Yep. I’ve changed.

This is a question I never ever thought about, but thank you for posting it - now I wonder about it as well

Same about Morrowind vs. the newer Elder Scrolls. In Morrowind, the main quest character literally told you “here, take 200 gold and explore the world. Join a guild, or find some freelancer work.” Vs. Oblivion, where a city is literally under siege and you MUST go there (ideally right now) to save it.

Donate. If you don’t need the money and all your and your family members needs are met, I think donating would be the right ethical thing to do.

I personally notice that for me, the usage of media in the respective language is extremely important.

Я надеюсь, для тебя ок если я пишу на русском. У меня где-то похожая ситуация - я родился в Германии, но вырос у русскоязычных родителей. С началом войны очевидно много культурных звязей развалилось. Мне очень сильно помогает слушать подкасты людей с похожими политическими позициями - например Радио Свобода или Новая Газета. Прямо сейчас, пока я пишу этот коммент, я слушаю песню Деда Архимеда про Курск. Мне лично это очень помогает.

Я считаю, что очень важно сохранять связь с твоими традициями и твоей культурой, даже если страна идёт в жопу. Я искренне понимаю, что тебе не хватает связи с твоим городом, обществом и культурой - это очень больно. Ты не один с этим чувством.

And for other people reading this threat - always have a water bottle standing next to you! For me it was a bit game changer to have water quickly accessible. I’ve also implemented a tradition of drinking a bottle every morning - that immensely helps in getting your body active.

Only downside is that you’ll go to the toilet often.

In my opinion, it depends on the kind of dictatorship and your status of power. I assume that you’re an average US american looking at the election rn - then there isn’t really anything we can do here. The system is simply too strong, and Donald Trump has too much institutional authority to be stopped.

However, I ask you to keep in mind that dictatorship isn’t an authoritarian monolith and that we as common citizens have a possibility to influence and undermine authoritarian governments. Nazi Germany immediately comes to mind; many citizens disobeyed the government, may have leaked information or sabotaged important projects, even into the highest ranks (Stauffenberg and Schindler are prime examples). A dictatorship is only as effective as the bearers of power in a certain region. For example, police officers, but also common citizens (just keep in mind that a significant amount of Germans provided shelter for Jewish people).

It seems from my perspective that the authoritarian train cannot be stopped. So I’d do my best now to prepare for what is to come. Educate yourself about the key political players in your concrete region, if you decide to stay. Understand who holds the essential components of power - the council, the police officers, school district. Who supplies the common goods? Especially local producers often are connected strongly to the people and can be a major influence in the region. With this knowledge, you will be able to in turn exercise influence yourself and be able to help yourself and people who will be victims of Project 2025. We have a certain strength here - we know what it coming. Many people don’t. Use this knowledge for the good. Even if you cannot stop a “global” transition to the authoritarian regime which is to come, you can mitigate its effects on the local community by participating and influencing the bearers of decisions.

I hope it makes sense. If you disagree, feel free to reply - I’d love to get more input on this topic. If any further questions arise, don’t hesitate to ask :)

Despacito. Kinda weird lyrics.

Texas being Texas, I guess ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Well, that is the wildest thing I read in a long time since the last Trump news, but it is actually very interesting. And constitutional. America is wild.

Ahhh, good to know! I’m just in Bordeaux rn and will visit Marseille at some point in the next few months, now I know what I should look out for :)

What is up with this Marseille soap? Second time someone mentions it in this thread.

That sounds like a really good routine tbh :)

What happens when you find out it isn’t there anymore?! Do you then just like order a replacement one from Amazon?

Everything (except 8, obviously) is pretty standard practice for CBT as well. In terms of self-help, I’d also definitely add

9: Find nice people/a nice group to spend time with. Doesn’t really matter what it is: sports club, theater, study group, board game club, garden builders. Just follow your interests.

I think many people dismiss the incredible value friends bring to our life and the stabilizing effect it has on out mental health. Loneliness is one of the deadliest causes out there (some studies say it’s as harmful as smoking daily), so make sure to have people around you whom you like spending time with! And no, digital groups are not the same as real-life ones. Body language is incredibly important in communication, and with it missing orr brain processes information differently.

Tl;Dr: Get out there and find nice people.

While you may have the right to call yourself what you want, you shouldn’t use it in an “us” context. At least I wouldn’t be okay with it.

This is really valuable advise. I’m 20 at this point, and (after therapy) I’m looking back and realizing now much self-acceptance and connection with your own emotion shape the way I perceive the world. I’m really glad that I started this young, and for people who live in a country where psychotherapy is covered by healthcare - there are usually offers of a short psychotherapy (in Germany it’s called Kurzzeitherapie, short-term therapy) which will in my opinion as a psychology student will benefit every person.

You and your work are amazing :)

One of my classmates did the Hitler salute and exclaimed “Heil Hitler” - an expression which is (rightfully) penalized in Germany, where I live.

The guy was a son of our local police officer.

He didn’t got expelled, but he had a very stern talk with our school director. I presume that it was made clear to him that if this ever happens again, he’s out. From what I heard last, in the last few years he was really ashamed of what he did when he was younger. I sincerely hope he is doing okay now - he got into the police, and people like him who recognize that being right isn’t cool are needed.

Coincidentally my school is in Dessau; our city is well-known for producing Zyklon B, a lethal gas used in KZs across Germany, and a “case of sudden self-igniting” of a migrant called Oury Jalloh in a police cell. Obviously all the camera footage of that cell randomly broke down, there was blood found in the dining room and the guy didn’t have anything to lit himself on fire with. But that all obviously is just a coincidence ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Not a good city to do the Hitlers salute in (if there ever was any, which - surprise - doesn’t), tbh.

We met in college. We are in the same class, and just sat together.

Funnily, I wanted to organize a D&D round, so I texted in the common class group if anyone was interested. No one publicly replied, and she felt sad for me - so she texted me privately and told me that she hopes someone answered me. That’s how we began texting and talking.

I think that’s a cute story :)