Ocean Beach, September 9, 2020. Photo: Stephanie Rossi Chen/SFist
Good morning, y’all.
I had a fun mini guest-post all queued up and ready to go for you this Friday. But I’m holding off sharing it until next week (🤞🏽). The world is too hard right now, and it wouldn’t feel right to me to not acknowledge all the awful. Particularly here in my beloved California.
Early in Pandemia, I read an article that described how coping with this time is like everyone is on their own individual roller coaster. At any moment, some of us might be feeling up, with a positive perspective, the ability to be productive, and optimistic. Others at that same moment might be at that roller coaster apex right before the drop. And then there’s that weird feeling of going about your life feeling up or down at any given time, and not being able to calibrate with the people around you.
This week I’m in the massive-pit-in-your-stomach section of the roller coaster.
If I’ve learned anything since starting this newsletter three weeks into the pandemic, it’s that these more extreme ups and downs are part of this time. I’m doing my best to settle into the awful and let it be, instead of making myself wrong. But the truth is, my heart is breaking. The truth is, I feel crazy. The truth is, I am in despair for all of us, for our kids, for the animals also fleeing for their lives, for the trees and ecosystems and all the natural wonders that have made my state a magnet for dreamers since forever, for everything that we are losing, for all the loss yet to come.
A coach gave me the rollercoaster metaphor many many years ago as a perspective shifter. The most important part of the advice? That you would never get off a roller coaster before the end. Part of it is staying on it through the end of the ride. I’m hella bummed. But grateful to ride this out with all of you.
This week, instead of a question, I thought I’d open up a resource share. In the comments below, 👇🏽 will you tell me:
🎢 How do you stay on the rollercoaster?
What are your resources, practices, ideas, rituals, for keeping on?
For me, it’s my creative work (you know…like being with all of you, here); my Tater who gets me out of the house, even if lately it’s only for fifteen minutes at a time; and phone calls/chats/voice memos/Marco Polo videos/text messages from my people. Also this.
A couple of reminders below, and just a few links this week.
I love you. Keep going. And let me know how you are—and how you stay, below ♥️
xxoodani
Quick reminder about a couple of (free) events I’m facilitating this month:
Next All Writers Welcome meetup is Saturday, September 19 from 2-3:30pm PST. I’ve been leading these mini-workshops for the past few months and I’m astounded every time by the depth of what arises when a group of people write what’s true. It’s also been a profound way to process life in Pandemia. These workshops are designed to be generative, and are appropriate for all levels of writers. Register here.
San Francisco/Bay Area Bridge Club is Monday, September 22 from 7-8:30pm, PST. This strangely named event is an online recovery meeting where we check in and share stories and get support in sobriety (we don’t actually play cards). We’ve obviously gone virtual so even though technically it’s a local thing if you want to join you can from wherever you are. If you’re on the fence but maybe need some hand holding please email me and I can answer all your questions and give you all of the pep talks. Register here.
⛓ Links du jour:
🔥 Forgive my lapse last week: Without further ado, click here for my “Apocalyptic Hellscape Summer 2.0” playlist. Just in time for a weekend spent raging indoors. If the spirit moves you, leave your songs below (it’s not too late!) and I’ll add them.
🎼 Speaking of music: My dear friend David recently shared this extremely rad mix. The associated interview is totally worthwhile, too.
✊🏽 “How to Corrupt the Youth” - A fantastic write-up about Briana Toole, educator and philosopher, who uses philosophy as “…the key to helping young people understand the world around them—and stand up for themselves.”
⚓️ Last, our dear Nick Cave with some advice on how to get up off the ocean floor.
Thank you so much for being a part of this community. If you like this newsletter, please consider sending it to a friend or subscribing. And don’t forget to share your resources/practices below!
I am OK; and I find I am more OK when I have quiet. Kiddo is back to school and I have my office (living room) back to myself. It is delightfully quiet at this moment, I can hear birds outside.
Being newly sober (81 days) I try to give myself some sort of present every day. It can be small like an extra diet coke or big like my fancy new fire pit arriving today.
"I find I am more OK when I have quiet." yes, I relate to this. And thank you for sharing your days and your ritual. makes me remember to do something kind for myself.
Falling off is waaay scarier than staying on. Faith the damned thing won't fly off the rails. Knowledge this too shall pass (so far it always has). And that brief moment of joy when you're on the top and can see the world around you. Cupcakes help too.
love to you back, Elisabeth.
I am OK; and I find I am more OK when I have quiet. Kiddo is back to school and I have my office (living room) back to myself. It is delightfully quiet at this moment, I can hear birds outside.
Being newly sober (81 days) I try to give myself some sort of present every day. It can be small like an extra diet coke or big like my fancy new fire pit arriving today.
Keep on keepin' on
xo
"I find I am more OK when I have quiet." yes, I relate to this. And thank you for sharing your days and your ritual. makes me remember to do something kind for myself.
Falling off is waaay scarier than staying on. Faith the damned thing won't fly off the rails. Knowledge this too shall pass (so far it always has). And that brief moment of joy when you're on the top and can see the world around you. Cupcakes help too.
thank you, Ted. I think the other day when you mentioned a new career, I think that maybe "poet" is what you meant.
also no cupcakes today but i think maybe i'll get my favorite ice cream.
I appreciate your encouragement--really. No really, it means a lot.
same, dear Ted.