Hey everyone! I hope each of you are experiencing whatever kind of Friday afternoon you need right now.
I can’t stay and chat for long because I’m in bed recovering from a severe allergic reaction to shellfish. I still have the hospital bracelet on to prove it. It’s the closest I’ll get to a music festival wristband this year, so I guess I’ll keep it on for three days.
As I float through the twilight of my experience, lying on my back atop lavender sheets with my head propped on two pillows, I try to process my night of violent illness, but I can only pay attention to the tiny sliver of the world around me. Some guys from the HVAC company are in and out of the attic to work on our air conditioning. They take breaks on the patio outside the bedroom window to chat and tell jokes. The scent of coffee beans wafts up from the coffee shop below our apartment. It looks pleasant and sunny outside, but I’m too exhausted to go find out for myself.
Of course I didn’t want to get sick, but sometimes it’s positive for me to take a day or two with nothing to focus on but the local sounds and scents.
On each day I’m not ill, I write up a totally unrealistic to do list that usually includes items too vague to ever complete — like “figure out life,” no joke — then tell myself I should be strong enough to do it all. (I’m working on editing this process and this perspective, so I can live happier, less stressful, more gratifying days.) At best, I get a couple things done and feel bad about leaving the rest unfinished. At worst, I can’t even begin it because I’m too overwhelmed.
Feeling ill-equipped for the task or overwhelmed by the size of the problem I think might be a common reason why some of us have trouble making a move in the fight for justice. I know it’s kept me immobile at times, just as my anxiety can keep me from tackling personal goals. There’s an exercise in this article from Man Repeller that helped me break that down a little or myself, and might do the same for you if you need it.
When you are ready, and if you are a Cincinnati resident like me, take a look at this list of ways to get involved locally, made by my friend David. It includes calls to action, protest resources, links and info for local and national organizations, and other tools for getting involved in anti-racist work at a local level. It’s a long list with a lot to take in, but is really helpful if you need recommendations!
A song for you
A little disco for the Disco Diaries.
Fortune cookie
If you want to swim, you’ve got to dive in.
That’s all for this week, as I must return to my rest. I hope to get back to more regular programming next Friday. As always, thank you so much for reading! Take care out there.
Katya
P.S. I’ve been having some issues with Disco Diaries ending up in the “Promotions” tab. If that’s been happening for you, just add this email address to your contacts!
Bye bye!