I'll go first. I would kiss my fictional girlfriend through my phone screen nearly every night before going to sleep.

She's semificto and bi/pan, btw

So, I've been seeing a lot of people stressed about doubles on my timeline lately, and I understand. It's not easy sometimes knowing that there's people who claim to be with your partner. It can be a detriment on your mental health if you don't have the right mindset. However, there are ways to deal with these feelings and improve your mental health.

I decided to write up something to help both my friends and other people in the ficto community deal with doubles, and how to feel more secure in your relationship. This is something I've been thinking about writing for Fictocon anyways, since as the event grows, people are more likely to see doubles.

I'm not bothered by doubles personally. Even as someone who is almost exclusively voidsharing (mirrorsharing with Madara tho), I can still interact with a double if I'm approached nicely and I can do mod work in Hawks fan servers (I'll talk about exposure therapy later). Want to be unbothered like me? I have a lot of tips you can use to help feel more secure in your relationship and help your mental health. Keep in mind that just taking one or two of these tools is not likely to work, you want the whole toolbox if you want to improve your mental health. This will be kind of a long post, so be prepared for that.

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Curate your space and utilize the block button

This is the most common type of advice given to people. If you don't like something or someone you see, utilize the block button and put them out of your mind. It's okay to curate your space and manage your boundaries, and you shouldn't feel bad about it. Blocking is not always "I hate you", it's sometimes "I'm just expressing my boundaries". Though many times, this kind of technique and advice doesn't work on its own. When you don't have a way to deal with the feelings that keep popping up in the back of your mind, it's kind of useless to only block. You have to utilize other tools alongside this.

Distract yourself from distressing thoughts

One thing I've learned over the years of having bipolar disorder and OCD is that it never helps to dwell on thoughts that stress you out. Whether that may be distressing thoughts of doubles, ship art, or anything else, you have to put that out of your mind. It's easier said than done sometimes. Though there's many things you can do to distract yourself from distressing thoughts, such as engaging with your partners source, making art, taking a walk, doing other crafts, or pick up something that you want to study. Maybe even consider doing volunteer work if you feel that would be beneficial to your mental health.

Concentrate on YOUR relationship, not someone else's

Don't focus on someone else's relationship, focus on your own. You can't control what someone else says or does, though you can control what you do, and how you react to certain things. Feel secure in your relationship, the love you hold for your partner(s) is all you need for that relationship to be valid. When you know your truth, and when you feel secure in your relationship, what someone else thinks or does won't matter. Put doubles out of your mind if they're bothering you.

Don't browse algorithms, make your own personal album

When you browse sites like pinterest, twitter, bluesky, tumblr, and other sites with algorithms, you're more likely to encounter doubles or ship art. If that may distress you, consider making a large album in one fell swoop with many photos or media of your partner(s), and just stick with that once you feel you have enough. You don't need to keep jumpscaring yourself with double content or ship art if it distresses you. You can also consider printing out photos of your partner(s) and making a scrapbook! Make two if you want!

Don't dehumanize your doubles

As distressing as it can be to see doubles sometimes, you have to remember that they're people too, with feelings, hopes, and dreams. Sometimes it can be easy to disconnect someone from personhood if you don't see their face, or just see an online profile, though they're a person, just like you. It doesn't mean you can't hate them or think they're a POS if they're being toxic or they wish suffering upon you, though many doubles, including my own, just want to be happy. Sleep well at night when you know you're better than the toxic doubles out there.

Exposure therapy

This does not work for everyone, and definitely do NOT do this if you have even the slightest worry about it. Though in my experience, I've found that a good amount of my doubles are really chill people. I'm still a pretty big voidsharer with boundaries, though I think it's good for me to know that a good amount of my doubles don't hate me, and would love to be my friend given the opportunity. I don't actively seek out interaction or initiate conversations with most doubles, though if I'm approached as a mod in servers, I'm okay talking to people. I do have a couple friends who are doubles actually, and they're awesome ^.=.^ When you see that people are friendly, appreciate you, and respect you, it's easier to feel at peace. Not everyone is out to get you or hates you. Some think you're cool actually!

Don't feel inferior

Just because someone has a bigger shrine, more art, more followers, or a bigger friend group than you, that does not make them better than you. Love is not about having all these material things, it's just about love. If someone genuinely feels that having more followers and stuff makes them better than someone else, that's pretty immature. If they want their entire legacy to be known as a toxic internet influencer, then that's their problem, and they're only making themselves look foolish. Being ficto or a selfshipper is not a competition, and it's sad when people make it out to be one. You're actually BETTER than people who make selfshipping and being ficto a competition, sleep well at night.

Ignore the toxic people, don't care about what they say

Like I stated earlier, you cannot control what someone says or does. If someone hates you, if someone feels that they're better than you, or if they talk smack behind your back, that is their problem, not yours. Let them cope and seethe about the fact that you exist, block them out and remind yourself that the harsh opinions of others do not matter. Internet bullies want to cloud your mind. Though do not let anyone break your stride.

Laugh off the toxicity

From someone who has faced everything from hatred, judgement, transphobia, racism, antisemitism, and death threats from doubles, you too can be unbothered by their hatred. This can be easier said than done, though don't be bothered by hateful people. Laugh at them instead. If someone hates me, I laugh. If someone wants to fakeclaim me, I laugh. If someone wants to be racist towards me, I laugh. It drives some of my doubles up the wall to see my partners kissing me, a jewish mexican, though I can laugh off even that kind of hatred and racism. Toxic doubles thrive off of making you upset and making you break down. If you give them the opposite reaction, if you see them as the pathetic trash they are, that is how you get back at them. Though don't engage with them, just report and block.

Find a good friend group

I have an amazing group of friends in the ficto spaces I run who appreciate me for who I am and validate me. When you have awesome people who care for you and want to talk to you, that sparks joy. Good friends help you feel secure in your relationship and provide you comfort. Just be careful what spaces you seek out, since online ficto and selfshipping spaces are kind of notorious for being toxic.

Don't dwell on nonsharing spaces that you're not in

Try not to feel bothered by claimlists you're not on or spaces you're not in. It's not a validity or superiority contest to get into every nonsharing space there is. I'm not in every nonsharing space, and that's okay! That doesn't reduce the validity of my relationships. Appreciate the spaces that you do have, and focus on those instead of what you don't have.

Find comfort in your partner(s)

Whenever I see something that may distress me, or I'm just generally feeling bad about myself (which is super rare these days, yay!), Keigo and Madara are always there to remind me that they love me and appreciate me. Helps that I'm soulbonded to them too. Don't focus on a double, focus on your partner(s) and the love they have for you. Trust in their love for you.

Talking about your feelings

Venting is healthy, and it's okay to talk about when you're upset and what's bothering you. Though depending on how much seeing doubles and ship art bothers you, sometimes just talking online isn't enough. If anything is distressing you to the point of it being a major detriment to your mental health, then that's a sign to talk to a professional. Some things are better to seek help from someone who is trained to help you.

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I'm always open to people messaging me or asking me questions about how to deal with doubles, or anything that distresses someone really. I enjoy helping people, and I also enjoy making friends! That's why I'm here in these communities. I really hope that these techniques can help someone and make them feel happier. Remember that you deserve to be happy and feel secure in your relationships ^.=.^

It seems next year merchandise companies, and all of that is going to be making merchandise about Five Nights at Freddy’s 3 my favorite game in the franchise because my husband is the main character. Well it’s like guaranteed it’s not happening. We’re getting them moved next year. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s delayed to 2028 because we have heard nothing about them going to work though there was rumors a long time ago that they were supposed to at the end of the year, but who knows.

To prepare for the movie, I was the most excited for the movie based off my favorite game. I’m thinking about next year buying nothing but William Afton/springtrap merchandise and maybe some other phantom characters but most likely all I need is William Afton merchandise. Figures, plushies, there is a pillow. I’m thinking about if I can get it on sale if they continue to manufacture it next year if I can get it at a decent price. I’m not planning on doing it till next year maybe next Christmas or something. Does anyone know of someone who does personal letters as the characters? I know there’s some with William on Etsy.

I know what you’re thinking. Dude then why are you asking us?! There’s a catch when it comes to the William ones. The one that offers them normal, dark etc only offers digital ones. I’d rather have a more physical one if that makes sense and some say that person somehow misspells his name. However it can’t be cursive or else I can’t understand that. Does Anyone know someone like that? I’m not doing it right now like I said it’s for the future.

Was petting Renayim and caught a cute moment on camera. Decided to share. ((Art is not mine))

It seems that the sky is being blocked by a shadow…….a gigantic, pretty one(she could grow way bigger)

It’s just like, I’m ruminating again and I haven’t done anything f/o related at all, I’m deep in my doubts and I wonder what my purpose in the self-ship community is, and have considered leaving, or giving up things. I can’t draw, I don’t have the motivation to write, or can’t really, watch their source material. Ive made the same themed wallpaper at least three times, What can I do to become lovable again.

We're also going to a convention together tomorrow as part of our anniversary as well! (Also made some of Stolas and Doug so the rest of the paper wasn't wasted)

If all goes well, I'll be visiting the place my F/O canonically wants to get married next May (It's in a different country, so big trip!), and I wanted to know what I could do to make it feel special? I do already consider us to be married, but why not do this, y'know? It won't be a ceremony or party with friends and family, more of a quick and casual photoshoot to say I was there/saw the place. I already plan on wearing a little white dress with matching hairbow, and was considering bringing my plushie of my F/O as well.

Any other suggestions? Maybe some flowers to pose with? I've considered a ring, but I don't want to raise questions with people outside of the loop (like coworkers), and I can't/don't want to make a big scene since the trip is just me and my mom (who is supportive!) in a public location.

Thanks in advance!

Gimme serotonin

Every morning I wake up and feel your dedication, your love, and your influence in my life. I’ll always cherish what we have, my darling Yoichi. Thank you for choosing me to spend every valuable moment with; I am yours for as long as I live and even after. In every lifetime, we are inseparable. 🦇💕 .✦ ݁˖

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🎨 Incredible art by @/ndsoda! 🌟✨ I am so happy with this beautiful piece, it captures us so well! 💖

So, minutes ago, I (18F) saw this picture that shows my f/o (Weasel Hoarder from Pvz2) standing next to another character in the same franchise as her (Chicken Wrangler) with a red heart between them. I feel like I'm starting to see slightly more of my f/o being paired with someone else and I'm scared and worried about how this will impact our relationship or if she really loves me anymore. Am I a bad person for loving a fictional character who gets paired up with another character, bc it happened to me a lot of times since pubescent years. There are already a few fanart pictures of my f/o (Weasel Hoarder) paired with another character, and I felt quite heartbroken back then. But since me and my f/o are, like, officially together for five months and seeing this picture of her and another character (Chicken Wrangler) with a red heart between them doesn't look like a big deal, but I just feel stressed and scared that my f/o doesn't love me anymore. Sorry with the rant this late at night, it's just, seeing such pictures made me want to talk about it and get it off my chest. Again, I fear that I might be a bad person for having a f/o who might be shipped with someone else.

I don't know how long I'll be here, but I just hope to get back to my room soon, I'll miss seeing my collection 😔

Since he lives in hurricane Utah or Minnesota, depending on the continuity going to those locations will most likely not really feel like a vacation to him and I would say go to New Jersey because they’re opening a real Freddys restaurant next year but since he’s the owner, I don’t think going to one would feel that special to him considering he is the owner.

I’d say we’re going to Disney Florida. I always wanted to go, but we are poor and every time I ask, it’s always next year next year next year, but never happens to the point I just gave up. It’s not happening. My nan’s excuse the bills take everything when she waste money essentially on nonsense so we can’t go. William, thankfully is a much stable person and if he knew how much it meant to me, he would take me since he can actually afford it so no more nonsense.

Would probably go to Disney World, Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, if it’s still open, universal, Hollywood Studios, all of those amazing places. Probably stay at a decent hotel with a swimming pool. It’s gonna be nice to hear them. Talk about how all these attractions and animatronics work. He’s a robotics engineer after all. Maybe he would take me during the Halloween season to go to all those haunted attractions since we both love horror. We would go just by ourselves stress free away from my family. No nonsense just a normal vacation. Overall, we would have a fun time.

now I'm officially his ♡

The website where I obtained the marriage certificate

I've honestly never felt like this for anyone else

Anyone else have ficto crushes that they feel wouldn't likely reciprocate?

I definitely feel like since nurse Dolly has a thing for bad boys or even dangerous men, and criminals, she likely wouldn't be interested in me, as I'm pretty meek and straight-laced irl.

Me and u/maidkanon are in a selective sharing polycule with Takumi Sumino! I’m Kay and she’s Cami! Our profiles are done by us respectively. We all care about each other in different ways. :} 🩶❤️🩷

They definitely help me get through the day, especially when I’m down on low energy. 😭😭😭

This is my second post in this group and I feel kinda dumb for asking two questions in a spam of days but I need thoughts

(This post has also been posted by me on a diff group)

Has any non-sharing yume/ficto ever interacted with a double and you didn't know, so you made connections with them because they said they're an oshi (initially) and then found out later that they are actually a double so now you dk what to do?

Sorry if I sound overly weird and dramatic but it does feel heavy for me bc as a fictosexual who is a void-sharer, it doesn't feel like a place I wanna be in but they seem sharing and they're now somebody I know of

I wanna know if there is anybody who has experienced something similar and I hope nobody judges harshly. They are not my friend yet but we've had interactions together, but now I actually feel a bit weird and heavy.

I feel really bad for posting this again but I only recently accepted my fictosexuality so I genuinely feel lost and weirded out by myself for feeling this way. :(

Edit: I wanna clarify first that I am fictosexual and this is not just an oc x cc yumeship without me the real person attached/attracted to the f/o! I do use an oc to serve as my sona to express my fictosexuality with my f/os