#anti-anxiety solutions

[siobhan-sutherland]

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[stardustedknuckles]

I think if I'd had access to anti anxiety medications as a high schooler a lot of things would've gone more smoothly for my life as I knew it. I don't mean medicating out of every painful experience, just like I was very clearly not holding it together well and it's a world of difference to be able as an adult to say "my hands are shaking and the situation is not getting better. Let's stop the spiral and take something to get me back to ground zero and try again in a little while."

[genderkoolaid]

a lot of the anti-porn shit i see from people is practically superstition. the vast majority of the time people aren't bringing up specific complaints made by sex workers– most of these people do not know or regularly talk to sex workers– it's just a vague idea of "well I've heard that the porn industry is really bad! sex trafficking and stuff!" (& they never bring up the treatment of male sex workers, because they get all their talking points from the White Slavery playbook). they never talk about the solutions that sex worker activist organizations have said they want to see implemented (they don't know that sex worker unions exist and have things to say on this topic, because then they can't center their feelings on porn under the guise of caring about sex workers). combine that with this magical thinking that somehow watching a recording of two people having sex will poison your brain and drive you to madness.

crazy idea folks but what if we actually left the discussion of the porn industry up to the people who actually work in it. it may be hard to believe but they actually are capable of expressing thoughts in writing & speaking! and YOU can learn from them instead of treating sex workers as a symbol to project your culturally christian anxieties onto!

[3cremepie3]

Hi!! I don’t know your boundaries for writing fics so please let me know and ignore my request!! But I wanted to know if I can request an idia smut fic with a bimbo typa gal reader!! If that makes any sense😞 she basically teases him so much it ends to them in the bedroom!!

Sweat Pea

Sypnopsis - Idia teaches (fem) Bimbo reader a lesson after she teases him at a picnic.

Warnings - bimboism, dryhumping, cursing, expeditionilism, slight degradation

A/n - Since I already made a similar fic i decided to change up your prompt a bit. Sorry this took so long I actually hate Bimbo readers (that's the reason I got on tumblr in the first place) but I tried my best.

You loved summertime. You could wear all the cute outfits you wanted and not get cold. Well, you could get bit alive by mosquitos but Idia not wanting to see your pretty body marked up by anyone but him had a solution for that. An anti-bug bracelet that repelled them. God you loved your boyfriend he was brilliant.

But some of the things he did had you stuck in a state of wonder. "Why did you wear a sweater it's like 90 out here," you questioned. "I don't like showing my skin," he admitted. "But I love your skin deathly pale is so in style," you insisted. You pulled him into a tight hug.

His hands stayed at his sides not knowing where to grab since you were practically exposed everywhere. "I get that it's a picnic but damn did you have to wear that," he asked. "Of course, you brought it for me Idia."

He was referring to a pair of overalls he brought you that happened to be booty shorts. "But those are for cosplay." Yeah and I'm cosplaying a farmer girl don't you like my fit?" You did a 360 spin for him making sure to show off your cowgirl boots. "Everyone else loved my outfit don't be a hater."

"They loved your tits and ass, not your outfit," he sighed. "You’re acting like you don't feel the same way," you smirked. By now the cookout line had finally allowed you to be first. You picked up a hotdog some baked beans and a Pepsi which was a perfect cookout meal in your eyes.

Idia stuck with his monster and a sandwich. You picked a place to eat underneath a faraway tree since you knew he already had anxiety about coming to a school event. Practically everyone was there even Malleus showed up. He laid out his hoodie as a picnic blanket for you both to sit on. "Wow such a gentlemen." He blushed a bit crossing his arms. You sat enjoying your food until you noticed his stares.

"What are you looking at Idia I can see you I'm not blind," you giggled. "Nothing." You could tell he was lying the tips of his hair were developing into a pink. "Your hairs turning whats the matter." You turned to face his eyes that refused to meet yours. He took a bite of his hotdog to distract himself.

You noticed a bit of ketchup that fell on his chin. So you licked it up in an instant climbing on top of him to do so. You didn't think anything of it but he must've. "Chat no way that just happened in front of the whole school." What's the problem with I'm on top of you all the time?"

Others around you on other picnic blankets heard you and snickered. "I just lost over a million aura points," he huffed. You climbed off of him watching as he quickly sat up. "No Idia don't leave I'm sorry." You grabbed his leg pulling him back closer to you. He stood looking down at your begging form.

You got on your knees ready to beg for his forgiveness but his dick took your fluttering eyelashes as a sign of something else. "Get up," he demanded. You were shocked at his sudden change of tone. "Huh?" I said get up."

And you got up grabbing his hoodie and leaving your shared picnic area. You followed behind him like a lost puppy tugging at his arm. The lanky thing was strong pulling away from your grasp. Looks like your picnic was getting cut short. You were sad to leave so early but happy to be greeted by Ignihyde's harsh Ac.

“There was only an hour left why didn’t we stay,” you sighed. “You were doing so good Idia around all those people!” Your sweaty body felt like it entered heaven as you collapsed on Idia's bed. “God you’re so dense,” he mumbled. “No im not,” you yelled.

“Yes, you are.” His hands swiped at your boots removing them completely. "Thanks for that they were so uncomfortable. “Take a guess why I wanted to leave?” Because you’re scared of being around a bunch of normies?”

His face fell into a straight one. “That’s a factor.” Hmm or maybe it’s because you weren’t hungry? Or maybe it’s because you were too hot. Or actually, it could be because you wanted to game early?”

“I wish that brain of yours would work properly sometimes,” he hissed. “If I was that naive then life would be a bliss for me.” He grabbed your face squishing your cheeks together. This forced you to look up at him.

This time you could see a clear view of his blushing face. It was a deep scarlet color and this time it clicked in your brain that it wasn’t just from the heat. “Ohhh! It’s like that!” You should’ve just told me my sweets.” Your hands wrapped behind his head pulling his body into yours.

“You know I would’ve taken care of you right there.” You kissed him on the forehead and he whined. “Of course, you would’ve whore,” he remarked. “It would’ve helped you get over your fear of people. It could’ve been like conclosure therapy.”

Idia laughed his pale face lighting up in delight. “It’s exposure therapy dumbass.” Whatever you know what I meant.” You stuck your tongue out at him since he was such a know it all. He chuckled before catching it with his.

You shared a quick kiss before he broke it off. You whined wanting it to continue. “You’re so stupid.” He said in between heartfelt kisses. “No, you’re just brilliant. Child prodigy head ass,” you yapped. “If you failed the first grade just say that,” he joked.

“Hey you know that’s a sensitive topic,” you pouted. “Sorry babe if I knew you then I would’ve helped you cheat.” I know you would’ve I’m so thankful for you!” You pulled him in for a tight hug and for a while, you stayed comfy his weight on top of you.

“Wanna show me how thankful you are?” You smiled up at him “And why should I?” Because I’m the reason you're passing now. Remember those pre-programmed glasses I made you? Cause I remember them pretty well.” His hands began to feel up sides trapping you.

“Ha fine I guess you deserve some credit.” Let’s switch,” you asked. Soon you were on top of him demanding kisses. His dick felt as though it could burst through his jeans being contained for so long.

But you showed no compassion dry humping him. He had on a thin pair of sweats that you could feel everything through. But your Jean shorts limited you so you slipped off the over alls and your shirt while you were at it.

No matter how many times you got undressed he was still as amazed as the first time. You really were all his. You confirmed that by grounding your clothed cunt down faster on him. “Feels good,” you moaned. Idia watched as you left more and more of a prominent stain on his pants. You weren’t the only one as the amount of pre he was leaking could lube you up for days.

“We could’ve done this at the picnic you know,” you hinted. “There was blankets and we were in a secluded place.” But if someone walked by,” Idia hesitated. “You probably would’ve came right then. You imagined that you were both still in the picnic location. You sat under an oak tree that would’ve hidden your bodies.

You could’ve had his fingers in your mouth keeping your lips from singing praises for others to hear. But your boyfriend was shy. “No I wouldn’t have,” he muttered. “Don’t think I don’t pay attention to you Idia. I may be stupid in school but when it comes to you…

“I know how much you like it when I wear slutty shit in public. I can always feel how warm you get when I’m close to you. I can see your eyes wander to my thighs. Like just say you want to bend me over there and I’ll spread right then and there,” you challenged.

He groaned hiding his face in his hands. “Fuck your such a slut.” He bit his lips trying to hide the sounds he was making. “It’s okay to admit my shamelessness attracts you I’m the same with you.” I know much you cream your pants to the thought of me.” Your clit rubbed against him so well that you held onto his shoulders for support.

You placed your forehead on his awaiting an answer from his eyes. His yellow ones met yours angrily. His hand slapped against your ass and didn’t wait for the recoil to stop before he hit it again and again. You yelped at the sting your pussy pooling through the material of your panties.

“I shouldn't have to keep putting you in your place.” His other hand dug into your side holding still in a bruising grip. “But you can just shut up.” He plopped you down on the bed. Now he was back on top pulling your panties to the side. His pants and cock we’re soon to follow. You watched the familiar sight and you clenched imagining him entering you.

But he didn’t instead he thrusted onto your bundle of nerves. You shook as he thrusted forward everywhere but your aching slit. “Stop teasing you know I want you.” Your hand attempted to line his cock up with you. But it was quickly grabbed and strapped up above you.

“Fuck I’m close guess your just gonna have to wait.” You looked up your eyes begging him to give you mercy. But he never did his cock just smeared your juices around as it missed it mark. You felt an orgasm silently approaching. But you knew Idia was already soon to blow his breath ragged and every word coming out his mouth being a cuss.

“Fine, you were waiting awhile to cum .” You gave in letting him use you until he stained your stomach with stringy cum. His fat cock lost its Harding but stayed near your cunt. He took a moment to catch his breath before cackling.

You looked up with tears in your eyes. “Why did I get with a villain,” you wondered. “I’m not the bad guy here,” he growled. “Miss fuck in public you don’t always get what you want sweet pea.” None of that mattered you were 100% gonna fuck him in public no matter how many years it took you.

[forsoobado137]

Nations and Medical Treatment

I feel like nations in Hetalia don't have good histories with hospitals. Due to their mysterious functions and inhuman nature, it's difficult to find solutions to their complex medical issues. I have a list of headcanons on how nations are treated medically. tw for medical malpractice.

In the modern day, nations are usually assigned an extensively trained physician. Multiple nations often see the same doctor.

Certain hospitals that are frequented by nations are often equipped with trained staff. Training videos are provided to every hospital.

Anaesthesia was historically administered rather poorly to nation people. They were either given too little, none at all, or way too much based on biases on how nations tolerate pain. The latest publicized incident occurred in 2014, when America underwent an appendectomy without any anaesthesia. This event and the following lawsuit resulted in a bill being passed making it illegal to deny anaesthetic to nations.

Nations often have physical medical conditions confused for symptoms of being a nation, and vice versa. As a result, a nation’s concerns may be blown off as untreatable, while others are overmedicated for something that is caused by domestic events.

Female nations are less likely to receive proper treatment than male nations. The reasons behind this are due to the lack of studying on female nations as well as misogyny.

It’s a common occurrence for nation medicine to not be government approved or tested properly. Very rarely are nation medications actually tested on nations. They are usually run through human trials and then magnified to meet perceived “nation levels”. The largest ever recall for nation medicine was in 2010, when a popular anti-depressant was causing paradoxical side effects.

It’s a common occurrence for hospitals to turn away nations due to the perceived difficulty of treating one.

Many medical textbooks used for training doctors often perpetuate misinformation about proper treatments and dosages, such as the myth that nations have extremely high pain tolerances compared to humans.

Some doctors have expressed contempt for nations requiring medical assistance, believing it to be a “waste of time” due to overestimating their regeneration abilities. Another common belief is that nations are “seeking attention” so they can mimic human experiences.

Due to negative experiences with doctors, many nations have developed hospital-related anxieties and phobias. They often refuse to seek medical attention until it’s life-threatening.

Psychological issues are rarely treated properly. It's common for bosses and government officials to hold off on what they think is unnecessary treatment. Though not all nation psychiatrists are bad, many are only really interested in the paycheck.

[cherryblossomchronicles]

I'm halfway through the show, Queen of Tears, and something that I've seen floating across is the anti Hyun Woo sentiment regarding how he treated Hae In initially and was just trying to do it all for the will.

Something to understand here is that in situations such as his, where he was emotionally empty and just a shell of himself who was just functioning, he didn't have the bandwidth to understand the gravity of situation that was Hae In's terminal illness.

In Hyun Woo's mind, he didn't have Hae In's support anywhere, be it against his in-Laws or in the company. She is silent against her family and hostile and argumentative in the company. He doesn't know what all she does for him on the sly or in backstage. He is not aware and Hae In never made the effort to change that situation.

All that pressure, anxiety, gear and emotional drain took its toll on Hyun Woo's emotional capacity. Stuck in a state of constant negativity, his initial reaction to Hae In's illness might be a form of self-preservation. He shuts down completely, unable to process the additional emotional burden of her mortality.

Something to remember is also the fact, that although he was thinking of it, the one thing that pushed him to draft the divorce papers were the talk of their child, whose entire identity and life was being decided by Hae In's family while she had no opinion on that and couldn't care less. This entire situation fueled the fire of resentment burning within Hyun Woo. Here was Hae In, seemingly indifferent to the future of their potential child, the very thing that initially distanced them. It felt like a repeat of their early struggles, where her family held all the cards and Hae In remained silent, leaving him to battle alone.

This perception, however flawed it might be, explains his impulsive decision to draft the divorce papers. Exhausted and emotionally hollowed out, he saw the child issue as the final straw, a symbol of their inability to stand together. He might have been grasping at a desperate solution, a way to force a change in their dynamic, a cry for her to finally fight for him and their future.

Of course, this doesn't paint Hyun Woo as a hero. His actions were undeniably hurtful, a clumsy and emotionally charged attempt to solve a complex situation. But by understanding the immense pressure he was under, the constant negativity seeping into his core, we can see a flicker of vulnerability beneath his anger. He craved Hae In's support, her voice alongside his in the face of adversity. Perhaps, the divorce papers were a twisted plea for her to finally break her silence, to acknowledge his pain and fight for their future together.

Here's where empathy becomes crucial. While his actions are undeniably hurtful, it's important to consider if they stem from malice or a desperate attempt to cope.

Think about it this way: Imagine a cup overflowing with negativity. Hyun Woo's daily struggles with his in-laws, the lack of support at work, and the constant emotional strain have already filled his cup to the brim. When Hae In's illness is revealed, it's simply too much for him to handle at that moment. He doesn't have the emotional space to understand the gravity of her situation, let alone offer support. in fact, it's easy for him to consider her death as an easy escape since his capacity for empathy or his love for her was essentially buried under all that negativity.

[probablyasocialecologist]

Some scholars and activists are calling for a decolonized state for all of those between the river and the sea.  However, this would necessitate that Zionists relinquish their ideology of ethnic supremacy. This is hardly a new or radical position, such an entity was suggested by the Arab states as a counter-proposal to the 1947 partition plan. Naturally, this was rejected by the Zionists. That we barely ever hear about the offers that the Yishuv/Israel rejected should be an indicator of the nature of mainstream discussions on Palestine and the silencing of Palestinian voices. The Palestinian Liberation Organization also called for establishing a secular, democratic unitary state for all its citizens. Naturally, none of these proposals included genocide, ethnic cleansing or mass murder. These anxieties are not unique to Jewish Israelis, settlers in many different colonies throughout history have echoed these same sentiments. If we were to take a look at the narrative surrounding anti-Apartheid South Africa activism and boycotts, we would find eerily similar projections and arguments. For example, In an article for the Globe and Mail under the title “The good side of white South Africa” Kenneth Walker argued that ending the Apartheid system and giving everyone an equal vote would be a “a recipe for slaughter in South Africa”. Others, such as Shingler, echoed similar claims, saying that anti-racist activists were actually not interested in ending Apartheid as a policy, but in South Africa as a society. Others came out to claim these activists were actually motivated by “anti-white racism”, fueled by “Black imperialism”. Political comics displayed a giant soviet bear, bearing down on South Africa declaring “We shall drive South Africa into the Sea!” Sound familiar?

[...]

Regardless of your ideological leanings, the reality is that we are already living under a de facto one-state reality. Israeli politicians proudly boast about never allowing a Palestinian state to materialize. Israeli school books already erase the green line. Israel already rules the lives of everyone there. Palestinians calling for the dissolution of this naked colonialism is legitimate and just.

[the-badger-mole]

In the debate between pro-aang-kill-ozai and anti-aang-kill-ozai. Which side are you on and why? If it's the anti then did you like how it was done or do you picture something else?

I think I've mentioned before, but I am not inherently against Aang not wanting to kill Ozai. Some of my favorite heroes have a no-kill policy. I don't even mind the lionturtle solution itself. What I didn't like was how it was handled. There was plenty of time to address Aang's reluctance to kill before the second to last episode. I can think of three points in particular where it would've been thematically appropriate and given Aang's bland, two-dimensional character some depth.

First, right after the siege at the Northern Tribe. Aang may not have technically been the one who killed all those Fire Nation soldiers, but it couldn't have happened without him. You would think that someone who is both committed to pacifism and also the one the entire world is relying on to end a war that people have been fighting and dying in for a century wouldn't just be able to shrug off what happened. Aang did, though. Didn't even cross his mind when he was whining about people expecting him to kill Ozai.

What should have happened was the next season should've opened with Aang grappling with what happened and his part in it. He should feel guilty about it, not because he was actually wrong, but because it should feel wrong to him. Then, Katara and Sokka should comfort him and tell him he did nothing wrong. Build it up that their word are comforting him a little, then drop the bomb when they start talking about how cool it was. How amazing it was to see all those soldiers running in fear for once. How relieved they are that so many of them died. Then have Aang snap on them about the sanctity of life. He needs to be angry and hurt, and this should be the point where he decries the powers of the Avatar. He'd call himself a monster, and maybe he would call Katara and Sokka monsters, too. Then they (probably mostly Sokka) would argue with him that they aren't monsters, they're just trying to survive, and the Fire Nation is a threat to be taken out. This would be the first time it's brought up that Katara, Sokka...the entire world expect Aang to kill Ozai. I think it would be perfect as a season 2 opener. Season 1 was light and goofy, and Zuko was their biggest immediate threat. The siege raised the stakes, and season 2 should continue on that rising. Aang should also have started looking for another solution here. In the library, Aang should've asked Wan Shi Tong if it was possible to end the war without more violence. We should've seen Aang coming to terms with the fact that the world is suffering and he is the one they are looking to to save them. One thing I think the Harry Potter movies in particular did well was that shift from goofy and whimsical to darker and more frightening (as far as kids movies go) as the story went on and the stakes got higher, and the danger felt more real to the characters. Aang never gets that realization. He has moments when the danger feels real, but he's goofy and whimsical for pretty much the entire series until the plot of an episode needs him not to be.

The second place they should have brought up his reluctance to kill was DoBS. This really should've been a no brainer. Aang was loosing sleep over facing Ozai. He had his anxiety about losing- though not really what losing would mean for his friends and the world- but he didn't even consider what winning would take. If DoBS had been successful, there's no way Ozai would've been able to be taken alive. Logistically, killing him would've been the easiest, safest option. You mean to tell me no one brought it up? No one asked Aang how he was planning to take Ozai out? No, instead we get Aang proving he knows what enthusiastic consent looks like and taking away his excuse for what happened later, but nothing about Aang weighing his personal beliefs against the needs of the world. That training montage and confrontation that he has with his friends in the second to last episode should've happened here. This should've been when his tendency to run away should've been challenged, too, because half a season before he was crying about how he abandoned the world again. Now his instinct would be to run, but his friends would challenge him, calling back to that moment. They could demand that he present an alternative to killing Ozai. I don't think any of them would object to him living to stand trial, but Ozai is a rabid dog, essentially. He needs to be put down. Aang's got nothing, but not for lack of trying. When he tells his friends about all his efforts to find a non-lethal way to defeat Ozai, they are unmoved. They are at the doors of the Fire Nation, and now is not the time to be indecisive. He has to go face Ozai. And he's probably relieved when the plan fails. This whole situation would have the added bonus of skipping that first Kataang kiss because no way would Aang want to kiss Katara after her insisting he terminate Ozai with extreme prejudice.

The third place Aang's no-kill policy should've come up is TSR when Zuko asks him what he's planning to do when he faces Ozai if he's so against killing. This should scare Aang, and it should be his focus for the rest of the season. He should be more withdrawn from his friends, because with all the training he's doing (and he would still be training on all the elements because he's not that good at any of them), talks about the most efficient way to kill would be unavoidable. Katara might actually try to teach him bloodbending. Toph would just tell him that a big rock is just as effective as some fancy bending move. Zuko would be warning him about his father's ruthlessness and cunning. This would be where Aang looses his patience with his friends and insists that he's a pacifist and Ozai doesn't deserve to die. This would piss Katara in particular off because by this point, Aang knows what happened to her mother. He would get an earful about how Ozai's plan is to do to the Earth Kingdom what his grandfather did to the Air Nomads and how he's going to let millions of people die because of his refusal to kill one. Now, Aang can take off, only instead of just running away from his friends because he doesn't want to hear them anymore, he could be making one desperate last ditch attempt to find a solution that both ends the war and keeps him from having to kill Ozai. EIP could still happen in this circumstance, but instead of getting mad that he's being played by a girl, he would focus more on how eager for his death the Fire Nation is. That would come up in the argument about killing Ozai.

Now, for the lionturtle. I'm about to blow some minds. I have been vocal about my hatred of the Lionturtle/Rock of Destiny desu-ex-double team, and I do still hate it with a passion. However, as a concept, I don't mind the lionturtle. This is a fantasy adventure. You expect a bit of magical intervention. What I wanted was Aang grappling with this problem for more than half an episode. I wanted him working on a solution the entire time, starting from right after the siege. I wanted to see him take initiative. To actually think about the problem. Maybe have him specifically looking for the lionturtle. Then when it shows it, it could be because it knew Aang was looking and decided he was worthy of a meeting. Aang could still have his meeting with his past lives, and that could still go the way it did. Then the lionturtle could speak up. Instead of poo-pooing the idea of killing Ozai, it could agree that it was the most effective way to make sure that the war would end. Then, when Aang is despairing that he'd wasted all that time trying to find a different solution, the lionturtle could offer the spirit bending. But it would have to come at a cost, and it might not work the way that Aang hoped. Now Aang has to make a choice. Sacrifice something for this spiritbending ability (I'm thinking he loses his airbending, because it seems poetic) that might not have the outcome he's hoping for, or give up his pacifism- one of his few connections to his heritage- and kill Ozai. He chooses the spiritbending. Instead of the conveniently placed rock, Aang would actually have to give up his attachment Katara. I think he would be half-way there, having finally realized how little he understood her. He "loved" her because she was pretty and took care of him, but he's come to realize there's a lot more facets to her that he hasn't gotten to see because they don't fit his narrow view of her. He also understands what Guru Pathik was trying to tell him about one person not being able to replace everything Aang has lost, and he realizes how unfair to her he had been. He still loves her, but as a friend and caretaker. This will actually lead to a deeper friendship between them. Aang defeats Ozai without killing him, but now he has to deal with the loss of his airbending, which only now does he realize was a much of a connection between him and his people as his beliefs. He still has spiritbending. He can still airbend in the Avatar State, but he's effectively cut off a limb to keep his integrity. He will go the rest of his life wondering if it was worth it, especially after Ozai goes to trial and is sentenced to execution anyway. The effects of that on his children could be explored in LoK.

TL;DR I don't have a problem with Aang not wanting to kill Ozai. I just wanted to see him deal with it before the last minute. I think the show would've been better for it, and Aang would've been a more interesting character.

[thejockout]

A Word On Dumbing Down

In some conversations with my bros @avissapiens and @master-villain the other day, I finally managed to put a specific idea into words that had been crystallising for a long time. Nothing earth-shattering or even transformative, because I'd been exploring this same understanding with different wording for quite a while now, but it felt significant to me and sparked me to make this post.

The realisation was simple: Dumbing Down is not something you can "Do" as a standalone action. It's perhaps more accurate to say Dumbing Down is itself the perspective shift and realisation that "Smart" is something you can choose to "Not Do."

Clunky wording, I know, but pretend it's smooth for me.

(And as a necessary fyi, this post assumes familiarity with Dumbing Down as a hypnotic concept, which is nowadays most often written and spoken about as a general simplification of thought and cognition versus turning you into some drooling doofus. Maybe the latter is your thing, maybe it isn't - either way, I'm talking here about the more "realistic"/AKA sustainable model where the word dumb is synonymous with "so laid back, you don't want to think or care if people perceive you as dumb because of it".)

Too many subjects (myself included) work at hypnotic personality and cognition changes with a straining effort, in an energetically desperate approach. This is understandable - we tend to push hard for things we really want - and anyone can fall victim to it. It's very similar contextually to the trap many anxiety sufferers fall into when they begin therapy. In an earnest attempt to recover, many sufferers approach recovery with the exact same mindset they do life; that of a "fixer", a "do-er", someone who problem-solves and overthinks themselves into knots and runs loops around the same well-worn mental tracks over and over again to the point of exhaustion.

Don't worry, I'm not here to give some big-brain solution to mental health issues. I suffer myself and am on my own journey of recovery, so I'm in no place to play armchair psychologist. But I will speak about this topic as it relates to hypnosis and dumbing down because the overlap of people who are into Dumbing Down/IQ Reduction/Simplification/Bimbofication/Himbofication hypnosis and who suffer with anxiety (and overthinking) is quite high, so chances are that many who struggle with Dumbing Down suggestions are making the same mistakes. Please see my peer-reviewed Paint Diagram below which provides unequivocal, non-anecdotal proof of this.

IMO, there's nothing wrong with this overlap. Kink is an outlet for many people to deal with emotional issues, and often a very helpful coping mechanism. Dumbing Down is no different conceptually. But I'm talking about this because, just like approaching anti-anxiety work with an anxious energy and effort is doomed to failure, the exact same is true for Dumbing Down. Approaching it with an Intellectualist mindset OR in other words, the anxious energy of a fix-er and do-er and try-er is antithetical to the very state you wish to experience.

Does that make sense?

Successful Dumbing Down (beyond the very enjoyable, shorter-term effects of deep trance which feel like intoxication) is effectively the act of stepping back from mental action/the habit of overthinking. To give another clumsy metaphor, if your default mind works like a toy train constantly running around its track, sometimes gaining speed and sometimes slowing down... Dumbing Down comes from realising "hey, I can actually plug this thing out." No, it's not as simple as turning off an appliance, and it takes time for everyone. Overthought (in all its forms, whether anxious or just from over-intellectualising your life) is effectively a habit, and habits take time to make or break.

Therefore, Perspective Shift #1 that you need to make: recognise that thinking patterns and their frequency are ultimately behavioural and habitual, and can therefore be rewired and lessened with time and specific action. It's not an immediate thing - but it is possible, and this is effectively what dumbing in hypnosis is about.

That perspective raises some questions, I know. But I don't want to write about the answers just yet. Reread and consider that last paragraph a few times to make sure you've really processed it. Think about the questions it leaves you with, and come up with a few answers of your own if you can. You can post your thoughts in the comments or reblogs of this post, as I will be taking the time to read through them, and I'll continue this topic in future as I think more on it myself.

Later.

[siobhan-sutherland]

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[wriheart]

Cerise Hood (And the True Ending of the Big Bad Wolf)

This post might be one of my favorites because I love the mysterious vibes that Cerise has always given off and I wanted to do my own spin on her backstory.

To add some additional depth and details to the original story of Red Riding Hood, I have decided that Red and her mother come from a long line of herbalists. They provide the village with much-needed medicine for small ailments such as the common cold, to larger issues like painkillers or treatments for poisons. So when Little Red is traveling to help her sick grandma, she’s taking more than just food. I just thought this would be an interesting addition to give Red something more than just a girl going through the woods. While this is still the case, this new role gives her extra responsibilities and raises the stakes.

Now, in order to tell Cerise’s story, I need to take a step back in time to when her mother, Red Hood, was attending Ever After High.

Red Hood is the kind of person who was raised to prioritize others' health and happiness over her own. It was never intentional, but as the village's herbalists, creating and distributing medicine to the village, it's inevitable that Red and her mother wouldn't have time for themselves. Red was always helping her mother around the home and tending to the herb garden, and it wasn't until she got to EAH that she finally had a moment to breathe.

Well, sort of. Old habits die hard, and Red often found herself helping out in the nurse's office or as the person students went to when conflict arose. When she did have time to herself, she would feel anxious, as not having anything to do made her feel useless.

This anxiety only began to grow as she learned more about her destiny. She had known since a kid that the wolf would die. After all, her entire village had always told her how worried they were that she would be in his stomach, even if it was only for a few moments. But now, the thought of the wolf dying, even if it was determined by fate many, many years ago, sent her stomach into a fit. What had started as small stomach aches were now a daily pain that she struggled to ignore.

She hardly knew the boy. Sure, he was easy enough to pick out in a crowd, and they had met once or twice when attending destiny counseling, but that shouldn't have been enough to explain her growing sickness.

It was this feeling that brought her to the Evil Queen that fateful day.

(If you remember from my post about Raven and magic, the Evil Queen is an anti-hero/gray character. She has her moments of good and bad, but even when acting with good intent, the consequences of her actions tend to hurt those around her.)

Being The Evil Queen's roommate meant that Red saw this good and bad, and figured there was a chance she could have the solution for Red's plight. She asked the Queen if there was a way to cheat death: she thought that if there was a way for the wolf to survive, then the immense feeling of guilt tearing her apart might disappear.

Luckily enough, the queen had an easy solution: a potion that, when taken right before one’s death, would allow them to survive anything. She warned Red that the potion would come with a steep price, but when Red pressed her for details, the queen admitted that you won’t know the cost until you’ve already paid.

For many days, Red held onto this potion, unsure if the price would be worth it. However, she realized that it wasn’t up to her: Wolf had the right to decide whether or not he would pay the price or accept his destiny.

When she asked Wolf if he would meet her in the gardens that night, he had no idea what to expect. The girl who he was to attempt to kill was asking him to meet her alone at night. He had no idea what she was trying to do, but against his better judgment, he met her that night.

When she offered him the potion, he felt insulted. She was only giving him the potion because she thought it would ease her own guilt. Besides, she must have thought he was desperate, stupid, or both, as there was no way he was going to mess around with dark magic, and he told her as much. However, when it looked like she might cry, he relented and took the potion. He told her he would think about it.

From there, the two of them saw much more of each other. Whereas before, they had simply made eye contact in the hallway, they now made sure to say hello. Their eyes always seemed to pick out each other in a crowd. Their meetings in the garden became frequent and their friendship grew.

They both knew it was a bad idea to get so close. He was destined to die in less than a year. But the kiss they shared the night of their legacy day sealed their misfortune.

When their destiny began, he took the potion. The huntsman cut him open, leaving him for dead. But when Red came back to her grandma’s home a few hours later, she found her friend safe and sound.

From there, they kept wolf’s survival a secret. While during the day Red continued to help her mother with her shop, she would spend her nights in her new home with her secret husband. They lived a blissful life for many years, forgetting entirely about the cost of the potion.

About a year before the tree was set to bloom, Red realized she was pregnant. The two panicked for a bit before deciding they would simply raise their daughters together, teaching them to love and care for each other as well as keep their sisterhood a secret. They named their daughter Cerise, and their daughter from the tree Crimson.

As Red and Wolf raised the girls, they started to notice the effects of the dark magic. As a price for cheating death, Wolf was slowly losing all feelings. Happiness, sadness, anger: all emotions slowly became more and more unknown to him as he grew into a emotionless shell of his former self. As Cerise and Crimson grew up they slowly lost their father. It got to a point where he would simply sit by the fire, alive, but not living.

Before she lost her father, Cerise was a very happy and outgoing child. She loved spending time with her family and sister, and would constantly be talking or singing or playing in the woods. It saddened Red that she had to hide her daughter from the world, as she knew Cerise would thrive around people.

Since their home was well into the woods, Red allowed Cerise to occasionally go off and play by herself. She wasn’t worried much about Cerise’s safety as much as Crimson, after all, Cerise had inherited some of her father’s wolf traits. All that she asked of her daughter was that she keep her hood up while out in the woods. If she were to run into someone, they couldn’t know what she was.

It’s when she’s in the woods as a child that she meets Ramona. As the next big bad wolf, she’s being raised by a nobel family and is allowed limited time alone in the woods to work off excess energy. The two become fast friends as they don’t know who the other girl is. The girls are friends for years before Ramona’s family decide to move estates.

When Cerise eventually reveals to her mother that she met a girl named Ramona in the woods, Red is honest and tells Cerise that Ramona is the next big bad wolf.

Cerise has a strong sense of loyalty and protection towards her sister and Ramona. She wants to keep both of her sisters safe without having to turn to dark magic like her parents did. So, in order to find a way to save her sisters, she applies for Ever After High and is able to attend the school as the next hunter in Little Red Riding Hood’s tale.

When enrolled in Ever After High, she is less outgoing and bubbly than she was as a kid. She keeps to herself and is very cautious. After all, she and her sister are trying to break their destinies. Along with her hood, Cerise wears a magical headband with illusion magic to hide her ears.

When she finds out Raven Queen is trying to break her own destiny, she reluctantly becomes friends with her, eventually revealing the crucial information that the wolf is still alive, yet nobody disappeared.

————

All EAH AU Posts

[yurious-george]

A Brief Anti-Psych Perspective on Sleepless Domain

Kokoro, have you considered your depression (dead mom, strained relationship with dad, being a magical girl who has to risk her life every night) is making you depressed, and that your depression is a reasonable response and not a flaw in your character to be fixed?

Obviously, I'm not pro-suffering, or even anti-treatment. But let's be real: this "house of cards" as stressa described it is not separate from the psychiatric system. Psychiatric medicine - even overlooking the flaws in the "chemical imbalance" theory - is frequently used as a tool to cover up problems: You know, problems exactly like this.

The point of her medication is not to make her well, no matter how much everyone involved believes it. The point, within this system, is to make her a better soldier - to cover up her fears, anxieties, and upsets enough to make her functional again. Therapy and psychiatry is beneficial to both oppressor and oppressed without addressing the systemic causes of trauma - if a child is having a trauma response to being tortured, the solution is not to address their response, it is to remove the torturer. And yet, that is the exact solution therapy offers.

To her credit, Kokoro gets an inkling of getting it in later chapters - but the concept of psychiatry as somehow being removed from the system that sends girls to fight is a prevailing one throughout the comic. But, to anyone paying attention, these are the same system. These characters have such anxiety around being functioning members of society, it distracts them from saying "fuck society" - and, medicine and therapy confirms their prioritizations, rather than truly assuring them of their worth.

There can be no healing within the capitalist system. You can feel better, but self-hatred is a tool used to keep the oppressed in line. This story is not as complex as it appears: There needs to be an end to the monsters. Everything else is a distraction.

[genderkoolaid]

How do you respond to people who try to argue against various gender affirming surgeries with anorexic people wanting liposuction? I tried to point out that theres a lot of gender affirming surgeries for cis people who dont feel feminine/masculine enough, but my sister said that those people need therapy too. I feel that there's a difference between trans people and anorexic people but idk how to put it into words, im scared i accidentally made her more transphobic bc i didnt have arguments :(

Good question! It's important to question and critique our ideas of what separates "good, natural desires which should not be changed" from "bad, unnatural desires which should be changed," and I think sometimes trans people are too quick to reaffirm this binary in our attempts to defend transness.

I would say that the difference here is based in anxieties. Anorexia is born out of anxiety- which is to say, a persist concern over something that triggers strong emotional reactions and which you keep returning to over and over and over without resolution. Dysphoria can and does cause anxiety, but you can be dysphoric without having anxiety over it. You can have dysphoria, find relief, and be satisfied with your body, while there is never any satisfaction point with eating disorders. There is always a feeling of "not enough" because the desire to be skinnier is born out of anxiety over what it means to be fat & fatness' place in society (lesser value, moral weakness, medical abuse, etc.).

Like I said, dysphoria can and does cause anxiety. There are trans people who obsess over their bodies being too masculine/feminine because they are concerned with what it means for them to be too masculine/feminine: it means they aren't real, they are ugly, they're failure. And this is why its important for trans people to sit with our dysphoria and analyze it. If you are constantly worrying about your body being "real" enough, no amount of surgery or HRT will fix that (although it may fix many things).

Now, I am generally against any solution thats like "we should stop Those People from doing x because We know whats best for them!" because autonomy is a vital part of my beliefs, and I think that people rarely ever react well to being banned from doing something Because Mother Knows Best. The real goal with, say, EDs, is to get rid of the artificial desire for thinness by combating fatphobia (ah, if only all the anti-ED campaigns out there did this). The same with plastic surgery: I would much rather we focus on dismantling the system that makes people (esp. perceived women) feel they need to make their bodies fulfill the beauty standard, than saying that plastic surgery is Evil and we should stop anyone from ever getting it, because those little people aren't capable of using their basic right to bodily autonomy correctly. When we ban something, what we really want is to change people's desires. But that requires cultural change, and laws don't create cultural change out of thin air. Its like how yelling at your kids doesn't make them more honest or better people, it just makes them better liars.

Given that trans people exist in every society, potentially going back to the Stone Age, even after we unwork systemic misogyny & homophobia, trans people are still gonna want surgeries. So we should just work on combating those things instead of trying to control people's bodies.

[nourishandthrive]

Natural Remedies for Common Ailments

Turning to natural remedies for common ailments can provide relief without relying heavily on medications. Here are some effective and easily accessible natural remedies for everyday health issues.

Headaches

Peppermint Oil: Apply a few drops of diluted peppermint oil to your temples and massage gently. The menthol in peppermint can help relax muscles and alleviate headache pain.

Ginger Tea: Brew fresh ginger slices in hot water and drink. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce headache severity.

Cold and Flu

Honey and Lemon: Mix a tablespoon of honey with the juice of half a lemon in warm water. This soothing drink can help relieve sore throat and boost your immune system.

Elderberry Syrup: Take elderberry syrup to reduce the duration and severity of cold and flu symptoms. Elderberries are rich in antioxidants and vitamins that support immune health.

Digestive Issues

Peppermint Tea: Drink peppermint tea to relieve symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and gas. Peppermint helps relax the digestive tract muscles.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink before meals to aid digestion and reduce heartburn.

Insomnia

Chamomile Tea: Drink a cup of chamomile tea before bedtime. Chamomile has mild sedative properties that can help promote sleep.

Lavender Essential Oil: Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to your pillow or diffuse it in your bedroom to create a calming atmosphere conducive to sleep.

Skin Irritations

Aloe Vera Gel: Apply fresh aloe vera gel to soothe and heal minor burns, sunburns, and skin irritations. Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and cooling properties.

Oatmeal Bath: Add colloidal oatmeal to a warm bath to relieve itching and irritation from conditions like eczema or rashes.

Muscle Pain

Epsom Salt Bath: Soak in a warm bath with Epsom salts. The magnesium in Epsom salts can help relax muscles and reduce pain.

Arnica Gel: Apply arnica gel topically to sore muscles. Arnica has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce muscle soreness and bruising.

Nausea

Ginger: Chew on a small piece of fresh ginger or drink ginger tea. Ginger is known for its anti-nausea properties.

Peppermint: Inhale peppermint oil or sip peppermint tea to help alleviate nausea symptoms.

Allergies

Local Honey: Consume a teaspoon of local honey daily to help build immunity against local pollen and reduce allergy symptoms over time.

Neti Pot: Use a neti pot with a saline solution to rinse nasal passages and reduce congestion caused by allergies.

Cough

Thyme Tea: Brew thyme leaves in hot water and drink. Thyme has antimicrobial and expectorant properties that can help soothe a cough.

Marshmallow Root: Drink marshmallow root tea to coat the throat and relieve irritation from coughing.

Stress and Anxiety

Ashwagandha: Take ashwagandha supplements to help reduce stress and anxiety. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that supports the body's stress response.

Passionflower: Drink passionflower tea or take supplements to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety levels.

Tips for Using Natural Remedies

Consult a Professional: Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new remedy, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.

Quality Matters: Use high-quality, organic products to ensure the best results and avoid harmful additives.

Monitor Reactions: Pay attention to how your body responds to natural remedies and discontinue use if you experience any adverse reactions.

Combine with Healthy Lifestyle: Enhance the effectiveness of natural remedies by maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep.

By incorporating these natural remedies into your routine, you can address common ailments effectively and support your overall health and well-being.

Share your favorite natural remedies in the comments below! Let’s exchange tips and support each other in our journey towards a healthier, more natural lifestyle.

[klonnieshippersclub]

Where You Belong (Runaway Hope AU) Pt.2

In celebration of reaching 100 followers, here’s part 2 of the Runaway Hope AU (Where You Belong) from @cancerian-woman and @mythorhuman . Thanks so much for this special gift! More Klonnie works to come with Klonnie Weekend from Dec. 29 to Jan. 1. Please see Part One Here.

To Bonnie’s surprise, she chickened out. Bonnie knew that she was not a coward, but she couldn’t bring herself to dial the old number she had for Klaus. She did NOT want to hear the laughter in his hypnotically smooth voice. It was seductive, and she did NOT need to be distracted as he inevitably taunted her for accidentally kidnapping his child. 

Maybe it was her social anxiety kicking in. It was easier to pretend to be more extroverted in her life before vampires. She was a former cheerleader, so being in crowds didn’t scare her. However, constantly being in danger did kill her social skills. Who even talks on the phone anymore? A text will do.

  That man was ridiculous and had Bonnie aching to pull her hair out. Oh, how he knew the best ways to push all her buttons. She didn’t even send him her address but knew Klaus would find her. Her fingers fidgeted with nerves. It had been some time since she last faced an Original. Since then, she’s kicked the devil’s ass and stomped out hellfire. It wasn’t his physical strength that scared her. Bonnie was more concerned about the impact seeing Klaus would have on Hope.

Bonnie truly adored the youngest Mikaelson in the family, and she hoped that Klaus knew she would never harm a child. She was fully aware of his paranoia regarding threats to his family. The girl hadn’t seen her family in some time. Was Klaus showing up just to abandon her for the best? Bonnie didn’t think so.

She knew Hope would be excited to see her father. The disappointment from the child and parent parting again would crush Hope’s soul. All she could do was spend the rest of the day distracting Hope. When Bonnie first told Hope she would contact her father, the girl looked slightly distressed as she anticipated a lecture from her dad. Aware of their shared love for art, Bonnie planned to drag Hope to a museum before dinner, and then they could practice a little ballet before bed.

Hours in the early morning, Bonnie heard repeated knocks on her door. It was dawn, and some stranger seemed determined to get her attention. The Bennett witch hopped out of bed in her lilac satin nightgown with lace trim and reached for the matching robe. She rushed to the door with determination to end the knocking before Hope awakened. Bonnie pulled open the door to discover that it was NOT a stranger.

“What the hell, Klaus?” Bonnie asked with a dramatic eye roll. She was holding back the urge to slam the door in his face.

Klaus eyed her in the short nightgown before answering. “Hello, my little witch. My, have you grown, and yet it almost looks like you’ve barely aged.”

Bonnie wrapped the robe she was carrying around herself. She hated that she didn’t hate his stare and the way his eyes admired her body. “Dying over and over again is the best anti-aging solution out there. That and magic.”

“On to important things, where is my daughter?” Klaus shifted from playful to stern as he looked behind Bonnie. There was a coldness in his glare as he barged into Bonnie’s living room with the intent of finding his daughter.

“She is upstairs in my guest bedroom. Hope has my ancestor’s talisman around her neck that should protect her from the Hollow long enough for you to bring her back to school.”

The hybrid sighed in disbelief at the ludicrous nature of this situation. His child had run from the Salvatore Boarding School, and the only teacher to contact him about Hope being gone was across the ocean. “That school clearly isn’t capable of watching her. You know, Hope has written to me about you and your impact on her life.” There had to be another boarding school more qualified to care for Hope.

“Oh yeah? Did you write back?” With an arched brow, Bonnie couldn’t help but voice how unimpressed she was by Klaus’ lack of communication with Hope.

Didn’t the Bennett witch know all about doing things for the betterment of others? Not speaking with Hope hurt him as much as it pained his daughter. “Limited contact was for the best.”

“Hope needs her parents. She needs her family and not to be sent to a boarding school where she feels like an outcast.”

“Thank you for caring for my daughter, Ms. Bennett, but you are not her parent.”

“Maybe I should be,” Bonnie challenged with her hands on her hips. Both Klaus and Bonnie turned at the sound of little feet scampering towards them.

“Daddy!” the redhead child appeared at the top of the stairs. She rushed down each step and launched herself into her father’s arms. Finally, everything felt right to Hope. She had her two favorite people in the world with her. It felt like home. A part of Hope longed for the three of them to be a family.

Thank you to @mythorhuman and @cancerian-woman again for this beautiful AU! I can’t wait to see more works from the Klonnie fans out there.

-Rikki

[thefearandwonder]

Truth

An old friend of mine has retreated into social isolation, which I could have taken personally. But we've been through a lot together in our lives and I refuse to take anything he does personally. Have to give grace if you want to get it.

He said he wants to get away from the self so influenced by other people and find his center. I think that's a great idea. I'd like to do it myself, but it's a scary thought; even when I'm alone, I'm not truly alone. I reach out to people, I meet new people in virtual spaces, I write stories with others, and always look for social stimulation.

How much of me is 'me'? But, is 'me' something worth defining?

Because for a long time, I've seen myself as a hollow shell battered around by the world, filled up with its energies, emptied, charged up, wrung out, and again and again. I don't like to see myself, because myself is a dragon, a towering egomaniac, a striving and suffering lunatic who hurts herself with the intensity of her ambitions.

The only thing chasing ambition has ever gotten me is pain; I slam into walls and doors, and the faster I'm running, the harder the impact. The smarter I'm being, the further into trouble I get.

My forays into the jungle of American civilization are never productive. They start out hopeful, then end in mutual misery.

You know, I was driving through San Francisco at night last week. I saw billboards advertising not just AI, but digital solutions for AI-generated-image-detection services. Anti-AI. In a sea of lights and concrete, I saw a targeted advertisement as I sat in rush-hour traffic, telling me that I could literally 'find truth' with a product.

And earlier that day, I'd been walking through Yosemite, where the ravens flew by the dozens like bands of kings, with their hooked beaks and proud eyes, their manes of spiky feathers on their chest -- they looked at me and I looked at them. We saw each other, and there was truth there.

And the people who call themselves 'realists' will tell me of the meaninglessness of that experience, that the creature is somehow beneath me, and my deranged mind is deriving meaning from nothing.

Or, if my interpretation of the raven's symbol pleases their vanity, they will feed me scraps and lift me up like a treasured Bug a la some Jack London-esque short story and make me their favorite poet-propagandist. I'll be their truth maker.

And I woke up this morning with the insulin catheter in my abdomen ripped free, something that's never happened before. It was 4 AM. I replaced it without making too much noise and went to write a poem about wanting to sleep that made me cry -- a poem I wish I could share here, but it's going into a collection I intend to publish and therefore in order to sell the rights to print it exclusively it cannot appear in other media.

Well, after writing that poem, and crying, I went back to bed and held my wife. We slept in each other's arms and that's the truth.

Then we were woken up by a call from an unemployment benefits adjudicator who asked very pointed questions about why I left my previous job, opened up old wounds around confusion, anxiety, discrimination, being targeted by malicious parents, and feeling unprotected by admin or HR.

I told my story (again). I told the truth. They, who agreed not to 'contest' unemployment benefits (I suppose that means not filing an appeal for the approval decision) will also tell their truth. But they did not tell me the whole truth when I made the agreement to resign in grace rather than work somewhere I was made to feel so unwelcome. They kept many truths to themselves.

So what is the truth. The truth is that more and more I feel like a gasping animal caught in a net of buzzing light that Just

Won't

Stop

My truth, the thing I know inside me so true and deep, is that when I die, I will hear the sound of wind in trees. It will get louder and louder, until it overtakes me. It will transport me. It is the holiest sound I know. It sounds like the sea. It sounds like the hushings of a loving Universe.

It sounds like the Moon waking me with her light, to kiss me on the brow, and guide me back to sleep, to let me know I am safe and small. Truth.