#break the task down. do it for just a few minutes. do breathing exercises to calm down your anxiety. remember that actions build confidence.

[sergeantjessi]

hey how does one get yourself & your brain to work together. because i desperately need to finish a seminar paper and i'm just sitting here like:

My brain: You do know that you would feel better if you'd work on your seminar paper.

Me: Yes. But consider this: I don't want to.

My brain: Another reason to finally do it, so you finally have it out of your way.

Me: But it stresses me out.

My brain: Do it and the stress will go away.

Me: But... It's too much... I can't...

My brain: You can, and it will only get worse if you keep avoiding it. Do. it.

Me: ... Oh look, another thing I'd rather do, fantastic!

My brain: Stop! It!

& none of my usual go-tos work

[appleblueberry-pie]

Yandere House"wife" Satoru x Reader

Call it a happy accident, the way Satoru transitioned from being a full-time sorcerer to being the man you come home to after he does domestic chores all day. You two talked about it for a little while. There was a time when Satoru would come home late at night almost every day. And he would wind down, take a shower, crawl into the bed into your arms and just pour out his heart to you. He would say he hates his job. He hates how repetitive these days were becoming. Meetings upon meetings in the morning, and then having to exercise curses that never stood a chance for the next 6 hours. You soothed him, of course. Or at least as much as you could.

Then you proposed that maybe he starts taking days off. So you'll go to work and he'll stay home to heal his mind as much as he needs to. He would do anything for you, so of course he tries it out just to make you happy. And a few rest days turned into a few weeks. A few weeks turned into a couple of months. You don't remember the last time Satoru went to work by now, his phone blowing up every day from the people and job he kind of abandoned. He didn't care anymore.

He realized that he was happiest doing these mundane and very human tasks every day. And his motivation to keep going was just you. If he was bored, he would do the laundry that was full. I mean, the washer and dryer was just down the hall, why not? Washed the few dishes in the sink. Maybe he'll stop by the store to restock the fridge. You recognized how much of a....housewife he was being when he would retell his daily tasks to you before you two went to bed. "Oh, so I've got a little housewife now?" The neurons in his brain crackled when he heard that word escape your mouth.

Housewife

You raised your eyebrow when you watched him whisper the word underneath his breath. "You alright?" No, he wasn't. Well, he felt fantastic at the thought of his only purpose being his favorite person's provider and nothing else. But other than that, not really. He shamelessly enjoys having that title over his head. So he decides to play the part.

In the morning, he'll wake up before you, stare at your beautiful face for around 10 minutes before getting up to prepare your lunch and make you breakfast. NO, he can't cook. But he does know how to follow instructions. You wrote him some recipes you loved and he takes extra care to follow every single step to the exact measurements that you want. And when you smile at the breakfast, or make that sigh of relief, his heart jumps. Want more coffee? Do you want tea instead? He could pour you a flask of hot coffee before you go. And don't forget your lunch, either. He had fun making the panda shaped molds of rice.

And when you give your kiss goodbye and he finishes begging you to stay for a mandatory 5 minutes, he begins cleaning up the kitchen. He washes the dishes and clears the laundry if there's any. Mops the bathroom and cleans the tub, toilet bowl, and sink until they're sparkly and clean. Vacuums carpets and turns on a humidifier with your favorite scent lightly wafting throughout the place. Though he usually does this 20 minutes before you come back home so the smell is fresh in your brain when you walk in the door. He checks off the grocery list, visits a few people from his hitlist that he knows either hooked up with you in the past, broke up with you, or just tried to fuck with you in general. Sold a few organs from said people from the hitlist's bodies and goes back home to clean himself up and relax.

Relax meaning checking your location every five minutes, doing a mandatory 10 minute phone call on your lunch break to either try and persuade you to skip the rest of the work day to come back home, have phone sex(you talk him through his orgasm), or just let you talk and he'll listen. After the phone call, he'll eat his first meal of the day. He knows you don't like when he doesn't take care of himself, so he eats as much as his big heart desires. Which usually consists of your scraps of breakfast and dinner that you don't finish, so it feels like you two are bonding over the same meal(even though you aren't there). He does like eating with you and next to you, but it just feels more intimate when you two eat from the same plate. By the end of his meal, he's usually rock hard and close to tears at the fact that you won't be here to help him get off again for the next few hours.

So, he takes a cold shower(or two, if it's serious(and when I say "two" I mean he hops in, finishes, and then has to go back because it rises again with a vengeance)). And after his cold shower, he goes to the gym and does his weight resistance training. He knows you love every part of his body and his beautifully sculpted muscles(your words), so he takes good care of them. Then if he has free time, he'll watch some tv, pop up at Jujutsu Tech to piss everyone off for a few minutes, buy some sweets and desserts you two can share and then go back home to take a nap.

He wakes up about 30 minutes before you come back home so he can cook dinner. You told him you wouldn't mind having something "simple" tonight. And if he thinks carefully, this could mean anything from a boiled stew to TV dinner. Based off of your tone and how you said this sentence, he'll assume you wouldn't want something crazy to eat, so he actually buys some deli sandwiches from a shop not too far away. And when you got home, had Satoru take your coat, shoes, and jacket, you told him you were actually excited to eat. "It's been a while since we went there, huh? Oh, it's still warm!" The bread was toasted the way you liked and everything in between.

You were so lucky to have this man take care of you. You told him you loved him and if there was anything he wanted in return for his hard efforts to keep you happy, you'd do it. He shyly shook his head, a small blush overcoming his soft cheeks. He finished eating his sandwich before you and you noticed how silent he went. You softly grabbed his hand and he immediately looked up at you in question. "You alright? You're being quiet." You raise your hand from his hand to wipe a bread crumb from the corner of his mouth. "Yeah......actually, no. I just miss being able to grab your ass every second of the day, because your job doesn't allow your boyfriend into the building."

"Satoru, you know I can't take work off, I have to take care of us." Satoru flails and grabs your hand. "But babe, you know I have enough money to buy us 16 houses! You don't need to work!" You roll your eyes. "Well, I don't want to be in the house all day rotting away."

"We can rot together." "No!" He's a romantic at heart. He stands to walk off at your rejection and you grab his hand to pull him back. "Baby, you know I didn't mean it like that." "But.....you said we can't rot together...." "I know, but we can just be here right now and enjoy each other. We have all night and even some time in the morning. Right?" He sighs at your words and nod. ".........why are you hard?"

"Because you noticed I was quiet." You roll your eyes. He was also an attention seeker. How could you forget. "Really?" He nods. This time, you sigh, and you walk over to the living room couch, patting your lap. Satoru happily bounces over and plops down his weight on you. "Oof!" Sitting sideways on your lap, you caress his back with one hand and palm his hard on through his jeans with the other. His body immediately relaxes underneath your touch, and you smile up at him. "My baby has been working so hard today, hm?" He nods and stares at your hand. "I'm glad you're being productive. What did you do today, Satoru?"

"Today, I cleaned up the kitchen and did the laundry.." You unbutton his pants when he starts talking. But before you pull them down, you pause. "And what else?" He realizes what you're trying to do and swallows stressfully. He just wants you to take care of him. "And I mopped in the kitchen and the bathroom. I vacuumed, too." You pull his pants down enough to pull out his rock hard cock. It was warm and heavy in your hand, the tip straining with the blood swollen up to it. It was red and glistening with pre, threatening to drip down.

You gently wrapped your hand around him, slowly jerking him up and down, and a whimper slips out his lips. "Come on, baby, keep talking." He grabs your arm that's holding his cock and grabs at the couch with his other. "Um...I also........that's it." He cuts himself off, and his eyelids flutter shut when you put a little more pressure onto your hold, your thumb swiping over his tip.

"Hm? Are you sure?" You know he cut himself off. Which only means he's hiding something from you. He nods his head in response, and you let go of him. He whines at the cold that surrounds him now and looks at you. "Whyy???" "I don't know, baby, I think you're lying to me." You give him a look of fake concern, and your hand instead travels south to very gently fondle his sack, which immediately gets him to squirm.

"I'm not!!" You scrunch your eyebrows. "Are you??" He goes silent, and you stare him deep into his eyes. He can't reciprocate the eye contact and stares at your hand. You stop touching him, and he looks back up at you with sad, glistening puppy eyes. "I went through the list." Your eyebrows shoot up before you start scolding him. "The list??? I thought I told you to get rid of that thing? Satoru." When you first moved in with one another, you found his hit list full of people you used to talk to. He planned to kill them off one by one to have you to himself. You never truly got mad at him for it, because most of those people on the list genuinely were big pieces of shits that you wanted to burn in hell.....but technically it still wasn't okay for him to just do that behind your back.

"No, please! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I just-" you lightly push him off of your lap, which was basically his equivalent of being shoved off of a cliff and his heart drops when you stand up. "NO! No. Wait, baby, please. Let me make it up to you. Please don't leave me like this." He trips onto his knees but still makes record speed in crawling over to you. He grabs your closest leg and hugs it tightly. You could feel his cock(which was still out) rub against your pant leg. So dramatic, you think.

You look down at him, and he stares up at you with those stupid big blue eyes. "......" He takes your silence as his que to convince you. "I can make it better, look!" He shifts in front of you, still on his knees, and begins to unbutton and pull your pants down. You lose balance and stumble back into the dining table behind you, using it for balance as Satoru yanks down down your pants, his eyes staring at the goal.

"Satoru, what the hell are you doing?" Funny enough, your words contradict your actions, and you instinctually spread your legs farther apart for him to have more space in between. He grabs your legs and places them on top of his shoulders, and you scoot back onto the dining table for more comfort, cups and silverware clinking as you clumsily push them back.

"I can help like this." He pushes his tongue as far as he can past your lips, getting a strong first taste at your pussy. A firm and slow stripe from your hole up to your clit and you hiss, gripping onto the table. Satoru moans loudly and closes his eyes to enjoy himself as much as possible. He shifts impossibly closer to you, hugging your thighs to both sides of his face to be buried deep and makes out with your sensitive bud. You could feel him occasionally exhale his warm breath onto you before firmly flicking his tongue onto you again.

You begin whining at the waves of pleasure crashing down on you. Drool and your essence cover Satoru's chin. His cock twitches endlessly against the hardwood floor, more of his pre dripping onto it the more he gets you to moan. "Get up." His eyes snap open, and he pulls away to look up at you. Your fingers dig into his scalp, and you pull him up, earning a wince from him. He knows what you want and leans in to let you taste yourself on his tongue. In the middle of the kiss, he suddenly flinches at the feeling of your hand once again grabbing his cock. You separate the kiss and his gaze trails down to your pussy.

You took his cock head and pressed it in between your lips, rubbing it up and down against your entrance. Your eyes seemed to glisten in a way he hadn't seen in a long time and you maintained eye contact, whispering to him. "You gonna be a good boy and fuck me how I taught you?" Each word that slipped out of your lips was enough to make him insane, and he was ready to do whatever you commanded. He robotically nods and you laugh at his reaction.

You press a soft kiss to his chin, letting him spread your legs on top of the table. He softly spreads your lips and makes eye contact with your hole. Heat radiates from you and he soaks up every last bit of it. All he can see, think of, and hear is you. "Beautiful." He whispers underneath his breath. You caress his arm to snap him out of his mind and he leans down closer to you, his head now pressing to your entrance gently. "Please show me." And he takes it upon himself to shower you with the affection you deserve in hopes to satisfy you again.

Did I cook????? Cuz I feel like I wrote this way too fast.

[my-mind-is-incognito]

Wanna Duet? (Hugh Jackman x Reader)

summary: you're an interviewer sitting down with 2 of the hottest celebrities, both fresh off their latest movie. during the interview, one of them feels the need to shake up the script a bit

warnings: None that I can think of, other than intense yearning for an unattainable man (tbh isn't that why we read and write these sort of things anyway?)

author's note: Um, hi. It's been a couple of years since I've contributed to this site and this particular blog, other than reblogging other people's much more notable work. But the new deadpool movie, as well as Hugh Jackman, has literally got me hostage by the ovaries and I just needed to put this random fantasy into words and put it out there into the world. Please be gentle. I haven't written anything in years and it is so weird to me now.

When you call my name

It’s like a little prayer

I’m down on my knees

I wanna take you there

In the midnight hour

I can feel your power

Just like a prayer

I wanna take you there

The lyrics to that familiar song softly tumbled from your lips as you studied the notecards in your hand while your shoulders softly rocked to the beat. You wanted to make sure the questions were etched in your brain; as a journalist tasked with interviewing celebrities, you needed to maintain your A-game when it came to these video shoots with the Hollywood elite. You couldn’t afford to stumble over your words or, even worse, have an awkward silence creep into the conversation. 

A knock at the door brought you out of your reverie, and Maggie, the producer, poked her head in. “They just arrived,” she informed you. “Ten minutes.”

You flashed her a thumbs up and got out of your seat to loosen your stiff muscles and fight the enormous grin spreading across your face. Today’s scheduled shoot was one you were particularly looking forward to: a simple sit down interview with two of the hottest stars, fresh off the premiere of one of the most anticipated movies of 2024. Somewhere on the premises, Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds were waiting to speak to you, and your Marvel-loving heart was hammering in your chest in anticipation. The butterflies were certainly in hyperactive manic mode today. 

Maggie studied you with a laugh. “Excited, are we?”

“Aren’t you? We’re about to meet Deadpool and Wolverine!” You took a few deep breaths, channeling your professional side. But soon, the facade fell and you were grinning like a jittery idiot. ”How are they? Are they as ridiculously gorgeous in person?”

Maggie grinned. “Yes, plus super nice. Definitely making the top 10 nicest guests list. Hurry up and get out there.” She then left and shut the door behind her.

Biting back the urge to squeal, you took a few composing breaths and willed your heart to stop racing like a schoolgirl in love. Picking up your phone, you started scrolling your phone for a song. Singing was always a typical warm-up exercise for you; it helped you loosen up and provided an outlet for your nervous energy. Showtunes were usually your go-to songs, and you had a particular soundtrack stuck in your head for the past few weeks. 

“Ladies and gents, this is the moment you’ve waited for,” you sang softly, shimmying your hips to the beat of the song. “Been searching in the dark, your sweat soaking through the floor.”  Another hip wiggle on beat as you spun on your heel and held out a dramatic fist in the air. “And buried in your bones, there’s an ache that you can’t ignore, taking your breath, stealing your mind, and all that was real is left behind…

Don’t fight it’s coming for you, runnin’ at ya

It’s only this moment, don’t care what comes after

Your fever dream, can’t you see it gettin’ closer?

just surrender cuz you feel the feeling takin’ over

It’s fire, it’s freedom, it’s flooding open

It’s a preacher in the pulpit and your blind devotion

There’s something breaking at the brick of every wall it’s holding

All that you know

So tell me, do you wanna go?

Where it’s covered in all the colored lights

Where the runaways are running the night

Impossible comes tre, it’s taking over you

Oh, this is the greatest show!

We light it up, we won’t come down

And the sun can’t stop us now

Impossible comes true, it’s taking over you

Oh, this is the greatest show!”

You blew out one more calming breath and grinned with confidence before striding out the door. Time to get to work.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“So I’m sitting there, my brain melting in my skull from all these fucking hot wings, and the first sentence out of my mouth is ‘I CHEAT AT WORDLE!’”

You and Hugh burst out into laughter as Ryan recounted his and Hugh’s recent experience on Hot Ones. As expected, the interview was going without a hitch. Both men were excellent subjects, genuinely enjoying the process and providing laughs amongst the crew in between the Q+A. Their bestie banter and overall chemistry was so contagious that it brought everyone at ease. And also as expected, both men gave you the urge to subtly fan yourself with your notecards. While both had the leading man looks, Ryan had a dry wit and a delivery that was deadpan and entirely on point, never failing to get a laugh from everyone in the room. Meanwhile, Hugh had a megawatt smile and an Aussie timber in his voice that had you shivering in your chair, and his laughter was as warm and pure as sunshine itself.

“So, Hugh, you’ve mentioned how you were still doing Music Man when you were cast to return as Wolverine. Did the mental and physical preparation for this role clash with your preparations for your Music Man performances?”

Hugh chuckled. “It’s funny you mentioned that, because I had actually lost a bit of weight while doing Music Man. I mean, it’s eight shows a week and each show is a cardio workout like nothing else! So I had to start increasing my calories and, you know, pumping iron in between shows and it got to the point where I actually split my pants onstage during a show!”

You gasped while Ryan just shook his head and laughed. “Yes, the legendary Jackman ass returned, as jacked as ever!” Ryan snarked, which had Hugh guffawing. “Oh, easy there, buddy. No need to break a hip on top of that.”

You futilely hid your laughs behind your notecards, genuinely enjoying this experience. “Well, guys, this has been an absolute pleasure. As a Marvel fan myself, this movie has been long awaited and completely worth it. Any parting words you’d like to leave the audience before we sign off?”

”Actually,” Ryan suddenly interjected, shooting an offhanded smirk at Hugh, “I had a question for you.”

Well, that was unexpected. “Wait, really? For me?” you asked, confused. 

”Yeah, betcha didn’t see this coming, but yes, the tables have in fact been turned. The interviewee is now the interviewer.” Ryan crossed his legs and placed his hands on his lap, smiling mischievously. “See, I happened to be skittering around backstage, and whilst—“

”Whilst?”

”Don’t interrupt me when I’m talking, Hugh Bear. It’s very rude. Yes, whilst skittering back there, I happened to pick up on some backstage karaoke from a certain interviewer.”

Your eyes widened and you hid your gaping mouth behind your hand. “Oh God.”

“Do you deny it?”

“You heard that?!”

Ryan pointed an accusatory finger at you. “Don’t your DARE hide that angelic voice from us, ma’am!”

Hugh switched his focus between you and Ryan. “Wait, did I miss something? What’s happening?”

”Dude, get this. I heard her singing Greatest Showman in the back and she sounds amazing!” Ryan nudged Hugh before holding out a hand to you reassuringly while you continued to gape. 

“Is that right?” Hugh inquired, interest piqued.

You laughed nervously, shielding your face in your hands. In the back of your mind, you wondered if your makeup was good enough to hide the flush spreading across your face. “Oh my god, this is so embarrassing.” 

“Please don’t confuse my enthusiasm for mockery!” Ryan was quick to say, holding out a reassuring hand. “Honestly, I had chills hearing you. Your voice is gorgeous! And clearly you have excellent music tastes due to your song choices. Seriously, I loved it!” Ryan gushed. “My question is, where did you learn to sing? Like, I’m literally jealous because out of the three of us sitting here, I have no musical talent whatsoever, and my singing usually results in children crying. But yours just sounds so good!”

”I wanna hear her sing now,” Hugh remarked cheerfully. “High praise from Ryan is definitely a good voucher.”

“Oooh, that would be so great, Hugh. You could audition her, because her choreo needs a little bit of work. Kinda limited, but I’m sure your rusty hips still got enough wiggle in them to teach her something.”

Both men laughed and leaned forward, their attention on you, and you couldn’t help but cower behind your papers and burst into another fit of panicked giggles. “I have no idea what is happening right now,” you remarked shyly.

Ryan got out of his seat and stood beside you. “Audition jitters, I get them all the time. Here, I’ll coach you through it!” He cleared his throat and adopted a more professional tone, gesturing between you and Hugh. “Alright, so you are at your callback audition. The casting director—obviously, that’s me—liked your stuff and now I wanna do a little screen test with our leading man—that’ll be Hugh.” 

At this, Hugh leaned forward and shook your hand warmly. “Hey there, I’m Hugh Jackman. I’ll be doing this scene with ya.”

You shot a quick glance at Maggie, who silently urged you to play along. So you chuckled and firmly shook Hugh’s hand. “Pleasure to be working with you, sir.” He replied with a warm smile that made your stomach somersault.

Ryan clapped his hands. “Alright! We are looking for some chemistry between our two leads. Let’s see, what’s a good duet song?” He eyed you expectedly. “I won’t ask Hugh, because the man is a neverending jukebox of showtunes. Now’s your chance to put a quarter in him and pick a song.”

You fidgeted in your seat, pausing to think before replying, “Okay, if we are going to do this, I just want to get this off my chest. Hugh, I am a HUGE fan, not just of your work as Wolverine, but your musical roles as well.” In response, he patted his heart and mouthed ‘thank you’ while Ryan rolled his eyes and made the yak-yak motion with his hand.

You continued. “So, if we could, and this is something I’ve always wanted to do…could we sing ‘A Million Dreams’ from Greatest Showman together?”

His eyes lit up and he nodded. “Yeah! I’d love that!” 

You practically bounced in your seat, shaking out your hands in pure excitement while a huge grin spread across your face. “Oh my god, I can’t believe this is happening!”

Hugh got out of his chair and gestured for you to do the same, which you did quickly. “Gotta make it like a real audition,” he informed you with a wink that got you giggling.

Ryan scooted his own chair back and sat back in it, much like a director overseeing a scene. “Okay, are we all good? Pay no attention to the multiple cameras looking at you or the lights beaming down at you, mmkay? It’s most likely nothing new for you. And…action!”

Hugh made a big show of clearing his throat a few times. “Sorry, I’m not warmed up,” he said.

“No one cares, Hugh.”

“And there isn’t any music.”

“Still not caring, Hugh.”

“Thanks, Ryan.”

With the rest of the crew laughing, Hugh finally took your hand in his and, gazing into your eyes, began to sing:

Every night I lie in bed

The brightest colors fill my head

A million dreams are keeping me awake

I think of what the world could be

A vision of the one I see

A million dreams is all it’s gonna take

Oh, a million dreams for the world we’re gonna make

You were mesmerized by his singing. Listening to him on recording did absolutely no justice for him. Never in a million years (no pun intended) did you think this could be happening to you, that Hugh Jackman could be singing one of your favorite songs directly to you. You forced yourself to focus on your breathing and remember your cue. And when it came, you were more than ready to belt out:

However big, however small

Let me be part of it all

Share your dreams with me

Ryan was flashing you a thumbs up while the rest of the crew were cheering you on. Hugh was grinning ear to ear, clearly enjoying himself.

You may be right, you may be wrong

But say that you’ll bring me along

To the world you see

Hugh nodded encouragingly, joining in:

To the world I close my eyes to see

I close my eyes to see

He got down on one knee, clutching his chest dramatically as he still held your hand.

‘Cause every night I lie in bed

The brightest colors fill my head

You grinned in reply and posed cutely in response.

A million dreams are keeping me awake

A million dreams, a million dreams!

As he shot back up, he spun you around, and the two of you both dramatically sang back to back, harmonizing on the final verse.

I think of what the world could be

A vision of the one I see

A million dreams is all it’s gonna take

A million dreams for the world we’re gonna make

As you held that last note, you felt Hugh wrap his arms around your shoulders. Knowing your role, you smiled and leaned against him.

For the world we’re gonna make

The end of the song was met with thunderous applause from everyone on set, with Ryan being particularly enthusiastic in his clapping. “You got the part!” he exclaimed.

You laughed breathlessly as you and Hugh separated. You clutched your face, grounding yourself from the incredible high you were flying on, all while that silly smile on your face still shone brightly. 

Hugh clapped you on the shoulder. “Very well done!” he remarked. “I’ll be sure to keep you on call as my backup leading lady.”

“Oh my god, stop,” you beamed, still a bit breathless. “Karaoke is one thing, but I dunno about leading lady stuff.”

He smiled and gently kissed your hand. “Don’t sell yourself short,” he replied with a wink.

Maggie caught your eye from behind the camera, signaling you to wrap it up. Remembering your job, you quickly looked at the camera and said, “Uh, Deadpool and Wolverine is out in theaters now! Many thanks to Hugh and Ryan for joining us today!”

“Cut!” Maggie announced.

And thus ended probably THE most exhilarating interview of your entire career!

[wings-of-ink]

One day MC walks up to their RO and asks: "Why do you think I love you?" What are the responses from Oswin and Rune? (Relationship stage)

Oh that is such a good question, Anon. Oof, the two that might have the hardest time with it too. Going to go with a semi-early relationship, say, within the first couple years for this. For all the characters there is an element of healing that they need. This question for these two ROs would be most impactful (emotional and hard to answer) earlier on in the relationship when they are very much still healing. This would be a good exercise for them to help healing, I think...so maybe a couple mini POVs are in order for this one. ^_^

Oswin:

He freezes.

You give him a moment to collect his thoughts, but find the moment doesn't quite pass. Oswin just stares at you. Gently, you cup his cheek in your hand, and he snaps from his stupor.

"You okay?" you ask.

He nods.

"Let's sit." You guide him to the seat by the fire as it crackles and pops. Instead of taking the seat opposite him, you kneel down and hold his hands upon his lap, staring into his eyes. You had a feeling he'd struggle with this.

He clears his throat. "The uh, floor is cold, love. Here, you sit, I'll-"

"Why do you think I love you?" you ask again. He won't get out of this again.

He breath stammers. He leans back in the chair and raises his gaze to the ceiling.

"I know you're still working on how you feel about everything, but I want you to really think about that and give me an honest answer."

Oswin sighs, turning his gaze from the ceiling back to you. His eyes are misty. "That's just it, I don't know what to think." His voice breaks around the words. "Most days I don't know why you want to love someone like me."

You nod. "But you let me, don't you? And I know you, Twinflower; you'd never let me love you if you didn't-"

He scoffs. "That's because I'm selfish."

You fix him with a slightly stern look. "I'm waiting for my answer. The real answer."

His bottom lip quivers for just a moment before he bites it. He takes a few minutes to consider his words. "I...think...I think you, um-love me because...you have a good heart."

You snort and pinch his thigh in the spot that makes him jump.

Even he can't remain serious at the sensation as he jerks and chuckles. "I'm not done...I'm getting there."

"Mm-hmm," you say.

"...It's because of your good heart...that you see...you see me at my best."

You nod.

"You see that...you don't see all the horrible things that I see in me."

You nod again. "So what are those things that I see that you don't? Why do I love you Oswin Twinflower?"

His legs begin to bounce in place, trying to soothe his discomfort. He takes a deep breath. "Um...I think you see, despite everything, loyalty." Another shaky breath. "Maybe you like the old pieces of me - from when we were kids...the parts of me that are still carefree, that laugh easy. And I think...I think you like that I'm grumpy though too..." He trails off, his legs still bouncing. His eyes glance to you, but can't hold your gaze for very long at a time.

"Good." You smile. "That's good Oswin, you're doing so well. There are so many reasons that I love you, and one day you're going to know them all by heart."

A strangled sob escapes his lips.

Rune:

Rune fumbles the freshly washed and dried cups at your question. They clatter and roll along the counter. You briefly catch the flicker of surprise on Rune's face before they snatch up the cups and right them next to the other clean dishes.

Turning back to the sink, Rune carries about the task of rinsing and drying the remaining dinnerware that you have washed. "What do you mean?" They ask.

"It's not a trick question or anything," you say. "I just want you tell me why you think I love you."

Rune chuckles in the way you've come to know as a sign that they are uncomfortable. "It doesn't matter why, just that you do." Rune turns and gives you a placating smile before turning their back again and focusing on the dishes.

"That may be true to a point, but not why I asked and you know it." You watch them a moment. You worry. Rune is not typically unnerved so quickly, and they have always been forthright about your relationship. You've had the feeling recently that a heaviness has been on Rune's heart, old wounds opening back up.

You come up to the sink and watch Rune dry the same plate they've been working on for the last few minutes. "Hun, I think it's dry."

Rune snaps to attention again. "Oh, yes - of course."

"Do you want me to finish up?" you ask.

"Oh, no sweet one. It's my turn and you cooked...I want to finish up. Get settled in the den why don't you. I'll be there shortly."

You nod and make your way there to settle on the couch. If there is one thing you have learned about being Rundis Lyreheart's lover and partner, it is that the more space you give them, the closer they come. Rune always hears you and always pays attention even when it may seem like you're being ignored. You could ask your question again, but that would be pushing. You trust that Rune will answer.

In just a few moments, Rune joins you, removing the smock they use for kitchen duty and hanging it to dry by the fireplace. You chuckle when you realize it is nearly soaked through. You wonder if Rune will ever be able to take care of the dishes and end up dry at the end.

They settle next to you, and you realize they've brought the lyre. Rune looks at you deeply with those bright purple eyes you've come to love so much.

They sigh. "I am sorry that I tried to avoid your question earlier."

You nod. "It's okay. You do that sometimes."

Rune quirks an eyebrow at you.

You shrug. "You deflect the really hard stuff, and then you circle back later after you've had some time to think."

They cover their face with a hand. "Blessed Casimir, you really know me..."

You cannot help the smug smile on your face.

Rune takes a deep breath. "I can't answer your question, not without...some time - not with words. But...I can answer, with this." They hold the lyre up. "If you'll indulge a song."

"Always." You settle back in your seat.

After a few practice notes, Rune begins to pluck the strings in earnest. The melody fills the house, starting off slow, sweet and soft before it becomes...darker, more somber. Rune meets your eyes and smiles as the tune lifts, bringing happy energy to the undercurrent of dark notes. You can't wait to see how the song grows and changes...

[idontplaytrack]

Coming Home

Capri Donahue x gn! reader

Warnings: fluff, mentions & descriptions of anxiety, some coarse language

In which, reader wakes up feeling like they’ve gotten out from the wrong side of bed and nothing feels right

(Pictures used above are from Pinterest)

Requested? Yes / No

You stood before the vanity, looking at yourself in the mirror. Taking a few deep breaths to relieve the tense feeling in your body, not much happens— you still felt…weird. But since you only had thirty minutes to leave the house and get to your shift at the bookstore on time, you couldn’t focus on that. Not now, you couldn’t be late. Glancing over your shoulder at Capri’s sleeping figure, you left the room. Grabbing your lunchboxes and placing them into a bag, you then put your shoes on. You made sure that you've already grabbed your keys, wallet and phone before leaving the house. Your heart was racing and you didn't like it— you didn't know why that was happening but you couldn't do anything about it. You got into your car and drove off, hands clutching onto the steering wheel so tightly that your knuckles turned white.

"You're okay, y/n." You reminded yourself, "Breathe...in and out. Breathe. Watch the road, focus on driving. Nothing else. Everything is—" Nope, not okay. You couldn't even trick yourself into it. Shit, and now your stomach hurt. "Why must it start hurting at the worst time possible?" A soft sigh escaped your lips as you stopped at a light, "God, stop it."

Eventually, you got to work. Putting your stuff into your locker, you put your name tag on and retrieved your water bottle. Chugging some of the liquid, you put it back, walking out to the floor.

"Everything alright, y/n?"

You blinked blankly a few times, "Uh, yeah. Fine. Everything's fine."

You felt like the air was getting sucked out of you— you felt like you were ‘over-feeling’ every single normal bodily sensation.

Your manager then tasked you to stock the shelves with a few boxes of the new books and other items that had just arrived. Thankfully, during which, you felt fine. You felt relaxed, for the first time since you woke up that morning. You worked in a pretty small bookstore that doesn’t get too crowded so it was peaceful most of the time.

“y/n.” Your manager taps you on the shoulder, unintentionally startling you.

“Oh, hey Alex.” You stopped what you were doing for a moment.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to startle ya. What time do you wanna go for your break?” He asks.

“Uh, maybe 12:30?”

“Sure thing.” He nods, “Okay, I’m gonna let you get back to restocking. Is it okay if you cover for Elliot at 11:30? He’s gonna go for his break then. I gotta make some calls to suppliers and ask Dana why she isn’t here yet.”

“On the checkout?”

“Yeah.” He confirms.

You knew you had to do it somehow. You guys were the only ones working today and were short a staff member. “Just for the duration of our break. Sometimes he takes a way longer break.”

“That has become a problem, hasn’t it?” Alex sighs.

“A little, yeah.” You shrug, maybe coming off a little more annoyed than intended.

“I don’t wanna pry because we all have bad days, but do you wanna take a minute for yourself and calm down? ‘Cause I know sometimes you deal with thought spirals.” He asked you straightforwardly.

“I am feeling a little weird today. Don’t know why, and those breathing exercises did not work.”

“I’m sorry, but if you need a minute just let me know and you can dip out, okay?”

“Okay.” You nodded lightly, “Thanks, I just— I think I need something to do where I’m not thinking about anything, like—”

“I got you, just finish this up and work on the displays. Change them up a little. I’m gonna go give Dana a call, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

————

As midday approached, you started feeling more…okay. “y/n, Alex says you’re covering for me, right?”

“Yeah, but can you come back on time? Because I’m not feeling too great today and I don’t be on the front for too long.”

He seethed, “Sorry. Yeah, I’ll come back on time, I promise.”

“Alright, thanks.” You answered with a shrug, sure that he would most definitely not keep to his word. But, it had to be said. He couldn’t just keep taking longer breaks because he feels like it.

You took his place behind the cashier while you watched him take off his apron and leave. The bell above the door tinkling, signalling his departure from the store. You zoned out briefly, staring at the keyboard when the door opening again snapped you back into reality. You were expecting a customer but it was Dana who rushed into the store apologising profusely for oversleeping.

“Good! There you are. So good to see you. Will you be okay to—” Alex walks out from the break room. Dana interrupts him. “Work overtime? Yeah, I’ll make up for the hours I missed this morning.”

“That. And, could you cover the checkout? I want y/n working on the displays instead. Elliot takes forever and Derek our store’s artsy guy won’t be working for the next two weeks.”

“Sure, no prob!” Dana stood beside you.

“So you wanted me to change them all?”

“That’s right. It’s getting a little boring having everything looking like this for the past two months. Shake it up a little, friend.”

“On it.” You nodded firmly.

“Also, Elliot should be back by 12:15. So he isn’t back by then, call him, text him…whatever you do. Get him back here.” You heard Alex telling Dana as you walked into the storage room at the back to get out a couple boxes of decorations.

You worked on redoing the displays until you had to go for your break. Sitting down in break room, you opened up your lunchboxes and dug into the food: a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in one container and the other had some trail mix in one half and veggies in the other half. You completely zoned out while you ate, until Capri sends you a text.

Lunch went by pretty quickly. You put away your empty lunchboxes in your locker, went to wash your hands, then got back to work. “All good?” Alex asks when he saw you exit the break room.

“Yeah, I finished my food so I’m going back to wo—”

“You, not the displays.” He bit back a laugh.

“Better, actually. Thanks for asking.”

“That’s good.” He replies, “Hey, you’re working tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah, what’s up?” You ask, shoving your hands into your pockets while you leaned against the wall.

“Nothing, I’m just thinking if you wanted to just take the day off tomorrow? You’ve worked six days last week and already two days this week.”

“Would you have enough people on shift?” You asked again, concerned.

“We’ll be fine, employee-of-the-month.” He jokes, “Don’t worry about it. Take tomorrow off, relax, sleep in, sleep all day, go see the stars with your girlfriend. Anything.”

“If you insist.” You agreed, “I’m gonna— hey, do you think we should shift the horror and thriller books more to the front for this table? Since Halloween’s next month.”

“y/n. You know what you’re doing at this job, just go for it. I’ve never doubted you.” Alex says.

“Very well then.” You nodded slowly, scurrying away to the back of the store to move the set of books to a table nearer to the front of the store.

————

After saying bye to Alex, Dana and Elliot, you left and started your drive home. As you got into the car, your nose was hit with an oddly familiar scent which made you feel anxious. You hated that certain scents could do this to you. You were doing pretty well until now.

Deciding to put on your favourite playlist, you drive off. Once again, you relied on your breathing exercises the whole way through. However, when you got home, you still felt strange. That feeling from earlier on in the day was bubbling back up.

Unlocking the front door, you stepped inside and shut the door. Before the front door even fully shut, Capri came up to you. “Hi, baby.” She presses a kiss to your lips while brushing the hair out of your eyes. She studied your face, “Do you want to talk about it?”

You pursed your lips together, shaking your head, “I…don’t know what’s making me feel so…on the edge today? I just feel shitty, every little thing triggers a stomachache or makes my heart feel like it’s going to beat out of my chest. Everything just feels so off.” You looked away from her but she just tilted your chin with her finger to make you look at her. Capri cups your cheeks in her hands, caressing your cheek, “You’re okay, you’re home now. I’ve got you.”

Looking at Capri right in the eye made you feel like crying, made you feel like releasing those tears that you were holding back for some reason. Finally, with her, in her presence…her company. Your body just…relaxed. Completely relaxed and let go off whatever repressed feelings from the day. “I’m gonna give you a hug, alright, baby? Is that okay with you?” She asks softly and you answered by wrapping your arms around her first.

You soon stopped crying and broke away from the embrace. Capri slowly does the same, “Go take a shower, okay, babe? I’ll join you in a minute. Just have to turn the oven off.”

“Okay.” You agreed with a sniffle, trudging upstairs.

You grab your towel and walked into the bathroom, stripping your clothes off then stepped into the shower. You hear footsteps over the sounds of the falling water, then saw Capri walking in. She helps you shampoo your hair and lather the soap on your body— you just let her, enjoying her company. While you washed everything off, she was shampooing her own hair and soaping up her body. Even when you were done, you just hung around until she was too.

She leads you back into your shared bedroom by the hand then picked out a change of clothes for you— her clothes. Your favourite comfy hoodie of hers and your own pair of shorts. Once you were both dressed, she cuddled with you without you having to ask while watching Friends with you. She knew exactly what you needed.

Eyes flicking upward to look at hers, your heart melts as do you, into her embrace. She presses a kiss to your head, pulling you closer to her. Her eyes. They felt like…coming home. So beautiful, so warm, so loving.

“Capri?” Your eyes met hers again. She presses the space bar to pause the show, “Yes, baby?”

You cup her cheek and pulled her a little lower, pressing your lips onto hers. Capri smiles, returning the kiss. “I love you.” The corner of your lips tug into a smile.

————

🏷️ Tag list:

@ashecampos @auliisflower @cheesysoup-arlo @frogs00 @reneeswif3 @ludoesartnstuffs @pda128

[jennay]

Worries

Rory Culkin x Reader

Master List

An: this may or may not be loosely based around my work day 😂 Enjoy!

Warning: None just fluff

Let me know if you have anything you want written. I'm starting to run out of ideas. 🤦🏻‍♀️

You close your eyes and listen to the rhythm of the rain, feeling a sense of calmness wash over you. You decide to stay in your car for a few more minutes, enjoying the peace and quiet.

You put your arm over your eyes and try to focus on breathing. You wanted to calm down before going upstairs to your apartment.

You have always wanted to help people and thought being a CNA would be a rewarding career. You spent months studying and training, and you finally got your certification. You were excited to start working at a nursing home where you hoped to make a difference in the lives of elderly residents. But you soon realized that being a CNA was not what you expected. It was a crappy job that drained you physically, emotionally, and mentally.

You had to work long hours, often without breaks or proper meals. You had to deal with understaffing, low pay, and a lack of respect. You had to perform unpleasant, exhausting, and sometimes dangerous tasks.

You had to change people, clean wounds, lift heavy patients, and administer medications. You had to deal with angry, depressed, or confused residents who sometimes yelled at, hit, or spit on you.

You had to witness the pain and suffering of people who were dying or had dementia. You had to cope with the grief of losing patients you had grown attached to.

You felt like you were not making any difference at all. You felt like you were not appreciated or valued. You felt like you were not living up to your potential or fulfilling your dreams. You felt like you were stuck in a dead-end job that was slowly killing you.

You often thought about quitting, but every time you gained the courage to do so, something made you stay. Maybe it was the fear of not finding another job, the hope that things would improve, or the loyalty you felt to the few residents who still smiled at you and thanked you for your care.

Whatever it was, it trapped you in a cycle of frustration and misery.

Tapping on your window snaps you out of your deep breathing exercise. Startled, you turn your head to look at the window. Rory stood there with an umbrella, protecting him from the cold rain.

You return your seat to its regular position and grab your bag from the passenger seat. It was time to go inside and put on a brave face.

Pretend you didn't actually hate everything that happened today. Pretend you were happy and content with your life. Pretend you didn't want to run away from it all.

You open the door and step out of the car. Rory quickly brings you close to his body and covers you with the umbrella. He wraps his arm around your waist and leads you to the entrance of your apartment building.

Running his hand down your shoulder, he asks, "Rough day?" He frowns when he notices your stiffness and unwillingness to smile when he kisses your forehead.

Usually, Rory could smile at you, and you'd feel better, but today wasn't like that; today was different. Today, you felt like nothing could make you happy. Today, you felt like you had reached your breaking point.

"I'm fine." You lie, dropping your bag by the front door. You head to your room and begin to peel off your clothes. You notice that Rory followed you. He leans against the doorway, his blue eyes full of concern as he watches you pull a baggy t-shirt over your head, not bothering to find any bottoms.

"You're not a good liar," he said, walking towards you. "You look like you're going to cry." He reaches out for you. "What's going on?"

Your eyes water at the sound of his concerned voice. "I'm not ok." You admit.

"C'mon." He says, leading you out of the bedroom and to the living room, where he guides you to sit on the couch. "I'll make you some tea. Are you hungry?"

You shake your head, "No. I couldn't eat even if I wanted to."

When the tea is done, he brings it to you and sets it on the coffee table beside you. You don't hesitate to lean into his body, and he takes the quilt from the side of the couch, wrapping your body in it; he holds you close and presses his lips to your temple. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Shrugging, you say, "Part of me wants to and the other part of me wants to forget about it." You throw your legs over his lap, trying to get as close as possible, needing his touch of comfort and warm embrace. "I just feel like I'm not making a difference. I feel like everything I do is wrong and I'm just tired but whenever I feel like I can't do it anymore I chicken out and stay anyways."

Rory runs his fingertips up and down the top of your thigh in a comforting motion. "It's not chickening out. Your hearts big and you care a lot." He reminds you. "You always put everyone first, babe...maybe you need to start putting yourself first; what do you want?"

You kiss his jaw and nuzzle your face into his neck, inhaling his familiar scent. "Maybe subconsciously I like making myself miserable," You joke. "Then I can come home and complain to my loving boyfriend who makes me tea, snuggles me, and gives me life advice."

Rory chuckles at your comment, his chest vibrating against your ear. "You don't have to be miserable for me to do that. I love cuddling you, kissing you, holding you. Just say the word. I'll do it." He laughs, his breath tickling your skin.

"Wow," you smile, looking up at him. "I'm so grateful for you." You feel more relaxed the more you and Rory talk and the gentler his touches get. He strokes your hair, rubs your back, and kisses your forehead.

You didn't know how you got so lucky, but you'd thank the stars daily if it meant you always got to come home to Rory.

[uncloseted]

do you have any tips on how to deal with post work need for playtime 😭 i work with kids as a tutor as a full time job while i’m in Uni and i love it but its takes a toll since im constantly interacting and always have to be thinking and present during my sessions that when i come home, i have no energy or desire or motivation to do my own schoolwork or studying. i just lay down and scroll or hang out with my friends bc im so drained of dopamine from work, I want to lock in with uni and the gym but after working all day, i just want to play around or i just want to turn my brain off and scroll and sleep 😭 how i can find more energy and feel less tired/dopamine seeking after work? :)

Anonymous asked:

any tips on how to have more energy? i work and have uni so when i come home all i want to do is rot and have no energy to workout or do hw or even hobbies, i either want to rot or hangout with my friends bc im so dopamine starved or too tired to do productive stuff

Okay so the first thing that I want to say here is you may just be expecting too much of yourself. Being a full-time student plus working full-time is 80 hours of work a week. I think it makes a lot of sense that after that, all you want to do when you get home is to turn your brain off. Plus, there's not a ton of good research on this, but from what I could find, people feel their best when they have around 4-5 hours of downtime per day. If your brain doesn't get the chance to recharge, adding anything extra to your schedule will be really difficult. I say all of this just as something to consider. I know we live in a world where relaxing can feel like we're wasting our time and that we should be productive every hour of the day, but that's just not a sustainable way to live. If you can, it may be worth looking into whether you can reduce the number of hours you're working or reduce the number of classes you're taking to give yourself a little more free time. If that's not possible, try to cut yourself some slack. What you're doing right now is hard, and it's okay if you don't have the bandwidth right now to add more things to your life.

All that said, there are a few things you can try in order to make the most out of the free time you do have. The first thing I would suggest is trying to carve out time throughout your day to do the things you want to do instead of waiting for the end of the day. Maybe when you wake up in the morning, you read a book or journal for 15 minutes and then have a 5 minute exercise routine, so that even if you don't get anything done after work, you've still done something for yourself. Maybe you do squats while you're brushing your teeth or push-ups while you wait for your toast in the morning. Maybe you take five minutes of your lunch break to do deep breathing or a quick meditation practice. Grabbing little moments throughout your day can help you to feel like you're taking care of yourself, and they really do add up over time.

For after work, what I would suggest is starting small. Maybe you tell yourself that you'll do just ten minutes of studying or just fifteen minutes of exercise or just twenty minutes of a hobby before you start scrolling. A lot of the time, when we get over the initial hump of starting a task, it becomes much easier to keep going on it. And even if you don't, ten or fifteen or twenty minutes of doing something every day is better than doing nothing at all. As you start doing things after work, you'll start building up more mental stamina, and it will become easier to do them over time. For these tasks, I would also try to make them as easy to do as possible, and I would try to make scrolling as hard as possible. For example, maybe you make sure that your homework is on the table or your gym shoes are out or that all of the items you need for your hobby are within reach and you block social media apps on your phone for an hour after work.

The last thing I'll say is that when it comes to schoolwork, it may be a good idea to work smarter rather than harder. For example, NotebookLM can take your class notes, readings, and other documents and give you summaries, answer questions for you, and even generate a podcast of your notes to make the content easier and more engaging. Tools like NotebookLM can make it easier for you to study while on the go (like walking/driving to uni and to work), and can shorten the time you need for studying.

[kamini-vidrawan-ras-tablet]

How to Stay Healthy in Busy life

Staying healthy while managing a busy life can be challenging, but with some smart strategies, it’s possible to maintain physical and mental well-being. Here are a few tips:

1. Prioritize Sleep

Sleep well: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Sleep is essential for restoring energy and supporting your immune system.

Sleep schedule: Try to keep a consistent bedtime and wake-up time, even on weekends.

2. Eat Nutritious Foods

Meal prep: Prepare meals in advance when you have free time, so you don’t rely on fast food when you're busy.

Balanced diet: Focus on whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. Keep healthy snacks handy.

Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay energized and focused.

3. Stay Active

Short workouts: Even a 15-minute walk or a quick home workout can make a difference.

Active commute: If possible, walk or cycle to work, or park farther away to get some extra steps in.

Stretching: Stretch or do yoga during breaks to reduce stress and improve flexibility.

4. Manage Stress

Mindfulness or meditation: Try deep breathing exercises or meditation to calm your mind and reduce stress.

Time for yourself: Set aside a few minutes each day to relax and recharge, even if it's just a quiet cup of tea or reading.

Break tasks into smaller steps: Avoid overwhelming yourself by breaking down large tasks into smaller, more manageable parts.

5. Set Boundaries

Work-life balance: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal time. Don’t be afraid to say no when necessary.

Delegate tasks: If possible, delegate some tasks at work or at home to free up time for self-care.

6. Social Connections

Quality time: Spend time with family and friends, even if it’s just a short call or chat. Social connections can support mental health and provide a sense of community.

7. Take Breaks

Rest periods: Take short breaks during the workday to avoid burnout. A 5-minute walk, stretching, or just stepping outside can boost your energy levels.

8. Stay Organized

Plan ahead: Use planners, apps, or to-do lists to stay organized. This can help reduce mental clutter and give you more time for healthy activities.

9. Limit Screen Time

Digital detox: Cut back on social media or screen time, especially before bed, to improve sleep quality and mental clarity.

10. Regular Check-ups

Health check-ups: Regularly visit your doctor for check-ups to ensure you are staying on top of any health concerns.

Mental health: Pay attention to your mental health and seek professional support if needed. KVR

By incorporating these habits into your routine, you can build a healthier, more balanced lifestyle even in the midst of a busy schedule.

[livelovelifeagain]

Stress Relief Tips from Coaches in Oman: A Calmer Mind

With such an even tempo and pace of life in today's world, no one can imagine themselves without stress. Despite the hardships that people try to avoid it, stress and anxiety might still be felt because of too long stress relief tips coach in oman hours spent at work or family matters, and many other personal stressors. The professional coaches in Oman share invaluable knowledge and techniques to make these transitions bearable. Here are some of the benefits that they can offer you in dealing with stress as recommended by certified coaches that will help you find a much-needed balance in life.

1. Mindful Breathing: One of the simple but most effective de-stressing activities is mindful breathing. Coaches stress that slowing your breath down has direct, immediate results toward calming your mind and body. Simple exercises like taking deep breathing into the nostrils, holding it for a few seconds, and exhaling slowly reduce anxiety and provide mental clarity. I feel it can be a matter of just a few minutes a day to make an immense difference in the way you feel and to manage stress in this present life we are living.

2. Introduce Physical Activity

Physical movement helps your body and mind. Coaches in Oman recommended people have at least 30 minutes of physical activity, whether brisk walk, yoga, or light stretching. The endorphin hormones have released, which naturally lighten up the mood. It might help someone reduce some stress or even stress relief tips coach in oman better focus, giving the mind a break from daily grind but recharging it.

3. Maintain a healthy work-life balance

To some, work could be the cause of a serious stress, especially when one fails to separate professional life from personal time. Coaches tell a lot about having schedules that allow for breaks and personal time. One needs to set his boundaries, such as not checking on work emails during his off-hours or what times constitute relaxation. This balance prevents burnout and creates time to unwind and work on personal activities that would cheer you up.

4. Positive Self-Talk

If you have a chronic inner dialogue flashing a lot of negative thoughts that could increase your level of stress, then managers in Oman stress relief tips coach in oman advise practicing positive self-talk to overcome those negative thoughts. Then, instead of what-ifs or worst possible scenarios, challenge the difficult situation by trying to look at how one can learn from the situation. Positive affirmations such as "I can handle this," or "I am capable and strong," can help one's mindset and promote resilience in the face of stress.

5. Practice Gratitude

Positive thinking causes individuals to not be as stressed. For example, trainers sometimes instruct their clients to maintain a gratitude journal. There you should record three things you're thankful for each day. That stress relief tips coach in oman tends to shift your focus more to what is working and less to what is not working, thus giving off a sense of well-being. The more often you practice the good in life, the easier it becomes not to lose your cool in tough situations.

6. Time Management

Time management is one of the most crucial skills that reduce the impact of stress. Many people may be anxious simply because they will not manage their time well; thus, sometimes, people feel overwhelmed by many things yet to be completed. Trainers train on realistic goals, prioritized tasks, and later breaking large projects into minute steps. With such tools like calendars, to-do lists or apps that track time, you can remain free from unnecessary pressure of deadlines.

7. Sleep Enough

Sleep reduces stress. Low-quality sleep irritates you and readily provokes irritation, as well as takes away your concentration and confuses the ability to cope with stressful situations. Coaches often recommend a st ress relief tips coach in omanstrict sleep routine, as much as 7-8 hours of rest at night. Try avoiding screens an hour before bed and create a sleep-conducive environment in your bedroom so that you don't sleep poorly.

8. Connect with Others

Another aspect the trainers emphasize is human interaction. The trainers bring you back in line by reminding you to talk to friends or family members if otherwise stressed or seek professional help when totally stressed. It assists in unloading emotional burdens as well as enhancing support. Indeed, having a robust support system makes a difference in the way you respond to challenges in life.

9. Explore Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation therapists in Oman would normally advise their clients to try a range of relaxation techniques that can decrease the impact of stress. Methods like meditation, deep muscle relaxation, or even a guided stress relief tips coach in oman imagery can calm the mind and be soothing to the body. These might promote reflective thinking and give one some relief from this constant flow of thought to be able to feel in control of the response to stress once again.

10. Drink Ample, Healthy Eat

The things you eat also determine your stress levels. Coaches tell you to be hydrated and eat foods full of vitamins and minerals to help your brain flow really well and give you enough energy. Do not indulge too much in caffeine, sugar, and those processed foods that make stress worse. Instead, stick to whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins to keep your body and mind in its best form.

Conclusion

Stress is life, but then, it is what the thing is-all of it does not have to rule your life. With these simple yet practical stress relief tips from coaches in Oman, you can begin building a more balanced, resilient, peaceful stress relief tips coach in oman mindset. Whether practicing mindful breathing, staying physically active, developing a strong support system, or some other strategy, they can help get you through stressful situations better and improve your well-being as a whole.

[stevejhones6801]

How Can You Feel Better with These 5 Quick Tips?

Stress is something we all face from time to time, whether it's from school, work, or personal issues. It can leave us feeling worried, upset, and sometimes even physically unwell. However, the good news is that there are effective ways to manage it. Mind And Mood has put together 5 Quick Tips To Reduce Stress that are easy to understand and practice. These tips can help you quickly calm your mind and body, making tackling whatever is causing your stress easier.

The Power of Deep Breathing

One of the simplest but most powerful ways to reduce stress is by practicing deep breathing. When you're stressed, your breathing tends to become fast and shallow, making you feel even more anxious. To relax, find a quiet space, sit down, and close your eyes. Slowly breathe in through your nose, hold your breath for a few seconds, and then gently release it through your mouth. Repeat this process several times, and you’ll start to feel your body relax. Deep breathing helps to lower your heart rate and brings a sense of calm to both your mind and body.

Physical Activity as Stress Relief

When you’re feeling stressed, your body often carries that tension, making you feel restless or tight. One of the best ways to release that built-up stress is through physical activity. Whether it’s walking, jogging, or even dancing in your room, moving your body can help you shake off those anxious feelings. Exercise increases the production of endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that help improve your mood. Even just a short 10-minute walk outdoors can significantly reduce stress levels and leave you feeling more energized and positive. Physical activity is not only good for your body but also works wonders for your mental well-being.

The Importance of Talking It Out

Stress often feels much heavier when you keep it all inside. Sharing your feelings with someone you trust, such as a family member, friend, or teacher, can help lighten that emotional load. Talking it out gives you a chance to express what’s bothering you and helps others understand what you’re going through. Often, they can provide valuable advice or simply offer a listening ear, which can make a big difference in how you feel. Remember, you're not alone, and there’s always someone who cares about your well-being. A simple conversation can be a powerful way to relieve stress.

Taking Breaks Can Help

When you're overwhelmed by tasks and responsibilities, it can feel like you're drowning in stress. One of the 5 Quick Tips To Reduce Stress is to step back and take short breaks when needed. Trying to push through without a break can make you feel more stressed and less productive. Taking a five-minute pause to relax, stretch, or even grab a snack can help refresh your mind. These short moments of rest allow your brain to recharge, making it easier to return to your tasks with renewed focus. Mind And Mood emphasizes the importance of breaks as part of a healthy stress management routine.

Finding Fun in the Little Things

When life feels overwhelming, sometimes the best way to deal with stress is by doing something fun. Engaging in an activity you enjoy, whether it's playing a game, painting, or watching a funny video, can help take your mind off your worries. Fun activities act as a mental reset, giving you a much-needed break from the stress you’re feeling. When you engage in something enjoyable, your brain releases feel-good chemicals that can lift your mood and help you feel more relaxed. It’s important to make time for fun, as it balances out the challenges and difficulties you may face each day.

Why Rest Matters?

Sleep is one of the most crucial ways to fight stress. When you don’t get enough rest, your body and mind become more prone to stress and negative emotions. Another of the 5 Quick Tips To Reduce Stress is to ensure that you’re getting enough sleep and taking short breaks during the day. Sleep gives your body the chance to recover and your mind the opportunity to reset. Without proper rest, it becomes harder to handle stressful situations, and small problems can feel much bigger than they are. A good night’s sleep, combined with short rest breaks during the day, can help you manage stress much better.

Positive Thinking as a Stress Buster

Sometimes, the way we think about a situation can make our stress feel bigger than it is. Practicing positive thinking can change the way you experience stress and make you feel more in control. When you find yourself focusing on negative thoughts, try to shift your attention to something good that has happened or something you’re looking forward to. It’s also helpful to remind yourself that stress is temporary and that you have the strength to get through it. Positive thinking can reduce anxiety and help you approach challenges with a clear and calm mindset.

Final Thoughts on Reducing Stress

Stress is a normal part of life, but that doesn't mean it has to take over your days. With the simple tips shared by Mind And Mood, you can reduce stress and feel more relaxed, no matter what challenges you face. Whether it’s through deep breathing, taking breaks, or finding time for fun, these 5 Quick Tips To Reduce Stress offer practical ways to stay calm and focused. Remember, it’s important to take care of both your body and mind and by following these easy steps, you can live a happier, more balanced life.

[focusdrinkselixir]

How to Stay Focused When You’re Easily Distracted

How to Stay Focused When You’re Easily Distracted

In today’s world, distractions are everywhere. From the constant buzz of notifications on our devices to the myriad of thoughts racing through our minds, staying focused on a task can seem like an impossible feat. However, maintaining focus is crucial for productivity, creativity, and overall success. If you find yourself easily distracted, don’t worry — you’re not alone. Here are some practical strategies to help you stay focused even when distractions are at their peak.

Identify Your Distractions

The first step to staying focused is identifying what distracts you. Distractions can be external, like social media, noise, or interruptions from others, or internal, such as daydreaming, stress, or hunger. Once you know what pulls your attention away, you can start to address these distractions head-on.

External Distractions:

Social Media and Technology: Consider using apps that limit your access to distracting websites or turning off notifications during work hours.

Noise: If noise is a distraction, try using noise-canceling headphones or listen to white noise or instrumental music to drown out background sounds.

Interruptions: If people interrupt you frequently, set boundaries. Politely let them know your work hours or use a “do not disturb” sign.

Internal Distractions:

Stress and Anxiety: Practice mindfulness or take short breaks to relax and refocus.

Hunger: Keep healthy snacks nearby to avoid hunger-induced distractions.

Daydreaming: If your mind tends to wander, try using techniques like the Pomodoro Technique to keep yourself on track.

Create a Focus-Friendly Environment

Your environment plays a significant role in your ability to stay focused. A cluttered or chaotic space can lead to a cluttered mind, so it’s important to create an environment that supports concentration.

Declutter Your Workspace: A clean, organized workspace can help reduce mental clutter and increase focus. Keep only essential items on your desk and remove anything that isn’t necessary for the task at hand.

Adjust Lighting: Ensure your workspace is well-lit. Natural light is best, but if that’s not possible, use a bright, adjustable lamp to avoid eye strain and fatigue.

Set the Mood: Consider the ambiance of your workspace. Some people find that a pleasant scent, like lavender or peppermint, can boost concentration. Others might benefit from keeping plants or inspirational quotes nearby.

Set Clear Goals and Prioritize Tasks

One reason we get distracted is because we’re unsure of what to focus on. Setting clear, achievable goals can help direct your attention and keep you on track.

Break Down Tasks: Large tasks can be overwhelming and lead to procrastination. Break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. This not only makes the task seem less daunting but also provides a clear path forward.

Prioritize: Focus on high-priority tasks first, especially if they require deep concentration. Use tools like to-do lists or task management apps to keep track of what needs to be done.

Set Deadlines: Deadlines create a sense of urgency and can help you stay focused. Even if you don’t have a strict deadline, set one for yourself to keep the momentum going.

Practice Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness and meditation can be powerful tools for improving focus. These practices train your mind to stay in the present moment, which can reduce the impact of distractions.

Mindfulness Techniques: Try simple mindfulness exercises, like deep breathing or focusing on your senses, to bring your attention back to the present moment.

Daily Meditation: Even just a few minutes of meditation each day can improve concentration over time. Apps like Headspace or Calm offer guided meditations specifically designed to enhance focus.

Take Regular Breaks

It might seem counterintuitive, but taking breaks can actually improve your focus. The brain can only concentrate for so long before it needs rest. Without breaks, you may find yourself mentally exhausted and more prone to distractions.

The Pomodoro Technique: Work for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. After four cycles, take a longer break of 15–30 minutes. This method helps maintain a balance between work and rest, keeping your focus sharp.

Movement Breaks: Incorporate movement into your breaks. Stretch, go for a walk, or do a quick workout to refresh your body and mind.

Stay Hydrated and Well-Fed

Dehydration and hunger can significantly impact your ability to focus. Make sure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day and eating balanced meals to fuel your brain.

Hydration: Keep a water bottle at your desk and take regular sips. Dehydration can lead to fatigue and reduced concentration.

Healthy Snacks: Opt for snacks that provide sustained energy, such as nuts, fruits, or yogurt. Avoid sugary snacks that can lead to energy crashes.

Conclusion

Staying focused when you’re easily distracted is challenging, but it’s not impossible. By identifying your distractions, creating a focus-friendly environment, setting clear goals, practicing mindfulness, taking breaks, and keeping your body nourished, you can improve your concentration and productivity. Remember, focus is a skill that can be developed over time, so be patient with yourself and keep practicing these strategies. With persistence, you’ll find that staying focused becomes easier, even in the most distracting situations.

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Daily Habits That Can Improve Your Day

In today’s fast-paced life, if you could find some helpful habits that can make you feel better, energized, more focused and positive during your daily life, it would make a big positive difference to your health, wellbeing, and productivity. Here are some simple everyday habits to make your day better:

Start with a Morning Routine A morning routine will set the tone for the rest of the day. Some ideas for what it could involve:

Wake Up Early: by getting up early, you‘ll ensure that you have time to spare and not become frazzled by running late.

Hydrate: A tall glass of oxygenated water first thing in the day gets your metabolism going and rehydrates your body after a night’s rest.

Exercise: you can get good energy and a mood booster just from a short session of yoga, stretching, or brisk walking.

Mindfulness or meditation: Set aside a few minutes to be still and sort your thoughts before your day starts.

Eat a Healthy Breakfast Breakfast is the most important meal of the day that gives your body and mind the energy for the beginning of the day and should include a balanced meal of:

Protein: Eggs, yogurt, or a protein shake can keep you full longer.

Whole Grains: Oatmeal or whole-grain toast provides sustained energy.

Fruits and Vegetables: Fresh produce adds essential vitamins and minerals.

Plan Your Day Next time you hear someone say that taking a moment out of your busy day to make a to-do list is a waste of time, remember that not planning at all could lead to your day being a little more stressful. How could you divide your day into tasks and prioritize what you do? Here are some ideas to get you started:

Make a list of the things you need to do (by this method, you will be more organized). 2. Tick off each task as it is completed. 3. Arrange the things you need to do in order of importance. 4. Cross out any items when they are finished. 5. Write down what you need to do every day.

Setting Goals: Identify your main objectives for the day, both professionally and personally.

Time Blocking: Set aside time slots for different activities.

Take Regular Breaks You can burn out and/or become less productive if you work for too long without breaks. Schedule frequent breaks during your day to:

Stretch or move: Physical activity can refresh your mind and body.

Hydrate: Drink water regularly to stay hydrated and maintain energy levels.

focusing on how I breathe: that can be as simple as a few minutes of sitting quietly, slowly breathing in and out • meditating: a few minutes would be good.

Stay Organized Keeping your environment organized can reduce stress and improve focus. Implement habits such as:

Decluttering: Spend a few minutes each day tidying up your workspace or living area.

File and Sort: Put important papers and objects away so that they’re easy to find when you need them. – Digital Tidiness: Keep your inbox and digital files de-cluttered. Regularly clean them out.

Connect with Others Social interactions are crucial for mental and emotional well-being. Make an effort to:

Check-In: Reach out to friends, family, or colleagues to see how they are doing.

Share a Meal: Eating with others can enhance your mood and foster connections.

Groups or clubs: ace above- Join groups or clubs to meet new people and develop a support network.

Practice Gratitude Being thankful is good for you – it can boost your daily happiness and even the way you look at life. Ways to practice gratitude every day include:

Keeping a Gratitude Journal: Write down three things you are grateful for each day.

Expressing Thanks: Show appreciation to those around you through kind words or gestures.

Revision: Positive ends: At the end of the day, think about what went well.

Prioritize Self-Care Taking care of yourself is essential for maintaining physical and mental health. Ensure you:

Sleep well: Get at least 7-9 hours of sleep a night to allow your body and mind to recharge.

Exercise Regularly: Incorporate physical activity into your routine to boost energy and reduce stress.

Eat Well: Maintain a balanced diet rich in nutrients to support overall health.

Limit Screen Time Spending too much time in front of the screen might cause eye discomfort disrupt your posture and exhaust your brain. Do the following schedule to manage your screen time

Remove the screen from your bed.

Take a break from the screen every 30 minutes for 5 minutes.

Remove the screen from human activities.

Setting Boundaries: Allocate specific times for checking emails and social media.

Take a Screen Break Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. 20-20-20.

Going Offline: Spend time on literally anything that you don’t access through a screen, such as reading, hobbies, crafting, or just being outdoors.

End with an Evening Routine After a stressful day, implementing a relaxing evening routine can be exactly what you need. To wind down: Reflect on Your Day: Consider spending some time going over your day by recapping what you completed and how.

Cooling down: Engage in reading or listening to music or enjoy a warm bath.

Prepping for Tomorrow Lay out clothes, pack your bag, and write a list of tasks for the next day to help minimize morning stress.

Conclusion A few tweaks to your daily habits can really improve the quality of your day-to-day life. Sticking to these habits can promote physical health, mental wellbeing and improve the way you use your time. Whether it’s being more sociable, eating healthily, or managing your time better, it’s the little things that end up mattering most. Start with a few new habits, and then add to these until you find your routine working wonders for your quality of life.

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5 Practical Tips for Managing Stress in Your Daily Life

Stress is an inevitable part of life, but it doesn't have to take over your life. Managing stress in a healthy way can help you stay productive and balanced. Here are 5 practical tips for managing stress in your daily life:

Exercise Regularly:

Physical activity releases endorphins that reduce tension and improve moods, helping to keep stress levels down. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise per day or break it up into smaller chunks throughout the day if needed!

Get Enough Sleep:

Lack of sleep can increase cortisol levels - the hormone responsible for triggering our body’s fight-or-flight response - leading to higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms that could further aggravate existing mental health issues like depression or anxiety disorders. Make sure you get 7-9 hours every night by creating a bedtime routine that helps relax both the mind and body before going off to sleep.

Take Breaks During The Day:

Taking regular breaks during the workday will give your brain time away from stressful situations, allowing them time to recharge so they don’t become overwhelmed with too much information all at once. Try taking 5-minute walks outside or even just stretching out on a yoga mat while listening to some calming music – anything that allows yourself a few moments away from work tasks will do wonders!

Talk To Someone You Trust:

Talking about how you feel with someone who understands what's going on inside your head is one great way to manage any underlying emotions causing distress, as well as provide perspective when things seem overwhelming – whether it's friends, family members, therapists, counselors, etc! If none of these options are available, then consider seeking professional help through a Psychiatrist in Bhopal who specializes in treating mental health-related issues such as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), among others.

Practice Mindfulness Meditation:

Mindfulness meditation has many benefits, including reducing feelings of anxiousness, worry, fear, anger, sadness, plus improving focus, concentration, attention span, self-awareness, emotional regulation, and overall wellbeing! Start small by focusing on your breath for 10 minutes each morning or evening, slowly increasing the duration until you reach a comfortable level, and practice regularly to reap long-term rewards!

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Healthy Habits for Busy Professionals: Balancing Work and Wellness

In today's fast-paced world, many professionals find themselves caught in a never-ending cycle of work, deadlines, and meetings. While dedication to one's career is admirable, it often comes at the expense of personal health and well-being. Balancing work and wellness is crucial for maintaining a high level of productivity and achieving long-term success in your professional life. In this blog, we'll explore some healthy habits that busy professionals can incorporate into their routines to strike a harmonious balance between work and wellness.

Prioritize Self-Care

One of the most important aspects of balancing work and wellness is prioritizing self-care. Make time for yourself every day, even if it's just for a few minutes. Engage in activities that rejuvenate your mind and body, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or a quick walk outdoors. These short breaks can help reduce stress and improve your focus when you return to work tasks. For More Info Visit: Best Hospital In Ballabgarh

Create a Consistent Sleep Schedule

Adequate sleep is essential for overall health and cognitive function. Establish a consistent sleep schedule, aiming for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night. Avoid the temptation to burn the midnight oil regularly, as chronic sleep deprivation can lead to a decline in productivity and increased health risks.

Practice Mindful Eating

Busy professionals often resort to quick and unhealthy food options due to time constraints. However, making mindful food choices is vital for sustained energy and well-being. Plan your meals, pack nutritious snacks, and stay hydrated throughout the day. Avoid excessive caffeine and sugary drinks, as they can lead to energy crashes.

Set Boundaries

While it's important to be dedicated to your work, setting clear boundaries is equally crucial. Establish specific work hours and avoid overworking yourself. Communicate your limits to your colleagues and superiors, so they understand and respect your need for work-life balance.

Stay Active

Regular physical activity is a cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. Incorporate exercise into your daily routine, even if it's in small doses. Consider walking or cycling to work, taking the stairs, or scheduling short workout breaks during the day. Exercise not only boosts your physical health but also enhances your mood and cognitive function.

Time Management and Prioritization

Efficient time management and prioritization are key to balancing work and wellness. Use tools like to-do lists, calendars, and time-blocking techniques to organize your tasks. Focus on completing high-priority tasks first, and delegate when necessary. This will help reduce stress and prevent burnout.

Learn to Say No

It can be challenging to turn down additional work or commitments, but learning to say no when your plate is already full is essential for maintaining balance. Prioritize your existing responsibilities and commitments, and don't be afraid to decline new ones that could negatively impact your well-being.

Seek Support and Networking

Don't hesitate to seek support from your peers or consider joining professional networks. Sharing experiences and advice with others in similar situations can provide valuable insights into managing work and wellness effectively.

Take Regular Breaks

Scheduled breaks throughout the day can help you recharge and maintain focus. Use techniques like the Pomodoro method, which involves working in focused intervals with short breaks in between, to boost productivity and prevent burnout.

Reflect and Adjust

Regularly assess your work-life balance and make adjustments as needed. Life and work circumstances change, so be flexible in adapting your habits and routines to ensure that you continue to prioritize your health and well-being.

Balancing work and wellness is a continuous journey, and it requires conscious effort and commitment. By incorporating these healthy habits into your daily life, you can enhance your overall quality of life, maintain high levels of productivity, and achieve success in your professional endeavors without sacrificing your well-being. Remember, a healthy professional is a productive professional.

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Morning Moon Journal

Good morning! The past few weeks I've been doing a daily morning moon journal. I know it sounds weird to do in the morning but I feel like it helps set me up for the day!

Today, I'm going to fill out my journal and start blogging on Tumblr. I gather material from different sources and this is centered around MY personal birth chart. If you'd like recommendations on apps or sites that I use, I will list that information below!

Let's get started!

Libra Today: Your mood might not be happy or upbeat today. And you know what? That's okay. It's normal to have down days, days where we're not conversational, helpful, or harmonious. Find ways to isolate a little, if possible, and do your own thing. Focus on the tasks, habits, and routines that make you feel like you care for yourself.

Super Full Moon (100% Illuminated): The full phase is associated with harvest, celebration, and gratitude. Do a gratitude ritual to give thanks for all the existing blessings, gifts, wisdom, and experiences in your life. Acknowledge all the things you have manifested so far -- if you're intentions are still new you may only see small changes, but the power of gratitude combined with the full moon will supercharge your manifestation energy. The full moon amplifies emotional sensitivity, and can bring up intense feelings which can often be overwhelming. A releasing ritual or full moon ceremony will help you to harness this energy and use it to create powerful shifts in your life. However, releasing work should only be done after the moon has reached fullness and has started to wane.

Moon Currently 29 degrees Aquarius: Aquarius rules the circulatory systems. Focus on cultivating practices that reduce stress like meditation and deep breathing -- you only need to do these a few minutes a day to see positive results. Make sure you are doing at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise, at least 3 times a week. Dry brushing a few times a week will give your circulatory system an extra boost.

Moon in 3rd House: You are likely to be surrounded by ideas and new input, which may have an impact on how you perceive and understand the world around you. Your interactions with your local environment and the people you are closest to are also likely to be in focus.

Okay, okay, okay. That's a lot of information. I typically take a break at this point and do some journaling about what I've read. Throughout my journaling process I pay attention to the phases and how my moods and actions correlate. It's a long term self-study project, basically.

I've been feeling rather down, not really depressed, just meh the past few days so my reading makes sense to me. I realized about halfway through typing out the reading why I like to do this in the morning. I feel like it sets me up for the day and gives me a reminder of the moon phase and the current positioning of it so that I can help plan my day accordingly. I can set reminders to do rituals if I think it will help me remember or if there's something I don't want to forget, if there's a special event i want to pay attention to, etc.

Today, I'm feeling a little drained so I think I'm going to focus on some grounding and centering today. I try to incorporate it in my daily routines and habits. I'm still a very new, beginner witch and I'm still learning my basics. So starting easy and taking it slow are important to me. Usually on my days where I'm feeling down or drained, I spend my time watching some fun witchy YouTube videos or doing a google search about something I have a lot of interest in.

I'm definitely still working on understanding the moon phases. I started this journal after the new moon so I haven't even been able to make my way through an entire circle. For me, this time around is just about growing a connection and bond with the moon and her energy. I'm learning a lot about myself and what I believe in, as well as the path I want to take for my spiritual journey. I'm going to be doing a lot more blogs about that kind of stuff as well, when I find the time.

Doing my journal this way is helping me learn the moon phases, understanding interactions between planets, transits, planets, the houses, and more!

Collective Mood: To thin own self be true (Moon in Aquarius until 7:55 am). Oscar Wilde said it best over a century ago: Be yourself. Everyone else is taken. It's your life, so make sure you are the one who is writing the script.

Self-Care Check In: Embrace your curiosity (Moon in the 3rd House until Friday). Curiosity will reward you now. Break up your usual patterns. Make a new playlist. Take a new route on your daily walk. If you are used to glancing to the right, try glancing to the left for a change. Lila guarantees that you will be surprised and delighted by what you discover.

Everything in my charts and readings over the past few weeks seems to be pointing to a shift in my life. I don't think its a big one. But we'll see. Most days, my readings are filled with the notion of opportunity and learning new things, which I feel like lines up with the fact I've committed to this spiritual journey. It's helped guide me a lot.

Paying attention to the way things have been lining up for me, it grows my confidence in astrology and using this system to benefit myself for the coming future. Thank you for joining me! Future Morning Moon Journals will be more centered around my own thoughts and journaling, and a little less about the why's and how's.

For these readings, I used two FREE apps, Lila and Moon Calendar. They are available in the IOS store, although I'm not sure about android.

[leanders-halcyon]

I have a few things I'd like to address here.

This is a struggle so many writers and creators have and I wish that there was a one size fits all solution to it. But what I'm discovering is everybody has a different strategy that works for them and usually this is only found through discouraging cases of trial and error.

I think having a variety of other peoples' techniques can be incredibly beneficial to figuring out which configuration of tips and tricks can help you personally when you're blocked or stuck.

For me, I have developed really bad task paralysis which has made writing incredibly difficult. It sucks because sometimes I have the motivation to write, but I just cannot do it. I also usually feel very inadequate in my writing sometimes because of my perfectionist tendencies. There are a few ways I've been working on overcoming these obstacles and combining them together is incredibly helpful.

The first is to tell yourself to work on your project for 5 minutes. It's such a small amount of time that there's little pressure. But even the smallest amount of progress is still progress. Usually, though, the hardest part is starting and once you've started, that's often enough to get you to keep going. But even if you were only able to work on it for 5 minutes, that's still 5 minutes of something. However, once I've started, I oftentimes have a difficult time stopping, so this has been generally helpful for me.

Number two is to let your work be shit. Perfectionism is severely debilitating and I'm frequently upset and disappointed that I can't translate what's in my head on to paper in the way I want. To work around this, I've begun to almost purposely make my first drafts absolute shit and then I have control over its quality. Then the only way from there is up with improvement. After awhile I can sort of just let myself write and, knowing it's not perfect and I'm not trying to make it perfect lets ideas flow much more fluidly and, more often than not, what I chug out in a first draft isn't half bad.

Third is being messy. I've found a technique that works for me is to have a notebook intended to be a mess. A hodgepodge amalgamation of first draft text, random ideas I want to add put in the middle of paragraphs, random scraps of dialogue I want to include later. To differentiate that these are half-baked ideas, I usually draw a rectangle around them or draw arrows to them in the margins. That way I'm not overwhelmed when I think of a good idea to include 8 chapters down the line while I'm still working on chapter 2. You can also use separate notebooks or the notes app for random snippets, too.

I also have a combination of ADHD and autism so I can hyperfixate on a task like writing and then get completely burnt out. This has also been quite a struggle for me to navigate. Sometimes I can write for 6 hours straight one day, and then nothing for a week. There are two main ways I've been dealing with this. One is to kind of let it happen. If I write for six hours one day, that's great. I know because of that amount of work I'll probably need a few rest days and that's okay. You're not a failure for taking breaks and rests between bursts of work. But if this isn't a process you want or like, then there needs to be a system to prevent burnout in the first place which means instead of takes day-long breaks, the points of rest come between writing sessions. Write for 45 minutes, then do something else. Find something fun and "unproductive" to do. Do some things you need to get done. Then go and write for another 45 minutes.

Going outside, getting exercise, and reading can also be helpful. Relaxing your brain and giving it room to think and breathe without pressure. Reading is good because usually the more you read the better you write. So if you're reading, in a way you're still working on your own writing. (Reading books from authors about writing can also be beneficial).

All of this is way easier said than done and there's still good days and bad days. Even though I have all these ideas to help for motivation, sometimes they work and sometimes they don't and I'm still trying to figure out what works best for me, too.

This whole long spiel of mine is probably not what OP thought of when posting this and maybe I went a little overboard. But motivation in writing has also been hard for me and I relate to the struggle a lot.

how do you motivate yourself to write? do you have any tips or nice websites that make planning and worldbuilding a bit easier?