#support personal development

[thecoachingdirectory]

At The Coaching Directory, we are passionate about helping people to succeed through the power of coaching. We endorse and recommend a broad range of coaches that are qualified, fully insured, and professional and we advocate the use of coaching in personal and professional development. While some organizations and businesses might already have internal coaches, here are a few potential reasons why you might choose an external coach instead of relying solely on internal coaching resources. Check this out!

[slfcare]

the most difficult thing about growing as a person socially, as in getting out of your shell and noticing that you are, is that there will still be times when it doesn’t feel like you’ve grown at all! times when you can’t really connect with anyone around you, times when you fail to enter into an existing conversation, times when you say the wrong thing (or nothing at all when in hindsight you probably should’ve). but that’s also kind of the best thing, because that’s the thing that helps you realize that sometimes, it’s not you or your lack of skills or any shortcoming. sometimes certain environments just aren’t for you and certain people aren’t your people, and that’s okay. that’s human. it’s okay to not feel the progress you have made all the time.

[bixels]

Taking the current topic as an excuse to ask you to tell me all the reasons you love Rarijack. Your art for the ship is so sweet and intimate I'd love to hear any in depth thoughts you have.

Breathes in.

I think what makes their dynamic really strong is that they have opposing personalities but aligned values. It's deeper than just "opposites attract." Rarity's fancy, prissy, and femme while Applejack's modest, rough, and "masculine." But both value hard work (to the point of being workaholics), their families (both have guardianship over their little sisters), running successful businesses, and eventually each other. Their relationship can be boiled down to, "Despite our differences/disagreements, I still like you because we value the same things."

We see their relationship develop so much. In the first season, they can't stop bickering about surface-level differences. By season four, they still bicker, but will mend their relationship because they can't help but do nice things for each other. In Trade Ya, they start off arguing over personality differences (Applejack likes old junk and Rarity likes useless crap). Then they pivot and start arguing that they value their relationship more than the other. In the end, they mend things by sacrificing their needs and buying each other a gift. Even if they don't understand it, they know it'd make the other happy. And that's all that really matters. It's a genuinely sweet moment that shows how arguing can be healthy and necessary for relationships to strengthen.

We even see them dropping their hang-ups about each others' personalities. In Made in Manehattan, when Rarity runs off in dramatics about someone's fashion, AJ doesn't roll her eyes or scoff, she smiles. Oftentimes, their conflicts are very common domestic conflicts romantic couples face. Applejack's Day Off is about a woman's inability to balance work and life and find time to properly spend with her partner, causing her partner to feel neglected.

By season seven, they're actively participating in each others' interests. Any problems or conflicts that arise are dealt with, and they come out the other end stronger and closer. In Honest Apple, AJ pretty much spells out why their relationship works so well: even though she doesn't understand fashion, she can recognize and appreciate how much work it takes and wants to respect that. When she realizes her mistake in the episode, AJ goes above and beyond to fix things and apologize to Rarity. They care about each other so much.

The two go out of their way, sacrificing their personal desires and beliefs and doing things they normally wouldn't, to make the other happy. That's just love.

There's Simple Ways, where AJ gets stuck in an unwanted love triangle between Rarity and her hipster crush. And her frustration and anger can be so easily interpreted as AJ finding herself in a terrible position; the girl she loves wants another man, and that man wants her.

I dunno. I've always had a preference for opposites attract ships, but Rarijack's stuck with me like a brain worm because they have the perfect chemistry. The way they show they care, or do things for each other, I've always read it as the truest representation of romance in the show.

[aventurineswife]

Send Me On My Way

Tags: @slowkib, Landau Siblings x Reader, Platonic Sibling Relationship, Family Dynamics, Self-Discovery, Emotional Growth, Supportive Siblings, Personal Journey, Character Development.

Gepard is a man of duty and discipline, and while he doesn't often voice it, he's deeply protective of you. When you express doubts about your path in life, he's always there, offering subtle encouragement. He might not say much, but his gaze is filled with understanding and quiet pride. Seeing you leave to join the Astral Express is bittersweet for him, but he respects your decision to forge your own way, even if it means stepping away from the traditions of the Landau family.

Serval, with her pragmatic and adventurous personality, understands better than anyone that sometimes, the best way to find yourself is to step away and experience the world. She’s the sibling you turn to when you need advice on being bold and carving out your own space. Serval encourages you to pursue your passions and offers you wisdom from her own experiences, including how to be resourceful on the Astral Express.

Lynx may be the youngest of the family, but she has a surprising level of emotional intelligence. Though she often cracks jokes to lighten the mood, she’s incredibly in tune with your struggles. When you feel lost or uncertain, Lynx might drop a sly comment to make you laugh or help you gain perspective in her own cheeky way. She’s always there for a late-night chat, and you can count on her to lift your spirits when you're questioning your decision to leave.

While each sibling shows their love in different ways, the Landau siblings have a strong and unspoken bond. Even though they don’t always agree on everything, especially with how things went with the family legacy, they’re united in their care for you. They might argue over the best way to support you, but at the end of the day, they all share the same goal: for you to find your own happiness, even if it’s outside of Belobog.

While Gepard is a steadfast protector of Belobog, he sees you as his "little" sibling, no matter how old you get. When you board the Astral Express, he gives you one last long hug, full of quiet reassurance. He won’t admit it, but he’s terrified of the dangers you might face, and though he tries not to show it, there’s a certain sadness behind his stoic face when you leave. He’ll never say it, but he always keeps an eye out, knowing you're out there, making your own path.

Serval is the first to cheer you on when you make the decision to join the Astral Express. She has a deep respect for those who pursue their own journeys, even if it takes them far from home. "The world is big, and you’ve got a lot to see," she tells you with a grin. She’s not just your older sibling; she’s also a mentor in some ways, helping you embrace the uncertainties of the unknown and teaching you how to handle whatever comes your way with grace.

Lynx, despite her youthful appearance, is a keen observer of people. She knows that your decision to join the Astral Express is an act of bravery, even if it doesn’t feel like it to you. She teases you, saying, "Don’t go getting all heroic on me, okay?" But deep down, she’s proud of you for choosing a different path. She sends you off with a wink, knowing you'll come back with stories—and maybe even new skills that will surprise everyone.

Years later, when you return from your travels as a nameless, each sibling will react differently but with the same underlying emotion—pride. Gepard will hold his composure, but his pride in you will be evident in the way he looks at you. Serval will likely be excited to hear all your stories, demanding details and offering advice on navigating new challenges. Lynx will tease you, but her eyes will show how happy she is to see you back, and she might even have a few new pranks or adventures planned for you.

[stars-and-darkness]

why does so much of mel discourse on this site centre on to what measure she did or did not manipulate jayce like that's the extent of her complexity and grey morality, as if she has not directly and indirectly been contributing to the opression of zaun not because she's prejudiced or hates them but simply because she profits from it, like i am so sorry my queen that they don't get you like i get you

[blckbuzinessdistrict]

theavalonvillage

🗣️ Allow us to reintroduce ourselves: WELCOME TO AVALON VILLAGE!! 🔥

[unsolicitedadvicecatlady]

Negotiating with a terrorist

Some time ago I was involved in a hostage negotiation. The negotiation lasted 218 days before we reached a successful outcome. That was one of the hardest 7 months of my life. I got a lot of grey hairs, and I learned a little about human behavior. Now that there's been some distance between those events and the present, I'd like to share some of what I learned.

Growing up, I remember hearing "we don't negotiate with terrorists." Unfortunately, it's something I had to learn how to do. I'm not an expert, by far. There are people out there with a lot more experience in these types of high-stakes negotiations, however, this is some of the information that I used to get to an acceptable resolution, and this blog is an outlet that I use to share my unsolicited advice.

First, you have to stop thinking "it's us vs. them." You have to change your mindset into thinking about this as a collaborative effort. They're not the enemy, they are your counterpart. You're spinning in different directions, but you still need to work together with them here.

Next, take your best guess at your counterpart's perspective. Are they spouting a bunch of bullshit about how they're the real victim here? How life owes them? How somebody owes them? Get into their shoes to get into their head. It's not that you're buying their rhetoric, but you want them to think that you're looking out for their best interests, otherwise, they're not going to listen to a word you have to say.

Build rapport with them. Repeat back to them the last few words of what they just said, using an upwards inflection to indicate benign curiosity, or a downwards inflection to indicate they can elaborate because they haven't sold you on this idea, yet. The "yet" is the operative word. Give them the sense that you're really listening to understand, not to respond.

Use phrases like: "it sounds like," "it looks like," "it feels like," and reassure them that you are listening to what they're saying. For example, "it sounds like you're pretty tired of not being heard. Tell me, what's really going on?" or "it looks like you want to be taken seriously here. You've got my attention." or "it feels like you're in a really tough spot here. What do you need right now?"

You're not saying this because you're such a nice person, you are, but you're talking to a sociopath, you've gotta do a little acting. A lot of acting. You want to use your friendly, upbeat voice, like you're talking to a good buddy. That slows their brainwaves down and makes them feel safe. If you want to speed their brainwaves up and knock them off balance, talk fast and aggressively. If you want them to cool back off then use a slow cadence, deep tone, nice and easy, real slow.

Express a real interest in their point of view. Get them talking about all the absolute trash propaganda and their own narrative. Ramp up their sense of safety by respectfully acknowledging their emotions behind what they're saying. Paraphrase a little, let them know you're really here to listen to them. If they're holding back, prime them by guessing at what they're thinking and feeling. Learn to see suffering first.

Agree with them as much as you can. This might sound counterintuitive, but you've got to make them feel like you're really looking out for their best interests, so when they say something that you can agree with, focus on that.

Understand the difference between "You're right" and "That's right." "You're right" means "Shut up, please; I'm going to do what I like anyway." While "That's right" means "I now know that you understand where I'm coming from, and I agree with what you're saying."

Ask "no" oriented questions. People are more comfortable answering a question with "no" than they are with "yes." So, rephrase all of your questions that you want a "yes" to so that the answer you want is "no."

Let your own "no" out gently and only in teaspoonfuls. They're operating with a very self-centered mindset, so when you tell them "No" it's going to be like a slap in the face to them. Instead, ask "How am I supposed to do that?" They might tell you exactly how you're supposed to do that. So, say something like "It sounds like you've really thought this through. I'm sorry. I'm afraid that's just not going to be possible from my end." Compliment their intelligence and be apologetic. This person is an egomaniac, they'll eat that garbage for breakfast.

Get them to a point of cognitive overload by asking a rapid series of "how" and "what" questions. Any more than five and they'll be mentally exhausted. This can cause agitation, so be tactful of when you use this.

When negotiating you can't be so set on what you want that you wouldn't take something even better. Don't fixate on one outcome. Be open to the possibility that your best idea isn't actually the best idea.

One of your crucial objectives here is mutual respect. Don't dis the narcissist. Things will escalate if you start speaking disrespectfully. Use deference, tact, a calm approach, empathy (not sympathy), and let them know you respect them (especially if you hate their guts). Immediately apologize if you've said or done anything to offend them. Remember you're dealing with a totally self-absorbed human here.

Another thing to remember is you must be genuinely respectful. If you're faking it, they will be able to tell instantly. Don't be patronizing or condescending. It's very likely that they have been faking good intentions longer than you have, and they're most likely skilled in manipulation. So, don't even try to sound genuine, actually be genuine. You don't agree with them, you don't like them, but you do respect them.

Another critical objective here is finding a long-term mutually agreeable solution. You can always just shoot them once you get what you need, but don't focus on the short-term. Leave them looking forward to talking with you again. And then you can shoot them.

When you're in a good mood you're more likely to notice important details and make good decisions. The reverse of that is when you're in a bad mood you're more likely to miss important details and make bad decisions. So, do your damnedest to stay in a positive state of mind. Eliminate distractions, walk as much as you can (even just a 20-minute walk can clear your head and help your cognitive processing), eat well, sleep well, keep up with your hygiene and self-care, find the time to unwind and relax when you can. You can't afford to slip up on account of low blood sugar.

When you do get them to commit to something, make them spell out all the details. Ask questions. Lots of questions. Get precise answers, nothing ambiguous is going to go through. When they can visualize the outcome with you down to the smallest details, that is a very strong indicator that they really mean business here.

All of this takes practice. If you get in enough practice with negotiating in safe, low-stakes scenarios, like talking to your partner about dinner plans, or negotiating with a toddler about naptime, this will just start coming naturally to you.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of tools and tactics. I'm probably still traumatized by some of it and have forgotten a lot. I just felt like posting what I could recall while I still have some grey cells speaking to each other.

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to negotiate with a terrorist, a narcissist, a sociopath, or just a self-centered asshole, do yourself a service and research, research, research! Read every book you can get your hands on, watch every YouTube video and listen to every podcast on high conflict/high stakes conversations and negotiations, learn about psychology, biopsychosocial rhythms, read every blog, website, white paper, magazine article, and stone tablet you can find about human behavior. Exhaust every avenue and arm yourself to the teeth with knowledge.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Part II is now available.

[chaoscharme]

Self Care Activities that Actually Help

My list of practical, achievable and useful self care tips that will actually improve your mood instead of enabling you to wallow.

Reply to your correspondence

Often if we feel low or our motivation is down, we find it tricky to respond to messages and calls from others. This allows unopened messages to pile up which creates stress and even panic. Instead of trying to ignore this problem, set a timer for 15 minutes. Then give yourself those 15 minutes to respond to as many of those messages as possible, starting with the most urgent messages first. If you cannot complete all the messages, take a minute to reevaluate. Can you give yourself another 15 minutes to finish the task today? If not, that’s fine. Assign the task for tomorrow, and repeat the process when you feel refreshed. If you are not able to give a thorough response to all of your contacts, I recommend drafting a universal message to send, stating that you are currently occupied and you hope to offer them a more appropriate message over the coming days. You can tailor this message to suit your needs and circumstances, and it reduces the amount of pressure on you to offer explanations for your absences.

Wash your clothes

Take the clothes you are wearing off. All of them. Strip your bed. Gather up any towels or tea cloths you can find. Wash them all. I cannot overstate the benefit of living in a clean environment, and wearing clean clothes. Even if you can’t wash everything, wash the essentials, and make sure you are wearing fresh clothes from head to toe. You can swap pyjamas out for more pyjamas, what you wear doesn’t matter. Just make sure they’re clean.

Water

Drink a pint of water with nothing added, no fruit, no cordial, nothing. Just drink a pint of water in one sitting. You are almost definitely dehydrated, just like everyone else. Hydration provides mental clarity, energy, and even relives stress. It reduces pains and aches in the body. It helps quell nausea and heartburn. Water is the quickest and easiest way to reduce physical pain or discomfort throughout the day. By keeping hydrated, you’re improving your quality of life almost instantly.

Stretch in bed or on the sofa

The last thing most of us want to do when we feel low or unmotivated is going for a run, or working out at the gym. Instead of pushing yourself to get a serious or intense workout in, try some stretches you can do from the comfort of your bed or sofa. Stretches will help relieve tension in the body and can increase your energy throughout the day. You don’t have to do anything crazy, just a couple of simple, effective stretches will do the trick.

Eat a “healthy” carb

People so often try to avoid eating carbs as they think carbohydrates are inherently unhealthy. This is simply not the case. While carbohydrates are often used in the production of unhealthy treats such as cakes, cookies and pies, they are not fundamentally bad for you. Carbs are our main source of energy, and if you’re feeling low energy is exactly what you need. Try eating a healthier alternative to those instant sugar rush carbs, such as rice, wholemeal pastas or breads, potatoes or oats. You can add other ingredients to these meals, such as berries to oats or some veg to pasta, to make a more filling meal. Everyone eats differently, but we all need carbohydrates in our diet to provide energy and nutrition, alongside other food groups. Creating a balanced diet is much more important than eating “healthy” all the time. Respect your body by fuelling it appropriately and regularly.

Clean yourself as best you can

Have a shower. Take your makeup off. Brush your hair. Clip your nails. Put deodorant on. Brush your teeth. Wash your hands. You might not have the energy for a full “everything shower” but you can probably do one of the things listed above to make yourself feel better about yourself and your hygiene. Don’t berate yourself if you’ve gone a while without practicing any of these for a while, life can be pretty difficult. Just accept your current situation and try to better it as best you can with the energy you now have.

Please reach out to a trusted person or a qualified professional if you feel you need extra support for any reason. You are not alone and you do not need to suffer in silence. Support is there.

Mwah, Chaoscharme

[blindlydancing]

I promise I’ll get over my fixation with school spirits eventually but GOD I love all the characters for different reasons

Maddie my hyper focused inquiring problem solver modern woman

Wally my sweet himbo 80s jock golden retriever and everyone’s biggest cheerleader

Simon my empathetic loyal sassy ride or die bestie who knows his bff better than anyone

Nicole my insecure panicky avoidant depressed sis

Charley my wise and trustworthy pal who is in the middle of self acceptance

Rhonda my jaded anti authority queen with a hard exterior but a mushy center

Xavier my sus asshole turned lovable idiot who had a singular experience that forever changed him

Claire my gaslight gatekeep girlboss getting her priorities straight

Quinn my little cutie patootie 2000s band geek a ray of sunshine and immediately helpful

YURI MY ACADEMICALLY INCLINED ANXIETY RIDDEN STONER INTROVERT AFRAID TO LEAVE THE HOUSE I SEE YOU I LOVE YOU

Derek my passionate teacher friend who is okay with being dead bc he lost everything due to his own actions

Sandra my flawed worried mother who just wants to keep Maddie safe and atone for her mistakes

Janet my gray character brilliant scientist born at the wrong time

Diego you’re cool too I guess

[serpentface]

Do psychotropic drugs and/or ritual play a role in any of the blightseed cultures? A pretty broad question, lol

Yeah that’s a very broad question, the answer is about as much as it tends to play roles in real history. Alcohol is pretty ubiquitous (outside of cultures that abstain from intoxicants) and used for a variety of purposes, opioids are commonly used in some parts for pain relief or recreational purposes, stimulants (usually in mild, natural forms) are used to provide extra energy, and hallucinogens are most commonly used as part of a larger religious framework (rather than for recreational purposes). Any more elaborate answer kinda has to be case by case in a certain culture or part of the setting.

I'll just take this as an opportunity to talk about the one established sect that pretty much REVOLVES around psychoactive use. This is the Scholarly Order of the Root, which is a sort of mystery religion + elite community of scholars who currently occupy the Ur-Tree and its forest in the far southern Lowlands (southeast of Imperial Wardin, on the same land mass).

The Ur-Tree is the obligatory Huge Fucking Fantasy Tree (and its surrounding forest). It’s a mass of vegetation about a mile tall and almost as old as Plant Life Itself, its upper branches are primeval plants, which become more modern the nearer they get to the ground (and each 'level' holds tiny ecosystems, some containing descendants of LONG-extinct arthropods/other small animals). Its lowest branches and the surrounding forest are contemporary plant life, and all is connected and protected by an incomparably MASSIVE fungal mycelium network (which is itself a living god).

A lot of the Scholars' more secretive practices revolve around experimentation with substance use with the goal of expanding the Mind and transcending the body to fully connect to the Dreamlands, and they have a supply chain of traders and mercenaries called Rootrunners who traffic substances into the Lowlands. Most of their psychoactive use is in a very intentional capacity and not just like, for fun, but a LOT of them are just straight up addicted to cocaine (in the form of alchemically refined bruljenum, which is used for practical purposes of its stimulant effect during long hours of work).

All known psychoactives are desirable for experimentation (particularly hallucinogens), with each having properties that either allow expansion of the Mind, transcendence of the body, or outright divine communion. Their effects are logged in great detail and interpreted to form the basis of the Scholars' understanding of the natural world and reality itself.

The most important substance is Ur-Root, which is root matter from subterranean levels of the Ur-Tree that have both their own intrinsic psychoactive substances and a very, very high concentration of living god mycelium. The tree root contains DMT and the mycelium has its own wholly unique effects (being an actual living god). They alchemically refine it into a purer, more potent form, and use it to expand beyond the body and directly commune with the Giants, a group of entities they have identified as the only true gods.

An Ur-Root trip starts off with minor visual distortion, which turns into shifting fractals that slowly obscure the vision. Eventually the senses are entirely taken over by a 'tunnel' of rapidly shifting fractals and geometries. In a complete trip, the experiencer gets a sense that they have been pushed through a membrane and entered another realm, finding themselves in a distinct experiential Space.

At this point they may encounter entities which communicate to them in a language impossible to describe but wholly understood. These beings are understood to be the Giants, or at least aspects of the Giants that mortals are capable of comprehending (they often take familiar tutelary forms of the Mantis or the Snake, or appear resembling the same type of sophont that the experiencer is, all composed of ever-shifting geometries). The experiencer often feels a sense of unconditional and endless love from these beings, though the Giants may be more hostile and may appear in the form of the Trickster (usually a cultural figure regarded as malicious, be it an animal or otherwise) in a bad trip.

(^Up until this point, this has mostly just been a DMT 'breakthrough' experience ft. 'machine elves' and the like).

They are then removed from this space and returned to something that feels like the real world, but is nearly unrecognizable. They have a sense of rapidly moving through time, and will usually see 'the spires' towards the beginning, which just so happen to look like this:

(source + some context via Implication- the spires are exactly what this art is depicting)

The experiencer continues to move across an unfathomable amount of time, occasionally 'seeing' other such flashes of unfamiliar landscapes and creatures, and yet also being devoid of all their senses, the 'seeing' is pure, unfiltered experience. There is a sense of interconnectedness with all life, and that one has become the forest (or even Life) itself. The sense of time is wildly distorted, the trip lasts only about 5 minutes but feels like an eternity and is understood as literal hundreds of millions of years.

The experiencer has usually lost any remaining sense of Self and individual consciousness during this phase (in which case this time distortion is usually a neutral or even peaceful experience), but some retain a fraction of their identity, and find themselves trapped and conscious while experiencing what feels like eternity (which can be LIFE-CHANGINGLY distressing, even after the fact).

(^This latter part of the trip is the effects of the Ur-Tree fungus).

The trip ends with a sense of rushing through the ground and back up into one's body, at which point they will abruptly return to their senses and consciousness. The details are then immediately retrieved via interview and recorded in immense detail. The whole experience is understood as having been full comprehension of the Dreamlands, communion with the Giants, and then a tour through the act of creation.

This is done as part of the initiatory practice into the inner mystery-religion of the scholars, and as needed for study by high scholar-priests. It is not taken lightly, both as it is absolute communion with the gods and reality, and in that it can be a very, very difficult experience. People who have gone through this often walk away with a permanently shifted perspective, often in a positive and/or comforting way- a sense of interconnectedness with all life, a peace with the concept of death, seeing less of a point in individual ego and the concept of Self, and comfort in the sense of divine love they (may have) experienced. This heavily influences the philosophy of the Scholars and has had effects by proxy in the religious worldviews of the region.

Details of this experience are closely guarded, and initiates are given absolutely no prior knowledge and expectations for their trip. This is seen as a necessity- their naivety will allow for a true, unfiltered experience, and can be used to gauge whether they should or should not be accepted. Those that have a distinctly bad trip upon initiation may be assumed to have been 'rejected' by the giants and thus denied full priesthood, though this largely depends on How they interpret their distressing trip- those who identify this as a test and harsh lesson in a journey to enlightenment may be accepted (as this is how fully initiated scholar-priests interpret and handle their bad trips).

This inner priesthood is only a small fraction of the Scholarly Order, and its greater function is as a hub of education and repository of knowledge, and Scholar-trained doctors can provide some of the best medical care available in the setting ('best medical care in this setting' only means so much but it's pretty solid, relatively speaking). Only a chosen few Scholars ever get to commune with the Ur-Root, and most of the divine secrets revealed in the process are kept hidden (though they indirectly influence the politics and worldview of the entire order).

[fromtheseventhhell]

Remember George's outline notes that had "joy of giving" and "mercy at the gate" for Arya? Mercy is crossed out and we obviously have that as her sample chapter, so what if Arya's next alias is "Joy"? Over-thinking the significance of that phrase and how it could apply to the rest of her Braavos arc🤔

[mintytrifecta]

[aventurineswife]

Hello, can I request reader x ratio and aventurine (separate) where they comfort reader who's recently had the courage to cut off an abusive/toxic friend who harassed and bullied them? If it's too angsty that's fine, I just need my copium juice, thank you :')

“Let go or be dragged”

Tags: Ratio x Reader, Aventurine x Reader, Comfort, Self-Worth, Toxic Friendship, Emotional Support, Healing, Encouragement, Personal Growth, Character Development, Mentorship, Self-Discovery.

Warnings: Mentions of emotional trauma, Manipulation, Abusive/toxic relationship, Potential triggering themes of toxic friendships and self-doubt.

A/N: Don't worry, it's not too angsty or anything! I have been there too 🧍‍♀️ (except no one to comfort me lol)

You sat in the study of Ratio, surrounded by shelves of books that stretched toward the heavens. The atmosphere was quiet but heavy with the weight of your emotions. You had recently made one of the hardest decisions of your life—cutting off a toxic friend who had tormented you for years. The relief was there, but so was the guilt and uncertainty.

Ratio regarded you intently. He leaned back in his chair, his muscular frame draped in his regal attire. Despite his often blunt demeanor, his expression was uncharacteristically soft.

"I must say," he began, his deep, confident voice breaking the silence, "it's a rare thing for someone to recognize the chains that bind them, let alone summon the courage to break free. For that alone, you have my respect."

You looked up at him, a small lump forming in your throat. "It... it doesn’t feel that way. I feel like I’ve failed them somehow, like I should’ve tried harder to fix things."

Ratio scoffed lightly, though it wasn’t in mockery. "Fixing things requires cooperation from all involved, my dear. You cannot reason with those who thrive on tearing you down. They are like weeds in a garden—parasitic, draining, and utterly unrepentant. Sometimes, the most intelligent action is to prune them away so the true flowers can bloom."

"But what if I’m wrong? What if I just wasn’t good enough to make it work?" you murmured, staring down at your hands.

Ratio stood and crossed the room with purpose, his golden sandals clicking softly against the marble floor. He stopped before you, his presence commanding but oddly comforting. Gently, he tilted your chin upward so you would meet his piercing gaze.

"Listen to me carefully," he said, his tone firm yet kind. "Their cruelty was not a reflection of your worth, but of their own ignorance and inadequacy. You are not defined by their treatment of you. You are far more brilliant and capable than you give yourself credit for."

You felt tears prick at the corners of your eyes, but you nodded, his words resonating deeply. Ratio released your chin and offered a small, rare smile. "You have already taken the first step in reclaiming your power. From here, the path may not be easy, but it will be worth it. And should you falter, know that you have my unwavering support."

For the first time in days, you felt a glimmer of hope. Ratio’s confidence in you was infectious, and his belief in your strength helped you begin to believe in yourself again.

The sound of distant music and the low hum of chatter filled the air as you sat on a balcony overlooking the glittering cityscape. Aventurine, the enigmatic strategist, lounged beside you. His earring swayed lightly in the evening breeze, and his ever-present enigmatic smile played on his lips.

You had just finished recounting your decision to sever ties with a friend who had bullied and manipulated you for years. Aventurine listened without interruption, his gaze sharp and unreadable. When you finally finished, he took a slow sip from his glass of sparkling wine before speaking.

"Well, well," he said, his voice smooth and laced with amusement, "aren’t you full of surprises? I always pegged you as the forgiving type, but it seems even you have your limits."

You frowned, unsure if his teasing tone was meant to comfort or mock. "It’s not like I wanted to do it. I just… couldn’t take it anymore. But now I feel like I’ve lost something, even though they were awful to me."

Aventurine leaned back in his chair, studying you with a thoughtful expression. "Losing something toxic doesn’t make it a loss, sweetheart. It’s more like cutting out a tumor—you feel the absence, sure, but in the long run, you’ll thank yourself for it."

"But it’s hard," you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper. "What if I made the wrong choice? What if I never find someone better?"

He chuckled softly, the sound warm and unexpectedly comforting. "Oh, darling, don’t tell me you’re actually doubting yourself. You’ve got a heart big enough to fill this entire city, and a mind sharp enough to outwit even me on a good day. Trust me when I say you’re going to attract far better people into your life now that you’ve kicked the trash to the curb."

You glanced at him, a small smile tugging at your lips despite the ache in your chest. "You make it sound so easy."

Aventurine smirked, leaning forward and resting his chin on his hand. "It’s not easy, but nothing worth having ever is. Life’s a gamble, sweetheart, and you just made one of the smartest bets of your life. Now it’s up to you to see it through."

He reached out, placing a hand over yours. His touch was warm, grounding you in the present. "You’ve got me in your corner, for what it’s worth. And while I can’t promise I’ll always play fair, I can promise I’ll always bet on you."

His words, laced with sincerity beneath his usual charm, brought a sense of comfort you hadn’t expected. Aventurine’s belief in you—however unconventional—was enough to remind you that you weren’t alone. And as you sat together under the glittering skyline, you felt the first flicker of hope for a brighter future.

[littlemissemotionalandvalid]

You're always doing better than you think.

[unsolicitedadvicecatlady]

They don't make pills for that...

One of the less talked about hallmarks of schizophrenia is the cognitive aspect. Typical antipsychotics work on D2 receptors, atypical antipsychotics work on serotonin 5-HT2 receptors, and both do an ok job at managing the positive symptoms of schizophrenia.

There are no pills for cognitive impairment. There are "cognitive enhancement" medications, but they are rarely, if ever, prescribed to people with schizophrenia, and their effectiveness is debatable.

There are things like diet and stress management (difficult when one eats the same thing every day for fear of being poisoned) that can aid in cognitive functioning, but there are no "magic" pills that "fix" the issues. Supplements are good, a balanced diet is good, but the problems with cognition and executive functioning persist.

Skill-building techniques help with the cognitive aspects of schizophrenia. Tasks that train working memory, processing, organization, attention, reasoning, etc. can help build up the pathways in the brain to support executive functioning skills.

While everyone's situation is unique and some people's symptoms are much more severe than others, people with schizophrenia do have the ability to learn and develop new skills. Just because it may take us longer than the average bear doesn't mean we can't do it.

[carelessmirel]

1990s Slytherins are very Lana Del Rey coded to me. At least the fandom version, bc JKR hates us and most canon info is questionable at best.

Children of the Bad Revolution? A freaking Slytherin hymn, no less!

Lolita? Every Slytherin girl that was in a political marriage. So most of them. (I think that the song is disturbing and that it was probably intentional)

Doin' time? How others see Slytherins. Especially the "Evil" part. Also "We're qualified to represent..." As if it's Slytherins saying what people expect.

Cinnamon girl? First somewhat good relationships. "But if you hold me without hurting me, you'll be the first who ever did..." Probably a Slytherin/Huflepuff ship, at least to me.

And that's what I can remember on top of my head, there's definitely more examples.