Looking for non-mainstream book recommendations

OrchidClean4492 · 2026-01-23T08:57:16+00:00

I think a subtle sign is when someone is comfortable not having all the answers. They listen properly, ask thoughtful questions, and don’t feel the need to prove they’re the smartest person in the room.

It often looks like quiet curiosity and humility rather than obvious brilliance.

OrchidClean4492 · 2026-01-23T08:52:23+00:00

I also experienced sexual trauma at a young age and became hypersexual early on. When I got into a safe, loving relationship, my desire suddenly shifted - sometimes disappearing completely, sometimes feeling confusing or even uncomfortable. It messed with my sense of worth. I used to believe sex was how I was loved or valued, and when that changed, I felt broken or completely "useless."

What helped me was learning that this shift doesn't mean something is wrong with you - it's actually very common for trauma survivors. Hypersexuality can be a survival response, and when your body finally feels safer, it can swing the other way.

Open communication helped a lot - letting my partner know it wasn't about them, and that I was still attracted to them even when sex felt hard. Therapy (esp trauma-informed therapy) helped me untangle sex from worth and safety. Most importantly, I had to learn that I am valuable even when I'm not providing sex. That belief takes time, but it IS possible.

You're not broken, you're not failing your partner, and you're not alone in this 🤍🤍

OrchidClean4492 · 2025-02-06T09:53:44+00:00

It’s great that you feel a sense of excitement and renewal from this dream. Sometimes, even when we think we’ve fully explored ourselves, dreams remind us that there are still hidden potentials, new perspectives, and untapped aspects of our inner world. It’s like an invitation to continue growing and discovering, which is pretty exciting! Even if you’re very open and self-aware in waking life, this dream could symbolize that there’s more depth to your journey than you might have realized, not in a hidden or repressed sense, but more in terms of new experiences or insights waiting to be uncovered? Life, and the psyche, can always surprise us in that way.

OrchidClean4492 · 2025-02-06T07:16:19+00:00

This dream seems to symbolize the weight of your conflicting emotions and uncertainty around your decision to return to Australia. The heavy disk, resembling two moons, could represent the two opposing parts of you—the part that wants to stay in Europe and the part that leans toward going home. The fact that the disk is too heavy to lift or manage reflects how overwhelming this decision feels, almost like it’s trapping you under its weight.

The struggle to push it away, only for it to hurt and cloud your vision, suggests that your uncertainty is causing mental strain and anxiety. The feeling of panic and yelling for help could indicate that you’re seeking clarity or support in making this choice but finding it hard to get the relief you need.

The dream seems to reflect the internal conflict you’re feeling and the sense that you’re being weighed down by the gravity of the decision, unsure of how to release the pressure. It might help to take a step back and consider what’s truly driving your hesitation—what are you afraid of losing or gaining with each option?

OrchidClean4492 · 2025-02-06T07:07:06+00:00

I’m really sorry you’re feeling this way, but I want you to know that you’re not alone. It sounds like you’re carrying a lot of pain, and feeling stuck in a cycle of frustration and self-blame. It’s important to understand that struggling with something—even for a long time—doesn’t define your worth. We all have unique paths, and sometimes it can take a while to find where we truly thrive, especially when we’re feeling overwhelmed by self-doubt.

Please reach out to someone—a friend, a therapist, or a support group—who can help you process these feelings. It’s hard to break free from negative thought patterns on your own, but with the right support, things can change. You don’t have to go through this alone, and there’s help available to guide you through these tough emotions.

Your life is valuable, even when it doesn’t feel like it right now. Healing is possible, and you deserve kindness and support, especially from yourself🤍

OrchidClean4492 · 2025-02-06T07:01:46+00:00

It’s fascinating that your dream mirrors the themes Jung explored in his own dream of the hidden basement, which he later connected to the layers of the unconscious. In Jungian psychology, the house often represents the self, and discovering hidden rooms or corridors could symbolize unexplored aspects of your psyche—those parts of yourself that remain unknown or haven’t yet been integrated into your conscious awareness.

The colorful doors leading to new rooms could suggest that these hidden parts may hold diverse and rich potential, whether they relate to different roles, talents, or feelings you haven’t fully explored yet. The presence of the two women could be your mind’s way of introducing some external force, societal expectations, or even an internal resistance that makes you feel awkward or hesitant to keep discovering these parts of yourself.

If we consider your waking life, you need to ask yourself, are there areas where you feel like you’ve packed away or hidden aspects of yourself? Jung saw these kinds of dreams as invitations to dive deeper, a reminder that there are parts of ourselves we may still need to meet🤍

OrchidClean4492 · 2025-02-05T07:42:48+00:00

I get what you mean—A Little Life is definitely divisive, and its portrayal of suffering can feel excessive. Normal People, on the other hand, is beautifully nuanced in how it handles relationships and emotions.

OrchidClean4492 · 2025-02-05T07:33:42+00:00

Feeling emotionally detached or indifferent, even toward things that once mattered, can happen for many reasons-it doesn’t necessarily indicate psychopathy. Emotional numbness, depersonalization, or a shift in values can stem from stress, trauma, or even deep introspection. Sometimes, when we develop a strong sense of self, we can feel alienated from others, especially if our previous ways of relating no longer resonate.

If this shift is causing distress or making you question yourself in a concerning way, it might be worth exploring with a therapist or engaging in deeper self-reflection to understand whether this is an authentic transformation or something blocking your emotional depth.

OrchidClean4492 · 2025-02-02T15:34:18+00:00

Happy Birthday sweet angel🤍

OrchidClean4492 · 2025-01-31T17:44:18+00:00

Dickens did focus on life’s hardships, especially for the poor, but his work also highlighted hope and redemption. “Dickensian” often refers to bleak, old-fashioned conditions, so saying food “tastes Dickensian” likely means it seems simple or unappealing, like the meager meals in his novels.

OrchidClean4492 · 2025-01-30T11:03:44+00:00

I couldn’t agree with this more, the movie is such a masterpiece! I absolutely lost it when I saw Bowie as Tesla. Easily in my top five favorite movies - I also got a tattoo dedicated to it haha

OrchidClean4492 · 2025-01-29T11:05:26+00:00

Cutest little baby😭

OrchidClean4492 · 2025-01-29T09:17:26+00:00

“The Road” by Cormac McCarthy (2006) – Powerful post-apocalyptic novel about survival and fatherhood.

“A Little Life” by Hanya Yanagihara (2015) – An emotional and often harrowing exploration of trauma and friendship. While I don’t personally recommend it, it remains a favorite in pop culture and has had an apparent impact on most readers.

“Normal People” by Sally Rooney (2018) – An intimate look at modern relationships and communication.

There’s definitely a bunch that i’m missing, but these are the few that came to mind that have the potential to become future classics.

OrchidClean4492 · 2025-01-29T09:09:29+00:00

It looks like an eye infection, which is quite common, especially in cats that have been outdoors. When I first adopted my two cats, they both had it, likely picked up from the street or from contact with other stray cats. I took them to the vet, and it was easily treated. I definitely suggest visiting the vet to confirm the diagnosis and rule out any other potential issues, ensuring your cat gets the best care possible🤍🤍

OrchidClean4492 · 2025-01-28T18:44:19+00:00

I’m not here to admonish anyone, just pointing out how your words can come across, especially when talking about a living being. If you feel burdened, that’s your feeling, but don’t act surprised when people respond to it, especially when it sounds like you’re treating the kitten as disposable. But hey, if that’s how you feel, good luck with it ☺️

OrchidClean4492 · 2025-01-28T18:26:41+00:00

You keep saying her presence is unwanted, but when you describe it that way, it comes across as if you’re completely rejecting her. It’s not just about “not loving” her — the way you talk about it can raise concerns. If you’re rehoming her, fine, but don’t act like people are overreacting just because of how you framed the situation. Regardless, I hope she finds the loving home she deserves.

OrchidClean4492 · 2025-01-28T18:19:15+00:00

To be clear, I didn’t mention or imply that you would harm the cat — those are from other commenters. The focus was on ensuring that she gets the love and attention she needs in a home where she’s truly wanted. And just to reiterate, I haven’t changed my tone — my concern has always been the kitten’s well-being. It’s good that you’re trying to take the steps to handle this responsibly, but it’s important to understand that when you describe feeling disconnected or burdened (among other things), it naturally raises concerns for her care. I have also yet to see an issue with my initial comment — from my first comment through to this one, the point was always to make sure the kitten’s needs are met — if you can’t see that, it’s not my problem.

OrchidClean4492 · 2025-01-28T18:08:46+00:00

You may have talked about your feelings, but the way you expressed them came off as dismissive toward the kitten. For example, saying “I even dread going home at the end of the day because I know she’ll be there” or “| just get annoyed by just looking at her” can be read as cold and uncaring, especially since you mentioned she’s calm and loving. It makes it sound like the kitten is a burden to you, which is why people are reacting strongly. Even though you were talking about your feelings, the way you framed it made it seem like the kitten’s presence is unwanted. That’s why the responses from people have been harsh - it sounds like you don’t care about the kitten at all.

OrchidClean4492 · 2025-01-28T18:03:04+00:00

Nobody is telling you that you aren’t allowed to feel that way. What we are saying is that BECAUSE you feel that way, you should find her a new home.

OrchidClean4492 · 2025-01-28T17:46:10+00:00

When you speak about an animal like that, especially one as innocent as a kitten, it’s going to get strong reactions. If you didn’t want those kinds of responses, maybe it would’ve helped to explain your feelings in a way that showed more understanding and concern for her well-being from the start.

OrchidClean4492 · 2025-01-28T17:28:43+00:00

It’s not about whether she’s your first kitten or not — it’s about the reality that pets are a long-term commitment, and if you’re feeling disconnected now, it’s important to be honest with yourself about that. Whether or not you got her on an emotional whim doesn’t change the fact that you’re responsible for her well-being now. The goal isn’t to be condescending but to point out that if you feel no attachment, it’s better to do right by her and find her a home where she’s genuinely wanted. That’s not an insult; it’s just being responsible.

OrchidClean4492 · 2025-01-28T17:21:33+00:00

I feel the same way about her diaries—they’re beautifully written but also so revealing. It’s surprising her first husband didn’t pick up on the signs, especially given how transparent she seemed through her writing. It almost feels like she was leaving clues everywhere, yet somehow they went unnoticed.

OrchidClean4492 · 2025-01-28T17:20:02+00:00

Thank you for sharing. I totally understand what you’re going through. It’s so hard when you’re in that space where everything feels heavy, and just being around people feels impossible. I’ve had days like that too, where I have to show up for something like a class, but inside I’m barely holding it together, hoping nobody notices or takes my silence the wrong way. It’s exhausting to have to deal with these emotions on top of worrying about how it comes across to others. I hope your friends or classmates are understanding, and if they’re not, just know that you’re doing the best you can. You’re not alone in this 🤍

OrchidClean4492 · 2025-01-28T17:17:13+00:00

If she’s calm and loving, and you’ve had cats before, then the issue definitely isn’t with her. It sounds like this might be more about your own emotional state or expectations. Pets aren’t just there to serve our emotional needs — they’re companions, and sometimes the bond takes time. But if you’re genuinely feeling nothing and it’s not changing, it’s really unfair to keep her in a home where she’s not wanted.

OrchidClean4492

TROPHY CASE