#different situations require different strategies simple as

[yuri-alexseygaybitch]

My local anarkiddie zine distro collective got themselves blocked by the local chapter of BLM for spreading adventurist tactics that would instigate a fight at a protest announcement, and they got super pissy about it saying they were just spreading "basic protest safety" LOL

Many such cases

[coinbasetradingguide]

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[hollowed-theory-hall]

Thoughts on Ron x Hermione? Were they a good pairing or should they not have been endgame

I think it makes sense that they're endgame, and I like them as a pairing. I'm not passionate about them, so you won't catch me reading/writing fic where they're the main couple, but as a side couple while Harry's having the main romantic drama, sure.

My problem with Romione is how they were written a bit. Like, in my current reread, I noticed I actually kinda shipped them in books 3, 4, and 5 but like, Romione in books 6 and 7 really doesn't do it for me.

I'll try to organize my thoughts. Like, I do like Hermione and Ron's banter, I honestly think a lot of the petty arguments Harry tunes out are just fun to them. They are both very verbose people and they enjoy bantering and arguing over petty bullshit (bar a few exceptions like 3rd year). I mean, there is a reason these two are bantering and Harry just tones them out:

“Well done, Ron,” snapped Hermione. “What?” said Ron indignantly, having managed, finally, to swallow his food. “I’m not allowed to ask a simple question?” “Oh forget it,” said Hermione irritably, and the pair of them spent the rest of the meal in huffy silence. Harry was too used to their bickering to bother trying to reconcile them; he felt it was a better use of his time to eat his way steadily through his steak-and-kidney pie, then a large plateful of his favorite treacle tart.

(OotP, 210)

“That was really, really good, Harry,” said Hermione, when finally it was just her, Harry, and Ron left. “Yeah, it was!” said Ron enthusiastically, as they slipped out of the door and watched it melt back into stone behind them. “Did you see me disarm Hermione, Harry?” “Only once,” said Hermione, stung. “I got you loads more than you got me —” “I did not only get you once, I got you at least three times —” “Well, if you’re counting the one where you tripped over your own feet and knocked the wand out of my hand —” They argued all the way back to the common room, but Harry was not listening to them.

(OotP, 596)

It makes sense they are like this. Hermione is argumentative in general and Ron grew up in a large family with a lot of siblings. He spent all his childhood arguing with people he loves — arguing over petty shit is a love language. I think, as a couple, they'd just continue doing this.

I mentioned in my Harmony post that I think Ron is closer to Hermione than Harry is. Ron is protective of both Harry and Hermione and stands up to Snape and Malfoy multiple times on behalf of both his friends (as I mentioned in the past, Ron is the friendship glue here, in my opinion) even when Harry and Hermione don't stand up to each other. And yes, Ron had his faults in books 4 and 7 (book 4 is the worst one in my opinion since in book 7 he tried to return immediately, he just removed himself from a volatile situation that can actually be super healthy as a means to calm down) but I do think he's a good friend to Harry and Hermione and knows how to connect to both of them.

Like, I kinda hate that the fandom just ran with Ron having the emotional range of a teaspoon. I mean, he's often the most emotionally intelligent person in the Golden Trio, and he should be given more credit. He is the only one of them who knows to change how he talks depending on who he's talking to on a somewhat conscious level. Hermione is too rigid in her views and doesn't really do social chameleon-ing. Harry does do it, but through mirroring and he does it differently than Ron.

And I think Romione's personalities do work really well together. They complete each other in a nice way. Hermione is all book smarts and memorization, and Ron is strategy and plans (street smarts). They are both brave in different ways and have a different temperament. Like, they get emotional under different circumstances, so one of them would usually end up being cool-headed.

Like, they both require a similar level of attention in a relationship so they work well on that front. Ron knows how to be supportive of Hermione's pursuits, even when he doesn't fully get them, and Hermione (at least in the early books) is aware of Ron's cleverness and appreciates it and his sense of humor. They are good to each other in how they push the other's worldview. Hermione pushes Ron out to rethink things he always considered fine (House Elfs). And Ron pushes Hermione to have more fun and relax a little.

The reason I have a problem with how they are written is that I hate how Hermione's crush on Ron is treated in HBP. Like, that shit was painful to read. I would've loved for them to get together without Hermione being the bitterest, meanest girl out there. Like, I don't mind Hermione being mean, she can be mean on occasion, it's part of her character. Like, I have no qualms about her using that Confundus Charm on McLaggen, that's in character. My problem is how she treated Ron when he was dating Lavender.

Like, I didn't mind the insults towards Lavender too much, that's in character (she is a bit of a pick-me girl like Ginny too, especially in book 6, but even before), but attacking Ron with birds when he never dated Hermione was overkill. Ron's shit towards Hermione and Krum in the fourth year was less extreme than this, I mean, he would never attack Hermione physically. Ron would argue with her, sure, he does so plenty, but he never did and never will attack her and it leaves a bad taste in my mouth to see Hermione willing to attack him quite violently over kissing Lavender when Ron wasn't dating Hermione, it wasn't fucking cheating, Hermione!

Like, I hate it.

In general, I like Ron more than I like Hermione, and this means it's never going to be a pairing I'm invested in, but, it makes sense and could've been done way better than it was in the books. I think Romione had potential and was done dirty.

[glitter-stained]

"Jason not arguing/compromising in this situation is OOC because his stress response is fight" okay but stress response is context dependent, both environmental context (nature of the threat) and hormonal context (ie amount of cortisol currently in the body at that moment). And also the difference between fawn (aka the response used in negociation) and the other three stress responses (fight flight and freeze) is that fawn is a much higher response that requires higher cognitive function, social cognition etc. (which he has a looot of considering his life story), but also takes more time, so while Jason's immediate bodily reaction could be to gear up for an argument, he also completely has the abilities to evaluate that this is not the best strategy for his goals, especially since, while he is a very emotional character, he does also have impulse control and can be very (very very very) patient with his strategies (that man has some incredible impressive levels of inhibition sometimes, seriously utrh!jason wtf). And also people have the ability to learn, both in terms of complex reasoning, simple pathways and on a biological level, it's also very possible that after being stuck on fight mode for so long and getting hit after hit after hit (being caretaker for his mom and then himself as a little kid in a classist and violent environment, his mom's death, malnutrition, the general stress of being on the streets, M'a gunn, (skipping on Robin because of meta stuff to stick to the things everybody would agree are important stressors), his dad's death, exposed vey closely to sexual violence at 15 (at oldest, not even getting into the csa hc he already has sexual trauma), exposed to direct violent death at 15, being betrayed and sold out (does that count as trafficking?) by his biological mother (whomst he had attached himself to), being beaten + very brutally murdered, digging himself out of his fucking grave, getting hit by a fucking car (talk about overkill) being in the streets catatonic and still fighting, being in the league catatonic and still fighting, waking up to your life having been extraordinarily upheavaled, being told "you remain unavenged" and then pushed off a fucking cliff (even ignoring the brutality of that fucked up kiss because my talia is not a rapist), being sent to teachers and having (from his pov) to kill said teachers, to honestly all of utrh especially the final confrontation ending with a near death experience.... I mean, wouldn't you be tired? Even just cutting it off at utrh, wouldn't you be tired of fight mode? Jason's resilience is incredible, but resilience is neither a personality trait nor an infinity resource, you electrocute a dog often enough and it stops trying to jump out. And do I have to say anything, from a biological pov, psychological pov, from any pov really, about the events of Gotham War and The Man who Stopped Laughing? Because Bruce literally rewrote Jason's dna (which makes no fucking sense but whatever) to modify his stress response, he was quite literally forced on freeze mode, and Joker got him functional by rewriting those extreme amounts of stress as funny. At this point what makes the most sense is for Jason's stress response to be painful, uncontrollable bursts of laughter. I'm sorry if this sounds aggressive, I just really really like talking about psychology applied to character analysis and I'm not trying to be patronizing or anything, I just thought "hey I don't quite agree with that and that's an interesting conversation" and then the brain bees took over

[kusakabesimp]

Kusakabe's New Shadow Style and Simple Domain

After more in-depth research on Kusakabe's New Shadow Style and Simple Domain, I'm updating and expanding on previous information. I'm constantly re-reading the manga for details and noticing new things, so I'm updating my writing based on my evolving understanding of the series.

New Shadow Style was developed in the Heian Era as a martial system that combines fighting/sword techniques and anti-domain strategies. This all-in-one package enhances a user's combat abilities through training and experience to compensate for a lack of raw power and/or innate cursed techniques. Sword Drawing and Simple Domain are parts of this system, but they can also be learned as separate pieces.

Battō Sword Drawing: This technique covers the blade with cursed energy, increasing draw speed. It's a building block of NSS and the easiest to learn. Beginners start with the basic skill, and advanced users can modify and personalize it as they develop their own style. Activation requires a hand sign in the sword-drawing position and an incantation.

Kusakabe is considered an elite user of NSS (the best term I can come up with for a skill level above expert), so his Battō style is significantly different from other users. He doesn't need a binding vow to activate or use his NSS techniques, so he can move freely without breaking the cast.   

Evening Moon Sword Drawing: This is one of Kusakabe's NSS techniques, built on but different from Battō. It functions both as a stand-alone drawing technique and a defensive complement to his Simple Domain. Activation follows the same requirements as Battō, but the draw posture is different.

Evening Moon draws inspiration from a real iaido technique called iaigoshi (居合腰). The crouched position leverages the body's natural mechanics, creating spring-like energy in the legs for explosive speed. In iaigoshi, the knees are bent, almost touching the ground, while the heels are raised and the toes pointed slightly outward. The torso leans forward just enough to keep the body ready for swift movement in any direction.

Simple Domain: Simple Domain was created to counter Domain Expansions. Canonically, SD has different rules and applications depending on who is casting it and who or what is affected by it. It requires an incantation and the same sword-drawing hand sign used for other NSS techniques. Even if the user's SD doesn't involve a sword, the sign makes sense given that New Shadow Style was originally developed as a sword-based martial art.

Simple Domain can be taught by a practitioner of New Shadow Style or learned by a skilled sorcerer who copies it after they see it activated. Gege didn't explain how Yuki and Gojo learned it, but we know Todo learned it from Yuki, and Kusakabe taught it to Yuji. Miwa and Kusakabe are practitioners of NSS, so it was passed down to them through their training. Regardless of where they learned it, the hand sign remains the same.

Kusakabe's Simple Domain: Kusakabe's SD is multifunctional, allowing him to tailor its use to different situations. He's customized his SD to allow for simultaneous defensive and offensive effects. We get detailed explanations from Kusakabe himself and others, giving us a better understanding of his SD than other sorcerers.

Domain Counter - Simple Domain only nullifies the guaranteed hit aspect of Domain Expansion, not the technique itself -- but he can weaken the technique and reduce some of the damage. He also has the ability to stop the target from charging or expanding their Domains and cursed techniques.

Increased Speed - Kusakabe's Simple Domain boosts speed and mobility for both offense and defense. Offensively, this allows him to strike faster, whether he's using NSS drawing techniques or other martial arts. If you want a more in-depth look at these skills, you can read my [Jian Zhi and Tsuki no Ken] post. Defensively, this allows for better reaction time. When paired with his custom intercept techniques, this boost in speed allows him to evade even powerful attacks like Sukuna's slashes. Even though SD doesn't offer complete protection, not getting hit in the first place makes that a non-issue.

Custom Intercept: Kusakabe programmed his SD to automatically intercept targets, whether they enter his domain from the outside or are drawn in by its expanded range. The intercept technique allows him to close gaps and engage targets quickly, no matter how they come into his domain.

Expanded Range: Kusakabe's SD is well-known for its wide range, allowing him to use and enhance any of his techniques within that area. It also acts as a great defensive technique to protect allies:

enables him to protect a larger number of allies

allows allies the benefit of increased speed/mobility

he can use his own speed/mobility to cover specific areas on the battlefield while allies strike offensively (see him flanking to cover Higu)

he can use Domain Counters to offer protection from cursed techniques

Kusakabe's genius-level jujutsu knowledge and combat expertise set him apart as an elite sorcerer (again, it's the best term I can come up with for a skill level above expert). He constantly pushes the boundaries of existing techniques and adapts them into new, highly effective combat strategies. Other sorcerers recognize and respect this, and we should too. Because, as always --

WE RESPECT KUSAKABE ATSUYA IN THIS HOUSE.

[ilminnestrone]

Apple Juice and suspension of disbelief

I have seen a single user's theory on the Banora White Juice issue parroted as canon an unimaginable number of times, and frankly, I find it rather problematic that we as a fandom need exegetes to interface with a fantasy work that, rich as it is in symbolism, is a story that does not need to undergo constant autopsies in order to be appreciated. Despite its dieselpunk elements, Final Fantasy VII is a fantasy story, and I believe that when the fantasy fandom begins to lose its suspension of disbelief, we are faced with a human tragedy.

We can easily believe the story of a telepathic alien virus and an army recruiting thirteen-year-olds, soldiers injected with sentient oil, and the birth of three human-alien mummy hybrids about a year after its discovery without a trial period. And yet we decide a kid juicing fantasy fruit is just too much: something doesn't add up, we need to investigate further.

Most fandom exegetes stress the importance of engaging with the source material before coming up with headcanons that have nothing to do with the authorial intent, and I mostly agree.

So here’s the source material: Genesis won a National Agricultural Award for inventing Banora White Juice. That’s canon. Nomura said it. Nowhere in Crisis Core is it mentioned that Genesis revolutionised the food industry as a whole. He did not invent the concept of juicing apples or a revolutionary method of preserving them (because that's something I can't suspend my disbelief on, a supertechnological capitalist society where the large distribuition doesn't have a reliable preservation method). He simply invented Banora White Juice. He created something that was a commercial success, which is pretty impressive for a kid around 12.

That’s a basic Occam’s razor -a philosophical principle that basically states “the simplest explanation is usually the best one”; more in depth, when presented with different hypotheses, one should prefer the hypothesis that requires the fewest assumptions. In this case (again, a fantasy world case) we don’t need a single hypothesis: we are presented with a fact. A fact way easier to accept than magical crystals that make you summon deities or disappearing temples.

But if you really need an explanation, here’s your occam-razored explanation.

Banora was a puppet town created by Shinra; it wasn’t more real than nuclear test sites, or the Truman Show set: they just needed a controlled environment to observe their test subjects. Every single resident was a Shinra person, that’s why Genesis killed them all, and that’s why it wasn’t a Nibelheim situation.

It was also the only place on Gaia where Banora Whites grow. No one ever lived there before Project G. Probably nobody cared about Banora Whites before the Rhapsodos family started their business. So yeah, no one has ever sold them and shipped them to the continent, and no one ever processed them. And no one ever juiced them.

Apple plants from seed take around 4-6 years to bear fruit. They probably started by selling them as they were, because they turned out a pretty colour and it was a good marketing strategy. So yeah, nobody ever thought about juicing a completely new and probably overpriced (real life purple apples, Black Diamonds, cost 7-20$ for a single apple) cultivar because nobody ever grew Banora Whites before Genesis was born.

What else do we know? That the Rhapsodos were a rich family, with enough funds and means of production to process and commercialise a common product on a much larger scale than your average farmer (thank you @rottenpumpkin13 for the suggestion). And that Genesis is smart and good with words, so he probably came up with a great marketing strategy that made Banora White Juice an unprecedented commercial success for a simple fruit juice. Worthy of an award.

Last but not least. Gaia’s Banora Whites are not the exact equivalent of Earth’s apples: they grow with a bent trunk, they have a white bark, they taste like berries and they ripen at random times during the year: in the end, they are a fantasy fruit inspired by apples that symbolise the tree of the knowledge of good and evil fruit, a fruit that is commonly represented as an apple but that’s never explicitly named in the book of Genesis. So it’s perfectly plausible that apple juice was a common thing by the time Genesis won his awards, but not dumbapple juice.

Fun fact In Italy a lot of Valtellina and Trentino producers sell unpasteurised apple juice anyway: it’s sold in vacuum-sealed boxes with a tap that prevents oxygen from getting inside. It has a 2 year expiration date and once opened can be safely consumed for two months.

[dailyanarchistposts]

J.5.4 What are industrial networks?

Industrial networks are the means by which revolutionary industrial unions and other forms of libertarian workplace organisation can be created. The idea of Industrial Networks originated with the British section of the anarcho-syndicalist International Workers Association in the late 1980s. It was developed as a means of promoting libertarian ideas within the workplace, so creating the basis on which a workplace movement based upon the ideas of industrial unionism (see section J.5.2) could grow and expand.

The idea is very simple. An Industrial Network is a federation of militants in a given industry who support the ideas of anarchism and/or anarcho-syndicalism, namely direct action, solidarity and organisation from the bottom up (the difference between purely anarchist networks and anarcho-syndicalist ones will be highlighted later). It would “initially be a political grouping in the economic sphere, aiming to build a less reactive but positive organisation within the industry. The long term aim … is, obviously, the creation of an anarcho-syndicalist union.” [Winning the Class War, p. 18]

The Industrial Network would be an organisation of groups of libertarians within a workplace united on an industrial basis. They would pull their resources together to fund a regular bulletin and other forms of propaganda which they would distribute within their workplaces. These bulletins and leaflets would raise and discuss issues related to work, how to fight back and win as well as placing workplace issues in a social and political context. This propaganda would present anarchist ideas of workplace organisation and resistance as well as general anarchist ideas and analysis. In this way anarchist ideas and tactics would be able to get a wider hearing and anarchists can have an input as anarchists into workplace struggles.

Traditionally, many syndicalists and anarcho-syndicalists advocated the One Big Union strategy, the aim of which was to organise all workers into one organisation representing the whole working class. Today, however, most anarcho-syndicalists, like other revolutionary anarchists, advocate workers assemblies for decision making during struggles which are open to all workers (union members or not) as they recognise that they face dual unionism (which means there are more than one union within a given workplace or country). This was the case, historically, in all countries with a large syndicalist union movement there were also socialist unions. Therefore most anarcho-syndicalists do not expect to ever get a majority of the working class into a revolutionary union before a revolutionary situation develops. In addition, revolutionary unions do not simply appear, they develop from previous struggles and require a lot of work and experience of which the Industrial Networks are but one aspect. The most significant revolutionary unions (such as the IWW, USI and CNT) were originally formed by unions and union militants with substantial experience of struggle behind them, some of whom were part of existing trade union bodies.

Thus industrial networks are intended to deal with the actual situation that confronts us, and provide a strategy for moving from our present reality toward out ultimate goals. The role of the anarchist group or syndicalist union would be to call workplace assemblies and their federation into councils, argue for direct workers control of struggle by these mass assemblies, promote direct action and solidarity, put across anarchist ideas and politics and keep things on the boil, so to speak. When one has only a handful of anarchists and syndicalists in a workplace or scattered across several workplaces there is a clear need for developing ways for these fellow workers to effectively act in union, rather than be isolated and relegated to more general agitation. A handful of anarchists cannot meaningfully call a general strike but we can agitate around specific industrial issues and organise our fellow workers to do something about them. Through such campaigns we demonstrate the advantages of rank-and-file unionism and direct action, show our fellow workers that our ideas are not mere abstract theory but can be implemented here and now, attract new members and supporters, and further develop our capacity to develop revolutionary unions in our workplaces. Thus the creation of Industrial Networks and the calling for workplace assemblies is a recognition of where we are now — with anarchist ideas very much in the minority. Calling for workers assemblies is not an anarchist tactic per se, we must add, but a working class one developed and used plenty of times by workers in struggle (indeed, it was how the current trade unions were created). It also puts the onus on the reformists unions by appealing directly to their members as workers and exposing their bureaucrat organisations and reformist politics by creating an effective alternative to them.

A few anarchists reject the idea of Industrial Networks and instead support the idea of “rank and file” groups which aim to put pressure on the current trade unions to become more militant and democratic. Some even think that such groups can be used to reform the trade-unions into libertarian, revolutionary organisations — called “boring from within” — but most reject this as utopian, viewing the trade union bureaucracy as unreformable as the state’s (and it is likely that rather than change the trade union, “boring from within” would change the syndicalists by watering down their ideas). Moreover, opponents of “rank and file” groups argue that they direct time and energy away from practical and constructive activity and instead waste them ”[b]y constantly arguing for changes to the union structure … the need for the leadership to be more accountable, etc., [and so] they not only [offer] false hope but [channel] energy and discontent away from the real problem — the social democratic nature of reformist trade unions.” [Op. Cit., p. 11]

Supporters of the “rank and file” approach fear that the Industrial Networks will isolate anarchists from the mass of trade union members by creating tiny “pure” syndicalist groups. Such a claim is rejected by supporters of Industrial Networks who argue that rather than being isolated from the majority of trade unionists they would be in contact with them where it counts, in the workplace and in struggle rather than in trade union meetings which many workers do not even attend:

“We have no intention of isolating ourselves from the many workers who make up the rest of the rank and file membership of the unions. We recognise that a large proportion of trade union members are only nominally so as the main activity of social democratic unions is outside the workplace … We aim to unite and not divide workers. “It has been argued that social democratic unions will not tolerate this kind of activity, and that we would be all expelled and thus isolated. So be it. We, however, don’t think that this will happen until … workplace militants had found a voice independent of the trade unions and so they become less useful to us anyway. Our aim is not to support social democracy, but to show it up as irrelevant to the working class.” [Op. Cit., p. 19]

Whatever the merits and disadvantages of both approaches are, it seems likely that the activity of both will overlap in practice with Industrial Networks operating within trade union branches and “rank and file” groups providing alternative structures for struggle.

As noted above, there is a slight difference between anarcho-syndicalist supporters of Industrial Networks and communist-anarchist ones. This is to do with how they see the function and aim of these networks. In the short run, both agree that such networks should agitate in their industry and call mass assemblies to organise resistance to capitalist exploitation and oppression. They disagree on who can join the network groups and what their medium term aims should be. Anarcho-syndicalists aim for the Industrial Networks to be the focal point for the building of permanent syndicalist unions and so aim for the Industrial Networks to be open to all workers who accept the general aims of the organisation. Anarcho-communists, however, view Industrial Networks as a means of increasing anarchist ideas within the working class and are not primarily concerned about building syndicalist unions (while many anarcho-communists would support such a development, some do not). In the long term, they both aim for social revolution and workers’ self-management of production.

These anarchists, therefore, see the need for workplace-based branches of an anarchist group along with the need for networks of militant ‘rank and file’ workers, but reject the idea of something that is one but pretends to be the other. They argue that, far from avoiding the problems of classical anarcho-syndicalism, such networks seem to emphasise one of the worst problems — namely that of how the organisation remains anarchist but is open to non-anarchists. However, the similarities between the two positions are greater than the differences and so can be summarised together, as we have done here.

[navigatingenm]

A deep dive into still waters: How to self-soothe in waves of Whoosh - Part 4

Practical Approaches to Self-Soothing

This section provides a detailed, step-by-step guide to implementing self-soothing strategies, helping you personalise your approach and develop long-term emotional resilience. Here, you’ll learn how to create a self-soothing toolkit, engage in specific practices, and build lasting emotional strength through daily routines and support systems.

A. Creating a Self-Soothing Toolkit

A self-soothing toolkit is a personalised collection of resources that you can turn to in moments of emotional distress. The goal is to gather tools—both physical and cognitive—that help calm your nervous system and bring a sense of balance and comfort.

Identifying Your Triggers and Responses

To personalise your toolkit, start by identifying what tends to trigger distress for you. Jealousy, for example, might be triggered by specific situations in ethical non-monogamy, such as your partner spending time with someone else. Emotional triggers can also be linked to past experiences, fears of inadequacy, or feelings of insecurity.

Equally important is understanding how your body and mind respond to these triggers. Do you feel tension in your chest? Do your thoughts race? Recognising your physical and emotional responses helps you choose self-soothing techniques that address both mind and body.

Building Your Toolkit

Once you’ve identified your triggers and responses, you can begin to gather resources for your toolkit. These might include:

Physical items: Such as a comforting blanket, a favourite scent, or a stress-relieving object like a smooth stone or stress ball. These items help engage your senses and ground you in the present moment.

Cognitive techniques: These include thought restructuring from CBT, mindfulness techniques, or grounding exercises. Choose the practices that resonate with you, knowing that different situations may call for different tools.

Activities: Engaging in activities that calm or uplift you, such as going for a walk, listening to music, or practicing yoga.

The key is to build a diverse set of tools that address both your physical and mental states. The next part of this section will explain how to use these tools in real-time situations.

B. Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing Self-Soothing

While having tools is valuable, knowing how to implement them in moments of emotional distress is crucial. Here’s a step-by-step approach to effectively self-soothe when you feel overwhelmed by jealousy, anxiety, or other intense emotions.

Recognise and Name the Emotion

The first step is recognising what you’re feeling and naming it. This technique, known as affect labelling, helps reduce the intensity of the emotion by activating the prefrontal cortex. Instead of being swept away by a wave of jealousy or anxiety, pausing to say “I’m feeling jealous right now because my partner is with someone else” can create enough emotional distance to begin soothing yourself.

Engage in a Self-Soothing Practice

Once you’ve recognised and named the emotion, choose a technique from your toolkit to calm yourself. The technique you choose will depend on your emotional and physical state at that moment. Here are some effective options:

Breathing Exercises: Diaphragmatic breathing, as introduced in Section III, helps calm the nervous system. Focus on breathing deeply into your abdomen, then exhaling slowly. This activates the vagus nerve and helps shift you into a relaxed state.

Grounding Exercises: Grounding exercises engage your senses and bring you back to the present. One simple method is the 5-4-3-2-1 technique: identify 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. This exercise brings immediate focus away from overwhelming thoughts.

Physical Movement: Sometimes, releasing built-up tension requires movement. A short walk, yoga, or even shaking out your limbs can help dissipate physical stress and reset your mind.

Cognitive Techniques: Thought restructuring from CBT helps challenge negative thought patterns. For instance, if you find yourself thinking, “My partner will leave me,” you can restructure that thought into something more balanced, like, “My partner values me, and they’re capable of loving more than one person.”

These practices can be applied as needed in real time, depending on what helps you the most in a given moment.

Reflect and Adjust

After engaging in a self-soothing practice, take a moment to reflect on its effectiveness. Did it help reduce the intensity of the emotion? Which techniques worked best for you? This reflection helps you fine-tune your toolkit and identify which practices are most effective for specific situations.

It’s important to note that not every practice will work every time. Some days, you may find that grounding exercises are more helpful than cognitive techniques, and vice versa. The key is to stay flexible and open to adjusting your approach based on your needs.

C. Long-Term Strategies for Emotional Resilience

While self-soothing is crucial for managing acute emotional distress, long-term emotional resilience is built through consistent, daily practices. This section explores how to incorporate self-soothing into your daily routine, create a support system, and maintain emotional balance over time.

Daily Practices: Building Emotional Strength

Regularly practicing mindfulness, journaling, or other calming techniques strengthens your emotional resilience over time. This can include daily mindfulness meditation to train your brain to stay present and regulate emotions, or keeping a journal to track and process your feelings.

By making these practices part of your daily routine, you create a foundation of emotional well-being, making it easier to manage intense emotions like jealousy when they arise. For example, practicing mindfulness meditation for just 10 minutes each day can significantly increase your ability to stay calm and present during difficult situations.

Cultivating a Support System

While self-soothing is an internal process, external support plays a crucial role in emotional resilience. Surrounding yourself with supportive people—whether friends, partners, or therapists—provides a safety net when emotions become overwhelming.

In ethical non-monogamy, having open communication with your partners about your emotional needs and self-soothing practices can foster mutual support. Letting your partners know what techniques help you and how they can offer reassurance creates a more compassionate, transparent dynamic.

Regular Check-Ins: Assessing Your Emotional State

Finally, regular self-reflection helps you stay in tune with your emotional health. Set aside time each week to check in with yourself. Are there unresolved emotions that need attention? Are your self-soothing techniques still effective?

By staying proactive in managing your emotional state, you can build resilience and be better prepared to handle distressing emotions when they arise. This regular self-assessment can also help you adapt and adjust your toolkit over time, ensuring that your practices continue to support your well-being.

Overview of this Guide

Introduction

The Neuroscience of Self-Soothing Understand how the brain processes emotions and how self-soothing techniques can help rewire emotional responses.

Therapeutic Models and Self-Soothing Techniques Explore structured approaches like CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and somatic practices to manage overwhelming emotions.

Practical Approaches to Self-Soothing Learn step-by-step methods for building a self-soothing toolkit and applying techniques during emotional surges.

Understanding and Integrating Your Experience Discover how to use self-reflection, journaling, and self-compassion to understand emotional patterns and improve resilience.

Conclusion: Embracing the Process A reminder that self-soothing is an ongoing journey of building emotional resilience and finding balance.

[gmchesscoach]

Grandmaster trainer: How he helps to prepare for chess tournaments

Chess tournaments are a special world that requires not only deep knowledge and experience, but also considerable psychological and physical preparation. Participation in tournaments is a stressful and responsible process, especially for those who strive for high achievements in chess. In this context, gm chess coach becomes an important ally that helps prepare for all aspects of the tournament: from tactics and strategy to psychological stability and self-confidence. The importance of tournaments in the development of a chess player

Tournaments are not only a way to compete with rivals, but also an opportunity to assess your game level, identify weaknesses and learn to cope with nervous tension. Successful performance at tournaments requires not only knowledge, but also the ability to adapt to different situations, maintain calmness and confidence in critical moments. This is where the important role of the grandmaster coach comes into play.

How does the coach help in the preparation for the tournament?

The chess coach gm is not only a mentor, but also a strategist, psychologist and mentor who knows all the nuances of tournament fighting. Let's consider what aspects of preparation for the tournament are under his control and leadership:

Analysis of opponents. One of the key stages of preparation is the study of potential opponents. The coach helps to analyze the opponents' games, reveals their strengths and weaknesses, preferred debuts and tactical techniques. This allows you to prepare a special strategy for each match in order to be ready for different styles of play.

Development of debuts. In tournaments, every move is important, and the beginning of the game often determines its further development. Together with the student, the coach develops and hones a debut repertoire that fits his style of play and preparation against opponents. Special attention is paid to the study of counter-debuts and unpredictable options in order to be ready for unexpected moves.

Tactical training. During the tournament, the player must be ready for unexpected tactical situations. The trainer offers tasks and combinations that allow you to improve the skills of tactical thinking, quick decision-making and the ability to find unexpected moves.

Strategic planning. The trainer teaches the student strategic thinking, which allows building long-term plans in groups. He explains how to manage positions, create weaknesses in the opponent and control important areas of the board. This skill becomes decisive in difficult, positional games at tournaments.

Training under stress. A tournament is always stressful, especially for those who are just starting their journey in big competitions. During training, the coach creates conditions similar to those of tournaments: strict time control, imitation of difficult positions, moral pressure. This helps the student get used to the tournament atmosphere and learn to keep calm and concentrate in stressful situations.

Time control. Time plays a decisive role in chess tournaments. Fast time control (for example, in a blitz) requires special preparation. The coach teaches the student to correctly allocate time in the game, not to waste extra minutes on simple moves and to quickly make decisions in time.

Psychological preparation. Self-confidence is an important aspect of a successful performance at the tournament. The coach helps the student to cope with emotional stress, teaches to control his emotions and maintain fighting spirit even after losing the game. During training, the coach explains that defeat is not the end, but part of the journey from which you can learn lessons and become stronger.

Physical training. Not everything is thought out, but physical form is also important for chess players. Long games require endurance and concentration. The coach can recommend a regime of nutrition, sleep and physical activity so that the chess player feels vigorous and energetic during the tournament.

Development of an individual training plan

Each chess player is unique, and preparation for the tournament should be adapted to his style of play, level and goals. The grandmaster trainer develops an individual training plan, which may include:

Analysis of previous games. Analysis of played games helps to identify mistakes that need to be worked on before the tournament.

Compilation of the debut repertoire. Selection of optimal debuts for a specific tournament and style of opponents.

Tactical exercises. Daily training on tactics, which allows you to maintain "chess shape".

Practice of tournament games. Regular games in conditions close to tournament ones, with a control time and analysis of results.

Support during the tournament

During the tournament itself, the coach continues to support his student. He helps to analyze the games, gives advice before the next games, provides moral support and sets him up for the fight. Such support is especially important in long tournaments, where fatigue and psychological pressure can become a serious test.

Conclusion

Success in chess tournaments is the result not only of knowledge of theory and experience, but also of comprehensive training, including strategy, tactics, psychological stability and physical fitness. The grandmaster coach plays a key role in this process, acting as a mentor, psychologist and strategist. Thanks to his experience and guidance, a chess player gains the necessary skills and confidence to successfully compete in tournaments and reach new heights in chess.

[babyspacebatclone]

Responding to the following note from @papyrus126 on this post:

The original post about Anxiety referred specifically to remaining in a “freeze” state, an unconscious and automatic response to perceived threats in order to protect the individual:

Fight: facing any perceived threat aggressively.

Flight: running away from danger.

Freeze: unable to move or act against a threat.

Fawn: immediately acting to try to please to avoid any conflict.

Again, when one feels threatened, the body rapidly responds to imminent danger. The underlying goal of springing into fight, flight, freeze, or fawn, is to decrease, end, or evade the danger to return to a state of calm and control. (taken from the article from “Simply Psychology” below)

In the chart’s context, it describes how the stress from being constantly anxious (or suffering from a related condition, such as PTSD, or having a disorder with high comorbidity for anxiety, such as ADHD) means that the individual feels like everything has to be perceived as a potential threat, and the only reliable coping strategy left for this omnipresent sense of danger is complete submission.

However, what you are describing with feeling “empty” can best be considered a symptom of Anhedonia:

Anhedonia is the loss or a decrease in the ability to feel pleasure from things we once enjoyed. And it's a common symptom of mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Since the onset of the pandemic, there has been a rise in these disorders, so it's likely that anhedonia is affecting more people—and to a higher degree. (taken from article from “Real Simple” linked below)

You most likely have a combination of both, because as said Anhedonia is common in the same type of disorders the chart directly relates to.

A way of contextualizing it is the term “learned helplessness” - there’s nothing you do that makes anything feel better, so there’s no reason to try, leaving you just numb.

It’s important to recognize that learned helplessness and Anhedonia have a physical component: your physical brain stops either producing or responding to important chemicals.

The brain regions use a chemical called dopamine to communicate with each other. Dopamine is used to decide what's rewarding and how you want to attain it. It's also used to decide whether something is threatening. Felger explains that these reward circuit regions may not interact as well with each other in people with anhedonia. And therefore, this weakened communication between regions suggests unbalanced levels of dopamine, says Tiffany Ho, Ph.D. (taken from article from “Real Simple” linked below)

It’s not just a case of “trying harder,” your brain has to repair itself to get out of a cycle of learned helpless, constant anxiety, or Anhedonia.

The first step, therefore, is giving your body a chance to repair, primarily with better sleep because poor sleep is so highly correlated with all the related conditions.

Now, as someone with a divergent circadian cycle (my awake cycle is approximately noon until 4am), I’m going to emphasize: You need to find a sleep routine that is healthy for you.

If this means you need to be up at a set time, due to school or work or other obligations, than this may require a very strict pre-sleep routine in order to meet these obligations.

But please, please, see this as “I need to work on my sleep schedule so I can be healthy.” And not “I need to conform to society’s expectations of my sleep.”

Because those are two very, very different things.

The second is to use cognitive behavioral psychology to train your thinking away from “helplessness” or despaired thinking.

The first step here is to replace negative self talk with neutral self talk.

That’s right, we’re not going to go straight to the “positive happy happy stuff.”

You want to focus on objective observations about yourself, the situations you find yourself in, and your reactions. It is a move away from catastrophic, all-or- nothing thinking:

Instead of “I don’t even enjoy anything, I’m not even human” it’s “My brain is not working properly; it’s not giving me the rewarding responses it should.”

As you train your thinking away from feelings of helplessness, take note of things that are currently ok or even good. We tend to remember negative experiences more than positive experiences, which makes sense from a survival perspective.

But journaling - even mentally - about good things as they happen helps to reinforce that everything isn’t bad.

That there are things to be grateful for, even if you feel numb and overwhelmed.

Then, as you have a catalog of things that do bring positives to your life, you can use them to further counteract the feelings of numbness:

“That short walk made me feel good today. I probably won’t have time to do it again this week, but it’s nice to remember how it felt to hear the birds in the sun.”

Finally, give yourself something to be successful at. Puzzle games are great for this in my experience.

If you have a hobby you used to enjoy but don’t find pleasure in, work on improving a skill within that hobby.

Look at it as an investment for the future: “If I can master this stitch pattern, when I feel motivated it will be so much fun to knit a scarf using it later.”

Take note of the things you do that do move you out of a numb, overwhelmed feeling.

Reward yourself without guilt.

“I don’t want to read right now, but having this book by my favorite author feels nice. I’m going to buy it now, without any expectation to read it, but just so it’s right at hand for when I do have the spoons that I can read it!”

This already got long, but I hope some of it is helpful. I tried to find stuff that goes beyond the usual “practice coping strategies!” which of course is helpful but been told to death.

Linked articles for further reading below the cut.

[linuxgamenews]

Prepare for the Epic Sequel: Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter

Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter sequel for the action RPG game is coming to Linux, Mac, and Windows PC. Thanks to the skilled team at Odd Bug Studio for creating another engaging experience. Due to make its way onto Steam in 2024. Let’s dive into Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter on Linux. First off, we've got the return of Odd Bug Studio and United Label, hot on the heels of their 2021 hit. This sequel isn’t just a repeat; it’s a whole new chapter that promises to level up everything. The backdrop is the Ratdom's northern realms. You're stepping into the shoes of Arlo, the Warden of the North's son. A brutal onslaught by the Dark Wings, a new threat emerging from the icy wilderness. This isn’t just about survival; it’s a quest fueled by revenge and the need to reclaim lost ground. The Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter story is more than just a simple continuation. It's a deep, engaging campaign that propels you into Arlo’s world, thick with challenges and chances for growth. The original action RPG game left us reeling at its bloody conclusion, but the sequel takes that intensity and runs with it. Arlo's journey is laden with hard choices and even harder battles. While setting the stage for a gripping Linux adventure.

Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter | Announcement Trailer

Combat, a hallmark of the series, is more visceral and impactful than ever. With new gameplay elements, you've got a combat system that’s not just about swinging a sword. Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter is tactical, with each move requiring thought and precision. Elemental effects like fire, ice, electricity, and poison add layers to your strategy, demanding you adapt to different situations and foes. Monster hunting, a fresh addition, brings a whole new dynamic to the game. Imagine tracking down massive beasts, each a unique challenge. Defeating them isn’t just about bragging rights; it’s also a way to gather rare materials to upgrade your gear. This new element adds depth, making each encounter a test of skill and strategy in this action RPG. Then there's the expanded settlement mechanics. Rebuilding Winter’s Edge isn’t just busywork. It’s about creating a stronghold, enhancing your abilities, and making notable progress in the world. Each upgrade feels bigger, directly impacting your journey. Now, what truly sets Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter apart is the day and night system. This alters the gameplay. Different enemies emerge depending on the time, making each foray into the wild a unique experience. It’s not just about when you venture out, but how you prepare for these shifts. Adding to the deep experience is the voice acting of Doug Cockle, renowned for his roles in "The Witcher 3" and "Baldur’s Gate 3". His voice lends a gritty, authentic feel to Arlo's quest, enhancing the storytelling.

Co-founder and Lead Designer

Jack Bennett and his team at Odd Bug Studio have taken fan feedback to heart. This isn’t just a follow-up; it’s a response to what players loved and wanted more of. They’ve woven in new mechanics and storytelling elements, ensuring that this journey in the Ratdom is more than just another adventure. Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter is a richer, more intense experience, building on the foundation of the original to create something truly special. So, Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter isn't just an action RPG sequel. It’s an evolution, a testament to Odd Bug Studio's commitment to their craft and their community. This is set to be a remarkable journey through a rich, challenging world, promising hours of gaming. If you like the first game, get ready to be wowed. If you’re new to the series, prepare to be drawn into a beautifully crafted, brutal world of adventure and revenge. Due to make its way onto Steam and will launch later in 2024. Along with support for Linux, Mac, and Windows PC.

[kapittx]

A strategic approach to Accounts Receivable to get paid easier.

Accounts Receivable Management is a financial term that reflects both the strength and weakness of a business. On one hand, accounts receivable enables a long-term customer relationship based on credit. On the other hand, accounts receivable also creates a risky credit line on the company’s balance sheet. Customer creditworthiness, alignment between sales and finance teams, streamlined AR processes with minimal efforts, and accountable ownership are key elements that contribute to a smooth and goal-oriented accounts receivable approach.

In simple terms, accounts receivable management ensures that the credits from customers are fully paid within the agreed time, improve cash flow and provide businesses with sufficient working capital. However, the AR process is not as simple as it sounds, and many businesses face difficulties in achieving it. Current Financial Environment:

Most businesses have established clear accounts receivable policies, but many of them are still struggling with the different aspects of accounts receivables - timely invoicing, confirmed due dates, receivables timing, outstanding balances, discounts and agreed payment terms, and write-offs are all different pillars for an efficient AR planning.

Cash that is locked in receivables is a delayed asset, and as long as companies follow and maintain a planned approach, the risk is manageable. However, many companies try to bypass the rules in the process of increasing sales, retaining customers, or simply due to a lack of ownership, resulting in a chaotic situation to track the trapped cash.

In the process of increasing the number of sales deals, businesses often neglect the AR policies and by the time they realize it, their working capital is already affected. A smart approach is needed, where new sales and repeat deals make a positive impact on the balance sheet, by bringing cash into the business without compromising the customer relationship.

Refined AR approach

While accounts receivable is a lengthy process, understanding the customer’s capacity and credit worthiness is vital, to start with. When designing an AR strategy, it is important to communicate the plan clearly across the sales, marketing, and finance verticals of an organization, so that the teams work together toward the common business objective.

Every transaction with the customer has to be documented and must be accessible to all the stakeholders involved in the process. Understanding that AR is a repetitive process, it is important to follow a step-by-step approach and not skip any steps.

A typical AR collection process will start with the sales and delivery of goods, issuing the invoice, collecting payment (complete or partial payment), recording and tracking the balance payment by the accounts receivable team, and clearing the invoice once the payment is collected or writing it off as bad debt. Every business strives to avoid the bad debts on its books, and some of the following strategies will help the process

⦁ Clear segmentation of the customer base ⦁ Creating a proven accounts receivable plan ⦁ Effective follow-up and clear communication message ⦁ Professional dunning approach ⦁ Embedding B2B Payments in the accounts receivable process

A simple way of segmenting customers based on past payment experience will help the receivables team to establish the desired number of touchpoints. Every past communication response from the customer will be useful to categorize them and then a follow-up plan is devised for each group. An accounts receivable plan aims to keep the receivables time frame as short as possible, as a delayed payment becomes riskier as the days pass. Therefore, it is important to reduce the credit extension days. An average invoice time can last up to 3 months, requiring a consistent and efficient follow-up depending on the customer base.

Embedding B2B Payments in the AR process is a smart way to facilitate faster and easier payments from the customers. By offering multiple payment options, such as credit cards, bank transfers, digital wallets, or cryptocurrencies, businesses can increase the convenience and security of the payment process. Moreover, by integrating B2B Payments with the accounts receivabale software, businesses can automate the invoicing, payment reminders, payment confirmation, and reconciliation processes, saving time and reducing errors. B2B Payments can also enable businesses to offer incentives, such as discounts, rewards, or loyalty points, to encourage customers to pay on time or early.

One of the challenges of managing your accounts receivable is dealing with different types of customers and their payment behaviors. Large companies may have multiple approval levels that can cause payment delays, so you need to identify and contact the right person who can speed up the process and clear your invoice. However, in small and mid-sized companies, you may face the problem of competing with other creditors for your customers’ attention and cash. In this case, you may need to send frequent and friendly reminders to prioritize your invoices over others, and also offer incentives for early payments that can benefit both parties.

Another challenge of managing your accounts receivable is dunning, which is the process of contacting your customers to collect overdue payments. Dunning management can be a frustrating and delicate process if not done in the right way, so you need to understand and empathize with your customers first. You need to use the right tone, language, and medium to communicate with your customers, depending on their situation and preferences. When you do dunning management effectively, you can overcome many obstacles and make payment collection a super-efficient process.

Follow-up is another important word in the receivables context, and it is closely related to dunning management. Follow-up is the process of keeping in touch with your customers until they pay their invoices, or until you decide to write them off as bad debts. Follow-up is crucial to maintain a good customer relationship and to avoid losing track of your receivables. However, you cannot afford to be boring and repetitive in your follow-up messages. You need to use a personalized and professional approach in every follow-up, and also provide value to your customers, such as updates, insights, or tips.

Managing your accounts receivable can be a complex and time-consuming process, but it can also be a rewarding and satisfying one, if you use the right tools and strategies. One of the tools that can help you focus on one thing - getting paid faster and easier - is Kapittx, an Accounts Receivable automation platform that uses facts to help you reduce your Days Sales Outstanding (DSO). Kapittx gives you a clear view of what’s working and what’s not, and why, in your Accounts Receivable process. It helps you establish a successful relationship between your customers’ accounts payable cycle, your invoice life cycle management, and your collective ownership. Kapittx also enables your collection teams and sales teams to collect payments faster and more efficiently than before, by embedding B2B Payments in the AR process.

B2B Payments are a smart way to facilitate faster and easier payments from your customers, by offering them multiple payment options, such as credit cards, bank transfers, digital wallets, or cryptocurrencies. These payment options can increase the convenience and security of the payment process for your customers, and also reduce the transaction costs and risks for you. Moreover, by integrating B2B Payments with the accounts receivable software, you can automate the invoicing, payment reminders, payment confirmation, and reconciliation processes, saving time and reducing errors. B2B Payments can also enable you to offer incentives, such as discounts, rewards, or loyalty points, to encourage your customers to pay on time or early.

If you want to improve your cash flow and reduce your DSO by more than 30%, you should try Kapittx, an Accounts Receivable automation platform that embeds B2B Payments in the AR process. Experience how Kapittx can speed up your payments and make your Accounts Receivable management a breeze.

Request a demo today.

[randissupablog]

Rhetorically Speaking: How Do You Write a College Essay?

Most people, like myself, struggle with beginning their college application essay. There is no clear-cut formula when it comes to writing it. Topics could range from being about a random, seemingly unimportant, event in your life to an item that means a lot to you. Despite the large variety of different kinds of essays, there is one common denominator between all “good” college essays: the consideration of rhetorical situations.

In James Warren’s The Rhetoric of College Application Essays: Removing Obstacles for Low Income and Minority Students, Warren conducts a study to test the effectiveness of different strategies students use when writing their college essays. One group of students wrote it like they would any other essay. Another group was educated on persuasive writing. The final group learned to analyze the rhetorical situation when crafting their personal essay. The study concluded that it is “particularly important” to “analyze the rhetorical situation of college essays'' (Warren).

You may wonder “What is a ‘rhetorical situation’?”  The answer is simple: it is all the context and circumstances of a piece of writing. It is the purpose, audience, and context of a text. It is the answer to making smart decisions in all writing endeavors, not only your college essay.

Now that you know what a “rhetorical situation” is, you have to understand the rhetorical context of a college admissions essay. To put it simply, you are to be persuading college admissions officers to let you into their school based on your personality, values, and potential to succeed as a student in their school.

Paul T. Corrigan and Cameron Hunt McNabb’s Advice for students so they don’t sound silly in emails (essay) stresses the importance of emailing professors and teachers formally, and discusses how “the lines between professional emails and more informal modes of writing have become blurred” (McNabb). The authors then go on to describe how students should be crafting the formal emails they write, and they explain how “effective writing requires shaping your words according to your audience, purpose and genre” (McNabb). When writing a school email, students need to consider that they are writing to their teachers, since the writing style is far different when emailing teachers versus texting friends.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to adapt your writing style to your audience, and writing your college essay is no exception to this rule. When writing with admissions officers as the audience in my mind, you need to be formal, but authentic. Don’t be shy and hide your personality, as that is the reason they are reading your essay, but also don’t be too casual (Note: the admissions officers are not your friends! No using emojis and certainly no offensive language!). Always keep in mind who you’re writing to, or your audience, one of the most important aspects of a rhetorical situation.

Paul Rudnick’s College-Application Essay is the perfect example of what not to do when writing your college essay. Its dramatic fashion makes for an unlikeable character - one that college admission officers will see as snobby, pretentious, and artificial. After reading his essay, there is no chance that “the gatekeepers of your[a] fine university’s selection process” (Rudnick) would want him to attend their school. This essay is exactly what students should not do in their college essays, and, for that reason, may be one of the most helpful tools when writing your essay.

Understanding why this is an awful essay is extremely important: it makes the author unlikeable to admissions officers. In this case, the student had no understanding of the rhetorical situation. He blatantly brags about “designing chairs without legs for people who’d rather sit on the floor” and “developing alternative fuels” (Rudnick) instead of using his 650 words to show the admissions committee what kind of person he is and why they would want him at their school.

The key to writing your college essay is understanding its purpose and who is reading it. If students take into consideration that admissions officers are reading their essays to learn what kind of person they are, they might take a different, more effective method for tackling their college essays. Never forget to consider the rhetorical situation when writing your personal essay (this applies to everything else you write as well). When writing, cater your essay specifically to the audience. Write about a topic that is unique, and makes admissions officers want you at their school due to your character. Now think: What is the best way to show college admissions officers who you are, how you’ll succeed, and how you would be a good addition to their school?

[tf2workbench]

Group therapy

All of the Medic’s Ubercharges are seriously limited in that they only affect one target at once, and even swapping targets reduces their overall duration. I want to experiment with changing that, building an Ubercharge that affects every teammate in a radius.

Group Medigun Iteration 1 (*) Ubercharge provides 50% damage resistance and regular Medigun healing to yourself and all teammates in a radius

So, it’s kind of like the Battalion’s Backup, but more so. And like the Backup, it has upsides and downsides, especially when contrasted with the other Ubercharges.

Exponential utility It’s always good to have teammates supporting each other, but this Ubercharge takes it to the next level by requiring that teammates stick close to the Medic. Depending on how large the radius is (I’m imagining it roughly equivalent to the Amputator’s taunt), quite a few teammates can benefit from it at once. That can be a huge asset that a single Ubercharge target, no matter how invulnerable, might not be able to match. We’ll explore best- (and worst-)case scenarios further down in the post.

Exponential danger 50% resistance doesn’t equal invulnerability, and any time a bunch of players cluster up, they’re at increased risk of splash damage. Soldiers, Demos, and Pyros can output large amounts of damage against a clustered group despite the damage reduction. Moreover, because teammates can sometimes block their allies’ shots, there are real dangers to clustering up, just as there are advantages. This is a good thing; we want this weapon to have reasonable counter-strategies.

Communication requirements Because it requires that the team move and act as one, this charge’s effectiveness can be very different depending on how willing and able teammates are to play along. This will make it complicated to balance, since we need to account for the best- and worst-case scenarios.

On a related note, I’d like there to be a “forgiveness” period when you walk out of the resistance radius - say, half a second where your resistance stays the same, allowing you to move back into the circle without being penalized. This is just a simple anti-frustration feature designed to account for the fact that teammates won’t always move in the exact same way.

Healing through walls One thing that’s worth mentioning is that, for the Amputator’s taunt, it will continue healing a target within the radius as long as that target had line-of-sight to the Medic when the taunt started - even if they move behind a wall during the taunt. For the purpose of this charge, I’d like it to not affect targets behind walls. This forces the Medic to put themselves in danger and is more intuitive for both the users and the enemies.

Against other Ubercharges More than any other charge, this one can range between incredibly powerful and barely noticeable, simply because it depends so much on how many teammates are using it. But we’ll have to play out both situations to determine if and when the weapon is fun for both teams.

Against the stock Ubercharge, a well-coordinated team can’t outright kill the Medic/pocket pair, but they will almost certainly be able to survive the duration of the Uber with minimal losses. Classes like Pyros will have an easier time pushing the invulnerable duo around, too.

But in the worst case, this is just a worse version of the stock Ubercharge, since it charges no faster and doesn’t give total invulnerability. Barring an extraordinarily bad class matchup and skill differential, the stock Ubercharge will likely stall this Uber in its tracks.

The Kritzkrieg is probably the strongest charge to use against this. 50% damage resistance is a lot, but it won’t stop a sustained critical barrage, especially from area effects. The worst-case scenario for the Kritz pair is that they die prematurely, but they’ll likely be able to do serious damage to the enemy - and because they charge faster, they’ll be able to do it before this group-Uber is ready. Infinitely more so if the resistance Medic has few people to give resistances to.

The Quick-Fix runs into similar problems as the stock Ubercharge, but those are exacerbated because a coordinated team can easily put out more damage than the megaheal can recover. It’s very likely that the Quick-Fix duo would find themselves unable to kill any of the buffed team and be dead in short order. On the plus side, they do charge faster, but it can be hard to pick off a Medic while you’re using the Quick-Fix.

In the best case, most Medic heal targets wouldn’t be able to kill a Quick-Fix duo if they were all alone. There are exceptions, though, such as a skilled Demo or Heavy. I predict a two-on-two would be a roughly even fight depending on who each Medic was charging.

As usual, the Vaccinator would have problems facing a “real” Ubercharge of any kind. But even if they had all four charges ready, the Vaccinator Medic would have serious problems facing a coordinated assault with multiple damage types.

On the other hand, a good Vaccinator duo can easily pick off a Medic with an uncoordinated team, and three or four charge bars would 1) completely shut out most opposing duos and 2) charge considerably faster than this gun.

What does this mean? Overall, I think this medigun would contribute to a slower game where defensive positions are trickier to dislodge. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but for classes who do best as shock troops, it can be a little discouraging to be unable to push forward.

It’s also worth noting that, because of the relatively slow charge time and vulnerability of the Medic, this gun does have reasonable counters. A blitzkrieg (or Kritzkrieg) offense is a great way to deal with it. We’d have to playtest to make sure, but for now, I’m very pleased with how we’ve created a unique Ubercharge that can bring a lot of options to the game.

[eileenlovee]

What is Visa Refusal?

Visa refusal is the refusal of the application for a visa by an immigration agency of the government. If a person is seeking a visa authorities examine their application to determine if they meet the requirements for the visa they've requested. If they determine that the applicant does not satisfy the criteria, the visa application is rejected.

The reasons behind visa refusals are different, but the commonly, the reasons for refusal include:

Insufficient documentation or data

Application incomplete

A lack of strong ties with your country of origin

Inadequate financial support

Security issues

Health concerns

Recent incidents of immigration violations

Ineligibility under the law on immigration of the country you're applying to

It's crucial to recognize that visa refusals aren't common, and the reasons for refusal may not be simple. If your visa application was denied, you could be able to apply again to appeal or contest the refusal in accordance with the circumstances.

How can I appeal for Visa Refusal?

The procedure for appealing the refusal of a visa is contingent upon the country that you're applying to as well as the specific reasons behind the refusal. But, here are some general steps that you should follow if thinking of appealing a visa refusal:

Check the reason behind the refusal of your visa: Prior to you file an appeal, be sure to review the reasons for the refusal of visa. You should also consider whether there are additional details or evidence you could present to prove your case.

Contact a licensed immigration lawyer or an immigration authority: If you're thinking of appealing a visa denial is a good idea to talk to a reputable immigration lawyer or local authority on immigration for more specific advice on the procedure and legal requirements applicable to your situation.

Send your appeal in writing The appeal procedure for refusal of a visa usually will require you to make your appeal in written form to the immigration agency in charge of your case. The appeal must include an eloquent and clear explanation of the reason you believe the visa refusal is not justifiable and any other information or evidence that support your claim.

Participate in an appeals hearing depending on the country you are from and the type of visa you're seeking, you could be required to attend an appeal hearing in which you'll have the opportunity to discuss your appeal and answer any questions asked by immigration officials.

You must wait for the decision to be made Once you've submitted your appeal and been to any hearings that are required You will have to wait for the outcome. The process could take months or weeks dependent on the circumstances.

It's crucial to realize that appealing a refusal to apply for a visa does not guarantee approval, and the immigration authorities are the sole authority on visa decision-making. If, however, you have evidence or information that wasn't previously examined, an appeal may give you the chance to argue your case and, if necessary, change the decision.

Visa Refusal and Appeal with confidence

Visa appeals and visa refusals can be complicated and difficult, but with a little preparation and confidence you can improve the odds of being successful. Here are some suggestions to assist you in navigating appeals and refusals of visas confidently:

Examine your application and the reasons for refusing it carefully: Before you start the appeal, it's crucial to know the reason the visa request was denied. Examine your application and the reasons behind the refusal thoroughly and think about whether there's any additional evidence or information you could present to prove your argument.

Get professional advice: Talk an experienced immigration lawyer or immigration official to know the exact rules and procedures to appeal an immigration refusal in your particular case. A professional can assist you navigate through the process and give you advice on the best strategy for your particular situation.

Make sure you are well-organized and prepared In the event of trying to appeal a refusal of a visa it is essential to be organized and prepared. Be sure to have all the necessary documents, including any newly discovered information or evidence to support your argument. Then, provide your case in a concise and precise way.

Be assured and clear: when going to an appeal hearing Be confident and concise in your argument. Be sure to understand the case and the reasoning for appealing, and be prepared to respond to questions from immigration authorities.

Be patient. The appeal procedure can be lengthy and stressful, however it's crucial to remain calm and remain positive. Be aware that immigration authorities are the sole authority regarding visa decision-making, but appeals can give you the opportunity to make your case heard and possibly change the decision of a visa denial.

If you follow these guidelines and approaching visa rejections and appeals with confidence, you will improve your chances of success , and get one step closer to achieving your goals in immigration.

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MINDSET SHIFTING 🪽

What is mindset sifting? 🦢

Mindset shifting is the process of consciously changing your perspective, beliefs, or attitudes to adapt to new situations or achieve personal growth and development. It involves reevaluating and adjusting your way of thinking to approach challenges or opportunities with a different mindset or mindset strategy.

HERES AN EXAMPLE: Imagine you've always thought you weren't good at public speaking. With mindset shifting, you start to see public speaking as a skill that can be developed, rather than an innate ability. You practice, get feedback, and gradually become more confident in your speaking abilities. This shift in mindset transforms your fear into a growth mindset, allowing you to improve and excel in public speaking.

Changing your mindset replaces dysfunctional beliefs with more productive ones this involves reframing from looking at your life and goals in a bad light, Stop telling yourself your a failure because you made a mistake. In order to achieve our goals we have to make mistakes thats how we learn. Changing your mindset is one of the most powerful thing you can do for yourself.

Here’s things you can do to shift your mindset effectively:

1. Self-Awareness: Start by recognizing your current mindset. Identify any negative or limiting beliefs you hold about yourself or your abilities.

2. Positive affirmations: Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. For example, if you catch yourself thinking, "I can't do this," change it to "I can learn and improve."

3. Set Realistic Goals: Break down your goals into achievable steps. This helps you build confidence as you make progress toward larger objectives.

4. Learn and Grow: Embrace a growth mindset. Understand that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work.

5. Challenge Your Comfort Zone: Push yourself to try new things or take on challenges that stretch your abilities. This can expand your belief in what you can achieve.

6. Surround Yourself With Positivity: Spend time with people who support and encourage your growth. Cut off people who exposure you negativity and criticism. There might be times in life where you don’t have no choice but to be surrounded by negativity and that ok, this may sound cliché but become the positivity within yourself. Do things that bring make YOU happy, have late night drives by yourself or with friends, make a memory box for all the things you love so you can look back on them, and etc.

7. Visualization: Visualize your success and imagine yourself achieving your goals. Try making a Visual Pinterest board, fill it up with pictures that make up the lifestyle you want to live. This can reinforce a positive mindset.

8. Practice Gratitude: Focus on what you're grateful for in your life. A grateful attitude can shift your perspective toward a more positive mindset. Grab a journal and write 5 things your grateful for everyday, it can be as simple as “i am grateful for st4rgxrl for giving me these tips”. 😏

9. Educate Yourself: Read books, attend seminars, or listen to podcasts that inspire positive thinking and personal development.

10. Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. This can boost your confidence and motivation.

Mindset shifting is an ongoing process, and it requires patience and persistence. By incorporating these practices into your daily life, you can gradually shift your mindset in a more positive and growth-oriented direction.

౨ৎfrom: st4rgxrl💋