Oh Yeah, I’m On ArtFight This Year And I Joined VGen! (No Artist Code Though)

Today's Public Domain Character Thing: The Backrooms

[ID: Photo of an empty room with dividing walls and yellow wallpaper giving it a liminal feel END ID]

I feel the Backrooms doesn't need introductions but for those who have been living under a rock The Backrooms is a creepypasta concept of glitching into some sort of liminal space outside of space and time. The inspiration was most likely the liminal space aesthetic that had been gaining popularity around that time. The original post came from 4chan's /x/ post by an anonymous user who posted this image along with a small creepypasta. Due to the anonymous nature of it, there is really no person who can be credited with creating the Backrooms so the concept is public domain.

As for this picture, last year the owner of Hobbtown USA in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Bob Mazza held a fundraiser for repairs of the location and one of the promises was releasing some old photos he had, including the iconic one which was found on archives of his website from 2003 when they were doing renovations.

He released them into the public domain and posted all his pictures of the location from back then onto the Internet Archive, you can find all the images here

So you can use the images and concept however you like.

The 5 things that are probably delaying your shift.

This post might answer a lot of the asks I got so read carefully.

1. Why might you not have shifted yet?

Many people stay stuck in their CR because they remain hyper-vigilant (“am I doing this right, did I arrive yet”), even unconsciously. Your nervous system is programmed to maintain your current safety, and interprets any major change (like shifting) as a potential threat. This blocks access to altered states of consciousness that are more ideal. The brain stays stuck in beta mode and struggles to go down to alpha or theta, which is much more favorable for shifting.

How to fix it?

Practice cardiac coherence or box breathing every night

Do meditation (guided or not)

Reduce blue light (filter or soft lamp) at least 1 hour before, even better if 2 hours

Do a relaxing activity

Use WBTB

Listen to theta and alpha waves

Cut out social media that overstimulates your mind (yes, it’sbecause of the damn phone)

-> By regulating your nervous system, you allow yourself to open the door to a more flexible state of consciousness, which makes shifting easier (not 100% guaranteed, but don’t worry, it increases your chances).

When we are stressed or awake we are mostly in beta, the goal is to move to alpha or theta

If you tend to get stressed, aim for alpha instead.

If you are used to altered states of consciousness or less stressed you can go towards theta

You can also listen to these frequencies to enter theta more quickly; there are some on YouTube with or without music.

2. Identity anchoring too rigid

Many people block themselves without realizing it by repeating “I” statements that are linked to their CR. Your mind has learned to maintain your current identity as “normal” (spoiler alert: it’s just habitual, not normal). As a result, it protects it and slows you down from reaching your new identity and new environment (your DR).

How to fix it?

Reformulate your script with more flexible phrases, for example “I can explore other realities” instead of “I’m already in my DR”

Train yourself to feel that your “me” or “self” can be fluid and is not a fixed point

Do ego dissolution meditations

Enter the void state

Visualize your identity as an energy that can travel, an infinite wave

-> This softens the brain areas that manage the sense of self, which makes it easier to change reality lines and helps anchor yourself in a new identity much more quickly.

This kind of meditation can really help you in this area.

3. The fear of the unknown

Even if you want to shift, your subconscious might be afraid. Afraid of losing your bearings, afraid of failure, afraid of the unexpected, and many other things that make you want to shake it (but be kind to it, it only wants your good). This fear can show up as blockages, self-sabotage, or the famous inability to “let go” that I talk about quite often.

How to fix it?

Get used to imagining new but pleasant situations every day, or if you wish, put yourself in unusual situations

Play with changing mental scenery in your imagination

Do a guided hypnosis for letting go

Reassure your subconscious with gentle affirmations

Welcome the feeling of floating as an adventure

-> The more you gently tame the unknown, the more your mind will agree to let you pass through the portal.

You can listen to this meditation for example.

You can also go for guided hypnosis to talk to your subconscious and reassure it.

4. Internal contradictions

Many people say “I want to shift” but deep down think “I don’t believe it” or “I will never make it.” This inner conflict tends to create a blockage, because your brain has more difficulty acting on a divided intention at the key moment.

How to fix it?

Talk to your subconscious or pay attention to your inner/body tensions

Write down your fears and doubts in black and white in a notebook or in your notes

Imagine the confident part of you reassuring the doubting part

Transform your inner phrase to: “I allow myself to try”

-> Harmonizing your desires and beliefs is like releasing the handbrake before driving. The internal resistance will ease and you will be less in this state of tension before falling asleep.

5. Lack of confidence and inner permission

Shifting is not about forcing, but about allowing. Your critical mind can refuse to let go if you give it rigid orders or if you aim for perfection. Your brain stays in beta “problem-solving” mode, and the self-checking is more constant, so you have trouble entering theta/alpha and letting go. This also increases the risk of struggling to calm your mind.

It can also increase performance anxiety.

Adopt the key phrase:

"I have nothing to prove, I am capable of letting go"

Accept taking just one small step, no need to be perfect

Anchor yourself in the emotion of safety and trust

Do holotropic breathing to free yourself and accept your imperfections

-> The more you feel allowed to receive without excessive control, the more the shift toward your DR becomes natural.

Conclusion

If you remember just one thing:

calm your nervous system + soften your identity + tame the unknown + align your thoughts + allow yourself to receive.

These 5 levers are the key to stop staying stuck in your CR and truly cross the “portal” to your Adopt the key phrase:

"I have nothing to prove, I am capable of letting go"

Accept taking just one small step, no need to be perfect

Anchor yourself in the emotion of safety and trust

Do holotropic breathing to free yourself and accept your imperfections

-> The more you feel allowed to receive without excessive control, the more the shift toward your DR becomes natural.

Conclusion

If you remember just one thing:

calm your nervous system + soften your identity + tame the unknown + align your thoughts + allow yourself to receive.

These 5 levers are the key to stop staying stuck in your CR and truly cross the “portal” to your DR.

.

Jude on Horseback 👑

Nurse EJ ❣️💉 in progress 🫡

The process ✨

Happy with how this turned out 💙💜

It’s one of 3 parts

Don’t know where I’m going with this one yet

I’ve actually done something like this without being a structured method and those were the 2 times I’ve shifted

I’m gonna try doing this with more intent

The most complete shifting protocol you'll ever try (or THE shifting method?)

It’s been a while since I’ve been working on this protocol. I’ve done my best to optimize every step to help as many people as possible based on the survey i shared, the problem y'all gave me and my knowledge. I won’t claim it’s foolproof, but I truly believe it can make a big difference for a lot of you. If you decide to try it, there’s a survey at the end of the blog so you can share your experience and help refine it even more. Let’s go shift!

1) During the day / during the week

Feel free to read your script, listen to a sound that reminds you of your DR, affirm, or meditate, depending on what suits you best.

This helps prime your subconscious and creates familiarity with your DR across days, without pressure.

Adapt it to your style: for some people, music works; for others, reading or daydreaming is enough, you really don't need to do too much.

Tip: consistency is more important than perfection. Do whatever will please and help you.

For example, you can create mood boards or playlists, this is an example, you can do whatever you want.

2) Just before sleep

Do a short meditation of at least 5 minutes. It can be guided or silent, but its goal is to calm your mind and detach from your current day.

This helps move from beta waves to alpha or theta, creating an optimal bridge for shifting.

Tip: even 5 minutes can deeply shift your state if you do it with true presence.If you really like meditation you can even do more.

A short 10 minute meditation like this can really help.

3) Setting your intention

As you get ready to sleep, remind yourself:

->“Tonight, I shift. I am safe. I am ready to transform.”

Or any affirmations adapted to you and pace.

Place this intention in your mind without obsessing, just like setting a GPS route.

Tip: repeat it once or twice if you wish, but then let it go with confidence.

4)WBTB (Wake Back To Bed)

Plan to wake up in the night after a sleep cycle (e.g. 4–6 hours depending on your sleep rhythm).

No random phone use, and absolutely no social media unless it’s only to launch your theta/alpha sound and remove the alarm .

⚠️Blue light filter ON if you check anything.

Move minimally (water, bathroom, a short stretch) and keep the lights dim.

Stay awake at least 3 min, maximum 50 min, then go back to bed.

The phone can interfere with entering theta/alpha waves. I really recommend putting on the blue light filter about 1 hour before going to sleep.

5) During WBTB

While you’re awake, you can:

-get up and drink some water

-reread your script

-daydream about your DR

-do a tiny relaxation

Avoid overstimulating yourself.

Tip: this phase is for priming, not restarting the whole shift preparation from scratch.

6) Breathing techniques

When returning to bed, start with:

box breathing (inhale 4s, hold 4s, exhale 4s, hold 4s)

Coherence breathing (5s in, 5s out, smooth rhythm)

Or 4-7-8 breathing (4s in, hold 7s,exhale 8s)

->Just choose what suit you the best.

Let these rhythms calm your system and focus your mind away from your physical body.

->breathing = grounding + focus.

Explanations of the three types of breathing .

7) Brainwaves support

Play theta or alpha binaural beats, or isochronic tones, if you like them.

No need to overthink the “perfect” track. Choose something relaxing, consistent, with no big volume spikes.

-> your own sense of calm is more important than the frequency’s perfection.

You can play this kind of waves.

8) Physical position

Choose a position where you won’t fall asleep too easily (like semi-sitting, or slightly propped up on pillows).

Keep your body still as much as you can, to favor the floaty feeling.

If you notice the urge to self-check, gently redirect to observing your inner calm and the quiet confidence that you will shift.

->trust the process instead of micromanaging it.

You are powerful and capable of shifting into your DR.

9) Mental focus

Try to distract your mind lightly:

-simple counting

-easy imagery (like clouds or stars or an object of your DR)

-recalling parts of your DR script

-small mantra

-feel the emotions you have in your DR

The goal is to stay in a passive but present state ,not to force your thoughts.

If you sense a “floaty” or dreamlike moment, flow with it.

10) Letting go

Once you’ve affirmed or visualized, release.

Trust your DR will come to you naturally, without forcing or chasing.

Picture it like opening a door and calmly waiting for it to cross the threshold.

Softness + confidence are more powerful than pushing, try to be calm.

Many people feel closest to shifting with a calm focus.

11) Handling intrusive thoughts

If intrusive or negative thoughts pop up, see them as passing clouds.

Don’t try to fight or suppress them, it only gives them power.

Instead, note: “OK, this thought is here, but it does not define me, it's not me”

Your focus is the sail, your thoughts are just the wind. You can still steer.

You can imagine that they are like clouds passing across the sky.

12) Ego detachment

At the key moment, remind yourself:

“I am more than this current identity. It is safe for me to let go of this identity and experience a new one”

Disidentify from your “CR ego” so your awareness can move more freely.(I invite you to see my blog on this subject)

This step is subtle but extremely powerful to release subconscious anchors.

Think of yourself as a free observer of realities, and embodie this soft feeling of safety.

13) Micro awakenings

If you don’t shift straight away, set the intention to notice micro-awakenings in the night.

Example: “If I wake up slightly, I will stay still and try again.”

These micro-awakenings are amazing opportunities to relaunch a shift attempt, especially in a hypnagogic state.

-> note your emotions and mental state after each try to adjust next time.

14) Lucid dreams as a gateway

Sometimes, these techniques will instead trigger a lucid dream even if you never done one before .

If that happens, you can:

-shift directly from the lucid dream

-or explore the lucid dream calmly and try shifting next time

->treat lucid dreams as allies, not as failures.

15) Tracking and reflecting

Whether you succeed or not, write down your:

-dreams(this technique can also greatly improve dream recall)

-emotions

-thoughts before sleep

This builds self-awareness and helps you adjust future attempts.

-> even small details (mood, environment, worries) can give clues about your subconscious state.

16) Holotropic breathwork (optional)

Once a week, you may practice holotropic breathwork to:

-release deeper emotional blocks

-loosen subconscious tension

-encourage identity detachment

This is not mandatory, but can help if you feel stuck.

This video can be useful for practice if you want to be accompanied while doing the breathwork.

Reminder: avoid if you have heart or trauma sensitivities without professional advice, and go see my blog on this subject I explain absolutely everything about this breathing.

17) Trust over repetition

Remember: more attempts ≠ more success.

Quality of intention + quality of your state > number of tries.

Stay gentle, stay steady. One peaceful attempt is worth more than 50 frantic ones.

no timeline, no rush.

We see that the number of shift attempts doesn't mean anything about whether we'll succeed or not. This is based on my survey of people who have never shifted.

18) Final choices, 4 scenarios

From the point after wbtb, there are 4 possibilities:

1️⃣ You shift → congratulations, welcome to your DR!

2️⃣ You can’t shift → place the intention for your next micro-awakening, note down insights, try again calmly.

3️⃣ You fall asleep and wake up in the morning → note dreams, thoughts, feelings for next time.

4️⃣ You enter a lucid dream → explore it or use it to shift on the spot.

Conclusion:

Shifting is not a race. It is an art of alignment, trust, and gentle identity release. This protocol gives you structure and freedom, combining proven techniques with space for personal adjustment.

You deserve to shift with peace, not with violence toward yourself.

-> Consistency + presence + compassion = the best conditions for success.

The link of the survey :

Google Docs

SHIFTING PROTOCOL TEST SURVEY

please take a moment to answer these questions about your experience with the protocol! this will help everyone understand what works best a

I've finally posted my Jayvik fic!

Title: 5 times Viktor couldn't stand up and 1 time it was Jayce who couldn't

Wordcount: ~5k

Plot: From their meeting to their fall, how Jayce and Viktor's relationship was shaped in part due to Viktor's disability. (Yes apparently, that's a theme I want to explore nowadays.)

Tagging my besties (beta-readers) who helped me and motivated me to finish it: @stereo-slime4 @aprinceinwhite @the-rebellious-one

I think I’m done ✨ I hope I did Valtiel justice in this