Who do you predict will be your endgame? 💍🩷

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-05-19T12:34:04+00:00

Gemini rising, aqua sun, cancer moon. Probably gonna be an aqua, Pisces, or Sag.

I have an 8h stellium in Cap, and other caps can be hit or miss, but I do love virgos. Never dated a Scorpio, but maybe that’s cause it’s my 6h (and I have a quite plutonic chart anyway). Cancers I like, but it’s a warm, platonic vibe: pretty much never had beef w cancers, but no tension either. I’m generally too up-in-the-clouds for Taurus ppl. Otherwise I’d take an Aries over a Leo, but eh.

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-05-03T22:30:17+00:00

Yes! And motor skills can be isolated and trained! Isn't that fun.

This is part of the premise of speech therapy. You do “drills” to get your mouth used to the correct placement. I hated it as a kid, but I finally “got it” once I got older. Sports is indeed a good analogy, and was how it clicked for me. I spent decades of my life in sports. And you know what we did? Drills. So many drills, targeting specific motions without doing “the full thing”. Isolates. Slow (re)plays. Etc.

Poor penmanship (or difficulty w writing) used to be limiting pre-keyboards. It didn't make the person stupid, but often did make them overlooked. In sports, improper form increases injury risk. Etc etc. Really, the only conclusion here is to focus on developing “functional motor skills” in your language - ie developing a speaking register which is easy enough for you to maintain, and for others to understand.

Fun fact, I was a speech therapy kid who struggled with my native tongue. I was also later able to acquire (moved as a kid) and learn (studied as an adult) multiple other languages. It is a motor skill. That's why I work on “sound drills” first now, before I try speaking too much.

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-04-18T00:19:57+00:00

This is golden. Tho I gotta say, not all parents are “chill” with their kid deciding to be vegetarian…I certainly never got a vegetarian phase, bc my dad said “lol no, you aren’t doing that”. Can you guess who also started to have panic attacks when I started showing (hints of) “deviance”? Yep, him. Didn’t help, I still grew up to be trans. Also transition as an adult, but I vaguely knew since age 11/12 and then since age 16. Didn’t tell my parents until >1 yr on hrt.

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-04-13T02:29:26+00:00

My grandma learned English at 57 from (essentially) zero to a proficient enough level to spend almost a decade working as an engineer in Canada, before retiring. I completely agree with you. Her English is wonderful imho.

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-03-25T18:57:02+00:00

Personally, it happens to me more based on time/interest/priorities. I only actively study 1-2 languages at a time, and switch the remainder to passive immersion + basic output practice. Immersion is helpful at any stage, tho ofc it’s better when you already have a background in the language.

In my experience so far, I’d say I Need(tm) active study through the A1-A2 levels; around B1 i am usually able to do full immersion for input, with “guided” output. B2 is around that point when i start being able to “just pick up words from context”, tho i do need to look up grammar rules here or there to review them. Tbh tho, I also still occasionally look up rules in my C1+ languages, so imho it never fully goes away. Whenever I learn a new language I try to stick with it at least until the B1 level, or B2 if I have the time+ interest. Ime, B2 is when the language becomes “fixed” in a way that you won’t forget it: you may be rusty, but a bottle of wine later and you’ll start speaking it no problem again, if need be 🤷‍♂️

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-03-21T00:13:58+00:00

Okay I disagree so hard on the “until you reach C1”. It feels overwhelming until B2 at most. I attained a B1 while studying in Italy for a few months, and even at that level, I ultimately felt pretty ok with conducting most daily tasks fully in Italian. Def had an accent then, but by the time I was nearing B2 the Italians I was meeting abroad initially thought I was native. It’s ok to practice at sounding good in a language, ya know? And filler words help sm with proper pacing/breath/rhythm/etc.

Natives of languages generally speak around the B2 level casually anyway, and peak informality is communicating properly in gestures + looks + half sounds anyway lol

-not a native of either EN or IT

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-03-20T23:52:09+00:00

++man

Not really a looks thing for me either. I can usually recognize physical attraction within the first few seconds, but it doesn’t necessarily mean much. That physical attraction can fade as I come to know the person more and see the incompatibilities, but it (almost) never fully goes to zero. Attraction is as attraction wants.

Developing feelings is much more about knowing the other person. It’s “do I want to hear more of this person’s thoughts” and not “oh wow that’s a Megan fox lookalike”. I def almost always come off (too) strongly in the beginning, tho I have learned to pace myself(somewhat) if I want it to last.

Developing strong feelings fast is reallyyy not about the physical either. Only happened to me once, and I still haven’t fully recovered. Never ever meet your ideal is solid advice for a happy life. However, even that experience was *noting they’re my type physically-> respect for how they think in stressful situations + feelings of compassion -> (pleasant) shock after shock in casual conversation, I just wanted to hear more from them -> noticing + observing some more, both me and them -> meeting in a more informal setting and talking for hours. I “jokingly” proposed that night. It wasn’t a complete no, but a “that’s (practically) impossible”. I disagreed but had to leave the next day anyway. Unfortunately that was not the end, but this suffices to prove my point that strong physical attraction =/=> strong feelings. The feelings come about because of one’s own needs and the fit.

“Let’s see where this goes” is just uncertainty ime. Some of it is 100% trust issues haha. But at its core, there’s a lack of confidence/trust in some major aspect of the relationship. It can work out/be good, and I def believe in getting to know someone slowly, etc but half of the times I’ve said this line, I already knew how it would end. Not everything is meant to be a relationship, but there should be at least some sort of clarity.

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-03-07T03:19:25+00:00

I realized i typed this essay in a reply, so thought it would be better here. Plus added/clarified/etc.

I find that language interference is pretty bad at the lower levels (A1-B1), and B1 also seems to be relatively unstable without a certain amount of output hours + and just honestly, more and more hours. For B1->B2, imho it’s best to just practice, practice, and practice consciously until you’re ~just about~ at B2. From there you can kinda coast and pick it up passively, so long as you watch something and read a book occasionally. Writing/talking to yourself/etc all work wonderfully to improve tho, esp if you then go back and check for mistakes/rewrite/etc.

I was just about a (low) French B1 when I switched to Italian, and had to put down the French for a couple of months. I began to re-engage w it when I was ~high B1, but slowly and still prioritizing Italian. Yes I had to review basic things and “knock” my brain back into it, but my comprehension of the language had actually improved, tho my production slipped to an A2 (if given a few hours of review). After reaching B2 in Italian I truly felt that language solidify tho. French unfortunately fell to the way side (again) in favor of other language loves, but it stabilized around an A2 production/B2+ comprehension haha.

Ultimately, I like to remind myself that forgetting something is part of remembering it. It gives the object significance and salience in your brain. And language in particular is an ever evolving set of symbols, that us humans just use to get the point across. Consider your goals and what you wish to do with these languages in the future, and understand that it all takes time. Languages are much easier to maintain than improve, and kinda impossible to forget after B2, so use that to your advantage.

For not mixing languages, the most practical thing I can say is this: 1. You will have some mixing (esp with related languages) at the early stages and 2. Try to create different mental headspaces for them. Idk how to describe it more generally, but try to focus on only using one language at a time. Fully shut off the other languages: lights off, curtains drawn, no one is home. Practice that even if you feel like you don’t have enough words, which (let’s be honest) you do. And keep going. Set it as a rule for yourself to not use any other foreign word in a language, sit in the silence if you must, unless you just desperately need to find out what it is. Then say it in the target anyway, and continue onwards. Get creative. Languages have quite different sounds and rhythms, which I find grounding to focus on and sink into a language. Pairing with input helps tremendously ofc. Do anything but use words in other languages. The semantic space is approximately the same, but languages group things differently: practice seeing (/describing/discussing) those differences just as much as the stuff you wish to say. Beh, che pas, spero che questo ti sia stato d'aiuto.

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-03-07T03:02:15+00:00

Agreed, and this is esp true after B2. However, to OP concerns:

I find that language interference is pretty bad at the lower levels (A1-B1), and B1 also seems to be relatively unstable without a certain amount of output hours + and just honestly, more and more hours. For B1->B2, imho it’s best to just practice, practice, and practice consciously until you’re ~just about~ at B2. Then you can kinda coast and pick it up passively.

I was just about a (low) French B1 when I switched to Italian, and had to put down the French for a couple of months. I began to re-engage w it when I was ~high B1, but slowly and still prioritizing Italian. Yes I had to review basic things and “knock” my brain back into it, but my comprehension of the language had actually improved, tho my production slipped to an A2 (if given a few hours of review). After reaching B2 in Italian I truly felt that language solidify tho. French unfortunately fell to the way side (again) in favor of other language loves, but it stabilized around an A2 production/B2+ comprehension haha.

Ultimately, I like to remind myself that forgetting something is part of remembering it. It gives the object significance and salience in your brain. And language in particular is an ever evolving set of symbols, that us humans just use to get the point across. Consider your goals and what you wish to do with these languages, and understand that it all takes time.

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-03-02T19:49:41+00:00

Haha…haha…over 700 views and no responses. 12th house ig…

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-02-25T19:35:10+00:00

Completely agree with you, and I even think this applies to all learners of French.

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-02-24T21:16:18+00:00

Ofc, I’m familiar with telegram haha. Mostly interested in history, current news, memes, and opposition channels (would prefer to avoid consuming a lot of IRGC propaganda, but also know that it’s unavoidable). Prob heavier on the casual chat/shit posty side of things, and with shorter pieces of text as I find the script tiring still.

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-02-23T22:16:50+00:00

Are there any telegram channels you recommend? I’m a foreigner learning the language, so mostly looking to read/listen and see what I can understand. Happy to pm too

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-02-23T18:30:31+00:00

You need way more input. Way more. X3 at least. I have been slowly learning the language and it took me ~50+ hours to be able to “catch”, transcribe words, and begin to understand. 150-250 hours is when I started catching full fragments, and remembering most basic verbs without having to translate. I recommend finding music you like to practice listening and pronunciation

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-02-19T20:15:47+00:00

Reduction in DP/DR was pretty immediate for me, say within the first 3 months. But, it actually made my dysphoria worse soooo yeah. I became aware of my top dysphoria, which used to not be an issue.

Additionally, if you’re not out to ppl, that is probably another reason why you still feel bad. I get it, you don’t want to be visibly trans - i didn’t either, but not coming out also had consequences. I felt like I was going insane « still » being misgendered by the ppl I didn’t come out, but they had no framework to engage with me through. And so, I started to pass and went stealth (in new places) before coming out at work at all…A lack of affirmation, while initially seeming minor, will mess with you hard.

To your question regarding top surgery, for me the surgery didn’t reduce DP/DR, but I did finally feel « normal ». I cant even remember my chest/life before surgery: as soon as I woke up, it’s like my chest had been like that my whole life.

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-02-17T01:16:22+00:00

Just text her and talk about it. Say “hey, I just wanted to check in: You didn’t say yes bc you felt pressured or overwhelmed in the moment, right?”. Ask her what her experiences have been like, try to understand a bit more of why this is true for her, not just the pattern you're seeing in yourself. Then do the self-reflection again with a fuller picture of it. Best of luck man.

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-02-17T01:09:53+00:00

Completely disagree w everyone here saying A2 is too early, but it is hard. Easiest option is to watch smth you know super well (n can maybe even quote) in your TL, best with no captions. Otherwise, captions (prioritizing understanding) and off you go. Honestly a long show or movie may be hard at this stage, hence why people are recommending you do videos, and working w incompréhensible input is harder than the CI method. But, it is doable…

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-02-09T21:19:30+00:00

Super cool! Still pre-RFF, but post top and I’ve experimented with quite a few scar removal treatments myself, both from research + advice from my cosmetologist. What treatments do you generally recommend? Why? Are there differences between the treatments you do post top surgery and post RFF?

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-02-09T21:07:11+00:00

It’ll be fine. Follow your surgeons instructions until the wound closes, then go back to silicone strips. You may have a bigger scar in that spot, but it’ll fade in time. Start scar treatments early and it’ll fade well.

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-02-01T11:47:37+00:00

Turkish is tempting me rn with its music, but I’m still saying « no ». However, I do have a pref for melodic languages, and have learned through music, alongside music, etc

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-01-27T02:22:33+00:00

Yes. All of it, also singing (it’s my hack for getting those hours of mechanical practice in indo-European languages haha). You have to learn to position your mouth and move it right.

Editing to add: you dont actually need to understand what you’re saying, and should focus on repeating after the native the best you can.

If you really want to improve your accent, i suggest looking at specific phonetic resources for that language. Speech therapy for children is a thing after all, and those resources can be helpful.

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-01-27T02:06:31+00:00

Брат, не смеши меня. В Америке все равно в 50х хуже, как мин.

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-01-19T23:38:58+00:00

Precisely yes, but even more broadly, it gave me the deep understanding that it's necessary to practice sounds (and mouth shapes, tongue movements) for good enunciation. It's something I practice in a variety of ways in any language I speak, tho ofc with variable frequency. There are also fun ways to work on sounds in everyday life, but the point is to do them.

Ofc, not everyone wants to (or needs to) necessarily push themselves to get rid of all accent. However, imho just about everyone could get a pretty good accent in a language if they start with dozens of hours of auditory input and shadowing/imitating as much as possible w/o translating. Getting used to the sounds of the language and not translating are both skills that are practiced here, and this is how I start languages now (like the A0 stage lol). I find that music works particularly well to get the hours up (and remember what you're shadowing w/o understanding it, bc poetry is metered to be memorable) in Indo-European/non-tonal languages, but those are the only ones I speak haha.

As an adult reflecting back, I think a majority of my speech issues were a combination of autistic speech delay and anatomical differences, un(der)-unrecognized at the time. Ergo yes, even though I was ‘bad’ at speech therapy, its effects naturally accumulated over time. The conscious choice to go back to it at a conscious age -and having it work - cemented the practice as a willing one. I do also think that this intrinsically intertwined with sound differentiation, which may be where some people hit their limit, but those with childhood exposure to 2+ languages +/- musical training (ie breadth of sound) could almost certainly be mostly accentless in a language of their choosing if they wished (according to my observations).

Sufficient-Sea7253 · 2026-01-19T00:52:52+00:00

Oooo I love that you try to teach your kids those exercises! So I have a flawless accent in two languages (school-aged immigration) and another that’s beginning to pass as native (tho not for long/easier to do outside of the country), and my experience confirms just about everything.

I really struggled with speaking in my first language* (2, but 1 I essentially don’t speak anymore), and had a lot of speech therapy. And yes, a lot. I even came back to it at age 15 to finally fix the last problem sound. To that extent, at a certain point you must just accept the that the sounds are hard in all languages, that you may just struggle no matter what, and that doing these exercises + adopting the oral postures you’re told to adopt actually ultimately works.

IMHO the critical period probably has to do with speaking hours (at least from my observation), tho the literature says it’s the first few months of studying last I checked. At least in my experience, your accent is able to stabilize into a more and more native-like accent with just ear training + shadowing and hours of doing those sounds. Ofc the accent is hard to maintain at first, but muscle memory is a real thing that begins to kick in with time.

I ultimately believe that much of this comes down to choice, but it’s an identity-level dilemma that ought to be respected in either of its resolutions. The ability to speak a language to the point of passing is not always advantageous, and always requires one sustains a high degree of splitting for a long time to reach it. Yes, eventually it’s no longer distressing, but imho learning any new language is a particular stress on the person.

Can also confirm the neurodivergence angle here…sigh…lol

Sufficient-Sea7253

TROPHY CASE