#the mental spoons are low

[nemo-in-wonderland]

When you're done with all the strife When they echo the minds in the streets You know your heart beats A solitary call For a change in the tone of it all You'll be scaling that wall And the higher you climb The more you can see of this life On the edge of that knife

You hold on to me Hold on to me

And I'll be singing you Songs of tomorrow And then dawn will follow And our sorrows all undone

CHILDREN OF THE SUN - Poets of the Fall

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hiyooo.

forgive the roughness of this artwork, it was all I had in me to do, tbh. Energies are kinda low lately, and I am finding hard to sit still and focus on stuff, but I kinda managed to finish this, and I am happy with how it turned out, all things considered.

ANYWAY.

If you remember my blabbering a good while back, I wrote a bit about Halsin and Aranea speaking about their babbu, Asra, and then started to draw a artwork with these two because fml yes.

I kinda went with my memories from when baby Nemo was born, and fml, what I remember the most was being completely exhausted after labouring for hours, so that's what I mostly tried to convey here.

Halsin was with Aranea all the way through, but fml, even he was exhausted afterwards, if anything because seeing Aranea in pain just had him on the edge, worried as hell. And it wasn't until Asra was born and started breathing of her own accord that he himself could draw a breath of relief.

fml, These two kinda destroyed my heart while I was working on this, while I was listening to this song, because fml, Halsin was ready to give her so much love, to embrace her strife as his own, to help her overcome all the pain she still carried within.

He was so ready. So freaking ready. And he loved her so much, I cannot even begin to say.

And Aranea was *terrified* by the intensity of his feelings toward her and the feelings she was felt for him.

And both of them were so young (I need to check my timeline, but I think that they were around 75 and 100 years of age?? I need to double check, because Aranea is not that much younger than Halsin).

And when she disappeared, leaving behind her crystal and her magic cloak for Asra and a letter that left him with more questions than answers, I think his heart kinda broke a bit.

I like to imagine that Halsin knew that Aranea was a Warlock, so he knew that she was soul bounded to a fiend.

But Aranea could not speak of who her Patron was, lest attract his attention and bring his ever knowing eyes on both him and Asra.

At this point in time, when Asra was born, Aranea was still very much in a business relationship with Mephisto, so we are talking Patron & Warlock rather than Patron/Warlock, but fml, Mephisto was already starting obsessing over his most elusive warlock.

So no way in freaking hell Aranea would bring his attention on Asra and Halsin.

So yeah, their relationship is a tad complicated.

I need a freaking what-if with these two.

I hope you will like this <3

--Nemo

(also, young halsin here is definitely inspired by @ozumii-fucking-wizard own design for Halsin because omg I just adore that design and I fell in love with him all over again thanks to that).

[clownrecess]

You are not gross, or bad, if you struggle with hygenine. Its okay! Last night I brushed my teeth, which was a big achievement for me! Whatever achievement you made, I'm proud of you. And if you didnt make an achievement, I'm still proud of you. I love you so much, and your ability to take care of yourself is irrelevant to that love. /p

[psychotic-tbh]

Huh, I don’t think I ever posted about the color-related coping mechanism I use

Basically I give myself three options for colors, one bright (orange, red, etc.), one easily found in nature (green, brown, etc.), and one neutral (white, black, grey). It’s okay if you need someone to help you choose!

Once I pick a color I look around wherever I am in that moment and try to list off things of the color I chose

You don’t have to count unless you want to, and it works almost anywhere!

If it doesn’t work the first time, that’s okay! You can do it a few more times (assuming it proves helpful for you. Everyone is different so it’s possible it won’t work for all)

I find it most helpful for anxiety, dissociation, and hallucinations

I also found this on my own, and outside of therapy

Sorry for the wall of text, I hope you’re all well!

[dumbass-fae]

Sometimes Venus day (Friday) consists of an elaborate everything shower plus a full skincare routine, and sometimes it's just pulling yourself together enough to brush your teeth and wash your face. No matter the spoon level, Aphrodite is proud of you for doing your best.

[that-bluesybitch]

[ineffectualdemon]

Easiest low energy/depression meal I know how to make

Required ingredients

Rice - you can use proper rice but microwavable rice is fine too

Refried beans - at my local Tesco you can get refried beans in microwavable bags but a tin works too

Optional ingredients

Grated cheese - pre grated is fine. You can find pre grated lactose free cheese at Tesco if you are in the UK

Salsa

Sour cream: can replace with non flavoured greek yogurt which you can also get lacto free versions of at Tesco

Anything else you want

Method:

Cook the rice either in the rice cooker, on the stove, or in the microwave depending on what rice you're using. If you're using the microwave rice you might want to do step 2 first and then cook the rice

Cook the refried beans. Do it in the microwave if you can

Mix rice and beans together in a big bowl or pasta plate

Optional: add any optional ingredients now

Eat

It's filling. It's fast. And if you used the microwaveable pouches it's also very little clean up

[clochanamarch]

mm tiny tiny tiny ooc post, but you don't have to read this, it's more like. a quiet PSA coupled with an update.

so turns out that i've been so tired and had so many headaches because i've been stressing myself out and lowkey hitting a low period. between not working and having a full audience of judgy neighbours and relatives, i think i've just been pretending it's all peachy for a bit too long.

basically i'm having a weird few days. and i'll come out of it just fine, bc it's just my brain being weird. but right now i might be a bit out of sorts and i need everyone to know that it's not their fault, it's nothing anyone did, it's just. mental health being a little shaky. so just know that i'm gonna be distant for a bit, but it's just a thing i gotta get through, and when i'm finished i'll be back at it again! i just mightn't be too good with dms for a bit.

[regulus-the-raggedy-doctor]

I am officially out of spoons. I'm sitting on the floor of the bathroom and have been for probably 20 minutes, staring at nothing because I couldn't get the energy to dry myself. It took me like ten minutes to grab my phone from the counter

[calliecopper]

Weekly tag Wednesday

Tagged by @spoonfulstar :D

This week: Tell me about a day in the life of...

Name: Callie online, but irl my name is (*****)

Age: Just turned 21 a few months ago

Are you in school, do you work full-time, or other: I worked full-time right after I graduated high school, but that made me majorly depressed so I've just been working part time the past couple years. I'm looking into moving on soon though, hopefully

Tell me about your morning routine on a school/work day: I wake up at 8, doomscroll, get ready, pet my cat, then out the door

What do you usually have for breakfast: Depends on if I eat or not. If I was motivated and meal prepped, a homemade breakfast sandwich. If I didn't meal prep, maybe a trail mix or leftovers

How many breaks do you take during the day: Depends on how you define a break. At work, I get one fifteen minute break. When I get home, I pretty much just shut down, so I guess that's one really really long break

Do you go straight home when you are done: Yeah usually

Do you like to go out in the evening: Not really. Bars and clubs just aren't my scene since I don't drink, and I feel like there's not much else to do around here. I go to Walmart sometimes, though, just to look around. I also hate driving, so I fear I'm a bit of a homebody

Do you cook dinner or order in: Usually, my dad cooks dinner, and I cook / meal prep breakfasts. Sometimes, I cook dinner on my days off. We only get food when we're both too beat from work

How do you entertain yourself in the evenings: Doomscroll tiktok or read fanfics honestly (I'm actually currently on my third read of ITQD by @spoonfulstar rn, one of my fav fics) but if I feel motivated enough I love scrapbooking

And finally, tell me about your bedtime routine: Doomscroll, shower / wash my face and all that stuff, doomscroll some more, Duolingo, doomscroll, Wordle, go to bed between midnight and 1 AM.

Tagging: @alcatrazoutpatient & @tartrazeen

[spiffy-sea-dragon]

PSA

They make microwave pasta cookers, microwave vegetable steamers, microwave bacon cookers, microwave egg poachers and microwave rice cookers nowadays.

This is a game changer.

My microwave veggie steamer is literally just a $5 Tupperware container with a vent in the lid and a basket at the bottom. I pour a little water, add the basket, add a packet of noodles, packet of sauce, frozen bag veggies and frozen shrimp. Microwave for 4 minutes and I’ve got a balanced lunch.

I really wanna try the pasta cooker one. The veggie steamer can also steam tofu, fish, all types of noodles, dumplings, etc.

I see influencers put frozen pre-chopped veggies and salmon in there. Just add to microwave rice. Or they have microwave rice cooker versions so you can use regular rice and save money.

Best part is these are cheap and usually dishwasher safe.

You can even pre-prepare them so they’re ready to go straight in the microwave.

I’ve had so little spoons at the moment so this is really helping keep me fed.

[dailydivergent]

“I’ve got no spoons” is a great starting place, but “I’m choosing to save my spoons” sounds so much better to me.

[psychotic-tbh]

Does anyone have tips for those with little to no support from those around them?

All I really know is that found family is huge for both mental health and other identities, though I am developing a support system irl.

Sorry for the ramble, I need more sleep… 😔

[carrymelikeimcute]

Sometimes it takes a full body eczema flare-up, sleeping 4 hours a night, palpitations and a sobbing breakdown because a dog barked near you, to make you realise that maybe you're not fine and you need a rest....

[waywardtyrantpirate]

Guys, is it normal for for your neck to hurt an be stiff after multiple concussions??? I've had ALOT of head trauma in my life an now im having neck troubles. It hurts to turn its very painful. I can barely go on gravel roads-its absolute hell. I get nauseous an my neck hurts really bad. I have all the other symptoms of head injury but this one worries me.

Am I going to be paralyzed???

[ex-rad-kweer-anon]

Imma respond to this specific section bc the rest was just a rant. I tried replying to it but it got rejected from posting.

I did think critically and that why I left.

Do you mean “is it better than going through life being hateful to anything you see because you choose not too?

My critical thinking helped me leave the transid and radqueer community and helped me realise I was in the wrong and doing the wrong thing.

I am aware I can be harsh and sometimes aggressive however it is not hateful to criticise something that centers a dishonest and immoral principle and relies on loop holes to sustain its integrity.

Transids are fundamentally flawed and run on a superficial understanding of transitioning, becoming and identifying without ever acknowledging the deeper meanings and intentions behind the identity, concept, culture and more.

Do not interact further with op if you have no prior involvement.

[deusinabsentiaa]

This is a reminder to those who struggle with the idea of putting together meals (be it low energy, depression, feeling overwhelmed etc), you don't have to make a regular meal in order to eat! There are lots of pre-made/easy to make options out there that are healthy, filling, and taste good!

Bolthouse Farms pre-bottled smoothies (or any brand pre-bottled smoothie) are a great go-to to for breakfast (the strawberry parfait smoothie is a big favorite of mine)

For a snack, I love grabbing some carrot sticks and the individual ranch dip cups you can buy and the supermarket.

I'm also obsessed over the microwavable mini-potatoes that come with seasoning packets (found in the produce section). Pop that sucker in the microwave for 5 minutes and bamb you got yourself 3-4 meals of potatoes right there.

Yogurt is a great fast and easy option as well (Chobani has the really yummy flip cups that come with toppings such as cookies and cream, salted caramel, and key lime pie).

If you want more snacky food, Quaker Oats has a really yummy Salted Caramel rice cake chips (I used to think rice cakes were gross, but these are fucking fire I almost ate a full bag this morning).

Another great snack is fruit, either dried or fresh! I have a pack of raspberries in the fridge and a bag of apple chips in my snack drawer ready to go.

If you want actual meat, I buy my meat pre-cut (so I don't have to do all the work) and I just mix it up with a seasoning packet (supermarkets have tons of different seasoning packets for meat) and throw it in the air fryer.

Microwavable Minute Rice Cups!! It's a really fast and low-effort way to put together a side of rice for a meal! They come in packs of two individual microwavable cups of rice, all you gotta do is pop it in the microwave for a minute.

Getting tired or sick of drinking water? Grab some Powerade. Yes, it has sugar, but it also has electrolytes your body needs and will still keep you hydrated. I *hate* water, so Powerade/gatorade is an easy way for me to stay hydrated. I always keep a bottle in my backpack and one on my nightstand. You can also try Liquid IV, but I'm not a fan of the salty taste that goes with it. Buuuut there are Sour Patch Kid flavored ones that don't taste too bad 👀 The bottom line is, go for whatever will keep you hydrated.

I've struggled with chronic illness and low energy for years, as well as having essentially no executive function thanks to my ADHD, so cooking or putting together traditional meals has been really difficult. These are just the foods that have been easy for me and I know it won't fit everyone's criteria, but I hope it helps some folks out who are looking for some low effort and easy meals/snacks!