u/New-Bobcat8055

im sure all of you reading this know how hard the process can be. Like youve read the books, youve developed the awareness, you know the whys. Okay so whats next?

Taking action.

Taking those next steps to strive towards something better...

But noone said itd be easy.

Im so damn tired. Im tired of making the effort. It IS worth making the effort for, because I want to live and thrive and be joyful, but its still exhausting.

Something Im terrified to say to anyone I actually know is that Im tired of always being the caring and considerate friend. I want to be the one cared for.

I like being a caring friend. I like that about me. that I have capacity to feel and be empathetic. and I dont wish to snuff that quality out of me. But i care about Me too, and I deserve some TLC too.

I have a very high capacity for empathy. I can put myself in others shoes to try and understand their experience. Even if i dont understand the specifics, I can guage enough, because I understand the core wound of suffering.

I have also described iny head my experience of drifting through life like Im in a glass box. I can see it all clearly, but I cant touch. I cant connect. Theres a barrier.

and lately I've also been having lots of thoughts about mirrors, and Im asking myself if what im feeling is like Im a walking mirror.

I interact with others, and they talk to me, but is it true connection, or are they just looking at their own reflection?

Its a painful thought to have. Im just feeling so neglected. It keeps triggering the old wounds.

I dont need another task added to my already heavy plate, I need a hug. I need some confidence. some validation. and I need to feel seen as my own person, not just a walking mirror.

I KNOW what I personally need to do in my own life. But that doesnt mean I dont still have some hard and challenging days, and need a bit of encouragement to keep moving, and also respite every now and then.

I know that sooner or later, the essence of some things Ive written here will need to be said to those people in my life, because Im clearly not satisfied in my friendships.

Im not seeking advice in these writings, just sharing thoughts and where Im at in my own process. I think it helps to cast this into the void. And as I write it it affirms what I already know.

I do however welcome questions or discussion if you feel inclined.

if you got this far thanks for reading. and I hope maybe it made you feel seen too.

Ive tried just searching this online but havent found anything that scratches the itch. Alot of the youtube videos I found were advertised for beginners but certainly didnt feel like it.

Any suggestions? any that you use that youve found helpful? Preferably free access as I dont have alot of financial resources.

Im trying to get used to movement with safety and intentionality, but too slow and I shut down, too fast and I dissociate.

Sorry if that sounds picky? I hope im making sense and Im sure atleast some of you can relate to having a difficult relationship with exercise.

I cant remember when I first was captivated by Pirates, but in the last year or two Ive been getting more and more interested in learning about them, both historically and in media.

I adore the show Black Sails, have read some books (with more on the To Read list and waiting to arrive at my library). Treasure Planet and Sinbad were some of my childhood favourites, and I recently have come to really appreciate the PoTC trilogy too. and, while not technically pirates (So sad it never got any sequels) Master and Commander is in my opinion an underrated gem for its depictions of life at sea.

Also watched the first 100(?) or so episodes of One Piece and have just started the live action series which I absolutely adore.

I think what keeps drawing me back in is the core spirit that all these stories and fables, even when theyve clearly been romantizised, have in common. Theres a real sense of adventure and freedom and this powerful drive to carve out ones own path that I find so inspiring and alluring.

Im also personally a big ocean lover, am fascinated with the vastness of it, of how simply human we all are once we're at the mercy of her whims.

It makes for great story telling and settings to have fun with. Such an awesome range of characters have been inspired from those stories . Sea monsters and strange new worlds. Pursuit of treasure, of something offering great promise. Plus the outfits and attire are just so damn cool. and the sea shanties.

Im happy there is media out there that I can sink mg teeth into, I so wish there was more because, while historically it isn't all glamourous, its just a damn FUN genre in the fantasy aspect.

thank for reading ☠️🦜🏴‍☠️🖤

Hi, i feel a bit vulnerable writing this to strangers, but the lonliness is really bad tonight. I was about to settle in and drown out my thoughts and watch my shows, then had an idea and was wondering if anyone would be interested in watching a show on YT with me. Its a somewhat silly fun animated show with cool space lore and a sick score.
Theres a sync website where I can create a room to share (Watch2gether) and if we're both comfortable perhaps talk on voice chat in discord? But feel free to drop me a message here if you have further questions.
Im early 30s, pretty chill, and enjoy animation.

I'll hang around tonight till around 8pm . thanks for reading.

Edit - I didnt expect much but it was nice to chat a little with some of you, and share the show too . I feel a little less lonely. take care all <3

Hello! excited to try this art form. Have spent the past few days reading a little and watching some videos, and it was enough to inspire me to give it a try. I went to my local chain craft shop (Spotlight for the aussies) and they had nothing. Nada. Zip. I visited another independent shop and also nothing.

I was surprised. I assumed this was a common craft.

Where do you suggest I buy supplies from online? Ideally Id like to get everything I need from one store. Im just looking for the bare basics at the moment. Wool, needles, Mat, finger protectors (im clumbsy).

If you're in Perth and know of any in person shops Id love to hear about those too. My preference will always be to buy in person if its an option.

Id prefer to avoid amazon if I can. Alternatively if you just have brands youd reccomend Id like to hear those too.

Thankyou for reading.

p.s. I did a group search and couldnt find anything recent matching my query