myth's Belated DMSI 3.1 Journal

[myth]

Prologue: Externals, part 4.

Effort toward external sexiness

1. Preexisting DMSI? Yes.
   
2. While listening to DMSI? Yes.
   
3. Difference in frequency so far? Less frequent effort and reduced duration of effort.
   
4. Difference in quality so far? More subtle. Less artifice.
   
5. Before/during preference so far? Unsure, but leaning toward before. Previous effort and excess elicited a more positive external response, although there's some comfort in feeling non-reliant on it. Even so, it's almost as if "effortless sexiness" has been translated into no/low effort toward sexiness with a correspondingly lesser response. "Working harder" has been de-emphasized; unfortunately, it's being discouraged even when "working smarter" hasn't been a presently viable alternative. May also relate to a newer get-it-over-with attitude interfering with take-my-time-and-get-it-right. (If I've confused you: Motivation to start/excel is different than motivation to finish prematurely or to rush a prior step for the sake of reaching the next step sooner. As success and succession share a verb, I'm hoping -- but not assuming, in either direction -- that my subconscious isn't misunderstanding being told to "succeed.")
   

External assistance toward external sexiness

1. Preexisting DMSI? Yes.
   
2. While listening to DMSI? Yes.
   
3. Difference in frequency so far? Noticeably more frequent.
   
4. Difference in quality so far? More targeted, clear, helpful, and productive. Estheticians, hygienists, dentists, friends, etc have been much more vocal (constructively only) and unsolicited about what they think would improve my appearance. Less unhelpful criticism. While it could be argued that I've become more accepting of criticism, the distinction between a productive suggestion and a shaming insult is hardly subtle. Results of preexisting, recurrent efforts have also become more effective, albeit through practical improvement and adjustment of the methods involved and not through simply relying on wishful thinking or rose-tinted glasses.
   
5. Before/during preference so far? During.
   

Onlooker reaction (during PDA)

1. Preexisting DMSI? Mostly at parties.
   
2. While listening to DMSI? Yes.
   
3. Difference in frequency so far? More frequent.
   
4. Difference in quality so far? Shorter duration. Less voyeurism. More laughter, surprise, and amusement, often by both the user's and the responder's friends.
   
5. Before/during preference so far? Don't care. Only reporting as an observation.
   

And that's it for the externals. Maybe "a few extra posts" was underselling it. Sorry if it's a bit dry and clinical, but I wasn't really aiming for entertainment. Might start on the internals a bit later/tomorrow, but I can't spend the day on this. Catch-up's a time-consuming condiment.