#Idea validation template

[ideavalidationprogram]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ProtoBoostAi (@protoboostai)

Got an idea that’s burning in your brain? 🔥

You don’t need to face a panel of sharks to know if it’s worth building.

With ProtoBoost.ai, you can validate your idea with real users in minutes— ✅ Smart filters ✅ Real user feedback ✅ Zero guesswork

No pressure. Just progress. Pitch smarter. Build better.

[stagtorccio]

teen lottie NSFW alphabet?

i always assume these requests mean pre-crash yall have to specify if you want wilderness or post rescue ... but yes anon

LOTTIE MATTHEWS — NSFW ALPHABET yall already know the rules... template from here! warnings: general kinda crude language, mentions of mania and kleptomania? nothing too insane though

mdni, 18+

A = AFTERCARE (WHAT THEY’RE LIKE AFTER SEX)

deeply emotional. threads her fingers through your hair, tucks close to you. soft murmurs that are usually nonsense pillow-talk, cheek to chest, heart syncing with yours.

loves showering with you after, because she’s got sensory issues and doesn’t like when the good sticky turns to bad sticky… gross!

B = BODY PART (THEIR FAVORITE BODY PART OF THEIRS AND ALSO THEIR PARTNER’S)

on herself, her eyes– loves it if she can just throw you a look and turn you on, loves making eye contact

on you, your thighs– especially wrapped around her waist. but honestly just flash her any skin and she’s trying to drag you to the nearest closet

C = CUM (ANYTHING TO DO WITH CUM, BASICALLY)

total little freak… she’ll smear it across your belly, kiss it off your lips, lick it off her fingers… sometimes she’ll just make it a point to be as messy as possible so you have to help clean her up.

D = DIRTY SECRET (PRETTY SELF EXPLANATORY, A DIRTY SECRET OF THEIRS)

gets off to the idea of being watched, just a little. mirrors, windows, the edge of public places.

sometimes she fingers herself in her walk-in closet imagining someone stumbling in. cums fast as hell. freak. 

E = EXPERIENCE (HOW EXPERIENCED ARE THEY? DO THEY KNOW WHAT THEY’RE DOING?)

more practiced than you’d expect. not in the “tons of partners” way, but she's kinda intuitive. it only takes her a few minutes to get patterns down (and subsequently weaponize them).

F = FAVORITE POSITION (THIS GOES WITHOUT SAYING)

lotus— something about mutual closeness, locked thighs, eye contact, etc etc... likes it when you're tangled up in her lap, likes even more that you have nowhere to go.

G = GOOFY (ARE THEY MORE SERIOUS IN THE MOMENT? ARE THEY HUMOROUS? ETC.)

if she’s like INTO it into it, not very silly. more focused on the task at hand. catch her a few drinks in though? giggling the whoooleee time because she’s having so much fun.

WILL say some absolutely fucknasty shit and then laugh hysterically right after because holy shit I can’t believe I said that. she did in fact say that though and probably meant it

H = HAIR (HOW WELL GROOMED ARE THEY? DOES THE CARPET MATCH THE DRAPES? ETC.)

bare or a neatly trimmed landing strip. keeps it soft because she gets irritated as fuck being itchy (me too, girl).

I = INTIMACY (HOW ARE THEY DURING THE MOMENT? THE ROMANTIC ASPECT)

super intensely intimate. eye contact so deep you feel like she’s trying to soul-suck you. touches like she wants to merge bodies. she wants you to see her and understand her and vice versa.

J = JACK OFF (MASTURBATION HEADCANON)

does it rarely. slowly and trying to enjoy it on good nights, quick and just trying to cum on bad ones

very visual, often picturing the same person over and over again, sometimes imagining she’s not alone in the room or that it’s someone else’s hand instead of her own. it helps to distract from less pleasant thoughts

K = KINK (ONE OR MORE OF THEIR KINKS)

control and power play — loves taking the reins, coaxing surrender. it helps her to feel in control of something. vice versa, she sometimes wants to be the one giving up control so that she doesn’t have to think so hard about everything. sort of like cleaning the slate. factory reset if you will

sensory play — blindfolds, silk restraints, dripping wax… sign her right the fuck up

praise — sad lonely girl who likes when you talk sweet to her. fork found in kitchen. unsurprising. but also specifically saying you’re proud is what does the charm because you know this mf needs validation like plants need water… she will implode

L = LOCATION (FAVORITE PLACES TO DO THE DO)

anywhere that feels aesthetic. she’s got a Thing for aesthetics. forest clearing, the floor of her father’s study with incense burning, bed lit by moonlight slashing through stained glass. wants to make it cinematic (like that one sex scene in mulholland drive, rip Lottie you would’ve loved naked in manhattan)

M = MOTIVATION (WHAT TURNS THEM ON, GETS THEM GOING)

vulnerability. seeing you open up, confess a secret, (and, embarrassingly enough, cry in front of her). it’s her blossoming cult leader instincts kicking in sorry. 

also, unspoken glances across crowded rooms… she will literally drag you to a closet by the back of your shirt like a kitten

N = NO (SOMETHING THEY WOULDN’T DO, TURN OFFS)

anything detached or performative. hate sex? casual hookups with no emotion? not her thing. 

definitely craves connection and using sex to get in someone’s head– not maliciously, just to understand them deeper than she already does

O = ORAL (PREFERENCE IN GIVING OR RECEIVING, SKILL, ETC.)

giving, reverent with it. adores eating someone out slowly, eyes on your face the whole time, dragging her tongue and tasting everything. 

receiving? rides the actual fuck out of your face, like literally almost suffocates you a little. doesn’t pull your hair but does push your head down until you have to tap out to catch your breath. good luck soldier.

P = PACE (ARE THEY FAST AND ROUGH? SLOW AND SENSUAL? ETC.)

usually slow and sensual. wants to enjoy it and make it last. but when she’s manic or spiraling, she fucks like she’s exorcising literal demons. maybe she is. who knows.

Q = QUICKIE (THEIR OPINIONS ON QUICKIES, HOW OFTEN, ETC.)

will do them, but only if the tension was already there first or it’s a “public” place—bathroom stalls at school, back of a parked car before a party. she finds it more exciting when there’s the chance of getting caught.

R = RISK (ARE THEY GAME TO EXPERIMENT? DO THEY TAKE RISKS? ETC.)

risky. gets off on risk. being forced into a perfect little bubble your entire life has its side effects. nerves heighten everything else and she likes it that way

S = STAMINA (HOW MANY ROUNDS CAN THEY GO FOR? HOW LONG DO THEY LAST?)

two or three rounds MINIMUM, especially if she’s feeling manic. will go until you're limp and breathless then ask if you can go one more… good luck babe

T = TOYS (DO THEY OWN TOYS? DO THEY USE THEM? ON A PARTNER OR THEMSELVES?)

yes, but like, classy about it? keeps a little box under her bed– vibrators, a harness, glass dildos…

uses them more on partners than herself, and also just likes collecting them because she’s a kleptomaniac

U = UNFAIR (HOW MUCH THEY LIKE TO TEASE)

when she feels like it. will absolutely edge you until you’re begging, kiss just below where you need her, keep eye contact while she denies you over and over and over…

and does it all while smiling, telling you how good you’re doing. fuck dude

V = VOLUME (HOW LOUD THEY ARE, WHAT SOUNDS THEY MAKE, ETC.)

whispers, whimpers, ecstatic chanting of different phrases if she’s deep into it. moans are drawn-out and trembling. will stutter out that she loves you while taking three whole fingers, she may be a freak but she isn’t a neglectful one

also the louder you get, the more it turns her on… she loves hearing you lose your composure

W = WILD CARD (A RANDOM HEADCANON FOR THE CHARACTER)

has a small collection of polaroids of herself. you know exactly what type of polaroid. 

X = X-RAY (LET’S SEE WHAT’S GOING ON UNDER THOSE CLOTHES)

slender, subtle curves, surprisingly toned legs, BICEPS.

also sometimes doesn’t wear panties because she likes the freedom

Y = YEARNING (HOW HIGH IS THEIR SEX DRIVE?)

pretends it’s manageable but aches constantly. daydreams in class, zones out while brushing her hair. quiet about it but that doesn’t mean it isn’t noticeable

Z = ZZZ (HOW QUICKLY THEY FALL ASLEEP AFTERWARDS)

falls asleep quickly after because her mind is finally quiet for once 

insists on being big spoon because she likes holding onto you. and she has to have at least one hand under your clothes for that skin to skin, obviously 

if you get up in the middle of the night, she pulls you back. you don’t get out of bed until she does, rip you if you have to go to the bathroom

[mint-in-the-moonlight]

putting the poly back in polytheism

something that I've noticed in neo-pagan/polytheist spaces is this focus on one or a few deities. while this is a valid approach and seems to be working amazingly for many people, i wanted to write a short defence of a different form of polytheism that, while maybe less visible on social media, is equally viable.

the poly in polytheism necessitates the belief in multiple gods however modern forms of worship take many different forms on top of that. from my years being in pagan spaces on social media I have noticed that to many, being a polytheist means worshipping one or a handful of gods and having very close relationships with them. which deities someone chooses to have this kind of relationship with stems from multiple possible sources, for example, personal interest, the deity's domain being somehow related to a person's life or an inexplicable draw to them.

to me, this seems to be the dominant view on social media of the form that neo-paganism takes, however, after years of exploring my spirituality and practice, I have come to the conclusion that this is not how I want to worship. I am writing this post for more people like me, who are interested in exploring this often less mainstream approach.

an ancient template

reading about Ancient Greek and Roman civilisations I was always struck by the number of minor deities with hyper-specific domains and associations. as a modern pagan, I could not understand the appeal of worshipping such a deity, ie. using so much time and resources to build a relationship for only a handful of niche issues that you could approach them with.

but as I kept reading and exploring, I realised that I was approaching polytheism completely differently than the ancients did. they truly did live in a world full of gods and they did not require a relationship built over days, if not weeks or more, to approach a deity and ask for their aid.

as long as you followed the rules of reciprocity, you could approach any deity that was relevant to your situation because they were the best equipped to help you with your problem. now this is not true for all of the population all the time, there were definitely also for example, people devoted to one deity, but from my understanding, this seemed to be the general form that polytheism took in those ancient civilisations.

the influence of monotheism

I think another feature of online neo-paganism is this expansion of the major deities' domains which then removes the need to worship the smaller deities. now, don't get me wrong, I'm all for expanding the domains of deities, especially if this is done from a revivalist perspective in order to modernise them for the contemporary worshipper. but sometimes I feel like completely unrelated domains are added for the sake of convenience more than anything else, ie. so that someone can keep worshipping the same deity(ies) without approaching others.

this, in my opinion, goes against one of the core aspects of polytheism which is the idea that different gods rule over different domains and have power over them. following this idea, it would make very little sense to pray to Neptune during air travel as he has no influence over the skies. yet, I sometimes see the deities be treated more like monotheistic gods which are all-powerful and can influence anything in the world.

if this is your view of how the gods work, that's fine, but I feel like sometimes people accept it without questioning it much or thinking about their view of theology at all. after mulling this idea over for some time, I realised it made much more sense to approach those specific deities, even if they are much less known or minor because this fits into my beliefs about polytheism much better.

a poly-practice

so, how would a poly-polytheistic practice look like in the modern day? well, there are many ways to go about it but I will just share bits from my own experience.

what I have ended up doing is focusing on different deities as they become relevant in my life - I focused on worshipping Janus at the beginning of the year while also taking the time to pray to Fortuna in moment when I needed her aid. I then did some extra reading on Jupiter, but didn't forget to thank Mars every time I went to the gym. I no longer felt the pressure to have some sort of special "connection" to every deity or "feel their presence", just trusting that they are there and then catching glimpses of divinity in my daily life.

looking into which Roman festivals I wanted to celebrate also opened my perspectives to more deities I would not have otherwise worshipped on my own. like this, I feel like I am building an arsenal of deities I can turn to when I need and of course, it is also vital to remember that I can call on multiple ones at the same time, just like the Romans saw the gods aiding one another in their tasks.

I only have one altar, which is practical and thus quite minimalistic, but there is space for my prayer notebook as well as other supplies that I need for my rituals.

conclusion

of course, this kind of practice results in a much more "impersonal" relationship with the gods, but I never really felt the need to communicate with them directly or things like that, so it fits me well. I find comfort in imagining a world full of gods, who may only know me in passing but who look out for me nevertheless.

in the end, the goal of this post is not to change anyone's mind about how they worship, but to present an alternate perspective which you can learn from but also completely disregard. in the end I am just happy that you were interested enough to reach until the end of this post. thank you for reading!!

[dragonnarrative-writes]

Generative AI Is Bad For Your Creative Brain

In the wake of early announcing that their blog will no longer be posting fanfiction, I wanted to offer a different perspective than the ones I’ve been seeing in the argument against the use of AI in fandom spaces. Often, I’m seeing the arguments that the use of generative AI or Large Language Models (LLMs) make creative expression more accessible. Certainly, putting a prompt into a chat box and refining the output as desired is faster than writing a 5000 word fanfiction or learning to draw digitally or traditionally. But I would argue that the use of chat bots and generative AI actually limits - and ultimately reduces - one’s ability to enjoy creativity.

Creativity, defined by the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus, is the ability to produce or use original and unusual ideas. By definition, the use of generative AI discourages the brain from engaging with thoughts creatively. ChatGPT, character bots, and other generative AI products have to be trained on already existing text. In order to produce something “usable,” LLMs analyzes patterns within text to organize information into what the computer has been trained to identify as “desirable” outputs. These outputs are not always accurate due to the fact that computers don’t “think” the way that human brains do. They don’t create. They take the most common and refined data points and combine them according to predetermined templates to assemble a product. In the case of chat bots that are fed writing samples from authors, the product is not original - it’s a mishmash of the writings that were fed into the system.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a therapy modality developed by Marsha M. Linehan based on the understanding that growth comes when we accept that we are doing our best and we can work to better ourselves further. Within this modality, a few core concepts are explored, but for this argument I want to focus on Mindfulness and Emotion Regulation. Mindfulness, put simply, is awareness of the information our senses are telling us about the present moment. Emotion regulation is our ability to identify, understand, validate, and control our reaction to the emotions that result from changes in our environment. One of the skills taught within emotion regulation is Building Mastery - putting forth effort into an activity or skill in order to experience the pleasure that comes with seeing the fruits of your labor. These are by no means the only mechanisms of growth or skill development, however, I believe that mindfulness, emotion regulation, and building mastery are a large part of the core of creativity. When someone uses generative AI to imitate fanfiction, roleplay, fanart, etc., the core experience of creative expression is undermined.

Creating engages the body. As a writer who uses pen and paper as well as word processors while drafting, I had to learn how my body best engages with my process. The ideal pen and paper, the fact that I need glasses to work on my computer, the height of the table all factor into how I create. I don’t use audio recordings or transcriptions because that’s not a skill I’ve cultivated, but other authors use those tools as a way to assist their creative process. I can’t speak with any authority to the experience of visual artists, but my understanding is that the feedback and feel of their physical tools, the programs they use, and many other factors are not just part of how they learned their craft, they are essential to their art.

Generative AI invites users to bypass mindfully engaging with the physical act of creating. Part of becoming a person who creates from the vision in one’s head is the physical act of practicing. How did I learn to write? By sitting down and making myself write, over and over, word after word. I had to learn the rhythms of my body, and to listen when pain tells me to stop. I do not consider myself a visual artist - I have not put in the hours to learn to consistently combine line and color and form to show the world the idea in my head.

But I could.

Learning a new skill is possible. But one must be able to regulate one’s unpleasant emotions to be able to get there. The emotion that gets in the way of most people starting their creative journey is anxiety. Instead of a focus on “fear,” I like to define this emotion as “unpleasant anticipation.” In Atlas of the Heart, Brene Brown identifies anxiety as both a trait (a long term characteristic) and a state (a temporary condition). That is, we can be naturally predisposed to be impacted by anxiety, and experience unpleasant anticipation in response to an event. And the action drive associated with anxiety is to avoid the unpleasant stimulus.

Starting a new project, developing a new skill, and leaning into a creative endevor can inspire and cause people to react to anxiety. There is an unpleasant anticipation of things not turning out exactly correctly, of being judged negatively, of being unnoticed or even ignored. There is a lot less anxiety to be had in submitting a prompt to a machine than to look at a blank page and possibly make what could be a mistake. Unfortunately, the more something is avoided, the more anxiety is generated when it comes up again. Using generative AI doesn’t encourage starting a new project and learning a new skill - in fact, it makes the prospect more distressing to the mind, and encourages further avoidance of developing a personal creative process.

One of the best ways to reduce anxiety about a task, according to DBT, is for a person to do that task. Opposite action is a method of reducing the intensity of an emotion by going against its action urge. The action urge of anxiety is to avoid, and so opposite action encourages someone to approach the thing they are anxious about. This doesn’t mean that everyone who has anxiety about creating should make themselves write a 50k word fanfiction as their first project. But in order to reduce anxiety about dealing with a blank page, one must face and engage with a blank page. Even a single sentence fragment, two lines intersecting, an unintentional drop of ink means the page is no longer blank. If those are still difficult to approach a prompt, tutorial, or guided exercise can be used to reinforce the understanding that a blank page can be changed, slowly but surely by your own hand.

(As an aside, I would discourage the use of AI prompt generators - these often use prompts that were already created by a real person without credit. Prompt blogs and posts exist right here on tumblr, as well as imagines and headcannons that people often label “free to a good home.” These prompts can also often be specific to fandom, style, mood, etc., if you’re looking for something specific.)

In the current social media and content consumption culture, it’s easy to feel like the first attempt should be a perfect final product. But creating isn’t just about the final product. It’s about the process. Bo Burnam’s Inside is phenomenal, but I think the outtakes are just as important. We didn’t get That Funny Feeling and How the World Works and All Eyes on Me because Bo Burnham woke up and decided to write songs in the same day. We got them because he’s been been developing and honing his craft, as well as learning about himself as a person and artist, since he was a teenager. Building mastery in any skill takes time, and it’s often slow.

Slow is an important word, when it comes to creating. The fact that skill takes time to develop and a final piece of art takes time regardless of skill is it’s own source of anxiety. Compared to @sentientcave, who writes about 2k words per day, I’m very slow. And for all the time it takes me, my writing isn’t perfect - I find typos after posting and sometimes my phrasing is awkward. But my writing is better than it was, and my confidence is much higher. I can sit and write for longer and longer periods, my projects are more diverse, I’m sharing them with people, even before the final edits are done. And I only learned how to do this because I took the time to push through the discomfort of not being as fast or as skilled as I want to be in order to learn what works for me and what doesn’t.

Building mastery - getting better at a skill over time so that you can see your own progress - isn’t just about getting better. It’s about feeling better about your abilities. Confidence, excitement, and pride are important emotions to associate with our own actions. It teaches us that we are capable of making ourselves feel better by engaging with our creativity, a confidence that can be generalized to other activities.

Generative AI doesn’t encourage its users to try new things, to make mistakes, and to see what works. It doesn’t reward new accomplishments to encourage the building of new skills by connecting to old ones. The reward centers of the brain have nothing to respond to to associate with the action of the user. There is a short term input-reward pathway, but it’s only associated with using the AI prompter. It’s designed to encourage the user to come back over and over again, not develop the skill to think and create for themselves.

I don’t know that anyone will change their minds after reading this. It’s imperfect, and I’ve summarized concepts that can take months or years to learn. But I can say that I learned something from the process of writing it. I see some of the flaws, and I can see how my essay writing has changed over the years. This might have been faster to plug into AI as a prompt, but I can see how much more confidence I have in my own voice and opinions. And that’s not something chatGPT can ever replicate.

[samuraiko]

Contacting your Senators and House Reps -- some helpful scripts!

Begging any and all of my friends/followers in the United States to reblog this one and PLEASE be sure to tag it -- if you have ideas for better tags, use them and I will update THIS post with the better tags!

---

So since the Fascist Regime™ (aka the current US administration) is losing NO time in speedrunning the Nazi Germany storyline, it is more important than EVER to let your elected officials know that this is absolute batshit and they should be doing everything they can to oppose it.

As a note -- your elected officials' contact information is PUBLICLY available via the official government websites senate.gov and house.gov -- these are their OFFICES (not private residences).

Elected officials cannot help but notice when suddenly their offices are getting bombarded with phone calls. That said, I urge anyone who calls them to be polite, firm, clear, and specific about why they are calling. To that end, here are a few useful sites with scripts for calling them!

https://callhub.io/blog/political-campaign/call-your-representative-script/ -- pretty straightforward, gives some ideas of how to tweak things

https://autisticadvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/fact-sheet-how-to-call-your-elected-officials.pdf -- this one explains the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices!

https://www.padeasla.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Script-for-Calling-your-Senator-and-Representative.pdf -- again, tweak these as necessary to address the proper issue or issues you're calling about

https://www.kchealthykids.org/uploads/1/3/2/6/132654074/sample-phone-script-to-contact-your-legislator-.pdf -- Also, just to remind folks, you can find your Senators' and House Rep's contact info at either senate.gov or house.gov, just select your state and off you go!

http://sharedhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Generic-legislator-call-script.pdf -- this one is the *BEST* for anyone with social anxiety! All the useful tips and tricks you could want for how to overcome those hurdles!

If you REALLY feel uncomfortable calling and talking to a person, you *ARE* allowed to leave a message after hours. Just read off the script of your choice and you're good to go.

You can *ALSO* use these as templates for EMAILING your elected officials! As per the aforementioned government sites, virtually *ALL* of them have contact forms that you can fill out. Do not use 'burner' information with them, as you want to be sure they recognize you as a valid constituent and not just some rando harassing anyone and everyone.

[glowettee]

HIIII MINDYYY!!! how are you doing?

i love your guides and advice so much, i wanted to ask you if you could make your own guide to writing in a diary? like diary writing tips, making it pretty, girly diaries, etc etc etc.

thanks so much for ur time and ily!!

hey glam!! omg i'm so excited to answer this because diary keeping is one of my absolute favorite things to talk about (and do!!)... i've been keeping diaries since i was 9 years old and i have boxes of them under my bed that i sometimes read through when i'm feeling nostalgic or need to remember who i used to be. so yesss, of course glam, i'd love to give you a little guide, i hope this post answers your question well <3

✧ mindy's guide to keeping the most magical diary ever ✧

first of all, let's talk about WHY keeping a diary is literally life-changing:

• it's like having therapy but it's free and available at 3am when you're spiraling

• you can say things you'd never say out loud (and sometimes just writing them is enough to feel better)

• it creates this beautiful archive of your life that future you will treasure

• it helps you notice patterns in your thoughts and behaviors that you might miss otherwise

• it's the perfect place to dream without anyone's judgment (including your own)

✧ finding your perfect diary format:

the biggest mistake people make is thinking there's only one "right" way to keep a diary. there isn't!! here are some formats i've tried and loved and hopefully you like it:

• the classic narrative diary: just writing about your day, your thoughts, whatever comes to mind

• the bullet diary: quick points about what happened, how you felt, what you're thinking

• the themed diary: keeping separate journals for different parts of your life (one for dreams, one for creative ideas, one for processing emotions)

• the question diary: answering the same set of questions every day to track how you're evolving

• the art diary: more visuals than words, perfect if you process feelings through colors and images

• the structured diary: using prompts and templates to guide your writing (i'm actually going to be selling prompts + journaling templates on my gumroad soon)

personally, i switch between formats depending on my mood and energy levels. some days i write pages and pages, and other days i just jot down three bullet points before falling asleep. both are valid!!

✧ making your diary absolutely beautiful:

• invest in a diary that makes you excited to write in it!! (this is so important... if you don't love looking at it, you won't reach for it)

• create a "diary aesthetic" with special pens, stickers, washi tape, pressed flowers, etc.

• designate a special spot in your room as your "diary corner" with good lighting and cozy vibes

• develop little rituals around writing (i light a specific candle and make rose tea before i write. i also love putting on the soundtrack from legally blonde on or sometimes even harry potter music, weird right?)

• don't be afraid to make it messy!! perfect diaries are usually abandoned diaries

• use different colored pens for different moods or topics

• leave space for future reflections (i leave margins so i can add notes when i reread)

• include little artifacts from your life (movie tickets, dried flowers, polaroids)

✧ what to actually write about (for when you're staring at the blank page):

• write a letter to your future self or past self

• document the tiny beautiful moments that would otherwise be forgotten

• write about what you're learning right now (about yourself, about others, about the world)

• create lists (things i'm grateful for, things that made me laugh today, things i want to try)

• write about your dreams (both the sleeping kind and the aspiration kind)

• describe someone you love in detail

• write about what's worrying you and then write advice to yourself as if you were your own best friend

• document your current favorites (songs, foods, people, places, outfits)

• write about the version of yourself you're becoming

✧ how to keep it up long-term:

• lower the bar for what "counts" as a diary entry (sometimes mine are literally two sentences)

• connect it to an existing habit (i write right after i brush my teeth at night)

• don't try to catch up if you miss days (just start fresh where you are)

• give yourself permission to be boring, repetitive, and contradictory

• read old entries when you need motivation (it's so magical to see how far you've come)

• remember that you're writing for YOU, not for some imaginary reader

• create seasonal "check-in" dates where you review and reflect (i do this every equinox and solstice)

• experiment with different times of day to find when your thoughts flow most easily

• use voice memos when you don't feel like writing (you can transcribe them later)

✧ making your diary extra girly & coquette ✧

i know this was your main question, so here is a long list of a bunch of things i personally do to make my diaries cute and girly <3

• use pastel gel pens for different moods (pink for happy days, lavender for dreamy thoughts, baby blue for sad reflections)

• decorate your diary cover with pressed flowers, lace trim, or tiny pearl stickers

• create "pretty borders" around special entries with delicate doodles of flowers, hearts, or ribbons

• use strawberry or rose scented stickers as entry markers (scratch-n-sniff diaries are elite!!)

• add little bows or ribbons to mark important pages (i tie tiny satin ribbons to the corners)

• press flower petals between pages (roses and lavender dry beautifully and make your diary smell divine)

• use a soft pink book light for nighttime writing to keep the aesthetic consistent

• write in your prettiest handwriting for entries about things that made you happy

• add little watercolor washes as backgrounds for special memories

• use heart-dotted i's and swirly flourishes when you're feeling extra

• create "memory pockets" by gluing tiny envelopes to pages where you can tuck away small mementos

• draw tiny butterflies or hearts in the margins when something good happens

• use coquette-core stickers (bows, ballet slippers, swans, cherries) to categorize different types of entries

• spritz your favorite perfume very lightly on special pages (just a tiny bit so it doesn't damage the paper!)

• decorate with vintage-looking lace tape along the edges of important entries

• use a pink silk ribbon as a bookmark (i attached a tiny crystal charm to mine)

• draw little crowns above dates that were particularly magical

• create a "glossary of feelings" in the back with different symbols for different emotions

• use glitter gel pens for birthdays, achievements, and other celebrations

• write quotes from your favorite romantic movies or books in fancy lettering

• create little "note to self" sections with pink highlighter boxes around them

• use strawberry-scented erasable pens so your diary always smells sweet

• add tiny pearl or rhinestone stickers to mark especially precious memories

remember that "girly" means whatever feels feminine and special to YOU. there's no right or wrong way to express your femininity in your diary!! the most important thing is that it feels like a beautiful, safe space that you're excited to return to every day.

✧ the deeper magic of diary-keeping:

the most beautiful thing about keeping a diary is that it helps you become friends with yourself. you start to notice your own patterns, celebrate your tiny victories, and hold space for your struggles. you create this ongoing conversation with yourself that grows deeper and richer over time.

your diary becomes this sacred space where you can be fully, messily, contradictorily yourself. in a world that's constantly asking us to curate and filter our experiences, there's something revolutionary about documenting your life exactly as it is. beautiful, boring, confusing, and real.

xoxo, mindy 🤍

p.s. if you're worried about someone finding and reading your diary, i have a whole system for that too!! let me know if you want me to share it in another post!! 💭 thank you so much for this ask glam! <3

[celestetumbledryer]

“Well, since we're all gonna die, there's one more secret I feel I have to share with you”

I did not love “Batman: Wayne Family Adventures” What? i have mixed feelings about WFA. Ugh. How can you even say that, Celeste tumble dryer? i liked some parts. disliked some too. Celeste tumble dryer, it's so good. It's like the perfect webtoon. i- This is what everyone always says. Whenever they say, it's like, "Oh my..." Everyone always says- CRC Payne, Vadynea, I mean, Listen- You never see- STARBITE?! i know, i uh eh, FINE, fine artist, did not like the webtoon. Why is not? Did not- couldn't get into it. Explain yourself. What didn't you like about it? It insists upon itself, dear reader. What? It insists upon itself. What does that even mean? 'CAUSE IT HAS A VALID POINT TO MAKE, IT'S INSISTING! It takes forever gettin' in. They spend nearly six and a half hours, and then- You know, i can't even get through it, i can't even finish the webtoon. i've never even seen the ending. YOU'VE NEVER SEEN THE ENDING?! Well, how can you say you don't like it if you haven't even given it a chance? I agree with italicised text, it's not really fair. It's outrageous. i have tried on three separate occasions to get through it. And i- i get to the scene where this grown man who does not need a caretaker can’t cook for the death of him and this coffee addicted napper type guy… Yeah, It's a great scene- And they- I love that scene. It's NOT a great- It's been noted in every fan fiction. i have no idea what they're talking about. It's like they have a well done moment and then they’re falling into fandom tropes all over again- That's where i lose interest and i walk away. You know what, Celeste tumble dryer- They're speaking FANON! The language they're speaking is a language of subtly, something you don't understand. i love Batman: Under the Red Hood That is my answer to that statement. Exactly. Well, there you go. Whatever. I like that movie, too.

*meme template from Family Guy Season 4 Episode 27

this post is a very lighthearted joke. i made this post right after seeing a “i did not hate wfa” tiktok by someone i follow under this sound. does that make me a bad person? i actually don’t read fan fiction. No hard feelings go towards wfa fanatic mutuals of mine. you know who you are, i know who you are. Don’t worry, my next post compliments you!!!!! （＾Ｏ＾☆♪

With all the love in my heart,

Celeste Tumble Dryer ╰(*´︶`*)╯♡

[keikoyume]

Hello Kei! I wanted to ask a few questions to you about commissioning if you don't mind

So, I want to start doing comms too but I'm kinda scared of getting scammed. I know a few things that makes things easier like making a template sheet, stating things that you will and won't do, making sure to communicate with the client etc. But I have no idea about the payment part.

I want to do through Paypal too but I barelly use it and don't know about how it works. Do you have any tips or advice for me?

Thanks in advance :>

Hello Anon!

Some small 'tips' I could share:

About Paypal, you can ask for a payment to an email address if your client doesn't have an account.

And as a safe measure against potential scammers, I'm usually the one sending requests for payments to commissioners instead of giving my contact right away.

Also, another safe measure I can recommand when sharing your wips to a new client is to put a watermark over it for avoiding potential stealing.

And I ask for the payment when the sketch is validated by the client!

Hope I could help you at least a bit!

[wordbunch]

SFW Alphabet: Pippin

a/n: whichever big brain anon requested this was absolutely right to do so! he is BABEY and this blog is gradually turning into a Pippin stan account? ALSO I've changed up the template for the alphabet a little bit, so you will see some new categories, yayy <3 i hope you enjoy, please be so kind to reblog and i'm looking forward to any comments <3

A = AFFECTION (how affectionate are they and how do they show affection?) He is literally if affection was a person and he isn't particularly concerned with the notion of personal space. He will show you affection in any and every way possible – endless hugs, always being physically close, giving you little gifts, and most importantly making you laugh as much as he can on the daily basis.

B = BEST FRIEND (what would they be like as a best friend and how would the friendship start?) Very loyal, and of course chaotic and fun, always with some crazy ideas. There is never a dull moment, he likes to just randomly drop by and go on a little adventure with you. However, sometimes you need to be the person who balances out his craziness and energy, so that you don't end up getting into too much trouble.

C = CUDDLES (do they like to cuddle & how?) He absolutely LOVES to cuddle, and he would never stop if he didn't have to. There is no particular favorite cuddling position – they're all equally valid because he gets to hold and be held by his favorite person in the whole world. Some days he will wrap around you as much as possible, other days he wants to be the little spoon, it constantly varies.

D = DOMESTIC (do they want to settle down; how are they at cooking/cleaning?) Quite frankly, he didn't think about any of that before you – he is fairly young after all – but the second he fell in love with you (and you reciprocated it) he was like THIS is what I want for the rest of time!!! He can be a specifically organized mess, but he is very enthusiastic about helping you and learning how to do things around the house, it's really sweet.

E = ENCHANTED (what was their first opinion/feeling about you when you just met?) He was amazed and sort of fascinated by you. It wasn't love at first sight at all, it was just some kind of instant fascination and he knew he wanted to befriend you and get to know you immediately. Very soon, however, he would start feeling a bit too giddy if he ran into you somewhere, and mention you a bit too often to his friends.

F = FIANCE(E) (how do they feel about commitment; how quickly would they want to get married?) Once he is in love with you, he is all yours, with literally no interest in anyone else. Your relationship is basically best friends in love, so he doesn't feel limited in doing anything fun – you will probably just join in anyway. It would be pretty much the same if you got married, and it means having sleepovers with your best friend every single night! So he's totally on board with that, whenever you're up for it. Maybe really fast, actually. Impulse control who?

G = GENTLE (how gentle are they, physically and emotionally?) He is a BABY. Okay yes, he can be a little shit too, but first and foremost he is a baby. He takes too many things to heart and then overthinks them; and while he can admittedly be a little bit impulsive and rash in some decisions, he would never ever act harshly towards you in any way. He literally showers you with love constantly, it's just who he is.

H = HUGS (do they like hugs, how often, what are they like?) Loves loves loves hugs, and your hugs feel like the safest, warmest place in the world. Loves giving and receiving surprise hugs from behind, quick hugs in passing, long hugs to forget about any problems… Depending on the height difference, he'd be a big fan of giving you a side hug and then walking like that – holding hands is just too basic sometimes.

I = I LOVE YOU (how fast they say the L-word) Really quickly and maybe on accident, because he can talk a lot, and it wouldn't be the first time he spoke without thinking. When his own words reach his brain, his facial expression is absolutely priceless, all wide eyes and blushing cheeks.

J = JEALOUSY (how jealous do they get and how they act then) It's extremely rare that he gets jealous, he trusts you with his life and more. If he sees someone getting a little too friendly with you, his first thought would be something among the lines of 'oh nice, they're making new friends!' but if it goes on a little too long, he will feel a bit insecure rather than jealous, and go sulk in a corner somewhere until you find him; you thought it was worrisome how suddenly you couldn't hear him talking someone's ears of or singing on a table. Just go and find him and remind him that he is your favorite person and you would never ditch him for someone else, and the cheerful mood will return.

K = KISSES (what are their kisses like, where do they like to kiss you/be kissed?) Chaotic and cute and plenty! Like previously established, he is the biggest fan of physical affection, but sometimes he still hesitates a little bit when it comes to kissing you in public. Over time he gets more confident about it, and he will just dot a bunch of kisses all over your face until you're a giggling mess. If you kiss him on the forehead or the top of his head, he will melt into a puddle of love because it makes him feel like you're proud to have him.

L = LOVE LANGUAGE (what is their love language and how they show you love) I think his main two love languages, out of the five, would be physical affection and gift giving; but not any necessarily fancy gifts: more like a pretty flower he saw by the road and thought you would appreciate, or a silly little written poem. I know it's not among the five love languages, but MAKING YOU LAUGH is his absolute favorite thing to do, and you have more inside jokes than you can count.

M = MORNINGS (how are mornings spent with them) He loves to sleep in if he can, but once he's awake, he's awake, even if somehow he woke up at 5 am. You always wake up in a tangled mess of limbs and blankets, and in the mornings is when he is quietest, until you start making breakfast together and wake up half the neighborhood with singing, laughing, doing silly voices or accidentally dropping things.

N = NICKNAMES (do they like to use cute nicknames for you/you for them?) He will use every possible existent nickname, and he is partial to coming up with silly ones, just for you. He will most definitely blush if you give him one, it makes him feel super special.

O = OPEN (when would they start revealing things about themselves; everything at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?) He is talkative and trusting, so a lot of things might come out accidentally; and besides, he is quite easy to read anyway. However, when it comes to more emotional matters, or something serious that is bothering him, he might act a little more closed off. All you need to do is remind him once that you'll listen and try to help, no matter what it is, for him to tell you almost everything.

P = PATIENCE (how easily angered are they?) Literally never?? You've never met anyone so chill with the most 'it is what it is' attitude. The only exception is if someone else is in any way rude or threatening to you, then he won't hesitate to give them a piece of his mind.

Q = QUIZZES (how much would they remember about you – every little detail you mention in passing or do they kind of forget most things?) It's very arbitrary, sometimes he will remember something very small and almost insignificant, but forget something more important, or the other way round. He certainly doesn't remember everything, but that's not to say he doesn't try. And it's really okay if he needs you to remind him of something every now and then.

R = REMEMBER (favorite moment in your relationship) The first time when you two spent his birthday together – you actually threw him a surprise party with the biggest homemade cake, a bunch of little presents, and of course, fireworks! There was music and delicious food, and all his friends, and you – it was one of his favorite days of all time, and it spoke volumes on how you felt about him and the things that you'd do.

S = SECURITY (how protective are they; how they'd like to be protected and how they protect you) It's a mixed bag – he is often scared of something happening to you, but also he knows you're perfectly capable of defending yourself and he likes to watch you being all tough and independent. Maybe just for the sake of his confidence, sometimes let him step in and be a little protective, it's cute. If you stand up for him when he is being criticized, he will blush profusely, and give you a shy 'thanks', but he will keep thinking about it for a while.

T = TRY (how much effort do they put into dates, gifts, anniversaries, everyday stuff) He thinks you're too special and too wonderful not to be treated accordingly, and he will try to show you that through a bunch of little things. He loves to surprise you in small ways on at least a weekly basis, but for your birthday or anniversary or something „bigger“ like that, a huge bouquet of flowers is a must (seriously, it's so big that he barely carries it without stumbling), and he will try to make your favorite dessert for you too.

U = UGLY (some bad habits of theirs) Sometimes he unnecessarily doubts himself and even questions whether he is good enough for you, but luckily you can tell when he's overthinking those things almost immediately, and then you reassure him in more ways than one.

V = VACATION (how you spend lazy days and free time) The two of you always get up to something and it’s not that common that you’re just lying around, but in case you are, it’s most likely somewhere outside under the shade of a beautiful tree, catching some sun, talking each other’s ears off and sharing some delicious snacks!!!

W = WISH (something that they really want to do/experience with you?) He wants to do every single thing imaginable with you, because you make everything better and more enjoyable just by being there – the bucket list is endless!

X = XTRA (a random headcanon for them) He is organized but in a chaotic way: while his things might sometimes look like a mess, he always knows where everything is. And he really loves taking baths with obligatory singing.

Y = YUCK (what are some things they dislike generally or in a partner?) People who are mean and/or negative, because he is the exact opposite of those things, always tries to be nice to everyone and look for something positive in every situation.

Z = ZZZ (a sleep habit of theirs) For somebody that small, he takes up an astonishing amount of space in a bed – you have no idea how someone can be so sprawled, yet sleep without a care in the world.

-

taglist my beloved @starlady66 @queenmeriadoc @entishramblings @founder-of-imladris @silversword7000 @friendofthefellowshipsnerdblog @averys-placee @valkyriepirate @emmaarenstarr @noldorin-painter @asianbutnotjapanese @adamgetawaydriver @fenharel-enaste @ironmandeficiency @starryeyedrogue @dinofromspac3 @wisheduponastar @lady-of-imladris @frodo-cinnamonroll @unethicallypleistocene @deadlymistletoe @suncran @high-sea-husbands @asianbutnoteastasian @aidansloth @moth-makay

@bubbleyukismile @kitexvi @herstudios

[sk-lumen]

Self Love Ideas for Valentine’s Day

As beautiful as romantic love is (or dreaming about finding your soulmate, in case you haven’t already), the truth is the only person you’ll always have in your life no matter what… is yourself.

Everything begins from your own self. The love, respect and standards you cultivate for yourself are the reservoir that overspills into every other aspect of your life. That includes relationships.

So if you deny aspects of yourself, if you don’t honor your own needs and boundaries, if you say no to spoiling yourself any chance you get, chances are you’ll find it challenging to shower that love onto someone else. Or you might do it decently, but with grudging resentment — because you’re actually doing it so you receive those things in return, the way you’ve always wanted. And when (or if) you don’t, hell breaks loose. Sound familiar?

No relationship, not even friendships, can operate from a place of lack. Learn to fill your cup before you fill someone else’s. You can’t self-abandon and then get angry at others for not choosing you…they’re just treating you the same way you treat yourself!

Here are 8 ways to celebrate yourself & your divine feminine energy with self love ideas for Valentine’s Day… regardless of whether you’re single or in a relationship!

1. Take yourself out on a date

While this may not be for the faint of heart, once you’re brave enough to get out of your comfort zone, it can be quite rewarding.

Making a habit of taking yourself out on dates can fill that need for dressing up, looking polished, feeling appreciated, getting some special treatment. It doesn’t always have to be another person!

It can feel nice to put on your favorite dress with your make-up snatched and your hair looking fabulous, all while enjoying a fancy cup of tea or antreé. Add a book or a journal to the mix, and you’ve got yourself a lovely afternoon.

Don’t let the judgement and insecurity of other people hold you back from validating your own love language (gifts, quality time).

2. Spa Day

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to enjoy self love ideas for Valentine’s Day, plan a spa day at home.

Get your nailkit, all your skincare and haircare, and go crazy. Scrub, massage, and lotion every inch of your skin until you feel squeaky clean and like a goddess incarnate. Just don’t forget to have fun while at it! Put a cute headband or bonnet on, some catchy music to get you in a dancing mood, and make sure nobody will interrupt your me-time.

Here’s a couple of ideas to get started:

manicure

pedicure

coconut oil hair treatment

rosemary oil hair treatment

clay facemask

lip mask

3. Self love letter

If you’re more poetically inclined, a lovely ritual to strengthen your commitment to yourself is by writing a self love letter. Drop by the nearest craft shop, pick up a pink envelope and paper, and get into it.

Take your time writing a letter that you can always go back to and re-read, whether it’s in one month or ten years.

You can customize your self love letter, or if you want a ready-made template just use my lovingly written 📚 “Manifesto of Self Love” below. Print it out to keep with you always, to remember your promise to yourself!

4. Spoil yourself

One of the best self love ideas for Valentine’s Day is just doing something that brings you joy.

In today’s age we tend to underestimate the importance of spoiling yourself, especially as a woman. From a young age we’re taught to be of service to others, to nurture and heal and help others, and often forget to include ourselves in....

🌸 Read full article 🌸

[system-of-a-feather]

Possibly a hot take but once you get to the point of final fusion / functional multiplicity and you've been in it for a while and that becomes your normal, you REALLY begin to realize that they're really the exact same thing but with different perspectives and preferred language used

And like that means A LOT to some people and thats 1000% valid and the perspective and language can wildly change the experience and how individuals approach it themselves

And just to make it clear for those that tend to read the worst in posts, I'm NOT saying this to be like "oh all functional multiplicity is is really just final fusion and functional multiplicity doesn't exist" or "final fusion is really just functional multiplicity in denial" because that isn't what I'm saying. I am NOT saying one is the only real one and the other is just The Real One But Wrapped Differently.

What I am saying is that the difference of whether I am "at final fusion" or "at functional multiplicity" is a lot less of a wide gap of "two opposite recovery goals" and a lot more of a handwave at which connotation and set of implications on how we relate to ourselves seems more applicable to our identity at the moment.

The difference between them a lot less of a cavern and a lot more like sand in an hourglass and throughout the day I'll identify more with final fusion one hour and functional multiplicity the next and really NOTHING changed in my system. No one split or anything, I just perceived myself in a different angle.

Like at this point, from my perspective in late stage recovery of DID, I personally see it as extremely nonsensical and needless for me to try to say which one I'm at because they are literally just different sides of the same coin. If I'm holding a penny, I often just say I'm holding a penny and saying "I'm holding a penny with the head side up" is only really important when I'm flipping the coin or trying to describe it to someone with visual impairments. As long as there is no real purpose for me to specify, its all the same to me

And of course, I remember NOT being in late stage DID recovery and what not so I absolutely understand the importance and value of both labels and the distinction and I absolutely support them being discussed as separate things because I do think it serves as a good and simplified framework to help people understand the different ways recovery and healing can work for individuals with DID and start thinking about what recovery and healing might mean for them. They're both REALLY good templates and if one is adversive to someone, the other is probably less adversive. Either way, they're both very good starting points on building your idea of recovery.

That's all just to say whenever I see people talking about Final Fusion VS Functional Multiplicity, I just scratch my head as someone who is at both and has been at both for something approaching a year I think now.

Anyways if anyone wants to ask anything on either and/or both final fusion and functional multiplicity or just general late stage DID recovery, feel free to send an ask. I'd love to chat about it, I just am honestly so unbothered by having DID at this point that I am never really prompted or inspired to write about it much anymore.

[thecupcakewritesmorethings]

Small Theory: The girls don't look like Nami; they look like Makino.

I had an idea that I shared with my boyfriend. A common critique of OP's young female character's design is that they have a bad case of "Same Face Syndrome". More specifically; that they're all "Nami clones with different color palettes and different clothes". While I feel like this is a valid criticism (I can scarcely tell Shirahoshi and Rebecca apart, but I'm not there in the anime yet) from a design perspective- I got thinking about what it means from a story telling perspective.

One Piece is, arguably, Luffy's story to becoming the world's greatest pirate. Luffy is also widely believed to be an Asexual young man who is quick to trust and make friends just as often as he makes rivalries.

If we run with the idea that most of the women in One Piece are either DAZZLINGLY beautiful, or horrendously ugly- I think that does the world a disservice, and that's not what Oda wished to imply. I think, more specifically- that we are gazing at what these characters appear like to Luffy specifically, or how he perceives them.

I think, fundamentally, Luffy would see as Makino as his basic template for a beautiful woman, and works backwards from that. Like, he'd describe Nami as; "A lot like Makino when we first met, but she has red hair, whispy bangs and bright colorful clothing", and he'd describe Vivi as "Like Makino- but she has looong blue hair, and gray eyes that are kinda almond shaped!".

[kayla-marie-writes]

While I'm here. I love the idea of Sonya, Zoey, and Shayna together. Every female group doesn't need to be the same Mean Girls template. There are more than just Divas in the wrestling industry. Women aren't one archetype, and it's annoying when incels complain about women as if we only exist to please their standards of beauty. So y'all only love Shayna when she does Bloodsport? Y'all only liked when Sonya teamed with Mandy? I've seen the hate Zoey gets, and it's not even for a valid reason. She's solid in the ring. I hate the fucking faction name, though.

[innomaxstartup]

How to Start a Business from Scratch in 2025 – A Step-by-Step Guide for New Founders

Thinking about launching your own business but don’t know where to begin? You’re not alone. In 2025, starting a business from scratch is more accessible—and more competitive—than ever before. Here’s how to do it right.

🚀 Introduction: Why 2025 Is the Perfect Year to Start a Business

The rules of entrepreneurship are changing fast. Thanks to AI tools, digital platforms, and remote work, building a business from scratch has never been more possible—or more exciting.

But with opportunity comes complexity. The startup world in 2025 is competitive, fast-paced, and constantly evolving. If you’ve got an idea and the ambition to bring it to life, this guide will walk you through how to start a business from scratch—step by step.

Whether you’re launching a tech startup, a local service, or a creative venture, this practical roadmap will help you move from dream to launch with clarity and confidence. Importance of Startups for India’s Economy 

Startups play a pivotal role in shaping India’s economy by creating jobs, fostering innovation, and contributing significantly to GDP growth. As of 2022, startups accounted for about 2.64% of employment in the Indian market, highlighting their importance. The government of India has recognized this potential and launched various initiatives, such as the Startup India scheme, to support startup growth through funding, mentorship, and favorable policies. This ecosystem has propelled India into the ranks of top global leaders in innovation and entrepreneurship. 

 Step 1: Validate Your Business Idea

Don’t build before you validate.

Many new entrepreneurs fall in love with their idea before checking if people actually need it. In 2025, with customer attention at a premium, market validation is non-negotiable.

Here’s how to validate:

Talk to potential customers (online or offline).

Use tools like Google Trends, Reddit, and Quora to check demand.

Launch a quick landing page with tools like Carrd or Webflow and collect signups.

Offer a pre-sale or pilot to gauge interest.

If no one bites, pivot or refine.

Step 2: Do Market Research

Understand your customers, competitors, and trends.

Before spending time or money, study the landscape. What’s trending in your industry? Who else is offering similar products or services?

Use:

Google & YouTube for trend spotting.

SEMrush or Ubersuggest for keyword and competitor analysis.

Statista, CB Insights, or even Instagram/TikTok for emerging consumer behavior.

Find your edge. Your unique value proposition (UVP) is what will separate you from the noise in 2025.

 Step 3: Write a Simple Business Plan

This isn’t corporate homework—it’s your action blueprint.

In 2025, your business plan doesn’t have to be 40 pages long. Keep it lean, focused, and useful. Include:

What you’re selling

Who it’s for

How you’ll reach customers

Cost to build/operate

Revenue model (how you’ll make money)

Short-term and long-term goals

Tools like Notion, LivePlan, or Canva Business Plan templates can help make it painless.

 Step 4: Choose a Business Name & Register It

Your brand starts with a name.

Make it:

Easy to remember

Easy to spell

Relevant to your offering

Available online (domain + social handles)

Use tools like Namechk, GoDaddy, or NameMesh to check availability. Once chosen, register it in your country or state. In India, use the MCA (Ministry of Corporate Affairs) portal. In the US, check with your Secretary of State’s website.

Don’t forget to buy the domain and secure the social media handles.

 Step 5: Handle Legal & Financial Basics

Yes, it’s boring—but skipping it can cost you.

Choose a business structure (sole proprietorship, LLP, private limited, etc.)

Apply for licenses or permits based on your industry.

Open a business bank account.

Set up accounting tools like Zoho Books, QuickBooks, or even Excel if you're bootstrapping.

Separate personal and business finances from day one.

If unsure, talk to a startup consultant or accountant. Step 6 : Choose the Right Business Structure

In 2025, many new founders prefer flexible setups that protect their personal assets and allow easy growth. You can choose from:

Sole Proprietorship (easy, but less protection)

LLP/LLC (more legal protection, preferred for small businesses)

Private Limited Company (ideal for startups looking to raise funds)

Each country has its own rules, so check your local regulations or consult a business advisor.

Step 7 : Build Your Online Presence

If you’re not online, you’re invisible.

In 2025, your digital presence is as important as your product. Get started with:

A clean, responsive website (WordPress, Wix, or Webflow)

Active social media profiles (LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, depending on your audience)

A basic Google Business Profile if you’re local

Email marketing tools like Mailchimp or Beehiiv

Build credibility through consistency, not perfection.

 Step 8: Create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

Start simple, launch fast.

Whether it’s a physical product, digital service, or mobile app, launch with the minimum set of features needed to test real demand.

Your MVP might be:

A no-code app built with Glide or Bubble

A service offered through DMs and GPay

A prototype product made by hand

Speed is your friend. Launch. Learn. Improve.

Step 9: Start Marketing Early

If you build it, they won’t come—unless you market it.

Use cost-effective methods to start:

Organic social media content

Blogging and SEO (try ChatGPT to draft posts!)

Influencer partnerships or product seeding

Referral programs or giveaways

Cold outreach (emails, DMs, calls)

In 2025, community is currency—build yours early and nurture it.

 Step 10: Explore Funding Options (If Needed)

If your startup requires capital, explore:

Bootstrapping (your own savings)

Friends & family

Crowdfunding (Kickstarter, Ketto, etc.)

Angel investors or venture capital

Startup accelerators or incubators

Pro tip: Even if you’re not raising money yet, create a pitch deck. It clarifies your vision and makes you look investor-ready.

Benefits of Government Schemes for Startups1. Financial Support: 2. Tax Exemption 3. Simplified Compliance 4. Easier Public Procurement 5. IPR Support 6. Access to Funding 7. Incubation and Mentorship 8. Mentorship and Skill Development 9. Networking Opportunities 10.Promotion of Innovation

Conclusion: 2025 Is the Best Time to Build. So Start.

Starting a business from scratch isn’t about waiting for the “perfect” moment. It’s about taking the first small step, validating, building smart, and learning fast.

In 2025, you don’t need a million-dollar idea. You need clarity, a problem to solve, and the grit to keep going.

✅ Ready to launch your startup?

At Innomax Startup Advisory, we help first-time founders go from idea to impact with mentorship, incubation, funding support, and everything in between. Don’t do it alone—get expert help that actually moves you forward.

👉 Visit https://innomaxstartup.com/ to get started. Your business starts now Let’s build it—step by step.

[leopardmask-ao3]

what do you think of the new joe skins?

His Demise skin is so good. Really succeeded in capturing the intended effect of "this cloth puppet has been drowned in a river for a month" lol.

As for the Juppet in general, my answer is longer, but equally positive. Quinn asked him on stream once why he was a puppet at all and he had no definitive answer, which is great and valid. Sometimes you just wanna be something different for a while. I love the neck of the skin template being the big Muppet mouth, that's very clever. He always looks so out of place, but like in a positive way? It's very funny finding him in crowds or seeing him suddenly roll up from out of frame. And a headcanon I already had for Joe based on his End gateway mirror speech now has a solid (heh) continuation!

(the headcanon is that Joe's been gradually being consumed from the inside by End portalium for years. He has no idea when it started and only recently started to accept that this Could Be Him - that's about when the mirror speech would be. Originally my headcanon stopped there, with him just being... hollow and full of portal void whatever stuff. But it doesn't necessarily make sense for something like that to just stop consuming. And it DOES make sense for Joe to realize that fact and prepare for it. With Cleo's help crafting and practicing with it, of course. So, when something particularly physically taxing happened, maybe a respawn or a worldhop or just an injury that wouldn't have been an issue a few months prior, and the thin veneer of his visual humanity and physical form was destroyed... he had a place to go, and another body to occupy.)

[enbymeaning]

How to Talk About Being Non-Binary with Older Family Members (2025 Guide)

Read at https://www.enbymeaning.com/read/how-to-talk-about-being-nonbinary-to-family

Talking to older family members about being non-binary is hard, like really hard—and honestly, I’m still figuring it out.

No script magically makes someone understand. No single conversation wraps it all up neatly. For many of us, coming out isn’t a one-time moment; it’s a series of choices, conversations, tensions, silences, and sometimes even backtracking. It’s deeply personal. And it’s never simple.

When I first tried to explain my identity to my family, I was hopeful but terrified. I spent weeks overthinking my words. Rehearsing. Wondering if I was overreacting. Wondering if I’d be rejected. Some things landed. Some didn’t. Some still don’t.

This guide isn’t here to promise a perfect outcome, because there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Instead, it’s here to offer support. I want to help you prepare for whatever version of this moment feels right. I want to remind you that you’re not alone in navigating this conversation, even if it feels like no one else around you gets it.

Why It’s So Hard to Talk About Gender with Older Family Members

Let’s be honest: it can feel like we’re speaking different languages. And in a way, we are.

Intergenerational lingo is different. Throw in some queer culture and identity language, and even a Gen-Z cishet person might find it unfamiliar. The beauty of language is that it’s constantly evolving, and queer and trans people are often the ones shaping it. We name what was unnamed. We create ways to exist out loud.

But these conversations are shaped by more than just age or proximity to queerness. They’re influenced by culture, religion, migration, colonisation, language, trauma, ableism, racism, classism—layers and layers of identity and experience. For some of us, talking to family means navigating not just generational gaps but entirely different worldviews built from diaspora, survival, or silence.

Ideas like “non-binary” or “genderqueer” may not have existed in our families’ worlds, not publicly, at least. Their understanding of gender might be rooted in strict binaries, passed down through tradition, reinforced by faith, or never questioned. That doesn’t excuse ignorance or harm, but it helps explain why these conversations often carry so much weight.

You might be met with confusion, discomfort, or even resistance because your identity challenges a worldview they’ve never had to rethink. For some, your truth might feel like it unravels everything they’ve been taught about who people are supposed to be, and who they are supposed to be concerning you.

And still, this isn’t about them. It’s about you.


What you’re bringing into the conversation: Fear. Hope. Longing. Grief. Joy. Guilt. Maybe strength you didn’t know you had. Recognising that this challenge is shaped by history, identity, trauma, culture, and love, can help you set realistic expectations.

You’re not trying to win a debate.

You’re trying to be understood. And sometimes, that’s a slow process.

Preparing What You Want to Share (and What You Don’t Have To)

Before you say anything to your family, take a moment to check in with yourself:


“What do I actually want from this conversation?”


Not what you should want—but what feels right to you, here and now.

Maybe you just want them to start using your name or pronouns.


Maybe you want to clear the air before a big family event.


Maybe you’re tired of hiding.


Maybe you’re not ready to say much at all, and that’s completely valid, too.

Coming out isn’t a performance. There is no template. It’s an act of communication, and it’s okay if your version doesn’t look like anyone else’s. Especially if your family dynamics are shaped by things like language barriers, cultural taboos, religious pressure, or past trauma, you might need to take a different route.

Some Questions to Help You Get Clear:

What am I hoping they’ll understand or respect?

What would feel like a small win for me?

Are there words or phrases I want to avoid?

Do I feel safe having this conversation? If not, what are my options?

It’s okay to write out what you want to say ahead of time. Some people find it helpful to practice in the mirror or with a friend. Others write a letter or text and choose not to have the conversation face-to-face at all.

Your boundaries matter. You’re not obligated to educate anyone if it drains you. You don’t owe full explanations. And you’re allowed to say, “This is who I am, and I’m still figuring things out.”

Talking Points and Scripts You Can Use

There’s no one right way to come out or explain your gender. But sometimes having a starting point—a few words you can make your own—can help ease the pressure. These scripts aren’t about saying the perfect thing. They’re here to give you structure when your heart is racing or your brain goes blank.

Use What Feels True. Leave the Rest.

For Parents or Guardians

“I want to share something important about who I am. I’m non-binary. I don’t see myself fully as a man or a woman. I’ve spent time understanding this, and I feel more like myself now than I ever have.”

“I know this might be new to you, and I’m not expecting you to understand everything immediately. What I do hope for is respect. I’d appreciate it if you could use [name] and [they/them or other pronouns]. It means a lot to me.”

For Grandparents or Elders

“I know this might be hard to understand because gender wasn’t talked about the same way when you were growing up. But I want you to know that I’m still your grandchild, and I always will be. I just need to live my life in a way that feels true to who I am. That means using a different name and pronouns now.”

“You don’t have to fully ‘get it’. I just ask that you try to meet me with kindness.”

For Religious or Conservative Family

“I know your beliefs are important to you. My identity doesn’t take anything away from your faith; it’s just the truth of how I experience myself. I’m not trying to disrespect you or the way you were raised. I’m simply trying to live honestly, even if we see some things differently.”

For Cross-Cultural or Migrant Families

“This may not be something we had language for in our culture, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t exist. It just means we didn’t talk about it. I am still part of this family, part of this culture. I carry it with me. I just need you to see me as I am, and not just who I was expected to be.”

Optional: Setting a Boundary

“If this is hard to talk about right now, that’s okay. But please don’t dismiss it or make jokes; this is serious to me. We can come back to it later if you need time, but I ask that you still respect my name and pronouns in the meantime.”

Tip: Scripts aren’t a substitute for consent or safety. You get to choose who you share your identity with, how, and when, or if at all. And you can revise what you say as your language, understanding, or comfort level shifts.

If It Doesn’t Go Well: Protecting Your Peace

Sometimes, no matter how gently or clearly you speak, the response still hurts.

Maybe they interrupt.
 Maybe they go silent.
 Maybe they say something that makes your stomach turn. 
Maybe they say nothing at all.

It’s devastating to be vulnerable and not be met with love. Especially from family. Especially when you’ve already spent so long preparing, doubting, rewriting, and hoping.

If this happens to you, please know this: it’s not a reflection of your worth. Their reaction is about their own fear, confusion, or conditioning; not your truth. You deserve to be seen for who you are, even if they’re not ready (or willing) to do that yet.

What You Can Do in the Moment

Pause the conversation. You can say:
 “This is a lot right now. Let’s take a break and come back to it later.”


Affirm your boundary: 
“I’m open to questions, but I won’t tolerate disrespect or denial of who I am.”


Leave the room or end the call if you need to. Protecting yourself is necessary.

What You Can Do Afterward

Reach out to your chosen family, community, or support network. Let someone remind you that you’re not alone.

Feel your feelings. Anger, grief, numbness, relief, exhaustion—they’re all valid.

Reclaim your space. Do something that affirms your identity: put on a playlist, wear an outfit you love, re-read a note from a friend who gets it.

What Not to Do

Don’t blame yourself for their discomfort.

Don’t rush to over-explain or justify.

Don’t abandon your boundaries to keep the peace, especially if that “peace” comes at your expense.

Remember: Understanding can take time. Some relatives may come around months or years later. Others may never do the work. You don’t need to wait for their approval to be whole, to be proud, or to move forward.

You are not too much.
 You are not confusing.
 You are not alone.
 And you are not the problem.

You’re Not Alone — And You Deserve Respect

No matter how your family responds, you deserve to feel seen, supported, and safe. Coming out is hard enough. You shouldn’t have to do it alone.

If your relatives don’t understand or aren’t ready to try, you still have people who will. People who do. People who’ve had the same conversation, with the same lump in their throat. People who will use your name without question, who will hold you through the grief of it all, and who will celebrate every tiny win with you like it’s a revolution because it is.

Your community may not always be your blood. But it can be your truth, your lifeline, your home.

Where to Find Support

Online spaces like Reddit (r/NonBinary, r/asktransgender), Discord servers, or Tumblr can offer advice and solidarity in the moment.

LGBTQ+ support orgs (like The Trevor Project, RainbowYOUTH, Trans Lifeline, GALZ, etc.) can help if you’re in crisis or just need someone to talk to.

Queer group chats, DMs, and safe social spaces. Even just one friend who listens can make all the difference.

And if you don’t have those people yet? You’re not behind. Keep reaching. Keep trying. The right people will meet you where you are.

Want a Little Help?

We're creating a downloadable "Coming Out Glossary + Talking Points Pack" just for moments like this; something you can print, send, or use as a script when you don’t have the words.

Sign up to get it emailed directly when it launches. It’s free, and made with care by and for non-binary folks.