#making this a low pressure thing

[pyrovilian]

Ok first day of heaptober! Magyk/Alchemy which I more interpreted as Magyk V Alchemy.

Image ID: A handrawn grayscale sketch showing Marcia Overstrand and Marcellus Pye standing off. They’re facing each other with their hands on their hips. Behind Marcia the Silver Doors to the Magyk Tower can be seen, showing the entry hall, and the Magyk Tower itself. Behind Marcellus the Great Doors of Time are seen, as well as the great Alchemic Fyre. End ID

[asukiess]

LOVEYBUG AU WEEK: 2/11 - 2/17

if the thought of "singles awareness day" has you feeling some type of way, don't worry--its hit Ladybug, too!

from February 11th to the 17th, feel free to participate in this week I made up! we'll be following all the different conceivable sides of the Loveybug AU Lovesquare; all the shenanigans, the Loveybug cringefailures, and of course: the love.

(BIG SPECIAL SHOUTOUT to @bittersweetresilience for crafting the calendar.)

Sunday, 2/11: Adrinette (Loveybug Edition)

Monday, 2/12: Marichat (Loveybug Edition)

Tuesday, 2/13: Loveydrien

Wednesday, 2/14: LoveyWalker

Thursday, 2/15: LoveyNoir

Friday, 2/16: LoveyWalker Kwami Swap

Saturday. 2/17: LoveyWalker Reveal!

How would Lovey!Marinette react each day at school seeing Adrien? What if Chat Noir or Cat Walker paid Lovey!Marinette a visit? What kind of special treatment does Adrien get from Loveybug? What is the DEAL between Loveybug and Catwalker--dating or is he still hung up on Ladybug's whereabouts? What if LoveyWalker needed to swap kwamis? And what will happen during the fateful reveal?

That's up to you to decide! Or, say screw it and use any of the days as a mere jumping off point and pair her up with someone else! The world is your honeymoon suite bed!

[mister13eyond]

talking to a friend about getting back into art and i think the #1 most important piece of art advice i could ever get or give is just "figure out what is FUN to you"

like i think there is sooooo much emphasis on how to build SKILL in art but a lot of it really treats art like a job or like video game grinding, like it's this thankless job that you have to work at in order to reach a Threshold and i know it's not EASY to make yourself have fun but like

imo a solid 70% of the reason i create art is because the Act of Drawing is fun to me. it's fun problem-solving and planning and putting down lines and playing with colors and tools. it's fun to depict little scenes in my head or to create outfits or to find ways to fill the canvas. never forget that creating can be fun. sometimes it's hard and sometimes you have to battle through your own blockades to get there but the ultimate goal should always be to ENJOY it, to find what you enjoy doing and then do it forever. improvement will follow enjoyment.

i think especially with all the debate about ML image generation it's more important than ever to embrace FUN. if you're only focused on the end result it's so easy to get in your own head- to think about what doesn't look good or what skills you don't have yet or to compare yourself to other artists. but photography didn't kill the art of drawing and AI won't either because, simply put, there will always be people who want to do the physical act of making art because it's fun to do! using paints and markers, splashing colors around, doing shitty pen doodles, using the symmetry tool in your art program to do abstract mandalas that are just squiggles formed into patterns. do art like you're 5 and you've been handed markers to pass the time. do art like you're bored in class and you're keeping your brain entertained by drawing stick figure comics in the margins. do art like an absent thing, do art because it satisfies your brain. the goal is not to make something beautiful and perfect, the goal is to make something because your hands need to make and your body needs to make.

[tj-crochets]

Hey y'all another "I suspect this is atypical but idk how atypical" question, this time about blood sugar! Okay, maybe a few questions

if your blood sugar is in the fasting blood sugar range, but you aren't fasting, does that count as low blood sugar?

2. Is it normal to have low blood sugar symptoms at not-technically-low-blood-sugar levels (today, 93)? Like, especially when it's that way when you have not been fasting, but also in general

3. How do you word "hey doc my records say you took my blood sugar when I was fasting, but I wasn't fasting. That was like an hour, hour and a half after lunch and I'd downed half a gatorade before I walked into the office and my blood sugar was in the 80s. Is that...maybe...a problem? That it's happened twice?" in a way doctors will care about?

[opens-up-4-nobody]

...

[repurposedmeatlocker]

I wonder what it is about Instagram that intimidates me so much. Especially in regards to posting artwork or utilizing any form of interaction on there. The whole site just feels completely exhausting, overstimulating, and not to mention arduous. More and more, I feel less and less good every time I open that app, which kind of sucks because I feel like it is kind of the most obligatory platform in order to stay connected with most people, especially at an industry level, if that makes sense. It just is so unenjoyable to me. Even though I mostly just follow artists whose work I enjoy and support. Am I alone in feeling like instagram just kind of sucks?

[enarien]

being in a fandom is amazing but also depressing

like reading all those character x reader fics make me !!! :( big sad!!

will I ever have a supporsting father figure? No

will I have a good job that won't make me wanna off myself? No

well will I at least ever be thin, beautiful and attractive? No

ok how about being smart, witty and funny? ... listen..

[aroaceleovaldez]

i think about the fact that Nico’s powers randomly include temperature control way too much. he can make stuff cold! and is apparently immune to cold himself, at least to some degree! why? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯probably ghost reasons! even though it is not inherently tied to ghosts at all and he can just Do That!

[fictionadventurer]

As I'm playing around with developing Lily Between Worlds, I'm finding that everything has to be built around the dynamics between Lily and her potential suitors. Even the parts of the story that aren't romance have to build off of or feed into those character arcs. So I'm going to outline those thoughts in probably more detail than anyone cares about.

Character Overview

I have to start with defining Lily's character.

Lily

Traits: Introvert, quiet, artistic, cautious/fearful, thoughtful. Afraid of the world/potential disasters, but friendly with people. Values familiarity and safety.

Archetype: Martyr-genius. Lily is willing to endure current hardships rather than risk any actions that could make things worse. Likes to retreat into her artistic skills as a source of comfort.

Growth: Lily needs to develop courage, become more adventurous, and learn to appreciate the world she now lives in.

Needs in a partner: Someone who can give her a place to belong in this society and help her to navigate the world. Someone who can help protect her from danger while helping her to develop her own strength. Someone who can help her engage with the physical world rather than retreating into herself.

When it comes to love interests, I find myself sticking to the structure of four main suitors, because they all represent different aspects of life in this world and how Lily can relate to it.

The scholar: Mind. Represents a logical, practical approach to the world (counteracting Lily's feelings-based approach).

The warrior: Body. He engages with physical reality (counteracting Lily's tendency to escape into her mind).

The explorer: Spirit. He maintains an optimistic outlook and boldly adventures out into the world (counteracting Lily's tendency to stay hidden for fear of the bad things that could happen).

The artist: Heart. He loves the same kinds of things that Lily loves, reassuring her that she's not alone in how she relates to this world.

Or, from a different direction:

The scholar is Lily's "father's" idea of a good husband. The type of person valued by the family that took her in. Lily has to decide whether she agrees with his values or if she has her own.

The warrior is the matchmaker's idea of a good husband. He's what this society values. If Lily's going to fit in this world, she has to at least consider adopting its values.

The artist is Lily's idea of a good husband--someone who understands her heart and shares her interests and values. But choosing a good life partner might require her to consider factors besides her own feelings, and as she grows, she might come to value other traits.

The explorer is no one's idea of a good husband. This might mean he's a wild card option who's intriguing, but ultimately too different to be a realistic option. Or because he's someone no one else would have considered, he might be just what Lily needs--helping her fit into this world in an unexpected way.

Dynamics

All four of these men have potential for interesting dynamics with Lily that could help both people to grow.

The scholar could come onto the scene a short time after Lily begins working with the matchmaker. Lily's "father", who had previously seen him only as a coworker, sees him come back on the scene and thinks, "He's of marriageable age, she's of marriageable age. It's perfect! Now kiss!" The scholar has no strong feelings either for or against marriage, but he puts himself forward as a favor to Lily's "father". He sees the practical benefits of keeping Lily involved with their work, and of Lily marrying someone with an in-depth understanding of her world. Lily is not at all attracted to this clinical approach to the marriage question. As the scholar gets to know Lily, he learns to see her as a person rather than as a subject for study. She teaches him how to engage with people rather than just ideas, and he teaches her that stepping back from emotion and just learning facts about this world can make it a lot less scary. I had cast him aside as a "wrong" option, but there is something cute about their dynamic. He enters this race purely for practical reasons, but if Lily marries someone else, I think he'd be surprised to find that his heart gets a little bit broken.

The warrior is put forward by the matchmaker as just about the best option Lily could hope for. Lily thinks the matchmaker is crazy--they'll have nothing in common. After the first few awkward encounters, that seems to be the case. But then the guy starts revealing hidden depths. He helps Lily to develop her much-needed combat skills, where she learns he's a patient teacher, and that his skills actually require a lot of intelligence. She's learns he's not some meat-headed glory-seeking barbarian--he values his combat skills because he's fiercely protective of his family and community. (He's very good with his younger sisters, mirroring Lily's attachment to some of "her family's" younger kids). He teaches her necessary survival skills and teaches her to value some of the ways of this culture. Lily, in her turn, teaches him to value quieter kinds of beauty. He's so devoted to his responsibilities, so locked into survival mode, that he can forget what we're staying alive for. She'd be a bit like the Peeta to his Katniss. Lily and the warrior find themselves connecting on a deeper level than either of them expected. (He might unveil some hidden artistic depths, depending on how deeply I want the two of them to connect).

The explorer comes from a respectable family, who are resentful that he ran off for years of adventure and eager to see him take up his long-abandoned responsibilities. He's not unwilling to settle down, so he seeks out the matchmaker's services. The matchmaker reluctantly presents him as an option for Lily--she is exotic enough to catch his interest. He's a friendly extrovert, and Lily finds him shockingly easy to talk to--she's interested in his travel stories, and he's interested of her tales of another world. Yet there is some tension between them. He's so adventurous that he can't believe Lily fell into another world and just stayed in some guy's house for years instead of exploring all that she could; she counters that he can't judge until he's been a child who fell unexpectedly into a new universe where the language and culture and landscape and the laws of physics are completely different. He draws her out to explore areas of this world she never would have dared to look at; he ignites her sense of wonder and helps her to find courage. Lily's thoughtful examinations of the world through her art help teach him the joys of slowing down and appreciating his homeland rather than rushing off over the horizon for the next exciting thing. (I could also take up @clarythericebot's idea and have him taking up art while dealing with an injury, and connecting to Lily that way). They also have a very playful dynamic--they're not afraid to tease each other. He starts to think that settling down and taking up responsibility could be a worthwhile adventure, and Lily starts to think that a few adventures might not be a bad thing.

The artist is someone who Lily meets in the background at some social event. He's not put forward as a romantic option; she pursues the friendship of her own volition. Lily and the artist are both glad to find someone who understands them; they had both felt alone in the world, didn't quite fit in to this society. The artist has clung to that--he doesn't want to fit in; this society is barbaric, and it's better to retreat into the nobler world of art. But as Lily grows thanks to her interactions with the other suitors, she finds that she wants to engage with this world. (The artist isn't a bad guy; he's rather sweet. He's just got some growing to do; Lily can start the process, but I don't know that she's the right one to finish it with him).

Options for the Ending

Having written all that out, the warrior and the explorer are the most compelling options for endgame. Both of them drive Lily to experience the world in new ways. They both teach her to appreciate the world--the explorer by teaching her to seek out wonders, the warrior by teaching her how to fight the dangers--and she teaches them a more thoughtful way to approach the world.

The resolution of either romance would involve them teaming up to battle some danger. Teaming up with the warrior would involve Lily realizing he's taught her to trust in her own strength, that she's found someone who's willing to face the dangers of the world for her and with her. She has fully integrated into this world by finding a husband who fits into this society. Teaming up with the explorer would involve Lily finding courage to run toward rather than from the danger, and the explorer being willing to stand his ground and take up responsibility; his actions here would make him a local hero and restore his good status in the community. Lily has found a place in this world, not by molding herself to it, but by finding someone who can help her carve out a unique place in it.

Lily and the explorer would be an introvert-extrovert couple; he fearlessly goes through the world, helping her to navigate society, while she's the quieter, grounded, more sensible one. He'd push her toward adventures while she'd keep him grounded. A bit Anne and Wentworth. If Lily partnered with the warrior, she'd the the more socially adept one, using her natural friendliness to engage with people (though he'd have a greater understanding of the intricacies of this world's traditions). She could trust him to keep her safe, and he'd trust her to help him engage with the more human elements of life.

Secondary Romance?

I don't want either man to have an unhappy ending. If Lily chooses one man, I want the other man to have another wife by the end of the book. The young matchmaker is a good spare to pair him with. She'd enter matchmaking thinking that she'd stay single her whole life (perhaps she's disabled from some monster attack, and matchmaking is one of the few jobs for single women--you get to board with families you matchmake for), only to find that one of the men she presents to Lily is her own perfect partner.

If Lily chooses the explorer, the matchmaker winds up with the warrior. She presented him to Lily as the perfect option; this was a brilliant match that would make her career. Lily does like him a lot more than she expected, but she can't see herself as his wife. The matchmaker can't understand it. How can Lily not love him? He's the perfect man! The matchmaker would marry him in a heartbea--oh. It turns out that the matchmaker, in her sessions helping him figure out how to relate to Lily, fell in love with him herself. Her extroverted people skills are the perfect balance to his quiet physical strength.

If Lily chooses the warrior, the matchmaker winds up with the explorer. The matchmaker initially dislikes him; he's flighty, irresponsible, a terrible match for any woman! But as she gets to know him, she finds they have a lot in common. They both love people; both have a lively way of looking at the world. She's an expert at navigating society's structures and can help him find a respectable place in it; he can broaden her horizons and help her to look outside those structures to find unexpected solutions--including the idea of marriage with him.

That's what I got at this point. It's very long. I probably shouldn't post all of it. But writing this as tumblr posts is keeping it from feeling like a Scary Writing Project, and posting it means that even if this doesn't turn into a story, I've done something with the ideas. I doubt anyone has read all of this, but if by some miracle you have, you can chime in if you feel like it.

[windwardstar]

... you know. You'd think the doctors would like... consider if people have other health conditions. Or at least ask.

Because the number of times I get prescribed a medicine that will lower my blood pressure as a possible side effect where I only find out after I read the information packet is so very high.

Also this one can trigger hypo/mania in a "it's listed as a side effect like four different places you dont even have to be bipolar" and that was also something that was not mentioned until I looked at the packet.

Like I know obviously at this point I should know to ask because it happens like every damn time but also I feel like when I've mentioned having problems with low blood pressure at the appointment I shouldn't have to ask if it'll lower blood pressure. And that "this might make you more energetic than usual" would be a good thing to mention since it's meant to do the opposite. And at that point I could have clued in to ah this will trigger the hypomania fyi I have bipolar you may want to pick a different med for me.

[angelcloves]

having a hard time breathing lately. so thats also affecting sleep now

[colorsinautumn]

.

[jaydeiswriting]

10 Spreads in my Art Journal

These are unsplash photos and found material: bubble wrap, old books, tissue paper from gifts, etc.

I tore up my two least favourite books from my first year of university. What's your least favourite book?

[manasurge]

Tis' the season where I mentally and physically suffer. Complaining below (feel free to ignore, I'm just venting. I usually do this every year to get most of it out of my system lol):

mmm the fall/winter SAD is indeed in full swing. No warmth + no sun = a bad bad time. I always get so annoyed when ppl assume that I love winter bc I'm a "winter baby", as if that has any sort of divine intervention on instantaneously adapting you to perfectly fit the climate you were born in. NOPE. Silly human superstition. I start to freeze once it hits below 20C. I wish I lived in a warmer climate o|-< The depresso is probably going to make me very whiny and moody until next spring, so an early forewarning bc I'm EXTREMELY annoying about it this time of year bc it's the only way I know how to deal with it. But moreso in addition to the physical stuff is how badly it messes with my mind, making me so depressed to the point of just... sitting in non-moving silence where I become stiff as a board (very painful btw) and I isolate, making the bad depresso brain time even worse where I overthink everything bc of the silence and isolation. It's also always the time of year where everyone goes quiet too, which is understandable, but also makes things 10x worse (I am very alone in my life and where I am, and kind of rely on online friends bc they're all I have. I don't even have a pet. I'm literally just, loner mode. I don't really have much family to speak of, and only one family member I do speak to. I have little to no connections at all. But regardless, this is still the best living situation I've been in my whole life, so that's saying something).

[youssefguedira]

what if i made a bunch of carefully curated chapter playlists with a specific vibe including story progression for the silly little joenicky coffee shop au i daydream about while doing the dishes at work instead of writing the damn thing

[hannahhasafact]

Happy Artfight Day!

While the site is (presumably) down due to first day traffic, I wanted to take a moment to talk about the pressure that many artist can feel about the event. Remember, Artfight is a free, volunteer participation event. Leading yourself towards a panic attack to participate isn’t a good time for anyone! I know it’s easy for artists to put a lot of pressure on themselves for things like this, so I thought I might offer some advice on how to make it as low pressure as possible.

And as a reminder: it’s an annual event. If you’re not able to participate one year, there’s always the next year. I took a break from Artfight in 2019 and came back afterwards, and there’s nothing wrong with that!

Anyways, I hope maybe some of my advice helps! Happy Artfight everyone!

(Btw if you wanna fight me once the site is up my username is the same as here 👀 Haven’t been put on a team yet but just fyi lol)