#just tidying up my digital spaces

[rubysparx]

Wake up bitches I’m cleaning up my YouTube channel for the first time in probably ten years, which means fixing the channel list I’ve had pinned to it since it’s creation (like 2017)

Mutuals, hand over your YouTube channels

I don’t care if there’s nothing on it, I’m putting your ass in a list. Hand it over, now

[goddessinnerglow]

Become Your Best Version Before 2025 - Day 17

Decluttering Your Life

Hey Goddesses! If you joined us yesterday for our digital detox conversation, you might've noticed something, when we put our phones down, we suddenly see all the actual stuff around us! Isn't it wild how one type of decluttering naturally leads to another?

Life gets busy, messy even, and it’s easy to let the clutter pile up. But here’s the thing: decluttering isn’t just about tidying up your closet (though that’s part of it). It’s about clearing space in your life, your physical space, your calendar, even your mind, so you can breathe a little easier.

Let's make this super simple and actually doable. No pressure to transform your entire life overnight, just small, friendly steps that make a real difference.

Here's what really works (and I know because I've struggled with this too!):

Start with just 10 minutes. Pick a tiny spot that's been bugging you, maybe that coffee table where everything seems to land, or your bathroom counter. Don't think too hard about it! Just grab a trash bag for garbage and a box for donations, and ask yourself: "Do I actually use this? Does it make my daily life better?"

Got clothes you haven't worn in forever? Instead of feeling guilty about them, think about how happy they could make someone else! Those jeans that don't fit quite right anymore could be someone else's perfect pair.

Feeling like your mind is as cluttered as your space? Try this: before bed tonight, grab a notebook and write down everything that’s swirling around in your head. It doesn’t have to be pretty or organized, just get it all out. You’ll wake up feeling lighter, trust me.

Here's a super helpful trick: the "maybe box." Not sure about something? Pop it in a box, put today's date on it, and tuck it away for three months. If you haven't missed it by then, it's probably safe to let it go.

Sometimes, it’s not your physical space that’s cluttered, it’s your time. Take a quick look at your schedule for the week. Is there something you said yes to that you really wish you hadn’t? Give yourself permission to reschedule, delegate, or just cancel it altogether. Your time is valuable.

The best part? Once you clear even a tiny space, you'll feel this amazing sense of lightness. It's like taking a deep breath of fresh air. And that feeling? It's totally addictive (in the best way!).

Want to get started? Here's an easy-peasy way:

Look around the room you're in right now

Spot three things that you definitely don't need

Let them go (recycle, donate, trash, whatever fits)

That's it! You've already started!

To keep the clutter from creeping back in, try this: for every new thing you bring into your life (a purchase, a commitment, etc.), let one thing go.

Every time you let go of something you don't need, you're making more room for the good things in life, like calm mornings where you can actually find your keys, or a cozy evening at home where you're not staring at piles of stuff that need sorting.

What’s one area of your life you’re excited to declutter? Share it with me in the comments or message me, I’d love to hear about it.

See you tomorrow for Day 18!

♡ ☆:.｡ Keep glowing, babes! ♡ ☆:.｡ With love, Goddess Inner Glow.

[goblincow]

Here's the big dicebreaker interview with the designers & publishers whose names you know well.

Where do we go next?

I'm advocating for tumblr, and I'm in the PlusOneExp discord (just ask me if you need a link to what I'm finding to be a very welcoming island in the storm).

For now, that will suffice for me. I've tidied up my social links, I've sorted out my instagram and started making good use of the Stories feature, and I've long since given up on twitter. But I'm in a position that I'm yet to release my first project, so I've started at the bottom of the mountain and I won't be hit hard by the loss. I really feel for those who have lost years of hard work & struggle. It must feel like shit.

I appreciate this quote at the end of the article from Jess Levine:

“Every platform wants their walled garden, and the VC money that funded the existence of social media platforms that acted like a public is drying up as they realise maintaining what amounts to public infrastructure isn’t profitable,” Levine said.

“We're basically just speedrunning the neoliberal enclosure of anything resembling a public commons, this time with digital spaces rather than physical ones. As a creator and a generalist that markets their work online—and in some ways, even just as a person—that’s terrifying.”

[milkoomi]

₊˚⊹ ᰔ a guide to preparing for a new semester ᝰ.ᐟ

a lot of us have either started the spring semester or preparing for the spring semester! i actually start my new semester next week, AH! with that, i wanted to share a few helpful tips that help me prepare for a new semester!

let’s begin !!

ᝰ.ᐟ read the syllabus

this is especially important for college/university students! i know there are some college professors that do go over the syllabus on the first day, but most times you’re kind of on your own when it comes to the syllabus, so make sure you go over it at least one week before classes start!

this is also especially important if you’re taking online classes! i’ve taken a few online classes that didn’t have some sort of video chat call with the professor and the rest of my classmates, so if you have any classes like that then be sure to go over the syllabus!

make note of important dates! usually that last page is an entire semester overview of the class and it includes assignment deadlines, exam dates, and days that we’re off from school! so be sure to highlight those important dates or write them in your calendar/planner!

highlight contact information! professors do a great job of listing their contact info, so highlight that information or write it down somewhere where you won’t forget! or even add their info in your contact list!

ᝰ.ᐟ go over course modules

again, this is super important for college/university students! (but i do believe high school students work with something similar!) most times a school will use some sort of online platform that organizes all of your classes and each class will have an organized module created by your professor/instructor/teacher, so it’s important to click through each module before the semester begins so that you can get a clear idea and vision of what your semester will look like! it’ll also help too to get yourself familiarized with navigating the modules!

ᝰ.ᐟ gather all of your basic school supplies

having, at the very least, the basic supplies will help kickstart your semester feeling prepared! anything that you feel that might be essential for the semester should be added to your little list of things you need!

essential supply list:

planner, notebook(s), pens/pencils, folders/binders

digital supply list:

fresh screen protector, tablet pen tips (especially if you have an apple pencil or something similar, which is what i have! i found it on amazon & it works great!), & new tablet casing (optional of course)

ᝰ.ᐟ clean up

i mean this in every sense! clean up your study space, clean out your folders of old papers/worksheets/etc., reorganize your binders/folders, and clean out your mind of any stress that might be weighing you down!

study space:

whether it’s your room or an office, tidy up in there! make your space feel brand new and fresh as you start a new semester! you can even reorganize or redecorate your area to give it a new and clean look!

school supplies:

if you’re like me, you probably haven’t touched your school stuff since winter break started, so be sure to go through your folders and reorganize or just simply clean out any papers that still might be in your folders! some papers you might want to keep, but some can be completely tossed away!

your mind:

as with any aspect of your life, it’s important to practice self care! take time to journal and write down any thoughts that might be lingering in your mind, release all your stress onto paper! or even just making sure you’re getting yourself back on a good sleep schedule and getting an ample amount of rest before the semester starts. self care is vital!

ᝰ.ᐟ final notes

a new semester can be really daunting, but preparing yourself can help to relieve any stress! a new semester can be so exciting when you think of it as a completely fresh start! if you didn’t do so well last semester, then you can prepare yourself for this next one to be even better! but, i’ll reiterate this, be sure to take care of yourself. you can’t do your best when you aren’t at your best! so remember to treat yourself with kindness and remind yourself that you are capable of making it through another semester! you can do it!

with lots of love, juno 🌷

[pursuitseternal]

#1 and #20 for Astarion X Reader 😫🫣

“Wait to start begging… Use my thigh…”

UA Spawn x f!Reader | smut asks

CW: semi-public sex

You had the Elfsong all to yourselves. You had, of course, to tidy up the common spaces and see to having the party’s meal prepared. But aside from Withers who remained in his corner, basically dead, there wasn’t a soul around you.

Just you and your Vampire spawn.

He was enjoying the sun on the little balcony that shot off your suite of rooms. It looked out toward the graveyard, but even that seemed to make him smile. He smirked wistfully in the direction of his grave, the same one he had shown you.

The same one he had fucked you on…. Maybe that’s why he was smiling so cheekily.

“Hello my sweet,” he murmured without even turning as you joined him on the balcony. He leaned over the rail, bathing in the afternoon sun that slatted over the roofs around the tavern. His elbows rested on the wrought iron, the seabreeze kicking up the silver curls of his head in lazy swirls. “Care to join me?” he asked tenderly, opening his arm to you, bidding you to sweep into his arms.

Sweep you did. Nestled in the circle of his embrace he held you against him as he looked out over the city. The sun warmed both your skins now, the breezes playing in your hair, tickling over your cheek. His cool digits pulled your loose strands off your face to tuck it behind your ear. “You know, darling, for as much as I will miss the sun again someday, how I’ll miss feeling its warmth over my skin, I’m glad I have you. You’ll keep me warm, won’t you, my dear?”

His lips pursed and peppered kisses behind your ear, lowering down your neck to the crest of your bare shoulder.

“You always do like it when I’m… gentle, when I feel inclined to worship every inch of your smooth skin.” He chuckled, his chest pressed against you hard enough to make the waves of his voice rumble between your own ribs. Cool fingertips wound into your hair, caressing you and teasing…

Until they gripping hard against your scalp and yanked you around to face him.

Gods, he was delicious and devilish, smirking at you with wicked delight. “But… since we are alone, it would be a shame to waste this time being romantic and quiet and cooing. Withers doesn’t count. He won’t hear a thing, the old coot.” A flurry of lips and fangs on your mouth, his tongue danced with yours to coax a sweet loud moan from within you.

“That’s it, darling, show me how much you want me,” he rasped between your lips.

“Gods, please Astarion,” you gasped, breathless and aching.

But he only laughed. “Oh my sweet, pleading already? Save the begging for when I’m balls deep inside you…”

He pulled you close, that distinct press of his hardened cock into your belly making your heart accelerate. And the smile on his face meant he heard it too. He braced you against the high wrought iron railing, its top edge cutting into your back almost through the fabric of your dress. Those sinfully supple leathers pushed between your legs, hands rucking your skirts higher and higher until it wrapped around your hips.

You were naked beneath, used to these little stolen moments with you and your charming, demanding, loving Rogue.

“Such a good girl,” he praised, shifting to push his thigh against your bare mound, “now… use my thigh, get good and ready if you plan to start begging and pleading, my sweet.”

The cool leather warmed quickly against your folds, the smoothness giving you the most minimal of friction. So you bucked harder, faster, chasing your relief by bearing all your weight on the cords of muscles and the bone of his leg beneath. Your hands clawed into the soft, well-loved linen of his tunic, clutching firmly around his waist.

But it still wasn’t enough. “Please,” you begged again, looking into those devilishly glinting crimson orbs. “It’s not enough…” you whined as you slid on his slick leather pants.

Astarion giggled, a small testament to just how much he was enjoying your torment. “Then I’ll be merciful, but only because I hunger for more.” Gods, what a strong, well-fed vampire could do…. Not even a sigh of relief from your lips, and he had spun you right around. Hard stone wall replaced the metal edges of the railing, and his cool, hardworking fingers took the place of his thigh.

You moaned, head pressing into unrelenting brick and mortar. Unraveling, you came in an embarrassingly short amount of time, just a few thrusts of his fingers and a couple pinches of your clit. Arousal seeped down your legs, making them slick as he grabbed around them, raising you up.

You didn’t even know when he freed himself. Right now, all you knew was the blunted tip of his cock pressing inside you, slowly filling you up, inch by tantalizing inch. He laughed as he stretched you open, his lips sucking on your ear. “Balls deep,” he rasped. “Now… start begging, my darling…”

Astarion fic Masterlist | My Ko-fi

[prettyboysdontlookatexplosions]

i'm not gonna do a big year in review post like i did last year because on a strictly numerical level (a) i probably technically failed most of my resolutions and (b) i don't actually have the data because one of the ones i definitely failed was logging my habits to keep up, which i stopped doing in september when work got crazy and never picked back up. still ultimately i feel good about how things went down, generally. i didn't quite make this the year i got back into reading but i read more than i had the year before for sure, and i saw a lot of movies, most of them interesting or enjoyable, and some other art, too (the jenny holzer installation at the guggenheim, the ibsen play starring jeremy strong). i definitely listened to way more music. i got so good at hydrating by the end of the year that now i feel off if i drink less than 100 ounces a day lmao. i don't think i hit a 50% workout rate but i had a june that took working out off the map for several weeks and then when i tried to get back into it at the level i'd been doing before it sucked and i needed way more rest days for a long ass time; lesson learned for the future, and right now i feel like i have a good routine going. steps was kind of a similar story but this fall was pretty successful (having a zillion clients all over the goddamn city was helpful in that regard). i do want to be more proactive about it on a day to day basis because i do think it might help me sleep to hit that 10k or so (and i think it helps with soreness too, preventatively and amelioratively, which spellcheck says is not a word but should be!!) but i'm feeling more and more like flexibility is the name of the game in some things so while i will be tracking them daily/weekly/monthly this year, i will ultimately consider it a win if i get to december 31 with 3,650,000 behind me.

i fell off on logging and journaling, and never really got a handle on doing mobility work or meditating, but i finished the year feeling like while on the one hand it was nice to know i had enough structures in place to make it through my busy season a little on edge but never really losing my mind, i also felt like ignoring these things completely for a while ultimately as i look back drew my attention to why i wanted to make space for them in the first place; the morning routine stuff is where i get it together enough to check in on my life, process some stuff, and make adjustments as necessary; doing some kind of mobility stuff, even if it's just hitting the foam roller at bedtime, is just physically necessary if i want to keep working out the way i have been working out and i have to stop acting like i can have one without the other.

i decided for 2024 i didn't need to set a guideline around internet use the way i had in 2023, just an intention to be mindful, and, um, well that was a huge failure but an instructive one; again, lesson learned (and it's actually crazy how much even a guided 5 meditation in the morning alters my basic instincts for the rest of the day about when i want to Scroll). i didn't floss........ i should floss.

i did okay with doing Life Tasks semi-regularly and the attitude of "20 minutes Task Time per day" was helpful in some ways but didn't address the Giant Ever Growing Backlog Of Tasks I Have Been Putting Off For Months To Years, which suggests a need for a new approach; this year i'm gonna try a tip i read somewhere to plan out your tasks on a weekly basis, including scheduling them, not just throwing them on a "weekly to-do list," and aim for 5 a week. i gave up on 20 minutes of digital tidying per day and i think the answer there is just to not set a minimum above the minimum, so to speak. if i delete 5 emails or unsubscribe from 1 thing that counts.

i don't know how i wound up doing with my goal to have One Human Connection Per Day (At Least Half The Days Of The Year) but i had a lot of fun this year and i am finishing it feeling in many ways still awkward and neurotic but more connected and secure than i was a year ago, and feeling almost overwhelmed with how true it feels to say "my life is full of doing fun stuff with people i like" after all the years i spent convinced this was completely impossible for me to achieve. this year i don't think i'm going to slot this into my daily habits, partly because sometimes multiple things happen on one day or i text someone to initiate plans-making on the same day someone texts me, partly because the advice i saw about doing stuff also recommend task-batching and i think there may be some utility to that here as well, and partly because well i do have a schedule that is incredibly variable by week and season and this past fall for example i'm not sure i could have handled much more in september/october than free store + one fun thing a week which is more or less how it shook out for a while there. i also don't think i'm going to set a number because, well, i feel good about it right now. i do want to set a non-quantifiable intention to keep getting a little braver about forging new connections or deepening ones that are shallow but seem promising (serial killer way to say "making friends" sorry i am still in some ways quite Insane about this topic, the prime locus of my insanity for many years), and within that specifically to keep getting better at going to local stuff even when none of my closest local friends are going to be there as my security blanket lol. this year early on i finally texted someone i knew from pantry biz with whom i had exchanged mutual "we should hang out sometime" sentiments and it turns out that they're one of those people where once someone else makes the first move they welcome you in a lot so that the "hey, wanna catch a movie or something?" text i sent while deep breathing (because i am Insane) wound up leading pretty directly to a bunch of other incredibly fun 2024 memories, which is like almost irritatingly on the nose as a life lesson but otherwise very nice. relatedly (to texting that stresses me out because of my Problems) i want to get better at texting people back in a timely fashion and also at being more impulsive in a positive way about sending texts when people are on my mind.

the two things i feel real regret over this year are the reading thing and also writing... not a great year for writing, although i can at least look back on i would say three newsletters i'm proud of and one fic i was very glad to complete. i also did... okay... at contributing at the singles jukebox now that We're So Back on a monthly schedule. but i wrote basically nothing other than the occasional blurb after sometime in may and that feels bad and also suggests i need to find some way to integrate writing more reliably into my routine. i don't want to set a word count goal because part of what's going on is that i have some projects i'm picking away at that are more demanding of planning & brainstorming & slower more considered writing than my usual (beloved!) genres of Blogging and Fanfiction but i do think it needs to be quantifiable because ummm otherwise i simply will Not. so i am thinking this is a daily goal too. same goes for reading and in that case i do think i can set an outcome goal, which is 50 books.

ok well i guess this wound up being a year in review post anyway lmao. whatever it's capricorn season it's my time to shine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! neatened up resolutions post for my own ease of reference incoming shortly

[xiaonyc]

Digital detox diet: how to clean up photos

Im tidying up my phone today and had trouble figuring out what i need to keep and throw away, and where to even start. Its a mess! But i started anyway and my icloud can finally back up. Theres more i want to clean but i made a good start and set some simple parameters to help:

Delete:

✿ bad photos: photos taken badly, have higher standard for myself for photography and improving at it

✿ repeat photos: when you spam photograph and leave all 20 photos, just go through and pick the best 1

✿ photos that dont bring me joy: Any remaining that no longer bring me joy: friends im no longer close to, when i feel ready I can let it go

✿ screenshots: if its of something i can write down, write it down instead to save space, otherwise if its screenshots like receipts or temporary photos that served their purpose: delete

✿ internet photos: drawing references i no longer need (i can always look it up again), inspiration that ive outgrown

✿ personal work: keep the minimum documentation (at highest quality), delete process photos that served their purpose

Mindset:

✿ Be ready to confront yourself at various stages of your life while clearing digital clutter, meaning reflect on past experiences, "embarrassing" photos of an old you, appreciate your growth, keep what warms your heart, and let go what has served its purpose. Its all part of your journey.

✿ Don't hoard out of fear: hoarding is fear-based: "i need to keep all these 20 photos in case i lose one, what if i forget about this experience and never experience that joy again"= fear-based. Instead,

✿ collect and curate: what you want to remember and what is important to you in THIS MOMENT while appreciating in your heart the experiences that led up to it

✿ Digital clutter is still clutter like physical, we can just cram so much of it into a harddrive that it doesnt seem that way. But it still takes up mental space, so do your best to free up mental space by putting in the work to tidy up

Lastly so the effort doesnt go to waste:

✿ Back up phone to computer or harddrive (not cloud)

Thanks for reading ♡

[reachartwork]

i've noticed that a lot of your artworks have this incredibly lonely or desolate feeling to them. architectural/landscape pieces especially--"liminal" is maybe a cliche, but also an apt descriptor as well.

its also interesting to see how distinctive your work is, both in the ai space and in the 'regular art' space. a lot of the reference points i have for this type of artwork is something like BLAME! or NaissanceE--both of those often featured 'inhuman' architecture--cityscapes which feature human-like structures, but were clearly never built with humans in mind. but you end up different in the sense that a lot of places in NaissanceE felt 'inhumanly clean'--like it is a space that's never been lived in (the flat color artstyle, lack of any identifiable dirt or dust in these spaces make it seem like a pristine city that's never housed a single soul). a lot of your pieces on the other hand seem 'dirty' in the sense that there's a lot of rough texture. sometimes it's how ruined the locations featured seem to be (ie: rusted factories, crumbling rock structures, etc). sometimes it's just the use of texture--the red and blue paintings for example have this grimy, almost paint-splattery look.

i really like it! it stands out really well against a huge pile of 'extremely clean' midjourney images and also stands out against other 'liminal space' type stuff (ie: the pristine look of the 'pool rooms' or other backrooms stuff), and i don't think ive ever seen anything quite like it.

i also think it plays well to the strengths of ai generation--i dont know your artistic process, but i assume at least some portion is leaning into the ways that ai understands/misunderstands human concepts like "city" or "hallway", as well as using the fact that lots of ai seems like it excels at depicting materials and textures

since this is an ask i should probably cap it off with a question: is there anything in particular you aim for with these pieces? ie--something you find really compelling or really want to get across to the viewer when you make these?

i love a sense of texture and material. ever since i've started playing with ai i've only ever wanted to create concrete that looks like you can reach out and scrape your fingertips raw on it. a distinct sense of texture is the most interesting thing to me - i'm not particularly interested in works, both in my own artwork and in others, that feel super clean and neat and tidy with no rough edges. pixel art and sculpture and brutalist architecture and low poly work are my favorites for a reason, while normal super-clean digital artwork, particularly normal digital artwork made by midjourney, always just leaves me bored. photography is also generally not interesting to me to look at unless it's of interesting subjects, or framed in an interesting way, so i try to avoid photorealistic works that are just of A Person. if its of a person it should be an interesting person, or a person in an interesting situation, or ideally a person that's not a person at all, as that's what i relate to the most. you may if you desire consider this a sort of manifesto. i'm only interested in texture.

[sturn-saturn]

synopsis: you and your best friends matt and chris take a trip to vegas for chris's brand but you and matt end up being bored in the hotel rom

warnings: alcohol, suggestive, kissing

a/n: its 7am, im bored so enjoy whatever this is (not proofread)

..............................................................................................................................

i stir from my sleep to a sleepy matt. i turn over and check my phone to see its 2pm.

i check to see the text chris sent.

chris

“hey, just left. i dont know what time ill be back but keep yourselves occupied, PLEASE dont set the place on fire, love you.”

matt chris and i are staying at a hotel in vegas because chris had some work to do with his brand. nick was supposed to come but something came up with space camp and i volunteer to just go with chris and matt.

i lie in bed scrolling on my phone when i hear matt shuffle beside me.

"oh thank fuck youre awake ive been so bored matt"

"mm what time is it?" he mumbles out with his husky morning voice

"uhh its 3:37 right now"

"holy fuck its so late. did chris leave? did he say when he'll be back?"

"yeah he sent me a text earlier around 2. he said he doesn't know when he'll be back but i imagine he's gonna be really busy today. he said to keep ourselves occupied and not set the place on fire"

"im sure we'll be fine" he says cuddled up in the duvet next to me

"we should probably get up and clean this mess matt"

i hear a groan escape form his mouth protesting getting out of this bed.

we finally get up around 4 to tidy up the room and decide to go out and find something we wanna eat. we both settled on a mexican place we saw on the way to the hotel last night.

..............................................................................................................................

after eating we both showered and put on a movie to watch while we cuddle. matt and i have been best friends for years so it wasn't unusual or weird for us to cuddle, same with chris.

he sits up with his back against the headboard and i lay my head on his lap with my arm basically hugging both his thighs as he plays with my hair.

"you alright?" he asks softly

"yeah just still a bit bored"

he taps my arm to tell me to move off of him and gets up from the bed.

"what are you doing matt?"

"we are gonna have some fun"

he goes to the mini bar and turns to me holding a bottle of whisky

"matt no are you crazy?!"

"why not? a little sip won't hurt sweetheart"

he opens up the bottle and take two small glasses out the cupboard and puts them on the island.

i walk over to him a bit hesitant to drink considering the last time i had a drink i ended up with a tongue piercing.

"you dont have to drink love"

"ugh just give me the glass" i let out a laugh

..............................................................................................................................

matt and i dont have anymore than two drinks and he comes up with an idea.

"hey y/n?"

"hmm" i mumble out

"you know how your ex won't stop bothering you?"

"yeah..." i say turning to face him on the bed

"why dont we make him a little jealous?" he smirks

matt gets up from his spot on the bed and rummages through his backpack to find a small digital camera. "lets have a little fun with this thing yeah?"

i get up and smirk at him thinking about how my ex will react to me being with another guy. maybe that way he'll leave me alone.

matt comes up to me with the camera in his hand and he grabs my hand and leads me to the bathroom

he turns to face me and taps my hips telling me to jump up. i wrap my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. my breath starts to get shallow as i think about how intimate this feels right now. maybe its the whisky? it has to be the whisky right?

"alright sweetheart, take the camera and take some pictures in the mirror"

matt turns around so that way his back is facing the mirror but im facing it due to him holding me. i get more comfortable and i lay my head on his shoulder as i snap a few pictures.

he puts me down on my feet and asks to see the pictures

"if i didn't know any better i'd think this is a real couple" he says

you scoff playfully hitting his arm.

"what if we kissed?" he questions

you feel like you stopped breathing for a second after hearing those words leave his mouth.

"w-what?" you stutter

"we don't have to but i feel like it would convince him further that you aren't 'single anymore'"

"no no i want to" you say softly looking up at the taller boy

he grabs your hand and pulls you closer closing the gap between you two. his hand on your waist and your hand cupping his cheek with the other is tangled in his hair.

he snaps a pictures in the mirror of you two kissing and as soon as he does, chris walks in

"i leave for a few hours and i come back to my brother tonguing our best friend in the bathroom" he says a bit shocked "nice work guys. AND YOU OPENED THE WHISKY WITHOUT ME??????"

..............................................................................................................................

a/n: im aware this sucks, sorry yall but those pics matt posted did something to me

[ellaa-writes]

The Art of Survival

authors note: Will probably move this over to a03 due to the mature themes. Was inspired by many of my favourite horror movies such as The Collector/Collection, Hellraiser, Martyrs, Hostel etc. This is not a romance, all works of fiction. AU of the character Konig from cod. Readers discretion is advised. 18+ MDNI

summary: He went by many names, Doctor, Son, Professor, Colleague, Apprentice and his favourite Master. He lived his life by strict rules, follow them or lose it all. Their's been many before her and their will be many after her. She was the first to succeed, the first to prevail. She was his special toy, all dressed up just to make sure she sells. Strutting on a shelf, waiting to be picked out.

cw: Dark Themes ahead, kidnapping, torture, violence, blood, death. Non-con, Dub-con. 18+ MDNI, unrealistic and unsafe bdsm practices/references. Dead Dove Do Not Eat.

The rhythmic tapping of her nails against the keyboard resonated through the tranquil office, the sole audible presence in the late evening. Past 7 pm on a Thursday, she found herself the lone inhabitant of the building's floor, her colleagues and supervisors having long departed the mundane office space. Yet, she remained, diligently working on her company-provided laptop. While she could have taken her work home and completed it before night's end, she knew that once she stepped into her apartment, her motivation would wane.

With the final paragraph taking shape on the screen, she paused briefly to flex her knuckles, reassuring herself with the mantra of just one more day. Soon, she envisioned herself on a distant beach, basking in the sun's warmth and the caress of the salty sea breeze against her skin. Returning her attention to the screen, she meticulously proofread the document, ensuring every word was correctly spelled and properly spaced, determined to evade her boss's reprimand for any hint of unprofessionalism. Releasing a small breath she was holding, staring at the blank screen, letting her work mind ease knowing one more thing on her list was done.

After saving the report and attaching it to an email, she carefully selected the recipients before hitting the send button. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she watched the blank screen, the weight of completion easing her work-weary mind. Swiftly gathering her belongings, she plugged in her laptop, tidied her desk, and emptied her trash, eager to leave the dimly lit confines of the high-rise building. As she made her way down the corridor toward the elevators, she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling of being alone in the building at night. Absent were the familiar sights of the cleaners or any other occupants on her floor. Assuring herself they must be elsewhere, she pressed the elevator button and waited, her gaze fixed on the descending digital display.

The mass was huge and in all the imposing presence sent a chill down her spine. The mass raised its head, green eyes, stared back at her. It shifted to the side, making room for her. She hesitantly stepped into the elevator, leaning towards the side panel to push the parking level but stopped when she noticed it was already glowing yellow. She huddled in her corner, trying to give herself enough pace between her and the huge mass next to her.

She couldn't help the feeling of uneasiness as it settled heavy in her lower stomach, it felt like she swallowed cement. Eyeing him she noticed he was wearing what looking like some sort of vest, tactical maybe? Black slacks and a long black compression shirt under the vest. He had a surgical mask covering the lower half of his face and a baseball cap on top covering up his freshly shaved head. The cap read, Security, a rushed breath of relief shot out of her. Her shoulder slumped and she began to relax as the numbers above the doors got closer and closer to the parking level.

The elevator slowed as it finally reached her destination, coming to a full stop before the last ding rang out and the doors shifted open. "Have a good night!" she sing-songed out as she exited, making her way across the desolate and dark parking level. "Good night, stay safe." his voice was a little higher pitched then she imagined it, with a hint of an accent. Her heals clicked against the concrete as she made her way across the dark and desolate parking level. Her car was right next to one of the stair wells, it being the only space available when she arrived this morning.

Digging her keys out of her purse, she hit the unlock button watching has the lights to her Lexus glowed. She walked past the stairwell door, a cold draft catching around her ankles. There were a few other cars still left on this level, she opened the back seat, setting her hand and other belongings inside. She didn't hear it right away; it wasn't until she felt the rush of air and the hard body on her back. The thick strong arms wrapping around her frame, a black leather clad hand clamping over her mouth in a bruising grip. She tried to push back and kick out but that resulted in a unhappy grunt before her head was thrusted into the roof of her car. Tears sprang to her eyes has she cried out, her delicate skin splitting open and running with blood.

The open back seat door was slammed closed, her body pressed up against it. She tried squinting through the blood and blurriness, her head was pounding, and she had a hard time thinking straight. It made her more pliable, her attacker binding her arms behind her back. Tugging tight against whatever material they were using, something was slapped over her mouth, duct tape. Her knees began to weaken as they rippling headache began to overpower all her senses. Struggling to keep her eyes open, her body getting heavy.

The unknown assailant opened the driver's door, triggering the trunk latch before forcefully shoving her inside headfirst. Bound and disoriented, she lay in darkness, attempting to orient herself as the car started its engine. Straining against the cords binding her, she only succeeded in causing further harm. With her face coated in blood and tears, she managed to peel off the duct tape with effort, her skin protesting against the sticky residue.

She was able to roll onto her back, the pressure on her bound arms became intense but she ignored it. Lifting her feet up she began banging them against the roof of her trunk. Hoping someone near by could hear it and save her. The low hum of the radio coming from the front of the car got louder, trying to drown out her attempts. She knew she could scream but she didn't want to risk her life. She's probably going to die anyways she thought, might as well try to live a little longer. Giving up she rolled to her side, she couldn't tell what way she was facing using her feet to feel around in the dark.

The drive was long, the buzz of the city fading away behind her. Wherever they were taking her was outside the city limits, beyond the river and into the forest surrounding her city. It felt like hours passed as she rocked back and forth until the car came to an abrupt stop. She listened in silence and fear as the door to the driver’s side open and closed. The sound of footsteps approaching the back of the car. She stayed still, unable to move as the dread washed over her. It felt like hours passed before the truck was opened, she squinted back at the sudden bright light flooded the dark space. Before she could register what was happening, she felt more tape being wrapped around her head, sticking to her hair and slightly cutting off her hearing. She tried to fight him off, kicking her feet out at the stranger. They grabbed on to them, using the same tape and began binding them together at the knees.

She didn't understand why this was happening to her. Why her out of the millions of people living in her city. Was the planned or just a unfortunate coincidence. Her mother always told her the city was safe for a young naïve girl like her. But her mother was crazy but maybe she was right about one thing after all. Her attacker grabbed her by the hair causing her to hiss, they pulled her out of the trunk and threw her over their shoulder. She tried looking around for any distinctive markers but all she saw was trees and blackness. She watched as her car got further and further away from her, trying to see around the huge mass.

Maybe she was happy she couldn't see, if she saw the blacked-out van with the back doors open. The wooden crate with the top off, the hard rubber cords, tape, a strange looking hood and a few knives. She might have gone into a full panic attack, instead the hood was shoved over her head. The cord wrapped around her neck to keep it on, the crate being pushed over to the side as her attacker shoved her in. She once again tried to fight back but it was pathetic. All bound up, she looked like a fish out of water, flopping around on the ground. The lid was slammed on top, the sound of hammering filling her ears. If it wasn't for the duct tape and hood over her, she would have thrown up.

The slam of the back doors jolted her, despair settling into her stomach. She tried not to think of all the horrible, disgusting, and disturbing things that would be done to her. She began praying that this was all just a very fucked up realistic dream. Closing her eyes she began repeating over and over that this was exactly that, a nightmare. And she'll wake up in her bed, in her room, in her small but cozy apartment. She'll even laugh a little about it, over and over in her head until the darkness latched itself onto her and pulled her under.

The unmarked van pulled in front of an abounded warehouse, the metal sheeting clipped and peeling away. The windows busted out and the outside marked up with spray paint. It used to serve as a wood mill until they built a bigger and better building in a more easily accessible location. The surroundings were enclosed in with an electrical fence and topped with barbwire. To keep things out and in. Situated deep in the dense forest, overlooking the glowing lights of the city.

He exited the vehicle, cracking his neck and rolling his shoulders. This was all rushed and unplanned, making a mental note to dispose of the car and any other evidence. He already trashed the security footage from the office building and parking garage. Rubbing the aching spot on the back of his neck, debating on just slitting her throat and dumping the body. But he's made it this far already, no time to give up now.

Swinging the back doors up to the van, looping the extra cord around the hand to the wooden box. He gave it a good yank watching it crash onto to the dirt below. He dragged it over the threshold of the warehouse, the crunch and scrap of discarded glass and other garbage. He stopped before a set of steel doors, lifting the cover to a number pad, punching in the code. Stepping off to the side as the doors hummed to life and slid open, he stepped behind the box, giving it a hard shove into the elevator shaft. Following in close behind it, reaching up to pull the grated doors down before hitting the descend button. He didn't heat any complaints coming from the box, hoping his prize is still alive inside. Once the shaft stopped and the door slid up, he stepped into the dark space. Dragging the box behind him until he reached another set of locked doors, using the key attached to his wallet he retched it open. Turning the light on to show a staircase, he gave the box a hard kick, sending it tumbling down the stairs. Hearing to shatter open before closing the door and locking it closed.

He stepped into the dark hallway, the one leading into the kitchen from the entry way. Turning on the low glow of the lights as he entered room after room. Heading straight to the sink has he turned on the garbage compactor and chucking in the cell phone from the women now in his "basement". He dumped the rest of the contents of the bag out on his island counter. Not finding anything interesting he grabbed the garbage can from under the sink and tossed all the items into it. He walked over into the next room, heading straight to the fireplace in the living room. Flicking the controls on and setting the fire to high. The flames roared to life, blanketing the drab living room in the soft warm glow. He waited for a few moments before he opened the door and tossed in the contents of the can inside.

His muscles were tight, and his head was pounding. He needed to get out of these clothes and take something before he exploded. He began undressing in the living room, taking everything off including his briefs and socks. Folding everything neatly on the ledge of the fireplace, before he opened the door up again and began tossing item by item inside, his shoes where last. Setting them atop of the wood that was flaming hot. Closing it back up and turning down the controls to low. He walked completely nude through the dimly lit home and up the stairs. Made his way down the dark hallway and into the room at the end. Turning on the light, he was standing right in front of the mirror. He looked into his eyes, looked down chiseled chest and to his now hard dick standing tall. soon. He told himself. soon.

Steam filled the small bathroom, the door still open. The glow of the bathroom cascading into the dark hallway. He let the hot water work out his stiff muscles, the temperature helping easy his hard cock back into place. Scrubbing the day off his well toned body, the dirty water flowing down his thick defined legs and into the drain. He got out quick, not bothering in turning the light off has he wiped himself off with the towel. As he walked out of the guest bathroom and into his room. Running the towel over his head and throwing it into the hamper near the walk-in closet. Stepping inside he opened his top drawer, pulling out his favourite black brief's that he had hundreds of pairs of. Pulling them over his taunt hard ass. Opening another drawer and pulling out a simple pair of black sweats and took a matching long sleeve t-shirt. Pulling them onto his body fast and making his way back downstairs.

He walked down another hallway on the opposite side of the kitchen, reaching a locked door that required his fingerprint to open. Once it did, it revealed another set of steps leading down. A few small pockets of lighting auto lit has he made his way down, the door behind him swinging shut automatically.

When he reached the bottom, more lights auto lit has he walked further into the room. Smooth metal cages lined one wall, a few already occupied while others were empty. The center of the room contained a operation table, a bright light hung above it. Another smaller examining table sat to the left of it. The shiny metal reflecting off the overhead lights. He walked up to a desk on the other wall from the cages. A large, long desk filled with different monitors, as he walked up the main screen turned on. The light casting over his face, a small window popped up and a robotic voice spoke "name". He stood there for a moment before he leaned forward towards the speaker, he opened his mouth and spoke in his odd accent.

König 6669

The computer turned off before turning back on, the main screen coming to life before his eyes. He pulled out the stool he stored under the desk. Using the mouse to click on a few tabs before he typed in some information. Within seconds pictures filled the screens, pictures of the women he had locked in his basement. He scrolled through the information, he had everything from her medical files to her school records. Having studied them intensively over the past few days. Usually this would take weeks if not months, watching their every move to make sure they were the perfect subject. But deep down in his heart, or whatever was left of it, he knew she was the one.

A small whimper caught his attention, peeling his eyes from the screen towards the wall of cages. Noticing one of his pets was awake, barely. Checking his watch and noticing it is feeding time. He got up from the chair, using his thick long legs he walked across to the medical cabinet. Opening the cupboard to reveal an array of bottles and small tinctures. Pulling one out he set it down before opening a drawer that contained syringes. He used the small sink and washed his hands, then grabbed some sterile gloves and pulled them on. He walked over to the small examining table and began laying out his supplies, using the stool as a tray he began filling up the syringes and laying them out next to one another. He wheeled it over to the cages, checking the monitors in front of each one. There as also IV bags hanging on each cage, he started with the first one. Taking a syringe and injecting the needle into the solution, watching has the clear liquid became cloudy. When he was done with the last one, he wheeled the stool over to the garbage can and tossed the contaminated items inside, taking his gloves off and throwing them in after.

The monitor he was previously at turned off as he made his way back up to the main floor.

It was time.

[sonnyinthesky]

Could someone help me with identifying support needs?

I am diagnosed level 1 autistic. Does this mean i have low support needs? It was never explained to me. In fact none of my diagnosis was. I don't know what the level means really and google isn't helping.

I can do ADLs myself. Such as having a shower, feeding myself, moving around, dressing, etc etc, but i often (always) need reminders.

I wont shower for weeks if i dont have someone demanding me constantly until i do, or when i was younger, physically forcing me in. I can't brush my teeth. I mean technically i can once i know i need to and have the toothbrush ready but i cant get to that point independently yk? I eat constantly, because i cant tell when im hungry so I interpret any discomfort as hunger which has caused many health issues. I often wear the same clothes for weeks because i forget i need to change them. Its only when i smell that i realise "oh i need to change my clothes".

As far as iADLs go, i can do some but not all. Im great at shopping, i love it, its a routine for me to go to the supermarket every day independently. I can also navigate public transport really well. I can't however, make a phone call or manage money or clean a mess or tidy my house or wash dishes after cooking. Its not laziness, i genuinely want to do those things, but being faced with the task causes me to freeze and/or meltdown and nothing gets done.

I need a lot of help and support from my mum every day to live happily. I cannot work or attend school, and i cant live alone yet. I cant drive either because i simply cannot wrap my head around the car and it causes so much anxiety that i have a meltdown every time i try. The theory is easy for me but the practical part i cant do.

I cant go to school or work because i struggle too much with the social aspect and the overstimulation. I had meltdowns before going and immediately after when i did go. And during i would have such panic and anxiety that i had to leave half way most days.

I cant live alone because i cant manage money or clean or any of that. I also would have no hygiene because i wouldnt shower or change or brush my teeth without help.

Thats all the things i cant do. But what are the things i can do? Do they outweigh that?

I can communicate well with safe people or about safe topics. I obviously dont communicate in an allistic way because im diagnosed autistic, but i can speak and mask when needed. I do suspect i have selective mutism, but generally i can talk most of the time and in emergencies.

I have been described by a lot of people as intelligent. I know a lot of facts and can learn quickly. I read and write really well. Im kinda shit at math but that's because i dont try at all and havent practiced in years.

I can cook (but not clean up after) and shop and go places that are familiar and accessible via public transport.

I can make friends if i really want to.

I can easily navigate social media and the digital world and do so safely.

I can mask and suffer through my sensory issues. I couldnt for a long time but now i can ignore sensory issues (it doesn't feel good but i can). I can also act neurotypical if i try.

So: what does this mean for me support needs wise? I know my level is 1 because im diagnosed that way, but are my support needs the same?

I dont ask to self diagnose or invade spaces i dont belong etc etc. im pretty sure im low support needs, i just am curious to know more about what autism is for me, because i was never told. My doctor diagnosed me but never told me anything about it and i want to understand.

Thank you for your help! Here is an autism creature for your troubles

[lifestyle-hub]

A Beginners Guide on Minimalism, in a Consumer-Driven Society

Image Credit: Goes to me!

Stay on your toes, like they're cold ice cubes below (did you vibe to that line!! Don't you think I'll be an awesome rap artiste..... just kidding) I've been watching too much rap battles lately. Back to our topic 👇

Minimalism sounds great, but how do you embrace it when everything around you promotes more stuff? Let's try easy steps to simplify your life, shall we?

What is Minimalism?

For starters, it isn’t about owning the least, it’s about focusing on what adds value to your life and cutting out the excess. It’s intentional living, choosing to keep what serves a purpose or brings you joy, and letting go of the rest.

But you might say, “I love a lot of stuff”.....let's start here.

Step 1: Find Your “Why”

Before you start, ask yourself why you want to embrace minimalism. Is it to reduce stress, save money, or gain more time? Understanding your reason will help you stay motivated through the process.

Step 2: Start Small

Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to declutter your entire house at once. Begin with one area, a drawer, a closet, or your desk. Hold each item and ask:

• Do I use this regularly?

• Does it improve my life?

If the answer is no, let it go. Donate, sell, or recycle what you no longer need.

Step 3: Adopt the One-In-One-Out Rule

For every new item you bring into your life, remove an old one. This rule prevents clutter from creeping back in and encourages mindful purchasing.

Step 4: Curb Impulse Shopping

Honestly, we live in a world filled with sales and promotions, it’s easy to make impulse purchases. Before buying, ask yourself; Do I really need this? Can I wait 30 days? Trust me, you'll often find that you don’t need it as much as you thought.

Step 5: Focus on Experiences, Not Things

Minimalism shifts your focus from possessions to experiences. Instead of buying more stuff, invest in experiences like a trip, a new hobby, or a memorable day with loved ones. These moments often bring more lasting joy than material things.

Step 6: Set Boundaries with Shopping

Consumer culture thrives on getting you to buy more. Set boundaries by unsubscribing from retail newsletters, limiting online shopping, or setting a spending cap. These small shifts keep you in control.

Minimalism Doesn't Just Happen Automatically

Minimalism isn’t a one-time event. It’s an ongoing process of choosing what matters. By starting small, you can build habits that simplify your life and reduce stress. Minimalism looks different for everyone, so find your rhythm, stay mindful, and remember it’s about making space for what truly matters.

I'll be talking about the digital aspect of Minimalism very soon. Stay frosty!

Signing out, kad

References

Becker, Joshua. The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own

Kondo, Marie. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

Millburn, Joshua & Nicodemus, Ryan. The Minimalists: Live a Meaningful Life

[sadghoststudios]

STATE OF PLAY 12/23: a little news and updates roundup!

Howdy all! Squeaking in just before the new year, I thought now's as good a time as ever for a little roundup of anything you might have missed, and what we're currently working on! Aiming to do these quarterly from now on 🫡✨

If you wanna keep up with posts like this from us without relying on social media, you can also sub to our newsletter! Promise not to annoy you. Good emails only.

Recap and news under the cut!

2023 Roundup

DemiDato

We had two releases this year, but DemiDato was the big one! For those that don't know, this game spent a long 5+ years in and out of development hell, so it was a big relief to finally put everyone's hard work out into the world back in March.

We were also lucky enough to feature DD in the Queer Games & Queer Halloween bundles this year, so even if you haven't had a chance to grab the game outright, check your itch library - you might already own it!

As for the future of our monsters, a 1.1 update is still on the cards! The bulk of it is already complete - there's some script tidying and quality of life improvements already in the WIP build, as well as a fancy schmancy CG Gallery (which you can see a little preview of in the devlog I wrote). 

1.1 development has admittedly stalled a little, as I really want to implement some animated video transitions plus an animated intro and trailer into its final build, but it's been hard to find the time to teach myself a whole new skillset while also being in preproduction for our new title (more on that in a bit!). In my head for all the years of development, the game has always had a really cheesy reality show intro with horribl(y good) graphics, just like the real life shows that inspired it. So even if the feature didn't make it to 1.0, I still really want it to happen eventually. (Plus, when we do eventually rerelease on Steam, a trailer is very important for the store page! That means it counts as futureproofing, right...?)

If you want to hear some more about what the release was like, my dear friend Kaiju of Digital Diversity interviewed me right after the game came out! You can read the interview on Digital Diversity over here.

GrandNya

Our second game of the year was a short little nugget written for 2023's Josei Jam, and devved almost solo by timepatches (hi! that's me!)

It'd been a long time since I managed to get anything off the ground in a jam setting, and I still find it a little intimidating (it's really difficult for me to get new ideas & iterate on them fast enough to meet the start deadline and recruit others), so solo dev it was! My art is hardly intricate but it gets the story across, and I'm proud of the VN as a whole - whatever you think of 'wholesome games' as a movement, it's hard to deny that we all need a cosy space now and then, and that’s the kind of story I like to tell most. And it's not like GrandNya is all sunshine, either, which you'll know if you got to the end!

I also managed to apply to Hand-Eye Society's Super FESTival with GrandNya, and was somehow accepted, which I'm still pinching myself about! What a stellar lineup of games to share a page with.

Fest aside, it was a pretty quiet release all things considered, so don't worry if you missed it! Your grandmas are still there on our itch page anytime, to give you a lil’ pocket of safe queer story to live in whenever you need it.

Intoxicated

Now for something completely different!! Despite some prior medical commitments around the jam date (which then got moved, typical), I was VERY stoked to be able to hop on the team for Kristi HusbandoGoddess' Yuri Jam game, Intoxicated!

It was an absolute blast. Turtles were drawn in the group chat for reasons I can no longer remember. It singlehandedly made me decide that I want to do more jam work on others' teams, because I forgot how fun it can be working toward a common goal in a more relaxed environment! 

And the game turned out incredible. Check it out if you support women's wrongs! ♡

Plans for 2024

[Codename BAT 🦇] (the big otome/amare game)

Oh yeah. It's big.

I won't spill too much just yet, but just know that I've had this idea as a vague plot bunny in the back of my mind for years. Then, as my dear friend Charlie and I were on VC beta testing a late DemiDato build, it came up and they were so excited about the idea that I couldn't help but start seriously thinking about how to make it.

Well. That was in March. After I took a break and worked on GrandNya, I've been working ever since on building out the world (it's set in the same universe as the rest of our library, but deals a bit more with the actual ramifications of it all, so I had to set some things in stone I haven't before). More recently I've been building out the most coherent, easy-to-follow outline I can (not my strong point, and bless my beta readers for their support while I complain about it). 

Very soon I should be able to start writing! Terrifying! I can't wait. Once I'm a fair way into the script writing you'll get to hear about exactly what I'm cooking, and I think... you'll like where we're going.

[Other Redacted Thing]

Not my project so I won't spoil exactly what it is, but I get to do some UI work for an upcoming jam project and I am SO excited! I get to work with some very familiar faces again! You'll know what it is as soon as I'm allowed to tell you 👀

What I will say is that it shares a coincidental similarity with my long project...

That's it!! ✨

Thank you for reading all my waffle (being long winded is my special talent), and for sticking with us through the inevitable periods of radio silence! We're still just little fish in a very big pond, but every time someone plays something I made and feels some type of way, I remember what the point of all this is. 

It makes me very happy to be able to share stories with y'all. Here's to more in 2024!

♡ Madi Wander (@timepatches)

[we-are-the-memers-mr]

neurodivergent-friendly advice on forming habits for creatives (& anyone, really) - with photos

Habits marked with ⭐ are the most important ones, imo.

A good way to build habits that you don't read in books is to make the habit desirable. You can look up the other methods (Atomic Habits and other similar books are great).

But for this one, if you're anything like my neurodivergent mentally ill butt you need things to be desirable in some way to get you to do them.

So what does desirability mean?

It means that it makes you want to do it, with energy and enthusiasm! Or at least not hate the task and yourself and everyone and everything! Something desirable for a habit may include:

Organized

Goblin tools link - https://goblin.tools

The best way to ensure you can perform a habit is to make it EASY. The best way to make it easy is to be organized. Yes this is difficult but you'll get better over time and it'll pay off with dividends of you being very likely to Do The Thing (tm) if you combine this with a few other things on this list (plus the normal habit formation stuff, but honestly loving what you do will make you way more likely to do it than tying it to another habit!).

⭐Put it somewhere easy to access that you can get to EASILY every day, preferably something you already have a habit of going to, e.g. your desk or your lounge room.

⭐Organize your digital files! Here's an example:

^ art (main folder)

^^ (subfolder, 1 folder deep) anatomy

^^^ (subfolder, 2 folders deep) female anatomy

^^^^ (subfolder, 3 folders deep) female torso...

^^^ (subfolder, 2 folders deep) male anatomy

^^^^ (subfolder, 3 folders deep) male torso...

Etc, etc.

Tl;dr (non technical speak): make a folder within a folder for each aspect of your project/task.

📂Every once in a while (can be weekly, monthly, 6 monthly, etc.) sort out your digital files. If you're no longer using that folder, put it in either a "not currently in use" folder to use again later, or if you're done with it, put it in an archive, on either your computer or (preferably) on a hard drive for safe keeping.

📂I have a "quick access" folder with all the folders I'm currently using in it. This is so all I need to do is find the quick access folder and this way I don't have to sort through a sea of dozens of random folders to find the useful ones. This is also good because there are some windows folders you can't relocate and they sit there taking up space and making it visually more cluttered. Note: Be sure to back up your important folders once every week to 3 months.

📂If you want to go super advanced, there are desktop folder kits on Etsy (and perhaps some free ones? though be careful with downloading random things, you may get a virus). They make the folders look aesthetic.

📂Personally, I use either Obsidian or Notion, depending on what I'm doing (usually Obsidian). I recently installed Askify, which can connect to both. Cool thing about it is that you can add notes from any site on the net including YouTube, it takes screenshots for you, and grabs a timestamp as well as being able to summarise the past 15 seconds of the video for you (though it usually just types what the person said, but this can be helpful). It's $3.50 AUD a month, but Obsidian and Notion are free so you can just use those if you can't afford it.

📂⭐Keep the space you're working in as tidy as you can manage. Try to make a habit of every night taking all dishes and empty drinks into the kitchen before you go to sleep.

📂⭐If you have your own space, don't be afraid to rearrange it! I recently rearranged my entire apartment and using my own cleaning advice - if you haven't used it in the past 6 months, consider chucking it out (if it's not expensive), if it doesn't make you happy, earn you money, and isn't useful regularly in some way, chuck it out - and now I'm 100x more physically comfortable, especially because I have an air conditioner next to me now near where I both work and sleep. If you have trouble visualising, try using a website to do so or draw it on paper until it feels right. Pro tip: you don't have to throw away everything, you can also donate it to an op shop/charity/homeless shelter that accepts donations if it's still usable, or you can sell it if it's high-ish quality and worth something.

📂⭐*If you can't do it today, then put it on your to-do list for tomorrow. Keep transferring unfinished tasks to tomorrow until your list is free from tasks.

📂⭐Generally good advice, especially for neurodivergents (but everyone needs to know!): take a dang break every once in a while! If you find yourself getting frustrated with something, take a break, possibly until tomorrow.

... If you have to do it today, do something to break it up, e.g. a nap or a shower. After this, give it a little while to keep cooling off if you still feel bad, then go back to the task.

... If it's something you have more time to do, stop doing it when it stops being fun/enjoyable. If you don't get fun/enjoyment out of it to begin with, stop when it's no longer interesting. Stop BEFORE you get to the point where you're pushing yourself. That is how you make yourself hate whatever you're doing and get a massive block from doing the task. Trust me, I didn't write a story for over 3 years after writing every single day because I pushed myself to the point it was frustrating to do and forced myself to keep going. Not worth it, wish I hadn't.

Sight

⭐Especially good for creative and visual types, like people who like art, design, front-end web devs, game devs, animators, writers etc.⭐

🎨Aesthetically pleasing - e.g. plugins that can change the aesthetic of programs. A good example is the extremely extensive library of plugins and themes available for Obsidian, all free to install. You can also get aesthetic Notion templates, too, but they often cost money (though you can find free ones on the official Notion template website!).

🎨Some aesthetic program add-ons include: the extensive free plugin/theme library for Obsidian (you can even connect it to back up to GitHub for free, though it's very technical) and aesthetic Notion templates - here's a link to where you can find free ones (there are other categories, too, not just for productivity) - https://www.notion.so/templates/category/personal-productivity?paid=free -------- If you want a link to my Etsy store to buy a nice looking aesthetic Notion template for university students (or a different special one just for design students!) for cheap that has better features than the free ones, go here: https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/PointyBirdDesigns?ref=seller-platform-mcnav§ion_id=47390214

🎨Nice colours that you like.

🎨Nice shapes - e.g. your office has a circular painting that you love the shape of (and it makes you happy to look at it).

🎨Nice visual texture - e.g. you're writing a book - consider doing it in a program that has unlimited pages and has a paper texture in the background with no ads or distractions (and can go full screen).

Smell

👃If you're not sensitive to perfumes, spraying a nice scent whenever you do the habit could make you feel happier. You may even start to associate the task with that nice smell.

👃Make sure the area you're working in smells nice. Bad smells can be major subconscious distractions.

Sound

🙉The object associated with your habit makes a satisfying sound, e.g. for writing you might want a certain type of keyboard, like a mechanical keyboard that makes a satisfying "thunk" with each key press and makes you feel like a professional writer. Some browsers like Opera GX (not sponsored) also allow you to add typing sounds directly to the browser, so if you can't afford a nice keyboard but still want a satisfying sound you might want to try that if you're doing a lot in your browser. Otherwise, iirc, there are also writing programs that might do something similar (you'll have to look for them yourself, I can't remember sorry).

🙉⭐You can use things for background noise while you're doing the task if you either have it down really low or you don't need to hear your recordings for it. E.g. for editing a video you can play very soft instrumental music (I don't recommend anything with words, it'll confuse you when they mix with your audio), or if you're doing something like sorting through paperwork you can put on whatever type of music you like or even a twitch or youtube vod/stream on while you're doing it. It sacrifices a tiny bit of optimal brainpower, but you'll likely be less bored and be able to do the task for longer so it'll likely even out, and if you're concerned, you can often do polishing touches at the end to make sure your work is good.

🙉Headphones can go a long way for focus in busy places. Noise cancelling ones can help a lot if you have the cash.

Tactile

🤗*Generally you want to be physically comfortable when performing your habit. If you can afford it/can save up and it's causing you discomfort, try to replace it. A good place to find quality furniture for cheap is your local tender centre. Sometimes op shops are good options, but they're usually more expensive. I found an amazing ergonomic chair for $100 that was worth about $500 - $600. Good things come along sometimes, just keep looking.

🤗If it's something that requires you to go outside and you can afford it, try investing in a few nice outfits to make yourself feel more confident for days when you're feeling less motivated.

🤗⭐If you're neurodivergent or sensitive to textures, make sure before you buy something that you can run your hand along it many times and not feel awful. Honestly, everyone should do this. We all have preferences.

🤗⭐Don't ignore things that make you feel uncomfortable! Why? Because in my experience it's a bit like in video games - these things stack up like debuffs. What I'm saying is, it may not be a big thing to have bright lights hurting your eyes, but if you have bright lights, an uncomfortable chair, and your environment isn't clean, this can be sensory hell, especially for neurodivergents. Write down the things that make you uncomfortable and fix as many as possible, one by one. Don't end up like your neglected sims who are very talented but are completely and utterly miserable because you don't fix the things that are bothering them and don't fulfil their basic needs!

🤗⭐If it bothers you, fix it as soon as you can. It's easy to let little annoyances pass, but just like when a sim does something they dislike, your tolerance for it will be grated until you feel absolutely awful and/or snap. This goes for things as little as your room being too cold (get a blanket or if you can afford it and have one, put the heater on!) or too hot. Do NOT screw around with things you can fix in under 2-30 minutes. If you can fix it in under 2 minutes, do it right now. If you can fix it in under 10 minutes, write it down and do it today. For the rest, add it to either a weekly, monthly, or some day to-do list. Scheduling it for a certain period of time makes it more likely to get done, though. If you're like me and can't do something when you force yourself to or are told you have to, just schedule it to be done within a certain week or month. No pressure.

Feeling

💜⭐A good rule of thumb is that you've achieved desirability when you feel excited to do the habit. If this excitement ever wears off, try mixing and matching other ways of building desirability or changing something about the habit, e.g. the prompt (see habit building books or summaries for more info). Keep it fresh! Whenever you get bored, change things around.

💜⭐Listen to your emotions. Emotions are the body's way of communicating things with you, whether it be about your environment or about your body or mental state. Sure, some are irrational, but every emotion has a story to tell. Try listening. Don't push your emotions down, learn to process them. If you don't know how, a therapist can help.

Bonus note:

Don't spend beyond your means! If you can't afford it, don't buy it! I am not telling you to go out and spend as much as you can on these things. Mid-range is usually the best bang for your buck, and can often be found for cheap in op shops and tender centres, as I said.

Good luck! If you have any bonus tips feel free to reblog this post or comment and add them!

[harmonyhealinghub]

How I Spent January 2024: Exploring the World Through Free Audiobooks on the Libby App

Shaina Tranquilino

February 7, 2024

As we kick off another year, many of us find ourselves seeking new forms of entertainment that are engaging, enriching, and easily accessible. In January 2024, I embarked on a personal challenge to listen to one audiobook each day using the Libby app connected to my local library. Little did I know that this simple decision would lead me down an incredible path of free entertainment, clutter-free living space, and a wealth of information.

1. The Power of Audiobooks:

Audiobooks have been gaining popularity in recent years, offering a convenient alternative to traditional reading. With busy schedules and limited time for leisure activities, listening to books has become increasingly appealing. By utilizing the Libby app, which connects users with their local library's vast collection of digital content, I discovered an extensive catalog of audiobooks waiting to be explored.

2. Free Entertainment at My Fingertips:

One of the most significant advantages of utilizing the Libby app was the cost-effectiveness it offered. Unlike buying physical copies or subscribing to audiobook platforms, borrowing from the library through Libby allowed me to enjoy countless hours of captivating storytelling without spending a single penny. This not only saved me money but also opened up doors to genres and authors I may not have otherwise considered.

3. No Clutter, No Problem:

Another unexpected benefit I experienced during my month-long journey was the absence of physical clutter caused by accumulating books at home. As someone who appreciates minimalism and values a tidy living space, relying on digital copies eliminated any concerns about storage limitations or adding unnecessary bulk to my shelves. It was liberating to indulge in diverse literature without worrying about where to store it all afterward.

4. Gaining Information and Expanding Horizons:

Beyond mere entertainment value, my audiobook challenge allowed me to gain knowledge and broaden my horizons. Each day, I delved into various subjects, genres, and perspectives, ranging from biographies to self-help books, historical fiction to science fiction. My understanding of the world grew exponentially as I absorbed insights from different cultures, eras, and ideologies – all while going about my daily routine.

5. Developing a Daily Ritual:

Listening to an audiobook each day became more than just a challenge; it turned into a cherished ritual that enhanced my overall well-being. Whether accompanying me during mundane tasks or providing solace during long commutes, these narrated tales transformed formerly monotonous activities into moments of inspiration and intellectual stimulation.

My January 2024 journey spent listening to one audiobook per day through the Libby app connected to my local library was nothing short of transformative. Not only did I uncover a vast array of free entertainment options but also found myself immersed in captivating stories that expanded my understanding of the world. Moreover, by embracing digital copies instead of physical clutter, I maintained a clean living space without sacrificing literary exploration.

If you're looking for an accessible way to enjoy an abundance of literature while minimizing expenses and decluttering your home, I highly recommend exploring the wonders offered by your local library's partnership with apps like Libby, or even Audible, Spotify, and YouTube! Embrace this modern form of reading and embark on your own adventure through the power of audiobooks!

[donnerpartyofone]

so i'm reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, a development i never saw coming, because of two things i recently heard about it:

1. that one of its main points is that keeping your space clutter-free is actually a specific skill you need to acquire and not, as is popularly thought, something that you either naturally do because you're a good person, or that you refuse to do because you're a jerk or a failure. 2. that marie kondo found her calling in this area after suffering from some sort of cleaning-related nervous breakdown.

i've had problems with being clean and organized my entire life, and for the most part i just accepted the criticism that this is a matter of personal failing. as a more informed adult, it has become much easier for me to see my disorganization as one symptom among many of a bigger problem that is probably cognitive in nature. as a kid i was depressed and sort of oblivious to the "real world", which could make it easy for adults to assume that i just needed an attitude adjustment. (i don't even blame them, my parents were not psychologists, but anyway) as an adult i'm still depressed and instead of being oblivious, i care profoundly about being more functional, but just wanting to change, and trying as hard as i can, still don't seem to make a difference.

the first time it occurred to me that my problems may be more neurological than intent-related was when a sympathetic listener referred me to this helpful article:

but while i'm reading the kondo book, it also occurs to me that there's this whole ethos around being organized that's really oppressive. there's a feeling that being untidy is sort of a moral failure: that you are being a mess, on purpose or out of willful negligence, because you are disrespectful, inconsiderate, LAZY (is the big one), shortsighted, apathetic, or any number of other indicators of a human being with poor character. my messy room was one of the main points of friction between myself and my family until i left for college. never mind that i was also sleeping all the time, swinging constantly between sadness and outrage, and expressing suicidal ideation out loud from when i was in single digits; my apparent refusal to clean my room was seen as a separate issue, either a bratty behavior that i designed to piss off my parents, or at best, just a failure to learn to follow the rules.

i haven't finished kondo's book yet (because i'm still working on the exercise i'm about to describe), but it starts to become clear that there are important psychological underpinnings of one's hygiene-related behavior. kondo doesn't come right out and describe her own personal problems (not yet anyway! don't spoil it for me if she does!), but you start to realize a few things from her snippets of biographical information: for instance, she makes it clear that she was alone a lot as a child. she seems to have lived a very separate existence from her siblings, and instead of socializing with schoolmates, she spent all of her time researching and implementing new ways of cleaning and organizing both her home and her school rooms. she describes this as an all-consuming compulsion that had a deleterious effect on her grades, and something is surely implied by her revelation that when a person switches from a pressing task, like studying for an exam, over to compulsively cleaning their space, they're being overtaken by a subconscious drive to Put In Order something that is bothering them deep inside. (when i was trying to get through my final year of college i started taking several showers a day, but ANYWAY) and then of course, there is what i read elsewhere about how she was eventually so overwhelmed by her sisyphean struggle with clutter that she had some sort of collapse, after which she gained clarity on why disorder happens and what to do about it...

kondo reiterates the old pop psychology truism that for a person to change, they have to really want to change, and she has a smart way of getting the reader to access their own obscure but potentially powerful motivations for wanting to get organized. she gets you to ask yourself why you want to "tidy up", but you're not supposed to stop at pat answers like "i want more space" or "i want to entertain at home" or whatever. you're supposed to then ask yourself what you want that cleanliness and space FOR, and as you keep asking yourself "why?" for every answer you come up with, you eventually start producing really detailed personal information about what kind of life you actually want to be leading. i suppose it's true that you could do this for any aspect of your existence, e.g. "why do you dress like that" or whatever, but there is something about starting with the basic issue of how and where you live that seems especially liable to make you face yourself. the whole "clean your room" thing is so loaded with psychic material related to family friction, intimacy issues, social prejudices that assign a moral quality to neatness/messiness, etc, that something deep is bound to come up. like when i start trying to answer marie kondo's question about why i'm even reading her book, two things come up: one answer relates to my sunniest aspirations about what kind of life i want to lead, to have the kind of future i want. the other answer is something more like, "i want to tidy up because once upon a time, grownups made me feel like i was actually a bad person for having a messy room/desk/locker/etc."

so my point is that even though The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is mainly aimed at practical, cosmetic changes to your lifestyle, under the surface there's this really deep psychological thing going on that's as potent to me as any of the more spiritual, personal, new age-y type of self-help material that i've encountered. like, you could pay thousands of dollars to let tony robbins put you up on a stage in front of screaming crying strangers so you can give them incredibly intimate details about the worst thing that ever happened to you...or you can do some basic exercises from this book about how to clean your room, and you might wind up with the same kind of startling clarity about yourself without even realizing that that's what you were about to do.