Dwoality2123 - Dwoality

Grace Whitney from Dance Academy needs therapy but goshdarn if she wasn't such a loyal person.

Helpful Links I Actually Use

All for Creativity — Free & No Sign Ups!

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Art

Artbreeder (digitally create what your character looks like)

Unsplash (freely-usable images for book covers, blog posts, social media graphics, or anything else you may need)

Descriptions

Descriptionari (enter prompt and receive creative descriptions)

Diversity

DiversityStyleGuide (ensure you refer to communities with accuracy and respect)

Editing

Cliche Finder (copy and paste your excerpt to find cliches and examine word choice)

Map Maker

Inkarnate (create your fantasy world map)

Names

Behind the Name (the etymology and history of names)

Family Education (browse surnames alphabetically)

Fantasy Name Generator (lists of names for characters, locations, descriptions, etc.)

Reedsy (generate character names by language, mythology, fantasy, archetype, etc.)

Reedsy (generate pen name)

Reedsy (generate title name by genre)

Prompt Generator

Canlit Premise Generator (generate random prompts)

Language is a Virus (generate random writing prompts)

Plot Generator (gain inspiration by inputing your own themes or generate a completely random plot idea)

Reedsy (generate plot based on genre)

Squibler - The Most Dangerous Random Prompt Generator (gives you prompt and a timer — don’t stop writing, or all progress will be lost)

Quotes

BrainyQuote (gain inspiration by searching quotes)

Research

Hiveword (search engine for writing articles and tips)

Vocabulary

FreeRice (expand your vocabulary and help end world hunger with a game — every question answered correctly is ten grains of rice donated to the World Hunger Programme)

Reverse Dictionary (find word by searching definition)

Albedo: I made tea. Dottore: I don't want tea. Albedo: I did not make tea for you. I made it for me. Dottore: Then why are you telling me? Albedo: It's a conversation starter. Dottore: That's a lousy conversation starter. Albedo: Oh, is it? We're conversing. Checkmate, bitch.

Can we just talk about Dmitri Antonov?

Self-Protection or Self-Sabotage?

Red Flag Culture as a Reflection of Gen Z’s Avoidant Behaviour

From 'icks' to instant cut-offs, from ghosting to job-hopping—Gen Z is a master of raising a red flag and disappearing. Red flag culture is a trendy social practice wherein people actively identify traits from others that could be a warning sign of potential problems, and they then either proceed with caution or disengage entirely. This is essentially the practice of being wary of “red flags” to avoid a toxic situation. However, with its widespread practice through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, red flag culture has evolved from a tool for identifying genuinely toxic situations to a justification for disengagement at the slightest discomfort. Rather than fostering open communication or conflict resolution, it often encourages avoidance—an instinct deeply linked to avoidant behavioral patterns. This tendency to cut ties at the first sign of imperfection reflects a broader psychological inclination: the preference to withdraw rather than confront challenges, a hallmark of avoidant behavior. This trend of instant labeling of red flags reflects a broader shift in how Gen Z interacts with relationships, workplaces, and social connections, where digital culture normalizes avoidance over confrontation. Red flag culture, then, is not just a trend—it is a reflection of the avoidant behaviors and tendencies Gen Z has developed.

Avoidance behaviour refers to the actions people undertake to cope with uncomfortable or distressing situations, thoughts, or feelings. This can take the form of ignoring calls or messages, avoiding conflict, or cancelling plans at the last minute (Saxena, 2024). In 2024, Powers discussed with clinical psychologist and attachment styles expert, Dr. Morgan Anderson, about attachment styles and discovered that avoidant attachment style is on the rise, particularly with the younger generation. Avoidance behaviour is often attributed to be a sign of avoidant attachment style. An avoidant attachment style is characterized by strong discomfort with emotions, emotional intimacy, and a strong desire for independence (Cleveland Clinic, 2024)(Gould, 2024). Signs of an avoidant attachment style includes: an avoidance of complaining and preferring to sulk or give hints as to the problem, having feelings of high self-esteem while having a negative view of others, being overly focused on their own needs and comforts, feeling as though their partners are being clingy when they simply want to get emotionally closer, having a strong sense of independence, and withdrawing, or tuning out, from unpleasant conversations or sights (Haghighi, 2023).

This tendency toward avoidance is not just limited to attachment styles but is also closely linked to mental health concerns. Research by Struijs et al. (2017) indicates that increased avoidance is prevalent in people with anxiety disorders and depression, conditions that have been rising among Gen Z. As anxiety and depression become more widespread, many young people may adopt avoidance behaviors as a coping mechanism, steering clear of situations that could trigger distressing emotions and exacerbate their symptoms. A 2019 study conducted by Twenge et al. found that depression rates increased significantly among adolescents and young adults, highlighting a possible link between declining mental health and the rise of avoidant tendencies within this generation. Moreover, anxiety creates heightened sensitivity to stress and uncertainty, leading Gen Z to avoid situations that may trigger emotional discomfort. Due to this, Gen Z seems to struggle with presentations and job interviews—A New York Post divulges that one in five employers that are hiring Gen Z found Gen Z to be unprepared, facing issues with making eye contact, dressing inappropriately, and demands of unreasonable salaries. This could cause them to exhibit avoidance behaviour such as procrastination and dropping commitments. 

Beyond individual mental health struggles, social media plays a critical role in reinforcing avoidance behaviors among Gen Z. Online platforms encourage quick judgments and disengagement through red flag culture, where individuals are more likely to immediately cut off relationships instead of working through conflicts. The emphasis on identifying ‘toxic’ traits, while sometimes necessary, has also led to an increased tendency to avoid uncomfortable but necessary conversations, mirroring the avoidant behaviors shaped by anxiety and attachment styles. Furthermore, social media has made avoidance more effortless than ever. Cutting people off no longer requires confrontation—it is as simple as clicking the “block” or “unfollow” button. The rise of ghosting culture reflects this shift, as individuals can now disengage from relationships by simply ignoring messages or calls, avoiding uncomfortable conversations altogether. Further, the rise of the red flag culture has also evolved to a tool of avoidance.

With the popularization of the term “red flag” through platforms such as TikTok and Twitter, the overuse of the term started to encourage avoidance rather than open communication. From minor flaws to valid red flags—the line starts to blur as people start labeling minor incompatibilities as dealbreakers. There becomes this fine line between healthy-boundary setting and avoidance disguised as self-protection. While recognizing red flags is crucial for one’s mental and emotional wellbeing, however, red flag culture sometimes exaggerates these red flags—often as an excuse to avoid emotional effort. Valid red flags are based on consistent patterns of behaviour that indicate potential harm, toxicity, or disrespect. Frequently, they involve violations of boundaries, displaying manipulative behaviour, dishonesty, infidelity, etc. 

But calling red flags becomes avoidance when people: overgeneralize past negative experience and believe that people who exhibit the same tendencies will be exactly like their past experience; b.) hold their partners at impossibly high standards wherein any imperfections are deal-breakers; c.) use red flags as an excuse to avoid emotional intimacy and possible hurt; d.) project their own flaws or red flag traits on others and pin the blame on them. An example of an exaggerated red flag is “he/she texts dry.” People may end a relationship over dry texting, stating that their partner lacks communication skills and/or they need better communication; rather than genuinely and effectively communicating their needs to their partner, they choose to end it to avoid putting in the emotional effort. 

Of course, this extends beyond romantic relationships. It affects even the workplace and platonic relationships. In friendships, a single perceived red flag can justify cutting someone off immediately. Likewise, red flags can be spotted in the workplace in co-workers or employers. They may quit at the first sight of a pet peeve in a coworker or their employer. Instead of working through workplace struggles, Gen Z could opt to disengage fully. Employees could quit via emails or ghost employers, as long as they can avoid confrontation and in-person conversations. Due to this trend of disengaging and identifying red flags, some members of the Gen Z may forever seek out the perfect job, never settling for anything as they view every hurdle as a deal-breaker. This pattern of premature disengagement fuels job-hopping, workplace instability, and weaker conflict resolution skills, as every hurdle is seen as a deal-breaker rather than an opportunity for growth.

At its core, red flag culture serves a protective purpose—raising awareness of genuine toxic behaviors and rejecting the tolerance of unhealthy dynamics that past generations often endured. Gen Z, with its heightened focus on mental health, may have embraced this mindset as a way to break the cycle of normalized toxicity. However, in prioritizing self-protection, they risk self-sabotage, disengaging from situations that require emotional effort and resilience. In some cases, avoidance serves as a necessary mechanism to protect individuals from harm. For example, young people may choose to distance themselves from family members exhibiting abusive or toxic behavior to safeguard their mental health. Conversely, the normalization and glamorization of toxic relationships in media consumed by Gen Z can lead to the acceptance of unhealthy behaviors, potentially perpetuating a cycle of maladaptive coping strategies.

In an era where red flag culture dominates online discourse, Gen Z has embraced avoidance as both a protective mechanism and a social norm. While the practice of identifying red flags initially aimed to safeguard individuals from toxic relationships and unhealthy environments, its widespread use—especially through social media—has blurred the line between valid caution and excessive disengagement. Social media platforms amplify this tendency, making avoidance effortless through ghosting, blocking, and instant cut-offs. Consequently, what once served as a means of self-preservation has evolved into a habit of sidestepping discomfort, emotional effort, and conflict resolution.  

This avoidance pattern is deeply rooted in broader psychological and societal trends. Rising levels of anxiety, attachment insecurities, and workplace dissatisfaction contribute to Gen Z’s reluctance to engage in difficult but necessary conversations. Whether in friendships, romantic relationships, or professional settings, the impulse to disengage at the first sign of imperfection fosters instability, weakens resilience, and hinders personal and emotional growth. The normalization of avoidance, while sometimes a justified reaction to past generations’ tolerance of toxicity, also risks promoting unrealistic expectations and an inability to navigate life’s inevitable challenges.  

Moving forward, Gen Z can benefit from shifting red flag culture toward a more balanced approach—one that distinguishes between legitimate boundaries and avoidance disguised as self-protection. Media literacy and emotional intelligence play crucial roles in fostering this shift, encouraging individuals to engage in open conversations, practice constructive confrontation, and critically assess whether disengagement is truly necessary or simply a reflexive response to discomfort. Red flag culture, when wielded thoughtfully, can serve as a tool for empowerment rather than an excuse for avoidance. By embracing a mindset of growth rather than retreat, Gen Z can transform avoidance into an opportunity for deeper understanding, stronger relationships, and lasting resilience.

Cleveland Clinic. (2024, December 13). Is Avoidant Attachment Style Getting in the Way of Your Relationships?. Retrieved on February 22, 2025, from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/avoidant-attachment-style.

Gould, W.R. (2024, September 19). What Avoidant Attachment Looks Like in a Relationship. Verywell Mind. Retrieved on February 22, 2025, from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-avoidant-attachment-in-relationships-8600201.

Haghighi, A.S. (2023, November 16). What is avoidant attachment?. Medical News Today. Retrieved February 22, 2025, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/avoidant-attachment. 

Power, C. (2024, October 16). The attachment style that's growing faster than all the others. Mamamia. Retrieved February 22, 2025, from https://www.mamamia.com.au/attachment-styles-dr-morgan-anderson/. 

Saxena, S. (2024, September 20). Avoidance Behavior: Examples, Impacts, & How to Overcome. Choosing Therapy. Retrieved on February 22, 2025, from https://www.choosingtherapy.com/avoidance-behavior/. 

Stabile, A. (2024, January 6). Gen Z grads are tanking job interviews, struggling to find full time positions: study. New York Post. Retrieved on February 22, 2025, from https://nypost.com/2024/01/06/lifestyle/gen-z-grads-are-tanking-job-interviews-struggling-to-find-full-time-positions-study/. 

Struijs, S.Y. et al. (2017, October). Approach and avoidance tendencies in depression and anxiety disorders. Psychiatry Research, 256, 475-481. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165178116309003. 

Twenge, J.M. et al. (2019). Age, Period, and Cohort Trends in Mood Disorder Indicators and SuicideRelated Outcomes in a Nationally Representative Dataset, 2005–2017. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 128(3), 185–199. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/abn-abn0000410.pdf. 

PREACH!!

I’m sick and tired of all these fanfictions treating Ron like shit. Hermione and Harry keeping stuff from him, Hermione commenting on his eating, people treating him like a joke, making fun of his intelligence, making him not able to keep a secret, making him homophobic, and making him seem like an awful person. Im sick of it. Ron would risk his life to save Harry without a second thought and has done so before. He is smart, he’s great at strategy and not some idiot who’s only trait is being jealous. Ron is underrated and over-hated in this fandom and I’m actually so fucking sick of it.

Ron wasn’t jealous of Harry entering the goblet of fire like Hermione thought. It was obvious through what Ron said that he was mad that Harry didn’t tell him, and then lied about it. He let Harry practice spells on him through his fourth years in order to prepare for the tournament.

Ron left during the Horcrux hunt because he was wearing a horcrux. He regretted it immediately and tried to come back but couldn’t find them.

Ron Weasley, at thirteen, stared, who he believed was a mass murderer, in the eye and told him that in order to kill Harry he would have to kill him first and then proceed to double down on it!

Also, it’s not just the fandom either, JK also gave Ron the prefect badge. Hermione was so shocked because she had thought it was Harry and congratulated him only for it to be Ron and had to stutter and backtrack. It took molly a full page to congratulate him, and harry actually felt jealous. Only for Rowling to later make Dumbldore explain to Harry that the only reason Harry didn’t get prefect was because he had to much going on anyways. No. Ron deserved that! I’m sick of Ron not getting nice things.

Wanderer

Character A: I thought he (MewTwo) was wearing a really big ass plug.

Character B: So, he was just masturbating this whole time?

Character A: OKAY, LOOK, MY REPLY WAS BAD BUT YOURS IS JUST—

Sometimes I wonder if you're me but 10x.

Character B: 10x what?

Character A: Everything.

Character B: Yeah. That's why you're crying out mommy/daddy everytime.

Character A: NAH MAN

Everyone else: . . .

Character C: *appears* Is it innocent or sexual again?

Character D: Nothing's innocent about them.

the guilt I feel when I’m doing something else instead of writing is there, it’s just not strong enough to make me stop doing that something else and start writing. so it’s just there; enough to make me feel guilt, but not enough to make me write. 

thus most of the times, I’m doing something else while feeling guilty knowing I should be writing.