminiwritten II S + A + F

after a couple months of living together, you're still completely oblivious to how you affect jake and he's starting to spiral because now he's... feeling things

ꨄ︎ medical emergency II @marvelwitchergilmore II F

When Jake gets a call asking to pick you up from the hospital, it's safe to say he's confused. Especially considering neither of you were known for getting along with the other.

ꨄ︎ sign of the times pt2 pt3 pt4 pt5 pt6 pt7 II @se7entyrell II S + A

You're destined to die in Jake Seresin's arms. In every life, in every iteration, it's inescapable. Whether you loathe, or love each other, each ending stays the same. But what if it doesn't have to?

ꨄ︎ spring fling pt2 pt3 pt4 pt5 pt6 pt7 II @ddejavvu II F (in progress)

You should have known the ‘no refunds’ detail on the website for Spring Fling was a red flag. But you paid no mind to it, eager to be assigned a quick fuck for spring break. When the man that walks through your cabin door is none other than Jake 'Hangman' Seresin, your wildly infuriating fellow pilot, you have two choices: bicker the entire time and have a miserable spring break, or fuck.

.𖥔 MISCELLANEOUS .𖥔

𝑹𝑯𝑬𝑻𝑻 𝑨𝑩𝑩𝑶𝑻𝑻

ꨄ︎ odds are stacked II @sunlightmurdock II S

In which Rhett loses a bet and you lose your virginity.

𝑻𝒀𝑳𝑬𝑹 𝑶𝑾𝑬𝑵𝑺

ꨄ︎ all yours II @/geminiwritten II A + F

after being best friends and chasing storms with tyler for years, one night changes everything... now you're staring at a pregnancy test with two pink lines—and just as you're working up the nerve to tell him, tyler announces to the world that he never wants to settle down or have kids

ꨄ︎ orange juice II @ahsokaismyqueen II S + F

When it's time to interview a group of storm chasers for your new book, you get sent back to your hometown. You never would have guessed one of the people you'd be interviewing would be your ex boyfriend. And you might still be a little in love with him.

ꨄ︎ no hesitation II @briefinquiries II S + F

Tyler would be the type of guy that if a girl came up to him and said ‘this guy is creepy, pls pretend to be my bf’ he would be like ‘hell yay’ and scare the guy away

𝑪𝑯𝑹𝑰𝑺 𝑩𝑬𝑪𝑲

ꨄ︎ all the stars are closer II @kashimos-hajime II A + F

mark watney wasn’t the only one left behind on mars, and as you struggle to survive on the desert planet, hidden feelings come to light between you and your best friend, dr. chris beck.

𝑪𝑳𝑨𝑹𝑲 𝑲𝑬𝑵𝑻

ꨄ︎ all american boy II @scribes-of-valar II A + C

Your friend has been distant for months, all of a sudden he's a brand new man. He's practically a puppy dog following after you and you're not sure how to feel. What's a girl to do when she suddenly finds herself looking at not one, but two Clark Kent's?

ꨄ︎ no.1 party anthem II @sunsburns II F

what was supposed to be a night for work takes an unexpected turn when you run into clark kent—alone at a restaurant, waiting for a date who seems to have no intention of showing up. poor guy.

𝑴𝑰𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑬𝑳 𝑹𝑶𝑩𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑽𝑰𝑻𝑪𝑯

ꨄ︎ an itch you can’t scratch pt2 II @theonewiththefanfics II S + A + F

After taking a bad fall, Y/N gets rushed to the ED of Pittsburg Trauma Medical Hospital only to come face to face with a man she had a one-night stand with, and who ghosted her that same morning without a word - Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch. As if her bad day couldn't get any worse than it was...

[thezombieprostitute]

You're new in town and the sheriff stops by to tell your how things work around his county

Too Easy

Summary: Sheriff Bodecker gets up close and personal with a single woman moving into his county.

Warnings: Assault, Corrupt cops, Implied violence, Sexism. Please let me know if I missed any.

A/N: Reader is plus sized, female. No other physical descriptors used.

Lee licks his lips as he watches you get the last box from your truck. The neighborly thing to do would be helping you, but he likes watching your curves as you move and bend over. Wouldn't be too neighborly showing up to help with an obvious hard-on.

He'd heard the little house on Knox Rd had sold and was surprised to learn it was bought by a lady. The realtor said it seemed like you were fresh from a divorce. Lee huffed. With a body like yours, you must've been cut loose for your personality. No moving company, no help? You're probably one of them "independent women" types.

He'll teach you better.

For now, he'll let you get settled. Once he gets over the shock of how pretty you are and how much he wants his hands on those hips of yours.

About a week later, Lee knows he's got you figured out. He's been watching you like a hawk and learning all about you.

You're as sweet as you look, getting along well with just about everyone. He almost pulled his gun on the young Arvin fella when he shook your hand. Lee's got it bad for you and he knows it. If he wasn't already married he'd pick you up in a heartbeat. As it is, he's looking forward to getting the benefits without the hassle of a wedding.

The fact you live alone almost makes it too easy for him. Good thing he's never had a problem with taking the easy way. Besides, he can be nice, if you'll let him.

There's a knock at your door and you rush from the kitchen with a cheerful, "who is it?"

"Sheriff Bodecker, ma'am."

You open the door with a small frown that brings out the cutest lines in your face. "Can I help you, Sheriff?"

"We got some reports about Ol' Bob doin' a bit o' thievin'." He lays the accent on thick to get you to lower your guard thinking he's just a good ol' boy.

"Oh no!" your hand flies to your face in concern.

"Bein' new in town you're more'n likely to be a victim," he explains, leaving out the fact that there is no Ol' Bob. "Do ya mind if'n I check to make sure your place is secure? I'd hate to have him take somethin' precious o' yours."

"Of course, Sheriff! What do you need from me?"

"With yer permission I'll check the locks on these here doors and windows. Did ya have 'em changed before movin' in?"

A look of concern crosses your features. "No, I...I didn't think to!"

"Well fer now I'll go ahead and check 'em. But tomorrow you best be headin' to Billy and Ralph's hardware to get some replacements. I'll even come by and make sure to help you install 'em properly."

"Thank you, Sheriff, but you won't need to do that. I'm pretty handy."

Lee fights the irritation he feels at your comments. Just as figured, you're an "independent" type. He's gonna have to fix that.

"May I still come in an' check on your windows?"

"Oh, yes! Of course!" You smile widely as you gesture for him to enter.

"Thank you," he nods, smiling at how easy you're making all of this.

He makes a good show of checking some of the windows, giving himself a better idea as to the layout of the little house. He can't have you hiding from him when he's hungry for a rendezvous.

Your kitchen is smelling heavenly, he thinks. It's a damn shame you're not looking for a man, you'd be getting all the good, and bad, men courting you. But since you'd rather be all alone, he gets to treat you like a whore.

"You mind me askin' what your cooking? Smells divine," he praises, getting you to walk closer to the counter.

"Oh, it's just a strawberry pie," you coo. "Though it is about time to get it out of the oven."

Lee steps away as you put on some oven mitts and bend over to get the pie. He licks his lips and readies himself.

As soon as you close the oven door and set down the pie, Lee pulls back his arm and smacks your ass. You let out a yelp and turn to him, eyes full of confusion and fear.

"You've got quite the peach," he purrs. "Been wanting to get my hands on it since you moved in."

"Sh-sh-sheriff, that's not--"

He crowds closer to, pushing your back into the counter.

"Not what, darlin'?"

"Not...not right! You're the sheriff!"

"Which means I'm the man in charge," he replies. "I get to choose which rules get enforced and which ones can be ignored, and by which people."

"But...but..."

He chuckles coldly. "And ain't nobody gonna believe you, either. An outsider to the community? A woman living on her own? They'll be marching you through town with a scarlet A on your chest."

"I...I can go above your head!" you argue, tears forming in your eyes. "State police, FBI, even!"

"Even if they would listen, you'd never get to 'em before my boys get to you, hurt you badly, and leave your body where no one will find it."

"Your deputies are in on it?" you gasp.

He laughs, "not them. People much worse than them. Ruthless people who, if you're nice for them, will give you a quick death instead of a slow one at their hotel with them other girls."

A sob escapes your lips and Lee starts fondling your breasts.

"And damn you'd make those O'Donovan boys a lot of money."

"O'Donovan? The...they run the Heavenly Rest?"

"They're the ones. And they get one notice from me that you're trouble, they will make you wish for death."

"Roger that!" you shout, making him pause long enough for you to headbutt him.

Lee staggers back a few steps before charging towards you, ready to hit back. You easily dodge the blow and head towards the front door, Lee giving chase.

The second he steps outside, though, he's greeted by a couple of State Police vehicles. Some of them with open doors and officers pointing guns at him.

He angrily raises his hands in surrender.

The tallest officer steps forward and Lee recognizes him.

"Captain Rogers," he spits. "Fucking golden boy. Since when do you send innocent women to do your dirty work?"

"The Detective here was only too happy to sign up," he shrugs. "And I can't argue with the results. She even got you to give up your partners."

Lee's eyes furrow in confusion for a moment before turning into rage. "Recording device?"

"Yup," Rogers confirms. "We were expecting this to take a lot longer but, lucky for us, you're too easy."

Tagging: @alicedopey; @blacksilks; @delicatebarness; @icefrozendeadlyqueen; @irishhappiness; @iwudbutnah; @kmc1989; @lokislady82; @peaches1958; @ronearoundblindly

[itsnothingofinterest]

While I’m on the subject & to talk a bit more lighthearted about it: my goodness, if we really are a part of Team Knight's plan, how convoluted is that plan that getting one of their guys possessed by an otherworldly entity that opposes the plan is somehow “worth it” and a net positive to their goal?

Like yeah we can see some benefits even before any big reveals; they inserted one of their own among the 3 prophesied heroes, hypothetically control our ability to seal fountains and beat Titans, and Kris can assert control to muck up the Delta Warrior's plans...so long as they aren't seen ripping their soul out.

But the cost of this scheme (even without considering the risks of anything resembling Snowgrave) is that Kris spends like 90% of their day controlled by an otherworldly entity, which they hate on principle. And let's look at just how hard they need to try and keep this plot secret; this entity is working against them, knows Kris is working against Susie & Ralsei, and thus Kris has to jump through so many hoops to keep us from learning as much as possible as well as keeping us from conveying what we do know. Their plan involves letting one of their enemies know they've been infiltrated and are banking everything on that enemy's inability to communicate it to other enemies. Deception 100.

Heck, both times you can prove to be more competent than expected in chapters 3 & 4 led to what could have been huge risks where Kris had to throw in front of Susie.

To say nothing of stuff like how much they're banking on the soul playing along with little to no direction, or that no one gets too suspicious of “Kris” acting out-of-character, or how often this save-scummer fights the Knight and risks involved there, and let it be said that I don’t think Kris tearing out their soul so often is good for their health while we’re at it. It just seems wildly risky from almost every angle.

They must be really banking on the unbreakable nature of the prophecy to keep everything in line is my only guess.

[absurddino]

Steve Harrington who braids Eddie's hair after he gets discharged from the hospital and, inevitably, ends up in Steve's house.

It's only for Eddie's benefit, he tells himself. It has nothing to do with the way his shaking hands calm as he repeats the familiar motions he learned from his cousin ten years ago. No, it's because the hair is in the way of his healing. That's why.

And when braiding his hair turns to untangling it. Brushing his fingers through it before guiding Eddie to the bathtub and making him lean back against it, tipping his head backwards so Steve can work shampoo into the roots. That's nobody's business. He's just being a good friend.

(and when the routine never really stops, even after Eddie's mostly healed, neither of them mention it)

(even though Eddie kind of hates how he looks with braided hair)

[makingspiritualityreal]

https://www.tumblr.com/makingspiritualityreal/787266218433380352/hi-i-read-your-post-on-difficult-jyestha

In terms of Jyestha benefiting from being ruthless and not giving handouts like you said, would that be why is it Uttara Phalguni’s worst enemy since it has the opposite mentality of being generous without bias?

I already discussed this before. Uttara Phalguni is much more calculated than you would think with their generosity, as Solar abundance is something they’re learning. But the focus in Uttara Phalguni is on gains from partnerships, even if they’re tactical alliances (like an arranged marriage). Jyeshta is solitary, that’s why it’s an exaltation Nakshatra of Ketu, Graha of spiritual liberation through isolation, because to stay on top one has to discover you can ultimately trust no one. That’s why you don’t want the Moon in Jyeshta, because that makes for a person that chooses paranoia over connection, they don’t understand genuine benevolence and think everyone is out to get them.

I actually have personal experience with a story, that shows well how accurate Nakshatras are in real life. In Vedic tales, Indra, the deity ruler of Jyeshta, is the powerful king of the gods. One day he is visited by Brihaspati, the deity of Pushya, the supreme Guru to both the Vedas and Asuras, because Pushya is the ultimate storehouse of both Jupiterian and Venusian wisdom. Indra offends Brihaspati, thinking himself superior to him in his ego, greed and jealousy of Brihaspati being a personal advisor to Surya. Brihaspati simply leaves, and upon his departure, Indra starts facing endless obstacles, wars are being waged against him and he needs to work very hard to overcome general misery in his life. It is only then, that he realizes, that you don’t always have to curse someone to make their life painful, you can simply remove their blessings and protection, and problems will naturally follow. As a Pushya native, I’ve had an identical story with a Jyeshta parent, who ended up having an extremely difficult life for his dismissive treatment of me.

The difference here is that while a Jyeshta native only understands competition, Uttara Phalguni (ruled by a Solar deity) would never pass up an opportunity for a good partnership simply out of cunning, just like a good king doesn’t reject powerful allies, for they enrich his kingdom and his own power. Of course, there is a time and place for everything. Jyeshta is fantastic for overcoming enemies. If I had to employ a war general, I’d pick Jyeshta. But generally, for matters of Uttara Phalguni, Jyeshta attitude is not favorable, just like you may need a kitchen and a bathroom in the same house, but you don’t put the toilet next to the stovetop.

[tawghasa]

I endorse all of this.

I had to change careers in my early 30s (grant-gunded research scientist + four years of no grants in my speciality = redundancy with no hiring opportunities). Here are a few things I learned from that journey:

Consider doing the same job for a different employer. I spent 5 years working for a lab that, in retrospect, had a really terrible workplace culture. I got a position in another lab in the same institute, and the experience was a LOT better.

(It was still rough at times, due to the bullshit I had internalised clashing with similar bullshit my lab supervisor had internalised. But I cried in the bathrooms WAY less.)

There can be a LOT of jobs that are tangentially related to your current job, that no one in your current job is really aware of. Or if they are aware, they overestimate the barriers to getting there.

(E.g., I moved from medical research into intellectual property. I assumed that you would need some kind of legal background for that... But nope!)

On a related note, be sceptical of any career advice you get from people at your hell-job. If they haven't gotten out themselves, they are sharing conjecture, not facts.

Most people have bad resumes and weak cover letters/responses to selection criteria. I highly recommend checking out Askamanager.org, in particular this masterpost of advice for resumes and cover letters. Alison also has a guide for preparing for job interviews that I've used with success (it's free when you sign-up to her mailing list. I think I've gotten maybe two e-mails in the six years since I signed up to get the free pdf).

Being older can be a benefit in the workplace. Some recent hires at my job are in their 50s, and were REALLY surprised they made the cut... But they both have so much experience under their belts, they're very familiar with the norms of a 9-to-5 job, etc. (They're also less likely to look for another job before they retire than younger hires.)

Also, you just know more stuff. You have more experience in having a job, talking to people, doing things. You have more years under your belt of troubleshooting, finding easier workflows, cleaning up messes.

E.g., I hated my time in retail but I know a LOT about how to talk to people: how to give someone bad news without them yelling at me, how to tell them they stuffed up without them yelling at me, how to tell them I stuffed up without them yelling at me...

I have an excellent phone manner and a "customer-centric commitment to issue resolution" which has been a huge asset in both of my post-retail careers - but neither of those jobs had any kind of intentional training/mentoring in those areas! Those are skills I developed in THE shittiest supermarket in South Australia while developing bone damage in my feet because I was standing for 10 hours a day.

A few other bits of advice:

It's hard to be productive outside of work when you work a terrible job that is corroding your soul. It's hard to write a good resume/apply to further education/whatever when you hate your job and you're exhausted and everything is pointless. Don't beat yourself up if it takes longer than you'd like to get anything done.

Make things easier for yourself by asking for/accepting help. Use the Ask A Manager resources, ask friends and family (ideally ones who have jobs they like) to help you with your job search and your application materials.

(Are we mutuals? Do you want some help with a resume? Send me a DM. I can also hop on a Discord call and chat with you about interview prep and technique.)

Try to start prepping now, BEFORE the dream opportunity crosses your path. It's easier to have an up-to-date master resume that you can tailor to the role, than to scramble to pull one together the night applications close.

Reddit can actually be really helpful. There are subreddits for a lot of careers/industries, with posts every few months asking how to either break in or get out. They can also be a good place to ask what the day-to-day is like in a career you're thinking of switching to, which can help you identify any skills you already have that would be an asset/consider whether you'd enjoy the reality of the job. Keep in mind that it's all subjective, and no two people's experiences will be the same.

If you've read this far, try to find time to update your resume this weekend. Even if you like your current job. (That's usually the best time to look at other jobs - you're not desperate, so you're in a strong position to negotiate any offers.) Because if you've read this far through a thread about changing jobs/careers, you're probably interested on some level in doing the thing.

I’m thinking of doing a complete career switch- or at the very least, making an attempt to start it- and the idea is frightening for so many reasons- money, feeling like I’m behind, insecurity, family- but then i think of just sticking to the path I’m on and it sends me into a crying fit so. I think I’m going to have to be brave

Be brave! I changed industries at age 41 and it was so good for both my career and mental health.

It sounds silly to have to outright say, but if the thought of going to your current job makes you cry every day, it is time to LEAVE. You are not the first person I have had to give this advice to this week. The longer you stay in a dead-end job, the more your skills will rust and the inertia will drag you down.

It feels frightening, but you can get through the imposter syndrome by becoming a thorough note taker (assuming you are white collar, but a lot of this also applies to blue):

Capture every conversation you have

Immediately distill meetings and emails into to-do lists

Review your to-dos daily

Most importantly: write down your accomplishments, no matter how small, at the end of every week

Notes by hand helped me so much, and my little treat to keep going was to begin a fresh mini-notebook every 2 weeks, which I could decorate with ink stamps and washing tape. I used a different color gel pen every day, too. My notebooks were fun and super helpful with keeping me organized.

You will catch up soon enough. It sucks to be an older person in a junior role, but you will be more mature and hopefully adept at handling work drama. I hit senior at age 47 after doing my time, and now I'm pretty indistinguishable from the folks who beat me here.

People aren't meant to do the same thing for all their lives, if it means sacrificing other opportunities. It's ok to say goodbye to a career or hobby or whatever else, to make room for something new. Don't feel guilty sampling from life. Specialization is for insects.

[sawdustandstardust]

have never been more relieved and grateful that we have finally made it to mel/langdon pet play. feels good feels organic I DO believe that would fix their brains.

🚫 tired: not jumping into a relationship and blowing up your marriage the first year of your recovery :(

✅ wired: getting a cute & smart puppygirl gf whose always excited to see you when you come home :)

here’s a slight continuation for you anon since i am insane:

“dana, please dana, you have to understand…yes, i know it’s late, but this…no, i’m not on the roof…remember when langdon had us all vote on what dog collar we liked more?”

“yeah,” dana yawns into the line. “the winner was that soft purple one with the gold plated heart-shaped dog tag. he personally thanked every single person for their cooperation right before his morning rounds. brought in three-dozen sprinkled donuts from sam’s donut world for the staff. incredibly nice of him actually.”

okay…maybe robby needed to be a little more direct.

“do you think it’s deeply weird that langdon’s never showed us a picture of his goldendoodle? that the dog doesn’t have an actual name anyone on staff knows? or how no one has met her?”

“come on robby, you’re being insensitive. one-you know his baby’s camera shy. they’re working on it through positive reinforcement.”

“two-we spend most of our lives inside the hospital. why would you want any dog that’s not a therapy or service animal near this place? plus mateo said he recommended an off-leash dog park he takes his rescue, the one with the bite history, to—great atmosphere, lots of space, strict rules and boundaries that prioritize pet safety…but langdon turned him down, said he’d never trust other puppies or their owners to play nice with something so precious.”

robby suddenly remembers when dr. mckay ran point on a nasty MRSA infection case last fall, mateo lightly tugging on her ponytail in jest when the patient was officially discharged and—his vision whites out because did no one think to tell him PTMC was officially renamed to puppygirl town medical center?

what was happening inside this damn hospital?

“finally, three-her name’s good girl? do you not pay attention? i know that boy talks a lot but—“

“dana—do you hear yourself? how ridiculous all this sounds—”

“why are you being so hard on him for having an emotional support animal? did you know that kiara’s so impressed by his progress, she’s encouraging him to submit a presentation to ACEP all about the benefits of puppy-human companionship in early substance abuse recovery interventions: a great way for folks to create and maintain a set routine, learn responsibility outside themselves, experience unconditional love, potentially for the first time…did you know that langdon’s sweet girl even recognizes when he’s on the verge of an anxiety attack, is trained in providing deep pressure therapy to calm him down. kiara thinks his lived experience would be really beneficial to harm reduction advocacy groups and their allies in the emergency medicine sector.”

robby can feel himself moving further and further away from reality with every word out of dana mouth, convinced now that frank langdon was specifically designed in a lab to terrorize him. or, better yet, to haunt him, for the rest of his days, like a ghost in a dickensian fable—the HR nightmare final boss of michael’s past and present.

“dana, what would you say if i told you that when i talked with abby langdon tonight, she had no clue about…’good girl?’” because how was she going to explain this one—

“of course abby doesn’t know, robby. jesus, mary, and joseph—she’s allergic!”

[feargender]

I think what frustrates me about the whole “they didn’t teach us this in school” “yes they did” “no they didn’t” argument is that like. Maybe the lesson was happening in your classroom. Or maybe the lesson was happening in the room across the hall, because at age 15 you were told to decide whether or not you were going to attend a four year university or pursue a trade, and then based on that decision (which is largely based on your family’s economic status) you no longer get to learn certain subjects.

My second grade class was over 30 students, many of whom didn’t speak English (and in this particular case these were all Spanish speaking children), but there were no more spaces in the ESL class. So my teacher paired the seven year olds who spoke both English and Spanish with the ones who only spoke Spanish, in the hopes that their translational skills would be enough to get everyone to third grade, where there still wouldn’t be more spaces in the ESL class.

In my current certification program, we are meant to do a research project. Just a simple essay. My classmates that I’m personally friends with are 18, 25, 29, and 43 years old. All of them finished high school with either a diploma or GED. None of them knew how to create a basic 5 paragraph essay structure. This weekend, I am going to demonstrate an outline from my own project topic, and we will learn to construct an essay together, and how to format citations.

At a certain point in teenage and adulthood, it is absolutely true that you are responsible for seeking out your own information. “We didn’t learn this in school” is not a good excuse for a 20 year old American who doesn’t know where Palestine is. And yes, a major component of K-12 is the English and language arts portion, in which you’re taught media interpretation and literacy skills. These things are impressed upon all children who attend American public school, which is the scope of my experience and what I am able to speak on.

But those classes are of little use to people who don’t speak the language they’re being taught in. Or if they’re in a desperately overcrowded classroom. An underfunded district without enough text books to go around. Or, after a certain point in high school, you’re pulled out of English because your transcript requirements changed, since you’re not expected to attend a traditional university. The examples go on.

My point isn’t that we actually should never expect people to take responsibility for their own ignorance, just that we should not underestimate the impact of never being taught something, or the likelihood that many people genuinely were never taught.

[gomzdrawfr]

it's a different kind of hell watching your own speed dropping

[presidentkamala]

I need to Get Out of this hole!!!!!!!!!

[l0ganberry]

Aaand there we go.

reference/color palette was from this that I found on Google.

Sunflowers are so pretty!! 💛

[tanjir0se]

So I’m working on my own comic series because I’m a maniac with no life who is committed enough to my “Barbie Nutcracker but if it was a Shonen Anime” AU to spend hours upon hours of my life becoming the words mediocre-est mangaka

Anyway, here’s my little artist avatar I’m very proud of him (:

[flyinglowdown]

i have a dream. and that dream is cressida/eloise/lord debling

[a-totally-reasonable-username]

The realization that healthy people do not spend their life wishing they had a disability or illness that would grant them a wheelchair, because a wheelchair would make their life a lot easier

[apostate-in-an-alcove]

I rag on leftists a lot but it seems to me like so many of them very clearly don't talk to people outside of their narrow social circle and don't actually bother putting in any work into the community they live in, so they end up with this inability to have nuance in their thinking and act like rubbing elbows with people who aren't precisely like them will make them morally impure or some hogshit like that.

[frameconfessions]

I think Rhino is more tanky than Revenant.

.