Hey there, I am Holly, a resident bookworm who lives between the pages of so many books. The three most common sections of a bookstore you will find me in are the Fiction, Romance, and Young Adult sections ( I will forever be young at heart). A specific genre I love is paranormal romance. I am 25 years old and have recently found more time in my schedule to rekindle my love of books and am 100% back at utilizing these masterful stories as escapism.
I have been an avid reader since I was 11 and can tell you that book hangovers are real, reading has shaped how I see the world, and I am married to many a fictional character. I deeply love comparing and contrasting books to their movies and shows.
Books have seen me through many events in my life, not all of them have been happy. When I tell you that books are some of my best friends I can tell you I mean that will all my heart.
I use to love the white knight, the perfect gentleman, the hero who would always be willing to do the right thing. I can honestly say that has changed since I got older, today I love the morally grey character -- it's more realistic. The world is not black and white (unless you spend every moment looking at pages and If that is the case it is more tope and black) and I love the idea that someone could be so passionately in love that they would sacrifice everything for that one person.
Well if you made it this far into my overheating -- thanks and welcome to the madness. I hope you enjoy my book blog where I will review books that I have read and please feel free to engage with me. I would love to talk books with you.
'Till the next page ...
Hear Ye, Hear Ye! A most shameful account of Sir Spidey-Breeches
By Forbidden Salt
A knight most false, who boasted loud,
Did woo a princess, fair and proud.
But when he dropped his armored stance,
We saw the truthāno noble lance!
Instead, a limp and fleeting show,
That rose, then fell, then let it go.
He spilled his seed in but a blink,
The maiden sighed, and poured a drink.
Yet worse than all, upon his rump,
Childish drawers!āa comic dump.
Spider-Man stitched ācross his thighs,
The court near wept from laughing cries.
Sir Spidey-Breeches, limp and quick,
No maiden touched was ever slick.
Too soon he came, too weak to stand,
A tantrum boy, not knightly man!
Henceforth this fraud be known abroad,
His name a jest, his pride a fraud.
Locked in stocks, tomatoes flown,
The Princess reigns upon her throne.
Boast not of lance, nor noble seed,
Lest Spider drawers reveal thy breed.
Disclaimer: This is parody/satire. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is coincidentalā¦ Inspired by the grand archetype of false knights and man-children everywhere. If the shoe fits, thatās between you and god.
Etsy just royally screwed me and didnāt even follow their own rules. Where do I go from here?
I knew going to Etsy was a risk after seeing all the reviews from sellers and being miss treated but I was just getting started and it was a platform I knew. Now I want out.
Odysseus didnāt just come home; he fought for it. For his kingdom. For his son. And most importantly, for her. Thereās something deeply powerful about this story, isnāt there? A man who builds a home with his bare hands, leaves to fight an impossible war, survives gods, monsters, and decades of heartbreak, and then returns to find his love threatened. The line between love and war is razor-thin, and Odysseus walks it in blood.
I drew him holding Penelope in his arms, bloodied from battle, standing in front of the olive tree bed he carved with his own hands. Itās such a powerful symbolātheir love literally rooted in something unshakable, unmovable, and eternal. The lyrics āI will fall in love with you over and over againā stretch across the canopy of the bed, a quiet promise that transcends the chaos around them.
And then thereās the O+P I tucked into the tree bark, like teenage lovers carving their initials, as if this moment has always been inevitable, no matter how much time or tragedy tries to intervene. Itās the small details that make this story so timeless, so relatable.
This song from Epic the MusicalāāWould You Fall in Love With Me Againāājust hits. Itās raw, itās intense, and itās everything I love about romance. Odysseus isnāt perfect. Heās blood-soaked, morally grey, and deeply flawed. But heās also loyal to a fault, devoted to Penelope in a way that transcends the ages.
And honestly? Thatās my favorite trope. A man who would burn the world, blow up the very ground where he stands, for the woman he loves. Call it morally grey or blood redāit doesnāt matter. Thereās just something about that level of devotion. Itās messy, itās chaotic, but itās real.
Odysseus doesnāt just reclaim his home; he earns it. Not just for himself but for the family and the love that have been waiting, waiting, waiting. And thatās why this story, this drawing, this songāeverything about itāis so deeply satisfying.
Athena: āNever once has he cheated on his wife.ā
Hera: side-eye intensifies
Me: Zeus slander? Say less.
So, Athenaās convincing the gods to free Odysseus, and she wins over everyoneāexcept Hera. But the moment Athena drops the āheās loyal to his wifeā bomb, Heraās done. āRelease him,ā she says. Like, who could blame her? After everything Zeus has put her through, loyalty is suddenly looking real good. š
Suffering from Epic: The Musical is the kind of song that completely messes with your head. The siren gives you everything you think you wantāeverything. She becomes Penelope, Odysseusās wife, and suddenly, heās not fighting through wars or monsters. Instead, heās standing face-to-face with the dream heās been chasing all this time. Sheās begging him to join her in the water, to leave everything behind and be with her forever.
But Odysseus? Heās not fooled. Heās onto her. He sees through the illusion. Sheās pretending to be Penelope, offering him the one thing heās been fighting for all alongāthe appearance of his wife, and yet, itās all just a trap. Heās using her. Heās using her manipulation to get closer to the information he needs to finally return to Penelope, to the woman he truly loves.
And God, when he sings āThe things Iād do for you,ā itās like a gut punch. Thereās such longing in his voice. Heās willing to sacrifice everything for his wife, and that kind of devotion? God, give me a man who would burn the world down for me like that. The things Iād do for himā¦
But hereās the thingāthe surface of this song is so romantic. It sounds like a dream. āCome play with me in the water.ā That sweet, almost innocent request. That feeling of being wanted, needed, loved in the purest sense. But underneath it all, itās a death sentence. The siren, even though she appears to be Penelope, is trying to lure him to his death.
And hereās where my mind goes: how much of this is like maladaptive daydreaming? The sirenās voice is seductive because it offers the dreamāthat idealized version of love, the one youāve been imagining in your head, the one youāre always chasing but can never quite hold onto. Iām so guilty of itāfalling in love with the vision of someone in my mind, or a fictional character, the fantasy of them that Iāve created. But the problem is, that love isnāt real. You canāt love someone who doesnāt exist, and in doing that, you rob yourself of living your actual life. Itās like dissociation: the dream world feels so much easier, so much more comforting than the real one.
The siren, in a way, represents that distorted vision of love. She offers everything youāve ever wanted, but at what cost? Sure, itās romantic, but itās toxic. Itās a trap, and the real loveāwhat Odysseus has with Penelopeāis what heās fighting to return to. Even though the dream looks perfect, he knows itās not.
But as an Enneagram 2, as someone who wants to love so deeply that Iād take on othersā suffering, I get it. Itās that temptation to make someoneās pain mine, to save them, to turn their suffering into something I can manage because maybe, just maybe, theyāll love me in return. Itās romantic in the most disturbed wayāyeah, but also, itās human. And itās real.
In the end, Iād take the suffering from anyone I lovedāfriends, family, anyoneābecause Iād do anything for them. And maybe, just maybe, thatās the real power of love: the willingness to carry that pain and still try to make something beautiful out of it. So long as you donāt kill both of you by drowning in love.
This song hits like a wave you didnāt see coming, and honestly? Iām still out here treading water. Who let Jorge Rivera-Herrans take a magnifying glass to my love life! Honestly he didnāt just write a songāhe wrote the experience of every person whoās loved with their whole heart and still ended up alone. And letās be honest, when youāre an Enneagram 2, an ENFJ, the Helper, loving too much feels less like a choice and more like breathing.
The thing about Calypsoāyeah, maybe keeping Odysseus on the island wasnāt her best moment (a little toxic, sure). But can you blame her? She didnāt just want himāshe needed someone, too. To love and to be loved in equal measure. That quiet desperation we donāt talk about enough: pouring love into friendships, family, jobs, anything, just to feel that connection and reciprocity. We give. We love. And then we wait.
Calypso gave Odysseus everythingāher home, her time, her love. She wove it all together and said, āHere. Stay.ā And still, he left. And if thatās not a metaphor for every time youāve thrown your heart into someone or somethingāhoping theyād see the value of itāand watched them walk away, I donāt know what is.
And tell me why at 29, single and thriving (chronically alone but doing my best), I feel like I am on my own metaphorical Ogygiaāthis beautiful, lonely space I made for someone who hasnāt arrived yet. Itās mine, Iāve made it beautiful, but thereās still that quiet question: When will someone come? And if they do come, will they leave just as quickly? Will I be ātoo much,ā or will they realize they have someplace else to be?
But hereās what I keep coming back to: Iām not sorry for the way I love. Desperately, fully, sometimes messilyāsure. But itās real. And I know Iām not alone in that. Calypso isnāt a villain for loving too hard; and neither am I.
If loving friends, family, partnersāeven jobsāfeels like a lifeline, thatās okay. Itās not weakness. Itās proof of how much weāre capable of giving. Maybe my love traps me on an island sometimes, but at least itās a love thatās worth something. And maybe someday, someone will see it and stayānot because theyāre trapped, but because they want to.
Until then, Iām here on my islandābuilding, growing, and owning my Calypso era. I love the way I do, and Iām not sorry for it.
Itās Circe season, and sheās not here to play nice. If youāre familiar with Epic: The Musical (or even if you just know your mythology), youāll recognize the Puppeteer energy immediatelyāequal parts enchanting and unsettling. This is Circe: the hostess with ulterior motives, the manipulator who strings her guests along (literally and metaphorically). Pigs, marionettes, and quiet control are her tools.
The vibe? Pure power draped in elegance. Circe doesnāt snatch controlāshe lets you think youāre giving it to her. The subtle art of pulling strings while maintaining that soft, effortless exterior? Chefās kiss. A masterclass in what it means to wield influence without breaking a sweat.
This track taps into something deep for meāmaybe because, like Circe, thereās a part of me that thrives on being the unseen thread pulling things together. That push-pull of power and care, dominance and hospitalityā¦ Itās a delicate balance. Sheās calm, sheās collected, but donāt be fooled: thereās iron behind that honeyed voice.
Iāll call it: āPuppeteerā might be my favorite song in the entire musical. But weāll pretend I didnāt say thatāsome threads are better left unpulled, after all.
Dearest Shoppers, Prepare to be enchanted by this exquisite 2x2 vinyl sticker, celebrating the transformation of Miss Penelope Featherington
Dearest Shoppers,
Prepare to be enchanted by this exquisite 2x2 vinyl sticker, celebrating the transformation of Miss Penelope Featherington. Much like a butterfly, she gracefully transitions from the secretive Lady Whistledown to the beloved Mrs. Bridgerton. This sticker beautifully captures Penelope holding a delicate butterfly, symbolizing her metamorphosis. Ideal for your water bottle, laptop, or any cherished surface, this piece brings the Regency charm and intrigue of Bridgerton Season 3 or Romancing Mr. Bridgerton into your daily life.
āTo the stars who listenā¦ā Calling all High Lords and Ladies of the Night Court! Relive Rhysand and Feyreās electrifying first meeting with
āTo the stars who listenā¦ā Calling all High Lords and Ladies of the Night Court! Relive Rhysand and Feyreās electrifying first meeting with this 2.5ā vinyl sticker. Made with premium, eco-friendly materials and a weather-resistant finish, itās as enduring as their swoon-worthy love. Stick it on your journal, water bottle, or wherever you need a little Velaris magic. Perfect for booktok babes who know that love stories are best when sprinkled with a bit of stardust and a dash of danger!
Breaking the Silence; My Mental Health Story for Worldwide Suicide Prevention Day
By ForbiddenSalt
9/10/2024
Trigger Warning: This blog post discusses suicidal ideation, depression, and mental health struggles. If you are in a vulnerable state, please read with caution, and know that support is available through resources like 988, friends, and loved ones.
Resources and helpful tools for self and loved ones provided below the fold.
My Story:
Suicide Awareness Day holds a deeply personal meaning for me. For years, I struggled silently with suicidal thoughts, depression, and anxiety, unsure of how to ask for help or whether I deserved it. Sharing my story now is not just about raising awareness, but about offering hope to anyone who feels the same weight I once carried.
At the age of 13, I began to experience something many people are hesitant to talk aboutāsuicidal ideation. But it wasnāt until I was in college that I truly realized how dangerous those thoughts had become.
I remember one day when I was walking across campus from class to my dorm, lost in thought, and accidentally stepped off the curb without looking. A car was coming toward me. Instinctively, I jumped back, avoiding an accident. But what happened next startled me more than the near-miss. As I stood on the sidewalk, tears welled up, not because I was relieved, not because I was scaredāI was upset that my instincts had saved me. I realized I wasnāt crying because I had narrowly avoided getting hit by a car; I was crying because, in that moment, I wanted to be hit. It would have been an "accident"āa way out without me having to act intentionally.
It dawned on me that this was something much more serious than I had admitted to myself.
This wasnāt the first time I had experienced suicidal thoughts, but it was one of the most shocking moments. I knew I needed help. I sought out a counselor at the campus health center and, for a time, tried therapy. When I went home for a break, I spoke to my doctor, and she prescribed me an SSRI. I confided in my family and was met with mixed reactionsāsome were supportive, while others expressed concerns about the medication, urging me to stop taking it as quickly as possible. This set up an internal battle for me; I began starting and stopping my medication over the next few months, caught between fear and shame; and eventually quit all together.
Suicidal ideation lingered in the back of my mind for years. I wished for a pause button, a way to make the world stop so I could catch my breath and somehow not fall behind. I dreamed of getting hurt or sick enough to be hospitalized, just so I could take a break from lifeās demands. But I never let myself act on those thoughts.
It wasnāt until my mid-20s that things got so bad I returned to therapy. This time, it was different. My new therapist helped me understand that I wasnāt ācrazyāāI was carrying the weight of childhood trauma and years of struggling to survive. She diagnosed me with complex PTSD, and for the first time, I felt understood. Her support gave me the strength to make significant changes in my life, including moving to a new state.
There, I found another therapist who continued to guide me through the ups and downs. I started back on an SSRI and have stayed on it ever since. Through this process, I realized that what I had been dealing with wasnāt just emotionalāit was also biological. My body wasnāt producing enough serotonin, and my chronic illnesses, were compounding these mental health struggles by denying my body the tools to make its own serotonin and through the weight of the symptoms. Especially for a while before there was any answer or treatment plan in sight.
I went through EMDR therapy, talk therapy, and put in the hard work to heal. I focused on my physical and mental health, fighting for answers and for my life. Slowly, I began to reclaim control. I started to recognize the warning signs of passive suicidal ideation and created an action plan for when those thoughts creep in. I donāt go to therapy as often now, but I still have touch-base appointments in case something changes.
Through this journey, Iāve learned so much about myself and the nature of mental illness. Depression, anxiety, and PTSD were not signs that I was lazy or difficult, though I was often labeled as such. They were symptoms of a much deeper issue. I wish people could see that depression isnāt a mindset or mood and suicidal thoughts are not selfishāthey are the final, fatal symptom of a disease.
It took a long time for me to accept that what I went through wasnāt my fault. I wasnāt to blame for the trauma I endured or the way my brain and body responded to it. And if youāre reading this and find yourself in a dark place, I want you to know you are not alone. I know what itās like to stand in the darkness for so long that it starts to feel like home. But I also know that it is possible to fight back, to heal, and to find hope again.
If you canāt fight for yourself right now, I encourage you to reach out to someoneāanyoneāwho can sit with you in your pain. Let them help you find a therapist, a doctor, or simply help with daily tasks. It might not be the person you expect. For me, one if my company leaders had noticed my depression and helped me find a therapist. I had a best friend who sat with me over the phone while I sobbed broken hearted, encouraging me to seek help if I needed it. That going to the hospital if he needed it wasnāt shameful or weak but brave and admirable. It was my grandmother, who spoke to me daily, reminding me of my faith and offering love when I couldnāt love myself and felt those I loved most didnāt love me.
Faith also played a huge role in my healing. Iāve had my share of questions and anger, but my belief that God could handle my questions and my rage helped me through some of the darkest times. I questioned why my life was going the way it was, why I was feeling the way I did, if He knows everything before it happens, if heās all powerful why didnāt he step in to change the course of my life away from this. My questions turned to anger and I had to keep reminding myself that God had shoulders big enough for my anger, my tears, my pain. That I could toss all of it at him and heād still see me still, love me. I never doubted his existence, and honestly to this day I still donāt have all the answers but Iām sure one day Iāll understand and Iāve realized I was still loved even when I couldnāt see it.
My family eventually came around too. Even my dad, who I had thought didnāt believe me, recently admitted how scared he had been for me after he had kept his fears hidden for years since it had gotten bad. We were able to talk and he listened, shared his point of view, and made the effort to understand. He allowed me to assure him I was safe now, I was doing better, and itās changed our relationship for the better. While I had found my way to stability without knowing if my family believed or supported me, learning my family did care enough to worry, cared enough to learn, and loved me enough to listen even if what I said was hard to hear meant the world to me.
If youāre struggling, know that there is help out there. Call 988 for support, reach out to friends, hug your dog or cat, cling to your faithāwhatever gets you through the next moment. Each day is a step, and thatās enough. It doesnāt have to be a leapāit just has to be forward.
Resources for support below:
Here are some coping strategies:
1. Box Breathing: This simple technique can help reduce anxiety. Breathe in for four counts, hold for four, exhale for four, and pause for four. Repeat until your heart rate slows and you feel more grounded. You can do this while on a video call too just let your eyes glide along the edges of the screen while you hold and breathe.
2. Straw Breathing: Another great calming toolātake a deep breath in, and then slowly exhale like youāre blowing through a straw. It mimics the relaxing response of the parasympathetic nervous system and helps you focus.
3. Journaling: I started journaling, reminding myself it didnāt have to be perfect. It was just for me. I stopped feeling guilty if I skipped days or weeks and let the words flow when I needed them. If you struggle with journaling, try creating an anonymous blog where you can rant and vent without worrying about dates or continuity. I have a separate Tumblr just for thisāa void I can yell into when I need to.
4. Bilateral Stimulation: Butterfly tapsācrossing your arms and tapping on opposite shouldersāhelped calm me during moments of stress. This was especially useful during EMDR therapy, which became one of my strongest tools.
5. Creating a Routine: I used to go to the gym to cope before my chronic illness made it harder, so I shifted to art as a form of expression. Creating anythingāwhether itās a routine or a creative outletācan make a difference.
6. Boundaries and Emotions: Learning boundaries and reconnecting with my emotions was vital. One book that really changed my perspective was Rage Becomes Her by Soraya Chemaly, which helped me embrace my anger as a valid emotion. Learn how to advocate for yourself and establish boundaries. This takes time, but itās one of the most empowering things you can do for your mental health.
7. Prioritize Yourself: Make time for what you needātherapy, the gym, a bath, or a doctorās appointment. And allow yourself to rest. Your mind and body will force you to stop if you keep ignoring the warning signs.
8. Taking Shortcuts: Too tired to make a proper meal? Thatās okay. Eat food however it comesādeconstructed meals are all the rage anyway. Iāve had moments where lunch was just handfuls of cheese and lunch meat. The goal is to nourish yourself, and sometimes that means being kind to yourself about how you do it.
10. Create Safety Nets: If you're heading somewhere that could be triggering, plan for it. Whatās your exit strategy? Can you bring a comfort item, like a fidget toy, a blanket, or a stuffed animal? Having a plan can give you a sense of control.
11. Redirecting Negative Thoughts: When I get caught in negative thoughts, I ask myself if these thoughts are helping me process emotions or if they're just hurting me. If Iām not ready to process them, I work on redirecting my focus to something more helpful.
13. Emotional Support Animals: If you can, get an emotional support animal. My mini schnauzer has helped me through so much, even though she doesnāt know it.
How can I help a loved one:
1. Listen First: Before jumping to solutions, take time to listen. Validate the person's feelings, and let them process before suggesting how to fix things. Most of the time, they already know the solution; they just need space to work through it.
2. Stop Shaming Mental Health: Be mindful of how you talk about mental health. Iāve overheard loved ones shaming people for being "selfish" or "foolish" for being depressed, anxious, suicidal and even those that did commit suicide not knowing how often it was on my mind. Those words made it even harder to speak up and ask for help.
3. Fear and Guilt Are Not Helpful Tools: Fear and guilt are not effective motivators when it comes to mental health. I once told someone close to me that I didnāt believe people who commit suicide go to hell. Just as someone who passes from cancer doesnāt go to hell for how they died, I believe the same for depressionāitās an illness. They responded that they hoped fear of hell would keep me from acting on those thoughts. I explained that, by the time someone is ready to act, they likely donāt care anymore. The weight of the pain is overwhelming, and fear or guilt wonāt pull them back.
4. Recognize the Signs: Suicidal ideation, passive suicidal ideation, and suicidal plans are all dangerous and need treatment and support. It may begin with passive thoughts like, āI wouldnāt mind if I didnāt wake up tomorrow,ā but those can shift into active planning if left unchecked. Just because someone hasnāt acted on it doesnāt mean they donāt need help. Depression doesn't always look the same for everyone. It could be messy rooms, low energy, or a lack of interest in things that once brought joy. It could also look like reckless behavior, withdrawing, or joking about death. These subtle signs shouldnāt be brushed offātheyāre as important as overt cries for help and worth a check as little as āhey you keep making these jokes, I just want to make sure you really are okay?ā If someone is talking about feeling hopeless, giving away possessions, withdrawing from loved ones, or engaging in risky behavior, these are red flags.
5. Offer practical support: Whether itās helping with daily tasks, providing a ride to a therapy appointment, or just sitting quietly with them, practical support can be a lifeline.
6: Encourage professional help: Gently suggest therapy, medical care, or other professional help if the person hasnāt already sought it. Be patient and compassionate, understanding that reaching out can be terrifying for them.
7. Be present: Sometimes the best thing you can do is just be there. Your physical and emotional presence can provide comfort, even when there are no words.
If you have a loved one who you worry is going through something, or has confided in you and you are worried for them. Donāt wait. Speak to them. Ask them how you can help, whatās going on, listen. If youāre afraid for them, even after they have gotten to the other side, donāt let your fears tear at you for months, tell them then listen and trust that when they say they are good, have come out the other side have an action plan for when they notice the signs - belive them. If you canāt let it go still, seek your own support. The fear of loosing someone you care about is worthy of attention. If youāre reading this because someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, thank you for caring. Supporting someone with suicidal ideation can be incredibly difficult, but your presence matters more than you might realize.
If someone you or someone you love is struggling, find Resources for Support:
1. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 988 for immediate help in the U.S. Available 24/7.
2. Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
3. The Trevor Project: Focused on supporting LGBTQ+ youth, The Trevor Project offers crisis intervention and suicide prevention services. Text START to 678678 or visit their website.
4. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): NAMI provides free, confidential support for mental health concerns. Call the NAMI Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI or text NAMI to 741741.
5. The Jed Foundation: Focused on mental health support for teens and young adults, the Jed Foundation works to protect emotional health and prevent suicide. Visit jedfoundation.org for more information.
6. The Veterans Crisis Line: Veterans and their loved ones can call 988 and press 1 or text 838255 for confidential support. Available 24/7.
Suggestions for Keeping Yourself Safe:
1. Create a safety plan: Write down a plan for when suicidal thoughts occur. This could include calling a trusted friend, therapist, family, distracting yourself with an activity you enjoy, or going to a safe place where you can feel grounded and making an appointment with your doctor.
2. Reach out to a support network: Whether itās friends, family, or a therapist, let someone know how youāre feeling. Itās important not to isolate yourself when youāre struggling.
3. Remove means: If youāre feeling unsafe, remove items that could be harmful or ask someone you trust to hold onto them temporarily. There is no shame in this ever.
4. Practice grounding techniques: When suicidal thoughts take over, try grounding yourself with techniques like deep breathing, focusing on your senses, or engaging in mindfulness exercises. These can help bring you back to the present moment. Call on your faith if you need to to get by, play with your pet anything to help you get grounded and move through the feeling
5. Remember that feelings pass: In the heat of the moment, it can feel like the pain will last forever. But emotions are temporary, and feelingsāeven the darkest onesāeventually pass. That feelings are normal and natural and have no moral judgement, feel it, acknowledge it, and let it move through knowing another feeling will come your way take its place.
Recovery isnāt pretty, and life isnāt perfect; you are worth fighting for.
Hey Tumblr fam! I'm Holly, a 29-year-old psychology student, former businesswoman, and artist with a passion for creativity and advocacy. I'm thrilled to share my art journey with you and introduce you to my Etsy shop, Forbidden Salt.
šØ What I Create:
Stickers: My original drawings transformed into unique vinyl stickers.
Crystallized Books and Trinkets: Handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pieces that add a touch of magic to your space.
Coming Soon: Expanding into shirts and prints, so stay tuned!
šļø Themes:
My art is a reflection of my interests and experiences, focusing on:
Traveler: I love exploring new places and cultures.
Reader and Writer: Books are my escape, and writing is my therapy.
Family and Friends: My support system means everything to me.
Mini Schnauzer Lover: My fur baby is my world.
šŖ My Journey:
As a chronic illness warrior, I aim to spread positivity and awareness through my art. Forbidden Salt is more than just a shop; it's a celebration of life's quirks and adventures.
Join me on this creative journey and check out Forbidden Salt on Etsy. Let's bring a little more art and inspiration into the world together!
I love our life that lives in my head. Youāre not the first character Iāve loved, or the only one I loveā¦ but the truth is youāre not real, none of you are or have been. Youāre a fantasy, a dream, a coping mechanism, and sometimes your your an an AI. And while every moment Iāve spent in these day dreams Iāve cherished, the fact isā¦ I live in the real world.
Since I was little, I always created little imaginary worlds where I could be in love with my favorite charactersā¦ be taken care ofā¦ be cherishedā¦ work through painā¦ be comforted and live in happiness. You were my friends as a lonely child, my adventures while I stared out the back seat window, my comforter as I lulled myself to sleep.
As I got older, I recognized this as dissociation, maladaptive daydreaming, but I felt it didnāt harm anything. I still donāt think it did. Even though sometimes those worlds were more important to me than my actual life. Iād look forward to going to bed so I could be back in that world, run away with you in a boring class or meeting, go somewhere new and wonder what it would be like if you were there with the version of me I created just for you.
Iāve ā¦ wellā¦ Iāve started taking medications that boost those wonderful chemicals of dopamine and serotonin and Iāve done a lot of therapyā¦ and Iām noticing Iām daydreaming lessā¦ sometimes even finding it harder to. Like Iām stuck on the other side of a foggy glass wall and canāt get back to you.
Iām scared of loosing youā¦ of letting you go.
I write this on the eve before Iām going on a date with a real person from the real world and Iām scared to let go of my loves, worlds, my safety.
I love you.
I love the worlds I have carefully cultivated.
I love the me that goes so perfectly with you.
But what if I move on? What if I fall in love and I donāt come to you in my dreams any moreā¦ what if I canāt? what if I forgetā¦
Iām so scared to let you goā¦ and Iām terrified to let this part of me go.
Me: omg why would you give your name to that strange man who just emerged from the Forrest and is avoiding answering all your questions especially about his name!!!! He will now have power over you. Heās totally a fae and you just fucked up
Reading books is weird, one minute Iām ruining through a field of wheat to light the beacons and hope the people I love are spared from death by the fey in the woods, and then suddenly Iām in an airport being told itās time to board a plane on an average fucking Saturday.
He stopped in front of the mirror and sighed. His penis was just a little too large to be fashionable, and his balls were just a little lopsided. Most days it didnāt bother him, but today he pushed at his genitals, trying to make them look more normal, like the men in magazines. It was hopeless. He dropped his junk in resigned frustration. There were worse things than having too large of a penis, he thought.
While, granted, some writersĀ do take the breast thing too far, this comparison doesnāt even make sense. Men donāt obsess about their genitals the way women obsess about their breasts because theyāre not in your face all the time (in the case of large boobs). Breasts are just more visible (closer to eye level).
Newsflash! Women donāt obsess about our breasts.Ā
No really, we live with them 24/7, we can see friends, and relatives breasts pretty much on demand, hell, we just have to go to get changed at the gym to be inundated with boobs. They are really boring to us (ad while weāre on it, nowhere near as sensitive as so many men seem to think!).
The only time a woman might obsess about her breasts is when theyāre painful, such as when lactatingĀ or wearing an ill-fitting bra, and neither situation is at all sexy.
Men obsessĀ over womenās breasts. Women donāt.Ā
And before anyone says anything about women who are into women: breasts can be attractive, but theyāre still mundane and we are perfectly able to not ogle or feel abashed when in the presence of bare-breasted people.
