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[numberonetacostan]

TACO'S (POTENTIAL) FRIENDSHIPS TIERLIST

Explanations for my placements! Placements in each row are in no particular order.

Disclaimer: I am a media enjoyer, not a media analyzer. These are just my thoughts, so nothing is objectively wrong, but if one of my takes is OOC or you disagree I’d be happy to hear why as long as you’re nice about it :). 

Tier 1: Tacomic!!! <3

Mic: YURI YURI YURI YURI!!!! Their yuri can be un-toxic’d now and that makes me very happy :). Don’t get me wrong, I love toxic yuri, but I’m really glad to see them work things out!!! Mic can be more assertive, and Taco is trying to be better!! Anyways, I do think that they will start out as just friends as they rebuild their relationship and learn how to interact with each other in a healthier way without the competition in the way, and there will certainly be bumps in the road, but after some time I truly believe that we will have yuri. Taco is going to try calming down on the objectively bad stuff she does and work on apologizing when she does mess up!! And Mic can hold her more accountable while also being someone Taco can rely on to stay by her side. Especially with Soap helping out, making sure Taco apologizes rather than avoiding the issue and/or doubling down, and making sure Mic keeps up her established boundaries in terms of not immediately letting Taco off the hook, as she has a bad habit of doing. I love tacomic so so much, and I am 100000% sure that they can work towards and create a healthy and happy relationship that makes them both better people. If you don’t feel like yuri-ing today, you can see them as besties too, but regardless Mic takes the top spot!!!

Tier 2: Friendship is inevitable

Soap: As mentioned above, I think having Soap around will be really helpful for Taco! Someone who doesn’t hold ill-will towards her but is very willing to hold her accountable! A good balance. We saw Soap throwing away her cleaning supplies and telling Mic to listen to her heart, so she’s clearly got some good thoughts on self-improvement! Also Mic has clearly told her about all the non-competition related stuff that she and Taco did, lesbianing around and such, she’s got a pretty clear idea of who Taco is beyond the competition, which can’t be said for most of the cast. And since Taco will definitely be sticking by Mic’s side for the foreseeable future, she’ll get to know Soap pretty well too!! They can do karaoke together!!! Hooray!!!! :D.

Balloon: This one’s pretty obvious, eh? He had his whole redemption arc from when he was a jerk in season 1, and now he sees someone else who wants to start on that journey? He has the chance to help someone in the way Suitcase helped him? FUCK yeah they’re gonna be friends. He even struggled with giving a proper apology as seen in episode 9!! Just like Taco did!! (I love her, but that was the worst apology I’ve ever heard actually). He’s also quite the sensitive guy, which I think could pair well with Taco and her inability to emotion. [Maybe I should make that long post on why I think Taco is autistic. TLDR we have the same kind of autism.] But anyways! I think he could really help her with breaking out of those negative behavioral patterns and turning yourself around! The advice that OJ gave to him would probably work ever better for Taco. A new chance to meet new people who she didn’t do anything bad to! She hasn’t met most of the s2 or any of the s3 joiners, so she has a pretty clean slate with them, even if they’d heard of her misdeeds. I think she would initially think his poetry was stupid, and then find it really relatable and emotional, and then keep pretending she finds it stupid when anyone she isn’t very close to is around. They can talk about the crushing feeling of guilt, regret, and your sins!! They’ve both fucked up and found out, and now Taco is getting on the path to fixing it that Balloon took. Forgiving yourself is an important step to moving past your mistakes, and he could help her with that. Also, despite s3 going with a final 3 rather than a final 2, he did place second vote-wise, so he and Taco can be in the runner-up club together!!! They both enjoy classical music too, as a fun little bit, so they could parallel play (the best way to spend time with someone) together while listening to it!! 

Suitcase: Our s2 winner!! And never giving up on anyone QUEEN. Can you tell I love Suitcase yet? Beyond Truth or Flare, they haven’t interacted much, but given the fact that Taco broke in front of her, her kindness, and the fact that she NEVER GIVES UP ON ANYONE (Can you tell I love Suitcase yet?) I think she and Taco could become friends! Girlies who can put things in their heads <3 <3. With Suitcase having become more assertive, in a similar vein to Mic there isn’t a risk for Taco to, for a lack of a better term, steamroll over her. And of course Taco is working to be better, so she would be trying to not to do that anyways! Suitcase is also so sweet and empathetic towards others, I think Taco could benefit from that example! Empathy doesn’t seem to come very naturally to Taco (see that one autistic taco post that I really need to make), but Suitcase could be a great person to learn from, in Mepad’s absence! (Rest in Peace King I Love You). And Suitcase could also work in a similar vein to Balloon and Mepad with getting Taco to be kind to herself. She has a lot of self-loathing after everything, and hasn’t experienced a lot of kindness from others having been alone in the woods for years. Suitcase’s resilience in staying kind despite other’s actions (but standing up for herself when necessary, of course), could be really good for Taco, in the evitable moment that she lashes out. Recovery and self-betterment isn’t linear, you know? And someone like Suitcase who can go to her in these moments still offering kindness, acceptance, and help is vital.

Baseball: The fumbler himself!! He would take Lightbulb’s advice about making sure he’s looking to heart!! And she told him where to look!! At Taco, who is drowning!! He was the lowest-ranked in season 1, so aside from three episodes and the Stupid Trailer, he wasn’t really around for her whole s1 act. He can get to know her as herself, which isn’t something that can be said for most of the other season 1 contestants. I’d also wager he feels partially responsible for her and Mic’s little alliance too, Mic’s own feelings of worthlessness and how he had constantly put her down being the core reasons why Taco chose her and was able to convince her to work together. He’d want to try and fix things with Mic too, and since Tacomic, he’d end up hanging out with Taco too. Besides, he already has a best friend who’s a short lil gremlin, he could definitely get along with Taco. And speaking of Baseball’s short lil gremlin…

Nickel: Hoo boy, I have plenty to say about a Taco and Nickel friendship!! Nickel fucked up his relationships with Suitcase and Balloon big time over not trusting that Balloon actually wanted to be better, and assuming that he couldn’t change. But he has learned his lesson!! Not only has he seen and acknowledged that Balloon changed, apologized to and befriended him, but Nickel changed too!! Hooray!! His ass would not want to make that mistake again. As well, we’ve heard from Brian recently that Nickel low-key admires what Taco pulled off in season 1. Not as much so after his character development, but still, he feels more positively about her true personality than her fake one!! That is not the general sentiment among the s1 cast!! They’re standing next to each other during the concert at the end of the finale, and he even sings backup for her during the reprise of “She Forgot”!. They have clearly already become friends, I’m not taking criticism on this one actually. They’re both sarcastic little shits trying to be better people! Nickel could empathize with the automatic-response-being-something-mean thing!! Also, since Suitcase does not want to see him (valid) he and Baseball should probably make some new friends anyways! Might as well chat with another mostly-alone object, yeah? Sigh. Two mean shorties against the world. On their own there might be a risk of them making each other worse but I think the people around them could keep that from happening. I really love Nico(?) friendship. 

Marshmallow: Mepad mourning. They were both the players helped the most by Mepad, they’re mourning his loss the most (other than Toilet, more on him next ;)) and I think they could connect over that, especially with Taco trying to be more open and honest emotionally, just like Mepad was helping her to be, yeah? Her grief over Mepad is a good place to start. They were also some of the first two contestants to realize how bad the game was for those involved and their relationships. Even if it took Taco longer to get there, they end up sharing the same negative view towards the game before the others do! This was even mentioned in the pre-episode 17 stream!! They also both have a complicated relationship with Knife! We don’t get to see too much of how Marsh feels towards Knife after the whole heroic-sacrifice, but I don’t see her immediately being all buddy-buddy with him. And Taco, who is confirmed to care about his well-being don’t argue with me on this one, has the whole thing with him and Mic going, and he might even be more watchful of her as she and Mic continue to patch things up and work towards healthy yuri. Going back to Marsh not totally forgiving Knife, this could help Taco with better understanding how Pickle feels about her. Knife wronged Marsh pretty hard in the past, and even if he’s sorry and has changed, she can still feel hurt and not want to forgive him. And she could vent these feelings to Taco when they’re talking about Knife!! And this is so so similar to how Taco greatly wronged Pickle in the past, and even if she’s sorry and wants to change, he can still feel hurt and not want to forgive her. With lower empathy, it can be really helpful for someone to explain how they feel about something and why, so I think someone more willing to explain a similar situation to her (since Pickle will not be sitting down with her and explaining how he feels) could really help her out in learning to back off and let Pickle live his life even if that life doesn’t include her. Mepad is incredibly proud of both of them frfr Mepad said so in a cameo. 

Toilet: Before I start this one I’d like to clarify I will also not be taking criticism here Toico friendship is so very inevitable you don’t even know. I got a cameo from @justin-chapmanswers right after the finale because I was so very sad about Mepad and they confirmed to me that Toilet and Taco could and would bond over missing Mepad. Toico friendship is “so incredibly important” AND I COULD NOT AGREE MORE. He was the only person that they had to care for them and that believed in them for a period of time each and now, even if Taco has Mic back, they’re both missing that bond they had with him because he’s dead (I am so MeSad). Toilet’s persistence with people would also be really important to their connection! Despite how Mephone constantly yelled at and belittled him, Toilet kept going and stayed kind and dutiful to him! And while that did make their relationship unhealthy, I think it could be beneficial to Toico friendship! Taco is trying to change and do better, but as I believe I said previously that’s not linear. She is going to lash out or fall back on old habits at some point, what matters is that she apologizes and keeps trying to be better. She’s not going to apologize to Toilet after years of this treatment like Mephone did, she will, in her process of growth, apologize to him when she knows she’s hurt him, and she will make sure to treat him better. And her doing this consistently when she messes up is key!!! Because Toilet is Toilet, we love Toilet in this house, and he’ll forgive her. And they will talk about how important Mepad was to them, and it will be healing and beautiful. Again I will be taking 0 criticism on this Toico friendship is everything to me actually. She can sit on his head like where he carried the spaghetti in episode 1. Oh no I’m listening to the cameo again and now I am crying /vpos. 

Pepper: Yeah i ship tacopep too what are you gonna do about it i want taco to be loved. But more seriously, I think these two could make a really solid connection. Pepper is another one of the season 1 contestants that didn’t interact too much with the fake-Taco that competed in season 1, so there wasn’t much of a connection there to be spoiled. She probably jumped on the hate-train thanks to Salt, but maybe she should spend a bit less time with Salt anyways, yeah? Branch out some more. Which she could do with Taco! Take one look at Taco and tell me she doesn’t love to gossip. Taco and Pepper could probably gossip for hours, I mean, Taco has surely missed a lot of gossip having been outside of the hotel for so long. And Pepper gets to lead the conversation and talk!! Taco does try to take control of situations automatically, but hey, she’s trying to change for the better, and maybe not try to scheme and mastermind quite as much, yeah? And Pepper could do well being more assertive having been made to follow whatever Salt is doing. I think this friendship would need to pick up a bit later down the line for Taco to be in a place where she isn’t trying to take over so often and Pepper to be in a place where she’s not keeping herself attached to Salt, but I do think it could be a sweet and healthy friendship! Also I tend to think of them both as lesbians and sometimes you need a lesbian best friend to discuss Women with.

Candle: Would immediately be able to tell that Taco needs some serious therapy/help. And Candle loves to be needed for therapy/help! Perfect match! But really, Candle managed to tame both Yin-Yang and Silver over the course of a season, she could definitely help Taco out!! And it would be pretty difficult for Taco to keep her true feelings hidden from someone who can tell what’s happening just by looking at her! She would hate that at first but it would be helpful for her. I do think she would dislike Candle’s salt rock thingy though, it would probably just rile her up more. BUT really I think Candle could be a good help to Taco as she recovers. Candle will help everyone after all the stuff from the finale I think, which would not at all be a way to cope with everything. Keeping herself busy. Being needed in the way she was made to need. This isn’t a Candle analysis aaaaaaaaaaaaa.

Goo: My #1 and #3 must be friends, it’s mandatory (my #2 is Mepad, of course). Taco’s miserable and messy self could absolutely use a visit from the cheer factory, and I think she’d get one! I think Goo would be able to take the news of being created by Mephone better than you’d think, honestly. His best friend was created by Fan and Test Tube, so what if they’re created by Mephone, y’know? That just makes them more like his best buddy Bot!! Not being able to be recovered might make him anxious, but that’s just an unfortunate truth that they’re all going to need to get used to. (Unless whatever the Shimmers are giving them is a recovery device. Brian said it’s up to interpretation but i do not want to interpret i want answers!!). Okay, back to Gooco friendship. He’s such a positive, genuine, and sweet little fella it’s pretty hard for anyone not to like him, and that includes Taco!! Someone she not only doesn’t have baggage with, but she has never even met coming to cheer her up? She has had very few positive interactions with others over the years, this is meaningful to her!!! Being around a positive little thinker like Goo could be good for her, AND they are at perfect hugging height for one another. I don’t see Taco giving out too much physical affection but I can very much see her enjoying it even if she won’t admit it. AND AND having lived in the woods for so long, Taco would know the best place to find his beloved pinecones.

Tea Kettle: She already has one little gremlin child in Nickel, what’s another one? Seriously!! I’m not sure if it would exactly be a friendship, probably the more motherly dynamic she has with Nickel, Balloon, and quite a few other characters, but new mom acquired is not a category so she goes here. Taco, who has been living in the woods for years needing to scavenge and steal for food, would enjoy some hors d'oeuvres!! And this would immediately endear her to Tea Kettle, since she loves it so much when people eat her food (adorable). She, like Candle, and probably everyone else at this point, would pretty easily be able to tell that Taco needs some extra TLC, and like the other s3 joiners, doesn’t have anything personal against Taco. Her motherly instincts would immediately kick in, and again such casual kindness and affection for Taco after all this time? Everything. Key to Taco’s recovery and self-betterment. Also, Taco loves tea!!! TK would refill her cup without even being asked <3. 

Tier 3: Pleasant Acquaintances 

Lightbulb: OKAY OKAY OKAY I KNOW. Lightbulb would be sweet and friendly and silly and herself and would absolutely 1000% consider herself friends with Taco! Them only being acquaintances is fully on Taco. It’s not because she has a personal problem with Lightbulb though! We have heard from the crew (questionnaire after one of the finale screenings, I believe) that Lightbulb reminds Taco a lot of how she used to act in season 1. The earlier she is in her recovery, the harder that would be for her, yeah? There’s also the fact that Lightbulb would have been her choice to partner up with had Mic been eliminated earlier. I like to interpret this as canon, not just on a meta level, that Taco actually had Lightbulb picked as her second choice. With Taco trying to be better, she’d probably feel guilty about that when interacting with Lightbulb,  and especially seeing how close she is with her allies friends. They might be able to be actual friends in the future, but in general Lightbulb might be a bit much for Taco. Though I’ll reiterate that Lightbulb would consider her a friend!! And include her in activities and be kind to her!! Because Lightbulb is sweet and lovely like that, the silliest goose of them all <3.

Apple: They’d probably interact a bit because of Taco’s friendship with Marsh, but Apple isn’t someone I’d see her seeking out for companionship, due to her being a little dumb <3. It’s okay we still love her, but Taco might not. She would be nice to Apple, because if Apple is upset then Marsh is upset at whatever caused it, yeah? And because it’s the right thing to do and all, but this latter reason might take a bit longer to kick in as Taco changes for the better.^^ Also, whether or not Apple knows that Taco was acting and isn’t just an entirely different person is still a bit muddled, so that would be a bit weird, yeah?

The Floor: Honestly just a nice, chill guy, don’t think he’d have any issues with Taco. She would see his movement as reminiscent of Mepad’s teleporting, which would give her the blues, but that’s not really Floory’s fault. Another teleporting assistant… Ah, well, my conspiracy can wait for another day. I don’t have too much to say for this pair, to be honest. I think they’d get along okay and everything, I just don’t see them seeking each other out as much as they each would with some others. Oh, they would both like to go on picnics, so that’s definitely a setting in which they’d interact! I do think The Floor and Toilet could be good friends, so they might end up hanging out together if they’re both with Toilet.^^ Besides, I can’t imagine him staying on Inanimate Island instead of returning to Paradise, since it is his home, so he’d stay more connected with the other s3 players rather than the other casts. 

Cabby: Honestly Taco would probably be a little jealous that Cabby won. Definitely impressed by her skillful observations of others, though! Taco is observant too, so they could discuss that if they are together, but I don’t think they’d actively seek each other out, like Taco and The Floor. Cabby is also more likely to return to Paradise since that is where her library was, and Taco’s history might make Cabby wary, since she struggled with being seen that way in season 3. I don’t think she’d hold it against Taco in a personal way, but it might dissuade her from really forming a bond with Taco. Overall, I love them both, they could be perfectly friendly with each other, but I don’t really see them forming a strong connection. Earlier season 3 Cabby, though? They could be the power duo of all time. Even post-canon a team up between them would be incredibly skilled and efficient, I just don’t see it as too likely to happen. 

Silver Spoon: We already know what Silver thinks of Taco! He thinks she is a Queen and an Icon and he’s right! He would approach Taco the easiest out of the invitationals, and would very much want her approval. I do not think Taco would like him very much. She’d get annoyed by him pretty easily, I think. They’re both British, so that could be a point of interest for him to try and connect for her, but seeing as neither of them are actually from Britain and were just programmed to have a British accent (and like tea!) that might fizzle out. And again the fact that Taco would not be able to stand him. Silver would try to get on her good side by complimenting her act in season 1, which would Not Sit Well with her at all. She would storm away from him and he would be devastated. It might be easier for them to interact if Candle is around to mediate, but I don’t know if they’d get along too well, at least initially. He remains in pleasant acquaintances because he is very pleasant towards her in his own Silver Spoony way, and considers her a friend, but it is one-sided, he is lying to himself <3. 

Bot: A split between Goo really liking Taco and Fan and Test Tube not being sure about her. She did shoot and kill Test Tube. And electrocuted Fan. In front of their first child. So yeah not sure their second child would be super keen on being friends with Taco, but they would still be amiable. As a part of the Cheer Factory, they’d join Goo in his cheering up quest, and they could strike up a conversation if they happened to be alone together, but this is another relationship I can’t see either party really seeking out. Their VA is British though, so Bot could probably do a fair impression of Taco. Not that Taco would like that, but y’know, it’s neat, yeah?

Blueberry: He doesn’t make many friends in general, and neither does Taco for that matter. I think combined they could be an absolutely killer duo, could dominate a competition together, but outside of that? I’d say more of a mutual sense of respect for being powerful shorties, but not much of an actual bond. He might be a welcome presence if Taco needs to stew in her negative emotions for a while, as one does, but if she wants to feel better she’d need to go to someone else. Honestly, they might be kept apart on purpose, because those little schemers could probably take over the island together if they really wanted to. But, Taco is trying to change and Mic certainly wouldn’t approve, so she wouldn’t want to. Jury’s still out on Blueberry though. Also, he’s another one I’d see returning to Paradise, less people there, yeah? So their interactions would be limited either way. 

Lifering: Nice, friendly guy! He might interact with Taco through Tea Kettle, or through general check-ups. With his medical training, or rather the knowledge he was programmed with, he’d definitely interact with everyone on both islands at one point or another. I wouldn’t imagine Taco being a big fan of such medical check-ups though, with how private of a person she generally is, and that might play into how she views him. He’d definitely do his best not to frighten anyone including Taco, and she would appreciate his work, she just wouldn’t be able to shake the lingering unease surrounding him, and he’d be able to respect that and give her space as long as she needs it. If he found her crying, he’d give her a squeeze and then get someone better equipped to help her, that sort of thing. She might eventually get more comfortable with him, and maybe they could share a plate of hors d'oeuvres, even if I don’t see them forming a super deep connection :) I think they could get along after some time. 

Tissues: I think they could have a sort of understanding in Mephone making things difficult for them. He was made to always be sick (fucked up) and she was made to manipulate and hurt people (fucked up). She might get annoyed with him, definitely, but she’d try not to. With the infinite tea generation I headcanon her having, she could pull out a nice warm cup from her shell and give it to him to soothe his sinuses and sore throat, and I think he’d really appreciate that. There’s also an advantage to the fact that they’re only meeting after the big reveal of all the contestants being made by Mephone and running the red line game, Taco’s never been annoyed, hateful, or mocking towards him about his sickness. Tissues is owed a lot of apologies from quite a few cast members, and Taco is actually not one of them! They can also both pull things out of their heads, which I think is cute. That wouldn’t really contribute to a relationship. I just like little guys who can pull things out of their heads!!!^^

Clover: Like Lightbulb, I think Clover would consider Taco a friend! She’d consider pretty much everyone a friend, the sweetheart she is. As Brian once posted, she would find Taco very funny! Taco is trying to change though, so wouldn’t want to be seeing Clover as useful. She might be interested in the luck stuff, but the happy-go-lucky attitude might be a bit much for Taco. Trying to plan for Clover’s luck would be insanely frustrating, since schemes aren’t the only thing Taco could plan(!), and that might turn Taco away from Clover. She’s yet another one I see returning to Paradise, so they wouldn’t interact much, which is probably for the better on Taco’s end. Taco would probably like the butterflies though, because who doesn’t like butterflies, yeah?

Tier 4: Neutral

Bomb: Didn’t really interact with Taco in the first season, despite having been in an alliance with her for a short time, but he is clearly good friends with Pickle, so he wouldn’t be reaching out to her any time soon. Not that I think Pickle would be explicitly telling anyone or even hinting to them not to be friends with Taco even if he himself doesn’t want to, he’s not that kind of guy, but I think Bomb would stick close to Pickle, which means not interacting with Taco much. Yeah, he wasn’t personally hurt by her betrayal or anything, but he mostly knows her as the person who hurt his bestie Pickle, so not exactly keen on her either. Taco would be pretty neutral on him right back, but would be glad that Pickle has made new friends and is being well taken-care of despite everything that went down between them. 

Knife: Hoo boy, okay, he is in the neutral category, but feel free to read him as “it’s complicated.” He’s also close with Pickle, seeing firsthand and likely the most of how Taco’s betrayal impacted him, and he was watching over Mic during and after her alliance with Taco, so he isn’t exactly happy with her. But as was confirmed by Brian, so you can’t argue with me on this one, he does care for her well-being. He sees some of himself in Taco. As much as he accuses Taco of projecting onto him in Truth or Flare, they’re really both projecting onto each other. Taco also cares about his well-being!!! (this is also confirmed by brian) Whether or not it’s because he’s someone close to Pickle and Mic, she does care, even if she doesn’t show it. Knife is dead now, too. That might complicate things. Taco though she would be dead forever, and hell, she might have been if Knife hadn’t put pressure on Mephone with Mepad, while Knife spent most of his life thinking of death as meaningless and something that barely even applied to him. One of them survived, and one of them didn’t. They’re such an interesting duo, I really really want to know more of the plan for that body swap episode so so so bad!! Anyone wanna venmo me 30 bucks to get another cameo from Justin so I can fish for info? /j Anyways. Knife would be very wary of her reconciling with Mic and would be watchful to make sure she doesn’t bother Pickle, but he would be proud, in a sense, seeing how she improves. I can’t say he’d help much, as I’m not sure if his tough-love sort of help for people would be super beneficial for Taco, and they’re still not super friendly, but I think they could have a moment of getting along-ness every once in a while. Suitcase might rub off on Knife even more with her never-give-up-on-anyone philosophy, which would lead him to back off on keeping an eye on her a bit more. If anything were to happen to Mic, she would be well protected by these two. AAAAAAAA. Taco and Knife are such an interesting duo, I can’t emphasize this enough. Knife who has already changed, and Taco is who is starting to change. This one has gotten way too long, in short, it’s complicated but more positive than negative post-finale. 

Paintbrush: As long as Taco isn’t mean to Lightbulb, I don’t think Painty would feel too strongly either way. Probably unhappy when they find out that Taco shot two of their friends but. They seemed pretty okay with Taco’s presence in act II of the movie, and weren’t incredibly harsh on Taco during the pre-act II stream (if I recall correctly, this one is a bit more blurry tbh) even if they weren’t very pro-Taco either. Didn’t have an extreme reaction to Lightbulb mentioning Taco when they showed up during Truth or Flare either, so that’s another point towards Painty being neutral towards Taco. Might even empathize with how quick-to-anger Taco can be, she could get invited to a painting lesson or something. But really, as long as Taco is civil with Lightbulb (and Baxter), and doesn’t murder Fan or Test Tube again, I think they can coexist without any malice or issues. 

Yin-Yang: Yang would like Taco a lot! Yin would be kind of scared of her. Thus, neutral. Yang would admire her sabotage and trickery, which isn’t exactly what she wants to be liked for, but, well, it’s Yang so he’s gonna do what he wants. Yin would be pretty wary of her, and probably avoid her in fear of whatever mischief she and Yang could create with their powers combined. My partner once drew a cute illustration of Yin-Yang stealing and eating a topping out of her head, which I liked very much, and were that to happen I think Taco would dislike Yin-Yang. It would be very rude to eat one of her toppings, especially without asking first. My partner, who I regard as the resident Yin-Yang expert between us, also mentioned them both having a “that-could-have-been-me” sort of connection with OJ, in the sense of how Taco was so close to getting the win that OJ got, and Yin-Yang was so close to getting eliminated instead of OJ. Had it not been for the immunity votes, Yin-Yang would have been the first Thinker out. Had it not been for Bow and all the other chaos that was going down during season 1’s finale, Taco would have been the first winner of Inanimate Insanity. And we know that Yin-Yang and OJ clashed during their residence in the Hotel, and Taco just hates OJ after everything, so maybe they could have a little anti-OJ club to get their frustrations out, who knows. Suitcase is still a bit miffed about him eliminating her unfairly that one time, so maybe she could join a little complain-about-OJ session once in a while. 

Box: New to the group, so probably doesn’t even find out about Taco’s past for some time, but at the same time she isn’t the most social tool on the shed. And neither is Taco. So I can’t see either one reaching out to the other for a friendship. Box might like that Taco never pretended their corpse was alive, even if it was possibly because she never had the opportunity to interact with Box in general. I might see Taco taking more of the Trophy stance in that she doesn’t see Box’s corpse as alive, which, since it was a corpse, is objectively correct. Albeit with less violence than Trophy handled Box with. They might talk due to both of them being around Suitcase from time to time, but I’d more view them as two relatively introverted people who simply don’t seek a connection with each other. [Also, putting a Box conspiracy here, but does anyone else think her inclusion specifically is why season 2 had an uneven amount of contestants in-canon. Like, the season 2 cast would have been developed before the whole MeLife twist, but on a non-meta level, it was probably Box being included in the cast that made the numbers wonky. 19 contestants? A prime number? What? 18 would make sense, or 20, but 19? Because Box was added in with the actual living contestants, because Mephone couldn’t bring himself to exclude her, which brought the number of players up to 19. Thank you for coming to my TedTalk.]

Cherries: Probably a bit childish for Taco’s taste in friends. And for Cherries, them always wanting a reaction… Well if Taco was pranked, she would not react well, and they might be hard pressed to get her to laugh especially if she already dislikes them due to being pranked. She is quite the actor, so even if she does find a joke or two funny, she’s not gonna break. And then Cherries would get bored of trying to make her laugh, and move on to someone they can get a better reaction from. Unless they try roping Taco into their little schemes before they prank her, then I can see a more positive relationship forming. Either way, I don’t see them as consistently seeking each other out for companionship. 

Fan: Taco electrocuted him that one time. So, not exactly a great start. Especially since it was while he was talking to the Shimmers. The Shimmers, one of which was his infant child… A really bad start, then. I don’t see Fan as a very hateful guy, honestly. Passionate, sure, but doesn’t strike me as the type to stay angry for very long. He wouldn’t be approaching Taco for friendship any time soon, and would probably tell Bot that they should be wary around her, but I also think he would respect Taco’s effort to change and let bygones be bygones in the end. Taco probably wouldn’t approach him either, other than apologizing for electrocuting him and shooting Test Tube (she should apologize for that, and Mic would make sure she does). Would probably want to know more about Taco’s strategy and experiences during the first season, but also has the self-restraint not to ask. 

Test Tube: Less forgiving than Fan, but would follow his lead in not holding a huge grudge towards her. She wouldn’t trust Taco at all, but she wouldn’t fall into malicious territory like what ended up happening with Cabby. Taco would be wary of Test Tube too, especially after the other apology she gives Test Tube, for breaking into her “secret” lab and stealing things. Testy might actually take that one worse than the apology for murdering her. Despite that, I do see Test Tube letting Taco keep the white invisibow that Mepad was wearing when he was killed. This would probably happen before Taco confesses to murder, assault, breaking and entering, and theft anyways, but I see Test Tube letting her keep it. Random act of kindness while Taco is mourning him, yeah? She is the one who gave him the bow after all. Testy wouldn’t love Taco, and would also warn Bot to be careful around her and come to her right away if she has any problems, but could coexist with Taco. 

Tier 5: No

Mephone: Yeah, this is an obvious one. Beyond the fact that he’s left to give the contestants space, at least for the time being, Taco would be pretty damn mad at him after everything. Whether he made them subconsciously or not, he made her to be manipulative and unpredictable and to betray the people she cares about. Thinking further on that, he also didn’t plan anything good for her, unlike other villainous characters. Balloon and Knife both got redemption arcs, Silver got a girlboss, but Taco? She got another “ally” to inevitably lose, years of homelessness and isolation, and not even a million squats. Not to mention his reaction to her during Truth or Flare. Sure, it is reasonable for him not to want to see her, especially with how she acts in the episode, but not wanting to recover her? That’s really fucked up. Seriously. Thank god for Mepad. I can and would very much argue that Taco is the most mistreated contestant by Mephone4. She would not want to see him ever again, and I think if she did see him and he tried to talk with her it would not go well. So, this one is a definite no. 

OJ: She and OJ did interact relatively frequently in season 1, and while I’m not sure exactly how betrayed he would have felt by her revealing her true nature, he would not like having been fooled and would very much have not liked her trying to steal his prize. I can’t see them ever getting along again. Even if Taco does apologize to him (and out of everyone she probably should apologize to, she would hate this one the most), I don’t see that doing much. OJ is another person that saw how her betrayal affected Pickle pretty closely, and he’d still hold at least a little grudge over that. Although, if you take the “built to win” line seriously like I do, (and Brian said in the 700k stream that it was up to interpretation- hah! Vindication! Kind of! Enough for me!!!) their dynamic can be a lot more interesting. And even though I don’t see them ever being friends again, I do see them at some point having a moment in which they both say something like “these guys are all so weird” and then looking at each other awkwardly and proceeding to ignore each other entirely for the next week or so. They’re both drama queens, yeah, but in comparison to some of the other characters they can be a bit more… reasonable? Doesn’t seem like quite the right word. Grounded? Doesn’t seem right either. Hopefully this is still comprehensible, but regardless, these two would not be friends.

Paper: My guy screeched in terror when she was seen in the hotel. I don’t think it’s gonna happen, especially if OJ isn’t befriending her in any way. He wouldn’t be happy about her trying to steal his boyfriend’s prize and is another who got to see Pickle growing depressed after her betrayal, so he’d keep his negative view on her. I don’t think he’d be as scared of her post-canon, especially seeing her trying to avoid violence by Mic’s demand, so I suppose that’s something. I am so very sorry, menu squad fans, I love them too, but I think that ship has long since sailed. I honestly don’t have very much to say for Paper, I feel like he’s a pretty obvious one, though they don’t actually interact that much. He doesn’t like her, and has a boyfriend who really doesn’t like her, so they’re not going to be connecting any time soon. I do think he would feel more sympathetic to her plights than OJ, as the more emotionally intelligent one between them, but would leave helping her to people closer to her. 

Salt: Taco would find her annoying, mostly. Especially after she and Pepper become friends, and Pepper vents about some of her frustrations with Salt to Taco, Taco wouldn’t be a fan of hers. Salt wouldn’t like Taco because she tried to steal OJ’s prize, and Salt is all gross and very weird about OJ. There’s a reason why she got the least votes in the latest plushie poll. Even Taco, who doesn’t really like Paper or OJ, would want Salt to back off and tell her to do so even if she had to be a tad aggressive about it. It shouldn’t always have to fall on poor Pepper especially when she starts branching out towards new people and relationships. Taco is a payjay hater, but it’s because she dislikes them individually, not because they’re gay. Taco herself is gay. WLW and MLM solidarity. 

Trophy: She would beat him in a bunch of stuff (some by cheating, some fairly) and he would hate her like the sore loser of all time he is. She would probably just find him annoying, like a less-tolerable version of Blueberry, maybe. I can see them both getting banned from game night, Trophy because he can’t take a loss and Taco for cheating, of course, and attempting to hang out together in protest. I suppose they could bond that way, but I’d lean more towards them either arguing or getting annoyed with each other and agreeing to never hang out again. Might casually flip each other off in the hallways, not from hatred but from mutual acknowledgment that the other is kind of an asshole sometimes. I think it’s beautiful <3. 

Dough: She’d only have to see him when she’s in the mansion, which is definitely for the best. They wouldn’t seek each other out, ever. Taco would find him very annoying, and would hate any and all of his Bow imitating or discussion. She never met him, she does not care about him, and he’d probably feel the same way about her. Not much to say about this one, but I. Well. It’s Dough. I’m so sorry Dough fans but I have never had much to say about him. 

Cheesy: Yeah Taco would find him annoying too. He and Mic are on better terms now, so they might sometimes find themselves in the same place, but Taco might soon have to leave that place because she is getting so annoyed with him. He probably wouldn’t dislike her or anything, but he wouldn’t really like her either, seeing as she wouldn’t be the best audience member for him. Poor guy is gonna have to find some new material again, seeing as none of them have mamas and bringing that up is definitely in poor taste at the moment. Yikers. But yeah, another one who will not be friends with Taco because they would be too much for her. 

Bow: Taco’s least favorite person! Bow is the reason that Taco lost season 1, and I don’t think Taco is ever going to get over that. (Especially if you interpret the “built to win” line literally like I do~~~). Taco would avoid her like the plague, and probably regard her as a plague on the world too. Would very much not enjoy having to live in the same building as Bow, for however long it takes until they have another building established, since Taco would probably move out the second she could as long as Mic was down to move with her. Anything to get away from Bow. I can not emphasize enough how much Taco hates Bow. Despises her. Would rather stick her arms into a pothole full of piranhas than be in Bow’s presence. That plastic pink headgear is the absolute worst object on the planet to her. Bow doesn’t really care either way. Unless Taco is openly aggressive to her, she’s neutral. But Taco would probably antagonize her at one point or another, so Bow would probably end up disliking her too, just not as passionately.

Tier 6: Pickle

Pickle: Sigh. My fellow Taco lovers. It’s not gonna happen, guys. Pickle and Taco friendship is not going to happen ever again. I KNOW. Taco wants it!! You want it!! I want it too!!! I have been a fan since season 1 was airing, I of all people would love to see them be friends again. But Pickle doesn’t want that, so I’m going to respect it. Taco would probably try apologizing to him once or twice more before backing off, probably being able to do so and really start to move on with the help of Mic, Nickel, and/or Marsh. She does shake her head and move past things during the red line game! It’s a good start! Even if I think she would give it another shot (because in apologizing more she comes to realize how bad her first apology was. Yeesh. Girl I’m your biggest supporter, I am a certified Taco apologist, but damn). But! Regardless of the fact that they’re not going to be friends again, it’s not as though they’re going to be enemies! Taco wants to be better, especially towards Pickle. And as for Pickle, he just isn’t that sort of guy, yeah? He doesn’t want to be friends with Taco or give her another chance, which is fully fair and valid, but it’s not as though he wants her to suffer either!! If she like, fell and broke her leg or smth, he would willingly carry her to get help, yeah? If they both happen to be in the kitchen and she’s struggling to reach something on the top shelf, he’d grab it for her. He’s chill and especially after a longer period of time when he’s been able to heal further and be okay with seeing her around, they could just be… okay. Not friends, but okay. He would show up to the Tacomic wedding. 

Tier 7: PLEASE COME BACK I MISS YOU SO MUCH

Mepad: PLEASE COME BACK KING I CAN’T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH YOU SUPPORTIVE ICON. HE IS IN TIER 7 BECAUSE HE IS DEAD AND THAT MAKES ME SO VERY SAD. I MISS YOU SO MUCH MEPAD MY BELOVED MEPAD. I MISS THE OLD SEASON 2 UPLOAD SCHEDULE I CAN’T HANDLE TACOPAD GETTING GIVEN TO US AND TAKEN AWAY WITHIN LIKE 4 MONTHS. GIVE US 4 YEARS AS GOD INTENDED /J. ANYWAYS MEPAD WOULD BE ON THE TIPPY TOP TIER IF HE WAS STILL ALIVE MY WONDERFUL MEPAD YOU WILL BE FOREVER IN MY HEART. ONCE I GET MY HANDS ON YOUR PLUSHIE I WILL MAKE YOU AND MY TACO PLUSH HUG IT IS MANDATORY. 

Okay, 13 pages later and that’s everyone! If you’ve read every entry, wow!!! Thanks!!! That’s a lot of reading and a lot of rambles you saw!!! If you skipped to your favorites, that’s also fair!!! Thanks for reading either way!!!^^ I have so very many thoughts about Taco, so it’s nice to get some written out!! :3

[goddessinnerglow]

Become Your Best Version Before 2025 - Day 5

Setting SMART Goals That Actually Stick

Yesterday we dug deep into our core values, and today we're going to channel that into something practical and exciting, setting goals that actually work. But not just any goals. We're talking about goals that make you jump out of bed in the morning, that align with who you really are.

You know that feeling when you set a New Year's resolution and by January 15th it's already forgotten? Yeah, we've all been there. But here's the thing, it's not your fault. The problem isn't your willpower; it's probably how the goal was set in the first place.

Let me share something that changed everything for me. A while back, I had this vague goal of "getting healthier." Sounds familiar? Weeks went by, and I felt stuck because what does "healthier" even mean? But when I changed it to "I will walk for 20 minutes every morning while listening to my favorite podcast," something clicked. Suddenly, it was clear, doable, and actually fun!

That's the magic of SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. But don't let these fancy words scare you. Think of them as your goal's best friends, making sure it succeeds.

Let's transform your dreams into reality together. Take out your journal (I know you have it nearby after yesterday!) and think about something you really want to achieve. Got it? Now, let's make it SMART:

Instead of "I want to read more," try "I will read one chapter of a book every night before bed for the next month." Instead of "I need to save money," try "I will save $100 each month by bringing lunch to work three times a week." Instead of "I should exercise more," try "I will do a 15-minute workout video every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning."

See how these feel more real, more doable? They give you a clear path to follow.

Here's your chance to create your own. Pick one thing you want to achieve. Now, let's break it down:

Make it Specific: What exactly do you want to do?

Make it Measurable: How will you track your progress?

Make it Achievable: Can you realistically do this?

Make it Relevant: Does this align with your values?

Make it Time-bound: When will you achieve this by?

Write down your SMART goal. Put it somewhere you'll see it every day: your mirror, your phone wallpaper, your coffee mug. Make it impossible to ignore.

But here's the secret, the part most people skip. Break that goal down into tiny, daily actions. I mean really tiny. Want to write a book? Start with writing just 100 words a day. Want to run a marathon? Begin with walking around your block.

And most importantly, celebrate these small wins! Did you write those 100 words? Do a little dance! Did you walk around the block? Text a friend and brag about it! These celebrations tell your brain, "Hey, this feels good, let's do it again!"

Keep in mind, this isn't about being perfect. It's about progress. Some days won't go as planned, and that's okay. The goal isn't your boss, it's your friend, helping you become who you want to be.

See you tomorrow for Day 6 of our journey to become our best selves before 2025!

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

[hulloitsdani]

In today's episode of cleaning out the wip backlog, we got an attempt to reimagine the Alfonse brave alt that got totally derailed by the Elden Ring DLC soundtrack! I have been chipping away at this for MONTHS now, and will probably continue to do so, but I think it's at a stage where I am willing to share it.

But uh, to say that I only drew this would be a big fat lie. So if you would be so kind, come with a journey under the cut as I show you some of the methods to my madness.

With me? Awesome. Let's get a little weird.

So I initially intended this to be a one and done drawing. Similar to the outfit prompts. I had an idea and only intended to make one illustration of it. Since it was on the brain at the time, I wanted to reference the Miquella and Radahn shot from Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. That resulted in this sketch:

Fun! I had a good time with this one.

So during the time of Alfonse's Brave alt release, there was conversation about how, despite how pretty the art was, it was not quite fitting for Alfonse's character. And I was inclined to agree. Alfonse had a loaded relationship with his dad, and giving him an alt that was strictly him in his outfit didn't work in the same way it did for a character like Ike. So I was playing with how to solve for that here, went through a few options that aren't visible anymore, and came to the conclusion to keep the silhouette but change the details. Alfonse, a not very tall or buff guy, didn't really look right in Gustav's chest plate. So I threw on the dragon scales back on and things started falling into place. Neat!

Problem: I didn't really want to be working on this sketch anymore. Happens. Sometimes you reach the maximum amount of fun you're going to have with a piece and it's healthier to just leave it where it is. But I was still having fun with the idea of a Miquella and Radahn power dynamic with Kiran and Alfonse. Maybe not as fundamentally and delightfully fucked, but running with the idea of how bad it might be for everyone involved if Kiran was able to put their friends under contract.

So here is when I opened up a new file and started brainstorming.

So is the premise for this au(?). I guess this is an au! Cool! Idk I was just having a little bit of fun. This is also as clean as these sketches are gonna get. If messy doodles and thumbnails are your thing, you've come to the right place.

So something I wanted to explore right away was how, unlike Miquella and Radahn, both parties are still somewhat mentally present in this new state they're in. It gets a little weird, as Kiran is in Alfonse's head so often that it starts to become unclear where one starts and the other ends. But they're in this predicament because their loneliness issues got the better of them. Overriding the other's thoughts and presence would defeat the point. So they'll have moments where you can see them... separate, for lack of a better way of putting it. Where Kiran will pop up from their apparent malaise and check if Alfonse is (physically) alright.

Next up is spectral arm time. I imagine that Kiran has a jack pot of different powerful abilities, but they're not a fan of using them. Got this visual in my head of them summoning these hands to cover more weapon types, but doing so makes them physically recoil. The force of it tries to push them away, but it can't, so they come back to rest, more winded than before.

These marketable plushies are often bought together please do not separate!!! Idea here being that if enough damage is dealt to Alfonse to knock him down, Kiran will get PISSED, grab the axe, and go nuts. A little spooky considering that it wasn't clear that they could leave Alfonse's side up until that point. Is definitely the most emotion we've seen on them so far too. But while in their frenzy, Alfonse, upon realizing the god on his shoulder is gone, will grab the bonds connecting them and pull them back. Very desperate moves from the both of them. Rational thought has left the building.

Last but not least, hey this looks familiar! Found the sketch for initial illustration. Neat! Genuinely forgot that I initially sketched it here, and then copied it elsewhere to make a full illustration. But that's her!!! That's the bones!!! Kinda crazy looking at it now considering how long I've been tinkering with this one.

Also I couldn't fit this anywhere, but before I forget, Kiran can't really see? They're having an Everything Everywhere All At Once moment where, if not grounding themself via Alfonse, they will be blinded by the infinite amount of everything their divine domain now ties them to. So they look out of it a lot of the time because... well they are. Alfonse is seeing for the both of them.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed! This was rotating this in my head for a while and I'm glad to have it finally out there :D

[earthnashes]

We interrupt this artposting program to bring you the super rare progress photos of ya homey. :)

Generally I don’t like posting photos of myself, partly cuz I just don’t wanna (not the best selfie taker, what can I say) and partly cuz this blog is almost entirely my artstuff, but since I do wanna talk about my weightlifting journey sometimes I figured I’d make an exception every now and then. ;w;

More detail under the cut, but for the TL;DRs:

Fitness goal anniversary celebration. 2 years + some change in the making. Initial goals: fatloss, strengthbuilding, repair relationship with food

RED TOP PHOTOS: 220-ish lbs, 33-36% BMI, 2021

PINK AND BACK PHOTOS: 175lbs, 27-28% BMI, 2023

Current notes: Overall healthier and happier in my own body. Food relationship vastly improved. Noticeably stronger, higher energy, and much better asthma management

This one is to essentially celebrate the progress I’ve made thus far! A little late, but last month was my fitness journey’s anniversary. It’s been roughly 2 years since I started being physically active, and 1 year + some months since I’ve  consistently weight-trained.

That first pair of photos was me I thiiiiiink like 2 months into the start of all this, back in 2021? I weighed roughly 220-ish lbs at the time, BMI roughly 33-35% and I only note this because fatloss was very much a part of my overarching goals. I won’t lie, some of it was because of aesthetics, but a lot of it was because I felt like shit. As someone who was very sporty as a kid up til college, the change was very noticeable. I was ALWAYS tired no matter how much I slept. I had constant back pain and headaches. My biggest tipoff was the fact that my asthma management got worse. All that plus other factors is what really kicked my butt into gear into this journey.

The 2nd and 3rd sets of photos are from this year (2nd set was today, 3rd set was like 2 weeks ago), nearly 50lbs lighter and at a rough BMI of 27-28%. And I can’t lie I feel fuckin’ good. I can do pullups (couldn’t even do 1 back in the day). Pushups are fucking easy now. I can bench my own bodyweight. I can deadlift almost twice that. I don’t wheeze when I walk up the stairs, I take regular walks, I sleep better, my energy levels are far higher, my moods are overall far better, I have no backpain anymore... MY AFRO GREW AND I GOTS A TATTOO! :D

This is probably the strongest and healthiest I’ve ever been and that’s saying something in my eyes, all things considering. And it was fuckin’ hard for a variety of reasons I won’t talk your ears off about. Sometimes still is, but I feel more prepared and even eager at times to deal with the obstacles.

But yeah! Apologies for breaking from the arts and headcanons, I just wanted to be a lil proud of myself for a sec. :) Whatever journey ya’ll are on I hope you find it in yourself to be proud of the progress you’ve made as well, even with all the ups and downs! :>

[signanothername]

https://www.tumblr.com/signanothername/754696714648158208/well-here-it-is-folks-guilt-trip-town

I had this happen to me. For the past 17 years, I’ve had the issue of hurting myself out of hatred towards myself. Nothing that would leave a mark though. I didn't ever want to have to explain anything. I’m 21 now and it came to my attention that hurting myself wasn’t okay(don’t know how that one evaded me).

I asked a friend to keep me accountable and she agreed. I asked her to let me give her a penny for each time I hurt myself and we went on like that for several weeks.

Well, Thanksgiving break rolled around and I met up with her. We agreed that for the entire break I wouldn’t hurt myself but I added that if I hurt myself once I would give her a dollar instead of a penny.

I was doing so good.

Until then last day.

I got frustrated and ran my head into the wall with the intention to hurt myself and I did. Realizing what I'd done, I hid until we had to head back to the dorms. She greeted me with excitement which quickly sobered at my guilty expression. I explained how I was clean for 9 days until today when I hurt myself out of frustration at someone else.

She wasn't upset. She wasn't even disappointed!! This chick was proud of me?!?!

She said I did so good keeping clean for so long and that I could just get back up and start again…

It was about an hour later that I remembered your post with Killer and Color. I finally understand Killer’s confusion and I am going to try my best to never give her another penny.

She deserves it more than I do.

Oh Anon this is so sweet

I’m genuinely glad you have someone in your life who cares for you and loves you so unconditionally, and I’m happy to hear you’re taking steps to heal, it’ll be a journey with ups and downs, but one that’s so worth it

Don’t be too harsh on yourself, try to be a bit more gentle, give yourself the benefit of the doubt, the room to make mistakes, and see if you can find ways to let out your frustrations in other forms that doesn’t involve hurting yourself, it’ll be hard to do that, to find healthier outlets, but that’s something you can figure out with your friend if you’d like (of course, this is me saying it from my perspective as an outsider, please do what you know is best for you)

You have a wonderful friend and I hope you two nothing but the best, take care of yourselves, and best of luck in your healing journey <3

[damsel-to-daddy]

Your most recent set of photos are peak. Manly, sexy, and leaning into it in all the best ways. Anyone seeing you out in public would definitely think to themselves "Damn that guy is balding" and you know you love that. Keep it up so they never have to wonder again.

Love how you are getting some gains too. How does it feel? Do you like it, and where are you feeling the gains the most? Bigger is better in my book so just keep on building up that butch image you can't deny yourself from anymore.

Thank you for the encouragement. It’s definitely needed, especially when progress seems to occasionally stall or plateau. You’re right though, I do love that. And I also didn’t know until it finally happened recently is that I rather enjoy when someone makes a joke or sly comment about me balding, which is probably the opposite of their intended effect.

The gains, however unimpressive they may be, are very noticeable to me, and others have also started noticing within the last 2-3weeks. I noticed a month into my (as of now) three month fitness/supplement/nutrition journey that my arms and face had filled out more, and of course my body hair and beard has been noticeably increasing almost daily for me. I had to gain 20ish lbs to actually elicit responses from people that they noticed I looked “healthier” or more filled out. My pants are tighter for sure, and I predict new additions to my wardrobe are unavoidable in the near future.

Took this pic today… you can see how thick my face & neck have gotten recently.

[hangmanbradshaw]

Rare personal post, under the cut (trigger warning re: death and grief and complicated family dynamics and a lot of sentimentality haha)

Today would’ve been my dad’s 60th bday. It’s only two years fresh so I never know what feelings to expect, but I was looking through old pics because of my cousin and smiling, and that’s good? He struggled with addition, and caused more scars than I’ll ever be able to talk about no matter how much therapy and EMDR I do, but as complicated as our family was, I love and miss him. There were so many good rays of moments in it, especially when I was younger. My teenage years were hell. The end wasn’t good. It’s all true. I never thought I’d be in my 20s being next of kin- making decisions about life support and planning funerals and burials and giving eulogies and writing obituaries and taking care of my grandparents, but I think I’ve found my peace with it. It hurts, but it’s bearable.

I keep thinking about the eulogy I wrote and gave, what I believe in my heart about loss after losing my best friend, my dad, other friends. They really stick with us? In so many ways we don’t always see. It’s not about moving on, truly it’s about just finding space for the rest of life too. Widening your heart to it. I watch Star Wars and I think of Andrew. I talk to his mom and we laugh. I get excited for football or hiking or going on an adventure and that’s my dad. All these pictures of him younger, healthier, playing football and bringing us to games, teaching my brother and me how to play, taking us white water rafting and horseback riding and hiking and camping over and over. Pictures of him doing it himself when he was younger. And it’s just like. I’m his daughter. He lives on in my life because I see those things in my life, and for that, I’m so grateful. I look at my life and that lyric is so true- There wouldn’t be this if there hadn’t been you.

My writing journey started about a year after he passed as art therapy. I realized I loved it. I met all of you, wrote IWTBY, wrote my novel now. I took myself to the Super Bowl and watched the team he taught me to love win. I took myself to a movie premiere, to Europe, to all these things he never got to do. To national parks he did visit. To parks he took us to. My brother and I are going to Austin this fall and staying out on a ranch like we did as kids. I live in a peaceful little apartment with a job that helps people and wonderful friends and all that pain and hurt led to it. Anyways, just a long, ridiculously sentimental rant to say I’m grateful for this little community. For my little life. It’s simple, and it’s mine, and I am forever thankful for it. For all of you and the love you show me, whether it be for my stories which truly have changed my life, or in general. I wrote that one shot last night, and immediately was blown away by the love y’all give it and me. If my little stories have made you smile, or feel something, it’s all I can hope for. I hope everyone who sees this finds their own peace, no matter how impossible it seems, truly. Keep your head up, keep finding the beauty and joy in the little things. In the sun shining and laughter with a friend and movies that make you inspired. With love, Steph 💙

[agirlunfilteredsblog]

WHY YOU AREN’T GETTING YOUR DESIRED RESULTS IN YOUR GOALS IN LIFE

Hi girls!! Today, we are gonna list some reasons why you may have goals in your life that may seem impossible… Remember that these are only SOME reasons, there could be more personal variables to your struggles as well!!

1. INCONSISTENCY

The key to achieving your goals is repetition. You need to program your brain in a way that the path to your goals becomes routine, something natural. For example, if your goal is to workout more, working out for 20 minutes each day is much better than working once a week for an hour. Keep at it and results will come!

2. IMPOSSIBLE STANDARDS

You know yourself and your body… Don’t force yourself to do something impossible, that will only lead to a self-destructive pattern that will result in you feeling worst in yourself. Give yourself time to acclimate to your changing lifestyle. Let’s say my goal is to study more; I’m not gonna challenge myself to study 4 hours each day… A reasonable challenge would be to study an hour 4 days a week.

3. BEING TOO HARD ON YOURSELF

I’ve seen a lot of my friends attempt the 75 hard and fail and let it ruin their days. I find that ridiculous, I know discipline is important, but discipline is not all there is in life. Challenging yourself should be fun, it shouldn’t be a task you despise doing. If you fail at your goal, that’s okay!! Simply try again.

4. ONLY FOCUSING ON THE PHYSICAL AND NOT THE MENTAL

This 4th reason is especially prominent when it comes to setting goals to “workout more”. A lot of times, we workout more to see desired results on our bodies. Although desiring a certain body is totally fine, the point of getting healthier shouldn’t be to look a certain way, it’s to feel stronger. Having a healthy body, but a rotting mind is just as bad as being “happy”, but dying due to poor health conditions. Do your affirmations, remind yourself that you are loved in all bodies.

5. LACK OF MOTIVATION

Nowadays, I see a lot of teens start their health journeys because of social media and when they fail, they wonder why. A start to self-healing needs to stem from YOUR needs and desires. You need to have some sort of fuel to succeed. Whether that be an insecurity or a need to be better, other people are simply not motivation enough in my opinion.

so much love,

a girl unfiltered 💋

[creativemind1987]

How Crochet Can Mend the Mind: Crafting Your Way to Joy and Healing

Introduction

In a world where mental health awareness is gaining ground, crochet emerges as a serene escape with profound therapeutic benefits, especially for women over 30. This age-old craft is more than just a hobby; it's a form of meditation, a creative expression, and a soothing companion that helps many navigate challenging times. In this post, we explore how crochet's rhythmic, repetitive motions can alleviate depression and foster an optimistic view of the world.

The Therapeutic Power of Crochet

Crochet offers a unique combination of calmness and accomplishment that can be particularly therapeutic for those with depression. As you loop and stitch, each movement helps focus the mind away from negative thought patterns and towards a state of mindfulness. The act of creating something from a simple strand of yarn provides a tangible sense of progress and control, which are often lacking in those experiencing depression.

Creating Connections

Beyond the stitches, crochet creates social bonds. Many crocheters join clubs or online communities, such as YourCrochet.com, where they share experiences and patterns. This sense of community can be vital for someone struggling with isolation, providing support and a sense of belonging.

A Dose of Dopamine

Every stitch you make contributes to an overall project, and completing a crochet piece can substantially boost dopamine, the 'feel-good' neurotransmitter. This natural mood enhancer is crucial for combating depression and can lead to a more joyful, optimistic outlook on life. The pride in creating something beautiful can be a powerful antidote to feelings of worthlessness and sadness.

Learning to Crochet

For those new to the craft or looking to improve their skills, YourCrochet.com offers a comprehensive guide perfect for beginners. With easy-to-follow tutorials and a wealth of patterns, it's an excellent resource for anyone looking to start their crochet journey.

Mindfulness and Crochet

Crochet requires a level of focus that brings the mind into the present moment, much like meditation. This mindfulness can decrease stress and anxiety, providing a mental break from the concerns of daily life. Over time, these moments of calm can significantly alter one's cognitive landscape, offering a more peaceful and positive outlook.

Conclusion

Crochet is more than just a hobby—it's a lifeline for many who find in its loops and patterns a way to ease the mind, heal the heart, and look at the world with renewed optimism. Whether battling depression or simply looking for a stress-relieving activity, crochet might be your soul's soothing balm.

Call to Action

Ready to start your crochet journey and experience the joy and therapeutic benefits yourself? Visit YourCrochet.com today to find all the resources you need to get started. Embrace the yarn, embrace the joy—because every stitch is a step towards a happier, healthier you.

[awesomehealth]

Unlocking the Power of Mindful Eating

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, often leading us to neglect one of the most fundamental aspects of our well-being: our relationship with food. In a culture that glorifies quick fixes and instant gratification, it's no wonder that many of us struggle with issues such as overeating, emotional eating, and poor dietary choices.

But what if there was a way to break free from this cycle and cultivate a healthier, more mindful approach to eating? Enter mindful eating – a practice rooted in ancient wisdom that has gained popularity in recent years for its ability to transform the way we relate to food and nourish our bodies.

So, what exactly is mindful eating? At its core, mindful eating is about bringing awareness and attention to the present moment while eating, tuning into the sensations of hunger and fullness, and savoring each bite with all of our senses. It's about slowing down, being fully present, and cultivating a deeper connection to the food we eat and the experience of eating itself.

But mindful eating goes beyond just the act of chewing and swallowing – it's also about exploring the emotional and psychological aspects of our relationship with food. It encourages us to examine our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about food, uncovering the underlying patterns and triggers that may be driving our eating behaviors.

One of the key principles of mindful eating is non-judgmental awareness – approaching our eating experiences with curiosity, compassion, and acceptance, rather than guilt, shame, or criticism. By cultivating this attitude of self-compassion and kindness, we can begin to break free from the cycle of guilt and restriction that often accompanies dieting and instead embrace a more balanced and intuitive approach to eating.

So, how can you incorporate mindful eating into your daily life? Here are a few simple practices to get you started:

1. Pause before you eat: Before diving into your meal, take a moment to pause and check in with yourself. Notice your hunger and fullness levels, as well as any emotions or sensations that may be present.

2. Eat slowly and mindfully: Instead of rushing through your meal, take your time to savor each bite, paying attention to the flavors, textures, and aromas of the food. Chew slowly and thoroughly, and put your fork down between bites to give yourself time to fully experience the food.

3. Practice gratitude: Take a moment to express gratitude for the food on your plate and the nourishment it provides. Cultivating a sense of gratitude can help foster a deeper appreciation for the abundance and richness of life.

4. Listen to your body: Tune into your body's signals of hunger and fullness, and honor them without judgment or resistance. Trust your body's wisdom to guide you in making choices that support your health and well-being.

5. Cultivate self-compassion: Be gentle and kind with yourself as you navigate your journey with food and eating. Remember that mindful eating is not about perfection, but rather about progress and growth.

By incorporating mindful eating practices into your daily life, you can cultivate a healthier, more balanced relationship with food and nourish your body, mind, and spirit from the inside out. So why not give it a try and see how it can transform your eating experience and enhance your overall well-being?

Remember, every bite is an opportunity to nourish yourself and cultivate a deeper sense of connection and awareness. Here's to savoring each moment and embracing the power of mindful eating!

[idigitizellp21]

5 Dos And Don’ts For Maintaining Oral Hygiene At Workplace

Start your journey to a healthier life with good oral hygiene! Maintaining oral health is not just about flashing a confident smile; it’s a cornerstone of overall well-being. In today’s fast-paced work culture, oral care often takes a backseat, yet it significantly impacts how you feel and perform. A healthy mouth is key to interacting confidently with colleagues and tackling daily tasks effectively. Neglecting oral hygiene can lead to discomfort, poor focus, and even missed work days due to dental issues. The good news? Incorporating simple yet effective habits into your routine can keep your teeth and gums in top condition, even with a busy schedule. From managing packed meetings to navigating tight deadlines, caring for your oral health is simpler than you think and the benefits extend far beyond the workplace!

Here are five dos and don’ts to help you maintain excellent oral hygiene even during hectic work days.

Dos for Workplace Oral Hygiene

1. Stay Hydrated

Drinking water throughout the day is one of the simplest ways to promote oral health. Water helps wash away food particles and bacteria that can lead to plaque buildup and bad breath. Keep a reusable water bottle at your desk and sip regularly to keep your mouth moist and healthy.

2. Use Sugar-Free Gum

Chewing sugar-free gum after meals can stimulate saliva production, which helps neutralize acids produced by bacteria in your mouth. Saliva acts as a natural cleanser and can reduce the risk of cavities. Look for gum with xylitol, a natural sweetener known to combat bacteria.

3. Brush After Lunch

If possible, keep a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste in your desk drawer or bag. Brushing after your lunch break can prevent food particles from lingering in your teeth, which could lead to plaque and bad breath. A quick two-minute brush can make all the difference.

4. Store a Mouthwash

For those busy days when brushing isn’t feasible, swishing with an alcohol-free mouthwash can help maintain freshness and kill bacteria. Keep a small bottle in your desk drawer for an easy and effective midday oral care routine.

5. Choose Tooth-Friendly Snacks

Opt for snacks that promote oral health, such as crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery. These foods act as natural toothbrushes, scrubbing your teeth and stimulating saliva production. Avoid sugary snacks, which can lead to cavities.

Dont’s for Workplace Oral Hygiene

1. Don’t Rely on Mints Alone

While mints can mask bad breath temporarily, most are loaded with sugar that can contribute to tooth decay. Instead, use sugar-free mints or gum to keep your breath fresh without harming your teeth.

2. Avoid Snacking Frequently

Constant snacking throughout the day exposes your teeth to repeated acid attacks, increasing the risk of cavities. Stick to designated meal times and choose tooth-friendly snacks if you need a quick bite between meetings.

3. Don’t Skip Regular Dental Checkups

Workplace commitments might make it tempting to postpone dental appointments, but regular checkups are crucial for the early detection of dental issues. Schedule your visits in advance and prioritize them as part of your healthcare routine.

4. Steer Clear of Sugary Beverages

Sugary drinks like sodas, energy drinks, and sweetened coffee can erode enamel and increase the risk of cavities. Instead, choose water, unsweetened tea, or black coffee to stay hydrated and protect your teeth.

5. Don’t Share Oral Care Items

Sharing toothbrushes, toothpaste, or mouthwash with colleagues is unhygienic and can spread germs. Keep your oral care items personal and store them in a clean, dry place.

Why Oral Hygiene Matters at Work

Oral care for seniors is vital for overall health and quality of life. A healthy mouth isn’t just about appearances. Poor oral hygiene can lead to bad breath, affecting workplace interactions. Additionally, untreated dental issues can cause discomfort and affect productivity. By incorporating these dos and don’ts into your daily routine, you will not only maintain a healthy smile but also boost your confidence and overall well-being at work. Taking care of your oral hygiene doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few simple changes to your daily habits, you can maintain healthy teeth and gums, even in a busy work environment. At Gentle and Caring Dentistry in Maroubra, we believe that small efforts today can prevent bigger dental issues tomorrow. Stay proactive and let us help you make oral health an easy and essential part of your routine!

[unsoundedcomic]

Some curiosity about Duane personality ; you mentioned in some QA that it would be much healthier if he managed to let go of his past, but even if he managed to change enough to accept he won't ever be Rector Duane Adelier again, is he the kind of guy that could just give up on the ones he love ? Obviously he can't ever be with them, but completely abandoning his familly sound like against what he is at his core. And would it even be healthy ? Your kids are your kids, even if you can't see them. Sorry if it's a spoilery question ! Just discovered the comics and devoured it in like 5 days, absolutly loving it (thanks for your work btw !) so questions are burning my brain.

Well, Duane did abandon his family, didn't he? Before the Frummagems wrested him from his copy shop in Sharteshane he was six years alone, with the Adeliers well in his wake. Of course he wasn't happy with it and he hadn't made any kind of peace with the fact, but he had abandoned them. He lived with the assumption that Mikaila was dead, Leysa hated him, Simon had forgotten him, and Lemuel? Well, Lemuel had never really needed his wretched older brother, had he?

But now, today, all of that has been turned on its head. Mikaila is NOT dead, Lemuel DOES seem to be in some terrible turmoil. Duane knows (or thinks he knows) that the Silver is threatening Alderode. Everything is serving to call out Duane's selfishness; the knot he tied himself into and stuffed deep inside his old bones.

So at the end of last chapter he told Sette he was going back to Alderode, and invited Quigley to come. Doesn't sound like he'll be abandoning anyone anymore.

But... is this the right thing to do? From a certain perspective it looks like a fat dangled carrot, and he's sinking his teeth into it. From the very start of this journey, the fates have been trying to pull him back west, first towards Cresce and now towards... frigging Alderode. But they don't even have to pull now! He's volunteering to go!

To do what though? What can he do for Mikaila and Lemuel? He can't even keep his legs or head on, or his eyeballs in his head. He's saddled with a needy little street rat who doesn't know what in the hell she wants. And every time he indulges in his past, it seems to get someone hurt. He was not his best self in the shrine.

Duane's on a journey. He's come a long way. But it wouldn't be much of a trip if he winds up back where he started. I don't think this will end with his wife and children in his arms and Lemuel's hand clasped in his. It cannot. But maybe it will end at a different sort of peace for all of them, and Duane able to shelter his wandering soul in a different sort of home.

[readersmagnet]

After receiving messages from psychics encouraging them to write, David Tuttle joined an online book-writing class. They soon discovered their guides wanted more and began writing Soul Licensed: Tips and Tales, sharing personal experiences with spirits, energy, and psychic mediumship readings. This book offers valuable insights for creating a healthier, more peaceful life.

Discover profound wisdom from the spirit world. Soul Licensed: Tips and Tales offers real-life experiences with psychics and spiritual guides to help you find peace, balance, and a deeper connection to your inner self. Visit https://www.soullicensedtipsandtales.com/ and get your copy today and start your transformative journey!

[akvaryumtrs]

HOWDRİNKİNG - SİLVER

Exploring the Effects of Drinking: A Journey through HowDrinking.com

HowDrinking.com is your ultimate destination for unraveling the intricate relationship between alcohol consumption and its impacts on mental health. Delving into topics ranging from casual drinking to its profound effects on anxiety and life outcomes, this platform offers insightful resources and firsthand accounts to guide individuals through their personal journeys with alcohol.

Understanding "How Drinking" Works

At How drinking, we recognize that alcohol consumption is a multifaceted issue, influencing various aspects of individuals' lives. Through informative articles and personal narratives, we shed light on the complexities of drinking culture, its psychological implications, and its repercussions on overall well-being.

Exploring the Link Between Drinking and Anxiety

One of the critical areas of focus on HowDrinking.com is understanding how drinking habits intersect with mental health, How drinking affects anxiety. Through expert analyses and real-life stories, we delve deep into the intricate relationship between alcohol consumption and anxiety disorders. From exploring the short-term relief alcohol may provide to unraveling its long-term exacerbation of anxiety symptoms, we provide invaluable insights to help individuals navigate this complex terrain.

Personal Testimonies: How Drinking Impacted Lives

At HowDrinking.com, we believe in the power of personal narratives. Our platform features compelling stories from individuals who have experienced firsthand the profound impact of drinking on their lives. From heart-wrenching tales of how alcohol consumption led to detrimental life outcomes to inspiring accounts of recovery and resilience, these stories offer hope, empathy, and invaluable lessons for those grappling with similar challenges.

Join Our Community

Whether you're seeking to understand the nuances of drinking culture, grappling with anxiety, or reflecting on the role of alcohol in your life, HowDrinking.com welcomes you with open arms. Join our community of individuals on similar journeys, engage with informative content, and embark on a path towards self-discovery, understanding, and growth.

How drinking ruined my life - We're empowering individuals to make informed choices, cultivate healthier relationships with alcohol, and prioritize their mental and emotional well-being. Start your journey with us today!