#identify who's working on the local projects you care about

[polytropic-liar]

What can you do to prepare for ICE enforcement actions?

I keep seeing that list of potential ICE target cities being shared around, so I'm breaking my "no organizing on tumblr" rule to share some info.

Credentialing: I'm an immigration lawyer, I've worked in immigration justice organizing for approximately a decade, I lead regular Know Your Rights trainings in my community.

Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. This is information about the US immigration system, and it may not be completely accurate to your specific location or situation. I am not soliciting clients on Tumblr. Do not message me confidential information about your, or anyone else's, immigration situation. If you need help with an immigration situation, the Immigration Advocates Network has a national database you can search by your location.

So, what can you do to help prepare for the event of an ICE enforcement action that impacts your community, friends, or family?

I. Assess risk

One of the most detrimental effects of the panic propaganda (which these constant threats of ICE raids absolutely are) is that it makes every single immigrant terrified, regardless of risk level. That saps the organizing power of immigrant communities and their supporters (like lawyers). You can help mitigate that effect by helping the people in your life and your community actually assess what their risk factors for targeting by ICE might be. This guide from 2017 for assessing risk from Immigrant Defense Project is a little dated at this point, but the basic information should be a good starting point.

Sometimes a risk assessment can help someone actually address some risk factors, like filing a renewal application, fixing their compliance with terms of their release before their parole is revoked, getting a lawyer to re-open their order of removal, or getting a criminal conviction mitigated/overturned. Even if it can't, it can help people have a more accurate picture of what their risk is, which people deserve to understand and to plan around.

II. Develop an emergency response plan

For people who are at risk of ICE arrest, detention, and potentially deportation, planning beforehand can make a huge difference. Immigrant Defense Project's guide to emergency preparedness is a great place to start. (Note: some of their linked resources are New York-specific. You may need to find ones for your state.)

If you're wondering how you can help the people you care about who are at risk, offer to play a role in their emergency plan. A great role for people who are fluent in English and familiar with US systems and structures is helping track someone through the detention system, and maintaining communications between them and their lawyer and outside community.

III. Prepare to document

Rapid response hotlines exist in all of the major cities on that list of potential targets. If they're not holding rapid response trainings right now, be patient: they probably will soon. Rapid response is often not about preventing an ICE enforcement action, it's about documenting it. It sucks that we often can't respond by stopping them from causing harm, but documentation provides leverage and opportunities for the people detained and for the community groups to use against ICE, which can win material victories, up to and including getting them to drop a deportation case and let someone go.

Do you film the police in your community, or otherwise document their actions? Documenting ICE works very similarly, they're just there less often and harder to identify. That means that you can train to document ICE by working with your local copwatch group. Learn how to generate good records, follow the local laws, store things securely, and connect with the people who can best use the data.

IV. Re-distribute resources

You know what really helps someone not get detained by ICE? Having the resources to avoid contact with them and with the criminal justice system. The most impactful detention prevention you can do with someone is to help them get their taillight fixed, secure a lease, pay for daycare for their kids, etc. Get people the money, access, and services they need to keep themselves safe! Do it now, and regularly: don't wait for someone to have an encounter that puts them on ICE's radar.

Can't afford to re-distribute resources directly? Most major cities in the US have "accompaniment" networks, where you can sign up to drive folks to get their licenses, and go with to the doctor, and help figure out how to get kids enrolled in school. This everyday, non-glamorous work is the most effective, meaningful, and useful thing you can do to help right now.

V. Collate and vet information

This isn't just about making sure what you share is verified (though it's significantly about that! I know the lure of chisme is so strong but please resist. Now more than ever, we have to take personal responsibility for not spreading misinformation!). It's also about something you, as a person reading this on the internet who therefore knows how to use at least one website, can do to be of service to the overwhelmed, scared, pissed off, and scrambling immigration justice groups right now. Find your local one, and ask: "Hey do you need more people finding news about immigration, checking it for reliability, and delivering it to you in one coordinated, easily-accessed place so you can decide how to disseminate it?" Not everyone needs that right now. But the ones who do will cry with gratitude. This is a particularly good role for folks who may have been feeling like their mobility or physical health meant they couldn't do anything to help against ICE--your skills are needed right now too, I promise.

Last note: I'm not going to tell you to calm down. It's reasonable and rational to be scared, and upset, and angry right now. But what I will say is: when the fear and outrage fade, the work won't end. I work with people who have been responding to ICE/INS actions for 40 years. A lot of this may feel brand new and terrifying to you, but to many of us, this is a familiar and known enemy that we spend our whole lives fighting.

It being familiar doesn't make it okay, or acceptable: it should all burn. But the organizing infrastructure to respond to this is here already. We're not helpless or surprised about what's happening, because we prepare for it every day. We're ready to fold you in with open arms whenever you want.

[insteading]

Yes, state-level environmental orgs, but also, hear me out: local government. It's where your best leverage is, both because you're directly impacted by its decisions and have skin in the game, and because so few people show up where decisions are made.

I think the part of Robin Wall Kimmerer's Braiding Sweetgrass that often gets ignored is the part where she extols the virtue of going to the damn meeting. Learn what departments are in charge of planting municipal shrubs and trees, and when their public meetings are. And then go! (Maybe Parks and Rec, maybe Public Works, maybe something else.) Go advocate for native plants that feed native pollinators. Or for other climate-resiliency measures-- wetlands near the coast, or respecting the flood plain.

If your city or town, like mine, has historically concentrated tree planting and parkland in whiter neighborhoods, and simultaneously concentrated heavy industry in historically Black neighborhoods, learn about and support the existing efforts of your neighbors to redress that inequity. (My city has a working port, and the neighborhood adjacent to the port has much higher rates of asthma than neighborhoods up in the hills, because of idling diesel trucks. Neighbors who took particulate readings every week for years helped get legislation passed that is starting to fix the problem.)

If your city, like mine, has police aircraft that surveil neighborhoods from overhead all the damn time, find out the cost of staff time, fuel, and maintenance per hour in the air, and the emissions impact, and be an absolute mosquito about repeating it at every meeting where something vaguely related is on the agenda.

And hey: if you've got research skills and an inherent nosy streak? Consider helping investigate where political contributions come from, to see which of your elected officials at the local level are taking money from people who want a coal terminal, or who want to release Chevron from their responsibility for shitty air quality. (Sometimes local newspapers will do this, but hey, Richmond California's local news was literally bought by Chevron, and investigative reporters can only do so much if their publishers and editors will kill stories critical of their funders.) Learn about power mapping and how to do it!

These examples are all ones that stem from my daily experience living where I live. Yours might be different. This is just to say: environmental action can and should include your city, your neighborhood, your block, and the organizations and people you're already invested in.

Hey

Hey Americans.

The federal government is about to get useless for at least a bit. This is a GREAT time to get involved in state level environmental orgs. That's where you're gonna be able to do the most for the next few years. Even a bit of casual volunteering can make a big difference.

I've done this off and on for years and when we go local we WIN. And friends winning feels good. This is how a lot of progressive agendas have won in this country. The whole US isn't out of this. People ARE still fighting climate change all around you.

You could be one of those people, in community with other people who are doing something.

doom and gloom "oooh everything is pointless oooh I'm so deep and edgy because I love trying to be the death of hope" people will just get blocked. I'm not talking to your crab-bucket ass.

[bignosebaby]

If you've heard of black crested macaques or the Yaki monkey, it is probably this one:

This black crested macaque became famous in 2011 when the photographer David Slater was taking photos in the jungle of Sulawesi Indonesia where black crested macaques are indigenous fauna. Slater was not the photographer who captured this photo, however. It was the macaque who has since been commonly called Naruto who took its own photograph on Slater's camera. The famous monkey selfie sparked a copyright lawsuit brought by PETA onto Slater, which was settled in 2017 with an agreement that Slater would donate a percentage of any profits gained by the pictures Naruto took to organizations that protect this species in the wild.

For the millions who enjoyed Naruto's selfies online, the story ends there. For Naruto and the Yaki the story continues. The black crested macaque is critically endangered. Slater's website says he donates 10% of the proceeds of all "monkey selfie" merchandise to "a monkey conservation project in Sulawesi", and while he does not specify which conservation project he supports, there is one I know of that does incredible work.

Selamatkan Yaki is an operation with a huge impact. The Yaki is one of the most endangered primates in the world, and it can be difficult to gauge just how many of them are out there. This is where biodiversity monitoring comes in to produce the data needed for effective conservation protocol. A pilot study was conducted in Tangkoko Nature Reserve, which has created the blueprint for surveying the entire province using camera traps and remote sensing to observe the Yaki and their threats over time.

Using the data gathered from monitoring, Selamatkan Yaki collaborated with the government agency for natural resource conservation to create a Species Action Plan (SAP). This species action plan is not only an evidence based conservation plan designed to save the Yaki, but all the other species that share its forest home. Establishing the Yaki as a flagship species is crucial as this charismatic monkey is just one of many species that is not found anywhere else in the world.

One of the major threats Yaki face, like many other primate species, is hunting for wildlife trafficking and the bush meat trades. While hunting the Yaki is illegal, it takes a true culture shift to keep endangered animals out of traps and cages. Selamatkan Yaki has developed both community conservation and environmental education programs designed to unite local communities in protecting the species. The community conservation program involves surveys conducted since 2007 so that long term data on human-animal relationships can be tracked to best identify community conservation methods. This data is used in the environmental education program which introduces information on biodiversity and conservation to school curriculum and provides research opportunities and scholarships for post secondary students to contribute to conservation.

Selamatkan Yaki understands that it isn't enough to have a team of people dedicated to saving the black crested macaque-- the more people who care and help the better. Everyone has a role to play in conservation, but right now so many people outside Indonesia have only ever seen the black crested macaque once, in a photo online. That's why I'm partnering with Selamatkan Yaki to spread information about the work they do and the species they protect. To learn more about Selamatkan Yaki you can click the links in this post, and stay tuned for more on the black crested macaque.

[solar-sunnyside-up]

Hi there... I really love the idea of solarpunk but like. The "punk" part of it makes me so anxious. I think it's a vital part of the movement, but I can never imagine doing something like that myself.

If you have any small (tiny) tips or ideas on things I can do on a more personal level I would appreciate them. Everything seems so overwhelming and completely out of my wheelhouse and skill base

Hey ya 🌱 Sprout!! It can be hard to recognize, particularly in solarpunk, but your already punk and already doing praxis. I'm sure of it.

If you've ever pirated media, DIYed or mended clothes, have a rain barrel, spoke out against poor labor conditions, provided a safe space for anyone in an uncaring world even for a brief interaction- Your already punk!! Anyone who fights and gatekeeps that title from you bc of age, aesthics, or experience is a poser and a FED!!

That being said tho--

If you want to do more outrageous projects there's a few things I can recommend depending on how much you wanna do!!

Battlejacket- TBH the purpose of a battle jacket is to soothe this exact anxiety while also being a fun project and being a single to others!! There's many examples in both my Battlejacket tag and patch idea tag to get you started. You can get iron on patches/print paper that transfers pretty well if your not used to DIYing stuff. If this feels like to big if a step and is too much tho keep in mind you can make a battlejacket and not wear it outside right away. It's a second skin to make you feel and others feel safe, but it's also a big neon target on yourself depending on your environment and where you are. So it's ok to just make one and not wear it out until your ready!! (If you do this-- my only demand is you show me when you do it!! I want to see all of those kinda projects bc I'm obsessed with them)

Getting out there- If starting a guerilla gardening project or joining a community garden, or community association isn't an option for you- be that bc of accessibility/time/energy- I'd recommend starting to archive and getting out there! Inaturalist or falling fruit are awesome programs where you identify plants/animals/stuff outside in general. It gets you outside, your adding to a community which gets the feeling of a ball rolling building confidence and your praxis muscles!!

Root yourself in your community- This is a hard one if your busy/have low spoons/are introverted but I promise its worth doing even if you arent super active in those spaces! Even just researching the history of your town/city/neighborhood and seeing what programs are running can really connect you to the area. A lot of us due to the renting crisis never truly attach to our neighborhoods or are too busy to look into local artists. (Not your fault babes, its built to do that to feed monopolies) Pick even just 1 thing you care about (local artists, teashop, bands, libraries, community fridges, etc..) and find the closest thing to you and get obsessed. Being a regular in any space is an awesome feeling, its where you'll find friends, and you'll directly see any change you provide there.

Media archiving- There's a lot of ways of doing this one but just pirate the fuck out of everything!!!! Burn it to a physical copy, share it with your friends/family! Make mix dvds, burn movies/tv shows! Directly download youtube videos! Print off your fave fanfiction and bind them into books! Particularly with streaming services directly deleting content and getting rid of them entirely this is important work but its also just very fun!! Seeing my wall filled with dvds and books and objects makes my brain happy but also again, the physical exchange of handing the media you love to another person is so unique! Theres lots of guides and methods of doing this depending on the method and medium your using.

Utilizing public spaces- Loitering is a good one as well to push yourself and to interact with things IRL! Use your public libraries and parks excessively! Spend a weird amount of time at the mall not buying stuff! This might seem like a weird one, but its a long term thing. It shows that ppl are supposed to be out and about without spending money, but also many of these places (except the mall obvi) get funding based on usage so the more you use something the more likely they are to make it accessible to more ppl! It also makes it more normal for ppl who need to loiter to be in these spaces which again adds more accessibility. This is also one that might get you unwanted attention so decide your comfort and safety level. Pushing boundaries is good but do it at your own pace.

Vandalize! - Again we're ramping up a bit on risk levels but I recommend it, particularly bus stops or putting up posters. Bus stops is bc at least in my city they only maintenance them once they've been 'ruined' so its actually a cosmic positive to do it in these spaces. Posters are also good! Ive seen quite a few for tenant unions but also a handful of them that are food resources or call outs for police. This is mostly to have passive way to show solidarity or get a message across. But also like your doing art! Great stuff! Again tho this comes with risk if caught or if you dont know what your doing so start with baby steps (like using sharpie on an Ad you fucking hate or putting up a poster in a neutral space to get used to it)

Hopefully these tips get you started!

[shipburner]

Over two years ago, I was inspired by @transhitman's personal Disco Elysium Skill project to make my own Disco Elysium Skills. Today, I am proud to present my own take on the idea, the Internal Family Skills, having finally gotten my brain in gear enough to finish it in a showable capacity. This isn't the final form of the project, but I'd need to learn CSS to make a full fake menu on my Neocities, and a new tablet to make the Skills as painterly as the game's art style (which I might not do, since this style is basically what the inside of my brain looks like).

We're starting off with the Manager (MGR) Attribute: Your capacity to present sufficient normalcy and interact with the people around you. Its six Skills are:

Bureaucracy

Disguise

Distress Tolerance

Hiya

Pakikiramdam

White-Passing

[ Firefighter | Exile | Self ]

Bureaucracy

Understand process and procedure. Pull on the levers available to the public.

COOL FOR: Pencil-Pushers, Concerned Citizens, The Maliciously Compliant

Bureaucracy is what humans use for detailed communication in place of emotional honesty. This is not, in fact, an imposition -- rather, it allows for smooth cooperation and organization at large scale without the superior's scorn or the inferior's resentment getting in the way. Your Bureaucracy skill familiarizes you with paperwork and precedent, assures that the powerful view you as properly compliant, extracts assistance from systems that don't care about you as a person, and teaches you how to work to rule.

At high levels, Bureaucracy lets you navigate hierarchies, provide and access information easily, and fill in gaps in existing procedure where there is none. It'll also make you a fussy, obstinate smartass who refuses to participate with anyone emotionally or act without structure. At low levels, however, you'll be adrift in a paper sea designed to silence, exhaust, and oppress you.

Disguise

Manipulate with masks. Fit yourself into palatable forms.

COOL FOR: Changeling Children, Sociopathic Butterflies, Emotional Laborers

Disguise wants you to know that if you can't be yourself, it's always okay to be someone else. As your handy-dandy superficial charm, Disguise feeds you the lines necessary for a given situation: Need to act mindful and demure at work when you're imagining gutting your manager like a fish? Disguise is already on it. Want to seem like a problem-solving super-genius when you're actually in the middle of cybersex? Disguise is running the social buffer. Trying to avoid telling the truth to your parents or scaring the hoes at the local queer scene? Got. You. Covered.

At high levels, Disguise makes you terrified of failing to live up to your image, to the extent that you'll partition off your life into different personas. You won't be tempted to become any of the masks, but by God will you not take any of them off. At low levels, though, you'll have to take all the lumps that come with never telling anybody what they want to hear.

Distress Tolerance

Endure immediate pain for long-term gain. Stay in the trap to remove the one who set it.

COOL FOR: Forward-thinkers, Sensitive Souls, Cluster Bs

Distress Tolerance is your lexicon of adaptive coping mechanisms. It snaps into action when the world is painful and unfair, identifying pain relief and things you can control. Distress Tolerance reminds you to go for a walk instead of lying in bed, to spend time with people you love instead of fighting online, and to box breathe instead of hiding in a cabinet and sobbing. It also helps you keep your goals in mind: the point of enduring the pain is to avoid hurting people and to have a better life in the future.

At high levels, Distress Tolerance makes you hyper-sane, and thus hypernormal. You'll fall victim to the seductions of personal responsibility, assuming that it's simply your duty to put up with the world's iniquities. Without it, though, you'll be a panicking woman-child ignorant of her own agency, unable to do anything about those iniquities but lash out at the people who love you.

Hiya

Feel shame yourself. Anticipate shame in others.

COOL FOR: Overton Glaziers, Panopticon Inhabitants, Human Dignity Enjoyers

Hiya isn't the cop inside your head, it's the patriarch -- instead of trying to shoot you when you've deviated from the accepted standards of behavior for a given community, it just makes you feel fundamentally unlikable and helpless. This isn't entirely a bad thing, since the accepted standards of behavior frequently involve putting others first so you don't make them feel fundamentally unlikable and helpless. That said, while Hiya teaches you that standards of behavior can change, the only tool it gives you to accomplish that is the cattle prod called "shame".

At high levels, Hiya makes you socially invulnerable -- because you don't do anything objectionable in the first place. Not only will you be self-sacrificingly afraid of being deemed deviant, you'll cringe and withdraw when others embarrass themselves regardless -- and you'll enforce shame yourself to make the cringing stop. Without it, though, you'll literally be walang hiya: a shameless, self-gratifying boob incapable of thinking about others' feelings.

Pakikiramdam

Understand that others’ needs are different. Find out what they are.

COOL FOR: Relationship-Builders, Active Listeners, Safety Tool Users

Pakikiramdam feels out everything that isn't explicitly said. It's a Skill of social moderation formed through trial and error -- knowing what will tickle someone's funny bone, whether acquiescence is hiding upset, and whether they see a given action as common courtesy or a true effort. Pakikiramdam creates models of others' internal states to better foster and maintain kapwa; to this end, it reminds you to check in, slow down, and look at the conversation from outside so you're on the same page about what's going on.

At high levels, Pakikiramdam will make you truly empathetic and understanding -- as long as people can stomach you being a busybody who demands adult communication and introspection about their wants at the drop of a hat. Too low, however, and you'll simply barge through situations assuming you already know what everyone wants, giving you no chance to build empathy in the first place.

White-Passing

Defend yourself and get away with it. Recognize and use what authority you have.

COOL FOR: Egotists, Dissatisfied Customers, Fifth Columnists

You are the phenotypical expression of a multigenerational effort to make you and your desires untouchable in any social situation. White-Passing measures your ability to live up to that standard: Can you talk over people in a meeting to make your point heard? Can you talk to a cop like he's a brave and dignified defender of your security? Can you justify the entire extractive supply chain in order to demand a better customer service experience?

At high levels, White-Passing will get you what you want, and getting what you want will reinforce the rightness of your power. Not only will this make you an entitled little martinet claiming power you lack, it'll chain you to the structures that have given you what power you have. But without it, you won't even be able to get past the cop in your own head, let alone the ones outside it, and you'll make a cult of your own disenfranchisement.

Notes:

Bureaucracy's ear-thingies are a reference to Intergalactic Advocate Bob from Jupiter Ascending.

The mask Disguise is wearing is based on Caves of Qud's gentling mask.

Thanks is due to Jeremiah Reyes' 2015 article "Loób and Kapwa: An Introduction to a Filipino Virtue Ethics", which was instrumental in me figuring out how exactly my lolo's ethics filtered through my dad to me, for good and for ill.

[classyblen]

Helloww!

💋 𝙷𝚎𝚢 𝙱𝚎𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚒𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚂𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚜! 💋

✨ Welcome to my brand-new blog! My name is Classy, and I’m on an exciting self-growth journey, ready to become the best version of myself! ❤️

I believe that sharing my experiences and holding myself accountable is the key to flourishing, so I’m here to inspire, uplift, and empower you along the way! If you’re down for some realness and growth, let’s be besties on this beautiful adventure! 🌟✨

✨ Goals for Self-Improvement ✨

❤️ MENTAL HEALTH:

Goal: Reduce reliance on pornography (including smut books, comics, videos, even porno music) ⛔

Action Step: Identify triggers and create a plan to avoid them.

Use apps like StayFocusd or Cold Turkey to block access.

Daily Affirmations ✨: Start each day with positive affirmations to boost self-esteem and redirect your focus.

💪 PHYSICAL HEALTH:

Workout Routine:

Goal: Exercise 5 times a week.

Action Step: Choose specific workouts 🏋️‍♀️.

Tip: Mix it up with fun classes like Zumba or yoga to keep it exciting!

Skincare Routine:

Goal: Follow a morning and night routine.

Morning: Cleanser + moisturizer + sunscreen ☀️.

Night: Cleanser + moisturizer + acne treatments + 5-minute self-massage for relaxation. 🧖‍♀️

🙏 Daily Prayer & Bible Reading:

Goal: 10-15 minutes of prayer in the morning and reading the Bible before bed.

Action Step: Use Bible apps and set an alarm/reminder.

Reflection Journal: After reading, jot down thoughts or verses that stood out to you.

📚 PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT:

Reading Books:

Goal: Read at least 2 books per month—1 for me and another for our future book club. 📖

Action Step: Keep a list of books I want to read and start a book club!

Monthly Theme: Each month, focus on a theme such as “self-care”, “growth mindset”, or “creativity”.

🌼 Daily Routine 🌼

Morning Routine 🎀

4:30 AM - Wake up

4:35 AM - Make bed

4:40 AM - Pray

5:00 AM - Workout

5:50 AM - Shower/skincare

6:30 AM - Read a few chapters of the current book

7:00 AM - Simple + healthy breakfast 🍳

DAYTIME (Post-graduation vibes 🌟):

Focus on school, work, or personal projects.

Explore a hobby or learn a new skill! 🎨

6:00 PM - Dinner + family time 🍽️

7:00 PM - YouTube + tea (me time) ☕

8:00 PM - Read or journal (here on Tumblr!)

9:00 PM - Bedtime 🌙

🌹 Tracking Addiction 🌹

Identify Triggers: List specific situations or feelings that lead to urges.

Accountability Partner: Share this goal with a trusted friend who can check in weekly 📞.

Alternative Activities: When urges arise, have a list of alternatives ready (like walking or reading the Bible).

Reflect Weekly: Journal about successes and setbacks related to these goals each week.

💪 Physical & Mental Wellness ❤️

Weekly Workout Plan:

Mon-Fri: Shoulder stretch (10 min) + arm fat workout (10 min) + Daisy Keech ab workout (10 min).

Sat-Sun: Light stretches 🧘‍♀️.

Weekly Skincare Plan:

Sun & Wed: Weekly mask + exfoliation.

Balanced Eating:

Aim for 3 meals a day plus healthy snacks. 🍎

Meal prep on weekends to save time!

Hydration Challenge: Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day!

🌟 Community & Accountability ❤️

Find a Group: Join a local church group, Tumblr communities, or a study group for shared growth.

Weekly Check-ins: Schedule meet-ups with a friend for mutual encouragement on goals.

Social Media Detox: Plan regular breaks from social media to refocus your mind. 📵

Weekly Review Questions:

What went well?

What were the challenges?

How can I adjust my goals for the next week?

Gratitude List: Each week, write down three things you are grateful for! 🎀

✨ Final Thoughts ✨

✨ Remember, change is a gradual process. Celebrate the small victories, and be patient with yourself as you embark on this journey. Consistency and discipline are key, so keep the faith in yourself and your path. You’ve got this, Classy! ❤️✨

[yellowjacketsfashion]

Hello! I hope that you are well.

I've got a few questions: 1. Do you plan to own any of the clothes and props?

2. What are your thoughts and theories on the trailer for the 3rd season? Are you excited?

3. Is there a good yellow ribbon/ string that can be used for a Yellowjackets soccer outfit? On that note, have you been able to identify which brand the girls use while playing?

4.Do you think there are ways to diy the clothes that are custom made for the show?

I hope that it's okay to send you message.

Until next time, take care, and thank you for creating this blog!

Of course it’s okay to message me! I’m glad you enjoy my blog! As per your questions:

1. I already have a nice sized collection (around 40 items total) of clothes and props as seen on Yellowjackets and I do plan on getting more. Someday it might even be cool to have some of the actual pieces used in the show as well but I’d have to wait for the show to end and that’s hopefully not for a while!

2. I’m very excited for the new season! I started watching the show as season 2 was airing so I’ve definitely been waiting a while for some new stuff! I loved the trailer and I was happy to see some of the old costume pieces from the first two seasons return, especially the Wilderness Acolytes!

As for theories I don’t have many but I do think we’ll see the Antler Queen costume as well as possibly the origin of the outfit.

3. The uniforms seen on the show are custom made by the costume department so you’d either need to recreate the uniform yourself or buy a recreated version of it. In interviews costume designer Marie Schley has talked about the fact that uniforms have changed a lot stylistically from the 90s so to truely capture the essence they had to have them custom made.

In the photo on the left you can see an early version of the Yellowjackets Jersey and some of their inspiration versus what uniforms they ultimately landed on to the right.

For the ribbon/string I’m not really sure what to recommend. Whenever I sew or craft I usually find it easier to see what’s available at my local hobby stores so I can get a better idea about what might work best for my project.

4. I think there’s definitely ways to recreate custom items from the show, I’ve even posted about how to diy a couple (the Yellowjackets letterman jacket, and Misty’s Equipment Manager jacket) but it really just depends on the item.

Items like the Winter Coat and the soccer uniforms were completely constructed for the show so if you’re knowledgeable about sewing you could create one yourself. With the Winter coat I was actually able to determine what kind of tartan they used so I’ve actually considered making one when I have the time and funds!

Other items like Misty’s cat sweater or Sunflower shirt were made with stock images as decals so there’s ways you can make those as well if you could get the image printed onto shirts.

Some of the harder items to recreate are the Wiskayok High Yellowjackets school merch but there’s a few people who sell good ones online. For example, this store on Etsy has a lot of really close replicas inspired by Yellowjackets clothing from the show. Paramount shop also has a few pieces that they’ve recreated from the show that you can’t really find anywhere else.

Hopefully my answers are insightful, if you have any other questions feel free to reach out!

[caveiratimida]

Happy 2025 everyone! Today is my birthday and I have had a lovely time with my family. I felt inspired to do a little (big) catch up here. Been pretty quiet as I had a training at work near the end of December and then was family time plus recently I have been battling some potential health issues. Not to mention I am also focused on passing my retry driving test end of January. I imagine everyone feels like me right now where somehow everything and everyone feels like a lot due to how interconnected we are. I for example am sick and tired of hearing about the US given that I am living in Portugal and instead of being able to find information on housing policies and how we are remodeling our national health care I have to hear about Elon Moscas (the portuguese word for fly that sounds like his name - it is a joke that makes me happy) and the rest of them. This got me thinking how too focused I am by influence of the digital things around me due to algorithms and AI. But this isn't something that has begun to annoy me just now.

The past year, I was concentrating on trying to figure out what I would like to try exploring after years of academia. I discovered I wanted to be involved in my community, and I find that often we know more about what is going on abroad or on a wider scale than near us. As a person whose professional dreams are focused on cultural sustainability and community growth, that worried me how little I was present. I began to read the local newspaper since you always get told one way or another about "big" global news by someone or its thrust at your face online. It's fascinating how much you learn about town resilience, especially in my area, and how I now live in a small coastal town.

Obviously we cannot combat progress but like Bad Bunny comments in "Lo Que Pasó en Hawaii", development shouldn't come from the gentrification and loss of accesible living and communal identity. I feel like a lot of people lean right because they sense this "deterioration" of cultural identifying points subconsciously and so start to lash out. Blaming those who have nothing to do with it instead of late stage capitalism, corrupt governing bodies and millionaire interests.

I think I feel ready to try and create some projects that I think would be cool regarding the continued loss of Third Places and connections. Plus I do my volunteering at the Cultural House and now I applied for a great oppurtunity related to cultural management!

But before then I would like to try a type of digital decluttering. Missing the feeling of when the internet used to be stuck to a physical space is something I find myself doing more and more. But this doesn't mean I believe in complete non-technological or digital living, I guess I am lacking the feeling of control or sovereignity? Like I don't and won't just BOOM delete everything (especially because tumblr is my favourite of all) but I do want to analyse my digital footprint.

[phregnancy]

The thing with the whole non monogamy discussion from queer culture of clubbing and other things like that is that the queer phannies who are around that completely forgets that some queers aren't into clubbing or hooking up at all. I knooow you can use hook ups without being a huge clubber and all i'm not grouping everything together of course but some phannies are so in love (and that's great theh love it) with that part of the queer culture they completely projects it on dnp and somehow thinks it's the ones that are queer but not engaged in that culture that project themselves. i totally get what you guys see with that poly/non monogamy view on dan and phil but to me their aura is not that style, they are just so. Like they are so. I really feel these phannies just. Don't get it. Dnp have a persona, they are entertainers, everything they say is always controlled to control the perception you have on them. You'll never know them the way a close friend will with them. They are board games gays, gaming gays, introverts stay at home gays (not that you can't do that if you hook up but you get my point) and phannies cannot cope with the fact they aren't going to parties, clubbing, smoking weeds (i'm not saying they never ever did that of course, just not at the same level some thinks.), on grinder, looking for polycules and texting their polycule. They are not the same generation first of all but also they grew up in such a different way and in a different time and in a culture that just is not... what phannies are trying to project. It's not erasing that that culture exist and is more common with gay men, it's that sometimes it's just not the case and there is a small part that is not like that. I could be wrong but the fact that many who totally believe they are non monogamous don't entertain the idea they might be wrong that i find a little weird. I love polygamy, how it change the way we look at love and sex, love that queer culture, i think it's united and beautiful and i think it's cute phannies use dnp as a way to identify themselves in them and get that representation don't get me wrong but i have so much to say about how i just think sometimes... it's just not it. unfortunately it's such a complex/controversial topic.

so i think it’s very interesting that all i’ve said is that open relationships are more common in mlm relationships and that i personally do not have any thoughts or opinions on them applied to dan and phil except that it wouldn’t be so incredibly shocking (because we don’t know the real intricacies of their sex lives) but that alone has led me to receive multiple asks claiming that i am throwing ENM onto them. i’m not, i literally do not care or imagine it at all. i don’t care about dan x stranger + phil x stranger, if it’s true or untrue it changes nothing about how i view them. i am only here for them as individuals and their relationship with each other.

and again i’m sorry but you’re showing lack of familiarity with diverse queer communities. i’m not engaged in club culture at all and i don’t think dan and phil are the types to be engaged in clubs or drugs or any potentially risky behaviors. i’ve worked a lot of jobs and have lived in multiple countries and have met a lot of people in my life because i actively seek out local queer communities. i know sweet married gay realtors who are in open relationships i know very catty engaged gay kitchen designers who are in open relationships i know multiple people who play on gay kickball leagues who are in open relationships - non monogamy is not as exclusive to club culture as this ask is making it out to be.

also - you mean polyamory, not polygamy.

[lily-janus]

Someone Like You - chapter 2

Chapter 1 | chapter 2 | next

Summary: Roman is being... nice? And he seems to want to work with Janus? ...what's going on here?

Pairing: pre-romantic roceit

Warnings: disabillity, mentions of murder in the context of the play. I think that's it for this chapter, be sure to let me know if I missed anything.

Word count: 1,059

The second chapter is here! Still written by @prince-rowan-of-the-forest , not me yet, next week my part will start at the half of chapter 3. Hope you enjoy! @tsspromptmonth

It had been a few days since then. Janus had texted the number Roman had given him at lunch that day, since he didn't really feel like eating, Roman had replied with an indistinguishable string of emojis that Janus still had no clue the meaning of.

They had arranged to meet up at a local coffee shop that weekend to work on planning, he wondered why the hell Roman seemed so eager to meet up with him to work on this, usually his partners would get annoyed with his constant backwards talking and pessimism and give up on working together at all. This was new to him and he couldn't help but think this was some kind of long-winded trick.

He was just about to take a bite of his sandwich when he felt a tap on his left shoulder- his blind side. Completely on instinct Janus dropped the sandwich and whirled around as best he could in the chair and lashed out at the attacker, who yelped in surprise.

"Woah!" he said, "Sorry for startling you!"

And of course it was Roman, perfect, great, absolutely fantastic.

"I thought you would've seen me coming," Roman said sheepishly.

"Yes well being blind does make that slightly difficult," Janus said with a shrug before picking up his dropped sandwich from the table, "Did you actually want something or did you just come over here to make a fool of me like everyone else,"

"Make a fool of- no! Oh whatever, I came over here because I had some ideas for our project that I wished to share with you!" Roman said, "And also I noticed you were sitting alone which is kinda depressing so I thought I'd come over here and make you look less like a loner,"

"Gee thanks," Janus said, rolling his eyes, "Whatever would people think of you if they saw you with someone like me?"

"Not that I need anyone's permission or approval to talk to you," Roman said, sitting down on the table next to him. Janus shifted so he was just a little further away, "But I told my friends I was coming over here to work on our project so, no-one who matters actually cares,"

"Right… and what was so important that you had to interrupt my lunch to tell me?"

"Well!" Roman said, opening his bag and pulling out his notebook, before pushing it over to him, "Have a look!"

Janus raised an eyebrow at him before shaking his head and taking the book before pulling his glasses out of his pocket and putting them on. At least he’d remembered them today. .

The title page for their project was tabbed with a thin pink post-it note and upon opening it Janus found that the page had been decorated with colourful artwork that referenced the play, the three witches, a castle turret, some blood and a knife, he hated to admit it but it looked very pretty. Underneath the title Janus identified the writing as both of their names.

"Did you do all this?" Janus couldn't help but ask, pointing at the artwork. Roman nodded, "Where the hell do you people find the time for these things…"

"Turn the page!" Roman said with a smile, he seemed to be attempting to contain his excitement. Janus just shook his head and did as told. On the double page spread he found a title that read 'Roles and Costumes'.

"Is this- us?" Janus asked, looking at the two figures drawn onto one side of the page, he noticed that the drawing of him had his signature bowler hat that he wore everywhere and the picture of Roman had a little floating crown about his head.

Janus supposed those were to mark who each of them were, because the rest of the figure was just a base with no details, based on the title he could guess it was so they could experiment with the costume ideas.

On the opposite page was a list of the play's characters in order of significance and next to them, written in pencil, were either Janus' or Roman's name.

"I can't believe you put this much effort into this," Janus huffed. He had meant it as an insult, because who in their right mind puts this much effort into an English class project, but it only made Roman smile more. Janus hated to admit it made his heart flutter.

"Yes, well! I thought it might be best for us to go together on Saturday to have a look at a couple of locations I had in mind for filming, and I thought it might be helpful to have a vague idea of which of us would play each character beforehand,"

"You pegged me as Lady Macbeth?" Janus said, raising an eyebrow.

"Indeed! She's the cunning mind behind the murder plot after all," Roman said with a wide sweep of his arm, "And besides, I believe you'd be able to perform her soliloquys and muster her attitude better than I ever could,*

"And also you want to be Macbeth, Mr Main Character," Janus said, a small smile subconsciously pulling at his lips, Roman went red.

"Well- maybe…"

"And I see you get to murder me on multiple occasions," Janus pointed out where he was listed to play both Banquo and King Duncan.

"Hey! You get to murder me too! Don't you make out that this murder is one-sided!" Roman cried, pointing at where it said Janus' name next to Macduff, Janus smiled.

"Alright fine," Janus said, shaking his head, "You can have your way,"

"Yes!" Roman cheered, "So I think we should keep the more important characters consistent, but as for side characters, we'll need to switch around based on who is in the scene," Roman explained, Janus nodded.

"We're definitely not going to struggle with acting this out as just us two," Janus said, closing Roman's notebook and handing it back over.

"I'm sure we can find a way! Maybe we could use- puppets, or something, I dunno yet," Roman smiled, standing up, *Don't worry your pretty little face about it, see you Saturday!"

And he turned and walked off into the lunch crowd, leaving Janus staring after him. What the hell did that last statement mean? His face was anything but pretty, and he wasn't little, thank you very much.

[trans-axolotl]

Speaking as a psych survivor that wants there to be better treatment for people with highly stigmatized disorders like my own, what are things that I can do within my community to help?

hey anon!

First thing I want to say is that you are absolutely the expert on your own experiences. Your own instincts, wisdom, and past experiences are such a valuable resource, and whatever ways you choose to show up in community is important and valued. Ways of helping that make me feel connected to community might not be what you want, and that's totally okay.

A great step can be to look at what's already there in your local community. Is there a consumer/survivor/mental health advocacy group in your location? Is there peer support groups or peer respite? Are there any policy campaigns that resonate with you? Some helpful resources to find out if advocacy is going on in your community can be to go to Hearing Voices Groups, other local support groups, or even NAMI groups. (I dislike NAMI as an organization, but the support groups can sometimes be a way to find other mad/mentally ill/neurodivergent people in your area who are doing cool things.) If there is advocacy happening already in your community that feels important to you, that can be a great way to get involved. Other advocacy campaigns that aren't directly related to mental health can be great resources--things like harm reduction organizations, other justice and advocacy organizations, other disability organizations like Centers for Independent Living.

Another thing that's been super helpful for me is just getting access to more education about how to help people in crisis, and going to a lot of trainings on peer support, noncarceral suicide prevention, conflict resolution, things like that. I love the pay-what-you-can webinars that Project LETS offers. IDHA also has tons of amazing resources and training courses, but they do cost more. Most states also have peer specialist training courses--I think a lot of these courses kind of suck in terms of content, but getting certified as a peer specialist can open the door to some volunteer and job opportunities, if that's what you're interested in.

Something else that I think can be really important is just educating ourselves and building relationships with people in our community. Learning about mad mapping, knowing your rights for hospitalization, practicing coping skills, meeting your neighbors, cooking for people --really just investing into support systems can help people learn ways of helping each other and meeting our needs that don't require us to interact with fucked up systems. If we build relationships and have those social connections in place, it can help us be more prepared to care for each other through distress and crisis, and make sure that everyone's basic needs are being met. I love the book Care Work by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha for thinking through some of the ways we can build community and care for eachother as disabled people. Also, spending time identifying my own needs, asking for help, and sharing aspects of my own story with people in my community has helped me connect to other people who have those same needs, and I think sometimes can help challenge some of the stigma we face by being really authentic with each other.

This is definitely not a comprehensive list, and is just a small snapshot of some of the things that have been meaningful to me! My values and passions are more centered in building community alternatives to the current mental health system rather than trying to reform the mental health system, but there are absolutely groups out there that are more focused on changing policies. There's so many ways, big and small, that I can think of for getting involved in radical mental health work in your community, and I would love it if people could add on things that they're doing or that they're passionate about!!

[noveldivergence]

Hi @noveldivergence! I'd love to know more about your project, Organized Hate in the Social Media. What drew you to this subject? What is your take on the issue? Have you discovered anything surprising in your research? Thank you!

Oh thank you so so much for this ask!

From the moment I got on my current career path, I've been bothering my superiors up the food chain to work on this project (as well as a project on the rise of cult indoctrination....still working on that).

Late 2023, I was finally allowed to bgein work on Organized Hate in the Social Media Age, a collection of articles that will eventually make a complete and complex modern reference guide for local and federal law enforcement; local, state and federal politicians; and approved academic institutions. The goal is to educate people on the rise of contemporary hate groups flourishing via use of mainstream and niche social media.

My personal take on the issue, which is supported by research and my department directors in the intelligence office I work for, is that social media has created a way for hate to organize and recruit more effectively and efficiently than ever before in history. I'm still diving into more of the roots of the issue as it began as early as the first days of the internet opening to the public.

Thus far, the reference guide has an introduction, a chapter on a recent antisemitic hate group known as The Goyim Defense League, a chapter on the use of deep web and niche far-right social media platforms to organize and destabilize the United States power grid through domestic terror, and a currently unfinished chapter on Patriot Front. When complete, it will be both a history text and a reference guide, much like other publications I've worked on in my time at the agency, but by far the one that I actually find the most worthwhile the put time and effort into.

It drew me as a project because I grew up in a fundamentalist evangelical household and sect, and while the group has always been radical, seeing how it's radicalized even further right since I "woke up" and left the sect over a decade ago has been terrifying on a deeply personal level.

It was a fight to get it approved. There is an acknowledgment that right-wing terror is an issue. You cannot deny the statistics of it. There IS an intense hemhawing about actually putting something like this out for our distribution audience because, as you might guess, it's a well known fact that a lot of law enforcement on a local level especially are affiliated with rightwring terror, either implicitly or complicitly. I don't even mean "oh, of course, police brutality inherently supports these causes", I mean there are cops with Nazi affiliations, there are cops with white supremacist street gang affiliations, there are even outlaw motorcycle gangs made up almost exclusively of white veterans and active police force.

Fuck them and everyone who upholds them! The information needs to exist and it needs to be in people's hands.

The most suprising information I have uncovered thus far was unintentional skjgdhlfg I accidentally uncovered that a relative of a relative was running an active neo Nazi fight club out of his business and got the property investigated. I'm not allowed as of yet to know what happened, as they do not want anyone knowing it was me, but it busted them up and got them identified on the state news. It was well known they were affiliated with hate, so it wasn't anything anyone in the family was unprepared for (not that I'd've cared it it was, anyone who supports the bastard can rot), but still very nervewracking, and I still kiiiinda fear retaliation if it gets out ^^;

[sapenvs3000f23]

Unit 01: Relationship with Nature 🐿️

Describe your current relationship with nature. How has this developed/evolved? Who offered you “a sense of place,” as described in our textbook?

Hi everyone! My name is Sam (she/her) and this is my third year in the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences (Ecology) program here at the University of Guelph. 

Like many, my positive relationship with nature developed from a young age. My fondest memories from childhood are homed by forests, rivers, and family gardens. Observing lily pads while canoeing with my mom, petting banded wooly bear caterpillars Pyrrharctia isabella on hikes, thanking trees for letting me climb their branches, and staying up late reading so I could identify every shell I found on the beach. I felt a strong urge to nurture nature as it did for me, despite the fact I had so much growth ahead.

The summer before highschool I started volunteering as a camp counselor at a farm on the Niagara Escarpment, where I found my “sense of place” in nature surrounded by free-roaming chickens, acres of horse pasture, and a group of children eager to learn about forming relationships with animals. Around the same time, I attended “Discovery Vet School” at the University of Guelph, which opened my eyes to the plausible academic future I had in the environmental sector. One of the lectures focused on the ethics of the meat industry; needless to say (against my family’s wishes) my stubborn grade 9 self was vegetarian by the time I got home— an ethical decision that has stuck with me these past seven (7) years. In highschool, I also started volunteering with and fostering for the Humane Society and private animal rescues. With a focus on neonatal kittens, my desire to research the biology and behaviour behind animals skyrocketed. At the same time, I was mesmerized by how deeply bonded I felt to each individual in my care (over 50 cats and kittens by the time I was moving away!). These deep bonds transitioned to plant life too. I started working for a local garden centre and conservation area in my last year of high school, which brought along incredible mentors and life-long friendships built on the foundation of a love for nature. Every plant, animal, and component of our natural environment was solidified in my mind as a someone instead of a something.

Furthermore, I spent Summer 2023 as a full-time Plant & Biocontrol Research Assistant at Vineland Research & Innovation Centre, where I contributed to a variety of experimental projects involving plants, insects, and growth substrates. Whether I was identifying/tracking microscopic insects, testing soil pH levels from Ontario conservation areas, conducting biostimulant fieldwork, or caring for hundreds of greenhouse plants, each day took my passion for ecology to a more feasibly impactful level— I loved it! However, this newfound “measurement of impact” came from a western science perspective spent in labs where all my observations were easily transferable to a spreadsheet. When I was tired from long days of work, it was still nature that would soothe my aches and cradle my mental exhaustion. Evenings spent digging around in my home garden and harvesting vegetables grown without the grand purpose of contributing to scientific reports. Evenings spent reading in the grass accompanied by my family cat and best friend, Delilah, while watching insects crawl between the words of the book I was reading. Evenings spent climbing the backyard tree that had watched me like a grandmother through every stage of life, even though I couldn’t swing on her low hanging branches like I once did. 

These moments after work, coupled with summer weekends spent hiking or kayaking, lead my story to right now. I’ve returned to the University of Guelph, taking on the role of ecology student for my third year. My “sense of place” within nature has truly blossomed here, where I spend my academic life studying our complex ecological world and my personal life finding natural influences in the music, clothing, activities, and friendships I immerse myself in. The relationship I share with nature is constantly evolving, and I’m looking forward to exploring the intricacies (and sharing them with you!) during our Nature Interpretation course this semester :)

[shannonmnart]

Virtual Sketchbook 1

Introductions/First Artworks

Hello everyone, for my fact about myself I'd like to share that I am someone with a personal interest in history and how historical events translate into art. I also love learning about the different cultural backgrounds that influenced artists like Frida Kahlo and Van Gogh. I was assigned number 10, which is Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s “The Swing”, a timeless and culturally relevant artwork despite its dated origin in 1767. In my research I discovered five new facts about this painting and its painter.

The painting began as a commission from a French gentleman of the court who wanted to depict himself admiring his mistress being pushed on a swing (Bruckbauer).

Playful works such as these were frequently commissioned by the elite that Fragonard served. They would be displayed in intimate settings.

In contrast to popular historical works of the era, The Swing greatly subverted societal norms  for personal interests.

Jean-Honoré Fragonard had an illustrious career as a painter for some of the wealthiest people in France just before the French Revolution.

The Swing today lives in London amongst somewhat contrasting religious depictions of angels and leisure.

   My initial impression of this artwork has greatly changed since the first time I looked at it, now knowing the intimate details of how this piece was intended to be used has altered my perspective the most. I have seen The Swing many times in other references depicting different characters in the same pose as the focal point of the painting. For the first time admittedly, in the first Frozen movie as a kid. Which is slightly mind-boggling because it originated as a private commission that playfully challenged cultural norms while remaining hyper-feminine and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. A tradition consistent in many of Fragonard’s works. Despite its critiques as a symbol of the moral decay of the French aristocracy, The Swing and similar artworks saw rampant popularity during the eighteenth century (Bruckbauer). I never used to deeply look into the expressions of people in paintings until I got older and could understand things with more context. With my most recent observation of The Swing, I couldn’t help but notice the theatrical presentation of the men fawning over the subject of this piece. One of which is hoisting the woman in the air, and the other underneath the lady admiring her with his arms stretched almost like that depiction of The Creation of Adam.

Bruckbauer, Dr. Ashley. “Jean-Honoré Fragonard, The Swing,” Smarthistory, Feb 26 2021, https://smarthistory.org/jean-honore-fragonard-the-swing/

2. Art and Writing

In 2020 I lost my friend to suicide as a sophomore in high school, and would unknowingly loose my dad to the same issue the following year. After my friend passed, a local artist and old family friend of my mom's named Brandon Thrift (artbybrandonthrift on instagram) gave me this canvas painting and another larger piece to give to my friend's family. The artwork, which says "You Are Loved" in acrylic paint on top of Thrift's signature paint splatters is a vibrant and beautiful reminder of those I have lost. Not only is it a reminder but also a conversation starter that reinforces the importance of mental health.

3. Writing a Self-Portrait

I am 19 years old and identify as a female. I am from South Florida, born in Fort Myers and raised in Bradenton/Sarasota. For fun I read, journal, bake, and create art that rarely sees the light of day. I also like scary movies but only with my boyfriend. I am a member of the Literary Guild at SCF though I am admittedly not very involved. For work I take care of my disabled brother and babysit kids of really any age. I am uniquely myself because of my life experiences and what I have overcome at my age. I am passionate about individualism and breaking generational cycles.

4. Art Project (Self Portrait)

For my self portrait I decided to put my likeness next to my dad's, using his military ID photo at roughly the same age as me. I chose to stipple this drawing with pen because it is my favorite medium although time consuming. For me this is representative of myself because my father and I have always had very similar features and I have been told I looked like him for as long as I can remember. As I get older, I feel a need to make something more positive out of what he accomplished while here.

[hariyhub07]

How to Ensure a Smooth Kitchen Remodeling Experience Near You

Embarking on a kitchen remodeling project can be both an exciting and daunting venture. A kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home, and its transformation can significantly enhance both functionality and aesthetics. However, the journey toward achieving that perfect kitchen can be riddled with challenges if not approached with careful planning and consideration. In this article, we will explore key strategies to ensure that your kitchen remodeling experience is smooth and successful.

Understanding Your Needs and Goals

Before diving into the world of kitchen remodeling, it is essential to take a step back and evaluate your needs and goals. This initial assessment is crucial as it sets the foundation for the entire project. Consider what aspects of your current kitchen are not meeting your expectations. Is it the layout? The storage options? Or perhaps the outdated appliances? By identifying these pain points, you can create a clear vision of what you want to achieve.

In addition to functionality, think about the aesthetic elements you wish to incorporate. Do you lean towards modern minimalism, or are you drawn to rustic charm? Taking the time to curate ideas from various sources, such as design magazines or online platforms, can help solidify your vision. This phase is not just about dreaming; it's about creating a tangible plan that guides your remodeling journey.

Budgeting Wisely for Your Project

Once you have a clear understanding of your needs and goals, the next step is to establish a realistic budget. Kitchen remodeling can vary significantly in cost depending on the scope of work and the materials chosen. It's essential to allocate your budget wisely to avoid any financial surprises down the road.

Consider breaking down your budget into categories, such as cabinetry, countertops, flooring, and appliances. This approach allows for better tracking of expenses and helps in making informed decisions. Additionally, it is wise to set aside a contingency fund for unexpected costs that may arise during the remodeling process. Experts recommend setting aside about 10-20% of your total budget for these unforeseen expenses.

Furthermore, when searching for kitchen remodeling near me, it's important to engage with local contractors who can provide estimates that align with your budget. Understanding the local market and pricing trends can empower you to make informed choices that suit your financial plan.

Selecting the Right Professionals

Choosing the right professionals for your kitchen remodel is perhaps one of the most critical decisions you will make. Whether you opt for a general contractor, an interior designer, or a specialized kitchen remodeler, their expertise can greatly influence the outcome of your project.

When seeking professionals, look for individuals or firms with a strong portfolio of completed projects that resonate with your vision. Reading reviews and testimonials from previous clients provides insight into their work ethic and reliability. Additionally, don't hesitate to ask for references. Speaking directly with past clients can give you a clearer picture of what to expect.

Moreover, it's crucial to establish open communication with your chosen professionals. Discuss your ideas, expectations, and any concerns you may have. A collaborative approach ensures that everyone is on the same page and helps to mitigate misunderstandings as the project progresses.

Planning and Design

With your budget set and professionals selected, the next step is to focus on the planning and design phases of your kitchen remodel. This stage is where creativity meets practicality. Collaborate with your designer to develop layouts that maximize space and functionality while incorporating your desired aesthetic elements.

Consider the work triangle concept, which focuses on the relationship between the sink, stove, and refrigerator. This principle is essential for creating an efficient workflow in the kitchen. Additionally, explore options for storage solutions, such as custom cabinetry or innovative shelving, to make the most of your space.

During this phase, it’s also essential to stay flexible. Design plans may evolve as you receive input from your remodeling team or as you discover new materials and technologies. Embracing this flexibility can lead to unexpected enhancements that may elevate your kitchen beyond your initial vision.

Managing the Remodeling Process

As the remodeling process begins, staying organized and proactive is key to ensuring a smooth experience. Regular communication with your remodeling team is essential to keep the project on track. Schedule regular check-ins to discuss progress, address any issues, and provide feedback on the work being done.

It's also important to prepare your household for the disruption that comes with a kitchen remodel. Designate an alternative cooking space and make arrangements for meals during the renovation period. This preparation can help alleviate stress and frustration as the project unfolds.

Throughout the remodeling process, maintain a positive attitude. Challenges may arise, but keeping an open line of communication with your team allows for quick resolutions. Remember that the end goal is to create a kitchen that meets your needs and reflects your personal style.

Final Touches and Enjoying Your New Kitchen

As the remodeling project nears completion, it's time to focus on the final touches that will bring your new kitchen to life. This stage often involves selecting paint colors, backsplash designs, and hardware finishes. These details may seem minor, but they play a significant role in the overall aesthetic of the space.

Once everything is in place and the dust has settled, take a moment to appreciate your new kitchen. Invite friends and family over to celebrate this significant transformation. Cooking in a newly remodeled kitchen can reignite your passion for culinary creativity and create lasting memories with loved ones.

In conclusion, ensuring a smooth kitchen remodeling experience requires careful planning, budgeting, and collaboration with skilled professionals. By taking the time to understand your needs, setting a realistic budget, and selecting the right team, you can transform your kitchen into a space that is both functional and beautiful. For those looking for trusted assistance in their remodeling endeavors, Home Quality Remodeling stands ready to help bring your vision to life.

[nikkita1104]

The Power of Volunteering

Volunteering is more than just a selfless act of giving; it’s a powerful way to create a positive impact on your community and the world. Whether you’re helping at a local shelter, tutoring students, or participating in environmental clean-ups, volunteering is a rewarding experience that benefits both the giver and the receiver.

Why Volunteer?

Make a Difference: Volunteering provides a unique opportunity to contribute to causes you care about. Whether it’s helping the underprivileged, supporting environmental initiatives, or promoting social justice, your time can make a lasting difference.

Personal Growth: Volunteering can expand your perspective, teaching you valuable skills, fostering empathy, and boosting self-confidence. It’s a chance to learn about different cultures, communities, and challenges, which can broaden your understanding of the world.

Build Connections: Volunteering often leads to meeting like-minded individuals who share your values. These connections can lead to lasting friendships, professional networks, and opportunities to grow both personally and professionally.

Enhance Your Career: Volunteering can also benefit your career. It can help you develop new skills, gain experience in different fields, and enhance your resume, making you stand out to potential employers.

How to Get Started

Getting involved is easier than you think. Start by identifying causes you are passionate about—whether it's animal rights, education, or healthcare—and look for local organizations or online platforms that need volunteers. Many opportunities are flexible, allowing you to donate as much or as little time as you want.

Remember, volunteering doesn’t always have to be a big commitment. Even small actions, like offering your expertise for an afternoon or organizing a neighborhood event, can make a huge impact.

WeDidIt: Join a Movement of Change

If you're looking for a way to make a difference, consider joining WeDidIt—a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering volunteers to create lasting social impact. At WeDidIt, we offer numerous opportunities for people to contribute to causes like environmental conservation, supporting farmers, and spreading the spirit of service among young people. Our platform brings together passionate volunteers to work on impactful projects, all with the goal of creating a better future for generations to come.

By volunteering with WeDidIt, you join a network of compassionate individuals working together to address pressing issues in our society. Whether you're cleaning rivers, organizing marathons, or helping recycle notebooks, your involvement will not only transform communities but also enrich your personal growth.

In Conclusion

Volunteering is a beautiful way to give back, learn new things, and connect with others. It reminds us that even small actions can lead to great change. So, whether you’re dedicating an hour a week or a few days a month, your efforts truly make the world a better place. Join WeDidIt today and be a part of the movement to make a difference. Together, we can change the world, one act of service at a time. https://wedidit.in/