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Sunday, Apr. 28, 2024

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Are You Listening???

by Charlie ~

Rated: GC · Book · Emotional · #2181458

A journey of self-improvement - or not.

Sup? I'm Char.
You may know me from timeless classics such as

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#2030442 by Not Available.

and

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I blog for things like

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FORUM

30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS

(13+)
WDC's Longest Running Blog Competition - Hiatus
#1786069 by Fivesixer

FORUM

JAFBG

(XGC)
Because real life isn't always roses and sunshine...
#2094931 by Elisa the Bunny Stik

[Embed For Use By Upgraded+]
Believin' all the lies that they're tellin' ya
Buyin' all the products that they're sellin' ya
They say jump and ya say "how high?"
Ya braindead, ya got a fuckin' bullet in ya head

Show Recent Comments

10 Most Recent Blog Comments:

intuey of House Lannister

Jul 22, 2023 at 8:05am
In response to "Invalid Entry"

Hey Char, It's been a while since I've touched base with you. I'm so sorry for your loss. The last thing people should say is everyone loses their grandparents eventually, or it will get better with time. It's the last thing you want to hear when you're hurting. Death sucks, long-lasting illness sucks! Having to decide to let the person go to keep them from suffering REALLY SUCKS! I think the only ones who can understand truly just how much are those who have had to make that decision. My heart breaks for you.

I'm not religious, but I do have a strong faith in God. I call myself spiritual because I don't agree with all the rules and regulations of religion. I do know I will see my family and friends again, and this is a great comfort. I can only imagine how much more painful the death of loved ones is without this belief. But you're right, it can't be faked. But it is a beautiful thing.

Having mental health issues during times like this makes it even harder to go through. I know what you mean about seeing things that aren't there. I'd walk into a room, and say, "Where's Star?" and she would be sitting right in front of me. When I looked, I swear I saw an empty chair. The mind is crazy. It gives new meaning to a mind of its own

Some time has passed since you wrote this. I don't know when you'll see this but know that you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I'm sending good energy your way. I hope you're doing better. I look forward to hearing from you.

Aiva Raine

Mar 28, 2023 at 9:40pm
In response to "Invalid Entry"

I'm sorry for your loss. I know they are shitty sounding words that don't even attempt to fill or fix, but they're meant in sincerity.

Having lost several people the best advice I was ever given was when life gets too hard- take it at your own pace. If a day is too much- cope with an hour at a time. If that's too much, take it ten minutes at a time. If that's too much- then you deal with one minute at a time. Work through life and grief at your pace. And don't ever feel guilty because you feel sad. And if you can- find one positive in each chunk of time- even if it's something as little as the beauty of sunlight on a leaf or the softness of your shirt. And ask for help if you need it.

Elle - on hiatus

Mar 7, 2023 at 3:29pm
In response to "Invalid Entry"

Aw, Charlie, I'm so sorry. It's a shit thing to go through whether it's sudden or not. And just because everyone goes through it, doesn't make it easier. It also doesn't take into account that you were closer to them than your parents. Nobody says 'Oh, everyone loses their parents eventually' do they? Surely not. And that's what's happened here really. I'm actually glad you've got an appointment with a professional tomorrow, because they might be able to help you with getting through that initial devastation.

When my dad lost his mother, he really struggled with his own lack of religion. As you say, there is some comfort in believing they've gone to a better place, been reunited with loved ones, that you'll see them again, and so on. For most of my life, Dad would say 'Religion is a crutch for the weak', but I definitely saw him struggle with the finality of it when he lost his mother, the person he was probably closest to.

My thoughts are with you.

1 Like

~Minja~

Mar 7, 2023 at 3:21pm
In response to "Invalid Entry"

Crazy stuff, grief. If you want to talk about it, message me always.

1 Like

QPdoll

Mar 7, 2023 at 6:21am
In response to "Invalid Entry"

I understand what you mean about wanting to tell your grandmother something. I did the same thing after my grandmother passed. I was at home and the first thing I thought was to call grandma. I picked up the phone and realized that she wouldn't answer. It's so tough losing your grandparents, especially as close as you were. I don't have any magic words, but take care of yourself. It's what they would want.

1 Like

Robert Waltz

Mar 6, 2023 at 10:31pm
In response to "Invalid Entry"

Take care of yourself during this difficult time.

1 Like

Anni Pon

Mar 6, 2023 at 9:06pm
In response to "Invalid Entry"

I know it doesn't help any, but I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine much worse than losing a parent or parental figure. They represent stability and safety, you grew up with them, and you've relied on them for most, if not all, of your life. You're right, the initial devastation will fade and things won't feel so fresh. But, as you know, grief never really goes away. It just becomes a permanent part of you.

It's horrible that you only got a couple days worth of bereavement! That's not even long enough for the shock to wear off enough to START grieving. I hope you have the support of someone else in your life to help you through this dark time. Take it easy on yourself in the mean time, that's all you really can do. Taking care of your physical self, eating and sleeping, is critical. Sleep deprivation and hunger will make things feel a million times worse than they actually are (which, for the record, is already pretty bad).

1 Like

Harlow Flick, Right Fielder

Mar 6, 2023 at 8:56pm
In response to "Invalid Entry"

This is such a very human thing, isn't it.

“I think there is nearly an overwhelming sadness to the human predicament.” - Skinny Boy Hill

BOOM! This ain’t no whipped cream pie I’m tossing.

1 Like

Cinn

Feb 20, 2023 at 9:34pm
In response to "Invalid Entry"

I actually pretty much love this one. Nice, man...

Cinn

Feb 19, 2023 at 11:07am
In response to "Invalid Entry"

I'd say that more freedom for participants would attract more people. One obvious example that I've never understood is fiction vs poetry. If it's an activity, not a contest, why not allow people to explore whatever the theme of your activity is with whatever type of writing that want to do?

I've actually written for countless contests/activities over the years but never entered... because they inspired me, but I don't fit within the guidelines. Max rating too low, items required (book entries only over here), no poetry accepted, etc.

I know well why people restrict writers' freedom, but they're also restricting the number of participants they'll get. I still just take the inspiration where I can get it.

May 3, 2020 at 12:02am

#982608

I did it for the dopamine.

Artist: Cigarettes After Sex
Song: Truly
[Embed For Use By Upgraded+]

"30-Day Blogging Challenge ON HIATUS" Prompt: What do you do you relax and unwind in the evening? Paint us a picture of your ideal relaxation.

Relax in the evening. Haaaaaaaa.

This is a funny one for me because it's impossible for me to relax during the evening. During my last couple years of college, I developed nighttime anxiety, probably because that was the only time I wasn't actively at school or studying. It became my 'thinking' time and I started to dread it.

Even though I graduated in December, I haven't been able to break the habit of nighttime anxiety, which really sucks because I actually love when it's dark out. I can't enjoy it anymore though. I either spend my evenings running around in a desperate attempt to distract myself or I spend them staving off panic attacks. Mostly the latter lately because of social distancing and everything that's going on.

I do have some things I've tried to use to unwind, with varying degrees of success:

— Playing video games/watching movies. These can help to an extent, depending on whether or not I'm actually into what I'm doing. If it's a really good video game that I'm involved in, it can be a pretty good distraction. Sometimes I've got 70 minutes left in a movie and I'm like, fuck, I'm trapped here watching this shitty movie... which increases anxiety a bit.

— Drawing. Took this up in the hospital because there was art therapy time or whatever. I'm not very good at it, but it is a good wind down after work. I usually draw for a little bit between work and dinner.

—Sex. This isn't to be vulgar. This is a legit relaxation attempt. You ever have sex just for the dopamine hit you know you're gonna get when you finish? I'm not even horny, I just need to release some dopamine.

—Music. Actually hit play on today's song if you haven't. This band is very relaxing. They also combine well with the above, if you didn't catch that from their band name.

—Medication. Sometimes you just gotta go all in on the meds. Fast-acting anxiety meds like xanax or klonopin are legit for relaxing quickly. This method is also known as Can't Be Wound Up If You're Unconscious. It's very effective.

—Reading. I read things that are traditionally 'boring' before bed to try to sleep. You know, something like a straight up history textbook. But then I just started getting really into history because it turns out that it's super interesting. And it's not actually relaxing at all because a whole shitload of it is horrifying.

—Writing. There's a reason I prefer to write my entries on the night the prompt comes out. Having something to focus on and complete right before trying to sleep helps me finish the day on an accomplishment, no matter how small.

So, yeah, I dunno. Nighttime is rough. I don't know if it's my 'ideal' relaxation, but history has shown that my evening relaxation goes like: draw for a bit, watch a movie or play a video game. Still not unwound, have sex (sometimes). Listen to some music, browse the internet. Meds time because the sex dopamine wore off really fast. Race to finish an entry (if I'm blogging) before the meds kick in. If I'm still conscious, read a bit while passing out and have some fucked up dream about Mussolini and Ethiopia.

Zen as fuck, right?

Truly, know that you really don't need
To be in love to make love to me

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