breakingcatbad

[breakingcatbad]

Are you a Hazbin Hotel fan? Well…… I'm a college student doing an (unofficial) research paper on fans, if you have the time it would be greatly appreciated if you filled out the survey below! Thanks, love you shnookums.

[breakingcatbad]

Are you a Hazbin Hotel fan? Well…… I'm a college student doing an (unofficial) research paper on fans, if you have the time it would be greatly appreciated if you filled out the survey below! Thanks, love you shnookums.

[breakingcatbad]

Stardew Valley Mini-Loop

Today will be a little different than before. I was getting bored of some of my other posts so I made this little piano loop that reminds me of the feeling I get when I play the video game Stardew Valley. I don't know anything about music so don't judge me too hard. HAVE A GOOD DAY!

[breakingcatbad]

Anime Time! Again! Today, I wanted to talk about another show that I have an undying love for: Mob Psycho 100. For a little context, Mob Psycho 100 is about a psychic middle school boy who tries to live a normal life and while he keeps his powers (strengthened by emotion) under control. Initially, I thought the show was really weird, and I figured I'd just find it weirder as I progressed through the first few episodes. Little do I know, I lacked any sort of personality what so ever. Anyways, the further along I got in the show, the more I fell in love with the characters and was able to apply the skills they learned in the show to my own personal abilities.

In my opinion, the main character himself makes the show. His personal ability to strive for improvement and his humility are qualities I always strive for in myself. He's a very mature protagonist who still has a lot to learn and grow from, which makes him both relatable and while giving him room to grow throughout the story.

Mob is the perfect character because he doesn't fall into the stereotypical tropes of a self-insert character. He's not particularly attractive or popular, but he finds his group of friends through his commitment to self-improvement and his positive traits, which he has built up through discipline and hard work.

The final message of the third season, where Mob finally decides to accept himself, is one of the most powerful things I have ever seen on television. This message of personal development and growth through consistent effort and the challenging of oneself is something I find incredibly relatable in life (just see my Bojack Horseman essay). Because of this, Mob serves as essentially a perfect model for what one should strive to do in order to improve themselves in the world. Another aspect that further this idea is when Mob gets rejected by the girl he likes at the end of the story. Rather than following the trope of him getting what he wants in the end, he ends up not actually getting what he wants through hard work alone, which is somewhat bittersweet yet somewhat happy. Mob is able to handle the loss, not without any tears of course, but he is able to handle it, empathize with the girl, and understand her feelings, using that as an excuse to truly move forward as a person. He was able to truly express himself by asking her out, and that's all he needed to do in the end. He achieved his goal and grew and developed because of that and that's a philosophy I believe that we should all strive for in life.

Because of stuff like this, I feel like the show, and more specifically Mob, is a stellar example of a character that people can learn and grow from.

Basically, I love this show because of how the main character grows and changes through the work, and how one can then apply those ideas to themselves as a means of personal growth. And that's not to mention all the other fantastic aspects of this show that go on and on. Anyway, thank you for listening to my rant.

[breakingcatbad]

How Your Lie in April helped me understand my mom a little more

Hello, your lord and savior breaking bad cat has returned. Today, I just wanted to write a short little blurb about how a cute little anime helped me relate to my mom a little bit more. For a bit of context, my mother is an occupational therapist, but before that, she was actually a music major. She had been learning the violin since she was young because of her borderline abusive mother. She eventually ended up getting full-ride scholarships all over the United States before eventually deciding that path was not for her. While I knew this about her, I never really understood or was fully able to empathize with what she had been through until I watched Your Lie in April. Your Lie in April is a story that follows a young pianist named Kо̄sei Arima, who loses the ability to perform the piano after his mother's death, and his experiences after he meets violinist Kaori Miyazono. While the show can be very slow at times, I absolutely adore it for how it was able to emotionally impact me. The show does a gorgeous job showing Kosei's progression over time, which is something I can relate to heavily. Anyways, what stuck out to me the most was Kosei's relationship with his mother. His mother in the show is incredibly mean and abusive to Kosei, forcing him to play and verbally and physically abusing him if he messes up. While my grandmother was not that bad, this constant push to be the best and the abusive language she hurled at my mother couldn't have been any less devastating to her, and being able to sort of visualize that image in my mind has really helped me empathize with my mother. I was able to at least somewhat understand some of the things my mother had to go through because of the show. What the show also does well is actually show why Kosei's mother is the way she is, as in one scene she breaks down crying because she just wants what's best for Kosei. This is something my mom has told me about also, because I know she still loved my grandmother when she was alive, despite everything she had put her through. Soooo essentially, just having a show like Your Lie in April to illustrate this idea has truly left a profound impact on me as a person, and while I would love to yap about this show more, unfortunately, duty calls, and I must be on my way, but yeah, that's basically how Your Lie in April helped me better empathize with my mother :)

[breakingcatbad]

Helplessness Blues

Hey there, lovely folks! Today, I just wanted to share some love for a little album called "Helplessness Blues" by Fleet Foxes. Over the past few years, this album has been incredibly important to me as I've transitioned from a young teen into early adulthood. I don't have a lot to say about it, but the lyrics have been incredibly meaningful to me as I've tried to find my place in the world. Romance, hope, and a lingering guilt over the debt owed to those above you are all things I heavily relate to. That feeling of wanting guidance rather than just living life, this album's lyrics capture it all. Plus, the album boasts some of the most gorgeous instrumentation I've ever heard. So yeah, that's basically it! I just really love this album.

[breakingcatbad]

Why the Long Face (a personal fan narrative)

Introduction 

“When you find yourself lost and disoriented and underwater and you don't know which way is up, it's important to breathe” (Waksberg, R. B., & Santamaria, V. 2016). 

Television has a remarkable ability to transcend mere entertainment and resonate with viewers on a deeply personal level. For me, "Bojack Horseman" exemplifies this, as its poignant exploration of themes like personal responsibility, forgiveness, and self-improvement truly struck a chord with me. In this essay I will talk about how Bojack Horseman allowed me to begin to break bad habits and helped me fight my social anxiety.

Drowning 

 Since I'm lazy I will let IMDb explain the plot of Bojack horseman for me. Bojack Horseman is about the titular BoJack Horseman (a horse) who was ���the star of the hit television show "Horsin' Around" in the '80s and '90s, but [is now] washed up, living in Hollywood, complaining about everything, and wearing colorful sweaters” (IMDb Writers 2014) 

But what does this alcoholic horse have to do with me? Well, let me take you back to when I was younger, not that much younger than I am now.

 I was someone who struggled to take responsibility for who I was. I'd blame others for my problems, never really looking inward to become a better person. In class, I'd stick to my four close friends, failing to connect with anyone else due to my lacking social skills. It felt like I was sinking in a pit of tar, with no way out. Even with my close friends, I felt extremely lonely, lacking any meaningful connections with those around me. It left me grappling with a profound sense of existential unease.

This cycle persisted into my sophomore year and deep into the COVID pandemic without any real change. But deep down, I knew there was potential within me to strive for something better, something more, rather than remaining stuck in who I was.

So, during the depths of COVID, almost by chance and perhaps as a means of escapism, I found myself indulging in the show about a horse with daddy issues. 

Attempting to swim 

From the very first episode, I felt an undeniable connection to Bojack—a washed-up actor grappling with the ghosts of his past. Like him, I had spent years wrestling with my own feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, unable to confront the root causes of my dissatisfaction. This internal dissatisfaction spurred on a wave of social anxiety that prevented me from truly or meaningfully opening up to anyone, which only made me more miserable. Despite the outward appearances of a somewhat well adjusted person, I knew deep down that a sense of purpose, of authenticity, of connection was missing from my life. It was this existential hole that "Bojack Horseman" so poignantly reflected back onto myself that forced me to confront the uncomfortable truths lurking beneath the surface of my own life.

Throughout the series, BoJack's attempts at change are met with failure, highlighting the difficulty and gradual nature of personal transformation. It's a reminder that change isn't easy—it requires hard work and the humility to acknowledge one's own shortcomings. One of my favorite quotes from season two that helps exemplify this idea comes from a jogging baboon (not exactly a central character, he just jogs). He tells BoJack, "It gets easier. Every day it gets a little easier. But you gotta do it every day —that's the hard part. But it does get easier" (Waksberg, R. B., Aron Elijah, & Young Jordan)

With this wisdom in mind, I began to embrace the journey of self-improvement and began to climb what seemed like an insurmountable mountain in front of me. One of the first habits I tackled was my hygiene,which sounds boring, I know. Looking back, I realize I was probably dealing with some level of depression. I hardly left my room except for essentials like food or haircuts. Anyways, the first step I took was improving my consistency with hygiene. I started brushing my teeth twice a day and made an effort with skincare, rather than spending all day in bed doing nothing. It may sound small, but at the time, I felt genuinely proud of this progress and thus began the journey out of the abyss and into the unknown. 

Swimming As I kept watching the show and its seasons unfolded, I found myself pushing beyond my comfort zone. I picked up new skills like learning how to take care of suits, car care, and even eyebrow care (yes I am insane why do you ask). While they may seem trivial, these small victories meant a lot to me. It was also around this time that I began to prioritize my fitness.

What kept me going throughout all of this was the realization that if anything was going to change, I had to be the one to make it happen. I didn't want to follow in BoJack's footsteps, constantly blaming his upbringing for who he became. Sure, my own upbringing had its challenges (though I know others have had it worse), but I refused to let it define me. I wanted to become someone I could truly be proud of.

Once I understood the role I played in shaping my own life and realized I could distance myself from my past, I started making genuine efforts to change. This was a journey BoJack struggled with throughout the series, getting close to meaningful change in season 6 but often slipping back into old habits due to his past actions. Yet, what I admire about the show is how BoJack's actions always catch up to him, teaching me to confront my own habits head-on.

One of my biggest challenges in this journey was working out. Just to be clear, I don't believe that not working out makes you inferior to people that do. For me, working out became a way to build confidence and shed insecurities about my body.

In the past, I struggled with insecurity and faced hurtful comments about my physique. So, I decided to take charge and hit the gym LIKE THE TRUE MAN I AM. But let me tell you, pushing yourself to the limit six days a week isn't easy. However, I kept reminding myself that my actions would shape my future, drawing inspiration from BoJack's journey through rehab.

Continuing to work out and eat better, I started to see results. It wasn't anything dramatic, but it made a significant difference in how I viewed myself. This brings me to what I consider the final frontier of personal development for myself: dealing with my own anxiety

Taking a Breath

BoJack Horseman delves into depression, but it also shines a light on how anxiety often goes hand in hand with it. Throughout the show, BoJack turns to drugs and alcohol to cope with his anxiety, while his tendency to avoid difficult situations is often rooted in fear.

For me, anxiety has been a lifelong companion, especially during the chaos of COVID-19. It felt like my anxiety was this relentless force, tugging at me constantly. Simple tasks became monumental challenges. I'd shake just trying to swipe my credit card at the store. It was like my mind was on overdrive, overthinking everything and leaving little room for anything else.

I became trapped in this cycle of self-doubt, just like BoJack. But watching his journey made me realize something profound: my insecurity came from being too focused on myself. I was so worried about how I appeared to others that I couldn't truly connect with them.

In BoJack's journey toward redemption, he learns to think beyond himself and faces his fears head-on. That inspired me to tackle my anxiety. Now, I'm not saying it's easy to just "get over" anxiety—it's different for everyone. But I knew I had to try.

So, I started pushing myself into uncomfortable situations, knowing it would shape me for the better. And you know what? It worked. Slowly but surely, I began to see positive changes in myself. It's been a journey, but I'm proud of how far I've come. 

Conclusion

Bojack Horseman has had a profound impact on my life, not to imply that it has necessarily cured any of my vices, but I am proud to say I am in a much better position now than I was then. I have genuine people I can rely on, and I've made strides in improving myself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Overall, I feel like a better version of myself, and that's something I'm proud of. I am happy that I was able to come across this show when I did, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity it helped allow for me. 

[breakingcatbad]

What is a world without love? Hello, it is me, the world-famous Breaking Bad Cat. I just wanted to write this to briefly voice my thoughts about something I appreciate about good old Eternal Sunshine. I'm sure what I'm saying about it isn't that revolutionary but I just wanted to gush about how intimacy is portrayed in the film and how it has affected me.

The main thing for me is how the film tackles the ideas of risk and vulnerability. Being vulnerable has always been difficult for me my entire life, and what this film helped me realize is that to form deeper relationships with other people you have to be willing to make yourself vulnerable. What both Clementine and Joel "accept" by the end of the film is that it is worth to love even if that love is fleeting. This realization was incredible for me and it has genuinely helped me grow as a person. This film has helped me more authentically be myself and made me realize that you have to take the risk of being known because being unknowable isn't worth it. It is a classic case of Shaupenhour's hedgehog dilemma but with a different answer. Yes, humans cannot be intimate without the risk of mutual harm, but this doesn't mean that they should avoid this intimacy, rather it means they should embrace it because the world without love is not worth it.