#Punk advice

[piers-official]

Punk advice for the day:

Always stand up for your fellow queers. Yes, that includes neogender/pronouns, "contradictory" labels, anything ya might think is "weird" or "confusin'".

Queer means weird/strange and If ya can't support them, then ya don't support any of us. Ya got the ability t'educate yourselves and learn acceptance. And the others who are antis? they're spoutin' the same jargon and arguments that are used against YOU.

Stand united or Fall divided.

[safety-pin-punk]

Any good tips for any baby punks out there? I'm new to the scene and need some advice. Any advice for diy's/ideology/music/ect?

Hi!! Sorry its taken me so long to get to this, I’ve traveled about 1300 miles (aprox 2093 km) in the last 2 weeks

Tips for baby/puppy punks!! Yes! I have a lot of those, but I’ll summarize into the important ones:

The absolute most important thing I can tell you is to develop critical thinking skills (if you don’t already have them). Dont just hop on a bandwagon because all the other punks are doing it. Take the time to learn and form your own opinions on something

The second most important thing I can tell you is to always take advice/criticism with a grain of salt (this applies to things outside of alternative sub cultures as well). People will tell you things. Sometimes they are lying or dont know any better. Sometimes their advice will work for one person but not another. For example, a lot of people say if you dont dress the part, you arent punk. However, sometimes it takes a while to build up an alternative closet. Sometimes people live in an area where it may not be safe to wear their opinions on their sleeves (especially minors). Sometimes people just like the color pink and thats *fine*. This mindset can be applied to literally everything. Just do what works for you

That leads nicely into my 3rd point, you dont have to dress or look a certain way OR listen to certain bands to be punk. Anyone who says otherwise is a poser. That being said, it’s generally accepted that you shouldnt wear shirts or patches for bands you’ve never even heard of (no one can stop you but you might be labeled a poser)

Advice specifically for diy: watch videos, if you want to learn how to make a specific thing there is 100% a video somewhere on it. Also, ask people. If someone has something really cool and you want to learn how they made it, go talk to them (assuming its not some dark alley). Some materials you might want to start collecting are can tabs, bottle caps, and safety pins

Music advice that I will die by: You dont have to listen to punk music to be punk. Sure, its an important part of the subculture, but not the only part. Its more important to learn about punk values than headbang until your neck snaps

Thats all I can think of off the top of my head, but if you have more specific questions please feel free to send in more asks or DM me!!

[queer-rat-king]

HEY how do I dress punk/goth in the hot hot summer (averages 84 in the summer where i live) without wearing boxy shorts?? Plz help I've never been able to maintain my wardrobe through the summer

[its-fucking-tangerine]

hello everyone. i need to know can soda can tabs if sewn onto clothes be thrown in the wash? or does that piece of clothing need to be hand-washed from then on. thanks.

[terrorpyjamas]

that hc about hobie knowing everything about miles before he even met him

[toothtalk]

a neurodivergent spoonie's guide to having teeth

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This blog is for educational and informational purposes only. This does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. Information on this blog should NOT be used for diagnostics or treating a health problem. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified dental health provider regarding diagnosis and treatment of a dental condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.

this is as close to a comprehensive guide to dental care as i can make. i'm autistic/adhd/ocd/chronically ill and i've worked in dentistry for several years. i want to use my knowledge to help other spoonies struggling with dental care. i know it can be really hard, but dental health is so important and we deserve healthy mouths just as much as NT/abled folks!!

being neurodivergent and/or chronically ill can make personal care tasks incredibly difficult. so many of us struggle with washing our hair, getting dressed, and cleaning up. but remember: hair will grow back if it's damaged, clothes can be washed when they smell bad, and a dirty house can be made clean again, but we only have one set of teeth to last our whole lives. those pearly whites are worth taking care of!

these tips are based on feedback/questions i've gotten from ND folks on tumblr and facebook, patients at the practices i've worked in, and my own experience. standard disclaimer that this information will not be applicable to every single person, just take what works for you and pass the rest on to the next person. i am also a resource for further information. this is going to be pretty rapidfire, so if you want me to elaborate on anything or have a question about something i didn't address in this post, my askbox is open and anon is enabled. i love talking about teeth and i would love to help my fellow spoonies take care of theirs!

without further ado:

on homecare:

any dental professional will tell you that having good oral health starts at home. taking care of our teeth can be incredibly difficult when our spoons are low, so i've made a list of strategies to make it easier.

best practice is to brush twice per day and floss once per day. this may not be realistic for those of us who struggle with habits and/or executive dysfunction. if you can only remember to brush once per day, brushing at night is the most important.

the ideal order of operations is floss, tongue scrape, mouthwash, then brush. but flossing and brushing are the most important steps in the routine.

brushing your teeth in the shower is perfectly acceptable! personally, i keep one toothbrush in the shower and one on the sink to maximize my opportunities to brush.

if you don't have the energy to floss, a toothbrush with fine bristles like this one is a good compromise.

you should replace your toothbrush or electric brush head every three months. the bristles get worn down and become less effective over time. set a recurring event on your phone calendar to keep track!

if you find it difficult to brush your teeth at all, use a washcloth to gently scrub your teeth until you feel that you've gotten the film off, then use a fluoride mouthwash. they also make single-use waterless toothbrushes like these. i like to keep them on my nightstand for really bad days when i can't even get myself to the bathroom to brush.

this is an excellent guide on proper brushing technique.

an electric toothbrush is an excellent investment. even a cheap one at the grocery store is a huge step above a manual toothbrush. personally, i love quip because they're more affordable than brands like sonicare, and they send you replacement brush heads on a regular basis.

be careful not to brush too aggressively; your brush should glide gently over the surface of your teeth. if you feel a lot of friction, lighten your pressure. brushing too hard can wear away your enamel and damage your gums.

if the mint flavor in toothpaste triggers sensory discomfort, try kids' toothpaste! it has less fluoride than adult toothpaste, but it's still miles better than not brushing at all.

mouthwash is used to neutralize bacteria on soft tissues. use an antibacterial or fluoride mouthwash for healthy gums and strong enamel. listerine original is the best, but they have lots of varieties including gum health, alcohol-free, and many more.

whenever possible, use a straw to drink soda or coffee so it doesn't touch your teeth, and rinse with water after you drink it. try to not sip sugary drinks throughout the day. switching to sugar-free beverages will make a huge difference in cavity prevention.

if you have any gaps between teeth, an interdental brush will help you keep the areas between those teeth clean and prevent decay.

i like to keep a package of floss picks in the living room so that i can floss while i watch tv. the best time to floss is right before you brush your teeth, but there is no bad time to floss.

this video shows proper flossing technique. this video shows proper technique when using floss picks.

dry mouth is a lesser-known cause of cavities. saliva protects your teeth from decay, so when you don't produce enough of it, you're at higher risk. dry mouth rinses like this one are a great defense against this!

remember, something is always better than nothing. brushing once a day is better than not brushing at all. flossing once a week is better than not flossing at all. be gentle with yourself.

on finding a dental provider:

finding a new provider and making an appointment can be confusing and overwhelming when we have low executive function. there are some ways to make it just a bit easier.

if you have insurance, they likely have a tool on their website to find providers in your network. you can usually find this information on your insurance card. this should narrow down your options considerably.

the absolute best thing you can do is find a supportive provider who you can open up to about your struggles with dental care. look up your options on google reviews and ctrl+f "anxiety". if these anxious patients have a good experience, it's more likely you will too.

you can ask for recommendations in your local community's facebook group or subreddit, both of which offer anonymity. specify your needs in your post. chances are, other people in your community have similar needs, and can help you find the right people to meet those needs.

a few people expressed that they avoid the dentist because of a family history of poor dental health, and the fear of having the same problems. i want to assure you that, while dental health does have a genetic component, it is far from the only factor. the most effective thing you can do to prevent dental issues is to go in for regular maintenance. prevention is the gold standard in dentistry.

a lot of us struggle with making phone calls. luckily, it's becoming increasingly common for practices to allow online booking and communication via email. look for these options on a practice's website!

if fear or executive dysfunction is getting in your way, phone a friend for help. sometimes things that are hard for us aren't as difficult for others. maybe your roommate can call the office for you. maybe your sister can drive you to your appointment. don't be afraid to lean on your village.

in the dental office:

a big issue with dental offices is that they are basically a sensory nightmare. while it's never going to be fully comfortable, there are some things you can do to make your experience more tolerable.

be open and honest with your dental providers. if you smoke, tell them (this includes cannabis; they cannot report you for cannabis use even if you're not in a legal state). if you've never flossed before, tell them. their job is to help you, not shame you. if a provider makes you feel ashamed, stop seeing them.

so many people have mentioned they're embarrassed about their anxiety and sensory struggles in the dental office. let me assure you that your providers see so many anxious patients every single day. they're used to it, and they're not going to be judging you. to help illustrate this, i'm going to cite some examples of patients from my practice and the ways we help them manage their anxiety and sensory struggles.

probably the most common concern among patients in our practice is a fear of the numbing injection. i have a pretty severe phobia of needles myself. our dental assistants are well-trained to manage this fear. they distract patients during the shot, and help them breathe through the anxiety before and after. this training is part of the dental assistant certification process, so it should be relatively universal.

you can bring a comfort item with you. be it a stuffed animal, a video game, a book, even a comforting person who can sit with you.

you know that lead vest that they lay on you when they take xrays? you can ask to wear that during your whole visit. it acts like a weighted blanket and it feels so nice and comforting. we have a few patients who do this at my practice.

headphones or earplugs are a lifesaver to drown out all the horrible sounds. i literally refuse to get a cleaning without them. there's even a hygienist at my practice that wears earplugs while she's working because the sound of the cavitron bothers her. there's no shame in it whatsoever.

if your practice offers it, nitrous oxide is a great option for anxiety. most people know it as laughing gas. it puts you in a dreamlike state so you're more or less unaware of what's going on. no joke, this stuff had me so relaxed i fully fell asleep while getting a root canal. you can even get it when you get your cleanings!

a lot of our patients request a specific doctor, dental assistant, and hygienist for their appointments. this is incredibly common. if you find someone that makes you feel safe, let the scheduling staff know that you'd like to see that person each time you come in.

dress comfy. there's no dress code for the dental office; show up in sweatpants if you want.

remember at the end of the day, your dental providers are not there to judge you if you don't have perfect homecare. their ultimate goal is to get your mouth healthy no matter your starting place. i can't speak for every dentist obviously, but the dentists at my practice are incredibly patient and sympathetic and have nothing but their patients' best interests in mind.

again: if you feel disrespected or shamed by your provider, find a new one who will be compassionate with you. you don't owe any provider loyalty, even if you've been going there since you were a toddler.

on recovery:

one of the hardest things to do is build healthy habits when you're starting from an unhealthy place. if you're dealing with poor dental health, getting your mouth healthy again can seem impossibly daunting. i'm here to tell you it is possible, but it takes work.

it starts in the dental chair. your provider should communicate what treatment is the highest priority, and they will start there. rather than overwhelming yourself with the big picture, focus your attention on the next step.

things like root canals, crowns, and periodontal treatment can be very expensive. unfortunately, in the united states at least, dental insurance is quite lacking across the board. if expenses are a concern, dental schools are a great option for having treatment done at a low cost. keep in mind that treatment will often take significantly longer due to the dentists being supervised students.

my job in the practice is treatment coordinator. this means that i work one-on-one with my patients to help them understand their treatment plans and make the process as easy and comfortable as possible for them. ask your practice if they have a treatment coordinator. if they don't, suggest that they create the role, and reach out to me here. my dream is to be able to help people manage their oral health. i will be a resource to anyone that doesn't have a treatment coordinator available to help you navigate your course of treatment.

any restorative work (fillings, crowns, etc.) that you have done has to be cared for, just like virgin teeth. cavities can still form underneath fillings and crowns. make sure you are keeping your regular hygiene appointments, and use the above strategies to effectively care for your restorations at home.

if you have a lot of treatment to work through, it may take a long time. we have patients that have spent 2-3 years working through their treatment plans with us. this can feel daunting and depressing. but remember, it's not forever. the majority of these patients who continue to see us for regular visits only have 1-2 new cavities at a time, if anything, once we finish their initial work.

there are very few dental problems that cannot be fixed. cavities can be filled, crowns placed, root canals done to save teeth that are severely decayed. gum disease cannot be cured, but it can be very effectively managed. i see patients all the time that come in expecting to lose all their teeth and need dentures, only to be relieved when we tell them only a few teeth are truly not restorable.

my job revolves around patient education, and it's always shocking to me how little we are taught about caring for our teeth. please be kind to yourselves; it is NOT your fault for not knowing or having the resources to take care of them yourself. once again, my askbox is open and anon is enabled if you have more questions after reading this guide.

[zeros-sys]

it's killing me that systems think they are faking or lying because they haven't had other alters front in a while, headspace has been silent, your communication is down, and overall just "feeling like a singlet"

because number 1, cdds have more symptoms than just alters, number 2 it's a covert disorder, and number 3, you are an alter!

no one experiences the same level of their symptoms for any of their disorders every day.

if my avoidance to food due to arfid is more noticeable some days, why is it different for having alters in osddid?

cdds are covert disorders. they will try and hide your symptoms because it's the whole point of their existence. don't blame yourself for a survival mechanism your brain created to protect you!

and I see so many people forget this, especially hosts, but you're an alter! if someone else doesn't front, that doesn't suddenly make you a singlet because you are still part of a system

you can make mistakes or be wrong, but don't fakeclaim or feed yourself misinformation in order to realise that!

[littlecibuu]

Ready? FIGHT 🥒🥒

[anexperimentallife]

"Wow, I need to get up to take pain meds. But it's gonna hurt to get up, and also also also taking them feels like I'm wimping out; maybe I'll just lay here a while longer."

Get up and take the pain meds, my friend. Usually, the longer you wait, the more it will hurt, and the less the usual dose will help. There is no virtue in needlessly allowing yourself to suffer, and no shame in seeking relief.

[strobilomyces-strobilaceus]

made my first patch :]

[piers-official]

Punk code of the day:

Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something. Remember to reach out and offer help t'those in need. Lift people up when they fall, and cheer 'em on when they succeed.

[fatedroses]

Two tanks without their emotional support healers.

[we-the-vessel]

Ways that we tell each other apart that may or may not work for some of you:

One thing we noticed about ourselves is that our voices are very different from each other. Mine (Barbed Wire) is a lot deeper than Kandi's (who is very high pitched because they are a child). While it may come naturally to us, admitedly it is hard to seperate my voice from Sargent's or Lupus (other alters we have). So Think of what your voice is supposed to sound like and emulate it with the body's voice.

Name tests. Self explanatory. Go through he lost of names of alters you suspect you might be. Often times if you refer to "yourself" in third person (Example: I just don't know if I'm Vezzel or not) then you probably aren't them or you're co-con

If you have another relationship (, familial, platonic, or romantic) with another alter, then see if you are willing to be affectionate with them like "you" usually are. Vezzel is dating X, I am not. Vezzel would shower X in love and affection and would say they love love love them so much, but I wouldn't. Thinking of saying the things Vezzel would usually say evokes hesitation and discomfort. You'll want to look out for that.

If you're a system who has at least a few items you keep seperate for their members, then it's important to see which one you're more comfortable using. I'd rather not use the system blog unless I'm making system advice posts like these. This also works with our playlist's because of our different music tastes. NOTE: it is important to not use your alter's seperate spaces while they aren't fronting.

Writing down or remembering your opinions on things. Vezzel and I have differing opinions on things like Syscourse (We're both pro Endo, but it's the minute things) and how we should respond to people. Even if all of your system has similar opinions, there should be at least one that is slightly different from your own. (If there isn't that's okay.)

We are still a fairly new system, but this is what works for us. Might be easier for some, might be more difficult for others. Feel free to add on more things. Dividers and borders were used to make blocks of text easier to read.

Written by: Barbed Wire (Pronouns: @pluricfag )

[lemony-ink]

there's very little that feels worse than feeling like you made a close friend and having them switch up on you because of changes in the system.

I understand that it can be hard for singlets to process but making every conversation about how you miss a specific alter and how sad you are that the memories with them are gone...

I even comforted him the first times he brought it up but he won't stop, it's been 5 months.

[rexonalapis]

it is very telling that average genshin players cannot comprehend seeing an actual mature, qualified leader that is actually good at taking her job seriously after meeting archons who either is still childish, clowning whimsically, or straight up incompetent.

[zeros-sys]

one thing I keep seeing is how systems with fearmonger newly discovered systems into not interacting with the online osddid community, which is stupid.

even if you think that there is a lot of misinformation online about the disorders, which I'm not gonna argue against, you're still assuming what that newly discovered system is looking for.

maybe they're not looking for diagnostic criterias or to sift through their trauma.

they're probably looking for community and personal experiences they can relate to.

which is very obviously a common thing for someone who just realised they might have a disorder is looking for.

support. community. comfort.

when I see a newly discovered system online and they ask where they start on system spaces, advice like "don't look around online, just go to (insert medical website)" is not helpful to someone who needs genuine advice from people with experience in system communities.

so, here's my advice to newly discovered systems :

— you're going to get things wrong and make mistakes. it's inevitable, and it 100% happens to everyone, even if someone's been diagnosed for 10+ years. don't be scared to make mistakes, you miss every shot you don't take.

— if you suddenly don't feel like you're a system, your communication sucks, you are frontstuck/no one else is fronting, don't worry. cdds are covert disorders, their whole intention is to not be found. you're not a liar or faker because you don't experience some symptoms of a disorder. (see this)

— look at what is already largely accepted in medical spaces, don't immediately jump into controversial/conspiracy theories

— start off with safe spaces, trying to participate in discourse when you're uneducated isn't going to end well

— figure out what alters do first, in our case and many others, it's a lot easier to "work backwards" when you already have an idea of what role an alter fills in your system before you try to fully find out their identity

— don't get too stuck up on alter labels, if you're lost on what role an alter has or don't even know what a lot of roles are, just focus on what they do for your system (see above)