u/SilkBrush8791

I always think of school as of my safe space despite not I having any peers nor close companions to hang out with due to my standoffish nature. Being only child, I'm the one person my mother haves the closest relationship with. We used to have arguments back to back but now I just want to cut them short, lessening the chances of ruinning her Mental health. Thus vents to me how she gets treated badly by my grandmother and co workers.

Frequently I'm in this state of mind where anything besides academics seems foreign to me. When at school I feel like I suddenly gain energy, while home drains it. At school I actually feel like I’m doing stuff that having I have interest in a long time. At Home I just to stay inside, doomscrolling in my bed while she talks about my grandmother on the phone to my uncle.
I know it's immature to dismiss her problems when she has done so much for me. So I recommended her to see a therapist only to decline. Encourage her to seek out some friends her age, was met with the response, “I only have one friend…you and that's all I need”.

I immediately felt guilty for everything that had pissed me off before. Recalling all the times where she repeatedly told me everyone wants her gone from the world and saying that it will be better off that way. And from then on I started to agree with everything that she wanted to say or do, to help her recover better. (Ex: Few weeks ago she wanted to go with me on a class trip to Georgia to seek different universities so I agreed which made her happier afterwards as a result. Learned this the hard way through argument surrounding my class ring that I won't get into unless directly asked, want to avoid making this post longer just for the sake of it

Tl Dr: I should been there for my mother, I wasnt, and now I must live with that guilt



This post contains content not supported on old Reddit. Click here to view the full post

I always think of school as of my safe space despite not I having any peers nor close companions to hang out with because of my standoffish nature. Being only child, I'm the one person my mother haves the closest relationship with.

We used to have arguments back to back but now I just want to cut them short, lessening the chances of ruinning her Mental health. Thus vents to me how she gets treated badly by my grandmother and co workers

Frequently I'm in this state of mind where anything besides academics seems foreign to me. When at school I feel like I suddenly gain energy, while home drains it. At school I actually feel like I’m doing stuff that having I have interest in a long time. At Home I just to stay inside, doomscrolling in my bed while she talks about my grandmother on the phone to my uncle.
I know it's immature to dismiss her problems when she has done so much for me. So I recommended her to see a therapist only to decline. I encouraged her to seek out some friends her age, was met with the response, “I only have one friend…you and that's all I need”.

When she said that I immediately felt guilty for everything that I had pissed me off before. And from then on I started to agree with everything that she wanted to say or do, slowly learning that as long as she’s happy that's all that matters. Recently learned this the hard way through argument surronding my class ring.

* Short Story (You skip if you want to)

*Towards the end of last year, 2026, An email was sent out to all Juniors to notify us to purchase our class rings before Feburary 2026 rolls around. It was 200-700 dollars, so I wasn’t planning on getting it due to not being a fan of rings in general. But my mother decided to buy it anyway, claiming how Grandmother never gifted her one.*

*When it was time to customize, Ive wanted the birthstone ruby (Representing my Late Aunt’s Birth month/favorite color) instead of rose quartz. But my mother go ahead to purchase with my birthstone instead. Saying that it makes no sense getting a different color. And while I was angry I need to remember to be grateful for the things I received since I know most parents won't do this for their kids.

I'm quite interested in stories that include technological advances at its peak. Personally I'm more of a steampunk fan since cyberpunk more or less the same across several mediums. Preferring how it operates and it's overall asethic. But I do appreciate different sub-genres of punk: Biopunk, Solarpunk, Atompunk, etc.

With that being said, I would like to know which technical punk gente do guys prefer and why? :>

Edit: Just realized I misspelled Genre as “Gente” lol..

11th year of high school:
- At a 3.7 (unweighted), & 4.7 (weighted) GPA.
- Enrolled in 2 honor clubs
- Taking up a dual enrollment course for my associates
- Soon will be attending an art club over the summer
- Valedict/Marshal

My life outside of school on the other hand has become a blur. Having trouble memorizing specific events that had occurred throughout my life, making me realize how little significance it held in terms of changing my life for the better. This has been going on for the past 4 years. A feeling that is difficult to describe. Hobbies that once brought me joy, faded into oblivion. I can’t tell the last time where I step out of the house for any other reason besides going to school.

My Mother tries to make me participate more. But willing to tolerate in order to spend time with her before college. (She relies on me to keep herself sane, thinking everyone is against her besides me. Mindset came from my Grandmother’s toxicity. Referring me as her only friend)

Though I still don’t feel myself even when around her
(Ex: Mother wanted to buy me a class ring. I clearly said Im not a big fan of rings, but she got anyways. Then ask me what color I want, when I spoke of a different color other than my birthstone she did my birthstone color).
There were other instances like this where I instead say “It doesn’t matter or whatever you want”, which were often met with my mother saying that I’m practically an adult so it was immature to say that. I know I’m not as emotionally intelligent as most so my provided example may be juvenile, apologies).

I feel like that I’m at a point of my life where I don’t care what happens. And if it does, I feel like I have no control over it unless it’s something school-related. Afraid that I might messing something up when encountering new challenges. Retreating to my comfort space to avoid disappointing myself. More so feeling everything else is pointless if not submitted for grading or reviewing. And if something doesn’t correlates to that, I don’t see a reason why I should pursue it at all for myself.

I shamefully admit not opening a great novel in years. Only reading when required (Academics, personal research papers I write in my spare time, etc). Instead of just reading for myself. Now that I want to write stories, Ive learned in order to do so you must be a great reader. (Comparing Acting without Listening first)

When younger I was obsessed with literature, but passion faded away with other hobbies I dropped as a teen, (Currently 17). Carrying the mindset of, “If it's not something that is demanded/work, then there's no purpose to act upon it”. I'm well aware this was an excuse for trying something new and closed me off to several experiences I should’ve gained.

However, I’m anxious where to start first or able to interpret meanings of texts. (I have difficulty reading between the lines, both fiction/real life🫠). So I don't think I'm qualified enough for books that requires maturity or abstract thought.

Preferences of beginner novels:
- Robots gaining sentience or tied in with nature?
- Maybe Some Alternate History?
- Taken place in future/past
- Fantasical/Mythical beasts from Differing Cultures
- Can be set in modern world
- No/little Romance (I like Non-romantic companionship)
- Unfamilar worlds shrouded in mystery

Here’s some Shows/Movies, & Games that I quite enjoy that may correlate towards my preferences:
- WALL-E
- The Martian
- Spiderverse
- Arcane
- Love, Death, & Robots
- LOKI
- ATLA
- Scavengers Rein

Games:
- Hollow Knight/Silksong
- Undertale
- BATDR
- PORTAL

*✏️** Edit: I'm sorry this is a longer post then most but I would be grateful in knowing where to start my new Book Journey. Thanks for listening to my long winded TED talk… here’s a cookie for your troubles 🍪

I shamefully admit to have not open a great novel in years. Only reading when it's required (For Academics, research papers for my own story I'm currently writing, etc). Instead of just reading for myself. In order to be a great writer you must consume and learn from other creators work.

When younger I was obsessed with literature, however the passion faded away along with other hobbies I dropped as a teen, (Currently in my 11th year). Previously carrying the mindset of “If it's not something that is demanded/work, then what is the point of doing it at at all”. Learned this was unhealthy, closing me off from consuming more knowledge.

However, I’m unsure where to start first or even if I'm able to interpret certain meanings behind texts (I have difficulty reading between the lines both fiction and real life🫠). And is quite conscious of not containing the right mature thinking mindset needed to perceive abstract concepts.

Also having mixed feelings on whichever genre I’ll pick up (Anxious of spending time on a book topic that turns out I was never invested in to begin with or just trying anything new in general).

I like recommendations to beginner novels with:

- Robots gaining sentience or tied in with nature?
- Maybe Some Alternate History?
- Taken place in future/past
- Fantasical beasts In urban/Fantasy settings
- Beasts from other cultures
- Still incorporates realistic elements
- No/little Romance (Never Understood it)
- Unfamilar worlds shrouded in mystery

*✏️ Edit: I'm sorry this is a longer post then most but I would be grateful in knowing where to start my new Book Journey. Thanks for listening to my TED talk…

Uhhh….asking for a friend…

I’m a new writer with a story set in 1959, (Atom-punk setting). Animals were genetically modified around WW2 for testing (combining both human and synthetic DNA for Hybrids), created to be exploited for combat, medical enhancements, etc.

Hybrids were always able to possess human sentience, however some ended with disabilities (facility they stay for incubation wasn’t in right conditions). So they face discrimination through via origin.

Main issue stems from an Axolotl protagonist raised by a parent with a Mexican heritage. (A scientists that donated their own DNA to create him). Making him a Axolotl was a reference to the Mexican Deity (Xolotl). However, I don’t want to accidentally disrespect the culture. And as a minority myself (African American) who was exposed to writers “romanticizing” history & hardships real people endure in order it “digestible ” to audiences.

There are some other Hybrids in this story that are racially coded also and some that are not. Ive just decided to make this specific character more coded since this story is dedicated to Hispanics, Mexicans, Portugueses, etc. history and heroism in a time where racism and hatred was prevalent. And yes, the story shifts focus onto multiple Mexicans whose background and ethnicity is acknowledged throughout the story.

Share your opinion to inform me if I should scrap the story, remove some aspects, or continue pursuing this concept.

I’m a new writer with a story set in 1959, (Atom-punk setting). Animals were genetically modified around WW2 for testing (combining both human and synthetic DNA for Hybrids), created to be exploited for combat, medical enhancements, etc.

Hybrids were always able to possess human sentience, however some ended with disabilities (facility they stay for incubation wasn’t in right conditions). So they face discrimination through via origin.

Main issue stems from an Axolotl protagonist raised by a parent with a Mexican heritage. (A scientists that donated their own DNA to create him). Making him a Axolotl was a reference to the Mexican Deity (Xolotl). However, I don’t want to accidentally disrespect the culture. And as a minority myself (African American) who was exposed to writers “romanticizing” history & hardships real people endure in order it “digestible ” to audiences.

There are some other Hybrids in this story that are racially coded also and some that are not. Ive just decided to make this specific character more coded since this story is dedicated to Hispanics, Mexicans, Portugueses, etc. history and heroism in a time where racism and hatred was prevalent. And yes, the story shifts focus onto multiple Mexicans whose background and ethnicity is acknowledged throughout the story.

Share your opinion to inform me if I should scrap the story, remove some aspects, or continue pursuing this concept?

I tried and tested both in varying degrees of graphite hardness/softness on both tools to see which ones can get details on anatomical realism and figure drawings, while also being easy to control. So out of curiosity Artists, which pencil works for you the most and why?