Looking for hope.
Brain vomit is helpful...right?!
Well, it’s Tuesday. I’ve already screwed up my plan to post every Monday. Whoops. BUT I am still posting this week which I count as a win. Yesterday I had to disassociate. I returned the class pet to school in the morning, took our own pets to the vet for their routine checkups, and then was so tired from all of that pet stuff (and the world) I crashed on the couch and watched the movies Here and Waitress. I mothered once the kids got home. I went for a ride in the car when it all got to be too much. I cooked dinner. I FaceTimed with my Monday night FaceTime friend who lives on the West Coast. I made energy balls. I read my book (currently reading The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst). And totally forgot to post.
Yesterday was a lot, wasn’t it?! The world is coming at us fast and furiously and it does not seem to want to let up. I know we’ve all seen the “pace yourselves!” posts and yes, definitely do that. But it feels like, HOW?!
I’m still sticking to my plan of not letting anything that’s just a hypothetical be something I give time to. The trouble so far this year is, everything he does is an action made/taken (therefore it’s not a hypothetical) so I give it thought and call my representatives, but then that action gets halted/paused/etc so it becomes a hypothetical again. It’s not gone, but it’s no longer real….yet. My brain can’t keep up.
I know you’re all in the same boat. I know because my DM’s on insta are full of folks feeling the same way. What a weird and terrible place we’re in right now. It’s hard to keep hopeful.
I DO know there are helpers helping. The fact that some actions are being shut down (or, paused at least) is fantastic.
I also know that we’ve had snow this year and that feels like an old friend coming back after a long time away. Snow can be a pain in the ass, but it’s also important and good for us. I for one am happy to see it.
Today I was outside and it smelled like Spring. That’s hopeful.
A recent headshot client is taking steps to start something new in her life now that her kids are grown and grandkids are thriving. I love that for her. That’s hopeful.
There are good things. We’ve got to keep focusing on that. And being the good things ourselves.
Keep calling your representatives (call if you can; it’s been proven calls are much more impactful than emails; this app is helpful) and keep fighting the good fight. Take your breaks, focus on what’s important, and remember you’re a glorious badass who is capable of finding joy even when it feels like there isn’t any.
What I’ve loved this week:
Don’t Believe Him by Ezra Klein. This helps a lot. (A NYTimes article with a gift link so no paywall)
How to Push Back by Joyce Vance.
On boycotting brands. I struggle with this these days. We personally boycott a LOT of places. But the list of awful just keeps growing and growing. It’s getting to the point of insanity and honestly? It’s a protest action that doesn’t have a big impact on the brands - but a huge impact on the ease of my own life. So I am releasing the pressure of that and taking away the guilt of shopping at a less-than-perfect place. There are other ways to protest. What I found most compelling about this article is that boycotting the larger corporations means also boycotting the smaller brands within - brands we want to support and love! This was a really helpful read for me and I hope it will be for you too.
The amazing Christine Koh gives us 7 Tiny Things to Do When You Are Just MEH.
I’ve personally been ruminating on the idea of the quiet rebellion of a little life for years. I’ve taken a lot of steps toward making my life purposely quieter, smaller, more intimate. And it’s been a joyful journey. So many silly things matter less. My stress is lower. It’s lovely. This post is great.
Mel Robbins said to stop saying ‘I have anxiety’ and I think this is important.
And last but not least, I leave you with something that had me giggling, and apparently all of you too, based on the DM’s I got in response to posting it:
In solidarity,
Kerry