Still Alive | Forming Bonds

A lot of talk about cults and manipulative people in the community is focused on an in-person level. Things that an in-person group will do, how their control extends into your offline life, but cult behaviors and mindsets can absolutely be used online and may not be as visible or as obvious. Here’s a small, incomplete checklist of things to watch out for, red flags and the like. (Note: I’m not talking about any specific group or individuals here. None of these on their own make a cult, but a lot of them together can potentially mark a toxic environment at least. This isn’t intended to be a diagnostic tool, just things to analyze and reflect on. Please always be safe and don’t let yourself stay in toxic environments whether they “count” as a cult or not.)  

The “leader” can do no wrong. They are not capable of truly making mistakes, or any misstep they do make is quickly explained away or defended by their followers. Any criticism is quickly punished, labeled as problematic, or otherwise shut down. Online, people will often sing the praises of or “lovebomb” the leader after these incidents.

It’s Us vs. Them. Anybody who criticizes the group is an enemy. Anybody who chooses not to be a member of the group must have something wrong with them. Critics/people on the outside just don’t “get it” like they do. The “outside” may be painted as threatening/the group as a safe haven, and opposing viewpoints should not be given any attention, even to consider them critically. You’re discouraged from joining other similar groups.

Using social justice lingo as a way to control people. Manipulators can speak the language too. They may bring up gaslighting, gatekeeping, policing, invalidation, and other things and accuse an individual or group in order to either guilt the person into acquiescing or vilify them to the other members. This is a really effective tactic for shutting someone down.

The leader is elevated or enlightened in some way. They claim to be a deity, or at least closer to the divine/enlightenment than you. They have a more effective/direct line of communication with spirits or entities.They have wisdom or knowledge you must stay with them to take part in. 

Dictating parts of your online life. Members must change their names, icons, speech/typing patterns, etc. to conform to the group. The rules for behavior in an online setting go beyond what is needed to maintain order. Members may be asked to do a lot to “prove” they deserve to be/stay in the group. 

Crack for Mac can be found here.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not use this crack on any pre-existing or pre-installed version(s) of Photoshop on your PC, as it is specific for this version and this version alone. In the event that you’re struggling to get through the steps or Photoshop is somehow not working properly, I am but a message away, very content to help out!

You will get better. You may be like “gosh, I really can’t draw people, dogs, whatever” right now, but someday you WILL be able to.

Less than a year ago, our dog drawings looked like this. They were fun, whimsical, but GOSH the anatomy and expressions of the dogs weren’t good at all!

Now look at us. This is less than a year later and honestly, this was all just from continuing to draw dogs.

Here’s the key:

🌟 Use references: The things that often deters artists from doing this is that, at first, your drawings look NOTHING like the reference. This is okay! Even if you absolutely hate the finished drawing–you’ve learned valuable skills. Draw five more times from reference and you’ll start to notice that you’re picking up on skills you never had before.

🌟 Celebrate your accomplishments: The hardest part of art is staying motivated even when your art isn’t up to your preferences. So, celebrate what does look good! Noticed a bit of improvement in one area? Literally write on the back of the drawing “I just improved with (whatever it was)!” As silly as it sounds, this makes a difference.

Keep going. You’re doing great and you are improving.

If you’d like, feel free to post two pictures below–one from a few years ago and one recently. Mention how you feel you’ve improved!