#coping tools

[system-of-a-feather]

Do you have any good ideas for meditations that can be done more easily by trauma survivors as well?

Honestly, I think one of the best places to start is really just developing some of the fundamentals that I kind of discuss here. There are types of meditations and scripts and what not for them, but honestly I think trying to get into any specialized or targeted form of meditation is often kind of like trying to jump into wild waters.

I think a really good basic / starting point is really just spending time, removing any distractions or excess stimulation (phones, music, etc) and simply sitting with your thoughts and observing them. Just genuinely watch them kind of like a scientist observing an animal's behavior or like a person at an art gallery.

Don't try to really Think About them, just notice, observe and watch your thoughts. Some people find this easier with some visualization, and for that two ones that I know are common are 1) when you notice a thought popping up, imagine putting it in a balloon and letting it go as you watch the balloon and the thought float away into oblivion 2) imagine yourself sitting near a river (or better yet, if possible, sit near a river actually and observe the river) and imagine each thought like a leaf floating down the stream

It's a good practice to help develop some of that internal relationship with oneself and set a good foundation for self awareness and just becoming more familiar of what exactly is going on in your head without really putting too huge of a strain

I wouldn't say its "easy" for trauma survivors cause meditation is hard for most trauma survivors, but its probably one of the ones that is a nice balance of "challenging an aspect that is hard for trauma survivors" without necessarily being particularly triggering (which is often the case with trying to force emptiness in the mind - as it tends to trigger hyper vigilance - or trying to become to aware of the body -as it tends to trigger body memories / emotions / trauma).

I also think the effort-reward ratio of practicing it is probably the highest assuming I don't count just the more chronic active day to day informal meditation that is more of a lifestyle than not.

Being able to really just observe your thoughts without getting sucked away / swept away in them is such a useful tool to really help with emotional regulation and just really being more intentional with life and self care. It's also a god send for OCD intrusive thoughts imo.

That said, thats kind of my generalized answer. If you have any specific questions or any follow up, please feel free to ask more ^^ I enjoy talking about this stuff

[husk-says-no]

Hey, so I get panic attacks sometimes, and well recently they've been... worse than Angel Dust's after a day at Val's to put it lightly. sometimes there random, others there a triggered memories, got any advice that could maybe help?

Yeesh, first of all—yeah, I’ve been there. Panic attacks’re like getting drop-kicked by your own nervous system for crimes you don’t remember committing.

And yeah, sometimes they come outta nowhere like a bat outta Hell, other times it’s ‘cause your brain decided to unearth some cursed memory at the worst possible moment. Either way, they suck, and I’m sorry you’re dealin’ with that.

But here’s a couple things that’ve helped me when the walls start closing in—maybe they’ll help you too.

1. Breathe like a damn jazz musician.

Not shallow, panicked rabbit breaths—slow and controlled. In for four counts, hold for four, out for four. Imagine you’re tryna keep your smoke from curling funny, y’know?

2. Cold shock.

Grab an ice cube. Cold water on the wrists. Hell, splash your face like you’re tryin’ to sober up before a card game. It hits the vagus nerve and tells your brain, “Hey! Not dying!”

3. Count backward from 100 by 7s.

It’s dumb, yeah, but it pulls your brain into math mode instead of apocalypse mode. Can’t spiral if you’re too busy tryin’ to figure out what the hell 72 minus 7 is.

4. Make a “safe script.”

Write yourself a little script—something like “This is a panic attack. It will pass. I’ve lived through this before. I am safe right now.” Doesn’t have to be poetic. Just real. Read it when shit hits the fan.

5. Trigger warning: be gentle.

If memories are the cause, don’t beat yourself up. Your brain’s just tryin’ to process stuff that hurt. You’re not broken, you’re healing. Slow, sure, and maybe a little angry—but healing.

Look, panic attacks don’t mean you’re weak. They mean your system’s stuck in survival mode when there ain’t no tiger. But the more you ride them out, the more you teach your body that it can come back down. Every time you survive one (which, spoiler: you do), you’re chipping away at its power.

So hang in there. And if it ever gets too loud in your head, come drop an ask again. I got a never-ending supply of jaded advice and bad metaphors.

[schizosupport]

do you have any resources youd reccomend to someone who just got diagnosed w schizophrenia? Im going through that process and im just. a bit lost? to be fair, i am lost in general on many things in life. but i just could use resources rn ^^;

In the past I've shared some resources/tips/advice, here and here (some might be be the same). I don't have any obvious go-to source for resources that I can recommend, unfortunately, a lot of information on schizophrenia is pretty basic, just lists off the symptoms and suggests trying antipsychotics..

I personally really enjoyed Arnhild Lauveng's memoir, I believe the English translation is called "a road back from schizophrenia" (original title translates to "tomorrow I was always a lion"). As far as relatable fictional accounts that might help you feel less alone goes, I think Challenger Deep was pretty good.

I also am some type of resource myself - so if you have more specific questions, you can try to throw them at me!

Anyways... Welcome to the club, and best of luck in life!

[plushie-playhouse]

Highly recommend diamond art as a regression activity

Caregiver help might be needed for some Littles doing this, the diamonds can spill easy and make a mess :(

[corvid-stan-account]

Treating Therapy Speak like it's a set of golden moral rules that apply to every single real life situation has really ruined interpersonal communication for a lot of people. I mean it's great for improving genuinely dysfunctional relationships and stuff like that, that's why it exists. But I'm gonna be so real, if you need validation and emotional processing time and a structured back-and-forth every time your feelings are slightly hurt or you disagree with someone, maybe it's a reflection of your own emotional maturity/immaturity. And I promise sometimes it is far easier and healthier to just take a deep breath and have a normal ass conversation

[wholesome-love-always]

Coping tool of mine (only works if you've watched Miraculous Ladybug)

When im really upset and just miserable I try to say "okay, so what if I was akumatized right now" and try to distract myself deciding what my akumatized object is and my name, costume, and powers, which, consequently, requires looking at what's upsetting me and identifying it but within a less stressful feeling context. Gets me distracted enough to potentially remove myself properly from the situation while not completely avoiding the problem.

[simplyarty1]

Asking for What You Truly Want (and Accepting "No" with Grace) Creative Souls Vibe Podcast – The Awakening Series

Let’s talk about something powerful that many of us shy away from: asking for what you truly want. Sounds simple, right? Yet for so many, this one act triggers deep fear, fear of rejection, of being seen, of not being worthy. But here’s the truth: asking is a sacred part of living a bold, intentional life. Whether it’s asking for support, a raise, collaboration, or love, we must train ourselves…

[pvtpunsart]

A terrible part of me wants to see what F! Raph would do if Man vs Server was repeated

In the future, Raph has had a lot of time to develop coping mechanisms and deal with that separation anxiety and panic! He can practice grounding techniques until he's in a better place to navigate, or until his brothers find him.

More playing around with atmospheric lighting while watching TV! It's a great multitask after work.

[juniemunie]

[Abandoned by the Lightners, his heart became cracked with hatred.]

Hitting a lil' too close to home?

[mintytrifecta]

Like one of the reasons I'm so entranced by daring is a character is how he's so self-centered but sooooo unapologetically kind and earnest to other people. He acts with a frankly egregious sense of grandeur that is definitely in part an act an act, yes, but he's willing to admit his mistakes so easily. He's so quick to accept and forgive and it's so clear the happiness of other people is something he deeply values. Prince Charmings are raised to be grand heroes with zero fear, but at their core they're about helping others and being there for them. Daring might not be a destined prince charming anymore, but he exemplifies the core aspect of kindness for kindness's sake without ever asking for anything in return. There's something poetic about it. He couldn't save someone when acting as Prince Charming, but when he was just being himself, genuinely just trying to help someone in danger, he did save them. Daring has a bleeding heart and hides it under the illusion of self-importance. I don't believe that it's all an act, I think he does very much love himself (even if it can get unhealthy) but it's so clear he loves other people just as much. There's a reason he's the gold standard of prince Charmings, and it's not his brevity or combat skills.

[pikhachu]

girls when their issues get dismissed as anxiety for the millionth time

[fafodill]

Hello! I came across your blog recently, and all I've done is go through it because your hc's are so well-written and thought out. There was this one post I saw a while back on tumblr and it immediately made me think THATS SNEEP!! It's about struggles with verbal affection. The other part of the post talked about how kids on the spectrum have different ways of showing affection, and as someone who works in education, I really do think that its true. I would love to hear what you think!

I. ADORE. THIS. 👆💚

Like you have no idea. First of all this is super cute in itself but this is EXACTLY the type of mechanism that could benefit Severus and bypass his communication struggles. He has A LOT of feelings, but a lifetime of hardships silencing him (alongside his potential autism and personality) and I'm sure he might be a bit frustrated if his partner tells him they sometimes doubt his feelings for them.

Because he loves them. He truly does. He's extremely loyal and devoted.

Not being able to convey it would be super frustrating for him. Like he'd know he's partly to blame but he could also deflect and accuse them of not trusting him.

But this, would be the best idea. I'm sure he'd start doing it all the time too. Three taps in passing. Three taps on their desk. Three clinks against the porcelain when he gives them their tea mug. Three taps on their pillow as they read together in bed. Three taps against their belly as they're curled up in the dark. Three taps of his spoon against the table during breakfast while his eyes are still on the Morning Prophet. Three taps on their cheek as they're cupping each other's face.

He could even use it to say 'I love this part of you' in bed if he's too uncomfortable. Like three soft taps on the lips. Three taps on their thighs. Three taps on a mole.

Or to compliment a part of their outfit. Three taps on their little glass brooch as they're getting ready for a conference. So many words and emotions conveyed with a simple wordless gesture. It's perfect. He'd love it.

This is the ultimate headcanon for healthy post-war Snape.

I 300% back this.

Also thank you for your kind words about my posts, I am twirling my hair, so happy you enjoy my blog and thank you so much for sharing this with us. I'm howling.

[unnonexistence]

imo a core part of the newmann dynamic is like... you've got these two very very intelligent people who have spent most of their lives being Smartest Guy In The Room. which feels great! but also, it's very hard to form close and trusting relationships when everyone else sees you as Smartest Guy In The Room. and if you maybe don't have great social skills to begin with, you can't figure out how to compensate. and it's hard to build up solid self-esteem when the only thing people value you for is your intelligence, and a lot of them resent you for that, too. so really it is very very lonely.

and then they meet! and neither of them is the smartest guy in the room anymore! and that is both EXHILIRATING (omg! someone who gets me!) and TERRIFYING (the fragile pillar i built my whole self-esteem on is crumbling! help!).

they do NOT know how to cope with this. best they can do is being obsessed with each other.

[doctorsiren]

thinking about ???%…but…but with adult mob :(

[johnnyshrine]

★ 028 // “Sick”

[sticks-stones-sonic-insanity]

Payback!

Part 1

Bonus: