Day 25 (cont.):

Cozy Glow smiles and says, “Hi Starshine!” as the deep purple unicorn filly trots in.

Starshine hugs Cozy tightly and says, “Trixie told me you had a bad time earlier! Are you okay Cozy?”

Cozy nervously returns the hug before looking down, and saying, “Yeah we were at the bank and um, I had a bad time…”

Starshine straightens herself out and says, “Well what happened Cozy? Are you okay?

Cozy stares blankly at Starshine. "Um, well I uh… I was worried okay?”

Starshine then takes a step towards Cozy as she asks, “What were you worried about, Cozy?”

“Well, you know how I did bad things before and well, I guess I’m worried that they’re talking about me or staring? I don’t like it! It makes me nervous and I keep thinking about every little thing I do. Even a twitch from my body I can’t control really upsets me and I keep hoping nopony is staring at me.” *

Starshine then lowers her shoulders and asks Cozy, “Well I’m staring at you right now. Does that worry you Cozy?”

Cozy shakes her head. “Um no, not really? I mean, I know you and you’re my friend! I know you already think good things about me… Well, I think so?”

Starshine smiles and says, “Sure Cozy! But um, you don’t know about those other ponies huh? I guess that’s what you’re worried about?”

Cozy looks down, “Yeah I guess so? I talked to mom about it already and she said it’s okay for me to stay home until I’m ready to go out again…”

“Well that’s good, Cozy! I don’t want you to do anything you’re not ready for.”

“I don’t get it! This never bothered me before,”

“Well then, I guess something must’ve changed?”

“I don’t know what that might be...”

“Well you have been trying to get reformed after all of the awful things you did, right?” Starshine shuts her eyes and sticks her snout out. “Oh crap!"

Starshine stands there with her snout out for a moment, before opening her eyes and looking at Cozy to see that her brows furrowed with a blank expression on her face. She finally asks Cozy, “Um, aren’t you gonna boop me?”

The realization hits the young Pegasus in a flood. She feels remorse and wishes she hadn’t done the things that she did. She truly wished at that moment that she could take it all back. She then says to her friend, “Uh, Starshine. I’m not okay…”

“W-what do you mean Cozy?”

Cozy looks down and says, “I’m not okay Starshine! I just keep thinking about it! I want it to stop! I just want it all to stop!”

Starshine hugs Cozy and then whispers to her friend, “It’s okay Cozy… You’re safe now…”

“Yeah I know… I know I’m safe, but…” Cozy starts to pant heavily, “I just keep wondering about the “mystery filly” who took over the School of Friendship you know? I mean, who was she?”

Starshine then goes back to all fours and looks down before back up and saying, “Well uh, okay follow me here Cozy! What if, you don’t need to know?”

Cozy then squints her right eye and raises her left eyebrow as she says, “W-what do you mean?”

Starshine then smiles at Cozy and says, “Well think about it! Even if you knew at this point, exactly who that filly was, what difference would it really make? You got a new mommy, you got a new best friend, and you got a nice new room to play and live in! You can stay here until you’re ready to go out. What exactly is the problem anymore? Maybe instead of dwelling on all that awful stuff, you should just I dunno, try being happy instead?”

Cozy frowns and says, “So uh, just forget about it then? Like it never happened?”

“Exactly Cozy! Just live your life from this point on and don’t worry about all the bad stuff anymore! You gotta admit, it’s not really doing you a lot of good is it?”

“You know, that’s actually a really good point Starshine. But…” Cozy looks down and says, “Why can’t I stop thinking about it?”

Starshine then looks at Cozy sternly as she says, “I don’t know Cozy, but I do know one thing. You’re my best friend and I’m always gonna be there for you.”

At that point, something snapped in the Pegasus filly’s mind. She then says, “Um, S-Starshine? Please hug me…”

Starshine hugs her tightly.

Cozy whispers in Starshine’s ear, “Thank you so much my wonderful friend! I’m so glad you’re here!”

“No problem Cozy! We’re gonna go slow and you take as long as you need to okay?”

“Okay Starshine!”

At that point, there’s a knock-on Cozy’s door. Trixie trots in and greets them, “Hi fillies! Was just coming to check up on you and make sure you’re okay. How are you feeling Cozy, uh, you two are hugging again!”

At that point, Cozy gently shoves Starshine off of her and looks at her mother before saying, “Well yeah we uh, were just talking about stuff mom…”

Trixie raises her left eyebrow and says, “You two certainly seem to hug and cuddle a lot!”

Cozy looks down and says, “I don’t know if it’s any more than usual I uh…” She then closes her eyes and says, “I like to not feel alone…”

Trixie says, “What Cozy?”

Starshine suddenly interjects and says, “Uh, well that’s mostly me Trixie!” She then diddles her right forehoof into the floor and blushes a little as she says, “I um, like hugging. It’s just that well, being an only child, I didn’t really have anypony to interact with you know?”

Trixie then rolls her eyes and says, “Well that’s fine Starshine!” and then looks at Cozy as she asks, “Anyway, are you okay Cozy?”

Cozy looks at the floor and says, “Yeah I think so? This is so weird. I mean, these things never bothered me before you know. It’s almost like everything bad I ever did suddenly came back at me all at once?”

Trixie’s mouth curves before she says, “Well we’ll figure these things out okay, Great and Powerful daughter? I said I was going to be your new mother and I meant every word…”

THE GREAT AND POWEREFUL COZY GLOW!

Cozy stares at Trixie with wide eyes and she says, “Golly! So, I guess I have all kinds of support huh? Um, mom? What was it like when you were reformed?”

Trixie smiles and says, “Well it was actually a very slow gradual process for me. You see, after I saw all the trouble I had caused with the Alicorn Amulet, I fled Ponyville and didn’t return for some time. Then shortly after I started going back there, I met Starlight Glimmer in the Ponyville Spa and well, we hit it off very well together!”

Cozy scrunches her nose and says, “Um, what does Starlight have to do with your reformation mom?”

Trixie smiles as she says, “Well that’s just it Cozy! I wasn’t entirely reformed just yet and the truth was…” she looks down, “I was just befriending Starlight to get back at Twilight… Well at first, I was, but then when we started being together and being friends, it just well, made me change my mind.”

Cozy says, “Oh gee mom! So you just liked being with her huh?”

Trixie smiles and says, “Yeah it was so great to just not be alone anymore! Anyway, eventually me and Starlight worked it out and we’re still the best of friends to this day!”

Cozy looks down and says, “Yeah like how Starshine makes me feel not alone huh?”

(Starshine begins smiling at Cozy now)

Trixie says, “Exactly Cozy! Just having somepony there for you can make all the difference!”

“Um, I guess so?”

Trixie smiles and says, “Right! Anyway, I was about to go make dinner, but are you two okay now? Do you need anything?”

Cozy smiles, “No we’re fine mom!”

“Okay, well I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything!”

The two fillies listen to hoofsteps getting softer before Cozy looks at Starshine and says, “Um, you cut me off when I was trying to explain that I like…”

Starshine cuts her off again as she says, “Cozy, I know you don’t like to admit it so just stop okay?” She smiles, tilts her head to the left, and continues, “You know I really don’t mind hugging and cuddling you right?”

Cozy just closes her eyes and giggles with her head down before saying, “Yeah I guess I am acting kinda silly, huh?”

“Yeah! You really should just admit that you like being held and cuddled! It’s okay Cozy! I really don’t mind! In fact, um, I kinda like it!” Starshine trots over to Cozy and embraces her in a tight warm hug.

Cozy smiles and hugs her friend back before they both go back to all fours. Cozy says, “Well uh, what do you want to do Starshine?”

Starshine looks up and scrunches her mouth before saying, “I dunno Cozy?” And then a spark of inspiration hits the young unicorn’s mind as she uses her magic to make Mr. Bearington glow and says, “Rawr Cozy Glow! I’m gonna give you a bear hug!”

Cozy giggles and gallops to the other side of the room while squealing, “Oh no!”

ALL FEAR MR. BEARINGTON!!

Starshine’s face strains as she moves the bear towards Cozy and she corners her against the side wall.

Cozy then says, “You better stay back Mr. Bearington! I have hugs of my own!”

Starshine then says out of the side of her mouth, “Your weak Pegasi filly hugs are no match for my bear hugs!”

Cozy screams as Starshine stresses and uses her magic to make the teddy bear hug the little Pegasus.

Cozy screams in happy excitement as the door flies open to reveal a blue unicorn. Trixie quickly says, “I heard screaming! Is everything okay?”

Starshine then drops the bear on the laughing Pegasus and says, “Oh no Miss Trixie! We were just playing!”

Trixie sighs and says, “Oh! Thank goodness! You know, having a foal really makes me worry a lot!”

Cozy stops giggling, looks at Trixie, and says, “Yeah I’m sorry mom! I didn’t mean to worry you!”

“It’s okay Cozy! You two were just having fun and worrying about you is my job now. You’re my responsibility you know?”

“Well I guess so, huh? And um, you accepted because uh, you care about me?”

Trixie says, “Right Cozy!”

“Well okay, I guess I get that now…”

“Great! Took you long enough! You’re smart Cozy, but very stubborn!”

Cozy scrunches her mouth and nose and squints her eyes.

Trixie giggles and says, “Anyway, dinner will be ready shortly little ponies! Just come out whenever you’re ready!” She then trots out of Cozy’s door and uses her magic to shut it.

Cozy looks at Starshine and says, “Golly! I guess we were getting kinda loud huh?”

“Yeah I guess when you’re playing and having fun, you don’t really think about things like that?”

“Yeah… Hey I saved you some Storm Crusher pictures in my coloring book! Wanna color Starshine?”

“Sure! Uh, I didn’t do anything nice for you Cozy?”

“That’s fine Starshine!”

“Okay, but if I find any unicorn pictures, I’m saving them for you to color!”

“Deal!” Cozy trots over to her dresser and gets out some coloring books and takes them to the center of the room with her mouth. She says to Starshine, “Hey put down some pillows for us Starshine!”

“You got it Cozy Glow!” Starshine then uses her magic to move pillows to the center of the room but furrows her brows and scrunches her nose as she does it.

“Uh, Starshine? you okay?”

“Yeah, moving that bear earlier kinda stressed my magic. I’m just a foal you know!”

“Oh okay! Well if you need anything while you’re recovering Starshine, just let me know!”

“Thanks! But I should be okay in about two hours…”

Cozy trots over to her dresser and fetches the crayons with her mouth before trotting back to the center of the room with Starshine and the pillows. Then she trots back to her dresser and does the same with her coloring books.

The two fillies color and chat for the better part of ninety minutes, talking, laughing, and playing before the door opens again and they see Trixie, “Dinner was ready 30 minutes ago! It’s getting cold now! Are you two gonna eat?”

Cozy giggles and says, “Oh yeah! Sure mom! Uh, Starshine? You wanna eat now?”

Starshine smiles at Cozy and says, “Sure Cozy!”

The two fillies both get up and start trotting towards the door as Trixie shakes her head and says, “You two seem to play and have so much fun together! It’s almost like you’re best friends or something?”

Cozy says, “Yeah weird huh?”

The two fillies all trot out into the living area and onto the beanbag couch. Trixie trots out and over to the kitchen area where she uses her magic to levitate a big pizza tray and brings it over to the coffee table as she trots out to that area. She then says, “I made pizza tonight fillies! Feta cheese and spinach! I hope you like it!”

Cozy scrunches her nose and mouth as she says, “Spinach is gross mom! I don’t wanna eat that!”

Starshine says, “Just try it Cozy! Trust me! It’s really good!”

“Well uh, okay Starshine!”

Trixie cuts the pizza up. “I’m still not used to actually needing plates, but I got them! Hang on!” Tongue sticking out, she concentrates hard as she levitates 3 small plates over from the cabinet and sets them down onto the table.

“Golly! I guess magic takes a lot of concentration huh?”

Trixie says, “Well it depends on how fresh you are Cozy. When I wake up, it’s a lot easier than later in the evening when I’m about to go to sleep.”

Cozy smiles and says, “Oh okay! Well I guess that makes sense!” She then picks up her slice of pizza with her forehooves and starts to chew. She gulps it down, looks at her friend, and says, “Hey! You were right Starshine! This pizza is really yummy!”

Starshine smiles and says, “Told ya!” and then uses her magic to take a bite of her slice.

Trixie chuckles and uses her magic to levitate the pizza to her mouth and she takes a bite out of it. Starshine and Cozy both munch on their pizzas some more before the Trixie finally asks them, “So you two have been friends for awhile now. Are you enjoying each other’s company?”

Cozy says, “Well yeah, I mean, it’s nice um, not to be alone all the time and to have somepony there to talk to me. Um, I wasn’t really used to that…”

Trixie smiles and says, “Exactly why I felt you needed to experience it as part of your reformation, Cozy. You have to see that there are other ways to do things and the best way to do that was to give you a friend!”

Cozy squints and says, “Okay I get that, but um… Mom? What now?”

Then the dinner table stops as Starshine stops eating and starts paying attention. Trixie then smiles and says, “Simple Cozy… Now you remember when your parents house burned down and you had to survive right? Well, by adopting you and giving you a place here, now you can explore yourself… Cozy Glow, now we get to find out who you really are!”

Cozy starts and says, “But um, I thought I was your daughter and that’s all I needed to know?”

Trixie then says, “Yes, but what kind of daughter are you? What’s your personality like? What do you do for fun? We already know most of these things you know?”

Cozy then says, “Um, yeah we both know what I like to do and I guess we know my personality as well… But uh, what sort of daughter am I? Well um, I guess I need to be a daughter for a bit before we know that huh?”

Trixie says, “Right Cozy! Well you’re cute and a smartass and so we know that much!”

Cozy scrunches her mouth a bit before deciding to ignore that and starts eating her pizza again.

Starshine is done with her slice when she then uses her magic to wipe off her face with a nearby napkin and says, “Um, Miss Trixie! Can I have another slice please?”

Trixie smiles, “Certainly Starshine!” then carves off another slice, floats that to Starshine's plate.

Cozy says, “Okay so um, mom. Is that all we’re doing right now? I mean, I thought we were reforming me right?”

Trixie says, “Well yes Cozy, but that’s the thing. Reformation is a gradual process that takes place one day at a time. We can’t just expect you to be good overnight!”

Starshine then rubs her belly with her right forehoof and says, “Um, Cozy. I’m full. Would you like the rest of my slice?”

Cozy looks to see there’s maybe half a slice there before saying, “Sure Starshine! I’ll take it off your hooves!”

Starshine smiles and levitates the pizza over. Cozy smiles, picks up the pizza with her forehooves, and starts to happily munch on it.

Trixie then says, “Anyway, filly cuteness aside, (Cozy Glow squints) basically what we have to do now, Cozy is to give you a new identity. Now that we’ve taken out what you used to be you see…”

Cozy frowns, “But how do I know if I’ll like this filly you want me to become?”

“Well, you know, there’s really only one way to find out right? Besides! It’s not like you yourself don’t get to decide a lot of this stuff! I mean, you’re not a robot pony, right?”

Cozy smiles and rubs her chest fluff with her right forehoof and says, “Um, no? I think I’m a real pony mom!”

Then Trixie continues, “Right Cozy! So I need to give you some room to be yourself!”

“Thanks mom!”

“Your sweet adorable self!”

Cozy says, “Yeah I know…”

“Your cute adorable precious self Cozy!”

Cozy snaps, “Mom! Knock it off!”

Trixie giggles before using her magic to finish up the last of her pizza crust.

Cozy finishes the rest of Starshine's piece to the crust before rubbing her belly with her left forehoof. “Golly mom! That was really good! But I can't eat another bite!”

Trixie smiles and takes the crust from Cozy with her magic, sets it on Cozy’s plate, and then floats all of them into the kitchen sink. She then looks at the pizza pan and gently uses her magic to slowly lift it to the kitchen counter.

Cozy then looks at Starshine and says, “Oh golly gee! I almost forgot!”

Starshine looks at Cozy and asks her, “What did you forget Cozy?”

Cozy then quickly reaches forth her right forehoof and presses it on Starshine’s nose as she loudly says, “BOOP!”

Starshine twitches her nose and says, “Um, okay Cozy! You’re right! I really did have that one coming!” And she giggles shortly before Cozy joins her.

Trixie giggles and says, “You two are cute together!”

Cozy sighs and Starshine giggles as she said, “What’s wrong Cozy?”

Cozy looks down and says, “I don’t know? I mean, when I’m actually trying to be cute, it’s different. But being cute for no reason kind of weirds me out?”

Starshine then says, “Uh, Cozy, have you looked in a mirror? You’re adorable!”

Cozy frowns and says, “Well okay, but I always just thought that was how I wanted other ponies to see me you know? As an adorable Pegasus filly. I never thought it was actually me!”

Starshine smiles and says, “Well guess what Cozy? That is you! You’re cute! And the pony you see in the mirror is actually you!”

Cozy smiles as she says, “Thanks Starshine! You’re pretty cute yourself you know?”

Starshine says, “Not as cute as you!”

Cozy then says, “No you!”

Starshine giggles and says, “Cozy! You’re cuter than me! Now am I gonna have to tickle you until you realize that?”

Cozy then says, “I’m not scared!”

Starshine then says, “You better be!” before lunging on top of her friend and they both fall off giggling the beanbag couch.

Starshine starts to vigorously tickle Cozy before Cozy squeals, “Stop it! Stop it! I wasn’t ready!”

The two fillies roll over when Trixie glances at the clock on the wall and says, “Starshine! You were supposed to be back by 7:30 right? Well it’s 7:06 now! You gotta go soon!”

Starshine stops tickling Cozy and says, “Okay Miss Trixie,”

“Not before I get revenge!” Cozy begins to emphatically tickle her friend.

Starshine giggles as she says, “Okay stop it! Stop it Cozy! I’ve had enough!”

Cozy lets Starshine up. “Golly Starshine! We sure had a lot of fun today huh?”

“Yeah we sure did Cozy!”

“And now you gotta go… Well um, see you later Starshine!” She then trots over and hugs her friend.

Starshine smiles and hugs her friend back. She holds Cozy for as long as she can before finally saying, “Uh, Cozy? I can’t stay like this forever you know?”

Cozy smiles and says, “Neither can I! But I want it to last!” Before holding Starshine as tight as her little leg muscles would let her and then going back to all fours and looking down before saying, “Sorry… Um, I just like that okay?”

Starshine then moves her left forehoof to Cozy’s chin to bring her face up to look at her and she says, “Hey Cozy! It’s okay! I know you like hugging and cuddling! Now I really need to start walking home, but I’ll be back soon! Probably tomorrow okay?”

Cozy smiles and says, “Okay Starshine! Be careful going home!”

Starshine says, “I will Cozy!” and then opens the door with her magic before stepping out, turning to face Cozy, and smiles as she shuts the door.

Cozy then turns to face her mother and says, “Golly that sure was fun! Um, so what now mom?”

Trixie smiles and says, “Well now, I’ll go do the dishes right quick before we have after dinner coffee and chat! Well, you’ll have cocoa, but still…”

Cozy stares at the floor and says, “So just like old times huh? Gee, I really wonder if I’ve actually changed you know? I mean, I’m always thinking of ways to be bad again, but I just don’t do it anymore?” **

“Well that’s the thing Cozy. You need to get into a new mindset for us to actually reform you. I mean, otherwise you’re eventually gonna go back you know?”

“Yeah you’re probably right mom? Um, okay…”

“You know, those dishes aren’t gonna do themselves? I should go wash them now! You stay here Cozy!”

Cozy smiles and says, “Okay! I love you mom!”

Cozy, while Trixie is washing the dishes, looks down and sees there's a little juice left in her glass. She uses her forehooves to quickly chug the last few ounces and then sets it back down. She thinks to herself before grabbing the glass with her forehooves again and then taking off with her wings to fly to the kitchen where she sees Trixie standing behind the sink, using her magic to scrub the dishes off with a sponge one at a time. Cozy puts her glass in the soapy water.

Trixie looks up, “Thank you Cozy!”

Cozy smiles down at her mother and says, “No problem mom!” and then flies back to the foyer. She lands on the beanbag couch and sits there patiently waiting for her mother to return.

A few minutes later, Trixie walks back into the foyer holding two mugs in her magic. She floats Cozy’s cocoa over to the table near her and sits down at the table next to her.

Cozy slurps some coca before setting the mug back down, wiping her mouth with her forehoof, “That pizza sure was yummy mom! Thanks!”

“Well, l want you to try all sorts of new things Cozy! Like maybe, not being evil?”

Cozy looks down and giggles as she says, “Mom, I’m not stupid! We already went over why I did what I did! I mean, without those things here, that shouldn’t happen again right?”

“Well in theory, no? But you never know what could cause you to think bad thoughts again! Believe me! I know! Befriending Starlight specifically to get revenge on Twilight wasn’t exactly a nice thing to do right? But I admit that’s why I did it! Well, at first…”

“But Starlight made you think differently?”

“Exactly Cozy Glow! By giving me friendship, I mean real friendship like what you and Starshine have, she made me realize that I actually don’t have to be alone anymore… And you know, you don’t need to be either right Cozy?”

Cozy looks down and says, “I guess not, huh?” She slurps some more cocoa before setting it back down. “You know I’ve been thinking mom… Well if you’re trying to figure me out like you said, I guess I’ll be willing to give it a shot?”

“What do you think we’re doing Cozy? You gotta admit, you haven’t exactly been uncooperative.”

Cozy furrows her brow and says, “And that’s another thing I find annoying! Despite thoughts in my head telling me not to, I just keep following you! And I’m not sure why!”

Trixie smiles, “How about because you love me?”

“I-I love you? Uh, golly! What makes you say that mom?”

Trixie replies, “Well how about because I gave you a home and a loving mother? You gotta admit Cozy, it’s a lot better than being alone, right?”

“Golly it sure is! So now that life isn’t so hard, I won’t be bad anymore?”

“That's the best-case scenario, Cozy, but things don't always work quite that way. Remember not to act on those bad thoughts. Trust me! They start to go away after awhile, but they’re always gonna be there…” ***

Cozy happily slurps down the rest of her cocoa. “You got it mom!”

At this point, Trixie giggles and Cozy says, “Okay fine! I guess I’m cute now whether I want to be or not!”

“What’s the matter Cozy?”

“Nothing!” She then crosses her forehooves in front of her chest again and mutters to herself, “I just couldn’t win! It couldn’t be done! And now I just have to be cute! There’s literally no other way!”

Trixie nods her head to the ground and puts her right forehoof over her eyes as she starts to giggle uncontrollably.

Cozy then moves her forehooves back to her sides and says, “Well uh, mom? I’m getting kinda sleepy now. It’s been a very long day!”

Trixie glances at the clock on the wall and says, “Well, it’s almost nine now, Cozy! You know that's your bedtime, right?

“Oh I have a bedtime now? Okay mom!” She then leans over and hugs her mother tightly before saying, “I love you mom!” and then getting off the couch and trotting off to her room over on the other end of the foyer. She looks back and says, “Um mom?”

Trixie looks up at her daughter and asks, “Yes Cozy?”

“Um, is this the way things are supposed to be?”

Trixie smiles and says, “Yes Cozy… Everything is the way it’s supposed to be now…”

Cozy smiles back at Trixie and says, “Thanks mom!”

Trixie smiles back at her and says, “Goodnight Cozy! Rest well!”

Cozy trots into her room. She then shuts the door and crawls into bed. She gets underneath the covers and pulls her dolphin to her chest, whispering to it, “So, I guess the bad stuff is over now, huh? Golly! I’m safe and warm now and I guess I’m starting over again? It still seems weird after all this time, but I’m actually not even sure what “normal” is anymore so uh, I guess we’re doing this thing after all then…”

She hugs the dolphin to her chest and softly falls asleep under her covers. The bear vigilantly stands watch over her at the head of her bed…

Night 25:

Cozy stirs in her sleep a few hours later in the dark. She starts to dream once more…

Cozy stands in a field. She knows this place as it wasn’t too far from her parent’s cottage. “Hey! There weren’t supposed to be any more nightmares! I get it! I’m not the filly who took over Equestria! I’m not evil! Why is this still happening?”

She then hears a soft feminine voice from behind her say, “This is no nightmare, Cozy Glow!”

She turns to see Princess Luna and furrows her brow, “Then why am I here?”

“Because I wanted to speak with you, Cozy Glow.”

Cozy frowns and says, “Why?”

“Because you’re very special Cozy!”

“Well I don’t care! I made a mistake and now I’m trying to fix myself. Bad things happened and I need to heal…”

“You are right Cozy, but there are things you still need to do…”

“Forget it! I don’t want to be special okay? I just want to live my life!”

“We shall see…” The dream then fades away and Cozy is once again enveloped in peaceful darkness as she falls back under…

Author's Note

*This is what gender dysphoria is like for me a lot of times. My mind is racing and it won’t shut up about all of my fears and anxieties.

**This is what I once told myself about my suicidal thoughts. There’s a huge difference between having them and actually doing them.

***This is also true of suicidal thoughts, at least in my case. By learning to just have them and ignore them, they seem to stop happening less frequently. Although I still get them.