One thing that I have found as my mental health has gotten better is that symptoms that used to go completely unnoticed have now become noticeable.
For about 4 years I didn't brush my teeth more than a couple times a week, and I honestly couldn't have cared less beyond the passing fear that maybe my teeth were suffering because of it. Now I brush them every day (I have a 58-day streak going on a calendar), but notice that I have to put a lot of effort into starting and carrying through the process. And that's frustrating.
For about 4 years I didn't shower more than once a week or so, except sometimes when I had to work and my hair was super greasy. Now I shower every other day and put on deodorant (because in 48hours I can get just stinky and greasy enough that I think others will notice, and I am starting to care what people think again). But I have to kind of mentally trick myself into doing it because if I think about it too hard or anticipate it, it will become devastatingly difficult. And that's also frustrating and unreliable.
For about 4 years I worked out sporadically, if at all. Now I work out 5 days a week, but again, if I didn't do it exactly the moment I thought of it, without planning, it wouldn't happen (I'll tell you it happens at all because I reliably feel bad about my body every day around 7PM, and know that working out is a way I can feel better about it, plus I have the yoga mat and water-filled milk jug I use as a weight just laying around where I might use them anytime. This happens to work about 5 times a week.)
And like yeah, are things getting done almost entirely because the anxiety has gotten worse than the apathy? Sure! But it got that way because the apathy dropped significantly, not because the anxiety got worse.
And while that's great, I notice now that doing things for my self care (and all the tricks it takes to do them) takes a lot more spoons than it aught to if I'm also going to do things with my day. Which leans towards a level of executive dysfunction. Which is fine, because that's like a defining hallmark symptom of schizoaffective.
But I didn't actually notice it until now because everything else was on fire. So now I hate it.
Mario and Luigi make it back to the Mushroom Kingdom. But it only takes a few seconds for some playful banter to turn into a duel between Luigi and Princess Peach. But Mario makes sure to warn Luigi that you NEVER do a tickle fight against the Princess! Not unless you are prepared to fight fire with fire.
Gosh...So much has happened in just this month alone. For one, I got formally diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1 (Formally known as Aspergers syndrome). So yeah! I'm trying to comprehend that result...
*Looks at my fanfic count on AO3*
...Okay, maybe it's not that hard to comprehend. I have been obsessed with tickling for the large part of 4 years. Though I'm often quite busy these days with coop and schooling, I've been trying to get some writing in. However, I'm also slowly fulfilling tickling in more ways than just writing (My boyfriend tickles me a lot). But that doesn't mean I'm not planning on doing tickletober 2025 this year. It'll just take a bit longer than I expected. And that's okay.
I appreciate all the support I've gotten over the years, and I hope I can get back into writing more when I'm more comfortable with my place in this world.
[After Work:]
Mario and Luigi parked their van at the usual parking spot, and they hopped out of the car. Luigi headed to the pipe first, and grabbed his backpack from earlier to put it on. With his stuff on his back, Luigi walked up and leaned against the pipe.
“Try not to fall into the darklands this time, fratellino.” Mario warned.
He sat on the pipe. “Right back at ya, fratello maggiore!” Luigi yelled back before saluting his brother and falling backwards into the pipe.
Mario chuckled and followed him into the pipe. The two boys flew through the floating passageway, making sure to stay forward so as to not end up sucked into the darklands this time. This seemed to work in leading Luigi to the Mushroom Kingdom.
Luigi flew out of the pipe. “WAHOOOOO!” Luigi yelled happily. He turned his feet down to the ground and slid across the grass towards a mushroom. Quickly, he turned himself around and slid into the large mushroom with his back.
Not long after, Mario popped out of the pipe and slid across the grass as well. Mario soon slid to a stop in a confident pose. “Now THAT’S-A how you land!” Mario declared.
“Not bad, Mario!” Luigi said, giving him the ‘okay’ sign.
Mario looked at Luigi. “Did you stick the landing this time?” Mario asked.
Luigi widened his eyes and looked down at his feet. Wait…Did-Did he really land on his feet this time?!
“I…” Luigi looked at Mario with pure shock.
“Wait, you DID?!” Mario gasped.
“I think I did!” Luigi reacted.
Mario sprinted up and hugged Luigi tightly. “DIO MIO! QUESTO È ENORME!” Mario yelled.
Luigi was laughing and jumping up and down while in the hug with Mario. “It is, it is!” Luigi reacted.
“And I got to witness it.” Someone said behind them.
Luigi opened his eyes and removed himself from the hug. “Hello Peach!” Luigi reacted.
“Peach!” Mario turned around. “You saw him land?” Mario asked.
“Yeah! Slid across the grass like it was ice, and backed up into the mushroom stump. Though he landed on his feet, he didn’t quite stop on his feet without a tiny bit of help.” Peach said with a wink, pointing her thumb to the mushroom stump.
Luigi’s excitement switched to slight annoyance. “Ouch…” He mumbled. “My dignity.”
Mario shrugged his shoulders. “I think it still counts.” Mario said.
“Awwww, did I kick you in the confidence?” Peach teased.
“No.” Luigi shook his head, looking at Peach with just enough confidence to make a difference. “And so what if you did? It doesn’t bother me.” Luigi replied.
Peach smirked. “Is that so?”
“Yeah. It doesn’t bother me.” Luigi said back.
“I heard you the first time, sweet pea.” Peach teased.
Luigi widened his eyes and narrowed his eyes at her. But then he remembered something…from a week earlier. The time he had managed to tickle Peach a couple times mid-tickle fight. With this information, Luigi smiled a slight bit. He was beginning to let a small little mood fill up his brain with ideas. Many, many ideas.
Mario widened his eyes when he saw the familiar expression on Luigi’s face. “O-Ohoho no. Luigi, let’s think for a second. This is the Princess. You know she doesn’t like that kind of thing.” Mario told him.
Luigi looked at Mario. “Yeah she does.” Luigi replied. “She’d be allowed to get me back.” he mentioned.
Peach tilted her head. “Get you back?” She asked. Are you proposing a fight?” She asked.
Luigi was taken aback. “UH- well…Not really a fight-fight…” Luigi mumbled.
Peach had to think for a moment…suddenly, her face lit up with surprise! “OH! Are you proposing a tickle fight?” She asked.
“M-Maybe…” Luigi admitted.
Peach was shocked…she soon looked over at Mario with surprise.
But the moment Peach looked at Mario, the red man put his hands up in arrest. “Nope, nope. I’m not helping. This is strictly your thing.” Mario said, pointing to his brother and Peach.
Luigi looked down slightly, biting his lip. “O-oh.”
Peach smirked. “Very well.” She looked at Luigi. “You mentioned I can get you back?” She asked.
Luigi looked at Peach with surprise, before lighting up and nodding. “Yes! Our tickle fights are usually a two-way fight.” Luigi told her.
Mario rolled his eyes. “L'ipocrisia…” he mumbled.
“Stai zitto.” Luigi muttered to Mario.
Peach smirked. “Alright. Challenge accepted.” Peach declared, offering Luigi a hand.
Mario put up his hand. “Hold on.” Mario pulled Luigi’s ear down and whispered in his ear. “Are you sure you wanna take on the princess?” Mario asked.
Luigi smirked and flicked Mario’s fingers off his ear. “Positive.” Luigi replied back in his normal volume before taking her hand and shaking it.
Peach smiled and shook his hand as well…before pulling Luigi into her arms and wrapping her arms around him. “Gotcha!”
Luigi yelped and immediately started wiggling around. “WaiT-WAIT!” Luigi shouted, before throwing his head back as the fight began on his sides. “BAAAHAHAhahahaha!” Luigi threw his head back and cackled.
“Sorry, I didn’t hear you. I was too busy tickling you.” Peach told him.
“STAHAHAP! CHEHEHEATERHRHRHR!” Luigi yelled at her.
“I did no such thing. YOU accepted my invitation regardless of what time we began the tickle fight.” She reminded him. “If you kept waiting or spoke up, I would’ve offered you a 3-second chance in the deal.” She mentioned.
“IHIHIHIHI-” He gasped and squeaked as he felt a few fingers dig into his hips. “OHOHO GAHAHAHAHA!” Luigi squeezed his eyes shut and started snorting. “NAHA- *snort* -HAHAHAHA- *snort* -HAHAHA!” Luigi cackled.
“Do you give up yet, Luigi?” She asked. “Do ya? Do ya?!” Peach repeatedly asked.
Luigi snorted and shook his head as he let out a hissy fit of laughter.
“Wow…You’re a tough cookie to break!” Peach reacted. “Your brother would’ve given up by now.”
Mario widened his eyes. “Hey!” He reacted.
“Am I wrong?” Peach asked, switching to squeezing the back of Luigi’s hip instead.
“W-Well…No, but-” Mario admitted.
“I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. I’m saying you two tolerate different things.” Peach explained as she stopped tickling. “You, I imagine, tolerate a lot more strikes.” Peach said as she pointed to Mario.
Mario shrugged his shoulders and nodded. “Yeah…you’re not wrong.” he admitted.
“And Luigi over here…” Peach took in a breath and blew a raspberry onto his neck, making Luigi squeak and giggle helplessly in her arms. “...tolerates a lot more agility.” Peach explained.
Luigi’s giggles lessened slowly as he felt himself growing tired in her grip. The man had to admit…that Peach is a lot better at tickling people than he ever expected. Maybe…maybe he underestimated the princess.
“Do you give up?” She asked slyly.
Luigi let out one long breath…before moving his hands under him and grabbing her sides. “Nope!” He declared.
Peach yelped in surprise. “EEP! Hehey!” Peach quickly tried to take back control of the situation. “Yohou finally gohohonna-”
Luigi spun himself around and tickled his quick fingers all over her belly and sides.
“Hehehehe! Nohot bahad, Luhuhu.” Peach giggled. Though her sides were quite ticklish, her belly sadly wasn’t.
This was something Luigi noticed right away. “Alright. Strike belly off the list.” Luigi said.
Mario smiled and crossed his arms as he watched his brother take control. “Try the ribs!” Mario told him.
“Whahat ahahare rihibs?” Peach asked.
Luigi smiled and fluttered his fingers up the ribs. “Just a little cage located right about here.” Luigi replied.
Peach’s giggles seemed to go up an octave as he scratched his nails on the lower ribs. “HEhehehehe! Rihihibcahahage?” Peach asked.
“Yeah. You’ve never heard of it?” Luigi asked.
Mario shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe Peach didn’t grow up with much human medical knowledge.” Mario explained. “She was the only human she ever knew growing up.” He reminded him.
“True.” Luigi replied before clearing his throat. “The ribcage is like the body’s armor that keeps your organs safe from harm.” Luigi told her. “Every human has a ribcage. They have to! Otherwise any hit to the chest would kill them.” Luigi explained.
“Gohohohood to knohohohow!” She replied.
Luigi tickled his fingers up towards the middle of the ribcage, making sure to touch and wiggle his fingers on every rib. “Are these ribs ticklish?” Luigi asked.
Her giggles didn’t really change much. But it didn’t get less ticklish, which was good for Luigi. “Yeheheheah! Hehehehe- thehehehey ahahare!” Peach replied.
“The rib cage is made up of bone. The ribs themselves start here…” He poked the bottom rib in the front, making Peach jump. “…all the way up…” Luigi tickled up the right side to the armpit.
This made Peach switch from silly giggles to fits of laughter. “Wahait wahahait WAHAIT!” Peach yelled.
But Luigi didn’t listen. He just kept up his conversation. “…to the armpits!” He continued. “In fact, the last rib should be right about…” he poked the area slightly below the armpit. “Here.”
It was at this moment that Peach let out her first fit of cackles. Mario widened his eyes and raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Oho my god she’s cackling!” Mario reacted, giggling and covering his mouth with his hand.
Peach had her arm clamped down against his fingers, refusing to let him go. But this only made Luigi tickle her more in the one ticklish area she didn’t know she had.
“So, Princess:” Luigi smirked a bit. “Do you give up?” He asked.
Peach wiggled around, somewhat struggling to handle such a strong touch on the very top rib. She wasn’t sure if she should give up or not. On one hand, Peach was loving the attention and excitement. But the tickles we’re getting to be a bit much…to the point where she was actually considering giving him the win. “Ihihihi…”
“You know you can always get yourself out of this situation. All you have to do is tell me you’re done.” Luigi reminded her in a menacingly casual tone.
Mario widened his eyes. Wait…is Luigi gonna actually win against the Princess of the mushroom kingdom?!
But Mario’s surprise changed when she shook her head. “Nohohoho wahahay!” She yelled before moving her fingers away from her chest and up to his own ribcage. “Now lehehehehet mehehehe feheheel!” Peach told him, pushing on his ribs.
Luigi yelped and attempted to cover himself up. “NoO! And you said I was hard to break.” Luigi reacted.
Peach giggled and took out a golden bell. “Now let’s see what you’re really made of.” She put it against herself, turning herself into a cat and took off running after him. This alone made Mario drop his jaw in shock.
“WaiTWAIT-” Luigi sprinted away and started up a chase scene. “HOW IS THAT FAIR?!” Luigi shouted back.
“Again, it was all decided in the agreement we both shook on.” She replied.
“CAT SUITS WERE NEVER MENTIONED!” Luigi shouted.
“Exactly! Meaning I can use them!” She replied proudly.
Mario wheezed and covered his mouth with his hands, loving the sudden change in rules. The hilarious part was that yes, technically she’s right! But at the same time, he would NEVER have the courage to pull that on his brother…because he knew that Luigi would most certainly make him regret pulling a move like that. But what’s Luigi possibly gonna do if it’s Peach?! A princess who doesn’t appear to be as ticklish as him.
It didn’t take long for Luigi to be tackled to the ground by the determined pink kitty. “Are you purr-pared for your ultimate doom?” She asked with a smirk.
Luigi had to cover his mouth to not let a stupid little giggle slip. Any sort of giggle would’ve indicated that he was secretly loving this. Free tickles AND cat puns?! YES PLEASE!
Peach giggled again and wiggled her cat paws. “Coochy coochy coochy coo!” She teased, bringing her wiggling cat paws closer and closer to Luigi’s belly.
Luigi squeezed his eyes shut, still covering his mouth as daydreams and thoughts of being tickled began to spiral inside his poor mind. The wiggling paws? The CHILDISH TEASES?! HOW MUCH DID SHE KNOW?!
Peach smirked almost evilly as she quickly began poking and prodding the boy’s belly with her kitty paws first. “Now we’ve both tried out rougher tickles, but didn’t succeed.” She said, before making her scratches gentle and slow. “But what about slow, softer tickles?” She asked.
Luigi squeaked and let out a fit of muffled giggles from his mouth. They were 10 seconds in…and Luigi ALREADY couldn’t handle it. Every little touch was making him jump and spazz, and it would only take a couple pokes for him to let out a few giggles at a time. Multiply this by 10, and you’d get the flustered, overwhelmed green bean known as Luigi.
“Now if I remember correctly…” Peach began to flutter and poke her little cat claws on either side of his belly, as if Luigi’s belly was a piano. “These little notes…” She moved her right hand a bit towards his left side. “And a few notes over here…” She kept muttering to herself.
Luigi squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head as he giggled helplessly into his hands. The lee mood was overwhelmingly strong. His body was filled with so much adrenaline, he had no idea what to do with it. Part of him wanted to push her hands off because it tickled so much, while the other part of him wanted to give up and let her keep tickling him.
He couldn’t choose! How does one make any choices when you’re being tickled so delicately?!
“Now: You were telling me about rib cages earlier…” Peach mentioned to him.
Luigi squeaked through his hands and tensed up. Oh no! OH NO! NOT THE RIB COUNTING GAME! NOO! “Wahahait! Nohoho rihihibs!” Luigi begged.
Peach raised an eyebrow as she held her paws slightly above his ribcage. “Bad ticklish spot, Luigi?”
Mario smirked. “What’s wrong, Lu? Can’t take what you dish out?” He teased.
“SHUHUT UP, MARIO!” Luigi yelled back.
“MAKE ME, LEE-UIGI!” Mario replied with a laugh.
Luigi groaned. Of all the times to bring out the dreaded nickname…why now?! I mean, he’s not wrong…he IS in a lee mood. But still! Why must he call him out like that?!
Luigi’s thoughts were quickly distracted by a playful tickle strategy he wasn’t expecting: Nibbles. He immediately threw his head back and let out a long fit of cackles. “NAHAHAHAHAHA! OHOHO NOHOHOHOHO! HAHAHAHAHAHA!” Luigi laughed.
Peach nibbled all over his ribs and ab muscles. “Om-nom-nom-nom-nom! Om-nom-nom-nom-nom-nom-nom.” She made playful noises as she nibbled on his ribs.
“EEEHEHEHE- *snort* -HEHEHE! OHOHOH- *snort* -OHOHO NOHOHOHO! *snort* -NAHAHA- *snort*” Luigi yelled as he started to snort throughout his fits of laughter.
“Ooooh! Look at this cute little piggy! Snorting up a storm, I see?” She teased with a wink.
Luigi whined and covered up his red face, muffling his laughter in the process. Though despite his best efforts, you could clearly hear the snorts and laughs through his hands. There was just no hiding the embarrassing, but ultimately adorable snorts that the tall green bean let out.
“I wonder if there’s any fishies hidden in this belly of yours…” She teased with a smirk.
Luigi squeaked and shook his head. It’s too much! She’s teasing me way too much! ‘I can’t handle it! I can’t! I’ve reached my limit for teases!’
He uncovered his face. “I GIVE UP! I gihihive uhuhuhup!” Luigi shouted for Peach to hear.
Peach widened her eyes and clapped her paws. “I win!!” She declared. “I win, I win, I win!” She reacted happily. Peach turned around. “Mario, I actually wo-…Mario?”
Mario was covering up his face with his hat, refusing to show them his cherry red cheeks. It looked like Mario was going to burst from pure embarrassment. He looked almost mortified.
“Ma…Mario?” Luigi asked, still tired from the tickle attack. He sat himself up and quickly saw what Mario was doing. Luigi walked up to Mario and very carefully removed the hat from his face with his hand. Luigi was taken aback by how shy and nervous Mario looked. It almost looked…familiar.
Sensing what might’ve been happening, Luigi offered him a hand. “Want help up?” Luigi asked.
Mario subtly nodded his head before taking his hand. “Y-Yeah…” Mario replied quietly.
Luigi pulled Mario up onto his feet and patted his back. “There ya go, buddy.” Luigi replied. “What do you say we call it an early night?” Luigi asked.
“S…Sounds good.” Mario admitted.
Peach walked up to Mario and Luigi. “Is he okay?” She asked.
“I think so.” Luigi replied. “He’s probably just tired. We’re gonna make some dinner and call it an early night.” Luigi replied.
Peach nodded her head. “Alright.” She replied before kneeling down. “Have a good evening, Mario.” She told him, kissing his forehead.
Luigi widened his eyes in shock. Oh my god- She’s kissing his forehead?! What does this mean?! Is this a sweet gesture? Or something more?? HE NEEDS TO KNOW! And Mario looked shocked and flustered all at once. Mario slowly covered his face up with his hat again, telling Luigi that he had to help Mario back to the house before he ultimately exploded.
When Peach started to walk back to the castle, Luigi helped his brother back into the house. He opened the door for Mario, and gave the curious toads a good excuse as to what was going on, so Mario could sneak into the house without suspicion.
When the door was finally closed, Mario squeezed his eyes shut and let out a cry of excitement before covering his mouth with his hands.
Luigi widened his eyes in surprise and couldn’t help the smile that filled his face. He had a sense as to what was happening, but he didn’t want to confirm it yet. So, he walked up and gave Mario a comforting hug. Mario took the hug almost immediately, and shoved his face into his shoulder. Knowing Mario well, Luigi smiled as his theory was immediately revealed to him…
You're starting to see how the work you've been doing is paying off, so let yourself celebrate. Even if it's for a "little victory" or a small treat for yourself, let yourself bask in the light of those successes. Let this be a reminder that you can find success in the midst of chaos and uncertainty and struggle. Celebrate the good things that come from your efforts. Just because they aren't grand gestures or affect large scale change doesn't mean it's for naught. You've done a lot of work so live it up a little. 😉
The Joint Committee on Drugs will today hear that 1,500 people have visited the facility over 17,000 times between December 2024 and Novembe
...December 2024 and November last year.
Over 270 non-fatal overdoses have been treated in Ireland’s first supervised injection facility since it opened over a year ago, an Oireachtas committee will hear today.
The assistant secretary at the Department of Health will tell TDs and senators that over 1,500 people have visited the facility over 17,000 times between December 2024 and November last year.
The injection facility, which cost about €5 million, is over halfway through an 18-month pilot after being licensed by the Department of Health. It is operated by Merchants Quay Ireland, the national homelessness and addiction charity.
It was designed to reduce the health risks associated with intravenous drug use, including overdose and the transmission of conditions such as HIV and Hepatitis C through people sharing or reusing needles.
The centre was met with opposition from local residents, businesses and schools when it was first proposed and planning permission was refused in 2019. Those against the facility cited concerns about the potential for anti-social behaviour and what they called the “over concentration” of drug services already in the area.
David Leach will tell the Joint Committee on Drug Use that an interim evaluation of the facility found there was no increase in the frequency of injecting behaviour in those accessing the service.
The evaluation highlighted other positive findings, including the success of the service in accessing people with high levels of vulnerability, the promotion of safer injecting practices and the number of overdose and medical interventions performed there.
“A separate academic paper identified a reduction in drug use and drug related litter in the local area, and increased levels of community engagement,” Leach will say.
