#Geek Therapeutics

[tc-stark]

NYCC vlog! Plus an interview with Robert Kirkman on his shared universe for Skybound which brings Transformers and G.I. Joe together, Bryan Lee O'Malley for Scott Pilgrim Takes off, and so much more!

Who else was at New York Comic Con?

[boardgametoday]

Geek Therapeutics launches the Realms of Kymoria A Therapeutic TTRPG Quickstart Kit for 5e

Geek Therapeutics launches the Realms of Kymoria A Therapeutic TTRPG Quickstart Kit for 5e #ttrpg #5e

The day we’ve all been eagerly anticipating has finally arrived – the launch of the: Realms of Kymoria A Therapeutic TTRPG Quickstart Kit for 5e. Realms of Kymoria is a new 5e supplement where two neurodiverse individuals created a world that was safe for everybody and designed for individuals who struggle with materials designed by, and for, what our culture considers ‘normal. For the first 48…

[mviswidow]

pas de deux

Natasha Romanoff x Reader

Word Count: 1.6k

Summary: Natasha sees a familiar face at her weekly ballet class. A/N: this got me out of my writer's block and was so much fun to write! i was lowkey geeking while writing this. i’m obsessed with this concept (also sorry for all the ballet jargon)

Every Sunday she had available, Natasha took ballet. It was something she started doing a couple of months after Ultron to make herself feel more normal. Her SHIELD-mandated therapist had recommended it as an exposure therapy of sorts. It had helped, though she wouldn’t admit the fact to anyone but herself.

She’d found a few studios that she loved, but would leave and find a new one every time she was recognized. The longest she’d made it before was shockingly 10 weeks, though a 7:30 pm class didn’t have many attendees. Sometimes people would come up and ask, sometimes she could tell she had been recognized by the way they looked at her. The latter felt worse. She could see the hint of fear in their eyes as they pretended not to stare. It made an uncomfortable knot in her stomach.

Today was her first day at her 9th studio. She was hoping this one could stick for a while, or she would have to begin to circle back to old ones and try to take class at a different time. That, or make use of a spare room in the Compound, which would likely be much easier than having to find new studios all the time, but wouldn’t be as therapeutic.

Nat considered herself to be a composed person, but she couldn’t avoid the pre-class jitters she felt, though they mainly stemmed from not wanting to be recognized. She made a silent prayer that the receptionist wouldn’t recognize her. 

(The shortest she’d stayed at a studio was two minutes; she couldn’t make it through signing in for her class reservation that she’d made online before the perky blonde receptionist had a look in her eye that screamed, “I know you from somewhere”. Natasha was out the door after, “Aren’t you-”.)

Luckily, she didn’t get more than a second glance from the receptionist, an elderly Ukrainian woman, who simply complimented Natasha on the color of her hair, saying it reminded her of her daughter.

She thanked her, letting a gentle smile reach her eyes at the sentiment, and headed up the stairs to the studios.

Natasha liked to arrive early. It gave her time to take note of all exit points in the building, stretch, and relax a little before people started to show up.

The place was calm. She could hear music coming from the first studio in the long hallway.

She gave a polite nod to the mothers sitting on a bench watching their children finish up their class. Her chest tightened as she stole a glance at them, a glimpse of what her childhood should have been.

Nat walked to the end of the hallway to Studio 5, surprised to see someone already inside. She assumed it was just the teacher and took a few steps closer to the door, trying to read the name listed on the printed schedule for the day.

“Y/n Y/l/n,” she whispered. The name felt foreign on her lips, heavy on her tongue. Her blood ran hot, and anxiety swelled deep in her chest.

One look at you was all it took for memories to come flooding back. The two of you standing beside each other at the barre, stealing glances at each other during class, always pairing up to go across the floor at the same time. You were a troublesome duo in your youth; the only times you or Natasha ever got in trouble for misbehaving were when you were together.

You’d been each other’s weakness.

She hadn’t seen you since she defected from the red room. 

She remembered stopping by your bunk the night before her mission that led her to meet Clint.

She remembered the kiss she pressed to your knuckles after she squeezed your hand goodbye and how badly she’d wanted to have kissed your lips instead.

She remembered how beautiful you were, even more so now as she watched you practice an adagio gracefully in the center of the room. You’d always been a better dancer than her; she’d told you so countless times.

You felt eyes watching you and glanced at the large window into the studio through the mirror, seeing a familiar red bun. For a second, you thought you might be hallucinating, but as soon as you saw her cheeks flush upon realizing she’d been caught staring, you knew your eyes weren’t playing tricks on you.

As soon as you were able to shake off the shocked look on your face, a smirk tugged at the edge of your lips, but when you turned towards the door to greet her, she was gone.

Natasha beelined for the bathroom, knuckles almost white from gripping her bag. The door clicked loudly as it locked. Her head was swimming with exit strategies, excuses, and you. She couldn't decide if being stuck in a room with you for an hour and a half was a blessing or a curse.

She checked the time on her phone, trying to rationalize her situation. The whole reason she was doing this in the first place was to replace negative memories of dancing in the Red Room with positive ones, but how could she possibly do that when you seemed to be in most of her memories from childhood? For the first time, she wondered what her therapist would suggest. 

As easy as it could have been for her to leave, she felt frozen in place. Her brain was screaming at her to go and make sure that your paths never crossed again, but her heart felt warm. It was an unusual sensation, but she felt an odd sense of comfort knowing that you were near. 

Natasha missed you.

“What the fuck is happening?” she huffed, letting her head thump against the tiled bathroom wall.

Nat shut her eyes as her jaw clenched tightly, trying to keep her anxiety at bay. She felt embarrassed. She ran away from you. Who fucking does that?

“Christ,” she splashed cold water on her face and left the bathroom.

There were now two girls stretching in the studio. Natasha was relieved at the sight of new people, though it was probably fair to assume that you’d gotten the idea that she didn’t want to talk to you.

She wasn’t even really sure if that was true. If she hadn’t wanted to see you right now, she could have easily left.

Your eyes met again. You were standing beside the sound system in the far front corner of the room, making casual conversation with your students (You were barely listening). 

Natasha offered you something that could hardly be described as a smile, but she looked apologetic. The corners of your lips quirked upwards as you tilted your head to the side. A soft gesture that said, “I won’t bite.”

The redhead finally crossed the threshold of the room, settling herself in the back corner, far from everyone. 

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

Natasha’s quads were burning. You were 45 minutes into class, finishing up barre before moving on to work in the center of the room.

You’d kept your distance from Natasha thus far, not wanting to cross a line. You figured she’d come to class to do what she enjoys, not be plagued with memories of her past. 

You caught Nat wobbling in her arabesqué before the group started to do the combination on the other side and walked over to her.

She seemed to stiffen up slightly as you got closer. You watched carefully as she brought her left leg up into passé. 

“Tuck your pelvis more.”

Her eyes flickered to you after she made the correction. You weren’t sure if she was looking for approval or fantasizing about ways to strangle you for talking to her, but you gave her a nod regardless.

“Relax, Natasha,” you murmured as she brought her leg up in developé. The tension in her body was restricting her flexibility. 

It had been over a decade since she last heard you say her name, and though she was sweating, it almost sent a shiver down her spine.

“Arabesqué and balance,” you call out to the class, your eyes still fixed on Natasha. You were selfish to let yourself stare just because you could.

You dared to touch her, placing the palm of your hand under her knee, “higher.”

You didn’t push her leg up yourself; you simply allowed her to lift it off your hand.

“Good,” you smiled as the music faded before walking back to the sound system.

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

Another 45 minutes later, some of Natasha’s baby hairs were curling around her hairline. It made her look softer. 

To finish your class, you lead your students through the révérence you’d learned as a child.

The sequence of bows and curtseys done at the end of every class was different almost every time Natasha had a new teacher, but she recognized this one immediately.

Tears pricked her eyes as her body moved through the simple combination that had been drilled into her at such an early age.

Your eyes met again through the mirror; you didn’t miss the glossiness of Natasha’s eyes. 

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

“Have a great week, everyone. Great job today!” You smiled, watching your class file out. 

You turned to the sound system to unplug your phone and pack your things away.

The last person you expected to stick around after class was Natasha, yet there she stood.

“So, you teach every Sunday?”

The familiar rasp in her voice brought a soft smile to your face, “I teach every day, but yes. I’m glad you stayed.”

“Me too… I’ll see you next week?”

“I’ll be here.”

[sirfrogsworth]

I am at the peak of a very intense episode of post-exertional malaise after helping clean my house for 3 days. I am in pain and tired and my emotional defenses are nonexistent. I can't tell the difference between logical lucid thoughts and emotionally out-of-my-gourd thoughts.

And I decided to talk about AI and argue with people about it.

Just… bad timing.

I feel like I was within my logical framework. I hope I made sense.

But some of the things people were saying felt really hurtful and ableist and I don't know if that is just because I am so raw or if I am justified in feeling that way.

The eye tracking thing really bugged me. Like, "here's an expensive alternative but you have to wiggle your eyes for hours." That just sounds... exhausting. And painful. I literally tried using my eyes to draw and it was... unpleasant.

I think I am just traumatized by the millions of unhelpful or laborious suggestions I've received over the years. And maybe that technology can work at some point. But the funny thing is, when I researched it, some of the ideas were to take someone's eye squiggles and then use AI to interpret them into an image. So... same thing with extra steps.

It just felt like people were being so morally rigid they couldn't carve out a tiny empathetic exception for people like my friend. And beyond that, they had to let me know his creative output was meaningless and invalid.

To relate things back to guns, there is a tough pill to swallow here.

Guns are fun. They are fun to shoot. Fun to collect. Fun to modify. Fun to geek out over.

And the fact that they are fun and bring people so much joy and catharsis and sense of community is one of the reasons they are so hard to legislate. Gun people use 2A and self defense as their "legit" argument, but deep down they just like their shooty shoots. They choose this fun over societal safety and it is frustrating as hell sometimes.

Gen AI is fun. I had fun trying it. I made one of those action figure memes. It gave me a little creative high trying to get it right. It was easy to forget I just used 200 gallons of water to cool a computer at some server farm.

Fun things are fun. Fun is therapeutic. Fun can be scarce when you are disabled. And when you find something easy enough to let you have fun and it doesn't require some huge personal consequence, your mind will do all sorts of things to justify it.

If people don't want to admit that this can be in any way fun and helpful and creative, that's fine. If they want to say all of it is ugly and none of it looks cool. Fine. But that is the same frustrating denial that my friend is putting out there with his bogus justifications.

I wish my friend would just say he knows this hurts artists and the environment but it helps him and it keeps him in this world so it is the least bad option for his needs.

I feel the same way about Amazon Prime and Grubhub and streaming services. Video streams use a sizeable energy foot print that keeps growing just like AI. They also screw artists in all sorts of unique and terrible ways. And I still subscribe to a bunch of them because I need my shows to keep my sanity.

Eating meat. Oof. I love animals so much but cheap vegan diabetic diets aren't really a thing.

So I absorb that guilt to keep surviving.

And I hope that I can fight to make some of those things a little less terrible.

[oscconfessions]

why must my heart so strongly yearn for book and pin in a world of coiny and pin.,..,...,

they mean everything to me and more. ive had a hypothetical "what-if" au in which book was the one who was granted pin's bfdia 13 mind link instead of coiny and i have writhed sooo much on the floor over it that i have genuinely tricked my brain on multiple occasions into believing its what actually happened in the canon show.

im going to start eating wood planks.

even seeing them stand next to each other is like being a bug hit with raid spray. and on top of all this as an extreme pin fictionkin they are the top therapeutic toxic duo ever because at the time of my lore in childhood when i was like bfdia pin i never had a book person there for me then so thinking and drawing and writing and geeking and talking about them is kind of filling that hole in my brain. i want them to scream and claw at each other. i want them to try to "help" each other whilst having no idea what theyre doing so they can embrace each other and walk into the tunnel not knowing how it if theyre going to come out on the other side. i need pin to have a mental breakdown.

this is my confession. sorry coinpin fans but even if i dont /r ship them (personal thing im uncomfy with shipping my kins) they will always be everything coinpin wasnt. they are so beautiful in every way. where is bookpin nation i need yoj

.

[keepmovinjunior]

respond to the following prompts out of character, then tag others you'd like to get to know a little bit better.

ROLEPLAYER NAME: jenn :)

ROLEPLAYER PRONOUNS: she / her

MUSE NAME: megara

PREFERRED COMMUNICATION: here or tumblr IM

EXPERIENCE: i started on myspace back in 2006 ; my first ever characters were rouge the bat and rita from oliver & company. so many fond memories of that honestly! we all had a group of lady disney dogs who were friends <3

PREFERRED ROLEPLAY TYPE: i really like everything, honestly. banter, crack... just those little fun things are great, because i don't always have time to do longer things, and they're just so much fun and good for keeping a muse's voice fresh and having characters bounce off of each other! but longer threads are great too, and i really enjoy them a lot for world and relationship building between two muses.

PET PEEVES & DEALBREAKERS: too much like... out of character moping tbh, like. i get that sometimes we all have to let it out and that this place is very supportive and therapeutic in a lot of ways, but... at the end of the day, everyone is responsible for themselves, and they have actual therapists in the world. also. this is my happy (hopefully) drama free place to escape from the issues of the real world and have fun, and i assume it is most everyone elses' here, too, and it gets really draining to see people playing victim all of the time (it's obvious when that's being done), so i don't engage with that kind of energy. also, if you're pushy. like the "hello???" messages if i don't respond, or the asking if i'm responding to you more than once, that's one million and one percent gonna turn me off. just be chill, no one owes anyone anything here, we're all having fun and we have lives.

PLOTS OR MEMES: hmmmmmm, this is hard. probably plots. i appreciate memes for the icebreaker aspect, but they don't always fit my character. sometimes i edit them a bit to sound more like meg, and i would encourage any of my followers to do the same too, if they want to with me!

BEST TIME TO WRITE: i have more time during the day if i'm wfh / have the day off, but i usually feel most creative at night, lol. i try to run a queue though. it's not working v well because i'm excited and always want to post things right away but we're getting there team

ARE YOU LIKE YOUR MUSE: in some ways i think so; she's more like me than a lot of muses i've written. i think meg, jane, and maybe elsa are the disney gals i'm most like, personally. we're both women around the same age (meg's older for a disney female romantic lead, which is refreshing), we've both had our hearts broken, we both don't have any biological family whom we keep in touch with... and we both have been guilty of using dark humor as a defense mechanism. also, i am soft and enjoy *~ kisses and hugs *~ like meg, but don't tell anyone no one can know i am a geek and nerd ok. but at the same time, meg is not entirely a self insert. she's a lot funnier than me. she's had a harder time in life than i have by comparison, and she lives in a much worse time for women, lmao. also i really admire her sacrificial side, the fact that she'd do anything for her loved ones, and her moral compass. she won't harm someone she loves, even if she dies in the process. i want to be that way, and she's an inspiration to me because of it.

tagged by : @peculiarbeauty the one and only belle, ty queen <3 tagging: anyone who wants to!! steal it ya filthy animals

[starlitangels]

5+1 Headcanons!

I got tagged by @romirola to participate in her game for five headcanons I have, and one I'm still developing! I'm so sorry this is late—everyone else was playing this game like two weeks ago... Here we go!

—

Starlight isn't just endlessly curious and intellectual—they're also a total nerd/geek. They play Dungeons & Dragons, Zelda, Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy, etc. They told Avior so much about DnD while they were in the trap that he jokes he already knows how to play even though he'd never been on Elegy long enough to learn how

Huxley and Freelancer joined Lasko's other friends' DnD campaign a couple years ago but now that Huxley and Damien are dating, Damien's getting dragged into playing too he finds out it is actually ridiculously therapeutic and since the group was getting too big for the DM, Huxley volunteered to split off. He, Freelancer, Damien, and Lasko make their own group and Gavin joins too. Huxley DMs most of the time, until our favorite control freak who is definitely a rules lawyer Damien gets comfortable with it. Lasko still plays with his other friends too but no one complains about getting to play more DnD. Least of all Lasko. Gavin only trolls Damien a little bit.

I'm so sorry but Vincent played the trumpet in middle school/junior high and high school. To make it up to any band kids in this fandom, He also currently plays the piano like a virtuoso

David owns one (1) pair of blue jeans, rather than black. He wears them when doing yardwork and camping, and that's it Asher owns six (6) pairs of jorts

Elliott almost always wears a grey beanie. Aaron is the one that gave it to him.

+1 I'm working on: Cam and Gavin know each other since Crux is a mutual friend. They actually get along a lot better than literally anyone ever expected them to. Cam's chiller vibes let Gavin relax before he ever met the D.A.M.N. crew, and Cam is also older

Not tagging anyone because all my friends already played. But I will tag @frenchiefitzhere so she can put it on her fridge 😉

[tsunflowers]

review corner nonfiction edition

I learned a lot about the nesting habits of sea turtles from christine figgener's "my life with sea turtles." that's bc it's hard to study anything else about sea turtle lifestyles since they're out in the ocean the rest of the time. ms figgener is arguably the person who started the plastic straw panic of the past ten years by posting a video of a sea turtle with a plastic straw stuck up its nose. she's been working with sea turtles in Costa Rica for most of her professional life so she has a lot to say about them but also a little about the outdated colonial thought that pervades the conservation world and the poor treatment of women in science. if you have any interest in sea turtles check it out. my two semi-joking complaints are that her combination of science and memoir is pretty clumsy in a funny way and for some reason she describes people coming together to protect turtles as "dumbledore's army"

also we have to talk about how big leatherback sea turtles are. wtf

"ice" by amy brady is a really good book about a somewhat strange subject. ms brady tracks the history of commercial ice use in the United States, from the first guy to make an ice machine down in florida to the utah olympic oval where 100 world records in speed skating have been set. I don't think about ice much beyond putting it in my drinks but this book has opened my mind to its fascinating history and many uses. a guy named frederic tudor tried to sell ice from boston to the Caribbean in 1806 but everyone there was like wtf and he had to give it away to cafe owners for free to convince them their customers would like cold drinks. modern cocktail geeks are making their own ice in huge blocks and chipping it down to get the exact right size and shapes for their drinks. therapeutic hypothermia and cryosurgery use ice in medicine, medicinal hypothermia since the late 1930s. plus there's the fact that even people who study ice don't entirely understand the properties that make it so slippery. I really recommend this book to learn the surprisingly crazy history of ice

[missnerdqueen]

John Munch x OC

Hello my darlings, here's my oc for my imagines I'm going to be posting soon or you can suggest some too.

Basic info

Name: Kristina Maria Hernandez (goes my Kriss)

Age: 25 (fic takes place in 2006/2007 durning season 8)

Sex/Gender: Female/Woman

Ethnicity/Race: Mexican/Caucasian

Sexual Orientation: Bisexual

Occupation/Life

Date of birthday: April 3rd 1983

Location of Birth: Brooklyn, NY

Current Lives: Brooklyn, NY

Education: High school graduate; NYU in Criminal Justice and NYPD police academy

Current Occupation: Police Detective @ SVU

Appearance

Hair/Natural Hair color: Her hair is shoulder length and sideswiped bangs and hair color is dark brown but dyes it due to gray hairs (she started getting gray hairs her senior year of high school)

Eyes: Kriss has heterochromia right eye is blue while her left eye is green

Body type: She's built quite average, curvy

Dress type: Pantsuits (during work) comfy clothes, graphic tees of her favorite bands or shows, plain jeans ( her wardrobe is out there she could wear a 70s hippie style too a 90s grunge look. she loves to vintage and thrift shop)

Family/Relationships

Parents: Altagracia Hernandez & unnamed man

Other family members: Maria Hernandez (maternal grandmother)

Love interest: John Munch

Friends: Jacqueline Penzik and Danny Wong, Elizabeth Biancardi (three of my ocs) Olivia Benson, John Munch, Odafin Tutuola

Personal Info

Theme:

Likes: Art, videogames, reading history books, helping others, making a difference,

Dislikes: Liers, Perverts, child abuse, germs (she's a germaphobe) racism,

Favorite colors: red and purple

Religion/Spirituality: Catholicism turned Agnosticism

Hobbies: Music (she loves to sing and play piano) Art (she's very talented in drawing and painting) Reading (her favorite genres are history, fantasy and mystery) Video games (grew up playing Pokemon)

Fears: Intimacy (stems from her abusive childhood and fear of trusting others per just getting too close to them) spiders, being buried alive,

Other facts

Her favorite genre of music is a tie between Alternative rock and 50s rock n roll

She's a huge nerd (anime, video games) but keeps it on the downlow

In high school she was a theater geek

She's a wiz with computers and codes in her spare time

She has two cats named Freddy and Bowie (named after her favorite musicians)

She loves art; either going to art museums or painting/drawing I'm her spare time. She finds it very therapeutic

Her favorite subject in school was history

And that's all folks. If you're curious to know more about her fill free to ask questions. And if you wanna suggest imagines or small fic ideas with her and Munch, just fill free to let me know!

[yakool-foolio]

Ema Skye Ships

HAH I BET YA FORGOT ABOUT THIS BUT I DIDN'T! I GOTCHU HOMIE! I was just waiting for a day I could sit down and write this all out without too much work or other distractions on my plate, and today's the day! Like last time, I'm just going by the ships featuring Ema on the good ol' shipping wiki.

Ema x Apollo: 5/10; I think this could be pretty cute since they already have a playful rivalry established. Though that also enters the territory of 'they're too tired of each other's shit for this', so I more often than not just see them as buddies who struggle to properly socialize with each other outside of work.

Ema x Klavier: 6/10; sibling issues unite. While Ema doesn't particularly like working with Klavier, there's no doubt that they've gone through very similar circumstances with their families. If there's anything they're gonna bond over, it's that. I think Ema could warm up to him in time, but she'll pass on the glitz and glamour.

Ema x Nahyuta: 8/10; I'm surprised at how much I like this one. Science gal x religion guy. They travel together and solve crimes with their contrasting strengths and everyone with an outside view thinks they're so smart n cool when they're just two dorks geeking out about their findings.

Ema x Maya: 7/10; weirdgirls of a feather are stronger together! They've also got very similar histories, so there's plenty to bond over. Makes me wish they got to meet sooner and interact more, I crave them being supportive besties.

Ema x Vera: 10/10; this one is definitely a rarepair, but I think I get where the potential comes from. I'd like to think Ema could've been visiting Vera to keep her company at the hospital as she recovered from the poison. Ema could also help Vera heal from the hurt of forging evidence, and I think they'd have drawing sessions together as a sort of therapeutic experience, even if Ema claims she's not much of an artist. I think I just sold myself on this ship.

Ema x Kay: 5/10; HOW DARE THEY INTERACT SO LITTLE! I know we haven't finished AAI2, but Ema only showing up for a single scene in AAI1 made me so sad, I want her back damn it! Besides that, I think they should dabble in a little mischief together. If Ema appears again in AAI2 (which she better), then I might bump up the rating.

Ema x Franziska: 8/10; the fanart has really sold me on this ship. Beware the whip-snapper and snack-thrower, they're tired of everyone except for each other. I seriously need a game with them as a detective n prosecutor duo.

[mellimagicsblog]

Wrote this depressing sh*t...

I thought this would be therapeutic, but I'm actually more bummed out now than I was before. I wish I could afford a therapist so they could read this, but I'm still unemployed and the whole mental health industry is f**d. I call it, "An Honest Cover Letter:"

Dear Prospective Employer,

My name is Laura Lewandowski. People who know my extended family call me “Laura Lew,” because my dad was “Mr. Lew.” I grew up in my father’s shadow as “the cool teacher” at most of my schools, which at least helped me academically because I didn’t have a choice but to care about my education. When I write these things, I often say that I’ve “worn a lot of hats,” but that’s not accurate. Hats are something you can take off at any time and are actually encouraged to take off in formal situations. What I’ve worn at different jobs are masks, always to play the part of either a supporting actress or a clown. I guess my masks are really convincing, because I’m never asked to take them off after work, and people often tell me that I’m “the happiest person they know” or that I “never get angry.” It’s still really hard to wear masks all day long, multiple days a week, but I always pull through. When your parents, your extended family, and most of their friends are educators, you learn that you must show every adult in your life respect, even if some adults say the most idiotic, heartless things you’ve ever heard. Thanks to my life experiences, I can adapt to just about any audience, though I often resent the crowd I’m performing for.

There was a time in my life where my identity was tied directly to what I like to do, because it kept me distinct from the family education trade. I was an artist and a writer who would sometimes hike around in nature, geek out about science, and read about the paranormal for fun. I even went to school to be an artist. What I didn’t know was that I would start experiencing chronic pain at a much younger age than society told me I would. I now live in fear of my body failing me while working on a project, or writing a long report, or being on a hike; I certainly don’t want to identify as an artist anymore, even if I still make artwork any time my body lets me. Vulnerability makes me ashamed of myself, and being honest about my limitations just makes me feel more vulnerable. Plus, I don’t have nearly the strict limitations of the other disabled people I live and work with regularly. I know I should just suck it up and “do a regular job.”

So, maybe you can give me a regular job where I don’t have to wear a mask - at least not all the time. I need a job where I don’t have to sit with my lack-of-identity for long periods of time, because no paycheck is worth that deep emptiness. We can probably have a few funny conversations at the water cooler (if we have one), and I’ll do my job adequately enough to fit in for eight hours. Then I’ll go home to sleep, get up, and do it all again tomorrow. I’ll never tell you if I’m actually feeling sad about something, so I promise that you’ll be able to focus on important things at work.

Thanks for allowing me to take up some of your valuable time,

Laura Lewandowski

[tonberry-yoda]

Your job is as a librarian right? Because if so whats it like?

Hey anon! Yeah, I'm a librarian! I'm actually going to school for library science and am trying to do at least one of everything in libraries!

It's really fun. All I do at my current job is shelve books. That's literally it lmao. I just spend 2 hours every day shelving. It's really therapeutic and I have got the system down so well that I just know where something goes. And I just get to listen to podcasts and enjoy the morning before school starts. Really wakes me up.

As for my old library job, I did a lot of everything. Checking out books, greeting people, shelving, just a ton. If you're thinking about getting into a library job, I highly recommend, it's really fun and a really relaxed job!

Thanks for asking :) I love my job a lot and love geeking out about it tee hee

[poprockrenaissance]

"An Open Window Into Another Dimension"

By Kelsey Cap

When I go to see live music, I generally prefer to be as close to the stage as humanly possible. There is something about being able to see the musicians get lost in their uninhibited stank faces, or witness some glitter wink at me from their eyeshadow or outfit that makes a live show that much more engaging and therapeutic. Except one downside to having such an intimate view is that it can be difficult to see the whole band perform depending on how the stage is set up or where you are standing. While seeing Grace Potter perform at the Shelburne Museum in Vermont in September, I was pleasantly surprised when the band came out on stage and I could actually SEE! Like a photograph perfectly framed between the glossy, weathered legs of Grace’s signature Hammond B3 Organ, there was Jordan West in perfect view. Normally she’s the most elusive person to see on the stage, since she’s always towards the back hidden behind a big drum kit. In that moment I found a window… a new perspective. Normally all eyes are on Grace, but this unexpected vision inspired me to take a little detour.

It brought me a lot of joy to be able to actually WATCH Jordan play all night. There still aren’t enough women playing drums and pursuing other male-dominant arts and lines of work, so it has been incredibly refreshing getting to experience a badass and wildly talented female drummer since she started playing with Grace in 2019. It means a lot to me personally because when I was in middle school, I actually wanted to try percussion in music class. To my disappointment, my mother said no to drums stating they would be too big and too loud for our small house.To appease her, I tried the flute and absolutely hated it. After two months, I switched to clarinet and hated that even more. So. Much. Spit. Three months later I quit the school band altogether and now the only instrument I know how to play these days is the tambourine.

When Grace and the band started playing “The Lion the Beast the Beat” and I felt those first few opening drum beats ricochet off my chest, it got me thinking... In some alternate reality, what if my mother had said yes? Could I possibly be the one up there on stage singing and playing drums with Grace? If I actually tried drums first and stuck with it, what would my life be like? Who would I have been friends with? How would being in the school band shape my personality and confidence?

I was friendly with the “band geeks” because at my school most of the misfits stuck together. My close friend group was loving and accepting of me but the majority of them were very academic-oriented and in advanced classes, which resulted in me spending way too much time and energy trying to get perfect grades. Even though it was a struggle, I think it was my way of proving to people (mostly myself) that I was smart. Because whether intentional or not, many people throughout my life have said and done things that insulted my intelligence and made me feel like my ideas and voice didn’t matter. Looking back, I think allowing myself to get a C every now and then would have been good for me… maybe I needed some band geeks to remind me of what living is all about. 

To be honest, I don’t think I would have actually stuck with the drums long-term either. But I do think I would have had a blast banging on that shit and probably stuck it out a little bit longer. 20 years later I genuinely understand my Mom’s hesitation. Drums are not for the faint of heart. And despite our mutual love for loud rock music, I realize now that we both get sensory overload easily. I didn’t know that back then… but didn’t she know what a "good kid" I was? I was a rebel at heart, but had too much anxiety to break her rules. I would have only played when I was allowed or when she wasn’t home. God knows my Dad would have been thrilled to have an excuse to soundproof the basement or create a brand new setup at his place! That kind of stuff was fun for him. My father had a soft spot in his soul filled with a deep love and respect for female rockers. He introduced me to many strong, independent women in music, entertainment, sports, and science. And he always encouraged me to follow their lead. Women like Anne Wilson, Stevie Nicks, Carole King, Shirley Muldowny, and Sally Ride are the ones who led me to this show. He was and still is one of my biggest supporters, and I know he would have appreciated this unique vantage point as well. Good thing he was grooving along next to me all weekend in some alternate dimension for VIP angels. 

As I snapped back into reality halfway through the song, I put my phone away and started to surrender my body to the beat. It was in that moment of pure, uninhibited emotion that I remembered how painfully beautiful my life has been. And I wouldn’t want it any other way. I choose to believe everything happens for a reason, and if you can’t find a reason, you make one. Maybe my Mom had to say no to me playing drums so Jordan would be the one up there on stage. The world needs a drummer like her. Maybe I lost my unique father to cancer at 19 years old so that I would have something to write about. So that I could find my voice and, in turn, help other humans find theirs.

This is why it is important to allow our children and other loved ones to chase after what calls them and speaks to their soul. Every single tiny detail or decision made throughout our lives could completely change the trajectory of someone else’s life. This is what I think Mother Road is about: duality in life and finding healing within it. We are in control of the narrative of our lives even when we didn’t choose the plotline. And both concepts can exist at the same time. It's the seemingly delusional realization that we are all deeply connected yet completely separate depending on the choices we make, the perspectives we see, and potentially… the dimensions of the universe that we reside in.

And just like that… the song ended, and a piece of deep-seated resentment towards my mother evaporated into the echoes of the screaming crowd. Music is medicine, and so is sharing your story. Never underestimate the power of an open window and a determined woman.

[manishmishra1]

ACTIZEET Mirabilis Essential Oil Price – Worth Every Drop!

Discover the ACTIZEET Mirabilis essential oil price, its benefits, and why it’s worth the investment for natural wellness. Learn more in our friendly guide!

“It’s just oil, right? Why does a tiny bottle cost so much?” That’s exactly what I thought the first time I stumbled upon ACTIZEET Mirabilis Essential Oil at a wellness expo. I was casually strolling through aisles of essential oils, sniffing peppermint here, sampling lavender there, until a vendor offered me a whiff of something new—Mirabilis.

The scent was earthy, floral, and somehow comforting—like walking barefoot on warm soil after rain. I was intrigued. But when I saw the price tag, I blinked twice. Could this little vial really be worth it?

Spoiler alert: Yes. And here’s why.

What Is Mirabilis Essential Oil, Anyway?

Let’s break it down.

Mirabilis, also known as Mirabilis jalapa or the “Four O’Clock Flower,” is a beautiful flowering plant often found in tropical and subtropical regions. While most people admire it for its vibrant blooms, traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda and folk remedies have long tapped into its therapeutic potential.

The essential oil extracted from this plant is highly concentrated and packed with bioactive compounds that are believed to support:

Skin health

Immune balance

Anti-inflammatory response

Mood upliftment

Antioxidant protection

Why ACTIZEET?

Now, you might be thinking, “Okay, but can’t I just grab any Mirabilis oil off the internet?”

Here’s the deal: Not all oils are created equal.

ACTIZEET stands out in the natural wellness industry for a few powerful reasons:

Purity & Potency – ACTIZEET uses cold-press and steam distillation techniques to ensure every drop is as pure and powerful as nature intended.

Ethical Sourcing – The company partners with eco-conscious growers and emphasizes sustainable harvesting.

Third-Party Testing – You’re not just taking their word for it. Each batch is tested for potency, purity, and safety.

No Additives, No Fillers – Just 100% Mirabilis essential oil. That’s it.

This commitment to quality is a big part of what influences the ACTIZEET Mirabilis essential oil price.

So, What’s the Actual Price?

Let’s cut to the chase.

As of now, the ACTIZEET Mirabilis essential oil price generally ranges between ₹899 to ₹1,299 for a 15ml bottle.

Sure, you could find cheaper essential oils out there. But that’s like comparing a fast-food burger to a grass-fed, organic steak. They’re technically the same category—but worlds apart in terms of quality, nutrition, and experience.

Why the Price Makes Sense

Here’s what you’re paying for:

🌿 High-quality raw materials

🧪 Rigorous testing for safety

💧 High concentration (a little goes a long way!)

🌍 Sustainable and ethical production practices

Remember, essential oils aren’t just beauty products—they're potent plant extracts. When used properly, even a small bottle can last months.

What Makes Mirabilis Oil So Special?

Let’s geek out a little—don’t worry, I’ll keep it light.

Mirabilis jalapa contains flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds, which are known to exhibit antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. These are just fancy science words for good stuff your body loves.

Skin Savior

One of the top uses of Mirabilis oil is for soothing irritated or sensitive skin. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, it’s great for redness, rashes, and even minor breakouts.

Calm in a Bottle

The scent of Mirabilis is naturally grounding. When diffused, it’s said to help reduce stress, ease anxiety, and support better sleep—much like lavender, but with a more earthy floral note.

Immune Boost

Some research suggests that extracts from the Mirabilis plant may help support immune system responses and balance, especially due to their antioxidant load.

How to Use Mirabilis Essential Oil

Whether you’re new to essential oils or a seasoned user, Mirabilis is a lovely addition to your routine. Here are a few practical ways to enjoy its benefits:

1. Aromatherapy Diffusion

Add 3–4 drops to your diffuser to create a calming, earthy atmosphere in your home. Great for winding down after a long day.

2. Skin Application (Diluted)

Mix 1 drop of Mirabilis oil with a carrier oil like jojoba or sweet almond oil and apply it to irritated skin or dry patches.

Pro Tip: Always do a patch test first to make sure your skin agrees with it.

3. DIY Beauty Blends

Add a drop to your DIY face mask, body butter, or bath soak. You’ll get the botanical benefits along with a spa-like scent.

4. Meditation & Yoga

Use it during meditation or yoga by dabbing a little (diluted) on your temples or wrists. It can enhance focus and create a peaceful environment.

Real Talk: Is It Worth the Price?

If you’re someone who values:

Natural wellness

High-quality self-care

Sustainable products

Supporting ethical companies

Invest in Your Wellness

I get it—spending ₹899–₹1,299 on a bottle of essential oil might feel like a stretch, especially when there are cheaper alternatives out there. But when you consider the quality, purity, and therapeutic potential of ACTIZEET Mirabilis essential oil, the price starts to make sense.

This isn’t just about buying an oil—it’s about choosing a cleaner, calmer, and more balanced lifestyle.

So the next time you see that bottle and hesitate because of the cost, just remember: you’re investing in you.

[puritytells]

ACTIZEET: Best Brand Basil Essential Oil for Wellness

Discover why ACTIZEET is the best brand basil essential oil. Learn its benefits, real uses, and how it can transform your wellness journey naturally.

Picture this: You’re standing in your kitchen after a long, stressful day. Your shoulders are tense, your head’s pounding, and all you want is a little peace. Then, you remember a tiny amber bottle tucked away in your drawer—basil essential oil. A few drops in your diffuser, and suddenly, your space smells like a serene herb garden. Within minutes, you're breathing deeper, feeling lighter, and wondering: Why haven’t I been using this all along?

That’s exactly how I stumbled upon ACTIZEET Basil Essential Oil—a moment of need turned into a lifelong habit. And today, I want to take you on the same journey. Not the boring, textbook kind, but the real talk. Whether you're brand new to essential oils or just basil-curious, you're in the right place.

Let’s dive in.

What Even Is Basil Essential Oil, Anyway?

Okay, let’s start at the beginning. Basil essential oil is steam-distilled from the leaves of the basil plant—yes, the same leafy green herb you throw on your margherita pizza. But here’s the kicker: when concentrated into an oil, basil becomes a powerhouse of benefits.

Think:

Mental clarity

Stress relief

Headache support

Anti-inflammatory magic

Digestive support

But here’s the truth no one talks about: not all basil oils are created equal. The quality really matters. And that’s where ACTIZEET comes in.

Why ACTIZEET Is the Best Brand Basil Essential Oil

You’ve probably seen dozens of essential oil brands online—each claiming to be “100% pure” and “therapeutic grade.” So what makes ACTIZEET different? Honestly? It’s everything.

1. Purity You Can Smell and Feel

ACTIZEET doesn’t mess around with fillers, additives, or diluted nonsense. It’s 100% pure basil essential oil, steam-distilled the traditional way. Open the bottle and you’ll know—this isn’t the synthetic stuff. It’s vibrant, herby, and clean.

2. Sourced with Intention

ACTIZEET basil essential oil comes from handpicked, organically grown basil plants. These aren’t factory-farmed. They’re cultivated with care in pristine environments, then processed using methods that preserve every drop of natural goodness.

3. Lab-Tested for Peace of Mind

Third-party testing? Absolutely. ACTIZEET backs every bottle with transparency. Each batch is tested for quality, purity, and potency—so what you see on the label is exactly what you get inside.

4. Eco-Conscious and Ethical

We love a good product, but not at the planet’s expense. ACTIZEET uses eco-friendly packaging and sustainable practices that respect nature. Plus, it's cruelty-free and vegan.

A Real-Life Wellness Rescue Story

Let me share something personal.

I’m a freelance writer juggling deadlines, a toddler, and a never-ending laundry pile. A few months ago, I had a day where everything that could go wrong did—my head was throbbing, my anxiety was through the roof, and I felt on the verge of a breakdown.

That’s when I remembered reading about basil essential oil’s calming effects. Desperate, I added a few drops of ACTIZEET Basil Oil to my diffuser. Within 10 minutes, my kitchen transformed. The sharp, herby scent grounded me. My breath slowed. My headache eased. And for the first time that day, I felt in control.

It wasn't a miracle. It was plant-powered wellness. And it was exactly what I needed.

The Science—But Make It Simple

Let’s geek out for a second—but don’t worry, I’ll keep it simple.

Basil essential oil contains compounds like linalool, eugenol, and methyl chavicol. These sound like characters from a sci-fi movie, but they’re natural chemical components with powerful effects:

Linalool – Promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety.

Eugenol – Offers anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) properties.

Methyl chavicol – Supports digestion and combats microbial infections.

According to a study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, basil essential oil may improve cognitive function and mood. Translation? It can help your brain chill out and stay sharp at the same time.

How to Use ACTIZEET Basil Essential Oil (Safely & Smartly)

No need to be an aromatherapy expert to get started. Here are some beginner-friendly, totally doable ways to make basil essential oil part of your day:

💧 For Stress Relief

Add 3–5 drops to your diffuser and inhale deeply for a calming effect. Bonus: Mix with lavender oil for extra zen.

💆 For Headache or Fatigue

Dilute a few drops in a carrier oil (like jojoba or coconut) and gently massage your temples, neck, or shoulders.

🌿 For Focus During Work

Diffuse while working or studying to boost mental clarity and stay productive.

🤢 For Digestive Support

Rub diluted oil clockwise on your abdomen to help with bloating or discomfort.

💨 For Respiratory Relief

Inhale from a tissue or add to steam water to help ease congestion and sinus pressure.

Quick Tips to Remember

Always dilute before applying to skin—essential oils are potent!

Patch test if you’re new or have sensitive skin.

Keep away from eyes, mucous membranes, and children under 2 years old.

Avoid during pregnancy unless cleared by your healthcare provider.

What Others Are Saying

Still unsure? You're not alone. Here are a few real testimonials from ACTIZEET users:

“I’ve tried basil oils from several brands, but none smell as fresh and clean as ACTIZEET. It’s like walking into a basil field!” – Rita, Mumbai

“This oil has become part of my daily meditation routine. Just a few drops and I feel centered and focused.” – Ankush, Delhi

“ACTIZEET is the best brand basil essential oil I’ve found. Pure, affordable, and effective. What else do you need?” – Sonal, Bangalore

Final Thoughts: Small Bottle, Big Power

Sometimes, the most powerful remedies come from the most unexpected places. A small amber bottle. A green herb. A mindful inhale. ACTIZEET Basil Essential Oil isn’t just a product—it’s an invitation to slow down, tune in, and care for yourself, naturally.

So if you’ve been searching for the best brand basil essential oil, trust me—you just found it. ACTIZEET delivers quality, purity, and purpose in every drop. Whether you need stress relief, focus, or a natural way to support your wellness, this little bottle is your go-to.

[fandompost]

Interview: Alicia Figliuolo, Director of Education and Training at Geek Therapeutics http://dlvr.it/THc8yb