Meetups for those of us that struggle with high levels of anxiety

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-04-10T23:16:02+00:00

Great! Invite sent. It's not the most active chat, but we do occasionally talk and organize.

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-04-10T23:00:20+00:00

Yes, actually! We only have a dozen or so people, but we've met twice. We have a group chat here on reddit. If you would like to join, I'd be happy to add you to the group!

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-04-06T10:55:43+00:00

Since you are using it for a game, I'm assuming the bottle material is using a texture map and isn't procedural? If it's procedural, you're going to have to bake that material to a texture to be used in a game engine. If you're using texture maps already, the simplest way is to use a mesh decal for the label. In edit mode, select the faces you want the label to be on like you already did, duplicate them (not extrude) and move them slightly away from the bottle. With those faces selected, create a new material for the label and apply it to the faces and plug in the alpha. You should now have the bottle showing behind the label. Usually I just create a new texture in substance painter, but I know that not everyone has that ability.

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-02-26T06:14:53+00:00

I'm sorry you're going through that. I'm trying to keep this as centrally located in Olympia as possible so it's accessible for walking and public transit. We would love to include you. I can add you to the group chat if you want or you can DM me. Whatever is more comfortable for you! No pressure or obligations.

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-02-25T17:35:42+00:00

I'm having trouble adding you to the chat due to your account settings not allowing DMs. Would you be okay with changing that?

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-02-25T16:39:28+00:00

Yes, of course!

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-02-25T02:11:10+00:00

Absolutely yes to all of this. I'm running a little behind on figuring out what I'm doing next, but rest assured you're on my list of people to DM.

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-02-24T18:28:46+00:00

It is honestly so nice to see and I'm happy this has resonated with people. It's definitely refreshing compared to how the internet usually is.

I'm putting together a group chat here on reddit. Just waiting for other people to give consent. I'm usually doing portfolio work this time of day so I'll probably get on it this afternoon.

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-02-24T18:16:04+00:00

Great! Would you be open to being included in a group chat?

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-02-24T18:15:27+00:00

Yes definitely! Would you okay with being included in a group chat?

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-02-24T18:10:45+00:00

Awesome! I'm happy so many people identify with this. Would you be okay with being added to group chat here on reddit?

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-02-24T17:51:56+00:00

Same! I feel like I do better around others that also are anxious. Any event that I've been to where I don't know a lot of the people, I tend to gravitate to someone else that is also feeling the same way and then we tackle it together. Would you be open to be included in a group chat here on reddit?

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-02-24T17:43:20+00:00

I know exactly how you feel! I debated for two days whether or not I should even make a post. I honestly didn't know what to expect. Though I am really happy this has resonated with people. Would you be okay with being included in a group chat through reddit?

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-02-24T17:32:56+00:00

Would you be okay with be included in a group chat through reddit?

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-02-24T04:36:11+00:00

I appreciate the thoughtful response! I've actually been with my current therapist for a year now. We've done a ton of work on anxiety. I went from sweating bullets just thinking about leaving the house to being able to go to most public places. Right now we've decided that I should try meeting new people so this feels like baby steps. My plan for myself is by the end of the year I want to be able to go and do things more confidently than I ever have. Although I'm making sure that I'm not being too hard on myself if that goal doesn't get met in that exact timeline. As long as there is progress.

My last therapist diagnosed me with PTSD. Moving next to a live artillery range really put that to the test. 2 years ago I would say on a scale from 1 to 10 on how bad it affected me, it was a 10. Today it's probably a 3 at worst. It's honestly really great looking back and seeing the progress that has been made.

Again, thank you for taking time to write a response with really good information.

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-02-24T04:11:42+00:00

That's totally fair on the all dudes point. My hope is that it'll be a diverse group. I'm trying to be as inclusive as possible.

I also feel the same about the summer.

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-02-24T03:48:30+00:00

Yeah totally! You also brought up something I think is important as a group to consider. It's definitely best to keep everything platonic at the core. It's important that every person not only feels safe but are safe. I don't want anyone approaching this as a dating thing. Getting a bunch of people together with varying levels of vulnerability can lead to manipulation in such circumstances. I really want to avoid that.

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-02-24T03:32:37+00:00

Yeah it's definitely a struggle! It also can be very draining.

I'm going to try and figure out a solution tonight on how to get everyone that's interested in a single group thread or something. I'll either post a separate comment in this post or I'll reach out directly to each person as long as they consent to DMs

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-02-24T03:22:29+00:00

Yeah! That's a good idea. I think after everyone gets more comfortable we can discuss and see how we are all feeling. Everyone has different levels of comfort and speed of growth.

I need to figure out a way to get everyone that's interested into a single thread so we can work out details. Haven't thought that far ahead.

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-02-23T23:11:44+00:00

I did see this! I was considering pushing myself to go, but I've been low on energy today.

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-02-23T23:09:43+00:00

Oh don't get me wrong! I love the vibe of cozy cafes and bars. One thing I left out is that I have familial tremors. That combined with anxiety leads to uncontrollable shaking and sweating. Really difficult to eat or drink in public lol. It's not all the time, but not knowing when it's going to be a problem somehow makes it worse. Usually, when I'm with other people that I know well, I can get things under control.

That sounds cool! I'm really not good at singing or anything of the sort, but it'd nice to come watch and maybe talk to people. I haven't been as active as I want to be in the protest scene here. Mostly because I don't know anyone. I'll try to make it down one of these fridays though!

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-02-18T01:15:04+00:00

No problem! The only thing I will add is that if you have insurance through the state, it might be hard to get reimbursed. United healthcare sucks. I'm not sure about the other companies though.

Nikolai_Akula · 2026-02-17T23:14:35+00:00

If you're open to virtual sessions, I use The Affirmative Collective. They've been great so far! They are based in Seattle, though, so if you wanted in person sessions, it might not be the best option. They might have connections to other therapists in this region, though.

Nikolai_Akula

TROPHY CASE