#growth isn’t linear

[scoldingdarjeeling]

Deleting Dissent won't delete The Conversation

Being 'called out' for having a thin skin (intended as a gotcha) is an accomplishment. It's a valued skill and tool for many artists and writers.

Deleting comments for rubbing you the wrong way, labeling them as haters or trolls simply because they challenge the status quo or don't shower you with compliments, is on you. By doing so, you not only dismiss their time and serious engagement. But also deny yourself the opportunity to grow and learn.

That approach will come back to bite you. It impacts your reputation as a blogger because maintaining a blog isn't just about broadcasting—it's about interaction. If you can't practice what you preach, that inconsistency will become evident quickly. Most especially when the comments are thoughtful, analytical, and contribute to the discussion.

As long as they adhere to guidelines and aren't rude or threatening, your reasons for silencing them don't hold water.

Citing mental health as a blanket justification doesn't align with therapeutic practices; no CBT therapist advocates for avoiding challenging discussions. They emphasize doing the work, facing discomfort, and consistent self-exposure.

And to be clear: I'm not impeding anyone's right to manage their comment section. That's their prerogative. But they can't expect to control the broader conversation or demand my silence on social media.

So let’s collectively agree to keep hypocrisy in the exception percentile — and not mistake it for the rule.

Source: Should bloggers delete comments that disagree with them?

[giddyandgolden]

You know, it’s interesting — when you’re self-aware enough to feel yourself getting hurt, even though the person who hurt you didn’t actually mean it like that.

And then, when you go looking for comfort — from someone you trust, someone you want to turn to — they offer you logic instead. Not because they don’t care, but because that’s how they process things. That’s how they show love — by trying to help you solve the problem, not by sitting in the feeling with you.

And the truth is… you can’t always move past the feeling right away. Because you’re still trying to understand why it hurt so bad. Even when they help you figure it out — even when they gently point out, “this reminds you of something old” — your brain and body don’t always sync up right away.

And in that final moment, when all you really wanted was comfort — not solutions, not tough love, just someone to sit with you and say, “that sucked, I’m sorry” — you got logic again. Not because they didn’t care, but because that’s just how they work.

I was only hurt because in my moment of weakness, I really needed comfort, not solutions.

And even though their way of trying to lift me up came from love, it didn’t land how I needed it to.

But this wasn’t just about today.

It was a trauma response — a flashback to how I was treated in the past, how my feelings were dismissed or made to feel like they were too much.

Speaking up has never been easy for me. Even now, it’s a challenge. But I’m learning that I have a voice, and instead of staying quiet and letting things happen, I can let people know how I feel — and that my feelings are valid, even if they don’t make logical sense right away.

I understand now why I felt the way I did, and that’s okay.

I get it now, and I can breathe.

So, from here on, I’m moving forward. And even in moments of weakness like this, it doesn’t mean I failed. It just means I’m growing. It means I’m aware of what’s happening, and I’m learning that it’s okay to sit in the feeling — to understand it, honor it, and then let it go when I’m ready.

[let-me-sleep-or-die]

Fantasy High season 3 turning me into Kristen Applebees #1 defender

[invinciblelikeu]

maybe they’re better off without her with a mindset like that.

[faeriedusk]

Not sure if y’all wanna see my Reels and stuff here? But I don’t feel fair excluding y’all from posts, so you tell me what’s best!

Anyway, Rose Quartz, I love your design but man do I have,,, complicated feelings for her!!

[alignmentpathways]

You’re not too much. You’re just too full of things no one helped you carry.

Healing doesn’t mean forgetting. It means remembering safely. It means choosing softness in a world that taught you to harden.

If you’re ready to meet yourself with compassion, I’ll walk with you.

🕊️ Shadow work. Emotional healing. Self-discovery. One breath at a time. → alignmentpathways.com

[anagram-for-mongo]

“I don’t think my wife understands me” but it’s about wearing fashion i got made fun of for wearing in the past

[agirlunfilteredsblog]

KIND REMINDERS 🤍

1. You are someone’s dream girl exactly the way you are right now.

We put so much emphasis on growth and getting to that “next best place”, which is fine, but we always forget that we deserve self-love as we are right now. It does not mean that you aren’t at your “best” physically and/or mentally that you aren’t deserving of love, kindness, and respect.

2. Perspective is everything

Stop stressing over that one bad grade you received at school. In ten years, you won’t even remember what teacher gave it to you. Focus your energy on things that’ll have lasting impacts. When you look back on your life, you want to see the beauty of it, not the anguish.

3. Growth isn’t linear

Don’t blame yourself for messing up. We aren’t perfect and we are bound to mess up every once in a while. Learn from your mistakes, and try to not repeat them. And if you do, that’s okay, there’s always another time. Growth has no time limit.

4. You are not a bad person

If you are sitting here constantly asking yourself if you are a bad person or underserving of love, I’m here to tell you one thing: bad people don’t worry about whether they are perceived as “good” or “bad”. Give yourself grace, and stop letting your overthinking consume you.

So much love,

A girl unfiltered 💋

[bloomzone]

2025 #8 The Power of 3: Divide Your Year, Reclaim Your Time

Happy New Year—it’s 1st January, and 2025 is finally here woooooaaaaah. A blank slate, full of possibility. But this isn’t about resolutions. This is about creating a system—a life strategy that works every single day, not just for a few weeks in January. (This is my mindset rn !)

✒️..That’s why today, we’re talking about the 3-3-3-3 Method. Your year isn’t one overwhelming block of time. It’s not a marathon you burn out on halfway through(trust me). It’s a cycle of seasons—each three months long—designed for you to grow, adjust, and conquer in stages.

[You don’t need to control 12 months at once. You need to master each quarter.]

Why 3-3-3-3 Works

The biggest mistake people make is thinking success is linear. It’s not . Life happens in phases. When you divide your year into 3-month blocks, you give yourself permission to focus, recalibrate, and restart four times a year.

[Three months is long enough to see results but short enough to stay motivated.]

Four separate quarters means you have four fresh starts. No wasted time, no excuses.This structure keeps you accountable, productive, and adaptable.

Breaking Down the Year

Let’s go quarter by quarter !!

Q1: The Groundwork (January-March)

This is your foundation. These three months are about clarity and direction. You’re building the systems and habits that will carry you through the rest of the year.

Set specific, actionable goals for Q1—just three.

Focus on discipline, not motivation. Build habits that align with your goals.

Start small, but be consistent. Every day you show up, you’re stacking bricks.

Your mantra for Q1? “Brick by brick, I’m building my future.”

Q2: Growth Season (April-June)

This is where the seeds you planted in Q1 start to sprout. Now it’s time to double down.

Push yourself harder. Challenge the systems you built.

Evaluate: Are your habits working? If not, adjust them.

Stay consistent—this is the quarter where most people quit.

Your mantra for Q2? “I don’t stop when I’m tired; I stop when I’m done.”

Q3: The Grind (July-September)

This is the toughest quarter—it’s hot, it’s long, and the novelty of the year has worn off. But this is also where champions are made.

Stay focused on execution. Don’t lose sight of your goals pleaaaase I know u can do it

Keep your pace steady. This isn’t about speed; it’s about endurance.

Reflect: What’s worked so far this year? What hasn’t? Cuz we are not perfect!!!

Your mantra for Q3? “I thrive in the grind. I grow in the struggle.”

Q4: The Finish Line (October-December)

This isn’t the time to coast. These last three months are your chance to finish strong.

Tie up loose ends. Complete what you started.

Celebrate your wins, but don’t get complacent.

Plan for the next year. Use what you’ve learned to set bigger goals for 2026.

Your mantra for Q4? “I finish what I start. I don’t quit—ever.”

Tasks (ideas) for Each Quarter

1. Q1: Build Your Base

Identify three goals.

Break them into daily and weekly tasks.

Track your progress daily.

2. Q2: Expand Your Reach

Push your comfort zone.

Evaluate and adjust your systems.

Focus on consistency, not perfection.

3. Q3: Commit to the Grind

Keep going, even when it feels tough.

Reflect monthly: What’s working? What isn’t?

Stay disciplined, no matter what.

4. Q4: Reflect and Rebuild

Finish strong—don’t leave anything undone.

Celebrate, but use failures as lessons. FAILURES ARE TEACHERS !

Set the stage for a powerful 2026.

1st January: it's a Now or Never

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a new year. But here’s the truth: excitement fades. Discipline doesn’t. If you want this year to be different, you have to act differently.Today isn’t about January 1st being special. It’s about what you do with every day after this. Divide your year. Build your plan. And most importantly—execute.Because when December 31st comes around, and the world is reflecting on what they’ve lost or didn’t achieve, you’ll stand tall knowing you didn’t waste a single season. You didn’t just live through 2025—you mastered it.

one quarter at the tiiiiiime!!

@bloomzone 📇

[wetheurban]

Growth isn’t linear. Relapses are part of the process, not the end of progress. Celebrate every single small win, practice discipline and grace, and please, just keep going.

[goldenwilmon]

Thinking about how growth isn’t linear. Healing from grief isn’t linear. Healing from trauma isn’t linear.

[phoenixrisingastro]

The Wounds That Transform: Chiron & Pluto’s Role in Your Journey

In the vast tapestry of astrology, there are two celestial forces that demand us to confront our pain, rise from the ashes, and transform into something far greater than we ever thought possible: Chiron, the Wounded Healer, and Pluto, the Lord of Transformation.

These cosmic players don’t just scratch the surface of your soul—they carve deep trenches, unearthing the buried parts of yourself you’d rather not face. But herein lies the paradox: the very pain they bring holds the key to your greatest strength.

Chiron: Where It Hurts, You Heal

Chiron represents the eternal wound, a place in your chart where life seems to cut the deepest. This wound isn’t superficial—it’s primal, visceral, and feels almost insurmountable. You’ll find yourself wondering:

Why does this area of life always feel broken?

Why does healing seem like a cruel, unattainable dream here?

But Chiron doesn’t just leave you wounded. It teaches you that healing isn’t linear—it’s messy, circular, and deeply human. Your Chiron placement is where life demands you to look within, not to erase the pain but to transform it into wisdom.

For example:

Chiron in Aries asks you to confront fears of self-worth and individuality, turning insecurity into courage.

Chiron in Virgo forces you to see the beauty in imperfection, transforming self-criticism into healing for others.

The magic of Chiron is that your deepest wound becomes your most sacred gift. The lessons you learn here aren’t just for yourself—they’re for others. Chiron asks: Will you share your pain to inspire healing in the world?

---

Pluto: Death, Rebirth, and the Phoenix Rising

Where Chiron’s pain lingers, Pluto burns. This is the planet of death, rebirth, and everything in between. Pluto doesn’t ask—it demands. It strips you of illusions, rips away false comfort, and drags you into the shadows kicking and screaming.

Pluto isn’t interested in healing your wounds gently—it annihilates what no longer serves you so you can rise anew. If you’ve ever experienced a Pluto transit, you know this:

The friendships that crumbled.

The relationships that imploded.

The identity you thought you’d never let go of.

But when Pluto destroys, it does so with a purpose: transformation. Just like the phoenix rising from its ashes, Pluto ensures that what dies in your life paves the way for something more resilient, powerful, and true.

Pluto’s placement in your natal chart tells you where you’re destined to undergo these soul-shaking transformations. For example:

Pluto in the 7th House will revolutionize how you experience partnerships, forcing you to confront power dynamics and vulnerabilities.

Pluto in the 10th House will reshape your career and public image, breaking down facades and asking you to build a legacy rooted in authenticity.

---

Chiron & Pluto: The Dance of Pain and Power

Here’s the truth: Chiron and Pluto are two sides of the same coin. Chiron invites you to tend to your wounds, to find wisdom in your pain, and to see healing as a lifelong journey. Pluto takes that healing further, asking you to burn down the old versions of yourself and rebuild with unshakable strength.

Together, they guide you through the most profound alchemy of the soul:

1. Acknowledge the wound (Chiron). Feel it. Name it. Understand its roots.

2. Release and transform (Pluto). Let the fire consume the parts of you that no longer serve your growth.

An Invitation to Reflect:

Take a moment to sit with your own Chiron and Pluto placements. Ask yourself:

Where do I feel the most pain, and how can I use it as a source of wisdom?

What in my life needs to be let go of, even if it’s painful?

This is the work of the soul. It’s not easy, and it’s not glamorous. But as Chiron and Pluto teach us, pain is not the enemy—it’s the catalyst for your transformation.

---

Your wounds are not your weakness. Your pain is not your prison. They are the stepping stones to the most powerful, radiant version of yourself. Chiron and Pluto ask you to trust in the process, even when it feels unbearable. Because on the other side of this journey is not just survival—it’s transcendence.

And you, dear reader, are destined to rise.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: Hierarchy of Needs

Abraham Maslow’s (1943) hierarchy of human needs has profoundly influenced the behavioral sciences, becoming a seminal concept in understanding human motivation.

The original pyramid comprises 5 levels:

Physiological needs: Basic requirements for survival, such as food, water, shelter, and sleep

Safety needs: Security of body, employment, resources, morality, the family, health, and property

Love and belonging needs: Friendship, family, intimacy, and a sense of connection

Esteem needs: Respect, self-esteem, status, recognition, strength, and freedom

Self-Actualization: The desire to become the best that one can be

Maslow posited that our motivations arise from inherent and universal human traits, a perspective that predated and anticipated evolutionary theories in biology and psychology (Crawford & Krebs, 2008; Dunbar & Barrett, 2007).

Maslow developed his theory during the Second World War, a time of global upheaval and change, when the world was grappling with immense loss, trauma, and transformation. This context influenced Maslow’s emphasis on the individual’s potential for growth, peace, and fulfillment beyond mere survival.

It is noteworthy that Maslow did not actually create the iconic pyramid that is frequently associated with his hierarchy of needs. Researchers believe it was popularized instead by psychologist Charles McDermid, who was inspired by step-shaped model designed by management theorist Keith Davis (Kaufman, 2019).

Over the years, Maslow (1970) made revisions to his initial theory, mentioning that 3 more levels could be added:

cognitive needs,

aesthetic needs, and

transcendence needs (e.g., mystical, aesthetic, sexual experiences, etc.).

Criticisms of the Hierarchy of Needs

Criticism of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has been a subject of ongoing discussion, with several key limitations identified by scholars and practitioners alike. Understanding these critiques and integrating responses to them is vital for therapists aiming to apply the hierarchy in a modernized way in their practice.

Needs are Dynamic

Critics argue that the original hierarchy does not offer an accurate depiction of human motivation as dynamic and continuously influenced by the interplay between our inner drives and the external world (Freund & Lous, 2012).

While Maslow’s early work suggested that one must fulfill lower levels in order to reach ultimate self-actualization, we now know human needs are not always clearly linear nor hierarchical.

People might experience and pursue multiple needs simultaneously or in a different order than the hierarchy suggests. After all, personal motives and environmental factors constantly interact, shaping how individuals respond to their surroundings based on their past experiences.

Cultural Bias

One of the primary criticisms is the cultural bias inherent in Maslow’s original model. While many human needs can be shared among cultures, different cultures may prioritize certain needs or goals over others (Tay & Diener, 2011).

It’s often argued that Maslow’s emphasis on self-actualization reflects a distinctly Western, individualistic perspective, which may not resonate with or accurately represent the motivational structures in more collectivist societies where community and social connectedness are prioritized.

Empirical Grounding

The hierarchy has also faced scrutiny for its lack of empirical grounding, with some suggesting that there isn’t sufficient research to support the strict ordering of needs (Kenrick et al., 2010).

In practice, this limitation can be addressed by viewing the hierarchy as a descriptive framework rather than a prescriptive one.

Source ⚜ More: Writing Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[isatling-husbandry-guide]

Hello my i request the life cycle and expectancy of a loop

I am not sure i would be able to have one with my circumstances but i like learning about them

I can enjoy them from a distance right?

This is a much harder question to answer than you may expect?

Loops are odd varieties to obtain. They stem off from Siffrins in a few different ways. Some are found in Siffrin clutches- though it should be noted that they were not there when the clutch was first obtained. They sort of just?? Appear in clutches??

The other way is that, when a Siffrin is experiencing immense isolation and distress, they will on occasion just turn into one? These are rare occurrences, as more often than not a Siffrin in the condition to become a Loop is a state of (typically life-threatening) mental distress. It’s more-so observed in strays, but does still occur for caretakers- particularly for Siffrins without tankmates who are left isolated for too long.

The method to this isn’t fully understood at the moment, but from what we know it’s theorized that an underlying gene exists which presents itself in these stressful situations, and sets off a type of sudden body Craft for protection? Some researchers theorize about “old styles of craft” or “divine interventions”, but little work has been published surrounding these ideas. I’m sure there’s a Planeterium worker out there who knows much more than me.

A sign your Loop egg is going to hatch is increased light emitting from within the egg. Loops will explode the egg open from the inside, resulting in a blinding light as they exit. This also sends shell fragments flying around the nearby area, so make sure to keep a nearly-hatching Loop egg away from anything puncturable, especially other eggs.

Upon hatching, a Loop will appear as a smaller version of an adult Loop. A Loop that hatches in a clutch will have no cloak, hat, or dagger. Its head will have a softer feel & texture than that of an adult, but will be burning hot to the touch (handle with caution & gloves!)

pictured: newly hatched loop. click for better quality

A loop will get gradually taller (should exceed the hight of a Siffrin) as it ages. Its head will grow colder & will appear more pointed, and by adulthood should be warm like a sunbeam. A tail may grow steadily from the base of the spine around where the coccyx would lie. Loops can have a variety of different tails. Typically, they occur as thin cartilage with a bright appendage at the end.

pictured: common tail shapes

From here their growth is linear and ametabolic.

[luna-azzurra]

Hello! I hope you're doing well 🤍

I was wondering how I could go about writing a character with sort of opposing natures (if that makes sense, haha).

My character experienced the trauma of losing her mother at a young age, followed by the abuse of her extended family until she became an adult. It was never physical, but she had to go through a lot of pressure to meet their standards. When her mother was still alive, my character was spirited and bold by nature, and she spent her childhood in a healthy environment. By the time she reached adulthood, however, she became incredibly reserved in how she expressed herself and grew into an anxious perfectionist out of self-preservation. Despite that, she wishes that she could one day be as free as she was when she was younger.

My question is: How could I go about balancing her older, spirited nature as well as her desire for freedom with her current perfectionism and need to meet the standards of those around her?

Also, if she were to one day find herself in a situation/ environment where the source of her perfectionism (her family) wasn't around. How would she behave? Would she become expressive and spirited again, knowing that her family isn't around to criticize her? Or would you say the years of abuse permanently changed her nature?

Hey dear! 💛

First of all, what a raw, beautiful character you’ve created. Seriously. You’re not just writing a character with trauma, you’re writing a girl who remembers who she used to be before the world told her she was too much. And honestly, that kind of storytelling hits deep. It teaches readers things they didn’t even know they needed to learn.

So, your question. How do you balance her spirited, bold younger self with the anxious, perfectionist adult she’s become?

Maybe you don’t.

Not in the sense of trying to weigh them out evenly or give them equal screen time. Because those two sides? They aren’t opposites. They’re layers. They’re the same girl, just seen through two very different lenses of survival. That bold, expressive little spirit is still there. It never disappeared. It just got buried under armor. Perfectionism isn’t her real personality, it’s self-protection dressed up in neat lines and high standards. It’s what she had to become to survive.

So instead of balancing, you let her contradict herself. You let her laugh at something and then instantly shrink back, like joy is a mistake. You let her say something real and then regret it for hours. For Example, let her paint something messy and beautiful—and then throw it away before anyone sees it. That inner war between craving freedom and fearing rejection? That is the story.

Now, about her finding herself in a new space, away from her family, away from the pressure. Will she suddenly go back to who she used to be? Probably not. Because trauma doesn’t disappear just because the people are gone. Their voices linger in mirrors, in offhand comments, in silence. She’s still going to flinch when she feels too seen. She might sabotage joy before it gets too real. But, and here’s the important part, she might start to test the edges.

She might make a joke that’s a little too loud and wait for the shame to hit… but it doesn’t. She might wear something bold, something her mom would’ve hated, and realize no one says a word. That’s what healing looks like. Not some big, triumphant fireworks moment. But a bunch of tiny rebellions she didn’t even know she was brave enough to make.

Will she ever be exactly who she used to be? Probably not. That version of her belonged to a world that doesn’t exist anymore. But she can become someone new. Someone who remembers her spark and this time chooses to protect it—not hide it. And maybe that version of her is even stronger. Even more whole.

So let her stumble. Let her screw it up and backslide and question everything. Let her be messy. Let her take three steps forward and two breakdowns back. That’s growth. That’s healing. It’s not linear and it’s not clean. But it’s hers.

In the end, she’s not picking between her past and her present. She’s learning to carry both—and maybe, if she’s lucky, to forgive herself for needing to build walls in the first place.

This character is ready to come alive. All you’ve got to do is give her the room to fight for it. You’re already doing something so right just by asking these questions. Keep going. She’s almost there. 💫

[hrizantemy]

not arguing, just saw this take and thought i’d throw in my two cents—because i actually disagree with the idea that nesta “stans” ignore or don’t understand her transformation at the end of A Court of Silver Flames. i’d argue it’s often the opposite: people who love nesta tend to understand her healing arc more deeply than those who only started paying attention once she became “softer.”

⸻

first, let’s address the core idea: “healing means you no longer have to be angry to survive.”

that’s a powerful sentiment on the surface—but it oversimplifies what healing actually looks like, especially in a character like nesta, who has spent most of her life surviving through silence, rage, and control. healing isn’t linear, and it doesn’t mean letting go of your anger altogether. it means learning how to hold it differently. how to understand its roots. how to use it to protect yourself instead of punish yourself or others.

nesta’s anger was never the villain of her story. her anger was grief. shame. abandonment. self-loathing.

and if you’ve ever been through trauma, you know that rage is often one of the few emotions that feels safe to access when sadness is unbearable.

⸻

second, nesta’s transformation wasn’t about no longer being angry. it was about learning she doesn’t have to suffer alone. that she’s allowed to ask for help. that she’s still worthy of love even when she’s struggling.

the idea that her growth required her to give up her fire is reductive—because the final version of nesta in Silver Flames is still sharp, still deeply emotional, and still fiercely protective. she just channels it differently. she learns boundaries. she makes space for others without erasing herself. she opens up without falling apart.

and that’s not “letting go of anger”—that’s reclaiming your own power.

⸻

third, nesta stans are often people who relate to her on a deeply personal level. they’ve lived through being the “difficult one,” the “angry one,” the one who gets written off before anyone bothers to ask why. loving nesta means seeing her darkness and her growth. it means respecting her complexity.

you don’t have to erase her early behavior to value her arc. you just have to understand where it came from—and how hard it is to climb out of it.

⸻

so no, loving nesta doesn’t mean misunderstanding her transformation.

it often means recognizing it in yourself, and choosing to love the version of her who was hurting just as much as the one who learned how to heal.