#Relationship advice for better communication

[foldingfittedsheets]

I went on an adventure today to return a pillow to IKEA with my coworker Astrid.

We were having a nice day and got stuck in traffic coming home. On the way her phone rang and she was driving so she declined the call with a sigh. “I feel so bad for him,” she said.

“You know that number?”

She did. It turns out her phone number had previously belonged to a woman named Serena. The man calling was her dad. He had Alzheimer’s and didn’t remember his daughter was dead, so he just called the number he knew was hers.

I was stricken to hear this. “Do you talk to him?”

“Yeah. Sometimes he thinks I’m her and we talk. I have a notebook with facts I’ve learned about her so I can connect with him better. Sometimes he knows I’m not her and I say I’m her friend.”

I struggled with the beauty and humanity of this for a moment. “What’s his name?”

“I don’t know; I just call him Dad.”

We sat in silence and I was overwhelmed with feelings. That she was so kind and thoughtful about this random connection. A man who called and spoke to her with love for the daughter he missed.

"One time," she added, "he called me just after I had a difficult day with my mom. I knew Serena and her mom had a rocky relationship so I talked to him about my frustrations with my own mother and he gave the following advice: ‘Everyone fails sometimes, even parents; what's important is to communicate with our loved ones, even when it's difficult.’

“I have never forgotten that advice and it healed a portion of my heart."

[from-izzy]

be fair | nct park jisung

"You're not bringing us down. You're not bringing anybody down," Jisung shakes his head hurriedly. "I promise. We'll take this step by step remember?"

pairing » nct park jisung x gn!reader (lmk if i missed anything!)

trope/au » established relationship au, non-idol au, implied friends to lovers

genre » fluffy fluff with a little hint of angst, hurt/comfort for the reader, supportive and patient boyfriend jisung, jisung who just wants to treat you right, also shy but sometimes confident (?) jisung

word count; estimated reading time » 1650; ~6 mins

warnings (lmk if i missed anything!) » mentions of a toxic past relationship (reader), jisung implied to be taller, rapid proofread once

navi/masterlist!! 🤍 nct dream masterlist

based on this request! thank you for sending it in anon and i'm sorry it took a while for me to write 😭 i hope you (and everyone else!) enjoys this one!!

The romantic season has finally started, and that also means that sweet treat of early leave that you applied for at the start of the year. You're keen on using the leave to spend more quality time with your loved ones, especially your boyfriend Park Jisung.

From the introduction from mutual friends, you've known Jisung for a long time. Long enough for him to know your favourite drink and your comfort food. Long enough for him to send you cute hamster videos, and comfortable enough for you to reply with a "That's you!" to which Jisung reacts to the message with a blushing emoji; his face perfectly depicted that emoji too.

The exchanges became pretty limited when you got into a relationship. Yes, Jisung is glad you were able to fall in love, but the dried tears on your face whenever he catches a glimpse of you make him feel otherwise. The one-year toxic relationship would continue for a few more months. Some of your friends were understandably frustrated with how you wouldn’t leave, and despite explaining that words aren't easily acted out, the stress only made your room swallow your sobs even more. In the end, when things were better, you confronted all and cut off some.

The reality is that, we could always be prepared for something, and give others advice but when it happens to us, the world stops. Rational thinking may follow after. At that time, you need to surround yourself with healthy and supportive people. That’s who how Park Jisung is to you.

Jisung really did take care of you, every step of the way. Whether it was sending groceries to our house, sending daily affirmations, and despite his lack of experience and nervousness, helping you draft an email to your boss for a short break to take care of yourself. He's open to telling you that he's not sure what to do, but through simple communication, Jisung was the key for you to escape your toxic ex-boyfriend, and the dreadful aftermath of the relationship. That relationship was ages ago, and now you're happily in a relationship with Jisung for a month.

"Ah," Jisung pouts at the reminder. "You're bringing that up again?"

"I can't help it!" You chuckle at your date who takes another spoonful of his soup, adjusting his scarf after to hide his blushing cheeks. "You said I was hot like soup and then confessed right after!"

If the table could come alive and swallow Jisung up, he would appreciate that very much. "But I really did mean it! You've always been hot but that day you were just, you know...amazing and beautiful...I couldn’t help but say my thoughts…"

Every time you bought this up, Jisung would always become flustered. Just like every other time, his cheeks and the tip of his ears flare, his eyes smile but look away from yours, and sometimes his speech stutters due to his racing heart. But this time, maybe it's the heart-shaped decoration by the entrance of the sore, the roses in the middle of the table, or the way that Jisung called this a date. The environment is bustling but not in the sharp clanging of cutlery on porcelain, but the laughter that wraps the both of you in a loving embrace. 

Last month, as Jisung delivered his feelings for you smoothly like the ice cream in your hands, your gaze on him softened. You doubt it was the ice cream that spread warmth through your chest and your cheeks. You’ve realised your growing feelings for him throughout the past year, but never dared to speak up; not after your relationship even though you know Jisung is nothing like your ex. Your love for Jisung grows after each date, after each brush against his skin and the kisses he places all over your features. Everything that Jisung did in your presence, reminds you that your feelings for him are reciprocated.

"I thought we agreed that I would pay next," sulking at the fact that you lost the credit card battle once more.

"There will always be a next time," pressing a quick peck on your lips.

Jisung's words have always seemed so confident, but just like the soup from dinner earlier, you're sure that the redness across his cheeks isn't from the cool weather. Even with thick winter gloves, you can feel Jisung's hold like you both were skin-to-skin as you walk along the illuminated footpath from open stores. You talk about everything that came up in your mind, taking turns to nod when Jisung does with yours. Your words are always safe with him, the same way his words are safe with you. Your stories continue to be shared, but it wasn't overbearing; not like how you were treated in your past relationship.

Similarly, Jisung loves to tell you about his day, and coo about the two birds leaning against each other not too far away. Jisung loves to go into detail on the things you talked about on text, all the while observing the windows of the shops for things you liked. You fall in love with his voice which pulls you back into the present whenever your mind drifts somewhere else. Whenever those times hit, Jisung has picked up on some things: the glimmers in your eyes fade, your fingers grow weaker or stronger around his, and your hums would be monotonic and randomise between the middle of his sentences instead of the end.

You're habituated to the shoes shuffling on the gravel, so when you stop, you immediately turn your head to Jisung who's a step behind you. Your eyes widen and your lips tremble at the realisation that you missed parts of his stories.

Your heart drops at your actions. I'm sor-"

"Are you alright?" He interjected. Your hands untangle from his as Jisung fixes your scarf. "Don't want you getting cold," lifting the material to cover your lips and chin better. His eyes resemble a smile when he's satisfied with the adjustment and he rests his palms on your shoulders.

"Sorry, I'm just thinking again," eyes downcasted to your shoes that pointed to his.

"No, it's okay," your boyfriend reassures. "I love listening to your voice. I can never get enough of it."

"Really? I just don't want you to feel like you have to listen to all these things because you really don’t have to-"

"But I love it," he cuts you off once more. Jisung slips a glove off, his palm cupping your chilly cheek. Your head tilts, meeting the reflecting Christmas lights behind you, and how clear your reflection from his orbs. "I love hearing all this because that means you trust me and are comfortable with me telling me all these things."

"Of course, I am, Ji," placing emphasis on the affirmative words. "I just hate how you've always treated me right from the start but I keep on doing this thing where my mind goes to the past and I just bring us down and-"

"You're not bringing us down. You're not bringing anybody down," Jisung shakes his head hurriedly. "I promise. We'll take this step by step remember?"

You focus on the soothing glides that his thumb did on your cheekbones, closing your eyes to savour the gentleness. Jisung steps closer to you, wrapping your body with his arms. His deep tone soothes your mind, and you place an ear to where his steady heart is. All the negative thoughts subside slowly, but surely.

"What you went through was scary, bubs," he whispers, "and I don't expect you to just get over it. You're allowed to be scared."

"But it's not fair on you, Sung..."

"What's not fair is you thinking that it's not fair.” A tear or two escapes your eyes, and your lips shudder at the sincerity of his voice. Your hand lifts, only to clasp onto the hem of his jacket. Jisung guides your breathing, messaging his fingers onto your scalp reassuringly. “You’re not being fair to anyone if you act like nothing happened. I want you to always be open with me, okay? I want to support you. Always.”

“Okay,” your answer comes out hushed, and you’re worried that Jisung didn’t hear it. 

You lift your head from his chest, intending to repeat your answer to make sure it gets across. But all words halted when Jisung’s lips fell upon your forehead dearly. The pink deepens into red across his cheekbones, and Jisung hides his eyes behind his overgrown bangs as he stares down at his shuffling feet. For yourself, the heat rises to your cheeks, and you’re sure that Jisung could feel them even through his gloves. And just if that wasn’t enough to make you melt in this winter, Jisung confesses his feelings for you once more as wills himself determinedly to look into your eyes.

“I love you. So, please be fair to yourself.”

There was no way that you could say anything to that, not with how he hits you the words filled with honesty. You see the way his eyes slowly morph into uncertainty at your silence, worried that he made you uncomfortable.

“I’m sorry-” His words are cut off with a kiss on his cheek.

“Don’t be,” you beam at him with the cutest smile, brighter than the sunset behind you. “I love you too, Sungie.”

Delighted with the positive response, Jisung lowers his back to be at eye level with the person that he loves. His thumb traces along the bottom of your lip, index following the shape of your jawline as he gulps at where he puts his finger. You’re met with Jisung’s eyes, and no words are needed when you understand what he is asking for. Your sure nod left Jisung almost sweeping you off the ground, joining his lips with yours sweetly under the warmth of the sunset. 

navi/masterlist!! 🤍 nct dream masterlist

tags: @k-films @kflixnet @starlit-network @kstrucknet

@haneul-and-clouds

[twistedpink]

Ask 2/2

Friendzoned Leona trying to get OUT! Let him smash!!!

I can see a new thing (like sneaky link but more comical) being friendzoned and trying to escape for the guys.

LET HIM SMASH!! This was so fun

Friendzoned!Leona is shamelessly obsessed with you, and he hates it. Hates that he can’t treasure you like you deserve- That he’s been pushed aside again and again just for you to seek out bottom of the barrel herbivores to warm your bed and share your time. Hates that he’s been left hungry, and that you have the power to fix it. You know it, even going as far to tease him! He hates that you’re so clever..

Friendzoned!Leona that’s domestic and shit for you- because that’s what friends do, don’t they? But your other friends don’t order breakfast just the way you like, or smother you in muscle to will you for a nap. You’re pretty sure his friends don’t get that treatment,, He’s even wormed his way into sharing a bathroom! It’s so convenient, and you’re the one making it weird when you shame him for walking around shirtless. It’s his damn room, so aren’t you being a bad friend for taking up a perfectly communal space? Don’t be shy, you’re used to taking eyefulls of your other friends- How’s he any different?

Friendzoned!Leona’s tired of all your gossip and whining,, Wouldn’t you rather take your mind off it? His hand sneaks beneath your waistband, and he kisses you breathless - You say he’s beautiful. That he’s someone’s perfect match - and he’s pushed away. Like he always is, because there’s bound to be someone better. Some.. soulmate that you click with, kind and handsome,, He’s right here. You just don’t see it. It’s not like you’re taking advantage of the guy! Friendzoned!Leona just has needs that you’re,, a little unfit for. Getting into relationships is supposed to be a magical thing! Sure you cuddle, and kiss, and hang out all the time, but you could never do that with a boyfriend! You’d be too busy cuddling, and kissing, and hanging out.. Damn it. You hope he doesn’t take it the wrong way- After all, you’re such great friends! Why ruin it with labels?

Friendzoned!Leona is without a doubt, your best friend. He might not seek you out as much as you’d like, but he cares in his own way! It’s inevitable that your boyfriends go to him for advice, and isn’t he so helpful? Telling them exactly how you like to be touched, what makes you roll over or bare your fangs.. There’s no way he’s the reason your relationships are so short lived! They’re just jealous of your friendship,, It’s not his fault he’s such a good rebound >:(

Friendzoned!Leona’ll always be there for you, so there’s no need to worry your pretty head about it! When you wake up beside him after a movie marathon just don’t mind him reaching for your phone. Oh, that guy ghosted you? It’s not that weird- It’s not like he knew you. At least, not like Leona, because there’s no one who knows you that well. Keep playing footsies with him under the covers, and one day something’s bound to snap.. He’s a very patient lion, so he’s sure you’ll enjoy the change when the time comes. For now, can’t you lay off the dating? For a friend? <3

[newrelationshipgoals]

Relationships Advice for Women from Men

Be Supportive: Men appreciate women who are supportive of their goals and aspirations. Showing genuine interest and encouragement in their endeavors can strengthen the bond between partners.

Express Appreciation: Men enjoy feeling appreciated and valued in relationships. Simple gestures such as expressing gratitude or complimenting their efforts can go a long way in building mutual respect and affection. Relationships Advice for Women from Men: Insights You Need to Know (relationshipsgoal.com)

[quaalussy]

hi beautiful ppl on tumblr dot com do u have any advice about navigating life after college when u are soso scared

[pumpkin-the-girlie-girl-vixen]

Writing messages to each other on your bathroom mirror with Expo markers can be a wonderful and creative way to express your feelings and maintain a playful connection in your relationship. This practice adds a unique touch to your daily routine and can strengthen your bond by encouraging open communication and spontaneity. Here’s a detailed blog about the fun and significance of this activity.

Love Letters on the Mirror: A Creative Way to Connect

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can be easy to forget the little things that make a relationship special. However, my boyfriend and I have found a delightful way to keep our love alive and vibrant — writing messages to each other on our bathroom mirror with Expo markers. This simple yet meaningful ritual has transformed our mornings and evenings into moments filled with joy, laughter, and connection.

Setting the Scene

Every day, as we prepare for our routines, our bathroom mirror becomes a canvas for our thoughts and feelings. We use colorful Expo markers to leave notes that range from sweet love letters to silly jokes. The moment one of us walks into the bathroom, we almost instinctively glance at the mirror, eager to see what the other has written.

The Joy of Spontaneity

One of the most delightful aspects of this practice is its spontaneity. There’s something incredibly exciting about leaving a surprise message for your partner. Whether it's a simple "I love you" or an inside joke that only we understand, each note brings a smile to our faces. It’s a reminder that even in the mundane act of brushing our teeth, there’s room for creativity and affection.

Memories Captured in Ink

Over time, our mirror has become a scrapbook of our thoughts and emotions. From motivational quotes that inspire us to notes celebrating our achievements, we cherish the memories these messages represent. We often look back at older notes and reminisce about the moments they captured. It’s a tangible reflection of how our relationship has grown and evolved.

A Ritual Worth Keeping

In conclusion, writing messages on our bathroom mirror with Expo markers has become a cherished ritual in our relationship. It’s a simple act that requires minimal effort yet yields significant emotional rewards. We encourage other couples to try it out — you might be surprised by how a little ink on a mirror can deepen your connection and bring joy into your daily lives. It’s the little things that often count the most, and this is one simple way to ensure love is always present, even in the most mundane moments.

By incorporating this playful and meaningful habit into your daily routine, you can enhance your relationship and create lasting memories. Whether it’s a flirty note or a heartfelt expression, writing on your bathroom mirror can turn ordinary moments into extraordinary ones. So grab those Expo markers and get started — your love story deserves to be written!

[dangerous-fighter-fairy]

“Omg my SO didn’t know we were dating for like a whole month!” That means you weren’t together. Just so we’re clear

Individual opinions on what constitutes as dating or relationship milestones vary so wildly between people (even people of the same culture) that until you guys are both on the same page as to what’s going on, you shouldn’t assume anything. If you’re thinking “okay so we’re doing typical partner things, this probably means we’re together,” you should probably check in with the person you’re thinking that about because they might view half of that stuff as friend stuff and the other half as undefined-but-leaning-towards-partners so it’s better to talk about it and be sure

I see so many people online complain that “we’re clearly together but they didn’t know that and they were seeing other people!” Solution is to talk about it. “They called me their partner but we haven’t had that conversation yet!” Have it now! Talk about it! Easy peasy broski

I know some people hate the “what are we” convo or think relationships are intuitive or obvious, but most of this stuff is arbitrary so it’s always better to ask. Be an adult and have the adult conversation lol I believe in you

[ruminate88]

The Struggle In Marriage 😝

- My Husband Playing Rocket League w/ his headset on

- Me saying something important to him as loud as I can

- My husband only hearing half of what I said and making me frustrated

- Me repeating myself all frustrated at him

- Him getting defensive asking why I’m upset and yelling at him 🙄 and him not understanding he only heard half of what I originally said! Then I’m even more frustrated he won’t pause his game for 2 seconds to talk

Moral of the story: Instead of yelling and getting frustrated at each other, work with each other and make sure you’re both being heard and saying exactly what you mean! If he won’t pause his game, either wait till he’s done playing to talk to him or work to express to him how not pausing his game upsets you. Ultimately you can’t change or force people to do everything you want them to! Treat your spouse how you also want them to treat you♥️

[health-and-fitness-care]

Your Partner Need for a Better Sex Life | 10 Sex Goals for a Better Relationship

Your Partner Need for a Better Sex Life | 10 Sex Goals for a Better Relationship A fulfilling and satisfying sex life is an essential component of a healthy and happy relationship. It is important for couples to establish sex goals that can enhance their intimacy, connection, and overall satisfaction. By setting these goals together, partners can actively work towards creating a better sex life…

[familythings]

The Surprising Benefits of Sleeping Apart: A Fresh Start for Your Relationship

Many couples face a common challenge: one partner snores loudly, making it difficult for the other to sleep. If this sounds familiar, you might have considered sleeping in separate rooms. While it can feel like a sign of trouble in your relationship, experts suggest it could actually be a new beginning. Russell Foster, a professor of circadian neuroscience at Oxford University, believes that…

[chaotic-trav]

Good news : Communicating with people is actually very important and does actually help and make you feel better

Bad news : It will take every ounce of courage you have to be able to muster up the energy to communicate about the thing that's bothering you

[neverendingford]

.

[newrelationshipgoals]

Relationships Advice for Women from Men

Communication is Key: Men emphasize the importance of open and honest communication in relationships. They appreciate when women express their thoughts and feelings directly, allowing for better understanding and connection.

Respect Boundaries: Men value their personal space and independence in relationships. Women should respect their partner's boundaries and avoid Relationships Advice for Women from Men: Insights You Need to Know (relationshipsgoal.com)

[wholemeallbread]

prince!rin is often overshadowed by his older brother. it's near impossible for him to have his moment when his brother always does it better. to everyone, he's "itoshi sae's younger brother". he's even had people trying to marry him just to get closer to sae.

his heart is ice at this point. steadily melting, but impossible to just crack through. it's a slow, slow process, his initial thought anyway, and he was convinced it would take ages for him to find the one.

prince!rin who's nothing but rude when you try and talk to him. it wasn't your own choice in the first place, purely for building relationships between different nations, but how were you going to explain that he was the one making things impossible?

prince!rin who genuinely couldn't believe he fell for the "love at first sight" trope. it's stupid – he was stupid, and he flunked his first impression. how has talking to you for a brief fifty seven seconds (he was counting) equate to his heart shattering into a million pieces with nothing but a gaze?

prince!rin who seems nicer than he lets on. this may sound corny, but he's protected you more times than you'd think.

weird people of importance that are way out of your age range eying you funny? he's only sharpened the sword in his scabbard last night, and he's not afraid to use it. he watches your drink from across the entire hall when you're gone just to make sure nobody tampers with it. believe him, it's more common than you think. when he knows you're visiting the kingdom soon, he makes sure every inch of the town is far from dirt and mud, in fear of ruining your outfit for the special night.

prince!rin panics and keeps the entire relationship undercover. this entire thing was spontaneous. god, it wasn't even him who asked, it was you. he didn't even know you liked him!

nobody knows, not even his brother. actually, he told the diary that he stress-writes into, but now it's locked up, in a locked up box, in another locked up box, and then in a locked up drawer. just the word "marriage" makes him flinch. how suspicious, but somehow, nobody was able to make the link between the two of you.

prince!rin tries to seem cool in front of you, but fails miserably. he has a short temper despite his outward appearance, and even tiny misfortunes cause the dormant anger inside of him to start bubbling up. luckily, you're always there to calm him down, so no more training dummies or random civilians have to suffer from his wrath.

prince!rin who would risk his life for you, but still struggles to bend or completely break the rules. he follows his curfew diligently, straight up refuses to sneak around, and is always on his best behaviour when around his family. the chances of you meeting during the night are near zero, and the only time you see each other is when you coincidentally cross paths or during royal events.

prince!rin always blames himself when the two of you get into an argument. you'd think he's ignoring you with how busy he magically becomes, but his brain is so full of thoughts and conflict. instead of talking things out, he releases stress by overtraining, spending all day working on his swordsmanship. yep, his communication skills suck.

prince!rin tweaks the fuck out when sae magically manages to find out. he could be halfway across the nation and he would still feel the disapproving glare he fears so much. he's pretty much begging on his knees for sae not to tell anyone, not for his own reputation, but he doesn't want to get you in trouble. and then everything comes out, confessing everything on the spot; how it happened, how he feels, how he wants to say sorry to you. sae gives him a weird look, claiming that he'll "help him out", but he doesn't get any advice in the following days.

and he feels utterly betrayed days later when his own brother set the two of you up. as evil as it was, he told you that rin was injured, and he told rin that you were going to break up with him. evil, so evil, but it worked. rin was not ready to receive a big hug, mumbles of missing him and telling him to never get hurt again beinf whispered in his ear. just what is going on?

whatever. at the end of the day, you were in his arms again, ans that's all that matters.

@lizbix CMERE I WROTE!!! oops its a bit late actually r u awake

[riversenchanted]

Where your mercury is placed is where you have intelligence at in your birth chart

Mercury 1st house/ Aries: Intelligent about knowing how to express themselves/fashion geniuses. These people are typically multi talented and able to be highly skilled at anything they pursue. They are like sponges for information!

Mercury 2nd house/Taurus: Intelligent about money,investing, and material possessions. These people are likely to own their own businesses or be investors of some kind. They may have multiple streams of income. A highly abundant placement to have!

Mercury 3rd house/ Gemini: The jack of all trades! Intelligent speakers, communicators, learners, teachers. People can learn a lot just by being in their presence. Their brains move just a little bit faster than the world around them. Sometimes this placement is prone to adhd.

Mercury 4th house/ Cancer: intelligent about family, emotions, counsel, cooking, home life. These people are commonly psychic/claircognizant. They always know the right thing to say. These are the people you go to when you need advice snd support.

Mercury 5th house/ Leo: intelligent about the arts, romance, children, self expression. These people bring light into the room. They have a creative genius like no other and a magic in the way they think and operate. They have a strong creative intelligence.

Mercury 6th house/ Virgo: intelligent about analysis, health, structure, and logic. These people make excellent doctors, judges, and politicians. They have a strong memory and interest in bettering others lives and keeping things balanced and fair. They analyze things deeply and are always looking for ways to help and improve any situation they face. They’re always calculating and taking in information.

Mercury 7th house/ Libra: Intelligent about relationships, justice, counsel, influence. These people are strong communicators and have the power to influence others and bring people together. They are diplomatic and fair. Always looking for the gray area and middle ground in any situation.

Mercury 8th house/Scorpio: intelligent about solving mysteries, uncovering truth, emotional depth. These people make good investigators. This placement shows a strong desire to uncover truth and have a deeper understanding of why things are the way they are. They tend to see through peoples facades easily. These people can be psychic or empathic.

Mercury 9th house/ Sagittarius: intelligent about philosophy, religion, travel, culture. These people have a wide variety of knowledge. They are the type of people who will have random facts about everything. They will spark conversation with anyone. Always eager to learn and very tactile in the way that they learn as well.

Mercury 10th house/ Capricorn: intelligent in business, work, legacy, and reputation. These people are extremely detail oriented. They have sharp minds and don’t forget anything to easily. These placements are adaptable and flexible. Willing to face challenges head on and grow from them. May have remarkable careers and be well known for their skills in the work field.

Mercury 11th house/ Aquarius: intelligent in networking, community, problem solving, innovation, technology. These people think 10 steps ahead at all times. These are the visionary’s. Their minds always at work and looking to the future. An inventors mind. These people bring others together to solve a common issue and work efficiently with others.

Mercury 12th house/ Pisces: intelligent in creativity, psychology, intuition, spirituality. These people have rich inner worlds but may have difficulty expressing it fully. They spend a lot of time in deep contemplation and are highly observant. They have a talent for compassion and deeply understanding others. They see things from multiple points of view and therefore have the ability to problem solve from multiple angles.

[thelittleoddling]

COZY GAMES ARE MEANT TO BE A LITTLE DARK

I keep getting videos on YouTube that talk about how cozy games are secretly not cozy because they have dark elements to them like the war in Stardew.

Apparently this is somehow meant to ruin the coziness? I hate to break it to you but THATS THE POINT.

These games do not exist in a cozy vacuum where nothing bad happens ever. That would frankly be a terrible game and an even worse story. Cozy games are not cozy in SPITE of their dark elements they are cozy BECAUSE of them.

In Stardew yes there's a war, and people have dysfunctional relationships and that's the point! you're in a shitty town living on a shitty farm but you're there to help. you make friendships, and you fix your farm, and you leave the town a little better than when you found it.

In Palia you're living under an oppressive government and everyone has lots of problems. Some people are just struggling to be a single parent, others are on the run from a cartel. It's not light and cheery! but you get to help these people as you work to find your place in the world. I could go on for hours about other games but I think these examples are enough to drive home what I'm going to say next. COZY GAMES ARE ABOUT COMMUNITY, LOVE, AND FRIENDSHIP.

You don't expect your real life friends and communities to be conflict free. Bonds are built on the back of hardship. Lifting each other up. Loving each other and being kind when things are hard.

villagers in both games give me advice on how to do what I need to so I can fix up my property and start life in their town, They send me gifts they think will help with my projects. And in turn I give them a relationship they need. I'm an understanding friend for Linus, or an open ear for Najuma.

WE SUPPORT EACHOTHER IN HARD TIMES.