The Link Between Movement and Mood

Posted on January 12, 2026January 5, 2026 by gigis ramblings

Image created with Canva AI

Movement Isn’t About Fitness—It’s About Survival

For most of human history, we moved because we had to. We walked, lifted, squatted, carried, climbed. Our bodies and brains evolved expecting regular movement. When movement disappears, mood often follows. This isn’t about chasing a workout aesthetic—it’s about keeping your nervous system regulated.

How Movement Affects the Brain

Movement directly influences brain chemistry. Physical activity increases dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins—chemicals responsible for motivation, calm, and emotional stability. At the same time, movement helps regulate cortisol, the stress hormone that stays elevated when we’re overwhelmed, anxious, or burnt out.

Even low-impact movement can create noticeable changes. A short walk, stretching, or light chores can interrupt spirals of anxiety or low mood by shifting the brain out of fight-or-flight mode.

Why Sitting Too Much Messes With Your Mood

Long periods of inactivity slow circulation, stiffen muscles, and reduce oxygen flow to the brain. Over time, this can contribute to fatigue, irritability, brain fog, and even depressive symptoms. The body interprets prolonged stillness as a form of stress—especially when paired with screens and constant mental stimulation.

Anxiety, Depression, and the Role of Movement

Movement gives anxious energy somewhere to go. When the body releases physical tension, the mind often follows. For depression, movement can feel impossible—but it’s one of the most effective tools available. It doesn’t require motivation first; motivation often shows up after movement begins.

This doesn’t mean intense workouts. Gentle, consistent movement is often more effective than forcing high-intensity routines that increase stress.

The Nervous System Connection

Movement helps reset the nervous system. Rhythmic activities like walking, rocking, stretching, or yoga activate the parasympathetic system—the part responsible for calm and recovery. This is why repetitive, steady motion often feels grounding and soothing.

You Don’t Need a Gym to Improve Your Mood

Mood-boosting movement doesn’t have to look like exercise. Cleaning, gardening, dancing in the kitchen, pacing while thinking, or even stretching before bed all count. The goal is regular motion, not perfection.

Consistency Matters More Than Intensity

Five minutes of daily movement is more powerful for mood regulation than an hour-long workout once a week. Consistency teaches the body safety and stability. Over time, movement becomes a form of emotional maintenance rather than a chore.

Listening to Your Body Instead of Punishing It

Movement should support your mental health, not become another source of pressure. Some days call for strength, others for softness. The body communicates what it needs—when we slow down enough to listen.

Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.

The Appeal of “Digital Detox” Weekends

Posted on January 11, 2026January 12, 2026 by gigis ramblings

For a lot of us, the idea of unplugging for an entire weekend sounds equal parts peaceful and terrifying. Our phones wake us up, guide us through the day, entertain us at night, and somehow still manage to stress us out in between. A “digital detox” weekend isn’t about rejecting technology forever; it’s about stepping away long enough to remember what life feels like without a screen constantly demanding attention.

As burnout, anxiety, and screen fatigue keep rising, more people are intentionally disconnecting for short periods of time. And weekends have become the perfect testing ground.

Why We’re So Drawn to Digital Detoxing

The appeal starts with exhaustion. Between work emails, social media, news alerts, group texts, and endless scrolling, our brains never really shut off. Even when we’re “relaxing,” we’re still processing information nonstop.

A digital detox weekend promises mental quiet. No notifications interrupting conversations. No doomscrolling before bed. No pressure to respond immediately. For many people, that silence alone feels like relief.

The Mental Health Benefits of Unplugging

One of the biggest reasons people try digital detox weekends is for their mental health. Constant connectivity keeps the nervous system in a low-level state of stress. Even positive notifications still trigger a response.

Stepping away can help reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality, and make it easier to stay present. Many people report feeling calmer by day two, once the urge to check their phone starts to fade. Without constant comparison on social media, self-esteem often gets a quiet boost as well.

Relearning How to Be Bored (and Why That’s Good)

Boredom has become something we avoid at all costs, but it plays an important role in creativity and problem-solving. When there’s no screen to grab, your mind starts wandering again… in a good way.

During a digital detox weekend, boredom often leads to reading, journaling, cooking, cleaning, or starting projects that have been put off for months. It can feel uncomfortable at first, but that space is where clarity and creativity tend to show up.

Stronger Real-Life Connections

When phones aren’t constantly present, conversations change. Eye contact lasts longer. Listening improves. Meals aren’t interrupted by scrolling or buzzing devices.

Couples, families, and friends often find digital detox weekends help them reconnect in a more meaningful way. Even spending time alone can feel richer when it isn’t fragmented by notifications every few minutes.

Why Weekends Work Best for Detoxing

Weekends are ideal because they already signal a break from routine. Most people don’t need to be reachable for work, and expectations for immediate responses are lower.

A short detox also feels more manageable than an open-ended one. Knowing it’s just a weekend makes it easier to commit and easier to repeat if it goes well.

The Challenges No One Talks About

Digital detoxing isn’t always easy. Many people experience anxiety, restlessness, or the fear of missing out during the first day. There’s also the uncomfortable realization of how often we reach for our phones out of habit, not necessity.

That discomfort is actually part of the process. It highlights how deeply ingrained our digital dependence has become and why stepping away can be so powerful.

Finding Balance Instead of Going Extreme

A digital detox weekend doesn’t have to mean locking your phone in a drawer or disappearing completely. Some people choose to remove social media apps, limit phone use to emergencies, or avoid screens after a certain hour.

The goal isn’t perfection, it’s awareness. Even small changes can lead to healthier relationships with technology long-term.

Why Digital Detox Weekends Are Here to Stay

As life becomes more digital, intentional disconnection feels less like a trend and more like self-preservation. Digital detox weekends offer a reset without requiring a lifestyle overhaul.

They remind us that technology should serve our lives, not consume them, and sometimes the best way to reconnect is to log off for a while.

Why Simple Living Works

Posted on January 10, 2026January 4, 2026 by gigis ramblings

It Lowers the Mental Noise

Life gets loud fast. Notifications, opinions, expectations, and constant comparison stack up before breakfast. Simple living works because it cuts that noise down to size. Fewer choices mean fewer decisions. Fewer decisions mean less mental fatigue. When your brain isn’t juggling twenty unnecessary things, it finally has room to breathe.

Simple living doesn’t mean empty. It means intentional. What stays in your life earns its place.

It Brings You Back to What Matters

When you stop chasing everything, you start noticing what’s already good. Simple living pulls your focus back to people, routines, and moments that actually fill you up. Sitting on the couch together. Cooking a real meal. Quiet evenings that don’t need explaining.

You don’t need more memories. You need more presence inside the ones you’re already living.

It Reduces Stress Without Trying

A simpler life naturally lowers stress because there’s less to manage. Less clutter. Less overcommitting. Less pressure to keep up. Your nervous system wasn’t built for constant stimulation. Simple living works because it aligns better with how humans are wired.

Calm becomes a side effect, not a goal.

It Creates Financial Breathing Room

Spending less isn’t about deprivation. It’s about clarity. When you stop buying things to fill gaps, money starts doing what it’s supposed to do: support your life instead of running it.

Simple living works because it replaces impulse with purpose. You stop reacting and start choosing.

It Makes Daily Life Feel Lighter

There’s a quiet freedom in knowing you don’t need much. Fewer possessions mean less cleaning, fixing, storing, and worrying. Less packed schedules mean more room for rest. Simple living gives your days space to stretch out instead of constantly feeling behind.

Life stops feeling like a race you never signed up for.

It Strengthens Your Sense of Self

When you strip away outside noise, your own voice gets louder. Simple living helps you reconnect with what you actually like, value, and believe. Not what’s trending. Not what looks good online. What feels right in your real life.

That confidence is steady. It doesn’t need approval.

It’s Sustainable, Not Performative

Simple living isn’t an aesthetic. It’s a practice. It works because it’s flexible, realistic, and built for the long haul. You can simplify one drawer, one habit, or one boundary at a time. There’s no finish line. Just better days stacking up slowly.

That’s how real change sticks.

The Bottom Line

Simple living works because it gives you your life back. Your time. Your peace. Your attention. It’s not about having less for the sake of it. It’s about making room for what actually matters and letting the rest fall away without guilt.

Sometimes the most powerful move is choosing less.

Behind-the-Scenes: How I Track Orders Without Fancy Software

Posted on January 10, 2026January 10, 2026 by gigis ramblings

lady standing at a candle in a candle shop

Running a small business from home doesn’t require expensive software, complicated dashboards, or a dozen different apps. I know because I’ve been doing this since 2012, and I still rely on simple systems that make sense for my workload.

Order tracking doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It just has to be reliable.

Why I Don’t Use Fancy Order Management Software

There are a lot of tools out there promising to automate everything. For some businesses, that makes sense. For mine, it’s unnecessary.

My website is built on WooCommerce, which already does the heavy lifting. Orders come in clean, organized, and easy to access. I can see what’s paid, what’s processing, what’s shipped, and what still needs attention at a glance.

For a small business, that level of clarity is more than enough.

How WooCommerce Keeps My Orders Organized

WooCommerce is one of the most user-friendly platforms I’ve ever used. Every order is automatically logged, time-stamped, and assigned a status. That alone eliminates the need for extra tracking tools.

When an order comes in, I can quickly see:
• Customer details
• Items ordered
• Payment status
• Shipping method
• Order notes

As my order volume fluctuates, WooCommerce scales with me without creating chaos. Whether I have a light week or a packed one, everything stays organized in one place.

Shipping Made Simple With Built-In Tracking

I ship most orders through USPS. It’s reliable, affordable, and works perfectly for the majority of my products. For larger or heavier items, I’ll switch to UPS or FedEx when it makes more sense.

No matter which carrier I use, tracking is built in.

Once a label is created and the order is marked as shipped, tracking information is automatically attached. Customers receive updates, and I can see exactly where an order is at any time without digging through emails or spreadsheets.

That alone saves hours every week.

My Actual Order Tracking Process

My system is simple and repeatable, which is exactly why it works.

Orders are handled in this order:

New orders are reviewed inside WooCommerce
Orders ready to ship are processed first
Shipping labels are created and tracking is added
Orders are marked complete once shipped

There’s no guessing, no sticky notes, and no “I’ll remember that later.” Everything lives where it should.

How I Handle Higher Order Volume Without Stress

When order volume increases, the system doesn’t change. I just work through it in batches.

I ship first thing in the morning whenever possible. That way, orders are out the door early and off my mental load. Once shipping is done, I move on to emails and admin tasks knowing the most important part of the day is already handled.

Consistency is what keeps things manageable, not complexity.

Why Simple Systems Work Better for Small Businesses

For small businesses, complicated systems often create more problems than they solve. Every extra tool adds another thing to maintain, learn, and troubleshoot.

WooCommerce already provides:
• Order management
• Payment tracking
• Shipping integration
• Customer communication

Using what’s already built in keeps everything streamlined and easy to manage, especially when you’re wearing all the hats.

What I’d Tell Other Small Business Owners

You don’t need fancy software to run a legitimate, organized business. You need a system you understand and actually use.

For me, WooCommerce paired with USPS, UPS, and FedEx tracking has been more than enough to keep orders moving smoothly. It’s simple, efficient, and easy to keep up with, even on busy weeks.

Sometimes the best system isn’t the most advanced one. It’s the one that fits your business and keeps your sanity intact.

Why ASMR Became the Internet’s Favorite Relaxation Tool

Posted on January 9, 2026January 4, 2026 by gigis ramblings

I may be the odd man out here, but I cannot tolerate ASMR at all. It doesn’t relax me. It doesn’t soothe me. It doesn’t give me “tingles.” Instead, it gives me anxiety, makes me uncomfortable, and honestly feels like nails on a chalkboard. The whispering, the mouth sounds, the tapping — all of it sends my nervous system straight into fight-or-flight.

And yet, millions of people swear by it.

ASMR videos pull in billions of views. People use them to fall asleep, calm anxiety, cope with loneliness, and decompress after long days. So how did something that feels unbearable to some become the internet’s favorite relaxation tool for so many others?

What ASMR Actually Is

ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. It describes a physical sensation, often a tingling feeling that starts at the scalp and moves down the neck or spine, triggered by certain sounds or visual cues.

Common ASMR triggers include whispering or soft-spoken voices, tapping or scratching sounds, page turning, slow hand movements, and personal-attention roleplay like haircuts, eye exams, or makeup application.

For people who experience ASMR, these triggers don’t just sound pleasant. They create a genuine sense of calm and safety.

Why So Many People Find ASMR Relaxing

It Slows the Nervous System

ASMR can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, the part responsible for rest and recovery. Heart rate slows, breathing deepens, and the body relaxes. For people dealing with chronic stress or anxiety, this response can feel almost immediate.

It Mimics Care and Attention

A lot of ASMR content is intentionally gentle and personal. Soft voices, slow movements, and focused attention mimic being cared for. For people who feel lonely, overwhelmed, or emotionally drained, that sense of calm presence can be deeply comforting.

It Helps With Sleep

Many people rely on ASMR the same way others use white noise or calming music. The repetitive, predictable sounds help quiet racing thoughts and create a mental off-switch at bedtime.

Why ASMR Has the Opposite Effect on Some People

If ASMR makes your skin crawl instead of relax, you’re not broken. Your brain just processes sensory input differently.

Sensory Sensitivity

Certain sounds can trigger irritation or anxiety rather than calm. Whispering, mouth sounds, and repetitive noises can feel invasive or overwhelming instead of soothing.

Misophonia Overlap

There’s a strong overlap between disliking ASMR and misophonia, a condition where specific sounds cause intense emotional reactions like anger, anxiety, or panic. What relaxes one person can genuinely distress another.

Forced Intimacy Can Feel Uncomfortable

ASMR often simulates closeness. For some people that feels safe. For others it feels awkward, unsettling, or even intrusive, especially when it comes from a stranger on a screen.

Why ASMR Exploded Online

It’s Accessible

ASMR doesn’t require expensive setups. A microphone, patience, and consistency are enough. That low barrier helped it spread rapidly across YouTube, TikTok, and streaming platforms.

It Solves a Modern Problem

We live in a loud, fast, overstimulated world. ASMR offers the opposite: slow, quiet, intentional content. For many people, it’s an antidote to constant noise and digital overload.

Algorithms Push It

ASMR videos keep viewers engaged for long periods, especially at night. That watch time makes platforms push the content even harder, keeping ASMR constantly circulating.

Is ASMR Actually Good for You?

For people who enjoy it, yes. Research suggests ASMR can reduce stress, improve mood, and help with sleep.

For people who hate it, forcing yourself to like it is pointless. Relaxation isn’t universal. If ASMR spikes your anxiety, your brain is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do.

Final Thoughts

ASMR didn’t become the internet’s favorite relaxation tool because everyone loves it. It became popular because for the people it works for, it works incredibly well.

And for the rest of us, there’s comfort in knowing we’re not alone, even if our idea of relaxation sounds nothing like whispering into a microphone in the dark.

Why Everyone Suddenly Hates Phone Calls

Posted on January 8, 2026January 4, 2026 by gigis ramblings

When I was younger, I could talk on the phone for hours. I mean hours. I’d stay up all night on a call, whispering so I wouldn’t wake anyone else in the house, completely losing track of time. Talking on the phone wasn’t stressful — it was how we connected.

Fast forward to now, and the sound of my phone ringing sends my anxiety straight into overdrive. Not a notification. Not a text alert. The actual ringing. There are days I want to throw the phone across the room just to make it stop.

The list of people I’ll actually answer for is short: my husband and my youngest two kids. That’s it. Everyone else can text. I mean, if my other kids or my parents called me, I would answer, but they are strictly texters.

And it turns out, we’re far from alone.

We Used to Live on the Phone

For a long time, phone calls were the main way to communicate. If you wanted to talk to someone, you called them. There was no option to ease into a conversation or decide later if you had the energy for it.

Because of that, phone calls felt normal. Comfortable. They didn’t require mental preparation. You answered, talked, and eventually said goodbye.

Somewhere along the way, that changed.

Texting Gave Us Control — and We Refuse to Give It Back

Texting didn’t just change communication; it changed expectations. Now we can respond when we’re ready, think through what we want to say, or not respond at all without it being a full social offense.

For someone already juggling work, family, and constant mental noise, that control matters. A phone call removes it instantly.

When the phone rings, it demands your full attention whether you’re in the middle of something or barely holding it together.

Phone Calls Feel Like Intrusions, Not Connections

A ringing phone feels aggressive now. It cuts through everything and demands to be handled immediately. There’s no context, no warning, no chance to prepare.

It’s not that we don’t want to talk — we just don’t want to be ambushed.

Texting lets us decide when and how we engage. Phone calls decide for us.

Call Anxiety Isn’t Dramatic — It’s Practical

Phone anxiety doesn’t mean you’re antisocial. It means you understand how draining unexpected emotional labor can be.

When the phone rings, you don’t know:

How long the conversation will last
What kind of mood you need to be in
Whether someone needs something from you
If it’s going to turn into a problem you now have to solve

That uncertainty alone is exhausting.

Even Kids Avoid Phone Calls

What really drives the point home is that even kids avoid phone calls. As I mentioned before, my older ones won’t call at all. Texting is their default, just like it’s become mine.

For them, phone calls feel awkward and unnecessary. For us, they feel stressful and intrusive. Different reasons, same result.

Phone Calls Demand Emotional Availability We Don’t Always Have

A phone call requires immediate emotional presence. You can’t pause, re-read, or step away without it being noticeable.

Texting lets us stay connected without fully opening ourselves up. It’s communication with boundaries — and in today’s world, boundaries are survival tools.

We Didn’t Become Rude — We Became Overstimulated

We didn’t suddenly decide to hate phone calls. Life just got louder, faster, and more demanding.

Ignoring a call isn’t about disrespect. It’s about protecting peace.

And let’s be honest — most of the time, it really could’ve been a text.

Why Winter Scents Feel So Grounding

Posted on January 7, 2026January 2, 2026 by gigis ramblings

When the air turns cold and daylight fades faster than we’d like, many of us instinctively reach for warmer, deeper scents. Pine, cinnamon, clove, vanilla, smoke, cedar—there’s a reason these aromas feel comforting instead of heavy. Winter scents don’t just smell good; they anchor us. They slow us down, pull us into the present moment, and make our spaces feel safe and lived-in during a season that can otherwise feel bleak.

Scent and the Nervous System

Smell is the only sense that connects directly to the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls emotion, memory, and survival responses. Unlike sight or sound, scent doesn’t take a detour through logic first—it hits straight at the gut. That’s why certain smells can calm anxiety almost instantly or bring back vivid memories without warning.

In winter, when stress levels tend to rise due to shorter days, financial pressure, and social obligations, grounding scents can help regulate the nervous system. Warm, familiar aromas signal safety and stability, nudging the body out of fight-or-flight and into a calmer state.

Why Winter Scents Are Different From Summer Ones

Summer scents are often light, bright, and expansive—citrus, florals, ocean air. They energize and uplift. Winter scents do the opposite by design. They’re heavier, deeper, and slower. Think resins, woods, spices, and smoke. These scents sit lower in the body, creating a sense of weight and presence rather than movement.

This grounding effect mirrors the natural rhythm of winter itself. Nature slows down. Growth pauses. Animals burrow. Humans, whether we admit it or not, are wired to do the same. Winter scents support that instinct rather than fighting it.

Memory, Nostalgia, and Seasonal Comfort

Many winter scents are deeply tied to memory. Pine recalls Christmas trees and fresh-cut branches. Cinnamon and clove bring back kitchens filled with baking. Smoke and wood evoke fireplaces, bonfires, and old cabins. These associations aren’t accidental—they’re layered over years, sometimes decades.

When life feels uncertain, familiar scents act like emotional landmarks. They remind us of times we felt warm, fed, protected, or connected. Even if the present moment is stressful, those memories provide a sense of continuity and reassurance.

The Role of Earthy and Resinous Notes

Earthy and resin-based scents like frankincense, myrrh, patchouli, and cedar have been used for centuries in spiritual and grounding practices. These aromas are often described as “anchoring” because they encourage stillness and introspection.

In winter, these notes feel especially appropriate. They match the season’s quiet, inward energy and help create a feeling of solidity when everything outside feels cold and unstable. Lighting a wax melt or incense with these notes can turn a chaotic day into something slower and more intentional.

Creating a Grounding Winter Atmosphere at Home

Using winter scents intentionally can transform your space. Instead of burning something just to make the house smell good, think about the mood you want to create. Pine and fir are crisp and cleansing, perfect for mornings or after cleaning. Vanilla and spice feel nurturing and cozy, ideal for evenings. Woodsmoke and resin bring depth and calm, especially on long nights.

Layering scents throughout the day can help mark time during a season when days blur together. It’s a small ritual, but rituals matter—especially in winter.

Grounding as a Form of Self-Care

Grounding isn’t about escaping winter; it’s about settling into it. Winter scents don’t rush you forward or push productivity. They encourage rest, reflection, and presence. In a world that rarely slows down, that’s powerful.

Whether it’s a familiar holiday aroma or a deep, earthy blend, winter scents remind us to pause, breathe, and root ourselves where we are. Sometimes comfort doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from feeling held by something as simple as a scent in the air. We have plenty of winter scents on sale right now!

The Origins of King Cake

Posted on January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 by gigis ramblings

King Cake traces its roots back to Europe, long before it became a Southern staple. The tradition began in France and Spain as part of Epiphany celebrations, marking the arrival of the Three Kings to visit baby Jesus. Families baked a simple cake and hid a bean or coin inside. Whoever found it was crowned “king” for the day.

When French settlers brought their customs to Louisiana, King Cake came with them. Over time, the recipe evolved, the symbolism stayed, and the cake became deeply tied to Carnival season. What started as a religious observance slowly turned into a cultural tradition that blended faith, food, and community.

How King Cake Became a Mardi Gras Tradition

In Louisiana, King Cake found its permanent home alongside Mardi Gras. Carnival season officially begins on January 6, also known as King’s Day, and runs until Fat Tuesday. From that day forward, King Cakes appear in bakeries, offices, churches, and kitchens across the region.

The cake became a way to gather people together throughout the season, not just on Mardi Gras day itself. Sharing King Cake turned into a social ritual. If you got the baby, you bought the next cake or hosted the next gathering. It kept the celebration rolling week after week, building anticipation until the final blowout on Fat Tuesday.

The Meaning Behind the Baby and the Colors

The tiny plastic baby hidden inside the cake is one of its most recognizable features. Traditionally, it symbolizes luck, prosperity, and responsibility. Finding it means good fortune, but it also means you’re on the hook for the next celebration.

The classic purple, green, and gold colors are more than decoration. Purple represents justice, green stands for faith, and gold symbolizes power. These colors became official Mardi Gras symbols in the late 1800s and remain tied to both the cake and the celebration today.

What King Cake Represents Today

Today, King Cake is less about strict tradition and more about shared joy. While the symbolism is still there, the real significance lies in gathering people together. It shows up at work break rooms, family dinners, school parties, and neighborhood get-togethers.

Modern King Cakes come in endless varieties, from traditional cinnamon-filled rings to cream cheese, fruit, and even savory versions. No matter the flavor, the purpose stays the same. It’s about indulgence before Lent, community before solitude, and celebration before restraint.

A Taste of Mardi Gras Culture

Mardi Gras itself isn’t just a single day. It’s a season filled with parades, music, food, and long-standing traditions. While beads and masks grab the spotlight, food has always been at the heart of it all. King Cake is one of the few traditions that stretches across the entire Carnival season, making it a constant reminder that Mardi Gras is as much about togetherness as it is about spectacle.

King Cake captures the spirit of Mardi Gras perfectly. It’s colorful, indulgent, a little messy, and meant to be shared. Every slice carries history, symbolism, and the promise that the party isn’t over yet.

What I Focus on When Energy Is Low

Posted on January 6, 2026January 2, 2026 by gigis ramblings

Low energy doesn’t always mean something is wrong. Sometimes it’s just a signal to slow down, adjust expectations, and move differently through the day. I’ve learned not to fight it anymore. When my energy dips, I stop chasing productivity and start paying attention to what actually helps.

I Lower the Bar on Purpose

When energy is low, I don’t try to “push through.” That mindset only leaves me irritated and exhausted. Instead, I decide what actually matters that day. Not the ideal list. Not the Pinterest version of productivity. Just the few things that truly need attention.

Lowering the bar isn’t quitting. It’s conserving energy for what counts.

I Focus on Maintenance, Not Progress

Low-energy days aren’t for big goals or long-term plans. They’re for maintenance. I focus on keeping life steady rather than moving it forward.

That might mean folding laundry, answering a few messages, or handling small tasks that don’t require creativity or emotional effort. These things still count, even if they don’t feel impressive.

I Protect My Mental Space

When energy is low, my tolerance for noise, negativity, and chaos drops fast. I’m careful about what I let in. That includes conversations, social media, and even background noise.

I’ve learned that mental clutter drains energy just as much as physical effort. Quiet helps me reset, even if it’s just for a short while.

I Choose Comfort Without Guilt

Comfort isn’t laziness. On low-energy days, I lean into things that feel grounding. Comfortable clothes. Familiar routines. Simple meals. Familiar shows or music that doesn’t demand attention.

There’s no guilt in choosing ease. Rest is productive when it keeps burnout away.

I Listen to What My Body Is Asking For

Low energy can come from stress, overstimulation, or just needing rest. I try to listen instead of override it. Sometimes that means moving slower. Other times it means stepping away from responsibilities for a bit.

Ignoring those signals always costs me more later. Paying attention now saves energy in the long run.

I Give Myself Permission to Be Quiet

Not every day needs commentary. Not every thought needs to be processed or shared. When energy is low, I allow myself to be quiet without explanation.

Stillness has its own kind of healing. I don’t need to justify it.

I Remember That This Is Temporary

Low energy days feel heavy when I treat them like a failure. They feel manageable when I remember they’re temporary. I don’t need to fix everything today. I just need to get through it with care.

Energy comes back. It always does.

Gaslighters Who Play the Victim, Covert Narcissism and DARVO

Posted on January 6, 2026January 6, 2026 by gigis ramblings

Why They Think No One Sees Through Them

Gaslighters who play the victim rely on confusion, guilt, and emotional exhaustion to stay in control. When their manipulation is exposed, they often fall back on a familiar tactic: DARVO — Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender.

What’s wild isn’t just the behavior itself. It’s how confidently they believe it works.

It doesn’t, weak-minded weirdos.

What DARVO Actually Looks Like in Real Life

DARVO isn’t subtle. It usually follows a predictable script:

Deny: “That never happened.”
Attack: “You’re too angry/ unstable / dramatic.”
Reverse Victim and Offender: “I’m the one being attacked here. Poor me!”

Suddenly, the person who caused harm is crying, outraged, or claiming abuse, while the real victim is left defending themselves.

Why Gaslighters Play the Victim

Playing the victim gives them several advantages:

It shifts attention away from their behavior
It elicits sympathy from outsiders (this is a big one for most of these losers)
It puts the real victim on trial
It reframes accountability as cruelty

To them, being confronted feels like persecution. Accountability feels like abuse.

The Core Belief: “If I Control the Narrative, I Control Reality”

Gaslighters often believe that truth is flexible, something that can be reshaped by tone, emotion, or repetition. If they cry hard enough, accuse loudly enough, or rewrite events confidently enough, they assume others will accept their version. Keep dreaming, silly.

They confuse performance with credibility.

Why They Truly Think Others Can’t See Through Them

1. It Worked Before

This behavior didn’t come out of nowhere. At some point, it worked. Someone backed down. Someone believed them. Someone stayed silent. That success reinforces the belief that the tactic is foolproof.

2. They Overestimate Their Intelligence

Many gaslighters believe they’re the smartest person in the room. They assume others are emotionally naive, easily manipulated, or too uncomfortable to challenge them. Laughable. Every one I have ever known has less than average intelligence. They usually have an overinflated sense of their looks as well. In truth, they are some of the strangest looking creatures with unbelievable audacity. Just goofy.

3. They Underestimate Pattern Recognition

They don’t realize that while single incidents can be confusing, patterns are obvious. Over time, people notice the repeated victim narratives, the same accusations, the same deflections. We see you, delulu!

4. They Assume Silence Means Belief

When people stop engaging, gaslighters often think they’ve “won.” In reality, others have simply disengaged after seeing exactly who they’re dealing with. Especially if you know they are a weak little cop-caller. Because, for whatever reason, these spineless cowards love to entice a fight and then call the police.

The Victim Act Is Often Their Final Move

When gaslighting fails, victimhood becomes a last-ditch effort to:

Regain control
Punish the person who saw through them
Salvage their public image

This is why the behavior often escalates once boundaries are set.

Why It Stops Working Eventually

Gaslighting depends on access. Once someone understands the tactic, the emotional hooks lose their power.

People start noticing:

The story always changes
Accountability is always avoided
Everyone else is always the problem

The mask slips, not because the gaslighter messes up once, but because they repeat the same moves over and over.

Seeing Through It Is the Threat

What gaslighters fear most isn’t confrontation. It’s clarity.

Once someone can name the behavior…gaslighting, DARVO, victim reversal, covert narcissism, the illusion collapses. There’s nothing left to argue with – just patterns, boundaries, and distance.

And that’s exactly why they fight so hard to keep pretending no one can see. Just make sure if you are one of these clowns, you aren’t playing with someone smarter than you 😉

Grow up, twat.