Leaderboard

Name: Lizzy Little age: 3 to 5 but mostly 3. I also have a middle of around 16 but not often Birthday (just month and day): May 4 Favorite color: purple and pink Interests: reading, fishing, being outdoors, BBQs, gaming video and board games, watching cartoons, Disney, Barbies, crafting, coloring Anything else you want to share: I am a thyroid cancer survivor, and have Cerebral palsy and walk with a cane and walker. My daddy and I have 3 pets a american bully Zaida who we rescued when she was 9 years old shes now around 15 years old. 2 cats mine is Marco and he is 9 and Pretty boy is daddies and he's 2. both were recently rescued daddies was catagorized as barn cat but it took months but daddy now has him where he loves attention from us. I volunteered in both cub scouts and girl scouts.

Hi everyone! I've spoken with @shadowriderand he said when we earn a badge, he will add it to our profile. I'll send him a picture and he'll take that and do his stuff. So, just like in real scouts, you be able to show everyone what you've accomplished. Once again, I'd like to remind everyone, that when you so a badge on your own, offline, you will tell us and we'll take the appropriate action to get it put on your profile. But, actual badges, whether on your own or with us as a troup will be your responsibility to purchase. I'll show you ideas of some and you can either go to the place of purchase and get them or pick one that you like better. If you want to get troup numbers, we are: GLOW WORM GUILD, (TROUP) #26.

Here you can introduce yourselves and tell us all about you! Name: Juju Little age: 5 and 11 Birthday (just month and day): June 8th Favorite color: pink, purple and periwinkle, some earth tones. Interests: I love to read, write, color, play with my dolls and critters. And watch anime. Play games. I love Hello Kitty, Pochacco and bun buns. Mysteries, history and Anything else you want to share: Ummmmm.... I'm autistic. i love adventures! Swimming and plants. I've been to 5 different countries and have lived in one of those. Annnnnd that's all i can think of right now.

Name: Kendra Little age: 3-10 Birthday : sept 3 Favorite color: pinks, purples, blues, anything with sparkles! Interests: I like to craft (specifically jewelry and nails), play tea party, read romance novels, I love to color, I'm obsessed with unicorns and feeries, i likes to play dress up! and i lub hello Kitty stuffs! I love my doggies Sandy and popy! Anything else you want to share: eh , i'm pretty boring other than all that lol, das a good start! lol

Hi Glow Worms! I'm hoping to get badges and what's required to earn them, up by this weekend. I want us to become officially active as of March 1st. In other words, this will be the Date that you can work on badges and they will be counted. I'll also try and get some kind of calendar up for each month so you can see which badges are for that month, holidays, special badges (if any), and when meetings online will be and time. It looks like right now, it'll be the last Sunday of each month for our live meeting and i haven't decided what day or time well have a meeting in here that we can chat in, basically a "where you're at on your badge, which one you're working on, if any aside from your troup badges you are doing each month, etc... I'd also like to have at least 2-3 more leaders, that are willing to help, if possible and for badge approvals. So far, i know we have: @MissAnna @Very Proud and Happy Daddy @Daddy Bear 77, would you be willing to help? @beanbean I don't know if this would be of any interest to you to help with? But if so, you'd be great to have also! The leaders do not have to have a Little. Just as any little that joins does not have to have a big. 😀 And if you have a big that is willing to help, Please let me know. It would be really great if we could get an overseas big, so the little's over there Will have someone available maybe a little easier. But if not, that's okay! As long as we have a few. Stay tuned for further developments! This is juju, over and out!

Hi Everyone! I was thinking that perhaps we should have a few of the bigs (Daddy/Mommy's) that join, be our Approval Committee and for our badge completions. Although doing the activities and their completions are our responsibility, we are still going to need someone to "sign off" on them. If this makes any sense.? I am in Noooo way saying anyone would cheat, by any means, we all do them on the honor system, but it'll be nice to have a big participate also. Not everyone has a Daddy/Mommy/Caregiver, they can have sign off on their badges, so in this way their included, but also for those who do, no one gets the idea that their getting off easy, without having to complete everything. I hope this doesn't offend anyone! Cause i surely don't mean for it too. And I hope it is making sense. Sometimes my words come out wrong and I just thought it might be nice for all of us to feel we have actual "Leaders". Lastly, Those that work on their own badges outside of the troop, can have a " Leader " sign off on that one also. I would like to have at least 3-4 " Leaders" so that their is always one or two available. Anyway, this is alllllll a work in progress. We'll get it figured out soon. Just mostly have lots of fun! Let me know what you think.

It's me again!😁 On the "Badge" page, you will be able to share the badge you earn, plus how you earned it (e.g. camped indoors and had a "pretend" campfire with your stuffies, or a Tea party for you and your stuffies, Daddy/Mommy/CG, ), etc... The page that is titled : BADGE ANDAND ACTIVITIES, will tell you which badge you can get, and the things you have to do to earn them. Meeting: Will keep you up to date on times, dates and if their are changes. Online meetings are held by @lillizzie24. Any questions, concerns for those meetings can be directed to her. GWG #26 Introduce yourself: will be for saying hi and telling us a little about yourselves. Any ideas you have, thoughts or questions feel free to DM me or ask one if the other moderators. There is also a list of those.

Name: Amelia Little age: Around 3 years old My birthday is in the fall 🍂 Favorite colors: Burgundy and navy blue Interests: Reading, knitting, dancing, coloring. I like playing with my barbie and my little cars. I really enjoy spending time with my friends and listening to music. Anything else you want to share: I'm a full time intern and I have two jobs as well on the side. I'm quite exhausted, but I'm almost done! I intend to participate to this club to the best of my abilities

We could do badges for: doing chores, eating healthy, coloring, writing and for being kind to ourselves

Name: Miss Anna Little age: 12/14 (though I'm more submissive 1950 house wife persona as well as a mommy dom) Birthday: June 29th Favorite colors: Pink, black and yellow Interest: Outdoors, fishing, music, operas, musicals, reading, history, psychology, art, mythology and conspiracy theories A little bit about me, I have been to every state on the East Coast. I am fluent in ASL, slightly obsessed with Harry Potter and I love historical stories. I'm an open book, I live on a farm with my goats, sheep, ducks, chickens, puppies, kitties and my pond critters.

Trauma hits everyone different. You are doing the right things. You will make it through this. I believe in you.

Trying to break patterns is not easy! I think you're showing great bravery. Sending you warms thoughts 🌟

oh sweetie I'm so sorry you're feeling the stress!! Like you said just remember deep breath! And remember I think you are way stronger than you think you are!! You're incredibly brave to come here and reach out! But even better, your self-aware of what you're doing! Which means you are in control!! And I will sit here with you and metaphorically hold your hand anytime you need me to! 🫂❤️❤️ Big hugs my friend big hugs!!

@MissNMTX @Zina @RoseyLittle @SquirtleSquad @DaddysCosmicBunny @CuriousBaker Thanks for being patient friends! Sleep has been in short supply this week but the show must go on. Soooooo... feel free to read chapters 37-41. The book is for sure picking up momentum. Please remember to be checking in at least once a week so I dont have to guess if you are still participating. Have an amazing week! Pigtail

Yes! I've even found some ways of making badges for those that don't want to spend money on actual badges. Some fun activities for earning some badges, etc... I'm really super excited!

@Daddy Bear 77 @Daddy dom 82 Hello and thank you! I've not completely figured that out yet, but I do know that you and the other leaders would be responsible for approving badge requirements when they are finished. For instance, if i were to work on a badge for arts and crafts, there would be things needed to be finished before I could receive it. A photo, short, written explanation of what was done and if applicable, what I've learned or enjoyed about the activities needed to accomplish it. I would contact you , either under Badges and Requirements. Also, instead of me asking my Daddy to okay it, I'll have one of y'all sign off on it. I'm still trying to figure out the details. I will probably leave the contact between leaders and Guides and what is comfortable for both. If I'm rambling lol I apologize. I will get it all figured out hopefully by this weekend. I really want to get this as close to being real scouts as possible but flexible enough and fun for everyone. 😀

Name: Poppy Little age: Baby - 3 sometimes up to 5 Birthday (just month and day): February 25 Favorite color: pink, pink and more pink.....oh and sometimes purple, I guess Interests: Hmmmm... well I love to color, and snuggle my stuffies, sometimes watch Trolls or princess movies, I love to sing and watch musicals, I love to play dress-up, play babies, Barbies, and read. I do love mythology and history (ancient history) and learning new things! I love to cook, and bake too, but eating can be a struggle. Anything else you want to share: I'm struggling with my health and have been for awhile. My body doesn't work right and I get frustrated. Due to my health, I need to be indoors most of the time, in a controlled environment to stay safe. I also need a very gentle routine to be kind to my body as it heals. If I leave suddenly, please do not be offended. I am taking care of me.

I also like the idea of having a few Troupe Leaders that are more like a teacher signing off on our homework. That way no one feels awkward or excluded if they don’t have anyone to formally say, “You earned your badge!” 🙂

We're all looking forward to scouting with you too! Don't worry about how often you can do something. The great thing about our Troop is that you can do things at your own pace. It's never suppose to be a inconvenience or chore. Just enjoyable and fun!

Google sounds good to me! I dunno if we said or not, but are we doing online meetings once a month? Also, I have pictures of badge I'll post tomorrow. I'd do it tonight but I didn't get but maybe 3 hours of sleep. I'll also have a more detailed, structured, Badge and Requirments "book" up and ready within the next couple of days. I also thought it might be easier for everyone if we make an album just for our club to put our pictures and things pertaining to the Troop. What do you think? It'll be easier also to keep track of who did what badge.

I was thinking of starting next month with the first meeting

@MissNMTX @RoseyLittle @SquirtleSquad @DaddysCosmicBunny @CuriousBaker Its that time!!! Chapters 47-51 are officially open! So read on! Also the reading chat for halfway has been scedualed for Sunday the 15th at 7pm PST!! It was hard as we are all over the place but that is when the most people have a chance to come. Also Wednesday chat is moved to Thursdays permanently. Have an amazing week yall.

@MissNMTX @RoseyLittle @SquirtleSquad @DaddysCosmicBunny @CuriousBaker It was a hard pick but we will be doing Sunday the 15th at 7pm PST!!! The link to the chat is below. It will run for 1 hour ish https://www.ddlgforum.com/chatbox/room/4-pigtails-playpen-reading-chat/

I have been taking big steps and today was the initial phone call to go through all my allergies, meds, and stuff! It was a lot, but it's over and in 1 week I'll have some direction on which specialists I need to see while I'm at Mayo for 2 - 3 weeks... it's getting real, but things are falling into place. My classroom is in order My kiddo has a safe place to stay I have the hotel booked I just need transportation to and from Rochester, my car won't make it and my family and friends are not available... so I'm looking for local community support, either a ride or a vehicle to borrow. I firmly believe it will be ok. All things work out in the end. Plus the nurse told me today I don't have to have a support person while I'm being evaluated, so I just need a ride, not a person the whole time! I've got this! No need to be anxious!

I’m so sorry this is overwhelming and hard right now. It’s beautiful that you recognize the trigger, the trauma response and old coping patterns even as they happen. That is the biggest part of the battle in slowly changing them. I can hear the way you are holding yourself with compassion in it too and I am all out Pom-pom cheerleading you doing that. I know sometimes a return of old coping mechanisms can feel like a game over button that starts us over. Womp womp. But this isn’t retro Mario style gaming, it’s 2026 rpg style! When we return to the coping mechanism we are not back at the beginning, we bring with us all our xp, and gear!! I swear this metaphor works. 🤣 Even in an old behaviour YOU are a different person than each time before, with a little more awareness, a little more practice. Like you write, you are not alone. One breath at a time, one moment at a time. You are human and beautifully imperfect. Also *climbs into the hard place with you and just sits* we don’t need to fix nothin. Happy to just sit with you in it. ♥️

@MissNMTX @RoseyLittle @SquirtleSquad @DaddysCosmicBunny @CuriousBaker You know what time it is!!! Qithput further teasing feel free to read chapters 42-46! Also the pole for our midway meeting is up so please go vote! Have an amazing rest of the week friends.

I'll be implementing the calender that is available to us in here now that I've gotten the jest of how to do it lol I will hopefully have it done by Sunday, 1st of March. If not, a day or two after. This way, you can all check it to see when a meeting is, badge requirement deadlines etc. The badge requirement deadlines will mostly be for monthly badges or special occasion badges. There are a few other types of rewards I want to see about implementing, but I've not worked out the details yet. As soon as I do, I'll let y'all know. Leaders, I'm going to make something especially for y'all, so you can pinpoint what exactly you need to do as a leader perhaps, list who it is you are approving, and anything else you think might be handy for you. Thank you too everyone who has joined, helping with ideas, getting it together and volunteers to help with badges and such. I really appreciate it and i know all the Littles and middles do too! juju🐛💚

Hi everyone! Here are a few BADGE ideas you can earn on your own. @lillizzie24will be in charge of badge ideas we can earn together as a Troop. @CoconuttyBuddy came up with quite a few of them. So we can start with these and go forward from here, if that's okay with everyone else? Badges to earn: Nature Noticer Badge: Go out to a local botanical garden or park with a list of local wildlife and flora to check off, collect fallen leaves or flowers for crafts, design maps or trail guides with imaginary creatures or monsters. Also, if you don't have a botanical garden near you, going outside in your area and looking for things is also doable. Inspector Badge: Create a who-dun-it with your stuffies, do logic puzzles, solve riddles to create a story. Indoor Camper: An indoor tent style cozy area, fake fire or small candles, marshmallows. Create a new campfire song. Learn camp safety or skills. Tell your stuffies (or little friends) about a time you overcame something difficult. To earn badge: * record on paper or in pictures the activities you do during your "camping" fun. * Tell everyone possibly how you felt during your little "camping trip" and would you or wouldn't you do it again. * Just enjoy and have fun! No right or wrong way to do your own experience. Snack Scientist: Build a char-cute-erie (see what i did there?) board with a little (or big!) theme, bake something delicious (bonus points if you use local produce, vegan, or something else!), design a perfect "little" meal. To earn badge you must do the following: * Think of your theme for your char- cute- erie board * Make at least 3-4 items for it * Take a picture(s) of your board, perhaps explain what you did to create it. How you created it. And anything else you might want to say. * For the bonus points: be sure to mention where you bought (if any), your items that would qualify for your local businesses. (WALMART or other such stores, does not count for the bonus)

Just let me know what you need

Name: Coco Little age: 7-11 Birthday (just month and day): June 5th Favorite colors: Pink, green, purple Interests: Big me likes reading, making miniatures, spending time with my kitty cats, watching movies, cooking and baking, the ancient world, Greek and Latin, mythology, art history, making tea blends and homemade bath products, and theatre. Little me likes to color, calico critters, cartoons cartoons cartoons, singing and dancing, playing dress up, messing with makeup, princesses and fairytales, and stuffed friends. Anything else you want to share: I have a highly demanding job (she's a boss, baby!) and so I'm kind of a recluse. I need to get out more and meet people, but it's hard with where I live. I hate the cold. I've lived in multiple countries and speak a couple languages. I cry easily and I'm sure that's one of the reasons I'm nearly constantly dehydrated. I'm near water and spend my summers diving and beach combing. I look forward to collaborating with everyone!

I want to start hosting online troop meetings. these will be fun, interactive and we will be able to earn badges at these meetings and share ones that we have worked on during our own time. I'm going to start a poll of good times to host one each month. feel free to give comments on what you feel about this

I’m not sure how often I can make meetings with kiddos on weekends and work on Sunday, but I will try to get to any I can! I’m so happy to scout with all of you! Yay!!

@MissNMTX @SquirtleSquad @RoseyLittle @DaddysCosmicBunny @CuriousBaker Alright its time! Feel free to read chapters 52-56! So not all of you are checking in as regularly. Please please please make sure to do this once a week in the book chat topic. Hope you guys had a wonderful Wednesday!

I’m not sure I’ll be able to commit to the fixed meeting times every month, but I definitely wanna participate!!! 🙂 I never got to be in Girl Scouts as a kiddo, so I’m actually really excited about this.

@princess_ameliadon't leave!! we have badges for everyone including ones who will not attend our meetings online!!!! we have several ways to participate this is for everyone no matter how they want to participate nothing is mandatory!!!! we just want to have fun and make friends!!!! @Lil_K47 I like zoom I use it to video chat a family member only issue with that is without paying for it you are limited on how long the meeting will be then it kicks everyone out and I can't restart for 15 mins. I do not have the extra money to pay for a subscription. but discord and Google meetings both have where you don't have to use video and voice you can just type in it just as we are now. I have used both platforms for video stuff and I like both of them and they are very easy to use. I understand not everyone has a discord that's why I would recommend google meetings because most people have google accounts or can make on just for this so our real names don't show up. I have 2 accounts 1 for my big girl stuff and one for little stuff

@MissNMTX @RoseyLittle @SquirtleSquad @DaddysCosmicBunny @CuriousBaker Alright tine to check in!!! Please make sure ypu comment to this because it has been hit or miss with that. To check in what is the name of Devrycks lab cat?

@BabyPoppy First, thank you for being brave enough to share your feelings with people who care. I just want to say how deeply aware and courageous you are. The fact that you can name what’s happening in your body and mind — that you recognize this as a stress and trauma response — shows so much growth. That’s not weakness. That’s wisdom. A big appointment at Mayo Clinic would stir up a lot for anyone, especially when you carry a history of not being heard or validated. Of course your nervous system is reacting. It learned, over years, that medical spaces weren’t always safe. It makes sense that your body is bracing. It’s trying to protect you. And the part of you that’s slipping into old habits? That isn’t you failing. That’s a survival pattern firing up. The brain prefers familiar over healthy when it feels threatened. It doesn’t mean you want those habits. It means your system is overwhelmed. There’s a big difference. I hear how frustrated and angry you feel at yourself — but I also hear the compassion breaking through: “Deep breaths…” “Tears are healthy…” “I’m not alone…” That’s not helplessness. That’s resilience speaking. Even in the storm, you are coaching yourself toward calm. When everything feels big and intense, it’s usually because your nervous system is scanning for danger everywhere. The “I just want to hide” feeling isn’t weakness — it’s exhaustion. And honestly? It makes sense. You’ve carried so much. You don’t need answers right now. You don’t need to fix yourself. You don’t need to be stronger. You just need someone to sit with you. So I’m sitting with you in this moment. You are not crazy for reacting. You are not broken for struggling. You are not weak for wanting to run. And you are absolutely not alone. The fact that you want to trust people instead of withdraw tells me your heart is still open — even when it’s hurting. That’s huge. That’s brave. Maybe for now, the goal isn’t “stop the habits forever.” Maybe it’s just: Notice when the urge comes. Put one hand on your heart. Say, “I’m safe right now.” Take one breath. Delay the habit by five minutes. Not perfection. Just five minutes. And if you slip? That doesn’t erase your progress. It just means you’re human and healing isn’t linear. This appointment does not define your worth. Your past experiences do not define your future. Your trauma response does not define who you are. You are someone learning to stay instead of run. Someone learning to trust instead of hide. Someone learning to sit with intensity instead of disappear. That is powerful work. For this moment, just breathe. Let the tears come. Let your body feel what it needs to feel. You are allowed to take this one second at a time. Continue being strong knowing we're here with you.

Hello all, I'm Lefty as most of you know. I'm an older little, almost in my 40s. Well in my late 30s as of right now. I'm into MDLB.

@Juju @lillizzie24 Zoom could also be an option, because even though it's video there is an option to just keep it on audio so anybody who wants to do video code and anybody who wants to keep it on audio has that option as well. I'm a member of like an online gym and that's how they stream their live classes. And I always keep mine with the video off cause I don't want anybody to see my chunky butt! 🤣

Yessss! Loving all these new profiles! Thank you all 💚💚💚 Was going to mention that if anyone is interested or sees a profile they connect with head over to the Reading Buddies section and fill out an application!! Also anyone is free to start a book discussion if ypu are reading something and wanna vent about it!

@BabyPoppy you are very welcome! I've wanted to do this for a very long time also! @lillizzie24Thank you so much for jumping right in there and helping! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it! And starting next month was my thoughts too. So we're on the same page. @Lil_K47 You do what you feel like doing, when you can. When you get well, you'll be able to do more. We'll still be here. We want this group to be relaxed and fun to do. We're still in the early stages but it'll smooth out and be so much fun!! Again, thank you ladies for making this all possible!!

Okay came along this little gem from book tok and it gave me such a delighted giggle thinking about all of us out there with steamy spicy kindles *giggles*

Hi everyone I love collecting crystals as well. But I tend to pull to blue shades of crystals. Since blue is my favorite color.

Name: Rosey Age: 41 I have too many favourites I can’t pick! 😆 Favourite books as an adult: Kushiel’s Dart (Phedre’s Series) - Jacqueline Carey, Outlander series - Diana Gabaldon, Fourth Wing series - Rebecca Yarros (gotta cheer a fellow Ehlers girl!), the Black Jewel series - Anne Bishop (would live in this word if I could lol), Court of Ravens duet - Liv Zander (made me cry and no book does that). And if I need to laugh out loud until I can’t breathe - the One for the Money series - Janet Evonavich. Ooo Captured and other books by Rosa Lee because I love the song lists in them! Plus forced proximity for the win! Favourite books as a child: Sing the Four Quarters - Tanya Huff, Emma and Pride & Prejudice - Jane Austen, Oryx and Crake series - Margaret Atwood, Hobbit & Lord of the Rings - Tolkien, The Lost Regiment series - William Forstchen, Friday - Robert Heinlein, Harry Potter series - by she who will not be named, The Worldwar series - Harry Turtledove, Valdemar series - Mercedes Lackey, Practical Magic books - Alice Hoffman, anything by Terry Pratchet (gotta love those funny footnotes) and who didn’t love Nancy Drew classics! Favourite genre: Fantasy / supernatural, Sci-fi, DDlg, dark romance, all the spice!!! Favourite troupe: touch her and die vibes, morally grey character, grumpy/sunshine, who did this to you, enemies to lovers, sassy banter Least favourite types of main characters: helpless heroines, characters without deep development and growth, arrogant mmc who have no reason to be One book that deserved a sequel: I can’t think of any!! I read too many series 🫣 Do you read physical books or digital: I prefer physical books (yum pages smell) but I also read kindle because my thick series books can dislocate my ehlers thumbs 🤣 How much do you read a week: As much as I can humanly squish into my schedule (plus I have a ton of work books constantly on the go)

I was just wishing for a whole playroom the other day where I could decorate it and have all my little stuff in. Then lock it up and just tell people it’s a storage room or something hehe. I don’t have an actual room for that yet, though. Might get a little she shed in the future, but make it a little shed instead. im still very shy when it comes to being a little. I want toys to play with, but still feel weird asking for them or spending money on them. I have lots of stuffies that are all over the house, and I have coloring books and crafts, but I really want my little ponies and a baby doll. I really want a baby doll to take care of. I think, like you, I am thinking maybe keeping them in a closed tote in my closet for now so people don’t see when they come over. I don’t have any small children in my home to play it off as.

@MissNMTX @Zina @RoseyLittle @SquirtleSquad @DaddysCosmicBunny @CuriousBaker Please comment here friends to let me know you are still going forward with us!!! I know some of us have been a little busy but the once a week check in helps me keep it all organized.

Healing is not a straight line, it doesn’t come with a deadline or a finish flag. It takes time, it takes facing nightmares that don’t always make sense. It takes therapy, and often more therapy than you ever thought you’d need. And that doesn’t mean you’re weak, it means the wound was deep. One thing that helped me was journaling. When thoughts loop endlessly in my mind, writing them down gives them somewhere to go. It’s called docking. Taking the pain out of your head and placing it on paper so it doesn’t keep racing, so it doesn’t keep owning every quiet moment. You won’t forget what happened. That isn’t failure. Healing isn’t about erasing the past, it’s about time. Time to breathe without bracing. Time to look in the mirror and slowly stop seeing only the broken child who spent years just trying to survive. The way I coped was therapy. I know how hard it is to take that step. I know how vulnerable it feels. But it helped me understand something vital, what happened to me was not my fault. And what happened to you is not you fault either. Surviving does not define us as damaged. It defines us as resilient. Please remember this: You are not alone. You are not broken beyond repair. And you are worthy of being loved My door is always open if you need a friend

@Snowyy I’m really sorry you’re carrying this. What you’re describing makes so much sense, especially after going through something that hurt you deeply. Nothing about the way you’re reacting means you’re broken or “odd”, it means your mind and body learned how to survive when things weren’t safe. That on-edge feeling and those coping habits are signs of strength, even if they feel exhausting now. Healing doesn’t mean pretending it never happened, and it doesn’t require you to relive or explain it in detail if you’re not ready. It’s okay to move forward slowly. The pain coming back doesn’t mean you’ve failed or gone backwards, it just means your system is still trying to protect you. There are ways to cope without talking much about the past. Some people find grounding things helpful when memories hit, focusing on your breathing, noticing what you can see or feel around you, or doing something physical like walking or stretching to remind your body that you’re safe now. Writing things out privately, creating routines that help you feel steady, or having one small thing that brings comfort can also help take the edge off. None of this fixes everything overnight, and that’s okay. Please be gentle with yourself. What happened was not your fault, and feeling disgust or pain about it doesn’t define who you are. You’re already doing something brave by wanting to heal. You don’t have to do this perfectly, and you don’t have to do it alone, support can look many different ways, at your pace, on your terms. I’m really glad you reached out. You deserve peace, and even if it doesn’t feel like it right now, it is possible to move forward while still honoring what you’ve been through.

I know what it feels like to not have many friends in real life. That quiet loneliness can ache in places you didn’t know existed. I have people online who care, who show up, who understand me in ways that matter, but in the physical world it feels so sparse right now, and that hurts in its own quiet way. The world itself feels overwhelming. You turn on the TV or scroll your phone and there is no shelter from it. The fear follows you from room to room, like a storm that doesn’t know how to pass. It’s exhausting, and it’s heartbreaking. I wish I had a magic wand. I wish I could smooth the sharp edges and make everything feel safe again. I can’t do that. But what I can do, what we can do, is be here. We are here to listen. We are here to sit beside you, even in the silence. You don’t have to explain yourself or be strong for us. The world may feel frightening right now, but you are not facing it alone. We will walk through this together, one breath, one moment, one small act of kindness at a time. My door is always open if you need someone to talk to