#disconnect from technology for like 3 hours…

[studdyadict]

Planning a self care day ?

1. Morning Meditation: Start your day with a calming meditation session to set a positive tone for the day ahead. Find a quiet space, sit comfortably, and focus on your breath or use a guided meditation app.

2. Healthy Breakfast:Fuel your body with a nutritious breakfast packed with fruits, whole grains, and proteins. Take your time to savor each bite mindfully.

3. Nature Walk: Spend some time outdoors in nature. Whether it's a local park, hiking trail, or beach, immerse yourself in the beauty of the natural world. Take deep breaths, listen to the sounds of nature, and appreciate the moment.

4. Creative Outlet: Engage in a creative activity that brings you joy, whether it's painting, writing, crafting, or playing music. Let your imagination flow freely and express yourself without judgment.

5. Pampering Session:Treat yourself to a luxurious pampering session. Take a long bath with your favorite bath salts or essential oils, put on a face mask, and indulge in a skincare routine. Play some soothing music and light candles for a spa-like ambiance.

6. Healthy Lunch: Refuel your body with a healthy and delicious lunch. Opt for a balanced meal that includes plenty of vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains.

7. Mindful Movement: Practice some gentle movement exercises like yoga, tai chi, or stretching to release tension and improve flexibility. Focus on the sensations in your body and breathe deeply to cultivate mindfulness.

8. Digital Detox: Unplug from technology for a few hours and disconnect from the outside world. Turn off your phone, computer, and other electronic devices, and engage in activities that don't involve screens, such as reading, journaling, or spending quality time with loved ones.

9. Nourishing Dinner:Cook yourself a nourishing dinner using fresh, wholesome ingredients. Experiment with new recipes or prepare your favorite comfort food dishes.

10. Relaxing Evening Ritual: Wind down your day with a relaxing evening ritual. Practice some gentle relaxation techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or visualization to prepare your body and mind for a restful night's sleep.

Remember to listen to your body throughout the day and prioritize activities that make you feel good and replenished. Enjoy your self-care day!

[aniharas]

𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘯

pairing: anakin skywalker x jedi!fem!reader

summary: in the soul-shattering aftermath of geonosis, anakin finds solace in forbidden affection, risking everything for a stolen moment under the moonlight.

warnings: angst, ptsd, trauma, phantom pains. anakin just needs a hug.

wc: 4k+ oneshot

a/n: this is mainly written from anakin's pov and detailing his thoughts. i was just craving an angst fest don't mind me. likes and reblogs deeply appreciated :) inbox is open! enjoy <3

The light-polluted nights of Coruscant were not very kind to the Chosen One.

It was becoming a ritual: stirring at the latest hour in a sweat in the night. Almost an hourly occurrence. Poor Anakin would cry out, reaching for the ghost of an arm that was no longer there. The memories of the dreadful incident came around often like an old acquaintance, one who didn't quite get the hint that their presence was not wanted.

The terrors were definitely unwanted. Each nightmare that plagued his mind, almost every waking moment, every phantom pain was a painstaking reminder of his own incompetence. He was too weak, too blind to stop what happened. The flash of the red saber. The brief, agonizing, piercing hot sensation in his right arm followed by a sharp breeze. The unmistakable smell of his own charred flesh. The events of Geonosis were far too grisly to forget. The monstrous nature of his failure grasped and invaded his mind with its tendrils, ensuring nothing but pain as it threatened to pull him down under. 

What made matters worse was the useless words of the Jedi Council when he sought their advice. Anakin nearly trudged out of the Council Room in laughter. Did they know how ridiculous they sounded? Firstly, he couldn't confide in anyone or simply desire their comfort. Secondly, his own limbs were considered part of things that he couldn't stay attached to, and the young Jedi found that piece of grim advice hilarious. He wondered if their powers with the Force and their lightsabers were the only reason that they were respected.

The cybernetic arm that he was given only did so much. It functioned like a normal arm and hand; it simulated the sense of touch. It was a piece of technology revered by many and saved those who used it. Whenever he retired to his quarters, he would simply stare at it, desperately hoping that it would complete him, hoping that the many credits invested into his new limb would save his soul from the relentless torment that lurked whenever the sun when down.

It was never the same. How could it ever be the same? Despite the fact that Dooku had severed his right arm, Anakin felt like he had broken his whole body and spirit. One would describe his state as one of constant grieving, for his arm, for himself. He dreaded training, missions, meditating. Eating seemed to be a monumental chore for the boy who was destined to save the galaxy.

His body was at a disconnect with his own mind, and no amount of tinkering or relentless practice with the replacement would help.  It was like everyone else was above ground, moving at a normal pace, and he was stuck at the bottom of the ocean, unable to control the chaos of the water around him.

He had hoped that the nightly perils would cease in their frequency with time. As the years passed, his hope diminished, at the very least wishing that he could get used to the feeling. 

On another lonely, sleepless night, Anakin had woken from phantom pain. Defeated, he slid himself off the edge of his bed, letting his body slump to the floor. He was the phrase 'human wreck' incarnate, his now grown-out hair askew; sweat and tears mingling as they slid down his face and neck; the pale, vein-ridden skin of his half-bare body being proof of his negligence towards himself. It was only on occasion that he could sleep alongside the moon, with no troubling thoughts to bother him. The rest of those nights were akin to psychological torture.

"Maybe it was karma for all the times I used the Force to extract a confession from somebody. Is that what that felt like?" he said to himself.

At times, he liked to pause as if there was someone there who would respond.

He wanted a response, longed for someone to just be there. Someone could sit across from him and say that his pain was superficial, that he was being overdramatic, and Anakin would still be grateful for the words. Intimate touch was constantly on his mind; not the kind of touch that led to something amorous, but the kind that could leave his battle-torn skin covered in goosebumps, the kind that would make him hyper-aware of every inch of his body.

He brushed his human fingers over the forearm of his replacement, wanting to know if there was some way he could make himself feel that intimacy. His desperation to simply feel was slowly driving him mad, and he once again let himself lose to his rage. A tear seemed to poetically slip down Anakin's cheek as his sweat-ridden fingers fumbled around with the latches, dislodging his mechno-arm and flinging it towards his wall with enough strength he could muster. A pained grunt escaped his lips.

As it slammed against the wall, it made a loud, yet unsatisfying 'thud'. Some of the casing popped off, the wires and inner mechanisms becoming exposed as it fell unceremoniously to the floor. The emotional toll and the sudden action it wrought had left Anakin out of breath. His glossy eyes trailed from the wreckage down to the emptiness where it should have been, and at that moment, he felt truly pathetic. He desperately wanted to blame anything else, but it seemed that with every obstacle, he only had himself to blame. Did he truly deserve this? He started to believe so.

It was then that his ears picked up a soft knock at his door. Anakin had shot up from his seat on the floor, hurrying over to retrieve his arm and fix it back into place. Disoriented from the absence of sleep, he managed to trudge his way to his door, carefully watching his own feet so he wouldn't stumble. Almost like a child.

When he opened the door, the last thing he expected was to see her. Why was she even here this late at night? She didn't even live in this part of the Knights' Billet. Had one of the masters sent her? Her expression and her body language were timid, seemingly afraid to cross the line; but her ever-so-captivating eyes shone with curiosity. Anakin caught those eyes trying to sneak a glance behind him, tilting his head as he made himself comfortable leaning against his doorway.

"Did someone send you? Tell them I'm not in the mood," he said rather curtly without another glance, taking a step back as he moved to close the door. He was growing exhausted with how the Jedi expected so much of him but didn't even respect him.

Her hand seemed to spring out to hold the door open in retaliation. He was growing tired of the antics, ready to glare her down with daggers, until he saw something different in the girl. Her stance was firm as she held open the door. He saw that her eyes held a brewing mix of resolve and desperation as if silently pleading for him to hear her out.

"I was walking by, and I heard a noise. Are you okay?"

Time seemed to stop as she voiced her concern, leaving Anakin breathless once again. There was an undeniable pang in his heart, threatening to set loose what had been building up inside of him. Any other day, he would've brushed her off and forced the door shut without a care in the world. She was jeopardizing her place in the Jedi Order, and his as well. How could she afford to be so careless?

So careless about her duties…but she cared about him.

Struggling to voice his answer, he found himself nearly paralyzed with uncertainty, not knowing how to proceed. The mere act of them meeting this late at night had already broken so many rules...but was he willing to sacrifice some rules to save his own sanity? He saw a look of pity flash over her eyes, and he stayed frozen as she quietly shuffled in, closing the door behind her in a similar matter.

Anakin was sure about the fact that he needed someone to confide in, to share his agony, to comfort his long-tortured soul. It was only until she had uttered her first words to him that night that it dawned on him: she would see him as weak, and not the Chosen One. The dichotomy of his needs and fears clashed about in his brain. He needed a companion, but he was afraid of losing her approval, anyone's approval. Everyone's approval.

"What's wrong, Anakin?"

Her voice had cut through the growing torment of his thoughts, leaving it silent, those three words alone threatening to unravel him. He avoided the piercing gaze that was threatening to see right through him.

"Just insomnia," he muttered.

When his eyes returned to her, he immediately knew that his answer wasn't good enough. Who was he kidding? He realized that he hadn't even bothered to look presentable, hair messy and skin glistening with sweat. As if to mock his own thoughts, a gust of air blew in from his conditioning unit, making the tear streaks down his face feel like they were freezing. He watched her carefully as her eyes examined these very things, a flush gracing her cheeks as she briefly glanced at his bare chest. The faint glow of the stars pouring in from the window only seemed to accentuate it, illuminating her skin. She was pretty.

The very thought angered him. Why did beauty distract him so in such a vulnerable moment of his life? It was a weakness he was not proud of, not only because it represented what he could not have, but what he struggled to be himself. Every rule in his life seemed like it was set in place to keep him from having beauty, being beautiful. He couldn't help but break those rules as his eyes raked over her figure. He saw how her hair cascaded down to delicately frame her face, skin that was once covered modestly by Jedi robes, eyes that seemed to tantalize him even if her intentions meant otherwise.

Would it be so terrible if he indulged in these desires in his moment of need?

Anakin shook his head to his own thoughts, causing her to tilt hers in confusion. Of course, it would be terrible, but why was it terrible in the first place? He was suffering, feeling pathetic with his appearance and in his mind. It was not terrible to need someone, but why was guilt beginning to consume these selfish desires? Maybe it was terrible to need her. He barely knew her, and she took the same vows as he did.

"I understand," she whispered, seeming rather awkward and sheepish compared to before. She avoided his gaze as she turned her back on him. As she began to reach for the doorknob, Anakin was surprised to see that she hesitated. Was it too hopeful to think that she felt the same? He called out for her, more despairingly than he intended to.

"Wait, I..." He hesitated, not sure if he wanted to take the plunge. It would be the start of a slippery slope he couldn't hope to dig her or himself out of. He knew that if he tried, it would be futile, so that must've been why he had the nagging feeling that he didn't even want out.

"I need you here."

He watched closely as her brows furrowed and her grip on the doorknob tensed, immediately realizing that his request might have been too bold, to say the least. His gaze fell to the floor as a wave of humiliation washed over him. If she had run off at that moment, he would've understood. However, as he gathered the courage to look up once more, he saw that she had stood still, eyes continuing to prod him for a better explanation. Swallowing the ever-growing lump in his throat, he leaned against the wall of his dormitory as he tried to find the words that would lead him down the slope. If it meant that he could find peace for one night, one hour, or even one minute, so be it.

"I need you here because…I am cursed. I'm cursed with an affliction I can't ever hope to cure. I feel like I'm at war with myself, and it haunts me to my soul."

Anakin paused, subconsciously holding his breath, unsure if he wanted to continue. All of this was most likely too heavy to hear, especially since she barely knew him. Did she care?

At that moment, as if to answer his silent query, she stepped forward and placed herself in front of him, standing so close he felt the warmth of her body. The scent of her freshly-washed hair polluted his senses, leaving him feeling melancholy. He watched in a trance as her brows furrowed in worry, tentatively lifting up her hand. Her fingers gently prodded at his cybernetic, outlining the broken casing. Once her curious eyes rose back up to meet his, there was a silent acknowledgment. Understanding. It gave him the push to keep going, to muster the strength to hold open the floodgates of his heart. He stopped holding his breath, his sorrowful gaze falling to the floor.

“I'm...completely lost. I've strayed so far from the path of the Jedi that I can no longer see it…and I am afraid I don't even want it. I'm constantly told that I shouldn't feel this way...that hurting is selfish, and that I should focus on the needs of others before my own, to live up to my prophecy," Anakin muttered, his tone turning bitter and his brows furrowing in anger at the last word.

"But how can I do that when I am disconnected from myself? When I don’t feel like the Chosen One? I don’t feel like anyone is choosing me.”

Anakin’s eyes traveled up her figure once more, her minuscule and simple movements making them glaze over with desperation. He found the way her shoulders gradually moved up and down with each breath captivating, the flutter of her lashes with each blink. He took her by the hand that was calmly tracing his forearm, enveloping it firmly in his. She watched him as her breath halted in suspense, her fingers seeming hesitant to move.

“I need you here, not because I expect you to fix me, but because I just need someone. Anyone. I need you to choose me, to touch me,” he whispered, his voice shaking as he watched her lace her fingers with his own. “Please, I need this...bittersweet taste of relief. I can't bear this alone anymore.”

After what seemed like an eternity of silence with their hands in each other’s, she let go, much to Anakin’s chagrin. However, she lifted her hand once again, gradually bringing her hand to his chest, laying it flat above his heart. The sensation sent waves of warmth across the bare skin of his chest, the rippling feeling leaving goosebumps in its wake. He was certain that she could feel the deafening pounding of his heart. A faint gasp left his lips as she began to slide her hand down to his abdomen, his muscles in that area tensing. He didn’t expect to feel this hyper-sensitive to someone’s touch.

She flinched a little at his reaction, causing her to stop her motions. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she looked up at him timidly.

“Is that okay?” she asked, her voice unsure, as if she was testing the waters.

Hearing her words, Anakin’s vision was obscured by his own tears…tears of relief. He savored the straining feeling in his chest and throat as he fought to hold back his sobs, thankful he was even feeling anything like that at all. A slow blink of his eyes betrayed him as a brief stream of hot tears slid down his cheeks, which she quickly wiped away with her free hand. She seemed rather flustered when that very action caused more tears to fall in succession, awkwardly wiping more tears as quickly as she should.

The act made Anakin chuckle briefly, nearly surprising himself with the sound. It seemed to surprise her too, in turn making her laugh along with him. Realizing that this warming feeling was contagious, they both began to erupt into giggling fits, ending with a hush from her, muttering something about “quiet hours”. Though it had seemed silly, Anakin had wished they never stopped.

Again, damn the Jedi with all their rules.

During her stay, they sat together at the foot of his bed as Anakin slowly began to unravel the darkness that had been plaguing him since Geonosis. They spoke in hushed murmurs, afraid that someone might find them together. Their conversation would cease at the mere sound of a distant footstep, the creak of the conditioning vent, and muffled voices from the other side of his dorm wall. 

However, Anakin thought all the sneaking around to be worth it. Her presence and her conversation proved to help more than he could have hoped for. Soon enough, he was pleading for her to come back the next night. A shy expression overtook her features. Something around the lines of “You like me that much?” was uttered, and those very words ignited the beginning of an insatiable fire within him. Her wide, curious, and sparkling eyes continued to feed that very fire.

Anakin wasn’t too sure when he started to kiss her.

He wasn’t even aware of when they had closed so much distance between each other. However, her receptiveness pushed those questions far away, his thoughts taking form in the shape of her. A rush of emotions flooded through him, momentarily drowning out the misery that consumed his existence. In that singular, stolen moment, he felt a profound peace, something that he thought he might never experience again.

Every touch, every gentle brush against him sent electric currents coursing through his body. His senses were enveloped by her, reveling in the taste of her, the softness of her lips, the warmth of her breath mingling with his. Her hands began to clutch onto his frame desperately, her nails digging in and leaving red trails in their wake. The world around him slowly began to fade into insignificance, his focus narrowing to the raw sensation of being alive, of feeling something so intensely beautiful. For that fleeting moment, Anakin allowed himself to be consumed by this sinful, blissful indulgence of the present. It was a sanctuary from his own mind. After a lifetime of monochrome, he was overjoyed to feel anything at all. It was a bittersweet joy, knowing that this kiss was fleeting, and that it came at a heavy cost. As their lips reluctantly parted, Anakin’s mind was only filled with anticipation for the next. He watched her, his eyes filled with a mixture of reluctance and longing, as she began to pull away, her breath slightly ragged. A part of him wants to hold onto her desperately, to stop the inevitable departure. “Wait,” he called out, his voice feeble and vulnerable as he cautiously took her hand in his. “I-i…don’t want you to go. This is…it's everything to me.”

Anakin hated how desperate he sounded in his pleas, embarrassed at the state Geonosis had reduced him to. He almost despised the fact that he needed this…that the Chosen One needed someone else to feel so alive. But the way she flooded his mind was such a high for him, and he never wanted to come down.

“Please,” he begged, his voice nearly giving out as his eyes began to glisten. “I know the risk you’d be taking, but…one more night, please. The same time, tomorrow night. We can figure out what to do then.” He watched as her resolve wavered, noting the longing in her eyes. Anakin knew she felt a pull to him as well, it’s what caused her to come and investigate him in the first place. As she took a deep breath, his thoughts came to a halt, ensuring utter silence to hear what she had to say. “Okay, Skywalker. One more night. But…if we get caught, it’s on you,” she scolded, her arms crossing.

Anakin found her attitude endearing, answering her with a simple nod. Despite her playful nature, he understood the weight of her words. He leaned in, allowing his forehead to rest against hers, enjoying the subtle heat that radiated from her, a stark contrast to the cold room they were in. Pulling away with a lingering touch and a final gaze, they parted ways. As the door closed behind her, a profound sense of emptiness washed over Anakin. Her absence only made him feel the weight of his desperation. The taste of her still lingered on his lips, and it nearly made him want to throw the door open and chase after her. However, as much as he desired that, he couldn’t bring himself to.

As he returned to his empty bed, he decided he would just have to wait until she would return, his newly found moonlight, who had illuminated his dark and harrowing night, who had caused the waves in his heart to surge and swell.

He found comfort in the fact that the moon would always return to the sky.

-

As each night passed, their next clandestine meeting was what occupied Anakin’s thoughts. Every single moment until then felt like an eternity, nearly stretching his patience to the limit. His thoughts were never without her.

It was especially bad whenever he would sit in the Temple’s garden and meditate with Obi-Wan. 

The afternoon after that encounter with her, Anakin and Obi-Wan sat cross-legged across from each other, eyes closed as they sought inner peace with the Force.

Anakin struggled to quiet his mind, to let go of the constant longing that plagued him. He tried focusing on his breathing, to sink into stillness, but the image of her under the moon invaded his every thought. Her face, her touch, her taste, her warmth–it consumed his mind like a raging wildfire.

As Obi-Wan searched through his own mind, he couldn’t help but sense a disturbance. A subtle ripple, a flicker of distraction that emanated from his young apprentice. His brows furrowed slightly as he tried to search for what was troubling Anakin.

After a while, Obi-Wan slowly opened his eyes, gaze fixed on his padawan as his gentle voice broke the silence. “Anakin, I sense something is weighing on your mind. Is everything alright?”

Anakin’s eyes remained closed, feeling sweat break out on the nape of his neck as he fought to maintain his composure. Why did Obi-Wan even bother asking? He was never going to tell his master, and he knew that. That didn’t prevent the feeling of guilt that started to accompany the flurry of his emotions. “I’m sorry, Master,” Anakin responded after a beat of silence. “I’m just…worried about my knighthood. That is all.”

Obi-Wan’s expression softened, his eyes taking on a knowing, yet understanding look. Of course, he knew his apprentice hiding something. He would consider himself a bad master otherwise. He could feel the turmoil radiating from Anakin, yet his desire to remain elusive. He wanted to respect his privacy, but his duty as a mentor compelled him to push further.

“Anakin, you know it is one of my many responsibilities to guide and support you, but I cannot do that if you hide things from me,” Obi-Wan said. “Whatever it is, just remember you don’t have to face it alone.”

With that, Anakin’s eyes fluttered open before meeting his master’s, a mixture of guilt and longing to open up to him. He hated that he was in an order where judgment and the potential consequences of desire prevented him from confiding in his mentor, his best friend, his brother.

“Believe me, master, I am more than thankful for your concern. But this…this is something I have to figure out on my own,” Anakin replied, his voice displaying a hint of vulnerability. “I will be fine.”

Obi-Wan sighed inwardly. He knew that part of becoming a Jedi involved navigating your own path, but he couldn’t help but feel like there were deeper issues at play. However, he was willing to let it go for the sake of supporting his apprentice.

“Very well, young Skywalker,” he conceded, a touch of sadness in his voice. He reached over to give a reaffirming pat to Anakin’s shoulder. “I trust that you find your way, as you always do. Don’t forget that I am here, whenever you need me.”

Anakin nodded, letting his eyes fall shut once more as he continued to “meditate”.

Still, his moonlight danced through his mind, and he could only think about how long it would be until he could see her shine again.

a/n: ao3 saw it first! inbox is open!!

[eclipsellium]

Why I hate the pomodoro method.

You’ve probably seen someone suggest the Pomodoro method before— you do short sprints (typically 25 mins) followed up by a quick break (typically 5 mins).

I don’t like it, and I will never go back to using it. Don’t get me wrong, it can work really well! My sibling only gets anything done if they use this method, so there is something good about it. However, I’m going to talk about the downsides and what else to do instead of this method.

1. It focuses on time spent rather than results.

Many tasks are quite flexible in how long we take to complete them. Take walking home for example. When I am in a rush to school, it takes about 20 mins uphill, but my legs cramp really bad. When I’m just listening to my music and vibing, it takes about 30 mins downhill.

It's a similar idea for studying. Apply pressure on your learning and assignments, and they get completed faster. Too much pressure, you get exhausted or can’t think straight. (HINT: Procrastination). Too little pressure, and it takes forever to get anything done.

Different results require different amounts of time and pressure.

Trying to strive for a specific time frame undermines what your true goal is: to get some something done. The repetitive cycle assumes a “one size fits all” but that is rarely ever the case. Saying “I studied for two hours today” means nothing compared to “I wrote my essay, read a research paper, and annotated my notes from yesterday.”

2. It discourages focus and flow.

When I was trying out the method, I kept trying to find the ideal time for work and for breaks. The problem is it's never the same. Some days, you are more mentally exhausted and need longer and more breaks, otherwise you are just going to be miserable.

As it is, the five-minute break isn’t long enough to go on a short walk, take a dedicated snack, or fully disconnect. It’s a waste of time that taunts you with distractions that aren’t conducive to a good work environment.

The opposite is also true. Good days can be rare, so when you get into the zone, there’s no reason to come out of it for anything other than a natural transition. A ticking timer to your productivity doesn’t help, and breaking up that “flow state” isn’t maximizing your time or your efforts.

I also haven’t heard many people mention stamina. If you are in school and taking tests, you realize they are typically around the same length (90 - 120 mins where I am). The pomodoro method contradicts this. For a lot of people, focusing and doing your best on a test for such a long period of time can be difficult.

Oh, but that’s just life.

Maybe a part of it is, but you can take steps to improve your stamina during test taking. Spending upwards of two hours studying or taking practice tests, especially leading up to huge exams, can make the test fly by. Simulating test conditions is also a great way to study or increase pressure, which is what long term study periods achieve. Taking longer study periods also relates back to breaks. With the same amount of break time, you consolidate it into a greater block. You can grab a snack, watch an episode of your favorite show, take a walk outside, or do your hair. All fun stuff you can’t do with pomodoro.

3. It brings technology back into the equation.

If you’re using pomodoro method, most likely, its on your computer or your phone. Which means you have to have a device in reach and visible (for work on paper) or be constantly switching tabs (for work online).

Distractions are a huge part of this modern age, which means that you could inadvertently be teasing your mind with a computer game or social media or whatever you enjoy. Even if you don’t give in, you *are* losing focus.

Forget the clocks, forget the devices, forget the notifications. It’s so much easier to be productive if you have nothing else to do and no distractions to take you away from something that, at the heart of it, you enjoy. Because if you hate studying, why are you still reading this??????

This is really long so I’ll make another post about different study methods next week.

[storm-angel989]

hey!!!

so I had this dream last night. basically Val's daughter is in high school and the school has to go on lockdown because someone died in class. in my dream they had a seizure but you don't have to explicitly state the cause of death if that makes you uncomfortable, I completely understand that. anyway, after that, Val gets a call from her daughter and she's sobbing saying someone died in her class. that's where my dream ended, I just need answers, like how he'd react. thank you!!!!!

Hi friend,

This is one of those stories I hesitated for a while on. Lockdowns are a terrifying reality, and one of my worst fears is being in Valentino’s position. That being said, I didn’t want to let that fear hold me back from writing.

Take a peek below and I hope it's the answer you crave!

<3 Mandy

My memories of the event were hazy. 

Watching my classmate fall to the ground. Being shoved alongside my peers out of my sixth period English class. Dodging the rush of the principal, the school nurse and a host of other adults. 

Practice lockdown, practice lockdown.

The words on the loudspeaker blared alongside sirens. I covered my ears and closed my eyes as I tried to fight against the worst of the thoughts. In the darkness, my VoxTech watch sat silent against my wrist, wired to shut off as soon as a lockdown was announced. 

My first day of preschool, my Uncle Vox had snapped a simplified VoxTech watch onto my wrist with explicit instructions that if I needed help, the only thing I had to do was press their picture on the watchface and they would come. Two days later, we sat down as a family and redefined what the word “help” meant and when it was appropriate to call them. Apparently, my teacher making me write my name wasn’t a good enough reason to call Uncle Vox in the middle of the work day. 

Now in highschool, the technology evolved but the core protection of the device remained the same. With the fiercely terrifying hellscape we lived in, my Uncle Vox made sure that my watch would do nothing but protect me. Wrapped in the darkness of the classroom, the seconds ticked by. Without my watch, I lost all sense of time, panic growing as each second painstakingly passed. As soon as the all clear was announced, we were pushed out of the building. I pulled out my phone and joined in the chorus of classmates phoning their parents. Not far away, an ambulance sat and I watched in horror as a stretcher draped in a white sheet vanished into the awaiting back.

“Bebita? Is everything okay?” My fathers voice on the other end. “Princessa. Where are you?”

“Daddy, I think she died,” I choked out. “Something really bad happened, I…”

“I’ll be right there. Stay on the phone with me, mi amore,” he told me calmly. “Uncle Vox will be there in a moment and Daddy is on his way.” 

I knew my Uncle Vox could travel using technology, and for the first time in my life I was grateful for his sudden appearance. I felt myself collapse in his arms and the next thing I knew, he was guiding me towards my fathers limo. My Dad stepped outside and my Uncle Vox handed me over to him. 

“Bebita, princessa, shush. It’s okay, Papi is here, come on now, let's go home,” he said softly. “Come now.” 

In the limo, wrapped in his arms, all the tears I fought to hold in silence during the lockdown flooded out. Sadness for my friend, trauma for being trapped for hours in silence and without any way to contact the outside world. I could feel my body begin to shake and my father wrapped his red jacket around me and tucked my head into him. “Daddy’s got you, baby.” 

“Uncle Vox, I can’t lose my watch,” I choked out finally. “I can’t, there was no way to tell time, no way to contact you, I couldn’t…I can’t be trapped like this again!”

“Okay, okay baby, we’ll figure it out, just take a deep breath, calm down,” My Uncle Vox said gently. “I promise you I’ll fix it. And I promise you’ll never be disconnected from us again.”

[immeasurablesaladagere]

can u write about lil house and cg Wilson playing video games? :3

- @tummy-rubs-for-wilson-pup

Here you are! This also includes little!chase playdate hours, hope you don't mind!

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Word Count: 965

Summery: Wilson is looking after a regressed Chase and House while they play video games, and House learns how to lose.

-----

“Yes!” Chase cheered, doing a little victory dance from his spot on the floor. House rolled his eyes and huffed. His cheeks were puffed out like a grumpy squirrel, and if Wilson didn’t know any better he might have thought he was exaggerating. But to a regressed House, it was a completely warranted reaction to tying with Chase in Mario Kart.

“Oh ho-ho! Looks like Robbie is making a comeback!” He declared in a dramatic announcer-voice. House shot him a death-glare over the shoulder, but it always lost its bite when he was little. Instead it just made him want to pat House on the head and say ‘Aw, it’s okay little buddy’.

Chase was already past his victory and was eagerly asking House about the next circuit they should choose for the final race. He was glad that Chase finally seemed to have relaxed and settled into the playdate. It had taken him a while to regress in the first place, and after that he looked so hesitant to take up any space that he and House couldn’t really play together. But once the N64 was put in front of them they were off to the races, rotting their brains away with video games as all kids should. Thank God for technology. 

“Are you boys hungry?” He asked, already standing because he knew House’s answer would be yes, “I can grab us some snacks from the kitchen. What do you want?”

“Chocolate bar.” House replied without looking up, too distracted with picking the best possible track. Chase didn’t say anything and stared him owlishly, like he wasn’t sure if it was okay to ask for anything.

“Robbie? Do you want something? We have apples, chocolate bars, apple sauce, and cheese and crackers.” He figured giving Chase a list of options would make the choice easier. That way, it was a direct offer instead of an open-ended question.

“Um… cheese n’ crackers, please and thank you.” He said shyly, and Wilson smiled.

“I can do that. I’ll just be in the kitchen if you need anything, okay?”

And that should have been it. One simple trip to the kitchen, Wilson would only be gone for maybe five minutes, probably less, and Chase and House would be very responsible five and six year-olds while he was gone.

But of course, nothing could ever be that simple. He was just re-wrapping the block of cheese and putting it back in the fridge when he heard a clatter from the living room and Chase yelp.

“Hey! Why’d you do that!?”

Wilson let out a long breath, abandoned the snacks on the counter, and walked at a something-is-probably-mildly-to-moderatly-wrong pace back to the living room. House was still in front of the TV, looking uncomfortable and staring holes into the screen that showed his character cheering in victory and Chase’s sitting still on the track, race unfinished. The second controller was across the room near his feet, disconnected from the system, and Chase was sitting by the couch scrunched up on himself and visibly upset.

It didn’t take a genius to piece together what had happened, but he had to ask anyway. “What happened?”

House shrugged and stubbornly kept his eyes on the TV, and Wilson watched as Chase observed  House’s reaction for the right thing to do and then copied it exactly. 

“Uh huh.” He walked over and slowly sat down in front of Chase, blocking his view of House. He wasn’t crying, but he did look teary. “Robbie, do you want to tell me what happened? You’re not in trouble, I promise.”

The internal battle in Chase’s head was visible on his face as he went between telling on his friend and being upset with what House had done. “I�� I was winning an’ then, um, House unplugged my controller a-an’ threw it away…” He mumbled. 

That’s what he thought. “Thank you for telling me.” He said gently, then he turned to House, who had finally turned around but was averting his eyes shamefully.

“House?”

“I didn’t wanna lose…” House grumbled, obviously embarrassed. Wilson didn’t think he would ever get used to just how open House’s face became when he was regressed, how every emotion was broadcasted loudly in his expression. Big-House wouldn’t be caught dead with his face that shade of red.

“I think you know what you did was wrong, don’t you?”

He didn’t get an answer.

“Alright. Well, I think we should spend a few minutes in timeout, and then when you’re ready, we can—“ Wilson was cut off by Chase’s hand grabbing his shirt. 

“Wait! I thought you said we weren’t in trouble?” He asked, looking confused and almost betrayed.

Wilson raised an eyebrow. Was he really defending House? He was certainly more sympathetic than Wilson would’ve been at this age. “You’re not in trouble, but House did something mean to you, and he needs to apologize.”

“Then he can just say sorry, right? He doesn’t need’a go to timeout, that’s not any fun!”

“Well…” He turned to House, who was obviously just as surprised as he was that Chase wasn’t happy to banish him to timeout for his crimes. “I guess so. House? Do you want to apologize?”

“I… I guess. I’m sorry, Robbie.”

“For?” Wilson prompted when House seemed to decide that was enough.

House huffed. “For knocking away your controller when you were winning.”

Chase smiled, all wrongdoings apparently forgiven. “Thank you!” He turned to Wilson, “Can we go back to playing now?”

He chuckled and stood up, ruffling Chase’s hair. “Sure. I’m proud of you boys, that was very good problem-solving. Now, is it over? Have we solved the world’s problems for the day?”

“Don’t forget our snacks!” House piped up, before freezing and smiling up at him sheepishly. “…Please.”

[waytooinvested]

Forgotten, Not Forgiven - Chapter 3

Still reeling from finding out the truth herself, Lena suddenly finds herself in the midst of an odd role reversal in which she knows that Kara is Supergirl, but Kara no longer has any idea she has ever been more than an ordinary human.

And what’s more, Lena has no choice but to keep the truth from her for her own protection…

This and previous chapters are also on AO3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It didn’t take long.

Actually, Lena was pretty sure that if Lex hadn’t wanted the opportunity to gloat face to face (face to hologram) he would have had Kara gift wrapped and left her in the L-Corp lobby. He hadn’t quite painted giant red arrows on the wall saying ‘GO THIS WAY’, but he might as well have done. Just two doors down from the spot where they had had their confrontation Lena found a long corridor, each room standing dark and open except one at the far end, where a strip of brightness burned beneath a single closed door. Given that the rest of the bunker was lit only by dim green emergency lighting this was impossible to miss, and when she got to it Lena discovered that it wasn’t even locked.

Inside the cell Supergirl – Kara – was lying on a narrow metal cot that looked more like an embalming table than a place to sleep, spotlit by the single bare lightbulb that hung directly over her prone form. Her hands were clasped over her chest and her loose hair fanned artfully out around her shoulders, as if Lex had carefully composed a little tableau in anticipation of this moment.

She looked like a statue on a tomb.

She looked dead.

A strange noise escaped Lena’s throat, somewhere between a sob and a howl, and she launched herself across the room to Kara’s side, her fingers desperately seeking the pulse at her neck, eyes darting from her face to her chest and back again as she searched for the tell tale rise and fall that would indicate breath.

She felt the flutter of blood beating beneath Kara’s warm skin at the same moment she saw the movement of an inhale. Slow but steady.

Kara was alive.

Now the panic had left her, Lena realised that of course she couldn’t actually have been dead. If anything her cheeks looked flushed rather than deathly pale, and there was a cannula in the back of one hand connected to a drip that was feeding... something… steadily into her blood stream, which somewhat spoiled the visual of Lex’s set up and would not have been necessary for a corpse. It was probably just a mixture of fluids and sedative to keep Kara alive and unconscious, but Lena wasted no time in disconnecting it even so. If there was any chance that there was something harmful in the mix, the sooner Kara stopped receiving it the better.

She put a hand to Kara’s cheek and stroked it lightly – one final reassurance that she really was alive and unmarked by the creeping green taint of Kryptonite poisoning, then took out her phone to call Alex. She had done what she set out to do, and now it was time to bring in back up and let the DEO take over.

The call failed to connect.

She had no signal.

Damn.

Lena’s phone was adapted with her own technology and had once picked up signal from inside a cave more than 500 feet below the Earth’s surface, and yet here, barely below ground level, she didn’t have even one measly bar. No doubt Lex had lined the walls with signal disruptors especially for this, just to make her life that little bit more difficult. Petty bastard.

She looked from the phone in her hand to Kara’s unconscious form, considering whether she should run outside to call for backup, or stay close in case of further tricks.

Lex had told her that he’d pinged the DEO as soon as she had arrived, so in theory it would just be a matter of time until they got here anyway... But even if that was true there was no guarantee that they had picked up the signal yet, and she wasn’t prepared to wait for hours in the vague unsubstantiated hope that they would turn up. Besides, knowing Lex it was entirely possible that he had left a bomb somewhere nearby, just as a friendly, brotherly farewell present to keep her on her toes.

As soon as the thought occurred to her Lena checked the room, but there wasn’t really anywhere to hide an explosive apart from the cot or on Kara herself, and after a quick sweep she came up empty. Still, it wouldn’t do to linger here. DEO or no DEO, they needed to get out, and they needed to do it now.

‘Kara? Kara come on, wake up, we need to move’.

Kara didn’t stir, her breaths continuing in the slow, regular rhythm of sedation, or the deepest of sleep.

‘Okay, well that was a long shot. So plan B, I’m going to go and find something to wheel you out on. I’ll be right back, okay? Just wait right here’.

It wasn’t like Kara could actually hear her in her unconscious state any more than she could get up and wander off while Lena’s back was turned, but talking aloud, even to a comatose traitor, made her feel better; as if someone was in this with her and she hadn’t in fact been short sighted enough to let her personal feelings about Alex and the DEO convince her to come alone.

She searched the surrounding rooms for anything she could use to get Kara back to her jet – a gurney, a wheelchair, even a dolly, but whatever Lex had brought her in on in the first place had been removed along with the equipment that might have given Lena some insight into how he had achieved the separation of her mind. There was nothing at all left in the bunker apart from herself, Kara, and the bolted down cot she was laid out on.

Lena returned to the cell and sized up the unconscious woman it contained.

She sighed.

‘It looks like we’re doing this the hard way. Just don’t laugh when you see how much worse I am at this than you are’.

At first she tried gathering Kara up bridal style, the way Supergirl had carried her after she’d been pushed from her office balcony; but the angle from the cot was awkward, and as soon as she tried to straighten fully with Kara’s weight in her arms she lost her balance and tumbled forwards, only narrowly managing to keep from ending up on top of her.

‘Fine, so maybe I need to swap out spin class for a little more weight lifting if I’m going to do that gracefully in future, but we are not out of options yet’.

This time she took hold of Kara under the armpits and hauled her up and over her shoulder in a fireman’s lift, grunting as she staggered upright and made her way haltingly back the way she had come. Kara was not exactly a large woman, but she was all compact muscle and weighed more than might be expected to look at her.

Lena kept her eyes down, focusing on avoiding the scattering of broken tile at her feet and trying not to think about how much further they still had to go before they were back out in the open air, then how much further still to the airfield and her waiting jet. One foot in front of the other. Just another couple of corridors to go.

‘Nearly there now. Just around this corner, and then-’

‘STOP RIGHT THERE! Put her down, then get your hands up and turn around. Slowly’.

Lena froze, barely managing to keep from dropping Kara as she startled.

She turned her head awkwardly to see who was there and found Alex, dressed from head to toe in tactical gear and flanked on both sides by a dozen armed DEO agents, all of whom were pointing guns and grim expressions in her direction. In a flash, Lena realised just how badly she had messed up by not telling them her suspicions about Kara’s location from the beginning.

‘Alex-’

‘Lena?’

Alex’s gun lowered a little, before rising back up to aim directly between her eyes.

‘You did this? I trusted you!’

‘No. I know how this looks, but I promise you that is not what’s happening here’.

Alex looked from Lena to the unconscious Kara, her expression still as grim as Lena had ever seen it.

‘Okay… then you won’t mind putting Supergirl down and backing up against the wall with your hands up while we get this straightened out’.

‘Alex I’m not the villain here-’

‘Now Lena!’

It turned out that putting down a weight that was at the limits of what you could handle with anything like good grace was even harder than lifting it in the first place, and Kara hit the floor with a thump hard enough to make Lena wince.

‘Hey, watch it!’

Alex gestured two DEO agents over to check on Kara and get her loaded onto a stretcher. Once she was safely on their side of the invisible line that now seemed to divide the corridor into ‘their side’ and ‘Lena’s side’ she spared a quick glance for her sister, reassuring herself that Kara was alive before turning her attention back to Lena.

‘Now explain what the hell happened here. Why did you lie about not knowing where she was?’

‘I didn’t lie about anything. I did exactly what I said I would – I used the information you gave me to track Supergirl down and it led me here. I arrived not long before you did, and I was trying to get her to safety’.

‘After everything we’ve been through together I would love to believe you, but that can’t possibly be true. I only gave you that information this morning, and the signal we tracked appeared minutes ago. For you to have gotten here first you would have had to solve a problem that the DEO has been working on for a week in a matter of hours, catch and decode the signal the moment it appeared and then somehow outpace a ship containing 31st century technology to arrive before us; not to mention making the unfathomable decision to come out here alone rather than taking the time to make a single phone call that would have sent a team of highly trained field agents instead. So I will ask you again. What. The. Hell. Happened here?’

When she put it like that, it really did sound pretty bad, but it also pissed Lena off. I would love to believe you. And yet here they were on opposite sides of a dividing line, and Lena was the one with a gun pointed at her head. It didn’t exactly scream trust.

She folded her arms across her chest, refusing to keep her hands in the air like a criminal when she was only here trying to help, her glare daring Alex to shoot her for it.

‘The reason I found this place first is that I am better at this than you are, at least when it comes to my family. Lex set this whole thing up, and I know how my brother operates – I found a secret broadcast of his long before he sent out the signal to bring you here’.

Alex flicked a quick glance around the deserted corridor as if Lex might be about to step out and corroborate the story.

‘Lex did this? Lena, why didn’t you call me?’

‘Because it was just a hunch! I had no evidence that what I’d found had anything to do with Supergirl’s disappearance, it was miles away and nothing like the energy signature you’d been looking for. You really think if I’d called you with this and it had turned out to be a wild goose chase, you wouldn’t have decided I was wasting your time on purpose? Because I know you would have. You got me involved in this because you were desperate, but lets not pretend you actually ever trusted me’.

‘Lena, that’s-’

But Lena cut her off, not interested in whatever false platitudes Alex was about to feed her.

‘Besides, the only way to keep the world safe from Lex is to end him for good, and I knew the DEO wasn’t going to do that’.

Alex narrowed her eyes, still wavering between wanting to trust Lena’s word and wanting to protect her sister from any possibility of treachery.

‘And did you do it? We didn’t find a body’.

‘He wasn’t here. There was just a hologram’.

‘That’s... convenient’.

‘It really wasn’t’.

‘Come on Lena. Do you seriously expect me to believe that Lex took Supergirl and then- what, just felt bad about it and decided to let you come and take her back without even trying to stop you? What kind of idiot do you take me for?’

Lena ground her teeth almost hard enough to hurt and kicked at a piece of the shattered tile, sending it skittering into the wall with a sharp crack that made several of the agents adjust their guns nervously, as if her moment of frustration might have been meant as some sort of attack. She ignored them and focusing on Alex, the only one who hadn’t so much as flinched.

‘The kind of idiot that is not listening to me. No, of course Lex didn’t just change his mind. He had done what he set out to, and sent out a signal on purpose so that I’d come here. He walled Supergirl off from her secret identity so when she wakes up she wont know she is anything more than human, and left a trap in her mind so that if anyone managed to convince her of who she is, it could kill her’.

Alex didn’t interrupt her as she spoke, but her expression grew harder and harder, her grip on her gun becoming white knuckled with a fury that could almost match Lena’s own.

‘And you’re claiming Lex did this’.

‘Who else?’

‘Well, I can I can think of a Luthor who might think that something like that was fitting revenge on Supergirl for keeping the truth about her secret identity from them. But it’s not Lex’.

That was too much.

‘Screw you Alex. I am furious with Supergirl for what she did, and sure I might not have dealt with that as graciously as you expected me to up to now, but after all I’ve done for her and for you over the last few years, how could you ever believe that I would do something like this?’

Alex opened her mouth to retaliate, but then hesitated. She stared back at Lena for a long moment, and then, slowly, let her gun arm drop back down to her side, the anger in her eyes fading to something like regret.

‘You’re right, I’m sorry. That was over the line. I do know that you wouldn’t do that, it’s just that what you’ve told us doesn’t make any sense. Why would Lex want to do this to Supergirl? He’s had her for a week now, so why would he not just kill her? He’s tried enough times before’.

It was tempting to wash her hands of the whole business and claim she didn’t know (Lex was pretty deranged after all, it wouldn’t exactly be a hard sell), but she refused to give Alex the satisfaction of making her the liar she so clearly expected her to be.

‘He claims he did it as a present for me, for all the same reasons you thought I did this, and maybe that is what gave him the idea. But it’s always about Superman with Lex – Supergirl is just a test case before he tries the same thing on his real target. You should probably get a warning to him about that. I’m assuming you know how to contact him?’

Lena watched Alex weigh up her words before deciding to accept them, though she didn’t answer the question.

‘Okay Lena. We’ve got it from here. You’d better leave now, it might not be safe if Lex really did set all this up’.

At last Alex holstered her gun, gesturing for the agents behind her to do the same, then turned her back on Lena and began tending to Kara without so much as a word of thanks, or another glance in her direction.

[altaqwaelectric]

Building Safer Cities: How Advanced Switchgear Is Powering the Future

Switchgear refers to the combination of electrical disconnect switches, fuses, and circuit breakers used to control, protect, and isolate electrical equipment. In simple words: it’s the shield that protects the power network from overloads, faults, and blackouts.

Without high-quality switchgear, cities would face:

· Frequent power failures

· Increased risk of electrical fires

· Equipment damage

· Unsafe environments for residents and businesses

In today’s urban landscape, switchgear isn’t just an accessory — it’s a critical lifeline for energy security and public safety.

How Advanced Switchgear is Shaping Safer Cities

Thanks to major technological advancements, switchgear is no longer static and reactive. Modern switchgear systems are smart, dynamic, and preventative. Here’s how they are transforming cities:

1. Real-Time Monitoring and Fault Detection

Smart switchgear comes equipped with IoT sensors and digital monitoring systems that detect faults in real time. Instead of waiting for a catastrophic failure, the system identifies weak points early — enabling quick, preventive maintenance.

Impact: Reduced blackouts, faster repair times, safer living and working environments.

2. Automated Shutdowns During Emergencies

In critical events like fires, short circuits, or system overloads, automated switchgear can instantly isolate the affected section. This targeted shutdown prevents the spread of danger and keeps the rest of the city powered.

👉 Impact: Enhanced public safety, minimized risk of widespread outages.

3. Supporting Renewable Energy Integration

As cities shift toward renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydro), modern switchgear is designed to handle these variable inputs seamlessly. It balances load fluctuations and ensures grid stability, even when energy production varies hour by hour.

👉 Impact: Cleaner cities without sacrificing reliability.

4. Enhanced Energy Efficiency

Advanced switchgear minimizes energy losses during transmission and distribution. With features like optimized load management and energy analytics, cities can operate their power grids more sustainably and economically.

👉 Impact: Lower energy costs, greener urban spaces.

Why Upgrading Switchgear is Essential for the Cities of Tomorrow

The future city will be:

· More populated

· More digitalized

· More energy-demanding

Legacy power systems cannot keep up with this growth. Old switchgear is more vulnerable to faults, inefficiency, and even cyberattacks. Modern, advanced switchgear not only provides higher protection but also future-proofs cities against evolving challenges.

Investing in advanced switchgear means investing in:

· Public safety

· Economic stability

· Environmental responsibility

· Smart infrastructure development

Conclusion: Powering a Safer, Smarter Future

As we envision smarter, greener, and safer cities, we must pay attention to the systems that keep the lights on — and keep people safe. Advanced switchgear stands at the front line of this transformation, quietly ensuring that progress doesn’t come at the cost of safety.

Whether you’re an urban planner, an electrical engineer, or a business owner — prioritizing the right switchgear solutions is key to building cities ready for the challenges of tomorrow.

Looking for world-class switchgear products and accessories? Al Taqwa Electrical and Building Materials offers cutting-edge solutions trusted by industries across the world.

[bruinhilda]

So Dad being sick so much has thrown a lot off. Most notably, he hasn't been filing his tax returns. Now, as he's someone who overpays into the system and always gets a return, this has not been a disaster. The IRS doesn't actually give a rat's ass if you don't file when THEY owe YOU.

But this year I decided to help him start filing his taxes like a good citizen. At least this year's. I did it online, using the same service I use for mine.

And 4 days ago he got a formal letter from the IRS saying they suspect his identity has been stolen, someone filed a return for him! So he has to prove his identity to them before they'll actually process his return and give him his refund.

We tried the online one. The "fast and easy!" It took two hours of jumping through goddamn hoops and shaving his beard for the facial recognition technology to utterly fail to work. So they want to verify via video chat.

My phone does not do video chat. Dad's flip phone certainly doesn't. So that's fucked.

So today we're trying to do it via the phone number the IRS has for failing to do this shit online. If it doesn't work, they're going to drag my handicapped father into an IRS office just to verify that yes, it's him, and yes, he's filing his goddamn taxes like you supposedly WANT him to do.

It took 45 minutes of dialing in to get put on hold. Calling in, sitting through 2-3 minutes of the machine babbling at you, being told, "due to high call volume, we can't help you, call back, *click*"

Finally, it let us through to the point it put us on hold. 15-30 minute wait. We're still waiting, and I'm pretty sure it's been more than half an hour now. Fortunately, Dad is pretty chipper today and is saying he's willing to wait the 4 more hours this office is open for if need be.

I have no real hopes here. I expect one of two outcomes: they disconnect and we have to start all over again, or they make him go in person just to fucking jerk us around.

[websneha]

10 Surprising Stress-Relief Innovations You’ll Need in 2025

Stress and anxiety have become an integral part of modern life, especially in India, where rapid urbanization, high competition, and the digital era have exacerbated mental health challenges. According to a recent survey by the Indian Psychiatry Society, 74% of Indians face stress in their daily lives. As we move into 2025, the ways to manage stress have drastically evolved. These innovative stress-relief techniques go beyond traditional methods and offer effective, science-backed solutions to help you stay calm and focused. Let’s dive into 10 surprising innovations that you’ll need to know to reduce stress and anxiety in 2025.

1. AI-Powered Stress Monitoring Wearables

In 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way we manage stress. AI-powered wearables such as smartwatches and fitness bands not only track your physical health but also monitor your stress levels in real time. These wearables analyze heart rate variability, body temperature, and sleep patterns to detect signs of stress. They can even provide guided breathing exercises or alert you when it’s time to take a break.

Key Features:

Real-time stress monitoring through biometric data.

Personalized stress management tips based on AI analysis.

Integration with apps to provide breathing exercises, meditation, or calming music.

Indian Market Stats:

According to Statista, the wearable technology market in India is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.6% by 2025, with stress-management wearables becoming more popular.

Popular AI-Powered Wearables:

Fitbit Sense: Equipped with an EDA sensor that tracks your body’s response to stress.

Oura Ring: Tracks body temperature and sleep patterns, helping to manage anxiety.

2. Digital Detox Retreats

In a world dominated by technology, digital detox retreats are emerging as one of the most effective stress-relief techniques in 2025. These retreats allow participants to unplug from technology and focus on mindfulness, nature, and self-care. With the rise of screen time, especially in India where people spend an average of 6-7 hours a day on digital devices, digital detox retreats offer a necessary escape to rejuvenate the mind and body.

Benefits of Digital Detox:

Reduced screen fatigue and improved mental clarity.

Better sleep quality due to disconnection from blue light.

Enhanced emotional well-being through mindfulness activities like yoga and meditation.

Popular Digital Detox Destinations in India:

Ananda in the Himalayas: Offers yoga, meditation, and spa therapies in a serene environment.

SwaSwara Retreat in Gokarna: A perfect place for digital detox combined with Ayurveda and holistic healing.

3. Neurofeedback Therapy

Neurofeedback is a cutting-edge stress-relief technique that uses brainwave monitoring to help individuals regulate their stress responses. In 2025, neurofeedback therapy has become a mainstream option for managing anxiety, particularly in urban areas of India. By training the brain to recognize stressful patterns and shifting brainwave activity, neurofeedback offers long-term stress reduction without medication.

How Neurofeedback Works:

Electrodes are placed on the scalp to monitor brain activity.

The brain is trained to produce desirable brainwave patterns, helping you achieve relaxation.

Sessions are often combined with mindfulness and deep-breathing exercises.

Effectiveness:

Research shows that neurofeedback therapy can reduce symptoms of anxiety by up to 45% over time.

Available in India’s top wellness centers in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi.

4. Sensory Deprivation Tanks (Floatation Therapy)

Sensory deprivation, also known as floatation therapy, involves lying in a tank filled with saltwater where external stimuli such as light and sound are completely eliminated. This helps your body enter a deep state of relaxation, reducing cortisol levels and promoting mental clarity. Floatation therapy has become increasingly popular in India’s major cities in 2025 as a way to combat the pressures of daily life.

Benefits of Floatation Therapy:

Decreased cortisol levels and stress hormones by up to 20%.

Promotes theta brainwave activity, which is associated with deep relaxation and meditation.

Improved mental focus and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Where to Try It in India:

1000 Petals in Bengaluru: Offers floatation therapy sessions designed for stress relief.

Mindful Waters in Mumbai: Specializes in sensory deprivation therapy for mental well-being.

5. Cold Exposure Therapy (Cryotherapy)

Cold exposure therapy, or cryotherapy, has emerged as one of the most surprising ways to combat stress and anxiety in 2025. Cryotherapy involves brief exposure to sub-zero temperatures in a controlled environment, stimulating the body’s parasympathetic nervous system. This, in turn, reduces inflammation, boosts endorphins, and helps manage anxiety.

Key Benefits:

Reduces inflammation and muscle tension caused by stress.

Boosts the production of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals.

Enhances mental resilience by improving the body’s response to stress.

Cryotherapy in India:

Leading wellness centers in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru offer cryotherapy sessions.

Cryotherapy is expected to grow rapidly, with a 35% increase in adoption by 2025 as per industry reports.

6. Virtual Reality Meditation

Virtual reality (VR) has made meditation more immersive and effective than ever in 2025. VR meditation apps transport you to peaceful environments like lush forests or serene beaches, making it easier to disconnect from stressful surroundings. These apps combine guided meditation with virtual experiences, making stress management more accessible, even in the bustling cities of India.

Why VR Meditation Works:

Creates a fully immersive experience, helping you detach from daily stressors.

Guided meditation programs are tailored to reduce anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion.

Ideal for those who find traditional meditation challenging or boring.

Popular VR Meditation Apps:

TRIPP: A VR app designed to promote mindfulness and reduce stress.

RelaxVR: Offers calming VR experiences like virtual beaches or mountain views, helping to lower anxiety levels.

7. Biohacking for Stress Relief

Biohacking, a concept focused on optimizing body and mind performance, has taken a new leap in 2025 as a method for stress relief. Techniques such as intermittent fasting, cold showers, and red light therapy are being embraced by individuals seeking to "hack" their stress responses. Biohacking allows you to gain control over how your body reacts to stress, improving both mental and physical health.

Popular Biohacking Techniques for Stress:

Cold Showers: Stimulate the vagus nerve and reduce cortisol production.

Red Light Therapy: Helps lower inflammation and calm the nervous system.

Intermittent Fasting: Promotes mental clarity and enhances stress resilience by balancing hormonal levels.

Indian Biohacking Community Growth:

Biohacking India reported a 40% increase in the number of people practicing biohacking methods in 2025, with stress reduction being a key goal for many participants.

8. Gut Health and Probiotics for Mental Well-Being

The gut-brain connection is now well-established, and 2025 has seen the rise of nutritional psychiatry in India. Probiotics, specifically designed to improve gut health, have been shown to reduce anxiety by promoting the production of serotonin, a key mood-regulating hormone. Incorporating probiotics and prebiotics into your diet can be a natural way to manage stress and anxiety.

Key Foods for Stress Reduction:

Curd (Dahi): Rich in probiotics, which help balance gut bacteria and improve mood.

Fermented Foods: Include pickles, idli, and dosa for natural probiotics.

Asafoetida (Hing): Known to improve gut health, which can directly influence mental well-being.

Stats:

According to a 2024 study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), individuals who included probiotics in their diet experienced a 30% decrease in anxiety levels after three months.

9. Breathwork with Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Training

Breathwork has been a traditional Indian practice for centuries, but in 2025, it’s getting a modern upgrade with heart rate variability (HRV) training. HRV is the measurement of the time interval between heartbeats, and it’s a powerful indicator of stress levels. With the help of technology, you can now practice controlled breathing to improve your HRV, thereby reducing anxiety and stress.

How HRV Breathwork Works:

Apps or wearables measure your HRV and guide you through specific breathing exercises to optimize your heart rate.

Increased HRV is linked to better mental health, lower stress, and improved resilience to anxiety.

Popular HRV Devices:

HeartMath Inner Balance: A device that measures HRV and offers personalized breathing exercises.

Garmin Smartwatches: Equipped with HRV tracking and breathing exercises for stress management.

10. Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku)

In 2025, forest bathing, or Shinrin-Yoku, has become a popular stress-relief technique in India. Originally a Japanese practice, forest bathing involves immersing yourself in nature, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of a forest environment. The benefits of spending time in nature are well-documented, with forest

[bizzybloger]

Cultivating Digital Well-Being: Creating a Balanced Online Presence

Hey Community,

In today's hyper-connected world, maintaining a healthy relationship with technology is more important than ever. With the constant influx of notifications, social media updates, and digital distractions, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed. That's why focusing on digital well-being is crucial. In this blog post, we'll explore practical ways to cultivate digital well-being and create a balanced online presence.

Understanding Digital Well-Being

Digital well-being is about managing your digital life in a way that promotes health, happiness, and productivity. It involves being mindful of how you use technology and ensuring that it enhances your life rather than detracts from it. Here are some strategies to help you achieve a balanced online presence:

1. Set Boundaries with Technology

One of the first steps to digital well-being is setting boundaries. Determine specific times when you will disconnect from your devices. This could be during meals, an hour before bed, or while spending time with loved ones. Creating these tech-free zones helps you stay present and reduces the constant pull of digital distractions.

2. Curate Your Online Environment

Take control of your digital space by curating the content you engage with. Unfollow or mute accounts that don't bring you joy or add value to your life. Instead, surround yourself with positive, inspiring, and educational content. Platforms like MeWe allow you to tailor your feed to reflect your interests and values, making it easier to create a healthy online environment.

3. Practice Mindful Usage

Mindful usage of technology means being intentional about how and why you use your devices. Before picking up your phone or opening a new tab, ask yourself what you hope to achieve. Are you looking for information, connection, or just a distraction? By being aware of your intentions, you can make more conscious choices about your digital interactions.

4. Take Regular Breaks

Incorporate regular breaks into your digital routine to prevent burnout and maintain focus. Use techniques like the Pomodoro method, which involves working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. These short breaks can help you recharge and improve your productivity.

5. Prioritize Offline Activities

Balance your online life with offline activities that promote well-being. Spend time in nature, engage in physical exercise, read a book, or practice a hobby. These activities can help reduce stress and provide a refreshing break from screens.

6. Engage in Digital Detoxes

Consider doing a digital detox periodically. This could be a weekend without social media, a day without emails, or even a few hours without any screens. Digital detoxes can help reset your relationship with technology and provide a deeper sense of relaxation and clarity.

7. Use Technology to Enhance Well-Being

Technology can be a powerful tool for well-being if used correctly. Utilize apps and tools that promote health, such as meditation apps, fitness trackers, and time management tools. These can help you stay on track with your wellness goals and make your digital life more purposeful.

8. Foster Real Connections

While online interactions can be meaningful, they shouldn't replace face-to-face connections. Make an effort to meet friends and family in person, engage in meaningful conversations, and build real-life relationships. This helps create a balanced social life that isn't solely dependent on digital interactions.

Conclusion

Cultivating digital well-being is an ongoing process that requires mindfulness and intentionality. By setting boundaries, curating your online environment, practicing mindful usage, and prioritizing offline activities, you can create a balanced online presence that enhances your life. Let's use technology to connect, inspire, and grow without letting it overwhelm us.

How do you maintain digital well-being in your life? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below. Let's support each other on this journey towards a healthier relationship with technology.

Stay balanced,

[eliteprepsat]

A common refrain I frequently hear from students is some version of “I’m so exhausted.” With classes, homework, exams, extracurriculars, standardized tests and all sorts of other obligations, it’s understandable why students feel stretched to their limit. There’s pressure to succeed from all angles, and it seems to only heighten with each passing year. Just as the academic rigor and demands increase, so does the potential for burnout.

According to Psychology Today, burnout is “a state of chronic stress that leads to physical and emotional exhaustion, cynicism and detachment, and feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment.” While it’s easy to think of burnout as nothing more than normal high school stress, it is important to recognize it as a distinct experience. Acknowledging it as such is the first step to avoiding it. Here are some steps you can take to avoid and/or combat burnout.

1. GET ORGANIZED

Let’s face it, sometimes the onslaught of responsibilities seems never ending. Just as soon as you’re done with one task, there are another fifteen to tackle. Juggling everything at once may come naturally to a few, but for most, a better bet is to develop strong organizational skills. Use a calendar to keep track of priorities and deadlines. Set reminders on your phone so you won’t forget. Organize your notes and assignments to help you prepare for tests. Use whatever system works for you, but make sure there’s some sort of structure you can rely upon.

2. MANAGE YOUR TIME

Breaking down your responsibilities into manageable chunks will help you focus, and focus is essential to getting your work done efficiently. Recognize which classes require more out of you, and allocate your time accordingly. Working in set time chunks and taking brief breaks throughout your studying will keep you fresh. Waiting until the last minute to get things done puts you on the fast track to burnout. Plan things out in advance to have a clear picture of what exactly you are responsible for and when it is due.

3. SET REASONABLE GOALS

Many students opt for the most rigorous academic course load possible in today’s competitive college admissions landscape, but try not to bite off more than you can chew when it comes to academics. Overestimating just how much you can handle academically is the quickest way to overload yourself. While colleges want to see you challenge yourself, they also want to see you succeed. Be honest with yourself and your goals to help you chart out a practical academic schedule.  

4. DEVELOP HEALTHY HABITS

Eating well, exercising regularly and getting a good night’s sleep are often the first sacrifices for busy students. However, these are some of the most important steps you can take to reduce stress and stay on track with your responsibilities. To function at your highest, you should maintain a relatively active lifestyle and fuel your body properly. I’m not suggesting you have to be an Olympic athlete, but even 30 minutes of daily exercise along with a steady diet of fruits and vegetables can provide you with a much needed boost to power you through each day. I know it can be difficult to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night, but it’s worth it, it’s worth it, it’s worth it!

5. LIMIT DISTRACTING DEVICES

Technology is rampant in this day and age, and while much of it can be utilized to assist with you with your work, the opposite is equally true. The instantaneous nature of social media may make you feel like you need to stay connected at all times, but that constant connection will drain your energy and eat away the time you should be dedicating to your work. Adding a steady stream of social information to your responsibilities only increases your levels of stimulation. Disconnect from the apps (particularly close to bedtime) and concentrate that energy on accomplishing your tasks.

All of the work you invest in high school is in pursuit of a higher goal, and keeping your goals in mind can keep you driven and motivated. It is completely normal to occasionally max out, but it is important to recognize your limits and deal with them appropriately. Utilizing the tips above, you should stay fresh and remain on track to your success.

[themculibrary]

Ghosts Masterlist 3

Links Last Checked: May 13th, 2024

part one, part two

ain't afraid of no ghost! (ao3) - deniigiq N/R, 6k

Summary: Peter thought about Mr. Stark telling him to be responsible with his powers. Then he thought about Wade recruiting Double D to time how long it took his hand to heal after he stabbed it with a knife. And then he remembered Double D agreeing to it even though he couldn’t read the stopwatch.

Stupider things had been done, he decided, and it’s not like a little ghost hunting was going to hurt anyone.

“Sure,” he told Ned with a grin, “Let’s go catch a ghost.”

(The Spiderman trio and the Daredevil trio meet up to go ghost-hunting, it goes about as well as you'd expect.)

All-American Afterlife (ao3) - Zekkass G, 4k

Summary: Bucky's been haunting Steve since he fell off the train.

All Hallows' Eve (ao3) - The_Winter_Writer bucky/steve/tony N/R, 3k

Summary: Tony hated haunted houses. When he escaped this nightmare he was going to kill Natasha.

Beyond The Wooden Fence (ao3) - Ashleyparker2815 N/R, 33k

Summary: In the house next door to Peter’s and Tony’s new house, there is a mom and dad who lost their eleven year old son.

Now, those parents find out Peter moved in next door and they try to get their ghost son to kill Peter so the spirit of the little boy can take his body.

Will Tony be able to save his kid?

Dancing in the Dark (ao3) - Neotorious steve/bucky G, 5k

Summary: Most things happen in the dark, and from the things that you could see to the people that you could meet in the dead of night something just might surprise you. And maybe, just maybe, they could even change your world. For better or worse? Well.. Who's to really say?

Sometimes it all starts with meeting a stranger during the witching hour. The night doesn't always have malice.

Darker Than Black (ao3) - trucizna steve/bucky T, 3k

Summary: Bucky has a monster living under his bed. Now he also has a friend.

Haunted Vacation (ao3) - pinkhairnoshoes steve/tony, ben/may T, 31k

Summary: Tony and Steve invite Ben and May on a vacation to a cottage upstate. It's a good chance to disconnect from technology and enjoy the summer out in the country. The house seems normal enough until Peter starts having nightmares and seeing ghosts. Unexplained things are starting to happen. Steve and Tony are getting increasingly frustrated waking up to things being out of place or damaged. Peter is getting increasingly worried when he wakes up with dirt and grass on his feet but no memory of leaving his bed. The adults assume Peter is acting out for attention. They don't see the ghosts or notice that the house is having an effect on them too.

Hopeless Wanderer (ao3) - Eternal_Peace_is_Overrated bucky/tony N/R, 6k

Summary: James Buchanan Barnes died when he fell from that train in the mountains; not in the literal sense, but very much in the figurative. He’d been molded into the Winter Soldier, the perfect assassin, by Hydra. But Bucky? He was still very much alive, trapped in his new Winter Soldier body, watching as this new him kills and hurts and demolishes. He doesn’t know what he would call himself- a ghost, maybe, a spirit. A soul? This goes on for seventy years, until one Tony Stark comes along and completely fucks up the life he’s trapped in. He watched the man struggle and hurt, seen him at his best and at his worst and somewhere along the way, Bucky fell in love with the self-made genius. And then. Then Tony almost dies, and suddenly, he can see Bucky- the ghost Bucky, who has been tied to him since he met him years ago, no longer stuck to the Winter Soldier. Its been one helluva ride, and Bucky’s new goal? Get his body back so he can kiss Tony senseless. Easy, right?

it slips between my fingers now (ao3) - Lise T, 3k

Summary: After Thanos is defeated, Thor goes (flees) into space with the Guardians of the Galaxy. It's going...fine.

Until he starts seeing his brother's ghost.

Possibly, Maybe (ao3) - castiowl steve/bucky T, 5k

Summary: Bucky is apartment-sitting for Natasha when he meets Steve. They spend the next four weeks embarrassing themselves.

Take Flight (ao3) - blackchaps clint/phil E, 50k

Summary: Werewolves kill Barney, sending Clint's life spiraling downwards. Clint avenges his brother, setting off a sequence of events that ends up with Clint losing his job at the circus and on the run from what feels like every werewolf in the United States. They want him dead. Good luck with that, furballs.

The Afterlife of The Party (ao3) - neversaydie steve/bucky, natasha/sam M, 8k

Summary" [in which Dead Dorks in Love, awkward ghost sex, and a whole lot of accidental feelings happen]

the dangers in the anger (and the hanging onto it) (ao3) - Katbelle T, 19k

Summary: There is a ghost haunting Matt Murdock's apartment. It's not the ghost you think of.

They that Fade and Stay (ao3) - 27dragons bucky/tony T, 3k

Summary: Bucky could only stare for a moment, and then he called, “Steve! I think we’ve got a ghost!”

“Wait, you can see me like this?” the ghost said, suddenly looking out of the TV at Bucky.

“God damn it,” Steve growled from his bedroom, where he had insisted on trying to put his bed together immediately instead of putting it off for a day or three like a normal person. As if either of them had seen any action recently enough to need a bed. “The bastard had better be friendly; we can’t afford to bring the ghostbusters in.”

Whatever here that's left of me is yours (ao3) - rainbow_nerds steve/bucky M, 41k

Summary: Steve thought he had finally found the perfect place to live. It was bright, airy, and miraculously free from mold and other unwelcome infestations.

Well, for the most part.

He hadn't signed on for a roommate, especially not one who'd been dead for eighty-odd years.

[ramesh-karthik]

Seamless Office Moves with Our Commercial Relocation Experts

Why Choose Our Commercial Relocation Service?

With years of expertise arranging office migrations across all sectors, we recognize that each firm has unique relocation requirements. Our commercial relocation service can manage relocations of any size or complexity, from law firms and IT companies to retail stores and corporate offices. Our priority is to minimize downtime, secure critical equipment and ensure a smooth transfer from one place to the next.

Comprehensive Planning and Project Management :

Thorough preparation is essential for a successful workplace transfer. Our team starts with a thorough consultation to determine your timetable, inventory and particular company needs. We build a personalized moving plan that details every step of the relocation process, from initial packing to final setup at your new site. Our professional project managers handle the whole relocation, serving as a single point of contact to arrange logistics, answer queries and assure timely completion.

2. Professional Packing and Labeling :

Protecting precious assets while in transit is one of the most difficult aspects of any business relocation. Our professionals use high-quality packing materials, protective wraps and specialized containers to secure office furniture, electronics, data and sensitive papers. To make unpacking and reinstallation easier, each item is meticulously labeled, classified and recorded. We take particular care with delicate products and sensitive technologies to ensure everything arrives in pristine shape.

3. Specialized Handling of IT Infrastructure :

Modern offices rely heavily on technology. Disconnecting, transporting and reconnecting servers, computers, data centers and phone systems requires technical expertise and precision. Our team includes IT relocation specialists who follow industry best practices for handling electronic equipment. We ensure all systems are carefully dismantled, securely packed and efficiently reinstalled with minimal disruption to your operations.

4. Furniture Disassembly and Reassembly :

Office furniture such as workstations, desks, conference tables and modular cubicles often require disassembly before transport. Our trained crew handles this task with care and efficiency, using the right tools and techniques. Upon arrival at your new office, we reassemble every piece according to your floor plan, ensuring a professional and organized setup. We also assist with ergonomic furniture placements to enhance comfort and productivity.

5. Minimal Business Disruption :

Time is money and every hour of downtime during a move affects your business performance. That’s why we schedule relocations during non-working hours, weekends, or holidays—whenever it suits your business needs. Our goal is to reduce operational disruption and enable your team to get back to work as quickly as possible. With our streamlined process and experienced manpower, most office moves are completed ahead of schedule.

6. Secure Document and File Relocation :

Many businesses still maintain important paper files and confidential documents. We provide specialized file relocation services, including secure transportation and tamper-evident packing for sensitive materials. Our team maintains strict confidentiality protocols and ensures that every document is transported with care and accountability.

7. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Practices :

We prioritize sustainability in every move we handle. Our office relocation services include eco-conscious practices like using reusable packing supplies, recycling old furniture and equipment and managing waste responsibly. Planning a tech upgrade? We also help with the ethical recycling or donation of outdated systems and assets.

8. Insurance and Risk Management :

We recognize the importance of your workplace assets and take every measure to avoid harm. To provide total peace of mind, we provide extensive insurance coverage choices suited to your relocation. Our risk control tactics include pre-move assessments, secure packing procedures and trained employees that adhere to stringent safety regulations.

9. Customized Solutions for Every Business :

Every move is distinctive, just as every business is. We provide flexible options that may be adjusted to fit your time, budget and business demands. We're here to help you with your relocation, whether you need assistance with everything or just some parts, like packing or setting up furniture. Our team works with your internal departments to make sure that the move goes as planned and meets your needs.

10. Our Proven Process :

We follow a structured, step-by-step process to ensure a seamless office move:

Initial Consultation – We assess your current office, understand your needs and provide a transparent quote.

Detailed Planning – Our project managers create a relocation plan, schedule and checklist tailored to your business.

Pre-Move Preparation – Includes labeling, packing, equipment disconnection and inventory management.

Secure Transportation – We transport all items using GPS-tracked vehicles and trained drivers.

Onsite Setup – Furniture assembly, equipment installation and workspace configuration are carried out with precision.

Post-Move Support – We remain available for troubleshooting, layout adjustments and further assistance.

11. Trusted by Businesses Across Sectors :

We’ve successfully handled office moves for clients in various sectors including:

Information Technology (IT) and Software Firms

Banking and Financial Services

Healthcare Facilities and Clinics

Educational Institutions

Government Offices

Startups and Co-working Spaces

Retail Stores and Warehouses

Our experience across these industries allows us to anticipate challenges and provide solutions that work.

Let Us Handle Your Next Move :

Relocating your workplace doesn’t have to be a big deal. With the right people on your side, the transition can go smoothly and create a platform for growth and success. Our commercial relocation service is dedicated to making your relocation as stress-free as possible by acting professionally, bringing new ideas and providing the best service. We are professional Packers and Movers in Chennai. We take care of every aspect from start to finish, so you can focus on what matters most your company. Call us now to arrange a meeting and find out how we can help you make your next office relocation a smooth and successful one.

Read More...

[powerpulsemag]

Passport Reloaded: Top Travel Trends That Will Define 2025

Category: Lifestyle Pulse

By Power Pulse Editorial

The world’s not just back outside—it’s leveling up. As borders reopen and technology gets flashier, 2025 travel isn’t about just going somewhere—it’s about experiencing something unforgettable. Gen Z, digital nomads, influencers, and flex-cationers are rewriting the rules of vacation, and Power Pulse is here for it.

Let’s unpack the travel vibes shaping 2025.

1. “Silence is Luxury” Travel

Forget five-star hotels—peace and privacy are the new premium. Travelers are escaping the noise with digital detox retreats, off-grid cabins, and “no signal” zones in Iceland, Patagonia, or the Arizona desert.

Why it hits:

Mental wellness is the new status symbol. Disconnecting is the flex.

> Power Pulse Pick: Book a 3-day stay at a blackout wellness dome in Finland—no WiFi, no worries.

2. AI-Personalized Travel Itineraries

Thanks to AI trip-planning tools, travelers are now skipping the travel agent and the stress. Just input your vibe (music festivals? food and chill?) and AI plans every stop, ride, and restaurant—with dynamic updates in real-time.

Why it hits:

No more Google rabbit holes. You get luxury-level curation with indie-level creativity.

> Power Pulse Pro Tip: Use apps like Roam Around, Layla, or Wonderplan to get your vibe-based travel map.

3. Neo-City Takeovers

Move over Paris and LA. In 2025, travelers are choosing emerging cultural capitals. Think:

• Lagos, Nigeria for music and nightlife

• Medellín, Colombia for digital nomad energy

• Seoul, South Korea for next-gen fashion and tech

• Tbilisi, Georgia for raw, artsy underground scenes

Why it hits:

It’s not about where everyone’s going. It’s about being the first to post from where the next wave is.

> Power Pulse Pick: Explore Nairobi’s art scene and pop-up sneaker shops before it’s all over TikTok.

4. “Quickie Trips” & Flexcations

2025 is the year of the 48-hour city switch. People are booking quick, ultra-curated getaways with purpose: catch a concert in Berlin, eat pasta in Naples, or just vibe at a rooftop party in Mexico City—all in a weekend.

Why it hits:

Remote work is still a thing, but now people are pairing it with quick bursts of excitement.

> Pulse Fact: Flights under 4 hours are trending harder than ever.

5. Dreamscape Travel: The Digital Layer

Augmented reality is no longer just for gaming—it’s turning real cities into interactive playgrounds. Imagine walking through Tokyo and seeing anime-style art bloom on buildings through your AR glasses.

Why it hits:

It blends real-world and digital adventures—and Gen Z is here for both.

> Power Pulse Future Watch: Keep an eye on “mixed reality” travel tours dropping in Dubai, Seoul, and Singapore.

6. “Don’t Post Me” Vacays

Ironically, in a world driven by content, more travelers are going ghost. No posts. No tags. Just vibes.

Why it hits:

The true flex is experiencing a place, not performing it.

> Pulse Insight: Travel clubs are popping up that don’t allow phones or photos. Privacy is power.

Final Boarding Thoughts

Travel in 2025 isn’t just a getaway—it’s a glow-up. From AI-powered itineraries to culture-rich city hops and unplugged luxury, today’s travelers want meaning, motion, and momentum. It’s about going places physically and mentally.

So book the flight, charge the passport, and mute the group chat. Because the future of travel? It’s already boarding.

[widedevsolution1]

AI in Daily Life: Lifestyle Challenges & Smart Solutions in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized how we live, work, and connect, but it’s not without its downsides. While we marvel at AI’s ability to automate tasks, generate content, and assist in decision-making, we’re also facing new challenges that impact our mental health, social behavior, job security, and even our daily routines. As we increasingly depend on smart tools, understanding how to balance convenience with well-being has become a modern necessity.

In this article, we will explore the lifestyle problemhttps://widedevsolution.com/s caused by AI, backed by expert opinions, and offer practical strategies to navigate this AI-driven world—while emphasizing solutions that are informed, conscious, and human-centered.

At Wide DevSolution, we believe in embracing AI as a partner, not a replacement—and we’re here to help individuals and businesses adapt responsibly.

The Rise of AI and Its Impact on Everyday Life

AI now exists in almost every corner of our lives—from virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa to AI-based content tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, or Sora. It helps with time management, shopping suggestions, health monitoring, and even dating apps.

However, as this reliance grows, so do lifestyle consequences. The key is recognizing these challenges and adapting accordingly.

“Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.” — Christian Lous Lange, Nobel Peace Prize laureate

2. Problem: Mental Overload and Information Fatigue

🔍 Why It’s Happening:

AI-generated content floods our screens—news, videos, emails, and notifications. The human brain struggles to keep up, leading to cognitive fatigue and decision paralysis.

💡 Solution:

Digital Detox: Schedule screen-free hours daily.

Use AI-curation tools to prioritize relevant content.

Practice mindfulness to regain mental clarity.

According to Cal Newport, author of Digital Minimalism, “The ability to concentrate intensely is a skill that must be trained. Overuse of AI tech reduces our ability to think deeply.”

3. Problem: Job Insecurity and Role Displacement

🔍 Why It’s Happening:

AI automates repetitive jobs, making many roles redundant. Fields like data entry, customer service, and writing are increasingly AI-augmented.

💡 Solution:

Focus on creative, emotional, and strategic skills.

Learn to use AI as a collaborative tool.

Upskill with AI literacy courses from platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Wide DevSolution.

“The future belongs to those who can collaborate with AI—not fear it.” — Dr. Kai-Fu Lee, former president of Google China and AI thought leader

4. Problem: Social Disconnection and Isolation

🔍 Why It’s Happening:

AI-powered algorithms tailor content for individuals, reducing organic interaction. Virtual relationships now often replace real human connections.

💡 Solution:

Set boundaries for AI-powered apps and chatbots.

Prioritize face-to-face interactions.

Engage in community activities that promote connection without digital interference.

A study by MIT Media Lab found that people who rely heavily on AI tools for communication report lower levels of emotional satisfaction in relationships.

5. Problem: Privacy Invasion and Data Misuse

🔍 Why It’s Happening:

AI requires massive amounts of personal data. Many users don’t fully understand how much they’re giving away in exchange for convenience.

💡 Solution:

Use privacy-focused browsers and ad blockers.

Regularly check data permissions on apps.

Opt for tools that promote transparency, such as AI products developed under ethical frameworks, like those promoted by Wide DevSolution.

“If you’re not paying for the product, you are the product.” — Popular internet adage

6. Problem: Over-Dependence on AI Tools

🔍 Why It’s Happening:

AI makes life easier, but this leads to reduced critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.

💡 Solution:

Use AI tools like ChatGPT for collaboration, not for complete automation.

Challenge yourself with tasks that require original thinking.

Combine AI with human judgment—AI gives answers, but only humans can ask the right questions.

“AI will not replace humans. But humans who use AI will replace those who don’t.” — Garry Kasparov, World Chess Champion

7. Problem: Algorithmic Bias and Inequality

🔍 Why It’s Happening:

AI learns from data, and data often reflects human biases. This affects hiring, credit scoring, legal decisions, and more.

💡 Solution:

Support companies building fair AI systems.

Understand how algorithms influence your experience.

Push for AI regulations and audit trails for high-stakes AI systems.

“If we’re not careful, AI will magnify discrimination instead of eliminating it.” — Joy Buolamwini, Founder of the Algorithmic Justice League

8. Problem: Ethical Concerns in AI-Generated Content

🔍 Why It’s Happening:

AI can generate deepfakes, fake news, and plagiarized content. Many people unknowingly share or rely on AI-generated material without verifying it.

💡 Solution:

Always fact-check content before trusting or sharing.

Use tools that detect AI content authenticity.

Promote transparency by crediting AI tools used in your work.

Wide DevSolution integrates ethical AI development principles to ensure clarity, accountability, and trust in every solution delivered.

9. Problem: Sleep and Health Disruptions

🔍 Why It’s Happening:

Late-night scrolling, wearable health monitors, and smart home tech powered by AI interfere with natural sleep cycles and cause dependency on artificial data for wellness tracking.

💡 Solution:

Turn off smart devices 1 hour before sleep.

Trust body signals more than device metrics.

Use AI for insight, not control.

The National Sleep Foundation reports a 40% increase in sleep-related disorders in AI-dense households.

10. Problem: AI-Created Unrealistic Expectations

🔍 Why It’s Happening:

AI often shows perfection—flawless designs, texts, bodies, voices—setting unrealistic standards in lifestyle, beauty, and productivity.

💡 Solution:

Educate audiences, especially youth, on the unreal nature of AI outputs.

Follow creators who promote authentic content.

Remember: AI is a simulation, not reality.

“The illusion of perfection created by AI can damage self-esteem if we don’t treat it with critical thinking.” — Dr. Jean Twenge, Psychologist and author of iGen

How Wide DevSolution Can Help

At Wide DevSolution, we understand the fine line between AI enhancement and AI dependency. That’s why our services are built with the human-first principle:

Ethical AI development

AI consulting for responsible integration

Human-in-the-loop automation systems

Custom tools that empower, not replace

If you’re looking to future-proof your lifestyle while using technology responsibly, our team is ready to guide you through every step.

Final Thoughts: Human-Centered AI is the Future

AI is not going away. But rather than fear it, we must learn to coexist with AI responsibly. That means setting boundaries, increasing awareness, protecting mental health, and advocating for ethical, fair, and inclusive AI.

Life with AI doesn’t have to mean less humanity—it can mean more, if we choose to stay intentional.

“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” — Alan Kay, Computer Scientist

At the end of the day, it’s not about AI versus human, it’s about AI with human.

Let’s lead the change—with clarity, care, and collaboration.

[sravan12]

Straunt vs Traditional Tech Stacks: What Franchises Gain by Switching

In the fast-evolving world of restaurant franchise operations, the gap between winners and strugglers often boils down to one critical factor—tech. Not just any tech, but how smart, unified, and future-ready that tech is.

Traditional systems—POS, order management tools, loyalty apps, reporting dashboards, third-party delivery platforms—were not designed to work together. As franchises scale, these siloed tools turn into a tangled mess. It’s not just inconvenient; it’s expensive, inefficient, and a serious roadblock to growth.

Straunt changes that. It’s a unified Franchise OS that replaces fragmented restaurant technology stacks with a single operating system. The result? Faster onboarding, streamlined order management, real-time reporting, and smarter customer engagement.

Let’s break down the wins that modern restaurant franchise operators unlock by switching to Straunt.

1. Faster and Frictionless Onboarding

Traditional tech stacks mean training teams across different platforms: one for POS, one for delivery, another for loyalty, and yet another for reporting. That’s days—sometimes weeks—of setup, training, and support overhead.

With Straunt, onboarding is plug-and-play. Whether it’s a single unit or 100 locations, the system standardizes onboarding across the board. All tools are connected and pre-integrated—delivery marketplaces, POS interfaces, loyalty features, menu syncing, and VoIP/AI phone ordering. A franchisee can go live in hours, not weeks.

For growing restaurant franchise networks, this saves both time and money. It also makes expansion smoother, with consistency across all stores and fewer operational headaches.

2.Unified Order Management: No More Manual Juggling

Legacy systems force teams to juggle orders from multiple dashboards—POS, third-party delivery tablets, in-house apps, AI phone orders, and walk-ins. It’s a recipe for mistakes, missed orders, and frustrated staff.

Straunt consolidates all order channels—online, in-store, phone, delivery, QR code, AI assistant—into one streamlined interface. All orders are injected directly into the POS, eliminating manual entry. Staff spend less time copying tickets and more time focusing on food and service.

This unified experience not only cuts down errors but also improves speed, accuracy, and customer satisfaction. It’s especially powerful for restaurant franchise businesses managing high-volume locations or diverse ordering channels.

3. Real-Time Reporting and Analytics

Traditional tech stacks offer reporting—but in fragments. One dashboard shows sales, another tracks delivery, yet another handles loyalty and marketing. None of them talk to each other. Getting the full picture takes hours of manual exports and Excel wizardry.

Straunt offers a centralized reporting dashboard. Sales, customer behavior, delivery insights, upsells, staff performance—it’s all there, updated in real time.

Owners and operators get instant visibility across locations. Whether it's comparing weekend performance across branches or tracking the impact of a new promotion, it’s all a few clicks away.

This kind of connected reporting is a game-changer for restaurant franchise management, empowering smarter, faster decisions without guesswork or delay.

4. Smarter Customer Engagement Built-In

Traditional systems handle customer engagement like an afterthought—clunky SMS campaigns, third-party loyalty integrations, or disconnected CRMs.

Straunt bakes engagement into the core experience. It tracks customer behavior across channels, then uses that data to trigger automated and personalized campaigns—offers, reminders, loyalty rewards, review requests, and even AI-assisted responses.

Want to bring back high spenders who haven’t visited in 30 days? Straunt does it. Want to upsell based on favorite orders? Straunt automates that too.

For growing restaurant franchise brands, this means higher retention, increased average ticket size, and a stronger brand connection without adding marketing overhead.

5.Simplified Multi-Location Management

Managing multiple locations with traditional tech means different logins, inconsistent menus, and scattered data. If one tool updates, the others often lag. Menu changes have to be pushed manually, pricing adjustments are error-prone, and brand consistency suffers.

Straunt treats every franchise unit as part of one smart ecosystem. Menus, pricing, and offers can be rolled out across locations with a single update. Region-specific changes are easy to configure. Everything is synced—from marketplace menus to loyalty settings—across all units in real time.

This unified architecture is a major step forward for restaurant franchise management, giving owners tighter control and agility without overwhelming their teams.

6. POS-Agnostic Flexibility

Traditional solutions often lock you into their own hardware or require replacing existing systems. That’s costly and disruptive.

Straunt is POS-agnostic. Whether you use legacy systems or modern cloud POS tools like Square, Clover, or Toast—Straunt overlays or extends features without forcing a switch. Think of it as a modern software layer that enhances, rather than replaces, your existing stack.

For franchises with existing infrastructure, this means Straunt can plug in immediately—no downtime, no retraining, no compromises.

7. Automation That Actually Saves Time

Old systems require staff to confirm orders manually, update inventory line-by-line, or handle repetitive customer calls. All of that steals hours every week.

Straunt automates the tedious stuff—AI phone ordering, menu syncing, review responses, loyalty redemptions, and even delivery status notifications. That means staff stay focused on hospitality and kitchen ops, not on chasing missed calls or juggling tech tools.

For franchise operations where consistency and efficiency are critical, this automation removes friction and adds capacity without increasing payroll.

8. Ready for Scale From Day One

Traditional systems break as you scale. The more locations you add, the more moving parts you manage—more dashboards, more integrations, more support tickets.

Straunt is built for scale. Whether you’re managing five stores or fifty, the experience is the same—centralized control, automated operations, and unified systems. New locations inherit your core stack without needing custom integrations or rebuilding workflows.

That’s a massive win for restaurant franchise operators aiming for regional or national growth. It lets them focus on expanding the business, not fixing broken tech.

9. Modern Interface That Teams Actually Use

Let’s face it—most traditional systems have clunky interfaces. Training is hard, adoption is low, and even basic tasks feel tedious.

Straunt is designed for today’s teams. Clean UI. Mobile access. Intuitive workflows. Whether it’s front-of-house staff managing orders or franchise owners tracking performance, the experience is fast, modern, and frustration-free.

This boosts adoption and reduces training time—a crucial factor for restaurant franchise management, especially when turnover is high or when expanding rapidly.

The Clear Winner

Traditional tech stacks served their time—but they’re not built for modern restaurant franchise demands. They’re siloed, outdated, and make scaling harder than it needs to be.

Straunt is different. It’s not just a tool—it’s an operating system purpose-built for today’s fast-moving, multi-location restaurant world. It combines the best of restaurant technology—AI, automation, reporting, customer engagement, and operations—into one unified platform.

If you’re ready to simplify your tech, streamline operations, and scale your franchise smarter, it’s time to switch.