Welp. Here we are, folks. This lovely image was created by my good friend and innovative education disruptor, Elizabeth and it’s one I use regularly to gauge my daily (hourly?) emotional/mental state these days.
I’ve maxed out the available open tabs on my iphone (500 in case anyone is interested) so I figured it’s time to come back to this little space and share what I’ve been saving all these months. Many of the things I’ve saved are no longer relevant or seem comically out of touch with our current reality. The oldest saved page is this one (from July 2019) about boundaries in relationships and those, for better or worse, will forever and always be important.
The next one I saved is about how Inuit families playfully teach young children to control their anger. As many find themselves home with their children full time these days, maybe this could be helpful still/now.
The next one I saved, and the final one I’ll pull from the Before Times (TM) is from July 2019. It made my cry then and it made me cry again now, reading it anew. No matter what is happening in the world, your needs are valid. Don’t let anyone: your partner, your parents, or our society, gaslight you into believing anything less. “What I understood on the other side of my decision was that there was no such thing as ruining yourself. There are ways to be wounded and ways to survive those wounds, but no one can survive denying their own needs.”
Okay, let’s move into the Current Times (TM). Time doesn’t have a lot of meaning in CT. I’ve been keeping a daily tracker of my time spent in “exile” here so I can anchor myself daily and have a little bit of structure and productivity which this article says impacts how we experience time passing.
Plagues and wars have historically created changes in medical procedures and this pandemic is no different. A crisis and the necessity of triage force new knowledge and practices. This article explains how the pandemic is doing just that.
As we’re all sheltering in place and social distancing, the former Surgeon General reminds us that human connection is vital. Lack of it can lead to depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. So check in with yourself and your people. Are you getting enough connection?
Speaking of substance abuse, are you feeling like you’re relying too much on that glass/es of wine at the end of the day? Are you just stuck in the habit and want to shake things up? Here are 17 ways to stay sober/things to do instead of drinking during the CT.
“Our touchstone is changing color. Our criteria for earning a life, a living, are mutating like a virus that wants badly to stay alive.” A beautiful piece on the seriousness and the absurdity; it can be both. Now where did I put my machete?
Groundbreaking research recommends seven ways to elevate women’s voices. Spread this one far and wide, please.
Here’s a long one so grab a cup of coffee and leisurely stroll through the history of consumerism and consumption-as-civic-duty in America.
Those were some serious and thought provoking topics so I’ll leave you with some lighter, more delicious ones.
I’m planning on working my way through this VERY important list over the next long while. Which look good to you?
This little girl has brought me joy over the past few weeks, maybe she’ll make you smile too.
That’s all for this week. It’s nice to be back here. I’d love to hear what’s making you think or bringing you joy these days, leave a comment and let me know what you’re up to!
Have fun, be safe, and love on each other (in CT safe ways),
Alix