#being in love with your authentic self is the most beautiful chapter to be at.... °˖✧˚ʚ♡ɞ˚✧˖°

[astrolocherry]

Birthday Venus-Saturn aspects ~ "Your Daddy Loves You..."

Written by Astrolocherry

Venus conjunct Saturn, Venus sextile Saturn, Venus square Saturn, Venus trine Saturn, Venus opposite Saturn

The individual born with Venus forming aspect to Saturn is gifted a double-banded commitment ring from Saturn. Therein contains a promise that while partnership may be potentially timeworn and difficult to find in this lifetime, when the love eventually comes it will be greater than anything she could have imagined. She may have distant fantasies or longings about her ideal partner, but never completely entertains these as actual possibilities, often due to an inherent sense of worthlessness or being undeserving with matters of the heart. Something happens during the developmental phase of life that breaks this heart before it has fully formed. It is sensitive, scarred, and often bandaged in the protective defences that cut her off from accepting the affection and attention that she can’t admit is much needed. In traditional astrology, Venus is the portion of our consciousness that beholds our eye of beauty, femininity, aesthetic, and style. The shadow of Saturn leering over Venus often produces an apathy and at worst, a revulsion regarding her own self-image of beauty. 

Despite feeling so disconnected and detached from her feminine side, the individual with a Venus-Saturn aspect is divinely feminine in its most timeless, antiqued, resiliently elegant, and everlasting archetypal form. It is a lifelong reunion between the inner Fairy Godmother, and the little girl inside who is enslaved to those leftover feelings of being defective, unattractive, and impossible to love. It is until this reunion occurs, or in the worst case scenarios when the inner work has been left incomplete and it never happens at all, that the individual experiences the traditional Venus-Saturn suffering in love that we would expect. These conditions may result in a choice of relationship partners and dynamics that reflect and play-out the sentiments of the little girl inside rather than the woman, and may involve themes of relegation, power imbalances, mistreatment, and re-casting father figures. There may also be some form of self-imposed entrapment in relationships, something inside that stops her from walking out an open door.

The traditional Venus-Saturn age-gap in love and attraction to older people may be one relationship theme that prevails through life. However, as she grows older and wiser, she will often come to recognise this attraction being shaped by different needs and desires that are more authentic and ultimately satisfying. As she becomes less beheld to old conditions, the need is less for paternal fulfilment and redemption . This could be a young soul or an old soul - her attraction to older people has never been about that. It’s rather about a depth that this heart possesses, a serene, dewy, alluringly tragic wisdom and insight that is decades older than its years, searching for somebody who could possibly understand this, at times confusing age for inner experience.

With her poised and intriguing interactive style, she is often readily complimented and admired by friends, colleagues, superiors, and strangers alike. And while she hears the sentiments quite clearly, she barely absorbs a word. She appreciates the genuineness, but she cannot feel a thing, and she won’t until that girl is back in the arms of the Enchanted Elder inside. Breaking their spell of separation repairs her broken heart. She slowly embraces her femininity, and a pageant of Feminine Priestesses embrace her back, and once she starts seeing and styling herself in this way - the real show of Who She is really begins. This is also often when the first chapters of life’s true love story only just begin. A growing comfort and confidence, a silver Saturn glow that may have seen its shadows, yet there blooms a Venus rose that is everlasting and can never die without sunlight.

Cherry

[yanpoetry]

Chapter 2: Part 3: Cultivate Desperation

When seeking the attention of the right Yandere, you must learn to wield desperation as both a signal and a lure. In Darling circles, subtlety may not always be enough to distinguish yourself as someone truly longing for attention and affection—especially from a Yandere, whose obsession is often driven by a need to be needed. By cultivating a sense of desperation, you send out a signal that resonates deeply with those who understand the beauty in obsessive, all-consuming love.

However, be cautious—this desperation should never be forced or fake. The key is to genuinely feel the overwhelming need to be cared for, controlled, and loved beyond reason. This authenticity will shine through in your interactions, and the right Yandere will pick up on it.

Here’s how to craft that desperate energy without turning yourself into prey for Chasers or Fakers:

1. Post Content That Reflects Emotional Vulnerability

The first step to cultivating desperation is to show the world that you are emotionally available—and perhaps even in need of love in a way that can only be fulfilled by someone intense, obsessive, and devoted. This will signal to any potential Yandere that you’re open to being claimed, controlled, and cared for in a way that’s deeply consuming.

Unfiltered Posts: Share moments of emotional rawness, vulnerability, or longing. Posts that express your heartache, loneliness, or yearning for something deeper than what the world offers are a perfect way to attract a Yandere. Think about posting something like: “I crave a love that burns, that consumes me whole, until there is nothing left but devotion and obsession…”

Hints of Neediness: The key to desperation is showing your need. Phrases like “I’ve been searching for someone to claim me, to make me feel safe in their arms, forever” or “I can’t do this alone anymore. I need someone to tell me what to do” leave little room for misinterpretation. This creates an emotional call-out to the Yandere, begging for their possessive, controlling love.

Sad, Longing Imagery: Share photos or text posts that visually or emotionally evoke longing, emptiness, and a desire for affection. A well-placed, somber picture of an empty bed, a long road, or a solitary figure looking out over the horizon can enhance your message of emotional need.

2. Engage in Self-Doubt & Emotional Turmoil

Yanderes are drawn to those who appear vulnerable and malleable—those who can be shaped, controlled, and made to feel as though they need the love their Yandere offers. By engaging in self-doubt or expressing your emotional turmoil, you provide fertile ground for a Yandere’s desire to “save” you and make you feel complete.

Public Struggles: When you share about your personal challenges or moments of self-doubt, you are allowing a potential Yandere to see that you are not whole—something they will be drawn to fix. Phrases like “I just can’t get out of my own head… does anyone understand what it feels like to feel so empty?” or “I don’t know if I’m ever enough for anyone…” leave space for a Yandere to step in and offer their own obsessive protection.

Be Unapologetically Needy: Don’t hold back your need for emotional support, reassurance, and love. Phrases such as “I wish I had someone who could show me how much I’m worth, who would love me like I need” reflect an openness to being cared for and controlled. It signals to the Yandere that you are ready to be loved in the way they most desire—completely, intensely, and with unwavering devotion.

3. Show Longing for Control and Obsession

Your desperation is not just for love, but for control. This is the heart of a Yandere-Darling dynamic. Yanderes need to know that the Darling craves them—craves their obsessive attention, their possessive control, their never-ending desire to make you theirs. Expressing this longing for control is a potent way to attract a Yandere who seeks to consume you entirely.

Crave Being Controlled: Let your need for submission and control shine through in your posts. Words like “I want someone to take care of me, to tell me what I need, what I should do, because I can’t trust myself anymore” are perfect. You’re offering yourself up as someone who longs to be claimed, whose actions, desires, and thoughts are shaped by the love of a Yandere.

Romanticize Obsession: Express how much you long to be adored and watched over, with no room for escape. A post like “The thought of someone being so in love with me, they won’t ever let me go… that’s the kind of love I need” will attract the right Yandere who doesn’t just want love, but complete and utter devotion—one where their obsession is the key to your fulfillment.

4. Use Language That Signals Submission

There’s a certain power in framing your desperation in terms of submission and surrender. This doesn’t mean you should reduce yourself entirely to an object of control, but signaling that you are willing to be shaped, molded, and fully surrendered to a Yandere’s will can ignite their possessive urges. Phrases such as “I want someone to take charge, tell me what I need, guide me” or “I’d be lost without someone to care for me like that” express a readiness to surrender—physically, emotionally, and mentally—to the right person.

Invite Obsession: Embrace the idea of being consumed by love. Phrases like “I dream of someone so obsessed with me, they can’t stand being apart for even a moment” or “I need to feel wanted in a way that nothing else can compare” call out to the Yandere who wants nothing more than to be your everything—your protector, your obsession, your sole focus.

Whisper of Rejection: Every now and then, play with the idea of being “unworthy” or “unwanted,” showing how much you need to be claimed and adored. Something like “Why does no one love me like that? Am I really that easy to forget?” can stoke the desire of a Yandere who thrives on the idea of rescuing you from loneliness or perceived unworthiness.

5. Engage in Emotional Rollercoasters

To cultivate desperation in a way that speaks directly to a Yandere’s obsession, allow yourself to flip-flop between states of intense longing, pain, and need. A Yandere is more likely to be drawn to you if they see you as someone who constantly requires their presence, their control, their obsession to feel complete.

Emotional Extremes: Use posts that fluctuate between moments of desperation, longing, and even subtle rebellion. Posts like “I’m so tired of being alone, but I’m terrified of someone who would never leave” will speak to the dual nature of a Yandere’s obsession—something that blends love and control into a heady cocktail of need and power.

Signal Your Disappointment: Express the disappointment of not having found someone to fill your desires yet. This signals that your heart is empty, waiting for the right person to step in and save you from yourself. Phrases such as “I’m waiting for someone to finally take me the way I need to be taken” scream desperation, but also invite a Yandere to think they’re the one meant to claim you. Just remember, desperation is a mating call, be loud, be proud.

[rowanwithaz]

The importance of self love in BNHA

Bnha has themes of forgiveness,redemption,friendship,and love (not just romantic! Platonic and family love too),but I think one of the most important aspects of the series is the lesson of self love and self acceptance. The first characters I think of when I say this are Toga and Katsuki,but it's very apparent in a lot of the characters and their development.

Katsuki's journey of self worth:

Katsuki's arc of self acceptance is something I've talked about before,but I think it's important to bring up self love just as much. Because,obviously,Katsuki hated himself in the beginning of the series. Like most bullies insecurity was the biggest reason behind his mistreatment of others. (This doesn't excuse or justify those actions though! It's an explanation,not an excuse) But,he's come a long way from this,he's grown to see other's worth and his OWN. I think one of the most underrated Katsuki moments is in chapter 358 (it's probably because he died a couple chapters after this that it wasn't as talked about as much)

Katsuki himself knows he's different,he understands that he's grown to be better. He's accepted himself. And he doesn't HATE accepting himself,if anything he's proud of it. This is where self love comes into play. Obviously Katsuki's been on a rather difficult journey in accepting his weakness/shortcomings,but with chapter 404 that's when I feel we start seeing the real,100% authentic,Katsuki.

Since Katsuki saved All Might he's been able to accept himself,love him self. And this is IMPORTANT. With Ochako's goal to show how heroes/villains are humans and need to be treated as such,that they deserve love and support,self love would be important,because Katsuki isn't just accepting himself as a hero,but as a person.

Hand Hold:

This is one of the reasons the hand hold between Izuku and Katsuki is SO important. Izuku doesn't think of himself as a human,he's so selfless that it's a negative trait for him. When Katsuki and Izuku have the hand hold in the movie,it's Katsuki taking Izuku's lead,to SAVE to win,this hand hold would be Izuku following Katsuki's lead to seeing himself as human,accepting himself,and loving himself. If we think of the past chapters and when it brings up Katsuki,Izuku is following his lead.

When previously Katsuki was following Izuku's lead. That's why 'save to win' is so important. They're two halves of one whole. They embody the extreme of both sides of the heroic spectrum. One of them wants to win,the other wants to save,and they're the strongest when they do both. The only time they're even stronger than that is when they're working together. This wraps up BOTH of their character arcs. Since Katsuki first started his self loathing when a quirkless Izuku reached out to him,and to completely accept his weakness and past,he has to take quirkless Izuku's hand.

And for Izuku to feel comfort and support as a human,to feel self love,and to see himself as more than a hero but as he has to take the hand of the person closest to him. Katsuki's hand. (Not my words,Afo/shiggy said it!)

Ochako's Hero Journey:

Ochako started being a hero for monetary gain,since she grew up poor and wanted to help her parents. But,she's matured and grown up a lot since then (NOT SAYING WANTING TO HELP YOUR PARENTS IS CHILDISH,I'M JUST SAYING SHE HAS MORE PERSPECTIVE NOW) and now she wants to save/protect the heroes and the villains,to show their humanity. (Which is such a beautiful message that gets overlooked for Ochako's character a lot).

But,of course,Ochako isn't only teaching self love,she's learning it. I feel her crush on Izuku made her want to be selfless,just like him,but she realized Izuku was a HUMAN,not just hero Deku,and she wanted to save him. She admired Izuku so much she felt she had to be like him,which of course she ended up hurting herself because of.

I feel her falling out of love with Izuku shows how much she's become her OWN person and hero,which is what I think Horikoshi's approach was when writing her. Unlike the usual female character who's only important because she's a love interest (in shonen most of the time),Ochako has proven herself as a hero,not just a love interest. Which,instead of being in love with Izuku,she has self love. Now,Toga! Her being in love with Toga is important to the concept of self love as well. Since they're supposed to parallel one another,Ochako falling in love with a villain,someone she wants to protect and save,this is Ochako's hero story,and Toga completes this for her.

With Toga saving Ochako looking like a mix of them is showing Toga's love for Ochako,and vice versa,so it's them loving themselves,accepting themselves.

Toga calling back to the whole "I'm weird" is them both accepting themselves and each other. I mean,their whole fight was about talking about and accepting their feelings. About loving themselves and each other.

These four really show the arc of self love and acceptance that makes this story so GOOD. I also feel this is why so many queer people enjoy Bnha and resonate with these characters.

[mindhealing]

Rose Garden!

Life can be a Rose garden of utmost beauty, wonder and delight when you see life and life experiences, from a vantage or viewpoint of abundance and great blessings. It is more important to know where you are going than to get there quickly whereby you aren't even aware of the journey itself and that's a waste because you miss out on the adventures on the way, so don't mistake that for achievement. Remember that there is nothing permanent in this life and the only thing permanent is change and change creates new experiences that push you past your fears and limits. Therefore it is best to stay balanced neither being overly elated in prosperity nor being overly depressed in adversity. The abundance of God is like a mighty ocean, so vast that you can't possibly exhaust i, use it all up or can there be a shortage for others, it is simply inexhaustible. You can go to this inexhaustible ocean of abundance and great blessings with only a small cup and bring away only that small cup of bounty and blessings, or if you have faith and your faith is strong enough, you can take a bucket and bring away a bucketful of blessings. It makes no difference to this vast ocean of abundance nor does it matter how often you come and go, it's everlasting. Your strength doesn't come from winning and feeling that you are better than others or the best there is, rather it comes from struggles and hardship and the changes they have brought to your consciousness and mind. Understand and know that everything that you go through in your life and life experiences prepares you for the next level. Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but it gets you nowhere and it's a total waste of energy and time.

It's not the years in your life that counts, rather it's the life in your years that matters and determines what your life will become, whether it becomes a rose garden of adventure or a pit of hell and misery. There comes a day when you will realize that turning the page to the next chapter in your life and life experiences was the best choice and decision you made, because you realize there and then that there's so much more to the book of life and life experiences than the page you are stuck on and would have been hadn't you decided to do what's in your best interest a d life. You decided you wanted the rose garden, accepted responsibility and accountability for making it so and for everything that has happened in your life till now, you chose to turn the page to a new chapter in the book by surrendering to the divine will, process and timing of your life and life experiences. That's when you disconnected from the mind and it's attendant negativity, negative mindset, thoughts and emotion that has created all the events of your life via the narratives, stories and drama of your reality. This then brought  you to a state and space of peace and calm where you could finally reconnect with the divinity within you, your Higher Self which is your authentic self waiting to connect with you and show you the truth about yourself and your life. This power brought the realization and understanding that you are a Magnificent Being of pure Light and Love, more powerful than you can ever know or imagine.

Now this power took over control and showed you where you erred and then also showed you how to move forward to the new page of your life and life experiences and that was when life changed for you for the best and you found yourself creating and manifesting life and life experiences as you wish and desire. One of the tragic things about human nature is that people tend to put off living, they just exist moving through life and not really living and enjoying the blessings of the gift of life. Most people are mainly lost in the abysmal depth of their minds dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon, instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside their windows today, then taking charge and control of their life and life experiences can eventually create this rose garden of their dreams. Remember that when you know and understand yourself, then you know there is nothing impossible and that any impossibility is in your mind and of your own making. So don't surround yourself with people of little minds and no dreams in their hearts because in the long run, they will succeed in killing your dreams and goals. You aren't broken nor wounded as most people believe and think, it's just the narratives, stories and drama from the mind in a loop to keep you chained to the level that you are in with no desire  to move to the next chapter and level of your life and life experiences.

Do you not know and understand that you are a Magnificent Being of pure Light and Love more powerful than you can ever know or imagine, so how can you be broken or wounded? Nobody stands taller and stronger, firm and grounded than people that are willing to stand corrected, to take responsibility and accountability for themselves, their life and life experiences and who are ready to do what's necessary to being changes into their reality and existence. Each day is another  opportunity for a new life, every waking and rising is a new birth, every fresh new morning brings new health and vitality, and every new month brings forth a new horizon of endless opportunities for growth, development and evolution. So use your time, energy and talents to do the best you can right now, spend no time wishing it were better, understand that you are exactly where you are meant to be. Even if life is a bumpy road or your dreams are taking a circuitous and long  route, take the time, this time in between to live in the moment and enjoy the scenery along the way. There is a direct correlation between positive energy and positive results in the world as they work hand in the. You don't have to forget what hurt you, just remember the valuable lesson it has taught you and the truth and blessings inherent it has also brought into your life and life experiences, then let it go and move onto better things. Having more and more in life won't solve your practical life problems, and happiness isn't found in worldly goods or possessions or even in relationships, the answer lies within yourself and it's up to you to find it. If you can't find peace and happiness within, then you aren't going to find it outside of you. So stay mindful and move with the flow and ebb of life, anxiety only brings more  especially about the future, so always stay in the present moment.

Time is more valuable than money, you can get more money but you cannot have more time when your time is up. Positive, loving and kind words can empower, encourage, motivate and help move you towards their goals. So always choose words that can heal, bless and prosper you. All your ideas may be solid or even good but you have to actually execute them for them for you to achieve them and for them to matter, once you start believing in yourself, remember you are the first miracle in your life and life experiences, then you will start living them and manifesting them in your life and life experiences. Don't neglect an opportunity, anyone at that, that comes for your growth and self-improvement. Do not let fear impel or intimidate you into melancholy and nothingness. You have no control over the events that happen to you in your life and life experiences, but you can decide not to be reduced or defeated by them. All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them and not give up on them even in the face of your shortcomings, flaws and imperfections. Do not judge each day by what it looks like or brings or by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant each day. The bad thing about sweeping things under the rug is that they stay  there buried and unresolved until you finally decide to deal with it and get it over with, spring cleaning of your life and life experiences can be therapeutic and healing. People are going to talk about you no matter what you do or not do, say or not say so you might as well do and say whatever brings you joy and happiness, truly living your best life, remember that you can control your attitude and decide how you life turns out, you can decide on a rose garden of a pit. It's all up to you!

More to come.

[emmy-and-the-tieflings]

Heart of the Weave: Part 2

Please only read if you've read part 1, which you can find on AO3 here!

Chapter 36

  I refuse to believe this is what's going on, my mind can't fully process it. Maybe it's a curse, that could be it. Gods…why can't I recall what that wretched creature did to me? Brain fog, perhaps?

   “Maybe it's part of the hag curse…if she put one on me.” Gale sighs and wipes a tear from the corner of my eye with his thumb. He seems pretty confident that it isn't a curse. Besides, I'm pretty sure there is much worse she could have done to me that weakness and vertigo. 

   “Maybe. It's best we check and see what's going on. I'm…unsure if a druid or cleric will be able to detect a curse though.” I sigh, closing my eyes for just a brief moment while I try to think of what to do, but my mind is spinning in various directions. “Okay, let's get you fed and see how you feel. Neeve should be–” 

And at the very moment, our older daughter comes walking through the door, her face beaming with pure delight. I smile, taking in the beauty of her authentic self. 

   “Hey family, I am home!” she sings, placing her pack on the wooden hook next to the door. She turns to face me, and her smile immediately fades. “M-mum?” I don't want her to panic in any way; I know how my daughter gets. I could be just a little tired and the world is over for her. 

  “Sweetie, I promise I'm fine. Obviously, I'm not going to die. I am, however, going to see a cleric in Baldur's Gate to see if I'm cursed or…” Neeve studies my face, waiting for my next words. “Pregnant.” She sighs, unable to say a word for a few moments, but then relaxes her shoulders. 

  “Well, hopefully it's the second one.”

  “Wait, you would be fine with having another sibling?”

  “I mean…I'm not necessarily opposed. Besides, you don't need to travel all the way to Baldur’s Gate. My friend Elle’s mother is a druid here in Waterdeep. You won't believe me when I say this…but like, they're from another universe.” Gale and I both hesitate, trying to process what she even means by that. I’m not quite sure how I'm supposed to react. “So if Darcy says dad looks like her husband….that's why.”

 “I’m going to pretend I didn't hear that,” Gale mentions, though I can tell his curiosity is piqued. An alternate universe? How would that even…? I shake my head and laugh it off, realizing how absurd that actually sounds. But after all the ridiculous predicaments we've been in, including immortality across my family and friends, I suppose anything is possible. “We need to get your mother seen. We are traveling to Baldur’s Gate tomorrow. Neeve, can you stay home and watch the tower?”

 “It'll cost ya. Can I have friends over?” Gale and I lean our heads back, knowing damn well she was going to ask that. “Come on, like one or two. One of them being…Maddox.” I really hate that our daughter has grown up to be so mature already, but I do love that she's educated and smart with her decisions. 

 “Thank you for your honesty, but…Okay. Fine,” I mention with a stern tone. Gale’s eyes widen as he shoots a glare at me. “No naughty business. By that, I mean no sex, no alcohol–”

 “Ew, mum. Don't worry. Can you leave me some gold for food in case I don't feel like cooking? And how long will you be gone?” Gale stands up to grab a bag of gold that we have hidden in our closet, and I sit up more comfortably, feeling less rough. Lying down for a few moments helped a lot believe it or not. While I do still feel weakened, I do have much more energy than before. 

 “A few days. A tenday at most,” I respond, feeling somewhat worried about leaving her for so long. “And I will ask Karlach to pop in and check on you. Hells, she might even stay the night.” Neeve scoffs and rolls her eyes, but clears her throat, trying to contain herself from being sassy again. I smirk as I concentrate on her face, and she does feel worried about me so she doesn't want to start any sort of argument. 

  “Fine. That's fine.” Gale comes back with a bag of gold, a lot that we have held back in case of emergency. I'd consider this a minor emergency. “Thank you, father.”

  “I do expect you to cook three nights out of the week, but here's some gold for food. We leave tomorrow morning. Do you follow our rules, missy? And don't you think Tara won't tell on you, because she absolutely will.” He says that, but I know how close Neeve and Tara are; I'm convinced Tara would lie for her, but I could be wrong. Neeve smiles and nods confidently,  and it honestly seems genuine. God, I shouldn't be so nervous – but my little girl will be eighteen forever, I should at least trust her to a degree, right? 

 That night, right after the girls go to bed and as Gale and I are about to get ready for bed ourselves, we hear a knock on the living room door. 

  “Are we…expecting company?” Gale seems just as perplexed as I. Who could be approaching our doorstep this late at night? 

  “Probably my brothers again.”  Gale follows me down the stairs as I race toward the front door. Thank the Gods we are both dressed. I open the door, noticing Shadowheart, Astarion, Therran and Fanden standing outside. All four of them? That's peculiar as the Hells. “Wait… Hey, everyone.”

  “Emmy. We ran into your brothers a few minutes ago while we were out and about, and we wanted to come by and check on you,” Shadowheart says as she wraps me in a comforting embrace. “How are you feeling?”

 “I'm feeling…better than I was, but we are going to Baldur's Gate tomorrow. I was going to see the druid here in town that Neeve mentioned, but…maybe I'll inquire when we get back. See if I can trust her.” 

I tell her about my symptoms and my fear of being cursed by the treacherous hag, and she…laughs? I raise an eyebrow at her, curious as to what's funny, but I don't say a word. 

“Silly, if the hag is dead, any curse you potentially had would be gone. It sounds like you're having a baby. Hey, that makes two of us, huh? But! Let's take a trip back to the Gate tomorrow, and you better bring that baby.” Well, good news on that front, I'm not cursed, which means the other issue is more than likely the culprit. I smile regardless, somewhat thrilled for another adventure. 

“My, my! More hormonal women? What a delight,” Astarion comments, attempting to be playful but he's probably scared out of his mind. Shadowheart elbows him lightly in the arm and clears her throat. “Darling, I meant that sincerely! This will be a fun…adventure. Right?”

“Well, I take it all of you are wanting to come with? The more the merrier!” Gale cheers with pure enthusiasm in his voice. “I'm ecstatic! Well, despite the strange circumstances.”

“This gives me an excuse to hit up the Elfsong Tavern with the tiefling twins,” Astarion adds. “What fun!”

“Astarion, I can't ever tell when you're being sincere or sarcastic,” Fanden comments with a smirk on his face, crossing his arms as he studies Astarion’s mannerisms. 

“Good sir, I was being sincere. I like you two.” 

 “We will see you all bright and early then!” I'm not sure why Gale is so excited to go on another adventure, but one guess I have is that he loves the company. Either that or he's dying to get to know my brothers more. Or, maybe he just enjoys Baldur’s Gate. Why not all three? 

I close the door and lean my body back against it, smiling as I feel a sense of relief. Another adventure could be fun, or it could result in pure chaos. Regardless, I'm sure Jenevelle will love seeing her uncles and spending time with them. Gale places his hands on my waist, staring me down with those admirable eyes that resemble pools of chocolate. 

 “I'm not going to ask how you are, because I'm sure you're tired of everyone asking that by now – mostly me, since I inquire every hour. But, I will ask: what are you feeling? Physically, of course.” Waves of discomfort are still present within me as he asks. Bloating, sore breasts, the urge to eat everything in the house… 

 “Nothing at all, I feel great,” I lie casually, which never happens; I'm typically a terrible liar. “Please don't worry.” I place my hands on his chest that's covered by his purple velvet night shirt. “Shall we go to bed, then? A long couple of days await us.” Gale takes my hand within his, rubbing my knuckles with his thumb. 

“Absolutely. After you, my love.”

[csprslvt]

teacher aide pt 5

Summary: Ellie wakes up to seeing the love of her life and is filled with adoration, who knew that could be replaced with hate so quickly?

Warnings: kissing, sexual touching(?) Reader is self-destructive, Ellie gets her feelings hurt, short chapter (IM SORRY) Ellie kicks a trashcan bc shes angy. lmk if I missed anything!

This time when you woke up in Ellie’s bed, you stayed until she woke up. She had a rough day yesterday, you didn't have any classes in the morning, you owed her your time. You had no excuse to leave her in the state she was in. Your phone vibrated, notifications from Abby.

Goodmorning y/n. At 8:02 am

You smiled, typing a response, It felt wrong doing so with Ellie sleeping on your chest. But it was Abby, you couldn't ignore her.

Goodmorningggg, i'm sorry about yesterday  At 8:03 am

It's all good, how is Ellie?  At 8:03 am

You frowned, Abby was so caring even towards people that didnt like her. Ellie was always absorbed in jealousy when Abby was around you. They were so different yet so similar.

She's asleep. I'm waiting for her to wake up. At 8:04 am

You're a good friend y/n. At 8:04 am 

You didn't feel like one. You had given Ellie false hope, false hope that you could love her. Somehow along the way, the lines between friendship and romance had become blurred. You two had an intense homoerotic connection. As much as you would like to deny it, she wanted more. You didn't. You were wrapped up in Abby’s courtship, her loving gaze, it was all her. Still something about being with Ellie felt all too natural. Being around Abby was a breath of fresh air and Ellie was like a sharp inhale.

Should you tell Abby this? Most likely not. But upholding a sense of engimac energy was getting exhausting. Connecting with people was difficult for you, pushing them away was your thing. Maybe it was time to let someone in.

I don't feel like one. At 8:06 am

Why's that? At 8:06 am

I'm not stupid yk? Like ik Ellie wants more than a friendship with me. And here I am, allowing her to think that it'll happen. At 8:08 am

You don't want to be with her? At 8:08 am

I'm not really good at relationships. At 8:08 am

What makes you think that? At 8:09 am

I don't know, I just struggle to express my feelings in a way that people understand. I push them away because it overwhelms me, I've never had a serious relationship. At 8:09 am

Just because people don't understand how you show love doesn't mean you aren't worth loving y/n. At 8:09 am

You inhaled, you felt like you could cry, staring at the screen with blue light in your face. Those were the words you needed to hear that no one had ever spoken. No one had dared to understand the way you showed emotion. You had hardly understood it yourself.

You're smart and so funny and kind and god you are so beautiful y/n. You are a person worth loving.  At 8:09 am

Ellie stirred on your chest as you shivered from Abby’s words. She would wake up soon.

You're not so bad yourself Anderson. At 8:10 am

It was hard to take it seriously, what she was saying. It was so foreign to you to feel seen,understood, maybe even loved.

Hahaha. At 8:11 am

Ellie shifted, you texted Abby goodbye for now and put your phone down. You stroked Ellies auburn hair as she awoke.

She opened her eyes, adjusting to her surroundings, then she locked eyes with you and she looked so love stricken it was painful.

“You're here” she said with an adoring smile.

“I wouldn't leave you alone in that state Els”

Ellie blinked, her cheeks flushed showing off her starry array of freckles. Her eyes shifted down to your lips, then back to your eyes.

“I could kiss you right now.”

You gulped, frozen in place, the hand you had in her hair stopped moving and you stilled to look at her. Sunshine hitting her green eyes she stared at you. Never had she been this bold. Never were you forced to push away from her.

“I could kiss you right now… would you stop me? Hmm?” She asked you, her voice raspy from her sleep, she was so authentically Ellie right now. How could you reject her?

She leaned towards you eyes hooded with desire, her lips brushing yours so lightly and briefly and intimately it couldn't be counted as a kiss.

“Why won't you stop me?”

You couldn't speak.

“Why do you act like you want me and then say you don't? So confusing.”

“Ellie it's not appropriate-”

“Oh don't play coy with me, you spend half your nights cuddled up in my bed with me. Nothing about our relationship has ever been appropriate”

It had been so long since you were touched. So long since you have been kissed, the temptation to give in filled your brain. An impulsive temptation.But the thoughts of a certain blond permeated the black space of your mind.

“Ellie, if we do this our friendship will never be the same.”

“Hmm I don't care” She was so close, you could feel her breathing on your face, light and soft. She placed her hands on top of yours, resting on your chest.

“Jus’ want you. I don't want friendship. I want to kiss you.”

“Will you let me?” She said very seriously, looking deep into the molecules of your being.

“Ellie…” 

Hope and fear of rejection mixed in her green eyes.

“Can I?”

You didn't say a word, instead you closed your eyes and  pressed your lips to hers, hungry and wanting. She took advantage, gently touching every part of you she could reach. Suddenly she was very awake, your hands wrapped around her neck and she straddled you, desperate mouths moved for more. Every part of you was high on Ellie.

She had you in a trance where the world and its consequences ran away. 

Ellie, Ellie, Ellie. 

She moved to your neck, kissing you so softly and lovingly, filled with unmet promises. You preened for her affections. 

That was until your phone vibrated, once and then again, You looked over and saw a notification that planted you back into reality.

Abby.

You pulled away and Ellie looked confused, her eyebrows furrowed in worry.

“Don't tell me you regret this already.” 

She sounded small, heartbroken and fueled with fear.  Her eyes searched your face for emotion but you felt so overwhelmed you'd become numb, you looked at her, and looked at your phone. She followed your gaze and got off of you, picking the phone up and seeing a notification from Abby. The love she felt was replaced with anger. 

“So this is about her isn't it?” She was fuming, so much emotion contained in her eyes, clouded with pain.

“Ellie please don't make a big deal out of this, It was a mistake.” you stood to face her, face the mess you created.

The moment you released those words you regretted them, the stung Ellie deep in her soul, in her heart.

There you were, destroying everything you touched once again.

“A mistake, this whole fucking thing we had going on, was a mistake?”

“Nothing was going on.”

Ellies eyebrows rose in surprise, she scoffed, “Oh so what, you just spent the night in everyone's dorm? Do you just let all of them call you babe and treat you special? Hm? Or was it just me you decided to take advantage of?”

Panic rose in your throat, the thousands of words you had to say escaped you. 

I'm a bad person, I'm a bad person. Look at what I've done. I'm a bad person.

You choked, you never cried, it wasn't something that came easy to you. But now, as you began to finally feel you needed to cry. Pushing back tears, you saw the destruction you created and the girl you had hurt in your own selfish process.

“I'm sorry” you said with a shaky voice. It pissed Ellie off even more.

“Oh fuck that. You don't get to sit here and feel sorry for yourself. You dont get to sit here and fucking cry!” Ellie was yelling now, she kicked the nearest thing, a trashcan, in your direction. You flinched but she was too furious to care.

Her words cut deep into you.

I'm a bad person, I'm a bad person.

“I should be the one fucking crying after the way you used me, and I know you arent stupid y/n. Youre one of the smartest people I know, you fucked me over and you know it.”

You couldn't speak, couldn't move, couldn't breathe. Everything hurts. Everything was your fault.

You were the one that kissed her first.

She was right.

“Get the fuck out y/n.” 

Quickly and without a word you gathered your things and practically ran out the dorm, slamming it shut behind you.

And Ellie? Well, as all the anger flooded in her veins she did nothing, nothing but hate.

[halfmoth-halfman]

I sincerely hope we get to see a new form of Canary after all this carnage. Like she went through hell, scraped out of there barely alive, barely together, and on the other side of this she finds this special kind of confidence. A confidence that lets her stand on her own without feeling the need to run from Graves. It'd be the kind of confidence that burns cities down, make her horrible father grin from the grave, have Price and co. looking at her in pure disbelief.

But I also hope she doesn't. As much as I love that kind of post trauma transformation, I feel Canary's path takes her to rescued animal mentality. She's grateful but she is oh so skittish. She'll run if you get too close too quick. Price won't be able to comfort her through touch (that's gone, buddy.) It's going to be sitting in silence, slowly reacclimating to not living in fight or flight, learning to rewire and trust her mind and her body again. Ptsd is a complex and tricky bitch. It's gonna rock everyone's world.

I loved the coat scene. It was so tragically beautiful in the depiction of that pure panic that comes from the fear of an abuser. It felt real and authentic. I always find panic attacks the hardest to write/read because they're so easy to get slightly wrong, and this was perfectly done. I love that Ghost is the one who got her in that moment. He's the perfect one to see it for what it is and rescue her from that spiraling pit.

This fic is a hard read only because of how heavy it gets. Yet, it's that very heaviness that pulls you in and makes you stay. It isn't self-indulgent in these dark themes. Each is used carefully and purposefully to create a world in which your readers feel their chests aching with each disaster that strikes Canary. You've gotta be ready to walk into this one, and I appreciate how thoughtful your warnings are before each chapter. I felt adequately prepared without anything being spoiled.

I didn't intend to write so much, but your fic has plagued me since I read it all in one sitting the other night. There are so many layers to it that I enjoy watching reveal themselves with each new event. I'm genuinely excited to see what happens next. Canary has been severely injured. I have a feeling there is going to be some temporary mobility issues/needing help frequently that is going to bring a lot of this trauma to the forefront right away.

there's only so much i can say without going into spoiler territory, but we'll def get a different canary after this. i feel like it's a combination of the two, she's confident and ready to burn everything to the ground when it comes to graves and makarov, but in private, when she's alone or with the 141, a lot more of that skittishness and paranoia comes out.

we've seen that touch is like the go-to form of comfort for a lot of the 141 so there's going to be difficulty navigating how to comfort her when she doesn't want to be touched. it's gonna be a long and complex journey for everyone involved, esp canary because there's things that she probably didn't even realize have affected her but now will come to the forefront because she's in a much more relaxed environment.

the coat scene was one of the first scenes i had fully planned out for the series! i wasn't fully sure who was going to be the one to find her (originally it was valeria and farah) but i knew it'd be a moment where canary was so panicked that it wouldn't matter how scared she was of the 141 member that found her, she just needed to get the coat fixed because graves and makarov being mad at her was worse than anything the 141 could do to her. in the end, it just felt right that ghost would be the one to find her, since he was the one who accused her in the first place. it's a very "here's the direct consequences of your actions" moment for him.

i get what you mean about panic attacks in fics, but i know they're hard to nail down since everyone can have different experiences with them. most of the panic attack scenes in designer dress i pull from my own experiences and things i've felt with my own anxiety.

i knew when i started doing a mob!au that there were going to be some dark themes since that's very common in this genre, but i tried/am trying to make sure it's not a dark fic if that makes sense? i, myself, am very sensitive to certain triggers so i always try to make sure i give the proper warnings for every chapter and am always open if anyone needs something tagged that i may have missed (within reason ofc)

i appreciate you going into so much detail here omg, this is very thoughtful and so sweet. things are def going to be difficult for canary going forward, but there's a more hopeful vibe to it—she's healing and getting therapy and relearning how to trust again which won't be easy but will be better for her in the end.

[tony-brown-diprima]

Sure, here is a more structured format of your experience:

A Philosophical Journey: From External Validation to Inner Peace

Introduction

For many of us, life is a relentless pursuit of external validation. We chase fame, fortune, and societal approval, often at the expense of our own happiness and well-being. This was certainly the case for me for much of my life.

But then, philosophy entered my world. It became a catalyst for a profound journey of self-discovery, leading me to question everything I thought I knew.

The Power of Introspection

My exploration began with the writings of Aristotle in 1984. Each chapter of my life became a cycle of enlightenment, followed by the realization that my thinking was flawed. With each iteration, I shed old beliefs and embraced new perspectives, gradually graduating towards a less stressful existence filled with more questions than answers.

This introspective journey intensified in 2019. I delved deeper, asking myself even more challenging questions. My values shifted dramatically as I unearthed long-held assumptions that were demonstrably false.

I questioned my motivations, the origins of my beliefs, and the role that luck, privilege, and circumstance played in shaping my life. This relentless self-scrutiny led me to dissect my social circles, society as a whole, and even my own sanity.

Breaking Free from Illusion

The process was not always comfortable. Often, I found myself disagreeing with the majority of those around me. I began to see through the rationalizations, egos, and delusions that permeated society. The question that haunted me became, "Am I surrounded by fools, or am I the fool?"

The answer, I discovered, was a sobering paradox: both were true.

Self-awareness, I realized, is a far greater challenge than we imagine. It requires brutal honesty about our motivations, actions, expectations, and the company we keep. It compels us to confront the uncomfortable truth: most of what we do on a daily basis is meaningless in the grand scheme of things.

Embracing Authenticity

Through this process, I made a life-altering decision: I would be my own hero. Regardless of external validation, I would treat my loved ones and the world with the respect and compassion I craved for myself. Honesty, even when it stings, became a cornerstone of my interactions.

Letting Go of the Bullshit

I made a conscious decision to shed the pursuit of:

| Category | Description |

|---|---|

| Success and Happiness | Meaningless versions of success and happiness |

| Materialism | Materialistic trappings |

| Relationships | Superficial relationships |

| Societal Expectations | Societal and social group expectations |

The things that captivated me in my youth – fame, prestige, power, and wealth – began to lose their luster. I contemplated how I would treat someone who could offer me nothing in return. What activities would I engage in absent praise, recognition, or acceptance?

Letting go of the need for validation from the "cool kids" was particularly liberating. It became clear that their approval was meaningless, especially when they themselves lacked genuine self-awareness.

Finding Wisdom and Acceptance

I now embrace the possibility of being misunderstood, ignored, or even ostracized for my beliefs. My focus has shifted to understanding my own motivations at a deeper level.

People's misinterpretations or indifference no longer faze me. My newfound self-awareness empowers me to navigate the world with authenticity and integrity.

Conclusion: The Beauty of Acceptance

My philosophical odyssey has transformed my worldview entirely. I possess a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me. I have learned to accept things as they are, finding beauty and peace in the flow of life.

The relentless struggle against the current has ceased. While the future may hold challenges, I choose to relax, appreciate the beauty of the journey, and allow the current to carry me where it may.

[janggalaegypt]

Dear Eleanor,

Here's to end this 2023 chapters.

But let me start by saying that I am so proud of you. Like really really proud.

Le, 2023 is such a hard year for you. You've been through stuff you didn't deserve and didn't tell anyone about it because it's just too hard to explain. Even if you did, you really can't exactly detail what you are feeling.

You didn't deserve the problems you faced, and I hope you recover soon. I know you can. We think we can't, but trust me, you are stronger than you think, and once you start focusing on yourself, you'll live life to the fullest.

Eleanor, you don't know how much I want to give you the biggest and longest hug every time you say it is too hard to handle. I want to come and tell you how much you mean to me. Tell you how I wish I'd held you this long during those times when you cried so hard. Tell you how I wish I should've been there for you when you needed me. I want to give you the biggest and longest hug, let you curled up in my lap and tell you how much I love you.

Leya, every moment we spend together is a treasure. From our adventures and silly inside jokes to the quiet moments of comfort and understanding at 3 a.m. I cherish every second. You have this amazing ability to make me feel like the most special person in the world, and I can't thank you enough for that.

Your love has opened up a whole new world for me. You've shown me what it means to be truly loved and accepted for who I am. With you, I feel safe to be my authentic self, and that's a gift I will forever hold close to my heart. As we continue to navigate this beautiful journey together, I want you to know that my love for you grows stronger with each passing day. You are my rock, my best friend, and my partner in crime. I can't imagine my life without you.

Thank you for being the incredible person that you are. Thank you for choosing me and for making me feel like the luckiest person alive. I love you more than words can express, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us.

Please stay with me for the longest time and be my 3 a.m. thought. Always

Yours,

Janggala.

[eurydicees]

Hi....If you don't mind, can I ask, what are your top 10 (or top 7) favorite media (can be books/ manga/ anime/movies/tv series)? Why do you love them? Sorry if you've answered this question before......Thanks....

hello!! i don't mind at all :D this question has been on my mind since you sent this a few days ago and i'm still undecided. like. i can't narrow it down to a list. that's so hard. i'm so indecisive. i'm putting these in no particular order, it's just a list. ordering them was too hard and i'm so small and not good at playing favorites. i'm only gonna do seven because this post got absurdly long. thank you for the ask!

haikyuu!!

oh my god genuinely one of the best written manga/anime that i've ever read/seen. it's so good. the characters are so vivid and they are all so important to me. every scene, character, arc, plotline...it's all treated with so much love and care and i'm so grateful for that. and the ending is SO satisfying--it all comes together so well. i was genuinely rooting for every character's success throughout the entire story. it's so important to me.

hadestown

this is a musical so idk if this is an answer you want, but this musical is so amazing, i have to mention it. it manages to encapsulate so many important messages while also creating a truly very compelling story. the way it reworks the original myth--staying true to the story, while putting its own twist on the world and the relationships of the characters--is truly brilliant.

next to normal

another musical. sorry for being a theatre kid on main. but fr this is genuinely one of the most important stories to me. it's gorgeous as a musical and as a story: the music itself is truly beautiful, the storyline is unforgettable, the characters are individually each so well-written and have so much depth. it means so much to me personally; the representation of an imperfect life, living with bipolar disorder and all that comes with it, the impact we all have on each other's lives, the exploration of relationships and mental illness and self-perception and healing and imperfect, non-linear growth....it's truly a work of genius in my mind.

bridge to terabithia

i know that this is a children's book but i recently reread it and it blew my mind how much depth, care, authenticity, and love is in it. it's a truly beautiful piece of art: i was so impressed by the characters, by the story, by the #Point of it all. it's a coming of age story but it's also so much more than just growing up. it's about imagination and childhood and friendship and it means so much to me.

fruits basket

this is such a beautiful exploration of character and relationships and abuse and love and family and friendship and the importance of a single person. it's such an important piece of writing. i would say that this is probably the weakest of the seven on the list, writing-wise, but i also think that the characters are so well-written, so expansive, and so fleshed out that it deserves to be on a top 7 list. each character has something special to bring to the narrative and i love that.

ouran high school host club (the MANGA not anime)

i'm soooo crazy about this manga. there's so much to unpack with every chapter, every arc, every character, every piece of this world...i love it so much. the characters each are so deeply loved by the narrative and i appreciate that. it absolutely has issues as a piece of satire from 2002, but i have forgiven tamaki suoh for his crimes so it's fine /j. but like genuinely, it has some of the most beautiful character and relationship development i've seen in a manga, specifically surrounding tamaki and haruhi. i know people have a love-hate or sometimes just hate relationship with tamaki, but he as a character means so much to me....i adore this stupid silly manga so much.

percy jackson and the olympians

i've been debating putting this one on the list for a little while now, but it has such sentimental value that i think it deserves to be here. it's one of my favorite childhood series and honestly that first series holds up! which is so refreshing to see because man that cannot be said about everything. i love the characters so so so much and the actual story is so brilliantly and lovingly crafted, and the way it all comes together and is woven into a beautiful ending makes me so wild. i do reread this series every few years and i have never once regretted it.

[theintuitivepath]

hello! i would like a ppf tarot reading about my love life? thank you so much. - w 💕

Hey there W 🌿

There is a lot of cards here because a lot flew out of the deck rather harshly! Plus on some I wanted more clarity ✨

Past

The tower card came flying out here, along with survival and the red flag card.

Which shows that you've been in a very turbulent previous relationship. The survival card shows you endured this connection for quite a while, whilst going into survival mode to protect your emotions. Despite the red flags that were showing, ultimately it looks like the connection with the tower card, came to quite an abrupt end. This wasn't just a minor, it forced you to rebuild both emotionally and mentally.

Present

Romantic connection came out here, which suggests you're currently in a relationship or atleast interested in someone, either in the talking or dating stage. Seven of swords here isn't the most affectionate card in the deck, and suggests you may currently be dealing with trust issues or holding back emotionally, there may be past experiences or fears causing you to approach love cautiously, or even wearing a mask to protect your heart. This ties in with the previous cards in the read - The self love card here, urges you to love yourself enough, to recognise that you deserve to be your most authentic self. The moon here suggests that there's something about yourself, or your life, that you've been judging harshly, something you might perceive to be different. This makes sense with the energy card also popping out, which shows that you're being depleted energetically, and it's encouraging you to call your energy back. The moon here points you to see yourself through another persons perspective, and that actually, this perceived strangeness you think you have, it's actually your brilliance.

Potential and possibility, the words here are - Reach out to the potential that's calling for you. This is urging you to act wisely and ask yourself what your highest self would do if there was no limitations. The magic mushroom card, is all about opening up, which tied with the the seven of swords makes total sense and is inspiring you to open up, to be completely transparent, and honest. It says - stay open to the good and beautiful things.

Future

The nine of cups here suggests lack of fulfilment and unmet desires. If you are currently with someone, it suggests that it may not emotionally satisfy you in the long run. It's all about finding out what brings you real actual joy here. Seven of cups points to you having to decide between multiple choices and different paths, this could point to you making the decision to end things, or carry on a connnection that might not be making you truly happy. New life came out afterwards, this supports the idea of leaving behind what no longer emotionally serves, and stepping into a fresh chapter. This could point to increased self worth and attracting a higher heart centered connection. The next cards coming out here all tie together. The lovers, beautiful possibilities and the sun (manifestation, power, 11:11) and the words - Be patient it will come. Which tell me that the love you seek will be in your life eventually, it might take a while, it might mean with someone brand new, or it might mean working through issues with someone currently. But the healthy, happy, love that you seek is definitley on its way. The lovers card itself, is one of the best cards to get in a love reading as it literally embodies, a soul level connection and pure love.

I hope this helps, please do let me know if this resonates as it helps me learn, any feedback is encouraged and welcome! Sending you love + light 🌿💫

[quotesandzensome]

Dear Self ~

Always remember that you do not have to feel dragged down by the mistakes of your past--your past wounds--or your past failures, hurts and disappointments as you are continually growing, evolving and transforming.

You are not lost-- you are simply finding your way. You are not bruised or broken but recovering and healing and you are not unlovable but are deserving of a beautiful, deep and enriching connection with someone who is capable of fully appreciating you.

Always remember that you are meant to shine. You are not meant to remain small, stuck and stagnant. You are not meant to remain trapped in the past, and you are not meant to rewrite previous chapters or old, outdated stories.

You are meant to sparkle. You are meant to blossom and grow into all you are capable of becoming. You are meant to fully embody beauty, love and grace. You are meant to continue to shed old layers of yourself that no longer resonate with you--

You are meant to become your truest, most authentic self--and understand that sometimes feeling exhausted and weary is okay, disappearing is okay. Being on your own in solitude is okay and embarking upon a new adventure is okay.

And when you don’t feel celebrated, you may choose to applaud and uplift yourself. When you are nursing a broken heart, you may fill yourself with love; when you feel hopeless you may seek what uplifts and inspires you, and rediscover meaning, love and joy.

Tahlia Hunter

Excerpt from “A Year Of Love Letters To Myself: 365 Passages Of Healing, Wisdom And Encouragement,” being released on the 30th of April.

[creativemorningsmilwaukee]

💌 Love letter recap from our PARALLEL event!

Illustration by Caroline Ferrero @carolineartsy17

On the third Friday of March, one hundred fifteen creatives gathered at Relics Rentals for another morning of magic. Located in an unassuming warehouse in Walkers Point, Relics Rentals is a comprehensive design resource & rental company specializing in creative direction, rental solutions, custom fabrication, product sourcing, and staging for events and interiors. Hire them for weddings, galas, parties, brand activations, home staging, holiday staging—you name it! 

📢 Special shout out to Renee, Shaquita, Bob, Kelly, & Jan for your hands-on partnership on & leading up to the event. Thank you for your hospitality!

We took in the rows upon rows of stellar vintage finds and settled in with good company, Discourse Coffee (thank you Ryan!), and Cranky Als sprinkle donuts. 

And then... Erilei took the stage. 🌠

With a voice like honey, Erilei sang her self-produced song Don't Like Me, reminding us that we're not alone when we find ourselves in the hellscape that is facing our worst inner bully.

Performance Artist: ERILEI

Like a salve, hearing the CreativeMornings Manifesto read back to you heals. Thank you, Monica Thomas, for braving the stage and soothing our hearts with these words!

🪄 If you would like to read the Manifesto at our next event, please email us at milwaukee@creativemornings.com

Portrait by Linda Smallpage. Quotes captured by Murphy Fraser.

Keynote Speaker: Tonda Thompson

Our esteemed speaker coach, Alea Cross, introduced Tonda. (Parts of this introduction have been redacted. Only those who were present were gifted the full, humorous introduction. 🤭)"I have a metaphor for you... she is the rose that grew from concrete in 53206. 

I have some truth for you... it's not the doing but the being that makes Tonda who she is... 

Her accolades and single story proceed her; however, that's not what we are here to learn. She's chapters expressed in one great and wonderful book. 

A woman learning what a healed story blooms; I introduce one of the most beautiful women I've grown to love, admire, and root for. 

Let's give a standing ovation for Tonda Thompson."

🎬 Filmed & edited by Precious "Jae" Burrell from Epic Media

Visit sheslangswood.com to shop products, sign up for carpentry workshops, book a "board and sip" night class, or schedule a consultation to learn about the many services offered! She Slangs Wood can be hired to build fences, cutting boards, sheds, garden beds, furniture, and so much more. 

Tonda invited all of us to visit her at her self-made shop at 128 E Burleigh St. Email Tonda at info@sheslangswood.com or book online to set up an appointment. 

Thank you, Tonda, for being authentically YOU and sharing your truth with us. What a gift it is to receive your greatness. 

CreativeMornings is about shining the light on our communities. One way we do this is via 30 Second Pitches. This is where we invite a few people to the stage and share a pitch. Our 30 Second Pitch Nomination Form is always open! Feel free to self-nominate :)

Queer Prom: A Night to Celebrate Queer Joy and Trans Existence

Saz's Hospitality Group presents Queer Prom, a fun-filled evening on May 3 from 7:30pm-12am to celebrate Milwaukee's queer community and the richness of the Walker's Point neighborhood (838 S 2nd St.). A portion of proceeds will benefit the Milwaukee Trans and Queer Depot.

Cassie Caminiti shared some fun details for the event, which will feature a prom royalty contest, drag performances, queer resource tabling, and a VIP package with open bar and small bites. Enjoy colorful vibes, curated sounds, and photobooth from our partner Milwaukee Airwaves. Cap the night off with Saz's festival faves for all attendees and join us afterwards at La Cage for waived cover and your first drink free with your event wristband. 

Tickets are on sale now! Follow @sazshospitalitygroup and @mketranshealth for event announcements. 

One MKE

Nicole Shaver shared the good news from One MKE, a nonpartisan coalition led by the Milwaukee Public Library, Cities Forward and NEWaukee, along with over 50 Milwaukee community partners.

One MKE provides easy, transparent information to:

Access local, state and federal services to save you money and improve your wellbeing

Attend events to meet other residents and get involved in your community

Learn about nonpartisan voter resources

One MKE envisions a future in which every City of Milwaukee resident (regardless of age, race, gender, or political affiliation) understands how active civic engagement can enrich our lives and communities. Follow along on IG: @weareonemke. 

minglespace

Our friend Michael Kirsh dreamed up the concept minglespace, which partners with businesses and organizations to create designated areas where people are encouraged to introduce themselves and strike up a conversation.

minglespaces are engaging spaces for anyone seeking a spontaneous connection, whether they’re alone, new to the city, traveling, or in a group.  They are adaptable for various settings and audiences, from coffee shops and breweries to universities, parks, and festivals. They feature conversation prompts linked to signage, making it easy for people to connect in fun and meaningful ways. Each minglespace sparks conversations and shared experiences, helping transform public places into more vibrant and inviting spaces. 

Join us in bringing people together to create meaningful connections: www.minglespace.com/create.

Eucalyptus & Co. Eucalyptus & Company is located in Riverwest, right next to Seven Swans Creperie. Danielle Burrows offers a variety of art workshops including Pottery and Stained Glass for all ages and experience levels. Eucalyptus & Co. is a collaborative teaching space and is always looking for other artists to teach their medium. Some past events include Redacted Poetry with Gina Cornejo, Block Printing with Bailey Danz, Puppy Yoga with Thrifted Kittens Rescue, and Collage Club with Allison Smith. 

The space is also used as a floral studio, specializing in wedding and event flowers. Interested in teaching your medium in the space? Email eucalyptus.co4424@gmail.com, follow @eucalyptus__co on Instagram, or visit Danielle’s website for more information. 

Independence First Independence First is the resource for people with disabilities in the greater Milwaukee area, offering over 40 programs and services across all age groups. Amelinda Burich and Lorna Barthel shared how this local nonprofit supports individuals and families to live successfully in our community, from independent living skills and disability awareness to recreation and assistive technology. 

Programming includes art and cooking classes, peer support, and adaptive gaming, with more than 50% of staff, managers, and Board having disabilities themselves—ensuring a strong peer-driven approach. Independence First also provide benefits counseling, personal care support, and advocacy for inclusivity, helping people live independently in their own homes rather than institutions. 

Check out @independencefirst on Instagram to learn more. 

Event day photos by Holly Schisler. Lots more love in our Flickr gallery.

[mylifeismydream]

A New Chapter of the Heart

Love is often seen as the domain of the young—a passionate whirlwind of first crushes, nervous dates, and spontaneous romances. But what happens when the decades roll by and you find yourself in your 40s or beyond, still open to romance? Perhaps your life has already been shaped by marriage, children, and careers, or maybe your path has been different—one of self-discovery, adventure, or unexpected twists. Whatever the case, finding love after 40 is not only possible but, in many ways, more profound and fulfilling than ever.

At this stage, you bring to the table something invaluable: experience. You’ve lived, learned, and weathered life’s storms. You’ve likely endured heartaches and joys that have molded your understanding of what matters in relationships. Unlike the rushed urgency of youth, where love can sometimes feel like an emotional sprint, finding a companion later in life is more like a deep, steady walk. There is no need to hurry. Every step can be taken with greater intention.

In our 40s and beyond, we are no longer seeking the idealized versions of partners we might have dreamed of in our 20s. Instead, we are looking for a partner who complements our journey—a companion who adds richness to the life we’ve built and who appreciates us for who we truly are. The pressure to impress or conform to societal expectations begins to fade, replaced by the desire for authenticity.

The beauty of love later in life is that it doesn’t demand perfection. By this point, most of us have learned that life is beautifully imperfect. Our wrinkles, our scars, our stories—they all tell of the journeys we’ve undertaken. The right partner at this stage will see these not as flaws but as the markers of wisdom and resilience.

Letting go of preconceived notions about how love should look is key. You may not experience the dizzying, head-over-heels rush of first love, but you will likely find something deeper—compassion, understanding, and a shared sense of life’s journey. The connection you form now has the potential to be more lasting and intimate because it’s built on mutual respect and shared values.

Perhaps the most critical lesson of all is this: before you can find love with someone else, you must love yourself. At 40, 50, or beyond, self-love takes on a new depth. It’s about embracing who you are, understanding your worth, and nurturing your well-being. When you approach a relationship from a place of self-love, you are not seeking someone to complete you but someone to walk beside you, enhancing the person you already are.

Self-love also means recognizing when a relationship isn’t right for you and having the strength to move on if necessary. In your 40s, you’re less likely to settle for less than you deserve. This wisdom allows you to approach love with both an open heart and a clear mind, choosing a partner who respects and cherishes you.

In many ways, love after 40 is love at its finest. It is love that knows the value of time, the fragility of life, and the power of companionship. It’s a love that is richer, wiser, and more enduring—a new chapter that proves it’s never too late to find your heart’s true companion.

[kelthoumrambles]

An ode to myself

I am slowly but surely integrating and accepting the fact that part of my recovery involves cutting ties with my family.

As someone said, it generally takes more time for your heart to accept things your mind has felt way before. I'm just like... I would have tried my best to show up as my best self but I unfortunately cannot make my dad emotionally intelligent. I cannot require him to be present for me nor to make him simply curious about me. In this case, if it is not done freely then it is not worth fighting for it. I am aware it is his first time living too but it is not my mission to keep on preserving him from the reality of things. I cannot keep on making me sick to my gut for things that are out of my control. I cannot keep on being silent to preserve the fake peace of my highly dysfunctional family. This era is over.

No one protected me when I needed it the most. No one protected the little 9 years old little girl I was back then. They believed that time would heal things by themselves but instead I just kept experiencing abuse, despair, loneliness, helpless and ended up spiralling into the darkest of places... Finding refuge in alcohol, drugs and fucked up people was clearly not what I wanted but having completely dysregulated emotions due to trauma and having created self-coping mechanisms for survival, things only led to one another.

I did not deserve that shit.

Acknowledging how fucked up my life has been those past twenty years hurts but it is paradoxically freeing.

Today, I am releasing my family, my dad, and all tensions that were and are not mine to carry. I am removing those heavy weights and burdens from my shoulders. I am living without feeling guilty of the choices I haven't made and of those I have made. I am thanking my body, my mind, my spirit, my psyche, my soul and my heart for being SO powerful. I am accepting what was then and I forgive myself. Despite it all and all and all, I am deciding to keep on going.

Today, I am awakening and taking back my freedom. I am taking back my power and directing it towards me, myself and I. I am shifting to my most authentic self. I am opening myself to my full potential. I claim my Highest. I claim my Greatest. Nothing is and will be out of my reach.

Today I am fulfilling the commitment I made to myself to be free and mad like a bird who just escaped an aviary. I am unstoppable... I am now starting to do all the things I've ever wanted to do (which involves pursuing the Arts and listening to birds singing).

May my path be full of opportunities and experiences that elevate my mind, my creativity, my kindness, my knowledge, my beauty, my love, my insatiable curiosity and my will to live fully this ethereal experience that was offered to me on planet Earth. May my path be full of kind-hearted, generous and caring people. May my path be of an abundance of blessings and surprises. May my health be the best I have ever had. May I live to my most authentic self. May I be protected.

I declare this New Chapter of my life open.

Amen.

[forzalife]

Getting Lost to Find Yourself

In the dance of life, there exists a paradoxical truth—sometimes, one must willingly lose their way to embark on the transformative journey of self-discovery.

The Art of Surrender:

Getting lost is not an act of aimless wandering but can become a toxic labyrinth of constantly putting out fires because you have become so lost. It's an unconscious decision to release the grip on things that make you happy and learn a new familiarity that is not your own. You let go of preconceived notions, and to allow the unpredictable path to guide the way.

As you relearn this new path, you begin to put down things you love that make you happy and pick up broke mindsets, terrible phrases that you repeat and begin doing things that are not in your nature.

Discovering the Unexplored:

In the midst of the new familiarity lies a realm of unexplored areas that open the mind up to poor choices. Getting lost takes us to the extreme beyond the boundaries of what should be our normality and comfort, opening doors to new unexpected experiences, unsafe perspectives and ideas, and facets of ourselves that we are willing to accept that may not necessarily be who we really are.

Embracing Vulnerability:

To get lost is to embrace vulnerability with a person that will use it against you.

It's an unknown acknowledgment that blindsides growth that often occurs inside the confines of the well-trodden marriage or relationship. In this type of vulnerability, there is NO strength, only weakness that breaks you down, experience by experience, word by word—a closing of a rich mind to be trapped by someone else's broke mind sets and immaturity. We slowly relinquish control and submit in accordance to what we think or what we think we have been taught to allow this journey to shape us.

Unveiling Resilience:

Navigating the twists and turns of being lost does require resilience. You must be able to recuperate from the constant and repeated maze you physically and emotionally find yourself in. It is in this that we attempt to overcome challenges, adapt to unforeseen circumstances, and continue repeatedly to find the inner strength to forge ahead with what we truly discover the depths of someone else's broken promises, lies and constant immature incapability's.

Rediscovering Authenticity:

In the absence of familiar landmarks of lies and the realization of a partners lack of commitment to the relationship, the essence of who we are begins to come to the forefront. After any traumatic body experience, the realization for the immediate need for change for yourself and those close to you become urgently present. Finding yourself then becomes a journey inward out of the being lost, a rediscovery of your own core values, passions, and authentic expectations, hopes, dreams and goals. It's a process of peeling away layers to reveal the true self that may have been obscured by the noise of the familiar. Rediscovering yourself and healing your inner parts become a mission to be faced and worked on at a pace that is healing. Even if that means revisiting the same issue/problem over and over again until you can move past it.

Finding Beauty in the Unplanned:

The premeditated unplanned detours and unexpected encounters of disappointment that come with being lost often almost always show us the most profound drama and tragedies that we have allow to happen to ourselves over time. Life can serendipitously weave its toxic tentacles into us and lead us into uncharted territories, gifting us with anxiety driven moments, uncomfortable connections, and sad experiences that become chapters in our life's narrative if we are unwell and do not realize we are on the merry go round and can not get off.

Cultivating a Mindset of Healing:

To find yourself again is to cultivate a mindset of healing—one that will allow you remember things that used to bring you happiness and the confidence to try them again. It's an invitation to approach life with curiosity, to welcome opportunities-new and old, and to savor the richness of renewed hope, goals and more importantly dreams that were once dead that have been resurrected.

As we embrace the mantra "Get lost to find yourself," we must embark on a healing journey of feeling the feelings that got us lost in the first place. It is in the act of losing our way that we often discover the profound truth: the healing journey itself is a destination, and within the labyrinth of the unknown, we can find the most authentic version of ourselves. So, let go, hold on loosely, wander out of the familiar, and revel in the beauty of finding yourself again on the path to discovering yourself again.