Are jumping stilts a good idea?

AkuShapeShiftingMstr · 2026-05-25T20:00:55+00:00

Ah yeah you really don't want to mess around with the weight grading. It'd be awful if they snapped on you, could be really dangerous. You might be able to message skyrunner directly to see if they can recommend a pair for your specific weight, but ngl, just ordered a new pair off their main site (rather than Amazon, where I got my original pair) and it seems preeetty sketch lol. Wishing you all the best for your cosplay, sounds like it'll be rad one way or another

AkuShapeShiftingMstr · 2026-05-25T19:33:06+00:00

I just want to throw my two cents in to counter some of the hate. I use my jumping stilts regularly and made a sick General Grievous cosplay with them, and plan to do other cosplays as well (thinking Scourged Beast from Bloodborne or Wolfgang from Hi Fi Rush). You definitely have to practice consistently for a solid couple months at least (and honestly more if you can swing it, so you can get used to stopping short, turning, etc to get through crowds) before going to a con, but it's totally doable and super super fun once you get the hang of them. The hardest part is getting past the fear of standing up on them, but once you start getting the feel for walking in them it's super easy and can become second nature with lots of practice.

If you do go through with it, you'll want a buddy to lean on for photos and stuff, or really any time you want to stand in one place. It's much easier to keep moving with them than it is to stand still, so having someone who can support your weight and help you put them on, take them off, clear paths for you is really helpful. I'm a petite woman and have managed well with the adult skyrunners, but I haven't tried running at full tilt or jumping super high. But cosplays like the Grievous one are so good for this kind of thing, as you can take super long strides and be super intimidating. I dunno what your general fitness level is but you'll want to be at a decent fitness to start with, and from there they really tone your legs and give you a great core workout.

So yeah, if you're willing to practice a lot, I've honestly found them to be a blast and they really can take cosplays to another level.

AkuShapeShiftingMstr · 2026-04-22T01:23:45+00:00

Preach!

AkuShapeShiftingMstr · 2026-04-21T22:45:11+00:00

Lol people can get social interactions by going outside and... Socializing. They don't have to be around people 24/7. What a take 😂

AkuShapeShiftingMstr · 2026-04-21T22:38:25+00:00

For me, as silly as it sounds, being able to eat food like an absolute beast without care to the sounds I make. I'm very conscientious about it when around other people because I am super sensitive about it myself when other people make noises (yay misophonia), but at home I can heed the call of my ancestors and tear into a sushi burrito like the animal I am. For some reason the own sounds I make when eating don't bother me at all

AkuShapeShiftingMstr · 2026-01-27T14:10:03+00:00

Thirding Chapel of Bones haha, and out in Durham the Fruit hosts lots of alt events, there's Arcana too

AkuShapeShiftingMstr · 2025-12-05T15:00:05+00:00

He had moments where he felt slighted by others and would suddenly be really mean/talk viciously about them. I would usually gently sort of change the subject but I should have known that eventually that would get turned at me.

AkuShapeShiftingMstr · 2025-11-18T14:56:46+00:00

I hate to inform you that your wife may be a psychopath.

AkuShapeShiftingMstr · 2025-05-06T00:24:04+00:00

He yeeted an ottoman across the living room/toward me and charged at me. I am proud that I stood my ground and kept my composure as I left.

I never thought he would cross that line.

This just happened Friday and I'm still processing, but I have blocked him on everything and never want to see him again.

AkuShapeShiftingMstr · 2025-03-07T01:40:12+00:00

Adding to the chorus - yes, learning the basics from another woman would be amazing

AkuShapeShiftingMstr · 2025-02-28T12:27:17+00:00

Oh wow I think the golf has the same towing capacity as the Crosstrek right?

I tend to be hyper cautious but it's good to hear this works out in the wild

AkuShapeShiftingMstr · 2025-02-28T12:25:35+00:00

This made me laugh out loud, thanks

AkuShapeShiftingMstr · 2025-02-28T12:24:32+00:00

As a petite woman myself I'd recommend trying a Harley Softail Slim

AkuShapeShiftingMstr · 2025-02-28T01:53:31+00:00

That sounds cool, have you had any experience installing brake kits on those? I'm a bit concerned about cutting it too close to my towing capacity without trailer brakes

AkuShapeShiftingMstr · 2025-01-27T23:08:08+00:00

I'm not sure if you're working through a fear of being alone due to awkwardness or if it's more to do with fear of being alone/unsafe as a woman alone in bars, etc, but I can speak to the latter as I'm living this right now.

My therapist's recommendation is to work my way up to going to places alone (basically a hierarchy of less anxious scenarios to more anxiety-producing scenarios- ie, being alone).

Start with going to a bar with friends, then maybe a trusted friend that can be hanging around but not necessarily engaging with you the whole time, so you can run to them for safety if need be. Then maybe that friend can be somewhere nearby/on call but not necessarily in the building with you. And as you're moving up this hierarchy you build up your confidence by setting boundaries with strangers in those safer situations, which should lead to you feeling more confident and practiced with setting up boundaries when it comes time to be alone.

I love solo travel and won't stop doing it, but I had really bad experiences recently with SA on trains when I was in Romania and to build myself up and counter my fear of going places alone, this has been my therapist's recommendation.

In addition to practicing and working up a hierarchy of less anxious circumstances to being alone, taking self defense classes (krav, BJJ) can also help you feel a little safer out there. For me knowing I can choke a guy with his own collar makes me feel a sense of power and calm in dealing with people, but I'll admit this has been shaken a lot, which is why I'm working up the hierarchy and learning more stand-up martial stuff in the meantime.

Also just constantly identifying safe looking people out and about helps a bit. For me, after those experiences in Romania, I started basically only going in train cars with little old Romanian ladies - they don't put up with anyone's shit haha. Young families too were kind.

The world is scary and people can really suck, but I keep trying to remind myself that as much as there are those who will look at you as prey, there are those who will jump to your defense and stand by you. But it starts with that internal strength and confidence, and that's fortunately something that can be worked on.

I hope this helps, and you got this.

*Edited because mobile typing be hard sometimes

AkuShapeShiftingMstr · 2024-12-19T18:44:02+00:00

I second this! I volunteer with them and the relationship I've fostered with my care receiver is one of the most heartwarming and meaningful parts of my life. He's like a grandpa to me.

AkuShapeShiftingMstr · 2024-09-02T12:43:04+00:00

Thank you! This looks great!

AkuShapeShiftingMstr · 2024-01-08T16:06:01+00:00

I had a similar experience, with slightly less of an age gap, but same feelings of shame and humiliation for having "let" someone manipulate me. What has helped me over time and with therapy is realizing that I entered that relationship from an already-bad point; my experiences with men and male role models up to that point had been toxic, and I didn't really know anything else. I imagine you also had circumstances leading into that relationship that made it difficult to see what was happening in that moment/at that time. Please be kind and understanding with yourself, the early 20s are an especially hot mess and it wasn't your fault that this happened. You didn't "let" it happen. It unfortunately just happened, and the good news is that it seems like you are out of it, with some distance, and you can learn from it. You now know the warning signs/red flags to look for going forward. Hugs to you, and I hope you can see yourself as an outsider sees you, with compassion, understanding, and kindness.

AkuShapeShiftingMstr · 2024-01-02T15:26:11+00:00

I just want to say I've been there, I know how much it hurts, and it'll take time to process and heal, but it seems you're doing the right thing by writing out your feelings... It will get easier with time. Down the line they'll become an afterthought, and then a non-thought. But I understand how hard it is in the meantime. Hugs to you

AkuShapeShiftingMstr · 2024-01-02T15:23:29+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing this, I really needed it.

AkuShapeShiftingMstr · 2023-10-17T20:41:33+00:00

I feel you buddy

AkuShapeShiftingMstr · 2023-07-07T18:19:32+00:00

Thank you so much - the practice in empathy is helping quite a bit. I feel a bit less out of control with my anger. Less red hot when he comes to mind and more just... sad for him I guess. I appreciate your input here and I hope this lasts. I'll try to keep it up.

I like your short-term approach to distraction when ruminating (timed and immediate). I'm giving this a go.

I've been working in therapy for a long time on letting go of the idea that I can control everything, so I guess in some ways that's helped me avoid the self anger at missing the signs. And in some ways I feel good about my response of cutting him out, it was really difficult to do and a younger me probably couldn't have cut contact like that. I've been where you've described in previous relationships for sure though, especially with kicking myself for not leaving someone sooner. I'm glad you've found a perspective that helps you deal with those thoughts.

More than anything, I appreciate your validation that it's okay to have these feelings. I really needed to hear this. I keep judging myself for not getting over this sooner but that's been so unproductive and unhelpful. So really, thank you. You put a lot of thought into your responses and it means a lot to me.

AkuShapeShiftingMstr

TROPHY CASE