#era: dark dream

[femmefatalevibe]

25 Life Lessons I've Learned In 25 Years

In honor of turning 25 this month, here are some lessons I wish someone could've baked into my brain by 18. Hope this helps xx

Putting yourself first is not selfish, it is an act of self-care. Actively discounting others is not the same as protecting your peace.

Pay attention to who gossips and keeps to themselves amidst an interpersonal conflict. Insecure people or those in the wrong will speak the loudest and go on the longest in a fight to prove their innocence. Individuals who are self-assured and comfortable with the truth know it's better to communicate their feelings appropriately and then move past it. Confidence is assertive, tactful, and relatively silent.

If you want to know who to believe in an argument, pay attention to how both sides speak about the conflict. The perpetrator will often speak about the individuals' character/morality while the victim will explain their personal experience in the context of the relevant situation.

Display empathy and consideration, but don't live to satisfy others' emotional needs and expectations. Say farewell to anyone who dismisses or guilts you for your own needs, emotions, priorities/life goals & aspirations.

Your needs matter. No one needs to approve or validate your desires. If someone feels they have control over you or tries to persuade you to change your mind to ensure you put their emotions and needs first, cut them out of your life. They do not care about you.

Almost no one deserves insider access into your life and mind. Upholding your right to privacy – especially regarding your finances, dating life, health conditions/concerns, and long-term goals – is the simplest way to protect your peace.

A friend to all is a friend to none. Be wary of those who will not stand up for you behind closed doors. These people do not care about you, they care about what your place in their life does for them and their ego.

Be radically honest and accepting of who you are. Don't apologize for your preferences, aspirations, and values. You deserve to live in a way that makes you happy, not to appease others in hopes of their approval or future favors due to your karmic good deeds.

You deserve happiness, love, and nice things, life experiences, relationships, and opportunities in your life regardless of what others may or may not possess/ be able to experience. Dispel this scarcity mindset ASAP. Jealousy and internalized shame are destructive to your self-esteem and all your relationships.

You are worthy and offer many incredible, unique gifts to the world. Don't allow naysayers, critics, or bullies (of any age) to dim your light or sacrifice pursuing your dreams. Decide you're the leader of your own life. Then act accordingly.

Direct communication is always the way. Remain tactful, but at least when dealing with non-manipulative people, always say what you mean and mean what you say. It will save a lot of trouble and petty disagreements that could've been avoided with clearer communication.

You don't owe anyone an explanation for your feelings, emotions, and actions that don't have a direct, inescapable impact on someone else. "No" is a complete sentence.

Approach conversations as a meeting of the minds. Healthy debate or conflict is about seeking to understand the other person, not prove yourself right. Leaving your ego at the door will allow you to expand your mind and avoid many unnecessary conflicts or arguments.

If it's not a hell yes, it's a no. For a job, date, sex, attendance at a time-sucking social event, family gatherings, an informal meeting not essential for you to keep your job, a wedding, birthday party, holiday invitation, etc. Outside of your contracted hours and time necessary to keep yourself/your home clean & well-maintained, you should spend your time exactly as you please. Doing things you don't want to do will only breed resentment down the line toward yourself and others.

Detangle yourself from any who refuses to self-reflect and take accountability. This person is selfish and will never see you as fully human with emotions, needs, and a complete life/internal world of your own. Cut them out (or at least fully emotionally detach and limit contact with them) immediately.

Speak your truth, but always say a little less than you feel necessary. Overexplaning and oversharing do you no favors. At a minimum, this approach allows you to protect your peace. In the worst circumstances, this tactic can also save you from a lot of trouble in your personal or professional life.

Learn to ask for a little more than you're comfortable with, but do so with grace, tact, and confidence. Whether it's a salary/rate negotiation, flight/hotel/restaurant accommodations, get in the habit of making that slightly higher/up-leveled request like you're expecting a "yes." You can't get something you don't ask for, so speak up and show you know your worth. This habit can bring a lot of great opportunity into your life and builds up your confidence.

Everyone is on their own timeline and path. Don't compare yourself to others' credentials, job titles, relationship status, net worths, or jean sizes. Comparison is truly the thief of joy. Remaining envious of others only takes up the energy that could otherwise be used to elevate or enrich your life.

Become clear on your priorities, and remain diligent with your habits & routines. Set SMART goals. Implement healthy habits and rituals into your daily lifestyle. Be consistent with goal-supporting and wellness rituals (generous sleep schedule, healthful eating habits, daily movement/regular exercise, reading, task time-blocking, cleaning, and life/work admin schedule), so they become second nature. Help yourself by creating these default habits to ensure your brain is wired for success whether you're in an easygoing era or a stressful life season.

Stop seeing other people (especially other women) as your competition in your profession/dating life and within your platonic relationships. Use your immediate criticisms as a tool for self-reflection. Actively deconstruct the patriarchy in every aspect of your life. Other women coworkers, dating prospects, and friends are not your rivals nor individuals who should be evaluated based on their assertiveness, sexual history/appeal, relationship status, or desire to perform traditional maternal/domestic roles.

Understanding how to interact with others in a cordial, tactful manner is significantly more important than having everyone like you. Learn how to positively influence people without seeking approval. What other people think of us is none of our business. All we can do is show up as the best version of ourselves, and remain optimistic about a potential connection.

Acceptance, accountability, and consistent discipline are the holy trinity to creating a sustainable change that you can maintain for the long haul. There's no shame in starting from the bottom, but you need to be honest about where you're at, so you can create a realistic game plan/small behavior-changing habits that stack up over time to help you implement the radical change you're craving.

Let go of any internalized shame. Being the "good girl" does you no favors in life. Set a standard and expectation to be respected, not to be perceived as "innocent" or submissive – this is how you get taken advantage of in professional, platonic, and intimate relationships. Remain ravenous for respect. It's the only way to live life to the fullest.

24. Investing in your appearance is a form of self-respect. Wanting to look & feel your best and present yourself in the best light possible to others is not a superficial pursuit. Remain unwavering about your hygiene/beauty/grooming routines, deliberate styling choices, healthy eating & workout habits, and mindfulness of social graces. You're your #1 publicist, so act like it. Life is all about embracing satisfaction with a sprinkle of reputation management.

25. Be unapologetic about your financial ambitions, priorities, investments, savings goals, etc. Financial freedom IS freedom. The only way to change the system is to break it from the inside out. Leverage is everything. Allocate, and assert your (financial) power wisely.

[gunsatthaphan]

03/09/1998 - happy birthday to the king, the legend, the light of my life (and the actor that he is) 🥺

~ ⋆˙⟡ ♡˙⟡ ✨🫶🏻💘🫳🏻🐈‍⬛🍊⋆˙⟡ ♡˙⟡ ~

[diablaesque]

Strawberry Glaze Smoothie Recipe

This is totally inspired by Hailey Bieber's strawberry glaze skin smoothie but made for us girlies who definitely can't afford a $19 smoothie daily lol. I've noticed a difference in my skin since I started having this smoothie (almost) every day and I'm not one to gatekeep!

Ingredients

250ml almond or coconut milk (adjust for desired consistency)

1 ripe banana

80g strawberries (about 5-6 medium-sized strawberries)

1/4 avocado

2-3 dates, pitted

teaspoon maple syrup (adjust to taste)

1 serving of vanilla collagen powder (mine is from bulk - 15g)

1/2 teaspoon natural vanilla flavoring

1 tablespoon coconut cream

spoonful of strawberry syrup or glaze (optional, to taste)

Method

Peel the banana, pit the dates, and remove the stems from the strawberries.

In a blender, combine almond or coconut milk, banana, strawberries, avocado, dates, maple syrup, vanilla collagen powder, natural vanilla flavoring, and coconut cream.

Blend on high speed until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy. If the smoothie is too thick, you can add more almond or coconut milk to reach your desired consistency.

If you would like, drizzle in a spoonful of strawberry syrup at the bottom of your cup / glass before serving for extra strawberry flavour.

[howtobeher]

Defining ❝𝓗𝓮𝓻❞

You know her. She commands attention effortlessly, wrapping men around her finger and inspiring women simply by existing. Enigmatic, multifaceted, and numinous, she’s a work of literature that keeps you turning pages, captivated by her infinite layers. Her emotional intelligence and maturity shine in her demeanor. Strikingly composed, she’s a master of balancing humble vulnerability with fierce confidence. Rumors swirl that she’s a witch, her brilliance and success so arcane they seem touched by magic. In a way she is; she harnesses the transformative power of discipline, consistency, and intentional small habits. A beautiful woman uniquely made, she highlights the gifts her creator deigned her with. Nurturing her soul first and foremost, she knows true beauty radiates from within.

[desire444lust]

[nayypretty]

the power of seduction

≽^•༚• ྀིྀ≼ Confianza en uno mismo: Cuando te sientes seguro de ti mismo, eso se refleja en tu lenguaje corporal y en cómo te comunicas con los demás. La gente tiende a sentirse atraída por aquellos que tienen una actitud positiva y segura.≽^•༚• ྀིྀ≼

≽^• ˕ • ྀི≼ Escucha activa: Presta atención genuina a lo que la otra persona dice. Mostrar interés y hacer preguntas relevantes no solo crea una conexión más profunda, sino que también demuestra que valoras sus opiniones y sentimientos. Lenguaje corporal: Tu cuerpo comunica mucho. Mantén una postura abierta y relajada, haz contacto visual y usa gestos que transmitan calidez y sinceridad. Evita cruzar los brazos o tener una postura cerrada, ya que puede parecer distante o defensiva.≽^• ˕ • ྀི≼

Empatía: Ponte en el lugar de la otra persona. Entender sus emociones y perspectivas te ayudará a conectar a un nivel más profundo.୨ৎ

Comunicación efectiva: Usa un tono de voz cálido y amigable. Evita hablar demasiado rápido o de manera monótona, ya que esto puede resultar poco atractivo.୨ৎ

Humor: Un buen sentido del humor puede ser una herramienta poderosa en la seducción.୨ৎ

Autenticidad: Sé tú mismo. La autenticidad es atractiva porque muestra que no estás intentando ser alguien que no eres. La gente suele sentirse atraída por personas que son genuinas y honestas.୨ৎ

Cuidado personal: La apariencia también juega un papel importante. Vestirte bien y cuidar tu higiene personal demuestra respeto hacia ti mismo y hacia los demás. No se trata de ser superficial, sino de presentarte de una manera que te haga sentir seguro y cómodo. Desarrolla tus habilidades sociales: La seducción a menudo implica habilidades sociales refinadas. Trabaja en tu capacidad para leer las señales sociales, adaptarte a diferentes situaciones y manejar las interacciones de manera efectiva. Respeto y límites: La seducción debe siempre basarse en el respeto mutuo. Reconoce y respeta los límites de los demás. La verdadera seducción no debe ser manipulativa ni forzada; debe ser una interacción que beneficie a ambas partes.

intragram-of my

youtube-of my

pinterest-of my

tiktok-of my

˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧˚.🎀༘��

[sudegilmore]

“A window that whispers the past in the golden hours of summer.”

[satinspiderweb]

tessellation

[douxalayna]

hii im alayna! im not new to girl blogging but this is a new account!! (my favorite album is lust for life btw comment yours!!)

[femmefatalevibe]

Femme Fatale Guide: Mindset Shifts To Improve Your Life

Think "Practical vs. Pleasure" not "Right vs. Wrong" when evaluating your thoughts, desires, actions, and decisions. Stop moralizing your emotions, inclinations, and goals when curating your life and inner world. Shaming leads to stagnation, not self-reflection.

Design your days based on 3s. Consider the 3 most important tasks of your day that, if completed, will leave you feeling satisfied with your progress/productivity at the end of the day. Plan how and what 3 meals to incorporate into your day. Divide your day 3 parts into morning/priming, afternoon/productivity, and evening & nighttime/unwinding. Consider the 3 activities you can do/complete during these 8-hour blocks that will leave you feeling fulfilled and a step closer to your longer-time goals/overall well-being.

Consider your various needs as different buckets that require regular nourishment (physical, emotional, social, sexual, financial, and personal growth). Look beyond certain inclinations and behaviors to understand why a certain decision, action, or relationship is a value-add to your life. Many actions, goals, and relationships fall into more than one of these buckets simultaneously. If you don't sense that some practice, routine, or relationship serves any of these purposes, it's time to reevaluate why and whether it's worthwhile to keep this time & energy consumer in your life.

Perceive your life as a hub & spoke model with you as the hub and all your responsibilities, self-care activities, and relationships as the nodes. This roadmap allows you to reclaim ownership over your life and act in your own best interest. Seeing yourself as the center of a web (your personhood) helps you to organize your life while simultaneously seeing how all your interdependent relationships, responsibilities, and valued activities influence your day-to-day.

[purebbyfawn]

•｡♡ ˚⋅

[tenthsfreezeout]

sluttiest bruce springsteen album tournament, round 1 🎸

Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978) vs Working on a Dream (2009)

Candy’s Room: “We kiss, my heart rushes through my brain / And the blood rushes in my veins / The fire rushes towards the sky / And we go driving, driving deep into the night / I go driving deep into the light in Candy's eyes”

🎸🎤🪗🎷🥁🎵🎹🎻

Queen of the Supermarket: “The way she moves behind the counter / Beneath her white apron her secrets remain hers” “As I lift my groceries into my car / I turn back for a moment and catch a smile / That blows this whole fucking place apart”

[pixelink]

Gothic Era and Victorian-Inspired Entrance Foyer Interior:

Baroque era accents and dark rich tones with a feminine touch, sunny natural lighting through picture window.

[gotham-crusader]

@all-nights-dreaming

There's a pull, from one of the darkest corners of the cave. The pull is beyond words, beyond description, really.

Batman checks the systems again, over and over. Everything rings back as clear. No one has entered the cave who wasn't supposed to be inside of the cave. Nothing that the cave's systems would be able to check for, it would seem.

Thus begins the descent. The lights of the cave grow dimmer and dimmer, before fading into nothingness. Black boots press down on stone steps while a black cape glides gently over them.

Finally, a word hits him: esoteric. It doesn't take long at all to figure out why that word hits him most of all.

"Morpheus, I presume."

[magnetarbeam]

Brainstorming the AU stuff I want to all have in the same huge continuity has led me to think of a version of mostly Dark Journey, but also Enemy Lines and some of Edge of Victory II, that excludes the creepy almost-romance between Jaina and Kyp, in favor of giving Zekk more of a role so as to set up Jaina/Jag/Zekk, while keeping Jaina and Kyp's friendship and Kyp's more important development.

I've only read Dark Journey once, so I haven't fully processed it yet, but I know Zekk's there, and I don't remember seeing much of his thoughts on Jaina's brush with the dark. I still don't know him as well as I'd like to, but just judging from Star by Star and what I've heard secondhand about YJK, Zekk really would have thoughts on it.

Vaguely what I'm imagining is that Zekk reacts to Jaina becoming Kyp's apprentice by thinking that Kyp's going to encourage darkness in her, but then what ends up happening is that they need to work together, drawing on both of their experiences with the dark side and with Jaina, to pull her back.

[afwachting]

🕸🕷🦇

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