inbox: 8

it's been mentioned to me before that raspberries and other fresh fruit help, so dependin' on where you live you could maybe pick up some foraging skills, or otherwise pick some up, maybe learn to make some preserves and all (and fragrances. always with the fragrances, if you aren't allergic or otherwise sensitive to them)

i'd think that cloudwatching would be nice! take some time to ground yourself outdoors on a sunny day for it.

generally grounding yourself, taking time outdoors to meditate and find beauty in the world around you, even in the little things!

if it's within your capabilities and you see yourself as that kind of angel, maybe you could take up volunteering, or community gardening, or something like that?

or you could garden by yourself, if that doesn't appeal. if you can in your area, maybe a pollinator garden, or if you can't you could find some herbs to nurture indoors. or even just like... an aloe vera plant. those guys live forever.

if lying in clouds appeals to you, then definitely lots of soft fluffy things. maybe decor in your room to remind you of home in general, whatever that may mean to you.

i'm always gonna support journaling in some way or another. like i've said before, unsent letters, fond memories, meditations, they're all great options to help you connect with yourself, and maybe, if applicable, help you on the journey to finding your purpose here on earth

maybe you could pick up calligraphy or illumination (or both)! there's plenty of resources on the matter, it's a nice artistic endeavor and it at least strikes me as something that could be angelic

find music that connects you to your kintype! it doesn't have to be gospel, if that's not your thing. i'd think orchestral pieces and wind instruments might be comforting!

sing and hum to your heart's content, too! iirc angels are part of a choir? and even besides that, i tend to think of their voices as being pretty melodic

lavender and rose flavored/scented things also strike me as angelic, personally. general soft, floral things like that. honey, too. of course, bear any allergies you have in mind! (maybe milk and honey?)

💔clothes & accessories for j.d.! 📖

(i'm not very good at fashion, but hopefully this at least sparks some ideas?)

flannel - $19.99

look into some nice flannels! you can layer 'em, or, if it's warm where you live, roll the sleeves up for a pretty cool look. lots of grays available, but if you want a touch of color, there's plenty of dark blues and reds, too.

necklace - $15+

looks like you liked simple chain jewelry, so i'd suggest looking into stuff like that! you can even buy a cheap chain yourself and put whatever kind of charm you'd like on it.

shirt - $29

you probably already have plenty of these, but try looking into some plain or simple logo'd t-shirts that remind you of yourself. they'll usually look nice with just about anything else you wear, too.

pin - $15.81

pins and patches might be up your alley, and are always a fun way to accessorize and express yourself. there's an endless selection out there, or you can even learn to make your own! it's fun!

buttonup - $14.49

another option for layering and a pop of color! trust me, it'll look pretty cool. same as flannel, you also have a ton of color options, even patterns if they call to you. i know there are some really cute goth patterns out there, with things like skulls and roses and broken hearts that might appeal?

wallet chain - $11.50

basically more chain jewelry ideas. you'd be surprised how many different types of chains there are, though, and you can find some with charms, some like this cool barbed wire one, some bike chain ones- or, if you prefer, just a plain ol' chain. you could probably figure out how to make some yourself, too.

- toothbrush can be thought of as dental stick instead!

- showers can be: going to the groomer's/(insert species) bath time, being under a waterfall, rain, being in the clouds, playing in puddles, encountering water while hunting, grooming yourself (which lots of critters do!)

- brushing and maintaining your fur can also be grooming (the tooth comb on lemuriformes; dogs, cats, and birds nibbling and licking their fur; maybe hair coming out into the brush [which is normal if it's a little bit] can be like a hairball or shedding some skin for a snake or reptile)

- using species-appropriate terms helps! (fur or pelt instead of hair, dentition instead of teeth because it's more zoological, paws instead of hands, digits instead of fingers)

- being patient and gentle with yourself

- if you procrastinate with hygiene, you can always just start. rather than thinking "i am going to do the thing," you can get the towels, turn the shower on... step by step. before you know it, muscle memory will kick in and you'll be showering!

- listening to music, on a speaker, your phone, or in your head if you can't have a speaker or your phone

- closing your eyes if you have to

- using your imagination to see your kintype in your mind's eye instead!

- scrolling tumblr while brushing my teeth helps me because i hate the sensation of brushing, so it's also helpful to distract yourself!

- having a low stress or fun activity you plan to do after the hygiene maintenance (playing a game, using social media, putting gear on)

- distracting your brain when it's something you really dread, so you can't be anxious or think upsetting things as easily. try to name every state or capital or every african country, or every country you can think of. name every character from your favourite video game. list all of the unusual words for different colours you can think of. name every single way you can cook eggs. try to name as many animals as you can. name as many birds as you can think of. list all of the spanish / italian / latin / whatever words that you can possibly think of. name every album or song from an artist you like that you can remember. it has to be something to think about that is not just your brain wandering around freely. that is also what "counting sheep" means.

if a thought or activity is distressing, it's best to try to not dwell on that discomfort. neurologically, your brain has habits like well-worn "desire paths." it will continue to run down these paths until you essentially pick it up and redirect it. it's hard to do and it takes practice, but you can do it and it will work! just be patient, it will all be okay.

- if you aren't allergic to fragrances, yummy or nice smelling soaps and lotions! it's something to look forward to

- if you hate toothpaste, try other flavours. i don't like mint because it's overwhelming and sensory hell for me (even though it tastes good)

- having comforts to look forward to afterwards, like a stuffed animal, a pet, comfort media.

- picturing the entire plot of an episode of your favourite show while doing the thing.

- doing scary things for set amounts of time, using a timer or by singing happy birthday in your head slowly twice = 20 seconds (to wash your hands / paws / wings)

- shower chair if you need or want one. i hate standing and it uses extra spoons. sit on the floor of you can / have to / want to. no one will see and no one cares.

- showering by candlelight so it's pretty and atmospheric

- dedicating that self care to endangered animals or other animals, because if they deserve to be treated nicely, so do you. you are an animal you can take care of and help right now, for all of the times you were unhappy or someone was mean. you are an animal you can maintain and care for right this very moment.

- dedicating that self care to a deity you believe in. if you believe in creation, they made you and they want to watch you prosper. if you are the deity, then you deserve to be cared for too!

- bringing a stuffed animal into the bathroom / to be nearby as a guard

- bath toys

- toothbrush can be thought of as dental stick instead!

- showers can be: going to the groomer's/(insert species) bath time, being under a waterfall, rain, being in the clouds, playing in puddles, encountering water while hunting, grooming yourself (which lots of critters do!)

- brushing and maintaining your fur can also be grooming (the tooth comb on lemuriformes; dogs, cats, and birds nibbling and licking their fur; maybe hair coming out into the brush [which is normal if it's a little bit] can be like a hairball or shedding some skin for a snake or reptile)

- using species-appropriate terms helps! (fur or pelt instead of hair, dentition instead of teeth because it's more zoological, paws instead of hands, digits instead of fingers)

- being patient and gentle with yourself

- if you procrastinate with hygiene, you can always just start. rather than thinking "i am going to do the thing," you can get the towels, turn the shower on... step by step. before you know it, muscle memory will kick in and you'll be showering!

- listening to music, on a speaker, your phone, or in your head if you can't have a speaker or your phone

- closing your eyes if you have to

- using your imagination to see your kintype in your mind's eye instead!

- scrolling tumblr while brushing my teeth helps me because i hate the sensation of brushing, so it's also helpful to distract yourself!

- having a low stress or fun activity you plan to do after the hygiene maintenance (playing a game, using social media, putting gear on)

🥩beginner-friendly recipes for a mimic from vita carnis! 🙂

featuring pork and steak, with a meat focus

glazed pork chops - steak with red wine shallot sauce - braised pork in sweet soy sauce

bulgogi - souvlaki - french dip

sticker book! get yourself a cute sticker book and fill the pages with stickers you find/buy, from front to back! organize them how you like, or let it be wild just like you! (similarly, maybe scrapbooking?)

you can also use some of those stickers to write letters to your friends, even if you don't send them! getting your feelings down is always nice, plus you can find some ADORABLE stationary

and, if you use any mobility aids, you can absolutely bling them out with stickers, paint, what have you; totally strikes me as something pinkie would do. heck, put 'em anywhere you like! have fun with it

if you don't have one yet, you should find a crocodile plushie! that way you can snuggle gummy to your heart's desire, especially if there are days when you struggle to get outta bed

making up little songs and limericks about whatever you feel like strikes me as being a very pinkie pie thing to do. they don't have to be good, just fun!

and, for that matter, coming up with wild, over the top stories to write down/share. be free. you can write down memories, or you can just make up stories about ponyville or dragons or aliens or straight up just anything that strikes your fancy

kinda goes for most kins and the like but if scents dont bother you much, theres plenty of bakery scented things of various varieties out there; perfumes, candles, what have you, that you could spice up your room with to make it a lil comfier, or use on yourself if you like and need a little freshener

similarly, there's scented lotions n flavored lip balms n stuff you can keep nearby for a little bit of self care when a shower seems like a lot of energy, and just in general

if you have a bathtub, bubble baths are also a great option! they're better than nothing when standing up for a long time sounds exhausting, bubbles are always fun, and they can also smell great. if getting in and out of a bathtub is hard and you don't have rails installed but you still intend to try, do be careful and take your time! remember to wipe down the edge of the bathtub when getting out (<- guy who has nearly cracked his poor little head open like a walnut)

consider getting your hooves on some mlp coloring/sticker/activity books! they in particular are usually pretty easy and have thick lines, plus they're honestly just nice to do, even as an adult