#but the emotional state of depression is the same as the long term mental state of depression

[edwardshundredyearoldspunk]

the weird thing about depression when you no longer want to kill yourself is that it's so…boring? like it's almost so fucking boring that you cry just to have some interesting emotion?? you realize that the wanting to kill yourself part was kinda like a little dopamine rush. it kept things interesting. a will-they-won't-they kinda thing between you and the river styx. and it's not 2013 anymore so you can't even romanticize it cuz everyone's got depression now. like you aren't even special anymore for being depressed, you're just depressed.

[myun-saidthoughts]

˗ˏˋ ⭐ ˎˊ˗ Astrology Observations ˗ˏˋ ⭐ ˎˊ˗

🌟 The placement of Pluto in your chart can reveal the theme of pain or transformation you might experience in this life—pain that serves as a catalyst for profound internal and mental shifts within yourself.

The depth of pain will be dependent on your own choices; if you choose to ignore red flags the harsher and more severe the wake up call would be.

Pluto in the 5th house: Struggles might emerge from overindulgence in impulsive or immature choices, such as gambling or seeking joy in fleeting pleasures (such as affairs or short term relationships). Poor choices may manifest because there's a need of deep inner child healing, which could cause deeper emotional wounds in the process. The extremes of choosing quick fun can lead into a habit of poor decision making.  Pluto in the 7th house: Challenges and transformative pain often arise through intimate romantic relationships, pushing you to confront deep-seated patterns and fears. If you keep choosing people who won't choose you or if you rely on others for a sense of self, identity or acceptance then the wake up call would be more prominent or severe. Pluto in the 11th house: Painful experiences may come through friendships or involvement in communities, leading to shifts in how you connect with and trust others. If you find yourself relying on others or seeking external validation through communities, friend groups, or social connections, the wake-up call may lead you to recognize your own worth and embrace yourself as you are, without needing acknowledgment from others. Pluto in the 12th house: Ignoring your psyche or mental struggles can lead to self-unraveling. The more you avoid or dismiss your internal mental health setbacks, the deeper and more painful the lessons will become. You may not even be aware of your emotional needs, but the longer you avoid confronting your sensitivity or past wounds—whether from childhood or relationships—the harder it will be to redefine your self-concept and belief system. You may even experience a revelation about yourself after overcoming depression or anxiety, which can help you understand yourself better. However, remember that being introspective and aware doesn't always mean you're truly feeling your feelings. You may know what to think or how to act, but it’s crucial to connect the emotions you've been holding onto with the feelings beneath them.

Pluto placed in less interactive houses may have a less intense theme, but if you also have Chiron in the same house, its influence can become much more prominent and life-changing, amplifying the potential for deep healing or painful growth.

🌟 If you have many inner planets in your 5th, 7th, or 8th house, you're more likely to seek out romantic connections, desire a partner, or long for one—even if you’ve experienced emotional turmoil in your childhood due to your parents or past partners.

🌟 If you have many inner planets in your 1st, 2nd, or 12th house, you’re less likely to be open to a connection. Subconsciously, you might desire or wish for someone to be “your person,” but you may never allow yourself to fully give in.

🌟 With 8th house synastry, the intensity of this connection swings between unspoken loyalty and complete avoidance—one extreme driven by the fear of showing disinterest, and the other by the fear of being a burden. If you’re not preoccupied with displaying your loyalty to them in a room full of people, you find yourself avoiding eye contact or minimizing conversation to maintain a facade of “normalcy”—a normalcy that doesn’t truly exist in this connection.

🌟 Pisces/Scorpio placements may have a strong tendency to seek deep emotional experiences during times of creativity. They often search for a specific feeling or emotional state as a catalyst to create art or writing.

🌟 Aquarius placements, especially Moon or Rising, often struggle with avoidance as one of their worst traits in any relationships they navigate—whether romantic, platonic, or even with themselves.

🌟 Scorpios are known for their extreme loyalty. Once they choose you, they are deeply committed and unlikely to leave unless a traumatic emotional blockage arises within the relationship.

🌟 Scorpio risings can have beautiful striking eyes, and because of that their eyes can heavily influence appearance. Their eyes may even become an ice breaker for conversations/be talked about a-lot.

🌟 Aries + Libra axis turnover rate when it comes to relationships is incredibly high. Moving on to the next can come naturally to them unless they have other placements that contradicts that tendency.

🌟 Air signs need intellectual stimulation; they need to feel excited and curious with you.

🌟 8th House placements (esp. Moon or Sun) or Scorpio placements are incredibly private towards the public. They naturally will not post on social media: no instagram stories, tweets, memes, their thoughts or feelings willingly and openly.

This is because

At a young age their needs, thoughts or wishes were ignored and pushed to the side for others sake and so they now have coped to never share their own inner thoughts or feelings to others.

They've been burned or hurt in the past by someone they've trusted, and now they don't share or openly state their true feelings outwardly towards others.

If they have a Taurus/Libra/Leo IC or Gemini/Sagittarius/placements then the chances of sharing themselves online is more likely.

🌟 In 8th/Pluto + 12th/Neptune house synastry connections, if you two are not on speaking terms sudden lows may occur when you're reminded of what was.

If it's been weeks or months since you've both talked and one random day they watch your story on your social media a sudden longing for them may come.

If you run into them and the conversation didn't amount to what you wished for, a low may come and you'll feel as if the relationship is completely over.

🌟 8th house synastry amounts to constant cycles and loops, if you're not wishing for them, you say you're over them.

There could be an emotional block between you two and the desire for them may diminish but If they look at you for one second the way they used too, the desire for them will arise as if the feeling never left.

🌟 In 12th house and Neptune synastry, you might covertly share song lyrics on your social media, hoping they’ll read them and sense that the lyrics are meant as a message for them. Instead of expressing your feelings face-to-face, posting these lyrics in a "hidden" way feels safer.

And if so, you yourself may wonder if anything they publicly post, say, or do is a secret message for you.

You may even go out of your way to somehow find a perfect song that depicts the relationship between you two and use that song as a indirect message to state your true feelings without having to outwardly verbalize them.

(The above statement is more true for those who have Pisces, 12th house, Neptune influence in their cart)

🌟 3rd house synastry creates ease with communication, especially if there's 4th house synastry as well, and if the planets involved are the Sun, Moon, or Venus.

🌟 For 12th house synastry to cause intense idealizations, thoughts, dreams, wishes or obsessiveness there has to be attraction involved, the more attracted you are to them the more you'll idealize them.

🌟 A Neptune/12th house person and a planet person can both experience intense desire, longing, or overthinking, but the way they process these feelings depends on their individual natal charts.

🌟 With 8th and 12th house synastry connections, you might never actually date the person, yet the emotions they evoke within you can feel as profound and intimate as if you had.

🌟 Neptune and 12th house synastry: "You are perfect for me; you feel like everything I could ever wish for in someone."

If you're avoidant, this feeling can be terrifying because it brings a sense of inadequacy, as if you could never live up to the idealized version of yourself they see. You'll long for them deeply, but the way they look at you may feel unsettling, foreign, or out of place. Even if they seem like your dream person, self-doubt can drive you to run. You might fear disappointing them or feel you’ll never measure up to the partner they deserve. You'll view them as some sort of prize from a distance and you'll search for them in other connections but you'll never allow yourself to choose them, not like they choose you.

If you're anxious, this feeling will strike a familiar chord, it'll resonate so deeply within and letting go will seem impossible. You'll feel this pull toward them, you'll feel as if they’re your muse, your catharsis, and you'll wish that they were your person. Even without words, you'll sense that they want you, and this silent connection will consume your thoughts. You’ll compare the way they make you feel to everyone else, and you'll search for that same intensity in other people's gazes. You’ll sit in your head, wondering if your wishes align with theirs, questioning if they feel the same. Over time, you’ll realize the emotions they stir in you are unmatched, which leads you to hold onto the connection longer than you should, you'll rather wish on the what could be's than accept what is.

🌟 Pisces or 12th house placements often turn to writing or art as a means of expressing their inner thoughts, feelings, and longings. The more they feel, the more their creativity flows.

🌟 If you have water placements or planets in water houses (4th, 8th, 12th), deep emotions are embedded within you. The more you avoid these feelings, the more likely physical symptoms such as anxiety or mental struggles will occur. It's your body’s way of processing the hidden emotions you’ve learned to suppress. These unaddressed feelings can manifest in subtle, physical ways, and it's a reflection of the emotional turmoil beneath the surface.

🌟 With 8th house synastry, the second and I mean very second there's a emotional block between you two the deep seated desire for them becomes less intense.

Ex: If you also share 12th house synastry with them, parts of their actions will feel like subtle hints that are meant for you, in essence you want to believe you are more important to them than others, and you feel like you are. But once something comes to light or if you were shown that what you thought to be wasn't the case, the realization creates emotional distance and the desire for them (in that moment) shrinks. It feels as if the importance that you thought your presence gave them suddenly means nothing, and from that feeling creates a instant "I'm never speaking to them again" mentality.

🌟 With the 12th house involved, their actions may reveal their actual character, and while you are able to clearly see these actions (in a objective sense), you might still feel deeply tied to the version of them you want to believe exists. You’ll observe their behavior yet convince yourself that someone better lies beneath the surface.

🌟 With 8th and 12th house synastry, there’s a part of you that feels you’ll never compare to anyone else they encounter. Even if you two never dated, there’s a deep sense that the way they feel when they’re with you is unmatched and it's something you intuitively will feel. It's likely that there will be no set actions or verbal affirmations to confirm this knowing.

[starastrologyy]

Solar Return Observations (Part Two)

Hi everyone, I decided to make a part two since people appreciated the 1st post. If you are interested to see what’s likely to occur for you in your life from one year to the next, the link to purchase a reading is in my bio :)

An afflicted Neptune in the 11th house of a Solar Return can indicate friendship troubles in the year. It’s not uncommon to lose friends or lose a friend in such a year.

Solar Return Moon in the 12th house can be a very emotionally difficult year (especially if the moon receives many squares from the other planets). However, I find that most people become interested in Astrology or spirituality when their Solar Return Sun, Moon, or Mercury is in the Solar return 12th house.

It’s common to begin therapy when you have your Solar Return Mercury in the 8th house. I had a client of mine begin DBT sessions when she had her Solar Return Mercury in her 8th house (she gave me permission to share this information for anyone who may be concerned).

When your Solar Return Sun makes a conjunction to Venus, this can be a very social year for you. Especially if this conjunction occurs in the 3rd, 5th, or 11th houses.

There’s the inclination to attract unfulfilling romantic unions or relationships that are hard to make work when you have your Solar Return Venus opposite the Solar Return Saturn. If you are already in a relationship, you may find that certain responsibilities and obligations are pulling you in the opposite direction of that relationship. Thus, a lot of compromise and conscious effort on your part is required during that solar return year. Some astrologers argue that Venus opposite Saturn can indicate a break up, but I’ve honestly seen that more with Venus square Saturn or Venus square Uranus in the Solar Return chart.

My personal finances changes drastically (for the better) when I had my Solar Return Pluto in the 2nd house. However, I must say I had my Solar Return Venus in the 8th and Jupiter In the 11th too. Furthermore, my solar return Ascendant was the sign over my natal 2nd house cusp. Hence, finances were a major theme for me this particular year.

When the ruler of your solar return midheaven is in the 9th. You may be required to travel for work. It can also mean that your work may involve some form of learning or exposure to certain things that expand your worldviews.

In terms of your mental state during the year, I would actually look at the condition of your 3rd house (and Mercury) first and foremost. Then the 12th, and then the 8th. If you have Saturn in the 3rd house feelings of depression or despondency can often emerge. This is especially true if Saturn receives many squares. Uranus in the 3rd can cause feelings of restlessness and in some cases anxiety. If you want to look at your emotional state I would look to the condition of the Moon, 4th, and 12th house.

A solar return year where you have Venus conjunct Mars can be a year in which you experience an increase in your sex drive and general appeal. You’ll be radiating an aura that other people find hard to ignore. Attracting more sexual or romantic partners is also a possibility in such a year. (Whether these are long-term partners need to be determined by looking at the overall condition of Venus and the solar return 7th house) you also need to take note of your transits and to a lesser extent to progressions.

When your Solar Return Ascendant is in the same sign as your Natal Ascendant this can be a significant year for you, when it comes to your physical appearance and your personality. People often see you in a “different light” in such a year. You may be making the conscious effort to change your look or how you present yourself to others. Even if this change is not blatant, people will often notice a difference in your appearance and your outward persona/mannerisms.

[taintedheartx]

Unsaid words ll

Pairing: Neteyam x fem!Omatikaya reader

Warnings: angst, childhood friends, miscommunication trope, friends to lovers, one sided pining, she fell first he fell harder, depressed neteyam, heated kissing, fluff, (uses of y/n)

Synopsis: After Neteyam’s confession doesn’t go as planned, it is clear you need space to think, before you make your decision.

A/n: sorry for the wait.. I got writers block and school stuff got in the way so yeah.. also didn’t know how I was gonna do this part but I think I got it down now..

It had been weeks since you had spoken to neteyam that day in the forest.

It was eating away at you, his confession was too much for you to handle.

You didn’t even know how you would gather the courage to talk to him, you loved him, yes.

But this was such bad timing.

Even when you had left with loak and kiri to fly they had noticed your change of mood, one that wasn’t displayed on your face earlier that day.

“What’s wrong y/n?” Kiri exclaims her concern and it’s written all over her face how worried she was.

“Nothing..I’m okay.” you try to say calmly as to not show any suspicion, as they both looked at each other with a look, you tried to act normal after that but it was hard not to show any emotion about the fact that their brother was the cause of your mood.

Two weeks passed of avoiding him everywhere you went, you would avoid certain parts of kelutral so even you wouldn’t visit the sully’s hut anymore to specifically avoid seeing neteyam.

He felt like he was losing his mind, maybe he shouldn’t have told you anything. But at least you knew how he felt.

His parents have even noticed his change of mood as of lately. “Ma Jake have you noticed something off with neteyam?”

“No…why?” He turns his head towards her with furrowed brows.

“I’ve been noticing he’s staying out longer than usual, and his ears are always down.. I feel like something’s up with him.”

“He’s probably just going through a phase of something.” Jake brushes it off. “No it’s not a phase jake you need to talk to him.” She states.

“Alright, I’ll talk to him.” He replies, with a simple nod to his wife, giving her a kiss on the cheek before making his way out of the mauri.

Later that day he had pulled neteyam aside from training when he noticed exactly what neytiri was talking about.

He was hurting, emotionally and mentally he felt lost without you. This was the most distance that has ever been between you both in your years of friendship.

You had always been on speaking terms, so when you weren’t it wasn’t the same. He felt so empty and it was beginning to show.

He was overworking himself constantly to get his mind off of you, not eating or talking as much.

Jake walks to the edge of the treeline past some shrubs and foliage and instructs his son to sit on a round boulder.

“What is it boy, what’s on your mind?” Jake says as he leans his back on the rock.

Neteyam hated crying but his feelings were too bottled up inside him, he just had to let it out.

“It’s Y/N I waited too long to ask her to be my mate.” He chokes out holding back tears.

Jake was taken aback at his burst of emotion. He must have been kept this bottled up for some time to have a reaction like this.

He kept such a facade on all the time, taking himself too seriously because he was held up to a very high standard as to being the firstborn and the next to become olo’eyktan.

His only weakness was you.

“What happened son?” I didn’t know you had a thing for y/n that’s great.”

Neteyam shuts his words down, “It doesn’t matter now. I missed my chance, Rai’uk wants to court her and I’m not sure what she’s gonna say.” Neteyam says doubting that you would give him a chance now.

“Okay, well you said he “wants” to meaning hasn’t yet, you still have a chance son, you just need to let her know how you feel.”

Neteyam takes in a hitched breath from the excessive crying,“I did but it’s complicated dad she was waiting for me to choose her..and I never did.. I’m such a skxwang for waiting too long.”

Jake quietly chuckles to himself hearing his first son go on about his teenage feelings about a girl, reminding of him and how he was younger and first met neytiri.

He knew you since you were a child, as a young girl you were always welcome to their home. Neytiri took a liking to you immediately since you were such a gentle girl with a kind heart.

He didn’t know about his son’s feelings for you though, and in order to be of any help he needed to know the details.

“When did you say this to her, what did she say back?” putting a hand on his shoulder in attempt to comfort him.

“Like two weeks ago, and she said she needed to think about what I had said to her.” He says sniffing and wiping a tear from his face.

“Okay, well think about it this way neteyam, she said she needs to think about it, that doesn’t necessarily mean you lost your chance.”

Neteyam turns his gaze to meet his father’s in response to his words.

“She’ll come to you on her own when she wants to talk, if she really wants to work things out with you…you just need to be patient and give it time.”

“Overthinking won’t solve anything.”

Neteyam heard his father’s words and nodded at his words as to take them in almost to get a better understanding.

“Head home son you did enough work today.”

It was quite rare for Jake to let him go home early, but he figured to cut his son some slack. Regardless neteyam was thankful, and had now had a change of mood to come at his situation a different way.

You on the other hand, had wanted space from Rai’uk as well mainly because as he was handsome and all he is also very dull and doesn’t really have much personality to him as neteyam does. You told Rai’uk that you needed space as well.

You were questioning if Rai’uk was the person you wanted to spend your life with. You were much more comfortable with neteyam having known him since you were both children.

It was obvious who you were going to choose.

Later that day you had made up your mind that you were just going to talk to neteyam and say how you really feel, not what you want to feel.

But what you actually feel.

You let a few hours pass and it was already going to be time for communal dinner.

The last few days you were sitting with kiri and loak. Neteyam sitting not to far from his siblings stole a few glances at you, how you were so naturally yourself with his siblings that you never would’ve guessed that all these things that were said just between you and him.

You too stole glances and wanted nothing more to speak to him but your own stubbornness didn’t allow you too.

Until today, you couldn’t let yourself get in the way this time.

After mostly everyone had finished most of their meals, everyone hangs around just talking.

Loak and kiri were bantering about whatever sibling antics they were occupied and that’s when you got up before you could have the chance to overthink.

You had made your way to where he was hunched over talking to one of his friends.

His friend saw you coming before he did. Instantly pointing your presence out which caught neteyam’s attention. You clear your throat briefly, “Is it okay if I speak with you neteyam?” He looks up and for two weeks your eyes were finally on him.

He was a bit caught off guard cheeks heating up at the sound of your voice, nonetheless he nervously took your hand as you led him the forest.

You had already played out in your mind how you were going to tell him, that you chose him.

That he was always the one you have been undeniably in love with.

You strided the forest with confidence, neteyam behind you admiring the way your hips moved when you walked. You stopped a bit further in the green foliage.

“Neteyam I have thought about what you said to me, and how insensitive I was about your feelings.”

“I was only frustrated with my feelings I didn’t take consideration of your own.”

“ it’s okay y/n, you don’t ever have to apologize, I dropped all of my feelings on to you, it was reasonable to be upset.” He looks down for a brief moment.

You take in his words but don’t get the chance to respond because he follows after with, “y/n I need you to know that I love you, that I will always love you.” He looks up as to show how serious he was. You heart swells with emotion at his words.

Choosing neteyam was always easy for you, he never wanted to hurt you in any way, and you’d be lying if you said you didn’t love him back, so you tell the truth.

“I love you too neteyam, more than anything.” A smile creeps on his lips as you said the words he thought he never would hear. He steps closer to you and grabs your hands in his.

“ I don’t know how I managed to keep my feelings for you hidden for so long, I was so stupid before, but please let me show you that I will be better for you now.”

“Please give this a chance.”

You felt heat in your cheeks rise up in your face as you rub the back of his hand with your fingers.

“Please be my mate y/n.”

You dreamt of the day he would ask you this, the day he would take your hand into his and ask you to spend the rest of your life with him.

You place your hand on his cheek and smile at him, you answer his question by crashing your lips on to his, his eyes widen at the sudden kiss, but flutter close as he loses himself in your taste.

He moves his hands to your waist pulling you closer into him, deepening the kiss you felt his tongue slip between your lips until eventually they went farther the more eager he was getting.

You break the kiss briefly to breathe, the silence in the air filled by you two catching your breath.

“I would love to be your mate, neteyam.” You say in between pants.

He looks at you with lustful eyes admiring every freckle on your face, he couldn’t believe this was happening that you loved him unconditionally.

he cups your cheek in his hand and smiles eyes darting down at your lips, before he leans down and gives you the most slow intimate kiss ever.

You have the familiar feeling of butterflies in your stomach mad you feel like folding again.

A/N: kinda want to make a part 3 to this possibly where they are further in their relationship but we’ll see.. hope you enjoyed and thx for reading.🤍

[rottenteeth]

Science time with Rottenteeth!

To preface, DID is a trauma disorder just as PTSD is a trauma disorder, there is just heavier compartmentalization. Also there is nothing wrong morally with not wanting to, not having the resources to, or not being stable enough to recover. That isn't what this is about, its about the harm some people are causing to themselves unknowingly. My goal is education and harm reduction.

(Long post but many resources at the bottom)

Every system is different because everyone's trauma is different. This however, does not and will never apply to the treatment of dissociative identity disorder. There are 2 options if you want to recover and process trauma to the fullest extent. Being a functional integrated system and final fusion. These require the same treatment; stabilization, processing trauma, and the breaking down of dissociative barriers.

This means alter separation and the encouragement of treating them like genuine people, is counterintuitive to said path. Using people based language is not wrong, but genuinely believing you are multiple people will make your life much less functional. If you treat alters like separate people even with this knowledge, that is your decision and may be the safest option for your current situation. But it can and will make the future much harder.

Telling people with DID- a disorder that makes you disconnected from reality and fantasy prone- that a fully functional life and stable mental state is possible while "being multiple people" is not okay. Me and these other misinfo blogs aim to show people the true reality of this disorder and its treatment.

You wouldn't tell someone with PTSD that if processing trauma makes them feel bad then they don't have to process it to have a healthy life. You wouldn't tell someone with schizophrenia that they should embrace their hallucinations and treat them like they're real just because they feel real. Nor would you tell someone with depression that doing nothing and withdrawing from social interaction is helpful and a healthy path just because it feels the least taxing.

So why is it okay to endorse alter separation when we know that more alter separation=more dissociative barriers=less trauma processing? Why do we want people to not properly process their trauma?

Just because someone is more comfortable with the idea of being separate people (which occurs so that one can disown their trauma and emotions) does not mean it is a healthy recovery path. This disorder makes it so that "being multiple" is the most comfortable because that's what made life somewhat livable. That doesn't mean it's good, recovery will never be a happy comfortable process, it is a challenging and grueling process, it always has been.

It is okay to not be ready to accept alters as part of a whole, it is okay to feel scared when acknowledging that those things happened to all of you. Sometimes treating parts like people is a stage in the stabilization and trauma processing parts of treatment.

What isn't okay is making people think that treating yourself like you are multiple people in one body is a healthy thing long term. You are allowed to do so and my aim is to only educate these people about the long term harm they are doing so that they are informed in their decisions.

I think the confusion comes in because when we say alters are not separate people, it gets taken as us saying they shouldn't be treated with kindness and respect like a human. This is not and never has been what any of these accounts mean. Alters have individuality and may feel like different people and it is okay to acknowledge that, and they still deserve respect and compassion. But this does not mean they are people. No matter how severe your barriers are.

This disorder is not alter disorder but they are a manifestation of trauma and unmet needs. This doesn't diminish the fact that accepting this idea of being a fractured whole is incredibly hard and should be done with the help of a therapist during stabilization.

Here are some good resources:

[hyperlexichypatia]

You don't have to be "happy" to deserve the freedom to control your own life.

It's easy to justify people's right to live their lives as they choose with "Let them do whatever makes them happy!" or "As long as they're happy, who cares?"

I've said this! But it's not a very effective argument. Because how can you prove that you're "happy" -- a subjective emotional state?

Queer people, disabled people, fat people, Mad/neurodivergent people, people in stigmatized relationships, are constantly told that we're wrong about our own happiness. That we think we're happy, but this false belief is part of our Mental Illness(TM). No one Like That could ever really be happy!

And this prejudice is fundamentally unfalsifiable. We can't prove our subjective feelings. If we could, people would somehow redefine "happiness" to exclude what they don't approve of.

I made the mistake of reading the comments on this article about age differences in relationships which literally has the headline "They say they're happy. Why is it so hard to believe them?" Of course, the commenters were all too eager to answer the rhetorical question. "If they were really happy, they wouldn't need to say so" (maybe they're sick of being asked). "People in situations like that don't know what's really going on, they think they're happy!" (what, exactly, is the difference between thinking oneself to be happy and actual happiness?).

(Side note for the relationship-specific version of this: I also see a lot of "They think they're in love!" and I have to ask: If people in relatively new relationships are told that "You only think you're in love, you're actually in lust/ a crush/ new relationship energy," and people in established long-term relationships are told that "You only think you're in love, but it's actually complacency/ not knowing any better/ helplessness," is there a magical medium-term relationship duration at which people can actually love their partners?)

You can never prove that you're "really happy," because if someone has already decided that your identity/lifestyle is incompatible with happiness, they will never believe you.

Arguing "I should be free to make my own choices or be myself, because I'm happy this way" will only prompt the response "The fact that you so mistakenly believe that you're happy is proof that you're mentally incompetent, and you should not, in fact, be free to make your own choices or be That Way."

Being constantly "happy" at all times is, also, just a completely unreasonable expectation. Humans have a range of emotions! Experiencing the full range of positive and negative human emotions is not a reason to deny us our rights.

In Jesse Singal's anti-trans hit piece, which I'm not linking to, Singal cites parents of a trans man who oppose their son's right to transition because, according to them, he was depressed after his transition. Now, notably, the son was not interviewed (and he was misgendered throughout), so we have absolutely no idea what his actual emotional state actually was (I don't know if the son ever went on the record anywhere with his own version of his story). But let's assume, for the sake of discussion, that his parents were correct, and he was depressed. So what? Trans people have the right to be depressed! Trans people have the right to the same emotional range as cis people! People's rights should not be dependent on what emotions they do or don't experience.

Additionally, this insistence on "happiness" as a prerequisite for rights, autonomy, and acceptance (willfully) ignores that the denial of rights, autonomy, and acceptance tends to make people unhappy.

Authoritarians think they have a real gotcha with "If you're happy this way, then why are you complaining?" as if people can't be profoundly happy with their identities and profoundly unhappy with how society treats them for those identities.

I am, for the most part, reasonably happy with being a fat, Mad, autistic, queer woman. At least I generally feel no pressing desire to change any of those things about myself. And I am extremely unhappy with the way I am treated for being a fat, Mad, autistic, queer woman.

But there are certainly times when I might think to myself "If I were taller, I could reach that top shelf" or "If I were thinner, I could maneuver into this tight space" or "If I weren't autistic, I could travel more." And at those times, I still deserve autonomy and basic human rights. I might be happy, sad, angry, anxious, excited, blase, or in a state of perfect Zen, and I would still deserve autonomy and basic human rights.

[punkboyjack]

The shit lie of SRS in Iran

So it's a something stuck in my brain ( and my life ) that I think people need to know about it is the thing about LGBTQ+ people in Iran especially T because I'm trans and it's little too much complicated in iran

Bing trans in Iran has some benefits in look but it's a lie

We are known as mentally ill people

We have the same problems as any other LGBTQ+ person in the world but with a higher rate

Most of the time, they give strong psychedelic drugs and hormones to trans children ( or just LGBT childrens )

And I was so paranoid about it that I wouldn't take any of the psychiatrists' pills when I was depressed (my parents don't know that I just got better somehow and no one doubt about it)

The Iranian government also monitors online transgender communities, often subjecting them to censorship, and police routinely arrest trans people

Unfortunately most Iranian parents like boys so trans woman's are badly treated almost 92% of trans women in Iran faced verbal or emotional violence and over 70% had faced physical violence

And the rate of murder and attempted suicide among trans people in Iran is high (mostly trans women).

and that really sad bcz one of the trans woman's that a used to know have Ben send to who knows where for the military training by her dad because ( HE was not man enough)

1_pre surgery is hell : we go on a all girl / all boy schools and I think it's like Catholic schools over there

And people don't respect us we mostly have problem finding friends we don't have the From the social point of view, it is almost impossible to identify ourselves as transgender because the government has strictly separated men and women. I didn't really know what my problem was until I was 13 years old

Worst and most important part is telling our parents that we are trans and they should support us because all the work of the license is done with the consent of the family and even one of Iranian actors (Maziar Lorestani) had to wait 56 years until his father passed away and he was finally able to take HRT just think about it you are a 56 years old person a total mature and you can't do it without your father permission and don't forget they are totally free to rather kill you or throw you at the streets to rot

2_ the surgery is chipper here (it's a lie ) -> we spent Soo much money and time ( and mental health) on permission to do surgery and most of people who do this surgeries are not even have expertise in this work And they have long-term side effects that are not good at all

first submitted to a long and invasive process

including virginity tests ( idk whyyy)

formal parental approval ( I told you)

, psychological ( it's just the worst part you can't imagine how terrible this psychologists are )

inspection by the Family Court ( like a god damn criminal )

If we don do the HRT step by step we are basically nothing to them and Thay don't give a fuck about us unless we did something wrong or something and then we are basically dead as hell

Like let's say you are a heterosexual trans men who don't want to do a surgery and you have girlfriend who loves you and respect's you

Will no you don't you are just a lesbian to them and will if they found out what's between your legs you and your gf are going to be executed I'm not joking

3_After surgery, is hard as hell : discrimination, from the law, the state, and from the people around us

Given the lowest quality of hormone therapy, we usually do not have reliable sources for it . Surgery under the hands of non-specialists causes dangerous side effects, and if we are imprisoned, we will no longer get hormones

And not so fun fact : Most of the gay people in Iran are recognized as transgender and they have to tell us about the process because otherwise they will be executed. For the government, changing their gender of poor gay people shows a better face than killing them

And yeah rest of your gay life you are just unfortunate person stuck in a person of your own body

Bruh I read it all over and I'm not even close to the realty it's too much

[bonni]

Hii Bonni different anon here with a genuine question - I’d love to hear what you think about the difference between “process addiction” (porn, gambling, etc) and “chemical addiction” (heroin, alcohol, etc). Is one more clinically “legitimate” than the other?

It's not so much that one is more legitimate than the other, and in fact there are huge problems in terms of how we understand both.

The concept of chemical addiction has been greatly misconstrued by anti-drug initiatives and pharmacological organizations. Drugs are not inherently addictive, even powerful ones like opioids and heroin; anti-drug initiatives tells us that drug addiction is caused primarily by chemical factors, i.e. you try a drug once, it alters the chemistry of your brain, you begin to crave it. This is a gross oversimplification of how drug addiction operates. Consider: people in hospitals are regularly given morphine for pain relief, but those people don't become addicted to painkillers. Since the beginning of human existence, we have found ways to use substances recreationally; but not everyone who drinks alcohol becomes an alcoholic, not everyone who smokes weed develops and addiction, and not everyone who receives a prescription for opioids after a surgery becomes dependent on them long-term. Drug addiction is much better understood as a social phenomenon. People may turn to drugs because they are struggling in life, and drugs can increase their productivity or alleviate their physical or emotional pain; eventually, if they find themselves using these drugs more and more, they develop a tolerance, and have to take larger and larger quantities of said drugs to achieve the same effects. They may also turn to stronger drugs that are more expensive or have harsher side effects. If you'd like to learn more about the social model of drug addiction, Chasing the Scream by Johann Hari is an easy read and a good entry text.

The social model gives us a lens through which to understand behavioral addictions as well, such as gambling. The use of an addiction model to understand gambling problems is well-researched and falls in line with how we understand addiction as a relationship to criminality and as a feedback loop initiated by social and mental health factors. Gambling addicts tend to struggle with depression and job-related stress and there is a high comorbidity between gambling addiction and alcoholism.

I've talked briefly about criminality. Addiction can only be understood through the lens of who is defining what addiction is, namely the government and the psychiatric industry. Let's look at alcoholism, which is frequently categorized as an addiction despite alcohol being legal. The line between being a healthy drinker and an alcoholic is influenced by a number of factors, including cultural ones: in the United States, alcoholism is frequently defined by the number of drinks a person has in a week, and binge drinking is defined by the number of drinks they have in a single night. But drinking is a lot more common in Europe, and what we define as alcoholism or binge drinking in America is completely different from how alcoholism is understood in France or the UK. Like other addiction models, alcoholism is also defined by its relationship to criminality; a history of underage drinking, incidence of drunk driving, and "drunk and disorderly" behavior are all commonly understood to be associated with alcoholism, and generally indicate an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. But, again, there are cultural factors here: we have a higher than average drinking age in the US, we live in a car-based society, and American culture is highly individualistic, so people who are loud in public spaces are more likely to be criminalized. I'm not the best person to ask about the relationship between addiction and criminality because I haven't researched it nearly as much as I would like, but these are some things to consider whenever you're discussing addiction.

Now, let's look at porn addiction. There is currently a large, lucrative industry trying to convince us that porn addiction is an epidemic that can be cured using behavioral intervention by unlicensed, often religiously-affiliated individuals. This is a huge red flag. Part of the reason that gambling fits so well into a framework developed to describe substance abuse is that in drug addiction, alcoholism, and gambling addiction, there is a point at which there is a shift from using a substance or behavior for pleasure towards using the substance or behavior to relieve a craving or avoid withdrawal. This is how addiction is generally defined by medical professionals. Most scientists soundly reject using an addiction model to describe one's relationship with pornography, because research and evidence does not support the theory that an overinvestment in pornographic content results in this same feedback loop. This article (see bottom of post for link) provides a pretty good summary of the research (and lack thereof) into pornography addiction. One major claim that people who believe in porn addiction have is that pornography and frequent masturbation result in sexual dysfunction, but this is not supported in research, and anecdotal evidence may be the result of individuals not understanding the concept of refractory periods between orgasms (relevant because a majority of the people who report porn addiction are cisgender men). Basically, if you masturbate regularly, you may be more likely to attempt partnered sex during a refractory period, resulting in temporary difficulty in achieving an erection; this isn't sexual dysfunction and it's far from permanent, it's just how most penises work. And then, of course, there's the claim that pornography is addictive because people feel "unable to stop" watching it. This seems to be where the TikTok discourse is coming from, at least. I'll just go ahead and paste a quote from the article for this one:

"Some have cited personal religious values as providing a conflict between their [visual sexual stimuli] VSS use and feeling unable to stop. Religious conflict was the main reason cited for problems viewing VSS in one study. Those who want treatment for sex addiction are also more likely to be members of organized religion and hold strong religious values. However, the reverse was not true: religiosity explained little variance (3%) in the decision to use VSS. Far more people report a feeling of inability to control their VSS use, than actually report life difficulties resulting from their use. Feeling unable to stop may reflect personal value conflicts with normal VSS use. No data currently support the notion that ‘porn addicts’ have difficulty inhibiting their VSS use."

TL;DR addiction is a complex and highly problematic model as is, but even stripping it down to its most rudimentary definition, there is no existing model of addiction that "porn addiction" fits into. While we should be questioning how addiction is defined in general and seeking better ways to understand why substance abuse and problem gambling occur, that is a significantly more nuanced conversation than disproving porn addiction, which is just straight-up pseudoscientific and unsupported by research.

EDIT: tumblr mobile will not let me embed a link for some reason, so here is the url to the article I mentioned above:

www.researchgate.net/publication/258565076_The_Emperor_Has_No_Clothes_A_Review_of_the_'Pornography_Addiction'_Model

[mrvenuspluto]

PAIN UNSPOKEN

(DEPRESSION)

Right before your eyes we all see and deal with depression one way or another many are just better at hiding It. It gets overlooked and treated like everyone's symptom is the same. In many cases their not, there are so many different symptoms and signs of depression. Now their are some people who self afflict depression on theirselves by always wanting things their way or not being happy over what they were blessed with. The real cases are, clinical depression ( which can deal with appetite loss, energy loss, lack of sleep, self esteem, and suicide thoughts.) Persistent depressive disorder ( just like clinical but on a more milder side, also loss of sleep, appetite, energy levels, only different these symptoms are mild but can become long term in a persons life.) Bipolar disorder ( which deal with episodes of mood swings and lows and highs of manic highs, can make a person very indecisive in life and needs.) Also their is a bipolar disorder level 2 ( its the same as the original bipolar but it can make person have one particular depress state weeks at a time then jumping to another class depress state for a couple days, and make the person very irritable.) Postpartum depression ( called PPD, which a mom deals with after conceiving a newborn, she gets random mood swings, crying, anxiety, can last for weeks if not treated or recognized can become a long term illness.) The list doesn't stop, their are so many illness that we all deal with everyday, everybody brain haves something going, doesn't mean that you are crazy or you experience this symptoms like others. Everyone brain is unique in their own way, some just obtain knowledge faster or at a different capacity than other while many may need to break it down and compartmentalize different situations is sections to understand. We see people behaving at a maniac and abnormal way we are so quick to judge a person and classify them in such terms like they are a subject or a science experiment. When dealing with such people it takes patience, understanding, and knowledge to apply the care and healing. This all stems from are different genetic makeup, past-life, upbringing, natal alignments, aspects, and lifestyle you live. If you are familiar with astrology there are some placements that could justify these symptoms. The moon can cause depression, not the moon alone but its conjunction or if its debilitated. The moon deals with the mind, emotions and how you react to different situations everyday. also, Saturn, Rahu, Ketu, Mercury and Jupiter can also effect your mood. If the moon is your peace and solitude and Saturn is cold and heavy these two will cause your mental to be at a detached way of thinking and look at the world as cold and not inviting. You begin to make yourself feel unworthy and criticize your own thoughts, which would put u at a depress stage. When Ketu get involved it digs in your subconscious so if you have deep rooted issues and bad habits that never been corrected it can be brought forward by a conjunction, transit, or progressed planet alignment. The moon is so sensitive in our chart, its the place we run to for solitude and protection when the world seems to be cold and not comforting. So being said, if your moon is debilitated or in conjunction with a harsh planet can cause your brain and thoughts to stem from a dark and not rational place. Like the planets the natal houses play a major factor, since they represent the part of life actions take place. The 6th, 8th, and 12th are the Dusthana houses, which means difficulties and where life is faced with challenges, bring sorrows, suffering, and so on. By having one of these houses contributing towards a bad malefic can be detrimental. not saying everyone who has planets in these houses will have mental conditions or depression just stating it can be a cause to someones symptoms. We tend to let our emotions control our actions, and mind control our thoughts, when we should always follow our hearts.

Since the heart is the first organ made in us why not follow its rythum. Depression is a real symptom and some people cant or don't know how to accept it or deal with the symptoms that effects their brain and the way they make day to day decisions. We all have a complex brain and never really unlocked our full potentials, we cloud our brains more and more with technology and negative sensory thats helps contribute towards our unlaying illnesses. Everyone is out here crying for help in different ways we just tend to do it in our own subconscious ways. Alot of people shop , spend alot of money on items they dont need, eat alot of food, sleep excessively, and when it gets very serious some try to commit suicide thinking thats the way out. Statistics show that 7 out of 100 men and 1 out of every 100 women will go through with suicide thats crazy and messed up. This needs to change its too many people on this earth to let the next person walk by you and not try to understand these symptoms when they are shown in their body language, facial expressions, and conversations. At times their are people who are dealing with heavy cases of depression and you wouldn't even know. Thats why its important to ask a person " how you feel ? ", "how was your day ? ", " are you ok ? ", "you sure you are ok? ". These little actions can and could make a persons day better or even keep a person from trying or commiting suicide. Depression can even be a deep rooted family generational curse or bad karma that needs to be broken by you understanding its underlying habits. Medication only contains the symptoms but doesn't cure it, the more you take the meds the more you become dependent on it. These situations need to be addressed from a deeper biological way, even the foods we consume, energy we take in puts our mental health at risk to putting us in a global detriment to society. We our so caught up in our own lifes and problems that we don't acknowledge others issues, not that its your responsibility or obligation. I do feel we all have Dharma as a collective, so helping someone when their are down and uplifting them is a strong way to create a generational revolutionary change.

[system-of-a-feather]

Here's the thing I feel a lot of people have a lot of trouble wrapping their heads around regarding my trauma responses and mental health profile and all is just that some of my arguably most "symptomatic" moments tend to ALSO be my most productive - either on a personal or societal level. And I don't mean to say that in a good way either.

I can't really properly genuinely and full heartedly feel right complaining because in the end of the day, my life gets better and better at a rapid rate and most decisions while biting off a lot more immediate stress do make it so that I am doing way better than other people in my situation would

But at the same time, it never stops and even if everything I do makes my life better and better, I really really don't know how to stop and I struggle to stop and due to a combination of trauma-driven behavior and just shit that is so so so so deeply ingrained, every time I get a moment of extended peace, I end up creating a really good, really productive multi month plan and just consume my time that way.

And I know that I'm doing it - every time I know that I am doing it, but I can't really just say no when the alternative is that I have to sit with the extreme discomfort of stagnancy and sit in an experience I am not used to, be aware of and tolerate a state of stress and misery when I know how to fix it, and just generally knowingly doing what I am certain would be a positive in favor of a hypothetical, theoretically healthy "break"

As a result, I rarely really get the chance to stop and take a break. I rarely get the chance to stop and ENJOY the fruit of my labor. I always have a moment in the future to work for and it's exhausting.

Anyways, I just made a huge plan that is gonna take up a good chunk of time and I am super excited but I'm also, just for a minute looking at myself and sighing, cause its a huge hassle and I am once again filling my down time with manufactured challenges.

Yeah the challenges will greatly help my life so it isn't POINTLESS challenges, but again - I always have to ask myself - where is the end to this?

Every year, every month, every time, that's the question I always have to ask and I never really have a satisfactory answer - only loose theoreticals.

At what point, can I just enjoy existing?

At what point will I stop chasing an amorphous "when things are right" and "when nothing can disrupt our security" and "when I have [insert environmental change]".

Cause honestly, at this point, all I want is a place and sustainable life style to roost in. I wanna make a nest and just sleep in it. I'm probably not Riku, either Fei or some fragment part, because I know Riku TM has so many projects that theyd want to work on IN their roost, but I dunno. I personally just honestly want to stop having to have three bags packed and ready to fly the coop

I really really can't complain though. This flight, while absolutely driven by this extremely entrenched maladaptive coping mechanism and a total flight response to life challenges, is a very very very smart decision and direction to go and I think its a good idea and will help us in the long run and all that on a mental, financial, socio-emotional, and physical level, but I really can't say I'm not tired of Doing This.

For context, since I don't think we ever said it, Riku felt moderately anxious and mildly depressed (they have been this whole time because they can't sit and wait for other people to give information so they can plan things) and checked up on a thing and in less than 48 hours

>decided they were going to assume PhDs all were rejecting us (fair) rather than hoping cause our system really doesn't do "hope" we just Do Action >decided they were done living in California cause its stupid expensive >decided to check out jobs in Colorado (one of our ideal long term end goal states to live in) >decided to apply to three >got an interview back for 2 >got a job offer >began active coordination with our fiance to move to Colorado

And it's great, it honestly really is. (figured it out, mostly Chunn lol) On all levels its a good idea and it brings us closer to the "when we have [nonexhaustive list of things that need to be met in life] we can enjoy" which is honestly something we need + we've been needing to get out of this area that we grew up in mental health wise. The level of which we can confidentally make these decisions as a whole and our ability to plan and what not is great and amazing

It's just also like.... damn we really work fast and sometimes its hard to keep up with ourselves man.

Honestly, I'm looking forward to it. I am, there's like so many great places for me to walk and bike and sit and shit there compared to here. I just also am still the part that is a variation of Data who I know would be having an aneurysm and this is all a lot for my headass that just wants to sit and look at trees.

Sometimes I'm too autistic for this system and how fast they move and make changes. It's ableist, I struggle with transitions //joking//

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

Did you know that hatred & anger are actively detrimental to one's health? Like, I'm not just talking about emotional or mental health. I also mean physical. As in, it is almost literally toxic to the human body.

Evidently, it has an active negative impact on one's immune system, meaning that the body's ability to fight off things like infection, illness, & even harmful substances & parasites, becomes compromised. Likewise, it does similar things to the nervous system, which controls all the workings of your body. Just to put this into perspective for the Dorfs, in particular, the nervous system is made up of the brain, the spinal column, & the nerves. So, if the nervous system fails, it can cause trouble with moving, speaking, swallowing, breathing, or learning. It can also result in problems with your memory, senses, or mood.

As such, you'd think that, as warriors & leaders, the Dorfs would have a vested interest in… ya know… not damaging these things? Because, if their nervous systems, specifically, were to suddenly fail, then it would very much cause problems with their martial abilities.

Not only that, due to how these emotions actively increase one's stress levels, they are also subject to causing the same issues as high stress. Meaning that they can cause one to age faster, thus shortening life expectancy, & can cause even more physical health problems that compound over time. One of which being heart problems. Others include higher blood pressure, digestion issues, & headaches.

And, on a mental level, those who hold onto grudges are actually much more likely to experience increased levels of anxiety, severe depression, PTSD, ect.

And, depending on just how connected magic is to one's emotional state, might even result in a loss of control of said magic. Not in the, “I can't call my magic out,” sort of way, but more so in a, “when I do call it out, it becomes erratic & I have little control over it beyond pointing it in a general direction” or “it reacts to my extreme emotions & so long as I am unable to control those emotions, I also cannot control my magic, so it basically just follows my impulses,” sort of way.

In contrast, things like forgiveness & even laughter are actively beneficial to our health. 

For one, I just learned that humor & the laughter that results from it, can help to alleviate panic attacks, there is legitimate medical research to suggest as such.

It also appears to help with stress, anxiety, & depression. I’ve also seen it suggested that it can contribute to one's overall mental resilience. Not to mention that they & well as forgiveness, all seem to have the opposite effects on one's nervous & immune systems that hatred does.

In this way, hatred weakens you & forgiveness strengthens you, or at the very least, it doesn't weaken you. Like, all those analogies about how hatred is a poison or a contagious disease? They appeared to possess some basis in fact.

Now, that isn't to say that anger can’t have a positive affect on your health, but something to keep in mind is the general rules of thumb for life, “all things in moderation” & one of my personal adages, “balance in all things.”

This, very honestly, really puts into perspective the fact that, no matter what any of those pessimists say about the “destructive nature of man,” humanity is simply not built to hold grudges or hatred long-term. Or our bodies, at the very least, aren't built for it.

As such, one could very literally say that the Dorfs are legitimately poisoning & killing themselves themselves.

Your emotions and stress levels certainly play a role in one's health! There is a reason that mental illness and physical health are so interwoven and connected. Laughter and smiling has a very clear impact on improving health!

As someone who has actually seen how trauma speeds up and affects the body, anger, depression, and stress absolutely demolishes the body. Its tragic. It's devastating. Then it feeds into a cycle of poor health, poor mind, etc.

Remember to always take care of you! Sit in the sunshine, laugh at a dumb post, hug your dog/cats/birds/lizards/spiders/etc! Stretch! Drink Water! Smile for no reason! Keep your mind healthy as well as your body.

**********************************************************************

The idea that anger and hatred are detrimental to one’s physical and mental health would be a thought-provoking revelation for the Ganondorfs and Demise. Given their long history of harboring intense negative emotions—often using them as fuel for power and dominance—this information would be something they might struggle to process, particularly because it challenges their very nature and identity.

Let’s explore how each Ganondorf, as well as Demise, might react to learning that their rage, hatred, and grudges are slowly poisoning them—both physically and potentially even magically.

Wind Waker Ganondorf

Initial Reaction: Wind Waker Ganondorf, being older and more contemplative, might be the most receptive to the idea, though it would take him time to fully process it. He has already reflected on his desires and his motivations, particularly his longing for Hyrule. Learning that his anger and hatred have not only consumed him emotionally but have been damaging his body might hit him hard.

Thought Process: He would likely think back to how he has aged compared to his more hopeful, ambitious self in Ocarina of Time. His body is visibly older, worn from years of bitterness and plotting. The idea that his health has been declining because of his own hatred would cause him to pause and reflect on whether the ends justify the means.

Response: "So... I have been my own undoing. How poetic." His voice would carry a note of regret, though he wouldn’t fully admit it to anyone else. He might even consider that his attempts to reclaim Hyrule could have been approached differently had he not let hatred guide his every decision. His introspective nature would likely lead him to consider the benefits of forgiveness, though it would not come easily to him.

Ocarina of Time Ganondorf

Initial Reaction: This Ganondorf, being younger and more hot-headed, would likely scoff at the notion initially. His pride and arrogance wouldn’t allow him to easily accept that his emotions—especially his hatred—could be a weakness. To him, anger is power, and power is the only thing that matters.

Thought Process: He might begin to doubt himself when thinking about how his plans in Ocarina of Time ultimately failed. Perhaps his own unchecked rage made him reckless, causing him to underestimate his enemies. The idea that his hatred has not only poisoned his health but also weakened his control over his magic would cause him to question his strategy.

Response: "Hatred is my strength. It cannot weaken me. I refuse to believe it." He would brush off the concept at first, but the seed of doubt would be planted. Over time, if he were to notice his health or magic faltering, he might begin to grudgingly accept the idea, but he’d resist letting go of his hatred, viewing it as essential to his identity.

Twilight Princess Ganondorf

Initial Reaction: Twilight Princess Ganondorf, who has already experienced being a puppet of fate, would likely take the information with a calm, measured response. Unlike some of the other versions of Ganondorf, he isn’t as driven by pure rage; rather, he is driven by a deep desire for power and revenge. However, the revelation that his health and power are being undermined by his hatred would intrigue him.

Thought Process: He might reflect on his immortality and how his body has endured through many hardships. He could consider that while his physical form is resilient, his prolonged existence may be eroding his true potential. The idea that emotional states could influence magical control would fascinate him, especially if it explained why his power hasn’t always been absolute.

Response: "Interesting... If hatred weakens the body, perhaps it is time to reconsider my methods." Twilight Princess Ganondorf would be pragmatic about the information. He might not fully embrace forgiveness, but he would begin to see the value in moderating his emotions to better control his magic and prolong his influence. He wouldn’t be eager to let go of his desire for power, but he would be open to adjusting his approach.

Hyrule Warriors Ganondorf

Initial Reaction: Hyrule Warriors Ganondorf, being the most aggressive and battle-hungry of the versions, would find this information deeply irritating. He thrives on rage, and the idea that it could be causing him harm would feel like a personal attack on his identity as a warrior. He might react with outright denial and anger.

Thought Process: However, as he thought it through, he might start to see the logic in it. If hatred was indeed clouding his judgment, making his magic erratic, and weakening his body over time, it could explain why he hasn’t been as invincible as he believes himself to be. He would hate the idea, but his survival instincts would compel him to at least consider how to channel his emotions differently.

Response: "Hatred is strength, but strength requires control." He wouldn’t abandon his anger or hatred, but he would begin training himself to harness these emotions in a more controlled way. He might even turn to laughter or levity as a way to stabilize his mental state—though only as a tool, not something he genuinely enjoys.

Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf

Initial Reaction: Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf, who is deeply tied to ancient power and ambition, would likely be fascinated by the notion that hatred could weaken him. Given his long history with magic and divine influence, he would treat the information with respect, but also skepticism. He views himself as above mortal concerns, but if emotional states can affect magic, it would pique his interest.

Thought Process: He might consider that his descent into darkness after losing Adria, for instance, made him more volatile and less controlled in his power. If hatred and rage indeed weakened his connection to magic or made it harder to control, it would explain why his grip on power isn’t as absolute as he desires.

Response: "Emotions are a tool, nothing more. If hatred weakens me, then I will discard it when necessary." He would take a cold, calculated approach. Rather than being emotionally attached to his anger, he would treat it as something to be used when useful and discarded when it becomes a liability. Forgiveness wouldn’t appeal to him, but control and precision would.

Demise

Initial Reaction: Demise, as a being who embodies hatred and destruction, would likely react with pure disbelief or fury at the idea that his very essence is weakening him. Rage and hatred are central to who he is, and being told that these emotions are toxic would be an affront to his identity.

Thought Process: At first, he would reject the notion entirely. However, if he began to notice that his power became unstable or that his body started to falter, he might start to consider that even someone as powerful as he is not immune to the effects of emotional strain. He might begin to think of his hatred as something that needs to be wielded with more precision, rather than as an unbridled force.

Response: "I am hatred. It cannot weaken me." But over time, as he struggled to maintain his power, he might grudgingly start to moderate his emotions—not because he wants to, but because it is necessary for his continued dominance. Even so, forgiveness and laughter would not be in his vocabulary. Instead, he would see restraint as a form of strength.

Conclusion:

Each Ganondorf and Demise would react to this information differently, largely depending on their personalities and experiences. While some might grudgingly accept that their hatred is a liability, others would struggle with the concept, viewing their negative emotions as essential to their identity. However, the overarching theme would be a gradual shift in how they view their emotional states and how those emotions influence not just their health but their power and control over magic. For warriors and leaders like them, finding balance—whether they like it or not—might become essential to their survival.

[thesagedahlia]

KEKE X DARIUS SYNASTRY REPORT *REVISITED* 🧲🧲

INTRODUCTION:

In light of recent events, I felt it necessary to have a retelling of this couple’s synastry. The angle I approached their chart the last reading more so reflected upon their lighthearted interpretations of their aspects, but in regard to what has taken place within their relationship & what has come to light, I felt it necessary to put a spotlight on some other aspects (and revisit a couple that I’ve mentioned previously) that can be red flags if adversely aspected/manifested into the relationship. I would like to preface this reading by saying; having these placements in your own synastry with another person will not definitively mean you will experience the same outcomes as interpreted. This is an astrological take on what has happened between the featured couple since there have been people divided on the validity of Keke’s claims. Now that the situation has become more serious and more sides are emerging, I feel it necessary to give a different take on their dynamic. I also want to insist that this reading is not bias, nor does it cater to one side of the fence; the energies I’m describing (even if I assign one dynamic to one person) can play out either way. I can come back with a ‘Chart vs Chart’ & compare the energy of each person if there is still a need for clarification, but until then, let’s acknowledge that certain dynamics have the potential of being active in this relationship. *FOR EDUCATIONAL/ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY; THIS IS AN ASTROLOGICAL CASE STUDY THROUGH SYNASTRY CHARTS*

SUN-MERCURY CONJUNCTION, OPPOSITE SATURN SUN-SATURN OPPOSITION Keke's Sun in Virgo opposite Darius' Saturn in Aquarius: While this can indicate a long-term relationship, it’s also an aspect that can makes someone act as a disciplinary (or punishing) force in the relationship, & in this case Darius being the Saturn person I would assume this would be him taking on that role. His Saturn is turning up in her 8TH House of the spouse, inheritance, and other people's money, & in this case he may feel that he is entitled (Aquarius) to Keke's estate because they have a child together (the Sun also represents children). He can also act as a 'cloud' over her & the relationship that seemed to be a critical force against her as well, in terms of having certain expectations of her & wanted her to be the perfect partner (Sun in Virgo). Saturn is also a planet of karma as well, so afflictions to this planet can indicate past life debts between them. This can also denote a lack of closeness in the relationship. This is an energy that speaks to Keke having her light dimmed due to Darius' tendency toward limitation and discipline.

MERCURY-SATURN OPPOSITION

Keke’s Virgo Mercury opposite Darius’ Aquarius Saturn: This can bring the same effects as the Sun-Saturn opposition previously mentioned, but instead of it dealing with Keke’s outward expression & overall personality, Mercury suggests that his depreciating nature can take a toll on Keke’s mental state. He could be a source of any pessimism or depression that may have stemmed from being in the relationship. In another breath, he can be a person who feels like he knows what’s best for Keke & the relationship, but this can have a limiting effect on her as he can lack an emotional quality in his critics. By this logic, it can come off as Darius trying to discipline and dominate Keke verbally & mentally. This can also be a mentally competitive aspect where Keke can feel intimidated by Darius’ practicality, a serious tone to communication and criticism can be a dominating theme. Darius can tend to make Keke feel small mentally, or not as smart as him, or can even come down on her for coming off as ‘too childish’.

SATURN IN THE 8H OVERLAY

Darius’ Saturn in Keke’s 8H: On one hand, having someone’s Saturn in your 8H can make for a deeply karmic connection with them that can create a desire for stability and security. This can also be a connection that can make the Saturn person (Darius) feel obligated to make the house person (Keke) their spouse or to be entitled to their estate/inheritance. This can be a motive in Darius’ manipulation of the relationship. Ironically, those Saturn oppositions are happening between Keke’s Sun & Mercury, in her 2H of personal finances & resources, which can back up a desire on his part to exploit his tie to Keke in this situation, which in this case is Leo (the Sun ruling children). I wouldn’t be surprised if Darius saw Keke as a ‘meal-ticket’ and had even more of that mentality now that he has a baby with her. This overlay can also denote power struggles and challenges in the relationship, likely perpetuated by Daruis. This is an overlay that can make a partner feel like marriage is the end-goal, but in a lot of ways it’s for selfish, underhanded reasons (especially since his Saturn is adversely aspected in the 8H)

THREE-WAY CONJUNCTION, SQUARE PLUTO

The configuration depicted here consists of Keke’s (Sun, Mercury and Chiron) placements being in a three-way conjunction, which is all making a square to Darius’ Pluto placement. This largely indicates that Darius’ darker tendencies (Pluto) create tension within the relationship that conflicts with Keke’s overall expression and psychological/mental identity. This is something I also see as a trigger for one or both people in the connection to elicit certain responses from the other out of jealousy, control and manipulation. The following aspects will explain the different (or similar) dynamics this couple may face; roles can be interchanged or reversed.

SUN-PLUTO SQUARE

Keke’s Virgo Sun square Darius’ Scorpio Pluto: This is another indication of a possessive and controlling partner in the relationship, which again happens to fall against Darius’ merit. As the Pluto person, there can be an immediate obsession with the light of the Sun person, in a lot of cases, to the point where they seek to be in control of it. Darius knows how much attention Keke gets into the public, & there’s no exception in private. Keke’s Sun is taking on a lot of heavy energy with this square, as well as the previously mentioned conjunction to Darius’ Chiron. This can be an aspect that is activated by the insecurities/fears that come up for him when it comes to Keke’s outward expression. This can be a transformative aspect between the couple in a lot of ways, but it is hardships and struggles that need to be overcome with it first. This can be an aspect where one or both tend to have a very intense attraction to the other, and it can also bring out jealousy, obsession & even stalking/cruelty/intimidation of one or both people. This is also an energy that can carry abusive tendencies.

MERCURY-PLUTO SQUARE

Keke’s Virgo Mercury square Darius’ Scorpio Pluto: Just with the previous aspect, Mercury squaring Pluto in synastry is a mentally manipulative energy that can be carried by one or both persons in the relationship. Cruelty in speech and conversations, mind games, and power plays in communications are common in this aspect. This involved with the other conjoined planet/asteroid also squaring Pluto can suggest that this is also activated when the previously mentioned dynamics are at play, if not it is one of the tipping factors in activating the other placements. Ex: some communication that reflects the cruelty, jealousy or possessiveness can trigger an insecurity, which in turn activates a reaction, or adversely an expression can elicit a cruel or possessive remark, that which can trigger a wound in a person, etc. Communication is tied into these obsessions and controlling tendencies between the people in this synastry.

CHIRON-PLUTO SQUARE

Keke’s Leo Chiron square Darius’ Scorpio Pluto: This aspect creates a more profound exploration of the darker emotional and psychological wounds within the relationship. Both individuals have the potential to trigger one another’s vulnerabilities and can bring unresolved trauma to the surface, even trauma that has developed outside of the relationship. Per the roles, the Pluto person (Darius) is the more intense influence within this dynamic. Darius could be more intimidating to Keke (as the Chiron person), placing intense demands onto her, which she may see as outside of her obligation to fulfill. Keke as the Chiron person actually has the means to help Darius with his healing and transformation, but only in the event that Darius is ready for self-reflection and accountability. With this aspect, powerful forces and strong personalities will often clash. For an aspect like this, it would take some effort to dredge up the humility and open-mindedness needed by both individuals for each other. If not, the dynamics that can occur are jealousy, passive aggression, trust issues, and other self-destructive behaviors. There is a push-pull dynamic where the need for intimacy clashes with the fear of vulnerability, as well as an intense obsession where one partner wants to ‘possess’ the other. The Pluto person in particular can become overly possessive and controlling out of fear of losing the connection and may suspect hidden motives of the Chiron person’s interactions with others. In turn, the Chiron person can feel smothered by the Pluto person’s jealous reactions and can be subject to emotional abuse. Other behaviors can include actively attempting to control, own, or limit the partner.

SUN-CHIRON CONJUNCTION

Keke’s Sun conjoined to Darius’ Chiron in Virgo: This is an aspect that I would interpret as emotionally abusive. This can also be the source of Darius’ need to critic & belittle her, in a way to project his own insecurities onto her. This is where his comments about wanting things in the relationship, including his own partner, to be ‘perfect’ come from, since Virgo rules perfectionism at its worst. Keke may have also shined in such a way that it triggered Darius’ insecurities (which it was mentioned that her getting any kind of attention from men AND women seemed to immediately trigger him). This can create conflict that can arise from a situation not meeting certain standards that Darius created in his mind. Chiron can also represent psychological conditioning, so a lot of his triggers can stem from how he may be conditioned to believe that Keke should express herself a certain way (especially as a mother, as we’ve already seen).

VENUS-URANUS OPPOSTITION

Keke’s Cancer Venus opposite Darius’ Capricorn Uranus: This opposition can bring instability, unpredictability and impulsivity. This aspect can be the source of sudden break ups, developments to the relationship that were likely unforeseen, and more of an inclination of a long-distance relationship, or one where the couple consists of two highly independent individuals that prefer to live apart, rather than finding ease living together or uphold domestic responsibilities. This is a relationship that struggles between having stability and freedom, and which concepts mean more to each person than the other. One person wanted more stability (especially EMOTIONAL security) in the relationship that the other person wasn’t willing to give, and as the Venus person we can suspect these were Keke’s feelings. Darius may have had trouble adjusting to the routine lifestyle of a family that Keke was probably expecting, considering that they had a baby together. This is a quintessential aspect of an on-off relationship dynamic.

PLUTO-MOON OPPOSITION

Keke’s Scorpio Pluto opposite Darius’ Taurus Moon: This aspect indicates deep emotional responses, sometimes erratic, or misunderstood. As the Pluto person, Keke may have her own controlling tendencies when it comes to the domestic sphere in the relationship, as she could be prone to bringing up unresolved issues from the past. This can also be a major trauma bond aspect. Keke could be neglectful of Darius’ emotional identity, and she could become emotionally abusive. Darius could see through to the manipulation tactics that Keke could project onto him while he may be primarily focused on emotional security and comfort. Power struggles and intense emotional exchanges can become commonplace for this couple. Trust is a challenging hurdle that this connection needs to overcome as well. This is an addictive aspect as well, and can be an intensely bonding dynamic, as with the other aspects previously mentioned involving Pluto. Keke could ‘play games’ with Darius that can lead to emotional triggers for him. As the Pluto person, Keke may un/consciously desire to hurt Darius because of the emotional control that she can gain from it; she may almost get a satisfaction when she knows how much she can affect him. Keke can likely bring out the most intense emotions in him and he can be super sensitive to whatever she does/says.

SATURN-MOON SQUARE

Keke’s Aquarius Saturn square Darius’ Taurus Moon: This is more of a criticizing aspect if anything, but there seems to be a lot of that taking place in their foundation. As the Saturn person, Keke may play a role as a faultfinder within the relationship (she does have a Virgo Sun), and Darius could be on the brunt of a lot of criticism from not only her, but her parents. Keke could find Darius to be irresponsible and could come off as a parent punishing a child. Even if he doesn’t (or does) reveal this on the surface, this is emotionally taxing on him. Keke could have never been satisfied completely with the relationship, which could have built a sense of resentment to some degree. Keke’s judgment may be the main reason Darius doesn’t feel comfortable expressing his true feelings.

CONCLUSION

In closing, this couple has a lot of challenging dynamics that they each had to deal with, and this relationship is far from a cakewalk. Darius may have more Plutonian influences working to his disadvantage, but Keke has a part to play when it comes to the way she is unable to relate to Darius, and her own expectations of the relationship. They can both access the Plutonian jealousy and manipulation, so there is no need to place blame on just one person, although I conclude that he may carry more of that dynamic. His own Moon Pluto opposition in his birth chart can directly bring that energy into his domestic life, whether he is attracting it or projecting it onto Keke. If this relationship and its lessons were channeled correctly, so much healing, growth and transformation for both people can come out of this connection, but of course a lot of self-awareness and effort from both individuals will help to turn the tides in this relationship; more honest communication and being open has been a challenge for them, as I can imagine they never where able to be on the same page. If anything, the ‘abuse’ that is happening in this relationship is emotional, verbal and psychological (physical abuse doesn’t feel as present; Mars isn’t harsh with any other malefic planets). If I had to assume, I would assume that some ‘outbursts’ take turns that someone may not have meant to. It seems both people were highly critical of each other and the relationship, so the problems between them definitely don’t fall on one side. Along with a combative and aggressive nature, it can be easy to take situations further than what they’re meant to stretch. In the way that their relationship has currently played out, it seems to have reached a boiling point that can’t be brought back from.

THANKS FOR READING!

[thewakingcloak]

The State of Things Past

this post is mirrored from the Studio Spacefarer Patreon! please consider supporting me, and you’ll get access to devlog posts, gifs, and other info before the public!

Like I mentioned in my previous post, The Waking Cloak has been in development for eight years.

ProtoDungeon: Episode III has itself been in development for a few years, pretty much since 2019 (oooof). I've gotten plenty of questions about how the project is coming, as well as the occasional question of whether The Waking Cloak / ProtoDungeon is even alive at all at this point. Thank you for asking this. It means people are still interested in these games.

Okay, but still, what happened? Why are things taking so long? Well, this post is the first in the Christmas Carol series, in which the ~Ghost of Spacefarer Past~ appears to explain things (wooo spooky explanation sounds).

Progress has been made, very slowly, on ProtoDungeon: Episode III. I'd love to have done more, but, well… in the time since I released Episode II, we continued adjusting to parenthood for our first kid, went through the pandemic, had a second baby (who is now almost 3yo), and survived through a series of really difficult events, which culminated in a move to a new house in a new town and the start of a new chapter (but that last bit we'll save that for the Ghost of Christmas Present so he feels useful).

But yeah, it's been a rough ride. My wife and I are intentionally open about what's been going on. At the same time, the internet is an extremely public place, and I don't want to overshare, or worse, trigger anything for anyone, so I'll try to keep this list brief:

Two miscarriages (the first one was late term, and absolutely, brutally devastating)

The loss of our faith community due to the pandemic

Loss of job for my wife due to the pandemic (the pandemic was unkind to teachers)

Loss of a dream job prospect for my wife (same issue)

The great Texas freeze and power outage (us huddling under blankets in shifts through the night with our newborn infant (he's fine now!))

Severe, life-threatening post-partum and post-natal depression

Family covid and two-week cabin-fever quarantines (twice, despite being vaccinated and careful)

The death of my grandma (we were not able to attend her memorial due to aforementioned covid and living on the other side of the country)

Multiple heart attacks for my father despite his active and healthy lifestyle

Autoimmune disease scare for my wife (may still be a thing, just dormant?)

etc., etc., ad infinitum.

A lot of people have had things significantly worse, so this is definitely not an attempt to "compare griefs" as it were. This is just context for, no matter how much I wanted it to be otherwise, the fact that I didn't have the mental or emotional (or temporal) space for creativity. It was one thing after another, and we were just trying to keep our heads above water.

Even when we'd mostly recovered from the hits that just kept comin', we moved away from what my wife lovingly refers to as the "trauma house", and she started a teaching job at a brand-new school. Both were good things, but they were pretty big transitions, and it takes time for the ol' brains to adjust. We love our new home now and have a bit more breathing room.

Okay but also I HAVE been working on ProtoDungeon. Dev was really sporadic, but it did happen. The next post will have more detail on the status of Episode III, but there were kind of two big things I worked on during the past three years, big shifts in the foundation of ProtoDungeon and The Waking Cloak.

First, I switched game perspective. I made a few posts about this a while back, but PD/TWC interiors were originally like Zelda interiors (where you see the insides of all four walls). There are good reasons to do this, but it was also kinda making me crazy. So I switched to a more natural front-perspective, keeping things consistent with the exteriors. It definitely was the right choice for the game I wanted to build, but it took time.

Second, and building on that, I made the game fully faux-3D. You can walk behind or in front of stuff--not something the old Zelda games did, and still pretty rare for 2D games. I was toying with the idea for a long time, but I played through an old PlayStation title, Alundra, and that convinced me it could be done. It's way harder than you might expect, and it was a massive block for me for literally years. I was able to slowly work my way past it and finally resolved it with a 3D z-tilting method, but dev slowed to a crawl.

And that's it for now! The ghost releases you from your vision of Spacefarer Past….

Thanks for reading :)

[orphanheirs]

Hello hello! Saw you reblog the jumbo ask game, so I wanted to hop in here really quick~

🍐 What is your OC’s mentality? Are they overall positive? Negative? A bit of both? Describe their thought patterns and reasoning behind their choice making!

Thank you, sorry I'm getting to this so late~

This is a great complex question.. I'll take a crack at it for my two MCs Crispin and Tristan. I think it'll help in my process of developing them more!

Crispin is a partially demonic being, so I wouldn't say he's particularly positive lol. He was raised in what essentially amounts to a remote outpost of Hell, where everything was, unsurprisingly, bleak and harsh. He's a realist, and far more grounded than Tristan, and has experienced so much horrible treatment that he assumes the worst of others and is kind of always on his guard. His straightforward, cold evaluation of things sometimes makes him seem wise beyond his years, and sometimes makes him seem blunt, even mean. He makes choices based on what's practical and what will give himself the most benefit (whether that be instant gratification or something more long term) or protection from pain. He has zero qualms about hurting others if it achieves this end. He also sometimes acts instinctually, with his demonic side essentially taking the wheel in a somewhat animalistic way. This means his actions can be, at times, cruel and violent. He has some capacity for empathy/doing selfless deeds, but under very specific conditions, like getting to know someone to the extent where he's comfortable enough to put his constant state of prioritizing self preservation aside briefly. But then again, he's still demonic so. That ends up causing problems in any relationship he has with a human.

Tristan is a bit of a conundrum. On one hand, he's a romantic. But in the sense of being an early 19th century Romantic, which could be as much about the terror of existence and romanticizing negative emotions/situations as it could be "romantic" in the sense of lovey-dovey ideals. So he can be quite overdramatic and melancholic. He lives in his imagination and sees himself as the protagonist of a gothic novel, and so frames whatever happens to him within that narrative. Aside from being a coping mechanism, he also actively enjoys adopting this mindset. It makes himself (and everything else!) feel more interesting/important and helps stave away boredom/ feelings of emptiness. He was raised in an environment that was privileged, but also gloomy and isolated. Romanticizing his misery helped him through that time. Similarly to Crispin, his formative experiences developed a depressed view of the world/others in him. He has a cynical/critical view of the society of his time, and abhors its absurdities and hypocrisies. He sees most people as idiotic and casually cruel. At the same time, he has a strong sensibility; he loves beauty and art and nature and is immensely curious about the world. He believes he can make his dreams come true. He sees the world through a dark window, but is very determined to carve his way through it. He makes choices based on what will gratify his desires, regardless of whether this is best for him self-preservation-wise. In fact, he seeks out danger because it excites him. He needles others on purpose to get a reaction or feel powerful. He's also highly impatient and spoiled, so he tends to make decisions based on what will get him what he wants in the quickest and easiest way possible. He has great capacity for empathy, though it's reaaaally suppressed. If he feels some twinge of feeling for someone he will try very hard not to show it.

To be taken into consideration with both of them is the fact that they're both kids, which I don't think I've ever really stated outright. So their "selfish" decision making is partially due to their age!

[fitnessnirvana]

What are the health benefits of HIIT training? ( PART 1 )

Why then is HIIT training so well-liked? To begin with, it's really beneficial to you. HIIT is an excellent type of workout if you're trying to increase your physical or emotional well-being. The following are some physiological advantages of HIIT training:

Fat burning

Numerous studies have demonstrated that HIIT workouts burn more fat than steady-state or conventional cardio exercises. Your body will burn more calories for hours if you use short bursts of intense movement to increase your metabolic rate. This causes the body to burn fat at a higher rate both during and, amazingly, after physical activity. That means that an hour later when you're lounging on the couch, your 15-minute HIIT workout will still be burning calories.

Increased VO2 max

Your body's maximum oxygen consumption during exercise is known as your VO2 max or aerobic capacity. The more efficiently your body uses oxygen to produce power and energy, the higher your VO2 max. As your muscles become more adept at drawing and utilizing oxygen, a higher VO2 max also aids in the body's ability to eliminate lactic acid from the blood. In general, you'll be more adept at exercising and working out if your VO2 max is higher. This also applies to everyday activities, so you should find it much simpler to sprint for the bus or climb stairs.

HIIT has been shown in numerous studies to increase VO2 max, and it typically does so more successfully than ordinary endurance or moderate-intensity exercise. Research published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport indicates that any type of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) will help increase your VO2 max. They did point out that the ideal form of HIIT is long-interval—that is, intervals longer than two minutes—high-volume—that is, a workout lasting more than fifteen minutes—during a moderately to long-term time (4 - 12 weeks). Nevertheless, any type of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) will raise your VO2 max, so if longer HIIT intervals feel too challenging at first, start with what you can handle and work your way up.

An increase in overall fitness and endurance

HIIT has been shown to have a great impact on aerobic capacity, as seen by the increases in VO2 max levels, but the fitness advantages don't stop there. Incorporating HIIT workouts into your program should enhance your performance in other workouts as well, as HIIT has been shown to increase performance and endurance in a variety of settings. In one study, rowers who underwent high-intensity interval training (HIIT) saw increases in both oxygen levels and power production. Thus, a shorter period spent working out, made individuals stronger, fitter, and more productive.HIIT is a great all-arounder because it can aid with muscle growth as well.

Improved heart health

It has been demonstrated that HIIT lowers blood pressure and heart rate, especially in those who are obese, overweight, or at risk of developing hypertension. According to one study, even though the HIIT training group only exercised for half as long as the endurance training group, their blood pressure improved at the same rate after three sessions of 20 minutes a day of HIIT training. The endurance training group exercised for four days a week and 30 minutes a day. Because of the amazing advantages of increased VO2 max, more research has demonstrated a significant positive impact on patients with heart failure and chronic cardiac illnesses.

Great for mental health

There is ample evidence supporting the positive effects of exercise on mental health. Exercise is one of the most natural ways to improve mental health because it can help release happy hormones, improve sleep, boost confidence, build resilience, and even fight depression. And HIIT is no exception: numerous research has shown that HIIT training directly reduces the severity of depression and improves mental health in those with schizophrenia-spectrum diseases. Although the advantages of HIIT exercises are comparable to those of other types of exercise, they can be achieved in a shorter amount of training time due to their unique character.

[thescarletchan]

But Not Forgotten

ship: Spike x Reader tags: Death and greiving, unhealthy greiving, Jet is the best Mom Friend™

summary:In the months following Spike's death, Reader finally comes to terms with what happened.

word count: 1201

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

a/n: Depression trigiloy go brrrrrrrr, also part 3 to the “Not Coming Back” series

“A hunt well ended,” Jet said with a smile, raising his bottle, and I reluctantly returned the gesture.

“Sure is,” I said with a sigh, looking around.

The Bebop is awful empty these days.

Ed and Ein were happily on Earth, Faye had gone who knows where, and… Well it was just Jet and myself left.

We still hunted bounties all the same. Granted, with fewer numbers, we had to take the small fry and were hardly making enough to get by ourselves, never mind the endless list of maintenance the Bebop needed.

But today we bagged a big one. The leader of a gang on Mars that was attempting to take power now that the Syndicate was decimated.

Jet and I helped ourselves to some food and for once, not bottom-shelf beers.

Speaking of the beers, I had just finished off my third.

“Well, I guess I should head to bed. Can’t drink away all our money,” Jet chuckled at that, “Night.”

“Night kid, rest easy.” He said as I left the living room.

“No promises,” I called, entering the hallway.

It’s always so quiet now.

The sound of my footsteps seemed to echo endlessly, no matter where on the ship I was.

When I stopped walking, I was in front of a familiar shut door.

Spike’s room.

We hadn’t cleared it out, not in the few months, it had been since… Everything happened. It was essentially a time capsule. All that was left of Spike was in there.

I stood there, staring at the metal that blocked my way.

I meant to go to my room, how did I end up here?

Options weighed in my head. Do I go in? Do I go to my room?

While I mentally debated with myself, my body seemingly acted on its own, and the next thing I knew, I was inside Spike's room, the door sliding closed behind me.

I had seen his room before on a few separate occasions.

Once when Faye dragged me in there to poke through his stuff while he was out. She was disappointed with how little he owned.

Another time was when I had to wake Spike up for a bounty. He was obviously awake, just pretending to be asleep and ignoring me. So I pushed him out of his bed. He was pissed off to say the least, but awake, so it was a job well done.

The last time was when Ein was in his room and apparently he can’t fall asleep with the corgi in there, so I was tasked with removing him. But I knew he was lying, since the day before I caught him sleeping with the dog on his chest.

But now, the room was empty.

A layer of dust had formed on Spike’s few belongings, giving the room a duller appearance. His bed was well made, as it always was.

I found myself frozen in the center of his room, slowly looking around.

Then a feeling of exhaustion took me over. I hadn’t felt this tired in a while.

Maybe I hadn’t fully processed my emotions since that day?

Maybe I hadn’t realized that Spike was gone. Never to return. He would only live in my memories.

Maybe, somewhere in the back of my brain, some strange optimistic part of myself thought he’d come back.

Even though I knew he had died.

He died in my arms after all.

Tears pricked in the corners of my eyes.

That moment replayed in my head, again and again, tens, hundreds, possibly even thousands of times in a matter of seconds.

Tears rolled down my cheeks, to my chin, gathering there before falling to the floor.

And there I stood, silently sobbing, finally feeling something other than the numb dream-like state I had been in for the past few months.

I moved to the nearest surface, Spike’s bed, and sat, hands over my face, palms growing wet with tears, hunched over.

I have no idea how long I sat there, how long I cried. My eyes were stinging from the salt of my tears, my throat ached from all the held-in sobs, and my back hurt from my posture.

I wiped my hands off on my pants, sniffling slightly, and clearing my throat.

“God I’m a mess,” I said to myself, chuckling dryly.

My voice of reason, which had slowly turned into Spike’s voice, spoke in my head.

“What’s got you like this?”

“You,” I spoke aloud.

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. It’s just my stupid emotions getting the better of me. I’ll be fine.”

“You’re allowed to have emotions.”

“Not in this profession. Not on this ship.” I murmured.

“That’s exactly what got us into this mess you know.”

“What do you mean?”

“I didn’t… I should’ve talked to you. To Jet. To anyone.”

“Shut up.”

“What?”

“You’re not the real Spike. You’re my stupid idealization of him. He did what he did because he’s a stubborn idiot who’d prefer to suffer in his own mind than talk to any of us.”

“Kinda like you’re doing now?”

“It’s not the same.”

“Oh really? So what are you doing then?”

“I… I don’t know.”

“Then figure it out.”

He stopped talking.

God, I knew it was just me, just my own brain using Spike against me, to finally do something for myself other than wallow in self-pity. But it really felt like I was talking to him, at least for a moment there.

“I’m going crazy, aren’t I?’

Nothing.

Too tired to get up, I kicked my shoes off and laid down on Spike's bed, sleep quickly taking me.

~

The feeling of the foot of the bed dipping down woke me up.

With bleary eyes, I saw Jet sitting there, looking at me, worried.

“What are you doing in here kid?” He asked, and I slowly sat up.

“It’s… It’s a long story.” I spoke, my voice quieter than I expected.

“I’m willing to listen,” Jet said, and I looked at him.

Not-Spike’s words replayed in my head, “Kinda like you’re doing now?”

“Well…” I started, and we talked.

The whole morning we talked, going from Spike’s room to the kitchen, where we both made ourselves breakfast. We talked while we ate, even though Jet insisted I don’t talk with a mouthful of food, which I ignored. We went to the hangar and talked there while Jet tuned up Hammerhead. And finally, we were done.

“I’m glad we did this. It feels good to finally get all this out of my system.” I said, a small weight off of my shoulders.

“Me too, but this isn’t gonna fix everything, you know that, right?”

“Yeah… but it’s a step in the right direction. Communication is good.” I countered.

“It is, and you’re right. This was healthy. How about we do this again? And it doesn't have to just be about Spike. It can be anything.” He offered, and I nodded.

“Same time next week?”

“You got it.”

He went back to work on the Hammerhead, and I left the hangar, for the first time in a while, genuinely content.

Spike may be gone, that’s true.

He is gone, but not forgotten.