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[clayaffinity]

icons for u and your sweaty squad :3c

reblog if you use! no credit necessary but appreciated!

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[animalcrossingqrdesigns]

Cherry Blossom Picnic Set

[irl-magicalgirl]

Something that really stood out to me in Homeworld Bound is that the diamonds were doing good that had not been asked of them.

At the beginning of the movie, it's very clear the diamonds are only doing things that Steven specifically suggests or asks of them, and they do it because they want to please Steven. They are also annoyed about the whole thing and Steven has to actively correct their thinking patterns. But now, they seem to have a much more genuine grasp of "doing good", and are choosing to do good without the promise of attention from Steven.

Yellow realizes she can alter physical forms, so she starts dismantling gem clusters and repairing gems. Blue's grief has subsided and now she provides a safe and cheerful place for gems to be. White learned she can channel gems and is travelling the galaxy to boost the voices of gems who need help. In addition, Homeworld is now thriving, colorful, and even has organic life growing all around.

Steven had no direct influence on any of this; he initiated the new ways of thinking and acting for about a year or two, yes, but ultimately the diamonds had to change on their own, and that happened off screen, without Steven. And I think that really exemplifies the series' message that anyone is capable of changing, of growing, of overcoming toxic behaviors, but it has to be an active choice by that person.

[galaxytrashh]

mr. universe + parenting styles

Watching Mr. Universe reminded me of some things that I learned in AP Psychology, so I thought I would make a post about it!  

Before I start, I just want to put a disclaimer that I am not a psychologist or a mental health professional.  I learned these through AP psychology and these are the terms that I was taught.  I am aware people grew up with these type of parenting styles and I do not want to offend any of you, these are just things that I’ve learned academically and wanted to make a connection with from Mr. Universe.  Please do not read if you feel personally conflicted with anything I’m going to state.

In Mr. Universe, we learned that Greg grew up in a strict household and allegedly told Steven that he grew up in a “prison”.  

According to Diana Baurmind’s parenting styles, this is known as the authoritarian style which is: Less warm and nurturing, having high expectations, unwilling to negotiate, and mistakes are punished harshly.

“Everything I liked or wore or wanted was always wrong.”

Children who grew up under authoritarian households usually lack self-discipline, and since they were never encouraged to act independently and explore, they never learned how to set their own personal standards and limits.  

Greg, coming out of an extremely strict household, explains why he wanted to raise Steven with no boundaries or discipline whatsoever.

Now let’s discuss Greg’s parenting style which is known as the permissive style: Very loving and nurturing, little to no attempt to punish children, has very few rules, emphasizes children’s freedom instead of responsibility, and lacks structure.  

“You grew up with actual freedom.”

Children coming from a permissive household are prone to make poor decisions, display aggression, and have less emotional understanding. This shows how Steven lacks understanding to see the struggles that Greg grew up with from living in a strict household. Steven acts resentful towards Greg and lashes out at him for how he raised him.

Steven doesn’t see the hardships of growing up under a roof like that, he’s fixated on the fact that it’s a home, with parents who provided him with food and education.

Steven’s losing his supportive network, and already lost trust on his gem side. So he resorted to his dad to find some type of guidance that he desperately needs, and he felt betrayed to find out that his dad has been avoiding a normal human lifestyle on purpose. Finding this out, Steven lost any trust he had on his human side of his network, which was Connie and his dad.

I don’t know how the crew is going to resolve such heavy topics like this and what’s been coming out from new episodes. But I hope they can have Greg and Steven talk in one of the last episodes.

[novantinuum]

“Find your center, your very core. Remember – your body isn’t just a projection of light but also a reflection of your inner soul.”

“I only came here because I felt bad for you, but all of this is your own fault. All the other Gems were corrupted by the Diamonds, but – but you corrupted yourself just to win a fight, which you lost to me! No one’s making you stay here all alone in the middle of nowhere ready to fight a war that’s been over for years! Are you just gonna sit here for centuries waiting for someone to give you a purpose?! Because I’m trying to give you one!“

Jasper: “I don’t need your help. You’re the one that needs help. You think you’ve beaten me, but you’ve never beaten me on your own. You’ve always been a fusion. You’ve always had your friends because you’re nothing without them. You think everyone needs help.” Steven: “I – I just…” Jasper: “But it’s only you. No one is as pitiful as you.”

Amethyst: “So what about you?” Steven: “Uh, what about me?” Amethyst: “Now that things are settling down a bit, what are you going to do? Come on. Let’s talk about your future! The doctor is in. The first session is free.” Steven: “I don’t know. I still want to help people, but maybe I’m losing my touch.”

“I thought I was ready to move on and not have her hanging over me anymore, but I can barely be in a room with you because I still feel all twisted up about her. I’ve been pretending that I’m fine because it’s not your fault, but I’m not fine.“

[Stores his mother’s image in a place he doesn’t have to see it or interact with it- compartmentalizing it away.]

“Her physical form shows damage, but her pearl is perfectly fine. This injury must have been so impactful that it continues to manifest despite the fact that her pearl has been repaired.”



“So, it’s like… psychological?”

“That’s absurd, I am fine!” [gem cracks more]

“STOP IT! I can’t deal with ONE more horrible thing she did, okay?! I don’t wanna hear about it, I don’t even wanna THINK about it! I just- want to FIX IT!!”

_

Remember – your body isn’t just a projection of light but also a reflection of your inner soul.

To find balance, you must understand your feelings. To understand your feelings, you must see them clearly without running from them.

An imbalance can cause [you] to lose touch with reality, see things that aren’t there, and eventually fall apart.

[mew-cake]

i love the episodes but i have fear

[faelapis]

it frustrates me how some confuse SU’s message of “everyone has the capacity to change” as being the Exact Same as saying every victim in any interpersonal relationship has to forgive, no matter how imbalanced or abusive.

so let me make the distinction for you. 

there are relationships that end in the show. rose left the diamonds, lapis and jasper fell apart, greg ran away from his parents, sour cream did not reconnect with his biological father. i’ve yet to see any of these characters be forced to make it up, or told that it was invalid for them to leave. the show has never said that. steven has never said that.

if steven ever wanted to escape from someone and had to learn the lesson that he’s being a Meanie for doing so, that would be a valid take. that is something that a lot of media pushes. but in SU, that’s just not the case.

SU never said you have to forgive your abuser / mutually toxic partner / parental figure. it doesn’t want complacency. it thoroughly supports breaking toxic status quos. it’s just said that those people, even yourself (!!!), can become less toxic. even if you’re not responsible for changing others. that’s the distinction.

basically, even if nobody is obligated to forgive whoever hurt them, that doesn’t mean that the hurtful person in question has no chance to get better. 

the diamonds ruined their relationship with pink. they can never get her back. but even without her, they can still grow as people. that’s it. that’s the message.

it’s never conflated that with people being forced to stay in relationships they don’t want. the show is fully able to balance “there being hope for everyone” and “victims get to make their own choices regarding how they feel about the people who hurt them”. imagine that!

rose chose her found family. as did greg. as did peridot, who was never made to heal yellow diamond. as did lapis, who was never made to heal blue. the show is pretty consistent with this. characters realizing “i’ve screwed up with you, i’m gonna work on myself” is pretty common - as spinel puts it herself.

there are people who work on relationships with people who have hurt them - like steven - but that’s generally framed as his choice. and it’s a choice he’s often discouraged from. “no steven, let’s just bubble them”. “no steven, that’s dangerous”. “no steven, you can’t help them”.

so it’s no wonder that part of steven finding his voice is about “yes, actually. i can and will try to connect with people. you can’t stop me”.

because SU is pretty great at balancing this, none of this interferes with the message where the structural institutions and beliefs of society is the toxin, and the people who have been influenced by those societal norms are not “beyond saving”. heck, they compliment each other! you can reform people, and society as a whole, without pressuring individual victims to be there for their abusers. 

SU knows that - it just doesn’t let these individual connections be the end-all, be-all in whether society and the people within them can reform. that’s part of its brand of structuralism. people are shaped by overarching social systems, and those people can change regardless of an individualistic “does the victim forgive or not” lens. they can always work on themselves, and there is healing to be found in trying your best to grow and questioning social norms. 

i think that’s an important message. 

it’s yknow… good to tell toxic people that if they change, it’s not gonna depend on whether their victims are there to support them. they should never feel entitled to them. and if you want toxic attitudes to change on a societal level, you should never leave that responsibility to individuals.

sending those signals matters, even if you think you’ve never needed to change.

it’s just that the show isn’t so bland as to think the audience needs to be told, to their face, that “people have the capacity to change” isn’t the same thing as “you, personally, have to forgive them”. that’s not a mindblowing revelation. it’s something they just… show. rose wasn’t made to be the diamonds’ life coach. greg was never shamed for going his own way.

then again, the people who think SU says they “have to” forgive have never been subtle about not wanting anyone to be forgiving. even if it’s their choice.

you’re not mad at the show for “forcing you to forgive”. it doesn’t. you’re mad people are given the chance to heal at all. similarly, steven isn’t forced to forgive, that’s his choice. you’re mad he chooses to be himself.

[solanin-art]

🐗🐗🐗🐗🐗🐗🐗🐗🐗🐗🐗

[auntbutch]

if someone does the “fine, you’re right, i’m clearly a terrible person, i’m satan, i’m the worst person alive, i should just die” thing in response to criticism of their harmful behavior, they are trying to manipulate ppl and flip the situation around so that they look like a victim

stop tolerating this in 2k17 tbh. like really and truly, if you or your friend thinks this is okay pls call the hotline on the bottom of the screen and learn how to take responsibility for your bad behavior 

[redeyestakewxrning-blog]

The bad thing is I do this on a regular basis. Not because I want to manipulate people, but because that’s actually how I feel. I’m bad at receiving concrit. I can’t say that everyone who reacts this way feels the same as I do, but…not every case is like that.

[auntbutch]

have you considered that, regardless of your intentions, reacting in such an exaggerated way would make it very difficult for anyone to criticize you or tell you that you’re harming people with your behavior? i’m not interested in searching out people’s motives, i don’t really care why someone does or says manipulative things. being unable or unwilling to simply apologize and not make it about themselves is a solid indicator that a person is not interested in being held accountable for their bad behavior, and people, especially the injured parties in question, shouldn’t have to tolerate it.

take responsibility for your bad behavior 2k17 tbh

[jenroses]

Okay, life lesson time. 

When I was in my late teens and early 20s, I kept getting involved with people who would say, “Oh, I’m a bad person” any time I brought up ANYTHING that was the least bit of a disagreement. 

Like, “Please don’t leave my X on the floor” would get, “Oh, I’m a horrible person!”

HERE’S WHY THIS IS A HUGELY PROBLEMATIC BEHAVIOR, and if you think I”m calling you out and you think you’re about to shut down, take a breath, remember that this is about learning, and keep reading.

What is important is what happened after. My boyfriend might say, “Oh, I’m just an awful boyfriend” and instead of him acknowledging the BEHAVIOR and working on fixing it, he’d get me trying to buck him up for the next half hour, telling him he was a good person. The behavior that started it all would not change.

Well, things led to things and I went back home to live for a while, and found that the same exact thing was happening… with my mother.

And then I learned about pattern arguments. Pattern arguments are the ones where you keep having the same nonproductive argument over and over again. They don’t all follow this pattern, but this is a really common one.

The trick?

BREAK THE PATTERN

First you have to know what the pattern is. In this case: 1. Grievance 2. Self deprecation 3. Ego stroking So, with my mother, we started in on one of these, and she said, “I guess I’m just a terrible mother.” And instead of reassuring her, instead of derailing the issue and letting it go… I said, “When you say that, it makes me wonder how terrible a daughter I could be that you would think you were a bad mother. We have this conversation this way over and over, and the problem that I have always gets pushed aside in favor of trying to make you feel better. When you’re willing to have a real conversation about this, I’m happy to talk to you, but I’m bored with this argument, so I’ll see you later if you want to really talk.” And I left the room. Now, my mom is a reasonably self-aware person, and does a lot of hard emotional work, and so she got it, very quickly. 10 minutes later she came out and found me, and we had a real conversation about whatever the hell the issue really was, and we have literally NEVER had that particular pattern argument again in 23 years.  Boyfriend came to visit. I was upset about something, he started in on the “I’m just a shitty boyfriend” thing… and my response? “Yep. You are.” His jaw dropped. He blinked. And I said, “Look, that’s what you do. You say shit like that and it means you don’t have to change your behavior, and I’m tired of the pattern we have where I tell you something isn’t working for me, you tell me you’re terrible, and I spend half an hour making you feel better. I’m tired of it and I”m not doing it anymore. If you’re willing to have an actual conversation about this, and not just the same old argument, I’m game. But this thing we do where you talk yourself down and I butter you up? Is boring. And I’m over it.” We also did not have that argument again. (The relationship finally ended for real a while after, but it ended in a grown-up way, and not with a ridiculous meaningless fight.) When you knock yourself down, the gut instinct for the people around you is to pick you up. But that means you’re not pulling your weight in the relationship. You’re making them do the work and you’re not actually hearing them. So that brings us to another point:

How to deal with criticism

Okay, so if you’re not going to knock yourself down when someone says something negative about you, what DO you do? We don’t actually train people to take criticism well. But it is an art and a skill and NECESSARY to finding emotional stability in the face of a critical world.

I see it as a flow chart, but since the flow chart I made for it ended up in a book that I don’t own the copyright to (not a big deal) I’ll write out the decision tree here instead: 1. Someone offers criticism (constructive or not!)

2. Listen and think about it without immediately trying to defend yourself. You can say, “Okay, I need a moment to take that in and think about it because I want to understand it.” Or something else appropriate to the situation. It is okay to ask for time to think in most circumstances. Most people will appreciate that you are thinking about their words instead of immediately getting defensive or counterattacking. Think about whether what they are saying is valid, might be valid or is not valid. 

3A. If it is valid, then you have a choice. You can try to fix the behavior or you can acknowledge that it is a valid criticism but decide you aren’t likely to fix it. Start by acknowledging the validity of the criticism, and then say what you’re going to do to fix it, or say that it’s valid but it isn’t something you’re willing (or possibly able) to change, or say that it’s a valid criticism and you’ll need to think about possible solutions. They may have a suggestion. Taking it or not is also a choice. 

3B. If you’re not sure it’s valid, but it might be, tell them, “I really need to give this some more thought.” or “Can you tell me more about this? I’m not sure I understand the issue well.”  Or “If you can point me at some reading material or search terms, I’d like to study this before I decide what I’m going to do.” 

3C. If you know it is not a valid criticism, STOP a moment, and look at WHY they are making it. This is where Active Listening can be very helpful. “I hear you saying that X is a problem. I don’t see it that way right now but I’d like to understand better why you do.” Or if you think they don’t have enough information, “I hear you saying X, but my understanding of the issue is Y. Here’s what I know about it if you’re ready to listen.” If they’re just looking for a fight, tell them you’re not interested in fighting, and disentangle yourself. 

4. If the criticism is something you are going to listen to and take action on, tell them what kind of action you’re going to take. If it’s something you’re hearing and thinking about, tell them that. If it’s not something you’re going to do anything about or it’s just wrong, thank them for their input and move on.

Literally never is it going to be helpful to say, “Oh, I’m just a terrible person.” That’s very much like a nonapology-apology in terms of how unhelpful it is to any conversation. It’s kind of worse because it actually expects emotional labor from someone who is already having to bring up something unpleasant with you. Think about what they say Decide whether you’re going to do something about it Do the thing, or tell them you’re not going to do the thing.  Don’t demand emotional labor from other people when you were the one who messed up. 

Apologize if appropriate.  This is all predicated on the notion that you’re talking to someone who actually wants to communicate and isn’t just an asshole on the attack.  Because seriously, the whole “I’m a terrible person” thing?  Boring as fuck. Knock that shit off. Maybe you are. Maybe you aren’t. But take responsibility and have a little self-respect and don’t make others pick your emotional dirty towels off the metaphorical bathroom floor. 

[dr-dendritic-trees]

Yeah, I want to reiterate all of the above, because I feel like the top post doesn’t do an especially good job of conveying that mostly when people do this its not on purpose, its generally because they’re feeling real distress.

Its just that it doesn’t matter.

If every single criticism of you ends in an emotional crisis, you become uncriticisable, and its unbelievably difficult to deal with someone when you can ask them to stop doing something, or to fix something.

9 times out of 10 when someone asks you to stop doing something, or fix a behaviour, its not that big a deal, they were a little upset, they said something about it, and a quick apology and not doing it again, or even just making a sincere effort to do it less, and they’ll probably not even think about it again.

And yeah, it can feel really, really bad to realize you’ve upset someone, even if its only a little bit. But it is unbelievably difficult to maintain a relationship with someone who makes all their feelings your problem. Not because it means you’re evil, or abusive, or being deliberately manipulative, but because most people just don’t have enough emotional energy to process for two. They just don’t.

[wildharpy]

This would have been amazing to have when I was 16 and an arsehole, but thank God for the people who helped me break that behaviour.

[alyssumflowers]

This. I figured it out on my own at some point that, due to my low self-esteem, I was doing this internally. I wouldn’t say it out loud and so it wasn’t manipulative, but it still wasn’t helpful at all. Neither was my original method of “oh look at the ways I’ll be amazing and better to make it for it” that never actually got done. But forcing myself to stop, listen, breathe, and assimilate the information, without getting emotional or upset or focusing on my feelings too much, has seriously helped me analyze myself and my behavior so much more.

[ciphergoth]

If you think the criticism is valid, another thing that could be good to say would be “You’re right, leaving it on the floor means it’s in the way and will get dirty/will be more likely to get broken” or whatever. This shows the other person that you are working hard to see how things are for them, in contrast to “I am a terrible person” which has no room for their needs or concerns.

[tlbodine]

Real talk.

Important life lessons here.

[magz-archive]

Had to find out this morning when checking discord that rabb.it is shutting down soon.

Some alternatives I know about:

-metastream (desktop site and browser extension)

-synaptop (simulated online operating system. desktop)

-togethertube (youtube/vimeo/soundcloud sharing)

-netflixparty (browser extension for netflix streaming and chatting)

-airtime (mobile app. limited)

It won’t be the same but that’s just what i know. Rest in peace Rabbit.

Feel free to comment only if you have any other recommendations

[shutyourmoustache]

[ijustreallylovedaredevil]

Looking for a random cause of death for a character? Click here.

Looking for a random city? Click here.

Looking for a random city that people have actually heard of? Click here.

Need a random surname for a character? Click here. (They also give prevalence by race, which is very helpful.)

Helpful writing tips for my friends.

[imtootiredtothinkofaname]

smallirishpotato

[nyokoko]

OH SHIT.

[justdrinktea]

A couple more resources I have open constantly:

Random motivations for your characters here!

Need some character quirks? Here and here! 

Having trouble with backstory? Here! (They have an option for fortunate and unfortunate backstories)

[support-every-artists-deactivat]

What Stealing Artwork Does to an Artist

Financially

They can get sued. If they work for a company or studio, their artwork is usually copyrighted. Japan has strict laws about that. If their employer or the company finds one of their works floating around, they can get in trouble, and face lawsuits.

Many artists participate in doujinshi groups, or cons. To ‘advertise’ their future prints, they sometimes show samples, sometimes even full ones, that can be stolen. And when they try to sell their artwork prints, they get very little revenue, because it’s ALREADY FLOATING AROUND THE INTERNET, so why spend money for it?

Again, Artists also rely on commissions to support themselves and their loved ones. For those who are seeking jobs in the industry, having one of their drawings floating around can be very detrimental to their chances of landing a job. If their employer has already seen it on the internet, it looses it’s ‘effect’ once they see it from the artist themselves. 

Basically, a LOT MORE.

Emotionally & Psychologically

It can make them LOSE THEIR CONFIDENCE to draw more artwork, because people keep claiming them as ‘theirs’

It can make them DEPRESSED AS HELL, and their family and friends will notice.

It can make them feel PARANOID about putting ANY of their works ONLINE.

It can make them lose SLEEP, APPETITE, MOTIVATION and INTEREST in doing what they USED TO LOVE TO DO.

Socially 

Makes them lose their TRUST in letting foreigners see their art

Makes them UNCOMFORTABLE sharing their artwork AT ALL

Makes them feel so INSECURE that they make their accounts PRIVATE

Makes them feel that the best thing to do to stop the problem is to DELETE THEIR ARTWORKS or LEAVE ART SITES like Pixiv

You didn’t think it would have this much of an effect, did you? Of course, many people do not even think about these things. Posting an artwork is as easy as right-click save and paste. But the people who suffer for it are the artists. 

This is why it is SO IMPORTANT to ASK PERMISSION. They NEED TO KNOW where their art is going, WHO is allowed to reprint from them, so they can keep track, and WHICH ARTWORK it is. Because some are OK, while others are not. Communication is the KEY to bridging gaps, and fostering TRUST, and building a positive relationship with ANYONE.

Btw, if anyone wants to add a point on there, feel free to message me, and let me know. I’m just putting this here, because many times, we do not even think about how our actions effect other people. 

Edit: THIS is not limited to just Artists. Creators/Scanners/Translators (especially on tumblr) are also applicable to this, for the last two categories. I have some SEEN people STOP TRANSLATING/SCANNING for a certain fandom or group because their translations/scans are often STOLEN and pasted to other sites. 

[lucidartist]

EVERYBODY SHOULD READ THIS!!!!!!!!! REBLOG…IT CAN SAVE A LIFE OR TWO!!! WARNING: Some knew about the red light on cars, but not Dialing 112. An UNMARKED police car pulled up behind her and put his lights on. Lauren’s parents have always told her to never pull over for an unmarked car on the side of the road, but rather to wait until they get to a gas station, etc. Lauren had actually listened to her parents advice, and promptly called, 112 on her cell phone to tell the police dispatcher that she would not pull over right away. She proceeded to tell the dispatcher that there was an unmarked police car with a flashing red light on his rooftop behind her. The dispatcher checked to see if there were police cars where she was and there weren’t, and he told her to keep driving, remain calm and that he had back up already on the way.  Ten minutes later 4 cop cars surrounded her and the unmarked car behind her. One policeman went to her side and the others surrounded the car behind. They pulled the guy from the car and tackled him to the ground. The man was a convicted rapist and wanted for other crimes. I never knew about the 112 Cell Phone feature. I tried it on my AT&T phone & it said, “Dialing Emergency Number.” Especially for a woman alone in a car, you should not pull over for an unmarked car. Apparently police have to respect your right to keep going on to a safe place. *Speaking to a service representative at Bell Mobility confirmed that 112 was a direct link to State trooper info. So, now it’s your turn to let your friends know about “Dialing, 112” You may want to send this to every Man, Woman & Youngster you know; it may well save a life.  This applies to ALL 50 states PLEASE PASS ALONG TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY, IT CAN SAVE A LIFE….

[myinterpretation5]

Works in Canada too guys, just tried it!

[louie-key]

Reblogging for anyone of the feminine preference that follow me. (Or for general knowledge.)

[unfortunatepills]

112 is actually a universal emergency number, it works all over the world. So if you don’t know the specific regional emergency number (like 911) just dial 112 and you will get help.

[cyborgsmanifesto]

the sex ed guide your parents didn't give you

how to put a condom on

where to get free birth control

the hymen debunked 

cleaning your vibrators 

how to avoid pressures

signs you may be pregnant

safe guide to anal sex

all about dental dams

disabled sexual resources

what is hiv?

feminist porn

female ejaculation

fisting 101

communication during sex

setting sexual boundaries

bdsm vs abuse

lube during sex

the clitoris

sex education games

understanding gender

what to do if your nudes were leaked

intersex

sexual consent

all about masturbation

tips for your first time

[femme-en-feu]

reblogging because sex ed is usually shit but it’s really really important

[princeof-gore]

Thoughts on Steven Universe - Change Your Mind

I thought I’d get this out there while I’m up in some MAJOR feelings right now about this topic (I write better this way, so let’s get with it.)

I quit interacting with the fandom sometime ago. The fandom drama became a nuisance to the point where any interaction with fandom content made it difficult to appreciate. The sad truth is, I think for some of us that left awhile back, we let petty fandom strife get in the way of something beautiful and the message Steven Universe brings to its audience. So, why comeback? More specifically, why comeback to this specific point in the show’s story where the resolution begins to take its course. (And why it’s now officially my favourite episode.)

No story is perfect technically. Steven Universe is not a perfect story in its technical aspects. You can say what will you about the shows flaw of character models being inconsistent, the timing and pacing of the show being too stiff, or too childish, or anything else that’s too much or too little. That’s fine, understandable even. Acknowledging it’s weaknesses as an audience, it is what it is. However, don’t let that get in the way of how Steven Universe handles the themes of literal growth, change, and development, themes that are very much prevalent and can be applied to anyone’s life. Lest we forget, how we analyze how the show treats its villains, not just as antagonists with a warped sense of morality and they forever remain stagnant characters, but as characters who can have their own moments of redemption and change. However, their redemption comes at a price and they must be willing to put in the effort towards their redemption and growth. If they recognize their flaws, if they are willing to seek out and take the offered helping hand of others, to change their minds and hearts to become, not perfect, but better. Not everyone is willing to forgive, not everyone is willing to let go of the hurt of their past, not everyone, but in time if they proceed with small steps and determined hearts, they can learn to heal.

Tonight’s episode, Change Your Mind, is a beautiful testimony to changing the heart of a hardened mind, whilst also acknowledging the person we are is the person we are, and the person we will become to love, no matter the environment, no matter our past, or what created us. A message I think is so very important that is being exposed as a children’s medium.

Steven has feared throughout the series if he was his mother, if he was the result of love, or a selfish act of rebelliousness. If he was a fusion or not. The scene where Pink Steven and Steven hug are the manifestation of his mental and physical aspects of himself. Steven has always been Steven! He has always been himself and never not his mother, Pink Diamond, or Rose Quartz. The flashes of his gem morphing between Pink Diamond, to Rose Quartz, to finally, just Steven. It spoke volumes to him that he was always himself. Steven can finally be content with this thought and his dissociation of body and mind can be at peace with this answer. The main message being seen here is, “loving yourself”, quite literally! (Also, the animation where Steven reunites with himself had my heart in a headlock.)

However, White Diamond is confused. She is upset, angry even at the gall of this playful, little act that has Pink’s name written all over it! She doesn’t understand this.

White Diamond cries out in frustration her fears to Steven.

“I’m suppose to be flawless! If I am not perfect, then who am I? If you’re not Pink, then…who are you? Who is anyone?”

Her questions hit us like bricks. How could she love herself if she is not the impossible standard of perfectionism she’s set for herself. Her purity facade falters, her passive aggressiveness and ruthlessness crumbles. She is utterly embarrassed of herself and her flaws! What of it? Why should we care? She used her powers to manipulate and control other gems, she locked away Pink Diamond and Steven in a tower for days. She created a restricted regime and system of tyranny, of discrimination, of abuse that stifled love, happiness, and growth. The list goes on. How can we forgive that? And yet Steven knows this, Steven understands this. A child (what’s your excuse?). How is Steven still able to look at White Diamond and still want to help?

He knows she isn’t perfect, even if she hides it underneath her bright, dazzling aura. (All things eventually are seen underneath the light.) White Diamond is a representation of a heart scared of change and was afraid of listening to others in fear of tampering with her own rigid mindset.

“But I’m not suppose to be like this. I’m suppose to know better. I’m suppose to be better. I’m suppose to make everything better!”

And Steven’s reply to all of that makes you laugh while crying.

“You can, but first, you’re gonna have to leave your own head.”

(Wow, they really went for that metaphorical and literal rhetoric. Gonna go cry an ocean real quick.)

And being the character in the series who is willing to see the best and worst in others, and is willing to help with both aspects, acknowledges this too. White Diamond has the authority and power to make things better. She begins with her words of being, wanting, to be perfect, to then plead that she should be better. She steps outside of her mindset and tentatively begins to see the world through others, instead of puppeteering them to her will.

Steven Universe’s fundamental concept of love is with oneself and love with others. In the case of this episode, things begin to tie together. Love, change, growth. It all wouldn’t be possible without pain, without strife, without struggle. Questioning authority, forgiving even the worst of people and their actions, accepting change, not just accepting what your flaws are, but what steps can you take to proactively better yourself. Even Steven’s song towards the end made my heart leap.

I don’t need you to respect me, I respect me.

I don’t need you to love me, I love me.

But I want you to know

you could know me

If you change your mind.

“I don’t need the validation of others, I need the validation of love from myself. But if you wanted to know me, without judgement, without bias, change your mind. Grow, learn.”

You already understand the message. You know what to do with this. It is so raw, it is genuine, it is real. Our love comes from within and it is beautiful, and so is the love of others that we are willing to accept. I have no other words, the episode does itself a certain kind of justice. I’m sure there are plenty more analysis’ of this, but this is just my quick review overall .

[88arteaficial]

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