#i feel like something that many extreme animal rights people don’t realize is that so many people in the livestock industry do adore the

[teabookgremlin]

i love listening to people who have devoted their lives to working with cows talk about cows

[felinefractious]

have you seen or heard much about the “bullycats” coming from sphinx/munchkin genes? im curious what you have to say about it

I heard about them the first time around when they were starting to be developed, I’m not entirely sure what sparked the resurgence and renewed attention on them.

I don’t have an exact timeline on the whole thing but the main Facebook group for the community was founded in 2021 and with a cursory look I can’t find any communities which predate that so this is… a recent recent thing.

For those who haven’t heard of this before now the basic jist of it is some people are trying to establish a “Bullycat” breed derived from the Sphynx and Munchkin breeds, characterized by hairlessness and short legs. Excessive wrinkles also seems to be desireable. Curled ears may be called for but this doesn’t seem consistent and isn’t focused on by most reports.

The name is derived from their resemblance to the “Exotic Bully,” and there seems to be a lot of overlap between these two communities of breeders.

This is been met with outcry from a variety of organizations and communities pertaining to animal welfare, animal rights, cat fancy, rescue and shelter work, the veterinary field, and so forth due to… quite frankly obvious reasons.

While there may be a small, dedicated Bullycat fanbase it doesn’t look like the breed is going to take off with a generally unfavorable public opinion and no registry taking them seriously.

The problem I have with this whole situation is that these type of cats have existed long before the “Bullycat” label and without carrying the stigma associated with the adjacent dog breed and community have flown under the radar, been met with little resistance or generally considered cute.

The Bambino is a Sphynx/Munchkin cross developed in 2005 recognized by the Rare and Exotic Feline Registry.

The Dwelf is a Sphynx/Munchkin/American Curl cross and I can’t find a specific date on their development but I’m finding content about them as early as 2013 and they’re also recognized by the REFR.

To give credit where credit is due to advocacy against Bullycat’s does often decry Dwelf’s as well but it feels like an afterthought, something tacked on like they realized this exists and is functionally the same thing so they have to mention it as well… and awareness is awareness so I’m not unhappy to see them and the issues with them finally being discussed, of course, but like I said: They’ve been around since at least 2013.

Y’all could’ve been campaigning against them for 11 years instead of waiting for this Bullycat schtick.

And you’ve got these Bambino and Dwelf breeders whose catteries predate the concept of Bullycats but have been breeding to the standards nonetheless, many also working with Sphynx and Elf that have ‘extreme wrinkles’ aka ‘dragonskin,’ that are now just adding the Bullycat label to the same cats they’ve been producing for decades without any change.

[friendsyoyo]

gettin intuitive

psychic headcanon babble for the mother 1 crew (aka just ninten and ana) because i figure someone out there is interested

i preface this with the knowledge that MOTHER 1 has the most mentions of PSI in the narrative out of the three games (mother 3 can be semi-debated). that ALSO BEING SAID, these are children and i don’t think they have god tier abilities. this ain’t the x-men—in fact the closest kid you got to Jean Grey is 11 years old. so this is just for fun

ninten

moves-wise: i love you ninten but you suck compared to everyone else. in fact, he doesn’t like that people are much better at PSI than him (especially not some girl he just met!). maybe he goes through a phase where he tries to improve, but it’s just not in his nature (or attention span) to do so. that being said, everyone’s cooked without him thanks to his prowess in assist PSI. sure, he can’t light people on fire, but he can make sure your next frying pan swing hurts bad. the added benefit of escaping into the fourth dimension is something that makes him very unique (or in teddy's words, "a one-trick pony") and makes him brag a bit, because what is ninten if not prideful? it’s not too bad though, because it’s dorky! there’s a childish glee to it, like a kid doing a cartwheel in front of his parents. even lloyd admits it makes ninten look lame, but “he’s not one to talk” either. like ana, he does possess telepathy, but this is the one ability i hc him to surpass her in. i really do think that with given time, he could be a very strong telepath! i think of telepathy as a spectrum rather than “transmitter and receiver” because the characters do portray differing levels of what they can do; basic communication with animals being on the lower end to near omnipotence on the highest extreme. ninten is no god for sure, but based on what we see in the game and novels, he “receives” more than he “transmits,” which can lead to very disorienting conversations. it’s an added level of hyper-vigilance he must deal with, but at least it's helpful in combat and against police officers. i wouldn’t say it’s textbook telepathy angst, but more like “can you shut the fuck up right now im trying to think” when no one has uttered a word in the past 2 minutes. too much at once leads to snappy responses, unintentionally looking daggers at someone, and unbridled rage when fighting lamps. he's best left alone in times like this. he gets tuckered out easily, bc thinkin's a lot of work. world's eepiest boy after massive boss fights

ana

like i said, she ain’t jean grey. buuuut, if i had to rank the most powerful psychics in the mother series, she’d be third to kumatora + her family and giegue. she is very disciplined in everything she does, only using it in dire or noble situations like her parents taught her to. in the game, she has a very good relationship with both her parents and religion, which is unlike many headcanons i tend to see.

they were both very involved, which led to her having near perfect control at such a young age. her father would preach about the responsibility she carries (because, yknow, great power) while her mother would find the best way to not let her skills go unmanaged. she starts off with precise telekinesis, fast healing LifeUp β, and manageable telepathy, but when she’s away from home and begins to learn more intense and formidable abilities, ana feels completely lost and shocked to her core. she hates violence, especially when she must enact it herself. with each new power she awakens, she feels a sense of betrayal towards her parents, wondering if she is straying from their teachings. worst of all, she fears over reliance on them the way ninten is (teleporting like it's no ones business). therefore, ana is very psychically repressed and mentally limits herself from the use of offensive PSI outside of battle.

she eventually realizes that although she didn't choose to be born with these abilities, they are a part of her and "God's plan." as long as there is someone to protect, she finds solace in being able to use them for the greater good.

i have so much more to say but it's 2:51 am and i feel like this post is a bit too long now. remember to hit that like button and subscribe

[jennilah]

I don't think I've ever fully read your about me thing until a few minutes ago, and I looked at the animation reel on your website, AND HOLY CRAP YOUR WORK IS AMAZING?? AND YOU'VE WORKED ON SOME OF THE COOLEST FILMS WHAT THE FUCK, It's so good I'm in shock, what's your job like? Does it ever get stressful? What's the best thing you've ever worked on in your job? And once more, HOLY CRAP YOUR ANIMATIONS ARE AWESOME OH MY FREAKING GOD.

Hope you have a good day, AND YOU ARE SO COOL, inspiring me to look at what job I actually want in the future.

ASHDHSHFHHG THANK YOU SO MUCH

i’m so happy you like it!! it’s weird to say but it’s hard to openly gush about my own work without sounding like i’m just bragging but I really do just enjoy what I do that much

it’s usually normal! whenever I get to actually slap some keyframes around and work on exciting shots, it’s a LOT of fun. because I find the act of animating genuinely enjoyable. and I love my teammates, the people I get to work with is some of the best parts. Many of my favorite experiences so far was just because the team was so fun to work with, with our team memes and jokes and outings and such. doing extreme overtime was made slightly worth it with such entertaining companions in the animation trenches by my side.

sometimes it’s incredibly stressful yes. the technical stuff isn’t as fun, or sometimes you get a shot that makes you want to rip all your hair out because it’s so goddamn annoying, or it’s just very difficult, or there’s technical glitches kicking your ass, or the clients just seem to never be happy with it. there’s def been some long nights with tears. but usually the rewarding stuff outweighs the bad. for me at least. 😬

oh god don’t even get me started on the industry halts, that’s a whole other beast that we’re dealing with right now.

ANYWAY

gosh well everything i’ve worked on is one of my children that i love in its own way………. but i DO love my children unequally LMAO

some of my top experiences have definitely been:

Godzilla KOTM- a dream come true as a big Godzilla fan and relatively new animator, and later again getting to work on Monarch

Prey- some of the most kickass shots i’ve gotten to say I animated. the predator fighting a bear? fuck yeah

Top Gun Maverick- the absolute jaw-dropping shock i had to the reception to the film, realizing what i got to be a part of. an incredibly surreal feeling.

and i’ll stop there bc i could honestly say something about everything and just go down memory lane like a cringe aunt forcing everyone to look at her vacation photos

again THABK YOU SO MUCH!!!! 😭 ❤️❤️

[very-straight-blog]

Unpopular opinion (spoilers)

Well, I've read The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and I really can't understand why everyone is so pissed off about Snow. First of all, let's be clear - we're not talking about Snow from the trilogy, but about Snow from this book, from the prequel. This boy hasn't killed Finnick, tortured Peeta, etc. yet. Before reading a book, I found various reviews and was expecting something like a story of becoming a villain, but instead I got the story of a boy trying to provide security for himself and his family. Since when did that become something bad? I got from the reviews that there are actually two things imputed to him - Sejanus's death and his relationship with Lucy Gray. Let's talk about it.   So, Sejanus. I don't understand at all why he's supposed to be a positive character. He's an infantile child who craves attention. Shortsighted, ungrateful and rather stupid. His father did everything to save him from the reaping and he can't show even the slightest gratitude? He and his potential wife and children will never have to participate in the Hunger Games, and he acts like his father is the worst person on the planet? Really? Next, there's a big difference between questioning the social system you're in, pondering ways to change the situation, and protesting openly on your own, obviously having no effect on anything. The second is stupid, and on top of that, you frame people close to you, your family and friends. We saw it when Snow was sent to the arena to save Sejanus. In fact, Coriolanus made his first murder because of Sejanus's stupidity. Sejanus doesn't understand that in a totalitarian state, the best thing you can do is to nurture your plans quietly, and he doesn't know how to control his emotions. After the arena story, he was even given a second chance, which he ignored and started helping the rebels. This guy chose to die from the beginning, it was his choice to take the risk, he should have understood the potential consequences of his decisions. The good old argument - "And why was Coriolanus allowed to escape" - well I don't even know, maybe Coriolanus wasn't rescuing captured rebels along the way? And yes - I'll remind you - Coriolanus and Sejanus were not friends, it was Sejanus who saw Snow as a friend, because no one else interacted with him. Why would Snow frame himself because of a man he essentially didn't care about? And yes - Snow was right - these men had no weapons, no money, not even a proper plan. This rebellion made no sense and was doomed beforehand.   Now, Lucy Gray. I think Coriolanus really was in love with her. I don't think it was a healthy feeling, but still. He defended her in the arena while endangering himself and essentially lost everything because of it. I really don't approve of the fact that he shot her at the end of the book - but for the world he lived in, his paranoia is logical (not to be confused with approving). I've seen people talking about choosing between love and power - but what kind of love are we talking about? A teenage passion that was born in extremely unhealthy circumstances? They spent a total of three days together, no more. It is normal to prefer the well-being of yourself and your family, comfort, security, stability and prospects to such "love". Also, I've seen many people having fun because of his behavior in the wildlife - but it's perfectly normal, isn't it? It's normal to be disgusted at the sight of worms, normal to realize that the idea of looking for some imaginary people in the woods is stupid, normal to realize that they will die here from any disease/cold/attack by wild animals. And what would they do out there alone, even if they managed to survive? These are all the adequate thoughts of a normal person.

  In conclusion, I will say that I still have a lot of thoughts about this book, here I have shared only the main ones. However, for me it was a book with the most obvious message I've read lately. Even if the author tried to show us the formation of a villain, she failed. The result is a book with a wonderful character, who is finally in no hurry to give up his life for the sake of a meaningless idea, but thinks first of all about himself and his family. Coriolanus's choices in the book are not easy, but logical, and I would like to see more such realistic characters in literature.

[jovrien]

Yo yo so I went over my drafts and found a post I’ve written last April but idk why I didn’t post this.

⚠️⚠️⚠️ yapping alert! It’s all nonsense. I’m just posting this for my future self lol

���•••••••••••••••••

Something bothers me and the Holy Spirit is pestering me to write this shit on tumblr for my peace of mind so here goes.. (Oh btw this post is nonsense and quite lengthy but I just wanna shit it outta my mind so I could finally let go of whatever this is. And oh I’m kinda drunk lol)

But first lemme confess something lol I have a crush on the guy on this photo. I took a screenshot of this pic last March 26, I stare at it every morning and damn I still feel the same to this day lol am I.. am I.. still okay? 🤭

Damn this bro is too fine I wanna look exactly like him on my next edition reincarnation 🙂‍↕️

Moving on..

So I’m just new to this whole Astrology shit and as a Capricorn Sun/Virgo Rising, I can say it’s pretty accurate how they described me as having a straight nose, good forehead, and a person who is neat freak lmaooo 😆 crazy 🤭 so yeah I never really gave a flying fuck about Astrology because I thought it was a bit ‘girly’ or something only girls do, but it all changed when last December 30, 2023, I saw a Tiktok about the Cardinal Signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn) finally ending their 16-year struggle since 2008. I mean, the last 16 years truly made me realize a lot of shit, and I lost A LOT. The last one taken away from me was my dog (Gisele Heart Particles Nougat Shamcey Chamyto Chimmy 2010-2023). So yeah, it was quite a relief knowing that the cycle is coming to an end and that the next 20 years is gonna be rosy for the Cardinal Signs. But there’s one more boss fight before Pluto finally leaves us Cardinal Signs for good as it’s going to retrograde back for a just a few months (September-November) and then GONE FOREVER.

Btw, astrologers are saying that the Fixed Signs are gonna go through shit in the next 20 years, but please don’t be afraid if you’re a Fixed Sign (especially if you’re a nice person).

So yeah, I found myself crotch-deep into astrology and found out that my ruling planet is Saturn 🪐 and that meant instant karma in both directions. And this is what bothers me because it means I have to be a good guy all the time! I mean, I’m actually a good guy because I’m kind to animals and the needy, and my secret Spotify Progressive House playlist is just 💯 👌🏼 sorry I digress lol

What bothers me is that they are saying that I shouldn’t do bad things because karma would bite me in the ass. And I have been losing sleep because of that. You see, I’m addicted to doing bad things (no, not the criminal bad things fyi. I’m a very lawful person). The things I do are too extreme that it causes panic in heaven 😝 jk

Okay while writing this post I found this comment on a Tiktok vid that made all my worries disappear

Bing Bong! Amazing how the Universe answers my questions right away. 😈 Now that I don’t have to worry about guilt (On so MANY occasions I made people do the unthinkable. I fucked my friend’s partner during a threesome) So yeah.. now that the fear of being karma’d is out of the way, lemme tell you (yeah you sleuthing relative who haunts my blog!) the best thing about being a Capricorn ruled by Saturn - we are divinely protected by Karma. It’s like having a Doberman on a night walk around the block.

I have thought of the times when people were mean and really really bad to me even if I only showed them kindness so Imma list the karma they got. (btw I’m gonna have to change some details about them so it isn’t too obvi who they are)

1. This person humiliated me in front of people (worst thing that was ever done to me), then two days later bammmm the most devastating thing happened to his wife and kids which left him in extreme pain and distress for a few months.

2. This woman hated me for no reason, talked shit about me, then a few days later she was diagnosed with cancer.

3. An evil person who did me super dirty was humiliated on a national level lmao imagine being in the news for the wrong things you did.

4. I was never bullied when I was a kid, but there was this classmate in grade school (24 years ago) who was so jealous of my Nokia 3210. She intentionally sat on my backpack, broke the screen, and even though I was fuming, I didn’t hit her ultra wide face with my hand. A few days later I heard from a classmate that she was going through shit at home because her mom found out that her dad was having an affair lmao 🤣 I stalked her IG just now and found out she’s battling with extreme obesity. Oh nooo karma is a cat purring on my lap cherryt 😝

I could go on writing (20 or more) about how people who did me wrong got bitten by karma but that would make me seem immature, childish and vindictive so imma just end this nonsense here. Ciao 🍻

[acourtofquestions]

I keep on thinking about the “You left me” scene…

As painful as it is (and NOT one of Rowan & Aelin’s finer or healthiest moments; probably one of if not my LEAST favorite for them) there is something so guttural, telling, & crucial beneath the surface. … Especially the more I analyze many aspects of this VERY layered scene…

So, let’s break it down:

Now this may be my own abandonment issues talking😅but as someone that knows I see this argument (as drastically different as they sound) as two sides of the same coin (as Rowaelin often/always is) both sides rooted in abandonment issues & a consequential fear of love/the loss of it; hence ending up in one of two responses (even in a situation as seemingly ��simple’ as this; triggering) either: clinging to someone with everything you have, begging, fighting, desperately trying to stop it from happening again. Or being the one to leave so you are not the one left saying “I didn’t care anyway” so you don’t have to feel like you lost anything to begin with.

… Sound familiar? It’s what’s happening here.

Unfortunately, this is one of the moments where these two are too much alike; it’s triggering them both (two people who can go from 0-180 & when it comes to flight or fight triggers are very prone to fight) they are arguing with themselves & their own fear/self-loathing more than each-other (thus hitting exactly where it hurts; because they are hurting themselves; for Rowan it’s punishment through self-sabotage, for Aelin it’s proving she’s unworthy of anyone’s care even someone who could be cruel to her) while also simultaneously using it as a form of ‘self-protection’ (they are trying not to care (further mad at themselves for already caring) & terrified for the other because every person they love has left; loving them feels like a death sentence & they have to protect the other by making themselves unlovable; before they get hurt again).

For Aelin, it’s a last resort; fear is a crucial part of her mindset, (upbringing), & survival. She lives in fight or flight, fawn or freeze, (leaning towards the natural inclination of the first latters) this is her fighting, desperately clawing (like a wounded animal), & on her last leg; because if he cannot choose her, cannot stay, will not; if as she describes, “She didn't know why it happened, because she had been so dead set on hating him, but... it would have been nice, she supposed. It would have been nice to have one person who knew the absolute truth about her--and didn't hate her for it. It would have been really, really nice.” If he who knows her unlike anyone ever has or could (from best to worst) has seen it all and found nothing there worthwhile then how can she possibly argue that with herself/anyone? Right then, you see how little she cares for herself (how she stays even when it’s hurting her because she doesn’t know anything else (how would she?) & because she believes every word of it (he doesn’t realize until later just how much she meant every word; because he didn’t, not fully at least, not in the same way she did). She feels that she has “nowhere else to go” because as she said “I have no one left. No one.”) you see how desperate she is for an end to the same trapping heartbreak that keeps repeating again & again. & If she loses him than there is truly nothing left. She is drowning, and this is all of it catching up to her at once — she’s screaming at him as much as everyone she’s ever lost — she’s pleading with Sam to let her look out for him, screaming at Chaol to let her in to trust her (& be worthy of his trust) so she could’ve saved Nehemia; an extremely raw wound (as shown in the broken echoing words she finally gives voice to in the next chapter), screaming at Nehemia for choosing to leave her, at Arobynn for betraying her (even if she can’t admit it yet, unleashing one begins unleashing them all) screaming at the very universe itself (the world that already broke every ‘natural’ promise; stolen all the ones she wasn’t ‘supposed’ to lose) screaming for her parents, her Aedion, her kingdom, herself. — At herself for not being able to save them, to stop it, to be fast enough- -to be enough. And begging for it, for anyone- -anything not to take this too because this is a final breaking for her.

& For Rowan, this feels like a loaded gun. It's his connection to her (despite his trying & denying it; he realizes it had already become a relationship & not just to him but to her) it’s him screaming “You are nothing to me, and I do not care.” to try and make it true because after centuries of not caring about anything or anyone (of feeling only ice), of not having anyone care (or need him for that matter; he’s realizing for better or worse she does)… Here it is (someone who cares & someone who needs him; someone who he cannot turn away because she can bear all of his ice & still understand him; he hates her for it, he hates himself for it “There is nothing that I can give to you. Nothing I want to give to you.”)… Here she is… Begging him to stay (just like Lyria), wanting him to stay (something he does not feel he deserves — “Aelin, you deserve better than this-than me.” — & is trying to prove to her as protection & punishment; to be the monster), caring enough about him to want him to stay in the first place (something he truly thinks they are better off without; he's reminding himself as much as warning her when he says, “The people you love are just weapons that will be used against you”— another key word will —he believes it all is already inevitably doomed. So, while she is desperately giving a last try, he has already given up on trying.) He is a wild animal trapped into a corner; if she cares—if he cares; because it will end (she will leave; because she is capable & will learn & be back on her way, gone again while he will still be stuck with Maeve the same as before (he twists it to sound different but the meaning is the same when he says, “the sooner I can be rid of you”.); or worse she may very well get herself killed (the way she’s going) the way he knows why, (why do you think he spends so much time trying to get her to fight for her own life?- -To scare her, provoke her, anger her- -anything to shake her from her stupor… he says as much later on “You're learning.” “You get baited by me every now and then, too, you know.��� He gave her a look that said, I let you bait me, in case you haven't noticed."… anything to make her make it out alive) & he has not helped that either because he can’t help himself. So, either way, he feels stuck in the same mistake again & again; is he failing her the same as he did Lyria? Is he failing Lyria by repeating it (worse; is he betraying Lyria in the fact he may care for someone else?) — if he is, how does he survive that?). … He has been trying to tell himself 'she's just another soldier', yet, here he is again raw with Gavriel tattooing even more names of grief (because 'just a soldier' doesn't make it hurt less). & She is not just another soldier; he (an ‘all-knowing-immortal’) was wrong; he is missing something about her (this “girl” doesn’t add up; this fight doesn’t add up) & He is feeling the weight of every mistake; even as he makes another one; to hurt her now thinking; it’s better than getting her killed, (it’s better than him caring & losing her) It’s what he ‘deserves’ (he hates himself for it, even as he breaks her heart; it’s why he says, “and for a heartbeat he hoped she’d left, if only so he didn’t have to face what he’d said yesterday.” because he knew he was wrong & he hated himself for it; he does it to punish himself as much as to protect himself & her). It's his last attempt at pushing her away (and ultimately the one that makes him realize he cannot).

It's not an excuse, but it is a reason. One that makes sense the more I read, re-read, & continue the series. This fight is in some ways their first real fight; because they are both vulnerable because this is more than a biting surface (because they have always been more than that). And it forces them to realize & reconcile; to go to their true worst until there is nothing left but to piece together something else.

For two people so fearful & without option they needed to hit the rock bottom together; to have no doubt that they were chosen at their true worst; to learn almost losing the other did not leave them better off; & know that they cannot turn away, & will not because if it would have happened, it would have been then (& there is no more point in being afraid anymore; it is too late to take back what’s been forged; “Something molten rushed through her, pouring over every crack and fracture still left gaping and open. Not to hurt or mar--but to weld.”)… Without it Rowan would never have checked himself, he would have trained her on nothing more than begrudging orders of Maeve, & he would never have cared to ask or learn more… She would have either bet everything on him & thrown herself into another relationship to outrun everything else, & end up broken again because she cannot learn to sit with (nor accept) herself. She was forced to pick life or endless nothing, to stop freezing or fawning or running, to care & fight for it; & find something more worth fighting for (to accept her anger & also learn to be more than just angry) To let it out & let go; to stop drowning on the words that have been suffocating her for months; to stop being afraid to say them. … And while they cannot quite say all those words; I’m sorry, I care about you… They can know they won’t say the other again… They are not expected to be more than they can give. There is finally an understanding (the start of a friendship… & maybe ‘more than’ friends) because they stop running from it & instead run in headfirst. … Through the most dividing thing they are finally not alone. The final stand stands. There is no more fight against each-other. It cannot get worse, they can survive it, and now they are really what they are.

[1moremilgram-enjoyer]

With the knowledge that I can send as many asks as I want, be prepared for me to never shut up (/hj) Anyway, like I said in the comments of my previous question, I would like to hear a few words about Haruka, because he is also one of my favorites All of my favorites have at one point or another gotten unforgiven and I don't know what that says about my morality

Oh, don’t worry, I love receiving asks! And I wouldn’t worry too much about the guilty thing, like half the cast has been voted guilty at one point or another. Or maybe I’m just coping because my favorites are Amane and Mikoto, maybe Fuuta and Muu, so I’m on the same boat. At least Es can’t be voted Guilty, right?

CW: Murder, animal death, suicide.

Anyways, Haruka. This physical manifestation of mommy issues is really quite cool. I really love his MVs, and his songs slap, hard. His need for attention is a very unique motivation, and I love how it plays off Muu’s own issues. Their dynamic is super interesting.

Haruka: Muu is my mother. (2nd VD)

My guy. What.

But he’s still a really intriguing character on his own. I’m really fascinated by the way his character tackles untreated mental illness, there’s a lot to be said about that aspect of him. And I am a big fan of the “suicide theory” by moibakadesu, I think it makes him an even more fun-to-analyze character.

His interrogation questions are some of the most interesting too imo.

T1 Q17: Is there something you regret?

H: There is.

Ooh… What’d you do Haruka boy?

T1 Q18: What are you most scared of?

H: Betraying people.

Muu and him were always going to form a unhealthy codependency weren’t they.

T1 Q20: What’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought?

H: Cotton candy.

From this we can gather that cotton candy is extremely expensive in Haruka’s world, which implies a shortage of the elements used to create it. In this essay I will

T2 Q2: What’s your opinion on the Guard?

H: Guard-san is not my mom.

My guy. Please.

T1 Q14: What’s an event that sticks to your memory?

H: Fireworks

???

T2 Q4: Tell us the origin of your name.

H: It seems like she wanted a girl. She had already chosen this name.

Like the girl in Weakness? Oh, theorizing go brrr…

T2 Q11: Are there any prisoners you can't deal with right now?

H: I'm fine with Amane-chan now. I'm not scared of small children anymore.

Objectively hilarious answer. These two need to interact more.

And I also just think it’s really funny how the most recent timelines dialogue we’ve gotten outside of character birthdays are him begging us/Es to inno Muu, and then we gave her the widest Guilty ratio in Milgram history. L moment.

(I really hope he doesn’t manage to kill himself or that is gonna age horribly)

On the topic of verdicts, I do think the Guilty this trial was probably necessary. Not because it’s somehow gonna stop him from hurting himself (because I’m pretty sure that’s not how that works), but because we need him to realize he did something real bad at some point, and putting it off until the Third Trial is dangerous when we don’t know what the final trial will be like. Sorta the same reasoning as Muu funnily enough, we can’t let the Trial 1 inno be misinterpreted. Though I do wonder how he’s gonna react to both his own and Muu’s verdicts. I have a feeling the answer will be “not well.”

Anyways, yeah. He ranks a solid score on the Silliness Scale. He’s cool, I like him. Thanks for the ask! Hope this was a satisfying answer!

[deathbydarkelves]

re: periods and elves, since trolls have mating cycles (according to that one female troll joke, so dunno how canon it really is lol), maybe elves do too?

Maybe I'm paranoid, but as I was writing I realized this could break containment in a very unfortunate way so I’m just saying here at the start:

THIS POST IS ABOUT DEATHBYPIXELZ’S WORLD OF WARCRAFT AU. IT IS MEANT TO BE A NEUTRAL DISCUSSION OF BIOLOGY IN FANTASY. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE.

Anyway…

The /flirt line, for those who were unaware/don’t remember:

I actually ended up having a whole conversation with some friends of mine about this topic, and did more research into menstruation and estrus in general (despite being AFAB I just never really cared to learn more). As a result I’ve landed on what I find to be a satisfactory hc answer, which is that elves menstruate every three months or so. Three is a somewhat arbitrary number, but my reasoning is as follows:

Elves have the same amount of control over their environment as irl humans, so resources are always plentiful, so there is no ecological pressure to have a yearly cycle (i.e. one which encourages birth during spring). They can afford a more frequent one.

However, being so long-lived, there is also no pressure to be, ah… capable quite as OFTEN as humans. Humans are only fertile a couple days a month, and elves in every setting I’m aware of are famously terrible at making more elves, so them only being fertile for a quarter of the time humans are creates an easy reason why.

It’s a good middle ground between “frequent enough to be relatable” and “just way too frequent for someone who's immortal”.

Three is a nice, easy-to-remember number.

In regards to the troll /flirt… My friends (who are heavily involved in the troll side of the fandom) informed me that line has long been used as justification for kinky at best, racist at worst fan works 💀 I’m not accusing anon of anything, just saying this thing has history I was previously unaware of.

And, yeah, I don’t really treat the /flirts as canon. Like, at all. There’s just too many that break the fourth wall or are otherwise non-diegetic that I can’t in good faith give much weight to any of them. To me, that line is a symptom of the very overt racism trolls have sadly been treated with since their inception.

(Note: I’m not damning fan works that use that line as inspiration on principle. I understand that’s a kink many people have, and I say do whatever works for you, as long as you, y’know, are aware of the racism that’s kinda just baked into this specific case. Kink responsibly lol)

Also worth stating that estrus/“heat” is just a term for “advertised fertility”, at least as far as I can tell. So, like, female moths releasing pheromones to attract males, or changes in behavior. But, I dunno, to me that seems like a really fuzzy term. Even humans sometimes have increased libido during that time, or changes in vaginal discharge. Does that count as “advertisement”? It’s a slight behavioral/physical change! And it's not like humans are somehow separate from all other animals; we're just animals too. So even if I treated that /flirt line as canon, the terminology used could just mean… "horny". And that’s how I’ll choose to interpret it, because sapient/humanlike races having expressly non-humanlike biological things like "a 'heat' so extreme it's equivalent to an altered state of mind" is just… an ick of mine, if I’m being honest. It certainly can be done well, like Jay Eaton’s Avian aliens, but it just doesn’t feel right for any of the races in WoW. In my opinion.

(Note 2: While I am a zoology student, I am in no way versed in these things like a farmer or dog breeder would be, so take my “what does ‘heat’ even mean” argument with a grain of salt. My point is humans also have hormone cycles which can affect libido and bodily secretions.)

Lastly, menopause: maybe this is just something that's really variable for them. I write elves as aging similarly to humans until their bodies are in a similar state to a thirty- or forty-year old human (at least on the surface), at which point aging dramatically slows. Menopause of course occurs in an average human's forties or fifties, so elves would stop physically aging for the most part right before that. Maybe some stop menstruating right at that point, maybe some go into their hundreds or thousands before that happens, maybe some bleed every three months for their whole lives. Or maybe the cycles get longer and longer and eventually stop /shrug. For an immortal race, a concrete age or age range for it just feels... wrong to me? So something fucked and unpredictable is my compromise. That also throws in another possible obstacle to making more elves, which fits thematically.

But as a TL;DR, I’ve settled on a three month cycle for them. Considering irl menstruating primates are on a 28-45 day range, I’d assume trolls are as well, and perhaps the first elves too. But as time went on and evolution occurred, helped and/or hindered by the Well of Eternity, that lengthened to three months (give or take), with the actual fertile period remaining the same. Keeps it frequent enough to feel relatable, but still feels appropriate for a group of races that lives so long and, in my AU, even sleeps every 36-48 hours instead of every 12(-ish). Menopause happens if and when it wants lol.

[twistedtummies2]

Year of the Bat - Number 26

Welcome to Year of the Bat! In honor of Kevin Conroy, Arleen Sorkin, and Richard Moll, I’m counting down my Top 31 Favorite Episodes of “Batman: The Animated Series” throughout this January. TODAY’S EPISODE QUOTE: “They’ll never slip past me again.” Number 26 is…Lock-Up.

While many of the great villains who appeared in “Batman: The Animated Series” – and, indeed, throughout the DCAU in general ��� were taken from the comics, there were quite a few baddies that were original to this universe. Some of these villains became so popular, they later were adopted into the comics themselves. Harley Quinn is, by far, the most well-known example of this, but she’s far from the only one: case in point, Lyle Bolton, a.k.a. Lock-Up. In his titular episode, Bolton is introduced as a recent new Chief of Security at Arkham Asylum. He gets his job done well: breakouts and other disasters in this home of the criminally insane have become increasingly rare. HOWEVER, after apprehending a recently-escaped Scarecrow one night, Batman & Robin soon realize that Bolton’s success is coming at a dangerous cost. At an inquest into his time as head of security, the inmates are at first too scared of confessing their fears…but finally, when Bruce Wayne suggests perhaps Bolton should stay on the staff for a while longer, they break their silence. It’s revealed that Bolton violently abuses the inmates, even threatens their very lives, whether they’ve done anything wrong or not. Enraged, Bolton tries to attack those who have singled him out…but is restrained and kicked out of Arkham, terminated immediately. Before leaving, Bolton makes a point that, before his arrival, Arkham was a revolving door for many of the worst people Gotham City has to offer. His methods, brutal and wicked as they might have been, kept the rest of the city safe. Upon being fired, Bolton decides to seek revenge on the ones he believes are TRULY responsible for all the chaos he’s tried to keep contained: “the gutless police, mindless bureaucrats, and coddling doctors.” He thus becomes the supervillain Lock-Up, hoping to bring his own brand of justice to Gotham City. Lock-Up is a great villain – and his episode a great story – because it taps into a fundamental question about superheroes, one which has been brought up many times, perhaps ESPECIALLY in the world of Batman: how far can one really bend or even break the law before they step over the line from hero to villain? Bolton is not someone who seeks power or money, but rather sees what he does as something that SHOULD be done: in his mind, he’s just helping to keep Gotham safe. Batman, of course, will take extreme measures (not AS extreme, but still beyond the norm) towards the same basic goal, and can be quite violent on his own terms. The difference, however, is that Bruce recognizes the value of human life: even when people are terrible, horrible people, they are still human beings, and considering the ones Bolton targets are also people who are mentally deranged, and are supposed to be on a path to rehabilitation rather than simple punishment, he cannot allow Lock-Up to do what he does. He certainly can’t allow it once Bolton decides to go after other people who, really, are not responsible for any great wrongdoing. In a way, I feel like Bolton is a great example of who and what Batman should NEVER be: Lock-Up is more interested in punishing wickedness, and takes sadistic pleasure in what he does. He is a cruel person at heart, despite his preaching of wanting to do what is just and right. Bruce is the opposite, and always should be: underneath his dark demeanor, past all the punches and kicks, he wants to help people find a better life, no matter who they are, something which the series touches on several times. Lock-Up is a nightmare vision of who Batman could have been, if he had not retained some semblance of humanity in his quest to avenge his parents’ murder; we don’t know why Bolton is the way he is, but I’m certainly glad Bruce didn’t end up the same way.

Tomorrow we move on to Number 25! Hint: “Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like you to meet the great Batman! He’s here because he hasn’t got a clue!”

[lingshanhermit]

Lingshan Hermit: A Cat's Perspective on the World

Each of us has many attachments, many things we cannot let go of. You may not care if the tea is strong enough or if others look at you strangely, but you cannot ignore your daughter's early romance, you cannot disregard someone maliciously scratching your car, you cannot dismiss people scoffing at what you believe is the truth.

The reason we cannot let go is that we are all trapped in our illusions. Our illusions bind us tightly. We take them as real so they have the power to tie us down. Once we realize they are only illusions, just like a person in a dream recognizing they are dreaming, we will no longer be afraid regardless of what happens in the dream. You can smile serenely in response to anything.

We believe certain things exist and the world is as we define it. Those around us believe similarly - everyone agrees the sky is blue, the earth is round, feces stinks, money is good. So we are very sure our illusions are correct. We must defend these things (such as our dignity). But we have not realized this is only our shared illusion.

For example, a diamond can make many utterly infatuated, many shoot at each other to compete for diamonds. But I believe if you let a cat choose, it would consider cat food more important than diamonds. A cat's values differ greatly from ours. When a cat sees a diamond, it would not be more excited than if you saw a piece of toilet paper.

All our values are inherited. When you were still babbling as a toddler, you wouldn’t think diamonds are more valuable than glass since you hadn’t been taught those values yet. You hadn’t received that inheritance or empowerment - I'm referring to the belief that diamonds are more worth pursuing than cat food. Buddha and his disciples understood and realized cat food and diamonds have no intrinsic differences, just as there is no difference between feces and gold. All distinctions are fabricated by our minds.

Letting go signifies freedom. It means you have jumped out of the circle you drew (it’s just a chalk circle on the ground, but most people are still trapped by it). We are all stuck inside circles we drew ourselves, unable and unwilling to jump out of them. We feel it's safer and more comfortable to remain inside. So we all become very limited people, only able to be this way but never that. We only accept one approach, never any other. Thus we are extremely narrow-minded, unable to transcend.

When discussing the mind of renunciation, don’t misunderstand - it is not unrelated to emptiness. In fact, true renunciation is the realization of emptiness. When you understand all you cling to are but illusions, you have let go. As mentioned above, when you realize the value of diamonds isn’t truly universal but at most commonly treasured among humans - and still not by everyone - you have let go.

I remember a book that told of an explorer who arrived at an African tribe over a hundred years ago. The natives there did not understand diamonds’ worth in the civilized world. In the locals’ eyes, they were just some nice but easy to obtain rocks. Their value couldn’t even compare to the tobacco the explorer brought. He traded only a few packs of cigarettes for many diamonds. If you say water is more important, most animals probably wouldn’t disagree. But if you say diamonds are very valuable, few animals would agree. This shows its value is only an illusion held by some people, not intrinsic to the object itself nor universal.

When we look at something, we first make the mistake of seeing it as independently existing then name it. We then believe it is exactly how we've defined it (the second mistake). We are then firmly bound by these things.

Liberation means realizing nothing binds you. The only thing binding you are your illusions. Since they are illusions that don't really need destroying as they never existed in the first place, right? You needn't destroy non-existent things, only understand this and prove it to yourself.

In Buddhism, the more superficial interpretation of renunciation is you must leave this place of reincarnation because it is very unsafe. No matter where you hide here, it won’t be completely safe. Thus you must depart this place.

But the most ultimate renunciation is when you realize emptiness - you will understand you need hide from nothing. You also need defend nothing. We often feel an urge to protect because we believe certain things belong to us and are being harmed. We have a duty to protect them. The only thing that can affect you is your clinging to phenomena, not the phenomena themselves. You only need remove the illusions causing you to cling.

The kind of letting go where you avoid things can only help temporarily. You evade certain things that can tempt or affect you but will form new attachments to other things. You cannot avoid everything, especially what’s inside you. But if you comprehend all phenomena's innate nature, you will have no clinging because there is nowhere for it to attach.

Original post dated June 15, 2009

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灵山居士：猫眼看世界   

[artmunstudios]

Quick note about the No Goodnights Project! Aaannd maybe a little Internet History

This project was something I had started in highschool, and hadn’t touched properly again until just last year after stopping development back in 2017??? So because of that, there is a LOT of outdated information on the characters/story, so truthfully nothing before 2020 should really be considered as canon unless it it’s reiterated again recently.

Not to mention my biological extended family at the time was extremely nosy, homophobic, and I genuinely hate to say but on both sides they kinda filled some stereotypes when it comes to how the cultures I’m biracial in were. So I had sanitized certain aspects of what I had. Luckily that didn’t really bleed to on here, but some things did.

The biggest thing was Pinocchio’s sexuality—I never really imagined him as straight, but he was the protagonist, and…it’s really hard to explain to people who maybe weren’t online until like maybe 2017/18 on. The LGBTQ community was only just really becoming??? I hate to say the word mainstream because that’s not right either but.

It’s very complicated, I’ll put in a cut if you want to read about it go ahead and click the read more! If you are stopping here, that’s okay! Take a few sketchs of Razel and Pinocchio ✨

(I was still deciding on a name for him and almost named him fucking Reginault—)

Okay. So. How do I put this lightly…when it comes to the LGBTQ (I actually don’t even think LGBT was even a thing yet but feel free to correct me!!)…publicly, while frowned on to treat them badly, it was still considered not exactly a…??? It was not favored publicly, let’s just put it at that.

But online there was admittedly, in my eyes, a much bigger issue.

People, particularly anime fans/fujoshis….had a bad habit of treating the LGBTQ as a fetish/personal fantasy rather than, you know, having ships purely for romantic means. That isn’t to say they didn’t exist, but I don’t think I’m exactly wrong in saying that things like Yaoi (now called BLs since because of the past behavior Yaoi now has a bad connotation) were popular not because of positive LGBTQ rep, buutt moreso because the mass of underage hormonal teens (girls in particular) were in the mindset of “two cute guys kissing/having sex is hot”. This bled into real life as well, with many many instances of actual members of the LGBTQ being more or less sexually harassed by fujoshis. And. Lowkey,,, yeah I hate to say but some voice actor dubbers weren’t exactly helping and basically encouraged the behavior in their Q&As.

Don’t even get me started on the fucking Yaoi Paddles.

Because of this, LGBTQ ships during the 2010s, particularly early 2010s, MAYBE starting a little before that decade, we’re not viewed positively either. And admittedly I was one of those people who had that mindset. A lot of my friends were fujoshis, one fetishizing gay men to a point that it still makes my skin crawl tbh. But, at the same time it’s hard to be angry now because stupid teens are stupid teens and the mix of hormones and homophobia still being considered normal yields not fantastic and very confused results.

The reason Yuri!!! On Ice is still considered groundbreaking is because it was one of the first anime to treat LGBTQ romance as just. Romance. At the least, it was the first to become mainstream and taken seriously. I’ll be honest and say that it opened my eyes too. It wasn’t that I was outwardly homophobic as a teen, I think my mum would flip over backwards 20 times before chasing me across dimensions with a belt if I ever displayed behavior like that, but my biological father was homophobic, as was the majority of my extended family on both sides, like I mentioned. But the thing that repulsed me, I now realize, was not the sexuality itself, but rather how people treated the sexuality. I mean, yes it’s still an issue, but side of you guys have no idea how bad it was in the past, you seriously don’t.

But that’s why despite all the downsides of modern internet, I will never want to go back to the state it was during the 2010s, it was a fucking disaster, and hindered my own journey of accepting the fact that I was nonbinary/male-leaning.

So this long, long history/personal lesson is more or less to help sum up this statement here:

Pinocchio, at the very least, my Pinocchio, has always been gay—I just now feel that my space in person/online is actually safe to properly express my characters that are part of the LGBTQ!

[prapo237]

It’s been a while since I had my first contact with Banana Fish. Back then when the Anime was airing I was so sucked into the story. Hyperfixating and crying for over a year. And now, after reading even more stories… I realized something. I really like overly dramatic stories. Pain, suffering, at best even a painful ending. Sometimes I want to get hurt. And Banana Fish gave me all this. After my BF hype went down a bit I reflected my BF pain on other shows and had at least one little hope that the story could hurt me in a similar way. But never did. For example Fugou Keiji or right now Trigun. I really had hoped that Trigun has a tragic end. But it has not and I’m just „eh, boring“. (I just read through the manga)

But that just made me appreciate BF even more, because that’s a story fitting for me. I love how you can sometimes see the thoughts of the characters, but not too much so you can still interpret them in many ways. I love how the pain resonating in these characters feels so real and close. I even understand how some people don’t like some characters (Yut Lung & Blanca) because their thinking is „bad“. But that just makes it even better. And for me it’s exactly that what makes them great characters.

Right now I don’t know if I just got dull because of BF or if I just really like depressing stories in general. Are there similar stories that hurt in such an extreme level as BF? I just want to be left in shambles after finishing it.

[kulturegroupie]

Hi this isn’t related to classic rock or Led Zeppelin. This is more of a question . What is your opinion on religion? Especially Christianity? I was raised a Christian and recently I am either agnostic or an atheist. Is that bad? I’m not hating on Christian’s it’s just there are many that love to spread fear and force their religion down everyone’s throats. And they always say awful things about the lgbt. They say that we have to repent. Also as to why I have problems being religious is because I am a part of the lgbtq+. And I have been stuck in the closet for a while. I feel like I’m such a bad person because I want to have a girlfriend instead of a boyfriend. I know I shouldn’t care about what people think, but deep down inside I feel like I’m bad because I might be bisexual or a lesbian. I know it’s not a sin to be a part of the lgbtq+ but I sometimes think it is because for so long my relatives and other people I know have always said that the lgbtq+ is evil. It’s awful because they have caused so much hate and they have hurt so many people who are a part of the lgbtq+. I honesty hate religion because it feels like it’s here to control and hurt people who think freely and are trying to be their true selves. I hate seeing my parents and relatives judge gay people and trans people. When gay people and trans people are just trying to be them selves. I wish I can be out the closet and be my true self but I don’t think I will ever be able to.

hi anon! well i'll let you judge yourself, here are two of my favourite books:

from nietzsche's book:

The belief in the Christian God has become unbelievable [...]. Everything that was built upon this faith, propped up by it, grown into it, including the whole European morality, is bound to “collapse”.

from crowley's book:

Man has used the idea of God to dictate his personal conduct, to obtain power over his fellow, to excuse his crimes, and for innumerable other purposes, including that of realizing himself as God. He has used the irrational and unreal conceptions of mathematics to help him in the construction of mechanical devices. He has used his moral force to influence the actions even of wild animals. He has employed poetic genius for political purposes.

this is a very sensitive topic and i know i'm most likely gonna get hate for saying this, but my experience with christianity has always been very complicated. the religion was forced upon me when i was a little child, and i was forced to believe in something i really didn't and couldn't understand as a small kid. they say "get them young and you'll have them forever", right? well that process didn't quite work on me, i quickly grew tired of being thrown by force into a spiritual path that wasn't my own.

i sought new spiritual ways, i read about eastern religion, i read philosophy and that's how i understood where i stand and what i stand for.

being a christian AND a queer person is especially hard, i get you, because that religion (and many of its followers) asks you to betray something as pure and personal as sexuality and feelings of love.

my opinion on religion is simply this: everyone has their own religious path and it's their right to follow it. it's something extremely personal, which has to form throughout a person's life assisted by their own personal choices and beliefs. no one can force a spiritual journey on you, not the government, not your teachers, not your family. it has to come from you.

[crevicedwelling]

I don’t mean to make anyone feel bad, but enjoying affection and contact from humans pretty much only applies to some tame/domesticated mammals and birds. for bugs (and pretty much all other wild animals), humans are huge, terrifying and extremely persistent. picking up or petting wild animals is purely a selfish thing on the part of the person. at best the animal is indifferent and at worst the animal is extremely stressed.

specifically for inverts, humans are gigantic horrifying predators, and grabbing anything is scary for them. but even things humans don’t notice, being the large diurnal mammals that we are, such as light, air currents/breath, and motion are very stressing to nocturnal or burrowing inverts. human skin oils can hurt inverts with thin, moist skin (slugs/snails, worms). while some bugs can get used to you holding them, like mantises, or just don’t care about you bothering them like a big fruit-drunk scarab beetle, bugs never want to be touched or picked up.

that’s not to say it’s always bad for the bug or that there are no situations where it is necessary, but recognize that you are the only one having a positive experience and try to minimize stress on the critter. I do handle inverts (when it’s safe for them) to get pictures, but if I notice something is getting stressed in a bad way I’ll quickly put it right back where it belongs.

it’s kind of surprising that so many people don’t realize this. “wholesome” wildlife rescue videos showing people stroking a terrified bird or fawn are horrible because stress like that can kill sensitive animals. seeing people call alarm calls/stress responses “cute” just makes me cringe. the world is not made of dogs. and everything doesn’t have to act like a dog to be appreciated. one of the most important parts of enjoying bugs, in my opinion, is learning how to appreciate things without interacting with them. their natural behaviors are most beautiful when they are content and where they should be.

do slugs like being pet / given attention or even held?

nope! it’s scary, your hands are full of irritant oils, and you smell like a predator.

[drvitaltips]

Can an Extrovert Become an Introvert? Exploring the Change

Ever feel like you're not the same bubbly, outgoing person you used to be? Maybe big parties now sound exhausting, and you'd rather curl up with a book instead. Turns out, personality shifts like this are more common than you'd think. Let's dive into why someone might become less of an extrovert over time. Introverts vs. Extroverts: What's the Difference? Before we dig deeper, it's important to understand the basics: - Introverts get their fuel from within. They love their own company and often find quiet time, like reading or journaling, recharging. - Extroverts thrive on external stimulation. Being around people, especially in lively social situations, energizes them. It's not black and white, though. Most of us fall somewhere on a spectrum between these two extremes. Can Personalities Really Change? Okay, so can an outgoing party animal really become a homebody? The short answer is: kind of. While our personalities do have a set foundation, they're flexible. Here's why someone might become more introverted: - Life Changes: Big events like a career switch, a move, or even a global pandemic can shift our priorities and how we want to spend our energy. - Aging: As we get older, many people naturally become calmer and a little more introverted. - Learning Self-Care: Maybe an extrovert realizes they've been overdoing it socially and needs more downtime to feel their best. Myth: Personalities are fixed.Fact: Our personalities evolve throughout our lives, although drastic changes are less common. Signs You Might Be Leaning Towards Introversion Notice any of these changes in yourself? They could be clues that you're shifting away from extroversion: - Social Butterflies No More: Once the life of the party, now the idea of big gatherings makes you want to hide under the covers. - Energy Drain: Socializing used to pump you up, but now it leaves you feeling wiped out. - Deeper Conversations: You're less into small talk and crave meaningful chats about life, ideas, etc. - The Joy of Alone Time: You actively want to be alone, and it's not just about needing a break. You truly enjoy the peace. So, Am I Still an Extrovert? Good question! There's a whole range of personalities between pure extroversion and introversion. Here's something to think about: - Ambivert: This term describes those who fall in the middle of the spectrum, enjoying both social time and solitude. - Situational Extroverts: You might be outgoing and chatty in certain contexts (like at work) but crave quiet time other days. Remember: There's no "right" or "wrong" way to be. It's about what works for you. Embracing Your Newfound Introverted Side Discovering your inner introvert can be a little disorienting. Here's how to adjust and embrace this change: - Don't Fight It: If you're needing more alone time, honor that. Trying to be the same old social butterfly might lead to frustration. - Rediscover Your Joys: What makes you happy when you're by yourself? Rekindle old hobbies, try new ones, or simply savor the silence. - Set Boundaries: It's okay to say "no" to invites or put a time limit on social outings to protect your energy. - Find Your People: Seek out friends who understand and respect your need for a calmer social life. Key Takeaway: It's perfectly normal and healthy to lean into your more introverted tendencies. Give yourself permission to explore this new side! Dealing With Doubts Change can be unsettling, so let's address some of the anxieties that might pop up: - "Am I Losing Myself?": No! It's more about personal growth. You're still the same awesome person, just with evolving needs. - "Will My Friends Think I'm Weird?": True friends will support you. Explain your change honestly, most will likely get it. - "Is Something Wrong With Me?": Nope! It's very common for personalities to shift, and introversion is nothing to feel bad about. Fun Fact: Did you know that many famous actors, authors, and scientists identify as introverts? It's a superpower in its own way! Could Trauma Play a Role? Sometimes a shift towards introversion can be a response to a difficult experience. It's important to understand the distinction: - Trauma Response: A traumatic event can lead to social withdrawal and a desire for solitude as a coping mechanism. - Introversion: This is a core personality trait. While trauma might temporarily highlight introverted tendencies, they were likely always there to some degree. Important: If you suspect your changes in social behavior are due to trauma, seeking help from a mental health professional is crucial for healing and proper support. Introverts and Extroverts: Can They Make It Work? Whether it comes to friendships or romance, different personalities can absolutely thrive together! Here's why opposites often attract: Friendships - Balance: Introverts can help extroverts slow down and appreciate solitude, while extroverts can encourage introverts to get out there more. - Learning from Each Other Introverts might learn to be more outgoing, while extroverts might gain a better understanding of boundaries. - Mutual Respect is Key: Everyone needs to understand and accept each other's energy levels and social needs. Romantic Relationships - Spice of Life: Differences add excitement and opportunities for growth. - Complementary Strengths: An extrovert might plan fun outings, while an introvert can create a cozy haven for relaxation. - Challenges: Compromises around socializing are essential, and each person needs to avoid pushing the other to be someone they're not. What About Those Born Introverts? Many people identify deeply with introversion from a young age. Here's what that means: - Wired Differently: Research suggests brain differences between introverts and extroverts, especially in how they process rewards and social interaction. - Not a Choice: While you can learn coping skills, being an introvert is a core part of who you are. - Embracing Your Strengths: Introverts are often great listeners, deep thinkers, and highly focused. Celebrate those qualities! Myths vs. Facts About Introverts MythFactIntroverts hate people.Introverts value social interaction, but often prefer smaller groups or one-on-one conversations.Introverts are always shy.Shyness and introversion are not the same. Introverts can be outgoing in situations they feel comfortable in.Introverts can't be good leaders.Introverts often possess excellent listening skills, deep focus, and strong analytical abilities – vital traits for leaders.Introverts are depressed or have low self-esteem.Introversion is a personality trait, not a mental health issue. Many introverts have healthy self-esteem and are perfectly content. My Personal Story: An Extrovert's Transformation I want to share a little bit about myself because I think a lot of readers might relate. In my 20s, I was the definition of an extrovert – always out, always up for anything, the life of the party. But in my 30s, something changed. It wasn't drastic, but I started craving more quiet nights in. Big crowds felt overstimulating, and I even caught myself dreading some social plans. At first, I was a bit confused. Was I getting old? Boring?? But what I realized was this: I wasn't changing who I am, just learning to better manage my energy. Now I'm more selective about how I socialize. I find smaller gatherings or one-on-one time with close friends much more satisfying. And guess what? I'm not some kind of social outcast – I'm honestly happier! Are You Experiencing Something Similar? If any of this sounds familiar, you're not alone! Don't worry, you don't have to give up your social life altogether. Here are some tips for extroverts learning to embrace their inner introvert: - Schedule Quiet Time: Just like you plan social events, block off time in your calendar for solo chill time. - "Recharge" Breaks: Leave a party early if you need to, or step away for a few minutes of quiet during a bustling event. - Don't Overexplain: It's OK to simply say "I need a night to myself" without feeling like you have to justify it. Key Takeaway: Our personalities can shift and flex throughout life. The true mark of a happy person is being able to adapt! Introversion/Extroversion - Quiet Revolution: https://www.quietrev.com/. Susan Cain's website on the power of introverts. Could be added to a section discussing the strengths of introversion. - Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ Search their site for articles specifically on introversion/extroversion. Great resource to link within relevant sections! FAQs Let's tackle some common questions about this whole introvert/extrovert thing: Q: Can extroverts really become introverts? *A: While personalities don't completely flip, it's very common to become less intensely extroverted over time. We adapt to our needs and energy levels. Q: Are extroverts attracted to introverts (or vice versa)? *A: Definitely! Relationships with different personalities can be incredibly fulfilling. Introverts and extroverts often balance each other well. Q: Does trauma make you become an introvert?*A: Trauma can lead to social withdrawal as a coping mechanism, but this differs from introversion. If you suspect trauma is impacting your social tendencies, seeking professional support is crucial. Q: Why do people become more introverted? *A: Lots of reasons! Aging, major life events, learning to prioritize quiet time, and simply getting to know yourself better can all play a role. Q: Are introverts and extroverts born that way? *A: It's a mix! Our baseline personality has genetic roots, but life experiences and choices shape how we express those traits. Q: Can extroverts enjoy quiet moments too? *A: Absolutely! Extroversion isn't about being "on" all the time. Many extroverts value downtime to recharge. Q: I used to be so outgoing, but now I'm not. Why? *A: It's totally normal for our social preferences to change. Think back to any major life events or shifts in how you feel energized – these offer clues! Q: Is it hard for introverts to find love? *A: Not at all! Introverts often build deep, meaningful connections, which are the foundation of lasting love. Conclusion The question of whether an extrovert can become an introvert highlights something important: personalities aren't set in stone. We change, we grow, and we discover new things about ourselves at every stage of life. Whether it's due to aging, life experiences, or simply a better understanding of your needs, becoming more introverted isn't a bad thing. In fact, there's immense value in recognizing and honoring those shifts. It's a complex question, and everyone's experience with shifting personality traits is unique. Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of why an extroverted person might start showing more introverted tendencies. The most important thing is to be accepting of yourself and to find a social life that feels fulfilling! Key Takeaways - Embrace the Change: Instead of resisting how you've evolved, figure out how to create a fulfilling life that matches your current preferences. - It's a Spectrum: Think about introversion and extroversion as adjustable dials rather than strict categories. - Respect Your Energy: Learn to say "no" to protect your mental wellbeing and avoid burnout. - Find Your Balance: Discover the social rhythms that make you feel your best, whether that means occasional lively gatherings or mostly chill nights at home. Have you experienced changes in how extroverted or introverted you feel? Share your story in the comments below! Let's create a community where we can support each other through the evolution of our social selves. Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions about your health. Read the full article