Necromance if Ya Wanna

what did I do wrong?

[Image Description: A six panel comic drawn in shades of orange, white, grayish-blue. It is sketchy. The setting is a two-lane road surrounded by grass and bushes and trees. It is a clear day save for a few clouds in the sky. Panel 1: A happy dog is sitting obediently as its owner (off screen) takes its collar off. There is a bone tag on the collar. There are question marks above its head, but it doesn't look nervous. Panel 2: The dog looks anxious and confused as its owner begins to walk away towards a parked car. It stands, with its tail tucked between its legs. It has more question marks above its head.

Panel 3: The car begins to drive away, the beginnings of smoke coming from the exhaust pipe, with the dog chasing behind it. The dog looks scared. At the top of panel it says "Hey! Wait for me!".

Panel 4: There is more distance between the dog and the car, having picked up speed, but the dog continues to chase it. It begins to look tired, still looking scared. More exhaust trails behind the car, starting to waft above the dog's head. At the top of the panel it says "Where are you going?!".

Panel 5: There is even more distance between the dog and the car. The dog slows down, no longer running. It is tired. More exhaust trails behind the car going above the dog's head. At the top of the panel it says "Please..."

problem solving steps

"what should we do for dinner", "what film do you want to watch", "where should we sit" - you can practice by responding with anything other than: "I don't know", "what do you want to do?", "what would you prefer?"; instead of deferring, it gives us agency over our own life - "things we do and say, matter", just make a choice ("I'm too tired to make a decision" counts)

You're building a tolerance for standing up for yourself in situations where at worst it'll be a bit embarrassing. Then when things matter for long term implications, you're making informed choices

Do things you want to do - take up skills, hobbies and interests that make you feel good, take yourself on dates, you don't need to wait for permission or a buddy, just go and see what happens

Focus on what you're doing, not how other people react. You'll piss off someone, somewhere, some time, and it will not matter.