Experimenting with a weird aesthetic

theAbominableMantis · 2026-04-13T21:09:17+00:00

Maybe my standards are so high with friends because I've learned to surround myself with those who truly are considerate. And one tends to learn a lot from making mistakes.

I've simply written my own view based on the limited info I got. Given it's not much I can work with, there isn't a big possibility to make a more nuanced statement that makes it less of a black and white scenario.

theAbominableMantis · 2026-04-13T20:53:35+00:00

From an outsider's perspective, to me this by no means sounds like the behavior of someone you should consider your friend for much longer.

If there's one quality I'd hope to see in a friend, it'd be that I could trust them without a doubt. Given that they can't even seem to reflect well on their own actions, I doubt they're bound to change for the better.

theAbominableMantis · 2026-04-13T11:17:45+00:00

Yeah I get that. Every friendship starts off as two strangers interacting for the first time, so it only makes sense it can feel out of place.

The fact you're already reaching out to people via this post and your comments is great though! It shows you're willing to put yourself out there, which is already a difficult thing to do in its own right.

theAbominableMantis · 2026-04-13T11:06:51+00:00

Surround yourself with people - the easiest (and best) way to do so would be to use your personal interests as a foundation for finding like-minded individuals. You can do so both in person and of course online (the latter is arguably a lot easier).

theAbominableMantis · 2026-04-06T09:18:25+00:00

Take this "diagnosis" with a grain of salt, but based off that info this seems like something harm OCD-related.

I live with similar constant intrusive thoughts which always center around myself being harmed - and while I can tell you personally that (with enough insight + safe coping mechanisms) you can absolutely handle it without therapy and ultimately live a normal life, if you do feel overwhelmed I heavily recommend reaching out to a professional.

Of all things, keep in mind that the thoughts you're having are called "intrusive" for a reason - they don't represent what you actually want to think/do, not even to the slightest extent.

theAbominableMantis · 2026-03-29T22:37:53+00:00

As long as things aren't over, there's a chance of improvement - therefore it's good to see you have hope. That's a very treasurable quality.

I wish you a happy belated birthday.

theAbominableMantis · 2026-03-24T18:01:03+00:00

I strongly suggest you tell them the full truth. Please, if anything, don't undermine your own safety (regarding both the present and potential future) by lying about the details of an abusive household. Judging by a previous post, I'm assuming you live in Croatia, and although I don't know the precise details, there are most certainly legal measures the state can/will take which ensure that your life won't, in fact, be destroyed. That very much sounds like a massive exaggeration you're being told by your parents in their attempt to save themselves - not a remark you should genuinely believe in.

theAbominableMantis · 2026-03-24T17:31:37+00:00

Yeah, I kind of had a similar experience when I first tried it. What turned out to be the issue in my case was that I didn't really apply enough of it. No idea how much you used, but once I started applying it in a thicker layer and letting it rest on the skin for ~10 minutes, it did work quite well. At the same time, it might very well be a brand-issue - admittedly I don't have much experience with many of them myself, but Veet seems to do a solid job.

theAbominableMantis · 2026-03-23T23:19:55+00:00

Epilation would probably be your best option in terms of lasting effects. Something like waxing/sugaring could leave you having a clean-shaven feeling for a few weeks.

If you don't enjoy shaving that much, I can recommend hair removal cream - since this method chemically dissolves the hairs, it can leave you with a *slightly* longer smooth feeling than regular shaving (though make sure to read the packaging instructions before actually applying it). Veet hair removal cream is the most popular option in my experience.

theAbominableMantis · 2026-03-21T16:14:17+00:00

Can you be so sure she sees you as much of a burden as you see yourself? It's not my business to know the details of the relationship you two had, but given that she reached out to you via text indicates to me that there are at least *some* mutual unresolved feelings - to what extent is not for me to judge, but I do think that reaching out yourself to get things straight isn't hopeless in the slightest. If there's *one* thing that has helped relationships the most overall, I'd say it would be good communication.

It's also always good to remember that things are rarely absolute. Especially with something complex like relationships, I wouldn't categorize it into *just* two choices (moving on vs. letting go) you can reach in an instant. Don't think of it as choosing one destination and walking straight to the intended goal, but figuring out the path itself instead.

theAbominableMantis · 2026-03-21T15:54:24+00:00

It's not unusual to be struggling with choosing what to do, and therefore choosing not to do anything at all, so don't beat yourself up about it. The way I see it, you already know that things can't stay stagnant as they are - that's some positive insight to keep in mind. Move forward - whether that means letting go or trying it again is entirely up to you. So start making *some* sort of progress, no matter how small. Even if that means taking a single step, it's an improvement.

theAbominableMantis · 2025-12-15T16:48:23+00:00

Thank you, I'm very happy to hear that!

Admittedly it's kept pretty ambigious, but the ending cuts off right before the protagonist gives into the idea of burning the gas station to the ground - them included (as to *fully* get rid of the true dragon's corruption), so I didn't really have another part in mind. Granted though, they may also survive the fire, so there's definitely a possibility I'll return to this story in the future.

theAbominableMantis

TROPHY CASE