Hi queens!

I'm a huge nerd and I've been in love with ancient history and mythology since I was eleven. I think a big part of why Greek mythology has endured for so long is because of how relatable and human-like the gods and heroes were. Here are some FDS-style takeaways I've gleaned from the stories I've read throughout the years.

  • A man being rich, powerful, and handsome does not automatically make him high value
    • There are so many stories of nymphs, mortals, and minor deities being taken advantage of by more powerful gods. Zeus being the most prevalent example. In some cases, they tried to run (like Daphne) but the saddest instances are the ones who felt flattered and lucky to be receiving attention from a god. Things didn't turn out so great for them. Aside from gods, there's Ariadne, the clever mortal princess who fell in love with the hero Theseus and despite helping him navigate the labyrinth, he liked her sister better and left Ariadne on an island during his voyage home. I like this story the best because despite Ariadne being left in the dust, she ends up Dionysus, an Olympian. TL;DR: Don't be all giddy for some picture perfect guy when you don't really know who he is yet. Don't date potential (Ariadne) because he will leave you once he's had his come up. All that glitters isn't gold. But! Don't give up on love because someone better might be just around the corner <3
  • Be wary of married men
    • This just goes without saying and relates to the first point. Zeus would pursue many affairs with mortal women and nymphs and the only people who ever answered for his jealous wife's anger were the mistresses themselves. TL;DR: It's not worth it sis. Even if he does leave you for her, if he's willing to cheat on her then he's willing to cheat on you. Stay away from community dick!
  • Women with bad reputations could actually be really cool and misunderstood!
    • This bullet point is inspired by the novel Circe by Madeline Miller (highly recommend!!) which explores and expands upon the story of Circe, an immortal witch from Greek mythology, who is most known for turning men into pigs. Ancient Greece was super patriarchal and any independent woman in a myth is bound to get smeared. Circe is no exception. The novel reimagines her as a willful woman who learns to wield her own power and bow to no one even though she is just a minor deity. TL;DR: We all know how confident, independent women asserting their boundaries get labelled all kinds of negative things. Find out for yourself if someone is truly "a bitch" because they could turn out to be based and a great friend!
  • We don't have to bend to brute strength
    • Men loooooooove to talk biology when it comes to their better physical capabilities as if this is the best advantage one can have over someone else. Odysseus was the most clever of heroes and his wit served him well. He was not the best fighter at all and yet he was able to defeat a cyclops, outwit just about everybody, and win the heart of a goddess. Speaking of Odysseus, his wife Penelope was every bit as intelligent as him and was able to keep a bunch of lustful suitors at bay with a clever trick. TL;DR: Brute strength is not all it's cracked up to be. If anything, it just makes men cocky because they are so certain of their own superiority. Use his arrogance against him! Use your mind. Being underestimated can be a huge advantage ;)
  • Embrace new beginnings
    • When Aeneas, a son of Venus, was fleeing Troy carrying his father on his back, he thought he was a loser. After all, his city did just get sacked. However, Aeneas and the group he led out of Troy ended up founding what would later become Rome. TL; DR: We all have our failures and low points in life but these can be thought of as redirections instead of life-ruining.
  • Beautiful women get more attention. They do not necessarily get treated better.
    • I'm not saying being beautiful is not a serious advantage that makes life run more smoothly or that looks aren't important. I'm saying that being beautiful alone does not guarantee a peaceful, easy life. Besides women like Helen of Troy, Europa, etc. think of women from more modern times. Marilyn Monroe's life ended tragically early. Beautiful women get more attention and while this can be a good thing, it is not always positive attention. A tik toker I love put it so well when she said "Sure, men are buying you drinks, but what's in those drinks?" TL;DR: Do not let envy or pessimism blind you to the reality that good looks are not a guarantee of a good life. "Looksmaxxing" can only get you so far. No HVM would only love someone for what they look like, so make sure to be a well-rounded person (as well as a bad bitch).
  • Know Thyself
    • I'll end this list with the saying written at the entrance of the Oracle of Delphi. While brief, it is powerful. Throughout my life, I've had so many instances where I could see the bullshit right in front of me but I felt like I had to suppress that knowledge to fit in and be liked. Reading the FDS handbook felt like returning to my senses. TL;DR: We are supposed to trust our intuition and gut instincts. Don't listen to societal norms that tell you you're supposed to bend over backwards and sacrifice your dignity and autonomy in order to be picked by some guy. Our pick me days serve as a lesson and now that we know better, we'll do better <3